Sneak peak

I am getting a head start on Kelsey's Easter dress this year. Here's a tiny sneak peak! It will be similar to last years, but I'm still excited because I'm kind of going all out. 

Lots of lace and layers and frills.

I'm giving too much away!!

Quilts Galore

I get on kicks, as I have mentioned before. 

This past month I have made 3 quilt tops. 

Not small wall hangings, but 2 lap size and 1 baby quilt!! 

One lap size is done, I hand quilted that one. 

Which was a blast!!

I am off to the beach to enjoy the salt and the sea. 

Happy birthday to me!!

Pattern Drafting

Here I am going to show you how to draft a simple change to a basic bodice to make a blocked bodice similar to the Easter dress I made for Kels.

The Supplies needed:

Bodice Pattern Pen Scissors Scrap Paper Ruler (Not Pictured) Tape Protractor although not necessary

Step 1: Measure down from the center 2 1/2”

Step 2: Use a protractor to make another line that is “squared” with previous mark.

Step 3:Draw a line across entire pattern piece.

Step 4: Cut on the line

Step 5: Tape the top of the bodice front to a scrap piece of paper.

Step 6: Add seam allowance. I measured 1/2” down. Cut out the new pattern piece and label.

Step 7: Tape the bottom of the bodice front to a scrap piece of paper

Step 8: Add seam allowance. I measured 1/2” up. Cut out the new pattern piece and label.

Step 9: Congratulate yourself! You just drafted the front of the blocked bodice pattern.

Step 10: Take the new bodice top pattern piece and lay it on the back bodice. Draw a line at the end of the top piece.

Step 11: Cut on the line.

These next steps are no longer pictured, but you’re awesome. You can do it. Just refer to the other pictures about adding seam allowance if you have a problem.

Step 12: Add the seam allowance to the bottom bodice back. This time add 1”

Because, when we traced the “new” top bodice back piece it had the 1/2” seam allowance already added. So for the bottom bodice back we need to add the 1/2” back on, plus an additional seam allowance.

Trust me.

If you have any questions just let me know.

Enjoy your new pattern!

Easter 2013

I hope everyone had a great Easter. I know our family did.

I made Kels a dress this year. I kept it simple and just added a few extra touches here and there. Mostly because I made it the day before Easter.

I have had this blue seersucker stripe for about 2 years. I was just waiting until the right project came along.

The pattern is just a simple blocked bodice with a circle skirt.

Perfect for spinning

I will do a little tutorial on how to make a blocked bodice. It’s a simple technique which can add so much to a simple dress.

Happy Spring!

Faux Chenille Blanket

Remember how I told you about the blanket I was making for my daughter?

I finished it in time for Christmas! 

It didn't take as long as I thought it would.

It is a twin size quilt

approximately 60"x 86".

So it's big, and soft. 

Kay loves it, 

we are wrapped up in in now!

Lace Eternity Scarf

source

I'm sure lots of you have seen this on Pinterest. 

I fell in love with it. 

So I made me own.

I found some dainty lace in my stash.

I wish the lace was more, robust, 

or maybe thicker.

Whatever this lace is or isn't, 

I still like it. 

I liked it so much that I....

Made another one.

With some fabric and lace. 

These are all made with scrap knit I had. 

Don't you love those easy projects

 that look like they are a million bucks!?

Refashioned Shorts

We have seen them everywhere, 

source

These cute little shorts

source

A little gathered and over-sized, 

but still super cute.

I thought I would refashion a pair of pants, 

that are extremely long on Kay. 

Which I could actually do to all of her pants, 

because she is short. 

She actually has never worn these, because it is a million degrees here in the desert.

But, I really like the color.

Just cut off to the length desired. 

I wish I had actually cut off a little more length, 

then what I did. 

Just so you know. 

I tension gathered around the bottom of both legs.  

Don't gather too much! 

It will make the shorts too tight around little thighs!

Using the cut off pants, 

Cut two 4"-5" sections. 

Try using the bottom part of the pant leg, 

because that is usually the straightest part of the pants. 

Sew them on the pants. 

Hem the bottom, 

just to make finishing the shorts easier.  

Top stitch and all done! 

I promise they are the same length although they may not look it!

I am super excited for Kay to wear these with leggings

and tights in the winter! 

YEAH! 

Winter, is coming right?

It doesn't seem like it here in the desert. 

Send some cold air this way, 

will you?

Mu-Mu Refashion

Many of you have read that I just had my 24th birthday

so I am getting up there in years, 

so I thought I needed a mu-mu. 

Actually not really, 

I am aware I am still young and not afraid to act like it too!

Anyway, I got this mu-mu when I was in Idaho. 

Everyone thought I was crazy, 

for picking this up at a thrift store, 

but I really liked the print. 

It reminds me of all the tribal prints I have seen lately. 

PLUS, it came with a cool printed belt!

Who cares that I can wrap it around me twice!?

I just had to show you the tag, 

I thought it was funny. 

"For Better Fit"

Especially when there was no shape whatsoever to this mu-mu.

I just made this simple skirt with it. 

I cut off the length I wanted and added a waistband. 

The length hits me right at the knee. 

Here's the back, 

I used the front of the dress for the back of my skirt.  

I just used the existing buttons for the closure.

I thought it was pretty cleaver. 

I was going to take pictures of me in the skirt,

but they never turn out just right, 

so I am trying this new method to take pictures of 

thing I have made.

Do you like it?

Tell me honestly. 

It's Been Awhile

It seems I have been neglecting a certain part of this blog, 

Can anyone guess?

Maybe...

Patterns??

Well, I know this, and I have been trying to think of something

 I could show you that would be easy enough for me to make a pattern for you!

So here it is, 

the

Simple Summer Tie Hat!

I have seen these in a few boutiques and other 

really "fashionable" places.

But again, 

I don't like to pay for something I can make.

Especially something which will take me 10 minutes to make!

Here is a link to the pattern, 

if you have any problems, let me know, so I can email it to you. 

You only need about 1/4 yard, or scraps work just as well. 

Just so you know the pattern does not include 

seam allowance! 

So cut seam allowance! 

How ever much you need!

Cut:

2 semi circles for the brim

1 semi circle of interfacing

1 5"x48" for the tie

Sew the curve of the semi circle and clip

(p.s. I clipped my semi circle lots more than pictured)

If necessary sew the long piece of fabric together,

like I did.

Don't forget 

RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER!

See how I clipped that?

Try not to clip through your stitches!

Turn the semi circle right sides out, 

and iron.

(Just so everyone knows, 

I never ironed anything before starting this blog! 

You guys are turning me into a good seamstress!)

Slip the interfacing in. 

For this next step, 

find the center of your long tie, 

and the center of the semi circle. 

Try and match them up. 

Pin like shown, this is where the semi circle or brim will be placed.

Sew the long tie, but don't sew between the pins.

Turn it right side out, 

and iron again. 

It will make it so much easier if you do iron.

As much as I hate to admit that. 

Slide your semi circle into the opening, 

about 1/2". 

If desired you can pin. 

Top stitch and you are done!

See how easy!?

It looks like some weird bib, 

when it is not being worn, 

but so cute on.

She wasn't happy with me,

when I took this pictures, 

as you can see.

See the cute ties? 

This is the first 1 I made, 

and I thought that the tie was a bit thick. 

But for a bigger child, 

that might be nice.

First Attempt

 I found this fabric at Joann's 

and I'm sure many of you know

Joann's is having a huge sale right now, 

so I got a yard for $3.50. 

 

I didn't have a pattern, 

I just used some of her swim suits she already had. 

It is a little big, 

and does gap a little, 

but I still like it. 

And her little bum.

hee hee

I think she likes it!

Up to lots of good...

Lately it seems that everyone has been asking me, 

"How are you feeling?"

"Are you okay"

"Is everything alright?"

It has been driving me crazy. 

I was starting to believe that there should be something wrong. 

But I think I have figured it out. 

When I am not creating I am different. 

I am not sure how to describe it. 

So, "different" will have to do. 

I have taken it as a sign, 

and have started to create like a mad woman. 

Here is a glimpse at what I have been making these past few days. 

my new bag

I'm not sure I am going to tell you what this is quite yet.

I have been experimenting with some lace.

I will show what these are in a few days, 

once I finish tweaking them to my liking. 

Until then.....

I think I might be obsessed

with KNITS!

I have had so much fun sewing with all of these knit fabrics I have gotten recently.

I know the background is not blue, 

but seriously, 

I woke up, but on these clothes and took pictures. 

See how much I love you?

like my model pose?

This is something I whipped up really fast, 

based off the kimono tee 

from burda. Although I did this in 2 pieces. 

It's slightly boring, 

so I plan on adding something....

What do you think I should add?

On a side note, 

check this out!

1 plus to living in a condo community place,

we get awesome finds, by the

DUMPSTER.

Someone threw this out.

So we took it,

(no, it wasn't IN the dumpster, just by the side of the dumpster.

So, no climbing in the dumpster for this.)

I've already got my hubby making it look more modern.

Now, I just have to sand it down and paint it.

I'm thinking a glossy yellow, or green.

My hubby is thinking a distressed blue.

We need some help.

This is going to go up in our bedroom,

which is right now, blue and white. 

 I desperately want to add more color to the room.

And make it feel more eclectic.

P.S. My hubby doesn't like brown,

so we aren't going that way. 

P.P.S I got the fabric dye pastels from CSN!!!