Making a few slips

      This is a pattern I used earlier in March to make my daughter a dress. It has long ties for shoulder straps that tie in the back.  for these, I measured each of the girls with the dress on to get the strap lengths and length of the total slip. They were really fast and easy to make! This dress always looks so comfortable to wear.

    The back of the original dress calls for three rows of elastic, but I just did one and changed seam allowances a little because I spaced doing that while cutting the length. PREGNANT BRAIN!! it's a real thing, it HAS to be!

     My friend's daughters will love to finally get to wear the dresses their mom crocheted for them! She has a shop on etsy and facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Crafting-Friends/180595232008676     or    http://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftingFriends4you?ref=pr_shop_more
                                    She is awesome and does beautiful work!!!!

Finished with the Blessing Dress

   The dress is washed, pressed and buttons sewn on. I made a slip and ruffled diaper cover.

       The slip I started last night and finished this morning. It was pretty simple except for cutting it out on slippery fabric that came from my old wedding dress as well. Finding the grainline is a little difficult and time consuming sometimes. I also noticed while sewing the slip that my needle was snagging the fabric all over. I either have a dull needle (totally possible) or need a satin needle. rather than poking through fabric, the satin one pushes the fiber aside with each stitch. (if that makes sense) I really didn't care that much because it was just a slip.

 

         The diaper cover was a total pain in my butt! I have a strong love/hate relationship with ruffles. I LOVE the way they look and turn out, I HATE making them. If  I had a fancy sewing machine, I could get a ruffler foot which I would use all the time! Because I didn't have a baby to try it on, I guessed on leg openings and waist measurements. I think it will be adorable on anyway!

          The diaper cover was from a pattern that was pretty wide size range. 0-12m and 12-24m. it will probably be way huge and baggy, but I don't care. it was on my list of things to get done, so I did it.

         This little girl is spoiled rotten already and she isn't here  yet. My older daughter might feel bad later in life because her dress was bought and was so simple. I have been learning sewing by sewing for her, over the years i'll just keep getting better I'm sure.

Newborn Blessing Dress

made from OLD wedding dress

It still needs a wash and press and some pretty buttons on the back, but it's done and so PRETTY!!!

For this dress, I used McCall's pattern M4865.  I am in love with the pattern it's self, but VERY disappointed in the instructions.  There were TWO times I was so confused and left not knowing what the heck to do. Luckily I pulled out a simplicity pattern (4709) that had the same things going on and the instructions were SO DETAILED in comparison. 

         For example: McCall's - On skirt back - step 3: Open out slashed edges of back. baste right side of contiunous lap to wrong side of back, placing reinforcement stitching on back along the remaining 1/4" seamiline on lap, matching circles. STITCH. ( the pictures also left me clueless- and I sew a lot)

      Simplicity-  Spread slashed edges of skirt apart so that they form a straight line. Baste right side of cintinuous lap to wrong side of slashed edges, matching stitching lines and small dots.  Stitch along stitching line. ... after that I was like... Oooohhhh!

          ....and when I was doing the binding on the sleeve, the instructions were less that informative, so I eventually cut new sleeve pieces and binding pieces and went ahead like it was blanket binding. I would have thought that in the first place, but for me, the instructions made it sound like you did it a completely different way.

I love how the inside of the dress is lined and all sewn in by hand. it took all day, but it looks nice!

On the dress pattern pieces, it has the length an extra foot longer than I made it.  I wanted it shorter than my first daughter's dress but ended up the same length. (I wanted her cute little shoes to show -silly right?)

          no, I did not do beading on it myself, it's just part of the wedding dress beading. I did however break a needle on one, after that I was super careful! :)

     I did not do lace on the bottom like the instructions talk about, I just did a regular hem and stitched it by hand! :) All in all, I finished this dress in a day and a half.  I had interruptions and at night I just called it quits because I was so frustrated with the instructions! :) VERY happy with the outcome though!

    

Cupcake skirt and shirt

 

       It's been a while since I've posted but now that I've dug out an old camera, I can update as I go! I had this cute fabric left over from last year and wanted to make my little girl a cute bouncy skirt that was comfortable and full! I had no pattern for this and I should have taken measurements and If my camera wasn't broken, i'd have taken pictures of each step.  It was pretty easy and turned out just like I hoped!

        The shirt was just an applique I made up. I wanted an NON perfect cupcake top with sprinkles and added a strawberry on top! the cupcake top is yellow dot minkee.  It has been washed a few times since It was made, so i apologize for it being wrinkly and not FRESH! :)

     This skirt really didn't use a lot of fabric, but took patience while I did the ruffles. I started at the top and wanted the yellow to be double thick and also be a slip underneath all in one. I attatched the cupcake next and topstitched in place after a little gathering. Then the pink ruffle was last.  i'm sorry this isn't more detailed and instructive. I kick myself for not thinking ahead about this post.

   there is the slip that is all in one. PERFECT and so comfortable I imagine! :)



Back Tie Bow Dress

    I apologize for the bad pictures, my camera is broken and we need a new one.

    I bought this pattern a while ago and intended to sew it, but it has taken me a long time to get to it.  The pattern can be purchased here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78394035/sewing-pattern-reverse-knot-dress-pdf  she also sells kits so you don't have to do fabric selections.

      When I bought this fabric I did not have this dress in mind, so I only bought two fabrics rather than the tree it calls for. Oh well, it works! My daughter loves this dress and it's so comfy looking. She twirls and runs and feels like the pretty little girl she is!

     This pattern is very easy to use and it took no time to cut fabric out. I did most of it the measure and tear way. I did not get my iron out and iron like the instructions said, and If I REALLY cared about perfection, I should have for a few spots. I think next time I make this dress, I'll topstitch the ties so they lay down better. I would totally recomend this pattern to others and think it's a fun dress to make! It doesn't look sloppy either.

Indoor garage sale

      I am cleaning out the basement so my husband can build a family room! We hope that will help our house to sell better! I am trying to collect money also so we can put it toward a double stroller that we will need soon or just diapers or building materials. :)

      I will take paypal for a payment if needed and I will ship items to you if needed as long as the buyer pays shipping.  The items can get to Elko, NV or on the way there or Logan, UT if needed. Please contact me if you want to purchase anything: sewinsanity@gmail.com

First up: Jeep changing pad- barely used  (small scratches on clip)   $5.00

the pad part can be removed completely and just use the pockets to keep diapers and wipes in.

Seccond up: gold lamps- Never used (shades still in packaging) One had a lighbulb break off while still in it. My mother in law gave them to us when we got married lightbulbs in them and they have been stored ever since.   $20.00

Third: Deni icecream maker- used once  Has been stored ever since.  No instruction manual with it but i'm sure it can be looked up online. Hot pink cover. $10.00 OBO

New icecream makers sell for $69.99 here: http://www.deni.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.product&category_ID=13

recipes found here: http://www.deni.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.recipe

Fourth: pink Little miss fun shorts size girls 7/8  $2.00 OBO dusty from basement SOLD

Fifth Item up: red halter top - girls 5T  (dusty from basement- great condition other than that)

$2.00 OBO SOLD

Six: Mary Kate and Ashley Jeans size Girls 6- like new condition $2.00 OBO SOLD

Seven: Partylight frosted crystal votive holders (have been in original boxes and stored for years) I used these for about a year on occasion and while moving one broke. Expensive back in the day. dusty from basement

  $10.00 OBO SOLD

Eight: Brother sewing machine.  Very Basic and kept it as a backup to my own.  I'd rather get rid of it at this point that store it. comes with regular foot. $30.00 OBO SOLD

Nine: TRIKE would rather sell than store it. the part from radio flyer needed to fix is $4.00 plus shipping.  $5.00 or FREE

This trike was picked up at a garage sale with the intention of fixing it. one wheel is bent like it got run over. the only part bent is the circle the rubber tire fits on. I am sure a replacememt part can be ordered or even taken a hammer to it. I have the rubber tire that goes on it. I just want it out of my garage. I am sorry that this is not a very good picture, it's way up high in the garage and I can't get to it myself. the front wheel is turned around so it looks funny too.  SOLD

TEN:  Diaper bag I have sewn on this blog for my last baby towards the end of needing one. BARELY USED.  I decided to go with a different style (also shown on my blog).  This bag had a lot of time and materials put into it. High quality and attention to detail.

MORE PICTURES SHOWN HERE:

http://www.sewinsanity.blogspot.com/p/my-sewing-projects.html

$35.00 OBO

ELEVEN: 2006 YZ450F $2800.00 SOLD

New piston and rings. Stage 2 hot cams. Extra rim and tire for sand. call or text Pete 435-770-5963

Crinkle Turtle

                I saw a tutle like this for sale but didn't feel the need to spend the money on it. So, as usual, I made it myself. :) I just drew out a tutrle on paper and started working away cutting fabric to work.

If you want to buy one this is where I saw it for sale: http://www.etsy.com/listing/69190537/yertle-the-turtle-green-or-pink-crinkle

I used a plastic bag for under the shell and in the feet and head I used an old wipe bag (the kind people use for refills).  I added skinny batting to the head and body and left the feet alone.  I appliqued on the shell: first added head and bond to the shell fabric, peeled off the paper backing and started pinning in place with ribbon under the edges. I zig zaged it down then ironed the shell to make it stick down good. :)

I guess I should have taken pictures of it as I went along, but I didn't.  Anyway, this project is very simple and fun! It turned out cute! :) On the tummy of the turtle I used red minky.

Baby Blocks

I made these with my scraps of fabric tonight really quickly. 

•  I found this: http://whipstitchfabrics.com/blog/just-my-luck-charm-pack-pattern-series-pt-1/  earlier today and got inspired.
• I also found this site as well that gave me the crinkle idea: http://www.joyshope.com/2009/05/baby-crinkle-square-tutorial.html  
 
        I did one flat section on each block with a crinkle piece using a wipe package as well.
 

One block is made from 4" squares and the other is made from 5" squares.  I added ribbon tags everywhere I could and used flannel, cotton, minky and chenille to add different textures.

 

THE BEST Burp Rags and Bibs

        As I mentioned in an earlier post, my daughter Keira was born with acid reflux. If you've never seen a child with it, it's gross.  She threw up all day every day until she was 1 1/2. It was projectile vomit and often times covered the person holding her, the floor and any nearby furniture. She would go through multiple outfits a day because she would stink so bad and had 2 baths a day. She was on medication but it didn't help with the throwing up part, just the buring part. She is such a sweet girl though, I couldn't help but love her even though she was gross. :)

       

     With that in mind, preparing for my next daughter I wanted to have a lot of good burp rags on hand. My other burp rags are rough now and faded and honestly didn't do a whole lot for cleaning up puke.   She would go through a whole stack in a day. I read online different types of tutorials and honestly wasn't impressed.  Most would say things like you need to buy a package of Gerber cloth diapers but don't buy them from walmart because they come from China. You need to buy them from Target.  We don't have a target and the cloth diapers alone cost $13.00 for 8 of them.  I looked at the Walmart kind and they are more cheesecloth than diapers. so I had another idea!!!!

      

       At Joanns WITHOUT a coupon you can buy chenille for $14.00 a yard.  With a yard of fabric you can make a good dozen burp rags. I used scrap fabric or bought end of bolt deals or I found cute fabric and bought 11 inches of it.  (that usually came out to be about $1.45 per fabric. with 11 inches you can make 2 burp rags)  NOTE: pre wash your chenille and fabric and dry it before using it!!! I prewash everything I use besides minkee and it blows my mind when people don't because you end up with a messed up product in the end if you don't. 

   

The dimensions of rectangles you need of chenille and cotton or flannel are:

9 1/2" wide and 17" long

• I use a rotary cutter and mat to make sure my pieces are square.  Also, I often times find the measurements and tear the fabric (don't tear chenille- it won't be straight)  because it stays with the right dimensions.
• once my rectangles are cut, place them right sides together and pin. 
• Sew around them at a 1/4" leaving about a 2 1/2" opening and clip corners
• Turn right sides out through the opening
• use the tip of a pencil or your scisors to carefully make sure the corners are poked out.
• now top stitch a little less than 1/4" around the burp rag  making sure the opening is tucked in to be flush with the rest of the burp rag.
• YOU'RE DONE!

I could make these all day. they are fast and easy and turn out so nice and will be AMAZING to use. And oh so absorbant and soft for baby to lay her head on! :)

BIBS:



For the bibs I used a bib I liked when Keira was using them and traced around it adding 1/4" for seam allowance. 

• cut one out of fabric (cotton or flannel)
• one out of chenille or minkee. 
• Place right sides together and pin
• Sew around the entire bib leaving an opening in the bottom for turning
• Clip corners, neckline and curved edges
• turn inside out
• topstitch at a little less than 1/4" (again to avoid having to hand sew-you may want to anyway)
• attatch velcro
• YOU'RE DONE!

Easy and cute!  I used these all the time and I would have made more but I ran out of chenille and minkee.  :)