Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Monthly Finale....a tad early

I know we're still a couple of days from the end of the month, and I encourage you to keep sewing! 
EVERY STITCH MATTERS!!!

My little guy is having a "routine" surgery tomorrow, and my time and attention will be on him for the next few days, so I wanted to kind of get the monthly wrap up started just a bit early. 

I will be delivering my stockings to our Children's Hospital the week of December 10th, giving plenty of time for those packages to get here. Please keep this date in mind if you would like your stockings to be part of the donation I deliver. Dona, on the West Coast, makes more frequent/regular deliveries to her Children's, but this is still a good target date to consider so your items will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.

When you are ready to ship your stockings, please email me for the address and let me know if you want the West Coast of East Coast address. Please be patient if it takes me a little extra time to get back to you, I will respond as soon as I can.

I can't say enough how VERY GRATEFUL I am for your time and support as you have sewn along to help spread CHEER this month! It's such a joy to participate in each of the projects with you. 
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Monday, November 26, 2012

Pattern Review - Peasant Top & Bodacious Bow by Whimsy Couture

Anyone else fully enjoying Christmas sewing???
I sure am!

This is one of my latest creations for my Lil' Bit, made using the Peasant Top pattern by Whimsy Couture, including the fabulous Bodacious Bow accent! (Which I LOVE!!!) :)
 I finished it with the little snowflake looking stitch, which is the only thing that could have made me love it even more! :) Can't wait to see this one on my sweet girl!

 This is a very quick and simple top/dress to sew. The pattern offers multiple variations so you can personalize your sewing. I chose long sleeves with shirring.
And THAT BOW!!! My favorite part! 
 This will be an easy wear option too, perfect with boots and leggings and layered for the colder months. 
You can find the pattern in the Whimsy Couture pattern shop here

SUMMARY
Sewing Experience Level: Beginner
Size Range: 0/3 Months - 11/12 Years
Special Techniques: Elastic Casing, Shirring (optional)
Pattern Format: PDF
Materials Used: Cotton Christmas print and solid.
Personal Notes: Fun and easy to sew and perfect for cotton fabrics. Enjoyed the accent stitching and shirring option of the sleeves, and that BOW!!! Just love that bow! :)
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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thankful for YOU!!!

source
Wishing you a day full of family and gratitude wherever you are!
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Ostomy Bag Cover Tutorial

I have another little friend that has had to wear an Ostomy Bag in the past. (yay!!! Not right now though as her's was recently reversed!) To make it a little more discreet and comfortable for her, she had a special cover to wear over it. Her mom asked if I could make her some more and so, I thought it would be another great tutorial to share with you!

These are SUPER SIMPLE to make and don't require much fabric at all! 
*Note that you may have to adjust any measurements based on the individual wearing it. It's such a simple sew that should be easy if you do though. My instructions also include steps finished with a serger....you can alternately hem these steps.


What you need:
Fat Quarter of fabric.
Elastic for waistband.
RST = Right Sides Together
  


RSO = Right Side Out
 
 Measure the elastic for the waistband and add to the pouch.
I used a plush fold-over elastic, left open, to provide a softer and wider elastic.
The elastic can be added in a couple of different ways. You can simply thread it through the casing and then stitch the cut ends together. The bag will slide along the elastic if done this way, and my little friend didn't like that. So, the alternate is to stitch the elastic at both ends of the casing.

Here's what it looks like on. (I didn't make this one.)

Using the measurements listed, you can make 3 of these bag covers from a single fat quarter!

My little friend just happened to like zebra print. ;)
As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me.

Learn more about what an Ostomy is here
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Pattern Review - Merry by Thimble Blossoms

I've been using the festive "Merry" pattern from Thimble Blossoms for my stocking sewing. 
 This pattern is PACKED with creative stocking options! Quilters will especially love this pattern since it offers a variety of pieced and quilted options to help make each stocking a unique creation. 

The pattern includes detailed instructions with illustrations for each option. The options included are....
Zig-Zag Stocking
Pinwheel Stocking
Hexagon Stocking 
& Simple Stocking

I have used the Simple version for my stockings and lined but didn't quilt each one. 
I also added a ribbon trip accent along the cuff of each stocking.
This is a great stocking pattern! I look forward to trying some of the other options once I gain a little quilting experience. 
You can find the pattern in the Thimble Blossoms shop.

SUMMARY
Sewing Experience Level: Beginner - Advanced based on which option you choose.
Size Range: N/A
Special Techniques: Piecing and quilting on certain options.
Pattern Format: PDF or Paper
Materials Used: Cotton Christmas prints with muslin lining and ribbon trim.
Personal Notes: A versatile pattern with lots of stitching options sure to fit any style!
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Monday, November 19, 2012

CHEER Giveaway!

I want to thank you all for jumping in to sew along and SPREAD CHEER the way you have! I appreciate, more than you will likely ever know, sewing with you each month with the purpose of making a difference in the life of someone else. What a blessing!

Today I'd like to offer my gratitude through a CHEER-filled giveaway! :)

This little bundle was created from my stash and includes an unused Stocking Pattern, various fabric cuts from charms to fat quarter size, a package of holiday appropriate buttons and yards of lace in both red and green. A perfect bundle to spread some CHEER! :)

If you are sewing along with us this month, simply follow the prompts below to be entered.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner will be announced and emailed 11/26/12 and given 48 hours to respond and claim prize.

Again, thank you all for sewing along and using your gifts and talents to give back in such creative and generous ways!
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Friday, November 16, 2012

My week in pictures...

Fabulous fabric gift in the mail.
Precious baby Eli wearing one of the Button Pads I made him. 
Stack of stocking sewing in progress.
An awesome email from Melissa and AM at Sew BitterSweet sharing about the HUGE boxes filled with gifts from our Remember September project headed to their destination!
My van FULL of fabric passed on to me from a friend's mother....loads of knits, polyesters and gorgeous wools to go through!
Teaching a local sewing class where we made items for a non-profit organization.
Taking my children to the Veteran's Cemetery where my daddy is buried and having the opportunity to share with them about this amazing man and all the others buried there. Then, waking the next morning to find the message above on our chalkboard from my son. A.F.W. are my father's initials. 
So incredibly much to be grateful for as we head into Thanksgiving week. I hope you are finding yourself recognizing the blessings surrounding you as well.
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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Mid-Month Reminder

Just a quick note to remind all of you cheerful seamstresses that we are mid-way through the month and that means mid-way through our November project!

Plenty of time left to be a part....JOIN US and invite your friends to as well!
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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Pattern Review - A-Line Dress by Lily Bird Studio

I LOVE CORDUROY!
No really...I do. And when I found this cut of chunky cord in my stash I just knew it had to be part of my Lil' Bit's cold weather wardrobe. 

This was a simple dress to put together and the PDF pattern offers plenty of detailed instructions and step-by-step pictures to assist you as you sew. 
The simplicity of this sweet pattern allows plenty of room for personalization. I choose to applique a a simple flower shape in the same fabric as I used for the bodice lining. 

One of my favorite parts of this dress is the coordinating button closure. My sweet girl loves it too and will proudly turn around for you to see her flower! :)
This is the only adjustment I made to the pattern as written, I simply lengthened my closure to accommodate the larger button.


I love that this easy-to-wear dress will be extra warm when layered with a turtleneck and leggings or tights during the winter months, and can easily transition into early spring with a t-shirt. It's already a fast favorite of my daughter, so it's sure to get lots of wear. 

Getting a good picture of her in it.....now that's another story. 
Being 2 and all....there's just so many more important things to be doing than posing for pictures. ;)
Find the A Line Dress pattern here.

SUMMARY
Sewing Experience Level: Beginner
Size Range: 12 Months - 8 Years
Special Techniques: Lining bodice.
Pattern Format: PDF
Materials Used: Corduroy, Cotton print for lining and applique, button for closure.
Personal Notes: Adorable. Easy to sew and easy to wear. A wardrobe staple.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Easiest Stocking Tutorial EVER!

This may just be the easiest stocking ever to make!
READY???

Here's what you need....
A stocking pattern template. (I'm using the Merry pattern from Thimble Blossoms)
Some double sided, pre-quilted fabric.
Extra wide double fold bias tape.
 I had a small cut of pre-quilted fabric in my Christmas bin and thought it would be perfect for this project! This is how I turned it into a couple of stockings...

Cut 2 stocking shapes from your pre-quilted fabric. Be sure to flip your pattern over so that you will have a stocking pointing in each direction to sew together. Pin the 2 stocking pieces together with whichever side you want to be see on the inside. Stitch and turn right side out.
 Carefully pin bias trim along the raw edge of the top of the stocking.

 Cut a piece of the bias tape for your hanger and stitch along open side.
 Place the hanger at the center of the back seam under the top trim and pin in place.
 Stitch the top trim in place, securing the hanger and folding under the end as you finish.
 Ready to SPREAD CHEER!

Plenty of time left to join our sew along project this month!

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