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Mendocino happiness + a local treasure

Posted on 9 June 2009 by whatthestitch

Mendocino arrived on Saturday, Tripp brought it to work when he picked me up — I was really that excited! I checked the mail box every day after ordering it, hoping that by some miracle it would get here the next day…not likely with the USPS, but hey, a girl can hope 😉 (I didn’t have to wait too long –it got here in just 3 days! Yay, Pickled Pear Lane!)

Here it is in all it’s double-gauzy glory. I am actually really surprised at how incredibly soft it is…I can’t wait to quilt with it!

Super soft double gauze. Mmm.

I am letting Mendocino chill for a while until I find or create a quilt pattern I really love. I am very inspired by everything over at Film in the Fridge, and I especially love what she did with Heather Ross’ Far Far Away collection — it’s so simple and gorgeous. I think the Mendocino line, like Far Far Away, is pretty enough on its own, and I don’t really need an elaborate pattern to dress them up. Seems like a charm quilt is in order!

Last night I was itching to sew but I don’t have my walking foot yet, so I decided to tackle a little project from Made by Rae — the Buttercup bag. As capable as I generally am at sewing, bags seem to be my downfall. Am I just bad at following patterns? Nah, I just get ahead of myself too often and want to alter things on a pattern I am unfamiliar with. I tried to make the pattern 1″ bigger all ’round, and ended up with a miserable failure…Oops!

Purse "finished" -- sorta

I did perfect my pleats, though:

Sewing pleats -- not as difficult as imagined!

Today I finally got a chance to head over to The Rabbit’s Lair, which I’ve heard about from several local quilters who’ve come into my coffee shop lately. It was like I was dreaming! All these beautiful fabrics in person, that I could actually touch and look over carefully. It was magical. Maybe next time I won’t be so entranced (and so rushed!) and I’ll have a chance to take a few photos (if they’ll allow it — the lady that was there was really sweet, though, so I can’t imagine anyone saying no). Anyway, I picked up an Aviary by 3 Sisters Charm Pack. It’s gorgeous. Here be my spoils:

Aviary Collection.

Pinked edges = no raveling = happy me.

I also ordered 4 yards of Kona Cotton from Pink Chalk Fabrics — two yards each of Cyan (backing for my future Mendocino quilt) and plain ol’ white, which I have a feeling will become sashing.