Once a year I go off for a weekend of sewing with some like-minded buddies. I usually shop too much, eat too much, and sew just the right amount.
This year was no different.
My first project didn't require a sewing machine at all.
You may have heard of the recent Sew Expo in Puyallup, Washington. Billed as the nation's largest sewing expo and held in late February and early March, I've never been. But my friend and retreat roomie, Sue, did. While there, she bought a scarf kit from Diane Ericson, called The Nest.
Independent of Sue, I was reading Diane Ericson's facebook page, and I saw the Nest scarf, made up and worn. I immediately emailed Diane and asked if I could order one. I could. She had only a few left, so it is a limited edition and not listed for sale on her site, but I snagged one.
The kit consists of a long strip of a bias cut silk/metallic lattice, in an off-white color, and a collection of ribbons, trims, and fabric scraps, plus four charms. You tie the goodies onto the scarf and then wind it around your neck. Once it's on your body, you reach in through the lattice and pull a few of the tschotskes through to the outside, which also helps anchor the arrangement.
Voilà, a nest.
Sue and I were amused that we had each purchased one of these kits without talking about it, even afterwards. We laid them out on our beds and tied away. I may go back later and add some red strips from my own stash.
Diane tells me she has a few of these kits left. If you are interested, you can contact her.
I have more projects to blog from the weekend, so stay tuned.