Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Something Different--Classic Book Challenge!

This is a little different than my usual sewing! I used to be an avid reader but have not read as much in the last number of years as I find I get lost in a book and have a hard time putting them away. Also, the little time I feel I have I want to use to read books that help me to grow in my faith and knowledge of God. However, as a homeschooling mom it is good to read the books that my kids will be reading and to keep my brain sharp. So...I will try to join in on this challenge:

Karen from Books and Chocolate is doing a Back to the Classics Challenge for 2018. 

1.  A 19th century classic - A G.A Henty book

2.  A 20th century classic - 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding


3.  A classic by a woman author. 'Cotton in my Sack' by Lois Lenski


4.  A classic in translation.  'Reis Door de Nacht' by Anne Devries translated to 'Journey Through the Night'


5. A children's classic. 'Winnie the Pooh' by A.A. Milne


6.  A classic crime story, fiction or non-fiction. Probably 'Sherlock Holmes' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.


7. A classic travel or journey narrative, fiction or non-fiction. 'Pilgrim's Progress' by John Bunyan

8. A classic with a single-word title. 'Christiana' by John Bunyan


9. A classic with a color in the title. 'Anne of Green Gables' by Lucy Maude Montgomery


10. A classic by an author that's new to you.  I'll need to look for something yet! 


11. A classic that scares you. 'Pride and Prejudice' or 'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austen


12. Re-read a favorite classic. 'Margaret Paton: Letters from the South Seas' which was published in 2003 but the letters are written in the 1860's to the 1890's. 


I myself am curious how many of these I'll get to! I'd love to get in the habit of doing more reading and this looks like a do-able challenge.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Mug Rugs!

In December I had some fun doing a couple of small quilting projects--mug rugs! 
For a couple of years already I've been wanting to make some of my friends a small Christmas gift and this year I finally got to doing it for four of them. 


I had so much fun coming up with different ideas for each one, and working with each of their favourite color combos. 
This first one I found a cool idea on Pinterest with stacked tea cups, so I found some neutral colors in my stash to make them and then appliqued them with sketch-like stitching. 


Next up I used my Dresden ruler and just sewed them together along the long ends, alternating the direction. Navy, yellow, and teal were the colors of choice here. 


Black and white, grey and blue. This one has random strips sewn together and then the blue fabric, I fussy-cut around the design in the fabric. It turned out so bold and fun!


The last one has the hearts appliqued onto a piece of white fabric and then I reverse appliqued that behind the Essex linen. This one is based on my plates and cups--this friend has always loved the color of my plates and cups. They look almost like Delft blue but are actually a Martha Stewart set from Sears years ago. 

It was neat, working with the fabric I had on hand, doing some different quilting techniques (mostly free motion and straight lines), and trying to be a little artsy with fabric.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Maggie Tunic--One Day Sale!

I'm quite excited that one of my favourite shops will be having Sunshine Sunday Sales!
First up in the sales is the Maggie Top Tunic and Dress


This pattern comes together very nicely. It has three length options (top, tunic, and dress) and three sleeve options (short, 3/4, and long).
I chose to sew up the tunic length with short sleeves. 


It is a slimmer fitting top/tunic/dress so as a tunic it's perfect over skinny jeans or if your daughter is the legging wearing type over a decent pair of leggings. 


I'm sure I'll be using this pattern over and over to make tops for my daughters. 
The size range is 6 months to 12 years, so it's a pattern you can use for years and with all the options it works for all seasons.  


Sale price with the coupon code is $5 for the girls, $6 for the ladies, and $10 bundled! 
You can find the code in the Facebook Group!
Find the pattern here: Maggie Top Tunic and Dress from Bella Sunshine Designs.
Code is valid only from midnight to midnight EST the 28th of January. 

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Fresh Start Blog Tour

It's that time of year where we're thinking about getting a fresh start on our habits, new wardrobes, and trying new things. Join me and my fellow bloggers this week as we showcase how we're getting a Fresh Start with DG Patterns. (Be sure to read on to learn about our sponsor giveaway)


I have to admit--I was pretty nervous to sew up the 
DG Patterns is a new to me designer and there were not a lot of examples elsewhere of the Sarah Dress sewn up, but I had been eyeing it for awhile because I loved the center pleat detail, so when I had the opportunity to sew it up I signed up. 
Then I had second thoughts as I was about to cut my fabric--I even messaged the organizer of the tour to express my concerns!
But, I'm so glad I did sew it--it turned out to fit very well.


I did make a couple of mods. I lowered the neckline by about an inch and instead of just turning the neck and sleeve under and topstitching, I bound them. Partly to bring the neck and sleeve openings in nicely to avoid any possible gaping. Also, the blue fabric is soft on the inside but it's 'itchy' on the outside and I didn't want to turn that in towards the inside. 


I also added a little bit of length for the short dress version. I added an inch to the bodice and an inch to the skirt part. I wanted a dress that hit around the knees--not too far above. 


Would I recommend this pattern? 
Yes! With the mods I made I love how it turned out. There are also other options included in the pattern such as a pleated top and a long dress as well as a basic top, short, and long dress. 
There are also four different sleeve options. 
I chose the pleated short dress and sleeveless.


I'm quite excited about this dress and am looking forward to an opportunity to wear it out.


You can save 50% off any purchase at DG Patterns using the code FRESHSTART50 during the tour. 

Be sure to stop by all the other bloggers on this blog tour! 

Southern Belle Fabrics is generously sponsoring the Fresh Start Tour. During the tour use code: DGBLOGTOUR to save 20% in the shop.

Discount code expires Jan 21st 2018 11:59PM CST

Southern Belle Fabrics is also offering a fabric giveaway. Enter below to win a MFRB Mystery Box valued at $60+.

Giveaway includes shipping to US and Canada (up to $45 in free shipping)

A Rafflecopter Giveaway


Giveaway winner will be announced through social media on or about January 20th.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Tao Raglan for Men

I have a new favourite t-shirt pattern for men.
I had the privilege of testing this pattern and was impressed by the quality of the drafting and how well the pieces fit together. 
Plus, the final result is well worth the amount of fabric needed for men's clothing. 


The pattern comes in short, regular, and tall and it is a multi-sized pattern so all the tall sizes are nested. As are the short and regular--each in a separate file. This makes blending sizes easy. 
(This is a newer feature for Sinclair patterns, so if you were turned off by the individual sizing in the past, do check this one out!)
There is a regular length and a tucked in length, long and short sleeves. 
I chose to make the regular, tucked in length with short sleeves. 


The fabric used is a lighter weight, drapey athletic jersey for the body and another unknown content fabric--both of which I got off a destash. 


This pattern will be getting more use--I think it'll be my go-to for shirts for my husband. 
Get it on sale for $6.99 until January 18th 2018. 



Wednesday, January 3, 2018

New Year, New Sew Blog Tour



Welcome to my stop on the New Sews for the New Year blog tour! 
One of my boys has been finally outgrowing his clothes so when he was complaining that all his sweaters were too small, I knew he was next on my list. 


Though it's not a new pattern, I chose to start off with the Dress-Up Hoodie from Mouse House Creations.  I love the fit of this hoodie and the style of the front of the hood--perfect for some fun grommet details that I've been wanting to try! 


Since the grommet details aren't included in the pattern (neither is the drawstring), I'll provide a little info on how I did it. 
I ironed the squares on with Heat 'n Bond, stitched them on, and then ironed some sturdy interfacing to the back part. Next, I punched the holes in and added the grommets. 
The drawstring is about 1.25" wide strip of fabric that has curled in on itself--great for making it match well. 


After asking him if he wanted anything on the front, he asked for one of his favourite animals--an elephant, so that was appliqued on. 
He is thrilled as am I. 
A first time for me doing a hoodie that I had to insert the grommets on my own, and also a first time sewing from yardage of jogging fleece. I usually just cut up old sweaters and re-use the details. (I've done another as well but neglected blogging about it.)  

Be sure to stop by the other stops on the blog tour--it continues all month long! 


Monday, January 1st: Introduction- Sewing by Ti
3rd FABulous Home Sewn *** You are here.


Sunday, January 7th: Minn's Things


Sunday, January 14th: Sew Like a Sloth
19th Ma Moose

Sunday January 21st: Flaxfield Sewing


Sunday January 28th: Sew Haute Blog