Recycled drawstring backpack

Our youngest daughter headed off to girls camp this week.
She said she needed a backpack to carry stuff around in so she wouldn't have to put it in her pocket of carry it by hand.
This is what we came up with using no pattern and fabric that we already had in the stash.
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You can get an idea of how big it is based on my wingback chair.

I forget to measure it before my daughter left.

A little topstitching detail

 I opted to just tie the end off into a knot and add some fray check to the ends.

I also sewed the straps down near the loop so that they would stay in place more.

I also did this at the top of the strap, when the bag was completely open to stabilize again.

It held a good amount once she loaded it up for camp.

Not sure what all she put in there, but it was full.

Peace out people!

See you at the end of the week.

She commented to me, "I'm going to have the cutest backpack at camp!"

I think I would have to agree.

Details:

• Denim base used from cut off jean legs (that we bought to turn into shorts) and squared off.
• Red fabric is from my stash.
• I did line this completely, but forgot a picture.
• Pinterest has all sorts of tutorials if you need some help making one.

New orchestra dress for the college girl

Our college daughter is certainly enjoying life on her own.
I knew she would.
It makes it so much easier than when I was a freshman in college (30 yrs ago) to have a cellphone and to be able to text whenever.  Her siblings love getting pics of her roommates and whatever other college life stuff she decides to send us.

She decided to continue with orchestra while in college and is involved with the University Orchestra at BYU-I. Although she tried out and didn't make it into the orchestra group above this one, I am so proud that she even tried out.  It was tough music and most of those kids in that orchestra are actual music majors.  She is not.  She was a bit upset about not getting in, but now that she has had a couple weeks under her belt she is happy with this orchestra group.  She is familiar in part with at least one of the pieces they will be presenting this semester and so that makes her happy.  Her best friend and roommate is also in the same orchestra group and so they are happy having at least one class together.

Now here enters the problem.
Her black orchestra dress is packed up here in MN.
We did that when she graduated last June and so it was one of the first things to go in the storage POD.
I have no clue which box it may be in.
I'm positive it is against the back wall of the POD somewhere.
We will not be digging it out.
She needs a black dress for their upcoming performance on February 11th.

I texted her (I'm new to texting and there are times I just love it) pics of a couple different pattern options for a new dress.  She picked one out and told me what adjustments she'd like and I found some fabric.

Then voila! I made a new dress.


It doesn't look like much just hanging there.


Her younger sister is modeling it for me.
She needs some pretty good heels in this picture so it won't be dragging the ground.
But since she is about 4 inches shorter than our oldest, it should be just about right.


Neckline detail


Sleeve hem and hem detail with double needle topstitching.
This sleeve hem looks a little crooked, but I assume it is because of the way I am holding it.

Another plus about this dress.  It had been folded up and ready to get sent when I realized I hadn't taken any pictures.  We pulled it out and my daughter put it on immediately--not a wrinkle in sight.

I love that kind of fabric.

Details:

• Simplicity 9103

• 4 yds of jersey knit at $4.50/yd.
• Lengthened dress to almost floor length--this equaled to about 13 additional inches.
• 3/4 sleeves instead of full length.
• Added ties to sides to adjust the waist fitting (similar to her HS orchestra dress)

"Reindeer" Pillows

While rummaging around at SR Harris a few weeks ago looking for something else, which at the moment I can't remember what, I found this fun deer fabric.

It was a total impulse buy, I admit it.  However, I knew I could have fun with it.

I wanted to change it up and make some pillows for Fall.
Hubby and kids hunt quite a bit, so why not have some deer pillows.



They didn't get done in time for that season, so instead they are now "reindeer" pillows.
Technically they are Mule deer--per hubby--and he would know.
But for my purposes it will work for the season.

I added a red button on one "reindeer" and voila! we have Rudolph and the gang.

Stretch Lace Skirt

I made this skirt for my second daughter.
She wanted a cream lace skirt.

This one is super easy.
T-shirt fabric with a stretch lace overlay and elastic waist.
Can't get much easier than that.






Details:

• McCall's 6654--LOVE this pattern.  Lots of options for easy knit skirts--pencil or a-line and lots of different lengths.  View A/B option to get knee length.
• Thrifted cream knit sheet
• 1 yd. stretch lace--about $6/yd.

Prom Dress 2014

So, so, so happy with how this dress turned out.
Red just might be her new favorite color.

She had a great time at Mormon Prom on Saturday night.
Went with a fun bunch of her friends.


It makes me so happy that my kids have good friends.

Thanks Amber, who was once again this year their hair and make-up artist.

Dress details:

• Bumi Satin in Tango Red from Jo-Ann's on sale for $2.99/yd.
• Black Satin same as above.
• Invisible side zipper
• Butterick 5850, view A
• Added lined, short sleeves to pattern.
• Did not attach bow at waist side seams per pattern instructions but made it separate.
• Also did not line the bodice as indicated per instructions (that was more for the sleeveless version).

Last year's dress here.

Prom preview

Well, it is that time of year again.

Prom

L. did not go to her school Prom last weekend, even though she is a senior. Earlier in the year her friends talked her into going their school's girls' choice dance, even though she didn't want to, and she hated it.  The music and the dancing disgusted her and they all actually left the dance early and did something else.  She informed me she isn't making the same mistake again---at a higher ticket price.  We are making this dress for the second annual Mormon Prom instead, which is tomorrow night.

I talked L. into this dress.
Butterick 5850.



And the color.
RED.

At 6' tall she can rock just about anything.  However, she isn't real fancy in her tastes.  She is definitely more about comfort.  But I felt like she would look great in this dress.  Over the past couple months I've talked her into a couple other styles she wasn't sure about and they were a hit.  So my track record is looking good.  As we've been fitting the bodice this week she has gotten more excited about it.  We have added short sleeves and she will have a contrasting black bow.  Can't wait!

I'll post pics of her next week after it is all said and done.

I've also shortened hems on 2 other girls' dresses for last weekend's Prom and am making a modified tank top/camisole for another girl to wear under this dress.



She wanted to be able to wear a non strapless bra with this dress.  I have to say I just love this dress.  The skirt is amazing and the lace is so pretty.

Sorry I haven't posted a ton.  I am up to my eyeballs in moving mayhem, but luckily I can get a little sewing therapy in today and tomorrow.

Off to finish a dress.
Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Friday Finds and packing up

I should NOT be going to the thrift store at all.  Repeat, NOT AT ALL!  But lo and behold I've stopped by a couple times in the last month or so.  I have to say though that I have usually left with nothing.  That's a good sign, because I am purging my house as we are getting ready to put our house on the market and really I shouldn't be adding anything to my packing piles.

But....I did find a little bit of a fabric treasure last week on one of the sale days.



Paid $9.60 for all the above.
3 Kwik Sew t-shirt patterns for the 3 youngest.
And 6 bundles of fabric, including a fun Alexander Henry piece.
I did put about 4 of those pieces (the juvenile prints) back into my giveaway pile as I knew I wouldn't have a use for them.



Most of the pieces were at least a 1/2 yard each.
So I guess that means I should come up with a fun blue quilt project.
Maybe I'll think up a collaborative project again with some of my friends.  We'll see.

In the meantime I am having a hard time emotionally going thru my sewing "crap".
I have gotten rid of at least 3 large bags of scraps and other items.
You can't tell if you were to look at my sewing room, but I have done it.
I just need to do more.
You would think it would be easy enough for me as quite a bit of my fabric has been given to me.
No such luck.
I can think of lots of things I could do with the fabric, but I need to be realistic.
Just because I could do something doesn't mean I have to. Right?!
Right!

One thing I am doing, in anticipation of packing up most everything in that room, is to package up some of my projects individually in large ziploc bags.  I find these at the dollar store--2 for $1.  They have been great for me.



I put the fabric or fabrics, thread, pattern, and other extras that may go with all in the same bag.  I plan on putting these in one place or box so that if I "need" to sew while in the midst of all this moving madness I'll be able to pull out a baggie and get to work.

Dress Week---working my momma magic

This daughter usually comes to me with a drawing or design idea ready for me to implement it.
For her Easter dress it wasn't any different.

She showed me this picture


And then asked me if I could make it.
Well,... let me work some of my momma magic.







She was going to try and make this herself, but we got in a time crunch and working with a lace overlay isn't always that easy for more beginners.  Hubby said this was his favorite dress out of all the Easter ones this year.

Details:

• Simplicity pattern 2588
• Flat, short sleeve version with smaller yoke band.
• Pink fabric from the stash (I know I bought it at the thrift store for a couple bucks)
• Lace fabric from Jo-Ann's.
• Invisible zipper

Dress Week---another wrap dress

My oldest daughter is a senior in high school this year and will be graduating in June.  In an attempt to get her a little more college-bound we made this dress for her for Easter....and beyond.



Basic mock wrap dress.
Didn't have to adjust the neckline, just pinned it in place so there wouldn't be any gapping.



Details:

• McCall's pattern 6884 basic mock wrap dress
• Fabric from SR Harris for $4.50/yd.
• Lengthened the short sleeve version about 2 inches.

Dress week--My Easter dress this year

I sat down and made this dress the day before I flew out for my grandmother's funeral.  I needed some stress relief from everything happening at the time and really, sewing is about the best way that I can get that. I had plans for it to be my Easter dress, I just made it a little ahead of time.

Absolutely love this fabric.  Purple (radiant orchid) is the color of the year, you know. Bought it here locally at SR Harris for $5/yd.  My favorite fabric store is now no more and so I am adjusting my sewing and fabric habits.  I am also grieving that fact, especially when I broke a stretch twin needle the other day and realized I wouldn't be able to go buy one at the store.  That was the only place that carried them here locally. Now I have to order them online.

Anyway, this dress is an awesome travel dress.  Folded it up in the suitcase and pulled it out right before wearing it and not a wrinkle in sight.  Stretchy knit, so it is super comfy.  Wore it all funeral day and it was lovely.






Details:

• Simplicity 2369 or 1653 View C.  These are the same patterns.  The first one just has a top and pants pattern also included.  The second one is dresses only in 3 different sleeve options and 2 different lengths.
• Fabric from SR Harris at $5/yd.  Bought 3 yds.
• Use a stretch needle.

Dress Week---Easter Dress for the youngest

This year's Easter dress for my youngest daughter is bright and happy.
She is currently going thru a green and blue phase.
I found the green floral at the thrift store for about $3 for a couple yards.
Then I bought a coordinating blue to match and break it up a little.
She is super pleased with it.
And happy day we hit 71 degrees on Easter Sunday.
First time we've seen a 70 degree day since last October.





Details:

• Simplicity 2715
• Contrasting yoke with white piping
• 3/4 length sleeves
• Added sleeve and lower hem bands
• Invisible zipper

Past versions of this pattern to view:

• Butterfly dress
• Recycled Easter dress

Flared Assymetrical Skirt

This is the second skirt daughter #1 has had out of this pattern.  She outgrew the first one (almost the exact same color) but loved it enough that she asked for another one.



It's a little tricky to lengthen this pattern, but we've done it.




The pattern is out of print, but I did see some on Etsy and ebay.
McCall's 4153
Asymmetrical cut and flared hemline.
No waistband--just a fitted waist and side zipper.

Modern Cross Stitch Quilt finish

The kids were supposed to be back in school today after Winter break.
However, the governor shut down the schools in the entire state because of extreme cold and wind chill temps.  It doesn't happen often, but it is so COLD here.  You know it is bad when the Minnesotans complain.

My plan was to take down all the Christmas decorations and tree. Delay that by one day.
And then I start getting serious about purging, cleaning and prepping for a move--hopefully.
Hubby needs a shorter commute than his current one (57 miles one way).

This is also the last little bit before our oldest daughter graduates from high school in June.
Yikes!
I feel like my life is going to get super crazy before it gets any kind of a break.

On top of that my favorite fabric store is currently going out of business.
Waaaah!
My sewing and fabric habits will probably be changing drastically because of that.

Happy New Year to me, right?!
I'll be fine.  Just keep at it one day at a time.

Anyway, I got this quilt back before Thanksgiving when my parents came to visit.
Finished the binding around the first of December.



I just love this quilt.
I am sooooo happy that it didn't ultimately get sent off as a gift, which was my original intention with this quilt.  We'll be keeping it around here.





Details:

• Finished measurements: 67 inches by 84 inches
• Bound with a dark red plaid.
• Green floral backing
• Beginning post on this quilt and pattern found here.
• Machine quilted by Lynn.

Love is in the Air quilt finish

I was going to try and come up with something super creative with these charm packs that I found at the thrift store, but ran out of steam and just wanted it finished.  A 9 patch design was the way to go.

It is now dubbed the "love" quilt.  Which means we can put it out at Valentine's season or it can be the "love" quilt (wink wink) or if one of my kids thinks they need to take it with them when they leave home down the road it can be the "Mom loves you" quilt.


Lynn's fun heart quilting.


Sometimes simple is just the way to go.

Happy Fall Y'all Quilt

Here is another quilt that I got the binding all done.
A little late for Fall around here, but we'll use it anyway.



Pieced backing


Close-up of Lynn's quilting.  She did each of the borders in a different leaf motif.


She also quilted "Happy Fall Y'all" on some of the solid blocks.
Here's to getting another one completed.

Modern Cross Stitch Quilt Top

This quilt top makes me happy.
Love the solids.
Love the size.
Easy to put together.
I think it would also be great using a bunch of prints too.
May have to make a second version.

Modern Basics II--14 Easy Patchwork Quilt Patterns, by Amy Ellis

Modern Cross Stitch Pattern

Amy's quilt pic from book

I like that the +  is set on point and not straight up and down.


My version

I had to hang this quilt sideways as it was literally dragging the ground.
I had also originally planned to give this away, but hubby changed those plans.  The intended person is going to receive something different now and this one will stay with us.

I've decided that with all the quilts we have at home that once my kids start leaving for college (which is in less than a year) they can pick a quilt or two to go with them.  I think daughter #2 might have already put her dibs on this one.

Scrappy Hexagons

This quilt came about sort of by accident.  I had planned out a different quilt based on the cover quilt of Urban Views by Cherri House but the scrappy prints weren't working for me in that configuration.  Even my kids thought it was meh!

So then I shifted to scrappy hexagons since I had all these pieces cut out.



This was coming together better than the original plan.



Here we are completed....and hanging sideways because of the size.
I like it better.



I think once Lynn gets it all quilted for me I'll like it even better.
My blue loving oldest daughter thought it was awesome.
Sorry, this one isn't for you.

Wonky Log Cabin blocks from the kiddos

After sewing with the ladies, I still didn't have enough blocks for what I wanted to do for the quilt top.  The next day two of my kids wanted to make a block and so I set them up and showed them the basic concept. They got to work while I was doing other things there near them.

During their sewing the neighbor girls showed up to play with daughter #3.  She invited them in to watch her sew.  How fun for them.....Not!  Eventually I set up ANOTHER machine and got them going on a block each too.



I have to say that helping four newbie kid sewers at the same time is a bit much.  I'd recommend only 2 at a time.

But we all survived, or I should say I did...with my sanity still intact at the end.  However, I was so ready to take a shower and move on to something else.

Here are their creations which I did put into the quilt top AFTER they ran down to their house and showed their mom what they had made.


Ages 9, 11, and 10 (#3 daughter on the right)


My #1 son, age 12

Then on a different day my youngest wanted to create a block too.  I did the sewing, but he directed me as to the colors and sizes.


Littlest guy age 7

On a side note: the fake smiles my boys are giving are just killing me.  They look like they are in pain or something.  Why do they do that?