Tag Archive for 'sewing'

A New Princess Dress

Published on March 4, 2009 in Iz, design, sewing and sewing for Iz. 6 Comments Tags: , , .

Iz and the Red Hippo Dress

Iz doesn’t sit still.  At all.  When she took her first steps (at 18 mos mind you), she didn’t walk, she RAN.  I’d like to say that we take leisurely strolls side-by-side, but no, I walk quickly to keep after her.  And as she gets older, I try hard to let her walk on her own, but still, my heart beats a bit faster, knowing that she’s fine, but I’m not right next to her.  She’s still movin’ with a purpose, and couldn’t stop for a second to get a good photo.

Iz and the Red Hippo Dress

She’s been very interested in princesses.  Of course, who can resist all that’s supposed to mean?  Think of the clothes, the bling, the clothes, the shoes, the nail polish, the clothes.  We are not fans of the typical Disney Princesses.  I’m sure they are all wonderful girls, but they are always in distress.  I mean, WHAT’S UP WITH THAT? **There are princess movies that do not involve being rescued: Nausicaa.  Kiki’s Delivery Service. and so many more.

Iz and the Red Hippo Dress

We want Iz to know that she is a princess.  One who can make her own decisions,  one who is strong enough to take care of herself and not have to be rescued.  I don’t think there is anything glamorous in being a damsel in distress. So, dear sweet Princess Iz, here’s your fabulous Royal Dress, and you can rule the world in it.  And wear your fabulous shoes and great rainbow tights.

Iz and the Red Hippo Dress

I bought the pattern from the lovely SugarCityJournal.  Amazing clothes they are making.

It’s a great pattern, easy to understand and very quick.  I made the dress 2 sizes too big!  Crazy, but I love it so much, I want her to have it for years.  I think the styling details are to-die-for.  I love the bias tape finish on the neck and sleeves.  I really, really , really like the gathered yoke and bell sleeves.  (trick – use dental floss to make your gathers)

We’ll be making a few more of these, and work our way through the stash.

Iz and the Red Hippo Dress

“ta-da”

Making Dresses

Published on March 4, 2009 in sewing, sewing for Iz and sewing with kids. 2 Comments Tags: , , .

Making Dresses

My sewing machine is finally out of it’s box, and in it’s “permanent’ corner.  While Iz is excited about it, I think I’m even a bit more excited.  I bought a lovely pattern months ago, and my stash is piling up, so we’re making a dress.  Iz is helping.  She cut the pattern pieces, helped fold the farbric, smooth it out, and pin the pattern to the fabric.  She dusted off my machine (she loves to clean, must be related to grammie), made sure the presser foot was in the right spot, and tested the tension for me.  Seriously.  She’s a pro, and she’s barely 4!

I can’t wait to see what she’ll be sewing in the next few months.  I need to have my other machine serviced, then we’ll sew side by side.  I’m not sure what she’ll want to do first.  I’m pretty sure it might involve a bit of free form sewing.

She helped to make the bias tape for her little dress.  Ok, I did all the ironing, and it was too hot to handle, so she handed me the pins, so we could keep it folded while they cooled down a bit.

Bias Tape Love

It’s an adorable little dress.  I’m hoping to find the perfect buttons this week.  I’ll post pictures once the buttons are on and Iz is busy twirling in it…

Fabric Covered Bobbins

Published on December 15, 2008 in cool ideas and sewing. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

fabriccoveredbobbins

I am very much in love with The Small Object.  These are just so precious.  Perfect gift to make for the stitcher in your life.  Click here for the tute.

Working on…

Published on November 20, 2008 in Iz, LuckyStitches, WIP, projects, sewing and thread. 3 Comments Tags: , , .

A New Hat

Iz needed a new hat, so I found a bag of brown/red yarn at Value Village, threw in some eyelash yarn and knit her up this quick little hat.  I used the Clover pom pom maker.  Let me tell you, it is my favorite pom pom maker OF ALL TIME.  So quick, so easy, doesn’t fall apart, it’s a dream.  I’ve made pom poms, just to have them.

I don’t know about you, but I have become a fan of Clover, BIG TIME. You can shop on their US site if the Japanese site is tough (but so worth clicking around).

WIP

Birds. Yep, on the brain, like everyone else.  You’ve seen them all I’m sure.  I’m working on my own little pattern, a few variations.  Thinking about a possible class at LuckyStitches when it opens in Seattle.  These are so quick and take just minutes to cut out, sew and stuff.  Next step – off to Value Village to find the fabrics for my little flock.

I found these at Value Village too.

Thread

I’m going to be using them for the ornaments for the Ornament Swap.

Thread

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week.  Why is there so much Christmas stuff in the stores already!  I know why, I just wish those retailers wouldn’t do it.  It makes me so crazy, I’m not buying anything this Christmas, I’m making it all from found stuff.  So there.

The Yellow Poncho

Published on October 12, 2008 in sewing and sewing for Iz. 3 Comments Tags: , .

The Yellow Poncho

Ponchos are pretty fabulous.  I have one I knit before Iz was born (of course it’s in a box somewhere! argh!).  Iz is totally experiencing poncho love right now.  We found a really cute one at a consignment shop that she’s been wearing constantly, even in the rain, and the other day she asked me to make her another one!  Who am I to refuse a request like that?  Off we went to the fabric store and she picked this out, it’s the cutest farm print.  On yellow. I think I’ll be making many, many more of these.  I made this in a jiffy, less than an hour to cut and sew, and Iz was running around in it in no time.

Shop Girl

This morning, she got to choose which poncho she wanted to wear.  Picture this: Me holding up two ponchos, Iz lying on the bed, hands under her head, ankles crossed saying, “Mom, back up, more, back up more Mom.  Ok, one step that way, can you turn the pink one around? Ok, I’ll wear the yellow one today.  Good job Mommy.”

Quilt List

Published on October 8, 2008 in Creating, craft, inspiration, projects and quilts. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Glaze Samples

I love those “paint it yourself” pottery places.  They are not the cheapest thing to do on a rainy day, but they sure are fun.  This one in Poulsbo, had glaze samples velcro’ed to a tile, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them.  I played with the little tiles over and over, and as I look at this photo longer, I want to make a quilt out of it.

Then it I get lost in quilt land.  I’ve always loved quilts.  Madly.  I loved making Iz’s quilt and the little scrap quilt for her doll.  Grandma Ruby quilts and belongs to a quilt club which keeps her busy.  I love the Virtual Quilting Bee.  When we were working on our Eco Quilts at LuckyStitches, We read about the quilts of Gee’s Bend, and I couldn’t stop pouring over the images of each quilt.

I have dreams about making another quilt (jeez, among other things, my list keeps getting longer!), and with Christmas approaching fast, I’m thinking the quilt idea is going to have to wait until the new year.  Which is ok, day dreaming about quilts, looking at fabric, working in the notebook is all fun too.

I’m also really interested in free pieced quilting.  I don’t think I could stick with following a pattern and cutting tons of squares, triangles, etc.  But I could make it all up as I go along.  I like what happens when you wing it (sounds crazy doesn’t it, coming from a control freak!), but I find I’m most creative then.  I guess you could look at it like playing with fabric and stitches and just letting it all happen.  (I am so talking myself into this!)

You could think of this post as part of my Take Pictures and Plan plan. More lists later…




Doin’ The Twirly Skirt Twirl

Published on October 5, 2008 in Creating, Iz Sewing, Learning To Sew, Twirly Skirt, fabric shopping, family, sewing, sewing for Iz and sewing with kids. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

Twirly Skirt Twirl

It was a wonderful weekend.  We spent it with cousins and we stitched it up (among other creative things).  While visiting downtown Poulsbo, we stopped in at Heirloom Quilts.  The girls each picked fabric for their skirts.  It was so much fun.  If Iz could have, she would have taken a cut from every single bolt.  She’s a girl after my own heart.

Twirly Skirt Twirl

I had promised my cousin that I would teach her to sew, and making one of these is so perfect.  She learned how to measure herself, how to rip fabric (so we didn’t worry about cutting straight lines), how to iron, wind a bobbin, thread the machine and sew in straight lines.  It’s the perfect skirt, because it’s ok if you can’t sew a straight line, you won’t see it!  You can totally design them with the right fabrics and band placement.

photo by Iz

Sewing Her Own Twirly

Iz loves the sewing machine.  If the table were lower, she could certainly step on the pedal herself.

Learning To Sew

Sarah did such a great job.  Her skirt was AWESOME!  The prints she picked were adorable and a total reflection of her personality.  It was great for me, I’ve been missing teaching sewing.  I keep thinking that I’ll just start teaching again.  soon.  really soon!

PS – Want to make your own Twirly?  Here’s a really, really wonderful tute from House on Hill Road.

The Holiday List

Published on September 17, 2008 in Creating, cool ideas, craft, green, inspiration, link love, napkins, projects, sewing and tutorials. 6 Comments Tags: , , .

Every year I talk about doing it, but this year I’m going to talk about it now instead of 2 months from now. I want to make my Christmas gifts this year. I have a list of ideas (not matched up to the recipients mind you..)but a list of wonderful useful projects that I’m using as a starting point. Of course it will evolve according to wish lists and such, but I’m excited about it none the less.

Felted Sweater Coasters : See these and these and these, oh and these, gosh I love these

Blankets:  I love this one, this one,

Napkins: This is my fave tutorial because I LOVE bias tape. Here’s a tasty one not using bias tape.

Freezer Paper Prints: The ideas have been percolating over here (in my head…), I’m eager to attempt a few….here’s a cute tute, and a bunch of great ideas on Flickr.

Pillows:  In a perfect world I’d love to get some fabric printed and make some groovy pillows.  But I have other ideas for pillows too. here, here, and all of these here.

Bags: The possibilities are just endless.  But this season I’ll probably focus on fabric shopping bags….. I love my EnviroSax, but I think I love my flip&tumble bag more, it’s easier to carry…., but I also love making bags out of found clothing/bedding/fabric.

Looking for your own ideas?  Check out SewMamaSew.  There are so many Handmade Holiday tutes, you are sure to find something for everyone on your list. But start now. Or the list over at down—to—earth.

You don’t have to sew to make your gifts either.  I’ve been cooking up a storm and have been tossing around food gift ideas, maybe a collection of my fave recipes, or ingredients in a jar for my fave soup or cookies.

The possibilites are endless, so I’m making my list and checking it twice, going through my supplies and doing a little bit every week.  I’m hoping to get together with some of my fellow craftettes and plow through the project list so I’m not late!

What are you going to make for the holidays?

I Need My Sewing Machine…

Published on August 28, 2008 in inspiration, patterns, sewing and sewing for Iz. 3 Comments Tags: .

We are getting settled at our dear friends house. Our little room downstairs is feeling like home. I bought a little portable closet from Ikea and stashed away our suitcases.  Unpacking has made me realize I only brought 1 long sleeve shirt.  It’s a bit chilly.  The movers took all my cool/cold weather gear, so until we find a house and get our boxes out of storage, I’ll have to make do.  Unless, of course, I get sewing.  My sewing machines are in storage too, but I betcha I could find one here somewhere…

First, I want to make Iz some clothes.  She starts in about a week and a half. (GASP!)  I want to avoid the “let’s go get a new wardrobe school is starting” thing for as long as possible (she’s 3, but probably won’t notice until she’s 12? maybe 8? I dunno…).  She does need some new clothes, she’s a growing girl.   The other day I was catching up on my blog reading and found the pattern for this lovely dress from Sugar City Journal.  I ordered it right away! I love reading their blog, I find it so relaxing and inspiring.  (The patterns sold out quickly, but there will be more patterns in their shop next week!) Iz only seems to be wearing dresses these days, so I’ll probably make a few more to wear over a t and pants, it’s a bit chillier here, you know with that marine layer and all…

I want to make myself some shoes.  No really, I do.  I’ve been daydreaming about it for a while, and soon I’ll put pen to paper and sketch out some ideas that have been brewing.  It will be a while before that happens, but shoes are definitely on my list.

I’ve thought about making myself another pair of jeans.  I’ve lost a few dress sizes since making my first pair and of course, can’t wear them after all the lovely work, but it wasn’t the fit I was looking for.  I might head to Nordies for those.  (not today, don’t worry Rob)

I need a few more days to think about what to make for myself, I just have Iz dresses and pants on the brain. Regardless, I am ready to start making things again.  I looked up fabric shops in Seattle and think I want to visit Stitches.  I’ll certainly head to Nancy’s Sewing Basket and Pacific Fabrics and Crafts, as they have been favorites since the last time I lived in Seattle.

AH HA! Sewing Kits

Published on May 31, 2008 in Creating, Learning To Sew, birthdays, craft, projects, sewing and sewing with kids. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

You might have noticed that part of my evil plan is to get the rest of the world sewing. And that’s everyone. Two of our little friends had birthdays and I thought it was time for them to start sewing too!

AH HA! Sewing Kits

There are my first go at little kits. One for Miss A (turning 3) and one for Mr. H (turning 4). Each kit is quilted, so it’s nice and soft. Lots of little narrow pockets, a piece of felt for pins and needles, a happy tie and monogrammed so they won’t be lost. I put in little safety scissors, for fabric only of course, a tape measure, marking pencils, tapestry needles a few glass head pins and a rainbow of embroidery floss. I was so excited.

Exploring Her New Sewing Kit

The kits were really, really easy to make. Each one took me less than an hour. I think the next round will be a little different, The bias tape edge wasn’t as fabulous as I had envisioned, and a little flap over the pockets will make sure the scissors don’t fly out of the kit.

Little LuckyStitcher

The biggest thank you anyone could hope for? Little Mr. H (is he not just the cutest Little LuckyStitcher you’ve ever seen?), stopped by to show me his stitchery. A kitty and a carrot. Mom helped with the outlines, and Mr. H filled in. Suitable for framing in my book. Happy Sewing.