Sewing Slump

Unfortunately, not all projects work out as planned. In fact, my last three projects have not worked out as intended. It all started with the red strapless dress on the right. It was going well, I even learned how to properly install a kick pleat/vent which was fun. The problem is that it doesn't fit. Even if I ripped out the seams (which I loathe doing), the size chart for the pattern is so off that no amount of tweaking would make this baby fit me in a flattering way. The second project, the bag on the left, was supposed to be a replacement for one of my deteriorating reusable grocery bags. For some reason, I just did not look forward to sewing the bag. Maybe it is because it was a project out of necessity or because I didn't like the fabric, I don't know but I was rather remiss in my preparation and sewing of the pieces. Needless to say, this bag was doomed from the start and didn't come together with accuracy or attention to detail. The project was abandoned at the lining in part due to my lackluster effort and in part because the bag turned out to be unwieldy in size. The third project, the blue polka dot dress is kind of a Frankenstein-esque type of endeavor. I used a tutorial to make a highwaisted, full skirt and attached a simple halter bodice. I can't count this project as a complete loss because it was a near success. The highwaisted skirt part fit well but the bodice part missed the mark. I may be able to salvage the blue dress by ripping off the bodice and finishing it as a cute, full skirt. The other 2 projects will eventually be repurposed once I stop wanting to throw my sewing machine off my balcony!

Backpack

It all began when I saw a picture of an owl lunch box. I liked it, but I decided I could make one myself. I found a great (free) pattern here for a toddler backpack, and turned something simple into something more complicated. I added a flannel lining, piping and two layers of interfacing for stability. I added the owl's features to the front panels before I began sewing it together. Did you notice I managed to work in some rick-rack? I know what you are thinking....step away from the rick-rack please! I like this pattern because a) it is simple to construct, it takes little fabric, and c) instead of using a zipper which can be hard for a toddler to open, it has a front opening that closes with velcro. This project was made completely with stuff I had on hand: the denim was from old jeans, the lining flannel, felt and rick-rack scraps were in my stash and the interfacing was from a huge hunk we found at a yard sale last summer.

Summer Outfit

Here is the latest addition to my daughter's summer wardrobe. The top was made with a very, very easy pattern (I think it is McCalls?). It has tucks in the top, elastic in the sleeves and a button closure in the back. I added a little rick-rack around the neck because have I mentioned my undying love for rick-rack??? The pants were from a great pattern I bought from here. You should check out this lady's blog. She is a genius and has lots of (free!) tutorials. The reason I love this pants pattern is because it is for skinny kids. I have a hard time finding store-bought pants that stay on my kids. Even the ones with the adjustable waists don't always work. Regular pants patterns for little kids are also very boxy and wide-legged. Yes, I could cinch up the elastic and make them work, but I would have a little MC Hammer on my hands and I'm not really into that. That's why I was very happy to find this pattern. It is only one piece, so a few seams and they are done! For the fabric I used an old pair of my jeans (what was I thinking buying brown jeans??). I cut open the leg seams, positioned the pattern piece and cut it out. I made good use of the already sewn hem of the jeans, therefore eliminating a step! They fit great, and I can tell you I will be using this pattern a lot!

My New Sewing Crush - The Buttercup Bag

(Designed by Rae...see link to free pattern below)

This is made from vintage houndstooth that I found in a furniture store in Austin and the lining is made from scraps leftover from my junior Prom dress!
The pattern was designed to be made out of 2 fat quarters! Random scraps work well too.

I LOVE polka dots. I made a dress and an apron with these fabrics and I had just enough left to crank out this bag.

http://www.made-by-rae.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html

The Dress of Gloom and Despair

So Rachel had this pattern. I loved it and decided to trace the pattern and make one for myself. (Rachel likes when I do this so that I can work out all the kinks and see if its a good pattern before she makes it. Clever girl she is.) So, I found myself some fabric and got to work. My observations are as follows:

• Vogue patterns are made to look very professional, inside and out
• Making a dress look professional includes french seams on EVERYTHING, and linings and facings so that there are no exposed seams
• While that may look all fine and dandy, its a major pain in the behind!!!
• Invisible zippers are a pain
• Especially when they break after you've installed it for the third time
• Having your mom install the zipper is way easier than doing it yourself
• Piping is really fun and a lot easier than I thought!
• Using a hand-me-down shirt to make the piping will make you feel very cheeky
  
• Spending hours and hours on Vogue dress that makes you look like you are smuggling watermelons is very un-gratifying; lets just say the the top part is not, uh, flattering for those who are a little busty ;)

Tea Wallets

Oh, the wonders of the internet. You can find more inspiration and tutorials then you will ever have time for. Here is a project that can be completed very quickly and with very few supplies. Now I have a nice handy way to bring tea to church. The one with the yellow button was made from a vintage handkerchief. The elastic cording, which I used in place of the self-fabric loop, was hijacked from some sort of packaging we had in the house. Now the only question is...what to do with all of them since I only have a home for two of them. Anyone want one????

For the directions, click here.

A Dress for Me!

Sewing my wedding dress kind of burned me out in the clothing manufacturing department. Since then, I have sewn very little for myself, and mostly stuff for the kids. However, being inspired by Rachel's latest dresses, I decided I needed to make something for me! This dress was one of Vogue's easy patterns, and it was very simple to make. I lined it with a sheet I found at the thrift store. (so far I have also made pajama pants from it too!) The dress is actually not hemmed yet in these pictures, but if I wait to get a better picture it'll never happen. Pardon the cheesy grin.

Birthday Apron

We were invited to attend the birthday party of a little neighbor girl who was turning four. I made her an apron using some home dec canvas that never seems to get used up no matter how much I use it. I just made the pattern up as I went along, and my calculations on the neck ribbon were off. So, to fix the problem without tearing it out, I added a second piece of ribbon to make a casing for a bit of elastic. Voila! It worked. The applique is felt. We also made up a dry cookie mix to go with it, and the kids decorated the recipe for it.

Amy Butler - The Weekender Bag

For many months now mom and I have been anxiously waiting to sew the Weekender. We finally procured all of the necessary layers of interfacing, template plastic and home deco fabric and spent several hours each just cutting all of the pieces out. We sewed our own piping and through the completion of many laborious seams, found out not only what stock our sewing machines were made of but how many pin related battle scars we could carry!

In the end, we showed the bags who was boss. Take that extra heavy interfacing and multi-layer, curved seams!

Sewing in Bulk

For Christmas, I made 9 pairs of these jammies in 3 different sizes. I have made this pattern so many times that I could make it in my sleep.

You'd think I had been drinking....

I found a really nifty tutorial for making a clothespin bag that I just had to try. I want to make several of them and hang them from pegs in my daughter's room so she can keep her little treasures in them. The prototype, however, is an example of why, even if you are desperate for a sewing fix, you should not attempt to sew while bouncing a baby on your knee. The finished product will come out lopsided, and full of mistakes. I do, however, really like the idea of it and I plan to make several more, sans baby. (He decided not to take a nap that day, thus the reason he was up with me)

The Folklore Bag - One Yard Wonders

The One Yard Wonders book has been so much fun to sew through. As a beginner, being able to actually understand and finish projects on my own has been encouraging and has only fanned the flame of my love to sew. With that said, this is the Folklore Bag from the book and I have been thinking about making it for months. The bag is mostly constructed from an Asian print pillowcase that was found at Salvation Army for .67 cents which not only is a deal but makes this bag that much more gratifying!

Swap Crafting: Another One-Yard Wonder!

Here is the Obi-inspired hot/cold pack from the One Yard Wonders book. I made it for a Valentine's Day swap I am in on Craftster. The pack ties around your back with a wide sash, keeping the hot/cold pad right up against your back. The pad is filled with rice, and comes out to either chill or heat up. I think I just might have to make another one for myself.

Just Because

Here is a dress I made for my girl. Why? Because I can, that's why. It is made from less than a yard of some beautiful brocade fabric I had in my stash. The pattern called for 1 1/4 yards, but I am the master of making the most of things! It did help that I had a scrap of velvet leftover which I used for the collar and sleeves. I added horsehair braid I had leftover from my wedding dress to give the hem some good twirly-ness.

The Quick Eyemask

I was in need of a new sleeping mask because mine bit the dust a while ago so I consulted my handy Amy Butler book, In Stitches, and cranked this little number out using a pair of old pajama pants. The mask is quilted and holds on with elastic. It's more of a practice/prototype for now but I will definitely be making a better one soon!

One Yard Wonders

**Technical Difficulties fixed!!**


What's not to love about a project that only takes one yard of fabric?! Rachel has the book One Yard Wonders and we have been passing it back and forth excitedly sewing through the projects with wild abandon. Here are a few of my recent Wonders. The dress is kind of an updated take on the pillowcase dress. The only problem is that the 2T size is really big, but hey, it'll fit her one of these days, right? The shirt, on the other hand, is a bit small for a 2t. It is very short on Katie, so we decided that it fit her bear just fine (even if it is on backwards). I've already tweaked the pattern so I can make a few more that actually fit!

Quilt

I finished this quilt last week, finally. I don't really think I should call it a quilt because its really not 'pieced,' but whatever. Its something to keep her warm and it matches her room. I added rick rack because, well, I LOVE rick rack. The binding is pieced together with several different fabrics, including a shirt that Rach convinced me to buy long ago. I never could bring myself to sport the epileptic-seizure-inducing polka dots, but it did make a great binding!

Another Apron!

Here is another apron from the One Yard Wonders book. This one found a new home with Mom. The book calls for gathers along the waistband, but Rachel had done one with pleats and I loved that, so...I stole her idea!

One Yard Wonders...Again:

Hanging Car Trash Bag

Ever feel like you need an innovative trash solution for your car??? Look no further! Once again, the book One Yard Wonders was called upon for inspiration and thus this bag was born. It has two pockets and secures around the head cushion with a parachute clip. The ironic thing is, once I sewed the bag I realized it wouldn't fit in either of my vehicles...I guess I should've checked that first :) However, all is not lost because it is working quite wonderfully as a bag for balls of yarn and crochet hooks.

Scrap Inspiration: Coasters

I have a lot of scraps hanging around and I came across a crafty lady on the Burda Style website that made coasters for her house. So with her success in mind, I machine quilted a set of 10 coasters. I would like to add that I am big on the upcycling so one of the coasters is made from a bag that my dad brought me back from Germany and another coaster is from a bag I bought from Bath and Body works.