Retro Recycle - Apron

Made an apron by tracing an apron I liked onto some fabric that had been gifted to me (used to be curtains, yay for free fabric!).  I did buy some green bias tape, pink material for the ties and some light polka dot green for a ruffle near the top.  I wanted to try making a ruffle and this apron needed a little something. 

My friend who had the idea for the material was the recipient of the apron.

From this

To this!

There's enough material left over to use for quite a few projects, perhaps a few more aprons?

Rash Attack

Has your baby ever had diaper rash so bad that they scream when the wipes touch them? 
Here's my solution:
Homemade wipes and a water/baby wash mild cleanser.  I took a receiving blanket I didn't mind losing and cut it up into small squares and then zigzagged the edges to keep them from ravelling.  For the cleanser I used my haircut spritzer and filled it with water and a couple drops of a mild baby wash and shook it up.  I have this stuff on hand as soon as I think a rash may be coming on.  It works wonders!

(ps. have a plasic bag handy to put the wipes in until laundry day)

October "Ocomplishments"

I think I did more learning and sewing last month than I have in a very long time.  I had several projects I wanted to get done for various people and reasons and they all had a little something that challenged me.  I love learning by doing, it enables me to be a perfectionist about a piece knowing that all that time and effort is going toward someone's happiness as well as my growing knowledge :)

Here's a quick run down of the things I made and what a learned...

1. Sheer curtains - this is a before shot, I made the real ones much wider to allow for bunching of the fabric to create more privacy and made sure there was a short ruffle on top and bottom past the casing to dress them up a bit.  They were used to cover door windows and so were threaded onto a second rod on the bottom.  I learned how to make a baby hem on sheer fabric, this tutorial was a huge help: http://lasewist.blogspot.com/2011/03/baby-hems.html

Also used lots of starch!

2. Birthday Dress for sister - learned how to alter a pattern.  Made this first in all navy and it wasn't what I was looking for so I made adjustments- higher neckline, armpits fitting closer to the body, longer skirt. 



My sis will wear it much better than I do here
with her long legs and accessories choices.

3. Bridesmaid dress alterations: shorten straps, tack bust section and sew down pleats(this website was awesome for the strap shortening, http://sewfordough.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/shortening-shoulder-straps-on-your-dress-or-top/ took me awhile, but I was painstakingly taking my time... it was after all a bridesmaid dress)

Extremely proud of this work- took out 2 in of the strap and the top of the strap looked like I never touched it, wahoo!

4. Puppy costume - my year old son loves dogs and Halloween was coming up, need I say more?

There is a tail, you just can't see it :)













My First Sale and "the upgraded Burp Cloths"

I had no idea it would be so exciting to sell something I had made.  I had always thought it would be nice (that's partly why this blog has come into existence).  I've given things away and made gifts before which are always satisfying.  I had a friend ask me to make her baby shower gift (set of 5 burp cloths) for her sister-in-law and I have to say that I'm very happy with how things turned out.

 I had planned on using some brown and pink polka dot ribbon
and making some classic burp cloths.  So I made three of them:

But, after I remembered hearing that the little girl's room was brown and green with pink accents and had a remnant I had bought a year ago I had to find a way to use it for this project.  So I worked on it and created a pattern for myself to make reversible fabric burp cloths:

a set of Burp Cloth "2.0"

Here's why I like these burp cloths- they are the perfect combination of fasionable and functional, I know this from experience.  They're cute, yes, but they leave plenty of white absorbant space. (which I was always in need of)  This is true of both the ribbon style and the fabric style.  I always pick ribbon with a design that is printed on or woven in because sometimes the painted on patterns will wear off after 20-30 washings.

What I like about the fabric ones is that they completely cover the serged ends of the cloth diapers from the front and back so when you throw it over your shoulder in public you don't have to worry what side is up.  The fabric is also pretty soft.  I might have to make myself a few to see how they hold up to multiple washings.  They are a little more work, but I think they will be worth it. 

The bottom line is that both styles work very well and are great for around the house or in public!

Manly clothes for a little Man

I'm surprised I got this picture, he doesn't stop moving!

We had the wedding of some friends to attend this past weekend and I wanted to make sure that my little man looked good.  But, of course, the practical side of me wanted to do this with the least amount of money; after all he was attending the wedding, not being in it.

I decided that I would find what I could on consignment and make what I couldn't from what I already had if possible.  I found the free vest pattern on BurdaStyle.  I made a mock one from an old bedsheet and had to make quite a few changes to the pattern to go from the 2T to a 12mo.  Those ages are very different proportions!  I had to make the chest area smaller but leave the belly area nice and round in order to fit him right.  Can't beat that round tummy :)  It was the first time I had made something with a lining which helped alot when it came to understanding how to alter my dress for the weekend.

The shirt, pants, socks and shoes were found on consignment for a total of $12 I think and then I made the vest from a pair of pants I no longer wear and a few notions from the store. The shirt and pants both needed some alterations to bring them from 18mo sizes to 12mo.  At the end of the day I have to say that other than my husband, this little guy was one of the most handsome men in attendance!

Pillowcase Skirt

For a dollar and some thread you can make a cute and comfy summer skirt!
Talk about a cute and cheap "upcycle" possibility.  After finding this project idea on another website months ago I decided to give it a shot myself. For 99 cents each I found a few pillowcases on consignment.  I cut the top of one to see if it would fit me but was disappointed so, determined to do the project and get it worn, I invited a friend to be the recipient of the future humble creation.  Knowing who it was for also let me make it to the right measurements as well.

It was so simple I thought I would put up a template on how to do it on my "Humble How To" page.  Coming soon so check back!

For now though, the before and after...


BEFORE

All I added was thread (and an optional 10in of elastic)

AFTER



Play like the pros! Great gift idea for dad, husband, brother...



While looking for a gift for my husband online I stumbled on a website that made poker table toppers for anyone's regular table they have at home.  These toppers looked like felt coveered boards some more fancy than others.  This got me thinking... we had a table that would work well for cards, all that is really missing to make it look nice and be fun to play on is the green felt. (and even though we have the room, who would want to store that huge table topper?) 



The underside of the table so you can see that it's been
pulled tight and the connector is locked.



So off I went to the Fabric store to find me some green felt.  I cut the felt to be a diameter of 2 feet wider than the original table so there would be plenty of material to pull tight underneath.  The pulling was made possible by sewing a tube around the edge of the cut out felt and threading through a long piece of elastic.  (like the kind in jackets when you can adjust them)  I put both ends of the elastic through a connector that would allew us to pull it as tight as we wanted.  I was pretty proud of the finished product...





Your deal?

Burp cloths, simple but cute!





Are those farm animals not the cutest, I mean, really.



You may be in the situation I was in just a few months ago... burp clothes were not a cute thing that I might find helpful, they were essential pieces of my wardrobe and diaper bag paraphernalia.   I had simple criteria for a burp cloth:

1. be functional- soak it up fast so it doesn't go everywhere

2. be a little cute if using outside the house so I look slightly put together



I received several burp cloths for a baby shower gift that were converted cloth diapers with cute ribbon sewn on the edges for a simple but fun effect.  I took this idea and ran with it.  I love looking for new ribbon to use!  Here's some of the completed ones and a future post will give you a look at some of my current ribbon inventory. 



Want to get a few for a friend?  You'll be able to personalize it a bit with your own choice of ribbon and any even finished they will cost the same or less than the average burp cloth out there.

Super Simple Fix



Left = before  Right = after

I have a pair of denim capris that I like overall but hate that the back pockets have flipped up.  I feel that they attract attention and, like most people, I'd rather not have the attention on my backside :)

Knowing that I don't use the back pockets on this pair of pants made it possible for me to just sew down the flaps.  Voila- more comfortable and less attention-getting.  I get to keep a staple in my wardrobe!

Bags... of the tossing variety



Enough for 4 orange, 4 navy bags
and an extra of each color

 The debate can rage on whether the game is "Cornhole" or "Bags" depending on if your east or west of the Illinois/Indiana state line, but what you're tossing is pretty standard.  The rules call for 6" squares of duck cloth filled with 1 lb of whole kernal feed corn each. 

The concept is simple: create small pillows- sew around the edges, turn them inside out, fill with corn and stich closed.  At first I thought I would fold over the opening and sew shut but when I did one I didn't like that it created a stiff edge on one of the sides of the bag.  I ripped it out and considered an invisible hand stitch that would have probably looked the best, but I doubted that it would hold up through such rough use.  I settled on zigzaging it closed.  I think it looks nice and should hold up without making one side too much different than the others.

I put together a set in the colors for U of I the alma mater of my husband and his brother.  We were able to play with them at my brother-in-laws graduation party this past weekend.  I think they turned out pretty well!



Finished navy bag, zig zag stitch closure looks
nice and will hopefully hold up to years of tossing.



Simple Gifts

All ready to go!  Looking nice folded in
half with a contrasting green ribbon.

I was stumped when trying to think of a classy bachelorette party gift for a friend and ended up making her a pink rice bag to go with some other girly pampering items.  I was thrilled when she excitedly pulled it out of the gift bag and told the other party goers what it was and how she was glad to have one.  She's fond of the hot pink color and I was more than happy to find and use it. 

Rice bags can be made from any hand towel, if you find one you think would be a great match for someone I would be happy to use one that you find and make it into a rice bag at a price that takes into account your find.

Rice Bags



Two rice bags in designer patterns

 Here's a simple project I love to do.  Rice bags make great gifts for anyone!  Put your 5 lb rice bag in the microwave for about 5 minutes and you have a safe heating pad alternative.  They sit nicely across the shoulders which helps with neck pain and loosening up after work or sports.  It's great for that time of the month cramps to curl up with on the couch.  If you need a moist heat for healing or earaches then this is the product that will make your day.  Even if you're prone to cold toes in the winter months, place this at the foot of your bed and it may just help you stay cozy and get to sleep faster.

There's many options in pattern and price.