Reap What You Sew!

Welcome to my sewing blog. Here you will find personal thoughts (not always related to sewing), ideas, and confessions from someone who loves looking at pretty material and who thinks that stitching things together is one of life's greatest pleasures (or at least one of life's best forms of therapy!).

New Years Eve Dress

It's Friday. Tomorrow is Saturday. Which means tomorrow night is New Year's Eve and the big party we are attending. I need to decide what I'm wearing. Like, today!

So,this morning I start rummaging through my "other closet". You know, the one that is more storage than anything else. The one with clothes that only come out when the weather changes from season to season and clothes for special events... like weddings and annual parties.

I was surprised at how many special occaision dresses had wound up in that closet. (Unfortunately, I was NOT surprised at the change in sizes of the dresses through the years.) Maybe I hoped that one day I would be back to a smaller size and could wear them once again. As far as the styles, most could be worn today. Even those that bring back a specific era, eventually, make a comeback. Look at dresses and patterns showing up now. Many look like they could be from the 1940s... which I happen to like. Vintage dresses and dress patterns are quite popular. There will always be a market for retro looks. (Well, maybe not the 80's. HA!)

Anyway, though I have a perfectly good black "special occasion" dress that I can still wear, I decided this morning that I was going to MAKE my dress. It's only Friday, I have plenty of time before tomorrow night.

I went through my pattern stash, found a pattern I like, and was soon on my way to the fabric shop. Yes, I was going to sew myself a new party dress! I even had the color and type of fabric (or fabrics) in mind. Yes indeed. I would sew this afternoon, night and tomorrow. I figured ten hours tops at a leisurely pace. I was feeling so proud of myself. (Ok, I was feeling cocky.) I was going to make this happen. I would not be a slave to what was in my closet or on a rack in a retail shop which would most likely require some altering.

There I was, merrily on my way, not even five minutes from the house when my cell phone went off. Fortunately, I'm at a stop light. It was my husband checking in. I shared with him my grand plan and he said, "You know, I'll pay for a new dress so you don't have to make one."

I never made it to the fabric shop. However, next time, I plan to make that dress.

Have a wonderful holiday and whatever your plans are for the new year, I hope you stay safe and stay sewing.

Got the Sewing Machine, Now Get the Stand!

My daughter recently got a sewing machine and intends to learn to sew. I'm thrilled... and dismayed. Thrilled that after all these years she is finally interested in sewing and dismayed that she's in Texas and I'm still in Louisiana. I would love to be able to work with her face to face and teach her what I know. (Hopefully, we'll be heading that way for good sometime in 2012.)

Anyway, in the past, when I've visited and she's needed something done, she would pull out an old machine given to her by a friend and I would set it up on her pub height dining table in the breakfast area and stand while I made the requested alterations, repairs and (sometimes) new things. Standing was a real pain but there truly was no other option unless I sat everything up on the floor, which would have been just as uncomfortable. If I sat on the pub height stools that went with the pub height table, I couldn't reach the foot pedal. It was a no win situation for me.

Now that she has her new machine, I've been stressing the importance of a proper stand for it. Unless you want to ache from neck to foot, you don't sew standing up. If you aren't brand new to sewing, you know that sewing machine stands (or cabinets) can be expensive. Take out a loan expensive! She can't get one. Heck "I" can't get one (yet). Which is why so many of us use what was once considered a typing stand. There was a time when that's ALL you used. I think mine cost around $35. I won't say how long ago I bought it. So, I've been checking them for her and such "machine stands" (they don't call them typing stands any more) now cost around $70 from an office supply store. Hopefully she'll find one that suits her. If not, Sam's sells small portable tables that will do in a pinch as long as you keep your machine close to the edge and don't sew like a race car driver. I know. I have such a table. One of my sewing machines is currently sitting on it since my serger has taken over my old stand. Sewing at high speeds, causes the table to vibrate and the next thing you know.. your machine is bouncing around like water in hot grease. Not fun.

One day, I will have my dream sewing machine stand/cabinet. Most likely one made by Koala. Every time I get a new issue of a sewing magazine, I drool looking at their ads. Yes, one day I'll have one. Of course, I'll have to take out a loan. At least dreaming about it doesn't cost anything.

Not Too Late for Holiday Sewing and Crafting

It's not too late for holiday sewing and crafting! If you are looking for pattern projects that aren't found in your local fabric store, here are two of my favorite places to browse: Clotildes (clotildes.com) for sewing and Annie's Attic (anniesattic.com) for knitting crocheting and other crafting projects. You may already be a fan too.

We all know that the major pattern makers make patterns for holiday apparel, accessories and crafts, but sometimes I want something different and these two sites never fail to grab my interest.

So if you are in the mood for making holiday ornaments, home and kitchen decor, cozy mittens, hooded scarves, doll clothes and accessories... drop by and visit these two on-line retailers. Their projects range from easy to experienced and many are kid friendly.

If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about all the free holiday projects that are offered online. There's always something out there that you'll love making.

So put on your holiday music and get to it!

Easy to Sew Cat Bed

An easy to sew cat bed from a towel that kitty will love.

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Bunk Bed Bedding for 18" Dolls

Guess who's getting a bunk bed (with trundle) for their American Girl dolls this Christmas? I won't name names, but she's related to me.

Anyway, you can't have a doll bed without appropriate bedding... so Nana got the request to make this for a Christmas present. Like most everyone else, finances are getting tighter and tighter so being able to make this instead of purchasing a set is a good deal for me.

Truthfully... making bedding for dolls is actually fun. If you've never tried it, give it a shot! Like home decor sewing, you are working almost entirely with straight seams. How fancy or detailed you get is entirely up to you. (Which also adds to the fun on a project like this.) At one point, I was thinking about adding an inner layer and quilting these little bedspreads... thankfully I came to my senses. We're talking dolls here, not real people.

Having an actual bed on hand to use for measurements would have been great, but since I didn't (and you may not either), I had to get them from the "details" on the website that sold this particular bed. Those measurements were then transfered to drafting paper to make my pattern. (You can buy ready made patterns for doll bedding, but I prefer to draft out my own on something like this.) Since the bed for this project is a bunk bed, I needed the drop (sides) of the bedspreads to not hang too far down yet still cover the dolls when under the cover. I gave it my best shot with 2" on each side. If this had been a regular style doll bed, I would have increased that measurement. Again, it's for dolls so it doesn't have to be perfectly figured. Adding a pillow and making accent pillows was also fun. If you want to get really into it, add blankets using minky or fleece.

As I said above, if you've never tried a project like this before... give it a shot! It's certainly a good way to use up some of your stash. Also, if you have a young sewer in your home, making doll bedding is a wonderful way to increase their sewing skills while teaching them how to work with measurements.

Happy sewing!

Sewing Room Layout and Design

What makes a good sewing room layout? Some recommendations for the design and layout of your sewing room.

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Save The Rompers!

Knit rompers with snaps between the legs are so cute and are a staple of most crawler and toddler wardrobes. As littles ones grow, they normally get taller before they get wider... which means all those rompers (and onesies) get too short before they get too tight. (You know what I'm talking about!)

What do most mom's do when this happens? They stick them on their growing child and leave the snaps unsnapped under the pants (or skirt) of their young one to get more use out of the item. As a part-time teacher at a day care, I see this a lot and it makes me nuts. Especially when the "tail" drops into the toilet during potty time... which leads to an unplanned wardrobe change and the "WHY do I work here" anthem. There's an easy alternative which makes the romper last a lot longer (and helps keep the sanity of your child's caregiver).

Turn those rompers into shirts!

Lay the too short romper on a cutting board, make sure front and back are even. Use a rotary cutter to remove the leg and snaps area. I recently did this with my grandson's outgrown knit rompers. To be sure that I had the correct length from underarm to hem, I used one of his current tee shirts. Just remember to include additional length for your new hem. I serge the edges prior to sewing, but if you don't have a serger use your edgestitching foot to get almost the same look, then put in your hem. It's also helpful to adjust your stitch length to a slightly longer length.

Super easy and your child's teachers (or caregivers) will think you're the greatest.

Smile! Show Your (Zipper) Teeth.

Using a zipper as an embellishment has been a big thing (i.e. "fad") for a while now. Zippers sewn on the outside of a seam, in a contrasting or coordinating color can add real flair to a project.

Unfortunately I couldn't find a kiwi colored zipper in the size I wanted for the project. I briefly thought about cutting a longer zipper down to size, but soon realized doing so would NOT work for this type of embellishment... it really would ruin how the zipper-on-top is supposed to look.

Therefore, I decided to do the next best thing. I inserted the zipper in the traditional way but increased the seam allowances the length of the zipper so the teeth would show.

The first photo doesn't do it justice. It really does show when you see it in person and I like how it turned out.

So... or sew... whether it's on the outside or peeking from the inside of a seam, show your zipper teeth!

Me Time on Monday Nights

Now that my hubbie is retired, he meets up with his long time pals at the local Hooters on Monday nights to watch football. I'm all for it. He's earned it. So, for now, I get to have Monday nights watching my guilty pleasure.. Bachelor Pad. Please don't roll your eyes. The drama, tears, backstabbing... all crack me up. I find it pretty entertaining. When the season ends, I guess I'll have to find something else to watch. Maybe Monday Night Football. HA!

I saw on a news page that Kate (as in Kate and William) is not considered fashionable... fashion "know it alls" call her a fashion follower not a fashion leader. Well, if she is a follower... she does it with grace and style. Kudos to her and a big raspberry to the "know it alls".

Hope you get some quality me-time tonight or at least sometime soon.

Going Gray this Fall?

Another season, another gray hair (or fifty). I personally don't like it too much in my hair, but love it in fabrics and clothing. Solid grays or shades of gray in designs mixed with other colors will always catch my eye.

If you're also a big fan of this color, you're going to be very happy this season. According to some fashion and sewing magazines we're going to be seeing a lot of it this Fall. It's going to be a hot color again and is showing up in major designers' runway shows. We'll be seeing it in blouses, skirts, slacks, dresses, coats and eveningwear.

Spreads in magazines showcasing the more silvery shade of the color make it look quite beautiful and have me wanting to get my hands on some. Unfortunately, my local fabric store hasn't been reading the same magazines. I was there yesterday and didn't see much gray (in any shade) anywhere. Except, of course, on the heads of customers.

If your local store isn't yet carrying different fabrics in various shades of this versatile color, be sure to check online fabric stores. One of my favorites is VogueFabricsStore.com. If you subscribe to Vogue Patterns magazine, you probably already know about this site.

No matter your age, let's all go gray this Fall!

Craft Fair Season is Coming!

You know, if you've been reading my little tidbits through the years, that last year I said I was not going to do any more craft fairs. Well... guess what. I've decided to do another craft fair this October.

Hopefully this time there will actually be a large number of people coming through eager or able to spend money. The last time, (two years ago) that I did a craft fair at this particular location (a church), attendance (pardon my French) "sucked". Most of the people who showed up were church members and they were only there for the hot dogs and hamburgers being sold by the adult Sunday school group. HA! Trust me, I know how difficult it is to plan events, especially in the Fall when you have to compete on any given Saturday with college football, competing craft fairs, and everything else going on within a fifty mile radius.

So... as tropical storm Lee was busy dumping rain, blowing wind and threatening to produce tornados outside, I was busy making hairbows (and watching the weather reports about Lee) inside. We were lucky. Today our area only got about 4 inches of rain. Two miles from me got 10 inches and some areas even more. No trees down here or major street flooding. Thank you Lord (and I do mean it).

So, back to craft fairs. Do you do them? Over the years, I've made candle holders, wreaths, Christmas decorations, baby items, baby quilts, lap quilts, koozies... to name a few. Most times I make a little money. I have yet to make a lot of money. In my limited experience, it always seems that the only one making any money is the group hosting the fair. Oh well. I have to admit, while I'm making things for a craft fair, I tend to feel a bit of excitement. You know. The excitement of thinking, "If most of this sells... I'm gonna make some money!" However, if it doesn't... "Hello, Etsy!"

Sooooo, here's to happy crafting and wishful thinking. Salute!

Sewing News

As someone who sews, I'm always looking for sewing news on notions, products and other interesting items.

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TGIF and Prayers for the East Coast

It's Friday! Another work week is almost through and, at least here, the first week of school will be behind us. We will all have a weekend to take a deep breath and recoup! This Friday is also the last day of my husband's 33 year career with the military. He's retiring! I promised to give him a few weeks before presenting the "honey-do" list.

Did you watch Project Runway last night? My word, I expected to see a few of them haul off and smack each other! (Fun, fun, fun!)

Living in Louisiana, I have been through more hurricanes and evacuations than I care to think about and know exactly what people along the east coast are feeling right now. Preparations, not knowing how bad it will be, whether to evacuate or stay... the stress can be sickening. With New York and surrounding areas being pretty much at sea level... I fear flooding there could be as bad as what happened here because of Katrina. People, animals... my prayers for all in the storm's path.

Yay for Streaming Video!

Here it is, Sunday night, and I suddenly realized that I missed last week's episode of Project Runway! OMG! How did that happen? (Oh yeah, pre-season football. I was watching a game with my husband.) But I missed last week's episode of Project Runway!!!

I'm a huge fan of this show. I even enjoy watching repeats of previous seasons. I need to see who is IN and who is OUT! Which is why I was starting to feel a slight panic... like I had missed an important meeting type of panic.

Thank goodness for modern technology, the internet and streaming video! I was able to watch the entire episode on my computer with only a few short "sponsor" interruptions. Thank you Lifetime Television!!

This Project Runway junkie got her fix.

Diaper Burp Cloths (and bibs) are Fun to Make

New mothers love diaper burp cloths. Make them yourself!

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