Two weeks until Christmas

Two weeks until Christmas and most of the sewing projects are complete.

I made the bag from a new, easy weekender pattern.

I will make more like this since I have 3 more pieces of canvas and the zippers.

The bag is for Miss A's doll and accessories.

The rest of the project is to make clothes for the doll.

Below is my trial run at some slippers.

I used a linen silk yarn that I've had in my yarn stash for several years.

It frays and isn't very soft.

I changed the free pattern from knit to crochet.

The left slipper is bigger than the right one.

Next step was to purchase a yarn that better fit the slipper requirements.

I found 3 cute colors in 100 yard skeins and made the second pair of slippers.

These will work better than the first pair.

I used a size E crochet hook and single crochet for dimensions on the pattern.

Next a black velvet sleeveless top paired with a gold and black brocade skirt.

Add another skirt - Christmas plaid.

A summer stripe with button trim.

Miss A had a dress made of this fabric that she has outgrown.

A coat and scarf from blush pink plush fabric.

I used a blanket stitch around the edge instead of a lining or facings.

Miss A had a jacket made from this fabric.

Navy check high waist dress is the last of this batch.

I plan to make PJ's, a sleeping bag, and a 30's style pink polkadot dress.

Some of the patterns are from Pixie Faire and others are McCalls.

I found some cute shoes at Hobby Lobby.

Going house viewing tomorrow.

Have a good week!

 

Busy November

November has been busy. 

I had cataract surgery in both eyes then Mr. M had both of his eyes done, too.

I am very pleased to be able to see without glasses again.

My sewing projects have been focused on Christmas presents.

First up, a soft barn and farm animals for Kenton.

I realized I sew from the illustrations instead of reading the directions.

I fused the stiff interfacing on the wrong piece then found a work around.

I used softer interfacing on the inside piece.

I looked everywhere online for step by step photos but found only the finished project.

An important step is making and placing the hook and loop tabs.

The sticky side goes on the tab and the soft side goes on the building.

I bought red hook and loop thinking it would blend in better.

Those tiny white V's are placement markers for the tabs.

Oops! Had to rip out the basting when I placed the tabs in the wrong place.

Below is the correct placement.

Matching tabs to sides.

My basting mistake. Do Not put the tabs here!

Finished barn set.

I made the animals and tractor first.

They were very easy to make and stuff with poly.

Another option was to make them flat with just interfacing.

Inside the barn. There are pockets for the animals and doors to open to see hidden animals.

It needs another pressing before it gets wrapped.

Another finish - soft books for the little boy.

I put some crinkly stuff to add a sound to the books.

Secret peek of another present.

I will share the finish later.

Fun with ribbon trim and embroidery.

Yesterday's quick finish.

Cut out and finished in one day.

This bag will hold the doll clothes I'm making for Ava's new doll.

I may make myself a bag like this. It was so easy and I have all the supplies.

Heading out later today to see family and look at houses near our son's family.

Happy Sewing!

 

Apricot & Ash Lap Quilts

Last week I shared this finish.

The center fabric is Apricot & Ash.

Most of the other fabrics came from my stash.

I used some batting from my mom's quilting supplies.

With a little splicing I managed to get both quilts from the same piece.

Close up of both quilts all crinkly from a quick wash and dry.

Another look.

The backing is chenille on both quilts.

So soft.

Hope the recipients like the snuggle factor of chenille.

Close  up of the fabrics in both quilts.

The bunny, bird, cat, and flower fabric was the only piece I bought

to complete these two tops.

Linking up with Peacock Party if I'm not too late.

Have a good week.

 

A finish and a side trip

Finished one lap quilt.

This blue one is going to friend Stephanie S.

The wide peach sections have a bunny, bird, cat, flower repeating print.

I used some stash gray and white for the binding.

The center is Apricot & Ash appliqué print.

What to call it?

The backing is cotton chenille.

I had to stretch the backing to cover the whole back.

I hope it washes up nice and soft and crinkly.

Label is ready for details and dedication to Steph.

Clara Curtis aka Country Girls are blooming in our backyard.

I took a little side trip to make a T-shirt shopping bag.

This is a no-sew project I tried out for our pastor.

Washable, recycled, reusable.

Made from an XL shirt, so it is very BIG.

Next up the other lap quilt.

 

Applique Cheater Fabric Quilt Tops

When I saw Apricot & Ash appliqué cheater fabric I jumped right in and bought two yards of it.

I want to make houses with the appliqué designs as the side wall.

One yard has twenty-four appliqué designs.

Reality set in. There is no way I will make that many houses.

Next idea-make some quick quilts to share with friends.

Trying some border fabric below. 

I had all the finishing fabrics in my stash except one.

Most fabrics were from the 50 yards I won years ago from FabShopHop.

This top is my favorite with the blue border.

The blue has a little lime green that matches the center 

and blue is also in the floral in the 4 patch blocks.

The lime green with peach borders probably looks better for those who like things to match.

I was pleased with how the borders extended into the corner 9 patch blocks.

I'm backing both with white chenille so they will be cosy lap quilts.

The size is 60" X 58".

I posted both quilt tops to Facebook and Instagram and asked friends which one they liked.

The results was about even. Now I know which one to give which friend.

This play mat is on hold until closer to Christmas.

Lots going on around here. 

Trying to get a house ready to sell.

Have a great week!

 

Recent Sewing Projects

The backpack has a little engineers hat made from leftover fabric.

Little boy didn't leave it on long enough for a photo but it fit!

He's almost walking. Next time we see him he will probably be hard to keep up with.

Earlier in September I took 12 blocks to sew into a Quilts of Valor top.

After a little figuring I realized that 12 blocks were not enough for even the smallest size quilt.

Since I didn't have a large supply of appropriate fabric I did some more figuring to find a layout that required the fewest additional blocks.

Below is the on-point layout with six 9 patch blocks.

 

I bought a yard of navy and half yard of red and finished the top.

Received many compliments when I returned the top for someone else to quilt.

Working on Christmas presents...

I bought the PLAY panel and added a top and bottom section.

The plan is to make it into a draw string type bag for little boy to use when playing with

cars, etc. Hoping it will allow for a quick clean up. 

Will post the finish at some future date.

Happy sewing!

 

Cowboy Back pack for Kenton

Don't remember when I bought this kit for a small backpack.

Sweet DIL asked for a bag for our youngest grandson.

I remembered this unopened kit and started working on it for his first birthday. 

I have made 3 Wren Weekender Bags from VFT and have learned a few things about bag construction.

The pattern calls for a continuous middle zipper section but I had a different idea.

I read the instructions several times but didn't really understand how to sew in the lining.

I used double fold bias binding to attach the lining and I like how it turned out.

I resized the pattern to add a couple of inches to the width and length.

I also changed the bottom to a flat, boxy style instead of the curved one in the pattern.

I added tabs with D rings at both ends of the zipper.

The rings are handy if there are items to be clipped on the outside of the bag.

Notice I forgot to topstitch one side of the zipper panel. Oops!

The appliqué is fused on and stitched around the raw edge.

Front and zipper panel finished.

Inside the bias tape was sewn on after the two pieces are attached to cover the raw seam.

I thought I could skip all the repeated sewing of the same area but it didn't work.

I guess all the stitching will make for stronger seams.

I clipped the curves and trimmed a little in some places.

The pattern called for 1/2 inch seam allowance but I sewed about a 3/8 inch seam.

Inside out before the bottom piece was added.

Finished back with padded straps before the bottom was sewn on.

The webbing is dark brown-looks black in the photo.

Finished front without bottom.

I thought about ways to sew the bottom without extra bulk in the corners and decided to cut

square notches on the corners of the front, back, and sides.

Then I stitched each side.

Last step was sewing on the bias binding.

I ran into trouble sewing through all the thickness, thought I had broken something in my sewing machine.

Rethreaded, changed the tension, finally called a halt in frustration.

After stepping away for a day, I was successful in binding the last bit.

I will need to hand sew around the corners.

There was just no way to sew through all the thickness even with the corners cut out.

Above is the finished cowboy backpack.

Below I added ribbon to the zipper pull.

One last pic - I love the binding covering the raw edges and holding the lining in place.

Very tailored look.

Next project is a little Halloween wall hanging.

What are you making this week?