Kari Me Away

And the Emmy goes to...

Yes, it's true, me on TV!  I filmed segments for "Martha's Sewing Room" over the summer and the new season has begun airing. Check your local PBS listings or do a title search with your cable or sattelite TV provider.  If you don't see a listing, search again in a week or two.  KOCE (channel 8), my local PBS station started the season later than other stations.  

 

I will be sharing sewing, embellishing, embroidery and flower making techniques on 12 of the 16 episodes and am even the "featured guest" on two of the shows.

I will be showing you.....

• Gathering with a Ruffler Foot (featured)
      Ruffler foot basics shown using my Rolls of Chiffon
      Embellishing Baby Knits with a Pettiskirt Tutu
• Whimsical Trims from a Stick (featured)  
      Making Whimsy Stick Trims
      Making Flowers from Trims for Gifts
• RickRack Roses & Leaves
• RickRack Daisies & Fiesta Flowers
• Bullion Whimsies
• Spaghetti Flowers with PomPom Centers
• Whimsy Trims Gone Loopy
• Flounce Ruffles (featuring Going in Circles tool)
• Spaghetti Edged Appliques
• Sassafras Your Skirts
• From Shorts to a Skort
• From Capris to Cargos (this can be done for boys too)
  

As you can imagine... taping segments requires that you be very organized (one of my best traits, not!). I made a point of speaking clearly and to the point, I moved slowly so the camera could follow what I was showing, meanwhile the producer was flipping time cards at me, I was trying to not sound nervous, and of course, worrying because the humidity makes my hair curl and the camera adds 10 lbs.! 

Needless to say, I survived the experience!  I guess the more you do something, the easier it gets. I know my performance was improved because my daughter, Lauren, told me I brought my personality along this time! Leave it to your family to keep you grounded, I can't help love 'em.

 
Here's what's behind the cameras.  Some of you may recognize Missy Billingsly, a Babylock educator, on the TV screen.  Missy stayed an extra couple of days after her taping and was a big help and even better cheerleader! 

 
Here is the hallway just outside of the studio.  The table on the right is covered with blue demo boards stacked with step-outs for the days taping.  Smiling back at you is Kathy McMakin and a veteran Martha's Sewing Room PBS camera man. 

So, please check your local listings and tune in to see what new things you can learn.  If you know what PBS station shows Martha's Sewing Room in your area, please post a comment with the station name, number, city and state.

I watch on: KOCE channel 8, Anaheim, CA - shows are on Tuesdays at 11:30 am.

 

Yoyo Cover Shot

I am happy to say my newest article in Sew Beautiful magazine is pictured on the cover!  The issue mailed this last week, so keep an eye out for it in your mailbox or on your news stand. 

 

This ultra close up cover photo is of my newest pattern, the Yo-Yo & Buttonholes Bubble.  The article features making yo-yo flowers, rickrack daisy flowers, super simple whipped tucks and wrapped rickrack trims.  

While the cover shows great close-up details, the article has a super sweet photo of the bubble on an adorable little girl.  A special "thank you" goes to Jennifer Tarkington of Jennifer and Company for the adorable photo!  I have shared one of the pictures below, but you can go to my Flickr photo site to see more.

As many of you know I enjoy adding as many embellishing details as I possibly can into a design or project.  So be sure to look closely for details like.....

 A yo-yo here, a yo-yo there, but not your Grandmother's yo-yo ...
Tilt the center of your yo-yo to the side and the design goes a little topsey-turvey, but in a good way! As a result, we have affectionately nicknamed this "the barnacle bubble" (thank you Marian for starting the whole thing, you are so right)!   

 

Not really into handwork? Try the super simple whipped tucks.
These remind me of some of my first attempts at embroidery when I was a little girl.  They are easy to do and the simple up and down stitches use the stripes as a needle placement guide.  And guess what?  You actually want the stitches to pucker up! 

How high can you count? 
Having a super slick Babylock Elegante sewing machine that makes truly wonderful automated buttonholes, I went wild adding buttonholes for ribbon beading.  I have always liked the idea of using ordinary elements in a new or different way and this technique really fits the bill.  Now, I'm not actually going to tell you the total number of buttonholes, let's just say you could quite possibly break the bank if you had to buy a button for each one!

 

What was it your high school driving instructor was always saying? Something like "Be sure to check your rear view...."
Well, that's what the photo above shows, the design on the back "cheek" of the bubble.  Now if this was for me, I wouldn't be pointing out my widest part, but kids just look too cute from any angle!

Notice too, the new shell stitched bias trim with wrapped rickrack on the leg band.