aren’t they pretty?

We’ve been enjoying our weekend, sipping on some delicious blackberry smashes (recipe here) and watching old home videos of the kids. It’s so hard to believe that those teeny, fat babes can grow up so quickly into big, robust boys.

I’ve also been working on this skirt. I have to re-do the waistband because it’s too big. But I don’t care because I love the fabric soooo much. I tried following the Skirt Sew-along tutorial, but I couldn’t get my fabric to shirr for the waistband, so I made it with out. I still have to hem it, but I don’t think I’ll be making it as short as the one in the tutorial. Knee length is better for me. I’m hoping to wear it tomorrow when we take daddy out for dinner.

It’s so frustrating to work on something for so long and have it not work in the end. Well, maybe I am exaggerating a teeny, tiny bit. It is wearable. Just has some problems. Read on…

1. pink, 2. b&w, 3. grey, 4. floral, 5. stripes, 6. white&gray

This is simplicity pattern 3964, which I *love* and have been wanting to try for so long. I especially loved it after seeing it made so beautifully by all the talented sewers above.  The very first one that I fell in love with was THIS ONE, but I couldn’t get it into my mosaic.

So here is what went wrong. First I made it way too big. I even took it in 1/2 inch on each side, which is better, but still not right (it just throws everything else off when you do that). You might not be able to tell how big it is, but trust me on this one.

Secondly, that ‘blippin” insert piece (the diamond shape piece) really was a booger to sew in without accidentally adding more unwanted creases and puckered up areas.  I tried sewing this piece in THREE times. I thought I could iron it out. Finally I gave up. Oh, did I mention the gathered areas. Those are always a pain for me. Fortunately, I used very inexpensive fabric.

SO, despite all that, I want to try again. Am I crazy?  You can only learn from your mistakes, right?   Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Boy am I on a roll with sewing clothes. I’m so proud of myself for not stopping after the first top.

This is from an old pattern I pulled out of my stash- simplicity 4589. I had tried the round neck version a while back and it turned out wonky around the neck. The square neck was easier, but those little gathered areas are still a pain.

The over exposed shots are from this mornings intensely bright sunshine. And there’s my little guy trying to get in on my photo shoot. I love it!   He still likes getting his picture taken, unlike big brother who gives me the hand in front of face pose.

I sure would love to sew up another top today, but I just got called into work (urgh!) and am sure not to have any energy when I get home this evening.

There’s always tomorrow.

Thanks for all the great feedback on my top. I am totally keeping that top belt free, and then I may make another solid color one that I can wear a belt with.  I think you were right about keeping that flowered print free instead of covering it up.

This is the skirt I made a few days ago, which would have been very simple, had I bought the correct pattern size. For some reason, I bought the 16+ size and had to re-draft the pattern to make it my size. It wasn’t too hard since the pieces were made up mostly of straight lines. I ended up decreasing the cut edges by a 1/4 inch per size that I needed to go down.  Now that I have the pattern figured out, it will be easy to sew up another one.

I used Simplicity pattern #3796 in a heavy weight cotton.  It has very simple pockets (which I love) and a draw string waist. Very casual and comfortable. There is also a pants and shorts option. I may try out the shorts.

See my Post Punk Kitchen T that I’m sportin’. The hubby gave it to me and it’s my favorite t shirt. It’s from Isa Moskowitz (my favorite vegan recipe writer) which is why I’m standing in my kitchen holding a pear (wha?). Yeah, I don’t even know if that makes any sense, but there you have it.

In the spirit of Make it, Wear it!, I share with you my first successful sewing project of the summer.  It is from simplicity 2593 pattern, option B. I had wanted to make it with the twisty neck piece, but I didn’t have enough fabric for that.

I used some fabric that I have had for at least a couple of years.It was nice to be able to finally cut into it.

I like it, but because I am a bit on the busty side, I feel a bit balloon-ish around the waist. So, I tried on a belt. I’m not really a belt kind of person, and this was actually the only belt I could find. Maybe it would be better with a brown belt, or something darker than the cream colored one. I don’t know.

Anyway, next up is a skirt.

I forget how easy it is to make pillows, even with zippers, and I wonder way it took me so long and why I dreaded it so much.

We bought our sofa in 2001. It came with the most awful accent pillows. They were dark brown, red, and gold with some kind of southwestern design.  I hated them and vowed to cover them immediately.  Well, I was pregnant at the time, and little did I know that these horrible pillows would have to take the back burner for 9 years. I am so relieved now to finally have them covered.  I even like my sofa a bit more than before now.  Nice!

I hand painted some creme colored denim because I couldn’t find any fabric I liked.  I sorta, kinda copied the design of a couples of pillows I couldn’t afford.  Wish I could remember the links of where I saw them.  Anyway, they are painted with Tulip Soft Fabric Paint. The two little pillows above were  made from some lovely Anna Maria Horner fabric.  Her designs are so pretty.

I also hung curtains in the living room as well. That wind is 12 feet across and I had been stumped at how to deal with it. I finally decided to ad panels to each side and it really does make the room more complete.  The yellow adds a beautiful warm glow which is so nice.

I still have to show you tons more, so stay tuned!

front

I saw one of these covers at artfest and knew I had to try to make one, especially because I have all these little pieces of art that I want to keep safe.  They fit perfectly inside.

inside 1

inside 2

inside 3

Inside, is a new piece of art to go along with my growing little stack of 6×8 art.

back

There is a online journal that teaches how to make it and a gorgeous journal. I’ve seen it in person, and it’s pretty amazing.  I’d love to take the course, but I need be more frugal these days–specially after my little artfest adventure.

I made this before I left for artfest.  I always feel like I need a new bag whenever I travel somewhere.  Does anyone else feel the same way?  Lucky for me I can sew, otherwise this could be an expensive habit.

It was perfect for the plane flight.  Inside I kept a bag of trail mix, a chocolate bar, mints, gum, lip balm, wallet,  art journal, pen and pencil, day planner, tea wallet and a book to read.

It all fit perfectly and kept me happily traveling by air.

The book I read was Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. It was perfect reading for the plane. A bunch of funny short stories that are easy to read, laugh out loud (and sometimes snort) funny.  I LOVE reading on the plane and at airports. Nose in book, don’t talk to me, I’m reading!! It’s the only time I can read without interuption.

Anyway, back to the bag.  I used some linen, some vintage fabric scraps, buttons, trim and my grandma’s crocheted doilies. The strap is two thrifted belts sewn together, but I think I need something wider and a little thicker.  I love its many pockets.  Several on the inside, plus a zipper pocket too. It’s nice and big too. I probably won’t use it on a daily basis, but it might make a great work bag. My old one is looking pretty tired.

I had planned on making my little I-guy some felt food for his birthday, but time got away from me. Fortunately, my lovely sister came to the rescue with some felt food for him from Oceantribes on etsy. Yay! There were more veggies in the mix, but they are missing in action.

I made a burlap bucket (pdf pattern from Maya Made)  for him to keep all his play food in. He uses it to “go shopping” and it fits perfectly under the sink of his play kitchen.

I made these bookmarks to giveaway as Valentines. There are a few more on my table that are half done.  I used some old vintage fabric that I picked up at a thrift store a  long time ago. The fabric pieces were small, perfect for accenting the canvas.

A few people are doing Valentine exchanges and  I wanted do the same.  I thought it would be fun to make something that you can use all year long, maybe as a marker for a project in your favorite sewing, art or craft book.

I have 6 left to exchange, so if anyone would like to make me a Valentine in exchange for a Valentine book marker, let me know and we can exchange addresses and hopefully get these in the mail before Valentine’s day.  Just to clarify, I am looking for 6 different people to exchange with. Leave a comment saying that you are interested and I’ll get back to you. (thanks!)

If you’d like to make your own bookmarks, here is my ‘how to’.

You’ll need:
Canvas (heavy cotton duck)
pretty fabric scraps
glue stick
white glue
scissors
paper clamps
iron
sewing machine
thread
letter stamps
ink

1. Cut canvas into strips about 2.5 inches wide x 9 inches long.

2. For the back, cut pretty fabric into strips,1 inch (or so) shorter than the canvas and glue to one side of the canvas using a glue stick. Iron. (This step is optional, but it does add some extra sturdiness to the book marker).  The bottom inch that isn’t covered with fabric will be the fringe.

3. Fold the top into a point, glue and use paper clamps to keep in place until dry.

4.  Cut a small heart (or any other shape) out of fabric.  Glue into place with glue stick and iron.  This just keep everything in place while sewing.

5. With your sewing machine, sew freestyle around edges. Sew around heart too.

6. Pull threads of canvas to make fringe on the bottom edge.

7. Using stamps and ink (I use versa magic inks), stamp any message you desire.  I thought it would be fun to make some that said “reading is sexy”.  Heat set with hot iron.

8. Give to your favorite bookish friends for Valentine’s Day.