Sew-and-Tell

You haven't followed me!

2010-01-23T11:47:00.002-05:00

Get your buns over to Thread-and-Butter! I moved so I could talk about my other favorite subject...food!

I'VE MOVED!

2009-12-06T19:18:00.002-05:00

I started a new blog! Come visit me at Thread-and-Butter.

See you there!

I Bleed Orange and Blue

2009-10-19T20:39:00.006-04:00

Well, another month and a half has gone by without me posting a project! I promise, I'm not holding back, I'm just not sewing. This one was well worth the wait though. I promise!

I bought this pattern and fabric back in August. How I waited this long to get started, I have no idea!! This is Amy Butler's Frenchy bag. I often sit with a pattern in front of me and a blank stare on my face (ok, I don't really need a pattern for the blank stare!), but her patterns are so incredibly easy to read!

I love how she turned out. And since I have transitioned from purses to totes (I seem to carry a lot of stuff!), this is perfect for me!

And just in case you were wondering who's orange and blue I bleed...WAR EAGLE!

Labor of Love

2009-09-07T15:05:00.010-04:00

Happy Labor Day everyone!! I'd say that sewing is my labor of love! I truly enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that I have after each project.

So, what have I been up to, you might be wondering. I mean, it's only been almost 2 months since I've posted something. What?! 2 months?!

While relaxing in Ormond Beach for a long weekend in July, I came across Byrds Nest Quilt Shop. I can usually be found shopping the $.99 pattern sale at Joanns, but this shop carries Amy Butler patterns. So, I splurged on this $12 Blue Sky Hat pattern. I'm so very glad I did. This was one of the easiest patterns to follow. Amy Butler has a new fan! I had some Anna Maria Horner fabric that I didn't have a project for, so I decided to use it. This hat was a blast to make! I wore it to the beach a few weeks later and it was perfect (even if my hubby told me I looked like I was going to the Kentucky Derby in it!)

My next project was a hobo for my boss, George. This was one of those fabrics that I wasn't too sure about until I saw it on the bag. It's gorgeous!! George picked it out from FabricPalooza. I'm pleased with how it turned out and I think George is too!

Next up were some birth cloths for my friend, Marcella, who is having her 2nd child next month. I picked these fabrics up at this FABULOUS fabric store, Fabric Warehouse in Lakeland (about 45 min from here, but worth the drive!)

And last, but not least, this hat is for Jenni, one of my besties. She loved my Amy Butler beach hat so much, she wanted one for herself. We went shopping at Fireside Quilts where Jenni found this fabulous batik fabric. She coordinated it to her new bathing suit!

Next up, the Frenchy Bag by Amy Butler (see, I told you I was a new fan!)

Summer Summer Summertime

2009-07-16T17:28:00.003-04:00

Remember my "oops"? Well, I couldn't leave my mom without a summer bag. I know, I know, summer is half over, but it really hasn't felt like summer up north anyways, so maybe she'll still get some use out of it.

I tried to get the same fabric as she previously picked out, but it was sold out. So, I picked up this Tommy Bahama fabric. I think it's fabulous! Since the fabric is so busy, I paired it with a solid light teal fabric for the liner.

Oh-and I had a little help with this bag! Here's Jeeves giving me his opinion. I think he likes it!

Before and After

2009-07-16T16:56:00.005-04:00

I love looking back at my projects from when I first started sewing. At the time, I was so proud. Now, I cringe a little, but like to see how far I've come!

For example,my thread catcher. It was really bad! So, I remade it.

Before: seams on the outside, uneven stitching, narrow opening, etc

After: You can't see the inside seems, still some uneven stitches, but the opening is wide so my fat hand can fit in there! :)

Oops!

2009-07-16T16:40:00.003-04:00

What's wrong with this picture?

This was supposed to be my mom's summer tote bag. It is now a bundle of fabric scrap :)

Welcome to the Jungle!

2009-05-31T21:24:00.003-04:00

I went to Joanns yesterday just to pick up some snaps. Well, I kind of came out with a little extra. I don't know how it happened, but it did. It was like the stuff just jumped into my cart (and no, I don't have a good excuse as to why I needed a cart just to pick up some snaps).

I have this thing that I need a new bag for every trip I take. Well, with our upcoming trip, nothing screams beach like............

zebra???

Picnic Time!

2009-05-30T16:43:00.005-04:00

My mom's co-worker's daughter (do you follow?!), Kelly, requested a hobo bag. She picked out this AMAZING fabric from Sew Love Fabrics on Etsy. The exterior fabric is called Picnic Rose and the interior is called Picnic Damask, both by Tanya Whelan. The pictures don't come close to doing the fabric justice.

I love the 2 fabrics together! Kelly, I hope it was worth the wait!!

This is why I dont get a lot of blogging done!

2009-05-30T16:32:00.004-04:00

Usually, he's walking back and forth rubbing all over everything. But I didn't think you wanted to see a picture of his hiney, so I caught him with his good side showing. Even as I type, Jeeves is nibbling and rubbing on my fingers. What you can't see is the drool all over the mouse. His drool, certainly not mine!

Beach Bag 2.0

2009-05-30T16:21:00.003-04:00

You remember the flip flop valance, right? Well, I kinda sorta overestimated a wee bit and had some extra fabric left. I'm too embarrassed to tell you how much I had left over because then you'd know just how BAD I am at math!

Anyways, Jenni, the valance recipient was also the recipient of a brand new beach bag, whether she wanted it or not!

She had a party last weekend unveiling her new beach home. You would think that I would have taken a picture of the valance on the window, but I didn't. No good excuse, really. Well, except maybe that the mai tai's were flowing and I'm not usually one to turn down a cold drink!

IT'S BEACH TIME!!

2009-05-16T16:16:00.009-04:00

My mom needed a beach bag for our upcoming vacation to Emerald Isle, NC. She picked out a very beach appropriate themed fabric and off I went! Her only request was to have some pockets on the outside for her sunscreen and ~~beer~~ water.

Gym Bag

2009-05-03T18:28:00.005-04:00

Todd and I joined a gym about a month ago. I've been using the 1st hobo bag I ever made. It just wasn't cutting it with only 1 pocket! I was constantly digging for ponytail holders, my ID, etc.

I decided to use some fabric I had laying around. You should recognize it. The beauty of knowing how to sew is that I can make it however I want and it's customized to suit my needs (and Lord knows, I have several)!

Check this out...

Yes, that's a button you see. And yes, that's a buttonhole it's peering through! How great is that? This pocket will hold my ID card and lock.

Here's a nice and deep pocket for my swimming stuff.

And another nice and deep pocket for my iPod and headbands.

My favorite feature...A velcro flappy-do-thingy (yep, that's what it's called) that holds my ponytail holders and bobbypins!! SA-WEEEET!!

So, the moral of my story, I may not look good while I'm exercising, but you better believe I'm going to look good walking in with my sporty new gym bag!

If only it was big enough to hold an oxygen tank. Sometimes I feel like I should carry one of those with me!

Flip Flop Valance

2009-04-03T18:32:00.005-04:00

My friend, Jenni, recently purchased a beach house in Ormond Beach. When she and her husband bought it, it was in rough shape (and that's putting it nicely!). They had vision and they have now turned the house into a really cool and comfortable beach home.

Jenni "hired" me to create a valance for her flip flop themed bathroom.

I have never made a valance before, but Jenni didn't care! She gave me an idea of how long she wanted it and I just winged it. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out! I hung it up on my window so I could take a picture. I can't wait to see it hanging in Jenni's bathroom!

Lots of Goodies!!

2009-04-03T18:20:00.004-04:00

My 92 year old grandmother used to be a fantastic sewer back in her day. She made me an entire bedding ensemble when I was younger. When I was in college, she made curtains for the kitchen. At the time, I didn't appreciate the time and effort that went into creating those things!

I spent part of my Spring Break up in NJ helping my parents clean up her house and getting rid of some clutter. My dad found several boxes of sewing stuff in the garage, so I picked through it. I was amazed by the amount of stuff she accumulated over the years! I found receipts from fabric from the 90s. These were probably projects that she intended to start, but never did. I can relate to that! There were patterns and books from the 60s with notes that she had written! I was most excited by the buttons, thread, needles, and zippers that she had stashed away! I have no idea how old some of these are and even though I'll probably never use most of them, I brought them home anyways to add to my collection!

I know she has some more treasures somewhere in that house! I can't wait to find more!

Small Tote

2009-04-03T09:26:00.002-04:00

I made this bag for a student at school. We have a tradition of adopting varsity sports players. Basically, we give them a bag full of goodies on the day of a game. I adopted Courtney, a lacrosse player. She has been my student for 3 years now, so she's pretty special to me. Instead of buying gift bags that just get torn and thrown away for each game, I made her a tote bag. It was really hard to buy a fabric for a high school aged girl! All I knew was that her favorite colors were purple and green. I found the fabric at Joanns and went with it. I love the bag and I think Courtney liked it too!

Noni

2009-04-03T09:04:00.004-04:00

Todd picked out this pattern. It's the Simplicity 2685. I decided to make the one on the bottom right.

This bag is named after MIL's dog, Noni. When Noni came home, she was the weenie they called No Name. No Name quickly turned into Noni. Since this bag doesn't have a defining style or name, I'll call her Noni!

This bag was excruciating at times. Perhaps it's just me still not uderstanding how to correctly read the pattern, but there were times that the instructions made NO sense at all. I can't remember how many times I put it down and picked up back up 2 days later to try it again. It was well worth the time and effort because I'm very very happy with how it turned out. It even has a zipper!

Bag Lady

2009-02-15T19:55:00.004-05:00

When I was a kid and saw a homeless woman, I called her a bag lady. I don't think I knew she was homeless at the time. I just thought she carried lots of bags. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Now, I aspire to be a bag lady. Maybe not the homeless kind, but the kind who makes lots and lots of beautiful bags!

After showing off (bragging, gloating, whatever you want to call it) my last hobo bag, I had 2 orders come in!

My friend, Angela, needed a spring bag. She entrusted me to go to Joanns to pick out the fabric. Talk about pressure!! I sent text message after text message of pictures of fabrics. No response. Finally I just called her. Her iPhone doesn't receive picture messages (it practically wipes your butt for you, but it wont receive picture messages?). Anyways, I was truly on my own.

I found this gorgeous home decorating fabric and just went with it. Here's the final result!

Isn't she gorgeous! I hope Angela loves it as much as I do!
I still haven't mastered how to read the back of a pattern envelope, so I had too much fabric cut. I conveniently have enough left over for a smaller version of the same bag!

And remember my labels? Here they are!

My second order was from Allison (the girl who made the labels). She wanted the medium size version of the hobo. She went onto Etsy.com and ordered fabric from Fabric Supplies. They have an amazing selection of beautiful fabrics at pretty decent prices! And they we were very fast with their shipping.

The fabric she chose is just perfect for this bag. And I think this bag is the perfect size for a purse.

Fabric Labels

2009-02-15T19:39:00.005-05:00

This is so cool! I ordered some labels for my bags. My awesome (and talented) friend, Allison, created them for me. I simply told her I wanted a tag to put on the inside of the bag and then a small tag that could go out the outside. And I told her to do something that relates to me (pink, hibiscus, alligator, etc.) and this is what she came up with:

the inside label:

the outside label:

I couldn't have asked for anything better! And I actually love the colors since my sewing room is lime green and turquoise. They couldn't be any more perfect!

Then, I ordered them from BellaMental's Etsy shop. The inside tags are 1"x2" and the outside tag is 3/4" x 2" with 1/4" seam allowance on each end so that when they fold in half, the "a" is on both sides!

Wait until you see them on the actual bag!

Bags!!

2009-01-18T16:37:00.008-05:00

My mom decided she needed a winter tote bag. Since I'll be seeing her next week, I decided to bring her one! She initially wanted a toile design, but I couldn't find one that wasn't dry clean only. So instead, I picked this:

Come to find out after I got it home, it's also dry clean only. Oh well!

My friend, Peach, (also a sewing debutant) used this pattern, so I decided to give it a try. It was so easy to follow! And I'm really happy with how the bag turned out. My mom hasn't even seen this one and she's already talking about the spring tote bag she wants!

Next up was a new bag for me! Since the Simplicity patterns were on sale for $.99 at Joanns, I picked #4117, more specifically, this hobo bag:

Next stop was choosing the fabric. Anyone who knows me well knows that I LOVE pink, especially hot pink! I found this fabric at Joanns and HAD to have it. You know what that's like, right?

This is the outside:

And here's the lining:

It took me longer than I thought it would, but it was worth it. I'm super excited about how it turned out! I can't wait to use it tonight when I go bowling!

I don't know about you, but I have to have pockets. I can't stand my cell phone and/or chapstick being at the bottom of the bag, so I digressed from the pattern a bit (and almost lost a finger in the process - those rotary cutters are sharp!) to add 2 pockets.

PILLOW TALK

2009-01-11T18:30:00.003-05:00

After I got done spying on MIL's former co-irker at the eyeglass place this afternoon (long story!), I couldn't help but swing by Joanns just a few doors down. (Can you pass a Joann's and not stop in? I can't!) Anyways, 1.5 hours later, I left with lots of fabric I didn't need, but HAD to have. While I was waiting in the 19 person deep line to have my fabric cut, I decided I wanted to make a pillow for the guest bed. I certainly don't NEED another pillow on there, I just wanted one. I had the stuffing at home (I sure don't remember why I bought it in the first place!), so I couldn't think of any reason not to make it.

I chose this fabric:

I came home and got busy. 20 minutes later, I had a new pillow! I even whip stitched the bottom of it (MIL taught me how to do that!).

Next up: Winter tote bag for my mom (she needs one for every season, don't you think?), a new bag for me and some travel stuff (eye cover, passport holder, etc.).

I'M BAAAAAAAACK!

2008-12-31T16:36:00.007-05:00

In case you haven't noticed, I've been MIA. I took some time off from sewing, not necessarily by choice, but because, like everyone else, I got really busy with the holidays. But I'm back in action and I've been busy!

First off, here's my "new to me" sewing machine. This is my mom's that my grandparents bought her, probably sometime in the 90s. I dont think it was used but a handful of times, so it's essentially a brand new machine! The dead giveaway that it hadn't been used...when my parents shipped the machine, they included the manual. I don't know what happened, but the manual was in rigor mortus or something! The thing was like a block of wood with the pages all stuck together. So, needless to say, I had to order a new one! It also needed a slight tune up, but now she's just like new again! Now I just have to learn how to use all of her functions!

Here she is...

So, I finally got back into sewing last week. Since the only thing I feel I have mastered is the tissue holder, so every female in the family got a tissue holder! Here are the ones I made for my grandmothers!

And then I found this fabric....

And my husband had this "great idea" for me to make blankets for my "brother-in-law and sister-in-law". They're actually my in-laws' wiener dogs. So here they are (Cali approved, by the way)

And then (I know, it just doesn't stop!!), I wanted to make something for my BFF's new baby girl. She lives in New Orleans and when I saw this fabric, I knew I needed it! So, I decided to make burp cloths using this tutorial and getting a little creative. I hope she likes them!!

HOLY CUTENESS, BATMAN!!

2008-11-27T21:46:00.004-05:00

Look at her! Don't you just love her fabric? She has an orange liner and a blue pocket inside! This was my Thanksgiving Day project (Happy Thanksgiving, by the way!). I love her and can't wait to carry her tomorrow!

BYE BYE FOLDING TABLE

2008-11-26T20:48:00.005-05:00

I got the desk!! $35! BARGAIN! I had great plans to strip her down and put a fresh coat of paint on her. Then I talked to MIL (mother-in-law). Yes, that's what I call her. We came up with it together since I couldn't call her Mom (that name is already reserved). I couldn't call her Mrs. LastName, that would just be weird! And my mom taught me better than to call her by her first name, Lynne. So, MIL it is!

I digress. I called to talk to her about my new desk and she think it might be an antique. It's made by Sears Roebuck and has a plaque inside that has a patent number and a model number: 5663401. Well, if it's truly an antique, I can't possibly refinish it. But if it's not, it needs an Extreme Makeover. I've googled it and I'm not finding much about it. I'll have to sit on this one for a while. But for now, here it is set up in the office.

GOODBYE SASSY CLUTCH. HELLOOOOOO SUPER SASSY CLUTCH

2008-11-26T20:39:00.005-05:00

I took the new clutch out on the town last night and it was a flop. Literally. It had no substance, so I took part of it apart today and added some interface and a sassy new red button. Oh-I can't forget about the button loop and handle! I think it's way fabulous now!

HELLO SASSY CLUTCH

2008-11-25T16:03:00.003-05:00

I'm going out tonight with some friends. We're going to Hamburger Mary's to play Bingo! Naturally, I NEEDED a new purse, right (as if I needed an excuse)? And I've already expressed my love of Houndstooth, so it was an obvious choice of fabrics.

I wasn't impressed with my button selection, but I put this one on since I was running out of time (I wont tell you how long this one took!) and I'm actually ok with how it looks! For some reason, I'm imagining a big bold turquoise button on it. But for now, this will do!

MY FIRST BAG

2008-11-24T17:29:00.005-05:00

Meh. It's ok. I think I'm just over it right now! It took me over 4 hours to complete. I dont love the black, but I love the black and white. I know I screwed something up because I think it should be much bigger, but I dont care enough right now to try to figure out where I screwed up!

I see lots of mistakes and things I would do differently (like use a heavier fabric), but quite honestly, I don't love the pattern design either, so I don't think I'll be using it again.

EDIT: I took her grocery shopping and she was too flimsy. I took her apart the next day and am now using her parts for scrap. I hated that pattern anyways.

EEEEEEEEEK! I DID IT!!

2008-11-23T21:55:00.005-05:00

**insert high pitched squeal here!!**

It's a thread catcher/scrap bag. I know it's not perfect, but I did it! And mostly without a pattern. The only part I needed help on was the bag. I didn't know how to get the square bottom, so I used this tutorial for assistance.

For the pin cushion part, my genius husband, Toad, came up with the idea of using rice. It's cheap and most importantly, we had some on hand (and it saved him a trip to the store!)

And best of all, I attached the bag with Velcro, so when it's time to be emptied, I can simply remove the bag, dump it and reattach it!

FABRIC HEAVEN

2008-11-23T16:16:00.006-05:00

I've been looking forward to this trip to Joanns all week! I was only there for 2 hours this time :) but I ended up with some FABU fabrics!

I plan on using these fabrics for an Auburn University themed something or other. It may be bags, it may be aprons, or if those fail, it might just be more tissue holders! I also got a matching orange and a matching blue. It was all 50% off!

This fabric, I got to replace the swirly fabric that I screwed up last time (see post #2!).

And these, I bought so I could make a thread catcher/pin cushion.

And this one...I am still swooning over this one. I love love love, like super puffy heart, love Houndstooth. I saw it sitting behind the cutting fabric and snatched a yard of it (at 40% off thanks to a coupon). I am imagining a gorgeous bag with this fabric. I eventually will have to get a black fabric to finish the rest of the bag, but I had had enough of that place for one day (and I wasn't sure just how much I had spent), so I decided I'd save that for another day.

Then of course I picked up a zipper (yikes!) and some thread and headed home. Now I'm sitting here not sure where to begin!

THE SEARCH IS ON

2008-11-22T12:05:00.004-05:00

I need a sewing table. My folding table just isn't working. It's like operating a jackhammer when I'm using the machine.

I found this beauty on Craigslist:

Ok, so maybe she's not perfect, but with some TLC, I could make her pretty. You know, kind of like Extreme Makeover.

I left a message for the owners. Hopefully they'll get back to me and still have her.

WORK IN PROGRESS

2008-11-19T20:55:00.003-05:00

Please forgive the blog layout not quite lining up.

My friend, Mandy, created this adorable header for me. Now I have to make it fit. Just like with sewing, my computer skills are always a work in progress!

IF, AT FIRST, YOU DON'T SUCCEED...

2008-11-16T18:36:00.007-05:00

...try again. and again. and again. And eventually, you shall succeed.

I needed more space, so I set up a temporary folding table in the office, one of my favorite rooms in the house.

While I would like to blame lack of space on my problems last night, I can't. It was simply user error. After repeated attempts, several minutes of chin scratching and maybe a few profanities, I mastered the tissue holder! Take a look!!

It's far from perfect, but I already have ideas to make it better!

Things I learned from my first solo attempt...
1. Read the directions. Read them twice. And for good measure, read them again.
2. Look at the pictures closely. The written directions provide some guidance, but the picture is what really shows you what to do.
3. Make sure the thread is through the eye of the needle before starting. Uh huh. I can't tell you how I know that.

Next up...the bag...

ATTEMPT #1 - FAIL

2008-11-16T08:25:00.007-05:00

I got a sewing machine! It's on loan, but I don't think, my friend, Jenni is in any hurry to get it back. Let's put it this way...I borrowed this machine in the summer of 2005 (another failed attempt) and the pink thread I was using then was still in the machine when I opened it back up yesterday.

Anyways, I spent a good 3 hours total at Joanns looking for patterns, picking out fabric, etc. etc.

I was all set. I had my pattern picked out (the bag on the top right):

I had my fabric picked out. I was using black as the main part of the bag and a green & black swirly pattern for the contrast. I read over the pattern. I got ready to cut. Here I go...

Enter Cali. She does not make cutting easy. She thinks that if I'm on the floor cutting, that's an open invitation to give kisses.

Then, enter Jeeves. He thought that paper cut out thing (yes, that's official sewing terminology) was for him to play cat and mouse with (minus the mouse, of course).

While I would like to blame Jeeves and Cali for my errors, I'm afraid that it was me not reading correctly (this is nothing out of the ordinary-I often mess up recipes due to lack of thorough reading). In this case, I messed up on the very first cut. It was supposed to be along the fold. I cut it along the selvage. At that point, I decided I wasn't ready for a bag. I didn't want to waste the fabric I already cut, so I decided I would make a tissue holder (bottom of pattern picture above). How hard could that be, right?

HARD! Especially when the directions say one thing and the picture shows something completely different. Oh, and let's not forget the 30 minutes it took me to get the bobbin wound with thread. Anyways, I tried 3 different ways to complete this tissue holder and ended up with nothing but two pieces of fabric sewed together, inside out. Finally, I decided I was getting too tired and my head hurt from banging it on the wall trying to get it figured out. I packed it away for the night.

DECISIONS DECISIONS

2008-11-12T21:39:00.002-05:00

I'm facing a very tough decision. The next Sewing 201 classes are Lounge Pants or Aprons. I'm torn! Lounge Pants, Aprons. Lounge Pants, Aprons. I would love to learn how to make lounge pants (read Christmas gifts!). BUT, I could add aprons to my repertoire. Such decisions. Maybe I'll just do both. There, that was easy!

SEWING VIRGIN

2008-11-11T14:49:00.005-05:00

Welcome! I decided to start this blog so I could share my journey into the sewing world. I just recently decided that I wanted to learn how to sew. A couple of my friends have recently gotten into sewing and have created some really neat things like bags, burp clothes, blankets, etc. Also, I recently bought some baby gifts from Etsy and decided that with a little help, I could create something similar and give them as gifts.

So, I found a Sewing 101 class at Joann Fabrics and signed up! Going into the class, I didn't even know how to thread a machine! My shopping list included muslin. What the heck is muslin, I thought to myself! After about 3 hours, I came out with my very own pillowcase!

Now, I find myself in stores inspecting everything made of fabric wondering if I can recreate it myself!

I have lots of ideas - bags, travel pillow cases, dog bed covers, fancy rubber gloves, etc. etc. My only problem is that I don't own a sewing machine just yet! My mom is gracious enough to loan me hers for now while I'm still learning. I just have to wait for it to be shipped from NJ to FL.

Thanks for visiting and stay tuned for updates!