Green Corduroy Jacket

 

Finished jacket

     My word for 2023 is "Organize" and one of my "23 for 23" list of items is make a sewing project list.  I wrote 17 items on my list concentrating on the pile of fabric I had laying on my counter in my sewing room.  Then I went into my stash of maybe projects and came up with the seventeen items I want to sew this year.  Two of those projects are from 2021 and five of them are the grandkids birthday t-shirts.  That left me with ten more projects to be able to add to my list.

Pattern used

     I wanted to get a quick start on my list so I chose this easy jacket.  I have made this several times so I didn't need to worry about fitting.  The fabric was a piece I had gotten from a friend when she was cleaning out her stash.

Button choices

      When it came time to choose buttons, I went into my stash and pulled several possibilities.  I then asked on Facebook for opinions.  I decided that I was probably going to wear this with jeans as I don't dress up much so I opted for a plainer button.

Final decision

     This jacket goes together quickly and the instructions are easy to follow.  I even had shoulder pads in my stash to complete it.  Just waiting now for the right time to wear it.

2022 Christmas Gifts Part 3

 

Fabrics for table runner

     For my three kids and my college roommate, I made table runners with matching napkins for Christmas gifts.  Last year I made autumn ones and this year I made Christmas ones.  I buy three yards each of four coordinating fabrics.  This gives me enough for the table runner, front and back, plus four napkins. 

Back showing off the contrast binding

     This year I also bought a plaid fabric for the binding instead of using the main fabric for the binding.  This year I also decided to split the napkins so one of each fabric went with the table runner.  

Napkins

     I used a fun red, green and white variegated wooly nylon thread for the napkin edges.  I do enjoy sewing these table runners and napkins for gifts.  I think they are an easy way to celebrate different holidays/times throughout the year.  What holiday will be next?

Table runner with napkins

2022 Christmas Gifts Part 2

 

All the pieces are done

     For the grandkids this year I made them placemats with a design from Designs by JuJu.  I used my software to replace the Jingle block with their name.  I spent a couple of days choosing and cutting the pieces for the blocks.  I used leftover fabrics from the table runners and napkins that I had made for their parents.

Starting to put them together

     I hooped the mesh cutaway stabilizer and then followed the directions for each part of the block.  Some blocks were just one design and background fabric (like the elf above) and some had two designs and background fabrics like the HoHoHo and tree block.

     I trimmed all the pieces with the half inch seam allowance as directed and then put them together.  Everything went together just great. 

Binding attempt 1

     I cut the backing fabric as directed and stitched in the ditch along the block seam lines.  I then attempted to bring the backing fabric around to the front to do the 'binding'  I just could not get the corners to look nice even following their instructions.  

Backing fabric

     I decided I was wasting too much time and energy to figuring it out so I went with my usual method of binding.  I trimmed the sides to 1/4" and cut my binding 2 1/2".  I pressed it in half and sewed it to the back with a generous 1/4" seam allowance and then bought it to the front and stitched it down, close to the edge.  Much quicker and less thinking on my part.

  

     These were a bit labor intensive but I had fun making them.  Next year a different holiday for them and their parents.  I also want to do a tree skirt  for myself for next year but we will see how much time I actually have.  I definitely would recommend these for anyone that likes to embroider.

2022 Christmas Gifts Part 1

 

Lots of fabric baskets

     This year for Christmas I made fabric baskets for my siblings and the other adults in the family.  I bought the pattern from SewCanShe.com.  I had lots of 10 inch squares from packs I had bought plus also ones I had cut from leftover fabric.

Viewed from the side

   I had a lot of fun putting together fabrics to make the baskets.  I like how they are reversible also.  I made a larger one for my kitchen to keep all the charging stuff contained.

Inside look

    Already planning on what to make for them next year.