THE SEWING DORK

A Good Bonnet

2012-01-29T22:06:00.000-07:00

I love a bonnet on a little girl. Aside from the fact that it invokes my favorite Little House on the Prairie memories, it provides darned good sun protection too.

I have seen tutorials for these on the internet, but I needed actual pattern pieces to accomplish V's bonnet. I found one in a Simplicity costume pattern.

I lined the inside with a silk remnant that I had floating around.

The only thing missing from this pattern is the flap that protects the back of the neck. Laura Ingalls always had one. She had a smart momma.

Ruffles, Take Two

2012-01-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

More ruffles, this time in the form of a skirt. I often buy fat quarters when I spot a print I like. A fat quarter fits my budget. But what to do with them?

I used these two fat quarters to make long strips which I hemmed on the serger, gathered, and layered on the bottom of a cotton skirt.

That's V, dressed haphazardly like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Or like a three year old. It works. If only I could get away with that at the office - a combination of my pyjamas and sunglasses. Bliss.

Really Ruffly

2012-01-23T12:44:00.001-07:00

I bought this dress pattern by Brynnberlee on Etsy back in December. I was wow-ed by it's loveliness.

But oops, there I go buying another pattern that requires a type-A personality. My skirt pieces are sadly aligned (why do I continue to think I can measure with my eyeballs?) Double whammy: depending on the quality of the fabric I used, some of the narrow hems are turning up/refusing to lay flat after laundering.

If you make this pattern, I'd recommend adding an inch or two to the shoulder ties. I made skinny Little V a size 5 and once the straps are tied, they dig into her skin when she shifts around. It would also make tying/untying them a little easier :)

But ack... kids just don't fuss about the details. V has asked to wear this dress nearly daily. I may just break out a ruler and have a second go at the pattern.

Handstamped Sew-In Name Labels

2012-01-21T08:36:00.001-07:00

Supplies:

Cotton twill tape

Rubber letter stamps and permanent ink stamp pad* or fabric marker (*some stamp pads might wash out in the laundry)

Fray check

Stamp the name, cut the twill tape and fray check the raw edges.

Women's Vintage Pattern Giveaway

2012-01-18T19:34:00.001-07:00

Pattern winner: Mrs. Persnickety.

Woot-woot, how retro are these? The Simplicity pattern is a true 1966 vintage classic. The '48 is a reproduction pattern published recently. (I fancied myself dressing like this around the house while I was on maternity leave, eating bonbons and ringing a little bell when I wanted the maid to bring me more champagne.) Yeah, that didn't happen.

They're yours - er, somebody's - just leave a comment below if you'd like me to lick some stamps and mail these off to you. I will choose a winner on January 21st and announce them at the top of this post.

Take Some Patterns Off My Hands Please!

2012-01-17T10:25:00.002-07:00

WINNER: Shelleydf73 - please contact me as you have no contact information
Pattern overload! I have a hankering for vintage patterns. A person with common sense would buy one, maybe two each year and complete them. I think I may have acquired about 30 in the past 12 months. Is this an illness? Or just a good excuse to share?

Up for grabs today: two size 3 years/ 22 inch chest girl's dress patterns.

I used the 1950's pattern on the right to make V some outfits (and if I recall it is missing the pieces to make the long pants)

The 1976 pattern on the left I never did get around to.

I'd love to mail them out to one of you. If you're interested, just leave a comment below. I'd be happy to post them anywhere in the world. I will choose a winner on Friday January 20th and announce their name back here at the top of this post. (Giveaway closed)

She Pleated and She Pleated

2012-01-13T17:33:00.054-07:00

I wanted to make V a cotton nightie for our trip to a warmer hemisphere.

A gathered-with-elastic neckline because V likes to dress herself. And undress herself. And redress herself. She leaves a trail of laundry all over the house. So does my 13 year old, come to think of it. Only she leaves a giant pile on the floor of her closet.

Laid flat it looks like a snow angel.

The sleeves and hem are random pleats.

I Wish We All Could Be California Girls

2012-01-12T10:43:00.001-07:00

We just arrived home from a mid-January week in the sunny south. We took a drive from our vacation place in Arizona to Disneyland, and I must say that I'm seething with jealousy about all you resident Californians!

Disneyland did nothing for me ($12.00 balloon anyone?), but ooooh, the sun. We did a lot of this.

Every morning I'd go outside and just stand there in my short sleeves, thrilled that I wasn't wearing a parka and mukluks.

Now if I can only get someone in California to adopt me...

Burda Makes My Brain Hurt

2012-01-08T14:00:00.001-07:00

Meet Burda pattern 9595. Isn't it sweet?

Holy wolf-in-sheep's clothing!

I'm having a go at it, and my brain hurts.

I'm used to sewing Simplicity/McCalls patterns or e-patterns where you're guaranteed a small photo album of pictorial instructions. This puppy comes with a suspicious one-page instruction sheet. I keep re-checking the envelope to make sure I'm not missing pages two through nine. Nadda.

Don't know why I'm whining, since I'm c'est terrible with instructions anyhow. I usually lose my mind at Step One and start winging things. Definitely a visual learner. We'll see if this dress turns out with three sleeves like some of my past mishaps.

Even Clowns Won't Wear Them

2012-01-05T14:46:00.001-07:00

Here's what I was thinking: Kate Quinn Organics meets Little Lord Fauntleroy.

Here's my craft-fail:

Two recycled tshirts made into short pants that look like they were swiped from Ronald McDonald's kid brother. Even clowns wouldn't wear them.

Double Gauze Handmades (they've found a new home)

2012-01-03T11:20:00.001-07:00

WINNER UPDATE: "Laurel" - I have sent you an email

If you've got a little girl who fits a size 2 (years), I've got three handmades to pass on. They are just too scrumptious to cut up. The dress and blue top are both the swankiest double gauze.

The shirred dress is a mix of cotton and japanese linen.

I'm not sure of the fairest method of choosing one of you, so I'll do it like a giveaway. ~~Simply leave a comment below (and a way to contact you if you are chosen!) if you'd like to receive these~~. (Giveaway completed) I'll draw a winner on January 5th. Due to the larger size of this package, giveaway open to North America only please.

New Year, New Dress - (closed)

2012-01-01T10:59:00.003-07:00

Giveaway winner: MaryAnne

A while back, I used to run an Etsy shop for clothing I'd made. I closed it last year and have a few items on my hands I'd like to give away. Why not start off the new year with a new dress? It features lots of shirring.

In my favorite color combo, blue and green.

~~To enter the giveaway for this dress, simply leave a comment below. That's it. I'll randomly choose a winner on January 4th. Update: Open to anyone, anywhere.~~ Giveaway closed.

Petite Trousseau

2011-12-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Did you spend the holidays reading vintage French fashion magazines too?

Technically a trousseau is considered one's wedding dress and accoutrements, but I thought some vintage-y underwear for a three year old also kind of fit the bill. (I didn't want to name this post A POST ABOUT UNDERWEAR because I thought it would show up on creepy Google searches.)

I'm not sure it will ever get worn, but I had fun making it. That's the point, er, isn't it?

Linen with pintucks, buttons and pleats.

Pintucks perfect? No. Linen wrinkly? Yes.

After a long break, it felt good to be creative with my sewing machine again. I have a nightgown underway with more pleats.

Till next time, or as the French say whilst wearing their wrinkly French linen underwear, au revoir.

The 6 Foot Sanity Saver

2011-12-27T11:39:00.001-07:00

If you've got a spare 6 x 6 foot area in your livingroom, I highly recommend one of these to help your preschooler let off some steam during a long winter:

Santa put Little V's name on it, but really it's a gift to me. V actually left me uniterrupted for 46 minutes in a row, so I'll be back tomorrow with some sewing.

In a Few Days

2011-12-25T08:06:00.001-07:00

In a few days we went from bare floor beneath the tree to "whoa - where did all these presents come from?!"

In a few days I'll have a day to myself for some crafting :)

So I'll see you in a few days.

Merry Merry!

So Easy to Please

2011-12-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Little kids are so easy to please sometimes. All it took was a 7-foot Santa and an electrical outlet. We're following up Christmas morning with an indoor bouncy house.

Thread Sketched Tree Coasters

2011-12-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

I received a fabric challenge in the mail this month - another blogger sent out this blue woven fabric and challenged a few of us to get creative. My first project: thread sketched coasters. Thread sketching is just that - freehand drawing with your sewing machine.

I have a few coasters underway, and a few more half-assembled. Santa needs one for under his milk and cookies. The fabric is quite thick so as you can see, I am having trouble pushing out the corners well. More on my adventures-with-blue-woven-fabric to come!

Questionable Origami Gift Wrapping

2011-12-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

This is what you can do with a photocopier and an hour to spare at the office:

Photocopy interesting pictures onto those weird colored papers that the receptionist ordered by mistake.

Google "origami for dummies" and go foldy-foldy-foldy

Take home your supplies and allow the kids to "help" you snap some pictures for your blog

Cleverly insert gift cards into paper creations and photograph on your tree a-la-art nouveau. (Even place purple one upside down for effect).

I tell ya, sometimes I'm a wealth of ridiculous ideas.

In the Works

2011-12-18T08:03:00.001-07:00

I'm looking forward to the slow down of school/work that the holidays bring. I have some unfinished projects that need my attention.

A lovely reader named Tanya sent me this embossed linen material. I've been working on a quilt top.

I found an interesting new fabric - it's sweater fleece. I'd love to make myself a sweater coat.

And I should really complete this pdf pattern I've been working on, um, forever (my first). It's all done, photographed, etc... I just need to pdf it. Since July. What a slacker!

Alas today we have a recital, a children's party and a long overdue visit with friends, so my big accomplishment for the day will be making soup for supper.

Let Me Less-Than-Wow You

2011-12-14T14:11:00.006-07:00

Looking for the SewMamaSew Giveaway? It's HERE.

Do you ever make something really pretty then take some un-spectacular photos of it?

Let me less-than-wow you with some crochet work I did recently. Always behind on the latest trends, I finally got with the times and made my mom an infinity scarf for Christmas. I love all the different options for wearing it. We have the bra-strap-showing option:

The not quite centred properly option:

And the shelf-for-my-boobs option. (Out of focus to boot!)

Which are all too bad as this scarf turned out better than expected. I can only crochet one stitch well, so it's a simple pattern stitched in a rectangle using a soft chunky weight yarn and a large hook. I had to pop the scarf in the mail in time for the holidays, so these are my only pathetic bragging-rights photos.

Here's what a well-photographed infinity scarf looks like:

redheart.com

Purdy, huh?

(closed) It's Giveaway Day! Fabric Giveaway

2011-12-12T00:03:00.004-07:00

The winner is.... NinjaEema.
I'm giving away some fabric from my stash. You will get appx. 2 yards total of these and/or others.

A little bit of the always-popular Ikea (left)

And some other random prints. Ahem, my stash needs de-stashing.

Giveaway open to anyone in North America. To be entered, tell me the title of a good book you've read this year. I'm always looking for inspiration. ~~I will draw a winner on the evening of December 16th.~~ Giveaway closed.

Giveaway Day This Monday December 12th

2011-12-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Twice each year the Sew Mama Sew blog coordinates blog Giveaway Day. It's happening again this Monday the 12th. Come back here to see what I'm giving away, and click HERE to find the details. The master list of giveaways is posted Monday.

A Bin Full of Guilt and Homework

2011-12-07T21:53:00.001-07:00

Oh, the trepidation I felt about finally doing this.

That mess of paper in my monstrous recycling bin represents thousands of dollars of education that I did nuthin' with.

For several years before V was born, I was going to night school. I had this notion that I might like to change careers and work in the more lucrative oil and gas field. I kept dragging my tired self to school after work at night, dreaming of a fatter paycheque. Geez, a couple of years and several thousand dollars into it I started to realize that what I was studying was Bo-ring. Panic seized me then. What should I do? Should I drop out? What about all that money I spent? Indecisive, I kept showing up for school and studying for exams. I graduated two weeks before V was born. Then I stayed home to mother the kids for a long while. Back in September I took a full time job back in my old haunts (totally unrelated to anything Big-Fat-Paycheque). Ack! The oil-related job I studied for would mean staring at files and contracts all day long. I could not imagine me doing that day after day after day. But I held onto so many binders filled with my notes, lectures, etc. before I worked up the courage to admit to myself that I'd never be opening them again. I suppose I'm hardly alone in "wasting" all that money on a career I'll never use. At least I'm fortunate enough to have an Option B. Maybe I should laugh that I'm finally getting to know myself. Or should I cry about my measly take home pay that is half-gone once I pay for daycare each month? I do some of both.

On the other hand, I actually like the work I do now. Commuting to work and having another "full time job at home" after 5 o'clock is something I struggle to come to terms with. My first client in the door this morning started her sentence with "My boyfriend and I have been living in a tent..." (who can live in a tent in winter in Canada?) My last client of the day had nowhere warm to go at 4 pm. By 4:30 we'd fixed her up with a winter coat and a pair of running shoes to replace her flip flops in the snow and had a taxi waiting to take her to a shelter for the night. In between those two, there were people being foreclosed on or evicted, or needing child support, or having their day in court. I enjoyed dealing with every one of them more that I would enjoy spreading out an Oil and Gas Lease on my desk for the afternoon. I dream someday the girls will forgive me for the shiny new car we'll never afford. At least I'll have my sanity. I think :)

(one more scream of frustration at the sight of the lid closing on my useless homework)

Little Girl's Vintage Christmas Dress

2011-12-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make V a dress for the holiday party season, but I wasn't aiming for the traditional red and green scheme.

I used McCalls pattern 9590 from 1968.

The fabric is Sherbet Pips by Moda. It's a sweet bunch of girls on swings.

Miraculously, I installed a zipper.

We tested it out at a holiday party last weekend with a pair of bloomers and pink tights.

V didn't stay clean/unwrinkled for long.

Which is exactly how a three year old should look post-party I suppose.

Make Your Own Pinecone Firestarters

2011-12-03T06:18:00.001-07:00

We're always on the hunt for kindling for our fireplace, so I "borrowed" a few pinecones from V's extensive collection in the yard to make firestarters.

I purchased some like this from Pier One a few years ago for a small fortune. They're simply a wax bottom with a candle wick and a pinecone.

This kind of wick is perfect as it stands up on it's own.

I melted a little beeswax into each tray (smells heavenly!), added the wick and then the pinecone.

(After I photographed this post, I trimmed my wicks to a reasonable height)

Look what Crate and Barrel did for firestarters:

$39.95?! Are you kidding me? They're simply dipped in wax and scented. I'd suspend the pinecone from a thread and dip it in the pot of wax. A few drops of essential oil should make them scented. Wrap them up in a dollar store basket and congratulate yourself on the knock-off. I think you'd save about $38.95.

"Do You Have Any Wine?"

2011-12-01T06:20:00.003-07:00

I was in the bank the other day with my three year old. You know how dead quiet banks are. The bank was celebrating some sort of anniversary, and there was a nice man offering the customers cake and juice. When offered juice in a pretty little paper cup, V replied real loud:

"I don't like juice! Do you have any beer or wine?"

You can imagine the stares. Never a dull moment with kids, huh?

Make Your Own Coffee Cozy

2011-11-27T05:50:00.001-07:00

When Mr. Dork came home yesterday with a takeout coffee, I snuck off with his paper sleeve.

I love when a free template falls into my lap. Here's how I made my cup cozies:

Supplies: Three layers of fabric (I used towelling for the insulating layer)
One big button
One thick hair elastic cut in half

I traced around my cardboard template on all three layers of fabric, leaving extra room for seam allowances.

I layered the fabrics with the insulator on the bottom and the two "good" fabrics with right sides together.

The elastic gets inserted into one side (loop facing inwards. You can see its tail where my finger is pointing). Sew all around the edge, leaving a few inches on the bottom open for turning.

Once you turn right side out, topstitch all around. Place your button, and you are done. The hair elastic makes the cozy expandable for various cup sizes.

I like that they lay nice and flat for mailing. I'm planning to send a couple of coffee gift cards and cozies in the mail for Chrismas.

A Smell-Good House in the Winter

2011-11-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

One thing I dislike about winter is being cooped up for so many months with the windows shut. I don't like artifical air fresheners. Some yummy baking makes a room smell good, but then there is the downside of me consuming all those extra calories. So I do a few of these things:

#1 - Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and "bake" citrus slices in the oven at a really low temperature for hours. The result is dried fruit which you can use as a centerpiece, but the baking time with the sweet smell is my favorite part.

#2 - Buy a squirt bottle to fill with plain old water and 20 or so drops of essential oils. Spritz in any room or on pillowcases for a room freshener.

#3 - Love your soap. Sounds ridiculous, but I love the scent of these Dr. Bonner's soaps. They're pure and come in scents like peppermint, almond, lavender and eucalyptus. I fill the sink with some water and a few drops of this soap and leave it in the sink once I'm done my housecleaning. The scent remains for hours.

#4 - Throw a branch on the fire. We live in an old treed area, so there are often broken pine branches on the ground at the park that we can scoop up. I like the crackle and scent of one on top of our fire logs.

via

What smell good tricks do you use?

50 Vintage Skirts - Progress Report

2011-11-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Back in June, I started working on some 50 vintage sheet skirts for a holiday charity project. After I used up all my vintage sheets I branched out a little.

I thought some dolls might want to match their mommas.

I think I'm on skirt #21. Oops. That's not 50.

Makes for a happy photo though.

Crazy, But I'm Digging the Pink

2011-11-19T14:00:00.001-07:00

At my age, I suppose I should graduate to a sophisticated love for sophisticated grey. But I went into the sewing room the other day and this is what I made me.

I had some leftover Ikea fabric from the dress in my last post. It's not even slightly sophisticated on a grown-up.

But I slightly dig it.

Ikea Fabric in Clothing

2011-11-17T04:48:00.002-07:00

I came across this blog post which uses Ikea fabric in an a-line dress. I had some of the same fabric so I tried my hand at a child's dress.

I severed a hand-me-down shirt

Changed out the buttons

And sewed on the skirt. I love how Mr. Fox is sticking out his tongue.

The back is equally fabulous. You can sit on a squirrel.

A bit more Ikea clothing eye candy found on the web:

via

nonchalantkids.com

instructables.com

I love the bold prints and the unusual color combos. Methinks me needs those shoes!

Handmade Holidays How-To: Soap-Making

2011-11-14T05:52:00.008-07:00

I was at a crafty friend's house recently and she was making soap. I was inspired. You can buy big bricks of plain soap like this at Michael's ($17.99 before the 40% off coupon):

And turn it into 8 regular sized bars of loveliness.

The plain brick of soap is scored, so you cut it into small chunks with a kitchen knife and gently heat it in a pot on the stove.

Before pouring this batch into the molds, I added some purple colorant (also found in the soap making aisle at Michael's) and dried lavender. The bar in the forefront has a deeper colored middle - I inserted some broken chunks from a different colored batch of soap for interest.

I bought these inexpensive molds at Michael's, but they weren't worth the money. Leftover plastic food containers from my kitchen (greased with a tiny bit of olive oil) were much sturdier.

You can make one big soap loaf and slice it up.

My friend suggested I grate some orange peel and lemon peel to add to the soap. You could add just about anything - seeds, oats, finely ground walnut shell....

A close up of the lemon peel and lavender.

The last thing to do before gift-giving is dress up your bars.

Paper, twine, ribbon or fabric. They all look sweet.

Simple Kraft Paper Cards Giveaway (closed)

2011-11-11T16:47:00.004-07:00

Lucky #8 - Sherrie - will you please get in touch with me?

I love the classy simplicity of kraft paper. With a few rubber stamps and some embossing tools, I've been whipping up simple card sets for my friends for Christmas.

I made some for you too my friend.

I am giving away a set of eight cards and envelopes.

Found these sewing machine envelope seals on Etsy and thought you'd want some too.

One little package is yours for the taking. Simply leave a comment below to be entered in the giveaway.

And if you'd like to try your hand at making your own, I got the blank kraft paper cardstock and envelopes in a set of 25 at Walmart for $7.00. (The rubber stamps are from my eons-old collection. Embossing courtesy of my Cuttlebug which is a baby version of the Cricut machine.)

Giveaway open to anyone anywhere (followers feel free to enter twice. I like to see you regular readers get lucky). Please make sure you leave your email address if you are a No-Reply-at-Blogger.com person. I will draw a random winner on November 14th.

Big Red Ruffle Pants

2011-11-09T06:00:00.001-07:00

(If we were in Britain, I'd be referring to large red underpants. ha ha)

Yard #2 of the red knit conquered.

I made a pair of simple pants and circled the ankles with three rows of ruffles. Little girls like that, right?

Only I was having a blond moment and made the pants a few sizes too big. Like they'll fit V in high school. Have you gaffed like this too?

A Knit Bit of This and That

2011-11-06T09:48:00.001-07:00

The holidays are looming, and I'm trying to be frugal. I convinced myself that making V's clothing for the winter would be cheaper than buying it (when in reality I know that any trip to the fabric store might be a disaster for my budget).

I hit the sewing machine with wild abandon to make a red sweatshirt.

The hood is lined with Mr. Dork's (free) old golf shirt. The jersey loop at the neck may be one of my less brilliant ideas as it's stretching out of shape already.

I'm intrigued by the way Ashley at Lil Blue Boo always serges on the outside of her knit garments. Only I think Ashley gets her seams straighter than mine.

I hope V likes red because way back in February I bought four yards of this knit. I might have been planning a lovely braided rug...

braidkosa.com

But I'm down a yard now.

Handmade Holidays Tutorial - Sew Some Stuffie Sleeping Bags

2011-11-03T05:34:00.000-06:00

I'm officially allergic to any Christmas decorating/muzak that occurs before December 1st, but I do appreciate the weeks it takes to get your craft on. Most years I try to give handmade gifts, so I wanted to share a few with you this month and next.

Simple bear sleeping bag with a stuffed pillow.

SUPPLIES:
-wool batting for stuffing pillow
-two coordinating fabrics. Cut two of each fabric as follows:
Back panel - 18 x 10 inches
Front panel - 13.5 x 10 inches

Place right sides of the fabrics together and sew up both the front panel and the back panel pieces like pillowcases, leaving the top edges open for turning.

Take the front panel piece and fold under the "pillowcase" (open) edge about 1/2 inch. Stitch closed.

To make the pillow, measure a line about 6 inches from the top. I marked mine with green tape. Stitch across this line. This will form the bottom of the pillow.

(View from the back). Now press under the top edge about 1/2 inch.

Stuff your wool batting into that opening.

Either hand or machine stitch closed. Keep shoving your wool batting out of the way of your machine's presser foot if necessary. You can fluff it back up later.

On the back of the sleeping bag, pin the front panel piece (pin the good side of the front panel to the back of the sleeping bag so it matches when you turn in inside out). Sew all around where you've pinned.

Turn your sleeping bag inside out, insert bear and admire your cleverness.

For another option, skip the stuffed pillow step and instead add a separate pillow.

That's one present done!

Rant of an 8th Grader

2011-11-01T12:40:00.003-06:00

Her (in a not too rude but totally serious way): "Mom, are you mental?"

Me: "Quite possibly. Why?"

Her: Why did you put this in my lunch yesterday?"

Me: "Um, because the oranges I tried to make into jack-o-laterns with a sharpie didn't turn out as well."

Her: "OMG, you are soooo embarrassing me. I'm not a little kid! Save it for your blog next time, please?!"

Your Favorite Fabrics to Wrapping Paper

2011-10-29T14:00:00.000-06:00

When giving a gift to a sewing-friend, I've sometimes used fabric as the gift wrap. But sometimes I like to hoard a favorite fabric. Enter the color photocopier!

Possibly voiding copyright here, I took these to the local Office Depot and made 8.5 x 11 color copies of my fabrics for 40 cents each.

I'm prepping for Christmas a full eight weeks in advance. My teenager asked "What's in the pretty packages?" "Just some photo props" I lied.

A Little More of the Little Handmades

2011-10-26T20:54:00.000-06:00

I squeaked out one more little project on the weekend. A wee brown jacket with some mushroom trim.

It was another one of those hmmm-I'll-just-wing-it-and-see-what-transpires gigs. A bit of mushroom non-symmetry happening on the inside.

The red button makes me smile. The brown polyester doesn't make V smile. She announced that she's never, ever, ever wearing it. Ever.

Sock Monkey Fun.. and work (not fun)

2011-10-23T07:54:00.002-06:00

I bought this fabric on sale back in July and knew I wanted to make a sock monkey dress.

I used a simple design to contrast the busy pattern. I love shirring at the neck.

Six weeks ago, I went back to work full time. I have all these conflicting thoughts about full time work/full time mothering that I'm sure I'll put together into a future post. I haven't sewn much in the last six weeks. I fall into bed exhausted around 8:30 every night. This dress was made back in July. I am missing the creative outlet.

Women's Lisette Pattern Giveaway (giveaway closed)

2011-10-20T12:32:00.003-06:00

Winner of this giveaway: suebe

I'd like one of everything pictured below puh-lease.

(Those darts on the front of the dress intrigue me)

This is the Lisette Passport jacket and dress pattern in sizes 14 - 22 (36" to 44" bust) made by the designer of the popular Oliver + S patterns.

Last time I did a giveaway for a pattern from this designer, some of you let me know you'd like to win a pattern that would fit those of us with, ahem, a Sophia Lauren bustline, so here's your chance.

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below. Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere. I will choose a winner via Random.org on October 24th. I always post winners at the top of the original post, so come back later to see if it's you.

A Halloween-Meets-Christmas Skirt

2011-10-16T16:04:00.000-06:00

Silly me.

Pumpkins above, holly berries below.

Hmmm. At the time, the green seemed like the perfect match for the shades in the orange print. And she's got this sweet little velour jacket to go with.

I used the same paper bag waist technique that I used to make myself a skirt last month.

For V, it's all about the pumpkins.

Some Cozy Sewing

2011-10-13T13:08:00.003-06:00

Winter comes early to these here parts. I fell in love with this pre-quilted flannel in *cough* July.

Under-an-hour simple pj pants.

The knit top is made from a pattern by Lil Blue Boo. I like the contrast stitching.

It's Kids Clothes Week over at the Elsie Marley blog this week. I committed to sew an hour a day for 7 days to help pad my kiddos' closets. To take the pledge, visit her blog here.

Recycling Children's Books Into Envelopes

2011-10-10T14:45:00.004-06:00

Paper was my first love. Plus it's plentiful and obtained freely.

Yesterday I bought a few discards from the children's section at the library to make envelopes. I've done this with magazine pages before, but the children's book pages are much sturdier.

(I don't mean to pick on Madonna again, but this is quite possibly the worst book I've ever read. Artwork is great though!)

I chose illustrations I liked and cut the pages to the same size.

Fold the bottom up and apply glue to make an envelope.

Trim the edges of the flap if you like. They'll need tape or glue later to seal.

I also decorated the interior flap of some plain white envelopes with smaller illustrations from the books.

I like them grouped together by theme; might make for some good gift giving.

(closed) Halloween Legwarmers Giveaway

2011-10-08T15:25:00.002-06:00

Winner update: missbossypants

I love legwarmers on little people. Not only are they wonderful for bare legs, they make good impromptu sleeves too.

And once you make your first pair out of ladies (or kids) knee socks, you're hooked!

I've made pair of spidery legwarmers to give away.

One size fits most children. To enter, simply say "Boo" below or something. Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere. I will choose a winner on Tuesday October 11th.

Vintage Maxi Dress

2011-10-05T11:55:00.000-06:00

(I can't get her out of these ridiculous shoes)

My version of dress C from this 1970s Butterick pattern.

I remember owning a few of these floor-length everyday dresses as a child. I adored them, polyester and all. This one has beautiful details.

I love the bartender sleeves.

Pathetically, I started sewing this two autumns ago. It was too big then so I set it aside. Ahem. Done now!

Women's Tshirt from Scratch

2011-10-02T07:55:00.001-06:00

I thought it was about time I attempted to make myself a tshirt. Using the same technique used here (basically, I just traced around an existing shirt leaving extra room for seam allowances) I made myself this pale yellow jersey top.

I left the neckline and hem totally unfinished and added two jersey flowers, though looking at this photo I see I need to go back and trim the bottom hem. It's simple, but it's a beginning. I can elaborate more on the next attempt.

Winging It

2011-09-28T11:00:00.001-06:00

Sometimes (okay many times) I just wing a design and it's a total flop. And many times (er sometimes ) it turns out just right.

This is a lickety-split-decision-bubble-skirt (fancy technical name)

And a lined jacket with big sleeves. I purchased the orangey-gold fabric from the decorator cotton section at the fabric store. It was a $2.50-a-metre bargain.

And again, without a clear plan in mind, I just winged both garments. Sometimes the results are frustrated-at-my-own-stupidity, and sometimes they are *just right*.

Tie-A-Bow-Around-Me pdf pattern giveaway (closed)

2011-09-25T21:10:00.001-06:00

Winners: kristinorth and Dazzling Delight
I met the owner of Fun4me2 back in the spring when she debuted the Playdate Dress pattern.

pinkletoes.com

She's created a new dress pdf now that I love the looks of: Tie-A-Bow-Around-Me.

Included are options to make a dress with a bubble skirt or a single-layer skirt, with or without an apron at the front and you can even choose to make a single or a double-layered flutter sleeve. Ties from the sides of the dress can be made into a bow at the back or the front of the dress.

All images courtesy of pinkletoes.com

Fun4me2 is giving away two copies of the Tie-A-Bow-Around-Me pdf pattern in sizes 6 months to 7 years. The pattern is on sale for the introductory price of $4.50 until October 26th, so if you're not one of the lucky winners this time, you can pick one up in her shop.

Two winners will be chosen on September 29th. Giveaway open to anyone anywhere!

Nursery Rhymes Square Neck Top

2011-09-22T15:30:00.000-06:00

I loved this whimsical fabric when I saw it on the bolt (Alexander Henry's Nursery Rhymes), but didn't really know how to use it. I finally decided it was wearable in small doses.

The top is an adaptation of this pattern by DMK Easywear.

I used a jersey loop for a closure on this top. Previously when making this pattern, I did a cotton loop and it never fastened easily. The jersey stretches just perfectly.

We're having an extended hot spell, so the top hasn't made it out of the closet yet.

Out

2011-09-19T21:12:00.000-06:00

It's downright cold here at night now. When Mr. Dork suggested we camp for the weekend, I stifled a groan. I used to thoroughly enjoy camping when I only had to be responsible for me. Now all that packing/planning/cooking/washing/unpacking for everyone else seems overwhelming. But I was glad when we left the city on Friday night and immersed ourselves in this:

Until we pulled into three consecutive campsites with this:

But we stayed and these were the only bears we saw.

For all my whining about the packing/planning/cooking/washing/unpacking/bears, I had overlooked how nice it is to get out and just be in nature.

And how much easier it is to keep the Littles busy in the great outdoors.

Mutant Garden Veggies

2011-09-17T22:32:00.000-06:00

Apparently this is what happens when you don't "thin" the garden.

Spooky looking carrots.

Recycled Tshirt Aline Dress

2011-09-13T21:01:00.000-06:00

My old orange knit shirt cut down to size

Plus some dotted knit for a skirt.

Lisette Pattern Giveaway for Women (Giveaway Closed)

2011-09-11T21:05:00.002-06:00

Winner of this giveaway: Neeta

Did you know the designer behind the Oliver + S patterns also has a new line for women? I think the patterns are gorgeous. When I bought myself one today, I purchased an extra. I'm giving away a copy of the Lisette series Continental Blouse, Dress and Skirt pattern in women's size 30" - 36" bust.

(This is a paper pattern, not a pdf).

~~To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below. Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere in the world. Please make sure you leave an email address if your profile doesn't link to yours.~~

~~Giveaway closes September 15, 2011.~~ The winner will be announced at the top of this post.

Thumbelina Dress for Fall

2011-09-07T20:31:00.000-06:00

The most sumptuous fabric (Heather Ross's Thumbelina from Far Far Away II). It's like cashmere-meets-canvas.

The high-necked dress pattern is found here.

I added two big fun pockets.

J'adore.

Back to School For Moms Round-Up

2011-09-06T19:36:00.000-06:00

If you were on holidays or busy with back-to-school mode last week, here is a round-up of the women's tutorials I featured (click each title to go directly to the post):

Recycled T Shirt Accessories

Sew a Simple Boxy Top

Revive a White Shirt with Fancy Cuffs and Collar

Simple Velvet Belts

Paper Bag Waist Skirt

I'll be back soon with something new.

Easy Paper Bag Waist Skirt for Women

2011-09-04T11:14:00.004-06:00

Back to School for Moms Week is exceeding its seven-day limit. Hmmm... I have a few more projects in mind, but I'll try to space them along with some other sewing posts in September.

Today: The Easy Paper Bag Waist Skirt

To make, form a cylinder with your fabric that is at least a couple of inches wider than your hips (mine is 6 inches wider than my hips). Fold over the top hem generously.

Sew in a separate casing for an elastic waist. I used seam binding because it is so thin (who needs extra waist bulk?) Sew the casing over where you folded down the top which secures the top hem. Leave a small opening to thread the elastic through, then close that opening once your waistband elastic is in.

This is what the finished skirt looks like from the inside.

Add a generous bottom hem for balance.

And a self-belt (mine is recycled from another outfit, so the blacks don't quite match up) Topstitching ties the colors together.

That's all there is to it.

Make Your Own Velvet Belt

2011-09-02T11:50:00.000-06:00

Another Back To School For Moms Week post. Make your own easy velvet ribbon belts.

I purchased enough velvet ribbon for my waist size, plus another five inches and two D-rings the same width as the ribbon.

To treat the ends of ribbon so that they won't fray, carefully burn them with a match or lighter. The plastic in the ribbon melts leaving a hardened edge. Stitch the D-rings onto one end of the ribbon. Fold under the other end of the ribbon about 4 to 5 inches and stitch in place....

... because when you fasten the belt, the back of the ribbon will show.

This is really inexpensive and let me customize my belt colors.

Revive a White Shirt With Fancy Cuffs and Collar - for Moms

2011-08-31T10:15:00.001-06:00

I wear a lot of white shirts. Bo-ring. I'd been pondering how difficult it would be to dress up the cuffs and collar of a plain white dress shirt? Turns out it was easy. Here's how I did it:

Measure the inside of the cuffs widthwise and lengthwise. Cut a piece of fabric with a seam allowance all around.

Iron all four edges under so that it equals the exact dimensions you just measured.

Sew the fabric to the inside of the cuff. It helps to turn the cuff inside out. (If you are covering any buttonholes, you may have to make new ones in your fabric.)

Choose a fabric for the inside of the collar. I covered the placket (I think that's what that strip of fabric is called) - not the entire collar. Measure the placket and once again cut fabric to fit after allowing for all four edges to be ironed under.

Pin then sew in place.

This is my old-new white shirt.

Sew a Simple Boxy Top for Women (also entitled Look At My Bingo Wings)

2011-08-29T10:02:00.000-06:00

My official photographer returned last night from summer camp.

I put her to work today photographing some of my creations for Back to School For Mom's Week. I have this grey print top (left) in my closet that gets a lot of wear. It's just a simple box shape really, so I traced around and tried to recreate it (minus the pleats). I used cotton poplin for my version.

I was planning to do a simple tutorial, then I came across an awesome refashioning blog, Cotton and Curls. She has an almost identical shirt with a fabulous tutorial (complete with computer generated illustrations which I can never do). And she's way younger and thinner.

According to my 13 year old photographer, this shirt emphasizes my Bingo Wings.

I nearly peed my pants laughing when she said 'Bingo Wings'. I'd never heard the term before. So I Googled it, and I'm proud to say that I'm not alone. Even Madonna has 'em.

Source

Heck, I've got wrinkly elbows too, but let's just focus on the great top :)

T-Shirt Spaghetti - Back to School Sewing for Moms Week Begins

2011-08-26T21:33:00.003-06:00

Okay, the kids are all decked out for the start of school next week- now let's focus on me. First up: recycling t-shirts into spaghetti accessories.

Jersey necklace:

Cut several long strips from knit/jersey fabric. Mine are all about 42 inches long. Some are very thin, others are slightly wider.

Stretch each piece with your hands. The edges will curl up. I call this t-shirt spaghetti.

Knot all the ends together.

Lop off the excess and wear....

...or use a scrap of fabric to wrap around the knot (bandaid style) and stitch to hold in place.

Instant white shirt karma.

I used the same technique to make a headband. Instead of knotting the ends, I sewed them together for a smoother look.

I cut the t-shirt spaghetti very thin and doubled it over to stretch around my head. I sewed a simple jersey 'flower' (a length of jersey stitched into a haphazard circle) and topped it with a vintage button.

Stitch it in place and enjoy.

Back to School Sewing for Moms

2011-08-25T16:00:00.001-06:00

I'm going to try to exorcise that recurring dream I have where I'm standing in the hallway at school in my pyjamas with a little self-therapy: Back to School Clothes for Moms Week.

I've got a few pieces underway, but I'm waiting for my chief photographer to come home from summer camp. Check back soon for some mom-inspired sewing.

End of Summer Sewing

2011-08-22T15:09:00.000-06:00

Sometimes when I'm not ready to go to bed at night, I wander down to the sewing room with no plan in mind. Last night I made a little free-hand summery top for V. It's the last bit of a teal colored knit I bought a couple of years ago.

Turned out it's the perfect match for an old shirt in my refashioning pile.

Several rows of shirring were all it needed to become a skirt.

Free and unique.

(I couldn't resist - she fell asleep)

Mason Jar Bubbles Artwork

2011-08-19T18:02:00.001-06:00

Well, I dunno if you can call it a piece of "art", but aren't the revered museum pieces often this simple?

We used mason jar lids to stamp black circles on a canvas. V calls them bubbles. My idea was to also add a single red circle, but the girls vetoed and I was out-voted.

It fits in with our very sparse decorating palette and the only cost was the canvas. Mr. Dork asked if I picked it up at a thrift store or someone's back alley. (Once I told him it was made by the girls, he was singing its praises.)

Found

2011-08-17T23:04:00.000-06:00

I found this sewing machine abuse ad in one of my vintage magazines.

(Click the photo to enlarge it to read the script)

Tutorial: Make a Child-Sized Doll Sling (and a Wee One for Dolls) - It's Beyond Simple!

2011-08-16T18:00:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I was in one of those hip baby boutiques, and these doll carriers were thirty-four dollars! I stood in the store for 20 minutes, handling it and eyeballing it, until (lightbulb!) - I figured out how to make it. $34.00 saved.

Supplies:

Doll-sized sling: cut one piece of fabric 20" by 8"

Child-sized sling: cut one piece of fabric 42" by 16"

Two D-rings of any size (optional - you could skip this step and just sew the ends closed)

Edge all four edges of the fabric by folding over twice and stitching in place.

Pleat both ends to appx. the width of your D rings and stitch to hold the pleats in place.

Once both ends are pleated, the middle fans out like a hammock to hold the doll.

Slip both D rings on one pleated end

Turn the pleated end under to the wrong side of the fabric and stitch in place.

Thread the other pleated end through the D rings to secure. Adjust the length to fit your child/doll.

Snuggle.

Adore.

Me and V

2011-08-12T20:07:00.002-06:00

Enjoying our summer at the olden days amusement park. The rides are powered by pre-historic dishwasher engines - just my speed!

A Thank You All, and More Questions about Commenting

2011-08-12T10:23:00.001-06:00

Update: I drew the name Suzee as the random winner of a little surprise.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my last post where I needed some blog publishing help. I got rid of all that blank white space thanks to Jen.

I recently switched to a pop up comment box, and I'm uncertain how well it's working? I did this because some of you had trouble commenting when I didn't have a pop up box, and some of you have trouble now too. Perplexed.

Anyway, if anyone has any insight to offer on making commenting easier for readers, please say so below. As promised in the last post, I'll choose one of you commenters for a nice surprise in the mail.

I Need a Blog Doctor (A Shout Out)

2011-08-11T18:15:00.001-06:00

*sigh* I've created a problem. See all that blank white space after each blog post? Obviously (er, perhaps... I really haven't got a clue) I fooled with my blog template and added some space where there shouldn't be any.

~~If someone can help me RX this, there's something sweet coming in the mail to you.~~ ( Fixed thanks to Jen.)

AND... from time to time some of you email me to say that you're having trouble posting comments. Comments at the end of my blog posts really boost my self esteem at the end of the day. I recently made a change to my Blogger comment form to make it easier(?). If you have any feedback on whether leaving a comment on my blog has been working/not working for you, please leave a comment (oh, the irony). From those of you who take the time to do so, I will randomly draw a winner for another little package of sweets in the mail.

Thank you all!

A Raggedy Ann Love Story

2011-08-08T10:26:00.001-06:00

Three year old V likes to hear stories about the Raggedy Ann doll I had when I was a little girl. She keeps asking where my old doll is, and I don't have the heart to tell her R.A. probably hit the landfill twenty years ago.

So I told a lie. I am going straight to jail, do not pass GO, do not collect two hundred.

I decided to make V her own Raggedy Ann doll and pass her off as my vintage love. I had picked up a vintage Raggedy Ann sewing pattern back in the spring with admirable intentions. So I got it out one night and there had to be about 80 separate pieces to the doll body pattern. (Okay, maybe there was some wine involved in my counting.) Hmmm. Then I typed "Raggedy Ann Doll" in the Ebay search box. Eight dollars sure was a lot less than all the money I was going to spend on the Tylenol I'd need to embroider her face and sew on those stripey stockings myself.

So folks, here we have a fake-handmade $8.00 Raggedy Ann with a questionable background.

I made her a tiny new outfit

And a doll quilt. (Embroidered quilt square purchased here)

I repackaged her, and enclosed a counterfeit note from Grandma.

Dear V,

This was Mommy's Raggedy Ann doll when she was a little girl. Please take good care of her now.

xoxo Grandma

Straight from the shelves of Ebay into a little girl's heart. This Raggedy Ann has been loved and dragged around by the hair for days now (V's teaching her how to walk below).

And is V happy? You betcha. Please don't anyone ever read her this post.

Mend and Make Do Panelled Skirt

2011-08-05T12:45:00.000-06:00

It was time to recycle this butterfly shirt that I made for V when she was wee.

I added two other fabrics, cut triangular shaped panels, and made a little skirt.

Grandma would have approved of the makeover.

A little ribbon finishes off the hem.

The shirt is a variation of this tutorial.

(Yep, same butterfly shirt)

1964 Dress Love

2011-08-03T09:43:00.002-06:00

I sewed up a dress from this 1964 pattern last winter for Little V.

I sent the pattern away to one of you before V ever wore the dress. Now I wish I'd made 3 of them. (as if she needs any more dresses...) I love the swingy retro style!

(Closed) Red Fabric Scraps Giveaway

2011-08-02T09:09:00.001-06:00

Winner update: Nancy's Couture
and... another envelope of scraps to pawn off on one of you lovely people. Thanks to everyone who enters these giveaways and helps lighten my ~~hoard~~ pile.

Reds this time.

Each country has a different maximum weight that I can stuff into an envelope, so if I can fit in more reds, well, I've got more on hand.

Giveaway open to anyone anywhere. Simply leave a comment below. Followers (or people who have me on Google reader or whatever) please feel free to enter twice. It's always nice to see you regular visitors win. W~~inner will be choosen shortly and name posted at the top of this post.~~ Giveaway closed.

Strawberry Jam For Cheaters

2011-07-31T09:45:00.000-06:00

It's the height of summer and our gardens are full and green.

Our growing season is short here (110 days), so we don't have the luxury of staggering many plantings, which means sometimes everything is ripe at once. Like hundreds of strawberries.

So I've got to make strawberry jam.

I used to can fruit the laborious way (boiling/sealing/scalding my fingers), but a couple of years ago I found this at the grocery store. You prepare the jam in about 15 minutes and then freeze it. No heat sealing/sterilizing required!

I'll be back for the winter vegetables in another month.

Boutique Dresses De-Constructed

2011-07-28T07:00:00.001-06:00

I really like some of the features of the pricey "boutique" dresses I see on Etsy, but never have the funds to actually buy one (hmmm... dress or groceries?... dress or groceries?) When I first resumed sewing a couple of years ago, I was mystified by some of the techniques. These days, if I stare at a garment long enough, I can usually figure it out. I thought I'd share a few of the boutique techniques with those of you who are new to sewing. One of my first loves was the panelled skirt look which combines coordinating fabrics all in one dress. I did it in a skirt here, but this is my first attempt at a dress.
.

The red dress V is wearing below is made of the same pattern as the above, but all pieces were cut from identical fabric. To make the dress above, I made the skirt by cutting several same-sized strips of fabric and sewing them together.

And another strip of fabric was sewn around the bottom to form a border.

(This pattern calls for the skirt to be gathered then attached to the top. Works perfectly for this technique).

Hmph. It was easier than I thought.

Katie Did Dress Knock Off

2011-07-25T09:45:00.000-06:00

So many of us are fans of the retired Katie Did Journal. One of my favorite posts was about the R Dress. I wondered if when V got to be the same age as the little girl in the R Dress if V would start looking for the letter V everywhere we went. And she did. So I made the V Dress.

The R Dress had a beautiful 40s flair to it and was simple black and cream with a row of back buttons. I'm not so sure I like this pale purple and grey combo.

It looks a bit like I've nabbed someone's Amish child.

But V loves her V.

Shirred Shirt Tutorial

2011-07-21T20:49:00.004-06:00

Here is a tutorial for the shirred girl's shirt I made last week. I used jersey knit for both.

I used an existing shirt with an a-line shape as a template. Fold it in half.

Cut around the outside of the template, leaving generous seam allowance and wider arms. Cut the neck opening wider than a standard tshirt (the shirring later will shrink it up).

You will need two of these, exactly the same:

Unfold them and you'll have two of these. Lay the front over the back, right sides together.

Sew the seams closed from the armpit to the bottom hem and along the top from the neck to the sleeve. (Remember to leave a wide neck opening).

Below is my unfinished neck opening. Turn shirt right side out and press the seams.

First, I used my serger to do a rolled hem around the neck opening. This stretched it out even more, giving it a lettuce edge. If you don't have a serger, you could tightly zigzag it.

Wind elastic thread around your bobbin loosely. Leave regular thread in the top of your machine. Do two or three rows of stitching to shirr the neck.

Next I did a rolled hem on the bottom. This is kind of cute. I could've stopped here.

I did four rows of shirring around the bottom.

This is the view from the inside of the shirt.

Finally, I finished off the sleeves with a couple of shirred rows. On my first tshirt, I left them straight.

(closed) Another Fabric Giveaway (are you sick of them yet?)

2011-07-20T09:20:00.001-06:00

Winner of this giveaway: Tara-Jean Thiessen

All this de-stashing is helping me feel so much more organized. Today I'm giving away a mish-mash of these quilting cottons (and a few others not shown).

To be entered in the draw to win, simply leave a comment below and if your profile is a no-reply-at-blogger type, please leave an email address too. Seriously, I'm not Nancy Drew and I won't be able to find you otherwise. I will choose a winner in a day or two and announce them at the top of this post.

Bear Sized Bibs - a Free Download

2011-07-18T11:31:00.001-06:00

(He's having laxative tea in case you're wondering. When she's not feeding them, V loves to announce that her guys have to go to the bathroom.) Below is free pdf of a bear or doll sized bib that you can make yourself. If your bears are drinking laxative tea too, don't worry. I'm working on a doll diaper pdf.

CLICK HERE for the bib pattern template download.

Bib construction: Cut two from fabric. Place right sides together.

Sew along outside edge, leaving open a 2" gap along one side.

Clip any curved edges (so the seams are nice and smooth when you turn it right side out).

Turn right side out. Topstitch the whole bib which closes the 2" gap.

Add a button, snap or velcro to close.

Feed bear.

"Why Don't We Have Any Juice?!"

2011-07-17T07:00:00.006-06:00

The Mister recently returned from a 10-day pleasure trip cruising around the U.S. on a Harley Davidson. While he was away, it rained. Often. My nearest relative lives more than 2,000 miles away. I have a job to go to/ the little kid had a fever/ the big kid had a bunch of places to be/ the lawn needed mowing/ the kiddos needed feeding - you mothers know how those 10-day stints alone go. Mr. Dork came home in the middle of the night. The next morning I'm in the kitchen, dressed for work, feeding the children, yadda yadda yadda and he says to me "Why don't we have any juice?" Actually, he may have said "Honey, why don't we have any juice", but he'd sealed his fate all the same.

The man knows I work for a divorce law firm. Why does he ask lethal questions like that?

Men. There is a vas deferens between us.

Can I Get That in Black?

2011-07-14T11:47:00.001-06:00

Maybe it's considered a sombre color for children? There's a lack of basic back kids clothing on the market.

I made this top for V out of the Mister's old tshirt.

I like the ruffly hem look without being overly ruffly, know what I mean?

Gymboree makes a lot of girls' tops with this kind of shirred neckline, but not in basic black. Me likes.

I threw it together without a plan and it came together quite simply. I will try to tutorialize this week.

Great Greens Giveaway (closed)

2011-07-13T09:57:00.002-06:00

And the winner is... Rhisanna
Following on the heels of last week's destash giveaways, I am pawning off some more of my stash scraps on you. This time it's a collection of green bits o' fabric; mainly smaller pieces. (When you cut out dresses/garments, you end up with some funny shaped scraps).

Yep, that ~~not-green~~ blue is the smallest square of Far, Far Away by Heather Ross. It was too magnificent to discard, even if it is only big enough to make a couple of pockets with.

If you'd like me to pick you, simply leave a comment below. I'll choose a winner in a day or two and announce their name at the top of this post. Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere. And likely... very likely... i'll need you to take some more fabric off my hands later this week.

Who Stole the Tablecloth?

2011-07-10T04:33:00.002-06:00

I saw this vivid bandana print at the fabric store and thought a little girl could carry it off.

I like that the back...

...is different than the front. But maybe too different. (Look how those sides seams give me away).

Mr. Dork asked if McDonald's knew I'd swiped their tablecloth.

Photos of the Inside of My Car (And a Dress)

2011-07-07T09:24:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the interior of my car + the Lilac Dress.

Lilacs are blooming this month in my neighbourhood. Why do they only last for a couple of weeks? They're so pretty that I thought I'd immortalize them in a dress. I was trying to figure out how to make a cross over dress front, but I thought it turned out to be too plain (below). So I embroidered (badly) some little lilacs at the chest. It still didn't wow me.

I hummed and hawed for a couple of days then came up with the idea of adding a ruffle to the neckline.

Now I'm smiling.

Destash Giveaway #5 (closed) - The Rainbow

2011-07-05T23:02:00.005-06:00

Winner update: Susanne. I wish you all could win, but it would put a big dent in my postal budget. Check back next week for another giveaway.

Today's giveaway is a rainbow of some of my favorite fabrics, various sizes. I'll just keep stuffing your envelope until I hit the weight maximum. Isn't fun mail well, fun?!

(and I found some blue and green vintage sheeting to share)

To be entered, simply leave a comment below. Followers can enter twice. Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere. If you are a no-reply-at-blogger-person, please note that no rainbows can grace your mailbox without a hint of where I might find you. Giveaway open until it closes (how's that for official?) Once a winner is drawn, I'll announce their name at the top of this post.

Destash Giveaway Day 4 (Closed) - Pretty Pink Pieces

2011-07-05T07:34:00.001-06:00

Winner update: the corbett kid
Whenever I sew a pink dress (which is mighty often this year) I'm left with some sweet scraps. These pieces are all pretty small; you could use them to make pockets or trims, or of course quilt with them. And they're all pretty. And pink. Oh, how I repeat myself.

To adopt an envelope of pretty pinks, simply leave a comment below. Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere with a real address. If you are a no-reply at blogger kind of girl and you don't leave an email address, I'll have to call the CIA to track you down. Giveaway open until tomorrow's giveaway is posted. Always check back at the original post - I announce winners at the top.

Giveaway Day 3 - I've Got the Blues

2011-07-04T07:05:00.002-06:00

Winner update: Jenthecraftingfiend
One of my favorite colors, blue is. So many shades, so many scraps. This giveaway is a mish mash of larger pieces and smaller ones. Can you use them?

Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere. As I said before, if you are a no-reply at blogger person, please leave an email address or send smoke signals to my house so I can find you. If your profile links to you, then no need to leave your email addy. This giveaway is only open until tomorrow's begins. I'll post the winner at the top of this post tomorrow. Come back tomorrow for another fabric giveaway.

Destash Giveaway (Closed) Day 2 - The Red, White and Blue

2011-07-03T08:14:00.002-06:00

Winner update: Elisabeth - I have sent you an email. Thanks for including your email addy!
Who doesn't love getting fun stuff in the mail? Six pretty fabric scraps, all bigger than a standard sheet of 8 x10" paper up for grabs. A mix of red, white and blue. Do they have your name written all over them? Cross your fingers and enter below.

Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere. Simply leave a comment to be entered. You have an email address linked to your profile, right? If you are a no-reply-at-blogger-person, I can't find you. This giveaway ends tomorrow when I post the next one. Once I draw a winner, I'll announce them at the top of this post. I'm de-stashing for five days, so come back tomorrow to enter again.

From My Stash to Yours - 5 Days of Giveaways

2011-07-02T08:54:00.002-06:00

Update: the winner is Lori
Hurray our postal strike is over! Let's celebrate and help me destash with a week's worth of fabric giveaways from my stash. Check back each day for the next five days for a chance to win some bits o' fabric from Canada. You can enter each of the five days.

First up: a reclaimed vintage sheet bundle. Each piece is a different size, with some being larger than 8 X 10 inches (a standard sheet of paper).

To be entered, simply leave a comment below. Giveaway open to anyone, anywhere. Please - if you are a no-reply at blogger profile type of person and you actually want me to contact you when I draw your name, leave an email address or a trail of crumbs so I can find you! Giveaway open until the next day's giveaway begins. Always check back on the original post - I announce the winners at the top as I draw them).

Jessy Dressy

2011-06-30T08:37:00.000-06:00

I used some of the pattern pieces from the Jessy Junior Top that I posted about a few days ago to make a recycled tshirt dress.

Could I call it the Jessy Dressy?

The skirt is a mish-mash of Big Sister's old tshirts. The neckline trim was a shirt tie-back in its previous life.

I'd like to sew with more knits in the future, despite the fact that good ones are nearly impossible to find in local stores and they make me swear when their edges roll up under my sewing machine needle. I shall persevere because they really suit a little kid well in their stretchy-washable-don't wrinkle kind of way.

Hurray for another free dress!

Fearless

2011-06-28T15:56:00.001-06:00

My eldest had her year end voice recital on the weekend. She's been at it for a number of years, and each year I'm surprised how fearless kids are. Whether they're soloing...

Or in a group

They have no fear.

I grew up singing and playing the piano, but never had this kind of nerve. If that was me on stage, my hands would be shaking badly.

Where do they get it?

I hope they never lose it.

I thought this was sweet - last night between numbers, they guys from the band (who had to be in their 20s) played on the swings. They were a hoot to watch because they were really enjoying themselves.

No fear of anyone laughing at them. That's cool by me.

"Mom, Is There Broccoli in Here?" Popsicles

2011-06-26T05:22:00.000-06:00

Like most of you, I'm trying to sneak in the nutrients where I can.

I make popsicles with plain yogurt, juice and kefir (it's a health food that Google says is really, really good for you).

Some chopped fruit nevers hurts either.

If only I could disguise some broccoli in there...

The Jessie Junior Top and 3 Patterns to Give Away (giveaway closed)

2011-06-22T13:09:00.001-06:00

Three pattern winners: Suburbsmama, Attilio and Avery's Mama. I have emailed you each the details.

The maker of Darncat patterns from New Zealand sent me a copy of her Jessie Junior Top pdf to try.

This kind of top can be worn nearly year round in our cold climate. I made a summer weight one of t-shirt jersey. There's a short sleeve/hoodless option too.

I love the contrast strip on top of the hood.

And the sweet cuffs.

The pattern is sized in metric like the popular Hanna Andersson clothes in the U.S. Luckily the pattern is a generous fit because I sewed up a size 2 (years) for my child who normally wears a four. Oops. My waistband cuff is longer than the one suggested in the patten to compensate for the extra length I needed. I totally love it - it reminds me of women's yoga wear.

Darncat also has these adorable underpants patterns. Wouldn't these be great to make with some upcycled tshirts? You can visit her shop here for more patterns as well as sizing information.

Darncat is generously offering 3 Jessie Top pdf patterns to 3 winners. This is for the wee ones - the pattern comes in sizes 48 - 92 cm - approximately 3 months to 2.5 years old. (Darncat has bigger size ranges in the works). Simply leave a comment below to be entered. Giveaway closes June 26, 2011.

Nothing Echoes Like an Empty Mailbox

2011-06-20T21:31:00.002-06:00

(Source unknown)

Three weeks ago our national postal system went on strike. At first some mail was moving, but the carriers have been on full strike for a while now. This really peeves me because my mailman is hot. Seriously, sometimes I mail myself letters just so he'll come to my door. I hope things get moving soon because I don't know how much longer I can wait for my Etsy delivery of button soap

or my latest issue of Psychology Today. I read it out loud to Little V at nap time until she's comatose/bored. Whatever it takes.

Something Pink

2011-06-17T12:31:00.000-06:00

She's been asking for something pink.

I like the easy fit of peasant tops. V can pick them out of her closet and dress herself.

And she does a lot of "bear wearing"

A shirt that can stretch enough to carry her guys is a favorite.

Waiting

2011-06-15T09:26:00.000-06:00

For that darned bean to sprout. We just planted it four minutes ago.

(Chanting magic spell/ waving arms as seen in fairytales)

Nuthin.

Crafterhours Skirt Week

2011-06-13T09:07:00.002-06:00

Working on all those vintage sheet skirts got me thinking that maybe I'd like to enter one in Crafterhours Skirt Week. This one is a mix of vintage sheets and a modern apron panel.

Trouble is, Crafterhours would like to see your skirt on a real person. It took me days to convince V to put the darned thing on, then out of 30-odd photos, I ended up with the one where she's sitting on the skirt

the one where she's running away from me

and the one where Brown Bear is hogging the spotlight.

I'll spare you the one where she's flying down the slide with the skirt hiked up around her neck.

Those of you who blog about children's clothes are nodding along because this happens to you too, all the time right? Seriously, sewing the clothing is probably less effort for me than getting a decent photo of it. I used to bribe her with candy (every photo in the first year of my blog features V holding a lollipop), but she won't model for food anymore.

When I wanted to photograph my eldest daughter's bike for sale yesterday, V was all over that. Every shot of the bike includes this saucy little extra:

And I am pretty sure it's illegal to list your kid on Craigslist.

Victoria's Secret Knockoff Shirt

2011-06-10T12:10:00.000-06:00

Don't worry, it's not a post for children's clothes. Wouldn't that be creepy?

image: Victoria's Secret

This is an easy shirt to make from an existing long sleeved shirt of your own.

Cut off the sleeves (leaving about a half- inch to hem and turn under so you don't have fraying armpits). Stitch in place.

Cut the sleeves into strips about 4 inches wide. These will form your sleeve ruffles.

Ruffles the strips and apply two layers. Big ruffles like Victoria's Secret:

Or little ones to fit under a blazer:

(Notice how the ruffles stop just before the underarm. Ruffles under the arm wouldn't be too comfy methinks).

50 Vintage Sheet Skirts

2011-06-08T11:42:00.001-06:00

I'm Christmas crafting in June.

Each year, I donate something to the "Children's Only" store at the Waldorf School's Winter Faire. If you've never had the pleasure of going, everything in the store is handmade and donated by crafty mommas for the children to purchase for themselves or for gift giving. My good friend is in charge of the store and recruited me years ago to donate. The only drawback - they like to have at 50 of each item on offer so that all the children who line up for the store get a fair chance. (And every year, they manage to sell out).

This year I'm aiming for 50 vintage sheet skirts. I know, 50 is kind of a lofty goal, but last year I managed 25 aprons. I have all my spoils from that church rummage sale I went to back in April to use for the project.

Who doesn't love a little vintage?

Picking Dandelions

2011-06-05T14:19:00.000-06:00

The other night around 10:00 pm, I got the itch to sew something.

I had been hoarding this kawaii fabric from Japan for a few months, planning to do something awesome with it. Instead, me and my 10:00 pm scissors had at it with no pattern and no clear plan in mind.

I wasn't sure I liked the shirt at first, but it's growing on me.

Kinda like those dandelions.