Misc Project Links

Collection of easy sew girls skirts

Twirly Skirt tutorial I think I've linked this one before, but it's a good tutorial!

Part of the Handmade Holidays series.

The Belle Elysse is Done!

I am finally finished with the Belle Elysse. I think the Princess is going to wear it for her first day of school. It turned out great & I'll snap a picture after I get new batteries in the camera!!!

Crochet Dishcloths

I used the Simple Dishcloths pattern to make this. I am making sets of these for a shower this weekend & for my sister's b-day coming up in a week. I got this easy pattern from Crochet Pattern Central. There were lots of choices, I think I went with one that was really simple, mostly because I need to crank out a few in a short period of time. I made 2 last night. I hope to do 2 more tonight while watching the olympics!

Free Sewing Patterns

Free Sewing Projects for Children to learn to sew.

Sulky Project Library

Sewing.Org

Free Sewing Projects

All Free Crafts

Recylced Denim Scatter Rug

Craft and Fabric Links

Progress on the "Belle Elysse"

I picked up some cotton fabric for the Belle Elysse dress. So far I have cut out the material & started sewing the bodice & sleeves. The only reason I stopped is because the step I'm on required ironing for the elastic casings before sewing them, so I am on hold until I can get to the iron (it's upstairs in what will be the sewing room).

There are some adorable pics on the page of dresses that have been made by customers. It never ceases to amaze me the impact of fabric choice!!!

I just had to have it!

My first You Can Make This purchase is the Belle Elysse Tiered Dress. I am hoping I have the 1 1/2 yards up in the storage room to give it a try, then maybe I'll forge out & buy some really fantastic fabric & make more!

My next project

Finally I have tied up some of my loose project ends & will be starting a new project! Woohoo!!! I picked up the fabric this weekend & it will be a cover for my new stand mixer, and hopefully a couple of matching hanging towels.

I am starting to browse for some summer sewing for the kiddos, PJs and of course some dresses for the Princess! Not sure if I have any patterns in mind I'm hoping to find inspiration in the fabric!

New apron pattern

One More Moore has shared the pattern (instructions) for an adorable ruffled apron.

Now I just need to dig through my stash to find just the right fabric....

Random posting...

It has been a few days since I've blogged!  We have been fighting the flu here, one at a time.  The process has taken a week & thankfully I was the last & unfortunately for everyone else the least affected.  I just felt nasty, everyone else was worse than nasty.  I spent 2 days doing laundry to clean up from the Princess.  It was her first real vomiting illness so trying to get her to stay in one spot was a challenge. 

I have stripped my couch cushions, steam cleaned the carpet, washed every blanket & sheet that was on the couch or in her room... I do so love to do laundry!

I did manage to plant my flower box & front garden.  I am going to my Mom's later to cut some pachysandra  to plant in my other front garden.  Right now it is a mess of weed & one lonely rose bush (just planted it so more like rose stub!).   We went to the local green house & bought some petunias, a Vinca vine & some cherry tomato plants (for the princess).  One of my neighbors had a stand out with primroses & Gerbera daisies, so I bought one of each of those.  Now I just need to go to my "guy" and get some hanging baskets, then the front will be complete, at least for this year.  DH wants to buy some trees, but we don't agree on the kind of tree.

Not a whole lot of sewing going on at the moment.  I did manage to cut out for a canvas shopping tote & I have the fabric pre washed & shrunk (my former boss was right about the 20% shrinkage, Glad I didn't sew first!)  I probably should have washed it before I cut it.  I think it is going to be smaller than I was hoping for.

I've been trying to make a list of my upcoming or overdue projects so I can fit them in with my "need to do" projects

• Mixer Cover for Grandma


• curtain tabs for sister


• shirt dress for Princess


• finish lunch bag for DH (hem & Velcro)


• canvas tote


• Irish chain - camo quilt, finish top then quilt


• T-shirt quilt - back


• red& white tutu


• My sister's swing canopy (still waiting on measurements & fabric)


• handbag for me (recycling pair of pants that I love but will most likely never fit me again)

We have a baseball game tonight, I am working the snack stand!  Love it.  I'll probably have to run the register, since I am usually the only one with experience at it...   Not that I mind, I am missing the retail interaction a little, especially now that we'd be going full swing this weekend if we were opening...  So I miss it a little, but come July when it is nice out & I am floating in our pool instead of scooping ice cream & mopping goo every 5 minutes I'll be happy with our decision to not reopen! 

I am going to try not to be too censorious this weekend.  I'd love to make up for all the work that didn't get done while we were sick, but it is a HOLIDAY after all!

I am loving Qumana!  I'm still working out the category thing & I have to add pictures online, but it's still pretty cool!

Tags: Misc, projects, UFOs

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New project

I am sewing lunch bags for the family! I'll add pictures when they are all done. I am making 3 because I already have one & even though the Princess doesn't go to school yet I knew she'd complain if she was the only one who didn't have one.

I decided to make them because I am sure that dh's new job will bump us out of our reduced lunch program at school & I just can't see spending the $1.65 for a lunch. I am really annoyed that there is no happy medium. It's either $0.25 or $1.65. But oh well, It'll be bologna & cheese for the rest of the year, he'll love it!

I used Kwik Sew pattern 2191. I also just made the Princess a library bag scaling down the tote pattern. I added a cute bow & used my letter kit for my sewing machine to add her initial. She loves it! To scale down the pattern I just folded the paper pattern until I had it the size I wanted, making sure it was still even. I know you don't really need a pattern for this kind of thing, but I bought it when I was a novice & directions never hurt!

I still have some hemming to do to finish them up & I think I am going to add handles to the kids bags, sorry dh just gets velcro. I think handles would be a little to "un-manly."

Pocket Tissue Holder

Mostly so I don't lose the proper dimensions again...

Pocket Tissue Holder

I have made bunches of these, I did some in holiday prints and usually crank out a few around the holidays. It's a great use for scraps!

Overall dress

I have been saving the shiny pink satin dress since winter ball 1991! I don't have a before picture of the dress, I do, but I'm in it with the biggest hair imaginable, so I ain't sharing!!!

I finally got to ripping it apart & decided that it would make an adorable dress for the princess, but how??? Then I found an old pair of overall shorts in my stash of things needing repairs. I decided to cut off the legs & make a dress. I tried it on the princess & it fits fantastically!

The bottom is from a ruffle. So it was already gathered. It is longer in back than in front, that made it too cute! The straps are also made from pieces of the second ruffle, just 2 tubes sewn on 3 sides, pressed & attached!

I had to shorten the lower pockets because they hung down too low & I snipped one taking the legs off anyways.This is the back view. When I took off the old straps it made a V in the back & would have been too far down her back (so said daddy!) so I used another piece from the dress, topped with a cuff from one of the legs (stability).I removed the pocket to do the applique, so I had to put it back on & rather than hide it I used the same zigzag stitch & embroidery thread.

Thus ends the Monday recycling sessions!!!

Halter Top

I found inspiration at You Can Make This for this adorable top. I don't remember off hand what size the jeans were that I used, but they were adult & I only used 12" off the bottom of one leg, so loks of parts left to recycle!

I didn't add a neck strap, simply because I think she'll be wearing this over a shirt most times. I made mine reversible

I used this fabric because I made her a headband out of it & they will look cool together!

Gaucho Pants

I had a pair of jeans in a 4t from the Prince. They had stains & weren't very cute (at least not for a little girl). So going through my huge stash I found an adorable green print & began the project I posted before pics of the jeans here

I cut a slit in each leg & cut out the seam (it was just below the pocket, but I think the next time I'll make it higher on the leg) Then I cut a wedge of fabric (mine measured 10"x 10" & the point was 90 degrees, this left a little more fabric than I wanted, so for the next one I'll cut the angle back maybe to 60 degrees). I cut 2 strips for the ruffle, hemmed 1/2", I pressed the hem then top stitched it in place. I used a XXXX pattern on one leg and a __]__]__] pattern on the other. Then I sewed the ends to complete the circle.

I do ruffles the hard way, I haven't tried couching dental floss & gathering that way & I haven't bought the ruffler foot for my machine yet. I simply lined up a seam on the inside leg with the seam on the ruffle & pinned. Then I Pinned the opposite side & worked my way down to having pins every inch, then I sewed & removed pins before I got to them. After pressing I top stitched the ruffle into place & added some decorative stitching up the legs of the jeans.

I can't wait to try it again & see if it turns out just as cute. Next time I do pants though I am going to take the legs off completely & attach a patchwork leg on each... sounds cool!

Emblished burp cloths...

A CHELSEA MORNING

I found this through 5 Minutes for Mom.

I made some custom burp cloths for my little one too! I added an edge of fabric (I had seen one that had ribbon & beading, too much for baby!). I'll have to dig one out & post a pic. I love Barb's version. I can't wait to make some for the next baby shower!!!

Easter stuff & a SEWING project!!!

I am starting to think about the upcoming holiday (I feel like I am just a tad behind!) We did bring the decorations up from the basement & I definitely don't need eater grass! That seems to be all I have an abundance of. I also have a couple towels I made toppers for (so they hang like the crocheted ones do.) I was looking for something the kids could do & ended up finding "Marthas" crafts for me!

Chick & HEN Table Decor


Rabbit Template
Bunny Napkin Fold

On a sewing note I started my next project for the Princess. So far I have cut 5" off the bottom of the legs & slit the sides (just about to the crotch) & trimmed out the seam. I decided on a springy green print. I am going to wedge the print in to give the pants a gaucho feel & create ruffles for the cuffs. I hope it comes out cute! I also have a pair of jeans the Prince wore out at the knees. I cut off the worn parts & I left them as shorts. I think I will be turning them into a skirt, maybe a 2 layer bubble... who knows!
And since I have put my dorkiness on full display in the last few days... How about last night Battle Star Gallactica??? I actually said what the Frack!!!! Between BSG & LOST, my head is going to spin around & then explode!

My tooth fairy pillow progress

I didn't get to the sewing machine yet but I did get to cut out the pillow & the appliques.

I am going to make a pillow for the back to hold the tooth & $. Obviously my Prince is a future hunter, so this is perfect for him! My Dad took him to the range & let him shoot a 22 shotgun, he got every shot in the center of the target, one bulls eye! ~Just a little proud of my guy!!! (To clarify, my father is a Pistol Permit Course instructor, Gun Dealer, Avid hunter & fully trained to use & teach the use of guns, so I didn't just let ds go off with a gun & a prayer!)

Again the pattern for the applique is from Little Wool Gatherings

Appliqued pillow for tooth fairy

Well I have been totally distracted by the headband pattern! I have made 5 for myself (I guess I'm a headband nut) & 3 for the Princess!

I only made one more set of matching ones though. SO far I made myself one in black micro suede, brown micro suede, green floral cotton & burgundy/gold holly print (for Christmas of course!) The Princess is getting a fun bright lady bug print & one in the burgundy & holly print.

I am heading down today to work on my Penny & Paul appliques (Little Wool Gatherings, free templates)as I have finally decided how I am going to use them. I am going to make pillows for teeth! The Prince has lost his second tooth already & I being the great procrastinator has not made anything to put the tooth in. So I am thinking very simple square pillow with Paul appliqued on the front & a Pocket on the back. I will have to dig out the John Deere Tractor print again...

I'll post pictures as soon as I have something to take a picture of!!!

Headband pic

I made this one (and a matching one for the Princess last night). They were a snap to make. The only problem I had was turning the tie part of the smaller size, it was a little narrow!

I will make more of these they are comfortable & stay put well. I will try the next one with a layer of canvas (if I had heavy interfacing I'd use that) to try & make it stiffer.

Hooray for Headbands

Heather Bailey at HELLO my name is Heather has developed a gorgeous headband pattern, that she has for free (I love free!!!). It is on the widget side under free patterns.

I can't wait to try it out! Sarah over atHearts and Needles has some pics of her posted as well!

I hope I have some fun & funky fabric!!!