October 2013 - Project FINALE!

Today is the FINAL DAY of our October 2013 "Hat's Off!" Project!

I want to offer a special thanks to all of you that have sewn and kept this rolling while I was out of town. YOU ARE SUCH A BLESSING! I know each and every one of these hats will be welcomed and enjoyed!

Be sure and check out the great collection of hats that have already been made for donation to this month's project and add pics of your own to our October Project flickr album HERE. 

While my current intentions are still to have the November Project ready to post in the morning....bear with me if it's delayed at all. In addition to getting back in our groove around here from mama being out of town and lots of sick littles, the kids are all excited about tonight's dressing up fun and tomorrow is my Hubs birthday, so lots of things going on right now. :)

More soon...

Sassy CIRCA Scrappy Sack!

 Have you seen this fun Fishsticks Designs pattern? 

This was my first time sewing the Scrappy Sack and my first time cutting into my beloved Circa fabric from Sis Boom, and I'm so glad to have paired these two! There are also some Sis Boom prints included from other collections, one of the things I absolutely LOVE about Jennifer Paganelli's fabrics is how beautifully they cross-coordinate! 

This special bag is for my oldest daughter and not only does she love it, it is perfectly her style! From the messenger style strap to the gorgeous girly fabrics, this one is just right for her!

  In addition to the multiple pockets on the outside of the bag, there is also a divided inner pocket perfect to hold pens, a mirror, lip gloss or other small, hard to find items. No having to dig around!

I did all of the stitching in a bold pink thread and was so pleased with the added touch it created.   

Find the Scrappy Sack pattern in the Fishsticks Designs shop HERE!

Today is the last day of Market and we'll be homeward bound tomorrow. Can hardly wait to see my crew!!!! :) Hope you are all having a great start to your week!

Just a few days left to wrap up our October Project and we'll be kicking of a new project and our LAST specific sewing project of the year on Friday!!! You don't want to miss it....it's a very special one! 

Pattern Review - Pajama Party PJs from Fishsticks Designs

This is the first time I've made the Pajama Party PJs, but I can guarantee it won't be the last! 

As a matter of fact, seeing as how there are 2 of this pattern that covers sizes from 12 months -14 years I'm thinking this might just be the perfect pattern for some gorgeous Christmas jammies for my crew this year!

All of the little details make this an unmistakably attractive sewing project. I loved the crisp, tailored finish! The cuffs on the arms and legs along with the pocket option allow for the perfect use of complimentary accent fabrics. 

 

I chose to use plastic KAM snaps for the closure on this pair, but the instructions provided will walk you through using metal snaps or sewing buttons and button holes. 

As with all Fishsticks Designs patterns, the instructions are very thorough, providing step-by-step photos for the entire process. A beginner seamstress willing to take his/her time and ready and follow would have no trouble at all sewing this sweet set! And I'm sure would be proud of and inspired by their finish. 

Find the Pajama Party PJs in the Fishsticks Designs shop HERE.

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience Level: Beginner

Size Range: 12M - 14Y

Special Techniques: Sewing Elastic Casing for waistband, adding snaps or buttons, adding sleeves.

Pattern Format: PDF or Paper

Materials Used: The playful cotton fabrics I've used are from the Little Surfer Boy collection by Jamie Wood for Clothworks. 

Personal Notes: Stunning finish with this pattern! Excellent, easy-to-follow instructions. Possibly to become my favorite PJ pattern!

A FALLish Katie J. Jumper

 This isn't my first time sewing this adorable dress pattern, but I did try out a new version! This time, in addition to making a reversible garment, I also added the Double-Layered option. This option gives a band finish on one side and offers a lovely layered look on the reverse. 

 My Lil' Miss can hardly wait for me to get home from Texas just so she can wear her "Bunny Dress"! :) She's been asking daily since I finished it if today was the day she would get to wear it. :) She has loved wearing her other Katie J. Jumper, so I know she will love this one as well. 

The fabrics I've used for this fall version are organic cottons designed by Penguin & Fish for Clothworks. They are absolutely silky soft! The prints are so precious and include all your favorite woodland creatures like raccoons, hedgehogs, foxes and owls. Oh...and of course, bunnies! ;)

See my other Katie J. Jumper HERE!

Find the Katie J. Jumper in the Fishsticks Designs pattern shop HERE!

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience Level: Confident Beginner/Intermediate

Size Range: 6M - 5T

Special Techniques: For this version, sewing with elastic, making elastic casing, sewing a reversible garment. Gathering.

Pattern Format: PDF or Paper

Materials Used: The adorable fabrics I've used are from the Critter Patch collection by Alyssa Thomas of Penguin & Fish for Clothworks. 

Personal Notes: Still LOVE this pattern! All of the different features make is a fresh and unique garment each time you sew!  

GO FISH! - New "Quick-Sew" pattern collection from Fishsticks Designs!

While I'm hangin' with my Fishsticks Designs friends at Market, thought I'd share some of the sewing I did in prep. Today, I'm starting with some of the NEW Go Fish! patterns I helped test for their debut at Market. This is not only a new series for Fishsticks Designs, but it's also a whole new product. The Go Fish patterns are quick sewing, instant gratification kind of projects. They can be purchased as PDF -OR- very soon, in print as tri-fold sewing cards! Each one I've made went together in a snap and still produced that same high-quality finish you've come to know and expect from sewing with Fishsticks Designs. 

This is my version of The On-the-Go Travel Pillow. 

 The pillows have an envelope style back making for easy washing, a handle for carrying and a pocket front for storing all those goodies that need to go alone with you or your kiddo. 

The Fun-to-Go Kids Tote is probably my favorite of the whole collection!

  This sturdy tote has room enough for all those trinkets the little ones like to tote with them wherever they go, plus can be a great grab and go tote for your older kids, teens or even yourself! It's a great finished size of approximately 13" x 12" and the zip front pocket is perfect for keys or snacks or any other number of items you like to keep nearby. 

The Go Bake Something Apron is a quick and keep yourself clean project to make for the chef in your life! It offers a tie waist for easy, adjustable fit and plenty of pocket room.

Check out ALL the Go Fish patterns at Fishsticks Designs here. 

Happy Sewing!

Hats Off Hat Sewing....Keep It UP! :)

Hey Friends! 

We're entering the FINAL WEEK of sewing for our October Project! If you need the details about the project, find them HERE. 

Looking for HAT making inspiration? Got you covered there too! Find my "Head Gear" pin board HERE full of ideas, patterns and tutorials!

Also, be sure and check out the great collection of hats that have already been made for donation to this month's project and add pics of your own to our October Project flickr album HERE. 

The hats are been mailed to Dona at Sewing Miles of Smiles this month to be distributed at the hospitals she already regularly serves in her community. I'll be unavailable by email while at Market, so if you are ready to ship your items, visit Dona's blog to get in touch with her for a shipping address. 

Thanks so much for sewing along and making a difference for so many every month!

To Market! To Market!

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEE-HAW!!!!!!
I'm so excited! :)

I'm heading to Houston, Texas QUILT MARKET later this week with my friends Bonnie and Leigh from Fishsticks Designs!!!

I have had the privilege to get to know Bonnie through our blogging and sewing together and am so very thankful to call her my friend! She's such a beautiful and creative person who loves her family in a contagious way! We actually had the chance to meet up with our kiddos earlier this year for a fun museum and lunch day, and it was like we had known one another all our lives. Kindred Spirits for sure! While Leigh and I "know" each other in the on-line world, this will be the first time for us to meet in person. Can't wait!!! I know we are going to have a GREAT time together working on the set up and presentation of the FABULOUS Fishsticks Designs booth and all of Bonnie's awesome patterns, including the NEW "Go Fish" collection.....you've seen those right??? :)

 

If you are going to Market, please stop by and see us! We are at Booth #2057, conveniently located near one of the restrooms! :) I'm looking forward to meeting many more online friends and sponsors IN PERSON while there too! Maybe I should warn you though....one thing you should know about me....

 :) It's that "Mama" part of me that's true to my core!

OH! And I'll be sharing some of the sewing I've been doing in preparation of our trip while I'm away, but if you'd like to keep up with our day to day happenings, be sure and follow along on my facebook page here. 

Friends, fabric and patterns as far as the eye can see....it's sure to be a BLAST! :)

Mid-Month Reminder!

It's been an exciting and busy week around here and I nearly forgot to remind us all that we're at the mid-month point! ALREADY!!!!

That's right....if you are sewing along to support our October Project to make hats for hospital patients....there's still time, but only a couple more weeks. 

Get the project details here!

Join us!!!

Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month is OCTOBER!

Today I'm sharing over at Ladybug Bend, so please drop by and say "Hello!" and learn a little more about Sensory Processing and how it effects all of us. 

PLUS.....Taya has a special challenge and opportunity for all of those interested in sewing along to help her reach her goal of 100 Weighted Vests donated in honor of Sensory Processing Disorder Awareness Month! And, she's offering her awesome pattern to make a Weighted Vest ON SALE too! 

You can see more pictures of the vest I made for my daughter on my original review post here. 

Our Ornament Fundraiser - The potential impact of ONE!

I wanted to say a special THANK YOU to those who have purchased and/or shared about our Ornament Fundraiser to support the FLUFF Project! Each and every ornament sold helps us in the continued outreach of providing stuffed friends to children in foster care. 

I wanted to share a closer look at some ways the funds can be used to help us continue to give in this way.

Poly-Fil stuffing to stuff the handmade toys I sew. Purchased from Jo-Ann's 32oz. pkg. $8.99

Some projects also call for pillow forms. 

Doll Panels like these....Hello Tokyo from Contemporary Cloth Inc. 

-OR- Storybook from Fabric Outlet range in price from $5.50 and up.

Additional fabric yardage is used for backing panels and creating stuffed toys from scratch too. While I am a careful clearance and sale shopper, even when discounted, good quality fabric averages $5-$8 a yard. 

Many PDF pattern designers have generously provided their patterns as a donation to the FLUFF project, I do also purchase patterns specifically for the project as well. The price of patterns can range from $1-$10 each. I am of course able to reuse these and also try and use free tutorials found on-line as well, to affordably expand the selection we provide. 

Other expenses include, felt & wool felt, thread, embroidery floss, needles, buttons, appliques, interfacing and a variety of tools that occasionally need to be replaced such as rotary blades, turning tools and the like.

Finally, in addition to the handmade items that are regularly contributed to the FLUFF Project, we also watch for deals on store bought stuffed toys. One excellent and inexpensive option are the $5 Kohl's Cares stuffed toys.

Locally, the money from the sale of these items goes to our Children's Hospital, which is doing great things within our community and beyond.....something we are very proud to support!

****Now, I think it's important that I say, our family is more than happy to contribute to these expenses, as we have and will continue to. This is simply an opportunity for those who would like to support our efforts while getting a special holiday gift at the same time.****

To find out more about the beautiful, keepsake ornaments available for purchase now - December 1st with the $$ raised poured back into our FLUFF Project, see the Ornament Fundraiser album here. You can email me directly with any questions or to place your order. 

THANK YOU for helping us to give back even more!

Monster FLUFF!!!! Free tutorial and pattern template!

I recently had the pleasure to work with the creative folks over at ButtonLovers.com. We collaborated on a few fun, button embellished projects, and this is one of them I wanted to be sure you didn't miss! 

Meet Fin & Polly, my Monster Fluff Friends! 

Download the FREE PDF Pattern Templates for both here.

Find the step-by-step, photo tutorial here.

While I welcome you to use this pattern/tutorial to sew for the children in your lives, if you do, I also ask that you please find a way to Give Back using it. One great option is to support children in foster care, just as our FLUFF Project does on-going. 

Thanks and enjoy! Can't wait to see your creations!

Product Review - Better Bobbin Thread Winder

I recently had the opportunity to try out the Better Bobbin Thread Winder. 

It's a handy little gadget used to refill your bobbin without having to unthread your sewing machine. Let's take a closer look....

 When your bobbin is ready to be refilled, you simply remove it from your machine. With the presser foot of your machine raised, and leaving your machine threaded, following the step-by-step number guide on the top of the winder, slip your thread end through step 1, around step 2 and then through the hole in your bobbin just as you normally would to refill it. Place your bobbin on the winder at step 3. Then flip the "off" lever against the empty bobbin and press the black button to start the winder. 

It's FAST!!!!!! I was surprised at how fast. 

In a matter of seconds, you will have a full bobbin ready to sew again and don't have to bother with re-threading your machine! I love that! :) When your bobbin is full, you simply pull the small blue lever back to the "off" position and cut your thread. 

This compact little muscle of a machine also includes a thread cutter that you can see on the top, and the lid includes a stand for a large spool of thread as you can see in the first photo, so your bobbin can be filled separately from your machine as well if you choose. 

 Quick Overview:

PROS: Very fast and easy to use. 

Saves time from having to re-thread your machine.

Compact for storage.
Long cord.

CONS: Doesn't shut off automatically when bobbin is full.

Doesn't seem to consistently get as even and tight of a wind on the bobbin as my machine does. 

There you have it, the Better Bobbin Thread Winder. 

All in all, a fun, little gadget that I have enjoyed using for sure!

*Disclosure - I received this product free of charge to try and share my opinion. No other compensation was received. Opinions shared are my own.