Skirts

I've been cranking out the skirts this week so that my step-mother can try them on her grand-daughters this weekend and I can get some feedback about fit and if they like the style.  Can't wait to hear!  The bottom of skirt #2 is made from a thrifted bed sheet.  I think it turned out so cute!

More Skirts

I'm really liking this style of skirt, taking the top of a pair of jeans and adding the bottom of a thrifted skirt.  Can't wait to see someone wearing them so I can see how they fit!

Jean Skirt Upgrades

 I'm working with my step-mother to make some skirts out of jeans for her grand-daughters and friends.  My step-mother is a conservative Christian and they believe that girls and women should wear skirts to show their femininity but they should be modest and cover the knee.  Anyway, this is a tall order for these Christian women as many skirts for little girls are quite short and it is hard to find modest skirts for women as well.  While I don't personally subscribe to her beliefs and dress code, I do like to be helpful and this project has been a nice way to bond with her on a topic that I feel very strongly about - sewing!!  Judy has purchased a number of thrifted pairs of pants and skirts and has given me freedom to hack and sew as I see fit.  I am looking forward to the challenge!

This was my first attempt at making a skirt of jeans.  I love that you can use an existing skeleton of denim and make it a cute skirt that has built in structure and you don't have to do much measuring around the waist.  This was pre-cut for me by my step-sister-in-law and I added a sweet purple calico print that I inherited from my mother-in-law.   Judy really liked it and I felt very happy with how it turned out.  The true test will be if Judy's grand-daughters will like it and if it is a good length for them.  I'll be sure to show the results of all of my experiments! 

Dinosaur Bag

 What do you do with a bunch of dinosaurs constantly underfoot?  Why make a dino-bag!  Ronan is in love with dinosaurs and he got this great set (two sets, actually!) from Uncle Sean and Aunt Val for Christmas.  So I had to make a little dinosaur themed drawstring bag for him.  He really likes it!

It is so much fun making things for Ronan now that he appreciates them and he knows that I made them for him.  I can't wait for the time that he can actually make requests for things he wants/needs.

I made this bag after seeing a blog post by "The Empty Bobbin" about making drawstring bags without the use of a button hole or grommit, it was so easy it was brilliant!  (Her pattern has a different style bag, but the closure procedure was the same) I was so glad because these bags are cinch to make, look great and are very useful.  But my button holer (is that a word?) doesn't work as well as it used to and I can't find my grommit kit...  Hooray for internet tutorials!  Thank you, Empty Bobbin!

Oliver + S pajama pants for Ronan

I love how these pants turned out!  I used the Oliver + S pajama pattern that also includes a kimono top.  I don't know why, but I had some trouble getting the pant legs to sew up together properly.  I'm guessing I transferred the pattern incorrectly when I traced it to pellon (so that I didn't have to cut the original).  I was able to fudge them enough to work, but I'll have to try and work out the bugs for future pants.  I thought that the extra cuffs and waist band were unnecessary when I was putting it together but I think with the finished product they look so nice.  I would definitely do that again on future pants!  Ronan loves them too, so, bonus!!  I used flannel cotton remnant purchased at Joann's, I believe it was a Joann exclusive print.

Christmas Craftin'!

This is a new design I have for place mats, I'm really pleased with how they are turning out!

Target's 2010 Christmas Album

A free download on Target.com, this is a MUST HAVE for the holidays!  An amazing album of holiday music like you've always wished for.  Tired of listening to Dean Martin singing "Baby, it's Cold Outside" for the 100th time this year?  Check out "Electronic Santa" by Blazer Force or "Toy Jackpot" by Blackalicious to rock your socks off. 

http://www.target.com/b?node=2492229011&ref=sr_shorturl_holidayalbum

Looking for the unexpected in your holiday listening this year?  Try these downloads too:
Christmas Tree - Lady GaGa
Nutmeg - Stephen Colbert & John Legend
Deck the Rooftop - Glee Cast
It Snowed - Meaghan Smith
Christmas is Interesting - Jonathan Coulton