Marcelle Medallion...or how I'm easily sucked in...

Ok, so, I really wanted to make a Marcelle Medallion this summer.
And....I didn't.

I kind of ran out of time.  I've even let my FAL list fall to the wayside.  (*gasp*Shocking, I know!)

The I signed up for Rachel at Stitched in Color's Penny Sampler class, which I am totally digging:



I saw the Marcelle Medallion QAL (#mmqal on instagram) posted up at Penny Poppleton's blog.

I need another project like I need a hole in the head.  I mean, school is back in session.  I have stacks of papers to grade already.  I'm going camping with 6th graders for 3 days in another state. I'm in the Penny Sampler.  I'm trying to keep up with the Sisters Modern Ten BOM.  (FINALLY caught up on that one.)  I have a quilt to make for our guild.  I have a bunch of other quilts in progress.  So, um, I was TOTALLY going to just watch from the side lines....until...Lisa at ModernBalabusta (another incredibly awesome lady I got to meet in person at Sewing Summit last year) asked me if I wanted a copy of her paper piecing templates for the center.  I'm not good at paperpiecing.  Did that stop me?  Nope.  I said "sure!" and planned on putting them in a file with the pattern for the quilt.

And, um, that steely resolve lasted all of 12 hours?

So, yeah....I pulled fabric and started.



 I have NO idea how/if I can keep up with the QAL.  Frankly, the next year scares the bejeesus out of me.  Even cutting that many triangles seems daunting.

So, apparently, I get sucked in easily.  (This also explains why all the ice cream commercials leave me wanting some, right?)

Bess top pattern release!

So, today, I'm breaking my blog lazy streak....Two, count 'em, TWO posts today.

Rachael over at imaginegnats is launching her Bess top pattern today.  It comes in a shirt, a tunic, and a dress version.

I was lucky enough to pattern test for her.

First, I LOVE Rachael.  She is an awesome lady, and I was super lucky to meet her in person when I was feeling all shy and awkward at Sewing Summit last year.

Second, I've been wanting to garment sew for a while.  I've tried my hand at a few skirts (loved the Cerisy Rachael posted and sewed a couple of Amy Butler skirts).  I've wanted to use some Jay McCarroll fabric I've had hoarded saved for a top.  I couldn't find a quilting cotton pattern I liked that was up to my garment sewing level.  Enter the Bess top.

Rachael's directions are super easy to follow.  Plus, you can use jersey knit as like a bias tape.  Lots of great pieces of technique and ideas that I've filed for future garment sewing.  Plus, the top is super comfy.  (And it coordinated with my colored hair.)  I'm just waiting for it to be not disgustingly hot to wear it on the regular.  (Right now I'm living in tank tops, the less strappage, the better.)  I can see more versions in my near future.  (Selfish sewing week, perhaps?)

Anyway, if you want to sew with quilting fabric (and who doesn't?!), try Rachael's pattern!

I'm loving my version:



Yes, I was told I look like a hippy.  (And, my mom hates my hair...*cough*not changing it back*cough*)