Happy Birthday Helen!

Actually, her birthday was October 2nd but I wasn't able to give her her present until a couple of weeks ago. I decided to make a duffle/overnight bag. I just happened to have some decorator weight fabric by Amy Butler on hand. I can't remember where I got the pattern but it was from a sewing/quilting magazine. Anyway, here it is:


There aren't any pockets inside but there is a pocket on each end. The pattern only called for one but hey, you can never have enough pockets.
It came out great and she loved it!

Elaine

Not my usual kind of sewing

Curtains! I don't like home dec kind of sewing and until recently I didn't do home dec sewing. A few months ago my friend Pam and I went to Franklin Mill Store in Franklin, Mass. I was going for my usual decorator quilting cottons and Pam was looking for curtain fabric for her kitchen and dining room. Actually, she's been looking for about 10 years. Anyway, Franklin Mills has a home decorator section with a nice selection of fabric and trimmings. Pam found the perfect fabric and a display window that had a style she liked. No curtain rods. Two L brackets are mounted above each window and a 1x3 board screwed to the brackets. The top of the curtains are stapled to the boards. Sounds easy. Oh yeah, did I mention that she also purchased bead trimming. No problem because she had someone in mind to make these for her. Shirley lives in CT and it wasn't looking good to have these done for Thanksgiving. Pam had already painted the kitchen and the brackets and boards were ready. Pam created a pattern for the curtains. I took the fabric home and sewed the bead trim and lining to the bottoms of the curtains. Once this was done we spent 5 1/2 hours finishing them. I'm really happy with the way they turned out. The pattern in the fabric is nice and lined up and everything looks great.
Here are a few pictures.




It was a challenge and it was fun. I'm not likely to do it again anytime soon but my attitude about home dec sewing has changed...a little bit.
Elaine

Vote now!

Which do you think is cuter?






Just kidding...there really is no contest here.

Elaine

Requested Baby Presents

A woman I work with recently had her first great-grandchild. She asked if I would make something special. Her granddaughter had a little boy. Hmmm, no "boy stuff" in the stash so I started leafing through my magazines and books for ideas. I made a bib and matching burp cloth that I forgot to take a picture of and a cute hat and matching onesie. One thing I know for sure...onesie's are versatile. The hat is a cute little dog face. I wanted to put something on the onesie to make an outfit but couldn't think of anything. I did remember that I had a dog bone shaped cookie cutter so I decided to applique that on the front of the onesie.

The dog ears and bone are black. I hat heartburn over this initially but who says you can't use black on baby things? I think it looks fine.

Now, as promised, block 1 of my new Block of the Month club.


This block came with 5 templates. Are you kidding me? It was a lot of work and there was a mixture of machine and hand stitching. I'm pretty happy with it. Block 2 is in the house and I have started it. Lots of parallelograms. I better get going on it. Block 3 should be here any day.
Elaine

A Onesie Dress

My friend Ann sent me a link to a onesie dress tutorial by Lila Tueller. What a great idea and perfect timing I might add. A co-worker had a baby girl a couple of weeks ago and this would be perfect. The directions are great and this was a breeze to make. Here's my version. Double click on the image for a better view.


You will have to use elastic thread in your bobbin for this project. For those of you that have never done this, don't worry. It's very easy. You must hand wind the elastic thread snugly. The reason you want to use this thread is to maintain some elastisity in the area where the skirt is attatched to the onsie. I used a size 6-9 months onesie. The fabric is Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey. This project is great for those fat quarters you have hanging around. I think this will become a "baby girl present" staple for me.

More photos to come on the new BOM. I started my new Block of the Month and finished the first block. The second is in progress. Jeez, these are a lot of work. The first block came with 5 templates! Till next time.
Elaine

Fuego! Fuego!

Don’t worry.  There isn’t a fire but what I do have to show you is the cutest firefighter ever.  Mind you, she wasn’t all that happy with the fire hat but left it on long enough for me to snap a couple of photos.

Not happy…leave me alone.

  

Still not happy but has figured out that she isn’t getting out of this photo shoot.

Getting a little peeved but can see the end in sight. Amazing what the promise of a treat will get you.

Can you get any freakin cuter than this I ask you?

Her Auntie Pam bought this costume for her but I think we’ll be getting a lot of use out of the slicker.  It’s water proof and Miss L hates getting wet.  I think wearing the hat one night a year will be more than enough for her.

Phew, glad that’s over.  Firefighting is tough stuff.

Now onto some crafting. 

A while back I showed you a couple of jewelry pouches that I made.  Well, I recently got a picture of one in use.

I’m not sure that the tiny skinny ribbon was meant to hold so many baubles but I guess it works for her.  Till next time.

Elaine

Do I look silly in this hat?

 

That seems to be what he is saying.  I think he looks adorable!  I purchased the pattern here.  I’m still waiting for a picture of Brayden in his Spooky Spider Hat.  Stay tuned.

Elaine