I now have 5 little granddaughters to sew for. Hooray!! Of course, they all got a new dress for Christmas! Here's Macy's little jumper. I used Simplicity Pattern # 2292 and just add a few gathers across the top. It is made from a soft brown corduroy. Love, love, love ruffles on little girls! Simplicity featured my project on their facebook page! Here's the link if you want to have a look http://www.facebook.com/simplicitypatterns
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Fitted Car Seat Canopy
It is cold and windy here in Kansas so our newest little granddaughter really needed something to keep her warm and cozy in her car seat. Here's what I came up with:
This was made by trial and error! Next time we have a grandchild, I promise to make another one and write up a tutorial--it could be awhile!!
This was made by trial and error! Next time we have a grandchild, I promise to make another one and write up a tutorial--it could be awhile!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Adorable Anna and her matching doll
Our beautiful Anna had a birthday last week! I made her a birthday dress of course, and then thought that her birthday dolly should have one, too! Here they are:
I used soft pinwale corduroy with pink cotton trim. Anna's dress started with Simplicity pattern # 1949. I just added the little pink ruffles and fabric trim on the sleeves. Dolly's dress was Simplicity pattern # 2296 with the same changes. What fun!!
I think dolly's dress might be a little big, but Anna is SO CUTE!!
I used soft pinwale corduroy with pink cotton trim. Anna's dress started with Simplicity pattern # 1949. I just added the little pink ruffles and fabric trim on the sleeves. Dolly's dress was Simplicity pattern # 2296 with the same changes. What fun!!
Photo by Amy Armstrong |
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Wrap Dress
Slowly but surely I am working my way through a stack of fabric earmarked for my wardrobe. I love sewing my own clothes, but have a hard time finding the time. Generally I start something for myself and work on it a few minutes here and there until finished. That can take a long time!! Yesterday I finished this cute wrap dress:
I love wrap dresses (and they are flattering on almost everyone) so if you're in the market for a new dress you might want to give this pattern a try. I used McCalls pattern # 6024 minus all ruffles and I think it turned out great!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Fortune Cookies
I made these cute little fabric fortune cookies for a lesson today. I can't take credit for the idea or instructions so go here to learn all about it!!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Cheer for Halloween!
I just had a trick or treat visit from the cutest little cheerleader ever!
Macy and her mom make a great cheerleader squad!
I used Simplicity # 3689 as a starting point for Mom's costume. I simplified it by eliminating the cutout on the skirt and adding an elastic waist. I'm pretty strict about sewing correctly, but when sewing costumes I almost always take shortcuts!
I designed Macy's costume to look like Mom's.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Nothing New Here!
Nothing but homecoming at my house, but Jill over at Creating My Way to Success is doing a feature on me. I know she would love to have you stop by for a visit!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
A Little Bit of Fun and a Lot of Homecoming Dresses
Here's the rundown on all of my current projects:
Lots and lots of Homecoming Dresses
and some hemming of Rick's pants (1 down and four to go);
a few more squares on the cathedral window quilt;
Eric and Holly's quilt;
a little bit more on the guest-room quilt;
a baby quilt;
AND, a little work on a dress for myself. I sometimes wish I could concentrate on just one project at a time!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Birthday Outfit for Lucy
Pin ItHere's Lucy's birthday outfit!
The Belt is adjustable with two different fabrics for contrast.
The top is Simplicity #5695. I love this super easy dress pattern so I just shortened it to make a cute blouse. Last but not least, here's my free pattern for the purse.
The skirt is just a simple ruffled skirt with a wide elastic band and belt loops. The skirt is made from Kona Cotton and is very full.
The Belt is adjustable with two different fabrics for contrast.
The top is Simplicity #5695. I love this super easy dress pattern so I just shortened it to make a cute blouse. Last but not least, here's my free pattern for the purse.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Quiet Book for Lucy
Here's the quiet book I made for Lucy's birthday. I hope she likes it!
It is in a zippered case that opens flat. I put a pocket on the outside to hold extra pencils or whatever she else she wants to take with her.
Page 3: A clock with stick on felt numbers and letters. The hands are heavy felt.
Page 11: Buckle Seat Belt
Page 14: A little book of Sunday pictures ( a photo album sewn right onto the page.
It is in a zippered case that opens flat. I put a pocket on the outside to hold extra pencils or whatever she else she wants to take with her.
Page 1: I made this by using transfer paper--super easy
Page 2: A pocket with a magnetic snap. It holds a notebook, stickers, and colored pencils
Page 4: Yarn hair and a pocket for clips etc.
Page 5 and 6: Clothes and doll (This was by far the most fun)! Doll has a velcro slip and clothes a velcro back.
Page 7: Zippers
Page 8: Shoes to tie
Page 9 and 10: Road with cars
Page 12: Flower matching
Page 13: Noah's Ark with a pocket to hold a little book and some animal cards in pairs.
Page 14: A little book of Sunday pictures ( a photo album sewn right onto the page.
The End
Monday, August 22, 2011
Replacing A Coat Lining
I'm guessing most of us have had a beautiful coat with a tattered lining. Instead of buying a new coat (or always trying to hide the lining) replace it! Replacing a lining is time consuming so don't expect to have someone else do it if you're on a budget. But, if you have some basic sewing skills, it's pretty easy.
Here's how it's done.
1) Carefully remove the old lining. It will probably be shredded in places, but try to keep it intact as much as possible.
This is the original lining |
I also notch the shoulder seam on the sleeve and anything else that needs to match.
3) Press all the pieces, lay them out on the new lining fabric and cut out the new lining.
4) Now sew it all together and into the garment.
Here's the finished product:
Finally, don't skimp on lining quality. Buy the best you can afford and make sure that for a winter coat you buy a coat lining. If you can't find good lining in a local store, there are several plaes that you can order from online. Unfortunately, colors are often limited. I bought this black lining at Joann Fabrics and it is very nice. I also recently bought some light grey lining from Sew True.
Have Fun!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sewing for myself
It is not often that I can squeeze in some sewing for myself. I have a stack of fabric and lots of plans, but most of my sewing is the kind that pays the bills! This week I managed a few minutes here and there and made this:
I've had this red crepe in my closet for years and finally put it to good use. I used Simplicity pattern # 4047. I changed the neckline just a bit and hemmed rather than faced the sleeve. Pretty easy!
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