A little sewing going on.

This month I have spent a lot of time sewing.  I am really enjoying learning how to do more things while sewing.  One of my goals for this year is to make several projects out of my Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts (MSFSFC).  I can’t wait to share with you what I make from it.

Back before Christmas I picked up fabric and a pattern to make pj pants for B and I .  During Christmas I had Mom help me work on B’s due to I wasn’t confident to work on them alone.  With her helping and showing me a few things, B’s pants turned out well.  This past weekend I cut out and sewed my pair.  I love them!  They are super soft (we both picked out flannel for the winter) and comfy.  I look forward to making light weight cotton ones for us this spring/summer.  I think I might try to modify the pattern some next time around.  Wish me luck! 

About a week or more ago I 99% completed my first project from MSFSFC; an oilcloth lunch bag.  Sure I didn’t really need it, but I was dying to use oilcloth and who doesn’t need a cute new lunch bag.  All I lack on the bag is topstitching it, but I’m not sure how to start on it.  In a couple of weeks when Mom, Dad, DeAnne, Daniel, and the girls come to town I’m going to get Mom to help me on this.  I didn’t do so hot on the first try, but I will be making more of these. I really enjoyed working with oilcloth and am looking for ideas of things to make from it.  There is a child’s apron that I might just have to make for the girls and then those pocket bibs for my dream of an Etsy shop. :)

I learned how to make a couple of new things over the past 2 weeks. I have always wanted to learn how to appliqué.  There are so many cute dishtowels, pillows, towels, shirts, bags, etc. I see in all shops but have a hard time paying when I know I could sit down and do it myself.  It seems so hard, but in reality it’s not at all.  Mom showed me the basics over Christmas to help me get started.  Last week or so, I gathered up the supplies I needed to try out appliquéing myself. The first attempt was a heart dishtowel for Valentine’s Day.  I made a few mistakes and learned what not to do next time, but all in all it turned out fine.  I also made a heart hand towel too.  I don’t have a picture of it on hand, but I’ll try to remember to take one to share later.  The waffle dishtowel did cause a little problem when stitching around the heart.  It would catch and just stay in place instead of gliding alone.  With practice, I should be able to master using this type of towel since I do love how it soaks up water.  I plan on doing a shamrock and Easter egg one for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter. Maybe one day I will be able to make the gorgeous towels I see in all the stores! 

The second technique I learned this week is making my own bias tape.  Who knew it was this easy to make your own!  Bias tape allows for a quick clean finish on items instead of having to hem everything. I use bias tape on all the aprons I have made so far.  For Christmas, I got a 1/2” bias tape maker in my stocking and I picked up a 1” maker the other day.  I learned my lesson on this one too.  It’s not like the pretty double folded bias tape I have been buying; it is single fold.  I first made the 1/2” bias tape without really realizing that it’s not going to work for me like I was expecting.  Now I need to think of fun projects that I can appliqué using blue bias tape!  Last night I finished making 1” bias tape that I can fold in half to make my double folded 1/2” bias tape which is needed for my current project. I know it’s not as crisp as bought, but it’s sure is fun to make and adds more care and love to a project. 

On another note, I’m ready for SPRING!  All this cold, rain, snow is getting to me.  I’m ready to enjoy a spring day!