Fall Runner

I haven’t posted in a while, so I thought I’d share what I did today.  It was kind of whim, but here it is.  I took my kids to Bates Nut Farm yesterday to get some pumpkins for baking and our Fall display.

A couple of weeks ago, I bought some loose Fall leaves from the dollar store (2 packs for $1)  I was going to just lay them loose on my bookshelf, but I could see what a mess that would be, because my son can’t seem to keep his hands off his pumpkin, so I started with two leaves, and stitched them together, using a straight stitch.  I continued to do that, alternating colors,  until I reached the length I wanted.  Then I turned it back around and stitched another row until I ran out of leaves.

What I thought would also be cute is, sew the first part of the leaf then,  as you start toward the center of the leaf, start spreading the leaves apart a little and it creates a nice ripple in the runner.  Enjoy!

Mitered Corners

I’ve tried to avoid making blankets that required binding because of the mitered corners!  They just seem so complicated and I didn’t want to go through the hassle! I spent a lot of time just thinking about it and came up with an idea on how to do it very simply, but it’s hard to get myself to sit and “practice” sewing. I guess I had to have the right motivation!  I sat down last night and tried my idea and it worked!! This is how I will be doing mitered corners from now on.

I bought satin blanket binding.  When you look at it, it’s folded lengthwise.  One side is just a little shorter  than the other side. (see picture below) The shorter edge will be facing up and the side you will be working from.

I cut my fabric, the size I want my blanket to be.  If I want it to be 36″ X 36″ I will fold my blanket binding every 36″ and place a mitered corner at those places.   See the pictures below to see how I make the mitered corners.

I fold the blanket binding, right sides together, matching the edges and the center fold and pin it in place.   I used a paper CD sleever to mark my mitered corner.  Align the CD sleeve, like the picture below, making sure that the corner on the right is aligned with the center fold and just short of the cross fold.  The left corner of the CD sleeve must also be aligned with the center fold. 

Hold in place and mark the blanket binding.  I used a pencil.

With the pins still in place,  stitch over the marked lines you made.

Then trim around the point.  I cut open the outer triangle pieces, so I can spread them out flat.

I made all the corners before putting them on the blanket. This process worked perfectly for me.  I hope it works for you too!

Sewing for Ethan

As soon as I found out that I was going to be a grandma, I went out and bought fabric for a boy and a girl.  Since I didn’t know what it would be, I started on the girls clothes, but stopped that as soon as I found out it’s a boy! The first thing I made was a pair of jeans. (ButterickB5510)  They are so cute because they are so small!  I took pictures with my blackberry and they’re horrible because blackberries don’t have flashes

I’ll be making the shirt and hat as well

This is my second attempt with snap tape.  I was really dreading it until I found a really nice zipper foot for my Juki!

Pajamas

I had planned to work on the drapes, but instead, I just pinned the panels to the length I want them and will sew them later.  I think I’m putting them off, because I’m considering a design change and I also know I have to get the hardware up on the window and it requires left-handed work from a right-handed person. LOL! If only my son were older and taller! He’s left-handed and would be a great help!!

Here are the Pj’s I made.  I also made a pair with Bob the builder fabric.

Happy New Year!

I am excited about this new year!!  I have plans to purge my house of “stuff”  and do a lot of sewing.  I love when I can do both at the same time!

A few years ago, I made some 9′ drapes for a friend to cover 2 windows.  Two panels for each window.  Last year, she decided she didn’t want them anymore so she gave them back to me.  That’s a LOT of fabric! I had them folded and placed in plastic bags, then stuffed in pillowcases and thrown in the corner of my room.  Now that my room is getting cluttered, or now that I’m sick and tired of my room being cluttered, my mind got to spinning and now I know what I’m going to do with those drapes!  I love those old Victorian bedrooms! so, I’m going to recreate that look. My husband is going to think I fell out of  a tree, but I cannot suppress my creativity!! lol

It won’t look exactly like this, but similar.  In fact, the fabric is very similar in color.  I’m also going to make drapes for my one window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also on the list of sewing projects, is some pj’s for my son.

Skirt Conversion Tutorial

How to turn a pair of pants into a skirt.  You can add almost any fabric to a pair of pants to make them into a skirt.  I prefer to use fabrics of similar weight/body as the pants I’ll be working with.  I don’t like to use a very light weight fabric with a heavy denim, but that’s just my preference.

The first step is to take out the hems, inseam and crotch seams.  I take the crotch seam out up to the bottom of the fly; and on the back, up to the yoke.  Make sure you clean up all that area, removing all the bits of thread.   I serge my raw edges.  Then, press the seam allowance back under. Then I lay the pants out and lay the crotch points down, pin them in place and then sew them down. Click the picture for a closer look.

Most of my clients like the floor length skirts, so I have to add different fabric to the skirt.  This person wanted a skirt just below the knee, so I was able to use the fabric I cut off.

I lay out the fabric to see if it’s going to fit.  If it does,  I just start pinning it in place.

Pin the front in place.

Then pin the back.  Not everyone would pin the front and back at the same time, but this is how I do it. Probably why I get poked so much.  If you pin in the direction that you’re sewing, you can just tuck the tip of your pin in the denim and not get poked so much

With the right side up, I begin sewing the inserts in.  Taking the pins out as I go.  When the front side is finished, flip the skirt and do the back.

This photo shows the insert, after I sewed it in and before I remove the excess fabric.

I flipped the skirt over.  The skirt being on the left side and the excess fabric on the right.  Using the seam where I sewed the insert to the pants, as a guide, I serge off the excess fabric. Starting at the hem, going to the tip of the triangle  and back down the other side, ending at the hem again.

This is what it looks like when it’s finished.

After you serge off the excess fabric.  You can go back and top stitch, using top stitching thread that matches the thread on the skirt.

Finally, hem the skirt and you’re finished

This is my first Tutorial, so if there is something you don’t understand, please feel free to contact me.

Summer outfit

Ok, Now that we’re heading into Fall.  I finally find the time to post pictures of my Summer outfit. :/

I really like the outfit.  I’ll probably make the skirt and jacket again, since I love them so much.  Just different fabrics.  The skirt will be great in some fall fabrics! and some boots. I can’t wait!

I was afraid the Jacket would be too hot for Summer, since it’s lined, but it was PERFECT!  we went to an outdoor wedding.  Though the weather was warm.  I was very comfortable in my jacket.  I love the lining because it didn’t stick to me. The hem is straight, it just hangs crooked on the manni, because it’s too big and just pinned in the back.

My mannequin is much smaller than I am so it’s really big on her

A little closer look of the jacket.

I hope you can over look the flaws.  I do NOT like to hand sew.  Mostly because I’m not very good at it.

Seamstress but not a Fashionista

Ok, I don’t know how I fit into the sewing world.  I’m not a fashionista,  a trend setter or even particularly creative, I don’t care for the current styles and I don’t follow the crowd. but I do love to sew!!

I’ve been working on an outfit to wear to an outside wedding.  I’m really stepping outside myself on this outfit, because I usually like stuff that is dark in color and a tad too big.  Yes! I tend to try and hide in my clothes so no one will see me. lol

I’m made New Look 6843 (the red skirt).  A basic “A” line.  I had to lengthen it about 7 1/2″.  No other alterations were necessary.

This is the fabric I used.

I am currently making a trench coat to go with this skirt.  Trench coats are probably supposed to be outer wear, but not this one

McCalls M5816

I’m making this in a white linen look fabric. My fashionista SIL says I should put big black buttons on it and wear the outfit with black shoes.

I thought I’d have to do a Full Bust Adjustment, but it doesn’t look like I’ll have to.  I did re-position the bust darts.  I’ll post pics of the completed outfit when it’s finished.

Sewing adventures!

A lot has been going on, I just haven’t had the time….. I’ve been really b….. I was just too lazy to get on here and update!

I went fabric shopping with my sister in law and my niece.  My SIL asked if I would make my niece’s sweet 16 dress.  Of course! so we go to Joann’s checking out the fabric, and you know how your body knows! or thinks there are no available bathrooms.  Well mine went on high alert!  I go to the back of the store, intending on sneaking in, but to my pleasant surprise! they totally remodeled the back of the store and actually put in customer restrooms!! I was so excited until I realized the door was locked and I had to go ask for a key.  Of course the store had tons of people in it.  So I asked quietly, “can I please have the key to the ladies room?” she smiles and says “sure”.  Then she pulls out this huge 2×4 with a tiny key attached.  Ok not really that long but it was still big!! REALLY??? are they punishing me for asking to use their restroom??  I felt like I was in school again.  My school’s bathroom pass was a toilet seat. LOL! whatever.

Straight skirt with kickpleat

I finished a skirt with a kick pleat.  I think it turned out pretty well.  I don’t know the “right way” to make a kick pleat, so I just make it up as I go.  Usually, if it makes sense in my head, I can at least make it.  Then decide if it works.

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