Thursday, May 29, 2014

Summer PJs




I have been sewing my little guy up a bunch of pajamas for summer because somehow no size 2/3 summer pajamas seem to have been saved from the big kid.  I don't know how that happened, since I saved nearly everything else.  Anyway, I also have a lot of cute flannel prints that I wanted to use up.  The fabric specifically says on the selvage that it is not intended for children's sleepwear, but I decided to use them for pajamas anyway.  I think the reason for the warning is that you are not supposed to make loose-fitting cotton items for children to sleep in because they can catch fire and burn more easily if exposed to a flame.  My children, however, do not play around open flames so I think the risk is a small one.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Pocket Tote Bag



I made a tote bag for my mom for mother's day.  I wanted to make one that she could use for work so I knew it would need to have lots of pockets - outside pockets for water bottles and other frequently accessed items and then inside pockets for her iphone, pens, keys, wallet, etc.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Guest Posting for Embellish is for Boys



http://www.graciousthreads.ca/p/embellish-is-for-boys.html


Today I am guest posting at Gracious Threads for the Embellish is for Boys series.  Embellish is for Boys is a series about the various ways we can add fun details to our boys' clothes.  Each week Jess highlights a different technique, with a tutorial on that technique, guest posters showing off their projects using that technique, a link-up and a giveaway!  It is lots of fun, so be sure to check out the whole series.

This week's technique is freezer paper stenciling and today I am sharing several tees I embellished for my kids using the technique. So, go check it out!

Monday, May 19, 2014

Winner!


A winner for the fox lovey PDF pattern giveaway has been chosen and contacted. See the Rafflecopter Widgit below to see if it is you!

Remember, if you didn't win, you can buy a copy of the Fox Lovey pattern on my Craftsy store (affiliate link)!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Minecraft Tablet Case



My big kid will be going to the same summer camp he went to last summer and at that camp there is a time in the afternoon where they are allowed to take out their electronic devices and play.  Many of the kids last year played minecraft. The big kid didn't have any electronic device of his own last year, but enjoyed watching the other kids play minecraft and played minecraft at home on my iPad.  This past Christmas he got a tablet of his own, so I wanted to make him a case to protect it for when he takes it to summer camp.  And since the main reason he wanted a tablet was to play minecraft, I figured I would make him a minecraft-themed case.  

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Fox Lovey Pattern Tour and Giveaway


Tangible Pursuits: Fox Lovey Pattern Tour and Giveaway

Today I have a treat for you - I am doing a pattern tour for my fox lovey pattern.  Three lovely bloggers have sewn up a fox lovey from my pattern and are sharing them on their blogs.  Plus, we are giving away one free copy of the Fox Lovey Sewing Pattern. 

First up on the tour is Chelsea from GYCT (Get Your Crap Together) Designs.



http://www.gyctdesigns.com/


She made her fox lovey out of knit fabrics, which I wouldn't necessarily recommend, but it turned out great!  Check it out here.

Next up is Mae from The Life of a Compulsive Crafter.


She made an arctic fox in grey and white and he is so sweet!  Check him out here.

Finally, we have Roxanne from Pen Seb Rox.
http://www.pensebrox.com
Roxanne made a fox lovey couple who are sporting fun prints for the contrast fabrics and accessories! Check them out here.

Now, for the giveaway!  One lucky reader will win a free copy of the Fox Lovey PDF Sewing pattern.  Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widgit below.  You can enter through Sunday, May 18.  The winner will be announced on May 19.  You can also buy the pattern on Craftsy (affiliate link).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, May 5, 2014

Selfish Sewing Week Wrap Up




It is time to share what I sewed for myself during Selfish Sewing Week.  As per usual I can really only sew on the weekends, so none of this was finished until yesterday.  I did get a couple hours to sew during the week, but a serger mishap ate into some of that time.  I completed three items, although two I had started sewing before SSW (long before!).  But SSW actually inspired me to finish them, so that is a good thing!

First up is a top I made from the Deer and Doe's free Plantain Tee pattern.  I love the color of this fabric!   It's actually pretty similar to the color of the fabric I used for the zip-up hoody I made here.  Definitely one of my favorite colors.  I got it in the $1/yard barrel at the fabric store near where I work (I got  a lot of great fabric there!  Unfortunately lately there hasn't been anything good)

Tangible Pursuits: Plantain Tee for Selfish Sewing Week

The scoop neckline on this top is perfect.  Not so low that a tug from my two year old will create a wardrobe malfunction, just a flattering scoop to elongate the neck and create a nice open look.

Tangible Pursuits: Plantain Tee for Selfish Sewing Week

Here is the modeled shot. I don't really like to take pictures of myself and my hair wasn't washed and I was in a bit of a rush because the little guy was waking up  from his nap, but here you go.

Tangible Pursuits: Plantain Tee for Selfish Sewing Week


You wanna know what the best thing about making tops for myself is? The sleeves are long enough!  I'm a little taller than average so sleeves on most of my store-bought shirts end a couple inches above my wrists (especially after a few washings).  It is nice to be able to make shirts with true long sleeves.

Next up is some work clothes.  This shirt was made using a basic tee pattern that I have, that I cut and spread  at the neckline to add pleats.  I used  a fabric that was left over from making my big kid a batman costume two years ago.
  

Here's a closeup of the pleats.  It might have been better to do the top-stitching on the neckband rather than below it.  I also think it would have been better to make the shirt a little wider so the fabric could hang more freely from the pleats.  As you'll see below the top is a little tight at the bust.



Here is the top modeled with my third completed item.  I am really proud of this one.  It is a skirt I made using Melly Sews instructions for drafting your own skirt pattern out of a stretch suiting fabric.  I had started this ages ago and then procrastinated about finishing it.  I was a little intimidated by some aspects of the construction and didn't know quite how I wanted to finish it.  I am glad Selfish Sewing Week gave me the incentive I needed to actually finish it.


What I had at the beginning of the week was a two pattern piece skirt with darts, with the sides and back already sewn together and zipper inserted. I thought about adding a waistband but I couldn't figure out how to do that since the zipper was already in (without pulling out the seam ripper), so ultimately I decided to face it with a  piece of the suiting fabric and then attach lining to the facing piece. 

I probably could have made it a little tighter in the hips - especially since it is a stretch fabric.  I am noticing in the pictures above that there seems to be extra fabric around the middle.  Oh well -- it is comfortable.  By the way, do you like my checking the Blackberry pose?  You will see me doing that pose all day long at work.

The skirt started off pretty plain, but when I tried it on yesterday I realized it was a little shorter than I like for a work skirt, so I decided to add a pleated ruffle at the bottom.  Makes it a little more fun, but still very professional looking.


I also did an exposed zipper in the back.  I see a lot of exposed zippers these days, so I thought I would try it.  It is pretty easy to do and, again, adds a little interest to the skirt.


So that's what I got done during Selfish Sewing Week!

Come back on Wednesday for a pattern tour featuring three lovely bloggers who have sewn up their own versions of my fox lovey pattern.  One lucky reader will win a free copy of the fox lovey pattern!

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