Party Dress

Last week The Cottage Mama (aka Lindsey Wilkes, pattern designer and blogger) re-released her new and improved Party Dress pattern for free to all newsletter subscribers--I was so excited! This is a great pattern but the fact that she released it as a free download makes it even better.

I was determined to find enough fabric in my stash to make this--I'm trying to sew through most of my stash before buying more fabric and so far every project I've made this year (with the exception of some quilt backing yardage) has been made without buying any new. I juuuust managed to cut the pattern out from these:

I bought the top fabric over a year ago and have been hoarding it ever since. I cut off the selvage before checking the designer info...the bottom one is by Heather Bailey, from her new line Lottie Da. The color is showing up a little more magenta in these photos, but the true color is less intense and more purple.

I followed the pattern mostly as is except for two small changes: I made the sash narrower (5" instead of 7") and instead of sewing it on to the waistband I left it loose so it can be removed. The dress looks slightly more casual without it, so it's just nice to have another option.

The sizing was right on--I made a 2T and it fits perfectly without any adjustments. If you make this be sure to check the size guide and don't assume the sizing will be the same as your child's typical size. 

When Charlotte got home she immediately found the dress and asked to wear it. I took a few pictures but when the weather gets warmer I want to take nicer ones of her wearing it in the park.

It has taken my top spot on my "favorite projects" list, by far. I just love everything about it and now I want to make it over and over again in different colors...

Happy Sewing!

~Stacy

Sewing for Home, Kitchen Series: Table Topper

I haven't decided if this will be the last project in the Kitchen Sewing Series (see the other posts here and here), since I'm having fun with this. But it will probably be the last of this week, since I'm running low on time and I have a little girl who desperately wants me to take her to the fair :)

Like the coasters, I used all Happy Go Lucky fabrics (by Bonnie & Camille for Moda) to make this. I didn't use a pattern--I just did my own thing with a mix of charm squares and larger strips of fabric. I used a half yard for the backing and cut the binding strips from a fat quarter. The finished table topper is about 16"X40".

I didn't do a tutorial for this since I just wanted to get it done and I wasn't sure I would like the finished product enough. But, I do. So hopefully soon I'll get time to make another and include a full tutorial/pattern.

I went with this bright red floral for the backing, so if I want less pattern going on I can just flip it over:

I love the pops of navy...it really has all of my favorite colors in one fabric line. And I have a confession: the binding isn't actually sewn on yet--it's just pinned. I had a small window of time to take photos and write this post, so I cheated. You caught me :)

Happy Sewing!

Sewing for Home, Kitchen Series: Fabric Coasters

Continuing with the kitchen theme (read all about how to make your own fabric napkins here), today we're making fabric coasters!

I love this project because it's incredibly quick and easy, gives a good intro to basic quilting if you're new, and is perfect for small scraps or my favorite precut of them all: the charm pack.

Enter, the charm pack:

 This is the newest line by Bonnie & Camille for Moda and I looove it--though I've seen some previews of their Scrumptious line that's coming out soon and I think I love that one even more! But anyway, using charm squares made this project extra fast and easy since I had very little cutting to do.

To make four coasters you'll need:

• 8 charm squares (or 8 fabric scraps measuring 5"x5" each)


• 4 pieces of non-fusible batting, also measuring 5"x5" each

Put the two fabric pieces on top of each other with right sides together.

Then place the batting on top of both pieces.

Sew around all four sides with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving about 1.5" open for turning. Clip corners.

Turn right side out and press, then stitch the opening closed by sewing as close to the edge as possible (or hand stitch closed).

Next, I quilted by simply stitching two squares (one inside the other). I used my presser foot as a guide and stitched the larger square by lining the outside edge of the coaster up with the outer edge of the presser foot. I followed the same pattern for the smaller square, and lined the stitching of the large square up with the outer edge of the presser foot.

Press again after you quilt and voila! Coasters: complete.

Happy Sewing!

Simple Quilted Wall Hanging

Wall hangings are the perfect way to use small pieces of fabric when you don't have enough for a quilt or something requiring multiples (like placemats). I had a charm pack of California Girls by Fig Tree sitting around that I've had for a long time, since the line was brand new. I was stuck in one of those crazy fabric conundrums of "I love it, but I don't want to waste it so I'll hoard it like a weirdo until I find the perfect project." If you like fabric you know what I mean :)

So after repainting our bedroom and taking everything off the walls, I decided to make a wall hanging to fill a large blank space. I based the wall hanging off a pattern by Ruby Blue Quilting Studio called Charmed Living Topper. I used about 2/3 of the charm pack, about half a yard for the backing, and a fat quarter for the binding.

My favorite part of any quilt is piecing the top. Mixing and arranging all the colors and patterns never gets old. I even love cutting--though I could totally live without pinning. Hate pinning...

See why I had a hard time cutting into this fabric? It's gorgeous!

 I didn't measure the finished product, but it's approximately 24" square. Projects like this are a great introduction to quilting since they're far less intimidating than a huge quilt. And if you're not a patient person (I am not patient person), this is a project that could easily be completed in an afternoon.

What are you working on?

An Overdue Sewing Post

I'm not usually without motivation to sew. The problem is more about time, or rather lack of time. Sometimes it can be hard to make time to make things when there are so many other things that need to get done right now. And sometimes I just hit a lull where I know I want to make something but need a little inspiration.

Well, inspiration was found last week at a fabric shop that I had never visited, and now that I know it's there I will probably never stop visiting. It's called JEllen's House of Fabric and it is fabulous. Their fabric choices are right up my alley, the store is light and bright, and the decorating is amazing. Another bonus? Great prices and there are tons of samples made from each line to give ideas if you need a starting point.

Here are some photos, and make sure to visit their Facebook page for continuous updates on new fabric lines and monthly specials (like June, where all fabric with polka dots is just $6 per yard!)

This line is all Fig Tree--a mix of Avalon, California Girls, Butterscotch & Rose and some Strawberry Fields

Top shelf is Marmalade by Bonnie & Camille and bottom is Gypsy Girl by Lily Ashbury

Right photo is Spring House by Stephanie Ryan. On the left are bundles of mixed fabrics cut up by JEllen's. CUTE.

I pretty much want to just live in this store, or at least hang out here a few hours a day. Would that be creepy?

Aaand here's what I came home with:

Left photo is Michael Miller (Seaside collection), middle is a mix of Moda (Birds & Berries) and Michael Miller fabrics, and on the right is Avalon by Fig Tree.

Between getting new fabric and being around a store full of creativity, it gave me the motivation needed to make something. Or rather, somethings. 

Like shorts!

As a gift, I got this pattern. 

It's my first Oliver + S pattern and I wanted it for two reason: 1) they make the most adorable kids clothing and accessories patterns ever and 2) all of the sewing blogs I read have made things with these patterns and raved about them. Now I see why.

I made the shorts and while they did take me a bit longer than most other patterns, it was one of the best patterns I've ever used. The instructions were very well written and included lots of helpful tips and illustrations for each step. The pattern pieces themselves are very high quality, which is a nice change from the super thin pattern sheets I normally use.

If you make anything from these patterns (as with all patterns) make sure to read the size charts before cutting out the size you think you'll need! Their sizes run a bit large, so make sure to go by measurements even if the size doesn't match up to what the child would normally wear. I made the size 12-18 month shorts for Charlotte and they fit perfectly. My photos aren't great, since she was jumping around when I was trying to get her to model, but you get the idea. I love gingham. I could make everything out of gingham.

The gingham fabric I used was also from JEllen's (I believe another Michael Miller fabric). Side note: toddler knees are adorable.

And since I'd been filling so many orders for purses for other people I decided it was time to make myself one. So this summery/beachy/happy bag was born:

Both fabrics are Amy Butler, but I can't remember which lines. I ordered both from Fabric.com though and they have plenty in stock.

And then some more bunting. I just love this fabric line by Tasha Noel (called A Little Sweetness, manufactured by Riley Blake Designs). The sweet little illustrations on this fabric are perfect for showing off in bunting. I wanted the whole design to show, so I drew a template for a scalloped shape and paired it with different colored ginghams (again, with the gingham addiction). I love how it turned out...I might list it in my Etsy shop but I haven't decided for sure. I kind of want to keep it. I'm thinking it could be a good thing to keep for Charlotte's "big girl" room once she transitions out of her crib. I love the aquas, reds, yellows and pinks and think those colors would make for a very nice quilt for her bed, no?

Now I need to find a project for the mountain of fabric from JEllen's. I'm sure I'll work it out...

Happy Sewing.

~Stacy