Sew? Make Time!

We're ready for the pool!

Doesn't everyone love finding useful items, items you planned to purchase anyway,  in the clearance section?   Last year I found beach towels at the end of the season for almost 75% off.   While I admit the color wasn't one that I would have chosen, the thickness and feel of the towels were superb---a much higher quality than I had seen throughout the season.   So, into my shopping cart they went and onto a closet shelf they sat until a few weeks ago.   

Using Anna Maria's tutorial, I was able to transform these towels into ones that two boys are proud to use at the pool.   I love that this project allowed me to individualize the towel and showcase the diversity of each child's personality.

  

 

Note to self:  Watch the clearance racks at the end of season for towels....these would be ideal for gifts!

I live with three Dutchmen. Wearing orange is required.

Brimming with national pride, my boys woke early and left their rooms dressed ready to support The Netherlands in their bid for a World Cup. Their papa was sent back to his room to change as it was not acceptable to wear any other color but orange (even though he was bound for the grocery before his workout and shower).

Luckily, I had spent Saturday evening watching an episode or two of Season 5 of The Closer while sewing an Amelia Shirt from Frog Legs and Ponytails so I had an orange top to join in their celebration.   The pattern is simple and easy for a beginning sewer.   In less than an hour, you can create a cute top to wear over a cami on a hot summer day---of course, that was my fourth use of the pattern so that timing may be suspect.   The fit is simple and can be problematic for those of us who have, how do I say this, a little more junk in our trunk.    If I size the top to fall freely and easily around my widest part, I'd have to sew the XL size when I only wear a size 8 or 10 in ready to wear.   My first top, a size M was ideal at the bust and shoulder but snug around the hip, and is now adorning my niece.   For my second (and third and fourth), I modified the pattern by fashioning a trapezoid with the top length the M size and the bottom the XL size which helped reduce the amount of fabric if I used a rectangle of a XL size. 

Papa made a picture. 

 
 
Another great feature of this pattern?   The fabric is easily recycled!   With the simple construction, the fabric in this top can easily be reused.    This Prints Charming print will find it's way into a quilt one of these days as orange is definitely a family favorite!

Nederlanders take pride in a great World Cup run!

A look back at SewMakeTime

I've moved my blog from Blogger to TypePad.  During the move,  I was able to move a few of my previous posts but not all.  So, enjoy a look back at a few projects posts that didn't make the journey....

Post:  I admit it.  I cheated. 

I've never constructed a coin quilt so the coin quilt piece along hosted by Orange Flower seemed a good incentive. I decided to call my first attempt a cheat by using a few Moda Jelly Rolls I had on hand. So, using one Moda Milk White Jelly Roll and one Tula Pink Nest Jelly Roll, I've pieced my first coin quilt.

A "cheat" coin quilt is easy to do. Just pair each patterned Jelly Roll strip and a plain colored (in this case Milk White) Jelly Roll strip with a 1/4 " seam. Press the seam to the patterned strip. Cut each strip pair into 6" segments. Take your large stack---mix them up---lay them out--shuffle until your happy---piece.

Next up----a "real" coin quilt using all the scraps that I didn't send to Christina in a more traditional form.

Post:  Really I can sew.   An apron to redeem myself.

Using the half apron pattern in the book Sew and Stow, I created an apron to wear during the Holiday Shoppe our elementary holds. Sandy Klopp fabrics---I love the fabrics she does based on rulers!

A fantastic pattern--excellent instructions---these patterns have obviously been field tested. I made only one mistake.---I used Wonder Under to fuse the light blue background fabric to a lining piece of the same fabric. It's a little stiff (you can the effect in the picture). I expect that it will soften with more use and a wash. I would only baste the fabrics together if I used the pattern again.

Post: I'm on the edge.  

Or should I say the selvedge? For the past several months I've been admiring a number of projects using the selvdge from fabric yardage. Jodie at Ric-Rac has a large number of projects to admire: a handbag, a scarf and yes, and an entire dress!

Two weeks ago I purchased the Sew Hip magazine from my local Barnes and Noble which included an advertisement for a small Etsy-based shop featuring pin cushions crafted from selvedges. This past week I then purchased the new issue of Quiltmaker and there to my surprise was a how-to from the shop owner Manda McGrory (who just happened to be the editor of SewHip until she resigned this month).

It just seemed like too much concidence for me so here's my result.

Post:  Sometime I do remember to take a picture.

The We the People II swap was a swap to create an item to help organize a sewing room. I selected the Kidlet from JCasa Handmade as Katy didn't seem to have a room but a fabric cupboard and a nice empty wall outside that closet. I decided on a natural linen Kidlet with a patchwork strip and lining of Heather Bailey fabrics. Here's a picture of what I sent her for the swap along with a book and some fabric (my favorite sewing notion).

I'm a definite fan of Amy Butler fabric and patterns so decided to give the new Birdie Sling pattern a go. Challenging in a few spots but all in all easy. So, this one will go to a member of the We the People Swap.

 

And if you don't recognize the fabric, it's once again Valori Wells! I've cut out another Birdie Sling---this one for moi!---using Heather Bailey's new Pop Garden fabrics. I only bought yardage enough for the Birdie Sling but I can tell that I'll need more for my stash.

 

While searching for a pattern for the Sassy Apron Swap, I found the Emmaline pattern from Sew Liberated. I selected a different pattern for the swap but kept this one in mind for myself. So, here's my Amy Butler Midwest Modern Emmaline apron---the first project created on my Designer Diamond sewing machine.  After hearing that Amy didn't receive an apron in the Sassy Apron Swap I decided that as one of the first people to comment at my blog she deserved to receive this apron! So it's off to Amy. I'll just have to give this pattern another try for myself....hmmmm.....an excuse to buy fabric!

What I love about this pattern is that it's reversible and the ties will wrap around the front and give it a different look.

There's also a few gifts for teachers using a pattern called String Along. A quick easy pattern for a back pack type of tote that I've used at least 10 times for gifts. Valori Wells fabric.

Next, an apron for an apron swap. It was difficult to mail this one away! Another use of Valori Wells fabric. You cannot see in the picture but I also pieced a strip of the striped fabric to the edges and turned under. I'm thinking it might be time for a dress form rather than using our bar stools.

Last, the Amy Butler Stash and Dash Bag pattern using what else? Valori Wells fabric. This was a gift for one of my employees in Mumbai who decided to leave the workforce.

Peace, Love and Sew Liberated

Our elementary school will host their winter carnival with a theme of "Peace, Love and Adams".   As the chairperson, I feel a need to dress the part (which provided me with an oh so important reason to sew). Enter Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic pattern and 3 yards of fabric from the Flower Child line by Iota.

This pattern was easy to construct.  I chose to use my serger for the shoulder seams, sleeves and side seams leaving the sewing machine for the placket facing and top stitching.   I typically wear a size 8 and constructed the size 10...this is loose and comfortable. The pattern has two lengths---a tunic length and a dress length.   I cut out the dress length (do you seem to sense that I error on the side of bigger rather than smaller) and ended up hemming it at a length mid-way between the two.  I chose to leave the sleeves plain rather than add elastic to gather as called out in the pattern.

Would I make the pattern again?   I'll just say that I was cutting another before the end of the evening.

I do admit to one change in the pattern.  I didn't care for the finish of the neck facing.  The pattern calls to bind the back neck edge which meant the seam at the shoulder is visable along the neck edge where it meets the front pieces faced with the placket.  The placket facing used on the front is 3" wide at the shoulder seam so I chose to cut a 3" wide placket for the back.   I constructed the bodice by creating a placket that surrounded the entire neck edge.  Here's the pictures on the second tunic using Anna Marie Horner's Good Folks fabric.

Score the Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic a "highly recommended".  Beginning sewers can easily achieve a fashionable garment.   It's frosting on the cake that I get to share this finish on Sew and Tell!

It keeps going and going and going...

No, not the Energizer bunny. My fabric stash.

The Modern Spirit in Squares pattern in Quick Quilts seemed an ideal use of the 7 colors of daisy fabric from Valori Wells Fleurish line sitting in my stash.

A few extra blocks and more fabric so why not try a pieced back?

 

And there's still fabric left! I'm thinking to myself that there must be at least enough to create a doll quilt, table topper or a wall hanging. So I start. What do I find? I have enough to make another whole lap quilt!

 

Hmmm, there should now be space to buy more fabric. 

 

Why is it when you're trying to use up fabric it seems endless and when you're trying to use a specific amount for a project it seems you always need just a little bit more?

How about swapping some vintage sheets?

It's easy to get excited about sewing with repurposed bed sheets--it's just not that easy getting your hands on them! Lots of inspiration---Betz White's Sewing Green and Amanda Soule's Homemade Home---but not lots of ways to build a stash for some of us (and I don't count buying on ebay for $10 a sheet plus postage an option).  It's a sad reality we're not all blessed with easy access to thrift stores.

It took me six months of thrift store hunting to gather the sheets and the chenille bedspread I used to craft the Beach Blanket from Homemade Home.    In fact, I doubt I'll ever find another king-sized chenille bedspread like that one---hefty, clean with only one corner with a tear which was fine as it was much larger than I needed.

I'd love to make another but alas I don't want to wait another six months to collect the ten different 12 x 30 fabrics.   I saw another similar type quilt made with vintage sheets in a recent publication using 15 x 15 squares that may not need as many unique prints but still would need more than the one or two I might find in the next month.   So, in the hopes there are others like me, I'm going to host a swap---the "I Want to Make a Patchwork Blanket from Vintage Sheets" swap---in the hopes we can all create a beach blanket for the upcoming summer.

Here's how it will work:
1.  Find one or two vintage sheets with a retro vibe (think 70's flower power for print and color inspiration).   Flower, stripes, solids are good. 
2.  Cut into 15 x 30 rectangles.  
3.  Send 10 rectangles to the swap along with a self-addressed stamped 9 x 12 envelope.   All 10 can be of the same sheet.   Postage on self-addressed envelope should be the same as the postage you the outer envelope.   Send to me
4.  Wait a few weeks.
5.  Receive 10 different rectangles of vintage sheets to fashion your blanket! 

Find one or two...get back ten.  Could be a patchwork blanket like the one above or one with 15 x 15 squares..or maybe even something else altogether!

What do you think?   Want to play?    If so, leave a comment here and I'll send you the details.   Let's plan on having your swap to me by tax day, otherwise known as 15 April!

Pay It Forward

Have you heard about Pay It Forward?   How fun---I'm ready to play--or do you say pay?
I'm hoping to connect with Sarah of Sewn to pay it forward...and then the fun begins for me to find three individuals to pay it forward.  Any takers?

Here's how it works.
1. I will make a little something for the first three people who comment on this post. It will be a surprise and it will arrive on your doorstep when you least expect it!
2. I will have 365 days to do it in.
What's the catch?  You have to play too!
1. You must have a blog.
2. You must post about your Pay It Forward on your blog to keep the fun going, and display the Pay It Forward button.