Friday, March 30, 2018

Firefighter Quilt Delivered; Etsy Shop Opens

The Firefighter picked up his quilt yesterday.  He's such a pleasant man.  I really like him.  He wanted me to add another patch to the back so we had some time to visit while I hand stitched it on.

He was very happy about the quilt & told me it was "so much better than he had imagined it would be".  He's eager to show it to his friends and colleagues at the fire station.  He told me of many instances where they could use such a quilt and felt certain I would hear from other firefighters.  He left with a stack of business cards.

While we were talking I told him about Ruben, the neighborhood homeless man, to whom I gave the quilt.  The firefighter is in my neighborhood and he's also seen Ruben around the area.  Then he told me about his 2nd job downtown near a very large homeless area.  He said his partner literally knows all the homeless people and their particular stories.

I had 2 smaller quilts I wanted to find a home so I asked him if he had opportunities to pass out quilts.  He actually has many chances; when arriving at a fire and while patrolling.  I also found out he's a police officer.

So when he left with his quilt, he left with 2 small quilts and a stack of business cards.  I'll be in touch with him when I have some more smaller quilts to pass out.  He'll be my hands on the street.  I'm so glad I made his acquaintance.  Good things will come from it.


                     Two quilts headed for the Houston streets to comfort someone in distress.

                                                                                ***
On another note, I have reopened my Etsy Store:  The Good Stuff Company.  I am actively listing fabrics for sale.  Please share my link with fellow sewers and quilters.  Etsy has really changed since I last used it and I'm not sure any store could be found without some real effort.


Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Firefighter's Quilt Finished

I overcame the firefighter's quilt obstacles by using 2 layers of flannel for the batting. I stitched a wide open meander so I could avoid thick seams where the sweatshirts/backing joined. I also learned a few tshirt quilts ago my machine does not like the rubbery decals so I avoid them too.  I'm pleased.  I'm sure he will be when he picks it up tomorrow.
















I was able to cut one of the sweatshirt names & salvage a patch to make his label.   I'm clever that way!  :-)

Monday, March 26, 2018

It's Denim O'Clock Somewhere

It's no secret to those who know me, I love Denim A Lot!

And, quite frankly, I think everyone else should too; so when I happened on a nice big pile of denim skirts, I bought them for my Poshmark store.  As far as I am concerned, you can never have enough denim.  They'll be listed this week.



These outstanding jackets are already listed in my store.  The Liz Claiborne has great western detailing.  The Chico's jacket combines 2 favorites: quilting and embroidery.  The Vest is, well, a vest; that's enough right there.


This is my Keep Pile.  The dress is a nice princess ALine with ¾ length sleeves.  What's not to love?


2 Pretty Summer Tops!  
I don't mind paying pennies on the dollar for Boston Proper clothes.  No Shame.

What's in your Spring Closet? 

Friday, March 23, 2018

Processing Clothes


I'm trying to balance Poshmark with quilting.  So far Poshmark is winning.  I did spend the afternoon on the firefighter's quilt until I was too frustrated.  The pieced backing from all the sweatshirts is lumpy on the front tshirts.  He wanted a lightweight quilt but I think I will need to add batting to tame the sweatshirt seams.  It will have to wait until Monday.  Gene & I  have lots of fun plans for the weekend and I want to enjoy myself and not stew over that quilt.

I got a chuckle out of this:  I had a pair of cotton pjs I bought with the intention of cutting them up for quilt squares.  I sold them yesterday on Poshmark!  :-)

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Firefighter TShirt Quilt


This week I am sewing a tshirt quilt from a firefighter's career of tshirts (and he's young!).  It's fun to see the various logos from the stations.  These will be worked into a border.  The back of the shirts are cut for the body of the quilt.

I hope when he shows his friends at the station his quilt, I'll get more commissions. :-)  Although at the moment, I'm a little stacked up on commissions.  That, of course, is a good thing for which I am very thankful.

***

In 2013 and 2014 I sewed with friends & we made about 35 quilts we gave to the Montgomery Co. Fire Department as a Thank you to the Firefighters.
It was a great effort and I miss my friends.  

Monday, March 19, 2018

Weekend Update







Had a marvelous weekend enjoying the fabulous weather, the azaleas, washing cars, visiting with my son and daughter-in-law and hanging with my favorite Poshmark Assistant.  

Life is Good! 

Saturday, March 17, 2018

My Poshmark Assistant

Image may contain: one or more people, table and indoor

Image may contain: one or more people and indoor

When you are making so much money flipping clothes, you can hire a cheap assistant! 

I have to give the man major props!  He's always happy to help me.   I love his giving spirit. 

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Reclaimed Pillow Sham Projects

I see pillow shams in the thrift store all the time.  They are actually a pretty good source of fabric and sometimes they are halfway decently designed.  I generally pick up the patchwork ones and turn them into table toppers.  It's a quick and easy project.  I've sold them at the art markets and they bring in a little change. 

The chinese import ones usually have muslin on the back so I add a new backing and binding.  They are good for warm-ups on the longarm when I have been doing a lot of straight line quilting.  



No big digs on the quilting but so what?  This is my favorite of the two I've kept. 



I did this one as a warm up before quilting the vintage piece.  I think I'll keep it! 




This pillow sham was already quilted nicely and it had the orange as a backing.  I took off the pillow sham backing and I can use it for the binding.  Now that's a Win-Win.


This pretty set of pillow shams is earmarked for a jacket. 



Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Poshmark Store: Men's Dept Added

A few of the outstanding shirts for sale in my Poshmark Store

Get Lucky

Pierre Cardin

Havanero Co.

Ralph Lauren

https://poshmark.com/closet/debradesign

for lots of fabulous men and women's fashions

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Sharon Anthony Jacket: Patches

When I am tuned into something, it starts appearing everywhere.  I had never heard of Sharon Anthony until I found the fabulous patchwork jacket I showed yesterday.  Last night another one fell into my hands!  How could I have missed this designer all these years?  It's a mystery!  :-)

Such a fun jacket!  I've been pinning lots of jacket ideas on my Pinterest board with the thought of "patching".   If you are a Pinner, let me know.  I'd love to follow your boards.

Sharon Anthony Jackets & Blazers - Sharon Anthony Patched Lined Ruffle Blazer Jacket

Details about this jacket can be found in my Poshmark store.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Etsy Shop: The Good Stuff Company

My dormant etsy shop is back to work!  I'm listing the vintage and artsy clothes I collect in my shop.  Here are 2 interesting pieces listed.


This is a vintage Sharon Anthony jacket.  My research shows the original retail price was around $350.  I have it listed at $85.  It's still very trendy!  Size 3X


Hand Painted Birds!   So sweet.   Be sure and check out the detail pictures.

Bookmark my shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGoodStuffCompany

Monday, March 5, 2018

Clothes Flipping

There are so many good clothes in Houston that need a new home that I have decided to make it my mission to buy all of them.  Just joking a little!  It's true, though, that Houston is a mecca for used clothes.  Clothes that are in perfect shape find their way into thrift stores.  It's amazing the amount of clothes I find that still have price tags on them and are still currently on trend.

I personally would rather develop my own style than worry about what is on trend.  I find lots of clothes with personality & that doesn't include the ones that could be remade.  That's a whole other discussion!

If you have not looked through my Poshmark store, do take a minute to browse.  I try to look for good quality clothes to list.  I also list clothes my clients give me when I do their closet makeovers for them.
I have a widget in the sidebar that shows listings as they change.

Here's today's stack of clothes to be listed.  Last night I knocked out about 10 pieces.


***

Gene likes to go thrifting with me; hunting through the racks.  I pull the clothes and he checks them for quality.  It's a great collaboration.  
Here's one he spied and suggested I keep it for myself.  Good call.  I am keeping it. :-)