Stay.See.Make.Do.

Flannel bibs with snaps

Emmeline Apron Detail

Here are a few close-ups of my sewing cheat on the Emmeline Apron. Instead of following the directions and hand-sewing the binding to the bodice/bib, I did it by machine the same way I usually sew on binding. Angry Chicken has a video tutorial of how she does it. I did it by sewing in the binding crease with the right side of the binding facing the right side of the bib, then wrapping the binding around and stitching in the ditch to catch the back of the binding. You may be able to tell from the pictures, it is a bit wobbly on the "back" side because I didn't take enough time to pin everything before I sewed. Next time I think I will use some glue or wonder under to hold it before I stitch. I also forgot to mention that I left out the interfacing in the bib. I don't miss it.

Pajamas or play clothes?

I made this little top and shorts set from a vintage pajama pattern, Simplicity 4496 from 1962,  but I had play clothes in mind.  Playclothes.  Is it all one word?  Anyway.  Clothes to play in, for my 3 year old daughter.  But seeing the outfit pictured this way, it still looks like pjs, doesn't it?  Opinions welcome.  Do you think different fabrics would help?  Different colors?

If it's to be pajamas, I'll put the elastic gathers in the shorts after all.  Bloomers.

The Emmeline Apron

Nice pattern.  Poor photo. (I mean mine.  Sorry I can't rotate it.  Check out the pattern here.)  Next time I will make the waist ties longer and the neck ties shorter.  And I fudged on the hand stitching meaning - I didn't do any.

Puppet Theater

I'll be adding to this post in future, but Typepad is not letting me get more photos on here, and it's eating my text. 
Hopefully it'll be working for me tomorrow...

This is the puppet theater I made based on directions in Amy Karol's book Bend the Rules Sewing.  I used half of a thrifted sheet to save on some seam stitching, and I replaced her curtain ties with buttons and elastic loops.  The casings for the dowels were made with blanket binding, one on the front to make a visual base for the window, seen here with curtains tucked in.  Not the best pic, but the puppeteer is sure a doll.

Hello, Oobie!

Sassy Apron Saturday

I read somewhere (?) that my partner (Hi, Aimee!)

actually did receive this package, so I feel safe in posting pictures of the contents that I sent for the Spring Sassy Apron Swap (see button on sidebar for Swap link).  That's a magnetic notepad, some vintage rick rack, an origami folded box (link to directions again on sidebar) with two naturally green and two quail eggs (blown), heart pins, and the folded apron.

Can you imagine paying 13 CENTS for a package of rick rack?  From Penney's?  Awesome.

This apron was made from a pattern that had a much wider waistband like an inverted V, but when I made it up that way, with a matching pocket no less, it looked terrible! And when I tried it on I just said "blech".  So I took it apart and changed the pocket and narrowed the waist.  Ahhh, much better. Thanks to my partner for her patience in having to wait for her package.

(That tree really leans, doesn't it?  Or else it's our house.)

A Blessed Holy Saturday and Happy Easter to you all.  See you in a few days.

Don't O.D. on the chocolate!

I made this one

There was a contest to make a bag inspired by Amy Butler. 

I dashed off to the only fabric store in town I know of that carries designer fabrics:  Fiberworks.

I bought two different prints, decided on this one, and stitched it up.  That medallion on the front there is an applique.  The pattern is from Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing.

I don't have a chance of winning the contest.  I mean LOOK at some of these entries!  But it was a fun project. 

 

Here's the inside pocket:

Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm late for an apron swap!

It's a... a... ???

What to call this thing.  Hmm.  It's an apron.  It's a bonnet.  It's an aprett?  A bonron?  It's ... retro?  funky? ugly?
I found it at a church rummage sale, and once I figured out what the buttons were for I just had to buy it.  It cost a whole quarter and I think it's made from an old sheet.  The brim?  It becomes pockets.  Oh, so handy. 

Embroidery and Barbershop

I found this dishtowel at a thrift store.  I love it , for so many reasons.  For want of better phraseology, BARBERSHOP ROCKS.

This is the strangest barbershop I've ever seen/heard:

Holly Hobbie, what a Babe

My mother made this doll for me when I was small.  I'm sorry TypePad won't let me rotate the photo. See it properly on my Flickr page here and here.

She is missing her bonnet and shoes, and I think she had a pinafore, too.  But Mom recently called me to say she found the pattern in a drawer in her sewing room!  So in future I can make her a few new items. I'll be happy when Hillary's new doll patterns come out so I can make Holly some friends.

I'm not the only one who had this doll.  When I was looking for the pattern on-line last year I found this.  Kristin has been on my bloglines ever since.  I love reading about her husband The Farmer and their sheep.  I always think of that farmer from the Babe movie.  Excuse me while I go sing that song.