Personal sewing projects

This school year I have been working part time at an awesome fabric shop in Lawrence called Sarah's Fabrics.  I love working there because not only are my coworkers and our clients wonderful and friendly; I also get to cut and organize a huge array of lovely fabrics.  I always get excited when a favorite designer comes out with a new collection, and being around so many pretty pieces always makes me want to do some sewing. So, I've decided to share with you some of my recent sewing projects!

First, I made these cute little rice and lavender hand warmers with a piece from Kaffe Fassett's stripe collection. They're great for the 10 degree days we've been having here in Kansas.  All you have to do is pop them in the microwave for a few seconds :)

I also made a checkbook cover with a piece from Carolyn Friedlander's new Botanics line and used an Asian-inspired fabric for the binding and lining. 

My latest project was a fast and easy sleeping mask.  I finally found a great use for a beautiful satin brocade fabric that I got at a great fabric store in Japan.  I got some stunning turquoise dupioni silk to make the back and the binding of the mask.  I love the texture of dupioni silk - it has a definite organic quality to it, which is a refreshing and elegant change when a lot of fabrics today are made with synthetic fibers.

Finish it off with some satin ribbon, and you've got a lovely sleeping mask to block out all those street lights!