My First Pillow Case Dress

I used some scrap fabric to practice my first pillow case dress. It didn't come out too bad but I do need alot of practice. It was very easy and took about an hour to make.

My Nana's Thread

My "Nana" is the one who first inspired me to sew (second being my mother-in-law). My Nana passed away several years ago. When I was little, she had a big bag of leftover fabric squares in her closet. I would visit her house, which was next door, and play in the fabric. I remember making little square pillows by hand. They weren't the greatest, but I was a little girl and I tried my best! I also remember seeing her in her own homemade dresses.

During the month of December, I went back home to visit family (this is why I haven't sewed anything in a month!) I saw my Nana's old sewing machine stand and started looking through the drawers. I found a lot of her old thread. Since I am the only one in my family that sews, I asked if I could have it! I thought it was neat to go through her old sewing things. My dad even showed me a suitcase filled with old fabrics. I wasn't ready to take it quite yet, but maybe in the future, I can be creative and make a few things with it!

Now that I am back home, I hope to sew a few things in the new year. I saw a lot of handmade fabric ornaments over the break that I wanted to try to make. I also want to start making a few dresses for my daughter. But first, I need to get my home organized for the New Year and hope to get more sewing started in January!

My First Stocking Attempt

I didn't use a pattern for this, and you can kinda tell, but for my first stocking attempt, this isn't too bad! Everything stayed in it. The only thing, I forgot to add the loop!

I Finished My Red and White Apron!

Here is my last apron for the 2010 year! I will return to sewing in 2011!

Currently Making a Red and White Apron

I am in the process of making a white and red apron. I am taking smaller steps and doing a little each day. For example, one day I will complete the cutting and sewing of the main piece. The next day, I will cut the neck strap and tie straps, and pockets. And finally, I will sew the straps and pockets onto the main apron. If I break the project up this way, I can average 1-2 aprons a week.

Here is my progress so far.

I am currently working on the pockets and straps. This apron will look similar to the black and white one I created just a few weeks ago.

Don't Have a Gift Bag? Make One!

Are you a sewer with lots of fabric on hand? I didn't have a gift bag that I needed for a party early tomorrow so I thought with my "one month of sewing experience" that I would make one! This was originally a pillow case that I made, but I turned it into a reusable gift/tote bag! Now they can use it for whatever they want and it should last longer than a gift bag, and very cheap to make.

Craft Fair and Etsy

Well, the craft fair did not go as expected. It was a nice fair, with lots of vendors. We just didn't have the community coming in like we had hoped. It was a very slow day, but a great experience. It gave me some ideas on future projects! The vendors ended up going around and buying each others items! I even picked some things up myself!

I have slowed the production due to the upcoming holidays and with the way things are going, I may close my Etsy and focus on making items for those interested in my town. I am getting enough inquiries on items here that I really don't know if I want to manage a shop online and worry about shipping. I also want to focus on making things for my daughter, like Spring dresses and clothes, and maybe some items for around the house.

Etsy is neat, I'm just not sure I'm ready to take that route since it takes so much time and effort to put into each project! I'm interested in also making items for donations if anyone from around here asks for that. I would love to make blankets and pillows for the less fortunate!

Thats an update. I am currently making a tote bag to put birthday presents in for a one year olds birthday party coming up soon, instead of using a gift bag. Its actually cheaper than a nice bag, and will last a while!

Camouflage Pillow

I used the fabric up that a friend gave me to make my very first project with several weeks ago today. I made a pillow and blanket set. Tied it up with some ribbon to add a special touch for the craft fair.

Craft Fair Craziness

I am participating in my very first craft fair this Saturday. I really do not know what I have gotten myself into! I have been in production overload just to have some inventory, but I do have to say that it has been an adventure and has been so fun learning how to sew and come up with cute items. I still have a ways to go in learning, but wanted to show you what things look like when you are trying to rush to get items completed by a certain day.

Before:
This was after I had finished my final apron for the craft fair. Things had literally piled up and my table was a disaster! Thread pieces and scrap fabric were everywhere. You can also see that I invested in the larger cutting mat for larger items. I already love it.

After:
(Ahhh!) I can find things a little easier now!

New Aprons!

I sewed these two aprons recently and they are two of my favorites! I love to find complimentary fabrics and pair them together to see what I can make. And, when there is leftover fabric, I always try to find something to do with it. I made a "peppermint tote" and a little candy jar and used leftover fabric I had from all of my projects.

My Latest Creations

Three Dora the Explorer Pillows

I received a Facebook message from someone at church recently. They saw a photo of my Dora the Explorer pillow that I made for my daughter and was interested in one. I created three with the fabric I had left. I used one yard of fabric to make four pillows.

My Favorite Apron So Far!

This has been my favorite apron so far. It fits so well! :)