Sarah's Quilt

Our long time customer Sarah is always bringing by her latest project, this time it's a wonderfully bolt quilt!

Cool IPad Cover!

Halloween Princess

Here Comes The Yeti!

Wheelchair Backpacks for The Children at Children's Hospital

One of our customers, Linda Remington along with her friends, makes wheelchair backpacks for the children at Children's Hospital. Most kids admitted for rehabilitation use a wheelchair throughout their stay at Children's Hospital. In order to keep their toys and belongings with them when they go to therapy or other places in the hospital, they need specially sized bags that fit over the backs of the wheelchairs. Each child recieves a new bag that becomes his or her own.The kids usually wish to take the bags with them when they leave.
Here is a photo of two of the baby quilts Linda has sent to Children's. The sizes are random, it just depends on the pattern she comes up with.  All of these items have been made from a box of fabric given to me by a friend whose mother-in-law died last year.  She says" It's been really fun working with all of these "scraps".

Skelton Quilt!

Kimberly collected and selected an array of skeleton fabrics at Stonemountain & Daughter and made a skeleton quilt! We love it! Just in time for Halloween!

Kaffe Fasset and Batik Quilts

Our customer Kimberly is also finishing a Kaffe Fasset quilt in autumn shades. She has the top completed and is working on putting on the back.  Here is a simple quilt done in Stonemountain's batik fabrics which she loves, loves, loves! Her daughter went to college back east and she made a similar quilt for her to take with her to cheer up her dorm room on those long winter nights. It worked wonders and she received tons of compliments about her room decor which really was limited pretty much to the quilt!

Christmas is coming so Kimberly is putting her present production into full swing this week-end. We can't wait to see what she'll make - But will have to wait till after the holidays so as to not ruin any surprises!

Très Chic Robe!

Moya Stone, freelance fashion writer at San Francisco Chronicle, recently took a sewing class with Alice Elliot at Stonemountain & Daughter and made this charming robe! (Kwik Sew pattern) What a great look! Very chic 1920s!

Dashing British Naval Officer Costume - on display at Stonemountain & Daughter through August!

This costume was made by customer Claudia Charette for her husband Rob Schmidt.
Occassion: Alameda Yacht Club's popular annual Pirates Party!
 
After lots of Internet research, Rob discovered many poorly made costumes along with nicer ones that range from $500 to $1300+.  Claudia and Rob decided to go for it DIY style! Rob started looking for patterns and found a Butterick “History” pattern (# 3072).  

This historical officer's costumer is made up in a beautiful blue coat-weight wool from Stonemountain, representative of the British Naval officer. Claudia's husband, Rob, made the epaulettes and Claudia made the coat, waistcoat and scarf.  She also altered the pants and added stirrups to keep them in his tight boots. 

Claudia made this jacket twice while working out the details/changes. The most challenging aspect was getting the trim on straight. The fit is perfect and her hard work shines through in this amazing uniform! Come by Stonemountain & Daughter to see it for yourself. This smart and elegant uniform will be on display in the store through August.

Anniversary Wall Hanging

Felt Pin Cushions!

Don't you just love these felted pincushions by our customer, Mardi Hints?! The pins are the candles. Adorable, and so well made.



She started the series with cactus pin cushions..The pins are the spines..

And here is a sea urchin - so clever!
The whole idea iof this series is to make artistic pincushions which are "organic" as these are solid felted wool. The lanolin in the wool keeps the pins moving smoothly. The pins are part of the design.

Highest Compliments to Nicole Vasbinder's Crash Course Sewing

Dear Stone Mountain Folks,
 I attended a "crash course" last night and just wanted to pay the highest compliments to Nicole -- please pass along to her my comments.

The class was exceptionally well organized, went along at a good clip, covered the basics effectively. Among several students in the class of six or seven who had never even "touched" a sewing machine before, I was the one who had sewed all my own clothes -- 40 years ago! But Nicole addressed us all inclusively, introduced the basics, and broke down the intimidation factor quickly. Within the first half hour, she had already brought me to a new level; her clear explanations, demonstrations, and graphic illustrations were all excellent. Her explanations helped me understand problems I was having that I had never overcome way back when, and her approach to trouble-shooting was exceptionally helpful.

Pay attention to threading the machine, as well as to threading the bobbin! This will be my new mantra, and she has prepared me to take up sewing again, and to overcome my reticence with renewed interest and understanding.

Thank you! This class was the perfect re-introduction and Nicole was terrific in re-familiarizing me with the sewing machine! My only disappointment was having to leave "early," and feeling rushed at the very end. Again, thanks!

Carol, Berkeley.