I dabble in so many different aspects of sewing, that sometimes its a while before I work on one specific thing or another. In other words, I can sometimes be a binge crafter. Its been a while since I’ve done foundation piecing, and I was reminded as I was working on my latest project just how...
After making one My Belle with a button down bodice, I just had to have another! I made this one with two prints from Juliana Horner’s Homestead collection which I absolutely love! In fact, as soon as I laid eyes on this blue print, I knew I needed a few yards just for a dress....
I’m so happy to be able to have a day to fit in a little bit of selfish sewing. I thought I was going to lose my sewing mojo after yesterdays Crafters for Courage auction. My quilt went for $250 which after the cost of materials put my hourly rate at a whopping $2. That...
hi Meredith,
I love the idea of buying and selling handmade! I think it not only helps the individual making it but I honestly feel better as the buyer knowing that someone put their own hands to work. I’m not very good at sewing (I’m trying) but am a much better crocheter and find that I love it when people are interested in the work that I’m doing which is for me is really therapeutic. I do think it’s good to be selfish though. You’re doing this for you really and that’s how it should be. If you were making things that you didn’t like I don’t think you would find it as satisfying. At least that’s how I feel. I do understand the feeling of worthlessness though, especially when I’ve made the most darling hat for one of my kiddos and it spends more time on the floor than on their head, haha. Chin up! You do marvelous and beautiful work!ReplyCancel
I’m sorry about your quilt…and I agree 100% with you, I don’t think people realize how much time goes into handmade items. It kind of gives you a glimpse into our material world, I want it now, and don’t want to think about who made it or what they were paid to make it!
I had an etsy shop years ago that did well. I loved it for a bit, but it eventually felt like I was a sweat shop. Crayon rolls were my big sellers and they became the most boring things to make. I could whip them out quickly because they were just a bunch of straigh lines. I eventually decided I want to continue loving my hobby so I stopped my etsy shop and now just sew for fun!ReplyCancel
Hi Meredith,
I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing your beautiful sewing projects, you really have talent!
I checked in on the auction a couple of times, and was disappointed to see the low bids on both your quilt, and a beautiful star quilt. They were both gorgeous, and as a (new) quilter, I know the money and work that goes into these projects. I hope your discouragement is short lived. God knows your heart, and your intent in donating your quilt.
I would be interested in a post on tips or your process for sewing Liberty lawn, as this winter I am going to make a quilt with this material.
Keep up the beautiful work, and don’t ever appologize for taking time to do the things that make YOU happy, it can be hard with babies, but we all deserve it.ReplyCancel
I will definitely post about sewing with Liberty! Just next week I plan on starting a custom quilt for a client of mine that will primarily be made with Liberty. Its not at all difficult, but there are some things you can do to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible!
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! :)ReplyCancel
Oh sweets! That is hard! I really feel for you! I made a cot quilt that sold for less than the cost to make it at the boys school fair last year, it was so demoralising – so I completely understand where you are coming from! This year I opted to make one to raffle. That didn’t do as well as I’d hoped either as we were challenged with a most awful day! However, I did meet the lady who won the quilt, and she told me she was so thrilled because she’s never won anything and when she bought the ticket she hoped it would be her lucky day! Her happiness made me feel so much brighter! I take comfort in knowing that it will be loved by someone who wanted it a lot!
You did a truly lovely thing! Don’t doubt yourself!!! Your handmade goodies are amazing! And I look forward to your post on sewing with Liberty! XxReplyCancel
So sorry to hear about that ! I do understand how you are feeling though. I would never in a million years give a quilt away, even for a good cause because there is way too much work that goes into it and yes, people are trying to get things they normally wouldn’t buy because they usually can get it at a bargain (which is frustrating but understandable).
I sometimes sell handmade stuff I make (and I have an Etsy shop where I sell quilts and baby shoes) it is really important for me to price my items well. For example, my baby quilts are $250 (40″x50″). I timed myself while making one and at this price, I’m being paid $15/hours (which is a little bit above the minimum wage here in Québec), my material is being paid for and I’m also making 20% of profit on it. Profit is important when running a business because that’s the money you’re going to invest in your company.
Sometimes, I don’t feel comfortable with my price, but I do know that if someone asked me why it’s so expensive, I could give them an answer and they couldn’t argue with me.
People will come to understand the real value of handmade one day :)
Keep your head up and just keep doing what you do. It’s beautiful !ReplyCancel
I had the same thing happen to me. Good new was the young man that bought it, truly loved the quilt. It meant something that a young person spent their hard earned money on something I made.
It was then and there that I had to decide that if I donated something, I would not worry about how much it went for. If I can’t do it, I keep that item for something else.
I don’t know if it helps for you to know that others have had the same thing happen.ReplyCancel
I can’t believe I never blogged about this, but last year I got the privilege of working with Alison Glass on one of her new quilt patterns. Well, she wrote the pattern and all that, but she let me make the quilt on the cover of the paper pattern! (And Angela Walters quilted it! How...
I love this pattern!
We recently moved and were using a white coverlet on our bed with an smaller quilt for color. I’m super tired of the smaller quilt. Often times I will just put the smaller quilt on the bench and the bed looks cleaner. I always need the back of the quilt to be something I really like because I need to switch things around often.ReplyCancel
We allow our dog on our bed (very bad habit) so we just have a target quilt cover…something that won’t pain me to wash weekly and see “dissolve” over time. I would hate to see something I made get so worn out, but I’ve recently decided to get over it and I’m making a scrappy quilt as a test run. It is something I won’t mind if the dog stains it or if the washing machine wears it down.ReplyCancel
Your work is inspiring. Years ago I made a quilt for my sister, who took it with her when she married, who shared it with her son when he married and I think it died from overwork. I used to love changing the quilts when I changed the sheets, often picking sheets that would go with a quilt. I’m on Long Island, NY and last years blizzard, nor’easter & all other gifts of nature ended up flooding our basement and we lost so many things. Sometimes it’s the memories of happy events with the lost items that hits the hardest. Among the carnage were my quilts. My DH went to get me one since he knew that since I was bedridden, I wouldn’t be able to make one. So now it’s one. He also gave me a quilt stand & I think of it as a reason to keep working on my recovery so one day I can I can fill it. :-)ReplyCancel
Sadly… I have a scruffy old coverlet from HomeGoods on my bed and have for years :(
I give away everything I make as fast as its finished. None of my immediate family has anything. Its all extended family and paid commission work. Think I need to re-evaluate my priorities! What is it they say, the cobblers kids have no shoes???ReplyCancel
I would *like* to have quilts to change out on my bed but that means I have to make another quilt for me and stop giving them away or selling them! I do however change out my lap quilts on the couch with the seasons….. Christmas is my favourite so sometimes it sits until march but this year I hope to make a valentine’s quilt…
thanks for the chance to win!ReplyCancel
I switch the quilts around on all the beds in the house. julie.mckay@xtra.co.nzReplyCancel
I’ve done very little fabric shopping lately, but I do have to show you the few things I couldn’t live without. First up are those stunning Liberty fabrics from Jones and Vandermeer I told you I needed a few weeks ago. ( ^ the two bottom ones ^ ) I can’t wait to make dresses...
I generally don’t buy any fabric without having a purpose. I stash two different ways: either I am buying a collection (pretty much only Anna Maria, but there are some other designers I’ll do this with as well), and I’ll get either half or full yard cuts of every fabric in the line (these are the fabrics that will “last” a while), OR I’ll stash for garment sewing in which case I’ll buy about a yard and a half of 54″ fabric or closer to three yards for 44″ fabric (these fabrics generally get used up within a week of receiving them). Rarely I’ll stash some backing fabrics, because I normally wait to buy the fabric that I think will go best with whatever quilt it is. If I know for sure that I’m stashing for a bed quilt for me, and only if I already have the top planned out, I’ll do six yards, but for any other backing I’ll generally get between two and four yards. Hope that helps!ReplyCancel
Welcome to Olivia Jane Handcrafted! I'm Meredith and this is my creative journal. Here you'll find loads of inspiration for a handmade wardrobe, home decor, bags, and quilts. I even have plenty of projects and tutorials to get you started or help you along the way.
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I just saw Juliana Horner’s fabrics at the store, and fell in love with a particular pattern! But alas, the care instructions say “do not iron”–which confuses me, it’s cotton fabric and it didn’t seem any different than her fabrics that are able to be ironed. Low heat, I guess I could understand…but no iron?
I have no clue why it would say that. I’ve washed and ironed many of her fabrics. They are a standard premium quilting cotton- so don’t worry! They shouldn’t be ruined with regular care.
Well, I’m going to try ironing it on low on an edge, and I’ll see what happens! It’s such gorgeous fabric that I can’t wait to use it!