tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73053740816877784252024-03-13T00:44:20.919-07:00Summer SewsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-26802117834595464592010-05-20T05:20:00.000-07:002010-05-20T05:20:12.636-07:00homemade by jill: Book Review and Giveaway: Handmade Beginnings by Anna Maria Horner<a href="http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-review-and-giveaway-handmade.html">homemade by jill: Book Review and Giveaway: Handmade Beginnings by Anna Maria Horner</a><div><br /></div><div>This book looks awesome. Want to win a copy? Go the link!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-44707151391614256772010-05-12T12:05:00.000-07:002010-05-12T12:05:37.226-07:00Make Your Own Tee Grosgrain Giveaway<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/05/tee-shirt-design-grosgrain-giveaway.html">Make Your Own Tee Grosgrain Giveaway</a><br /><br />This could be fun!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-59103641360974935272010-05-05T09:13:00.000-07:002010-05-05T09:13:42.502-07:00Link PartyI reposted my lattice-work smocking tutorial on my sewing blog because I wanted to share it through another sewing blog's link party. I really enjoy reading Tea Rose Home, and I think she has such fun ideas. So click the button below to see some of the other great ideas that readers have posted. I need to go feed my baby now, she just woke up!<br />
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<a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FtRAgrebudW-Fpiqs390aU-R3MWnYJR7Kqls-Cs4Tz5NGwBK-NQtB1_ZZiguCnzsb3q3Khnc_3WTeMmZGtAsXQYPLng9tpm-cNmZPhT3mAyTbLSStr6FCRrNre7FTE65Uf-4nM3nT7g/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" style="cursor: hand; height: 160px; width: 126px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-89516686341978198832010-05-05T09:06:00.000-07:002010-05-05T09:10:36.982-07:00Lattice Work SmockingI was first introduced to lattice smocking when I was working as an assistant costume designer for BYU's production of Hamlet. I was enlisted to smock nearly two yards of red velvet for a costume that was worn all of 10 minutes on stage (see Gertrude, the standing woman. I did the red stuff, which is about how it looked onstage unless you were in the first 6 rows).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh333lGp2-0xHjPTr3G96xrPmqvI1x6ek23gnkqzE-XoTae9jiYdt-eq6DfslHzoaAMA-9b8cWdlSDSeWr6DtD11W28BFBMNFBUMfa3Oed17AsmsHtr9aLPegJ1dzeSBlc-Yi4Qqu4wUvMO/s1600/tiny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh333lGp2-0xHjPTr3G96xrPmqvI1x6ek23gnkqzE-XoTae9jiYdt-eq6DfslHzoaAMA-9b8cWdlSDSeWr6DtD11W28BFBMNFBUMfa3Oed17AsmsHtr9aLPegJ1dzeSBlc-Yi4Qqu4wUvMO/s320/tiny.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
Needless to say, it took me a total of 24 hours to do. I did it at home (my roommate Tiff can attest to that), during my TESOL/BEEDE classes (anyone whose ever taken those will understand why that was possible and possibly more educational that the actual classes), and whenever I had some spare time. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnHH1Amwbq48o94gIoxrqD0ZtdUnSXaiwcLhfPIB9MEwnwJSRBjVsuLIj_kppZfizQJlwKAmaRTf7ruTJGY05_X0CADFFjMMLU-KarGIKJR5lt72xXH9zCS7CHJTguQWBs6FCM0hRwMZy/s1600/redsmocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnHH1Amwbq48o94gIoxrqD0ZtdUnSXaiwcLhfPIB9MEwnwJSRBjVsuLIj_kppZfizQJlwKAmaRTf7ruTJGY05_X0CADFFjMMLU-KarGIKJR5lt72xXH9zCS7CHJTguQWBs6FCM0hRwMZy/s320/redsmocking.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div>But boy have I put that skill to use! I used it on my baby's blessing dress, and on another dress I recently made her. So I've had a lot of people ask me how to do it, and I swear it's really easy. So here is a picture tutorial, if your interested.<br />
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LATTICE SMOCKING<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1. First, you'll need to decide how big you want your lattice work, and make a grid. Doing smocking will make your piece of fabric about half of the original size. I HIGHLY recommend doing the smocking and then cutting the pattern piece out. The red velvet above is done on a 1 inch grid, and the baby dresses I did on 1/2 inch. I wouldn't do anything smaller than 1/2 inch, which is what I'm using in this tutorial. I just made a grid on Word and printed it out, then poked holes in it, pinned it to my material and mark the holes. For this tutorial I used a marker, but you'll want something that will wash off or dissappear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pX4Tmd5huqjDyRcnmw5C9dPaC12ONtrx_W3YODFIVPJu2z4YelG-hr1D_2DtlHs4eIYtiBu1Ly7NnUdjIByb7CnTFZ9jGd73fm79DP2K1ct3XMSVqOMw-ggc-NZjEWsNY488kfdCCSgw/s1600/PB160254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pX4Tmd5huqjDyRcnmw5C9dPaC12ONtrx_W3YODFIVPJu2z4YelG-hr1D_2DtlHs4eIYtiBu1Ly7NnUdjIByb7CnTFZ9jGd73fm79DP2K1ct3XMSVqOMw-ggc-NZjEWsNY488kfdCCSgw/s320/PB160254.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
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2. Here it is marked out (I just did a little bit for demonstration).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1lvr5pDPkqp9iN48yxs8BSbq4dzSUqddEfKJi0Gjnkq_xUerrVSuyqpz2KuVbFArllBWvallViFL2ZuvugsjH5gh4ZgaiWzacXP-oRN7x2CFKJ5APWQ6e-MTs5Xf6Mm4ZgoBH0cVTOaW/s1600/PB160259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1lvr5pDPkqp9iN48yxs8BSbq4dzSUqddEfKJi0Gjnkq_xUerrVSuyqpz2KuVbFArllBWvallViFL2ZuvugsjH5gh4ZgaiWzacXP-oRN7x2CFKJ5APWQ6e-MTs5Xf6Mm4ZgoBH0cVTOaW/s320/PB160259.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
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3. Below, I marked with a line the points you will be pulling together. I don't normally do this now, but I did when I first started and it made it easier.<br />
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4. You'll start on the bottom of your second row of dots. Make a tiny stitch to secure your thread. Then make a tiny stitch on the diagonally to the left. You'll pull the thread all the way through and pull the fabric together until the two points are connected.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBKNbmmyzFcm6Nkf3wlA8ZWDaM4h7ww-7U3FY0STo3K45IBUN5PeI0eVhE5grdfdF6g_DWa1zlBgK_qfWO2aylAlUjyeYTIEt4dXNWeDTPNy18bAwqfgkTxcDoWTK4ZgQhsN7FPtO_Oz-/s1600/PB160264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBKNbmmyzFcm6Nkf3wlA8ZWDaM4h7ww-7U3FY0STo3K45IBUN5PeI0eVhE5grdfdF6g_DWa1zlBgK_qfWO2aylAlUjyeYTIEt4dXNWeDTPNy18bAwqfgkTxcDoWTK4ZgQhsN7FPtO_Oz-/s320/PB160264.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
5. When the points are pulled together, it will look like this. I like to make a little knot onto the fabric so the fold stays secure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhEg7B8W_1GeOuB2jlhHFiOZ1YzzTLWVXCAnDQKJyg5kT0oeLckx0Kak6lbqiDYKDzjnGgXcR0PWRgPUP8Vh30DVZE_51_INN27BBjhXESYV9zkhWRv_9mUjRpeiia-R3kIIT6MAaBFSP/s1600/PB160265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhEg7B8W_1GeOuB2jlhHFiOZ1YzzTLWVXCAnDQKJyg5kT0oeLckx0Kak6lbqiDYKDzjnGgXcR0PWRgPUP8Vh30DVZE_51_INN27BBjhXESYV9zkhWRv_9mUjRpeiia-R3kIIT6MAaBFSP/s320/PB160265.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
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6. You'll notice that tucked into the fold you just created is the point that was the next one up from the first you started on. You'll make your next tiny stitch here, but don't pull the points together. Instead, give just enough length in the thread so that lays just how it is, and secure it by making another knot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61D0JC0jC_RMmZQT1gIRM8Wn6L6SwZVfI_6CMvgiSlPdO5t-egaqj8zpHM0TJN1og63DvpcHFdbsNm4Sr1mQomXpIJ4w6XRJBlHchsvfFgqv8zPtxB_IPAiz2hzaneYgs59nYD3I4kDyy/s1600/PB160267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61D0JC0jC_RMmZQT1gIRM8Wn6L6SwZVfI_6CMvgiSlPdO5t-egaqj8zpHM0TJN1og63DvpcHFdbsNm4Sr1mQomXpIJ4w6XRJBlHchsvfFgqv8zPtxB_IPAiz2hzaneYgs59nYD3I4kDyy/s320/PB160267.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
7. You'll now be connecting this point with the one diagonally to the left. So make a tiny stitch, pull together, and make a knot to secure it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu-EveiUmCHkiB9qGhzMlEnxvzdFEO3yK8BtFUJv-zANQr-nLtF825zU2pWHYsrpDzuYRlYQtEpjRjLUZQ1NZ_Mx3QkMhwk_dZlSPO36Y7u_J9R7uU19S09p3PLLYawIFymKBa6t-0qoB/s1600/PB160272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixu-EveiUmCHkiB9qGhzMlEnxvzdFEO3yK8BtFUJv-zANQr-nLtF825zU2pWHYsrpDzuYRlYQtEpjRjLUZQ1NZ_Mx3QkMhwk_dZlSPO36Y7u_J9R7uU19S09p3PLLYawIFymKBa6t-0qoB/s320/PB160272.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
8. You'll then find the point that it tucked inside the fold and do as you did before (secure the thread to this new point) and keep alternating left and right. A row will look like this. Tie off the thread when the row is finished because you'll start the next row from the bottom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJekm42VW9-5PT5eA2W2g_qZtrrMJHPueCQUViSyM88VsLdbwls7mMgMNGIxdZ2-uUVEQZDjfuXwhBl8Hw0M_N9BDVTYLvI2mBGstVtxWmDfrEFlX5W-3X97hG5Mpp59HDttC5joLxQAT/s1600/PB160273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJekm42VW9-5PT5eA2W2g_qZtrrMJHPueCQUViSyM88VsLdbwls7mMgMNGIxdZ2-uUVEQZDjfuXwhBl8Hw0M_N9BDVTYLvI2mBGstVtxWmDfrEFlX5W-3X97hG5Mpp59HDttC5joLxQAT/s320/PB160273.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
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The front will look like this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqskgGl8_kZe5NgvDM1m8AslYndxhowd5NovaT9rRwvSFJDcI5TwsFbYgFrhdhM_RA_MYjRtLe6e4Y4baiWBAZd3n4aRNhLvhQAoaDa-7A2Rui30ZS26uJManEKZ22jZkrQVf7NFZMxUu/s1600/PB160278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqskgGl8_kZe5NgvDM1m8AslYndxhowd5NovaT9rRwvSFJDcI5TwsFbYgFrhdhM_RA_MYjRtLe6e4Y4baiWBAZd3n4aRNhLvhQAoaDa-7A2Rui30ZS26uJManEKZ22jZkrQVf7NFZMxUu/s320/PB160278.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
9. Now it is time to start the next row. In reference to the first dot we worked with, you'll move to the right two rows. Secure the thread here and pull it together with the point diagonally to the left (just like you did on the first row). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFHaPsmHY1YvDLMBy5SELCErA5Rdg_xxNmogWIiw3SjMG72xEm-CvaiuKmFDknkMTNTgMBKkOt-XjmnB-d2gjOyU42LXCweBumnrlJpNfpej1Owu9UGQNZ3bk0uptuI-DiU6E8NSZ2Cpz/s1600/PB160279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFHaPsmHY1YvDLMBy5SELCErA5Rdg_xxNmogWIiw3SjMG72xEm-CvaiuKmFDknkMTNTgMBKkOt-XjmnB-d2gjOyU42LXCweBumnrlJpNfpej1Owu9UGQNZ3bk0uptuI-DiU6E8NSZ2Cpz/s320/PB160279.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
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10. You'll continue in the same pattern as before. You'll notice the thread lines line up making zig-zags across the fabric. You'll know that your off if your zig zags aren't lining up (or the front doesn't look like it's making a lattice).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnJIOdOyuftVr6bZLXgvIV7rH7vgQ0fDrcseJvdoWwdmsEScJ9SXcZFw-srpw_Yafgs-b7Q2c8EFuTERD7sW_HpHE-ENlg0J6BhyrUuLOOluO0uGxrkNOfMrQ3qlG3qxCLOKECNYiU2Ye/s1600/PB160281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnJIOdOyuftVr6bZLXgvIV7rH7vgQ0fDrcseJvdoWwdmsEScJ9SXcZFw-srpw_Yafgs-b7Q2c8EFuTERD7sW_HpHE-ENlg0J6BhyrUuLOOluO0uGxrkNOfMrQ3qlG3qxCLOKECNYiU2Ye/s320/PB160281.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div>With the second row started you can see the lattice forming on the front.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL84nhOTInISdWp8azZZOOSJUiM1iPRssCvsEtYyxmjzLi2M4WRsgDwHjZUFGa1Xm6dyM_mWAzsUAwrKudNMZCTBWbbBZSJGgdV8LDBPg5IHduZl9n7LcuAcbiMxnDxSNoygTCoeMggmWq/s1600/PB160284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL84nhOTInISdWp8azZZOOSJUiM1iPRssCvsEtYyxmjzLi2M4WRsgDwHjZUFGa1Xm6dyM_mWAzsUAwrKudNMZCTBWbbBZSJGgdV8LDBPg5IHduZl9n7LcuAcbiMxnDxSNoygTCoeMggmWq/s320/PB160284.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
When you have to cut out your smocking for sewing into clothing, I recommend tracing the pattern onto the smocked fabric, doing a basting stitch just inside this traced line and then cutting out along the line, otherwise you might loose some of the smocking work when you cut the threads that created it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I used this technique to make my baby girl's <a href="http://lewispie.blogspot.com/2009/06/update-blessing-dress.html">blessing dress</a>! It turned out lovely. I also did some colorful embroidery along the bottom (for which I highly recommend <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Embroiderer-s-Handbook-Margie-Bauer/dp/0715320378/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273075513&sr=1-11">The Embroiderer's Handbook</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-10458773872070016092010-02-19T12:00:00.000-08:002010-02-19T12:00:17.604-08:00Things I want to make!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been "window shopping" at J.Crew and anthropologie again. Here's what I want to make. We'll see if it happens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLH5RVyYreXWpfi1i0D_VdHL9F4x434lvy-TZ0jnjxf8eU882GCjee0mBnDonYhjfNinf8sVZIwPyE7UV_87xhAzEEtidp6mKT2SK05kMOJmytU0m3Tg4YHVFHt_kHlcoLjLep11KYLnO/s1600-h/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLH5RVyYreXWpfi1i0D_VdHL9F4x434lvy-TZ0jnjxf8eU882GCjee0mBnDonYhjfNinf8sVZIwPyE7UV_87xhAzEEtidp6mKT2SK05kMOJmytU0m3Tg4YHVFHt_kHlcoLjLep11KYLnO/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a>This top seems easy enough, just some gathered asymmetricla ruffling at the neck. I think I have the perfect old jersey knit top to refashion for this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeOP16wy0k2b7gKs4m9NpI2FZJb-aww7xTjpQPP0-bWeNOAbU090sSBv_1nr-68-e-k5Y2BxsTefRjUeKy3ZbRtfGrSagEFwzQbTPWVGSsc8vNd7TlvJREc-P-Br0HdvJkuTYfzeLmk_-/s1600-h/untitled2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeOP16wy0k2b7gKs4m9NpI2FZJb-aww7xTjpQPP0-bWeNOAbU090sSBv_1nr-68-e-k5Y2BxsTefRjUeKy3ZbRtfGrSagEFwzQbTPWVGSsc8vNd7TlvJREc-P-Br0HdvJkuTYfzeLmk_-/s320/untitled2.bmp" /></a>A basic shell with some scallop details up top. I just need to put sleeves on it, but I don't know if I have a pattern I can base it on. Time to do some searching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IcX8IlLPTMf0FgYGwoLDJ3s2n4SrfueVKjWY9Ay99LY1MQzVRwDKvDp02uImy-Y_WmJkmNoAAA4Q4vEJjjhAvuLxPvagCTYawXpZHLbyVu2SocJTE0pUKb1884s7nIq6Ogq11vs6zxZr/s1600-h/bow-wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IcX8IlLPTMf0FgYGwoLDJ3s2n4SrfueVKjWY9Ay99LY1MQzVRwDKvDp02uImy-Y_WmJkmNoAAA4Q4vEJjjhAvuLxPvagCTYawXpZHLbyVu2SocJTE0pUKb1884s7nIq6Ogq11vs6zxZr/s320/bow-wrap.jpg" /></a>The plus side of this wrap top is that I could nurse in it! I want it. I can make it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S2IZu3XGRs1E87eZxgYSB_y1jt2o3cf3DuaJRTxvs14t5GGj9wWZ8HCLdi6JOPjQRPWtzzyDdE9qANMGcH7UnFOPK_dWw1xk3pMEudN2YW8dXRLGWwn2U0EnUpF-ZrE7TxcWVJ0FxOQK/s1600-h/smocked-wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8S2IZu3XGRs1E87eZxgYSB_y1jt2o3cf3DuaJRTxvs14t5GGj9wWZ8HCLdi6JOPjQRPWtzzyDdE9qANMGcH7UnFOPK_dWw1xk3pMEudN2YW8dXRLGWwn2U0EnUpF-ZrE7TxcWVJ0FxOQK/s320/smocked-wrap.jpg" /></a>Again, nursing! I think I know how to do this kind of smocking. If not, the internet is a wonderful thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFj5HhOjHSLXpevb_UNW1ZJ-OTZ6-ehDbev21ogvl6N01hnWxs39n47SILFjJw_Hc2vijZsapN_77ZwUe1EQjw9bXjCwE1XKRDrtoGDSUQBme5VTBY47THs3g839_usMqqlbFhoEL4Tbic/s1600-h/smockedcardigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFj5HhOjHSLXpevb_UNW1ZJ-OTZ6-ehDbev21ogvl6N01hnWxs39n47SILFjJw_Hc2vijZsapN_77ZwUe1EQjw9bXjCwE1XKRDrtoGDSUQBme5VTBY47THs3g839_usMqqlbFhoEL4Tbic/s320/smockedcardigan.jpg" /></a>I recently learned how to use elastic thread to do this kind of smocking. I love it. I just need to make it before it gets too warm to wear!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_gyCG9z-JO6s3Quksa80RxLVQmruV_APjFYweuAn79k8opDVgm8SlZ6lqdNnZO8G-9R9VGkdHlfrdjTnS8vgZV_O6eUQazr3F-01q1zSFS9A_LDP0yXHZhscbg73dhrbRyL-YXv5EfGd/s1600-h/buttoncardigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_gyCG9z-JO6s3Quksa80RxLVQmruV_APjFYweuAn79k8opDVgm8SlZ6lqdNnZO8G-9R9VGkdHlfrdjTnS8vgZV_O6eUQazr3F-01q1zSFS9A_LDP0yXHZhscbg73dhrbRyL-YXv5EfGd/s320/buttoncardigan.jpg" /></a>I love the botton detail. I love the swing of it. I think I could find somethingat goodwill to refashion into this, just a nice lightweight knit in XXL.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-55420200600299812662010-02-19T11:51:00.000-08:002010-02-19T11:51:58.312-08:00Things I've been working onI've been meaning to post this forever, but waited because I wanted to get a better picture of me wearing the skirt. Oh well, I just haven't gotten to it yet. But here's the story. I saw this skirt on anthropologie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tB4JIM6tdf8/SrLR5-_lUJI/AAAAAAAAAKo/aqYMOrNvTD8/s1600/AnthropologieSkirtFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tB4JIM6tdf8/SrLR5-_lUJI/AAAAAAAAAKo/aqYMOrNvTD8/s320/AnthropologieSkirtFront.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thought for a really long time about how to make it. I knew how to change up the yoke and create the ruffle, but it was the pleats/draping on the side that was throwing me. Until I found another blogger that wanted the same skirt and figured it out. Click<a href="http://shoesandsewing.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html"> here</a> to see how. I think she keeps ag great blog and I've liked a lot of her ideas. Anyway, here is how mine turned out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2u0xPqnoe9faZJh-Y-FzF6gotl_9qkzNETC-49hVhyphenhyphenWUHDmKsD8yL0mbdzQQobSopYlZ-X4DRS4CRcXhlgoYSIoDxooJWs6T5VL2HZjnMQVvnp7MKP4dka8yHSGJdifrEjJt2ieYI4YNa/s1600-h/P1210169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2u0xPqnoe9faZJh-Y-FzF6gotl_9qkzNETC-49hVhyphenhyphenWUHDmKsD8yL0mbdzQQobSopYlZ-X4DRS4CRcXhlgoYSIoDxooJWs6T5VL2HZjnMQVvnp7MKP4dka8yHSGJdifrEjJt2ieYI4YNa/s320/P1210169.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a sort of sage green pinstriped fabric of "unknown fiber content" that I got for a $1.50 at Walmart. I love it. Were I to do it again I would change a couple things. I would do fusible interfacing on the entire yoke. There was a lot of give to my fabric and it needed the stability. I would also have lined it, but I just didn't have any lining. I ended up having to hand stitch the side pleats in place because they just slipped out. I also would have made them a little more shallow (1 inch instead of 1.5), and I would have made the whole skirt a little more fitted, more of a pencil than straight down as it is now. But I really love it! I'll post a picture of me wearing it soon!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-42055588363612526542010-02-08T18:00:00.000-08:002010-02-08T18:00:50.834-08:00Cherry Pop Refashion Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/02/cherry-pop-refashion-frock-grosgrain.html">Cherry Pop Refashion Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br /><br />Genius refashioning. Makes me want to go to Goodwill and see what I can do!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-44495659587911701632010-02-02T15:50:00.000-08:002010-02-02T15:50:15.331-08:00Only the Best of Etsy Sample Packages GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/02/only-best-of-etsy-sample-packages-guest.html">Only the Best of Etsy Sample Packages GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br /><br />What a great idea!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-31603509060013700032010-01-21T07:21:00.000-08:002010-01-21T07:21:57.704-08:00Some Refashioning<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My sister-in-law had some clothes she was getting rid of, namely some too-big but very cute smocked tank tops. They were in perfectly good condition, so I took them. There's a green, a blue, a brown, and a white one. I'm not sure what I'll do with all of them, but this is what I did to the brown one.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wOMc768WnRYYku08MwjI3P4j0JX6x2bEloTgmt8wALfAaYmO_xHWFKnsmy7cDmBOnI7owSiBJqvApPRjKFe5JSoI7jOIC5Km9VgLO-vsekORIxIUxnW9QyKbEq3dCVC4FoMyEqcafBD5/s1600-h/P1210177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wOMc768WnRYYku08MwjI3P4j0JX6x2bEloTgmt8wALfAaYmO_xHWFKnsmy7cDmBOnI7owSiBJqvApPRjKFe5JSoI7jOIC5Km9VgLO-vsekORIxIUxnW9QyKbEq3dCVC4FoMyEqcafBD5/s320/P1210177.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The blue one is yet unaltered, but check out the cute brown sundress for Eleanor!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXcgNAXv8Ekq2ERGtCdNDakVuL8jlr1xyMFghKaMeEk8IRK4ESAr_oPQeBFTO_qywJEHCD9QI9aBNVMl5vpZOgv4yIZtDOxmpEdCUx5dXQG5dU2k2zHL0S64umwK6Njn8jg3wQ8L9ZoD0/s1600-h/P1210172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXcgNAXv8Ekq2ERGtCdNDakVuL8jlr1xyMFghKaMeEk8IRK4ESAr_oPQeBFTO_qywJEHCD9QI9aBNVMl5vpZOgv4yIZtDOxmpEdCUx5dXQG5dU2k2zHL0S64umwK6Njn8jg3wQ8L9ZoD0/s320/P1210172.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt5Tj9iGmqD98T9HD44QLDnx7Tw7p1ciSMuvhKDr9lZUwIMz_721eEHI7MuEfw9Hwxv3lc9DZFltzU7Z5NkH0fUu0x-hPTCpvJKu3HUSmMGT0IGokjo2_6EA9lvT1TATQKssdDhQLCsyc/s1600-h/P1210174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt5Tj9iGmqD98T9HD44QLDnx7Tw7p1ciSMuvhKDr9lZUwIMz_721eEHI7MuEfw9Hwxv3lc9DZFltzU7Z5NkH0fUu0x-hPTCpvJKu3HUSmMGT0IGokjo2_6EA9lvT1TATQKssdDhQLCsyc/s320/P1210174.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">She is at this funny stage where she really likes showing us how huge her mouth is!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7yjkgq484dpi9wXH-7bmPEEJopfuMU6pC534zv89V5ZWsmYN115o4yLD9jUKQkcHGENB0RYeDwSEfpJQeIPjQZwdmJTesoTpDIX5pG3doaVMOKvSKVynD0156lTnwNNdak5Ta_TCUqxp/s1600-h/P1210175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7yjkgq484dpi9wXH-7bmPEEJopfuMU6pC534zv89V5ZWsmYN115o4yLD9jUKQkcHGENB0RYeDwSEfpJQeIPjQZwdmJTesoTpDIX5pG3doaVMOKvSKVynD0156lTnwNNdak5Ta_TCUqxp/s320/P1210175.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyBO4udvzbVF4Y20sQUnXloLv9zxXdXqecGinEwKIoNBXA8Q4Ywe1KoQiVoxs-xeFYN43d3Bq9_5QARPqlxXrX7SKAU1XMApQfwJztcMMcyTINAapMGBT1d1IOOJjZAfZ93bu9-jB7bUW/s1600-h/P1210176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyBO4udvzbVF4Y20sQUnXloLv9zxXdXqecGinEwKIoNBXA8Q4Ywe1KoQiVoxs-xeFYN43d3Bq9_5QARPqlxXrX7SKAU1XMApQfwJztcMMcyTINAapMGBT1d1IOOJjZAfZ93bu9-jB7bUW/s320/P1210176.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I made the back cross because I could and I like the detail.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">To make this dress, all I did was measure how wide I wanted the top to be and the length. Then I cut that out of the front (I did make it a-line-ish). Because the front was already gathered, I cut the back out in the same shape only bigger. Then I threaded some corded elastic through the already exisiting piping around the top so that it gathered a little and would fit snuggly. I clipped off the original straps and stitched them on after I first did a length and placement check on Ellie. I put a ruffle around the bottom by clipping of the waistband on the original tank, trimming it to the right side and then gathering it on my machine (the easiest way to gather is by setting the stich length at its longest and the tension at its highest). The pin and stitch secure! I had a little thread issue on the front of the dress when I put on one of the straps, so I covered it up by gathering together some of the leftover ruffle fabric into a flower and sewing it on. I love it!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, what to do with the other tanktops? I don't want to use them only for Ellie (which means I want something from them...)<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-53538846542907733892010-01-19T07:25:00.000-08:002010-01-19T07:25:23.032-08:00Pajama Squid THREE Prize GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/01/pajama-squid-three-prize-guest-giveaway.html">Pajama Squid THREE Prize GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br /><br />How cute and useful are these toys!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-20388042077343876722010-01-16T14:56:00.000-08:002010-01-16T14:56:23.888-08:00Getting White Really White!So, I love white shirts. I don't love what happens wo white shirts in the armpits though. I've tried various remedies, but this was the first that worked and it was so easy that I feel compelled to share.<br />
a gallon or 2 of hot hot water (our tap gets pretty hot, so I just used that, but you could boil some up I suppose)<br />
1 cup bleach<br />
1 cup dishwasher detergent (I used the gel kind from Walmart)<br />
<br />
Mix it all up, through in your clothes, make sure they are all covered. Let sit for at least an hour. Mine soaked for 2 or 3. Then wring them out and through them in the washer. Dishwasher soap is specially formulated not to suds up so it's safe to put in your washer.<br />
Seriously, I don't have stains on shirts that I've had for years now. It even got poop stains out of Ellie's white onsies. It even un-grayed some tank tops.YEAH!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-26735854533978361762010-01-06T17:43:00.000-08:002010-01-06T17:43:28.531-08:00Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!I'm in love with this company now. Not that I can currently afford it, but whatever.<br /><br /><a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/12/neige-100-gift-card-guest-giveaway.html">Neige $100 Gift Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-74127967961596327002009-12-07T09:07:00.000-08:002009-12-07T09:07:15.234-08:00LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/12/la-originals-knitted-baby-hat-guest.html">LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br /><br />I wish I could knit like this!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-3862207992984550192009-12-07T08:58:00.000-08:002009-12-07T08:58:56.376-08:00Nieces Christmas Gift<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">OH I AM SO EXCITED! I love these butterfly wings. I found the tutorial <a href="http://whrrl.com/experience/story/18673334?wref=sr_1_4_ttl)">here</a>, from one of the sewing blogs I follow. The only thing I really did any different is I used a black fabric marker to draw on some butterfly wing patterns. I really like the result. And it was super easy to do.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpWUCposQhSYEtlfF_sfJkaPi8N-c26hZJag7adJy1JSBRKuWmL5Il1JMBF3JjCEgA1lkNHJMlaZ2xuNwPM0M6VmaZQPGUg2Q9hPKGeG-FFtsZkaGZ9d71T9swcLL6xEQHJ2GKWyFQZZV/s1600-h/PC070456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpWUCposQhSYEtlfF_sfJkaPi8N-c26hZJag7adJy1JSBRKuWmL5Il1JMBF3JjCEgA1lkNHJMlaZ2xuNwPM0M6VmaZQPGUg2Q9hPKGeG-FFtsZkaGZ9d71T9swcLL6xEQHJ2GKWyFQZZV/s320/PC070456.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-56939107997780630692009-12-07T08:53:00.000-08:002009-12-07T08:53:42.822-08:00Quick, I Need a Hat!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had about a quarter of a yard of white fleece I've been carting around forever (I have a hard time throwing cloth away) that I finally found a use for. We were asked to be on a float in our town's Christmas Parade, and, although this is Texas, I knew it would be cold (unfortunately it was so cold and windy that Ellie and I ended up not doing it, but still...). So the night before I googled for a baby fleece hat pattern and used <a href="http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2008/10/baby-hat.html">this one</a> (basically), to make this cute little cap. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcNpgMTSVl8HNo9jdZ9YIaPsf-2Hh1Pt_gd3Zn_CH0AU8GFG0WVQ_49mIoiPbgdibrDYSVQKAhsfdymIIJhPNyChqFICNGCFjL5Gil7pp7GwDQ3oNEzqrZndFb4zL6CvbMp7XZHoe-Idu/s1600-h/carseat4monthsleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcNpgMTSVl8HNo9jdZ9YIaPsf-2Hh1Pt_gd3Zn_CH0AU8GFG0WVQ_49mIoiPbgdibrDYSVQKAhsfdymIIJhPNyChqFICNGCFjL5Gil7pp7GwDQ3oNEzqrZndFb4zL6CvbMp7XZHoe-Idu/s320/carseat4monthsleep.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When I first made it I centered the earflaps directly on the sides, but when I put it on her I realized they would work a lot better if they were a little farther back. So when we got home I picked out the flaps and adjusted them back about an inch. And I embroidered a cute little snowflake on the front.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfOuxMqZavofRPL0EIC3UUbka7rq_WEXKChYYaQtzgj9jY9F49aeoUA9IS1nIG475SuIi1opeM7W10icH3EuIEZmXevH27hmtyCTN7T3MbbcVJFnP2MN3N8scFkRAq8gy5cltRzW_EMhf/s1600-h/PC070451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfOuxMqZavofRPL0EIC3UUbka7rq_WEXKChYYaQtzgj9jY9F49aeoUA9IS1nIG475SuIi1opeM7W10icH3EuIEZmXevH27hmtyCTN7T3MbbcVJFnP2MN3N8scFkRAq8gy5cltRzW_EMhf/s320/PC070451.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So here it is in its finished state. Instead of string that tie under, I attached a snap to the end of the tie and the other side of the flap so it just snaps together. I would have prefered to use some velcro, but I'm all out. I also used a decorative wave stitch on my machine in pink to edge to ear flaps, the tie, and the top of the brim. I love it and it was super easy to do. I would say all total it took me about 30 minutes.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-5140540677654770462009-12-03T09:54:00.000-08:002009-12-03T09:54:29.689-08:00Nephew Gifts: Check<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gLahfBbqoHx6Y3q1pquZAyychF7YitMeInSk7v0mbFeqCa6gTwad2aGEDxc1RaBzqvzw4eLRC-70WK0mMK3MTRgNYYakKFcFtd7QFargK9bjg7P-hzD5kYtt8LdD0UgmIOmu94SGJa_h/s1600-h/PC030437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gLahfBbqoHx6Y3q1pquZAyychF7YitMeInSk7v0mbFeqCa6gTwad2aGEDxc1RaBzqvzw4eLRC-70WK0mMK3MTRgNYYakKFcFtd7QFargK9bjg7P-hzD5kYtt8LdD0UgmIOmu94SGJa_h/s320/PC030437.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
I decided to make capes for my nephews this year for Christmas. It was super easy and I know they'll get a lot of use out of them. I used flannel, because it was on sale mostly. I appliqued the monogram emblems together using iron-on fusing and then topstiched around them to secure them. As a side note, when doing letters, next time I would trace the letter, cut it out in a square, do the iron-on and then cut out the letter. I accidently nearly fused the letter to the ironing board because I cut the letters out first and then attached a square of iron-on fusing. Anyway. I hemed the edges and then made ties and attached them. I took me perhaps 4 hours to do all three. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1DGBKtH3diHmDwTQj1XIM1lweFwXMMOZXb8e8882YhlZbo0JnqWYf9MAyH6wMKQ50xT3fL67vRkpAMcuHClajIzszlBiZpCKi8floUmfbDfS8weB4F3Z288oUyBkGJBgbASbdzDF0z1D/s1600-h/PC030438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1DGBKtH3diHmDwTQj1XIM1lweFwXMMOZXb8e8882YhlZbo0JnqWYf9MAyH6wMKQ50xT3fL67vRkpAMcuHClajIzszlBiZpCKi8floUmfbDfS8weB4F3Z288oUyBkGJBgbASbdzDF0z1D/s320/PC030438.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>But I'm mostly excited about the bib. My nephew Preston is only a few months old, and he obviously couldn't use a cape right now. But my mother-in-law suggested the bib idea and I thought it was perfect. If I were to make another one, I'd do a few things differently (like attach the velcro before I sewed the whole thing together, whoops). And this time I cut out the emblem and the neck loop seperately and then attached them instead of making it one whole piece. I just wasn't thinking clearly, obviously. Anyway, I think they turned out great. Now on to make butterfly wings for my nieces!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-4703240972035939312009-11-23T16:42:00.000-08:002009-11-23T16:43:34.422-08:00I'm a genius!Well not really. I finally cracked open the manual that came with my Bernina that my grandma gave me for my high school graduation in 2000. That means I've had the machine for 9 years without ever reading the manual. And wow was I impressed! I learned what some of the random things that were included with my machine were for. But more importantly I learned what some of the stitches were for. I was especially excited to discover that I have a stitch specifically for knits that stretches with the knit. AMAZING! I'm using it on a sweater jumper I'm making for Ellie out of an old sweater vest of mine. I found a tutorial <a href="http://getyourcrafton.blogspot.com/2009/09/rooty-tute-tuesday-sweater-dress.html">here</a> that I got the idea from (but I've made a lot of changes). I'll post pictures later. In the meantime, I recommend that you bust out your machine manual and see if you learn something new. I sure as heck did!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-74231326429397760552009-11-20T19:15:00.000-08:002009-11-23T16:43:48.633-08:00The Handmade Dress Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/handmade-dress-patterns-guest-giveaway.html">The Handmade Dress Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br /><br />Because who can pass up a bunch of free little girl patterns (especially when you have a little girl...)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-40819396314565563812009-11-20T09:44:00.000-08:002009-11-23T16:43:58.555-08:00Thanksgiving Centerpiece<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My wonderful mother-in-law put me in charge of makin the centerpiece for our thanksgiving dinner. I'll be honest, I've never been a huge fan on centerpieces. I guess the word conjures up images of oversized things that don't allow you to see the person sitting across from you, something stuffy, or toll-painted (which may be worse). But I was excited to try my hand at it. And I came across <a href="http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/how_to_make_a_yoyo/hbyoyotutorial1.html">this great tutorial</a> on making these things called yo-yo's, so I had to try it out. I liked the result. We'll put an amber-colored glass bowl in the middle with autumn stuff (acorns, etc.), in the middle.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXTn8TiR2Mlat803ZLExnRYyR64zO9SO2iiF71odbfQ8G7f9HA0H-DP3tYZwZ0He4ju8L7GHC5h6bg_AYhsyzsHshm4cd-xhKr2j9U7ZRhJUyyfYbpDA2ApEBdIvt4w3je13CnhejwH0T/s1600/PB200357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXTn8TiR2Mlat803ZLExnRYyR64zO9SO2iiF71odbfQ8G7f9HA0H-DP3tYZwZ0He4ju8L7GHC5h6bg_AYhsyzsHshm4cd-xhKr2j9U7ZRhJUyyfYbpDA2ApEBdIvt4w3je13CnhejwH0T/s320/PB200357.JPG" yr="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2mcF5cJJk7K0Buh6ZwJxT6SSvkB-_VDHkjN9MOVX92uuoDAGx26WWasTlj1SvyEZNv3xb_yJ5Ecl7JQ2BUo9q5cWKE0ExagAnlBmQMm3tRhIK5C3p6SPYwNi0qviOiirrOo1NxgfIwkK/s1600/PB200355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2mcF5cJJk7K0Buh6ZwJxT6SSvkB-_VDHkjN9MOVX92uuoDAGx26WWasTlj1SvyEZNv3xb_yJ5Ecl7JQ2BUo9q5cWKE0ExagAnlBmQMm3tRhIK5C3p6SPYwNi0qviOiirrOo1NxgfIwkK/s320/PB200355.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I also picked up a remnant of this red/green/gold striped fabric at Walmart. I cut out four squares and sewed them together to make a nice square (the real table is square, so I wanted it to fitI didn't like the gold part of it, so I cut it off and sewed on a border of the same gold fabric as the yo-yo's. I really like how it all turned out.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemHrBb0KGc9gghBQl3Ho-99aW660mhhMajpuDzY19_QPIQgmWVFZddZJBKZIK1ulG_pWsVEXpi0-UIJyC2pDYffzgt56nytQJdJgl5r3tfVBm94Ze3S15BLNpOGOLwtNUWgT10fuPI02t/s1600/PB200352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemHrBb0KGc9gghBQl3Ho-99aW660mhhMajpuDzY19_QPIQgmWVFZddZJBKZIK1ulG_pWsVEXpi0-UIJyC2pDYffzgt56nytQJdJgl5r3tfVBm94Ze3S15BLNpOGOLwtNUWgT10fuPI02t/s320/PB200352.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-70612393172206896812009-11-20T09:39:00.000-08:002009-11-23T16:43:48.634-08:00The Last Minute Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!! (with free bonus pattern in post)<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/last-minute-frock-and-pattern-grosgrain.html">The Last Minute Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!! (with free bonus pattern in post)</a><br /><br />This sounds like something I would do (sew something because I don't have anything to wear).Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-68263046461130030752009-11-17T15:49:00.000-08:002009-11-23T16:43:58.556-08:00Tutorial: Lattice SmockingI made my first tutorial. But I was silly and published it to my other blog. So click <a href="http://lewispie.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-do-lattice-smocking-this-is-for.html">here</a> if you want to learn more about how to do lattice smocking.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-25752458592876527692009-11-17T15:32:00.000-08:002009-11-17T15:34:28.317-08:00Another Fabulous Grosgrain giveaway.<a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/11/hop-skip-and-jump-maternity-frock.html">The Hop, Skip and a Jump Maternity Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!</a><br />
<br />
I think I'd still be able to wear it the next time I'm pregnant (which is not any kind of announcement at ALL!) But isn't it adorable.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-50479554604622850182009-11-05T18:50:00.000-08:002009-11-08T17:06:44.670-08:00Ellie's Blessing Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EPM_4IXldJ0r5AwYCkAfn0-nFvzsrizyDg2QXxZQTP0_Xl2F3zQIS12khrYs6qJ_RtYH-yFPS3V8p9utR61sLIMvTSj36XvJ53gvdkfa7LDySyLNYE7q7XfpLJtjrYErIFgx1hyphenhyphenA5hy6/s1600-h/P6190022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EPM_4IXldJ0r5AwYCkAfn0-nFvzsrizyDg2QXxZQTP0_Xl2F3zQIS12khrYs6qJ_RtYH-yFPS3V8p9utR61sLIMvTSj36XvJ53gvdkfa7LDySyLNYE7q7XfpLJtjrYErIFgx1hyphenhyphenA5hy6/s400/P6190022.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I recently taught myself how to embroider in order to do this dress. I used an amazing book that has great instructions and images, if your interested it's called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Embroiderer%C2%92s-Handbook-Margie-Bauer/dp/0715320378/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257474563&sr=1-2">The Embroider's Handbook by Margie Bauer</a>. I did lattice smocking on the yoke of the dress.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf_ButwILRVFzhhf9pfGYYvpj1-pD2GPW9R4IvqXFpDPL39MsSvDXoiMFZ1UwOnKkMkOwPq7E8M88xux0vLQilv_hcPg7O9dE7i4gAgFLSur6XqpZMSENiYPQvUio0K4BzH0T7RX_WApl/s1600-h/P6190025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf_ButwILRVFzhhf9pfGYYvpj1-pD2GPW9R4IvqXFpDPL39MsSvDXoiMFZ1UwOnKkMkOwPq7E8M88xux0vLQilv_hcPg7O9dE7i4gAgFLSur6XqpZMSENiYPQvUio0K4BzH0T7RX_WApl/s320/P6190025.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I found a pattern online for the embroidery that I modified on my computer (it was originally for a corner, so with some fancy cutting and pasting and blowing up, I got a nice edge pattern). <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pN_tlzx-17iMWk4DHIPW8yi6dIXvtmVp7Ov1ARDVhUGJuYl9XAivlVbbxjgO_0CUrfypxCng0kInO2dTL4C8YG98E9pg9CrVjau8895FsC3czmwSMt6fxV2SU_DLU_cfB_z271gF7zOh/s1600-h/P6190027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pN_tlzx-17iMWk4DHIPW8yi6dIXvtmVp7Ov1ARDVhUGJuYl9XAivlVbbxjgO_0CUrfypxCng0kInO2dTL4C8YG98E9pg9CrVjau8895FsC3czmwSMt6fxV2SU_DLU_cfB_z271gF7zOh/s320/P6190027.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I must say, for my first go at embroidery, I'm pretty happy. I did some pretty basic stitches, namely satin stitching, colonial knots (center of roses), stem stitching, and fly stitches (for the leaves).<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlHJgMVu5hLxjNVhqrjqZPg69baMet6nAnNyX1S49s_umTLXfW5TpQrvQkuOx_SgzAvp2bHBKfBf5pzD8fYV8oheXJEAhf-wbftc39rEG57E3eKtdpQCzDlauXQjegAy4735cj2zATzZ0/s1600-h/P6190028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlHJgMVu5hLxjNVhqrjqZPg69baMet6nAnNyX1S49s_umTLXfW5TpQrvQkuOx_SgzAvp2bHBKfBf5pzD8fYV8oheXJEAhf-wbftc39rEG57E3eKtdpQCzDlauXQjegAy4735cj2zATzZ0/s320/P6190028.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And I made it big enough for her to keep wearing for a few months (in fact, she wore it to church last Sunday). I also didn't want to do the traditional all white thing because if I was going to go to so much effort I wanted to get a lot of wear out of it. Here she is wearing it for her blessing, being loved by my friend Tiffanie.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QBOOdpY6dXfPAjctS0T4T1giQVFqLELHBjt0c1BYXTgsasJY5RG0-AhUiYxfFnW0mQH_HAv7AIgxoSRkpVDMpXJkN5PUQ6s3N6AfkwH26JyiFaqTR8bIsV4Gn0RDkODqJH5R4NyffOuo/s1600-h/P8020095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QBOOdpY6dXfPAjctS0T4T1giQVFqLELHBjt0c1BYXTgsasJY5RG0-AhUiYxfFnW0mQH_HAv7AIgxoSRkpVDMpXJkN5PUQ6s3N6AfkwH26JyiFaqTR8bIsV4Gn0RDkODqJH5R4NyffOuo/s320/P8020095.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305374081687778425.post-81896743948354299802009-11-05T18:26:00.000-08:002009-11-05T18:26:52.129-08:00Welcome!I've recently found lots of wonderful sewing blogs and thought to myself, "Hey, I should do that too!" I love sharing things I make, and maybe I'll even go crazy and post some tutorials (like for how to do lattice smocking since I've been asked a lot). I'll even post links to stuff I find that I like. Sharing is good.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11518724446714428045noreply@blogger.com0