Ransacked Goods

Whole Cloth Baby Quilt

Just in the nick-of-time I finished the baby quilt for my nephew before I was off to my sister-in-law's baby shower in Nevada over the weekend. I was inspired by some really lovely whole cloth quilts that I had seen, particularly this one and this one that really let the simplicity of the fabric and pattern speak for themselves. An of course I fell in love with the linen car fabric from Kokka. So many amazing Japanese import fabrics to swoon over, here. I wanted to get in just a little modern patchwork on the back with some scraps I had around. I love piecing fabric together without a pattern, so liberating. I hope this little gem will be loved for years.

Baby Shower Gift

I am over the moon with excitement for the arrival of my new nephew in a few months. I find myself scouting for cute boy gear which is a real treat. I love it when boys clothing and accessories are done well. For example Tea and Mini Boden hit it right on for me if I were lucky enough to have a little guy. 

My sister-in-law's baby shower is in just a few weeks. I made the baby a few bibs with this vivid retro fabric from Alexander Henry that I had in my stash. And I made her a simple little clutch just big enough to fit some essentials. I stashed it with a few diapers, a small package of wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues, sunscreen and an organic onesie that I embellished (and forgot to photograph). Both are linen with soft linen because it just looks good with everything right!

The knit blanket they are sitting on was my brother's when he was a baby. Goodness knows why I have it. It has a nice big hole in it but I can't seem to get rid of it. I'm still trying to think of a way to change it into something else for his son, a pillow? I only wish they used natural fibers more back int he 70's. Oh well, work with what you've got.

House Pillows

via Robin's Egg Blue

I've been noticing some really cute house pillows out there. I think I'd love to try my hand at maiking one. So many possibilities.

via Land of Nod

via Olive Handmade

via Play it Fair

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday Crown

Here is the birthday crown I made for Apple. I used the same tutorial from CurlyPops that I used for her sisters. It's super easy and would make a great gift for any kid. Both of the girl's crowns need to be bedazzled a little to make them supper special. We haven't found the right thing yet. A felt start doesn't seem quite glamorous for "hey it's my birthday, yippee!" So I'm going to look around for some sequin appliques. I'm usually adverse to sequins but sometimes it just feels right.

Personalized Girl or Boy Pillow

via www.etsy.com by olliegraphic

While I was thinking about thing I could make the Babe for her first birthday I came across this adroable pillow. I just love that you can pick the child's skin tone, hair color and style, eye color and pillow color, even his/her expression. I think I'll need to stash this idea away for the holidays.

July Birthday Bunting

Here is the birthday bunting I made for Apple's first birthday which is on July 5th. I figured if we were going to have decorations up this time of year they might as well be festive. It's not completely red, white and blue but there are pink, brown, green and orange spots in there too. I think it turned out beautifully and it such a pretty combination of what I already had hanging around. Her older sister was quite the little sewing helper too!

Denied Skirt

I made this skirt for the Chickpea or I should say we made it together, a collaboration. I let her pick out the fabric and she chose this one because it had cupcakes on it. I did the cutting and we stitched it up after her nap, a nice project right? She wont even try it on and has left it crumpled on her floor since we made it. Why are little girls so fickle? Meanwhile she is begging to wear a ratty old fleece hoodie morning-noon-and-night despite the blueberry stain on the front and the browning cuffs. She cries when we have to wash it. I tried... I'm just going to leave this up to an A+ for effort.

Stuffed Pablo Cat

via www.greenergrassdesign.com

I saw these adorable photo print pillows a while back, and filed them in my "that-would-be-a-good-project" mental notebook. So the other day I snapped a photo of the cat, tweaked the color in PhotoShop, printed it out on photo transfer paper and ironed it on, then sewed it to a piece of flanel and stuffed him up like a nice little pillow. I think it's totally cute and completely less maintnenace than the real thing. Now I've just got to get a shot of the other cat while she's not hiding in the closet or running away from a child. The Chickpea is going to love finding this under the tree. They'd make great gifts for chidren's birthdays etc. I've even seen them as dolls made up from photos of family members.

 

Skirt Transformed

Sadly, maternity leave is coming to a close. I head back to work next week with mixed feelings. I'll miss being home every day with my little darlings, reading in bed, making soup, taking leisurely walks in the neighborhood chatting with friends. But I'll be gaining my sense of independence again, some quiet time to read on the bus and the confidence that I am providing for my family in a different way.

That said, I purged the closet hard, slash and burn. After 2 pregnancies let's just say I'm not headed back to the size 6 I was when we were married 7 years ago. And that's fine. I'm more forgiving and grateful of my body now that I used to be. It's good to be gentle with your self image, I'm feeling older and wiser these days. But there were a few pieces I didn't want to part with, I'm a pack rat at times. So I turned a few skirts and dresses into these drawstring bags. Sew them below the darts at the waist, trim off the waist excess, open the hem and pull a ribbon through, voila a nice bag for storing stuff (dress up clothes, travel laundry, toys...)

Christmas Napkins

I'm starting to get the Holidays on the brain now. I pulled out some Christmas fabric I've had stashed for awhile when I saw it on sale off season. I love the not so traditional color tones. Below are some beautiful napkins from the Purl Bee that are made with a really easy technique and linen is always a classy addition to any patterned print. I'm hoping if I start early I can make a set for the festivities this year.

Grandfather's WW2 Satchel (the redux)

 

Awhile back two things happened at the same time.... I was cleaning out some cupboards in the garage and found my grandfathers WW2 satchel which I had briefly used in college. Obviously it had been through a lot and I was contemplating keeping it or not since I'm trying my best to carefully consider family keepsakes that are not in use. Realistically, I wasn't going to bring it out to use again but what a connection to a man I've never met. The next day.... I was flipping through Real Simple when I noticed some lovely bags by forestbound. All of Alice Saunders utilitarian bags are created using found and salvaged material, primarily from WW2. Check out her design sponge interview here. I contacted her through her etsy shop after checking out some of the past beautiful bags she had created. And although she wasn't taking custom orders she said she would recreate the bag for me, so off it went to NY.

I'll now proudly be carrying this revitalized leather bottomed tote around town. I love that she was able to keep my grandfather's name and rank which were important to me. The rest is made from the deconstructed bag with the addition of the classic blue ticking. She even made a little pouch from some of the left over material. Check out the before and after photos on her blog.

So here's to reaching out for inspiration and collaboration, the results can be impressive. And here's to giving new life to old things instead of hiding them away.

Apple's Quilt

 
I don't think I ever posted a picture of how the quilt for my new baby girl turned out. This is how far I got before she was born. And as you can see she's a whole 3 months old now. All that is to be done is the binding but I can't seem to find the right fabric. There is a lovely big red polka-dot print on the back but nothing seems to fit with it. Ah, it's a good excuse to shop for fabric but I'll be happy when it's done and I can tuck her up properly in it. The quilting job sucks but it's all from Mommy's heart and that's what matters most.

Handmade Pillow Cases

Here's something I've wanted to try making for a long time, handmade pillow cases. It seemed like an easy way to use up some large scraps of fabric that were too small for a full project. I'm really happy with the results and they were super easy to put together - what with straight lines and all. They washed up beautifully and I've love to make more or even some shams. I think they would make for a nice gift in a pinch too.

Quilt Glimps

So here is a sneak peek at the quilt I'm furiously making for Apple. I fell in love with the little retro flower print in the center of the blocks. And again I'm not using any pink like I didn't for Chickpea's quilt. It seems more grown-up and perhaps it will age better with her. The pattern is from this book: Quilts, Baby!: 20 Cuddly Designs to Piece, Patch & Embroider, which has some adorable ideas despite the cover. What I liked about this pattern is that it's really not a pattern. Everything is just cut free form with rough measurements. I had the whole top pieced in just  about a day. I bet a larger version would be a snap to put together. Fingers crossed I'll have it done this week!

Handmade Kitty Dolls

 
I wanted to make my girls something to mark the point when they became sisters and to also give them both something special to snuggle made especially for them by Mommy. I looked at a bunch of patterns some of which I love below and decided to settle on a kitty pattern that I already had from this book (which is excellent in every way). I could have spent more time deciding on a pattern than actually sewing it! I tried using linen for the first time because it is so durable and classic. It was difficult to work with but I think it looks very sweet and highlights the details.

 

Chickpea's has rhinestone button eyes from an Anthropology sweater that I finally admitted I'd never wear again. I can sew some on Apple's kitty once she is old enough. Overall I'm happy with them. We'll see how well they are received or if they end up in the bottom of the stuffie basket. But I'm hoping they hold on to them for a long time.

via www.weewonderfuls.com

via bird & little bird

Maternity Leave

My maternity leave has officially begun and I'm a week in. It has taken a while to decompress and wind my way down into the transition much like going on a long vacation out of the country. It just takes time to settle into a groove and unplug your brain from another lifestyle. My body is grateful for the break but my brain is still having a hard time slowing down. All in good time. There is nothing like a newborn baby to change your pace to a near stop. My pre-baby  to-do list seems a mile long and growing but I do realize that it's all fairly unnecessary things that can always wait. I started knitting this blanket a few days ago as a way to force myself to quiet my brain and sit still. It's a lovely organic cotton I bought on a whim several months ago. Not like we really need another blanket in the house but that's not a reason not to make one.

I've been indulging in a few restaurants that have been on my must try list for far too long, like Bake Sale Betty and Ici. We are so lucky to have a pool of talented chefs who have worked at Chez Panssie opening up shop around here. Not to mention trying new found restaurants like Gather with friends.

 

Then of course there is sewing in between all of the house cleaning, organizing and prepping. I made this vinyl tablecloth from an Anna Maria Horner oilcloth, simply trimmed with some carrot bias tape. And while I originally bought it for easy clean up from kid art projects we use it all the time. We wondered why we didn't do something like this sooner to protect our table at meal time instead of messing around with place mats.

Tree Pillow

I don't think I've ever showed this lovely little tree pillow that I made a while back for our bed. I used all vintage scraps on white muslin. I'm very happy with how it turned out although I wish that I had put a boarder around the whole pillow to give it a little pop. Another friend mentioned that she only buys white sheets for convenience sake. I followed suit even though I love patterns and the fresh clean feel of simple white has been making me very happy.

Hooded Towel Pattern for Kids

 

Just the other day I made one of these hooded towels for Chickpea. It was super easy with 2 towels from Target plus a scrap of flannel. She loves it and she'll be able to use it for quite awhile. I think it will be my go to present for birthdays and such. The possible variations are endless.

via www.etsy.com from Revel Designs

Reusable Produce Bags

via www.etsy.com from Wonder Thunder

Next up on my sewing agenda is the reusable produce bag. Something I haven’t bought because it just looks too easy to make. When I go grocery shopping I usually stuff all my produce into one plastic bag. Our local grocery store has a clumsy system of weighing all organic produce and bulk food separately before checking out. It’s more of an organized chaos of stickers and rolling fruit than I’d like it to be. We recycle all the plastic bags that we bring home which isn’t that many or that often but it’s one more step in reducing our consumption.

More Buckets

I had a productive weekend of sewing. Here are a few more of the fabric buckets (pattern from Maya Made). They are so great for stashing toys and projects and just the right size for Chickpea to carry around the house and pack back up again. I’d love to make one in a huge size though, maybe 20” in diameter. I could just see it filled with stuffed animals or laundry. And since they are all made out of fabric they are easy to stash when not in use unlike a basket.

Apple's Quilt Pattern

via www.dsquilts.com

I'm thinking about the baby quilt I'll make the latest wee-one (nicknamed "Apple" by her sister "Chickpea") before she arrives. This one is called Single Girl by Denyse Schmidt whose designs are so lovely they can do no wrong. I used the another DS pattern for Chickpea's quilt in greens which I adore (below at 8 months). There is also a really pretty version in orange over at Wise Craft.

Check out her other free download of a really cute Scottie Dog stuffie. I may need to make one of these too. I'm so optimistic aren't I.

Vintage Tablecloth - Now Napkins

I adore vintage linens and I have a whole stash of beautiful tablecloths that I've picked up over the years. The problem is that they are all sitting in my closet - folded and unused. They aren't that kid friendly and who needs more laundry. What we do use a whole lot of around here are cloth napkins. We'll go through a whole set during breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ones that we've been using the most we're looking really mangy. So I think I spotted this idea in Betz White's book while browsing the book store a few weeks back. I cut up a well worn tablecloth with great colors and lovely soft linen and trimmed it with bias tape. Each one has a different slice of the overall pattern which I love. I have just 2 more to sew up tonight for a nice new set of 6. Very pleased. Let the wiping of fingers begin.

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials

Log Cabin Pillow

Check it out, yet another new pillow. I've been wanting to finish this one up for a long time. It's actually a large vintage quilt block that I got a long time ago. It's mostly silk and linen. I backed it with a cute red and white polka dot (similar to the blue on the front) and put in a successful invisible zipper. It's large at 22" and makes a great place for reading books in Chickpea's cozy bed.

I've got more sewing planned this weekend, if I'm lucky to steal a moment to myself. Plus a trip here with a friend for what has been touted as amazing hot chocolate. Now that I've been dabbling with giving up lattes, hot chocolate is my new cafe buddy. Yummers.

Happy weekend to all!

Flustered Hat

No too much success on the crafting front lately - no time, no energy.... I did finish this hat for the Chickpea but again I'm a bit flustered with knitting patterns and sizing. What was supposed to fit a small child fits me! Well I learned something at least, novice knitter that I am. Plus we have one extra hat in the house now. But the original pattern is so adorable I think I may try it again.

What would I be working on if I had the energy....

This tree pillow which I have already cut out. It's a great knock-off of an Anthropology pillow I love. I've been toying with the idea of making pillow's from their place mats for cheaper alternatives.

I'm making some doll bibs for Chickpea since "feeding" her babies is one of her favorite activities. I'm also on the prowl for the perfect doll highchair.  I also want to make her some proper doll bed quilts with the vintage squares I have. I'm a little tired of finding tattered washcloths and hankys scattered around the house tucking in all sorts of babies and animals.

I want to make Christmas place mats but that seems a little optimistic this year.

I'm sure there is more too...

Weekend Sewing Projects

All cut up and ready for weekend sewing. Wish me luck! I've been quite inspired by Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule and am trying a few projects from the book. Everything is from what I have lying around the house and I'm trying to be dedicated to not buying anything but just using what I have. Hopefully I'll start looking at what has been boring me in my crafty stash (and closet) and see it in a new light. So far it's immensely satisfying.

 

Titus Skirt

Here is the skirt that I made for my recent travels. I'm so happy with the way my first attempt at making clothes for myself turned out. I may just have to try is again! So comfortable, just the right length and a fabric I like. The pattern is Titus' Perfect Skirt which I have not been able to ind on line. And the fabric is from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern 2. Have you seen her new line called Love?

Everything Bag

I finished this Everything Bag from Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing. I love the fabric from Anna Maria Horner and I had originally bought it to recover a chair, however my husband begged me to reconsider. We wont get into that, let's just say he's wrong. So in my quest to use what I have and not to hoard, I cut it out for the bag. Over all I'm happy with it but I don't quite know what I'll do with such a massive bag, beach trips, market days, weekend outing? Not very everyday friendly for me at least.

I was a little disappointed in the pattern thought. I read through it several times and just knew that if I followed the directions it was going to look different than the picture. Sure enough the binding was much narrower. I even looked at the flicker group to see what other people did, and I wasn't the only one. And you know that just annoys me a little. We have a sure-fire way of avoiding those discrepancies in the publishing world, it's called "proofing". Ya know, it just would have been nice to know what I was getting. I had even tracked down the book's errata before I started and this problem wasn't mentioned.

So I guess that leads me to another question, professionalism in crafting, how important is it? I really want people in the craft world to succeed with patterns, projects, wears and books like these but how important are the details? Is the point to embrace the journey of where a project takes you, welcoming snags, uneven lines, interpretation and raw edges? Dare I say the "homemade" look. Or do we aim for carefully constructed craft that is both inspired and finished with precision, raising it to a higher level of personal expression and uniqueness? The answer lies somewhere in between I'm sure.

Zipper Workshop

This past weekend a friend invited me to take a zipper workshop with her. I know, such a sewing dork, I love this stuff. But really I always say this, it's such fun to learn a craft and a skill. How many times a day to you use your zipper? Could you actually make one of these absurdly utilitarian yet mind numbingly challenging tools? So we learned how to sew 4 different kinds of zippers by making samples. The teacher was excellent which was an added bonus. I've always felt daunted by patterns that call for zippers so I've avoided them which feels like cheating. I'm a big girl, I can learn something new. And after the workshop was done I was thinking, jeez what a baby, that's a piece of cake. Now I have the skills for future Halloween costumes.... really I'm ready to tackle a zipper... bring it on little guy.

Quietly Cutting

Two new sewing projects cut out over the long weekend. Who's feeling productive now! I'm starting to enjoy the pattern process a little more and it's feeling more therapeutic than drudgery. I think I've reluctantly let my parts of my life slow down over the past few years but now I'm starting to accept it and it's not a bad place to be. The pace of ironing, smoothing, tracing and cutting with patience and purpose is quite comforting. I know I can't do everything in one day so small accomplishments done well are reassuring triumphs.

Considering Curtains

A little sleuthing for curtain fabric in our entry way at Sew Mama Sew and Purl. It's time we added a little privacy as well as a little insulation for the upcoming winter. They will just be half size, cafe style curtains but they must be interesting none the less. I'll have to make it to my favorite fabric store to see a few in person, no time now though. I'm getting addicted to on-line shopping since shopping for necessities with a toddler in tow is seriously not much fun and there are just too few hours in the day once work is done and diner is made.

I'm loving the orange in the bottom left or the faux beaded look center left. There are so many pretty grays out these days.