Mug Rugs....

As a gift a quick extra gift for my Mom, I decided to attempt some braided fabric mug rugs.  I can assure you that for me, this wasn't quick.  I think the braiding took the most time.  I completed six mug rugs.  Here is an example of what I made:

I chose a green and cream fabric.  Here and there you can see the little hearts.

I used the Braided Rag Rug Coaster tutorial at Six Two Seven Handworks.  It is a pretty good tutorial.  I accomplished what I wanted.  There is also a youtube video for the sewing portion.  I did watch it a couple of times.

I guess I will return to the quilt making for a bit.  I have enjoyed working on something besides a quilt for a couple of weeks.  I do have a few other items that I would like to create but maybe I can work out a schedule where the quilt gets worked on and the other projects get worked on, too.   I want to sew some clothes.

Happy Stitching!

New Juki Feet....

My dear sweet husband purchased a set of Juki serger feet for my new serger:

From left to right:  beading foot, gathering foot, universal blind hem guide, elastic tape sewing foot, piping foot, cording foot, blind hem guide, and curve/pearl foot.  The feet even came in it's own little storage case with instruction sheets in 7 languages.

I'm looking forward to learning the uses for each foot.  Hopefully, I will be able to check out the features of each foot.  I will be starting with the universal blind hem guide, blind hem guide, and the piping foot.

I would love to hear any tips from anyone who has experience with any of these feet.

Happy Stitching!

Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns book.....

I requested the new-to-me Alabama Studio Sewing Patterns book for Christmas.  I do own all the previous books and love the idea of the slow sewing and embellishing.  Here's the book cover:

I found two projects in the book that I really want to try: the classic wrap skirt and the poncho.  Both can be seen on the Alabama Chanin website.  I found a good picture of the skirt on the Sewing Workshop blog.   I don't know if I would do a great deal of  embellishment on my skirt(s) but I do want to make at least one even if it has minimal embellishment.  As for the poncho, the best place to see it is on the Alabama Chanin website.  I'm not sure why I'm drawn to it but I am.  This will probably get a little more embellishment than the skirt.

So in between quilting, knitting, and machine garment sewing, I am going to try my hand at hand sewing a garment.  I'm sure my husband will think I have gone "mad". It is something else that I can do while watching TV with him.

Do you like the idea of the Alabama Chanin clothing?  Hopefully, I'll have at least a skirt finished by next summer.  The biggest decision right now is what color and how much yardage.

Happy Stitching!

Button Boats....

Have you see the new Lazy Girl Designs Button Boats?  I thought they were so cute and ordered them immediately.  It felt like it took forever to get it and the other items needed.  Here's a look at the pattern:

Yes, the one's I made are just a cute!  I just don't have the photography skills to go with.  Here's a look at one the boats I created:

This is the back (L) and front (R) in the flat form.  Here it is in boat form:

I did make two of these and they were so much fun to create!  I did purchase the 10" squares of the stiff stuff and that worked out great for me. I made these for my niece as a gift for her craft room in her new house.

Pattern Review:

This pattern was very easy.  Purchasing the 10" squares of stiff stuff probably helped with the ease.  This is a rotary cutter project.  I'm fairly slow when sewing and it only took me couple of hours to create these.  The hardest thing was figuring out how to do the ties.

I hope my niece like these.  I tried to get a colors that would work in her craft area whether it was sitting out on a table or sitting on a shelf.

Happy Stitching!

It's That Time of Year....

Happy Holidays!

Everyone enjoy your family and friends!  Be safe.

Happy Stitching!

New Patterns Have Arrived....

Why do the sales at McCall's almost always draw me in?  According to my husband, I'm suppose to be down-sizing yet I can't resist.  Here are my latest acquisitions:

This is B6423.  I love the look of this coat.  I truly hope that I can make a couple of coats.  I have certainly fallen for the last couple of Lisette coats.

This is V9099.  It is a classic jacket pattern by Claire Shaeffer.  I can't resist getting her patterns.  They are packed full of great information.

This is V8804.  It is another Claire Shaeffer pattern. I wanted to attempt making this style of jacket and this was really the one I wanted.  I was a bit surprised that it wasn't already in the stash.  Wish me luck on this one, I have the fabric and the pattern.  Now, it's on to figuring out the fit.

Happy Stitching!

Early Spring Patterns from McCall''s....

The first round of spring patterns have emerged at McCall's.  I always love to see the new patterns.  Here are the ones that I find interesting:

This is M7537.  To me this dress has a little bit of a 70s vibe maybe it's the floral fabric or the gathered sleeve.  Looking at the line drawing I don't get that vibe much at all but it is a very cute dress.

This is M7538.  I really like the cross-cross of the pattern.  This would be a great way to use up those left over pieces of fabric that you couldn't quite convince yourself to get rid of.  This one definitely has an interesting line drawing.

This is M7533.  I looks like it could be a good basic sheath dress.  It has a variety of sleeves with a couple of hem lines.  It states that it is a fitted dress but the model doesn't look like it is fitted.  This is probably the one I would add to my collection if I decide to add anything.

What do you think of the early McCall's patterns?  Do you have any favorites?

Happy Stitching!

Butterick 6388 - Misses' Lapped Collar Top and Dress....

I really liked the look of Butterick 6388:

,,. and I have a tons of French Terry in my stash.  I pulled out a lovely green french terry out of the stash and tossed it into the washer.  Unfortunately, it came out with an issue at the fold line.  So, this fabric became a definitely muslin fabric.  I decided to make View C but changed the front slightly by putting a seam in it.  Here's the result:

I actually liked the results enough to pulled another french terry in gray to make the dress.  The dress as drafted was a little short for me so I added 6 inches to the length.  Here is the results:

The dress is a little wrinkly as I have been in the car for a hour before taking the picture.  Originally, I was decided about keeping the pockets.  I had made a decision to use a lighter weight white knit as the pockets but they tend to show. So, I have decided to stitch the pockets closed and remove the extra bulk.

Basic pattern review:

I would rate this pattern as a quick and easy.  It is a great little pattern with all of the options which could make a wardrobe builder.  I made the XL size.  Since I was using the french terry, I decided to use the reverse side of the french terry on the back yoke and the side front to add a little of interest to the dress.  As previously mentioned, I added 6 inches to the length which I added following the length line on the side front and transferring that line to the front and back.

Will I make this again?  Yes, I think I will make a top next spring/summer.

Fit - There was a couple of things with this pattern.  I couldn't figure out how to fix a one of issue.  An issue that I recently learned about is that I'm shorter between the shoulder and bust point than most patterns.  I couldn't figure out how to make this alternation without affecting the sleeve which fit well.  You can see that the dress really needs a dart.  I chose not to try this alteration.

I did use my new serger for part of the construction on parts of both the top and the dress.  It was fun getting to know the new equipment a little bit.  I also tried the Maxi-Lock Stretch thread in the bobbin with a double-needle.  This actually made a beautiful hem.  No tunneling! Of course, some of that could be the sewing machine I was using. I hope that it survives the dryer.  The Maxi-Lock stretch thread is nylon.  Anyone know how it does in the dryer?

I purchased several cones of the stretch thread before I realized that it was nylon.  In the future, I will invest in the polyarn in some basic colors so that I don't have to worry about melting in the dryer and/or ironing.

Happy Stitching!