Feeling Blue

We’re better, but I must still feel a little down because everything I made this weekend was blue.

The first project was matching pj bottoms for one of my daycare families who just had a baby boy. I used this “Britches & Bloomers” pattern for the baby and 4 year old brother, but since the pattern only goes up to a size 4, I used Simplicity 3669 for the 6 year old girl. ( I still added the ruffle from the Britches and Bloomers pattern to the girl’s pants instead of the plain hem from the Simplicity pattern.)

Yeah, these are way too big. I knew that she’s a “tall” size 8 so I figured I would make the next size up on the pattern, a 10. When she held them up, the waist was at her shoulders! I brought them back home with me so I could “adjust” them, but who are we kidding- I will probably have to resew the whole dang thing.

For her brothers, I used the “Britches & Bloomers” pattern which was reviewed here. I have a hard time with clothing patterns. I think there should be real photos included. You can’t tell a darn thing from the drawings! Since I’ve sewn some, I was able to figure things out, but I would really love photos. The pattern was very simple, but almost too simple. If I hadn’t done gathers before or pants for that matter, I would have had to do some guessing.

I used this wonderful Woolies flannel by Maywood Studio. I love this fabric and would buy the whole line if I could. It’s thick, soft and comes in beautiful colors.

The next project was a lunch sack for my sister-in-law. Elizabeth has this great tutorial which I should have followed better, but I was in a hurry. She calls for a lining and interfacing which I didn’t want to do. My bag doesn’t stand up as nicely because of it.

The fabric is the heavier decorator fabric of Amy Butler’s Forest line. It was expensive, but well worth it. I even embroidered her initials to try and add more details to my projects like I promised.

The last project was another try at heat sacks. Remember my last fiasco with these?

This time, I decided not to take any chances so I didn’t add any fragrance. Instead, I went with straight-up flax seed from my grocery store’s bulk section into a white cotton bag divided into three sections. I remembered from last time that for the size of my heat sacks, 10″ x 10″, I wanted to add some seams so that the seeds wouldn’t all fall to one side while in use.

Basically, I folded a 11 x 21 panel in half and sewed up the sides. I turned the bag right-side out and added the middle seams. Working with only one section at a time, I added the seed and sewed each section closed before moving on to the next. I pinked the top seam and then made the outside bag to fit with a couple of velcro strips for the closure. This way, the outside of the bag can easily be thrown in the wash as needed and the heat sack is more durable.

Whew- that was a long post! All in all, it was a good sewing weekend even if it was all blue. 😉

Have you seen Craftzine lately? Yahoo!

Details

I’m not good at details. I tend to get rushed and want it to be done. I would love to add a little embroidery, more appliqué, or maybe even some patchwork to many things I sew, but I never take the time. I did a little more than usual with my giveaway wristlet and received some nice comments because of it. I don’t even get my tags added to many things just because it’s another step and I’m too lazy.

Now, take this present I made for Henry who just turned two:

I want to add more detail to the crown, but I can’t get myself to do it. I love the way it turned out and was inspired by this mama and this one, who sells amazing ones in her shop (if you don’t want to make you’re own).

There wasn’t a tutorial or anything so I just studied their pictures closely and winged the rest.

I made my own pattern out of construction paper to figure out the correct size and proportion of things. I used ½” elastic for the back and covered it with a bit of scrap fabric. There is 100% wool felt for the front pieces and a wool blend for the inside piece so it wouldn’t be too itchy.

I’ve had this ribbon for a long time and was happy to finally have a project to use it. I would like to add more appliques or embroidery like a horse, helicopter, or house…

But I’m done with it. That’s it.

As for the shirt, I’m not sure I like it. The stitching is heavy and the horse is too big. I wanted to be creative and do like two of something that started with H, but again – no go.

Oh well. Baby steps are what I need to focus on. Maybe next time I can take a little more time and do a little more.

NO!

This is the most popular word around my house these days. Everyone, especially me, is itching for Christmas Break to start. In years past, school break started a week before Christmas, but for some reason they moved it back this year.

Nooooooo!

I’m used to having that extra week to get all those presents bought, made, and wrapped. Needless to say, I’m behind. WAY behind.

I just finished these presents last night to be given away TODAY:

They are for my little toddler boys I watch. Their mom’s teach with Chris which is very nice because I get all those school breaks off. I was going to give them all slippers, but while trying them on their little feet for the final fit, all three screamed,

Nooooooo!

And immediately wanted them off. Since the slippers were pretty much done, I decided to add the snack bags to their gift just in case the slippers get pushed aside. I hate giving a gift that isn’t used. I know that the snack bag will be put to good use since toddlers can’t seem to go far without some sort of snack. And remember, every child *has* to have a bag with their name on it.

For the oldest child, I made another Eddie Cap which I finished this morning to be given away this afternoon.

Ms O is modeling it for me since I didn’t want to spoil the surprise. I must of snapped a half a dozen of these before I got one that wasn’t blurry. Man, toddlers can MOVE!

I made this hat out of some remnant wool which was super cheap so it cost me less than $3 to make. The wool is simply luscious, so beautiful, soft and just the right color. I can’t figure out what the blend is since the info wasn’t written on the tag, but it’s much nicer than the stuff I made my boys’ caps out of- dang.

In the end, with fingers crossed, the gifts were given *and* enjoyed by all. Whew!

Now, for tonight, wall boards for Augie’s teachers which are to be given tomorrow. Along with 24 fabric covered tacks.

Oh, don’t you worry, it’ll get done. Come back and see.