Zebra Stripes for Santa Baby

     I haven’t sewn in over a month and how do I start back? I sew a Christmas stocking for the baby of the house. I got tired of looking for something different only to find the same old unexcited basic flat - just let me get to the point - ugly - Christmas stockings! So, what’s a sewist to do? What she should have done in the first instance. Sew It! So, I did. And this is what turned out.

I love it! And as Zyan gets older, I am sure she will too.

I simply traced one of the other kids stockings, added seam allowance, and sew. Quick and easy. Only 15 minutes to sew up. Even longer to clean the mess because (lesson learned) I didn’t mark and sew from the back of this furry animal. Just a little of the mess?

Here it is before it was stuffed with goodies for Christmas.

That is all. I want to squeeze some sew time in. Before the laid back days are all to gone and then back to the 9 to 5. Hopefully I’ll churn something out before the 31st.

Until later. Smooches and smoothies for all!

~~~Scheryka

Every Baby NEEDS Baby Bibs

What is a need?

A need is something that one can not do without. For a baby that would include diapers, milk (of some kind), blankets, etc…, and bibs. Bibs are for dribs. And every baby dribble and slob, and spit up. It sometimes get to projectile shooting. That’s when you throw all the bibs out the window and just grab a garbage bag. Just kidding.

I was browsing the net and found some really cute bib patterns. I refuse to buy a pattern since I have some that were not given away or donated. I could use those as templates and make my own design. Right? Right. That’s called frugality. My definition? The reality of being frugal.

I happened upon more than a few sites that had some really cute (and some not so cute) bib ideas. Here are some of the bibs that caught my eye.

From Nested

From the PaperSeed

How cute are these? Very cute. I love Paisley and Butterflies! Taken from Creativekismet by Regina Lord.

Taken from Goingsewcrazy.

Looking through these websites and others, I remembered I have TONS of scraps from previous projects. But, in particular, the blocked bib three photos up (the one with the strawberries and dot), made me remember about some fabric I had bought a WHILE back from a store on Etsy. I said fabric but when I got them, I saw scraps! They are actually leftover saree fabrics. And when I say left over, I mean the sewist made a saree, used the leftover for a sleeve cuff or two, then made some fabric necklaces, wiped his (I say ‘his’ because it was a man that I’d them bought them from.) behind, and then sold me what was left! Or I bought what was left…

Don’t misunderstand me, the fabric (read: scraps) are beautiful pieces. I just wish there were more (much more) to them. But, I figured I could sew the scraps together and make a blocked bib or two. Here are the fabric scraps.

front

                               back

I don’t know how many I will be able to get out of them. Probably one front and back or 2 if I make the back out of terry or something.

In the mean time, here are some that I had made while procrastinating on the scrap-blocked bib(s).

I used a bib that I had saved for one of older girls as a template.

I traced it onto the fabric at first

because I wasn’t thinking to just tape two sheets of paper together to get a bigger size. Duh.

But once I came to my senses and done so, I cut a few different fabrics that was in the stash.

I played around with bias.

After I got a little feel of what I was doing, I finished each one just a bit different. The main difference is either the bias trim or sew and turn. Here are the finished bibs.

Just a little closer:

and

Until the next project before my mojo get up and go without me.

~~Scheryka.

Hair Pretties

While taking a break from sewing for the Mt. Pleasant Annual Christmas Banquet, I wanted to do something with the girls because they have been neglected. Well, not entirely, because I was indeed sewing for them. I put my dress on hold because I FORGOT that if I don’t sew their dresses as well, then it might be a huge chance they would not have anything to wear. But those are a separate story.

I ran across this site From an Igloo by Christine who made the most adorable hair barrettes. I had to make the girls some. Before I went a bought any extra supplies we used what was on hand to see how easy this actually was. Let me tell, IT IS EASY.

The supplies you need (taken from Christine’s page) are:

You will need:
- Glue gun/glue
- Yarn (We used thick embroidery thread)
- Beads- (size was small not sure of a measurement)
- Thread/needle
- A piece of cording (Used some scrap small rope from last year’s Christmas gifts)
- Alligator clips or barrettes (The silver clasp barrettes works too)
- Scraps of fabric and –embellishments like ribbon and buttons.

Oh, and don’t forget the sharpie because your dolly needs a face.

I don’t have any in-process photos because working with an anxious 2 year old kind of makes it hard to work with hot glue and take photos. I do have the finished product which came out pretty well.

Ann wanted to wear hers today to church. I know the real reason. Every third Sunday is children’s church and she just had to have something to talk about. I can imagine how the conversation went. “Me and Mom made pretty dolls for my hair and I want to thank God for letting my Mom need a break from sewing because now I have something new for my hair.” Sounds like something she would say.

Here is a close-up: Ann made her dolly’s hair extra long because she says it reminded her that needs to not play in her hair again and I want to cut it to make it grow again. Lol. Kids. They really do listen and learn.

Here is the one I helped to make with Nii. I had to get this photo while she was sleeping. She had to get an after service nap because crankiness is not an option! Just go to sleep if you are sleepy… so Mom can get a photo of your ”pretty haaiirrr”. That is how Nii says it while rubbing her hands down the side of her face and head. You get the picture. But here is this one I had to sneak. She kept turning her head back so one is all I got.

You should give it a try if you have little ones or little grands. They are fast and easy and you can use different things to get different looks. I may make a few more because the girls have some brown see through beads that I want to play around with and see how they come out.

Until the Banquet items,

Schey

Obi Ob-cessory

I have been loving the Obi Belt since I first saw them. I just could never bring myself to buy one. I tried a while ago to make one but that was soon scrapped:

Back of said scrapped Obi.

Front of said scrapped Obi.

 

 

 

 

Said Obi on me. (Before I made the big chop.)                                         

I made this one without a pattern from an upholstery fabric I founds in Big Lots. I never knew Big Lots sold fabric. It was $5 for 6 yards, if I am remembering correctly. The peach trim is a polyester lining that I gathered and had sewn to the burgundy fabric. There was no need to interface it since it was stiff enough to stand and walk away on it’s own! 

So. It has been over a year since this belt has been made and discarded. Here’s to a new Obi. The instructions came from a YouTube tutorial.

Excuse the wrinkles. This was right after church.

Back.

Gems put on with the GemMagic to give it some oomph.

Some earrings I was playing around with. I made these with some scraps left over from the obi.

Well, that’s it on the Obi Belt.

Until later, Schey.

Khaki and Burnt-Orange

Simplicity 9825

Another color scheme for our Sanctuary Choir. I thought it would have been a good way to get rid of a couple of yards of stashed fabric. So I chose to do S9825.

Originally, I was going to do View C, but after I measured the finished length to my body, I would have to add another full skirt to it to make it church decent! The finished length for View C (in ALL sizes) is 17 inches! Now we ALL know that a 17 inch skirt will not fit

 

the same way it will fit

(Photos from Photobucket)

So, I had to go to the View B skirt. Much better. I put a few personal touches on this one. (I actually liked how another reviewer put bias on her seam allowances so I bit.) It actually made the inside a whole lot better.

                    

The side seams are nice too although I did not put bias on them. I serged them in black to coordinate the bias. (Actually, that’s all I have is black and white serger thread. lol I chose black.)

Here are the buttons and the full shot of the zipper. Boy am I getting superb results these days!

       

Free Vogue Pattern

I took lots of photos because three reviews are in this one outfit. The free vogue shirt was very simple and my second time at this top. I like it a lot but I think this is my last time making this one for a while. This is the first version.

Simplicity 4227

The last article is the pattern for this tank top I had for a very long time. I made the long sleeve blouse a long time ago and kept the pattern…because that’s what I do. I keep patterns. I decided to go ahead and do the tank and retire it. Although this is just a mock up it’s ok. (The reason for the ripples in the pictures.) I did not sew down the tricot lining because I am going to use it in the ‘real thing’.

Here’s the pattern:

 

The pattern calls for a woven. I used a knit. Hence the reason this is a mock up. But away with the blabber, here are some photos:

I like this look with the belt:

Another look with the scarf I made with left over fabric from the vogue top:

I have to add the pictures with the Vogue top later because my camera died in the midst of the session. I have more batteries and will take pictures tomorrow and post them for the world to see.

Until Later and more pictures,

Schey

Fabric Stash 2011–Free Vogue

This is, yet another, contest I have entered. This time, though, it is not to win anything. It is more of a personal goal to get rid of my never-ending site of fabric in the sewing “hut”. The first (finished) item is a blouse/tunic that I just finished making. I found the directions for this pattern in the Feb/March 2011 issue of Vogue Patterns magazine – one of my favorite magazines of all time. The pattern is just two rectangles with one slightly, about two inches, longer than the other one. The directions? 6 steps! Yay. Must I say Simple, Simple, Simple!!! There’s not much to ramble about, so I am going to present to you…

Because The Animal Made Me Do It

  This is literally how the two pieces look. The only difference is that the front piece about 2 inches wider than the front to accommodate neck shaping. That’s what Vogue said. But I know better. In my case, it is to accommodate my head!

***Warning: Do not pay attention to the unkempt wall. My kitchen is under construction. Really I am about to pull down that hideous wallpaper and change the wall color to match my new tile that is about to get put down.***

Another view from the side. I like the sleeves a lot. I should have tightened the belt a bit to bring it up. Oh yeah, I also made the tights but they are not part of the stash contest. I actually made these right before Christmas.

Front View with the belt. I was trying to decide if I like the black or the white belt best but it really doesn’t matter because I can’t find the black one so white it is for now.

Here’s the front without the belt. Kinda’ cute I think. I like the feel of the charmeuse. It is very flowy.

I don’t like this view. But who cares by the time you see me coming you wouldn’t care what the back looks like while I’m leaving because you would be at the machine trying to mock my smock.

More photos:

The neckline.

Stooping.

The sleeve.

Batwings.

I tried to do better photos but my photographer is fired as of tonight. So here is what I managed to salvage.

Ok, that’s all I care to show. The others were totaled. lol

The review is next:

This pattern can be found in the Feb/Mar 2011 Vogue Patterns magazine on page 22.

Pattern Description:
Easy to make with just two triangles of fabric. My description would be: Ladies tunic top that is so easy it can be sewn with your eyes closed.

Pattern Sizing:
This pattern is made to your size with a simple four step formula described in the book. There is also an alternative to line the top if you are using a sheer or if the inside of your fashion fabric is rough to the skin.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
OMG! Of course it did!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Well for what there were of directions, they were superb. There are only 7 steps, I mean 6 because the 7th step says: done!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like its simplicity.
There's nothing to like.

Fabric Used:
I used a poly charmeuse. I bought this fabric because I loved it and it was the last of the bolt. So I go the last of it not knowing what I would do with it. But now that I have this gorgeous fabric and great pattern, it's a wrap - done deal.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
NONE and NONE.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I may make it again if I can find some more fabulous fabric. Yes, of course, I recommend to anyone who love this style blouse and those who don't because it can surely be adapted to easily.

Conclusion:
Great pattern! Now that I have gotten used to sewing Vogue, Vogue has never failed me. Love it!