Ruffled Girls skirt!

Even though I don't wear many "frilly" things myself, I adore making them.  My neighbor's and friend's little girls' birthdays were a perfect excuse to make some adorable ruffle skirts from Snazziedrawer's "Ooh La La Ruffled Skirt Pattern."

Here are a few pictures of my process and one of the finished skirts.

I must say that Snazziedrawer's pattern is great for beginner and experienced sewers.  She gives enough information that a person can start sewing with this pattern.  Those who are more experienced can use her pattern and alter or skip some of her instructions, as necessary.  


For example, instead of making the requested 1/4" turned hem on the ruffles, I used my serger to make a narrow rolled hem on each side.  The results weren't quite as pretty, so I stitched grosgrain ribbon over the top hem of each ruffle.

Personally, I think the ribbon trim gives the design some kick:

What do you think?

Dreams of Sewing...

I love my job, truly.  It is so fun to be able to order fabrics, "treasure hunt" for patterns, and make things to sell as well.


Because of a recent Fabric Love site snafu, I've had to do more fixing, listing, and what I call "squid work" than actually creating things.  I started a victorian-style purse.  Here is a picture of my plans for it a few weeks ago:  

I've made a few changes and would really like to get back to it sometime soon.  

Of course, while I'm doing said computer work, sometimes I veer from the path for a few minutes to look at interesting things.  For example:
 

Wouldn't the above fabric from Fabric Mart look stunning when used with this pattern?  

Perhaps in a bias... (evil genius hand-rub) ye-e-es.  


Now I must decide whether I will keep or sell this 1949 treasure of a pattern.

Valentine's Day Sale

 

Wishes you a very happy February and Valentine's Day.

So now that we're in the spirit of things, we'll spread our love around by giving you a coupon code for a 10% discount at checkout.  Yep, this Valentine's Day Sale allows you to take 10% off your total amount (excluding shipping).  Now through February 14, take 10% off your entire order at Fabric Love or Sanourra Designs by entering the code BEMINE*.  

*You must enter the code to get the discount.  Orders through Etsy will have discounts refunded through paypal.  Discounts at Fabric Love calculate automatically in the cart.

Do you <3 handbags? Drool over retro fabrics? Get a spring in your step when you see a beautiful vintage item?  

Would you just love to sew a dress designed in your mother's or grandmother's heyday?  Take a look at some of my favorites here, then go find them in my shops, Fabric Love and Sanourra Designs.  All items will be shipped as quickly as possible, sometimes even the same day.

Click on the image below for a better look.

Richie (wonderful tech-god of a husband that he is) got my new site implemented, so it's much easier to navigate now.  New patterns, fabrics, and vintage up soon!

Yarn bag in process - updated frequently and randomly during project

In order to get the yarn busket to stand upright on its own, I used Pellon Peltex Ultra Firm single-sided fusible interfacing. I used my iron to fuse this to the Soft 'n Crafty polyester fiber fill. I used the interfacing as the under layer, the fiber fill as batting, and laid the pieced outer fabric covering on top for this "quilt sandwich."


I've noticed in the past that sometimes the fabric takes on a "wavy" or "crinkly" appearance when fusing it to the interfacing, so I'm pleased with the results of the suggestion I found in Ric-Rac's fabric bucket tutorial.



After quilting the "sandwich" with some simple lines, I trimmed and squared the edges. Now both pieces measure 16.5" x 18.5".



Here's a closer shot of the finished Denny Kitty appliqué (a.k.a. Knittin' Kitten by Urban Threads), crossed eyes and all. I machine appliquéd on all pieces, then used a bit of fabric paint to put the lines on the ball of yarn.



I had seriously considered embroidering the yarn ball to show the threads of it, but unfortunately I am on a bit of a deadline. Grandma's birthday is Sunday, and I'll be leaving town to see her on Saturday. I'd also like to whip up a laptop bag before leaving. I'd better stop blogging and start sewing!

I'll be adding more to this post in the coming day, so stay tuned!


Update: Put ribbon handles and decoration on bag, sewed up corner darts, and added zippered interior pocket.


Up next: Creating and securing pocket panel for crochet needles, yarn (thread) snips, and a yarn needle cozy with a velcro closure.

The purple needle cozy is made of two layers of felt sewn to a canvas flap. It features a .5" x .75" velcro closure.


I sewed a strip of Moda's Calypso to the outside of the flap to cover the velcro and felt secureing stitching, and to give it a more finished look. This is the same fabric from which I'm making the zippered interior pocket.

Pledge: Wardrobe Refashion

Ok, I finally did it. I took the wardrobe refashion pledge. Starting on September 1, I will not buy any new article of clothing OR ACCESSORIES, excepting shoes and underthings (as stated in the rules, below). I don't buy that many new clothes anymore, anyway, but I haven't made any in a while, either. I do have plans for a few skirts, tops and dresses. I just always feel the need to craft things for others, first! I will try to make something for myself in the next few months, and share it with the Wardrobe Refashion community. I will post there once weekly, to show what I'm working on. This may not always be something for myself, however! I do have a few bags I've promised to family as gifts which I need to get truckin' on!

The Rules

• 1.
  No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
• 2.
  In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
• 3.
  You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
• 4.
  You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

The Pledge

I, _Megan Harris_ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Signed,

Flowers and a bag!

This past week I've been a busy girl! I sold my first bag and a few vintage patterns. *insert happy dance here*

I've also been crafting quite a bit. Last weekend, I bought Crafty Pod author Diane Gilleland's book, Kanzashi In Bloom. Her step-by step photo illustrations and concise instructions make this book very easy to follow, and encouraged me to dive right in!


Below are her book and my first two victim, er... volunteer fabrics!

Here are my first three blooms. The top (all red) uses the pleated petal technique, the dark flower is folded in the rounded petal style, and the dual-colored bloom is a mix of rounded and pointed petals.

I'm still busy finishing up a few bags, so I haven't finished and embellished them yet, but I will soon, and I'll make some more colorful friends for them to hang out with!

Speaking of which, here's one of those bags in process. I'm defining it as an "art bag." It will be a wristlet, but it's my first, and I'm making it up as I go. I knew I wanted something pretty and a bit frilly when I picked the little fabric scraps out of my stash. The flower and ribbon fabric was from a friend who was giving away some of her scraps. It's just darling, isn't it? It turns out that this fabric was actually a fabric sample from a little French Linens shop here in town. It made me feel extra good about this purse to know that I was re-using something that otherwise might have gone in the trash.



I decided I wanted to throw some purple in there, so I quilted the bottom in a harlequin-style diamond pattern. I also used up the last of the purple ribbon that decorated my SIL's purse.



The lace I recently found at a former gas station now crammed full of estate sale finds in a tiny little town 15 miles north of me. It just screamed, "Put me on the frilly wristlet!"

Ok! Ok! Who am I to say no? Sheesh!



The pearls and the ribbon wanted to be part of this particular pretty, so there they are, on the little wristlet. The pearl buttons were from a vintage lot of buttons I purchased a while ago on Ebay.

I've got to get back to it, so thanks for reading, and ta ta for now!

Patterns!

I stopped by my friend's house the other day and she hooked me up with some really cool vintage patterns!

McCall's 7854 c. 1949

McCall's 7414 c. 1948

McCall's 4302 c. 1957

Advance 9970 - Straight up Jackie O, folks

Butterick 2735 - Soooo Mad Men!

I'm still giddy over these finds. I haven't listed these in my shop yet, but you can find others!

Pack Your Bags zippy pouch now in shop!

I just put a new bag up in my shop, a "Pack Your Bags" zippy pouch. Go check it out!

(Edited 08/12/09: This bag has been sold! Check back soon for more faboo bags in the works!)

Camping, Beach & Allergies

Ok guys- I know I haven't posted in awhile. I took a vacation from my day job, and the vacation slopped over to a vacation from posting, as well!

So in the last few weeks I've been doing many things. First it was camping:

Camping at Champoeg State Park

Then we went to the beach with our friends for my birthday weekend. We stayed in Lincoln City at the Ester Lee Motel & Cabins. It turned out to be quite nice. We had a load of fun playing Apples to Apples, Mad Gab, and little pirate board game my husband and I picked up a few years back.

On the beach at Lincoln City with T, C & Tonka goggie.

No, I'm not frowning, I'm concentrating on my stitching.

Our view of the beach from the room we rented with our friends. Ok, we did splurge a bit for my birthday weekend.

In between camping and the beach, I underwent allergy testing because I am fed up with vertigo and migraines, and I'm finally doing something about it. My husband and I think the migraines may be partially due to my sinus problems, and my sinus problems most likely stem from allergies. Well, we were right that I have allergies. No, I won't show you pictures of the ginormous welts on my arms, because I didn't take any.

So, it turns out that I'm allergic to grass. I live in Eugene, which is part of Lane county, and is situated in the Willamette Valley. Guess what title the Willamette Valley gets? You got it - "Grass Seed Capitol of the World." You don't have to trust me on that, you can go ahead and google it. I'm so freaking thrilled.

Sails

The Old Red Barn Flickr group is now doing a zigzag quilt. I didn't join in on this one, as I've already got too many projects started or clamoring to get out of my head and into fabric. But it gave me an idea.

I was going to make a reusable lunchbag for someone, hoping to make him smile every day. This person is not easy to buy for, or craft for, has been there for me my entire life, and has a birthday coming up. If he's reading this, I've just spoiled the surprise, but oh well. Hi Dad. :)



Anyway, my dad likes the ocean, so I decided to try my hand at more complicated piecing, for a sea and sailboat effect. This is what I made from a charm pack of Moda's "Neptune" by Tula Pink. Not bad for my first shot, eh? Now I'm wondering if I want to turn it into a lunch bag or make it into a more decorative wall hanging. Thoughts? Impressions? Leave me a comment!

Shoppers for Raffle

Wow... has it really been since Friday that I posted? I've been busy! Here's what I created this last weekend:

Shopper 1: Blue Floral with ribbon and lace.

The company I work for will be raffling off items at our company picnic on Sunday to raise money for WomenSpace. It's a cause that's important to me, so I made a few bags to throw into the prize box. Plus, this way, I also honor the cause of reuse/reduce/recycle!


I used a pattern I bought from Deidre Wicks. I was a bit skeptical at first about one of the construction methods (ironing under the curved seam allowances on the side top), because of the time it took to do it right, but after thinking it through, I conceded that it was the best method considering the cut and construction. It turned out great! Congrats on a great pattern, Deidre! I would recommend it to anyone wanting to sew a bag like this.

The blue floral print I found at S.A.R.A.'s Treasures, and turned out to be the bottom 1/4 of a queen flat sheet. Red & white gingham was a re-purposed pillowcase. The ribbon and lace were things that I've had for years.

I had a lot of fun making this, and discovered that even though I'm a good part tomboy, there's a bit of frilly girly-girl in me as well.



Here is Shopper #2, the Pasta Bag, which I made so the men could feel good about using one of my bags, too! Of course, it didn't hurt that I already had the fabric.


This fabric was another recent S.A.R.A.'s Treasures find...



as was the button, which I found on a dress in the $.50 bin that I grabbed for -you guessed it- fabric repurposing!

The gingham was from a second pillowcase, and I grabbed an unused hair tie out of my make-up box for the closure. Seeing as how I cut off all my hair again, I won't be using it any time soon. :)

To finish it all off, I created a cute little instruction card for each and printed each out on a piece of 4x6 photo paper.

Giveaway Alert! Pretty Ditty Apron Pattern + 3 Yards Fabric

The Fabric Shopper blog is hosting a giveaway, and I wanted to make sure you all knew about it!



Here's the dish: Jamie Christina, owner of Phat Fabrics, is giving away one of her Pretty Ditty Apron pattern and 3 yards of fabric from either the Michael Miller category or the Alexander Henry category from her store. She's having Melanie at Fabric Shopper host it, so click on this linky here to go suss out the details!

Psst: the hardest part is singling out only 3 fabrics from her fabulous selection!

Do it quick, because the giveaway ends Sunday, July 17 at midnight CDT.