Sunny On The Bottom

Oh, Spring!

 This lovely weather leaves me just itching to pull out some spring clothes. While wading thru the sale swatches at Jo Ann Fabrics yesterday, I got a little sunny inspiration for some spring DIY.

High five for elastic skirts!

I whipped them up using this tutorial from the Fall.

I swear, elastic skirts make up 80% of my spring/summer uniform. Throw them on with sandals and a T, and you are good to go.

And the best part of it?

  Both prints together were not even $5.

Booyah.

I must admit it has been a month or two since I've touched my sewing machine. Stopping cold turkey has made me really miss it. I want to kinda ease back into sewing again- I want a chance to make some boo-boos before the quilting resumes.

Speaking of quilting...

That fluffy white blanket, my friends, is NOT part of Santa's snow village. Just my batting, patiently waiting for some lovin'..

 

Back in the Saddle Again

Cue Gene Autry.

I'm jumping back in the saddle. The sewing saddle that is.

Yee Haw.

I was able to knock out the top to my 1st quilt just before the holidays.  

But shortly after?

Pfffffffffffff.

All that hot air fizzled from my over ambitious balloon.

(Yes, I did hear you audibly try to make that little balloon noise)

So, now? I'm back. 

I think.

Before I can wrap up my blanky, I have to decide on 2 main things:

1) I have my choice in hand-quilting or machine quilting the quilt layers. Since I am NOT Betsy Ross, a pioneer woman, or aiming to be cross-eyed, I'll be relying on modern technology to aid in assistance. So, machine quilting, here I come. And from what I gather, it might help me to have a "special foot" to feed the fabric layers.

THIS monster is a walking foot. It intimidates me. It has weird claw arm- thingys.  Do I really need one of these? I 'm not going to be doing intricate back designs. I'm not entering my blanky in a county fair. I just want a simple zip-zip-zip over the pattern.

Perhaps I need to research this more.

2) The second thing I need to decide on is a backing. I need to choose a fabric that will be the underside to my chevy pattern. I'm looking for it to be more white with a black print, as my actual chevy stripes are more black with some white.

Clear as mud??

Hahaha...

Here are justa few of my "maybes" for the backing. These are all from fabric.com. Who knew they had such great choices??

This cowgirl has some work to do.

Gitty-up.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race..

Hooray for Halfway!!

Remember my latest super adventurous project? Did you guess what I'm working on?

Yes, a quilt.

Yes, I'm under 30.

Yes, this is only like my 5th sewing project EVER.

Move over Maw- Maw.

Alllllllll last month I painstakingly cut, cursed, screamed, sewed, and ironed the 504 pieces for the top. Now that I have all the pieces, I've started to lay everything out.

Here is another sneak peak

('Scuse the upstairs lighting)

And my other lofty goal?

I'm REALLY hoping I can knock it out by the end of the year.

Yeah, the WHOLE quilt.

Whoops A Daisy..

SOS!!

A little sewing help, please.

I am sewing along, and then all of a sudden it's a RAILROAD of thread. Then, it goes back to smooth, even stitches. What's the deal?? I am not zooming fabric thru, nor have I rigged my bobbin wrong.

"Sew" annoying...

Sorry.

I had to.



Chevy

Is it just me, or is there an INSANE amount of chevron popping up in stores and in home projects?? Maybe I'm just dreaming it, but I see it everywhere. Beautiful, crisp, clean, classic stripes.

For your viewing pleasure, take a look at some of my recent faves:

Fully jumping aboard this chevron train, I've recently started a "chevy" project of my own.

(chugga- chugga- choo-chooo)

 A HUGE project.

Something that seems WAAAAAAY beyond my skill level.

It might take a few weeks. 

Or even months, depending on how much reality TV I watch patience I have.

Needing a smidge-of-a hint?

Well, ok.

Just a quick looksie.

Have you guessed it?

That's all you get, friends!

If It Ain't Broke..

You guys know the saying.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Remember this post?

Soo.. I made another one. This time it's gray/camel/ black snow leopard- tiger print-ish.

 Yes, this officially makes me dorky.

Dorky with a snow leopard skirt.

Boo yah.



Ikat Get Enough Fall

Hey, fall friends!

So glad the weather is starting to dip in temperatures. Yesterday, I left work kinda late and it was so nice out. My mind started to zone out into leaves, and cooler weather, possible boots I am looking at, and textured tights and fall skirts.

Fall skirts?

Hmm...

Somehow on my way home, my car steered itself over to the fabric store. While there, I picked up a fall-ish ikat print and some good 'ole elastic.

(I promise its not this "rasta-farian" in person).

And after a short bit and some Jay Leno, there's nothing like a little Friday Nite Fall Skirt makin'.

Easy peasy!

Wanna make one?

Here's how:

YOU'LL NEED

* 1- 1 1/2 yards of some type of stretch fabric. Mine is polyester/rayon blend with a bit of stretch.

* Elastic for waist. I have a 2 in. elastic band, but a 1 1/2 would work, too. I got a yard of this just to be safe.

* Sewing machine, pins, scissors, thread, etc.

A BIT OF HELP: I tried to follow this tutorial but realized Sharroll at Jo Ann's fabric cut my fabric wrong. (Duh, Sharroll I knew what I was talking about in the first place) So I tweaked it.

STEPS

Go ahead and open your fabric, print side down. Lay your elastic at the top, on the long side. You are going to start to make a case for your elastic to slide thru. Starting at one side, using your elastic as a pattern, fold the fabric over and pin.

Keep pinning and sliding the elastic down, until the top is pinned.

Next, go sew a straight line where you just pinned. You might also have to re-watch the Instructional Video that came with your new sewing machine, since this is your 2nd time sewing just to make sure.

Next, lay fabric out again, and measure your desired length for you. I chose knee length, but a longer skirt would be cute, too. Cut and go back and hem it.

Now, you have a little case at the top and your skirt hemmed. Take your elastic, measure it to your waist, and cut appropriately.

Now, the boring part. Turn on some tube. Grab your elastic, and slide, squench, and bunch it into the case at the top. This will give it some soft pleating.

Smooth out your pleats, nice and even. Turn your fabric print side in, and pin the edges together. Sew up your elastic and where you just pinned- AND you are done!

Do a little fist pump and victory dance that you didn't cry or say ugly words at your machine at your completed project!

The Time Has Come To tell You- Part 2

Remember this post?

Welp. I took the plunge. Head first.

I finally got one..

A sewing machine that is.

And I couldn't be more excited!

Which one did I get?

(drum roll......)

(ahem, percussion hubbie teacher, that is you...)

The Brother LX 3125e.

I know what you're thinking, and see you chuckling at my pre-pubescent choice.

Don't you worry, I haven't put the zebra plate on yet!

 After reading positive review after positive review, I'm starting off with this model. I didn't want something big and fancy (yet), until I got my feet a little wet. This model had great feedback, an instructional DVD, and seems to be great for beginners, like me.

To celebrate with you, I thought I'd share my first wonky- wobbly project.

For the sake of the argument let's pretend I have a precious child. Let's say said precious child has just finished eating, and spits up.

What do I do?

 In a flash, whip out my monogrammed burp cloth, and hope it doesn't run down my back!

I have a few things still left to figure out, but not SO bad for my first try.

Have a great weekend!

Hallelujah

Can I just brag for a moment?

Like really let off some excitement?

Everyone needs to at some point.

 I just need 13 seconds worth of "High-five" and  "you GO girl!"

It might get kinda wordy, so stay with me.

Remember this post?

I've been achin' for a sewing machine and have been on the craft store prowl for one.

Ok, now remember this post from just the other day?

I cleaned, sorted, organized and purged my closet. When I finished, I had quite a load of things that were still "really good".

Perhaps some things that I had only pulled the tags off, but never wore.

Perhaps some things that STILL had the tags on them.

Now, take these two thoughts and smush them together.

Bingo.

I'm selling on eBay.

And not only selling, my friends, PROFITING.

Can you see that total at the bottom? I am up to $80, and still have a few hours left!

And what am I going to do with that $80?

Yup.

Buy a sewing machine.

 Now, how's that for the "Circle of Life"?

The Time Has Come to Tell You..

Welp.

I think it's finally time to share..

I think I'm getting a baby.

No, not that kind of baby (well, at least not yet..).

This kinda baby..

 Neener, Neener, fooled you!

BUT if you've been wondering about the tire tube around my middle, it IS the result of my newly acquired, convenient A.M. donut run. I mean, who doesn't love a vanilla with sprinkles in the morning?

I digress.

 So obviously, I've been checking out sewing machines. They've been on my mind for a few weeks, now. My "ideas and schemes" list has grown so much, and many of the projects involve a sewing machine.

Mom offered to give me hers:

Ummm.

That's ok.

Thanks, though.

So here is my problem.

I don't have the FOGGIEST on how to operate a sewing machine. Like, not a clue.

Always the optimist, here is what I CAN do:

1- Sew a button.

2- Thread a needle.

3- Use a ruler.

4- Cut in a semi-straight line.

5- Hot glue like a champ.

Each time I've popped into my Wal-mart, I've made a lap down the sewing machine aisle. Stitch numbers, bobbins, and plates?

HELP!

I am looking to buy a basic machine. Doesn't have to be all fancy, doesn't have to be a $100, even. I mean what if I don't like sewing as much as I think I will??

Check this bad boy out.

Please don't laugh- this is the one I am actually thinking about ONLY because it come with an instructional video. And removable covers.

And what about preferences on

VS.

Gah- so many choices! Sewing-sensory overload!

Sewing machiners-  what did you start with? Here's your chance to help a sister.

Ready.

Go.