Merry Christmas

Lace Angel Machine Embroidery Design by John Deer

Sewing for Self

Hello sewing friends!

Here it is December 24 - Christmas is fast approaching!!!

Sometimes, I feel selfish sewing for myself when it is a season of giving to others.

But I know that's silly!!!

Have you ever given a gift from the heart to a friend or loved one,

only to find out they never used your gift?

I know from Whom my talent comes (James 1:17),

and to show my appreciation

I decided to do some sewing for self this season:

1.  A spring dress

2.  Pajama pants

3.  A bed runner

1.  Summer Jazz Dress pattern by Snapdragon Studios

I'm sorry for not modeling this one, but baby it's COLD outside!

Most likely March will be the month this one gets to emerge from my closet.

I chose a lovely, hand-dyed batik fabric for this version.

It is soft, lightweight, and flowing.  Love that.

I plan to wear it with navy leggings in the spring,

and I'll wear it with 'naked' legs in the summer along with sandals.

C'mon summer!!!

The pattern is pretty straight forward.

The bodice is a separate pattern piece from the skirt,

and a casing is added to the inside front seam between the bodice and skirt.

Then you insert elastic into that front casing to get the gathering under the bust line.

I used a serger rolled hem to finish off the flutter sleeves.

The fit is nice, I did not make any alterations.

Just stay true to your measurements when choosing your size.

Since the dress is not fitted, a bunch of alterations are not necessary.

The back has a pleat at the empire waist seam line.

I chose to omit the inseam pockets.

Can't wait to wear this one.

2.  I ordered the ultimate pyjamas kit from Sew Over It in the UK.

The kit included the pattern, fabric, elastic, and ribbon.

Shipping was quick.

I received my order in just 2 1/2 weeks.

I was going to purchase the digital pattern and just download it,

but I also wanted the brushed cotton plaid fabric,

so I figured I might as well just order the kit.

I also purchased the same fabric in the navy/green color.

I'll use the green fabric to stitch another pair in January.

Can I just tell you - that fabric is delicious!

So glad I purchased two color ways.

Pajama bottoms are so super simple to sew; and this pattern is no different.

I appreciate the added detail of the ribbon in addition to the elastic waist.

The elastic is inserted as usual for an elastic waistband,

but buttonholes are added to the waistband to accommodate the ribbon.

I left the elastic length a little generous - just enough length that the

pajamas sit at my waist without falling down - but then I snug them up with the ribbon.

Great option.

 3.  The Thyme For Friends bed runner was another kit purchase.  This one was from Shabby Fabrics.

My guest room is decorated in lavender and green colors, so this was the perfect addition.

The log cabin blocks went together very quickly.

I used my Block Rockit to quilt the bed runner.  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

Merry Christmas Eve and thank you so much for visiting today.

Custom Pillow Cover

I received a request for a custom pillow cover this week

My client asked for pink and orange with a letter K monogram

I sent several fabric combination samples to her,

and she chose the #TulaPink Eden fabric

for the binding and backing.

Those are such pretty, vibrant colors!

 I matched up the thread colors from the fabric and stitched her monogram to coordinate

I also used an orange zipper between the welting and the backing

The pillow cover is now on its way back East.

I hope she loves it as much as I do.

Thanks sew much for stopping by for a visit, sewing friends.

Have a bright, vibrant Thursday.

Gift Giving Idea

Hi sewers and non-sewers alike!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Today I have a gift giving idea for you.

How about a personalized leather luggage tag?

It opens up to reveal your contact information

- or -

you could simply insert your business card

I would be glad to embroider the back for you 

instead of, or in addition to, the front

The tag is gray

and I offer a number of beautiful thread colors from which to choose

(check it out in my shop)

If you are in the U.S., order by December 12 and it will arrive in time

for Christmas

If you are local (in Utah), order by December 20, and I will have it ready for your

Christmas gift giving

And,

I'm giving free shipping on orders placed through Midnight (U.S. Mountain Time)

November 28, 2016

Details are listed in the announcement section of my shop

Yay, Cyber Monday!!!

Thanks for visiting, my friends!

Enjoy these last few days of November

 

Train Case

Hi Sewing Friends!

Here's a peek at a Christmas gift

for one of my grandchildren

The pattern is by Sew Sweetness

there are three size train case patterns included

This is the medium size

The instructions are pretty straight forward

If you are an intermediate to advanced sewer,

you shouldn't have any difficulty with this one

I used straight-line quilting

to hold the foam between the fabric layers

on the body and top of the case

The back tab that joins the ends of the double pull zipper

allows the lid to be "hinged"

The double pull zippers are available in my Etsy Shop

The inside features a zipper pocket in the lid

and I chose to embroider my grandson's name as well

The embroidery font is from Willow Embroidery Etsy shop

Looking down inside the case,

you can see all the handy little pockets

that line the interior

They're great for those small objects

that might otherwise get lost

There's also plenty of open space to add larger objects

These train cases aren't just for children

In the right fabric, they would be

beautiful gifts for brides/bridesmaids, best friends, or yourself

What a perfect baby shower gift they would be

filled with baby-themed supplies such as

small-size lotion and powder, diapers, burp cloths, etc.

 If yo would like to chat,

I would welcome your comments

Are you sewing any gifts this year?

Have any excellent sewing week

and thanks so much for stopping by

Electronic Device Cases

Hello, hello, sewing friends!

Wow!  Is that sensory overload, or what?

Those big, bold, beautiful prints and colors are from #Tula Pink's collections:

Eden, Chipper, and Slow and Steady

I love how all her lines of fabric work so well together

This is the pattern I used for these beauties

It is a #byAnniepatterns and it is very well written and easy to follow

It also sews up rather quickly

All in all, a satisfying sew

The pattern includes tablet cases in two sizes

One to fit small readers and tablets

Such as #iPad mini, #Kindle Fire, #NookTablet, etc.

And one to fit the larger tablets

Such as iPad, #Samsung Galaxy Tab, and similar size devices 

My finished outside dimensions (with the flap closed as pictured above) are:

Small - 10" wide x 6.25" tall

Large - 11.75" wide x 8.5" tall

The back of the case has a nice, padded zipper pocket for all your personal items

 Hook and loop tape makes it easy to open and close

 Devices without another cover will fit inside,

 

but if you have an iPad with one of the iPad magnetic covers,

it will fit as well

So there ya' go,

A quick, easy, professional looking gift

for someone on your Christmas or Birthday list

Or just for you!

Have a productive, fun sewing week.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

I enjoy your company

Christmas Stocking Gift Packaging

It's almost that time of year again, sewing friends

Do you have your gift packaging ready?

If you're a machine embroiderer, 

here's a great DIY gift card holder

The design is by Missy B Stitchin

and this is the smallest size

The stocking is completely done in the hoop

It ends up about 4 1/2" wide by 6 1/2" tall

That's a great size for gift cards, candy, or jewelry

For comparison purposes,

here it is next to a full-size candy bar

The zipper opening is about 3" wide

and the stocking is fully lined

Your special someone will be thrilled with the packaging as much as with what is inside

Okay, you have plenty of time to get some of these stitched up for your gifts

Go - fire up that embroidery machine

What's that?  No time to make these yourself?

They're available for purchase in my shop

Have a merry last weekend of October, my friends

Let's Talk Ironing

Hi Sewing Friends!

Today's topic is ironing -

From Merriam-Webster:

Full Definition of ironing

1 :  the action or process of smoothing or pressing with or as if with a heated iron

I would like to add "using a silk organza press cloth" to end of that definition

Here are a few advantages of using silk organza press cloths:

• silk organza doesn't melt, it withstands high heat
• it is sheer, so you can easily see your fabric or project underneath
• it is lightweight and easy to store, it doesn't take up much space
• it can be machine washed and dried
• it helps protect your clothing or sewing project from scorching and melting

I've used silk organza press cloths for years

and I'm so pleased to now offer them in my shop

Do you use pressing cloths when you iron?

Please leave a comment, I really enjoy hearing from my readers

Thanks for visiting today