I am rushing to complete some summer clothes that need to be mailed soon so I put the finishing touches on this sundress last night. It is called "Hayden" and it is a Sew Sweet pattern. I found it on the "Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops" website. I love finding new and unique patterns that are fun to try. This is one. The three ruffles are attached at the hem after the dress is complete. I finished their raw edges will my serger and roll hemmed them.....so glad I did! It is a much easier way to finish a raw edge. Most sergers sold today will do this edging. This is an "E" pattern. You buy it online and they email it to you to be downloaded and printed on the spot......I REALLY love that...it is in your home immediately and you can begin your project. For impatient people like me this is a joy! Happy Sewing!

May 12, 2012 I had a productive Saturday putting the finishing touches on a few garments that need to get in the mail to my grandchildren. I am finding that my sweet granddaughter much prefers dresses to pants or shorts so I am busy collecting cute sundress patterns and other unique designs for her to enjoy this summer. I was able to complete her sundress that will match her little brother's shorts. I found a seersucker in blue stripes with red lobsters embroidered on it and it made me think of summer...and it was also one of those hard-to-find pieces of cloth that would be appropriate for a girl and a boy. I mentioned last blog the patterns I was using for each so you know what I used. Once again I will say that I LOVE this pattern for little boy shorts. Even though the easy elastic-waist are quick and do the trick these that I made have a much more finished look to them for not much more time at all. I found that if I cut out two pairs and make them together as I go I end up taking the same amount of time as I would have to make one pair...but I have two pairs when the job is done. They are dressy enough to be used for Sunday shorts as well. The patch madras make-up really well in this pattern, too. I hope if you are reading this blog and that you are a mother that you will have a wonderful Mother's Day. I love Mother's Day...I am so blessed to have an incredible Mom and Mother-in-law and it has always been a joy of mine to tell them on this day how much I love them. Mothering was one of the greatest things God allowed me to do...it is hard to give it up on a daily basis when you have enjoyed it so. I am also blessed to have a wonderful man to raise my children alongside. Looking back I am so thankful I had his wisdom and shoulders to lean on as I sought the direction, time after time, that God take my path as a Mom. One thing Jim always stressed that we do as parents was to discover what kind of child God had blessed us with...talents, desires, passions, gifts...and direct them in that way. He taught me that children are born with God-directed and given visions...and that it is our job as parents to see what they are and encourage our children down those paths. I love knowing that my children's happiness will come from a God-placed passion....not one of mine...and all I have to do is seek God's will for their lives. They are His anyway...He should be the one at the wheel of their lives. Too many times we are so tempted as parents, especially Moms, to live out our lives through our children's lives...and we destroy them and us in the process. Have a wonderful Mother's Day, Moms....it is a great job!

Is anyone out there in blogland? Yes, it is me and I have been away FOREVER! You can tell that summer is almost here and school is winding down...or I would not be doing this. I have missed posting and hope to be much better...at least for the next few months when papers are not calling on me to be graded and corrected.My brain is switching to summer mode very quickly, especially with the warm weather. I have been sewing like crazy, trying to get grandchildren ready for a warm change. I love seersucker...maybe because it reminds me so of summer and backyard fun. I have especially loved seeing all of the adorable embroirdered seersucker cloth in every color. I have bought 3 pieces lately-2 for my girl and 1 for my boys. I will post the picture of the sundresses I made and you can see what I chose to make for my granddaughter. I was able to find the Kelly's Kids sundress jumper online at a sewing site ( Twirl Dress-Lateedakids on an Etsy site and also on "Fairytale Frocks and Lollipops")and that is the pattern that I used......very easy and cute. I wanted the hem to be a little different so I chose a scallop edge decorative stitch on my machine......most machines have these....and put that scallop on the raw hem edge to finish the dress with a little color. I love how they turned out. This just adds a special touch to the dress hem and adds a little color. You will see in the pictures posted where I sewed on the raw edge using adding machine tape (at Staples) as a stabilizer and then coated the scallops with Fraycheck. Then I trimmed each scallop to give a more finished look. I also want to let the moms of boys know that the oliver+s pattern of shorts called "Sketchbook Shirt and Shorts" is a great pattern for little boys shorts. I wanted to try it out this spring and have been very happy with it. I do not have a finished product picture of these yet to show you but I will soon.I hate wasting my time sewing something that I end up not liking so I hope this passed on to you saves you some time!They are a little more difficult to sew than just a turned-down elasticized waist...but they finish looking very professional and are worth the time invested. I promise to be back with more ideas and pictures.I love sewing and creating and hope this encourages you to do the same!

Yeah for Summer!

It has been a while since I last blogged. We were out of town for the first two weeks of the summer. I feel like I am just now getting in the summer groove here at home. I have had some projects to complete and have been very busy getting those done. One of those projects has been pillow shams for my grandson and granddaughter. You will see them pictured below. I have also made the dust ruffles for both of their beds.
I made a trip to my local Bernina store here to buy some thread to use. While there I saw a display that caught my eye. This store had lots of pillowcases they had made....all colors, all fabrics and all were adorable. I had seen this pattern before and really never thought of making any for myself...until I realized that I could make some to match my grandkids pillow shams and add these to their bed linens. I want to share this pattern for the pillowcases with you. If you are interested let me know by responding to this blog and I will email it to you. They are very easy to make. A friend told me that her daughter makes them for her friends for birthday gifts and that the kids

love them. If you can sew a straight seam you can make these...that is all that is necessary to complete them. Let your creative juices and imagination flow...the sky is the limit! You can add cute trims and any personalization that you want to make them special. Notice that the pillowcases can be made in lots of sizes...have fun!

Staying Busy!

Happy springtime! I hope you are enjoying the beautiful world around you as I am. My favorite flowers are in bloom (peonies) and I am thrilled to be able to fill my vases around the house with their perfume. I will be so sad when they are gone...we were never able to grow these in my home state of Mississippi because it does not get cold enough there. When I moved to Tennessee I discovered these plants and immediately became a fan. ( I think I also love them because I know when they bloom my summer break from school is not far behind!) I heard tonight on our news that this area of East Tennessee is the number one place in America for allergy sufferers to suffer the most...I am so sorry for all of you that sneeze and cough...but I guess that is our trade-off for so many lovely flowers blooming in our home town.
I have been deadlining my latest sewing projects because I will be sewing some Roman shades for my daughter's new home. I had 3 or 4 sets of cloth ready to be put in dresses before summer arrives and I have been busy. I want to get them completed before I begin the shades. I LOVE the cloth that my friend Gina has in her store...her selections make me want to create something. I found 2 patterns by "Pink Fig" that looked cute and unique...so I tried them both. I am including the picture of my favorite one. The long dress in 3 different brown designs is that pattern. I learned to "sheer" with elastic that you thread through your bobbin.....a totally new experience for me! I like it...except that when you are doing it the size of the dress looks like it will fit only a Barbie doll....it looks SO SMALL! That is why the second dress pictured looks so TINY! Sewing these dresses long distance does not help....I am waiting for my granddaughter to look at it and think it is a doll dress! I got discouraged while making it but made myself complete it because I love the butterfly fabrics in the dress....who knows...maybe by luck it will actually fit her! I think the brown one will be fine...we will see if the yellow/butterfly one can even fit over her head!
The third dress is one exactly like another that I made for winter. My friend Chyrl told me to make this dress with a tank top...you may remember that the dress I made for winter was attached to a long-sleeved t-shirt. This tank top look really is cute for summer...and this is super easy to do! If you want more explicit directions to make one send me an email and I will be glad to talk you through it. It works up so fast and will be so cute with summer flip-flops.
I need to change modes now....from clothing to Roman shades...wish me luck!

Easter is here!

I am so happy that I met my deadline and completed my grandchildren's Easter outfits today. I have to put them in the mail so I knew that today would be the day to get everything finished. I included pictures below of the dress and button-on suit that I made. I have also included the patterns that I used for the dress and suit. I LOVE Wendy Schoen's patterns so I was excited to try her design for D's dress. It required some shadow stitching that I was a bit nervous about. I had a long car trip last weekend so I knew that would be the time to get busy doing the embroidery. I would encourage you to give it a try....you may surprise yourself! I love trying a new pattern and taking on a new project...that way I get something completed and I learn so much in the process. So many beautiful designs today include some embroidery and are easy to do.
My grandson's suit is a Gingersnaps design and I liked the pattern and the methods they used to get it made. I used tatting on his collar so that it would not look too feminine for him. This pattern is great...they give you so many options for the design so the pattern is well worth the price. I am sure I will use it again.
I am also including a picture of a burp cloth that I made for a friend's new granddaughter. I love the applique...it is from Applique Frenzy if you want to go on their website and see their designs. I think this one is so cute for babies.
Have a wonderful week. I love this week preparing for Easter. I hope you enjoy yours!

Rainy Saturdays...Where is Spring?!

I guess I should be thankful for days like today...cannot work in the yard because it is raining and it is too cold to buy plants yet to put in the yard. So...I hunkered down in my bonus room, set my embroidery arm up on my sewing machine and cranked out the 3 t-shirts pictured below, along with 3 polo shirts that needed a monogram. I feel great...so accomplished! I set my goals for today and achieved them. Of course I was watching the Lady Vols compete in their March madness and after hearing Pat Summit's interview play over and over all afternoon I could have quoted it from memory. I learned something today...in case you do not know it ESPN just keeps rolling over the same interviews and action shots over and over and over...but it was good entertainment while I labored away.
My grandson needed the sized-up polos...the 3T's I had already bought him are washing out to be too short. The three pictured are 4T. Keep that in mind if you are buying these same polos at Target or WalMart. His golf applique will make him happy...he loves golf!
My granddaughter's two t-shirts came from Target and make great applique backgrounds. You can see where I had my hoop when you look at the purple one in the photo but I will get that pressed out later. She LOVES purple so I had to make that one for her. The flip-flops make me think of summer...YEAH! She loves anything princess so I wanted to create a princess for her. I think the little princess is very sweet.
The applique arm is stored...later this week I MUST start on Easter. I am tired tonight...but it is a GOOD tired. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

PS....my disclaimer...I got lazy and took pictures of my work today and forgot that I have not even clipped the threads joining some of my letters on my work...must take care of that asap...so sorry !!

Inspired!

Nothing like beautiful weather and babies to inspire a little creativity! I am so thankful that my world is breaking out in beautiful, colorful flowers and trees and warmer weather...I am so ready for old man winter to be gone. With this inspiration I have been back at my cutting table getting ready to put some Easter outfits together and even a few sundresses....yes, it is so nice to even be able to look forward to that!
I have some new babies that need gifts and I got busy. The blankets I have pictured are flannel from JoAnn's that I bought with a coupon this week. If you are not a JoAnn coupon clipper you are missing out on some great sales. Get on their email and mailing list...they come weekly. I like to re-stock my needles and stabilizers when their 50% coupons come out...and their Gingher scissors are a great buy as well with a coupon. I used my new Bernina sewing machine to put a name on two of the blankets and I appliqued the "Onesies On A Line" on the pink-gingham flannel for a new baby girl. I never thought that I would say this.....but the Children's Corner pattern that I have pictured below is a GREAT buy for anyone expecting a baby or needing to make a baby gift. I bought that pattern to use for a knit nightgown that I serged and made...it turned out so well. After opening it and seeing that it had blanket instructions I got curious.....who needs a pattern for a blanket, right? (those were my thoughts). I was SO wrong.....the pattern instructs you on how to cut and finish a beautiful sewn edge on your blanket and how to miter the corners for a nice finished edge. It is well worth the investment...as you can see mine is very worn from its use. It also has a bib pattern...I use it whenever I need a quick and easy gift to make for a new Mom. The items that you make are so much nicer than anything that you can buy...the blankets can be made to the size you want and the gowns last a lot longer after washing than the store-bought.
I plan to clean off my table this weekend and cut out with Easter in mind. I will post my progress....have a wonderful weekend.

Ready for some Sun!

I have had a ball this week completing some shorts and pants for my grandson. Some of you Moms have asked me the pattern that I am using...it is the Kwik-Sew pattern number 3149. It is a very simple pattern but does not have the cute finishes that make these homemade items look store-bought. I always make 2 patch pockets (using the Britches and Bloomers pattern pocket) and put them on the rear ends or the side of the leg for a cargo pocket-look. It is amazing what a difference it makes in the look of the shorts. As you can tell, I have fallen in love with all of this adorable patch-madras that seems to be selling everywhere this spring. You may be surprised that I have found it in some unusual places...Hobby Lobby (also ADORABLE ribbon), Joann's....

so always check in a store before you give up and walk out! The blue chambray patch in these pictures came from JoAnn's and the orange patch cloth came from The Children's Corner in Nashville. It is usually so hard to find cute shorts and pants fabrics for boys so every time I found a cute plaid this spring I bought it....2/3 yard makes the pants and 1/2 yard will make the shorts. Now my grandson will be decked out for spring with pants and shorts. I encourage you to try this pattern...if you can sew a straight seam you can make these shorts!
I also added some t-shirts that I have appliqued for my granddaughter and grandson for spring. I love my new embroidery machine and am having a great time creating these t-shirts. The patterns for the shirts come from some incredibly cute applique websites. Let me know if you want to know what they are. YOu need to have an embroidery machine to download them and use them.
I am heading to the beach and am finally ready...warmer weather, here we come!

PS....the t-shirts that I appliqued came from Target and Wal-Mart...and as always, the pants pattern I use is "Britches and Bloomers".

Still Discovering New Tricks...

It is the weekend and that means it is time to sew. I put up my math textbook and red pen and enjoy creating for my grandkids.
I have found a new and wonderfully easy shorts pattern for boys. A friend in Mississippi told me to try it and I have been very happy with it. It is by KWIK-SEW and is pattern number 3149. I have also discovered that the patch madras that is out for this spring and summer is the cutest I have seen yet...so I bought enough for a pair of T3 boys pants and a pair of T3 shorts...one and one-third yard. You will see pictured here the pants. I made them first since I decided my grandson would need them first....I am still working on the shorts. I am trying to find a really cute halter sun-dress pattern in a size 5 for my granddaughter so that I can use the same patch madras for her. If you know of one let me know. There are some adorable ideas in the Kelly Kids catalog this spring and summer but I cannot find the patterns in a sewing store yet.
I am also thoroughly enjoying doing some applique on my new sewing machine. There is definitely a learning curve on it...should have considered that when I got super frustrated after my first attempt. I have read many blogs and know now that it takes time and practice...both of which I need lots more of! You can see in my pictures the first two that I have done.
The dress is an idea copied from a friend. Take a t-shirt and cut it off an inch below the armhole. Find 3 or 4 cute fabrics, cut each a 45 inch width by 6 inches (for a 5 year-old). Sew together, gather the top and sew it to the bottom of the t-shirt. I embellished mine with ruffles attached to hide each seam.
I am thrilled that spring is around the corner. I am seeing daffodils popping up everywhere and know that is just two weeks I will be driving to the beach. That day cannot come too soon.
Stay warm and happy creating!

Monogrammed Shirts

Now that the pants and shorts are made the shirts needed to be monogrammed. I bought these two size T3 shirts at WalMart and Target. They are very easy to find and are well made. I suggest using these if you are looking for a good budget friendly boy's Polo shirt. I like the green monogram but decided to try a new font and style with the red....and I like it!
It is fun to think that I am sewing for spring and warmer weather...Bring it on!