Bag #2

Here's fabric for the next bag. The first picture is the lining fabric. The second one is both the lining and the outside together. This one will not have the horizontal strips, but just a solid piece. The ladies at Joann Fabrics know us pretty well by now as do the ladies at the quilting store. Even though it means we go to those places a lot, it is nice to get to know people and be know by them. : )

Afternoon

We had a good afternoon looking at scrapbooks with our friend. It was fun to see the differences in years, both in style and in our childrens pictures.

In the next few days I hope to start on a new bag, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm also planning to list some sewing patterns on ebay and maybe on Etsy. Then I'll make more pillowcases. ; )

The Bag

It's finished! Yippee! It did turn out well in spite of all the running around I had to do to get it made. I think I spent most of the afternoon on it and I'm glad it's done. But I do think I might make more at some point.

Tomorrow dd and I are going to a friend's house to look at scrapbooks. It's fun and sometimes embarrassing to see the style changes since we first started scrapbooking. It will be nice break from sewing.

Oh, and I need to praise my dh again. He just commented this morning about not getting discouraged about the pillowcases not having sold yet. He thinks they will, just give it some more time. Then this afternoon he said he thought it was a good idea that I've been buying vintage dress patterns. I'm thankful that God has blessed me so richly.

Running

Today has been a day of running here and there more than once. It all started last night when I decided to work a bit more on the cute bag I'm making. You know the rule, "Measure twice, cut once." Well, I only measured once...

So today we made another trip to the quilting store (I do love that place) to get 1/2 yard of fabric for the lining of the bag. Of course, I couldn't leave there with just that.

Next door to the fabric store is Mootown Creamery. I'd promised dd we'd stop in there, today was the day. She had mint ice cream mixed with oreos. YUM.

After going a few more places we get home and I start measuring (twice) and cutting the lining, then I wanted to cut out the interfacing, but there wasn't enough. The directions called for 3/4 yard assuming it's folded which it's not. That meant I had only enough for one piece. So off I went to Joann fabrics to get more interfacing (I probably should have waited until I was going in that direction another day, but I really want to work on this bag.) While at Joann's I discovered that calico is 40% off! Which meant I came home with a few more things other than the interfacing. But it was fun.

Tonight I was able to get quite a bit done on it and it's starting to shape up. It's definitely cute.

I'll post more pictures when I finish it.

A little decorating

Yesterday we, finally, put up a few pictures in our dining room after having repainted and redone the flooring several months ago. We were going to buy a pair of chairs before putting the pictures on the wall, but now we're waiting on the chairs. Instead of leaving the pictures on the floor against the wall I asked dh to help put the pictures up. Now there up and I feel better.

Today I spent the day school planning. I hope to finish that tomorrow and get back to sewing. School starts in two weeks. DD is still ready, I'm still not.

Apron pictures

Just a couple more pictures of the apron. I love the way it turned out except for the green pocket. It looks ok, but not as well as pink would have.

Pillowcases listed on Etsy

I put all of the pillowcases (except the first two) on Etsy this morning. In order to be fair my dd helped quite a bit with that. Thank you very much!

To see the listings all you have to do is click on momawake under the Etsy heading on the top right.

Here's the stack.

Cleaning

Today I spent the morning cleaning. This afternoon dd and I ran some errands which included going to the quilting store to get a strip for the bag I'm going to make. There was one missing. I got to pick the fabric I wanted for it which was fun. I'm hoping to get started on it tomorrow.

Two more weeks until we start school. DD says she's ready, but I'm not sure I'll be ready. We'll see. I've been enjoying sewing during the time off. I've made four dresses for myself, a dress and a jumper for dd, an apron, and 14 pillowcases. There may be other things I've forgotten. Maybe I'll want a break from it for a while once school starts.

Here's a little detail from the apron.

Pillowcases 11-14

Here are the next two pillowcases (two each). Since I made four today I'm going to start on that cute little bag kit I bought a few days ago. That will give me a break from pillowcases for a few days.

Pillowcases 9 & 10

I finished two more pillowcases today. The trim on these has more of a vintage look than the others. I may start the next two yet tonight. Although I've learned not to overdo it.

Sewing surprise

My dd made me a table runner. She took two 9x36" pieces of fabric, sewed them together lengthwise, hemmed the edges and sewed large rickrack down the center seam. Great idea.

That also gave me the idea to make pillows in the same way just sewing all around. I'm sure I need another sewing project. ; ) But it does sound like fun.

This afternoon I cut out fabric for six more pillowcases. They are really coming along. I finally figured out how to cut the king size sheet so the pieces are squared. I took it to my bedroom laid it out on the floor folded in half. Then I had my dd help me open out each side then refold to the middle and pull it taut. That seemed to work well. Tomorrow I hope to be sewing up a storm. Although we've had so much rain lately that we probably don't need one of those. ; )

Fabric Obsession

There's this great little quilting store in town that has expensive, but fabulous fabric. DD and I went there today for the first time. We didn't have a lot of time, but we found a few cute things. She's going to make me something. (I hope she gets on it soon, because the fabric is so sweet. I'm looking forward to seeing her creation.) I bought a kit to make this bag that caught my eye. After the pillowcase obsession I may try bags depending on how it goes.

Recital

DD did an excellent job singing her song for the recital. She sang well and was composed although she was nervous. It was fun to have Nana and Pappy there, too.

We spent the morning in worship then the rest of the day resting and enjoying our company.

Sewing and Visiting

Before breakfast I finished two more pillowcases. I love the two-toned dots and the orange rick-rack.

Today was a day of visiting with my in-laws. We celebrated Nana's birthday this evening with broiled salmon and a couple gifts.

Today

Today was a busy day of cleaning and errand running getting ready for in-laws and dd's voice recital (Gotta have new shoes, of course. But a pair for $5 is pretty good.). It was tiring, but we should have an enjoyable weekend.

Can't wait to get back to those pillowcases. ; ) I think it's probably been good to have other distractions, so I won't get totally sick of making them. God's timing is perfect, He is so good.

Busy sewing

I've been busy sewing pilllowcases today. Last night I measured and cut out the main fabric and most of the trim fabric (the ones I sewed today, there's still more). My least favorite part is the measuring and cutting because it's been hard to get the main fabric squared right (the downside of using a sheet). If they aren't cut right they fold crookedly.

My dd told me I'm going to have to stop buying fabric to make more. She may be right. ; ) So far, I'm still enjoying my endeavor. More on that another day.

I'm also thinking of making aprons...

Two-day trip

DD and I got back last night from seeing family. It was good to reconnect with my sister and her children. My sis had a baby in June and her dd had a baby in July, so it was fun to see the two babies. We also got to see my parents.

We drove down on Monday & drove home on Tuesday. It was a long trip, but I'm glad we went.

Today is a day of laundry and errands. I hope to cut out more pillowcases also. ; )

Sunday

We got our first cherry tomatoes from a plant we dug up from the garden to transplant to a pot on the deck. We just did this a few weeks ago, so I'm happy to have fruit even if it is just three tiny ones.


I also finished two more pillowcases. These were a bit more difficult because my measuring wasn't perfect (?). It was frustrating but they did turn out to be pretty.

Birthday Party recovery

I think my dh is the only one who got a good night sleep and that was sleeping in a hotel room. I know I didn't sleep well and dd didn't get much sleep at the slumber party. But she did have a great time. They went to a park that has a long slide that has a tendency to hurt one's backside, but most of the girls went down it over and over. DD only went down three times (she was probably the smartest one there).

Birthday Party

We're off to a birthday party for dd's friend who lives two hours away. DH and I will get a bit of a date night for dinner then spend the evening with friends. I hope to have pictures to post when we get back.

Selling

Today my dd listed a homemade doll outfit on ebay.

She worked hard on it, to do a good job, to make it something someone would buy.

She's really learned a lot by sewing doll clothes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dllViewItem&rd=1&item=280141933029&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=018

Sewing Part 2

Due to my dd's fearless sewing techniques, we were unable to put the zipper in the baby dress she's making. She really is doing well at it, but she has a tendency to get ahead of herself. With experience she'll become a great seamstress. (Do people still use that word?) We'll get to that zipper with extra fabric instead of on a real project. Then we'll graduate to a piece of clothing.

So this is the sewing I did instead (along with helping dd fix her work.) This was my first attempt at making pillowcases. I'm very pleased with how they came out. I used some fabric I've had around for years as well as a remnant I just bought last week.

Sewing

Today I get to help my dd learn to put a zipper in. I actually haven't done it myself for a very long time, so we'll see how it goes.