worlds worst blogger, I think!

I have been crafting here and there. I just sent this purse out last week for a swap.

Self drafted pattern, based loosely off a bag I used to have, that I got at goodwill.

Two new skirts. The stripey one, is all vintage fabric that was thrifted last week. I just made a simple tube, added a drawstring waist. Handmade binding for the hem and drawstring.
Black bird skirt is self drafted a-line skirt with a side zipper. Panels of the vintage bird fabric are in the front and the back. I love this print.

Sorry it's been awhile since an update! Recently, I tackled 3477 Threads pattern, view C. Results are not pleasant-

Looks like a tent, huh?


New top salvaged from the tent dress. I like this MUCH MUCH better. Skirt needs a bit more work, maybe tomorrow I'll show you what I've got.

And the matching bag. First time quilting a bag. I just sketched out a shape, sewed some strips together. Made a fabric sandwich with fabric, batting, heavy interfacing. Did some random quilting. Added a lining, with a magnetic snap (that I'm LOVING). Added handles after the fact (which I'm not sure I'm loving, they're kinda bulky looking up close).

Easy baby gifts.
Free handed bib, closures are velcro.
Simple baby shoes using the stardustshoes tutorial.
Knitted hat.

Sure to make a mama smile.

Tote bag+crayon roll+sketch bag+scavenger hunt in bottle.

Plain tote bag, just two squares with a "cars" themed pocket:


Crayon rolls, with 8 small slots for crayons.


Scavenger hunt in a bottle, also known as a looksee (I think?) tutorial on kiddley...I was in hurry while taking pictures, but the final ones have the lists taped to the bottle.


The boys liked their gifts and were a bit fascinated by the Scavenger hunt in a bottle. Success!

the internet is your friend :) I love when people share their knowledge online. I got this easy-peasy dress tutorial at Kuky Ideas, here's the link: http://www.kukyideas.com/journal/2007/04/shirred-dress-tutorial.html
Here's one of the dresses I made.


I made three of these over the past weekend. Shirring rocks, people! Its easy, simple and makes for some cute wee clothes for your little people.

Some hints (from my experience) I did NOT wind the thread tight, instead using the directions that came with the elastic thread stating "wind the thread with little to no tension" and I used a steam iron when I was finished...you don't actually touch the dress, just blast some steam about an inch above it when your all finished. Its magic! The gathers pucker up all neat and row like :)

Fast and easy. These took about 10 minutes from start to finish. Less than a yard of material used.



Just some simple little shorts. Made from the same "trace your own pattern" that we made pj pants on Spring Break...I plan to make some more of these soon.

Here's what I made for my May bag swap. The theme was yellow & flowers. I knitted an i-cord with some red cotton, appliqued a stem on the bag. Just a generic bag pattern, though I did use some timtex interfacing the bottom. First time using that. It was a little different.


Here's what my partner sent me:

So every year I host a mama's day bbq at my place. And I make a gift for all the mamas in my life. Cause I appreciate 'em, you know? Here was this year's gifts. Sunglasses cases, keychains and zip bags.


(missing their buttons)



The one on the left was the first go...I decided against sewing them & turning them inside out & instead sewed them with the outside seams showing. All the mamas seemed to like them.

So I made this quilt, using the methods described in "Quilt in a Weekend" book that my grammy loaned me. I did take about 2 weeks, working feverishly at night and using a day off during the week, to finish it. Basically, you quilt the top, batting and back as you go, making each block complete. Then you sew the blocks together and cover your seams with bias tape. Finally you sew your rows together and cover the length wise seams with some more bias tape. Then you can finish the edges however your little heart desires.

These blocks were themed with concert posters of the Melvins. I used bubblejet with a handy dandy ink jet printer to make the prints on 100% cotton. 20 14x14 blocks.

Back of quilt.


I am immensely proud of myself for 1)finishing this project in such a short amount of time and 2)making a quilt. A frickin' quilt! I usually make bags, clothes, stuff that can be done in an afternoon. I'm normally not good at finishing long, drawn out projects, so this was a big HARRAH for me. Hehe. Will I make another soon? Probably not. But there are some babies on the horizon for a few friends, and I think this would be a nice way to make up some little baby blankets.

If you have a wee one, try making a quick pair of tea towel pants.


I found these sweet tea towels at KMart on clearance. Wash towel to remove sizing and iron.

Trace a fav pair of pants, making the legs smaller/slimmer. Sew up, add some ric rack and wear. I did put a small zipper in the back as well as some tucks to keep the pants up. This little one has no behind to speak of and has trouble holding her pants up.

So I was making this shirt for my dad, right? Only the stencil was a bit more complicated that I orginally anticipated. So I gave up half way through, the paint was bleeding, it was just a diaster really...here's a before shot:


And after a little repair with a new stencil & star applique. The star is from leftover pink satin with wonderunder applied on the back. New shirt, just in time for an easter basket. I'm going to make matching pink satin shorts (aka rock star pajamas) when someone goes to bed tonight.



And a close up of the stencil:

Last week was spring break at casa craftys house and we (I) helped 7 kids learn to draft a simple pattern, lay out the fabric, cut fabric and I sewed up them up. Here I'll try to explain how you can get some rockin' pj pants as well!

( Read more... )

I'll be on Spring Break for a bit-no blogging for a bit. Be back soon!

So I got these in the mail last week. And I've been drooling, planning, drooling ever since. Such beautiful designs...simple, but dressy...I could go on and on.

What really really thrills me? The dutch? They have some REAL models in this magazine...not waifs, not 18 yr olds, just normal sized, average looking people. That makes me IMMENSELY happy!
There is an outfit, a wrap top/tunic and capris, that I desperately want to try to make this weekend. Have any of you ever done an Ottobre pattern? Tips? I know about the no-seam allowances...but other than that? Advice? please?

Before...simple black a-line dress with white satin straps. Size 18.



And AFTER :)
Pink satin straps and binding on the top & bottom. Pink sash. Also matching wristlet, but I can't find the photo of that? Size 12 now.


Here's the final blue dress. We ditched the tulle and added a black band around the bottom. Her matching wristlet can be seen in this photo--its the strange design she's clutching...


Total cost for two re-made dresses? Time & $10 for satin.

So here's what I did last night. This the before & after of a bridesmaid dress (that looks a LOT like a choir robe, eh?) Front/back


So I took off 3 feet on the bottom, ripped off the sleeves and all those buttons running down the back. ( Read more... )

Easy bag for a boy's birthday gift.
Ingredients:
Two squares of fabric-outside
Two squares of fabric-lining
Two pieces of ribbon
Sew up bag in your preferred method. Me? I like to sew up the bag inside out, flip it right side out and finish the lining bottom last so no seams show.
Inside I put some markers & blank books and some other goodies so the birthday boy can create his own books. He's into drawing and coloring pictures right now, so it was a well received gift.


Easy card.
Ingredients:Construction paper, scraps from bag (see above)

Fold construction paper in half. Cut to size you want. Zig zag fabric onto card. Write message inside.
Envelope: Fold construction paper. Cut a wee bit bigger than card. Zig zag side of envelope. Insert card.

Take gift to party.

I needed to make my little one a dress for a birthday party on Saturday. She picked out the fabric and mama got to work.

Ingredients:
Two long rectangles (Straps)
Two fatter rectangles (bodice/piece straps are sewn on)
Two 40 inch squares (skirt)

Started: 8:30 a.m.
Finished: 10:00 a.m.

No pattern. Kinda dowdy, now that I look at it...but it made her happy and it had enough "twirl" factor for her, so that makes me happy!

A vintage Texas sweater, purchased at Value Village in Texas. I love vintage pieces mixed w/ new :) Makes me smile. Not to mention, sometimes their sizing is better than ready to wear pieces in todays world.