3 Skirts And A Pullover

Oops looks like I need to steam a seam!! Oh well. Pullover and skirt: self-drafted patterns.
Ponte knit for skirt, drapey sweater knit for pullover.
Hopefully to come more adventures in pattern drafting. Would like to complete self-drafted pattern set to work new projects from. We'll see how that goes! Front bodice drafted. Next to tackle back bodice and a fitting. Keeping fingers crossed that things will work.

Infinity Scarf

A quick scarf. Used an old scrap of knit, think I'll go ahead and make a few more with different material. It's oh so comfy and warm.

Fall Basic T #1

Following a tutorial by Yoshimi the Flying Squirrel, I made this long sleeve t-shirt. I used New Look pattern 6160. Took out a back seam, added a bottom band, lengthened (arms and shirt), and changed up the neck finish.

Thin, $3/yd fabric from Joann's. Used 2 layers of fabric so that the finished shirt was not so see through. The shirt is cozy and soft. I plan on making a handful more for fall/winter.

Summer Fun

Making Blueberry-Blackberry Jam

Collecting Eggs

Visiting Beautiful Gardens

Ice painting on a hot day

Sewing tank tops

Discovering new favorite button closure

Tutu

Shuffling through the house I see there is a lot to be done. There's a dandy pile of laundry on the chair, toys strewn about, dishes, and the floors are dirty there's enough food bits on them I can make a meal. Indeed the house needs attention, but I can't stop thinking about sewing! I must make a tutu. The pattern for the tutu came from Oliver + S Little Things To Sew by Liesl Gibson. This book is filled with lots of fun projects. Next on the list is that super cute puppet theater. After I scrape off the counters a bit first ;)

Latest Inspiration

Welcome to my village!, a photo by syko Kajsa on Flickr.

This is too darn cute, and has become the whimsical inspiration for a room re-do. I found these sweet houses and other lovely projects in Kajsa Wikman's book Scandinavian Stitches. Yeah, more ways to utilize fabric scraps.

Yarn Bombing

So I recently returned from a trip to Central Oregon. While there I had read about yarn bombing in a local publication. It's when people use fiber as a medium to secretly create cozy works of art around the city. Check out this Yarnbombing blog. I thought it was a pretty funny, heart warming idea! Then not two days after returning from Oregon did we come across a yarn bombing in our neighborhood. Check out this fire hydrant. C'mon it makes ya smile a little right?

Making the Chocolate Bib Top (KCWC)

While reading about Kids Clothing Week Challenge, I came across this little piece and was totally inspired to make one too! How cute is the blue and white gingham?

i made my first children's top, a photo by wikstenmade on Flickr.

Over the past few days, I have spent my hour of sewing reworking a basic simplicity toddler t-shirt pattern into something that resembles wikstenmade's children's top.

Making Changes!

The pattern used is Simplicity 4809. I think it's an oldie.

Tah Dah! The Chocolate Bib Top.

I am pretty happy with the results, but have a few changes planned. Perhaps a few more gathers under the bib, add a bit of length, and increase the A-line.

Now I just have to get the little one in it for a few pics.

Happy Sewing :)

First Project for KCWC

A Simple Skirt (2T)

Pattern: Tutorial from Made

I have been wanting to try this skirt pattern for a bit now. Dana from Made recently posted that she can sew a double tiered simple skirt up in 17 minutes. That really sold me so I gave it a go. I think I clocked in more around the 40 minute mark for this one though, but I can see how you could get really fast after making a few. And I definitely plan on making more.

The fabric is left over cotton from a shirt I just recently sewed. This is also my first completed project posted on Elsie Marley's Flickr group for Kids Clothes Week Challenge.
Happy Sewing = Happy Days!!

A Good Excuse To Sew

Just decided to take part in this fun challenge that's going on in blogger land.
Hopefully I'll post some finished clothes here and on flickr.
The source of this fun call to create is Elsie Marley's blog.

Sewing for Summer

It's always fun to peruse the pattern collection after it has been left for a bit. Last time I went through them I ran across Simplicity pattern #2922

I traced the pattern onto pattern paper and cut into some not so lovely fabric for a test run.
Here is the finished top. Please excuse the wrinkles, I've been wearing the top today!

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. While the fabric has lovely texture and embroidery, the color of it is quite drab. I pondered dyeing the shirt a happy yellow, but think I'll just wear it as is since I really don't have much experience dyeing fabric. Perhaps an opportunity to try?

For the next shirt, I will take out the back center seam, and take in the sides a smidge for a little more fit. It's nice to have discovered a good go to pattern for this summer. The pattern also has a dress option which would be so cute. Off to sew :)

Ribbon Sticks

During circle time at Kinder Gym the kids and parents get to dance to music and wave ribbon sticks. When I saw how much fun was had, I decided to make some for home. Here is how I made 3 ribbon sticks:

Supplies needed


-screw eyes $1.19 (size listed on pkg is 214.5 x 5/8 no units given. There were 6 in pkg)
-fishing swivels $1.19 (I don't have the size as the pkg got tossed) get big ones. Mine weren't big enough so I needed an extra jump ring for additional ribbon
-oak dowel $2.19 (1/2" x 36")
-lots of ribbon
-scissors
-small paintbrush or knitting needle

1. Cut your dowel into 3 equal 12" pieces. You may want to sand any rough edges.
2. Twist 1 screw eye (centered) into the end of one of your 12" pieces of dowel. I slipped a paintbrush handle through the screw eye to make twisting easier.



3. Attach the fishing swivel to the screw eye

4. Collect long pieces of fabulous ribbon. I used what I had around the house. Cut 2 or 3 pieces of ribbon a couple yards long or so. Whatever length you prefer. Slip the ribbon through the swivel eye and pull through half way, then tie a knot. As mentioned above, because my swivel eye was so small I added a jump ring to the swivel eye and added more ribbon that way.

5. My ribbon had a tendency to fray after it was cut, so I burned the ends of the ribbon quickly with a lighter.

6. Repeat steps 2-5 to make two more ribbon sticks.

Hope this makes sense!

Oh ya, you'll probably want to supervise the little ones while they're playing with the ribbon toy. They are sticks after all with a few small parts. Most important have fun...woo hoo! I was thinking you could customize your ribbon sticks by decorating the dowel handle for some extra flare.

COUPONING

Today I jumped into the couponing scene. Went to a coupon class hosted by Heather of Queen Bee Coupons. Heather presented a lot of information in 2 hours. Where to get coupons, how to organize them, planning your shopping trip, doubling, tripling, catalina coupons, and on and on...yowza! Hopefully I'll be scoring some good deals soon. Now off to watch me some Extreme Couponing. Just kidding. Or am I?

Stretch & Sew - A Thrifty Find

Pretty sure my eyes lit up when I came across this pattern at the local thrift shop. A very basic children's set-in sleeve top for 10 cents. The pattern is uncut and in sizes 2T thru 12. Woo hoo! This should be a great go to pattern to slice and chop into many different styles. We'll see what happens.


This is a leftover piece of knit material that I'll try my first go at the pattern with. Hopefully I can share a successful shirt in the near future.

Sewing, Weekend Fun, and Damp Days

Sewing up some a-line dress / jumpers. This one is in my Etsy shop right now.

I was inspired by a post on Noodlehead about a beautiful log cabin baby quilt she made. Seeing her lovely work brought new life to the pile of scraps in my sewing room. Hmm what will become of these happy scraps?

Ok. I love thrifting. Why didn't I know about this Flea Market? It's in a great location, has lots of potential, knick knacks, books, clothes, tools, jewelry and such. This market will have to stay on the thrifting rounds.

C'mon. Let's go outside and play. I know it's damp, dark, and cold but we can still make it fun. Let's just suit up and get dirty.

Oh nature, you make me smile. An added bonus while we were out. Blooming Flowers (Hellebores).

Musical Pants!

Musical because they're made out of a medium wale corduroy so when she walks they zip, zip. The pattern is from a free tutorial at the Made blog called KID PANTS. The directions were easy to follow and the project came together in a snap. I'm a sucker for quick, fun, projects...instant gratification. Hooray!

Happy Valentine's Day