January Sewing and 24 Projects Goal

Happy New Year!  Boy, am I late on that one?!  I can't believe I haven't posted since November and it's already the start of February.  I'm sorry I have really slacked on posting updates on sewing projects (to my sewing cyber-friends) and Avery/family updates (to my family).  This year in 2011 I decided to make some goals.  I looove lists so I made lots of lists of goals for all areas of my life: spiritual, fitness, sewing, home/organization etc.  I won't be sharing all my personal goals but I will share some of my sewing goals.  I counted the sewing projects from 2010 and I made about 16 successful projects.  So my goal for this year is to make 24 successful projects.  "Successful" meaning it is something Avery or I or another loved one will wear more than once or a project that WILL get used.

Sorry my picture summary is all over the place.  I don't know how to make those nifty photo mosaics.
January was a good month for working toward my goal.  I made three projects.
To start off, I made a Moses basket/baby doll bed.  I was excited for Avery to get baby dolls for Christmas, but doll accessories are so expensive so I made her a doll bed.  I think it looks more like a cat bed.  he he  There are pockets on the inside to carry the baby necessities.

My next project was a knit cardigan. It's McCall's 5978. I was really excited about this project because I love knits and it was the first time making button holes.  It was so easy and I can't wait to add button holes to something else.  I think it turned out pretty good but it feels a little big and gapes a little at the top.  I might just add another button to help with this.  The interfacing makes this feel more like a light blazer.  This is what I wore to work today.  I like to roll and push up the sleeves.

I love button holes

I tried styling it with a white belt.  I wish I had a skinny black belt.

 Oh!  And I forgot to mention.  One of my Christmas gifts was a serger!!!  My Mother and Father in-law got it for me. It's a Brother 1034D.  I sewed this knit cardigan with my serger and it was so fun to have it to sew AND finish my seams at the same time.  It was a little scary to get used to because it cuts your material as it sews so you better be sure you're sewing the right size etc.  A serger really makes the inside of your garments look professional and I LOVE IT! 
And my last project for January was the Pendrell Blouse from Sewaholic. Tasia is the designer and this is her 1st pattern.  I've been following her blog and was so excited when she came out with her own design.  Her directions are so well written and this was a great pattern for beginners.  Tasia designs more for the pear or triangle shape.  I cannot wait for her to come out with her next pattern!
The Pendrell Blouse has three views.  This is view B and I'm actually in the process of making view A.  Here is view B:

This is a fun blouse.

I'm looking forward to styling this with a skirt. Today I just threw it on with the jeans.

Just before Christmas I made a little purse for Avery from NewLook 6926.  It doesn't count toward 2011's 24 projects but I still wanted to share.

My super cutie reaching for her cell phone.

I'm off to a good start.  My short term goal is to make two projects a month to meet the year goal which seems very attainable with all my normal life activities/responsibilities.  Oh, and I am going to try to be more consistent in posting updates.
Thanks for stopping by again.  Enjoy your day!
~Kristie

Super Easy Tube Scarf & Another Bag

Recently it was my bestie's birthday and I really wanted to make her something.  I remembered I had started a bag but never finished it.  So I pulled it out and decided it would be a great gift.    It's the same bag pattern that I used for my cousin's bag seen here.  I didn't add pockets to the inside of the bag but it has an invisible pocket on the outside of the bag.  It's just the right size for keys and lip gloss.

 It's a pretty big bag, so my friend can use it to grab some diapers and a few toys and head over for a play-date.  I think she liked it and it turns out that she was secretly hoping I would make a bag for her!

The next project I made for her was a tube or infinity scarf.  I've seen these types of scarves in T.V. and magazines and came up with the idea in my head on how to make one.

Do you want to make one?  They are SUPER easy to make.

I bought 2 yards of jersey knit material and some matching thread.  I cut 12 inches wide by 2 yards. (I might play around with width in the future and try some a little wider.)

To make my seam I made a flat felled seam, like you would see on the side of jeans.  I thought this would look the most clean and lay the most flat.  Also, I didn't hem the long edges of the scarf because knit will not fray and I like the raw edge look of knit.   Place the cut ends together with right sides out.

*Make sure you have a needle that is for sewing knit material, they're usually called ball point.  Now sew a 5/8" seam.

Next, press the seam to one side and then cut the inside of the two seam flaps to 1/8", leaving the top flap 5/8".

 Fold the longer top flap over to encase the cut flap.  Pin the fold down and sew as close as you can to the folded edge.  I moved my needle to the right to help with accuracy. 

 

Here I am modeling the tube scarf.  It's fun to find different ways to wear it!

 

Your turn.  Make one, they are so easy and you could whip up a bunch in one day.  Send me an email with pic if you do!  Hey, these could be a great Christmas gift.... 

Halloween 2010: Sock Monkey

This year I really wanted to make Avery's costume.  Rod came up with the idea of Avery being a Sock Monkey.  I loved the idea and together we went on a hunt for men's large wool socks.  I thought I could cut them up and use them to sew up her costume.  No luck.  We couldn't find a package of socks that were affordable.  There were single pairs running from $6 to $12 dollars!  Yikes.  So we went to the fabric store and found this wool suiting material with the perfect pattern.  Then I found a cream colored sweat shirt at the thrift store to use for the feet, hands and top of head.  For a pattern I just used a pair of Avery's feet pajamas.  I think it was a success.  Here she is:

Tail and Velcro closure.

Daddy and his Sock Monkey.

She liked waving and watching her hands move in the gloves.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!