Can't make my mind up

Back when I was planning on sewing the Margaret bag, I had purchased 2 coordinating cotton prints in blue and brown. As time goes by, I've been contemplating making a top instead. Especially, when I saw this tutorial at Sew,Mama,Sew. It's from the same lady who posted the Buttercup bag on her blog. I like it but am a little leary of potentially looking as if I'm wearing a maternity shirt when I AM NOT pregnant or ever planning on being pregnant again.

I'm game to at least make one and see how it looks on my body. The best bet would be to use cheap fabric and make a muslin before cutting into the good stuff but I would never be so careful. I like to jump feet first right into a project. Something, that drives my long suffering husband nuts!

The dilemma, I'm facing, is which fabric to use where. I originally thought the larger pattern on the body of the shirt with the small print for the bodice and straps. Now, I'm second guessing myself. This is the part I don't enjoy about sewing...putting patterns/colors together. It doesn't come easy for me.

The rest of the Gymboree blanket

We've been hit by hot weather so M wore her jellyfish outfit today. I used the Gymboree blanket for the shorts and fabric in my mom's stash for the top. The patterns were from the Ottobre Design 3/2007 issue. I eyeballed the jellyfish on the print and made up my own applique using a silky pink scrap and decorative stitches on the sewing machine. It was a lot of fun and I like the way it turned out even though I didn't center the bottom edge of the jellyfish perfectly.

Repairs

I didn't start any new projects this weekend. Instead, I made a few repairs that had been needing to be completed. Dh had a pair of shorts with a hole in one of the front pockets. Quick fix to stitch it back together...I feel a little guilty that I didn't get to it sooner. Sorry dear!

P also had a shorts problem. Last summer, I had purchased numerous pairs of shorts for him to wear this year...some new, some from thrift stores/consignment sales. Not one pair fits him ideally, he's just too skinny. His shorts that he wore last year fit great in the waist but are a bit too short for me. His "new" shorts are great in length but the waists are huge. All have adjustable waistbands but I have to cinch them in so much that he looks a bit silly with all the bunched up fabric. One pair lacked buttonhole elastic but had a drawstring. He chose to wear those to church yesterday. I tied the drawstring but the knot got pulled too tight as he wore them. After using the bathroom, he couldn't pull his shorts back over his bum and the knot was too tight for him to undo it! Time to step in and fix this. I cut the drawstring and ripped out the few stitches holding it in place on the waistband so I could pull it out. Then I took buttonhole elastic and buttons from an old pair of jeans that he'd ripped the knees out of. I threaded the elastic through the casing, stitched the buttons on, and ta-da! A pair of shorts that fit and that he can get on and off by himself.

Finish one project, Add another

One other project I forgot to add to my to do list was a purse. I had come across a free pattern while blog surfing and was planning on making it with a few modifications. Well, hunting around some more I found another pattern that was more in line with what I had envisioned.

I'm really not much of a purse person. It wasn't until I had kids that I started hauling any sort of bag around. I used to have a small leather change purse that held my driver's license, a debit card, and a bit of cash and fit into my pocket without being bulky like a man's wallet. That did me just fine. Nowadays, I prefer using the black diaper backpack I've had since P was a baby. That's fine when I have the kids with me but I do get to venture out into the world without them occasionally and don't want to be carrying a diaper bag.

I think the second purse will fit my needs and carry the essentials without being big and bulky. I'm looking forward to sewing for myself for a change!

I'm not technologically gifted

I managed to screw up my computer. No clue how this happened. Virus? Worm? Me being stupid? For days, the computer would freeze up...usually in the middle of something I felt was important. The only "fix" was to unplug it. I tried the few limited tricks up my sleeve that had worked in the past. Nothing. In the end, I reformatted. I can now access the Internet. But it's not the same. What have I done?

PJs for M

The Ottobre Design back issues I'd ordered had arrived Monday so while I spent some time at my parents' house on Tuesday, I was able to trace off and sew a pair of pajamas for M. Nothing beats sewing at grandma's...all her great equipment to use plus a built-in babysitter!

M had picked the thermal knit out last week when we were at JA's. For once, she was excited about mom sewing for her and patiently tried the top on a few times while it was under construction so I could double check the fit. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The pajamas should last her through the rest of spring and still fit come fall (I hope!).

The only problem I ran into was how stretchy this fabric can be. I had made P a double sleeved shirt with thermal fabric as the long sleeve this past fall and had the same problems with it stretching on the sleeve hems. This time I put rib knit on the sleeve and pant hems to avoid that but the shirt hem ended up all ripply. I didn't feel like I stretched it that much while sewing. I guess I'll have to hunt around on the web and see what I can learn to avoid doing this next time.

Yes, there's another pair of PJ's in my sewing future. M is thrilled with her new sleeping duds!

Sewing To Do List

Pajamas for M-Poor girl has either footies or shorts but nothing in between. I have some thermal fabric from JA's and am waiting on the Ottobre 4/04 issue for the pattern I want to use. Hopefully, it'll arrive this week so I can get on with it. P also could use some new summer pjs but half the time he just sleeps in his clothes or his underwear so there's no hurry there.

Peasant top for K to dress for M-Big sister has decided she doesn't like the purple w/ white flower top I made for her last year anymore. That's fine as she did wear it quite a bit last summer and it'll make a perfect dress for M. I'd like to add a casing and elastic to the waist though.

Church clothes for K-That girl is so tall and skinny that it's hard to find flattering age appropriate clothes for her. I'm thinking skirts and tops will probably be best though grandma is smocking a dress for her. She's needs clothes that are a bit fitted because otherwise she gets lost in her clothes.

Dress for B-I started smocking a panel last summer and lost interest in it. It's about three quarters of the way done so I really should finish it.

Speaking of unfinished projects....I have a Winnie the Pooh quilt that I started when K was little, meant to finish it for M but never did finish assembling it. Maybe I'll have it done by the time B is ready for a twin size bed??

Hammock for the backyard-I came across instructions on making a hammock with pvc pipe and outdoor fabric. I love hammocks...we had a rope one up but when I was pregnant with B I broke it. It's was dry rotted anyhow. At least that's what I tell myself!lol

Slipcovers for the couches-I've never attempted this but would love to make some as between the kids and dog all our furniture is looking a bit worse for wear.

Waterproof trainers for B-I've looked online some but haven't come across what I want. I'd like PUL on the outside and flannel on the inside with a couple of layers of flannel in the crotch. I also want them to be pocket style so if we're going to be out and about I can stick a microfiber doubler in for added protection. I also don't want snaps or velcro on the sides. I'm confident that I can make what I want but there's no hurry as B isn't showing many signs of wanting to use the potty.

I'd also like to sharpen up my hand embroidery skills and embellish a few shirts.

Easter Bunnies

I never did find any cashmere sweaters to cut into. I did felt the lambswool sweater from the previous post and even went so far as to cut out a bunny shape but ultimately went with a fleece remnant that I had.

The bunnies went together really quick. It took me about an hour and a half to make 4 from cutting them out to sewing the tails on. All the material, notions, etc. were stuff that I had on hand. The P bunny's ears are micro fleece from pocket diapers I made when M was a baby. The flannel on the other bunnies' ears are leftovers from burp cloths I made for a baby gift. The pink yarn is wool yarn from the first soakers I made. Lots of baby memories in there!

Mermaid Applique

I came across shirts like this on Etsy the other day and decided to try my hand at making one. I did make a few changes...the stars instead of fabric and blanket stitching most of the applique. Working on this reminded me of how much I suck at handsewing. I tend to lose patience mid-way through and my stitches get bigger and bigger.lol

M said she didn't want one so I put it on a B size shirt. Of course, once it was finished M thought it was for her and cried when she found out otherwise. Guess I'll be making another mermaid!

Gymboree Blanket Repurposed

Back before BK was born, I had bought a knit blanket from Gymboree that was pink and had sea life on it. I loved that blanket but unfortunately, it was one of the smaller ones and it quickly became too small to use. A few months ago, I stumbled upon it while sorting baby clothes to donate and thought it would be perfect to take apart and use as fabric. Here's some of what it became:

Easter Craft

I came across this wonderful tutorial for a super cute stuffed bunny made from cashmere...
http://blog.betzwhite.com/2007/03/cashmere-bunny-tutorial.html I thought I was set as I'd stashed away a couple of cashmere sweaters that had holes in them for making diaper covers. Turns out I'd tossed them in my fit of cleaning after Christmas.:( No problem, I'd hit the thrift stores and pick up a few. There is not one cashmere sweater to be found in any thrift store in the Tidewater area. Fine, there's always freecycle...surely, if I post a want for stained holey sweaters I'll be besieged with offers. Nope. A few emails interested in what I was going to make but no one with any cashmere. I did find a lambswool sweater that might work but it won't have that extra soft luxurious feel that cashmere is all about.