This one is bigger and I added some corduroy squares for more tactile enjoyment.
I think the sock monkey fabric is the perfect fit.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Ribbon Blanket Part 2
Taggie blankets, ribbon blankets, whatever you call them, several of the recipients of these blankets have really, really enjoyed them. One of the babies has had some medical problems and I've been told that the blanket is his favorite comfort item. Every mom knows it's important to have a back-up lovey, so I made another.
This one is bigger and I added some corduroy squares for more tactile enjoyment.
I think the sock monkey fabric is the perfect fit.
This one is bigger and I added some corduroy squares for more tactile enjoyment.
I think the sock monkey fabric is the perfect fit.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Handmade Holiday
I love the idea of making gifts for the people I love. I am finding a lot of inspiration at the Sew Mama Sew blog, which is doing a fantastic series highlighting new gift ideas every day. C and I are making ornaments. She does the drawing and stuffing, I sew them up for gift giving.
I just LOOOOVE how she draws faces and this is a great way to preserve it.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Messenger Bag
I made a messenger bag based on this idea, but used more of these directions so that I didn't have to convert my measurements to centimeters. (I used to really like math, but not so much anymore.)
I still had to do a bit of seam-ripping because of really stupid mistakes, but this time the bag went together a lot easier. Last time, my flap was totally screwed up and way too skinny, so I had to turn it sideways which resulted in a shorter flap.
I made a few other changes as well, and since I may make another one of these bags, decided to put my personal directions on my blog (because paper tends to get lost in my mess of "patterns"). This is not a tutorial so things won't be explained in great detail. It's just a reminder for myself, so the directions make sense to me if no one else.
Cut:
Long Strap 45 x 8 inches in exterior fabric
Short Strap (to use as loop for adjustable strap) 4 x 8 inches in exterior fabric
Body 14 x 25 inches in both exterior and lining
Flap 11.5 inches wide by 12 inches tall in both fabrics; curve one side with a cereal bowl
Outside pocket 9 x 6.5 (cut 2 in exterior fabric)
Interior pocket 9 x 5 (cut 2 in lining fabric)
Fob piece 5 x2 in lining fabric
Ruffle 3 x 55 in lining fabric
Interface as desired
A few words about interfacing...
My first bag I didn't interface and it's quite floppy. For the second bag I used Craft Fuse on the lining. I hate this stuff and previously promised myself I'd never use it again, but had a lapse in judgement because I ran out of my favorite interfacing. Craft Fuse always bubbles on me and is a bit too crunchy. So, I ended up not interfacing the exterior. What I should have done was used Pellon SF 101 on both fabrics. I don't bother interfacing the strap because it ends up being four layers thick.
*Pattern calls for 1/4 inch seam allowance except as noted.*
Make and Attach the Pockets:
1. Place right sides together and sew all the way around, leaving an opening to turn.
2. Clip corners and turn right side out.
3. Top stitch what will be the top side of the pocket.
4. Fold in half and press center (this will help center the pocket when attaching to the bag).
5. Attach interior pocket 4.5 inches from the top. First stitch the center, following the ironed crease. This will hold the pocket in place while stitching the edges and bottom. Make sure to close the gap left for turning.
6. Attach exterior pocket 4 inches from the top, using the same method.
Prepare the Flap:
1. Fold long ruffle strip in half, wrong sides together, and press. Gather ruffle by hand, aiming for finished length of 24 inches. I used a drop of Sewer's Aid on my needle and it made this a lot easier.
2. Sew flap to right side of flap lining, facing toward CENTER of flap, along one side, the curve, and the bottom.
3. Place right side of flap exterior on top of flap lining, sandwiching the ruffle. Stitch ruffle edge with 1/2 inch seam allowance (non ruffle edge will have 1/4 inch seam allowance). Do not sew top of flap.
4. Turn flap right side out through the top of the flap. Press and top stitch if desired.
Make the Straps:
For this project, I made the straps using what I call the "bias tape method". I am sure there is a better description for this, especially because it's not actually at a bias, but whatever. Point being, the finished width of the strap is 2 inches, important for the slide adjustment. Next time, I think I will do the regular "tube" method, maybe using one side of exterior fabric and one of the interior fabric. The "tube" will allow me to finish one end nicely, because it shows with the slide.
Prepare the fob by sewing a small tube, right sides together, then turn right side out and press.
Making the bag:
1. Fold the body in half and sew up the sides. Do the same for the lining.
2. Attach the fob to the lining with hardware in the loop, approximately 2 inches from the edge (want it place near where the strap will be).
3. Attach the short strap in a loop, with the rectangle hardware, to the right side of the exterior, facing downward. Be sure to center the strap on the seam.
4. Attach the long strap to the other side of the the exterior piece, facing downward. Be sure to center the strap on the seam.
5. Attach flap to back of exterior, right sides together, centering between straps.
6. Place bag exterior into the bag lining, right sides together, making sure to keep straps and flap tucked.
7. Sew exterior and lining together with 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a gap for turning.
8. Turn and topstitch, closing the gap.
Finish the adjustable strap (photos here because I messed up the first time and need a visual reminder for next time).
1. Slide long strap through slider (under, over, under).
2. Then through rectangle loop as shown below.
3. Slip end back under slider, following the same path but in reverse.
4. Fold raw end under and stitch in place.
5. Finished!
Now put some Trader Joe's snacks inside and ship to a very wonderful sister-in-law!
Edit: Of course, after I went through all the work of making these notes for myself, I came across this wonderful tutorial for a messenger bag, complete with directions for that tricky adjustable strap. Maybe I'll just have to try one like hers!
I still had to do a bit of seam-ripping because of really stupid mistakes, but this time the bag went together a lot easier. Last time, my flap was totally screwed up and way too skinny, so I had to turn it sideways which resulted in a shorter flap.
I made a few other changes as well, and since I may make another one of these bags, decided to put my personal directions on my blog (because paper tends to get lost in my mess of "patterns"). This is not a tutorial so things won't be explained in great detail. It's just a reminder for myself, so the directions make sense to me if no one else.
Cut:
Long Strap 45 x 8 inches in exterior fabric
Short Strap (to use as loop for adjustable strap) 4 x 8 inches in exterior fabric
Body 14 x 25 inches in both exterior and lining
Flap 11.5 inches wide by 12 inches tall in both fabrics; curve one side with a cereal bowl
Outside pocket 9 x 6.5 (cut 2 in exterior fabric)
Interior pocket 9 x 5 (cut 2 in lining fabric)
Fob piece 5 x2 in lining fabric
Ruffle 3 x 55 in lining fabric
Interface as desired
A few words about interfacing...
My first bag I didn't interface and it's quite floppy. For the second bag I used Craft Fuse on the lining. I hate this stuff and previously promised myself I'd never use it again, but had a lapse in judgement because I ran out of my favorite interfacing. Craft Fuse always bubbles on me and is a bit too crunchy. So, I ended up not interfacing the exterior. What I should have done was used Pellon SF 101 on both fabrics. I don't bother interfacing the strap because it ends up being four layers thick.
*Pattern calls for 1/4 inch seam allowance except as noted.*
Make and Attach the Pockets:
1. Place right sides together and sew all the way around, leaving an opening to turn.
2. Clip corners and turn right side out.
3. Top stitch what will be the top side of the pocket.
4. Fold in half and press center (this will help center the pocket when attaching to the bag).
5. Attach interior pocket 4.5 inches from the top. First stitch the center, following the ironed crease. This will hold the pocket in place while stitching the edges and bottom. Make sure to close the gap left for turning.
6. Attach exterior pocket 4 inches from the top, using the same method.
Prepare the Flap:
1. Fold long ruffle strip in half, wrong sides together, and press. Gather ruffle by hand, aiming for finished length of 24 inches. I used a drop of Sewer's Aid on my needle and it made this a lot easier.
2. Sew flap to right side of flap lining, facing toward CENTER of flap, along one side, the curve, and the bottom.
3. Place right side of flap exterior on top of flap lining, sandwiching the ruffle. Stitch ruffle edge with 1/2 inch seam allowance (non ruffle edge will have 1/4 inch seam allowance). Do not sew top of flap.
4. Turn flap right side out through the top of the flap. Press and top stitch if desired.
Make the Straps:
For this project, I made the straps using what I call the "bias tape method". I am sure there is a better description for this, especially because it's not actually at a bias, but whatever. Point being, the finished width of the strap is 2 inches, important for the slide adjustment. Next time, I think I will do the regular "tube" method, maybe using one side of exterior fabric and one of the interior fabric. The "tube" will allow me to finish one end nicely, because it shows with the slide.
Prepare the fob by sewing a small tube, right sides together, then turn right side out and press.
Making the bag:
1. Fold the body in half and sew up the sides. Do the same for the lining.
2. Attach the fob to the lining with hardware in the loop, approximately 2 inches from the edge (want it place near where the strap will be).
3. Attach the short strap in a loop, with the rectangle hardware, to the right side of the exterior, facing downward. Be sure to center the strap on the seam.
4. Attach the long strap to the other side of the the exterior piece, facing downward. Be sure to center the strap on the seam.
5. Attach flap to back of exterior, right sides together, centering between straps.
6. Place bag exterior into the bag lining, right sides together, making sure to keep straps and flap tucked.
7. Sew exterior and lining together with 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a gap for turning.
8. Turn and topstitch, closing the gap.
Finish the adjustable strap (photos here because I messed up the first time and need a visual reminder for next time).
1. Slide long strap through slider (under, over, under).
2. Then through rectangle loop as shown below.
3. Slip end back under slider, following the same path but in reverse.
4. Fold raw end under and stitch in place.
5. Finished!
Now put some Trader Joe's snacks inside and ship to a very wonderful sister-in-law!
Edit: Of course, after I went through all the work of making these notes for myself, I came across this wonderful tutorial for a messenger bag, complete with directions for that tricky adjustable strap. Maybe I'll just have to try one like hers!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
New Hat!
S has been sporting a purple hat lately. He's cute in it, but it still fits C, so really she should be wearing it. When found this tutorial, I knew it was time to make a new one. By the way, that blog is GREAT! Love seeing the boy stuff.
Although the tutorial recommends using upcycled knits, I decided to use up some fleece scraps to make the hat warmer. I love her boy embellishments, too, but we needed a hat ASAP. No time for fun add-ons.
Here he is hanging from the backyard bush. I made the pants last year using Katrina's Longies Pattern. Those were the first pants I ever sewed and truly the reason I bought a sewing machine in the first place. They are still holding up quite well and fit great over his fluffy cloth diaper.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Packing for Kids
We've traveled a lot lately, mostly long-distance road trips. Really long distance. Like 3 days in the car with 2 nights in hotels on the road long distance. Since I am packing three people's clothes in one bag (thank goodness hubby takes care of himself), I need to stay organized. Ha, ha, did I just use the word "organized" on my blog? When talking about me? Traveling??? OK, so I am not the most organized person, and things get pretty jumbled when we travel, but really and truly, this is a great tip...Ziplock bags! This isn't my idea, but I am so glad my old college friend passed it on.
I pack the kids clothes together, one outfit per day, complete with any underwear, socks, etc in a Ziplock bag. That way, when it's time to get dressed, their clothes are right there and we aren't scrambling for lost undies. I also pack pjs the same way, complete with nighttime diaper and pull-up, and it makes post-bath time so much easier when Daddy knows exactly where things are. We recently spent ten days with my sister, and as I folded laundry I packed those clothes back into the Ziplocks. Then, when we loaded the car up for the long trip back home, I pulled out a few baggies and put those in C's suitcase, so we had a smaller load to take in and out of the hotel.
C loved having her own rolling suitcase and carried it and her backpack for our flight. She was a such an amazing helper, since I ended up carrying sleeping S in his car seat, above my head, from the back of the plane to the front. My kids have an amazing ability to stay awake for the entire flight, only to fall asleep upon landing.
I pack the kids clothes together, one outfit per day, complete with any underwear, socks, etc in a Ziplock bag. That way, when it's time to get dressed, their clothes are right there and we aren't scrambling for lost undies. I also pack pjs the same way, complete with nighttime diaper and pull-up, and it makes post-bath time so much easier when Daddy knows exactly where things are. We recently spent ten days with my sister, and as I folded laundry I packed those clothes back into the Ziplocks. Then, when we loaded the car up for the long trip back home, I pulled out a few baggies and put those in C's suitcase, so we had a smaller load to take in and out of the hotel.
We also used the Ziplock method for the "emergency" items for the flight. Safely stowed in the bottom of C's backpack, just in case someone puked. This idea is from my international-traveling mom friend. (She flies overseas with two kids by herself!)
C loved having her own rolling suitcase and carried it and her backpack for our flight. She was a such an amazing helper, since I ended up carrying sleeping S in his car seat, above my head, from the back of the plane to the front. My kids have an amazing ability to stay awake for the entire flight, only to fall asleep upon landing.
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