just so like me: March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

Things I've liked through the week!

Source: thechive.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: alwayswithbutter.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: papercraftcentral.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: artfire.com via Stepheny on Pinterest

Source: ohdeedoh.com via Gloribell on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Annie on Pinterest

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Thrifty Thursday: The Play Dress

Honestly, I thought this would turn out cuter than it did. A young friend of mine, 3 year old Athena, was with me when I was shopping at a thrift store. She spotted this sheet with Mulan (I think) on it, and said, "Is this for me?" So I got it and made a long play dress for her to "dress up" in. She thinks it's beautiful, so what have I got to complain about? The bodice was made from a different sheet.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tuesday Tutorial: Couture Dressmaking

And she says it's easy!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Make it Monday: Glasses Case Tutorial and Pattern

What you will need:
2 pieces of fabric measuring 9” x 11”

1 piece of batting, fleece, or flannel 9” x 11”
hook and loop closure
sewing machine
thread (matching or contrast)
scissors
pencil or fabric pen
pattern

First, stack your fabric like this: bottom, fabric right side down; middle,batting; top, fabric right side up. Trace around the pattern on the top piece of fabric and then pin the layers together. Don’t cut it out yet!

Using the line you drew, set your sewing machine to sew a narrow zig-
zag stitch and sew all the way around the pattern on the line. Now cut it
out, staying as close to the stitching as possible without cutting the stitches.

Next, fold it in half long ways, so you have a long, narrow piece. With
the longest piece on the bottom, sew with a straight stitch the two sides
to make the pocket.

Sew hook and loop closure onto the flap at the top so that it closes the
pocket.

Now you’re done! Easy-peasy, huh?

You are welcome to make these and sell them, but please don't sell the pattern itself. Thanks!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Fab Friday Found Favorites

I love perusing Pinterest! So many people have pinned so many things, and that's marvelous! (Marvelous is my new word to replace the worn-out awesome.) Some of my favorites are shown here (if I listed them all, you'd be reading this blog until next Friday!). I know you have favorites, too. Care to share? Leave a comment with a link and I'll go take a look. Maybe your board will be the next one I highlight.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Thrifty Thursday: Skirt from a Curtain

I was going through my "thrifty box" and came across a set of valances for a baby's room. They were originally part of a set someone had given me with a crib when our new baby granddaughter came along, but not usable in the room where we put the crib. So into the "thrifty box" they went, until they tumbled out today. I have just finished making "twirly skirts" for some of my other granddaughters (since newby is too little to twirl), and immediately knew what I wanted to do with these little curtains. They were just the right length and the width would allow for a lot of twirling, so all I had to do was sew up one side and put a ribbon through the casing that was already there! Voila! Two new twirly skirts from one pair of valances. Watch local thrift shops for curtains you can shorten or lace curtains you can re-sew the casing on (if necessary) to make beautiful skirts for your girls, big or small~so thrifty!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Tuesday Tutorial: How to sew bias tape

Don't you just love the sight of bias tape properly sewn? It gives your project that professional touch that we all wish our sewing could look like. But we've had NO success in figuring out how to sew it without tears (the wet kind) and tears (as in ripping out seams). Now you can! Maggie at Smashed Peas and Carrots has done a two-part tutorial on how to sew bias tape (part 2 introduces how to sew around corners) and she does a great job at writing tutorials! Here's the link to the tutorial. While you're there, look around her blog. I think you'll love what you see!