Today's projects

I couldn't believe it, the bandana skirt is now doll clothes... The Princess has a large Dora doll & it fits her perfectly. Of course my Princess is a petite thing & it still fits her waist, it just isn't even close to appropriate length!

I made my first 3D paper snow flake, just as a trial and error. Didn't need to it's so simple & looks so beautiful. here and here are some good tutorials. I have some 2 sided wrapping paper that I am going to make some out of next!

I am also going to attempt a mushroom ornament collection. I have the fabric cut for 3, but we'll see how the first one goes! My sister will love these if they turn out!

I also have a dress I'd like to recycle for the Princess for Christmas. It's a size 10/12 & she is a 5! But the fabric is perfect & it shouldn't be too hard to fashion a smaller outfit out of it.

We also will be Christmas cookie baking, so we'll see just how much I can actually get done today!!!

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.

Twirls for Girls - Toys for Tots

Twirls for Girls is back!!!

Use your talents & some of your stash to give to a child in need! These skirts are adorable and look easy enough to make. I am going to try to make 2 today and see how long it takes.

There is a form and instructions for donating them to "Toys for Tots" so they will know what it is & who it's for.

~Remembering back to our own girlhoods, some of our most cherished gifts were handmade clothes for our beloved dollies. Whether they were made by moms, grandmas, aunts, or even purchased from craft bazaars, they were unique and special, just like the women who created them.~

I can whole heartedly agree with this quote from the website! I still have most of the handmade doll clothing I received or purchased at craft shows. Now my little princess is dressing her dolls (and mine) with them! They are special and usually very well constructed.

Halloween Costumes

How cute are these!!! I am giving them until the end of September to decide what they want to be, just so I have plenty of time to get them done!!!

I'm not sure what they are even interested in for Halloween. Neither one of them has said a word. I'm hoping the Prince will be obvious, Football player???? I can only hope!

I'm sure the Princess will want to be a Princess, but we do have fairy wings already...

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!!!

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

Halloween Already

Halloween Catalog of patterns is available for pre-order by August 31, 2008 and receive a copy of holiday decorating pattern 3642 FREE. Offer good while supplies last.

Ruffle skirt

Crafty Daisies recycled denim ruffle skirt tutorial.

Thanks to The Queen of Re for the info!!!

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!!!

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....

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."

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!

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.

Holiday Pillow Case (or anyday pillow case)

I have made Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter & every day so far for each kiddo. I am still planning on making a back up everyday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Patriotic, Summer & Back to school.

Fabrics: (pair of cases)
This actually makes queen size cases, so they will either hang off the end of a twin pillow or you can upgrade to queen size pillow, I wouldn't recommend making them smaller since it really depends on the fluff of your pillow

1 1/2 Yard Cotton for the body
2/3 Yard Cotton for decorative hem
1/8 Yard Contrasting Cotton for accent strip

PRE WASH & SHRINK THE FABRIC

Cutting the Fabric:
Body: 27"x 41"
Hem: 11" x 41"
Accent: 2" x 41"

Creating the Case:
1. Using the 2" accent fabric, press in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. You will now have an accent piece 1" x 41".
2. Create a pile with raw edges matching, body fabric, right side up, accent fabric, and decorative hem fabric, right side down. Pin all the layers carefully making sure that you don't "lose" the accent fabric. Sew, using the edge of your presser foot for seam allowance, along the 41" raw edge. Set seam by pressing flat.
3. Roll up the body fabric, forming a tube, towards the hem edge.
4. Flip the hem fabric around the formed tube, so that raw edges are matching and right sides are together.
5. Pin edges & sew all layers using edge of presser foot for seam allowance. Be careful not to catch the rolled body fabric in the seam. My machine is digital & the needle is very easy to move, so I usually move the needle 2 clicks to the out side (right) of the previous seam just to be sure I don't go to the left of the stitches.
6. Pull rolled fabric out one edge. Press finished hem.
7. With wrong sides together and using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the side & top edge of the body. Set seam by pressing flat. I usually find I have to do some trimming before I move on to the next step, you don't want any raw edges showing through your final seam.
8. Turn pillow case inside out, so that the right sides of fabric are on the inside. Press. Sew the side and top edge using a 1/2" seam allowance. Set seam by pressing flat.
9. Turn right side out. Press flat.

Sweater Mittens, sweater pillows

Ok so searching for a quick homemade gift the kiddos can make led me to http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10004

I am thinking I'll give this a whirl. Only I don't have any wool sweaters & I didn't like the stitching outside. Sew basically I'm not doing the pattern at all! I figure I'll trace my hand, add a bit, line up the pattern at the bottom of the hem or a cuff maybe, cut it out. Then with right sides together I'll sew it on my machine (or maybe the serger...). I'll have to let ya know how it works out.

Sweater Pillows

I have made a few or these. I gave some to my sister as Christmas gifts one year. I still have one or two to sew up for her, she gave me the sweaters this time.

Decide on the size of the pillow, add at least 1" for seams (1/2" each side so 12" pillow + 1" = 13" square), cut out 2 squares to size. I love my square ruler & rotary cutter for this! Then right sides together sew around the square, leaving a big enough hole to turn right side out & stuff (bigger if using a form, smaller if stuffing by hand) Then after it's satisfactorily stuffed hand sew (or machine top stitch) the hole closed. Voila! One very cuddley pillow!!!

btw visit http://myfavoritepowerballads.blogspot.com to see what I'm listening to as I sew!!!

Today's Project

http://www.pfaffusa.com/721_5103.html

Armchair Remote Holder

I am going to make this for my Dad. It's going to be out of the twill camoflauge fabric! I figured I should be able to whip it up today & be done with it. And since I don't have an embroidery machine (~sniffle, sob, sniffle~) I won't have to do that...

I do just love how you have to have "their" sewing machine!!! Because I can't do the project with out it! They all do it, some even tell you you need a specific machine! It's just too funny! Especially when it is something that is mostly straight stitch!!!

Easy Christmas Stocking Completed!!!

Woohoo. Another project moved to the completed side of the board! The Prince needed a new Christmas Stocking, didn't think a 7 year old should still have a Bear in the Big Blue House one. Sew.... I used two of dh's old jean shorts & a pair of flannel pj bottoms, cut 6 1/2" squares out.

I pieced them together in Chain Fashion, one row at a time. I made 5 rows of 7 squares, used my 1/4" hem foot. When I sewed the rows together I pinned at the block seams to line up the pattern & pressed in between sewing & pinning each row.

Then I folded the fabric in half & (thankfully I had a pattern) I traced a stocking we had using chalk. I cut out the outline, pinned right sides together (again lining up the squares as best I could) & sewed another 1/4" seam around the stocking. I reinforced the bottom by stitching it twice from heel to top of foot. I pressed it, turned it right side out, turned the upper boot under almost 2" (this is where you could add another piece of fabric (fur, contrast...). I choose to just turn it under so the unfinished inside wouldn't show. I made a loop out of some tulle I had, didn't have a good matching ribbon. I pinned the loop at the "back" then topstitched the hem & loop into place about 1/2" from the upper edge.

Sew all in all I think that with cutting the squares, sewing them into fabric & cutting & sewing the stocking took about 2 hours total.