Peeky-peeky: Asymmetic stitch high-low tunic

Hello friends. I've been away. It's good to say hello.

Spring and summer show plans and design decisions are ever so slowly getting nailed down. My plate has been over-filled and Spool + Sparrow has yet again been relegated to the back seat. Time to get back into a consistent daily routine that includes cut-print-sew-repeat, or variations thereof.

This is a version of my high-low tunic - see pintuck version here - to be worn with or without the belt. Weather is crummy. Backdrops lacking. Model, nowhere in sight. But, a few quick shots are all I need at this time. I don't keep originals and generally don't make a pattern unless it's sure to be a keeper, so pictures of earlier versions sometimes come in handy.

With belt, tied in front.

With belt, tied in back.

Side view, with belt. My favorite kind of stitching..

the contrasting kind. Low armholes for an easy fit.

With belt, tied in front, back view.

With belt, knotted in back.

Surprise! No belt. Contrasting double rows of asymmetrical

stitching with a few pleats placed to my liking.

High-low hem.

the last of the pouffes

I'm clearing out some space as I work on new designs. In an effort to narrow my focus, I've decided to discontinue making pouffes. They are large. Shipping, transporting to shows and simply finding space to store them presents a challenge. I located another today that I didn't know I had, thus, three remain.

Regularly $134. Now $108. When they're gone, they're gone.

Etsy shop sale 25-30% off most inventory

On the heels of a great show this weekend, I'm scrambling to update the shop for a new direction sale. I'm shifting my direction a bit to focus on women's apparel and bags. I may continue with some knits for kids, but that part is still undecided. I'm also going to be making far fewer pillows, but I'll continue to offer tea towels and one apron design. My pouffes will be at least on hold for a while as they are large to store and ship, but I did recently make up a small batch.

Soooo... over the next couple of days I'll do my best to take more photos of girls' dresses and such that I've never photographed. Crazy busy week ahead. My current inventory of apparel for women & children, discontinued pillow designs and aprons (with the exception of the cafe apron) is now discounted 25-30%. Change is good!

Black Friday-Cyber Monday Sale

This holiday weekend in the shop...

Save 25% on all purchases Black Friday (11/25).

Save 20% on purchases Saturday thru Cyber Monday (11/26-11/28).

Enter coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY25 or CYBERMONDAY20

Spool + Sparrow (a short break in shipping)

Greetings all. In order to take full advantage of the opportunity for a late summer hurrah, no order processing or shipping for the shop will take place for the remainder of the week. Certainly, orders are welcome, just know that I won't resume shipping until next week on Tuesday, (9/6) - Monday is Labor Day so no postal services open that day. Enjoy yourselves!

image found here

Summer Sale at Spool + Sparrow

Have a look here.

break time

Pool sign via Summer Road

I'm be making a last run to the post office tomorrow morning, if necessary, before taking a break from packaging or shipping any shop orders until 8/16. It's time for our annual family adventure with close friends - swimming, s'mores and sleeping in (if we parents get lucky.)

bags a 'comin

On Monday I posted this tote bag in my shop. I am so excited about adding some bags! Primarily tote and a mobius shoulder strap number. My collection of thrifted leather belts is growing so that I'll have ample supply for straps. I love disassembling the belt components and combining them in new arrangements with grommets, rivets, snaps and such for straps, although I do need a much sharper hole punch for leather.

So this is the first one to go into the shop. It's made from organic cotton canvas & linen with detachable straps so they can be removed for laundering. I'm awaiting a few yards of a new, fairly heavy-weight hemp that I'm hoping to use for bags and a couple other items.

almost show time! Ruffles & Rust

I've put my shop on vacation mode until Monday while I finish preparing for the big Ruffles & Rust Spring Market - as shared here - this Friday & Saturday. Fingers crossed that the weather front predicted (snow) changes course so fans of junkin', vintage-inspired and handmade can make it to the show!

Sale #100 in my shop - a mini-celebration

I'm a bit under the weather, but a small (and somewhat arbitrary) benchmark reached today seems cause for a mini celebration. So it's Hershey's kisses for me. No really, I had no intention of eating them otherwise. Just look at how excited Audrey is about sale #100...

via The Photography Post *

I was so pleased that the lovely customer making sale #100 a reality, is a returning customer. Kelly, of Sycamore Hill, is as delightful as they come. I happen to own one of her upcycled vintage spoons with the inscription "Good Morning Beautiful". It is the perfect cereal spoon! I mentioned her work here. I hope to surprise Kelly with a couple of extra treats. I am grateful for my customers!

* I love Phillipe Halsman's jumpology theory and his resulting photos, plus many of his other portraits.

The Stella full apron with fit & flair

As mentioned in my last post, I've got a new full apron design. Lots of time adjusting and testing fit to make sure it truly fits and flatters a variety of figures. And finally, it feels ready! I just snapped a few quick pix. In honor of my new dress form, Stella, I call this apron the Stella. The hardware I'm going with for the adjustable neck strap is not the one pictured, although this one does do the trick beautifully.

The Stella apron pictured is a heavy weight linen that seems almost straight off the farm. Haven't given a moments thought as to how I'll describe the fabric, but rough hewn comes to mind. Not sure if that descriptor can be applied to fabric. It definitely fits the bill for rustic and comfortably soft - a couple of my key criteria when selecting fabric. The other fabric I'll be making this apron with is a light green (meadow) linen, mid-weight. The Stella features mini pintucks for shaping and a flattering fit for a modest bust size to a more ample bosom. Darts at the waist help to achieve the retro slightly tulip-shaped skirt. Heavy duty ruffles at the hem. Love 'em! The waist tie/neck strap also serves as binding along the sides of the bodice for one continuous line. I would love this apron with a simple, flowy woven white cotton (organic please) cap-sleeve or tank dress beneath it. The Stella will end up in the shop but that may have to wait until February.

20% off 3-day sale begins Thursday

I've offered a discount to Poppytalk readers for the final week of the current holiday market which ends this week. For 3 days I'm extending the same 20% discount to all Etsy shoppers. Use discount code "DecEtsy20" at checkout. Applies only to items currently listed in the shop.

With the exception of more handmade gifts from our household to our Christmas guests, I am happy to no longer be gift shopping. I'm awaiting the arrival of the perfect little Ponyo in a jar for my youngest and a soot sprite for big sis from fellow Etsians, but that's all folks. I'll share with you my own Christmas/Birthday gift, received it early, very soon.

Ponyo bottle art from Kelly's Keychains

soot sprite by GeekChicurumi