Dana Made It + Oilcloth

You all know Dana from the popular Made blog, right? Of course you do! She's the talented blogger that brought us orange lace oilcloth slip covered bar stools and many more great oilcloth creations of the years. 

 

Dana is also the author of the book called Fabrics A to Z and The Fabric Selector. Dana believes that no fabric should be feared so she and Kate from See Kate Sew have teamed up  for a new series called Don't Fear the Fabric!

Dana has been focusing on Oilcloth and Kate has been sharing tips, tricks and tutorials about leather. I love this combo, in fact I think it's perfect. When I was a costumer for film and theatre (B.M. - Before Motherhood) I specialized in tailoring. In the 90's it was very popular for classical productions to have a modern look and leather was the fabric of choice for many costume designers. For example, I was on a team that made a dozen leather pants for an opera St. Louis Opera. I believe it was this set of sewing skills that have made me fearless enough to become Modern June, Oilcloth Addict!

Dana covered the the how to's for working with oilcloth,  

 

Cute and easy oilcloth coasters.

 

A simple geo banner.

 

A fun no-sew project - Oilcloth Planters. 

She's also giving away a great gift from Modern June for two of her readers. Head over to Danamadeit.com to enter to win a copy of my Sewing with Oilcloth book and a four pack of fat quarters of oilcloth!

Happy sewing!!

Porch Party: DIY Oilcloth Buffet/Bar

Oilcloth Addict

On Friday I needed an extra table to serve as a bar for my Junie porch party. I have a lot of pretty tables but none of them were the right size and shape. So I pulled out one of our small show tables, you know those folding 2' x 4' tables that most of us have on hand.

I got this idea last week when a customer ask if I could make a tablecloth to cover one of these tables, that she uses one as an outdoor buffet. She wanted the tablecloth to hang to the ground so you couldn't see the legs. The cost for a tablecloth of this size would be very high so I suggested that she do this instead...

Folding Table Bar Tutorial  

 Time: 5-10 minutes

Oilcloth: 4 yards 

Cost $32.00 

Supplies needed: 2'x 4' folding table, scissors, staple gun.

I grabbed up some not-so-gently used green gingham oilcloth that I had laying around in the storage room, it was perfect for my quick and dirty project. As you can I see, I didn't even use proper scissors! Did I mention that I made this 30 minutes before the guests arrived?

 I used 3 panels of oilcloth that measured 22" by 47". I started on the sides and stapled them so they just touched the floor. I made little pleats to make the corners nice and pretty.

 Two ends complete. I left the back open since no one would see it.

I took the last panel and stapled it across the front of the table.

What I like about this is that you can lift up the front panel and stash extra bottles under the table. It's great to have extra's close by but out of sight.

I used a Scalloped Splat Mat from the stock to use a table topper. I picked the yellow hibiscus to match the settee that's also on the porch.

It' worked out nicely!! I'll be able to take out the staples, roll up the fabric and have it for my next porch party or craft show! Easy-peasy!!

Happy Summer,
Kelly

Let's Celebrate!

About two years ago, I received an email from my beloved editor, Roxanne Cerda. She had the idea for a book filled with oilcloth projects, and she wanted me to bring it to life. You know I almost died of happiness that day! 

A year later, I found myself with my new friend and photographer Megan McSweeney photos for the book. It was crazy fun as we went from location to location setting-up and then taking fabulous pictures. By this time I was also doing author reviews--the process of fine tuning text and patterns in my book with Charlotte Kughen, my Project Editor. The review process was really fast paced--there was a constant stream of emails going back and forth between the two of use for months. I actually have over 500 emails from her during that time.

Fast forward one more year, and I've just I received my first Royalty Statement--not a check, but a count of my book sales from the publisher. Our book did very well in pre-sale and during the first 2 months and I am thrilled beyond belief!

What an amazing two years it has been! What I learned about writing books and publishing patterns could fill an entire book by itself. I learned most projects require four pattern revisions and subsequent mock ups before a pattern is ready for someone else to look at. And more revisions may be needed after that. Phew! Who knew it would take all that time and energy?!?!

Since publication, I've had the chance to travel and share my book with people from all over the country. Thanks to Country Living Fairs, local shops, my websites, and Quilt Market, I've met a lot of great people, introducing them to the joys of working with oilcloth and laminated cotton. Honestly, its hard for me to convey what an honor that has been for me.

So, I say its time we celebrate and give away a two signed copies of The Book along with 3 yards of oilcloth. You've got to have fabric to go along with a book of projects after all.

To enter please head over to our Modern June Facebook page "LIKE" us before Wednesday 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, and then leave a message on our Wall. Do the same with our Oilcloth Addict Facebook page. By entering a message on both, you'll get two chances to win. Only one (1) entry per Facebook post, per person, for the duration of the contest, for a total of two (2) entries if you post on each page for the duration of the contest.  If you "LIKE" us already don't worry, just leave us a love note mentioning the contest on our Facebook page to enter. But remember, do this by 5 PM EST, Wednesday, February 1, 2012.  I'll pick two random winners that evening, one from each page. The winners will receive a signed copy of my book, and 3 yards of their choice of oilcloth fabric.

Good luck!

Great Giveaway!

Modern June and Oilcloth Addict are very proud sponsors of this years National Tie One On Day! We are giving away a copy of Sewing with Oilcloth and a bundle of fabric. Below you'll find just a little bit about this great project! Please click over to Apron Memories to learn more!!

...Participation in NTOODay™ is simple. On the day before Thanksgiving, pause in the preparation of your own meal, wrap a loaf of bread or other baked good in an apron, tuck a prayer or note of encouragement in the pocket, and tie one on…an apron, of course! and deliver the wrapped bundle to someone without your bounty… a neighbor, friend or family member in need of physical or spiritual sustenance, a bit of recognition or just a kind word...

....To enter the NTOOD™ 2011 Goodie Giveaway, please leave your email address and a comment on this blog entry - and share how you will be participating in National Tie One On Day™, what you'll be making, baking or sewing, the beneficiary of your act of kindness, how you're putting the “give” back into Thanksgiving!

The two Goodie Giveaway Winners will be selected early Thanksgiving morning using a helpful random number selector. I’ll be contacting the two winners via email – without an email, however, alternate winners with emails will be selected...

 I really wish I could enter!! This is an amazing about or loot to enjoy!! Good luck my lovelies!

Sewing with Oilcloth Blog Tour Day 3!!

Happy Sewing with Oilcloth Blog Tour Day 3 to you all! We've needed to switch things up a little this week. I'll be filling in for Sew Mama Sew today, while they await their copies of the book. (Silly shipping company!!)

In a perfect world an 80 year old tree won’t have dropped on my home on Saturday, I would have internet, and this post would have already been up this morning. I am sorry for the delay, I hate making you all wait.

Today, I wanted to share a few things I did to keep organized and on schedule while I wrote this book. (Of course we can't for get the giveaway! See below for the details.)

MY MOOD BOARD

I used this louvered door in my studio as my Sewing with Oilcloth mood board for months. It helped me keep track of which projects I had finished and which ones needed doing. It also helped me create a balance with fabrics prints and colors. I wanted this book to be a very pretty book with lots of bright and interesting colors.

As I look at it now I see that a few samples changed in the end. One reason for the changes was the editing process. I had the pleasure of working with a great team of editors at Wiley. Some of the these talented ladies tweaked my copy and some the patterns themselves. We also had a team of testers give some of the patterns a go, and we then made any necessary changes.

A few projects changed fabrics because we received new prints in. I wanted to show you all the latest and greatest designer laminates and my new favorite oilcloth in the book. I know how easy it is to fall in love with a fabric, and you will be able to come to the Oilcloth Addict shop and buy exactly what you saw in the book.

MY TRUSTY FILE SUITCASE!

If you were to see me in a coffee shop, library or book store between November 2010 and April 2011, you would have seen me with my trusty Mac Book Pro and this file folder. Within the folders I kept copies of swatches, patterns and print outs for each project.

I also kept any photos that inspired that particular project. Sometimes it was a magazine layout with a great color combination, or a cool hand bag with a great flap. You never know where you’ll find inspiration. It’s fun to take a bit of this and bit of that to create something fresh and new.

I hope you all enjoyed this silly little peak behind the scenes.

Now let’s talk giveaway! I would love to give you a free copy of my book and some free fabric!!! The book is filled with projects for all three of the following fabrics. Please leave a comment and let me know if you want 2 yards of oilcloth, 2 yards of laminated cotton, or 2 yards of chalk cloth.

Happy Sewing,
Kelly