Harley Davidson Upcycle with Farbenmix Quiara

A few weeks ago, a stack of t-shirts showed up on the bed.  It seems that DH had cleaned his t-shirt drawer and deemed several of them unwearable.  Originally, I was planning to donate them to Goodwill, but when I looked through, I came across this Harley Davidson t-shirt:

One from Daytona Bike Week 2007 and several solid colors, including this red one.

Rather than donate them, I decided to put my Farbemix Quiara pattern to good use.  If you've ever shopped at a Harley Davidson store, you know how expensive their merchandise is, especially in the kid's section.

I wanted to keep the Harley Davidson shirt in the Harley colors, so I grabbed this Old Navy t-shirt of mine which had stretched out over time and was waiting to either be taken in, refashioned into something else, or donated.

Having learned from my first Quiara shirt, I shortened the neck band and sewed it to the shirt in the round.  It was quite an improvement.  Since my orange shirt was a little too short for the sleeves, I added white from another castaway to make sure the sleeves were long enough.   I love the result!

For the Daytona Bike week shirt, I used the red t-shirt for the sleeves and then dipped into my stash for a knit Zebra print to make it girly.  Here's the back.  I was going to put the Bike Week emblem on the front, but didn't care for the placement, so it's just like the original t-shirt: large bike week emblem on back...

and the small emblem on the front. 

Love!!

Farbenmix Zoe Raglan Shirt

Since I had such good luck with Farbenmix pattern Quiara (you'll see this in a later post), I decided to pull out another Farbenmix shirt - Zoe.  Zoe is a raglan sleeve knit shirt with as many possibilities as Quiara.

For Zoe, I knew I wanted to use this knit owl fabric that I got from the Fabric Fairy eons ago.  I decided to pair it up with a striped knit from the infamous Wally World clear out.  I decided that it needed a little extra something, so I grabbed a floral from the same Wally World sale and used it for the collar.  I followed the instructions to the letter (I grabbed the tutorial from the web site and followed the instructions to the letter.  As you can see, the neck band is a little loose, so I'm going to subtract the seam allowance the next time I made this shirt (and believe me, there will be a next time).  The pattern states that it has a generous fit, so I made a US 11 for a child that wears a 10/12, so she should be able to wear it for a while. 

I have to say that when I finished the shirt, I felt that it lacked something.  For one, it just looked a little to "blah" to me.  So, rather than scrap it, I looked around the sewing room and found this poodle applique.  Bingo!  I just sewed it to the front and "instant whimsy". 

I have to say that I love Farbenmix patterns.  Like I said, the possibilities are endless and the patterns are well drafted.  I don't even mind the tracing.  Looks like I'll be sticking with Independent and European patterns for the kid's tween years since the Big 4 offer next to nothing.  I think she's really going to like this.  And, if not, at least she's polite enough to pretend and that's good enough for me.  I'll definitely be revisiting this pattern in the future.

Pleated Pouch to go with the Sophia Carry-All

 The day before I was to take the Sophia Carry-All to work, I came across this Pleated Pouch Tutorial over at Skip to My Lou.  It looked easy enough, but I wasn't sure if I could complete it and the bag in one evening.  My friend Jamie convinced me to go for it, so I did. 

This pouch does not disappoint and is a very fast project.  My friend suggested that the pouch would make a cute wristlet.  I added a little of my own interpretation in the form of a split ring because I wanted to be able to clip it inside the bag.

What can I say?  I love it.

I plan to make several of these pouches to keep on hand for gifts (after I make several for myself, of course).

Of all of the gifts I made this season, I have to say this combo was my favorite.  I can't wait to make this for myself!!

Amy Butler Sophie Carry All

As is standard in law firms, I work with more than one attorney.  I am very fortunate in that, at this time, I only have two assignments (they keep me plenty busy, that's for sure).  For my female associate, I chose the Sophia Carry-all.  I chose Amy Butler fabric for the exterior and lining.  The exterior is a home dec from the Nigella line and the lining is from Belle.  As hard as it is for me to cut into Amy Butler fabrics, I had no problem with cutting into these because this attorney shops on Etsy!

I came across some tags, so I sewed one onto on of the interior pockets.

I followed this pattern to the letter.  As is standard with Amy Butler bag patterns, it went together without a hitch. Everything was well explained and illustrated.  I, of course, clipped curves to make life easier.  I did improvise with materials, however.    For the false bottom, I used the needlepoint plastic sandwiched in between two layers of Peltex (or maybe it's Timex--whichever one hasn't been discontinued).

I also added my customary key ring holder (I can't be the only one that loses my keys in my bags, am I?)

Here's a shot of the interior of the bag.  The instructions have you lay the false bottom in the bottom of the bag.  When I make this bag again (and I will), I'll put the false bottom under the lining and tack it down in there.

And, as if that wasn't enough personalization, I added feet since this is a light colored bag.  Even the zipper went in without a hitch.

The bag looks a little lob sided in this picture, but I assure you it's not.  I just do a poor job of stuffing bags with tissue paper. 

To say the bag was well received would be an understatement.  Her reaction was so fully.  It was clear that she loved the bag at first sight.  Then realization.  Her exact words were "Did you?  Is this?  Did you make this?"  So funny.  I have no doubt that this bag was on it's way to Albany the next day.  She also made mention of using it as a mini-diaper bag when her little one is born.  It was a happy moment for both of us.  I'm glad I decided to make this bag for her. I was struggling with ideas for quite some time.  When I told her that I was making baby shower items, she stated that she found handmade gifts to be more thoughtful and that's when I decided that handmade gifts for this special lady were in order.  I learned that she shopped on Etsy and that her mom sews after she opened her gift.  I only broke one needle during the construction of this bag.  Oh yeah, and I stabbed myself with a pin.  Ouch.

McCalls 6274 - Girl's Skirt

While looking for older girl's patterns in my pattern stash, I came across McCalls 6274 and decided to make the skirt for Julien for Christmas.

This pattern was pretty straight forward, although I did experience my usual brain cramp while sewing late at night.  The fabric is a patchwork denim from my stash.  I'm 100% certain I did not purchase this fabric.  This is definitely a mom purchase.  I'm sure she intended a tote bag since there was one yard (then again, she always sends fabric she thinks would make good tote bags (obsess much??).  Let me tell you, if I added up all of that yardage and calculated the number of tote bags...well, let's just say no one needs that many totes. 

I sure you wonder how I could possibly experience a brain cramp with such a simple item.  Well, here's what I did.  As usual, I was just glancing at the instructions rather than actually reading them.  Consequently, I missed the step that said to leave a hole for the elastic in the back waistband.  When I realized my mistake, I grabbed the seam ripper in order to remove those stitches and ....

I got a little carried away and also opened up the waistband seam at the front.  So, now the skirt has a new design feature...satin stitching where the elastic meets the front waistband (which does not have elastic).

I did have to move one of the fabric patches even though I tried to cut carefully.  The one to the lower left used to be center back right along the waistband which would have put it in an inappropriate spot for a 10 year old.  I'm much happier with the placement now.  The eye is naturally drawn to these patches so I wanted to take extra care that she wasn't going to be walking around with the equivalent of "Juicy" on her hind end.

When it came time to finish the pocket, I opted for easy (or so I thought) and went with a snap.  That required one of my older sewing tools, my snap fastener (or medieval torture device).  This baby rarely gets used, so I had to drag out the instructions and then practice before actually putting the snap on the pocket.  Seriously, I could have done a buttonhole and button in less time than it took to go through the process with the snap.

In the midst of all this practicing and awkward hand positions, I broke the green washer.  (sigh).  Of course, they don't make these anymore (I got it at Hancock Fabrics in the late 80s), so I had to make do.  It was difficult since the washer holds part of the snap on the tool and makes it easier to "snap on".   (double sigh).  Of course, my OCD led me to the Internet in an attempt to find replacement parts for this guy (no dice).  I did, however, find a complete set on Etsy (or was it Ebay)?

t any rate, I got the snap on the pocket

and it works.  Was it worth the pain?  You bet!! (or at least,that's what I keep telling myself).


And Sewing Geek -- thank you for your suggestion on the robe.  I can't believe I didn't think of that.  Talk about a "'d'uh" moment on my part.  Of course, I am now determined to fix it before I mail that box. 

Pretty Ditty Reversible Apron

I found this apron pattern while searching for a gift idea for one of my co-workers.  I'm not sure where it came from (or the other Jamie Christina apron pattern) -- perhaps an apron swap. 

For some reason, I forgot to take pictures of the apron on my dress form.

Picking the fabric was a bit of a challenge, but I knew that this baking themed fabric was going to be included.

Once I got to work and realized that I had neglected to take photos, I enlisted the aid of a live model.  Side one is a strawberry print that I just love.  Unfortunately, it's a rather stiff fabric, so a dress was out of the question.  It's perfect for this apron though.

Here's side 2.  Isn't it cute?

Now about the pattern.  It's fiddly at parts and I had to do a good deal of ripping and resewing.  The results, in the end, were worth it.  I'm planning to give this apron another try just to see if I can get through without so many re-dos.  I especially like the elastic going across the top.  So cute!  Despite heavy use of my seam ripper, I enjoyed working on this apron.  I hadn't made one in quite a while, but now I remember why I love making them.  I expect to make several more (testing out all of my apron patterns) in the future.  I think it will be a good use for some of those novelty fabrics that I just adore.

Pillows for a Little Lad

For my boss' son, I made the annual pillow.  This tradition started several years ago when I tried to figure out what to get for a lad who has the potential to have anything he wants.  I decided on a travel set -- lightweight blanket, toddler pillow and a carrying sack. Turns out, the pillow was the only pillow the boy would use.  The next year dad asked me to make another one and the tradition was born.

Last year's request was Sponge Bob.  This year was Star Wars.  Simple enough, right?  Except that I did Star Wars a couple of years ago.  I went on a search, but the only fabric I found was the fabric I used the last time.  So, I had to get creative.

Thankfully, I had spoken to his mom a few weeks prior and found out that his room is part Star Wars, part Cars.  I had this cars fabric in my stash.  The planetary fabric was a purchase from JoAnns.  $3.50 was the cost of the fabric. I also had to purchase the pillow form, but I had my trusty 40% off coupon, so it was all good.

Since I have tons of zippers, I used a zipper closure this time.

I'm hoping that the planets will go over well.  And if not, I tried.  There's not much I can do about fabric availability.  This time I provided two covers, so he'll have some variety.  From what I understand, these are the only pillows he will use for nap time and lazing around.

I wonder what next year's choice will be?

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

From our house to yours!!!

Butterick 5338 and Eco-Friends Gifts for My Boss

So, what do you get for a lawyer that makes more in a year than the sum total of all of your eartly possessions?  Nothing, you make gifts.  I'm fortunate that the attorney to whom I am referring appreciates handmade gifts, as does his wife.  I had to really think this year, having rejected my original idesa of family robes, and came up with some eco-friendly items.

Coasters. 

I decided on the Criss-Coasters (the tutorial is here) from Allsorts.  This was not, however, a random decision.

I recevied the same coasters from a swap several years ago and I just love mine.  You will notice that the ones I made were smaller.  That's because I was just going to wing it.  Then I realized that I had no clue as to the order of the fabric stacks, so I searched for the tutorial.  My squares were already cut to 4" when I decided to read the tutorial and saw that they should be 4.5".

I'm quite happy with the results.  Here they are ready to go into their Christmas gift box.

I then decided to make eco-friendly grocery bags since I've been planning to make some for myself for quite some time.  I used Butterick 5338.  I made 4 girly bags and 4 manly bags. 

The construction of these bags surprised me in many ways.  They were certainly more involved that I expected.  The have french seams.

Bias binding in several places.

And I added extra reinforcement for the bottom seam of the bag: 2 rows of stitching, serging and bias tape to stablized the whole thing.

After 2 nights of sewing and cursing, the bags were finished.  Love them!!  I'm definitely going to do some for myself -- I can't wait to say goodbye to those plastic bags that always get a hole in the bottom -- but I'm going to seek out a simpler bag on the interweb.  Don't get me wrong, these are great.  But it's a lot of work for a bag to carry bananas and juice.  I think this pattern is perfect for a gift though -- very Williams Sonoma.

My boss and his wife a wine afficianados.  I found this fabric in my stash and made...dish towels.

Here's the entire gift with all the parts pulled together.  I found these eco-friendly coffee cups at Joann Fabrics and made use of my 40% off coupons.

It's the kind of gift I would love to get myself.  Hope they like it!

McCalls 5769 - Mom's Robe

For mom, I made McCalls 5769.   She bought this fleece when Walmart was clearing out their fabric.  It's been in the collection for a while.  I was never quite sure what to do with it.  I finally decided a robe was in order.

 It was a little freaky working with this fabric.  Faces starting at me.  Weird.  I'm not a big political person and neither is my mother, but Obama's election was historic and here is here piece of history.

I had no problems with mom's robe.  Even the layout was relatively easy.  Of course, that's because I've used this pattern before for my robe.

Figuring the layout for my Alma Mater robe was a little more tedious, but I got with a lot of patience and perseverance, I prevailed.  Hail Alma Mater!

The only change I made to the pattern was to eliminate the interfacing. Just didn't seem necessary with fleece.

** I have no idea why I can't get this picture to rotate.  It's very annoying -- No matter what I do, it ends up cookatated when I add it to blogger.  So annoying!!