• Jun. 10, 2009
Simple Skirt Pattern
OK, I'm just a beginner, but this was easy even for me. I was thinking about how making clothes was supposed to be cheaper than buying them, but it wasn't always because patterns and fabric can be quite expensive. Then I found this website where you can make your own pattern and everything.
http://www.lovetosew.com/patternmakingflaredskirt.htm
So, the pattern was free (and easy), I could make the skirt as long as I liked, and I used a tablecloth I had bought on clearance a year ago. So total cost was... NOTHING!
Luckily, I had written down Taylor's measurements already. I just needed the skirt length- which I measured her for while she was sleeping. 
The whole thing took less than 2 hours including making the pattern and cleaning up. I did it all during little guy's morning nap.
Simple and comfortable!
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• Apr. 21, 2009
My Turn for a Sewing Frenzy
The girls sewing their pillows really put me in the mood to try my hand at sewing again. Previous to now, I've sewn an apron for Taylor at Christmas 2 years ago and last spring I made Taylor a pair of capri pants. The apron was pretty pathetic honestly and the pants were quite crooked. but wearable.
This time I decided to try a shirt- hoping it would be easier. On the positive side, I am understanding all the patterns and sewing lingo MUCH better than I did 2 years ago and I didn't end up in tears because I couldn't figure out what to to. On the other side of the coin, this shirt took me 2 full days to make and I still had to rip out more seams than I care to count AND I couldn't figure out how to put the sleeves on properly. I ended up just leaving them off. The shirt still looks rather nice though.
Look! I learned to do pleats!
I've got some leftover fabric. I think I'm going to make her a bandana to go with it. Goodness knows she needs something to cover up that unruly head of hair! I also found a pattern for a jean skirt I might make as well.
http://www.simplicity.com/index.cfm?page=section/classroom/sewprojects/jeanskirt09/Jeanskirt09.cfm
Here's the pattern I used. I took different parts and put them together. I really love these shirts. The length is great! I'm sure I'll be making more of them. I wouldn't recommend the mini dresses though. Yikes! Those things are SHORT.
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• Apr. 21, 2009
Star Pillows
In our area, Hancock Fabrics had a sale last week where all the simplicity patterns were $1 each. I took the girls and we bought about 7 patterns including one that has patterns for several different pillows. I figured that would be a good one to do while my sister was visiting for spring break. They decided to make a star pillow with a picture frame.
I found a nice pink fabric in the scrap bin that would work for the frame so I told them to choose whatever fabric they wanted for the pillow as long as it would match the frame. Tiff chose a green and pink striped pattern and Taylor chose a seersucker Easter print.
Here are some pics of the girls learning how to sew a pillow. It was their first experience following a pattern from beginning to end. I helped Taylor a good bit, but Tiff did it all by herself.
Pinning the pattern on the fabric
Cutting it out
Hand sewing the frame
Let me tell you, the frame was TOUGH! If I'd known it would be as hard as it was, we would have just used some ribbon. Yikes! Don't you just love the look though?
Sewing the plastic onto the frame
This was the first part where they got to use the sewing machine. Tiffany was very nervous, but within a couple minutes she really got the hang of it. Taylor already loves to use the machine.
Sewing the frame onto the pillow front
Taylor's triumphant shout when her frame was finally attached to her pillow. They had been working about 8 hours over the course of 2 days by now, so this was a real milestone. This step is still only as far as Taylor has gone. She needed a break.
Pinning top and bottom together for the final sew
Tiff's final product after 12 hours of labor.
Great job Tiffany! I'm really proud of you!!
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Beginner Sewing Project 3- Treasure Stick Bag
Needed
One piece of felt per bag, 4 ½ x 11 inches
Thread and needle
Small stick
Yarn, thin rope or twine
Beads, buttons or decorative patches, if desired
http://www.kids-sewing-projects.com/treasure-stick-bags.html
Use after learning the whip stitch.
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Whip Stitch
Needed:
Scrap cloth or felt
needle and thread
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Beginner Sewing Project 2- Needle Book
Needed:
2 pieces of felt 8 x 4 1/2 inches (different colors)
Extra scraps of felt for decoration
Needle and thread
Decorative ribbon about 14 inches
http://www.kids-sewing-projects.com/needle-book.html
Use after practicing the blanket stitch.
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Blanket Stitch
Needed:
scrap of felt
needle and thread
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Beginner Sewing Project 1- Drawstring Bag
http://www.kids-sewing-projects.com/drawstring-bag.html
Use this after Taylor can thread the needle, tie a good knot, and has practiced sewing the running stitch with small straight stitches.
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• Oct. 21, 2008
How to Tie Off
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Basic Straight Stitch/Running Stitch
Click this link for a good video of a basic running stitch. I could not put the actual video here because that feature was disabled on this video.
Or try it this way.
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Sewing Category
I'm adding a category for sewing to my blog where I can put resources that I find helpful in teaching Taylor and myself how to sew. Since this is mostly just a place to keep my records and ideas, I won't be sending these posts to the mailing list. But if you find them helpful, you're welcome to tune in!
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• Oct. 21, 2008
Threading a Needle and Tying a Knot
Use this 1st video for threading the needle only. The 2nd video is for tying a knot. I've always thought there must be an easier way to tie knots than I had been doing, but this is the first video I actually had success following.
