GULP! Sorry for the L-O-N-G absence! Sometimes “life” just gets ya. Let me do a recap of the last few weeks….

* My grandma passed away… I drove to Pa. to attend her funeral. Beautiful service… while sad I was able to spend a little time with my family.

* My husband has been in the process of getting a new job! There were a few steps in the process so, it has been about a month of back and forth… He hs been with his current company for about twenty years! Talk about SCARY!? Well, he got the new job, and starts officially Wednesday of this week….(he has already gone through the orientation)  He finishes up with his old place on Tuesday.  So… from one place right into the next. This is something that we have been praying about for a LONG time… I have probably been praying about it for years! We are at peace in our hearts and we are really excited about the move and changes… OH and there be changes.. schedule changes.  I will say this… instead of dinner being our “family meal” it will now be breakfast… but, I’m so thankful that we still get a family meal together…. This is becoming rarer and rarer. Sadly.

* I am working on a “Cause” that I am going to open up to y’all too…. You know “Sewing for a cause?” I’m really excited about it! Look for that announcement soon.

* I have been filling custom orders in myEtsy store…. Like this cell phone case… I LOVE how it turned out! SO cute that I seriously thought about keeping it. LOL ! I am thinking about making a few more to put in the shop… If you’d like a custom case just let me know!

* Sewing my 4 year old new panties….. Here is a link to (someone else’s) blog post how to make your own panties… any size.. They turned out adorable and fit perfectly… maybe I will make myself some too..

* I spent an entire day with my mom! I’m thrilled about this…. She lives one city over and I don’t get to spend as much time with her as I’d like… So, we went thrift store shopping…. I spent less than $20.00! I found a bunch of bargains! I bought books, fabric remnants, 2 shirts, a pair of jeans, a sweater dress, one twin sheet and the best part I found this fantastic vintage sheet… that will eventually become pajama pants for me and my daughter! teehee! Oh… and I have included a photo of my daughter… and what she thought of the entire experience. Ha!

Yes… She is sound asleep in the shopping cart! haha… See that pink and white floral print behind her? That is just about 2 yards of some sort of knit fabric that I picked up for less than $3.00!

* I have also been trying to slide in a few summer clothing items for myself… a couple of tops, and etc. Right now, I’m working on a top from Ottobre magazine… I’m excited about it because the experience is stretching my sewing skills…. no seam allowance and minimal direction. Ha!

I have a couple of more exciting things that I’ll be posting about soon…. a couple of tutorials this week too!  What would you like to see a tutorial on? Let me know… maybe I can whip one up!

So sorry with the delay of this tutorial! Here it is…. finally. My daughter adores this “cranky cloud” knit fabric. So, much so that I bought it in a couple different color schemes. I had been promising her that I’d make her a new dress for a bit now. So, this past week she had school pictures at her preschool… The day before I sewed up this adorable little dress for her. The pattern is a Go To Pattern. It’s the new Anywhere Dress pattern. I HIGHLY recommend it! (along with the Casual Lady top… I have sewn three (3) for myself already with plans of more!) She LOVEd the dress but then threw out… “Where is my matching hair bow?” GULP! A hair bow out of knit???

Download the Bow pattern here:   Links to Google Drive. Once the file is open, click the download arrow on the upper left hand side of the screen. Once you have downloaded it, print it. Making sure that you have it set to scale at 100%.

Download pattern
Cut out pattern.

Cut 2 pieces of fleece and 2 pieces of knit from the “Bow” pattern piece. Paying attention to the stretch arrow.

Cut 1 piece of fleece and 1 piece of knit from the “Bow Center” pattern piece. Paying attention to stretch arrow.

You can either use your stretch stitch like I have shown below or use a straight stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Set aside and let dry for a few minutes. Get your Bow center pieces. (see below)

One of the best parts is…… It’s totally removable. So, you can make a bunch and use the same headband over and over! Woot!

The MOST difficult part of this entire tutorial….. trying to get a smiling photo of my daughter…. Ha! Here is what she gave me.

What’s up next? How to repurpose ruffle socks! OH YES I DID!

I haven’t done this in months…. Sorry! Life got crazy around Christmas and well…. I let the ball drop.

We go through seasons in life, and our family is enduring a bit of a “storm” at the moment. Thankfully, we are all healthy. I have no doubt that God is working in our lives, even though I don’t fully understand and I am scared. I have faith that in the end… it will all be ok. Even though, I have no idea what the definition of “ok” is. I am eager to learn from this lesson and be able to see the Blessing on the other side. So in the mean time, I have loaded this screen saver onto my phone, as a constant reminder to…. “Rejoice in Hope, be  patient in tribulation, Be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12

Ok… Here we go! Our third and final day! Today will fly by!

27.  Take your pocket pieces and lay your closure tab snap facing down on the center right edge as shown below. I like to pin and baste all the way around. It helps keep everything from slipping.

 28. Next place your zipper panel right side facing down. The shorter pocket should be towards the right. (as shown below) Then place your final interfaced panel right side down on top of that. 

29.  Stitch all the way around leaving a few inches on the single pocket side open. (We will turn the wallet right side out through that hole) Once you have fished sewing, trim around the edges except on the open side. (see below)  Turn right side out. Press, Press, Press… taking special care around the vinyl!

30.  This is where you will want to finish installing your plastic snap. (If you used a magnetic snap you should be able to finish it now as well) I line everything up and place my snap. 

31.  Now that you have the rest of your snap in. Turn the open edge in and press some more. Here you can either use fabric glue (Like I did… I have a aversion to hand sewing. I’d probably try to recreate a pattern just so I don’t have to do it… sad I know) Or you can run an blind stitch here.  Here is a link to a good tutorial.  Once I have my glue down I like to use my high tech “clothes pins” to hold it closed until it dries. Once it dry… you can run a 1/8″ topstitch all the way around. (That is optional) I like to top stitch most things because it gives it a finished look. 

32.  Stand back and admire your work! 

I have a Galaxy S2 phone and I was able to get it into the passport pocket. It’s larger than an iPhone, So… I kNOW that this can also double as a phone wallet. Thank you so much for coming along with me in this sew along. I had a great time doing it and hope to do many more in the future! Please let me know if you have any questions!

All-righty, lets pick up where we left off.

15.  Take your right pocket panel and line up the pockets as shown below.  Starting from the top down. Do each one individually. At the bottom of each stitch a 3/8″ seam across the bottom. When you get to the very bottom use the larger pocket piece that you have folded in half. Line up with the bottom edge. Lift the top layer and stitch at 3/8″ across the bottom. (So that you can not see the stitching through the vinyl) Place Window Panel on the very bottom. 

16.  Once you have them stitched on, I like to run a basting stitch down that left side. To hold them all in place.  (See Below) 

17.  Place lining Right Side Down on top of pockets and stitch a 3/8″ seam down the left side. 

18. Trim the sewn edge down to about 1/4 to reduce bulk. Fold the Lining behind the pocket panel and press. Take VERY special care to avoid getting close to the vinyl. It WILL melt. 

19.  Topstitch 1/8″ down the left side. (folded edge) 

20.  Here is a visual of what the interior pockets will look like. Take these pieces and put them aside. 

21. Zipper time. The Main fabric here will end up being the exterior of the wallet. You will want to make sure that you have cut two 1″ squares on the fold. These are going to be your zipper tabs.  I will not be teaching how to install zippers here but if you need assistance; Here is a link to a good zipper tutorial. I just followed the photos on the pattern. 

22.  Take your larger Liner piece and place your zipper on top just for sizing purposes. Take your 1″ squares and pin them folded sides facing in. Take only the zipper with the pinned tabs and stitch down. Trim zipper. 

23. Place Main fabric on top right sides together (pin if desired)  and sew from end to end. 

24.   Press to one side. 

25. Repeat with other side. 

26. Press open and top stitch close to the edge on both sides. 

Whew…. That’s a wrap for day two! Tomorrow will be a breeze! If you have any questions leave me a comment below! See y’all tomorrow!

Today is part 1 of the passport wallet sew along. If you are just joining us; the pattern can be purchased Here. The pattern designer has given us a discount code good until the end of the month. (4/30/13) Please enter 40off at check out. I will go out of order a little and do a few things “my way.”

Supplies: 

3 Fat Quarters (coordinating)
1 Magnetic Snap (Or plastic Kam Snaps)
Heavy Weight Fusible Interfacing ( Pellon Craft Bond is good)
Small piece of fusible fleece (optional)
Clear vinyl for ID Window
Coordinating 6″ zipper
Fabric Glue

1. Even though we are doing a sew-along, I recommend reading through the pattern.

2. Print out your pattern pieces and cut them. In addition cut TWO 1″ by 1″ on  the fold squares. (opened it would be 2′ by 1″) Put these pieces aside. 

3. Cut and Press your fabric and interface. 

4. Fuse Interface to fabric.  (2 Lining fabrics) 

5. Press Pocket Piece. 

6. Press Window panel folding flaps under. 

7. 
8.

9. I like to run a topstitch across the top or side of each of the pocket to give it a more finished look. (Click here for a more professional looking top stitch) 

10. Interface closure. I used the Craft bond on one side and the fusible fleece on the other. (Fleece is optional) We will do the second portion of the snap in the final step. So if you want you can save the entire enclosure to the end or do this step now.  

11. See Photo Below if using a Plastic snap. If using a magnetic snap; Please see The following Tutorial by Made By Rae.

12.

13. After you have inserted the snap, Place tabs RST (right side together) and sew 1/8″ around, leaving the bottom open. (See below)

14. Turn right side out, press and then top stitch 1/8″ around leaving bottom open. (see photo below) 

Ok…. We will leave off right there… More tomorrow. Please leave any questions in the comments area

Give away is now closed!

(scroll down to find out the winners!) 
I’m thrilled about what I’m about to announce today! Cheryl, from Meadow Mist Designs is launching TWO brand new quilting patterns AND she wants to give away FOUR (4) copies (2 of each pattern) right here!  In addition, to celebrate she has reduced the price from ALL of her patterns on etsy to $6.00, (were $8.00) is also offering a 3 pack pattern for $15.00, AND is offering free shipping on all sewing accessories from April 7th to the 17th!! (When all prices will return to their normal prices and etc)  Woot Woot! I had the pleasure of meeting Cheryl at the Me Sew Crazy/Sewing Rabbit GNO in Charlotte!

Here is a little more about Cheryl:

I have a degree in chemical engineering and work part time as a patent agent for a private company that makes specialty textiles, chemicals, and carpeting. In my job I work with inventors to figure out what their inventions are, draft patent applications, and then fight to the patents to issue in the US and all around the world. I love math and technical writing which is why I think that drafting quilt patterns is one of the most enjoyable parts of quilting to me.   I recently joined the Greenville modern quilt guild and the Foothills traditional quilt guild and am loving having interaction with other quilters and also spend a lot of time reading quilt blogs. “

Here is Charming: 

Here is “The Quilt in the Hat”:

Enter to Win!

Here’s how,
 
1. Head over the Cheryl’s Etsy store; :: Meadow Mist Designs :: and take a look around, come back and  leave me a comment letting me know what your favorite item is. (one entry)

2. Follow my Facebook fan page  or if you are already a facebook fan sign up for my free Newsletter! Leave another comment letting me know that you “liked” my page or signed up for the Newsletter.  (optional extra entry)

3. Spread the word! Share the give away with your friends. On your facebook pages, (personal or business) tweet, pinterest, blog, or email  (optional extra entry)

That’s 3 entries per person! Enter now through Monday morning,  April 15th. The winners will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced here on the blog at the bottom of this post! Good Luck!

 

1st Winner:  Janell

2nd Winner:  Pamela

 

3rd Winner: Bonnie Finch

 

4th Winner: Carrie O

So here is some general information regarding the upcoming Passport Sew along.

When is it? 

Starts Friday, April 12th and runs through Sunday April 14th.

Supply List: 

3 Fat Quarters (coordinating fabrics)
1 Magnetic Snap (I will be using a plastic snap) (Kam-Snap)
Heavy Weight Fusible Interfacing
Small piece of fusible fleece (maybe)
Clear Vinyl for ID window (this is just a small piece)
Coordinating 6″ zipper

Where to get the pattern:

My friend at Birdful Stitches has graciously offered up a 40% OFF discount code to use. (valid for ANY pattern in her shop!  Enter 40Off at checkout.

I “should” have some additional exciting news to post when the sew a long starts! So gather your supplies.. and if you have any questions… leave me a comment.

Howdy! Today, I am featuring Jennifer. She writes a blog titled “Creating Bits of Envy.” That is exactly what she created in me when I stumbled upon her blog! She has great style and is not scared to try new things! She inspired me to do some digging to find my own copy of “The perfect fit.” I was able to score it on E-Bay. (But, I paid a higher price than she did!) HA…. So lets get on with the interview:

1. Please tell us 3 things about yourself. 

* I love all things vintage!  I use these treasures in my everyday life… from fabric to furniture I feel they have a story to tell…

* I love fashion… My favorite inspiration store is Anthropologie.

* I am a craftaholic… Sewing, knitting, paper crafts, you name it… I’m game…

2. How long have you been sewing? How did you learn?

I have been sewing for as long as I can remember.  My Grandmother taught me how to hand sew… and believe it or not, that was how I made things until I was seventeen when a friend let me borrow their sewing machine.  From then on I taught myself through trial and error… I am still learning new things!

3. I notice that you draft a lot of your own patterns. Can you tell us how you learned to do that?

This question made me laugh  I am such a newbie to pattern making… I started last year when I purchased the BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook.  Then I came across a seventies pattern making kit called The Perfect Fit.  These books gave me the confidence to try.  In small baby steps, I have tried to draft my own patterns by recreating favorite items from my own closet.  I still use paper patterns, but have found by drafting patterns to my measurements .. I can make a better fitting garment.

4. What is your favorite thing to make?

Oh… that is a hard question… I guess I would have to say dresses

5. If you could have any craft/art/sewing resource what would it be?

I have become obsessed lately with Japanese sewing books… Yoshiko Tsukiori just came out with a new Stylish Dress Book #3  that I would love to get my hands on!  I recently stumbled across book #1(and a few others) at my local Library… I am having a hard time deciding what to make first!

6. When you are not crafting/creating/sewing how do you spend your time?

Ha ha ha… Not crafting??!!?

OK… on my “off time”… I am a devoted wife to a husband with Celiacs, so I do a lot of cooking at home.  I have had the opportunity be a stay at home mom with two beautiful children (Violet 12 and Noah 11).  Also, I stay very active helping out at their school.

7. What is one thing that you have always wanted to learn? What has stood in your way?

I would love to take a pattern making class… but the closest class I’ve found is two hours away…

8. Tell us about an unexpected “Win” with a project that went far better than you anticipated? Now tell me about a fail.

A definite win… would be the owl purse I made after being inspired from a similar leather one I saw on Pinterest.

As for a fail… I have spent hours making something just to feel blah about it after it was done.  I am also bad about making things too big (when I use paper patterns).

I’d Like to extend a HUGE thank you to Jennifer for sharing a little about herself and her blog with us! Now, I want to hire her to draft some awesome clothing for me!

Yes! You read that right! The best part is…. it’s SO easy! I set my stitches at 3.5 (straight stitch) Typically, you can see the doubling of the stitches when you lock your stitches. See the stitching on the right, where the first 1/2 inch looks doubled? It’s because it is! The stitching to the left has locking stich too, but you can’t see it!  So… how do you achieve the topstitch to the left? Set your stitch at the stitch that you intend on sewing your item. (Below I have mine set at 3.5) when you reverse your stitch drop the stitch length to the smallest you can. Mine goes down to 0.2 which barley even moves. But it’s enough to lock the stitches. I reverse 2 or 3 stitches and then go forward a stitch and reset to my original stitch length.  Honestly, the hardest part is remembering to change the stitch lengths! Ha!

Are there any other tricks that you’d like to learn more about? Post your questions in the comments and I will see if I can find the answer for you.