Pattern Challenge: Simplicity 2593

the top on "Dolly"

I finished up Simplicity 2593 for the Pattern Challenge and would overall recommend it as a very easy pattern to put together. The Cynthia Rowley patterns by Simplicity are usually super cute so you can't go wrong there. The only problem with this pattern was that...can you guess?...it was too big but I think I can make it work. And I will be quick to point out that I don't think this is a fault of the pattern. This is simply a fact for someone in petite sizes...I seriously need to take a course on how to modify patterns. Putting it on the list.

taking in the beautiful sunny day with my little man

 

 (and how gorgeous are the lemons and that star jasmine on the patio??)

The Basics: Super easy pattern. You don't need to be afraid of this one at all. I used a lightweight quilting cotton. Most raw edges are encased with bias strips and there are only 2 main pattern pieces: front and back.

Good: Did I already mention how easy it is? :) Very basic, versatile top that I think could go a long way with embellishments, etc.

Bad: The instructions for the twisting sections of bias cut fabric (neck on view A, armholes on view C) are not explained very well. Use your common sense and play with it to make it look how you want. I initially set out to make view C but chucked the twisty parts (so mine is actually view B) in the end because they weren't doing it for me.

Modifications:I didn't make any, but I am thinking it could be a cute little shift dress if it was made longer. Just an idea. Pin It

Winner!

Comment #10, Sarah Seitz, won the Simplicity 2646 top! Congratulations, Sarah!

Thanks to everyone for joining in!

(I have another top in the works...maybe it won't fit me either haha)

Sarah's comment was: "Hey Kari! You did such a great job, the finished garment looks adorable! Believe it or not, I think it would fit me!! I'd love to be entered into the drawing! Can't wait to see what you make next, by the way, I'm sure it will be stunning!"

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Scissor & Paper

I'm out of my league with this little number, but sometimes you've just got to try something different... As part of my crafty disaster makeover, I wanted some new wall art (I'm getting closer and closer to finishing the space!). Working on a tiny little budget, I needed to get creative. So I gathered up a canvas I already had along with cardstock & scrapbook paper, played with tissue paper for texture, found some graphics from The Graphics Fairy, and scanned some of the cutest pages from my new favorite old book...to get this!

It hangs on the wall in my crafty/sewing space and I'm pretty happy with it. Beyond scrapbooks and cards, I don't work with paper much but I'm pretty happy with it overall.

And how much do you love those vintage sewing scissors??

***Linked at The Graphic Fairy's Brag Monday***

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Cheers!

My husband's co-worker and his wife just bought a new house and we're super excited for them! My husband thought it would be fun to send them a card (even though they see each other at work all the time) so they could get fun mail at their new address. What a sweet idea. But could I just send a card? No, of course not.

So I made a set of 8 coasters using Amy Butler's Midwestern Modern. And they are adorable, if I do say so myself. These make a simple but thoughtful handmade gift and there are a million possible variations.

If you're so inclined to make some for a gift (or for yourself) they're super easy. Here's a quick how-to...

1. Using your rotary cutter, cut 4 1/2" square pieces of fabric (2 per coaster) and batting (1 per coaster).

2. Stack your squares with batting on the bottom, and the 2 pieces of fabric on top, right sides together.

3. Stitch around the edges using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 2" gap for turning.

4. Trim corners, turn right side out and push out corners.

5. Press and stitch close to the edge (and in the middle if you want). Done!

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Pattern Challenge: Simplicity 2646

I just made up Simplicity 2646 (the longer sleeve version with tie belt). 

Or, as I like to call it, the cutest top I'll never wear.

When all is said and done it's way too big for me. Background...I pick pattern sizes based on my bust measurement which usually works out well. I will generally have to take in the hips, raise the hem, or shorten the straps (coming in at only 5'2" if you recall...why can't there be more petite patterns out there?). But this top was overall just too big. There is a lot more fabric in the sleeves than I expected and the span from bust to shoulder is pretty long.

Keep in mind that a "real" seamstress would probably know how to make this fit like a dream. I am not the real deal yet - just a girl who likes to sew a lot with very little pattern experience. But that is why I'm doing the Pattern Challenge with Sarah at Come and See the Seitz! And here is my pattern review for Simplicity 2646...


The Basics: 5/8" straight stitches throughout, nothing tricky. Take it slow when stitching the edges because they're pretty narrow. The pleating is fun but the shoulder instructions are confusing - use common sense rather than trying too hard to decipher and it will turn out fine.

Good: It's an easy pattern to put together and is done quickly.

Bad: The sizing seems to run big and I think making the next size down from what is listed would be good. This is just a guess though! Also, there are some really narrow seams where you press the edge a quarter inch, fold the raw edge to the crease, and then stitch. Maybe these wouldn't bother you but they're hard on my hands and tedious.

Modifications: The only real change I made was bringing in the bust about 2 inches total because I had trouble fitting the sleeves in (my fault since I used bias tape instead of ribbon to trim it...didn't like the look of ribbon).

Now...My loss is your gain! If you actually read through all my jabber you get the chance to own the top! I do not have the time to alter it to my liking and would rather just move on to something else. If you like the top and think it could fit you (maybe even after some modifications) it's yours. Just comment on this post (include your email if it's not publicly listed in your profile). I'll leave comments open through Wednesday 3/24. According to the packaging, the measurements for this size are: bust 36, waist 28, hips 38 but it's pretty roomy and I brought in the bustline a little.

Thanks again for hanging out with me on my sewing adventures! Pin It

J.Crew Inspired Skirt

I say "inspired" because it sounds so much better than "knock off"...

Last weekend I got a little time to myself (read: I bolted from the house after a very long week) and headed to the mall. This is a treat I don't get very often and it was wonderful. Having a gift card for J.Crew, I headed in to look around. It shouldn't surprise me, but the prices always throw me for a loop. The styles I LOVE and would own them all if our budget permitted. But, alas, not this year. The good thing is that several of their pieces are not all that complicated in construction which leaves my imagination to run wild...

Take, for instance, this little skirt. I tried it on in the store and loved it. Good length, lightweight fabric, pockets, and not too dressy for everyday wear. Oh, but it cost $69.50. Hmmm. But, wait a second...it looked so simple. I did a full inspection on the skirt in the dressing room and headed straight to the fabric store on my way home. Armed with 2" elastic, fabric for $1.95 per yard, and a head full of plans I set to work.

This is my image, very similar to the one on the website if you cruise around.

And the hem looks uneven but it's just a wonky photo...two crazy little monkeys kept me from getting a better shot.

I used two squares of fabric, added pockets, and created a 2 1/2" casing at the waist. Then I finally figured out how to do a blind hem stitch on my machine - yeah! I am not saying it's as great as the little J.Crew number by any means. The fabric is not nearly as nice and it's not lined (this is because I wasn't confident enough to try lining and made a little slip instead...that had to be as much work as lining it, right?) and it's just not the same as buying the skirt from the store. But I'm pretty happy with them overall (1 cream & 1 sage green) and will definitely be wearing them.

By the way, am I breaking any rules here? I wouldn't want to do something unethical in regards to making my own knock off...can anybody out there assuage my guilty conscience?
You guys are the best! Thanks for the reassurance that I won't be hauled off.

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Mr. Roboto

 
Lil Blue Boo posted the most adorable Mr. & Mrs. Roboto awhile back (seriously, how generous is that?) and I fell in love immediately. Then I waited and waited for the right project...

And a First Birthday Boy t-shirt was my reward for all that waiting around! I appliqued Mr. Roboto on the front and a number one on the back for the birthday bash this past weekend. All the fabrics are from the "Robots" line by David Walker for Free Spirit, which I absolutely love.

I just love giving a handmade gift, even a simple one like this. Now I just have to find a use for Mrs. Roboto...I'm thinking I'll put it on a hoodie for myself. How cute would that be? Pin It

Geek Chic: (e)Book Lover

If you use this tutorial I'd love to see your creation! 

Feel free to post it to the Handmade Mommy Tutorials Flickr Pool.

Last year my ever sweet husband gave me the best Mother's Day gift: a Sony Reader. If you love reading and don't have a digital reader yet, stay as far away from them as possible. You have been warned. Once you get hooked, you're done for. Case in point: me. I love the ability to carry around literally hundreds of books in my purse and pull it out anytime. You can get great deals on ebooks (electronic books) online and the classics are all free through Google. But enough of my inadvertent sales pitch!

The point here is that I was bored with the classy leather case I have for my reader. It's sturdy and nice but I'm constantly worried that it will get marred in my bag. I wanted to cover it up with some cute fabric and was trying to explain my plans to a girlfriend. She looked at me and said, "You mean, like a Bible cover?" Exactly! So I have made a techy, geeky version of the Bible cover for my reader. If you have a digital reader (Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, etc.), or a loved one does, here is a tutorial with instructions to make a personalized cover. I have already imagined a dozen different slightly geeky/slightly chic variations on this...and it's beyond easy!

Oh, and if you don't have a hard "jacket" like mine for your reader, hop on over to Junie Moon and check out the awesome bag (with tutorial) she whipped up for her Kindle. She was nice enough to let me post it here. Her craftsmanship is great and the design is perfect.

Start with pre-washed, ironed fabric and put two pieces right sides together. 

All you really need are a couple of scraps.

Lay out your reader with the case open and trace around it with a fabric marking pen.

Cut our your fabric leaving about a 1/2" allowance all the way around. 

This does not need to exact.

Take your inside fabric, fold it in half, and cut along the fold.

Now fold back each half away from the center wrong sides together, about 1/3 of the width...does that make sense? They should look like this. Then pin these folds in place.

If you want to stitch/embroider/applique anything fun on the outside piece, now is the time to do it. I ironed heavyweight fusible interfacing onto the back of my outside piece and free motion stitched "bookworm" onto mine...in case anyone is confused when they see me absorbed...

Now line up your outside and inside pieces with right sides together, like so.

Flip them over so that your fabric pen markings are facing up. 

Now pin all the way around.

Stitch just outside the line you traced, all the way around...about like this...

Trim your corners, turn your cover right side out, and press.
(Keep in mind that the center top and center bottom will just be folded and pressed with raw edges. Since they're tucked inside against the reader this shouldn't be a problem.)
Now tuck your reader into its brand spanking new cover...

and make everyone jealous that your book is hipper than theirs!

fun fact: my little tutorial has been featured on whipup here!

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Modern Sewing

I got to stay in bed until 6:40 this morning! This is reason to celebrate in our house full of early risers. So this is a good day. Hope you have something to celebrate this Monday too!

This is a random little post about books and sewing, two of my very favorite things on the whole planet (no exaggeration). Friends and family know that I love books, especially old books. Every once in awhile a loved one will come across a book that looks like my kind of thing and give it to me, just because. I love getting little treats like this. One of these surprises was the The New Encyclopedia of Modern Sewing by Frances Blondin (published in 1948) and it is such a gem. I came across the following passage the other day and it made me smile.

"The first simple problems of sewing may be done entirely by hand. A sewing machine, however, is a great time saver. Its operation is so simple, that, in this day and age, when automobiles and even airplanes are familiar to us, no woman should have to confess ignorance of the sewing machine."

Even better was the picture below that accompanied the text. Don't we all look that cute and well-rested (with pumps on no less!) at the sewing machine?? And, by the way, I think that a sewing machine built right into the table is a thing of wonder. Someday I will either buy a vintage machine like this or beg my husband to build me a table (heads-up, Sweetie!).

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My Crafty Disaster

I decided recently (coincidentally after loving Anna's craft room makeover...check it out if you haven't yet!) that it was time to overhaul my crafty/sewing space. It was a complete disaster. It can be really hard to feel inspired when you can't even find your scissors and everything is caving in on you...

This is my incredibly messy "before" 

so you can be duly impressed when it's done.

And a couple of goodies that will help the transformation along...

A vintage china buffet and hutch off craigslist (for only $45!)

And a $10 slipper chair from Salvation Army

 

I'll post more as I reinvent the space. Yeah!

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Babies Everywhere

We've got a baby explosion among our friends and I've been making lots of baby gifts lately. All my little handmade treats don't always make it on the blog because usually I run out of time to take pictures before heading to a baby shower or the post office. But these little sets got their photoshoot! Each set is going to a different friend, one for a baby boy and one for a baby girl. And I love these flannels -what a great find at Joanns.

The gingham on the back really makes them. I never think to use gingham but it can be adorable in a sweet vintage way when paired with the right patterns; these seem to do the gingham justice.

His and Hers

My inspiration for the blankets was here 
and burp cloths are a tried and true baby gift for me.

Bundled up for their postal trip...

with some handmade cards because I can't seem to help myself.

And of course they got love labels 

(Want your own? I love MommieMadeIt on etsy!) 

And I must say, I'm pretty pleased with how the corners turned out 

with the 3-step zigzag stitching all around.

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