It's Cold!

New England has been hit by a cold front and it's bad! I was able to finish most of my Christmas shopping today and while at the mall, I kept looking at the scarves. I know I've said that I want to learn to crochet and that is on my list of things to do this winter. However, for some quicker satisfaction I want to make the scarf above out of some comfy fleece. Why pay for it when you can just sew one up in an afternoon for a fraction of the price! And after seeing this blog post at Miss Celie's Pants, I need to find some soft knits and drag out my serger!

Custom Made

I just finished a special order! I made this smock and cape set for my friend's mother to give to her granddaughter as a Christmas gift. Nana is a hairdresser and bought a salon chair for her 3 year old granddaughter. She asked if I could make her an apron and a cape for her doll to wear. The apron is from Bend the Rules Sewing and it was so easy to sew :) The cape I just made free-hand. Here is a close up of the fabric, which I got at Joann's:


I just love how this little set came out and I hope that my friend's mother and her granddaughter love it too!

Keep in Touch

I know I mentioned in my last post that I wanted to make a keep in touch clutch, something that I could keep an address book, stamps, a pen and a calendar in to help remember birthdays and anniversaries. Here is what I came up with, I love it :)

Comfort

I've been sewing! I made this robe in bits and pieces over the last 2 weeks. It went together so easily, except that the band piece needed to be lengthened. It wasn't a tough fix and I absolutely love my robe! It's from this Simplicity pattern made in flannel from Joann's.

I'm working on these card cases - an order from one of my friends :) They just need topstitching and snaps. Then I plan on making a holder for my ipod touch similar to this one. I also want to make a variation of this clutch. And soon I'll show pictures of my best vintage find ever! :)

Mr. Hungry

One of my friends asked if I could make a Mr. Hungry toy for her nephew. If you don't know, Mr. Hungry is from the Weight Watchers commercials, you can see him here. I couldn't find orange fur, so I went with fleece. I think he came out pretty cute :) I had a lot of fun putting him together. He's a little wonky, one of his arms is longer than the other, but that's because I drew him freehand and besides, monsters aren't supposed to be perfect!

Sweat Shop

I've been working hard on some goodies for the upcoming craft fair. I've made 10 card cases (they just need snaps) and I've covered some buttons (but need to do lots more) for some bobbie pins. This weekend I plan on making up a bunch of key fobs too. The fair is coming up quickly but I'll be happy with the little bit I have to contribute :)

I got the Sewing 2010 desk calendar for my birthday and it's great! There are lots of projects that I want to make - this was a great gift, keep it in mind for Christmas!

Back with a Vengeance!

Hello there! I can't believe I haven't posted since June! I haven't been sewing much either, so that's probably why. I'm hoping that with the cool fall weather I will start to sew at my former pace. I just finished a bag, which came out really really well :-) The pattern is from Jennalou Designs. It went together so easily. I did break 4 needles trying to sew through the thick interfacing, but it was well worth it! I love fusible fleece now too, I need to go get some more of that! The fabric is some Lacework and Lotus Dots from Amy Butler with a brown twill for the lining. I skipped the zippered pocket and just made one big patch pocket instead. Ok, here is the photo:

Next up - I'm doing a craft fair with one of my friends. I just ordered some supplies to make key fobs. I've been procrastinating about making anything, but I think I just need to make a few things and I'll be happy. I plan to get to work next weekend on some inventory so I'll be back to show some photos!

Still Here

I have been soooo neglectful to this little blog! Lots have been going on here, including a big move. However, I have been sewing. I made this little set this week/weekend. I have also sewn some curtains (boring) and a really great new bag. Next up is the Barcelona skirt. I finally broke down and bought the pattern. I've been really cutting back on my fabric/pattern purchasing - but what is life without fabric! More to come soon - I promise!

Excuses

Hello people! I have been absent from the blog again, despite my best intentions. I hate to blog without a picture and I have been too lazy to take and upload any. Besides, not too much sewing has been happening here. I was working on a bag, but I sewed the handles on wrong and since I was using a tweed (that LOVED to unravel), it was so difficult to see the stitches to pick them out. Major frustration followed and I tossed the whole thing in the barrel. Too bad because it would have been a cute bag! Plus, the general malaise that comes from living in New England during the winter always strikes me in January, so I haven't had the energy to do much at all. However, I'm planning to use this weekend to pull myself out of this funk! First up will be some work on this top. I have some pretty fabric to use and I'm going to be daydreaming of wearing it in Florida come March. Next week, Vogue patterns will be on sale so I'm going to pick up this one. I love the simplicity of the dress and the jacket will be a cute (and simple, I hope, it's unlined!) addition to my wardrobe. I have been daydreaming about sewing and reading tons of blogs, so hopefully I will be able to find some motivation!

Wardrobe Refashion

I'm very excited that I received my invitation to join Wardrobe Refashion for 2 months! I have been following along with the group for quite a while now, but I have never joined. I have never refashioned a thing in my life either, so this should be exciting! I bought some fleece and some flannel last night (both on sale!) and I plan to make simple tops out of both of them. I'm also going to have to stop in to some local thrift stores and see if I can find something to refashion. I was thinking of finding a sweater and felting it and making a bag of it. We'll see!

I, Katie, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed, Katie.

100

Happy New Year!!! I can't believe that I am on my 100th post on New Year's Day! Now I will have to try and post more often so I can be over 200 next New Years :-) As many bloggers have been doing, here are my sewing/craft resolutions for 2009:

Sew some of the patterns I have ordered from etsy sellers to include the Ella Handbag, Small Satchel, the City Tote and the Erica Handbag

Work on garment sewing to include making the following:
- A pair of pants
- At least one woven dress and one knit dress
- A knit top
- Some skirts

Develop some patterns and open an Etsy shop (I have been wanting to do this for a while, I'm still in the thinking about it stage, but I hope by the summer to have a plan!)

Blog twice weekly

Learn to crochet

Sew the Sophia Bag and a matching Weekender Bag

Participate in Wardrobe Refashion (I signed up for 2 months to start)

Make some jewelry

Other resolutions include building up my savings and reducing debt, continue going to the gym, cook a bit more (as you can see above I started that one!) and of course, I hope to continue sewing and blogging throughout this new year. Thanks for reading! :-)