Crafting On

Joining Nicole for Crafting On, the work in progress edition.

I found this quilt while tidying up the sewing area, and so the most logical thing to do was pull it out and work on it, rather than continuing to tidy.

This project is probably about 5 years old. I have been hand-quilting along the borders, and I was able to make some progress this week, I only have the Southeast states left. 

While I was out running errands, The Youngest decided to get in on the party and decorated a few states in the Baker Man. I think the ink will come out, I found a couple of tips for getting stains out of cotton, I'll let you know if they work...

About a month ago I saw an article about handmade Christmas presents on Poppytalk, and one was a DIY Ukulele kit.
I immediately decided that The Younger needed a uke. His big sister plays many instruments, and I thought he might like one of his own.
As it turned out, The Elder was really excited about the uke and The Younger was luke-warm.
The Elder and I have been building it, with design input from The Younger, and we're about halfway through.

Perhaps when he has his completed flaming ukulele he'll be more into it.
What's on your creative to-do-list today?
Joining Nicole.

While She Was Sleeping

My life has calmed down a bit since last year and I am able to pick up a few shifts at the fabric store each month. This has lead me to be tempted by the pretty fabrics and while I don't think I am spending everything I am making there on said fabrics, I'm probably not taking too much home from the old paycheck.
So, I spent a little time this weekend getting a start on some sewing projects for my ladies.
First, I planned a dress for The Youngest with a knitted bodice and a fabric skirt.
The bodice is a mash-up of the Tummy Warmer pattern from Petite Purls and a lovely leafy border I found via Google. I cast on on Saturday and finished up the knitting yesterday evening while watching the Grammys.
This morning The Youngest obliged me with a lovely nap, so while she was sleeping I got a couple more things done.
The skirt is a quarter yard of Liberty of London fabric that we're carrying right now at Treadle Yard Goods. It's really pricey for a cotton lawn, but spending $12 for fabric for a baby dress didn't sound too exorbitant. Also, the yarn was from my stash, so that was free ;)
I made a tube with a french seam and doubled over the top and bottom so no raw edges are showing.
Next I have to gather and sew in the skirt and then I'm thinking of trimming the sleeves and collar in the lawn and maybe covering a couple of buttons too.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed that one of our Kokka double gauze fabrics was almost gone, so I rescued the last yard and a half and brought it home to make a peasant top for The Elder.

I got a pattern but I didn't want to cut it, since it goes up to size 14. 

I was feeling a little too lazy to trace it, however, so I came up with a solution -

I made dots with a sharpie along the cutting lines and since it bleeds through it left dots on the fabric which I could sketch together and cut along the lines.

It worked like a charm!

Here is a close-up of the pattern on the fabric-

I think I had better get this sewn up quick, since she's 9 and who knows how long she'll want to wear little kitties and flowers.

Oh for a million dollar job so I could sew everything out of double gauze, this stuff is dreamy!
The purple is for a skirt.
These should be finished up by the time the snow melts, and I may be able to whip up a cardigan to go along with the outfit.

Joining in with Nicole at Keep Calm Craft On
What's on your worktables today?

Something to Blog About!

Halloween is fast-approaching and the kids got to try out their costumes last night at a Saint Paul tradition -the Zoo Boo at Como Zoo.

When we went to the Renaissance Festival a few weeks ago we were tempted into buying a couple of costumes for the kids: a beautiful princess dress and an awesome pirate costume.

As we were preparing for last night's event we couldn't find the hat which came with the Younger's costume, and I realized that the off-the-shoulder princess costume wasn't quite warm enough for a crisp fall evening out trick-or-treating.

I dug through pattern after pattern at the fabric store, and I just couldn't find a pirate hat. Then I had a brainstorm - I have lots of craft books at home. Maybe I could find something there!

So this week I justified a portion of my vast craft book library and used the Reversible Bucket Hat pattern from Little Things to Sew by Liesl Gibson to make a pirate hat, and I made a furry-lined Reversible Hooded Play Cape from Growing Up Sew Liberated by Meg McElwee for my chilly princess. Both of these were fun and easy to whip up, the cape took all of a couple of hours, including a trip to Hancock for the shiny and furry stuff. I hand-sewed the hat, and did it while I caught up with my stories on Hulu the other day.

The Princess and the Pirate both approve. Have a Happy Halloween!

Caving, But On My Terms, Part 2

All done!

Caving, But On My Terms

As we were gathering our school supplies a couple of weeks ago the kids both asked if I would just buy them a backpack this year instead of making one.

After a look at the options at Target (cheaply made, ugly, plastic-that-probably-was-full-of lead) I said no, but I would make them new ones this year if they really didn't want to use the ones they already had, and they could choose the design.

The Elder had her heart set on a Hello Kitty messenger bag, (like this one, if I remember correctly) so I said that I would make one for her.

As she was getting ready for Pre-K 3 years ago, I made her first backpack as a reaction against the pervasive character and princess stuff out there. I have officially caved in, but I'm going to try to make it unique anyway.

So, I printed out a picture of Hello Kitty, traced it onto wonder under and assembled the pieces for the messenger bag.

There is still a lot to be done as far as construction, but I've made a good start, and I hope that this project will both fill her need for a character and my need for home-made.

Are you all stronger than I am? or do you cave in to your children's demands too?

My Legacy

I realized this morning that the most important lesson I have been teaching my children since their birth is that it's perfectly fine to procrastinate.

This may not be the ideal legacy to pass on.

Maybe they'll see how frazzled I get when there's no more time and decide to learn by the opposite of my example.

This afternoon is the birthday of a friend of the Elder and I realized last night that we didn't have a present for her.

So, this morning the Elder and I looked through the Wee Wonderful's book and she chose a doll to make.

The Elder chose the fabric and we cut the pieces out together and worked until I had to drop her at school, I finished the rest on my own and then I'll drop "the package" off at her school before she jets off to the party.

She chose this doll,

but I didn't think we had the time to finish a yarn hairdo, so I took inspiration from this doll.

I was having a block about cutting two circles that were the same this morning, so I sorta copied the eye shape of this doll.

She came out alright, for being born at the completely last minute.

I have a feeling that the Elder's friends aren't going to want handmade dolls for much longer, so I am happy to make one if she asks me to. She actually ran the sewing machine for part of the doll today as well. I think she might be ready for some in-depth sewing time.

Maybe she can help me make the project that I planned for the Kids Clothes Week Challenge (which I have cut out but have made no further progress on.)

What's on your work table today?

Time Spent Creating

Yesterday I had a creative impulse that would not be ignored.
Despite having 3 active projects for 3 different work environments, I just could not help but go forward with this frivolous project for my couch.
About 3 months ago I found a large wool remnant in our bin at Treadle Yard Goods, and though I had ambitions of making a coat for the Elder, the idea soon came to me that it would be the perfect throw for our couch.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, it's still pretty chilly in the evenings, so we've been using this throw blanket every day when we watch our Top Gear re-runs together.
There has been a small pile of felt sitting on the side table for almost as long as we've had the throw, waiting to be an embellishment of some sort.

I had an idea of flowers and leaves, but I finally, just yesterday, settled on circles.

I took some bowls and glasses from the cupboard and traced them on the felt, then I attached them to the blanket with a running stitch. I also rounded out the edges of the fabric, which were looking a little rough.

Nothing Earth-shattering, just a fun bit of fun.

This may seem like procrastinating, which I suppose it is, but I have decided that time spent creating can never be wasted time.

More Sewing

I finished up one more dress for the Elder a couple of days ago, and another this morning, which makes a total of 4 new dresses in the last 2 months.
It may be time to stop, she'll run out of room in the closet before long.
This first one is another model for Treadle, the pattern is M5694.
I did cheat a little, and I didn't make buttonholes for the straps.
The dress should still go on fine without them.

The second one is a pattern that I was trying out for the store from The Handmade Dress.This is the Miss Madeline Dress.
To tell the truth, I wasn't over the moon about this pattern.
The instructions were pretty clear, but there is a do-it-yourself quality to the pattern pieces that might be off-putting for some. Also, the assembly order was a little weird and the seam allowance was only 3/8" instead of 5/8". That last one is a picky thing, but I like to make french seams and that's just not an easy thing with so little seam allowance.
On the other hand, it does make a pretty cute dress, so I guess I would say try these patterns, but be prepared for some weirdness.

Now I think it's time to sew something for the Younger so he doesn't feel left out.
Have a great weekend!

Lots of Sewing

I have been making lots of models for Treadle lately, and I got a couple of them back this week.
Since I forgot to take photos of them when I made them, I thought I would put some up now.
This pink one is made from a linen/cotton blend, so it's really wrinkly, and I didn't iron it, because it will always be really wrinkly when the Elder wears it.
The fabric is an import from Japan, and it was such a charming, delicate border print, I just couldn't resist making up this jumper. Never mind that she already has too many dresses...
The pattern is McCalls M5692.
I liked it, but the straps are a little long, and the dress must be paired with a shirt of some kind.

This ensemble is made from a print and a solid from ModKid by Patty Young.
I love her prints, they're so joyful.
The pattern is also from McCalls - M5794.
The pants and the top came together pretty well, but the undershirt (which you can see peeking through) is a very odd shape.
Too wide and too short.
It looks OK on the Elder anyway, and it's tucked away inside the top so nobody knows about its wierdness but you and me.

What are you making this week?

Lemonade

I have always liked the adage "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
That was going through my head yesterday when I was making a birthday present for a friend's little girl.
In this instance, however, "life" was me misreading the instructions on a pattern, "lemons" was the fact that these pigtails looked more like ears, and "lemonade" turned out to be a little fox doll instead of a little girl doll.
(I ended up pinking around the tail to make it look more furry.)
Have a great weekend!

I Love

I Love -
Needle work.
I could probably have about 5 posts about this, but I'll start with this one.
The other day I was playing Pictionary with the Elder and she got Sewing.
She drew this and it was just so perfect.
If I were ever to get a tattoo, I would think seriously about using that picture.
Today I am doing a little sewing for the store.
This will be a little jumper to hang as a model.

What are you loving lately?

p.s. I also love all of your kind comments.
Thank you so much!

A Good and Productive Day

This evening I finished the project to which I alluded yesterday.
It's a quilt for the boy's birthday (tomorrow) that I started in 2007, and thought about finishing in 2008.
For whatever reason, I just couldn't get into the hand-quilting of this one and I finally just decided to let go, forget that I had been quilting in the shape of cute little airplanes, and stitch in the ditch.
I'll have more photos tomorrow, it's in the wash right now to cleanse itself of 4 years of grubbiness.

Towards the end of the year, last month, I had an unplanned separation from my camera. Nothing dramatic, I just felt too busy to take many photos.
I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, and it's been fun this week to bring it out and find something to photograph each day.
Not a resolution, per se, but a reminder to myself to look for beauty everywhere.

Making Merry

Thank you all for your lovely comments about this sweater on Wednesday. They made my day!

Here it is finished. I may add sleeves at some future point, but in the interest of time I made the executive decision to make it a vest.

When I saw this a couple of weeks ago, I knew that I had to make it for the Elder.
In true Jess fashion, I procrastinated until the very last minute and I didn't start her until Thursday night.
Last night there were two services at church and I knew I would have a 3 hour window between them, so I did all of the machine sewing yesterday morning, and I (mostly) finished her up there.My ringlets came out a little wonky, but overall I am pretty pleased with the look.
She came home without legs, and I think I should redo the eyes, I didn't have access to the online photo of Clara, so I just made her face up.
Anyway, I stuffed and attached her legs last night/this morning, and I got a good start on the Nutcracker. Unfortunately I didn't get to his legs, so, for now at least, he is a finger puppet.
That story went over o.k., so I might not have to go further with him.
I should, however, get going on Clara's ballet slippers. Those shouldn't take too much time, and I think they'll complete her outfit nicely.

Happy Christmas to those who Christmas, and Happy Weekend to those who don't!

This is What We Do

The ladies of Treadle Yard Goods are holding a craft sale in a couple of weeks called This is What We Do.
There will be lots of amazing crafts - I have many very talented co-workers.
My contribution will be hand-woven scarves, knitted hats, and some sewn scarves.
Today, I spent some time sewing.
These scarves are made from cotton velvet with a cotton and linen patchwork section and lined with virgin wool, or cashmere.
They are just long enough to tuck under the collar of your coat.
It was lots of fun to go through my stash fabrics and choose the pieces for the patchwork.

With all of the knitting on my to-do list, I haven't been working very steadily on the other pieces for this show, but I do have a few things, and hopefully my little table won't look too sad.

The show runs Thursday, December 2nd - Sunday December 5th at Treadle 2, around the corner from Treadle Yard Goods.
Come on by and say hi!

Class Projects

Saganaga asked yesterday what kind of things I am making with my classes, so here is the class project post.
I was teaching a Beginning Knitting class, where we made basic 2-needle mittens.
I didn't get any photos of that class, it ended on Tuesday, but the ladies in my class all did quite well!
Today, I taught a Norwegian Mitten class.
This is the second session, so we did a lot of organizing of our needles and chart reading tips, and the ladies in that class were well on their way when we finished for the day.
I am making a pair of mittens for both of the kids, and I started the pair for the Elder today during class.
She requested a pattern of hearts and reindeer, and chose the yarn herself.
This cuff pattern comes from the Fancy Fair Isle sweater pattern from Nursery Knits by Zoe Mellor.
I bought the book when I was pregnant with the Younger, fully intending to make a sweater or romper for him, and haven't made any of the amazingly cute things in it.
The Younger picked out greens and blue, and asked for a pair of dragon mittens. I haven't found the perfect dragon chart yet, so I may have to draw one myself.

I digress, back to the classes.
The sewing class I taught at Treadle was a beginning class for kids, and we made lots of different projects.
The first day we concentrated on hand sewing, and we made these barrettes inspired by the Angry Chicken.
We also made needle books, which we were able to keep working on for the next few days.
I always like to have something for the girls to work on if one person gets ahead of her classmates.
We also made basic pillowcases and these backpacks.This one was a big hit with the Younger.

The class went pretty well, the ladies got their projects finished, and I hope, left feeling much more confident about sewing.

What kind of things are you sewing or knitting?