Sew (Knit, Craft) and Tell

Robots and Birds

2009-02-15T14:01:00.002-05:00

I have kept this robot print for a couple years now waiting for the perfect pattern. I love how the robot print sets off the red denim. So fun! Haddon loves these and thankfully "they don't slip" from his waist (which all commercial pants and shorts do).

And a top for me. This is a vintage knit jersey that was a pain to sew with but produced a lightweight top perfect for our warm weather. The pattern is Jalie 2804. I'm so impressed with the fit of their patterns.

Ottobre 01/09, Jalie and Feliz again

2009-02-08T19:23:00.002-05:00

Feliz dress with more strawberries!

Knopsa pants from the new Ottobre.

Jalie top for me.

Pinafore #8 from the New Ottobre. This is so classic and very girly!!

Strawberries and Hearts

2009-01-23T07:44:00.003-05:00

Valentine's Day is coming up! I decided to use my Olivia pattern and my newfound t-shirt neckline abilities to create this cute tunic dress. Knit is organic with pink and brown hearts from The Fabric Fairy. Very soft and cute!

And this is the first of two strawberry dresses for local customers. Strawberries are grown just 10 minutes from here and strawberries are often seen in clothing around the time of the Florida Strawberry Festival. This is a beautiful fabric. Linen from SuperBuzzy with a red linen underdress.

A Challenge Met

2009-01-11T13:04:00.002-05:00

A good friend suggested a sewing contest. I decided to create 6 boy items and 6 Christmas gifts by Christmas. So far I'm 2 down on the boy items. (The hoodie sweatshirt was made before the challenge.) Here is a tee I made for Harrison. More of a lounge/hunker shirt, but he loves it and is wearing it today.

And a shirt for me from a Jalie pattern. Either I measured myself wrong or the pattern just needed a lot of alteration. I had to take in 1 1/2 inches from each side of the shirt and the neckline needed some major re-doing before it was presentable. But FINALLY this gorgeous fabric was made into this cute shirt (for me!). And you get a rare glimpse of me without makeup.

A sweatshirt and a hooded tee for my boys

2009-01-09T15:35:00.003-05:00

I made Austin this sweatshirt out of hemp fleece and dyed it with a LWI method in greens and blues. He loves it and it is the perfect weight for our cooler mornings. I used a Kwik Sew Hooded Sweatshirt pattern.

This hooded tee has a solid, brick red front and back with cowboy sleeves with a matching cowboy hood. Perfect for my 6 yo who loves to play Cowboys and Indians. I used a raglan tee pattern from Ottobre Design magazine and used a hood from a hooded dress. Shhhh - don't tell him part of the pattern was from a girls' pattern.

Vida dress using Melissa Averinos' Sugar Snap fabrics

2009-01-07T19:48:00.003-05:00

I fell in love with these fabrics by Melissa Averinos! The bold colors and patterns are so beautiful together. With the main fabric, I really felt pattern placement was key to making the panel really pop. And my buttonhole feature - I am amazed at how such a small thing can make me so happy. Perfection every time. And it even sews the button on in about 2 seconds.

The Beanbag

2009-01-04T12:35:00.004-05:00

This beanbag was easy to do but I was so intimidated by it. Maybe it was the 6 yards of fabric or the sheer size of something like this on my sewing machine. Maybe it was just my trepidation about doing something new and messing it up. This beanbag was a gift for my oldest for Christmas. I bought a bolt of this fabric to help decorate his room. He has coordinating pillowcases, but I thought a beanbag chair for my super-reader would be fun. He loves it and tells me it was his favorite gift this Christmas.

I used the tutorial from Michael Miller. Super easy!

I think the best part about this beanbag chair is the story/adventure of how to find the pellets for the inside. JoAnn Fabrics sells the pellets, but it would have cost me close to 100.00 for the pellets alone - not to mention the money in 6 yards of fabric. NOT worth it! I went online and found a place in Tampa that sold it. I went to Ann's Waterbeds and Beanbags and met the owner (nice guy) and saw his small manufacturing plant. I had such fun seeing his industrial machines and how he ran his sewing shop. I loved it! And the beanbag pellets came down this bag tube into a bag. He tied it up and off I went. Next time he said to bring the bag and he would fill it up and put it on his sewing table to sew it up for me. Very nice guy!

Licensed Dundies seller now!

2008-11-25T09:02:00.002-05:00

Ava-Grace's teachers fell in love with her Dundies and wanted some. I could send them elsewhere, but I went ahead and got the license so I could make them for my kids, their kids and for customers!

Dresses, Dresses and more Dresses

2008-11-21T09:29:00.003-05:00

After 5 years of sewing for boys only, it has been such fun sewing for a little girl! I've also had some local orders lately keeping me busy. Here are a few:

Vida dress for a birthday gift

Custom "Christmas" Dress for a local customer

A knit dress for my daughter

Custom Christmas Dress

Apron Dress

Custom Dress for local customer

More customs for local customers

And last - a Halloween Little Miss Muffett costume

I guess I need to catch up, huh?!

2008-10-04T21:15:00.002-04:00

It's been WAY too long. I got side-tracked over the summer and then I just stopped blogging. So here are some pictures and I will try to be better. I've been busy!

Shower curtain in my newly renovated bathroom (done by me with my Dad)

Dress for my ds' best friend

I used the Miss Madeline pattern.

My favorite version of the Miss Madeline

Recovered my dining room chairs

A sweet set for a friend who adopted a baby boy

Maya Wrap Dress from Ottobre

More ottobre sewing. I think this fabric is my favorite line.

Another Miss Madeline (yes, she's on the table) with all 4 kids very happy!

Cute knit set

Shorts set from summer 04 ottobre LOVE these shorts

Another birthday present a friend

A few teacher gifts - I really need to get working on more for Christmas!

A few tops for me

Whew! That was fun!

I have been sewing, but not showing

2008-04-18T20:00:00.004-04:00

I participated in the Fluff Factory Auctions and took the month of March to get my items ready. We raised almost $7,000 for St. Jude's Hospital. What a wonderful collaborative effort!

This was one of my sets

I collab'd with my friend Priscilla at Be-Bops.

I also donated this dress

Easter - wow - I made my daughter's Easter Dress. It was self-drafted and was absolutely stunning!

I also made a colonial style dress for a local customer's daughter. I will post pics when I have something good. It turned out beautiful. Lace and roses - what could be more perfect?!

And my most recent creation. This is for my niece's birthday. It's so hard to believe she's 7!!!

Pattern is available for purchase Here. The designer made a great top and I was very fortunate to be a tester. It's a great top - summer, fall, spring, winter - all seasons. Easy pattern and great results.

A few things for Sale

2008-02-24T12:08:00.003-05:00

I am a guest artisan at K&F Shops this week. I'm so excited to offer some really cute outfits. I have been working on these for a couple of weeks - little bits here and there. Without further ado - here are some pictures!

Whew! What fun!

Strawberries!

2008-02-18T13:59:00.004-05:00

A local customer wanted this dress for her daughter. She chose this great fabric from Reprodepot. I love the way it turned out!

Valentine Princess

2008-02-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

I used some of my favorite Chez Ami fabrics and made this adorable organic cotton/Chez Ami Valentine's outfit. I need to re-work the neckline, but otherwise it's perfect.

I used my winter 2005 issue of Ottobre for these pieces.

A new place to craft and some show-offs

2008-01-30T20:05:00.000-05:00

I have been looking for a farm table for my dining room. With 6 people in our family, we needed more space! The farm tables I have found have been out of my price range. BUT, I was on craigslist and found one! For under $100.00. It's in great shape and I love it. Really love it!!!

Here it is set up in my house (kitty approves).

And in the meantime, I've been sewing. A friend of mine is having a baby and she wanted a big sister/little sister matching set. The patterns came from the Winter 07 Ottobre magazine. The leggings have stretch lace at the bottom for big sister.

Big sister's dress (I'm not sure I will do this pattern again. It took me a lot of time and a lot of re-doing. It was a tough one!! I feel very proud to have conquered it and conquered it well. But, whew!)

I added a side panel down the side for extra room.

Baby girl's (I loved this pattern and will do it over and over again. It's such a classic dress.)

And a new shirt for Ava-Grace. I might sell this one as a custom in the near future. It is so beautiful and I really like how the prints went together. (Yes, I know I'm missing a button. I haven't had a chance to go pick more up and these came in a three-pack.)

Vintage duckie buttons

Another shirt for me

2008-01-25T15:56:00.000-05:00

It's cold!!! I needed another long sleeve shirt and this thermal knit was calling me. So cute! I bought it at Crybaby's.

I used an Ottobre pattern from the Spring 07 issue. And here is a pic of the front of those cord pants I am in love with.

Something for me

2008-01-20T07:57:00.000-05:00

I used the Otto Jeans Patternfrom the last women's issue. I took it slowly and really enjoyed making these pants. I can't wait to find time to do it again. Once the pants were made, I HAD to have a cute shirt to match. Out came the Golden Paisley fabric and a match was made. The pants fit awesome and the shirt is so comfortable. I made the sleeves on the bias (read an article in Threads Magazine about that) and they fit great. Without further ado...(no length shot of the pants, somehow that didn't get done. I will post it later)

Butt shot first

And the shirt ( Built by Wendy)

Two more dresses for cute twin girls

2008-01-12T09:26:00.001-05:00

Haddon's got a party today for two twin 4 yo girls. It seems like yesterday they were born!! How did they grow up to 4 already?

Here are the dresses. They fit the girls' personalities and style - lots of fun!

For Brenna - the blonde/blue eyed girl

And for her sister Isabelle - dark hair/dark eyes

Birthday Parties everywhere!

2008-01-11T16:19:00.000-05:00

We have two birthday parties to go to starting tonight. Tomorrow's party is for a set of twin 3 yo girls turning 4. Tonight is for a 6th birthday party. So...let the sewing begin.

Here is the top for the 6 yo. I used a basic smock/peasant top pattern and used elastic thread in the bobbin instead of the required 1/4 in elastic. It turned out great. Fabric is an Alexander Henry poplin.

A Tee for Me

2007-12-30T13:12:00.000-05:00

I love this pattern. It's Jalie's Crossover Tee. It fits like a dream with no alterations needed.

I used a brown rib knit and Baby Nay's Yoshi Print for the accent and sleeves.

And the owls were winking...

2007-12-29T20:30:00.000-05:00

I have had this fabric for several months and it's been so hard to decide what to make out of it. It's a Japanese Import that I will soon re-stock at my store Sew Japanese. Winking Owls on a rose background. I love this print, so much that I had JoShoes make me a matching set of shoes!

I self-drafted the pattern perfect for knits or wovens.

It's been a long time...

2007-12-29T07:53:00.000-05:00

I have been sewing, just always at night and never taking pictures. Christmas was a whirlwind of sewing madness. I've made chalkmats, dresses, keyfobs and shorts for dh. Ava-Grace had a birthday and of course she needed a birthday dress!

Here are some pictures

The Birthday Dress - Olivia pattern from Farbenmix

A red Olivia for the holidays

A custom Winking Owls with green corduroy. The pattern is Anna from Farbenmix

Back

A shirt for me! I love this pattern. It's Jalie's crossover top. It fits like a dream.

Sock Monkey Anna

Back

Simple Playdress - my pattern self-drafted

And look at what I've started! FOLDING AND ORGANIZING!!!

Retro 'Shrooms

2007-10-06T20:21:00.001-04:00

I've had this outfit in mind for a couple of weeks but finally had the time to complete it today. It's a japanese import canvas for the bottoms and a super soft interlock for the top. So girly and retro

I am doing a collab with Bridgett at Desert Blooms and I love the way it turned out. I LWI dyed the fabric and then made leggings to coordinate with her knit "Big Girl" skirt.

I'm doing an girl owl tunic top and a boy owl tee for another collab with Bridgett for later this month.

It's been too long

2007-09-28T06:15:00.000-04:00

I have been sewing but not taking any pictures - either that or I'm always trying to keep Ava-Grace away from the keyboard while I type.

I got everything done that Saturday and have sewn quite a few items. The tunic is adorable, the hoodie got made but I will be selling it as it's very girlie! At the moment I had a chance to sew, no Boy velour was washed up. I will be making Haddon a bright blue velour hoodie with the transportation knit inside. So cute!

I've traced 7 or 8 patterns to use in the next few weeks. I've got a few collaborations with other WAHMs that I am working on. First up is a pair of leggings and crossover tee for an adorable knit "Big Girl" skirt.

Ava-Grace has not been sleeping well and I've been fighting breastfeeding issues, so very little sewing has happened. Hopefully this weekend. Although, I think my income taxes (yes, I filed an extension) take front seat. The goal is to finish them on Saturday. UGH! I'm dreading doing it, but it will get done!!!

Today's Tasks

2007-09-15T08:08:00.000-04:00

It's Gators vs. Vols today, so there will be a lot of football and a little bit of crafting. I usually like to bake or trace patterns while watching games, but we will have guests today, so I will be a good hostess and refrain.

Today's list of things to do:
*Transfer yesterday's Ottobre tracings to interfacing so I can cut them out
- Velour Hoodie for Haddon
- Tunic for Ava-Grace
*Go to my cousin's birthday party
*Get to the grocery store for game time food
*Saturday Cleaning
*Cut Windpro for a few packages and weigh for ship quotes
*Cut the Sew Japanese orders and weigh for ship quotes

Creating Gifts

2007-09-14T14:27:00.000-04:00

My cousin turns 4 this week and his party is tomorrow. I thought this would be perfect.

Hmmm...what is it? Here's a hint:

It's a chalkboard mat! Chalkboard on the inside; waterproof baseball print on the outside. I just need to get the chalk and it will be perfect for my cousin!

And the crafternoon dilemma has been solved. I have been wanting to try to make a clutch, so I did! I used leftover silk from a sling I made and Alexander Henry's Mocca print on the inside. I love how this turned out. I think this will be a great teacher and friend gift for Christmas.

I finished a dress for Ava-Grace last night. This is my pattern I drafted and love! I love it because it's easy, sassy and can be used for hot or cold weather (provided you add a tee).

Fabric is from Amy Butler.

And I JUST got my Duo from my friend Priscilla at Be-Bops
Priscilla is amazingly creative and crafty. Her work is always gorgeous!

Here is one side and you know...I think I will make Ava-Grace a dress from this Amy Butler Brown Lacework fabric - matches perfectly!

And the other side - it matches the red in the dress I just made.

And one more project in the wings. I'm halfway done knitting a soaker from yarn I won in a drawing from Brad and Nada.
It's Secret Garden on Aran weight BFL.

2007-09-09T13:47:00.001-04:00

I've got my pictures done for a few of the items I've worked on this weekend!

Back of pants detail:

And a cute little yarn tote for me!

Two tees for Haddon (excuse the pitiful wrinkles)

I finally did it!

2007-09-08T23:27:00.000-04:00

I finally started a blog to show off my craftiness. I think my husband and children are getting tired of my attempts to elicit excited responses. I decided I needed to blog my handiwork. I've sewn a few items this weekend and will be adding pictures as soon as the sunlight arrives.

Finished Projects:
18 mo. velour pants and matching long sleeve tee (Adorable owls)
3T velour pants and coordinating safari print long sleeve tee
(Both of the above are for a trade with Bridgett of Desert Blooms.)

2 Long Sleeve Tees for Haddon. Poor guy is the third son and the hand me downs are just not worthy of being seen by the public. So - he gets new Mommy made tees. Dinosaur print and Kumquat Transportation knits. All of the above patterns are Ottobre Design. Ottobre is my favorite place to find hip, well-drafted patterns.

Size 2T jumper for a local Gator Fan. It's made from Katie Jumprope Fabric.

I attempted a reversible little treasure pouch, but failed miserably. However, I did finally understand what to do. It will get done soon! My friend Amy is having a "Crafternoon" next weekend and I need to bring something. The pouch is what I am hoping to finish for the fun Christmas Craft Swap. We bring a pattern and a sample to trade. I had the hardest time deciding what to take. Most of the women joining me do not knit, so a knitted sachet (my first thought) would not do. Some of them sew and most of them have little children. My treasure pouch is perfect! (Well, if I can actually make a decent one within the next week!)

I'm also supposed to bring a treat. I'm thinking about Homemade Marshmallows. Yummmmmm