Hannah's Pillowcase Dress

Nicole and I worked on Hannah's pillowcase dress last week. We did a few things different...but (don't tell Nicole this), I think Hannah's turned out better. 

We had this really cute length of hot pink flowers.  The lady at the fabric store told me to use wonder under and iron it on.  I have never used that stuff before. 

So, first I set out to iron one side of it the back of the flowers.  However, I didn't think about the fact that as I was applying heat the flowers, I was also applying heat to my ironing board.  I ended up wonder-undering my board.  What a mess!

Then I ironed the flowers onto the fabric.  Like I said, I had never used the stuff before, so I didn't realize every stray strand would make a glue mark. So, unfortunately, it's a little messy....but pretty hard to see far away.

Nicole sewed most of the hems, at least until she got bored.  But, she hung with again and watched a lot of it.  Nate and Hannah woke up, so I had to finish the dress that night.

I found a sweet new way to put on bias tape.  Finally...FINALLY!!! I figured it out.  If you sew, you should watch this video.  I've seen it several times over the past two years...but, it finally "clicked" with me last week.  I get it now. 

So....this was the final project.  I LOVED it.  I think it's just precious.

 Hannah did not like it...and still doesn't :(  It makes me so sad.  I don't know why she doesn't like it.  She was so excited about it when we picked out the flowers and fabric.  She was even crying when I made her put it in.  I don't know...maybe she'll decide she likes it one day.

A pillowcase dress

Lately, little girls from our church have been wearing "pillow case dresses" that their moms made for them (well, I think a few I saw were store bought at a boutique).  I thought they were adorable, and may be a good idea for a sewing project for Nicole.

Yesterday, we went to the fabric store and I let her pick out her fabric.  My friend Gabby gave me a pattern.  Between the pattern and this website, I made up my own version of the dress

We began.  We cut and we sewed and we even ironed!  Nicole worked on the machine a bit...but sat with me the whole time.  She asked question, worried about my fingers and watched for 2 hours while we worked on her dress.

If you use an actual pillow case, I bet the dress would take 30 minutes to make :)

I almost quit when I realized I had to use bias tape on the arm holes.  After three attempts, I got the two arm holes done, and they actually look good!

The dress needed something.  Nicole suggested adding some ribbon dangling down from the dress.  Instead, we found some lace my grandma had given me and added that to the bottom. Then, we covered our unexpected seam line with a strip of wide ribbon at the bottom.

I think the finished dress is really cute.  It's  a little to big (however, it ought to be fairly baggy...it's just what those dresses are like), and the arm holes are almost to small.  Other than that...I am super happy with how it turned out.

Now, I need to get Hannah's made.  She was bummed that hers wasn't ready when she got up.

It's not Sew easy

I have a problem.  I enjoy doing something that I'm not very good at.  Really, I'm not being humble.  I'll give you proof in a minute. 

I was graciously given a sewing machine last November by a woman I met by chance at a fabric store.  She is a sewing instructor and has been kind enough to answer zillions of questions by e-mail.  I realized last year that I enjoyed sitting down and making something with my own two hands.

Sewing is usually something I do while Jeremy is out of town.  It keeps my mind busy so I don't get scared at every little noise outside.  I have learned a lot in the past year.  I have a few projects that I like to make because it just takes a little while, so I can finish them in one evening.

I've already shown you my casserole carriers.  These are practical little things that I think can be very handy.  I can make these things, but I can't make them nicely.  I keep trying, and keep failing.  My issue is with bias tape.  Something that I feel is an advanced skill..at least for me.  I simply can not keep the bias tape on straight while sewing (because honestly....I can't sew a straight line). 

I was trying to make a carrier for me.  I love this fabric.  It is bright blue with a picnic on one side, and watermelon seeds on the other.  Perfect for this handy little thing, because you usually use it to take food to share. 

The sad thing is....I didn't even know I messed up until it was too late.  Although I haven't tried ripping the seem, I can't imagine it going well.  And, I would have to start all over.  When this happened to me earlier this summer, I put my machine away and decided that I stunk at sewing and to just give it up.

This is what it is suppose to look like.

I made this for Erica in April for her birthday.

cute, isn't it?

 I even made a pot holder and an oven glove.  The pot holder wasn't square, and the oven glove, although cute, was not useable....you couldn't use your thumb! haha.  But, look at how "finished" the project looks.  This seriously took me at least 3 times as long as normal.  Like, probably close to six hours.

So, I made this cute pink one back in April....tried to make more in Mayish and messed up....so I took a break.

But, after a couple months and with Jeremy away for the week for work, I got my machine back out and tried again.  I still couldn't sew bias tape.  I decided to make a little blanket for a friend.  I didn't take pictures because it turned out so bad.  Seriously....I'm not being humble.  It was bad.  Then, I decided to make the last curtain for the children's room.  My first two curtains were perfect (except that I measure about an inch shorter than I wanted...but the two curtains were straight, albeit short).  My last curtain....crooked.  As in, one side is a good 3 inches shorter than the other side.  I promise...I measured 3 times.  I used a 90 degree ruler even.  I ironed. I did everything "right".  I went S.L.O.W. and thought I made another perfect curtain.  Nope...it's bad (luckily, the bunk bed buts up against this window, so it's hard to see the bottom of the curtain unless you are looking for it).

Again...I was disappointed, because I enjoyed something that I was simply NOT gifted at.  I don't have an artistic bone in my body.  I just don't.  And, I can't fake it.  I have bought fancy cutting mats, rotary cutting tools, rules, everything...and I can't seem to cut a straight line on my fabric. 

So...all that to say, I did make two casserole carrier lately.  I already know you will tell me they are great and you are so impressed.  OK, thank you.  But, they are not the way I have invisioned them.  I wanted contrasting bias tape on them to make the "pop" and look "finished".  I thought....I really did think...that if I could make them the way I see them in my mind, I could actually sell them.  But, I can not sell them the way I make them, not for the price I wanted to make it worth my time.  However, I can give them as gifts to friends and family.  Because, they are handy and useful.  And, I know my friends and family will still love me, even if the edges are "finished". 

This one I made for Tiffany.  Her birthday is today.  She picked out the fabric a few months ago.  This is my favorite so far.  I love the fabric....let me say that again.  I LOVE THE FABRIC.  I almost didn't give this to her and kept it for myself :)

The inside

Of course I left room for the gel pack on the bottom.  That was my idea outside of the pattern I used.  I can't seem to buy the gel packs separately though.  It would be nice if I could.

This one I made for my friend Teri.  I actually haven't given it to her yet, but I don't think she gets on my blog all the time.  When I saw this fabric, it made me think of her.  So, I picked this one out for her.  I hope she likes it. 

In all honesty, I didn't like the fabric when it came in the mail, but once I cut it out and started putting it together, I realized it would make a super cute carrier.  I really really like it now. 

Teri is a member of MOPS and so she takes breakfast dishes a few times a year to church to share.  Hopefully this will help her as she juggles two children.

Sew, Sew, Sew

Seeewwwwww.....I'm doing a lot of sewing right now and having a lot of fun and trying new things and having a lot of fun (did I already say that in my run-on sentence?)

Sew....I made curtains for the kids' room (will post pics this weekend).  I am THRILLED!!!!  They look super great!  I am making a few more casserole carriers as gifts...and ?maybe? to try to sell?  I have a few changes I am making to make them nicer.   I am hopefully going to make the girl's matching dresses tomorrw.  This will be a challenge for me because I don't like patterns.

BUT...I have a problem.  I am dumping way to much money at the fabric store.  More than I expected...there were a few things I needed, and a few I thought would be helpful (like a marker that disappears in a few hours....really great when you are making little marks and measurements).  AND...I've just discovered that I will need 3 packages of bias tape for my casserole carriers and matching oven gloves or hand mitts.  Sew....I need to go back again tomorrow.  I mean...I'm not dumping hundreds of dollars or anything...just more than I thought I would for these projectss.  Like lots of little dollar or two items (like bias tape and rick rack and scraps to practice on)

I had a little personal sewing class the other day.  The lady who gave me my machine (out of the kindness of her heart...thank you Lord for that blessing).  If you live in the area and want classes, I'll pass on her info to you.  She's super sweet and I learned a lot in a short amount of time.  And...I e-mail her all the time with questions and pictures.  She's great.

There are a few of you who know why I am sewing right now...please do NOT allude to them in my comments.  I appreciate it...thanks!  I'll share more later!

Ummmm...well, no pictures, I'll post in a few days when I have more projects done:-)

Anyone ever made things out of felt?

So, on one of my coupons blogs, Hip2Save, she is giving away 8 free patterns for little felt food, dolls and books.  I seriously want to win this give away.  I know I don't have time to do this...but maybe eventually.  I don't want to infringe on this girl's copywrited photos....so, click these links and check out these ADORABLE felt toys!!!!

Country Farm Barn (I love this...it's a barn that opens up into a field with corn and a trough for the animals.  And, everything fits into the barn for easy clean up)
Gone Fishing (fish, a fishing pole and a bag)
Activity Book (I LOVE this....several pages of fun things for kids to do like tic tac toe, ice cream toppings, hanging out laundry)
I Know an Old Woman ("act" out I know an old woman who swallowed a spider book with all the little things the lady can swallow...oh, I LOVE this!!!!)
Doll House (all the items fit into the doll house for clean up)
Nativity
Bakery Sweets (cinnamon rolls, spatula, etc)
Fun Fruit (including sliced apples and oranges that you can put back inside the fruit, kiwi, etc)


Have you ever made anything like this?  Any ideas on how hard/easy this would be???

And, again...I don't know the lady who sells these patterns, I just thought they were adorable, and I was wondering if anyone who reads my blog has ever tried to make anything like this.

Crayon Roll

I love this blog called Elle Belle.  It's written by a mom who likes to sew.  She has some great little tutorials that are just perfect for a wanna be sewer like myself.  I saw a tutorial on making these little crayon rolls several months ago, but just not got around to trying it.

It was fun and pretty easy.  I made two...mostly because I learned from my mistakes on my first one and I wanted to try again.

We are giving this to my nephew Seth via Grammy who'll be going for a visit soon.  Don't worry Susannah...I made you some leg warmers too:-)

Casserole Carrier

I have been so excited to show you my latest sewing project.  I made Valerie a Casserole Carrier for her birthday.  My friend, Pam has one that was made for her, I think nearly 30 years ago, as a wedding gift.  I found the pattern online at this website.  However, I did make a few modification on my own :)

First, I purchased 1 yard of a double sided, pre quilted fabric.  Then, I simply followed the measuring instructions (note, the pattern states the inside flap needed to be 8 inches wide, mine actually needed  to by 10 inches.  I made a mistake in cutting, and almost had to buy more fabric...but I made it work)

The hardest thing for me was trying to finish the raw edges using a zig zag stitch.  My new friend Susan was trying to talk me through it via email, but I simply didn't get it.  Hopefully I'll get a lesson or two from her soon, and it'll make more sense.

This is the carrier when it's fully open. You place the dish in the center, fold up the "side flaps", in this picture it's actually the long flaps int he front and back of the photo. And then hold onto the handles to carry your casserole dish around.

Once I cut the hole for the handles, I thought....hmmm...surly I can do something with this cute little round shape.  I decided to stitch it on the top flat to be used as a spoon holder.  I thought reversing the fabric looked cute.

My other modification was creating a pocket under the dish for a hot pad to go in.  This will help keep the dish hotter for longer.  I'm honestly not sure how this will work.  I don't think the the fabric has enough fill in it to keep a dish warm for to long...but I could be wrong. 

You can see the hot pad I inserted here.

The other great thing is that this thing folds up practially flat.  You can jam it into the corner of your cabinet if need be, or maybe even lay it inside your dish to wait for it's next use.

I've asked Valerie for an honest review after a couple uses.  This was a really fun project to make.  I think I could do it under 2 hours next time.  I would love to make these as gifts for people....so you better watch out, this could be landing under a Christmas tree near you next year! haha

Aprons

For Christmas, I decided I would try to make matching aprons for the girls and I.  I have no idea how I found the time (yes I do...it was late...late...late at night), but I was able to complete the aprons for Nicole and Hannah.  Mine is not done, but it will get done!

It's hard to tell in this picture, but the back is purple with sparkles all over.

I wanted to add some embellishments but I didn't.  One, because I didn't have enough time, and 2, because I didn't know how to.  I have another little project on my mind now.  Hopefully I'll have time to get around to it soon.

It's not Sew easy

Jeremy was away a couple of weeks ago, and I was trying to figure out what I would do in the evenings to keep myself busy until I pass out from exhaustion (the only way I can sleep when he's gone). Since we don't have cable/satellite and I thought I'd get bored watching movies every night and I'm just to darn pregnant to finish painting the bathroom on a ladder in the shower, I thought I should come up with something else.

While at Jo-Ann Fabric store, I found some really cute fabric to make a blanket with. So, I decided to make our soon to be born little boy his very own blanket from his mommy. It's actually much larger than I imagined, so it's more of a bed blanket than a carry around the house blanket, but that's ok. I even sewed the "taggies" on.




Then, I started looking online for other small project for beginning sewers and found some items I thought would be handy to know how to sew.

I've only made two of these blocks. The orange/brown one is not finished yet, and it was my first...that's why it's a little (ok, a lot) lopsided. The blue/green one is a little better. These square blocks are super easy to make, so I want to keep practicing. They would be cute baby shower gifts if I can get them to look normal. I love that I can pick out fabrics with different textures. It's hard to tell, but the green is bumpy, the crazy blue/green/pink design is silky, and the light blue is flannel. Also, the brown is courderoy. I can also put bells or tissue paper inside to make noise.


People pay a lot of money for "sensory blocks" for babies.

Then I decided to make a boppy slip cover. (A boppy is a nursing pillow by the way) I found a pattern online that I thought I could use. My first attempt looked great, except it wasn't big enough to attach in the back. (I don't have a picture of my first attempt) So, for my second attempt I decided to cut my fabric out an inch or so wider than the pattern. It helped, but it still wasn't enough to close the back very well. I didn't take a picture of the back because it doesn't look good. I put the velcro on in three sections. I'm going to take it off, and just do one long strip of velcro, I think that'll be better.



My third attempt I decided to rip apart my old (and very dirty) boppy slip cover and use IT as my pattern. This worked MUCH better. The third attempt fits better and it closes all the way in the back. It's actually got a little extra room. I just shipped this off to my sister-in-law yesterday (hope you like it Tiff)


So....I'm not a seamstress...I will not be making clothes. But, I'm hoping to learn a bit more how to use a sewing machine. I'm hoping to make more boppy slip covers and give them to friends. I'm hoping to figure out how to make a perfect looking soft cube for baby gifts and I'll keep making little taggie blankets every now and then. I don't have much patience or time, so whatever I do, can't take me more than an hour at a time. If anything, it's a fun little thing for me to do after the kids go to sleep if Jeremy's not home.

Now....I just need my own sewing machine....