This is my bag for NYC (this weekend!!!!)

I’ve been using the same two bags for about three years. This mail sack that Kathy made me, and this one I made a few years ago.  I alternate them with seasonal changes.  As much as I love these two bags, I thought it was high time I make a new bag.

I couldn’t find the perfect fabric in my fabric stash, so I made my own. I used plain ol’ cotton canvas and I doodled designs all over it with thinned out fabric paint. I also painted the bottom solid gray so that the off-white wouldn’t get all yucky when I set it down.

It has a pocket on the outside for my phone and two pockets inside.  No zippers because I never bother to zip them anyway.  It’s also easy for me to get into,no clasps, buttons or zippers, but not too easy for others to sneak into.  It is big enough to carry my wallet, phone, memo-holder, mini sketch book and camera just perfectly!

My friend Katie was over recently wearing this fab little jersey knit poncho.  I complimented her on it several times, then bravely asked if if could take a closer look. She finally ended up taking it off so that I could REALLY get a good look.  Of course, I’m thinking, “I could totally make this!”

She looked so cute in it. All she was wearing was some khakis and a long sleeve t with this cute little poncho.  She looked so fancy with it on. I had to have one.

One trip to Jo Ann’s to get some jersey knit fabric and less than 2 hours later, I had exactly that. A Katie Poncho. You can make one too!  Here’s how:

You’ll need:
1 yard of knit fabric of your choice. I used a jersey cotton/poly blend that has a nice drape.
Thread, fabric pencil, scissors, sewing machine

1. Cut out your piece to measure 28 x 60 inches.  The stretch should be lengthwise.

2. Sew a 1/4 inch hem around side and bottom edges. I used a zig-zag stitch for this. You can also do a rolled hem on your surger if you have one.

3. Now, fold in half, right sides together (see diagram below). Measure in 16 inches from the hemmed edge and make a mark with fabric pencil.  Sew a straight stitch to marked area with 1/2 seam allowance.

4.Open garment and lie flat so the seam is pressed flat.  Top stitch to neck opening, keeping fabric folded over and hem around neck opening. Continue top stitching other side.

5.This is what it will look like.  Adjust neck opening so that one shoulder is exposed or center opening around neck.  Seam should run along side shoulder and arm. Adjust and play with it to get desired draped and look.

Let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy!

Trench Topper :: Chic Cowl Neck Shift :: My Garden Zips

I have been wanting to sew up this Chic Cowl Neck Dress FOREVER!  I love it!  I want to make one to wear with a comfy long sleeve shirt, my skinny jeans and boots.   Unfortunately, I have had no time to sew.  Throw in a pulled back muscle and a cranky sewing machine and you have absolutely no sewing going on.  BUT, I plan on taking my machine in for a much needed tune-up the first week of January and start the year out with some sewing ~ Yippee!!

Indygo Junction very kindly sent 2 of each of my favorite patterns.  One for me to try out and one for you. How awesome is that!!  I thought I’d better share these with you now, instead of waiting until my back, my sewing machine and time are all better.  Plus, I am still searching for the perfect fabric!  I’m thinking navy, eggplant, brown or a dark red type of fabric. Any suggestions?

Anyway,  If you would like to win one of the lovely patterns, please leave a comment. I will pick 3 winners, sometime this weekend, to win ONE of these three patterns.  Tell me in the comments which pattern you would like. International entries are welcome.   If you win, and make the pattern, I’ll share it here on my blog, if you like.

Good Luck!

*******************************UPDATE*******************************

Winners are: Mandy Whalen — Cowl Neck Shift,  Raesha — Trench Topper , Elsa and Linda win the Zips!

Thank you so much everyone for playing!!

***********************************************************************

click on the image for pdf download

I’ve been working on a set of embroidery patterns that I hope to sell soon and thought I’d test the waters first with a freebie. It’s just perfect for November, don’t you think? A beautiful reminder.

Time has been scarce (everything takes so much longer than you ever think it will!!) and so I have been unable to stitch this up. But, I thought I’d better just share it or it would never happen.

You’ll need:  pre-washed, light-colored fabric, embroidery hoop, needle, floss and either transfer paper or transfer pen or pencil.

To transfer (2 options):
1)Place printed pattern right-side up with fabric on top, trace firmly over design with transfer pen or pencil. May need light source like a light box or window.
2) Lay transfer paper (chalk side down) onto fabric. Place printed pattern right-side-up on top and trace lines with ballpoint pen pressing firmly so that chalk transfers to fabric.

Embroidery:  Use half strand of floss (3 strands out of 6) for best results.  Use any colors you like, but I can see this in cranberry red, rich orange, golden yellow, woodsy green, chocolatey brown and teal. Use the following links for basic stitches (I use the back stitch for most of my embroidery, sometimes with a few fancy stitches thrown in):
Sarah’s Hand Embroidery (see side bar)
Basic Embroidery Stitches
Basics to Embroidery(video)

Uses: Maybe for a tote bag, decorative pillow front, wall hanging, dishcloth, quilt square, apron or maybe even a t-shirt. Skies the limit!

If you download this, please leave a comment. If you stitch it up, please send a photo my way. I’d love to see what you come up with.  Maybe I’ll share them around Thanksgiving!

I pulled out my plain black t-shirt the other day and decided it needed some kind of pizazz.  So, since I’ve had my sewing machine out from making costumes, I thought I’d have some fun with pretty scraps of fabric and some free motion sewing.

First thing that came to my head was a sugar skull, which is what’s in my mind this time of the year. I’ve been seeing so many fun DOTD things over on Pinterest that I couldn’t help myself.

Check out this pretty face, awesome painting, this sugar skull cookie (YUM!), fun skull eggs,  pretty hair thingy, this bead and cool filigree skull.

I’ve made this top a couple of times before too, here and here. It’s a white embroidered cotton/linen.  The fabric is a bit stiff, even after two washings, bit I love the fit so it should soften up after more washing and wearing.

Hopefully it won’t get stained before this happens. I’m not the greatest at keeping whites white. I do have two messy little boys who love to hang on me with dirty little hands.

This is my go-to shirt pattern whenever I feel I need to make a quick and easy top. I’ve used this pattern so many times, that I can whip up a top and less than an hour. I don’t even read the pattern anymore. It’s just a really easy pattern to begin with. I’ve made a black one with long sleeves, then a red/white and blue one, then three pastel colored ones.

I usually make it without elastic around the arms, but this time I added the elastic on the red top. I really like the look of it.  The grey is a lovely cotton lawn. I love the feel of it and am looking to get more of that stuff!

I’ve had the Alabama Stitch book for a long time and I finally cracked it open over the weekend to make this skirt. It’s such an awesome pattern. Super easy and a great fit too. Since I was running low on time, I sewed the skirt with my machine (the book recommends hand stitching, which I hope to do sometime) and I skipped the reverse applique and detail stitching.  I just used the stencils to add some fabric paint. I love how it turned out, bit still plan on making a fancy stitched up one sometime.  I’ll also be using the pattern again to make a skirt out of old printed tshirts.

1. Market Blouse, 2. Freshcut Top, 3. the blouse, 4. Market Skirt by Krista, 5. nani iro shirt, 6. C2, 7. clothes on a line, 8. gingham top, 9. Kimono Dress – obi belt, 10. it’s curvy, 11. Peter Pan blouse by Farah, 12. Built by Wendy tunic top (or dress!) – front

I’ve been busy, busy, busy sewing these past few days. I’ve got four items, a skirt and three tops, all in various stages of completion. So I’ll be finishing those up tonight and posting them throughout the week while I’m on vacation (yippee!)  I  hate leaving this little space of mine quiet for too long.

Above are some things I’ve been looking at for inspiration.  I am loving the new Lisette line. I’ve got the sewing bug. Haven’t had it in a long time! Nice to be hanging out with my sewing machine again.

109 degrees F (42.7 C) today! ugh!

That meant going to the pool early, eating 1/2 of a watermelon by myself and drinking lots of ice water.

I finished up some embroidery while munching on watermelon.  Another bird, like the spring one. This one inspired by the sun, of course, and hoping for much needed rain.