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Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Cozy Robes

 

Robe for Cltn

     My daughter bought some Minky type fabric for me to make into cozy robes for her two kids.  I found patterns in my stash and went to work on them.  Oh My!  What a mess. The fabric was shedding all over the place and of course I was wearing cords and a sweater.


What a mess

     I decided to use the serger to finish off the edges of all of the pieces to prevent even more mess.  As soon as I cut a piece out, I took it to the serger and finished the edges.  That helped a little.


Serged edges

     The fabric also likes to move all over so I had to use a lot more pins than I would normally use.  Just glad that these weren't very detailed garments.


Robe for Miss M

     When the grandkids tried them on, they loved how soft they were.  I did make them a little oversized so that they could wear them for a couple of years.

Pattern for Cltn

Pattern for Miss M


     Not sure how long I have had the patterns in my stash, probably since my own kids were those sizes.  But robes and pajamas don't really change that much.  Happy that the kids like their robes, now time to clean everything.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

After School Sewing News from November

Claire and her pillow

 
Zoey and her pillow

     After school sewing had to take a two week break as my husband tested positive for COVID-19 and I was presumed positive.  Neither of us had the typical symptoms so I was quite shocked.  Even with no class for two weeks the students got quite a bit finished.


Kali and her patchwork tote

Val and her patchwork tote


       Claire and Zoey each finished their first project, the patchwork pillow.  Kali and Val finished their patchwork totes.  Libby made a pair of leggings while Victoria made a pillowcase.


Libby and her leggings

Victoria and her pillowcase

     Classes started back up on December 1 and will run until December 17.  We will then take a three week break so everyone can 'quarantine' for at least two weeks after Christmas.  I hope this allows everyone to maybe visit some family and then safely return to class.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Christmas Jammies 2020

 

Christmas jammies for the grandkids


     For St Nicholas Day I made Christmas jammies for the grandkids.  I bought the pajamas and then embroidered designs from Designs by JuJu.  I used some matching fabric in the appliqués for the two families.  


Santa snowman

Had to add purple as it is her favorite color


Mr Tophat


Mittens for the youngest


     For the brother and sister I used the same red print and for the two brothers I used the same plaid for the scarves.  I really like how these applique designs turn out, they are a bit of work but I think they look great.

Christmas angel

Christmas jammies for Tegan


     For my great niece I did make a pair of pajamas from scratch.  I used the flannel from the bottoms as part of the angel applique.


OOPS!!

New hem

     Of course things don't always go perfect.  When I was doing the applique for my oldest grandson, part of the top got caught in the stitching.  Fortunately, it was just the hem and I was able to just cut the top a bit shorter and put in a new hem.

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

A Quilt for Eloise

 

Finished quilt

     My daughter-in-law's brother and his wife had a baby in June.  I finally got around to finishing this quilt for them.


Block detail

     I found this fun fabric at Patched Works and thought it would be a great bright baby quilt.  The back is soft flannel from JoAnn Fabrics.  The pattern is Pathways - A 3 Yard Quilt, it is one I have used many times for baby quilts.




Label 1

Label 2

     With my embroidery software and machine, I made the quilt labels.  They are tucked in under the binding in the corners.

Quilting detail

     How fun is this Froggin quilting pattern that Sally did for me?  I sure hope Eloise enjoys her quilt.


Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Hoodie Jacket

 

Finished Hoodie Jacket

     I bought the fabric and pattern a while ago and had to order a zipper from Wawak as I couldn't find the right size and color in the store.  I got it cut out and then put it to the side to do other projects that were more time sensitive.  I finally pulled it out a couple of weeks ago and managed to get it sewn up in about a week. 


Using ruler for straight of grain

     To make it easier to lay out the pattern pieces, I cut them out on my size cutting line ahead of time.  I used my quilting ruler to lay out on the straight of grain line.


Layout

     I cut out the pieces and then went to work.  The pattern directions are very easy to follow as well as having lots of illustrations.

Topstitching detail

     This went together easily.  I am planning on making this again with other fabrics.  It will make a nice light jacket for the spring.  I can easily see this in a heavier knit for a little more warmth.

Pattern


Wednesday, November 18, 2020

After School Sewing News from October

 

Sophie and her pillow

Katie and her pillow

Donna and her pillow

Ava and her pillow

     October was a busy month for my students.  Four of the new students finished their patchwork pillows. It was fun seeing them pick out the squares they wanted to use, some wanted them to match and others just chose their favorite squares.

Kali and her journal cover

Libby and her t-shirt

Timothy and his pillowcase


Val and her journal cover

Victoria and her pincushion

     The returning students also finished a bunch of projects.  Kali and Val finished their journal covers which is the first project from the third group of projects, Timothy finished his pillowcase, Victoria finished her pincushion and Libby finished a t-shirt.


Sophie and her drawstring bag

Timothy and his journal cover

Victoria and her hot chocolate cozy

 

     Some of them even finished a second project this past month.  Sophie fished her drawstring bag, Timothy finished his journal cover and Victoria finished her hot chocolate cozy.  What a bunch of hardworking students. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Pittsburgh Blanket

Finished quilt
     
     The latest t-shirt quilt I made for a client involved only six squares.  She had a few t-shirts, a few sweatshirts and a fleece 'blanket' with sleeves.

Layout idea

     She sent me a photo of the layout.  I was able to take apart the 'blanket' and use one of the sleeves for the square.  The rest of the blanket I used for the backing.

Back

     It was fun to be a little challenged with the different items but it was small enough not to be a chore.


Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Halloween Costumes 2020

 

Mighty Skye and Zillo Beast

     This year the two older grandkids wanted to be Mighty Skye and a Zillo Beast.  My daughter wrote out a page of directions and dropped off the fabrics.  I measured the kids and went to work.   Mighty Skye wasn't too bad, I used the same Kwik Sew book that I have used in the past to draft her pattern.

Book used

     I did move up the silver band on the shirt, as it was supposed to be a belt.  My daughter painted the wings and made the wing part of her mask.  I used Skirtex for the mask to hold its shape and WonderUnder to fuse the fabric to it.

Beast hand pattern and Skye ear pattern

     My grandson's costume was more involved.  First he needed a third arm.  He wanted it to be motorized but we had to squash that idea.  It needed to be removable so he could get into his carseat and so he could take it off for school.  Also his costume needed to fit more tightly so I had to go down a size for width but add lots of length plus keep the same head opening for his hood.  It took me probably close to an hour just to draft his pattern pieces.  Also the beast has only three fingers so I traced around my grandson's hand to make gloves so that he would have only the three digits.  Also the tail was supposed to have 'spikes'.  I just made cloth pieces to sew on and nothing hard cuz I didn't want anyone to get hurt.

 
Instructions

     Another Halloween is in the books.  They sure to like to challenge grandma's abilities.