Summer Pillows

Hello Everyone,

I finally finished my summer pillows and I love them!! I took a class last month on how to put cording around pillows and other accessories as well. I love how you can change the style of a room with either cording, tassels and most of all the fabric you select. Thank you Sue!!

I was able to get outside before the rain started here. These are indoor pillows, but, I am loving them on our Adirondack chairs. I might have to go find some outdoor fabric similar to this and make them for these chairs. LOL I also will have to remember to get outdoor cording too.

The colors in this fabric always make me think of Summer. I grew up near the beaches of New York and I have always loved the beachy cottage decorations, the smell of the sea air and listening to the water and sea gulls.

I used two 18" pillow forms, 2 1/4" cording and 5/8 of yard of home dec fabric.

I'm linking up with these parties.


Have a great day!!

Red Simplicity Cynthia Rowley Dress Finished

Hello Everyone,

I finished my red Simplicity Cynthia Rowley Dress (Pattern#2584/B). I used pattern "A's" sleeves and didn't add the trim to the bottom. I really enjoyed doing this dress, especially the yoke and the sleeves. The next time I do this pattern, I am going to make it with two contrasting fabrics, make the length longer, and take it in more at the waist.

I'm linking up with these parties.

Have a wonderful night & weekend everyone!

Wool Buffalo Check Coat Finished!

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I am so glad Blogger is back up and running. The only thing I am bummed about is that I had a scheduled post and now it is missing, so, I have to re-do this post.

The wool buffalo check coat is finished and I am thrilled with how it came out. There is a story behind this coat. My Mom came across a webpage on JCPenney and she called me and said this coat is totally you (they no longer have it on there website, but, I do have pictures).

Source: JCPenney

Source: JCPenney

I was taking a "Fashion Design" class with Sue and showed her the pictures. I absolutely loved the cut of the jacket, high wide collar, back vent and the design across the shoulders. We came up with the pattern, decided to make it a little bit bigger (so I can wear sweaters under it) and added extra buttons. I found the fabric at Hancock the buttons and interfacing at Joann. Also, this was going to be my final project (which we had to do a tailored jacket/coat) for "Sewing Like A Pro". After completion of this class I will be receiving my Seamstress Certificate from Columbus State University in Columbus, GA.

So, with a lot of hard-work, guidance, seam-ripping, and broken needles...here is my final project. I absolutely love it and want to say THANK YOU SUE!! You are an amazing teacher and friend. I also want to say THANK YOU MOM!!  for leaving the sewing machine out when I was a kid and you would make our Halloween costumes and make me curious. Also, for teaching me how to sew pillows and recycling the valances into 9 pillows. You were so patient and I had so much fun learning from you.

I am linking up with these parties.

Have a wonderful day and weekend!!

Quilted Coat Finished!!

Hello Everyone,

I finally finished my coat (Burda #7582/"A").

I chose fabric that I got at Gail K. Fabrics on my "Fabricology Field Trip" that I went on with Sue and other classmates. The wrong side of fabric became the right side of my fabric because I loved the serged edges of each block. It was difficult sewing through sometimes, but, worth it. The pattern called for a 6" zipper for the sleeves and I couldn't locate that size in either Hancock Fabrics or Joann's. So, I purchased the 7" zipper and cut it to size (per Sue's instructions). I was a little uneasy doing this, but, it worked out beautifully. I love the D-Ring belt buckle and the blue quilted fabric for the lining. This jacket will be perfect for Spring and Fall.

I am also going to make a matching tote bag with it. I just have to choose a pattern that will work perfectly with it. Once I complete the tote, I will post pictures of it.

I am linking to these parties.

Take care,

A Gift for a Special Person

Hello Everyone,

I made a "Thank You" gift for my sewing instructor Sue for all of the guidance, instruction, patience and friendship she has given me over the past year. Sue is such a wonderful woman and I have learned so much from her.

Here is a basic tutorial of how I put this together:

1. I cut out 26 flag pieces 7 1/2" x 9 1/4". The amount of fabric you need will depend on the lettering you use. I chose 2 coordinating colors (and Sue mentioned to me a while back that she liked yellow).
2. To make the letters, I chose the size (to fit the flag accordingly) 2" and font and printed it out. I then traced the letters on the paper side of paper-backed webbing. Make sure the right sides of the letter faces down on the paper side.
3. To fuse, place the nubby side of the webbing on the wrong side of the fabric or paper side up.
4. Fuse with the iron, cut out the letters. Remove the paper-backing and center them right side up and fuse.
5. I appliqued the letters on with a zig zag satin stitch and sewed around the edges of each letter. To do a satin stitch set your width to about 3mm and the length to 5mm. This will make the stitch look as solid. Since this was my first time doing applique, going around curves was a challenge (I guess I will have to make more of these to get them just right LOL).
6. I placed 2 triangles Right sides together and pin. I stitched with coordinating thread along the long edges of triangle, using 1/4" seam allowance. Trim the seam allowance at the point to 1/8". Turn the flag Right, sides out, using a point turner (I used a chopstick to make my corners pointy). You can also do a satin stitch along the edges, Wrong sides together, instead of turning them out.
7. Fold the flag's top edges in by 1/4". Press and topstitch.
8. One all the triangles are assembled, arrange each triangle-letter so that the top edge of each triangle overlaps the next by a scant 1". Sew across this area to secure.
9. Center the entire banner on ribbon, cord or bias tape. I chose single fold bias tape about 4 yards long. Make sure to leave spaces between words (or add an additional blank flag) and leave extra on the sides to either tie a bow or fold over a 1/4" and stitch closed.
10. Have fun and enjoy your new beautiful banner.

Here are some other close-ups of the banner:

**Quick update - I am almost done with my quilted jacket. I just have to hem it. The wool coat will also be done this weekend and I will post pictures.

Have a wonderful day and weekend!!

Recycled Refashion Tutorial...my first!!

Hello Everyone,

I recently took a class called Recycled Refashion. Sue (my instructor) taught me how to take a pair of jeans and turn it into a skirt. Here is my first tutorial of how I learned how to accomplish this.

1. Take a pair of jeans and cut the upper part off. Don't throw away the legs, you will be using those shortly.

2. I removed the flap over the button-fly, so, it would show the buttons and add a decorative touch.


3. I opened up the seams on both legs and the opened the center seam. Open up above the curve of the seam so it will lay flat when you go to pin.

4. I opened up one of legs for the front opening and the the other leg for the back opening of skirt. I lined up the center seams and pinned. I used a jean needle and a straight stitch as a baste to keep it in place.

5. Then, I sewed using a twin jean needle and jean thread to get the same "seam" look. I had a difficult time with the jean thread, but, once I got the hang of it...majority of my seams were straight LOL. With a few washes the bottom of the skirt will get that "fringed" look.

6. Here is the finished skirt. I kept the back a little bit longer than the front, so, it would be balanced when worn.

I am also taking a skirt that has an adorable bottom and attaching it to the top half of another pair of jeans I have (pictures soon to follow).

Have a wonderful evening and weekend.

Purse Insert Completed

Hello Everyone,

I completed the purse insert and absolutely love how it came out. Everything has a place and will keep my purse neat. Here is the kicker...my purses are too small to fit this beauty. Luckily, Sue (my instructor) told me that this company also makes a smaller version of this insert. The pattern can be found at Studio Cat Designs.

I had so much fun picking out the coordinating fabrics at Joann's. I originally had the red and white polka dot and the black and white flowers. Pretty much everyone ran a little short in class, so, thank goodness Sue had extra fabric (the black and white polka dots).

Here is how it came out:

Here is what you need:

• I used 3 fat quarters for each exterior and lining, but, ran a little short. Next time, I will increase to either 4 or 5 fat quarters for each the exterior and the lining.
• 2- 7" regular zippers (not invisible)
• 1- 9" zipper
• 1- 14" zipper
• 1 package of extra wide double fold bias tape
• thread
• you will also need stabilizers, interfacing and elastic.

Hope you are having a wonderful day!!

Happy Halloween!!

E's Button Down Shirt

Good Morning Everyone,

Here is my handsome husband, E, wearing my latest creation. I have to finish the cuffs. The buttonholes and buttons are there, but, I just want to make sure that E is comfortable with his watch on. I really enjoyed making this shirt for him and can't wait to make more clothes for him.

Here is the McCall's pattern (B) that I used. It says on the pattern that it is a "two hour" shirt. I hope one day it will become one. I don't think they factored in cutting the fabric in that equation LOL.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

My First Reversible Tote Bag

I finished my tote bag today. I am so pleased with how it came out. We started out with a simple pattern and cut out the fabric.

I had a few mishaps with my sewing machine. The first one was a bent needle and when I replaced that one...the new one broke. I am so glad our instructor Sue told us to buy extra needles and to bring them, because after I replaced that second new needle...a few moments later that one broke. Sue helped me again and the reason for the breaking needles was my bobbin & the area that holds the bobbin in wasn't sitting correctly in my machine. So, after those ordeals I was in business. I fell behind the other girls with instruction and had to play catch-up.

Well, after some trying moments here is my finished bag.

We started on our PJ pants after we finished our totes. We learned how to read a pattern, how to cut it according to our measurements. Once I finish those I will post pictures when they are completed. It is so amazing the feeling of accomplishment when you make something...I know you can all agree with me on that :-)

Have a wonderful evening!!