marie-madeline studio

Barefoot Roses is back!

We're back from the Titanic 100!  An absolutely wonderful time was had, and we can't wait to share some pictures with y'all.  However, right now, since the pictures need to be gone through a little we will talk about some grand new fabric that just came in!

Does anyone remember Barefoot Roses by Tanya Whelan???  It came out a few years ago, and was Tanya's first line for FreeSpirit fabrics.  Well, this extremely popular line is BACK in the great pink and green colorways that we all love.  And, of course, we got the entire line, so go check it out!

Back again soon, Lord willing, so hang tight! xox the Long ladies

Oh, happy skirt!

Personally, we were tempted to title this post "Our Mommy is insanely cute", but we opted for more of a descriptive term about that fabulous skirt she's sporting.

If we had to choose simple words to describe what Mom likes to wear best it would be happy colors.  Oh, yes.  And she just likes what she likes, regardless if anyone else is wearing it (we love that about her).  We have already previously mentioned that Mom wore a red and white checked skirt to her high school graduation.  See what we mean?  Happy and unique.

Mom's first idea for this skirt came to life after seeing jeans done up in a similar patchy way.  (There are instructions in the ePattern about making skirts too.)  When Nan came down last fall they put together a darling patchy denim skirt out of reds and navys, that is just perfect for fall.  Well, of course, spring and summer call for something more bright and fun.  And, who's fabric can be described like that better than our friend Jennifer Paganelli's?

It goes without saying that we can't just follow the directions to the letter.  Oh no.  So, Mom and Nan added specialty "cut out" pieces, and a gorgeous swath of vintage lace from Mom's fabulous stash.  It was originally a table runner, so Nan meticulously cut around and about to make it that neat shape.  Our those two great or what??

Happy and bright.  Yep.  That's our Mom!!

xoxxx

new fabric, greige goods, and a sale.

You know we're always telling you that it really is possible to go crazy over fabric.  And this new collection from Lecien proves it!  We were absolutely smitten the minute these bolts arrived on our doorstep.  But the fun thing about Old New 30s is that these gorgeous prints are printed on three different types of greige goods (pronounced "gray" - which basically means unfinished fabrics prior to printing).  We thought we'd take a few minutes to show you the difference...

Okay, so this is our personal favorite.  These fabrics are 100% cotton, so they're easy to sew with and wash up like a dream.  (As a matter of fact, these only get better wash after wash!)  BUT instead of being printed on the typical sheeting of quilting cottons, this fabric is woven more loosely, with much larger threads.  So it feels a whole lot like a soft cotton-linen blend.  Very substantial.  And it makes the most beautiful garments!  (Pictures coming soon...)

Here's an up-close shot of the weave --

Onto fabric #2.  These prints also 100% cotton, and heavier weight to boot.  There's a pretty slub running through the weave of the fabrics that gives them great texture.  (Also perfect for clothing!)  And how adorable is that little tulip print?!  

Click on these pictures to see them up closer...

And finally, the good old stuff we're all used to.  Quilting-weight cottons!

We are so excited about that little deer print - cutest thing ever!  All printed on the smooth 100% cotton sheeting that you expect from Lecien.  We can't wait to show you the projects we've been working on this week.

So, what do you think of Old New 30s?!

This week all Lecien fabrics in the studio are 25% off, including new collections!!  And sewing patterns are 15% off.  (You'll find some marked down as low as $5.10!)  The Lecien sale includes Folk Heart, Color Basics, Flower Sugar spring, Flower Sugar fall, and Garden by Hokkoh.

 

We trust you all have a lovely, joy-filled Easter, celebrating the love of Christ!

xoxo, the Long ladies

Piece by Piece

Wow!  Thank you so much for all the sweet comments about my Gina dress!  You are just too kind.  I will say that on our recent spring break I had the happy opportunity to wear it officially, and loved it! (And I did wear it with those bright blue flats I was telling you about....)

Several of you asked if this was going to become part of our ladies pattern line.  Sadly, we don't plan on it.  However, I'm going to give you all a blow by blow (or piece by piece--- Get it!?) account of how I made it.  I will give you one small warning... some of it is semi free-handing, free-flowing, so it will take maybe a bit more work than another dress.  But, trust me, it's absolutely completely worth it!

Now, let's jump in!

The Gina Dress ~

::I started out with these two Retro Butterick patterns -- the one on the left (B5209) for the skirt, and the right pattern (B4790) for the bodice.  And, of course, I used this fabric.

::The Bodice -- Technically, the pattern is designed to be a wrap-around bodice (remember this darling dress of Abigail's??), but, I just didn't want to "settle" with that, as I really wanted it to be very, very similar to Gina's.  However, the bodice did seem to be the right shape.  So!  I placed the back pattern piece 5/8" in from the fold of the fabric to allow for a zipper.  Then, once I'd cut the piece out I just sliced the piece into two for the zipper space.  I cut out the front piece all the way down past the long dart.  Obviously, it ended up considerably longer than the back piece, and had to be trimmed up at the end to match up with the back, but I wanted to make sure that the dart laid down properly.

I piped out the sleeves and neckline with this Stella dot.  And, I used this fabulous tutorial from friend Jona to make one fat quarter into 5 yards of bias binding.  When it was time to "draw the lines" in the tutorial I chose to make the pencil marks only 1 1/4" apart (vs. the 1 3/4" it calls for).  Gina's dress piping seemed to be on the smallish side, so I opted to make mine smaller too.

Once I'd sewn the darts, sewn up the shoulder seams, and placed the piping around the neck and down quite bit on the sides, it's time for the slightly more 'free-flowing' part.  I had my lovely assitants - aka sisters (whichever one was free at the moment) - help me pin up the back seam at approx. 5/8" (zipper space), and then pin up the sides to fit me correctly.  Once I took it off, I used a quilt marking water-soluble pen to make lines up the sides, and basted it.  After trying it on again, chopping off some of the extra fabric, and fixing any other things that needed done, I sewed it regularly and finished the seams.  Zipper up the back.  Bodice done!

::The Skirt --  Really easy peasy.  I used the pattern for the skirt exactly as they say to (it's four pieces... a seam up the front, back, and both sides).  The only thing I changed was that I added about 6" to the skirt to give it the length I wanted.  (Oh, and I didn't pre-wash my fabric, so the length did shrink up a bit.)  When I attached the skirt to the bodice the first time, it really was missing some of the shaping I was wanting.  Once we pulled it up to the more proper area - read in my natural waist - and I restitched it, and it was just perfect!

There you have it!  I do hope some of you will give it a whirl.  It really is a very fun dress!  And, of course, I would love to see pictures of your very own Gina dress if you decide to make it!

Oh, oh, oh!  And several of you asked about the hairstyle I was sporting in my Gina pictures.  Abiah gets the credit for that one.  Lord willing we'll have up some sort of how-to for it later on this week!

Have a beautiful night! xox Achaia

Going Through the Era's: the Gina dress

If it hasn't been said already (and I think it has), I have a great love for all things vintage.  And, clothes are no exception.  When I slide into them, they just feel right.  I just think there's something fabulous about taking an idea from the past and updating it for today.   

I love to gather ideas from practically anywhere I can lay my hands on.  My inspiration for this dress came from this fantastic photo of Gina Lollobrigida (who happens to play in one of my favorite movies).  It was so cute to me... I just couldn't get it out of my head.

This week's Going Through the Era's Fashionable Friday just happened to be 1950s, so it was the perfect excuse to finish this dress up!  I am over-the-moon happy with the results, and am just itching to "officially" get to wear it!!  I also have a pair of bright satin blue flats that match perfectly with the bright blue in the peacock feathers so I'm excited to match those up with this dress. (Of course, I used this fabric!)

hugs~ xox Achaia Victoria

fabric news

Just in case it's still a bit chilly in your neck of the woods you'll find velveteens and Sugar Hill flannel 35% off through Friday, March 9th!  If it's not, there's still the option to get some and stock up for next winter.  (We are completely notorious for doing that.)

Don't forget to take a peek at the newest fabrics that have just come in!!  See Dear Stella and A Walk in the Woods... both adorable lines, itching for some interpretation.

Have fun! xo the Long ladies

Tropical Feast.

all above images via Pinterest

Sometimes we love to just look at pictures that don't necessarily have anything to do with fabric or sewing, but just beauty and color.  It's a great thrill to find inspiration in so many different places!  We're loving tropical colors right now, and Calypso is THE perfect vibrant collection!  (Psst... you can even see what Abs did with it in our last post!).  Oh, and yes... it's 20% off through the 2nd of March!  Enjoy! xoxox

Just Popping In!

We just wanted to drop in for a quick moment to let you all know that Jennifer Paganelli's newest line, Crazy Love, is officially here and up in our shop!  It's really hard to describe the unbeatable combination and blending that Jennifer's done with this one.... colors so bright and vibrant, mixed to perfection, and bursting with personality.  Jennifer, you're tops.  Crazy Love is fabulous and we can hardly wait to get sewing!! 

Three Cheers for Crazy Love! xo us

February's Bundle Bananza!

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Alright, everyone, we'll drop the formalities and get started!!  This time we have a few other assorted goodies to add to our sale too!  It seems to have been awhile since our last bundle sale so we will quickly run over the rules...

-All bundles are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis.  This time we can't make anymore duplicate bundles so if you want something you need to jump on it fast!

-Email us at mariemadeline@netins.net with what you want!  Or, you are welcome to just holler at us via telephone (417-775-2181).

Once you've ordered it we'll mark it sold here on the blog, and send you an invoice for the fabrics you've chosen + shipping costs ASAP.  That's it! 

Happy shopping! xoxox the Long ladies

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SOLD 10 yards assorted pinks & reds Doll Dresses by Holly Holderman    $35

SOLD 9 yards blue & red garment fabrics (includes denim, silky floral, and red houndstooth {with slight flaw}    $18

SOLD 5 yards red & white Delilah by Tanya Whelan    $16

SOLD Approx. 2 yards (5 - 1/4" cuts + 32" piece) Moda French General    $5

SOLD 6 1/2 yards blue Doll Dresses by Holly Holderman    $20

SOLD 12 1/4 yards pink & red Dots    $34

SOLD 7 3/4 yards pink Doll Dresses by Holly Holderman    $26

SOLD Misc. country bundle (includes a generous chunk of blue foral, 3 yds red/white checks, & a green buffalo check tablecloth just aching to be cut up to make something even cuter)    $8

SOLD 12 1/2 yards + scrappy pieces assorted pinks    $32

laraine pattern + outer bag already cut out (great red block fabric - perfect for laraine!)    $14

SOLD 6+ yards assorted blacks (some have been prewashed)    $23

SOLD 2 3/4 yards embroidered denims (60" width - has been prewashed)    $18

SOLD 4 1/2 yards assorted purples (a couple are from an older Robyn Pandolph line)    $10

SOLD 6 1/2+ yards assorted yellows (including some Doll Dresses & Hunky Dory)    $24

SOLD Misc. bindings (all different widths and lengths)    $10

SOLD 5 yards + scraps Mod Girls bouquet (primarily pink with a green piece thrown in) by Jennifer Paganelli    $16

SOLD 9+ yards + scraps (and large piece) assorted reds & blues    $20

SOLD 6 3/4 yards + scraps assorted greens (including some Dream On, Darla, and Swell)    $22

SOLD 2 packages pre-cut 5" squares from the Bonnes Amie collection    $3

SOLD 5 yards + 6 - 1/2 yard cuts (enough for a lap quilt!) Moda's Wiscasset    $27

SOLD 12 yards assorted pink & blue Doll Dresses by Holly Holderman    $40 each

SOLD 5 yards blue Doll Dresses by Holly Holderman    $16

SOLD 5 1/2 yards + large hunk feedsack & kitchen prints    $15

SOLD little chic sisters apron pattern kit (featuring Delilah fabrics) - includes pattern & enough fabric to make any size apron    $12

SOLD Rhapsody in Bloom assorted pieces (3/4 a yard pieces or less)    $10

SOLD 4 yards Flights of Fancy by Paula Prass    $12.50

SOLD 6 yards blue Doll Dresses by Holly Holderman    $21

SOLD tessa bloomers pattern kit for size 2 tessa bloomers (fabric is elephant toss from Holly Holderman's Dolly Dresses)    $12

SOLD A happy bag of selvedges (assorted lengths)    $3.50

SOLD 4 yards Anabella by Tina Givens    $12.50

SOLD 5 1/2 yards assorted blues    $16.50

SOLD Lecien's Spring Confection Scarf kit    $4

SOLD 4 yards blue rose and itty pink from Doll Dresses by Holly Holderman    $12.50

SOLD knit t-shirt ends (great way to work on your fabric flower techniques!) - 7 colors    $6

SOLD 3 yards Garden (featuring two black florals + the stripe piece)    $12

SOLD 18 fat quarters from Moda's Eclectic collection    $20

SOLD 4 1/2 yards Moda's Posh    $16

SOLD 5 yards + 24" Barefoot Roses by Tanya Whelan (2 stripe pieces, 1 floral)    $18

SOLD chic sisters apron kit (featuring Delilah fabrics) - includes pattern + enough fabric to make any size apron    $12

SOLD 10 1/4 yards assorted garment fabrics (including 7-8 oz. denim, raspberry brushed Nashville Cotton, & green/grey plaid suiting)    $28

SOLD 7 yards 30" Mod Girls blue paisley by Jennifer Paganelli    $25

SOLD 6 yards Garden Party (greens) by Anna Maria Horner    $24

SOLD 4 yards 14" Flower Sugar    $15

SOLD 6 yards (3 yards each) small floral Doll Dresses    $21

{5 11 available} fun lavender-filled pincushions (colors our choice)    $3 each

wrapped in love.

We were so happy that we were able to share Sarah Grace's most recent birthday with her, and that we were able to make her something special.  Mom's always said that a handmade quilt means you're wrapped in love everytime you put it around you, and we couldn't think of anything we would love better to do for Sarah Grace than to wrap her in love every night.

Sweet dreams, Gracie!  We love you.

xoxo

PS-- In case you are curious, the quilt is our happy scappy quilt pattern, and it's made completely in one of our favorite happy lines... Pam Kitty Morning.  Oh, and we did make decorative pillows too.  It just makes a bed seem finished.

Oh, oh, oh!  We forgot to mention that our entire sale room is 10% off this week! xo