A few little things sewn..........

I have been looking through the sewing idea books and manuals that I want to use with the girls to teach them how to sew. One of them had placemat purses to sew. I had picked up a couple simple placemats at the thrift store and decided to see how easy they would be for the girls to try.

I checked out several websites that listed instructions for ideas and found them quite simple and easy to put together. Fortunately I had a roll of green webbing that matched the bags and so it was all done within an hour.

I don't know how the pictures turned out blue, but the fabric is forest green and white. I also put in a little long pocket for their pencils and what-nots.

Hat for Cold Weather

Butterick 5111, published in 2007, has a cute beret pattern that is very easy to make out of fleece. It only takes 1/2 yard.



This pattern isn't available anymore, but one could make a beret pattern similar to this by just using a plate for a pattern.

Make one a solid round piece and make the second one the same size except cut out the middle about halfway through. I put a ruler by the pattern pieces for scale.

All that is needed is a band that is the size that goes around your head comfortably.

Fleece doesn't ravel so it doesn't need to be sewn on the serger. Just sew two rows around the outside. Sew the band together and fold in half. Put the band and the edge of the hole together and sew around it twice and the beret is done! An inexpensive, nice, easy, good-looking warm covering!

This is the inside of the one modeled. My serger quit working while I was making this one and two rows of stitching works fine.

This is a very quick-paced project. Layout to finish would take about an hour. I made six out of 1 1/2 yards.

I have decorated some with fleece flowers out of the scraps.

This would make a quick gift or a fun top to match an outfit.

New patterns to try

Late Autumn has been a very busy time for us. Deer hunting and the processing of the meat, family and friends coming and going, and of course, cold weather setting in with fewer trips to the big city, and then the Thanksgiving and Christmas activities add up to little extra time. So, I haven't been able to do as much research and sewing and blogging as I would like.

This is the time of year to bring out the heavy cottons, wools, and corduroys. The layers of tops, sweaters, and jackets are practical. It is easier to take off a layer than to find something to help you get warmer, especially when the weather changes quickly or even if you have to be in some cold buildings. Some friends keep their houses cooler than I am used to and so I tend to wear more layers when visiting. I especially like to wear the cotton leggings and knee socks as well as pantalettes for warmth.

I have found a few patterns to try. I have done some shopping online and am looking forward to some sewing when the snowy weather gets really bad. A lot of the pattern books have such limited styles (and imaginations). They have been putting out a lot of very fitted, short, skimpy looks. There are some that are soft and feminine and several that need the neckline raised (after all--skin has been showing for a long time now and we need new styles and something else to look at!)

I will post the new patterns soon.

I am also working on some quick table runners for Christmas presents and will try to post pictures of them.

What a merry time to sew!

Fantastic and simple bag to make.

I found this neat website while looking for the free Buttercup Bag pattern by Rae. She has a really cute bag pattern free. There are so many fabrics out there to make some wonderful and fun bags. She also carries other patterns of her design and you can buy the Buttercup Bag pattern with some options.

Fall dress idea

Fall colors are beautiful. Leaves take on such marvelously bright colors and spark the air with a fresh feel and look for the Autumn season. It is quite cheery when the sun shines--even when it is cold, foggy and even rainy, there is a lift one gets from seeing the yellows, reds, and oranges contrasted against the dark trunks and stems and fading greens of Fall.



A friend and I were shopping and she proceded to tell me her plan of making a very simple dress of a fall color, brown, and then making an apron with the Fall-Thanksgiving motifs on it for wearing the combination on the many occasions that arise this time of year.


Now is the time to purchase Fall fabrics at the various sales. I try to catch some of the sales from either JoAnn's or Hancocks. I hope to make some for the girls unless we find time for them to make up their own combination Fall dress-apron set.

The idea is based around using Simplicity 5189 for the dress using a heavier fabric for the cooler months paired with Simplicity 5201 and she suggested making the bias trim out of the same fabric as the dress.

Fall Fashion 2010

Some interesting looks for Fall. These were taken from the site listed below. I would use discretion when viewing the site, especially if there are any children who are watching.

The following have a lot of flow to them and look like a fun outfit. Winter with a bit of fluff.

Bohemian Rhapsody
"Beyond these, Anna Sui (seen here), Diane von Furstenberg, Marchesa, and Vera Wang all indulged in an artier take on boho with tons of froth, flou, frills, layers, and pretty much anything that will flutter in a light breeze. " From "Top Fall Trends from New York Fashion Week"

Easy Summer Blouse

This has become a favorite pattern this summer. It fits nicely and is very comfortable to wear. It doesn't take much fabric and is pretty quick to cut out and sew up. For a size 12 I purchased 1 1/2 yards of 44" wide fabric and I made the blouse style in the photo, view C. Two different methods of laying out the pattern on the fabric made it possible to use less fabric than called for. I used a size 12 so it might not work on other sizes. Size 12 required 1 3/4 yards of 44-45 inch fabric. When I laid out my pattern I pinned the front facing to the bodice front so I could cut it all out in one piece. To do this , measure and mark the 5/8 inch seam allowance on the facing as well as the bodice where the two are sewn together. Then pin the pieces together at the 5/8 inch mark, laying one right on top of the other. Sometimes I just tape them together as I like to make my front facings this way. This should give you one pattern piece for the front. If you want to make a copy of this piece just trace around the pieces and put in the pattern markings. That way you won't have to have the pinning and taping to deal with.

The other method I used was to cut out the front first. Then I opened the remaining fabric and folded over enough to just cut out the back on the fold. What was left I used to cut out the sleeves and collar. If you are using a one-way design you will have to cut out each sleeve separately, making sure all pieces go the same way. Otherwise just fold the remaining fabric in half crosswise and lay out the sleeves and collar.

I am just catching up on some summer sewing and am realizing the fall season will be here in two and a half weeks. This pattern has longer sleeves and I have some fall fabrics I want to use for cooler weather wear.

Sew for now........ Happy Sewing!