Tracking my crafting and sewing adventures...
I’ve officially overdone the sewing as my wrist is inflamed from cranking the wheel on my machine to raise and lower the needle so much and lifting my iron! Last night I did 11 belts in one sitting, I think that’s a record! I’m really looking forward to tomorrow – even though there are about 8 things I still want to make and 2 batches of cookies!
Yes that's a bag of flour, an old phone, a vintage (mine!) Raggedy Ann and Andy coat rack and our water supply manifold... oh yes! And my new shelf unit to display my sewn goods at the LIttlest! I think it will be great as I'm often trying to display things in 3 sizes - S, M, L, or 6-12mo, 12-18mo and 18-24mo. Looks like the cubby with 18-24month Quilty Pants is a little low.,. hmmm.... better stop playing and get sewing!
I've made a small stack of one-of-a-kind embroidered birds on fabric paint-stamped birdcages. They're all black, women's (sorry guys!), American Apparel (because they're made in USA), long sleeve hoodies. I've been test driving mine since the spring and I'd wear it every day if I could, it's that comfy and washes well to boot. If you'd like one or like to see them just let me know or come next Saturday to 17 Arnheim for the 12th Annual Littlest Arts and Craft Fair - the best one in town in my opinion! There's my sales pitch for the day - stay tuned for more. The next big news is that, after a dry spell of not finding just the right kind of apron fabric since IKEA discontinued my favourite linen/cotton blend, I will finally have Cafe Aprons again! Hooray!
I bought this Japanese Pattern book in February (yes, 9 months ago folks!) while we were in Portland, Oregon. The Hooded Jacket in wool was so great, I had to make it - obviously I was in a big hurry? I also bought some lovely (local) wool from Pendleton Mills in Portland too. The pattern was very easy, I think I sewed it up in one evening, and then the buttons and hand sewn hem the second evening. Of course I ask myself, as the count down to The Littlest Arts and Craft Fair is on, and the frantic sewing frenzy begins, what the heck am I doing sewing this treat of a jacket for me at this time of year??!! Ah well, must be a form of procrastination! So, if you don't get something handmade from me this year for Christmas, it's because I was busy sewing for myself! He he...
Belts, zippy change purses and hankies all in at the Chocolate Claim. It's busy around here with sewing for the Littlest Art and Craft Fair coming up on December 4th. I'm looking forward to it - I've got some lovely new fabric to cut into and get out the door. My stash is getting a bit too unmanageable lately - come help me out and take something lovely home for Christmas!
Good things come in threes I'm told. These "floor pillows" are fun - and look like suitcases when you carry them by their handles - super cute!
The famous flannel lined baby pants, available in sizes 6 months to 24 months. Please note that waistband adjustments are free since those baby bellies come in so many sizes!
This is my favourite kids sewing pattern book lately, and I still haven't done any of the cute sundresses - yet! The Elsie Marley blog hosted another Kids Clothes Week Challenge but we're on holiday so I missed it. However, in preparation for holidays, I made 2 super cute tops for 2 super cute girls we will be visiting shortly, so it sort of counts doesn't it? Also, the KCWC host made the same top - great sewists think alike! Check out the challenge here for some lovely, creative and repurposed kids sewing projects. I hope we have more of these challenges!
I was excited to make Birthday Banners (or Barty's Banners!) for a friend who has ventured into a birthday party supplies and rentals business here in Whitehorse. Barty's Parties is a service that provides a selection of really neat cake pans for rent, as well as biodegradable disposable plates and cutlery, environmentally conscious loot bag gifts and lots of other party related items. The banners were lots of fun to make. Katie asked for a superhero theme (red and blue), a dinosaur theme (greens) and of course the pink and purple theme (which, I think turned out the nicest).
This is the second batch - the first batch is gone already and I didn't keep the one I liked the best! These reversible bags are organic cotton canvas in the solid colour and patterned cotton on the outside. This is another "everything" bag, big enough for an over nighter and small enough for an everyday purse. Oh, and I guess my blog entries were pretty non-existent this summer - a good sign of a hot summer and a few swims at Long Lake - amazing!
A quick scan of the blog revealed that I have only posted belt photos once - I make them all the time so I assumed they were blogged all the time! Alas, here is the most recent batch to go to the coffee shop. They are a lot of fun to make because they allow me to use every fabric in my stash and the variety is astounding (= i have too much fabric!). They are typically 42" long but I often have folks come by our house to pick their own fabric and length for themselves, a friend or a teenager or two. A very gratifying product for maker and client alike!
Sun Hat season is back. Last year I made these hats for the trunk show and they were very popular. I'd forgotten about them and a few friends were asking so, rush down to the Chocolate Claim, I'm only making these 4 this year, 2 from Edna's vintage barkcloth curtains. They're reversible, large brims, perfect for sitting and reading, not so great for walking around if you don't want to bump into anything! Actually, the brim folds up in many different ways to aid in seeing where you're going. Very fashionable style nonetheless. They are "modified" Lotta Jansdotter Hats from her book Simple Sewing.
Cigar Flowers? Well, this fabric was a set of old curtains found at our local Sally Ann. It is clean, lovely fabric, incredible flower graphics... However, if you are inclined to iron said fabric, you will be looking around for someone smoking a cigar! It's actually not all that unpleasant, if you happen to have a happy memory of a nice, funny man that smoked cigars like I do.
My good friend's niece and friend drove across the country to visit the Yukon and loved the wrist cuffs I had made a while ago. So I whipped a couple up for them to wear home today (just in time before they hit the road again!). These really are fun to make and give, especially if there is a fabric that says something about the wearer - the cars in these are (obviously) to remind them of their road trip! The pattern is from the lovely JCasa site, the buttons are from our days in Brunei. Here are some photos from DH of the wristlets in action on a sunny day - of which we have had MANY I might add while touching wood...
It was market bag mania here yesterday - and I managed to plant the veggie garden too! I've 15 bags made (2 blue and green models not shown here) and I'm really hoping they'll last the summer, but that's probably wishful thinking! They are for sale at the Birdhouse Cafe and are doing really well up there. Morgan is so enthusiastic about them, if I'm ever feeling like I need a boost I should just go hang out with her! It's a lovely spot and they have a great locally made toy kitchen and play area too.
Another pair of shorts from Happy Homemade, shorts "L". This time I skipped the faux fly since they're pretty busy with stripes, I didn't think it would be missed... The real reason is that I haven't managed to make that #@!#? fly without a seam ripper yet and I've done it twice! This time the pockets are lined with gears - just as good as frogs, if not better, for our little guy!
I'm hoping to sew one hour a day for a week for Finn as part of Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge (see button on right side)! Often my projects mean ideas for Finn's wardrobe get sidelined so hopefully this Challenge will help! Hour 1 was drafting the pattern for Boy's Shirt q in my Happy Homemade Vol. 2, Kids book! It's a short sleeve dress shirt with grandfather collar. Wish me luck!
Finally some photos. I was putting off ironing these, otherwise I would have posted them sooner, since I finished them weeks and weeks ago (not!). My favourite pattern these days. Since L has been wearing hers around town and getting so many compliments, I thought I would make a few for the Trunk Show. Size 11 or thereabout, they fit L, who is smaller than me, and they fit me too, so hopefully they'll fit a few other folks.
