Sew…we have a new Prince

My cousin, Christopher, and his beautiful wife, Kathleen, welcomed their first child, Brody Quinn O’Connell, last week.

And you know what that meant, right?  Yep.  It’s was time to make another baby bassinet!  I dusted off my sewing machine and serger, gathered yards and yards of tulle and played with the most scrumptious Silk Shantung.

After I finished the tulle pettiskirt, I made a silk lining for the inside of the bassinet using the mattress as my template.

Next was the fun part—ironing 14 yards of silk.  Yes, I kept it all in one piece…LOL!

For the skirt, I added a casing at the top for the elastic, a hem on the bottom and then gathered the 28 foot piece of silk around the outer part of the bassinet.  I know I went a little overboard—but I like skirts full.  Ridiculously full.

I made a sage green silk swag around the skirt to cover the casing and then tied it in a big arse bow in the front of the bassinet.

 

My biggest dilemma was the bassinet hood.  Unlike other ones I’ve done (which were wicker), this one was a folding hood.  It made it difficult to cover—so I had to take out the good old glue gun for my sanity.

The silk was off-white, more like the picture above.  It was really hard to make a bassinet without all the girly frills, but I held back—I didn’t want anyone to mistake Brody for a baby girl.

Congratulations Kathleen and Chris!  And just so you know, as an embroiderer, I warned them about the baby’s initials—B.O. as in Body Odor.  Yes, I will tease him relentlessly.

Quick Sewing Room Clean-Up

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Don’t laugh…This is the current disaster in my sewing room.  I’ve completely neglected it over the last few months (yes, that’s my pink Christmas tree that I never got around to decorating).  But now with the new year, it’s time to get my act together.  You know your sewing room is in the same state of disorganization, so let’s get it cleaned up quickly.

A few years back, I wrote The ABCs of Spring Cleaning Your Sewing Room over on SewMamaSew.  There’s even a printable PDF for your convenience.  I know it isn’t Spring yet, but heck, you’ll be getting a jump start on it!

While going through the piles of crap on my cutting table, I found lots of treasures I had forgotten about.  Yes, the bags of fabric from Joann’s Black Friday Sale were yet to be unpacked.  It’s mostly more flannel that I don’t need.  I know…don’t judge me.

I did find all the goodies I purchased during a recent NYC shopping adventure with my dear friend, Sara Norris.  Sara and I met online about 7 years ago while sewing children’s custom boutique clothing.  When she told me she was coming to New York City for a few days, I just knew I had to show her my fabric playground (aka NYC’s Garment District).

Sara and I had a ball while her husband, Mike, waited patiently as we went treasure hunting.  Our first stop was Pacific Trimming—an old favorite of mine for rhinestone buttons and buckles.

We discovered a trim shop, Hai’s Trimmings Inc.,  I had never visited before.  This place had more high-end trims than the other shops I usually go to.  I was even able to finally find 24 row rhinestone trim to recover my bathroom switch plate!  This place was AMAZING!

Sara surprised me with the cutest spool of velvet trim she found at Antropologie.  Love it!

Now it’s time to find a home in my sewing room for all these sewing things.  Hopefully, once I get my kid back to school tomorrow, I’ll get back in the groove!  Hoping to sew a lot more this year than last!

Sew Unbalanced

source

Seems like my life is just dashing past me.  I have such good intentions, but spend my days doing projects for others.  Rarely do I get any creative “ME” time these days.  And I don’t know about you, but if I don’t get my crafting time, I get bitchy.  Really bitchy.

And yes, I’m selfish like that.  Although I love my friends, I need my solitude.  I need to spend time inside my brain.  There’s so many projects in my head that it becomes overwhelming at times.  Not like crazy.  But more like frustrated that I can’t do MY OWN stuff.

Selfish Seamstress – buy it HERE!

However, sometimes it’s not busyness.  It’s laziness.  Wait…maybe it’s not laziness at all.  Maybe I’m simply EXHAUSTED!  By the time I finish taking care of everyone else’s crap, I have absolutely no energy to do the things I want to do for myself, my family and my home.

As a New Year’s resolution this year, I promised myself that I would not volunteer to help others with their projects.  You may think that’s rotten of me, but understand that everyone thinks I have nothing to do all day.  Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t need me to do put together a small gift basket, do a little alteration on their new dress, or help them with a quick craft project.  Although I want to scream, “LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!”…I succumb to the pressure and give in to their requests.  And this builds resentment.  And quite honestly, I’ve had enough.  I really need to take the advice of Elaine, the Selfish Seamstress.

photo source

But here’s the thing—I genuinely LIKE helping others.  Actually, I probably thrive on it.  Sad, I know.  So I’m thinking my problem is more one of BALANCE.  Yep.  How the heck do the rest of you do it?  Between family, friends, housekeeping, school, blogging, sewing, decorating, etc.—Tell me how you find balance in your life.

Sew Gifts for a new Baby Boy – Bibs, Burp Cloths, Blankets, Clothing and More

Sewing for a new girl is so much easier than a boy.  So I figured I’d share some ideas on simple sewing projects to put together a great baby boy gift basket.

Boy Fabrics

Gone are the days of being limited to bright primary colors and clown prints for boys.  When making gifts for a new baby boy, I choose either a base color of black or brown and then pick fabric prints to coordinate.  Here are some great prints I ordered online at the recent Fabric.com children’s print sale.

Black Color Base

          

Brown Color Base

      

So, let’s start by figuring out what type of items to put in your baby boy basket.  The possibilities are endless—you’re only limited by your fabric stash and your time.  Here’s some ideas:

BURP CLOTHS

There are a several different kinds of burp cloths you can make.  I’ve made them all.  However,  this tutorial is by far my favorite.

Bottom Band

Crap I’ve Made Boutique Burp Cloth Tutorial

Fabric Covered

Prudent Baby’s DIY Burp Cloths

Center Band

Chickpea Sewing Studio Burp Cloth Tutorial

Diary of a Quilter Burp Cloth Tutorial

Just Another Hang Up Easy Burp Cloths

Fat Quarter Burp Rags by Diamonds, Fur and Laundry

A while back, I came up with an idea for a better burp cloth.  I drew out the pattern, but never tried it.  I’m lazy like that.  Perhaps you can use it and then patent it.

Oh, and how clever is See Kate Sew’s Bucket O’ Burpees?  Love it!

BIBS

Bib come in so many different shapes and styles.  There are small teething bibs, large square bibs, and appliqué bibs.  Also there are several ways to fasten bibs—tie strings, snaps, buttons, and Velcro.  Or you can simple make one that slips over the baby’s head with either ribbed knit fabric or enclosed elastic.  When I’m pressed for time, I just embroider cute sayings on purchased blank bibs I pick up at the discount children’s store.

 

However, when I have to do something for a special occasion (such as a Christening), I take out the silk shantung fabric…even if it’s for a boy…LOL!

Tipnut’s Baby Bib Patterns and Tutorials

 

Appliquéd Bibs from a Spoonful of Sugar

 

Lots of Pink Here’s Boutique Style Bib Tutorial

 

Sew She Sews Bib Tutorial

Zaaberry’s Scrappy Bib

Just Another Hang Up’s Pocket Bib

Catch-All Laminated Bib by Make It and Love It

Bapron (Baby Apron) from Craftiness is Not Optional

Easy Make – Easy Clean Bib from Sew Can Do

Fold n Go Travel Bib from B is for Boy

BLANKETS

Three Blankets from Sew4Home

Simply Blanket from Feathered Nest

Monogrammed Baby Blanket with Mitered Corners from Pink Suede Shoe

CLOTHING

Crap I’ve Made Appliqué Onesie

Baby Sleep Sack from Running with Scissors

Perfect Diaper Cover from MADE by Rae

Little Gentleman’s Faux Vest Onesie from B is for Boy

DIY Necktie Onesie from Haute Apple Pie

Newborn Overalls from Mad Quilter

Top Knot Baby Hat from Prudent Baby

DIY John John from Growing Home

Reversible John John from Growing Home

Baby Kimono Wrap from Bettsy Kingston

ACCESSORIES

Binky Clip Tutorial from Baby Night Night Boutique

Binky Clip Tutorial from Creations by Kara

Binky Leash from Sew4Home

Pacifier Clip from MADE by Rae

Changing Pad Cover from Prudent Baby

Changing Pad and Wipes Holder from Cluck, Cluck, Sew

Simple Changing Pad from Blissfully Content

Infant Scratch Mittens from Home Sweet Homebodies

Hope this gives you some ideas for the boys!  Now get sewing!

With Friendship,

Sew, The Little Diva Goes to College

This week Mr. Diva™ and I took a 7 hour car ride (separately, cause Mr. Diva doesn’t drive as well as me) to drop our daughter, Marielle, off at SUNY Canton.  The staff laughed as we unloaded her crap belongings onto the curb.  She had 2 full carloads of stuff.  And then she sent me to Walmart FOUR TIMES for more things.  And yes, Mr. Diva™ was carrying on about all the money I was spending.  But not to worry…I ignore him most times.  He was just standing there shaking his head and dying of embarrassment.

Originally Marielle was to scheduled to dorm with two girls…sharing 3 beds, 2 closets and 2 desks.  She was in tears.  Marielle has two custom closets at home crammed with all the latest fashions.  So what do I do?  I call the school dorm assignment person and tell them the truth—that my daughter is in tears and doesn’t want to go to college, because SHE HAS TO SHARE A CLOSET.  Seriously.  I asked the woman not to laugh, but she said she had the same problem with her own daughter the year before.  And then she fixed our “problem.”  Marielle was given a double room, however, her new roommate decided not to dorm at college this year.

We arrived to find a hideous medium blue painted room…ugh!  But not a problem…with the mass inventory of fabric in my stash, I fixed that!   I hung zebra and hot pink fabric as wallpaper, added curtains to the windows and closets, arranged her clothes on hot pink Huggable Hangers and coordinated EVERYTHING (cause I’m anal like that).

I even draped hot pink chiffon fabric across a long wood beam, but they made me take it down…something about it being a fire hazard.  Whatever.  Now I need to make her some pink and black vinyl embellishments with my Silhouette.  Beyond her name, what else should I make in vinyl for her?

I wish Marielle would take more pictures so you can all see the other half of her room.  But of course, she’s too busy at “frat parties” already.  Typical teenager.

Within the next few weeks the college will consolidate the room and she will get a new roommate.  Let’s hope the new roommate doesn’t show up with a purple comforter and ruin the whole color scheme.  Only kidding.  If she does, I’ll just buy her a new pink comforter for Christmas.  Brilliant?  Heck, in the worst case, I’ll just have to take down half the fabric from the new roommate’s side of the wall.  Crossing fingers.

By the way…at age 48, I finally got to sleep in a dorm room for the first time (as the hotels were sold old the second night).  That was an experience sharing a bathroom with 6 girls.

And for those who are curious, Marielle is studying Mortuary Science…yep, she wants to be a Mortician/Funeral Director.  I know…you are probably thinking that’s creepy.  But it’s the perfect job for her as she won’t have to be behind a desk all day.  Plus, she can do Grief Counseling and has just the right amount of empathy to help families through their darkest hours.

Deep Fryer Fun

I know…fried foods are bad for you.  But so is sugar, salt and a bunch of other things I love.

Ever since I got my Deep Fryer this year, I’ve been making Fried Shrimp, Fried Chicken, Biscuit Donuts and my favorite, French Fries.

French Fries in the deep fryer beat store-bought frozen French Fries hands down.  And they’re really easy to make.  Serves 4.

French Fries

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup White Sugar
• 2 cups Warm Water
• 3 Russet Potatoes
• Vegetable Oil for Deep Fryer
• Salt

Directions

In a big bowl, dissolve Sugar in Warm Water.

Peel Potatoes and slice into thin 1/4 inch strips. (Note:  I prefer NOT to peel them…the choice is yours.)

Soak sliced Potatoes in water mixture for 15 minutes.  Drain and dry potato strips. (Hint:  The better you dry the potato strips, the less steam you will have.)

Heat Vegetable Oil to 375 degrees.

Place in Deep Fryer Basket.  Fry for 1 minute.  Remove from oil.  Drain in deep fryer basket.  (This helps retain the moisture in the French Fries.)

Right before you’re ready to serve them, put them back in the Vegetable Oil and fry until golden brown.  Drain on paper towel.

Salt French Fries to taste.  Your family will think you’re the BOMB!

Buttermilk Biscuit Donuts

While I was at it, I also made some Glazed and Jelly Donuts.  These are so simple, yet delicious!  Just get a can of Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits, cut out the center to make a hole and put in the Deep Fryer at 375 degrees.  Fry for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Mix ingredients for your Glaze.  Dip your donuts and serve.

Chocolate Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar)
• 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa
• 1 tablespoon Melted Butter
• 3 teaspoons Milk

Vanilla Glaze

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 3 teaspoons Milk

To make the Jelly Donuts, do the same as above (but don’t cut out the center).  After frying, use the end of a spoon to hollow out the inside.  Use a Ziploc bag with the bottom tip cut off to fill donuts with your favorite fruit preserves or jelly.  You could even fill them with Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding if you want to be fancy.  Sprinkle Sugar on them and serve.

Bust My Stash Photo Challenge

Now since I’ve shared my Deep Fryer recipes with you, the least you could is VOTE for me in the AccuQuilt Contest.  Just scroll down to PAGE 7, and I’m the 4th photo (black metal cabinets).  You can vote once a day!  Thanks!

Sew Cuts Like A Knife

Like most of you who sew, I, too, have an obsession with scissors.  Heck, I’ve had this obsession long before I saw my first sewing machine.  I’m almost positive I’ve given one of my siblings a haircut in my younger years.

Well anyway, a few months ago when I went to Eileen’s Spring Fiesta in Mechanicsburg, PA, she gave me a tour of her new sewing room.  And what do I see?

Giant Scissors on her wall!

Don’t you think they look AWESOME in my sewing room?  They look perfect on my Idea Board!  Thanks Eileen!

So, to compensate her for my thievery of her Giant Scissors, I bough her some cool fabric out of guilt (Mrs. Sews and Sews).  I’m sure a nice friend.  Now all I have to do is actually mail it to her.  Maybe I’ll save on postage and just have her pick it up when she come to the big BBQ.  Yep…sounds like a plan.

How cool are these giant scissors by Design Dragon?  I’d be afraid to hear how much they probably cost.

 

Or what about these Huge Scissors?  Those things should be considered a weapon!

Would I be nuts to get these Scissors Nail Art?  They do scream, “Seamstress.”  Actually they probably scream, “Cutter.”  I think I’ll pass.

Check out this neat Runs With Scissor machine embroidery appliqué design by Claire!  Love it!

What about these awesome postcards?

Even better for this southpaw…a magnet for my refrigerator!

Happy Sewing!

Show Me Your Sewing UFOs and PHDs

Source:  PhD Decal

An article from Threads Magazine got me thinking about Sewing UFOs (Unfinished Objects) and PHDs (Projects Half Done).  l recently reorganized my sewing studio and came upon a bunch of sewing projects I didn’t finish for one reason or another.

I had to decide which UFOs and PhDs might actually get completed.  I had a pile of over 30 different projects.  There was absolutely no way I would ever tackle them all.  So I sorted them into 3 piles:

1.  FINISH – These projects would be my sewing projects for the next few months.  Most of these were either important or nearly completed.

2.  REUSE – Most of these projects were barely started.  The fabrics for these could be put back in my fabric stash and used for another project.

3.  DUMP – These projects were ones that went terribly wrong or no longer held any interest.  Out in the garbage they went.

Once I sorted through my pile, I evaluated each of the 13 projects that made the cut.  Here’s what I ended up with:

 

UFO #1

Project:  My Godchild’s Bedding which includes a Queen Size Quilt, 2 Pillow Shams, Dust Ruffle, Throw Pillows and Doll Bedding.  This is a massive project that I started at least 2 years ago.

Problem:  This project was first delayed, because the fabric had been discontinued and it took me more than 3 months to locate enough yardage.  But that was only part of the problem.  See, I don’t know how to quilt, nor do I really want to learn.  And then there’s the Queen Dust Ruffle:  ‎630 inches aka 52.5 feet aka 17.5 yards = panel of fabric I had to sew together to make the Queen Dust Ruffle. Did I mention it’s a one-way directional print?  That’s 14 sections. And honestly, the thought of having to gather 630 inches is a bit overwhelming to me.  Lastly, I have to find some oversized sheeting material for the Dust Ruffle deck (base) that is at least 80 inches wide.

Progress:  So far, I’ve only completed two throw pillows (a ruffled one and a print one) and some doll bedding.  This week, I managed to cut, serge and sew all 14 sections of the fabric together for the Queen Dust Ruffle.  I smartened up and solved the oversized sheeting problem by purchasing a Queen Dust Ruffle for $13 to use for the base.  I ripped off the tailored bed skirt and serged the raw edges of the base.

Plan:  Once I gather the 630 inches of fabric, I’ll attach it to the base for the Dust Ruffle.  For the Queen Quilt, I found a great tutorial on Sew4Home for a Queen Duvet.  I’m going to use the diagram to make the quilt top.  Then I’ll send it out to be quilted and bound (because if I don’t, it will never get done).

Probability:  High.  Serious Guilt Factor.

 

UFO #2

Project:  Four Embroidered Bath Towels and 4 Embroidered Hand Towels for my Sister-in-Law.  This project started 5 years ago when my Sister-in-Law asked me to make her some embroidered towels for her bathroom.  I finally purchased the blank towels this past Christmas.  Gave her them all gift-wrapped and then took them from her.

Problem:  My son busted my dongle (necessary key) for my embroidery software, so I had to order a new one from Husqvarna Viking (which took about 3 months to receive).

Progress:  Washed towels to shrink before embroidering.  No other progress.

Plan:  Need to design a monogram in my embroidery software, test it and then stitch it out on the towels.

Probability:  Medium.  Will become a high priority as we get closer to Christmas.

UFO #3

Project:  Silk Curtains for the Bagel Store

Problem:  This project is stalled until my BFF decides what height she wants to hang her curtain rods.

Progress:  All that I need to do is sew the headers and bottom hems.

Plan:  I’ll sew the headers while I wait for her to hang the curtain rods.  That way all I have to do is sew the hems when she’s ready.

Probability:  High.

 

UFO #4

Project:  Baby Ruffle Pants, Baby Shirt and coordinating Burp Cloths.

Problem:  After spending time on this project, I find out the recipient is having had a BOY!  FML.

Progress:  I finished these Baby Ruffle Pants.

Plan:  To figure out what to make for the baby boy.  Something Blue.

Probability:  Pink – Low.  Blue – High.

UFO #5

Project:  When my 9-year-old son outgrew his favorite Yankee shirt, I thought it would be perfect to make him a simple pillow out of the fabric.  That was more than a year ago.

Problem:  I could not bring myself to throw out my son’s $27 NY Yankees baseball shirt.  Only problem is I’m too lazy to just get it done.

Progress:  None.

Plan:  Cut out a square and sew it up next time I have Gray thread in my serger.

Probability:  Low.

UFO #6

Project: In order to get my sizing perfect for this Christening Dress, I made two other silk bodices.

Problem:  I simply couldn’t throw the unused bodices out in the trash…so they need to become baby dresses.

Progress:  None.

Plan:  None at the moment.

Probability:  Very low.

UFO #7

Project:  This turquoise silk was supposed to become a beautiful little girl’s dress.  I dyed the purchased entredeux and some vintage lace bright orange. 

Problem:  I was new to sewing entredeux, so it didn’t come out perfect like I had pictures.

Progress:  I recently purchased a beautiful soft orange netting to use as an underskirt for this dress.

Plan:  To daydream some more about this magnificent creation in my head.

Probability:  Someday I might finish this dress, but don’t count on it.

UFO #8

Project:  I started this silk baby jacket back in September 2007…umm, that’s 4 years ago to match the silk baby bottoms.

Problem:  I got the pattern from the Baby Couture book (and no, I don’t recommend buying this book–it’s one of the worst I’ve seen for children’s garment construction).  The collar pattern was so wonky that I trashed it.

Progress:  The base of the jacket is sewn.

Plan:  Hem the sleeves and the bottom of the jacket.  Then draft a new collar pattern and finally finish this jacket. 

Probability:  Yeah right.

UFO #9

Project:  Started these two pairs of girl’s capris probably more than 5 years ago.

Problem:  Took so long for me to get them half-done that they no longer fit my daughter.

Progress:  Solid black pair needs waistband casing, elastic and bottom hem.  Polka dot pair only needs elastic in the waist.

Plan:  Complete them for another recipient.

Probability:  Medium.

UFO #10

Project:  Started this peasant top for my Godchild when she was a size 2T.  She’s now a size 6x/7.

Problem:  The arm elastic was too tight for her.

Progress:  All I needed to do was gather the ruffle, attach it to the bottom and topstitch it. Complete!

Plan:  To give this top to another little girl.

Probability:  DONE!

UFO #11

Project:  Three pair of boys pants done with the exception of the inseam and bottom hem.

Problem:  Too many projects.  Easily distracted.

Progress:  Inseams done on two pair now.

Plan:  Finish 3rd pair of inseam and hem all 3 pants.

Probability:  Medium.

UFO #12

Project:  I started this boy’s beach shirt in May 2007.

Problem:   It’s done…only need to add 5 snaps.  Talk about lazy!

Progress:  None.

Plan:  To attach the 5 snaps.

Probability:  Low.

UFO #13

Project:  Silk Christmas dress for my Godchild.

Problem:  She didn’t like it.  That and I hate doing buttonholes.

Progress:  Need to make buttonholes and attach rhinestone buttons.

Plan:  To wait to find the right recipient before attaching buttons (to ensure perfect fit).

Probability:  Medium.

Ok…so there you have…my shameful UFOs and PhDs.  So tell me, how bad is your pile?  What keeps you from finishing yours?

Where I Sew – SEWING ROOM TOUR

 

Kathy of Pink Chalk Fabrics is hosting a Where I Sew sewing room tour.  Go check out all the awesome sewing rooms around the web!

Thought I’d share a quick tour of my Sewing Room prior to the expansion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sewing Room Expansion

WOW!  Talk about a lot of work!  I decided to expand my 13’ x 16’ sewing studio in the unfinished basement dungeon to 13’ x 35’!!!  You know, because I didn’t have enough on my To Do List.

First, I moved my Wall of Fabric (3 black storage cabinets) that once sectioned off my office from my sewing studio.

Now the cabinets line the side of the sewing room dividing it from the laundry area.

Here’s the other side of the new sewing studio.  I still have to move my massive desk, internet cables, etc.  Then I can set up all my industrial sewing machines along the 35’ wall.

 

Here’s the other side of the basement which will soon become my new office.  But before I can set my desk up, I have to figure out how in the world I’m going to move those huge industrial cutting tables into the sewing studio.

I also have to cover up the unfinished walls.  Luckily I still have some pink pleather fabric like I used on the existing sewing studio walls.  I even found some gray pleather fabric for the office area.

This is turning out to be more work than I had thought.  But I WILL get it done.  Come on over if you’re not doing anything.  I’ll even pay you in fabric!