Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Sewing Machine Review


Christine over at ChrisW Designs is hosting a series of Sewing Machine Reviews.
If you hop over, you'll see my take on the Janome 4120 QDC here!

Sewing Machine Reviews

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Rascal Raglan and Some Fabric

My boys are growing.
And wearing through their clothes rather quickly.
Most of their shirts are either stained, too small, or have holes in them.
I think they have one or two shirts each that are decent enough to wear out.
 
 
This is another upcycle--two $3 shirts from Walmart.
I could barely fit the raglan sleeves on the original sleeves but managed to squeeze them out.
The pattern is from Ottobre 4/2013--#9 'Rascal.'

 
Both are size 110 in width but I added a good bit of length to the red shirt--I'm not sure even how much, but it was a couple of inches for sure.
I would shorten the neck binding next time, and maybe do it as the instructions said...I just folded it in half, sewed it on, and topstitched--not so much a binding but a neck band.
The castle applique is a quilting cotton from Fat Quarter Shop--Madrona Road's 'Haystack' in charcoal. Perfect for castle walls!
The pattern I used for the applique is my own, newly released pattern--Castle Applique Pattern.

 
The boys love their new shirts.
As do I.
 
 
I also bought some more fabric! I had won a $50 gift card to Fabric.com and picked out these lovelies the day I got it--there was a bit of a sale on knits.
My stock of kid prints was rather depleted non-existent, and with a baby coming in June, Lord willing, I thought it'd be wise to stock up. So, there is half yard each of some Ooga Booga--a jersey and an interlock and then some from Heather Ross--both jerseys.
The next two are full yards and then 2 yards of the bottom.
It is such a pretty fabric, I'll probably make myself a dress or so out of that! 


 
(If you want to shop at Fabric.com, I'd love if you clicked on the little link in the side bar! It's an affiliate link, and I get a little commission. Thanks!!!)

Castle Applique Pattern

Eeek!!
I'm super excited to announce my first 'pattern'!
It's an applique pattern, and it is now available on Craftsy, here!
 
 
I am so super grateful to the ladies that helped with testing the pattern and who gave such great advice.
I also have a much greater respect for all the pattern designers out there--it took a lot of work making this, I can't imagine a full pattern!
 

 
My boys love it too!
They were pretty thrilled with their castles that they requested.
 
Some tester pics:
 
Stephanie from http://swoodsonsays.com/
 
Jess from http://graciousthreads.blogspot.ca/

Jessica from http://www.makemecrafty.blogspot.ca/
Thanks so much!
 
So, hop over to Craftsy and pick up the pattern! 

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Another Laurel

  
As soon as my fabric from Girl Charlee (referral link) arrived, it was washed and I started on another Laurel Dress/Tunic from Greenstyle Creations.

Yes, I have plans for most of this fabric...
the two triangle ones were too cheap to pass up and I'm so glad I didn't.
They're so nice and soft!

 A dress this time though.

27 1/2 weeks
It's a quick but satisfying sew. And, it is so comfy.
I can see myself sewing up a whole wardrobe of these...
Next time though, I will leave off the back pleats. I think I prefer a cleaner look to the back.
I didn't feel like doing the math and when I realized the directions for that were in the official pattern (yes, I was too lazy and didn't read all the instructions) it was too late--I had already sewn the skirt pieces together with pockets and all. I was too lazy didn't feel like seam ripping it all out to change it up.

Oh, and I still have the giveaway running for a couple of days (till the 11th of March)--so you can win your own copy of this lovely pattern! Visit the post here.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Comic Book Quilt

I have one last(ish) post for this years Pregnancy Care Centre Sew Along.
(I have to admit that I have another quilt top ready to go....but we shall see if I finish it this time along!)
In the box of fabric that the Fat Quarter Shop sent us, there was a number of pieces of Batman fabric.
I am generally not a fan of the 'superheroes' but I thought it'd be a good challenge to put together a quilt and it is always a fun challenge to use what is available either in my stash or what has been donated!
 
 
So, before I went to the quilt retreat, I had cut out the main pieces along with most of the sashing.
At the quilt retreat, I pieced the whole top (and pieced the next top.)

 
This is the result.
I am all comic-booked out! ha!
 
 
For the back, I used the last pieces that were the width-of-fabric, pieced with some more black I had in my stash.
The binding was also donated by the Fat Quarter Shop.
And, the batting is again a piece of flannelette that was donated.
 
 
Oh, and a funny story--I cannot keep the super heroes straight. At. all.
My son told me that this is Batman, (not Superman) since it has the bats.
I forgot what he called it and ended up referring to it as Spiderman (he at least exists, right?!)
And, I needed to be corrected again by a friend.
After which my sons (both this time) were so excited that I was cutting up Batman....
Sigh...where do they learn these things?
And, why do I not know these things?!
 
Maybe because I prefer comics like Donald Duck or Calvin and Hobbes...

FABulous Home Sewn

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

New Laurel Dress/Tunic Pattern and a Giveaway! **CLOSED**

Greenstyle Creations recently had a tester call on their FB group.
After asking if it'd work for a baby belly, Angelyn told me she wanted me to test. I'm so glad I was able to!
The Laurel Dress/Tunic isn't meant to be a maternity pattern but it works so well as one!


I made the tunic length in size small, with a long bodice and above-the-elbow sleeves.
It even has pockets!
The fabric is an end piece from Fabricland that I've had in my stash for quite some time with the intent of making myself a top or dress.
Finally it has become one, and I'm so happy with the result!

26 weeks :)
With the pleats in the skirt it works very well to fit in my growing belly.
The amount of fabric I used was a piece that was 45" x 60", so not even 2 yards!


Now, just to await the arrival of my fabric order from Girl Charlee so I can make myself a dress with this pattern.

But, that's not all!
Angelyn is letting me give away a copy of the new Laurel Dress/Tunic right here!

To be entered to win, please leave a comment on this post letting me know your favourite pattern at Greenstyle Creations!

*Please make sure that your email address is linked to your comment, either through your profile or in the comment!* 

Giveaway closes on the 11th of March, and a winner will be picked at that time!

***Winner is #36 of the 40 participating comments, Melissa Chambers, who said: 'I love this pattern! I'm going to have to buy it - if I'm not the lucky winner - after seeing how you rock it on the baby bump! (due end of June)'***
And, if you don't win, you can always buy your own copy here!