Dragon Tee

A little birthday present for the boys' friend who loves dragons,  E and C helped with the design + clipart.  The best part is I've seen the little boy at school twice wearing it! (Iron-on applique and red stitching). E is modeling for me.

I'm linking to:

T-shirt re-do

I should have taken a before picture, because these two tees don't look too exciting. The boys had some cute pirate tees they outgrew - even pirates shouldn't have their bellies hanging out. I couldn't quite let go, so I chopped them up and reapplied them to some larger, plain tees. On the left I did a reverse applique, pinning the skull on the underside of the shirt and stitching around the bones and eyes with turquoise thread. The right shirt is a simple flag style (AKA rectangle). I left out a raw edge and sewed with red thread, changing stitches on my machine as a went, some zig-zag, straight, buttonhole style even. (click for close-up)

My sentimental self was so relieved not to have to part with the old shirts :)



 

Branded Tote Bags, no more...

So I'm not a big fan of giant brand advertising (no offense Eddie Bauer).  These Tote Bags however, were free and who doesn't need another tote bag?  I knew however I must cover-up the branding.  I tried to think of some top-heavy items I could applique over it, tree and umbrella came to mind, so I did a few sketches. This is what I came up with. I used fabric scraps from the scrap bin and iron-on fusible material to adhere the fabric initially, then stitched the outlines.  I think the rubber boots are my favourite part.  Maybe I wish I had some yellow ones.

Don't forget to send your Field Trip Links in ...

Quick Cape for Superhero PJs

Dress up is always a hit at our house. We have a basic batman and superman t-shirt that we use for Pajamas. This is an easy, no-hem cape.

It is lightweight, thin cotton fabric and easily removable from a sleeping child so they don't get tangled up in it.

Pink the edges of what you will use for a cape. I measured the shoulders and then cut to the bottom at the wideth of the fabric, in a triangle, with a slightly curved bottom cut. If you fold your fabric in half lengthwise to cut it at least both sides will be the same...
Sew Velcro (prickly side on the cape) on each top corner.

Sew velcro (soft side on the pajamas) on the top of each shoulder right across the seam.

Fleece clipped scarf - easy gift idea

I used 1/2 yard of fleece for this project, a gift for our 5-year old neighbour.
1. cut 3 equal layers, lay flat on top of each other
2. Sew a seam up the middle (two seams next to each other if you like), leave 4-6inches at the top and bottom to fringe.
3. Cut fringe all around the scarf, through all 3 layers of fabric.

Travel Size Kleenex/Tissue Pouches

So I'm starting on some gifts. This is a quick and easy one. If you use felt and pinking shears there is no hemming. Plus I like to have a different texture for tissues so I can find them by just feeling around in my purse, because lets face it, when either you or a little one need a tissue there could be a gross, runny nose emergency. OK enough commentary.

1. Make rectangles of felt, "pinked" about 5 1/2" X 7 1/2"

2. Fold over the long sides to the middle with a little over lap, you can pin here but felt isn't very slippery so you don't need to.

3. Sew up the side seams, I matched the edge of my presser foot to the edge of my fabric as a guide. I also used a bright thread just for fun. Don't forget a small back stitch on both ends of the seam.

4. Stuff with Kleenex (either the little pack or a wad, at least it's not all over your purse)

Sweet Emmeline Apron

Something I've been sewing is finally finished...Check it out here.

Spider webs to dye for - part 2

Thanks Mama Jane for noticing I forgot to link to part 1 - Start here to tie dye the shirts...part 2 is appliqueing the spiders.




So the next step in the spider web shirts is to add a spider. I cut it freehand from black fabric, and I also cut corners on the applique process and just sewed the cutout on the t-shirt. I used a zig zag stitch all the way around the spiders, trying to create a hairy leg look. I also left the edge raw and frayed to add to the "hair".

Easy Tulle Produce bags

I have been doing well cutting down my carbon footprint in the shopping bag sector. I "remember" to bring my reusable totes and bags by leaving them on the passengers side floor of my car and after a grocery trip, I unload the food, then take them back to the car. So now I'm ready for the next reduce plastic and reusable bag stage - produce bags. I think there are some options out there, but I found an easy DIY way to do it.

What I came up with is lightweight, Easy to sew, fairly sturdy and VERY inexpensive.

Step 1: Cut a piece of tulle into several rectangles, measurements aren't important, but you want a decent size to fit a few oranges for example.

Step 2: The casing for the ribbon or sting to tie the bag closed. On a long side, fold over a 1/2' -1' of fabric and sew down, using a zig zag stitch (I set my stitch width to 2.5).

Step 3: Fold the entire fabric in half (like closing a book), with casing at the top, and casing seam edge outward. Sew down the side and across the bottom of the bag. Sew only to the seam on the casing as not to sew it closed.

Step 4: Turn the bag inside out so raw edges are inside. Thread ribbon into casing I used a large safety pin on one end of the ribbon, tie ribbon edges together outside.

Happy produce shopping, be sure to get in a few last farmer's markets where they last!

Man's Apron

This is my "manly" version of a waist apron...simple straight lines, sporty belt tie, functional, sturdy, strong fabric with masculine stripes...

I left a loop in the belt for a dish towel.

I used d-rings to fasten the waist belt rather than a bow to make it more masculine.

Happy Birthday Benson!

Crafty Cheating

So at our children's museum they were having a clearance on stuffed teeth - I couldn't resist buying 2 and the crafty part is I sewed a tooth fairy pocket on the back. Luke rolled his eyes at me and said the boys won't even lose a tooth for a couple more years. The boys however had fun playing toothfairy for an hour + and I decided the toothfairy could bring little tooth related presents in the meantime, like when they need a new toothbrush they could write her a note in the pocket, etc. OK so it is jumping the gun a little...