for the kitchen help

My children love to help me in the kitchen while I am working. They like to help with the dishes, mostly because they can play in the bubbles....and they like to sample whatever I am making at the time too. Frederick and Elauna spend hours playing pretend cooking and I thought this year for Christmas I would make them all something they can use when they are playing and when they are helping me.

I made each of my kids child-sized aprons, oven mitts, and pot holders. They are coordinating colors, but I definitely wanted Frederick's to look like a boy, not flowery like the girls. I made my own pattern for each then sewed them up.


Elauna's

 Frederick's

 Claire's

fat quarter project

More handmade Christmas ideas, this time using a fat quarter. A fat quarter is a quarter of a yard of fabric, and they measure 18" x 22". I have a little niece coming soon and wanted to make something for Momma A. I found some cute coordinating fat quarter pieces and went to work.

The first thing I made was two burp cloths. I quartered my fabrics and rounded the corners. Next, I faced the top sides together and sewed the edges, leaving a little space to invert, just as you would a pillow. Then I stitched around the outside to close the hole and put a border around the cloth. Finally, I worked on light-colored fabric and sewed a basic design that matched a pattern in the fabric. It helps the fabric not to seperate after washing or using several time.

I used the same fabrics to make a bib. I cut the design out of both fabrics and put back-sides together. I applied my velcro in the top corner. (I use the velcro that has adhesive on the back to you can place it where you want it and sew in fast later.) I then sewed my edging on using a coordinating blue.

All done. Pretty quick and easy, but oh, so cute.

upcycled feed sack

I have collected old feed sacks for awhile now and am looking for creative ways to "upcycle" them into things that are beautiful and useful. For this BEMIS A Extra Heavy SEAMLESS, I decided to make a weekender bag that can hold a lot of clothes and still keep the art of the sack. I used canvas material to compliment the feed sack material on the exterior. For the inside, I used the canvas on the top edge, then finished with blue jean material. I made a row of pockets along one side, and a hidden pocket on the other (with a bright pink zipper). Also inside is a clasp on a fob to hold keys. For the strap I used an old belt - it had a neat look to it and is adjustable. For the top closure I made a small strap with a d-ring to loop the strap through.



BEMIS A EXTRA HEAVY SEAMLESS weekender bag

in color

top closure

roomy inside, key holder, and side pockets

hidden pocket with bright pink zipper (I unzipped it a little)

the belt used as the strap

update to an old classic

I like to look for old patterns when I am antiquing or garage-saling. Sometimes I actually find patterns that have never been used, in my size, and a cute style.....so when I find them I get excited. This particular pattern I found last year: it is a vintage Simplicity pattern 4209. The fabric I used came from Jeremy's family; it actually is suiting material with light brown stripes. I contrasted with a silky tan fabric for the sash and bow. The wide sash was my addition as well. The pattern did not exactly match the picture on the front, and you would need to have a size 12 waist for it to pouf the way it shows in the picture. The way the dress turned out is actually more practical for me. The dress is tea length with a zipper closure on the back.

Side view

Back view with zipper and sash

Draped neck and rosette pin

Simplicity pattern 4209

creative fun

I recently found that I really enjoy making aprons. I can add my own unique twist to them and be creative with colors, fabrics, and designs. Below is my latest creation, contrasting stripes with a floral pattern, but keeping the color scheme the same. I added a few ruffles to make it feminine (not that the flowers weren't obviously something most men would shy from wearing). It has two pockets in the floral section.

easter dress

All this rainy weather has me thinking of spring, lovely flowers, and Easter. I remember every year as a little girl looking forward to Easter as I would be able to put on my best dress for Sunday, and what fun it was to look extra special. My little doll and I went to the sweetest tea party today and it was so cute to see all the little girls dressed up like princesses, eating dainty hors d'oeuvres and sipping their raspberry tea. (Kudos to the ladies who made it so special for the birthday girl....you did a lovely job!)

My friend Jill inspired me today. As we were discussing sewing and patterns, it occurred to me that I might make my daughter's dress for Easter. Jill said she makes her things without patterns, and just makes it to her liking. Brilliant! I keep thinking I need to start with a pattern and make a variation, but I have a little model right in front of me I can simply fit everything to her size. So I begin today.

The dress is sketched and I have my material (from some in my to-use-someday-pile ... because it is so cute). Yea...nothing to buy!!! White crinkle material with brown polka dots. I am thinking a small waist with capped sleeves and fluffy layers for the skirt. Possibly some small flowers of the same material.

And if I'm very industrious, I'll make a matching one for Dollie.