Posts filed under 'craft'
Not your Mama’s Apron Strings
Let the Apron Frenzy Begin
Last week at Bed, Bath and Beyond, I spotted a Domestic Diva apron (pictured above), but rolled my eyes when I saw the $20.00 price tag…I’d have to make one myself. And what great timing…
Sew Mama Sew Homemade Holidays – November 1st – Aprons
In addition to the great apron tutorials on the Sew Mama Sew blog, I came across these:
Apron Tutorials
Morgan Moore’s of One More Moore Ruffle Apron
Supa Fine’s Kid Sized Chef Apron
Bari J’s Simple Apron Tutorial
Crafty Daisies’ Towel Turned Apron
My Longest Year’s Nana’s Half Apron
Craft Apple’s Seamstress Apron
Aunt George’s Apron from a Man’s Shirt
Erica aka Pumkinlittle’s Apron ORNAMENT!
Sommer Designs’ D-Ring Belt Apron
Anna Reilly’s Suzy Homemaker Apron on Craftster
Feathered Nest’s Cafe Apron from Folded Napkin
Organized Home’s Clean Sweep Apron
Ben Franklin Craft’s Homespun Apron
Craft and Fabric Link’s Pleated Embroidered Apron with Pocket
All Free Craft’s Quilt Block Apron
Apron Blogs
Oh my…Daria of Boutique Cafe fame, started a new blog, Apron A Day. It’s AWESOME! Also check out:
Perhaps if I get home early enough tonight from our Girls’ Night Out, I’ll get started on my new apron. If not, I’ll get to work in the wee hours of the morning…stay tuned!
With friendship,
Lisa
6 comments Thursday, November 1, 2007
Sew Mama Sew – 30 Days of Handmade Holiday Gifts
Reposted from Sew Mama Sew as I cannot figure out how to add the darn button to the sidebar…ugh!
Are you ready for Handmade Holidays?
Posted October 31st, 2007 by Beth on SEW MAMA SEW
It’s started. You know what we’re talking about: Christmas trees in department stores, not-so-subtle ads everywhere, a deluge of catalogs and the nagging feeling that you should get to work and at least think about holiday gifts. We have the answer for holiday gift-giving this year, or at least the inspiration and a few (100+) tools to help you get it done. We’re thrilled to present, starting tomorrow, our Sew,Mama,Sew! Handmade Holidays: 30 Days of Gifts to Sew!
Each day in November focuses on a particular theme; we will provide great resources and inspirational ideas for sewing holiday gifts. Every week throughout November we’ll also offer two $25 gift certificates to Sew,Mama,Sew! Winners will be randomly selected from all comments posted on the blog in the previous week.
Please help us spread the news about Handmade Holidays. Feel free to add our button to your blog or website (see below) and please enjoy our sneak peek at the themes below. Visit daily, find your creative muse and enjoy Handmade Holidays!
Sew,Mama,Sew! Handmade Holidays: 30 Days of Gifts to Sew
November 1 ~ Aprons
November 2 ~ Pincushions & Pins
November 3 ~ For the House
November 4 ~ Lunch Bags
November 5 ~ Tote Bags
November 6 ~ Blankets for Baby
November 7 ~ For your Purse or Pocket
November 8 ~ Whimsy
November 9 ~ Fabric Ornaments
November 10 ~ Ties and Belts
November 11 ~ Reading & Writing
November 12 ~ For the Table
November 13 ~ Placemats
November 14 ~ Kids’ Clothes
November 15 ~ Warm those Toes
November 16 ~ Gifts for the Crafter
November 17 ~ Purses
November 18 ~ For Baby
November 19 ~ Tech Gifts
November 20 ~ Gifts for Organization
November 21 ~ Pillows
November 22 ~ Fun for Hair
November 23 ~ Soft Toys & Games
November 24 ~ Sachets
November 25 ~ For the Kitchen
November 26 ~ Embellishments
November 27 ~ Gifts for Warmth
November 28 ~ Drawstring Bags
November 29 ~ Fabric Boxes
November 30 ~ Gift Compilations
We respect the copyright of all crafters.
All links and photos from blogs on our Handmade Holidays posts are used with permission.
Code for button:
<a href=”http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2″><img src=”http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/Big30/big30button_gold.jpg” /></a>
How cool is that?!!!
I’m going to attempt several of the above projects. Sounds like lots of people will be getting home sewn gifts this year…woo hoo!
1 comment Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Assembly Line Sewing, More Baby Gifts and a Halloween Trick…
House on the Hill mentioned assembly line sewing the other day. Thought I’d share the method I’ve been using for quite some time now as it is a major time saver.
Here’s how I do it when making a button down shirt:
- Fold fabric selvage to selvage.
- Layer additional fabrics on top of each other (up to 6 different fabrics) lining them all up at the folded edge (non-selvage edge).
- Lay pattern pieces out.
- Trace pattern pieces onto top fabric with a contrasting Sharpie™ marker (it won’t soak through to the bottom layer, so no worry about ruining your cutting surface).
- Remove pattern pieces.
- Cut out pattern using either a manual or electric rotary cutter. Note: I usually will trace and cut the largest size first. I pull 2 of them off the pile (my largest size) and then trace/cut the next size down. Pull another 2 off the pile and so forth until I’m left with my smallest size.
- Repeat cutting sequence for Interfacings.
- Interface necessary pattern pieces (collars and facings).
- Embroider any pieces necessary.
- Sew all small pieces (collars, pockets, tabs and cuffs).
- Topstitch small pieces.
- Put small pieces aside.
- Sew shoulder seams and topstitch.
- Attach small pieces (collars, pockets and tabs).
- Attach sleeves and topstitch.
- Sew side seams.
- Hem.
Presto…multiple items!
Baby Gift Complete
Embroidered some more baby boy bibs.
Several of the bibs are “tax” themed as Mr. Diva™ is Little Jake’s parents’ CPA…haha!
Done! 2 Minky blankets, 9 bibs, 8 burp cloths and of course, a Yankee bottle! I had wanted to embroidery a few onesies, but finally decided to end this insanity and move onto the next 3 baby gifts I need to do.
Happy Halloween
Wishing you lots of candy!
Ok…now I’m craving Caramel Apples. Unfortunately, Capt N Crunch with Crunch Berries will have to suffice…drats! Well, at least I found the original Crunch Berries this week…not the stupid pirate shaped ones they’ve been selling lately.
Speaking of Halloween…I was clever this year and purchased Glow Light Bracelets for the little Trick or Treaters and the rotten teenagers who ring my bell at 9pm. Note to self: Be smarter than your neighbors once again this year and make sure you take care of the teenagers…they will smash your pumpkins all over your sidewalk if you don’t (not to mention, wrap toilet paper all around your shrubs and steal your Halloween display of tombstones and cleavers if you run out of treats).
I’ve resisted purchasing Halloween candy as I usually have to restock several times before the Trick or Treaters arrive as I will eat it all if left around. I’ll go get some candy right before they show up at my doorstep.
oh and I made a Scary Hand Bowl to terrorize the greedy children…
2 comments Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Sew Make-Believe Sunday Shopping…
Figured while Mr. Diva™ enjoys a lovely morning (which turns into an afternoon) of Bowling with his buddies, I’d do a little shopping for everyone…
Enter my fantasy world…
Everyone needs one of these, if only to poke your significant other in the eye:
Sterling Silver Awl with Adjustable Slide
This is such a cool tool…a Measuregraph–it measures how many yards of fabric are on the bolt without unrolling it:
Another Vintage Bakelite Measuregraph
Now this is one handy apparatus…a Tailor’s Tackmaster. In order to mark 2 pieces of material, it is usual to tack the 2 pieces together by hand and then to cut the thread between them. This is tedious work. Luckily, the Tailor’s Tackmaster permits rapid execution of this work.
Could someone please tell me why the current bid on this Tell City Chair Co. Sewing Station is at $266? Yes, it’s cute, but?
Vintage Tell City Chair Co. Sewing Station
Now here’s an awesome blue sewing caddy filled with notions (including a pair of Vintage Wiss Scissors). I’m sure my buddy, Amy of Love My April, would just love it for her new blue sewing room:
Vintage Blue Sewing Caddy with Notions
Even though I don’t knit, perhaps my friend, Jen of Olive’s Pearls, might like these. Yes, I know they are not Ebony with Hand Cultured Pearls, but they’ll have to suffice:
Vintage Tortoise Shell Knitting Needles
Check this out…a Vintage Plaiter. With the help of a hot iron this plaiter allows the user to make box, oak leaf, rose, ruffle, flute, princess and other pleats. Wonder why they just didn’t call it a PLEATER? Guess that would make too much sense.
If you make collared shirts, this is a must–a Dritz June Tailor’s Folding Tailor Board. New, they go for about $30…this one on Ebay is a steal:
Another Vintage Tailor’s Board
Ooooh….look at this wire dress form! It’s not vintage, but it’s SWEET!
Here’s a lovely adjustable wire dress form:
Ok, don’t laugh…but I am so jonesing for a real steam press…only problem is this would require an expensive boiler set-up (much like your local dry cleaners). This would surely send Mr. Diva into a tizzy if this showed up at my door:
Anyone need their own little sweatshop? Heck, it’s only $47,000:
I’ve never seen one of these…a 4 row Ruffler! It’s killing me as it’s located just 10 minutes from me…ugh!
Attach 4 rows of Ruffles at a time!
How cute is this?
Vintage Portable Featherlite PINK Sewing Machine
Oh my goodness…ain’t she a beauty?!
Sewmore Vintage PINK and Gray Sewing Machine
Since I’m on a tatting DIET, it’s all yours:
As always, feel free to buy me any of these wonderful goodies…I’ll even pay shipping. And if you do buy them for yourself you selfish brat, don’t you dare tell me.
Happy Sewing Sunday!
9 comments Sunday, October 28, 2007
Think PINK…
Finally wrapped up my Breast Cancer Awareness SWAP gifts for my recipient. I found the coolest pink mylar boxes, embroidered some fabric letters, tied a tulle bow and stuck on my magic Diva wands. Can’t show you what’s inside just yet…it’s a surprise. But let’s just say we had to spell out B C A…and all items have to benefit one of the many Breast Cancer foundations. Hope my recipient likes it…
especially since my hands are now stained hot pink from the mylar tissue I used to stuff inside the boxes…ugh. So much for that manicure I got the other day…LOL.
Flickr is so PINK this month
Came across some of the coolest PINK photos in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month…
Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Let’s Sew Some Christmas Gifts – Part 2…
Seems WordPress wouldn’t let me post it all together…so hence, I give you Part 2…
Gifts for the Home
Martha Stewart’s Quilted Stocking
Christmas Stocking from About.com
Heirloom Christmas Stocking from Sewing.org
Christmas Tree SKIRT from Sewing.org
Christmas Tree SKIRT from About.com
Holiday Fleece Throw Blanket from Sewing.org
Personalized Placemats from Sewing.org
Felt Monogrammed Pillow from J. Caroline Creative
Pillowcase from J. Caroline Creative
Ribbon Towels from J. Caroline Creative
Mason Jar Covers from Sewing.about.com
Martha Stewart’s Quilted Coasters
An embroidery machine comes in handy this time of year…you can personalize (monogram) EVERYTHING (even store-bought items in an effort to save time).
Happy Sewing!
8 comments Thursday, October 25, 2007
Let’s Sew Some Christmas Gifts – Part 1…
Figured I’d give you all an early start with some holiday sewing ideas. It’s not like I’ll get to doing them myself anytime soon…KWIM? LOL…
Gifts for Kids
Back Seat Vehicle Organizer from About.com
Hooded Towel from Sewing.about.com
Gifts for Him
Remote Control Armchair Organizer from Sewing.about.com
Gifts for Her
Dish Soap Apron from About.com
Checkbook Cover from About.com
Velvet Clutch Bag from J. Caroline Creative
Photo Albums from J. Caroline Creative
Tiered Peasant Skirt from J. Caroline Creative
Fur Shrug from Haberman Fabrics
Broomstick Skirt from Ericas.com
Martha Stewart’s Felt Slippers
Eyeglass Case from Sewing.About.com
Gifts for Pets
Enjoy!
3 comments Thursday, October 25, 2007
Bits and Pieces of a Handmade Halloween…
Literally! One of the Halloween ceramics I made years back (when I still had fine motor skills and didn’t require eyeglasses to see details…LOL) was found in one of the many decoration boxes all smashed to pieces…
But luckily, I still have all of these…
I’m glad I worked hard making all this stuff back then, because I no longer have the patience or the time to do this type of craft. I still have all of my ceramic painting supplies…most of the paints are starting to dry up, just like my interest in making these types of things. I keep telling myself I’ll finish painting the huge 5 piece Christmas Caroler family (they are all between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 feet each!!!), but every year goes by and no carolers…maybe this year will be different…maybe not…LOL
1 comment Friday, October 19, 2007
Barbie Learns to SEW and some PINK Window Shopping
The full story here at Just-in.net
Feel free to purchase any of the following for me…LOL
Enid Gilchrist’s Baby Book – Patternmaking and Sewing
Vintage Tatting…she says it’s LIGHT RED–I say it’s HOT PINK…LOL
Vintage PINK Chenille Bedspread
Morgan Jones PINK Chenille Rosebud Bedspread
Vintage PINK and Black Polka Dot Fabric
Hope your day is off to a great start!
1 comment Thursday, October 18, 2007
Madeira Thread Plant Tour
Could you see Mr. Diva’s™ face if I bought this?:
Madeira Ultimate Thread Chest only $615 on Ebay…LOL
1 comment Wednesday, October 17, 2007
