The "Bapron"

I found this free pattern and tutorial on Pinterest and think that it's about the cutest bib I have ever seen.  It's going to be so sad when Maddox covers it in peanut butter and jelly.

Anyway, this is what I'm making today.  It's easy, it's quick, and it's useful.  So head on over to Craftiness Is Not Optional and check out this super cute pattern and tutorial, plus about a hundred thousand more and have a great day!

Cambie Dress Review

Tasia, the Sewaholic, just announced her new pattern today.  The Cambie Dress.   I LOVE this pattern.  I especially love the A-line skirt version.  Of course, sometimes what you love isn't what suits you best.  I muslined the A-line version first.  I didn't love it on me.  I was quite sad.  So I went ahead with the full skirt version (which I also love).

Adjustments: I did an FBA which resulted in a horizontal bust dart being added to the bodice. I also shortened the bodice by one inch in the armscye area.  I used a regular zipper, which I handpicked.

The instructions were easy to follow.  It went together rather quickly, as well.  I made a 12 with a thick waist adjustment.  I am so excited to make this dress for Ashley (once she fits into the smallest size of course).

Fabric: Striped cotton shirting with little flowers embroidered all over for the main fabric and white voile for the lining.  This was my first time using voile.  It is a great lining for hot desert summers!

I HIGHLY recommend this pattern.  I love it!  Sewaholic patterns are wonderful and make a great addition to any pattern stash.

Sorry for the sad phone picture.

A Coat

I finished the coat for Kristin's daughter.  I used the Oliver + S School Days Jacket pattern.  It is a quick and fairly easy pattern (really, don't be intimidated by this pattern).    The instructions are well written.  It came together in one weekend, only sewing in the evenings.

This is not the best picture (of my daughter wearing the coat).  Maybe Kristin will post cuter ones of her daughter wearing it! (hint, hint)

It is made up in a wool crepe which I underlined because it was a little thin for a coat.  The lining is a cute cotton print that Kristin picked.  Maybe she will get pictures of that as well? 

I know it has been some time since I last posted.  I have been busy.  Life with four kids and all.  I finally finished the love seat I started on- after nearly 1 year!  I haven't taken a picture of it yet, but I did get a before picture and will post before and afters later.  I still have the other one left to do.  I plan to start it after the holidays.  I am working on a coat for Kristen's (you know, the other contributor to this blog) daughter now.  I will probably get a picture of the coat on Brielle once it is completed and shipped to them.
I haven't forgotten the jacket for myself either.  I started it earlier this year, but got overwhelmed with all the fitting and all the other stuff going on around here.  It got put aside.  I pulled it out periodically but just never had the motivation to do anything with it.  I finally got back to it.  I adjusted the back, and it is better.  I need to do a few more things to tweak the muslin and then I can start sewing the real deal.  I am excited, as it has been cold around here as of late and I'd love a third layer.  I guess all the warm weather here in Vegas makes it hard to think about cold weather clothes- until you are stuck in cold!

Just wanted to update you so you'd know I am still around.
Laura

Bliss Handmade

So, my friend, April, is one of the organizers of a fantastic local craft showcase that happens twice a year.  The holiday show is coming up on Saturday, November 12th.  For more information about Bliss Handmade, follow this link.  They've got some seriously gorgeous stuff there and I'm so excited to attend.

Also, commenting on the vendor showcase posts on the blog gets you entered to win gift certificates to use at the show.  And, if you bring canned food to donate to Food For Lane County, you'll be entered to win a fabulous grand prize.

So, head on over to blisshandmade.blogspot.com and read all about it.  Hope to see you all there!

Argyle? Yes, Please

Laura, my dear friend, sent me a link awhile ago to a tutorial on how to make this fabulous argyle wreath.  She knows I adore argyle because I'm a big dork.  I, however am not as talented in the "scissor" arts as many of you are, so I had to make my own flowers, instead of making the fabulous felt roses that are so hot right now.

My other dear friend, April, taught me to make these flowers and they're super easy to do.  For a tutorial on making this argyle wreath, follow the link here.  And don't forget, just because it's a Christmas wreath or an Autumn wreath, that doesn't mean it has to be.  Make it for whatever ocassion you want it to be.  Make it personal, and you'll love it that much more.

Happy Creating!


Kristin

Paper Chain? Nope, It's Fabric

Okay, here's the thing, I have ridiculously expensive taste in everything.  I'm not joking.  I get catalogs in the mail for clothes that cost $200+ for a shirt...A SHIRT!!  Do I buy that stuff?  No, I'm cheap, I don't have that kind of money and even if I did, I wouldn't waste that much on one thing.  No way.

So when I saw this fabric paper chain in the Land of Nod Catalog for Christmas, I wanted it. 

But there's no way you're going to get me to pay $29 for it.  I mean, I know it's not THAT much money, but it's only 20 links long, which means I'd need a lot more links to have it go where I wanted it to go.

That leads me to "knockoffs".  Yes, I do knockoffs.  I figure out how to make something similar, using my know how, my supplies, and my hands.  And typically, when I make a knockoff, it looks almost the same, without the $$$.

Without futher ado, here is my knockoff  fabric paper chain.  Keep in mind, I've only done 8 links so far, simply because I have about 80 other projects going all at the same time, but I will have it done soon.  Oh, and this is the "Birthday" version.  I am also making a holiday version...tonight.

So, How did I do it?

Well, here's the rundown.  You will need:

3+ Coordinating Fat Quarters
Mod Podge
Sponge Paint Brush
4 Sheets Scrapbook Plastic
Sharpee Marker
Rotary Cutter/Mat
Iron & Board
Paper Scissors
Velcro Dots or 3/4 yard Velcro

*If you use the Velcro yardage, you will also need a hot glue gun.

All you have to do is this:

Cut the plastic into 8 1/2" x 1 1/2" strips.  I used the Sharpee marker and my rotary cutting mat to measure and mark so I could make sure I got them all exactly the same size.

Iron the fabric.  Cut the fabric into 9" x 4" strips.

Once you've got the fabric and the plastic cut, bust out the Mod Podge and the Brush (make sure you work on a protected surface so you don't cover your good dining room table with Mod Podge).

Start by brushing Mod Podge over one entire side of the plastic, then place the plastic Mod Podge side down on the WRONG side of the fabric, as centered as you can possibly get it (I just eyeball it).

Next, coat the plastic with Mod Podge (this is the side you didn't coat last time).  Fold the ends of the fabric in, coat the right side of the folded over ends with Mod Podge, then fold one long side of the fabric in and press it to the plastic and fabric ends.

Now you need to coat just the remaining 1/4" of raw edge of fabric on the wrong side with Mod Podge.  Fold that edge under.  Now coat the fabric side that hasn't been folded to the plastic with Mod Podge and fold it over, pressing it to the plastic and the fabric.  Your link should now look like this, sans the velcro.

Let the link dry, then attach velcro.  I am lazy and use sticky backed velcro dots or squares, but if you buy regular velcro, you can attach the velcro using hot glue.

To attach the velcro, you will need to position one side of the velcro on the inside of the link, and the other piece of velcro on the opposite end on the outside of the link.  When the velcro has had some time to adhere to the fabric, you can velcro the link together.

Why do we use velcro, you ask?  Well, this way, you can store your fabric paper chain flat during the "off season" and it won't get bent up, scrunched, or otherwise damaged.

Here's a couple of great things about making your own:

*Use your own taste in fabrics, or use your leftover scraps up.  This way, it's personalized for you.  No one else will ever have the exact same thing in their home.
*Choose fabric for any occassion (how about one for Independence Day, or for that tailgater you're throwing during football season).
*Cost:  For the whole chain...under $10.  Yep, under $10 and that's if you're lazy like me and buy the more expensive sticky velcro.

So, keep getting those catalogs and watching those great designers.  You can create amazing knockoffs for a fraction of the price, and your home can look like you spent a million bucks, when you really spent just a few.

Happy Creating!


Kristin