Thursday, January 30, 2020

Remembrance Quilt: Bennie

The healing power of Remembrance quilts is really amazing.  It's a journey for both the recipient and for me.  I enjoy sewing the pieces together to tell the story of the person's life and his/her connection in the relationship.  It's always special when I can embroider a quote or saying on the label!

This quilt was sewn and delivered this week.  The back has all the Hawaiian shirts and the front has a variety of clothes.  I left all the pockets functional so little notes or pictures could be added.  I also stitched 3 small pillows.  Due to the different textures and weights of clothing I did freestyle piecing & stitching design.  These are the most spontaneous quilts and I think the fun to sew.  The loopy stitching always reminds me of the long life (and marriage) of a couple and the winding path their journey follows from beginning to end.

The wife was very pleased!

No photo description available.

Join the Conversation!
What clothes would be in your quilt?
Mine would be full of denim! 

💬💬💬

Monday, January 27, 2020

Life of a Project

I found this recently on Pinterest.  It has some merit.  I've always believed the hardest part of a project is the middle.  The initial excitement of the idea is over.  Now comes the work.  If you can get past the middle, then the end seems in sight.  Generally, I don't think my projects "suck" when they are finished but I've been working in my field for many, many years. (Could almost add another many there; but, you know.) 

Image may contain: text

What's your idea of the Life Cycle of a Project? 
Do you agree with this assessment?

Join the Conversation!  
💬💬💬

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Belly Dance Costume, Part 2

I always love when Laura comes to visit my studio.  We are experimenting with patched fabric as the base of her new vest for spring shows at Sherwood Forest Faire.  I wanted to make sure the pattern would fit her before I cut the fabric.

Today I cut out a muslin in her approximate size.  Parts fit and parts needed a seam allowance width added.  I was thrilled the neckline works!
She won't be back for 2 weeks because they are performing in a show next week.  I'll have a little time to sew this for the next fitting.  Pleased so far!




Back to the Remembrance Quilt tomorrow.  I plan to have all the sewing finished by the day's end. 
I want to quilt a charity quilt on Saturday.  Just something a little different without any pressure to have the outcome perfect! 

Please Join the Conversation! 
💬💬💬

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Remembrance Quilt: Backing

My quilt nailed to the wall is turning out to be a handy design wall.  I should probably take it down and replace it with a white quilt.  Maybe soon. 

I've cut and pieced the backing for the remembrance quilt.  I knew immediately the selection of Hawaiian shirts would work splendidly as the backing.  I did have to unstitch the front plackets and hems for some additional width and length.   I'm not fond of that task but it went quickly enough.

Remembrance quilts use a variety of clothes and therefore a variety of fabric contents.  I take it all in stride; many years of sewing has given me confidence to combine fabrics successfully. 





I will study the clothes for the quilt's front before cutting them.  This is always the challenge: these clothes are "one of a kind".  I want to respect that and make their story perfect for the recipient.

Join the Conversation!
Do you ever hesitate with fabric decisions knowing the fabric is limited or has some personal significance? 
💬💬💬

Monday, January 20, 2020

Remembrance Quilt


Starting a Remembrance Quilt this week.
All the husband's beloved Hawaiian shirts will be pieced for the backing.  

Join the Conversation!
If someone were to piece a quilt with your beloved clothes, what would they use? 

💬💬💬

My friend Cindy Lou Hodges is now blogging!  You will want to stop by and see the lovely work she crafts!    https://yoohoocindylou.blogspot.com/


Sunday, January 19, 2020

Out and About Houston: PEO/Junior League of Houston Luncheon

I've moved my IPhone to another part of my bedroom during the night.  I read recently about the dangers of Wifi and keeping the phone on the nightstand so in an act of compliance I moved the phone.  When the alarm goes off I have to get out of bed to turn it off.  I'm not totally keen to the practice but I'll give it some time.

My dogs have started a routine of crying at my bedroom door about 6:30 AM which is an hour before I planned to wake up.  Thinking they need to go outside I reluctantly get up.  Once I'm up I have to go to the bathroom.  One of the dogs goes out and the other one jumps into the warm spot on my bed.  I have to wrangle him to move.  By this time I realize I am not falling back to sleep. 

This morning I decided the warm spot and the gentle dip of my mattress felt really good.  I stayed in bed past the alarm.  The dogs joined me long enough to be sure I didn't fall back to sleep.  Then they jumped off and paced back and forth by my bed.  I have a small bedroom so that really means they crowded up by the bed and pushed my elbow repeatedly to get me to move.  There's no opportunity to deviate from habits in this household.  Dogs keep me accountable. 

Then we played a game of back and forth between the front and the back door.  This is mainly with my pit bull Elvis.  He's quite definite in his demands.  My other dog Beav who is basically blind keeps a very strict routine.  He only goes out when it's necessary.

Opening the door and hearing the heater come on convinced me to stay in this morning.  I feel like I need a day off from the world and work.  I'll listen to the church service via the internet.  Actually while I am typing this post. 

I am thoroughly enjoying my little kitchen dining area.  I have a narrow window on either side of my table and the morning sun gently shines in.  It's turning into a favorite spot to eat and read.  When Laura visited Wednesday she complimented the cozy and inviting feel of the space.  Today I put on my new patchwork bathrobe so I could enjoy it's coziness for a few hours.  Normally I dress immediately upon rising in the morning. 


I look like a linebacker but saintly with the sun shining on me!   I've lived in very cold climates in the past.  I'm acting like it is cold outside.  

Yesterday I attended a PEO luncheon with two chapter friends.  PEO is a philanthropic educational organization for women.  Our main goal is to empower women through educational opportunities.  I was initiated in January 2019.  This was my 1st Founders' Day Luncheon and my first visit to the Junior League of Houston who hosted the event.  It's a gorgeous traditionally appointed setting; very feminine and elegant.  I loved it but I can't see myself living in such style.  I'm more about shabby chic and collections and dust and chipped thrifted items and beds with a little slump.  




The Ladies Room wallpaper was gorgeous!

Photo of Junior League of Houston, Inc - Houston, TX, United States

Photo of Junior League of Houston, Inc - Houston, TX, United States

I lifted these images from the internet.  I'm sad to write I couldn't find any images of the wonderfully fabulous collection of porcelain bird figurines given to the League by a patron.  

Image may contain: 3 people, including Pat Morford Smith and Debra Dixon, people smiling, people standing

My friend Pat (left) I met when I was working for Floor and Decor.  I designed her kitchen remodel and we became friends.  She invited me to join PEO.  Nancy (left) is the current President.  She's a physics professor at the local junior college. 

This is fun information:  almost all of our outfits are thrifted!   I thought I had thrifting down to a fine practice until I met Nancy.  She's the undisputed Queen.  At her last teaching position she had a 6 store route mapped out from the classroom to her house!   She was instrumental in finding all the baskets for our Christmas Bean Soup fundraiser for 50¢ or less.   I asked her if her skirt was thrifted and she sheepishly told us she'd bought it off the pilates clearance rack for $30; a fortune over what she normally spends for clothes.   Pat is wearing a thrifted knit dress with her thrifted Chico's jacket.  Seriously, what would we do without Chico's jackets?

I'm head to toe in thrifted clothes.  My kimono is an Eva Mendez piece.  I didn't even know she was designing clothes but what the heck, it's very pretty.  It's velvet with flat sequins. (One lady asked me if I had gotten it on a trip abroad!) The scarf has a rough texture with silver embroidered flowers on the ends.  I like the contrast.  My skirt is a sheer knit in a patchwork print; blues, pinks, peaches (my colors).  The slip goes to the knees and then the bottom half is ruffled.  Very feminine and lovely. Button front Talbot's cotton sweater is under the scarf.  I was wearing turquoise patent leather heels the color of Nancy's blouse.  My only criticism is I wish I'd put my hair up.  I'm at the stage again of thinking about what to do with it.

We had a choice of luncheon entrees so I ordered the vegetarian plate.  My friends at the table were jealous!  I was surprised!  It was delicious.

Image may contain: food

Saturday in Houston.  Always full of fun adventures!  I love living in Houston.

Join the Conversation!
What's your best thrifted outfit? 
💬💬💬







Saturday, January 18, 2020

Strip Pieced Costume Fabric


The yardage for Laura's vest is stitched.  It's quite lovely in a black textural way! 

As I was drifting off to sleep last night I remembered a strip pieced jacket I sewed.   It was a commission and the owner picked out all the fabrics.



Quilted jackets are certainly not new but they seem to be perennial favorites.  Last year I had the idea of kitting fabrics for sewers to make their own jackets.  Last night I had the idea of quilted yardage for jackets.

The big assumption is someone would sew a jacket.  Probably too big of an assumption.  They could turn the fabric into something else of course. 

This could be exciting!  It wasn't on the 2020 "Stay Focused" Plan but it's early, I could sneak it in.  At least try a few kits & see if they sell. 

Please Join the Conversation!

Is a quilted jacket kit a good idea?
💬💬💬


Friday, January 17, 2020

Belly Dance Costumes

In the spring Brent and Laura perform at Sherwood Faire (in a forest outside of Austin TX) which is a fun venue staged in the 1400-1500s.  Because they are a belly dance troupe (The Hands of Fatima)  their costumes can be a little out of period but not by much.  They also perform for other venues, such as Laura's event The Crimson Vagabond Roadshow.

Laura has the green parasol on the left.  Brent is the drummer dressed in black.

Image may contain: 11 people, people smiling

 Laura asked for a new vest & jacket for the season.  She wants to promote my work because she's been told many times faire patrons like to buy the outfits seen on performers.  Toward that end, we meet to finalize ideas.

Her immediate request is for a knee length vest to wear over dresses.  When the troupe performs they wear decorated bras and full skirts.  This particular vest is cut low in the front so the bedazzled bras show well.  Slits on the sides and an open front allow the full skirts to peek through.  One of the main skirts they wear is the 25 yard skirt.  Yep, 25 yards of cotton sewn into a skirt.  Egads!

Laura had patterns but we quickly learned they were "just a guideline" because they didn't fit and they weren't really authentic enough.  The hip belts in particular were totally wrong.  It was good to have someone evaluate them who knows the belly dance costumes well.


I'll be sewing View C Vest.  

Laura being who she is and having me as a mother in law wanted the fabric for her vest strip pieced.  So she pulled a variety of black fabrics for me to use.  I've never strip pieced a "solid" color as such.  And black.  But I'm going to try. 


She decided a poncho would be a good alternative to a jacket.  She can quickly throw it over her costume. It won't interfere with bulky costume parts.


I had this sewing pattern and a 3 yard piece of raw edge fabric. I'll be sewing View C.   Luckily it was in her colors (she's a natural ginger).  She was delighted!   I'm delighted to use the fabric & the pattern doesn't have to be fitted.  


Today I am planning to get the black strip piecing finished.  Laura will be returning next week for the muslin fitting of the vest and check out the new black fabric.   Fun times!

Join the Conversation!
Do you have any new projects to stretch your sewing skills?

💬💬💬

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Throwback Thursday

As I've mentioned I am participating in a month long challenge on Facebook with a daily business prompt.  Because I want my blog to be a more personal side of my life, I'll use the #ThrowbackThursday as my personal prompt today.

Some time around 2013 I decided my embroidery machine could sew more than motifs on a piece of fabric.  The trick would be learning some simple (or so I thought) programming.  One of my projects was piecing these square in a square blocks.  It was easy enough although when all was said and done, I'm unsure if it was really any faster than using the domestic machine.  It was, however, very accurate.


I love everything about this wall hanging.  I would love it even more if it were finished and hanging in my front sitting room.  Such a novel idea.  I wonder if I can make that happen in 2020? 

I pulled it out of the cabinet this morning.  It looks like I have 3 rows assembled.  That's more progress than I thought I had sewn. 



Have you ever taken stock of your unfinished projects to see what is preventing you from finishing them?
What did you discover?  

Join the Conversation!
💬💬💬

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Embroidered Blouse

I don't know; maybe 2 years ago I bought this embroidered blouse at the Family Thrift Store Clearance Center.  Now for an item to make it all the way to the Clearance Center it has to languish on the floor of the regular thrift store at least 6 weeks.  If it endures a few price reductions & still is unsold, it gets bundled for the trip across town to the Clearance Center.  Once it arrives it has 5 days before it is bundled for who knows where; probably the Ragman.  Each day of those 5 days it gets reduced from $1.50 - .50.  I showed up when this blouse was at its lowest point in life; 50¢.

I've always maintained denim was invented for me.  Truth be told, if I could have an entirely denim wardrobe, I would.  Add embroidery and I am over the moon.  Throw in a discount and Hallelujah!

Yesterday I had a meeting & wore my embroidered blouse with a jean skirt. (And was complimented!) It's just so perfect; right weight, long sleeved, semi-fitted, short but not too short, embroidered, right shade of denim (technically it's chambray).  It fits about 6 out of my 6 clothing criteria. 

This morning when I was deciding what to wear, I looked at my blouse on the chair.  Yes, it's true.  I don't always hang up my clothes immediately. 

This, this ran through my brain:   Maybe I shouldn't wear that today.  Maybe I should save that for the days I go out in public.

Go ahead and laugh.  It's OK.

This blouse has been technically, out of style for years. 

But, you know what?  I don't give a flying fig.  I love it.  I'm wearing it to an important meeting today.  I'm meeting my Creative Spirit.  We're spending the day together. 



I've dropped 13 pounds.  Looking forward to wearing my old wardrobe that is waiting patiently for my return.  

Join the Conversation!
What clothes do you cling to with every fiber of your life?  (See what I did there?)

💬💬💬

Monday, January 13, 2020

Whole Lotta Work

I didn't expect reorganizing my studio would propel me into a whole social media marketing promotion.  It had to happen.  I've been talking about it for awhile.  Something about January in a new year that motivates people; including me. 

Clearing out my alcove may have been the very best decision.  I used it this morning for a quick photo session.  I'm on a 30 Day Business Branding Challenge.  Today's prompt is a Picture accompanied by your Elevator Pitch.  I'm taking this seriously!   I've needed to write my pitch for, like, 4 years.  No reason to rush.  Oh yea, bills.  


I've had that little box with nails since the 1980s.  No kidding.  


I love my strippy quilts.  I have discovered though the pieces most people love are the bold raw edge wall hangings.   I've known this for awhile.  Now I am thinking how to take that information and turn it to my advantage.  
If you think I am slow to make decisions, you would be right. 

Here are a few photos from the session.  
I have made an appointment with a professional photographer for some artist photos.  But, for spur of the moment on a Monday morning, I can't complain about these results!  😎😎




What's happening in your studio?

Join the Conversation!
💬💬💬

Also, www.facebook.com/debradixondesign 






Thursday, January 9, 2020

Aprons Listed!

Laura, who has her finger on the pulse of the younger social community, tells me people are more interested in an artist's process, studio and life more than the final pictures of the project.  Oh I see!  I can certainly offer that information.  Maybe too often! 

All the half aprons I currently have in my inventory were ironed for photographing.  I couldn't bear the thought of folding them for the upcoming show.  I took some precious space on one of my hanging racks to hang them.  Gosh, they look so pretty! 




The alcove is now empty and working perfectly as a photography studio.  The only time it doesn't work is when the western sun shines into my studio.  So I have to work early mornings.



Feeling very encouraged and ready to list more items in the Home Market of Poshmark.  Today's selection will include some wall hangings and embroideries I've stitched in the past.  Trying to be ruthless here.  😎😎  


Apron On!   Let's Do This!

Please Join the Conversation!
💬💬💬

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Chef Aprons


A few years ago Brent and I teamed up to produce a line of commercial chef aprons.  At the time he was the head chef for the Product Development Kitchen at HEB grocery store.  He spent all day in an apron and was more than familiar with the industry requirements.  He also saw the crazy expensive cutting edge aprons named chefs were buying.  

Working with Brent was exciting & we make a good team.  We thought he would be able to market them but time killed that assumption.  Now that he is in management his time is even more scheduled.  An easy solution would be requiring all his stores to buy his line of aprons but then there  are ethics.  Yaknow.  😎😎   I don't have the connections to market them but yaknow, it's 2020, I could make those connections.  I could do a lot of things.  Like, it's all possible.  

With my renewed effort to sell finished items I am listing these aprons on-line.  I am also reevaluating how fun it is to sew aprons.  They appeal to my desire to be casually creative with a few supplies.  With a bit of showcasing aprons in general could be great to sell at the spring markets.  I think I prefer what I refer to as "domestic aprons" vs. the professional industrial aprons.  But, of course, the domestic cook wants to buy an apron for $25 and the professional chef will spend upwards of $175 for an apron. 

Aprons are so underrated.  Kinda like quilts.  



One of my favorite personal aprons


A commissioned apron featuring reclaimed denim & embroidery 

What do you think?  How have aprons appeared in your life?
Join the Conversation!
💬💬💬




Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Question Answered

Turns out it took 2½ hours of waiting to answer 1 question.  But that answer led to a better solution than I had anticipated.  While waiting at the Social Security Office I chatted with a very nice woman.  She saw me walking back and forth along the hallway trying to get my steps in while I waited.  She engaged me in conversation & we ended up enjoying our wait time together.  At one point we were talking about cars.  She said to me, "Well, just seeing you walk by, I would guess you drive a Volvo."  Huh?  do people even drive Volvos now?  I guess I come across as a hippie dippy earth mother type.  Ha! Ha!  I did have a guy look really surprised to see me get out of my Corvette.  He thought for sure I'd drive up in a Lexus.  He'd pegged me as a Lexus Woman.  Interesting how that happens!




The Social Security office is near a friend's house.  As I was pulling my phone out to call her and ask her if she wanted to take a quick walk around her neighborhood, she called me.  😎😎  So I also had an opportunity to visit a friend today too! 

Life is Good!
I'm feeling very positive about 2020!  

How is 2020 shaping up for you?
Join the Conversation! 
💬💬💬

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Beautiful Saturday

After grocery shopping I decided to drive over to an office park nearby and see if I could step out a mile or two.  As it turned out, I could!  I'm trying to walk in a variety of locations so boredom doesn't set in.

I was also very encouraged by my weigh-in on the grocery store scales.  I've officially dropped the first 10 pounds of my weight loss journey.  Yea Me! 

Lots of concrete but I did manage to find a few little garden spots.




winter roses are blooming around Houston 



Mirrored glass windows are perfect for selfies!  It got so warm I was able to tie my sweater around my waist. 

Quilts are Everywhere!  



Winter Pansies 


My "Photography Booth" in my studio is a real gem.  I'm so glad Brent mentioned the idea of using the alcove for photos.  Once I got home I was able to photograph and list 12 patchwork aprons in my Poshmark store.   Send anyone you know looking for an apron over to buy one!  They are all $25 + postage.

Debra Dixon Design

Fun patchwork sewn from a thrifted tablecloth

Debra Dixon Design

Sewn from a thrifted sundress skirt

Debra Dixon Design

Batik Apron 

Join the Conversation!  
What's happening in your 'Hood?
💬💬💬