Continuation of the Buttercup Purse (summer project #4)

I've been playing with the buttercup purse pattern.
Here are the changes I made to it:

-added a zipper (have I blogged about how many zippers I have??)


Here's a close up:

-changed the pleats

-added a fabric button to the front

-sewed the straps on the inside instead of sewing them to the outside

There's still a pocket on the inside to hold a blackberry (or any other hand-held device).

I'm out of distilled water, so the pressing isn't perfect, but I think it turned out really cute. I'm not really a purse carrying gal (I'm more into diaper bags at the moment)...so I'm not sure what to do with the purses. I'll probably sell them at ridiculously reduced prices (since I am extremely particular about what I sell and these are "practice" bags) or give them out in my etsy orders to repeat customers, customers that spend more than a certain amount of money or something like that. What do you think?

Summer Project #7 1st Birthday Bibs for the Twins

A fast project. Took me less than an hour. My husband took some precious time out of studying for the Texas bar exam to draw the "1" for me. I used heat-and-bond to secure the number to the bib and then used a zigzag stitch to applique the number on the bib (I like the look of it that way). Then I sewed the cotton print fabric to soft, white chenille.
They turned out really cute. My twins are only 8 months old...but you can never be too prepared for birthdays. I love these bibs because they are a really nice size (approximately 10x10 for the actual bib part). Complete coverage for those cute outfits I plan to make for my little bundles of joy. So, do you think these bibs are gender neutral or are they too girly for boys to wear??? Just asking.

Summer Project #6 Itty Bitty Baby Dress

This itty bitty baby dress was on my list of things I wanted to sew over the summer. It melts my heart.

Here's the pattern. This is a size 1-3 months. The pattern states it will fit 9-11 pounds, but I think it will fit a bit bigger than that.

That almost makes me want another baby...almost!

p.s. This is a quick sew. Doesn't take much time at all...and there's an enlargement for a size 3T.

Summer Project #5 Dabbling in Japanese Fabrics

I have wanted to buy and use Japanese fabrics for a long time now. I just didn't want to fork out the extra cost to do it when there are so many other cute/trendy/fabulous fabrics by well-known designers that you can get on etsy or at fabric.com for $6-7 per yard (after shipping and coupons). Anyway, long story short, I purchased 2 lovely Japanese fabrics. Here is one of them. I can't exactly call making this little pouch a project since it only took me 20 minutes to complete, but using the fabric is/was on my sewing to-do list.






Aren't the little hedgehogs adorable. My daughter saw this when she got up in the morning and immediately started putting things in it and thanking me for making it for her...uh, you're welcome sweetie.

Sorry about the quality of picture. It is over a 100 blasted degrees in all the gulf coast humidity outside (where I normally take pictures) and I'm not going out there today!

BTW, here's the tutorial for the little boxy pouch. I want to make another one but make it a little more square, put a handle on it, line and interface it, too.

Summer Project #4 Buttercup Purse

This is the reason why my house is messy and the dishes from making cookies with my almost 3 year old this morning are not done yet... Why clean during naptime when I can sew :) :)

It's a buttercup purse. You can find the free pattern here. This purse measures 15 x 9 inches and has a strap that is about 20 inches long. It is fully lined and has a pocket on the inside that fits my blackberry. I also interfaced it so it will hold it's shape fairly well. It's big enough to throw a couple diapers and wipes in there as well as a bunch of other stuff. It's adorable, IMHO.

Contact me if you are interested in this or anything else on my blog. I added an email button to my blog or you can contact me through my etsy shop (you will need to sign up for an account).

I guess I better go clean now...oh and then study for that pesky ELA teacher certification test that I have to take on Saturday. Before long I'll be certified to teach anything and everything in Texas.

Summer Project #3 Two Quiet Books

There they are. Two stinkin' quiet books. I'm soooooooooo glad they are done, because this was my least favorite sewing project ever. So tedious and so time consuming. They better keep my kids quiet! ;)

I think this is the part where I should explain which each page is...but I'll leave that out. I think it's pretty self explanitory. It is after all...for babies and toddlers.

Some of the pieces are snapped on. Some are attached with velcro. If you would like the pattern and to see another fabulous example, click here. My friend Jodi put together the pattern from a quiet book she had. Cute idea...just make sure you have loads of time and patience before you start. Maybe the fact that I made two at the same time made it seem to go on forever!! :) But I'm glad I made them.

UPDATE:

Okay, so they work. They do keep the girls quiet.....except:

I should have made three!

Custom Order for a Lead-Free Toss'n Play Developmental Ball

These make the BEST toys. I sell them in my etsy shop. This was a custom order I did for a customer. She picked the fabric...I made the ball. So adorable. I just had to write a post about it. I love how it turned out. My 8 month old twins love playing with these balls....however, my 3 year old still plays with hers, so I think I need to make a couple more.

Summer Project #2 Car Seat Strap Covers

I say it's summer project #2, but I have some other projects on the go...this is just the 2nd one I've completed.

I made car seat strap covers. I've wanted to make these for awhile now to protect those kissable little necks from those not so soft straps.

If you decide to make some yourself...please watch this tutorial first. Unfortunately for me, I watched the tutorial after I made the seat straps. I guess that explains why I've had a hard time applying bias tape...It really isn't a difficult thing.

Summer Project #1

School ended last Friday. I have a zillion + 1 sewing projects that I want to work on over the summer. I have 60-90 minutes/day to work on said projects.

Here's #1. Took two days to complete.

I've looked everywhere for a toddler sized backpack for my 2 1/2 year old. Then I found this great blog with a link to this fabulous pattern.

It was rather inexpensive to make.

I needed some fabric $2, interfacing <$1, some twill I had laying around, two strap adjusters $1.20, piping $1.50, zipper $0.15 (I bought a huge lot on ebay), small piece of fleece that I had already. So, for less than $6 I made this fabulous backpack for my sweet little girl. I think it would make a cute gift to give to her little friends for birthdays. They aren't difficult to make. Just follow the pattern. I can always follow a pattern.

The proud backpack wearer. She's checking out my stitching on the straps...I know she is.

My pre-summer sewing activity was to make this skirt. It was a free pattern and I couldn't resist. It is the cutest skirt EVER and so comfortable for summer! I want to buy some more knit in black and make another one. It took me less than an hour to cut it out and sew it together. The next one I do will probably take less than 30 minutes. Super easy. I love my serger. I love summer.