I'll be sewing!

I've decided that I need to relearn how to sew. I don't think I've used a sewing machine in the past 2 decades, but I'm determined to start again! Owning a new home that needs window treatments is certainly an incentive, especially since Calico Corners and the Fabric Place both charge $80 plus fabric costs for the valances I like for my dining room.

My sister received a sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago and has used it to make Halloween costumes for her kids, baby gifts, etc. Since she's doesn't see herself using it anytime soon, she's let me borrow it. I'm hoping to spend some quality time with the sewing machine and some scrap fabric this weekend relearning how to sew. Once I've adequately learned how to stitch straight seams, I'm going to tackle a valance for the kitchen window. I've got my fabric all ready...it's this Amy Butler fabric which will look perfect in my light green kitchen and will add a splash of color too:

I also made a super fabric purchase last week at the Crate and Barrel Outlet going out of business sale. I bought approximately 5 yards of a large blue and white floral Marimekko fabric for $6.95 a yard...and if that wasn't enough of a bargain, the saleslady decided to only charge me for 3 yards because she couldn't remember (wink, wink) how much fabric it was when she measured it (I took what was left on the bolt). I can't find a picture of the fabric anywhere online, but the colors are similar to this Marimekko fabric, only with a light blue in the mix too.

It reminded me of the fabrics and colors that were in 2 of the hotels D and I stayed at in Greece. Here's the first one, Kastelli Reort in Santorini (our suite was similar to this one):

And the other was Petasos Beach Resort where our room looked almost exactly like this:

I'm going to make valances and a wall hanging out of the Marimekko for our blue bedroom and make it a Greek Island themed guest room. Here's what color the blue bedroom is (the color it was when we moved in...and we're keeping it at least until we have kids):

So wish me luck with my sewing--I've got Amy Karol's "Bend the Rules Sewing" checked out from the library which hopefully will help me!