Commission

APRON

I made this apron for my friend Lorin's grandpa, by request of her grandma. I made it out of duck cloth so it is very thick and sturdy. It will stand up to lots of grilling and grease! I couldn't find any WV Mountaineers licensed cotton, so I couldn't line it.

I have one more project that I need to make for a gift, and then it is back to sewing for me. Besides the Halloween costume, I haven't made anything for myself in a while. I have dress pieces already cut and stashed away in a storage tub, as well as lunch box fabric that I've had for about a year. Thank goodness for Christmas break! I hope to complete and post those projects before we return to school!

PS: Did you notice the kitty tail in the second picture? :)

Halloween!

ainbow Bright

I found out in September that I would be going to an 80's themed Halloween party this year. I thought about it for a little while, but I knew very soon that I wanted to be Rainbow Bright.

I printed off a picture and went to Joann's. I walked around looking for buttons, costume satin, faux fur, bias tape, felt, stretch cotton, and ric rac: all the makings of a good costume. I tried to find a pattern, but alas! There were none to be found. I was up for a challenge, anyway.

I started with the dress, and moved on from there. The whole thing is lined in cotton. The satin is hard to work with, so I drew the pattern on the cotton first. Having a dress form was my saving grace when it came to fitting the dress. The first couple of patterns I drew were way off-base. I could put the pieces on the form and pin the changes. It was great! I really felt like a designer on Project Runway. You know, with out all of the drama!

I also put in my first invisible zipper for this dress. This tutorial was SO helpful!

I ended up finishing the dress, belt, and boot covers. I had my sleeves partly done, but I didn't have time to complete them. Here are some pictures of the accessories. For the boots, I covered my rainboots. I thought it was a good idea, if I say so myself.

As a whole project, it all turned out a little rough for my standards. I had to keep reminding my perfectionist-self that it was just a costume! To be ready again for next time, I will put some ric rac on the bottom of the boot covers to hide the pink soles. I also will finish the sleeves. All in all, I like how it turned out, and I learned a lot about drawing patterns, working with slippery satin, and inserting invisible zippers. This occupied my sparse crafting for a while, but you can be on the look out for a lunch box, more pot holders, and even a dress that is halfway done!

Housewarming

otholders

I made these potholders for Paul and Tinisha to celebrate their new house! I guessed on the colors, but it ended up matching their house nicely. If you look closely, you can see the quilting designs. I really like how they turned out. I hope they enjoy using them!


I like making potholders for several reasons. I appreciate it for money reasons, since they are very cheap to make. One fat quarter will yield four 8 or 9 inch squares. I buy two complimenting patterns, and bias tape to wide match. You only use 2 squares on each one, so you can get 4 whole potholders out of 2 fat quarters. Two potholders will use almost one pack of bias tape. The insulating fleece used in the middle is sold by the yard, and you only need one square per holder. To make, they can go fairly quickly, just depending on how elaborately you decide to quilt them. It's a great project to use up scraps, too! I taught my friend Laura how to make them, and she's hooked as well.

for Lucy

ucy's Apron

This drop cap is so perfect for this post! Lucy and Keith's wedding colors are magenta and orange. And that was the reason for this apron! I made if for Lucy's wedding shower. I used the general basis of a pattern but I tweaked it enough to be able to call it my own pattern. It was SO CONVENIENT to use my dress form to lay out my pattern on it and see the sizing and fitting. I got the batik fabric and bias tape from Lib's place in Farmville. As I was picking out the fabric and trimming, the store owner was helping me find matching trim. She knows Lucy, and when I picked up the yellow, she said, "yellow is good because Lucy is very sun-shiney." It was very fun to make, and I love how it turned out.

I also enjoyed her shower. It was very nice to see her and other friends I hadn't seen in a while. I am looking forward to the O'Dell and Taylor wedding this November!

Reversible tote

eversible Tote Bag

This quick and easy pattern came from one of my books. I had purchased the two fabrics on different occasions, but I loved the combination when I realized how well they went together! Since it's rather light weight, it's good for a couple books, a lunch and supplies for the day, gym clothes, or packing up craft supplies. I use is mostly for the last two options. It was a super quick project and I think it would be good for beginning sewers.

the Decemberists

mbroidery

One of my favorite bands is called the Decemberists. I don't know how to describe their music, but they are usually epic and some are consumptive chimney sweeps and ragamuffin orphans. They're fun to listen to and see in concert. Anyway, another reason they are so cool is that they were selling embroidery patterns for their band. There was a logo, plane, mermaid, and bike. My friend Katherine wrote to the merchandise website and since they had some left over from sales, they sent her a couple sets. She gave me one, and I transferred some of the images onto my Iron and Wine (another indie band) tote that Dan gave me. Viola! A perfectly indie tote.

Clutch

athered Clutch Purse

I made this clutch from a tutorial I found on a blog I follow. I used some of the left-over fabric from Danielle's apron and Katherine's purse. I think it turned out well. I love the gathered front, but I also like the organizational inside. There is a divider, and two card pockets. :) This was a really easy pattern and beginners could do it!

"Bag-in-a-Bag"

eusable Shopping Bag

Walmart sold these but I didn't like the cheap, blue fabric. I made the pattern for this, and this is what I am teaching at Lib's Place. The small bag is sewn into the seam of the bag, so you always have a pouch to stuff it into. It fits great in a purse! I picked a wild fabric for the fun of it. I like it. :) I might make a pictorial "how-to" if anyone wants it. Even better, come to Farmville and I will personally teach you!

Bookmarks

mbriodered Bookmarks

My good friend Laura gave me the idea of making a fabric bookmark. She gave me the idea, and I now make them all the time. It is a quick and easy project and perfect for scraps! Cutting, ironing, and sewing one takes about 10 minutes. What makes it special, though, is the embroidered part. I did my Grandma's initials on one and a friend's on another. They were both for their birthdays. You just may be getting one when your birthday comes around, so act surprised!

Gathered Skirt

athered Skirt


About 6 months ago, I bought some jersey knit fabric on clearance. I used this website to walk me through the steps of making it. They were very thorough and my dressform was very helpful in the construction and sizing. The whole thing took about 30 minutes. It's rather comfy, too! I have a green knit fabric left...looking for a project....any ideas?

Sling bag

ver-the-shoulder Sling Bag

I made this bag trying to imitate my friend Emily's bag. She has a Fossil bag that I fell in love with! I used home decor weight fabrics which I picked out with my mom. Half-way through, it was not turning out as planned. I made some impromptu decisions, such as making the two straps into one to use over my shoulder. After that decision, things took shape. If I were to make another one, I would change a lot of things. I learned my lesson that fancy bags with lots of intricacies are VERY hard to reproduce! I have two characteristics that I like about this bag. I really like the fabric combo. I also love all of the pockets/pouches built in. I can never get enough of storage options!

Pattern Making

pron

I made this apron for my friend Danielle as a going away and early birthday present. I made up the pattern for this one. I based it off of the book I mentioned in an earlier post. It was fun to make up the pattern! I like how it turned out, but next time I'll make it a little wider. I might simplify this pattern a little bit and then teach it in a class at Lib's Place. I love the boldness of the prints, and I think it fits Danielle nicely.