DIY Gift Idea: Baby Blanket

I wanted to post this before Christmas but I had some computer issues, so it's a little late. But, maybe you have some upcoming baby showers or a new little one on the way. Here is one gift idea for the little loves in your life. I recently became an aunt for the 7th time :) this is my 6th niece- isn't she a doll?

Her mama requested some soft and cuddly blankets and I set out to see what I could do. 

I decided to create cozy blankets that were soft with knit on one side and cuddly with minky fabric on the other. The good news is, they turned out cute. The bad news is, the fabrics hated each other. So, keep in mind when selecting your fabrics- stretch fabric plays well with other stretch fabric but not so well with minky. Save yourself some frustration and select 2 fabrics that will not fight on your machine. (I actually knew this would happen...but I couldn't help it- they were so cute I thought my machine's ability to keep fabric even would win out...yea, not so much.)

I found all of the knit fabric at my local Joann's store as well as the pink and purple minky fabric. The white cuddly fabric was from my stash. I really loved these knit prints- so fresh and fun for a little one. 

I know there are probably a million tutorials out there so I didn't really do a step by step photo tutorial of this one. I took my two fabrics and cut out approximately a 34 inch square. Place them right sides together and sew around the edge leaving a 3 inch opening to turn. Clip the corners and turn right side out. Hand press your fabric as best as you can to get it to lay flat. Then edge stitch all the way around to close the opening. I then stitched all the way around again about 1/4 inch away from the first line of stitching. And you're done - Enjoy!

Shannon

The Abbey Jacket Pattern Review

Can I just say how much I love this jacket? I really want the adult version for myself. I may have to make it happen. I first whipped up this jacket for my 1 year old niece (and literally, I whipped it together at the last minute). It was so cute, I had to make another for my daughter. This is the Abbey Jacket from Shwin Designs and like all their patterns that I own, this one did not disappoint.

Pattern Description: This is for a fleece swing jacket. There are two button tabs that keep the jacket closed at the top. Button cuffs on the sleeves, and a perfectly feminine puff on the sleeve. 

Fabric Used: Cream Fleece and a cotton print

Pattern Sizing: I cut the size 4T for this jacket

Size: Child's Chest Measurement 

12-18 months 20 inches 2T: 21 inches 3T: 22 inches 4T: 23 inches 5T: 24 inches 6: 25 inches 7: 26 inches 8: 27 inches 10: 28 inches 


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes, this was very quick and easy to put together.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the cuff and tab detail. It makes this simple jacket something special. 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added a piece of double fold bias tape over the exposed collar seam, everything else remained the same. 

Would you sew it again? Yes, it makes such a cute and easy light jacket. It makes a great gift to give too. 

Would you recommend it to others? YES!

I have also sewn up several of the Shwin Designs Maggie Mae and Lucy Tops. Some of my Maggie Mae's are below (I have yet to add my Lucy Tops to the blog):

1. Little Blue Maggie Mae     2. Maggie Mae     3. Maggie Mae for Ellie (never blogged) 

4. Maggie Mae for Ella

Shannon

Dining Room Buffet Makeover

I had originally planned on posting several DIY gift ideas before Christmas but my computer decided it wanted the time off and wouldn't cooperate, so on to the new year and new post ideas. Last year I posted about a New Year's Resolution to finish decorating my house, one room per month. Needless to say, it didn't happen. I posted one completed room, my family room. 

I actually have completed or nearly completed several rooms but felt like I couldn't post them because they aren't "perfect". There are still projects to be done, things to be finished, items waiting to be purchased and then I realized, if I wait until they are perfect- you will never see them. They will never be perfect and that's just fine...this is my home and how I live- with 2 toddlers and ever changing design ideas and needs for our family. So, instead of waiting for perfection, I would like to start showing you some of the spaces that are in progress and projects that have been completed. A recent room I took on was the dining room.

The room went from boxes still piled from a move over a year ago to entertainment ready in a little over a week. As usual, this room still has a little way to go, but compared to what I started with, it is much better. The part of the room I would like to show today is the buffet makeover. All of the furniture in this room (except the mirror) has been thrifted. I started with a $50.00 mahogany dresser/buffet from a second hand store. Unfortunately, I took no true before photos. But here is a photo mid makeover with the drawers out and everything sanded.

The piece was a little dinged up but I wanted the character for the final piece so I was okay with its condition. It was also missing one piece of hardware. I knew what I wanted it to become and I found my inspiration from a video tutorial found on The Yellow Cape Cod for the Potterybarn Black Finish.  Her blog is amazing and has so many wonderful ideas...I can spend hours there! I followed everything in the tutorial, including paint colors/finishes, with the exception of the stain pen. I couldn't find the same color but went with a stain close to it. I also didn't do a ton of distressing, but stuck mainly to the edges and places that would naturally wear.

And that pesky hardware...I searched high and low for a match and couldn't find one. I then stumbled upon D Lawless Hardware in my search for hardware for my kitchen cabinets (pics coming soon). Their prices and selection are amazing and I thought I would give one last shot at looking for something I could use for the buffet. While I couldn't find the exact hardware, I did find a pull with the right center to center measurement and antique brass color.

I was so pleased when they arrived. While it may not be the absolute same color, it is pretty close and just what I was looking for. After searching everywhere, I was so happy D Lawless Hardware came to my rescue and sent these for me to use. 

I look forward to sharing the rest of the room and details with you soon, as well as those kitchen cabinets I keep mentioning! 

I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start- Shannon

DIY Gifts for Girls: Reversible Circle Skirt

I have a problem...a serious problem. I have grand plans in my head every year for all the sewing gifts I will complete. Lists and ideas begin in my head somewhere around September and then come December I find myself knee deep in another project. This year is no different. First came Thanksgiving and the idea of redoing my entire dining room, including the sewing of 6 slip covers, all in a week prior to family arriving. Now, here it is two weeks from Christmas and what am I doing? Painting my kitchen cabinets, of course! When will I learn? Really, when will I learn? But the good news is, my cabinets are looking AMAZING (can't wait to show you the makeover) and I have some quick and easy gift ideas to share in case you find yourself in my shoes and need fast, cute, and easy gifts to whip up this Christmas.

Have any little girls in your life you would like to sew for? I would recommend the incredibly fast and adorable circle skirt. I made my 8 year old and 3 year old nieces a couple skirts recently and they are hit with both ages. I mean, are you ever to old to twirl in a pretty skirt? I say no...in fact, I may have to whip up a circle skirt for myself this spring as well. I will let you know if twirling at age 35 is in fact, still fun :)

There is always the classic circle skirt with all its twirling glory- and a wonderful tutorial can be found over at MADE. These are quick and easy to whip up, but if you have just a little more time on your hands, I would like to suggest checking out this adorable reversible circle skirt tutorial by Cherie of You & Mie over a This Heart Of Mine.

For my skirt, I used two inexpensive fabrics from the clearance section at Walmart as well as some orange double fold bias tape. The end result is two skirts in one and did I mention...hours and hours of twirling :)

Hop on over and check out these wonderful tutorials. This is great for BEGINNERS- and so fast and easy. I have another gift idea for friends or teachers up next- til then, I will be painting away :)

Shannon

A Little Blue Maggie Mae

I have a weakness for little Maggie Mae's. This pattern is just so cute. I have made several before and don't see myself stopping anytime soon. One of my favorites was the one I made with an old pillowcase for a sweet little girl named Ella. 

I so hope I can find another pillowcase like this one again some day. I just love how it turned out. But the blue Maggie Mae I just created for another little cutie named Elise may be up there with my favorite. 

 This tunic was created with a thin corduroy from Joann Fabrics, a navy blue Kona cotton, hot pink piping and some Riley Blake neon cotton that I won from Project Sewn! 

I love the pops of pink in this top. You can find it in the lining of the pockets and the bodice as well on one of the back buttons and piping. 

The thin corduroy worked lovely on this top but if I am being honest...the piping, while cute, made the top a little stiffer than I would have liked around the bottom. 

I hope the little blonde darling who received the top is getting some good use out of it. 

Shannon

DIY Chevron Maxi Tutorial

                             Skirt: DIY, Navy Sweater: DIY, Gold belt: thrifted, Yellow Scarf: DIY

Whew...that was quite a blogging break I took! I was never planning on being away but the last few weeks have been extremely busy with decorating, sewing, hosting holidays, traveling, etc. I have several projects to blog about, but haven't found the time to edit photos and posts. Hopefully I can get a few up before my next major task- painting the kitchen cabinets!!!!

A couple months ago, I set out to make my friend Melissa a chevron maxi skirt in the hopes of recreating this pinterest look:

via

For my friend's skirt, I stuck with the black and white look, but for mine, I went with navy. I tend to wear navy a lot more often and thought I would be able to get more use out of it. To start I ordered 4 yards of each (black and navy) fabric from girlcharlee.com: I can no longer find the blue, but here is a link to the black. Both fabrics were a cotton spandex knit. They had a light and beautiful drape and are very soft, however they are a bit sheer and require a slip underneath. 

CHEVRON MAXI TUTORIAL:

1. Begin by gathering the measurements need to create a pattern following Mad Mim's wonderful tutorial. The only difference I made to the a-line pattern was adding a few more inches at the bottom to create more of a flare. 

2. Draw your pattern onto freezer paper and cut it out. Lay your fabric out flat, with no folds. Lay your pattern onto your fabric diagonally to create one panel for your chevron skirt. (You will cut 4 total panels. 2 for the front and 2 for the back). I laid mine down to have the chevron point going down in the center and up at the side. The straight line side of the pattern is the center seam and you can see the stripe will be diagonal on the panel and will point down in the center where the panels will be sewn together.  To get the most out of your fabric, after cutting this panel, move the fabric over and cut another panel that is identical to this one. (One of these will be used in the front and one in the back).

2. Next, turn your cut panel piece over and use it to line up the diagonal stripe on the other side of the front piece. You will want to lay it flat on top of the fabric (right sides together), lining up the stripes. Make sure your straight line (the center seam) is still going to have the stripe pointing down. Then pin, pin, and pin some more. Make sure your lines are staying straight and then cut out your 2nd panel piece. Do the same for the back. After cutting you should have 4 panels.

3. Next, sew your 2 front panels together on the straight center seam line. To get your stripes to line up and not shift, use steam a seam prior to stitching.

 Remove a piece of steam a seam a lay it down the length of one center seam line. (Lay the steam a seam on the RIGHT side of the fabric.) Then peel back the tape and lay your other skirt panel on top (Right sides together) making sure you are lining up your stripes. Once everything looks good, iron the steam a seam to create a permanent bond. After it cools, stitch a straight stitch with your machine, making sure your stitching line is further in than your steam a seam so that none of the steam a seam shows once your skirt piece is opened right side out. (Make sure you use a needle appropriate for sewing on knit fabric and adjust your tension as needed).

4. Repeat step 3 for the back 2 panels. Then, stitch the front and back panels together at the side seams. Use your steam a seam on these seams as well to make sure your lines meet up correctly and stay that way prior to stitching. Finally, create the waistband and hem using Mad Mim's tutorial. On my skirts, I only used one straight stitch on my hemline, instead of using a double needle. Because I tend to flare my skirts more, there is plenty of room to walk without it pulling the hem which would break the thread.

5. Then find a stunning little model to pose with and rock your new chevron maxi skirt:

Shannon

DIY Apron

A girl from my small group recently got married. As a gift for her shower I made her a Ruffle Apron using See Kate Sew's Ruffle Apron pattern. This apron is fun and flirty and comes together quickly.

For the fabric I used this Keepsake Calico Fabric in Swivel Capri and a Kona Cotton in Navy Blue from Joann Fabrics. Unfortunately, I figured out Kona Cotton in Navy is not all the same. After running out mid apron cutting, I ran to the nearest fabric store to me (Hancock Fabric) and bought some more. Came home to discover it is a different shade of navy than the Joann one...oops! 

I omitted the pocket on the front and added a ruffle in between the bodice and skirt seam. I think I need to whip up some more of these for Christmas gifts this year and of course one for myself!

Shannon