Curving Cloudcover Dress

I saw this dress this morning and think it would be fun to recreate using similar techniques as this skirt. What do you think?

A New Trick

Do you dislike the sticky residue from price tags as much as I do? I know it's important to have items clearly priced but who thought it was a good idea to put the hard to remove label on the bottom of a stainless steel pan. Anyway, after tearing up my nails and wasting a good ten minutes of my life, I remembered this little guy.



Within seconds, little bits of the magic eraser and the rest of the label came off. It was awesome! I tried it on the plastic clock face too and it worked great. Before trying it elsewhere, I'd test it in a small spot.

Have you used a magic eraser to remove labels from other surfaces? How did it go?

Happy Halloween!

We're not really going anywhere or doing anything extraordinary for Halloween but I couldn't resist making Ansley a little Boo (from Monsters Inc) costume. She loves playing peekaboo would probably think Sully was funny.

Coincidentally, she's also showing off her Sully colored pants that go along with this outfit. Think the fabric is familiar? You're right- I used it to make this skirt after making her costume. I used this tutorial but should've adjusted the sleeve poofiness due to the stiffness of the fabric. I'm still figuring out how to adjust patterns.

Happy Halloween!

Linked here:


Be sure to check out the adorable costumes she made her children!

Go-To Dress

I made these two dresses for less than two dollars. I used this tutorial and two old navy sweaters that were only 97 cents (plus an extra 30% off). One dress fits now and the other will fit when she's older. I love the little cap sleeves.

The sweater material is really thin and liked to get stuck in my machine or shred with my seam ripper, so it's not quite as pretty as I would've liked. I also had a bit of difficulty matching up the stripes, since I kept the bottom of the sweaters intact. I tried stretching the elastic as I was sewing the waist but my machine (and I) had fits. Oh well. I didn't add a waistband to the larger size b/c I like that it buttons all the way down. I'll probably add a little belt, to combat the muu muu-ness. I also really had to scrimp to get the excess cuff material to make the collar.

PS- that's the headboard I made a few years ago (minus the pillows since I didn't really want princess feet on my face). It was my first trip to a fabric store (or to the fabric section of a store) ever.

Sadie Shirt Sew Along

I'm a little late to the party but excited about my first sew along, hosted by Jess of Craftiness is Not Optional. You can join the party too:



Pondering life.



Let's play in the curtains in hope of a decent picture.



Much better (ignore the unsewn button. I was too impatient to try the shirt on).



So sleepy and such a nice baby. And yes, the shirt does match that pillowcase. Nope, I didn't make the pillowcase- the shirt is made from the fitted sheet set I got on clearance at Target for under $4. I love Target and I love polka dots. I got some clever replies when I posted a similar thought on facebook. Ha ha.



Thanks for the great fun Jess!



Linked here.

A Few Pictures from Chicago

Fleece Outfits Out and About and a Happy Mistake

Ansley's new jacket and pants were perfect for our recent trip to Chicago and winter (which is like FOREVER here). I used two remnants, though I was tricked by the sign on the remnant bin which said remnants were 50% off. It turns out they're 50% off the original price, not 50% off the price on the tag.

Anyway, I traced a pair of pants that fit her. I was guided by these tutorials. I made a blue pair and a purple pair. The purple remnant I bought was already serged on the side. Unfortunately I had to unpick part of it b/c I needed the material for the pants.

I was able to keep the serged edge for my sleeves. The jacket started out as a tunic length shirt (I traced a shirt that fit her) but it was too hard for my squirmy girl to get into and out of comfortably so I cut the front open and finished the edges. I added a button and elastic hook closure the next day. I love it! I think it turned out better than I planned. I also used contrasting pink thread for all of her new clothes, mostly b/c I was too lazy to change the thread and bobbin.

Little Boy Blue Blanket

I whipped up this little blanket for my friend's new baby. Can't wait to see him snuggled up in it.

I used this tutorial. I probably didn't do the corners exactly right but I think it still turned out pretty well.

I was also a little bit naughty and didn't prewash my fabric. I love how soft and cozy unwashed fleece is. After it's washed it just isn't the same. Any tips for keeping that lovely fleece softness??

A+ A Line

Modeling my skirt, using this free pattern from burda style. I love the little pleats and the delicious pink stretch herringbone.

This was my second try at this skirt. I tried making adjustments, since my waist and hip measurements correspond to different sizes. I realized with the practice round (with the practice fabric I don't really care about) that I don't really want to wear this skirt where my natural waist is anyway. I also can slip the skirt on without a zipper, so I cheated and left out the zipper and used elastic in the waist. (You might say I have a thick middle, I'd like to think of it as really little hips).

PS- I have a picture of myself in the same silly dance pose when I was in fifth or sixth grade. Maybe one of these days I'll figure out my scanner.

Yes, This is a Picture of a Picture

New artwork for our living/family/piano/tv room. I took this picture last month. I really want to decorate our home with pictures of places we've been and things we've seen. It's a slow process, mostly due to budget restrictions and the fact that it's not a necessity.

Frames are from Target. They were only $7 each!

Another Messenger Bag

Introducing the water resistant and less floppy version. This was my first time sewing with tablecloths. I learned that pins leave marks and unpicking a seam is a pretty bad idea. It's also horribly wrinkly b/c I didn't want to melt the tablecloth with my iron. This time around I shortened the top flap by an inch and a half. My favorite part is the interior, especially the way the polka dots almost line up at the bottom.

Messenger Bag

I love my new bag. It is so happy. I really like the fully lined interior and I found a good use for the scraps from my kitchen curtains (my first solo sewing venture), which matched so well, you'd think I'd planned it. I used this excellent tutorial. I omitted the short straps (which is really a genius idea if you have a stroller that gets frequent use on excursions) and added interior pockets. My bag is a bit floppy- I may have to use interfacing or a stiffer material next time.