Not On My List

When I made my summer sewing to do list, this skirt was not on it.  But, I've made two of them and nothing else on my list.  The short sleeve sweater I got at Goodwill.  So, $5 for the sweater, $10 for material, and $5 for the pattern makes this a $20 outfit.  Ok, ok, the shoes add in too, but who counts that as an expense?

Here is the pattern I used.  I didn't use the pockets on this one and I pleated the skirt instead of using gathers.

Notice there is nothing in the hutch.  Unloading all the china is also on my summer to do list.  I did paint most of the dining room though.

I also bought a package of 25 zippers for $9.  I only used one, so how much does that add to the cost of the outfit?

Four Years Later...

Finished piecing this quilt in January on maternity leave.  Sent it to Utah where a friend of mine's mother quilted it on her long arm.  Put the binding on and now it is happily on our bed.

 Did I forget to mention the back is its own quilt?  I made a Turning Twenty out of a pile of fabric mom sent me years ago.  Hubby likes the back more than the front.

Mistakes Will Happen

 Here is my first attempt at an Oliver+S Playdate dress.  My biggest goof up was how I pasted together the digital pattern print out.  I made the back piece way too small and therefore had to add this blue piece at the bottom for length.  I do love the pleating and buttons.  I still need to work on making the yoke look nice.  I'll keep working on it.

A First Time for Everything



I never say yes.  When people ask me to make them a quilt I avoid answering.  I've been burned more times that I care to recall.  This time was different.   A coworker asked me to work on her grandmother's quilt.  I hemmed and hawed.  It sat in a pile for a few weeks. 

Finally, I brought it home and knocked it out.  It was a bit of a challenge because of the quilt's age.  I couldn't stretch or pull too much.  The corners and edges had started to fray.  I think the stippling has helped to stabalize the blocks.

The pink and blue blocks are my favorites and maybe the oldest fabrics in the quilt.

This time was different because of the reaction I got when I handed my coworker her grandmother's quilt.  She was very appreciative.  She teared up.  You could tell that preserving her grandmother's work meant a lot to her.  The hours stitching in the basement were now all worth it to me.  Most of the time I only sew for myself and gifts because that is what brings me joy.  This time, quilting for hire has brought me joy.

To do list:

To steal a line from my favorite nephew; "Can YOU focus?"  The answer right now is no.  I have so many projects swimming around in my head I don't know where to start.

Tonight I worked on the Izzy Top but making it as a dress.  If I could just have an hour uninterrupted I could finish.  That will never happen.  Two little girls got vaccines today so there is a considerable amount of crabbiness going on.

Summer Sewing To do List:
Izzy Top Dress for Meredith
Shirt dress for me
Bebe Dress
Oliver+S Playdate Dress
Two stick horses
Giraffe diaper bag
Linen School House Tunic
Purse for me

Here is my first successful School House tunic.  More to come.

Baby's Room

With less than 10 weeks to go each weekend is being spent getting ready.

This weekend we hung pictures and put together a book case.  The pictures are simply copied from a treasury of Beatrix Potter stories.  The quilt was given to me by my mother years ago.  She calls it the three sisters quilt.  I think it's perfect in a little girl's room.
The pillow on the left was embroidered by my great-grandmother Hackett and the lamp is from my grandmother McNary.  There is another quilt on the bed made by great-grandma McNary.
Lots more to do but weekend time has run out.

Manic

Due to my failing the first glucose test, I had a four day weekend.  Of course I had to take the 3 hour test, but that still left me with 3 1/2 days away from work.  I'm waiting for my grad school text books to arrive so I can't get started on homework.  So what happens?  I get way crafty.
I feel like I have to have everything ready for this baby right now.  I have 11 weeks to go, I don't know what the panic is.

Today I made a travel changing pad.  After many hours researching I used chenille on one side and PUL on the other.  I used this tutorial.  In half an hour the changing pad was done.  The pocket holds wipes and diapers.  Husband was perplexed when I bought a travel size baby wipe and told him it was for a pattern.
Baby girl also has 3 cloth diaper covers done.  Hopefully I'll get at least one more done today.