Big Brother T-shirt

 

     When we went out to Iowa to visit our newborn granddaughter, I wanted to have a gift for her big brother who is 2.  I found this cute dinosaur fabric in my stash and then bought the embroidery design from Designs by JuJu.

     I chose some matching colored fabric for the letters and embroidered the design after cutting out the pieces.  Then I sewed the shirt up.  So much easier than trying to hoop a small t-shirt.  So fun to be able to quickly sew up a gift.

Latest Receiving Blanket

 

Receiving blanket

     Baby Violet made her appearance on November 27th.  She is grandchild number 6.  So happy she is here.  We went out to Iowa to meet her a few days after she was born and of course I had to have a gift for her.

Measuring for the embroidery

Hooped fabric

     I made her a receiving blanket with all her stats.  I cut two coordinating flannel fabrics the same size.  I measure up 6 inches from each corner and place a pin.  I hoop the fabric and then stitch out a stat in each corner.  I use my computer program to do the lettering and then transfer to the embroidery machine.

Rotating the corner wording

     At the machine I rotate the lettering so that when I place the hoop onto the machine I can have the extra fabric hanging in  the front instead of towards the back of the machine.

Rounding the corners

     After finishing the embroidery, I round the corners using my Cut A Round.  Then I sew with right sides together leaving an opening for turning.  After I press, turn, and press again, I stitch close to the edge all the way around.  This closes the opening and stabilizes the edges.  

Outdoor Dining Cushions

 

Summer dining

     We recently did some work on our front porch.  We had a seating area with two rockers and a small table on one side of the porch.  We had a fan installed over that area as we sit there a lot in the summer to enjoy a glass of wine or read.  This adds a nice breeze on those really hot days.  

Comfy cushion

     The other side of the porch originally had a swing but we found we didn't sit there very much, so we got rid of it.  We moved a small table there and found we were eating a lot of meals out there.  We had a hanging light installed over the table for those little darker evenings so we could still enjoy eating dinner out there.

Ready to head outside

     The chairs were okay but I figured since we were eating out there so much that cushions would be nice.    The seat of the chair is a bit short front to back so when I measured for the foam I went all the way back to the supports in the back.  I found this helpful as after the cushions were made, they fit in there snugly and I didn't need any kind of tabs or ties to keep the cushions in place.

Keeping the Dacron in place

     I ordered outdoor foam covered with Dacron.  I didn't get to making the covers right away and by the time I did, the glue they used to put the Dacron together had released so all the edges were apart.  I used a curved needle and did an over stitch all around to keep the batting in place and closed at the edges.

Lining envelope

     I then made a lining from muslin so that the forms would slip in easily as I plan on washing the covers at least once a year. I made an envelope of the muslin and then boxed the bottom corners.

Boxed corners

     Then I slid the form inside and pinned the top in place and hand stitched it closed.

Sewing the lining closed

     I did this for all four forms and now I had forms that would be easy to put into and take out of the covers.

Already to be covered

     Then it was time to make the covers.  First I had to find the right fabric. I wound up ordering from The Fabric Outlet.  I chose a denim color fabric for the top and bottom plate and a navy blue fabric for the boxing strip.  I did a blue stripe fabric cut on the bias for the covered cord..  I had planned on using my new industrial machine to sew it all together but I couldn't get it to work right, it kept breaking the thread.  

Cutting the bias strips

Cord all finished

    First I made all the covered cord using a foam like cording that is meant for the outdoors.  Next I cut the cushion pieces.  I had to snip the selvedges of the fabric to get it to lay flat so I could cut the pieces accurately.  

Clipped selvedges

     I then applied the covered cord to the top and bottom plates.  

Ready for the boxing strip

     Then it was time to make the zippered boxing strip and apply everything to the top and bottom plates.

Comfy dining

     When I took a class at CWC I did learn several things that will make my next cushion job faster and easier.