Summer Shorts

Ever wonder what a contractor does when he's rained out of work? He makes summer shorts of course!

Forrest has a knack when it comes to attention to detail. As you can imagine, he's a better seamstress, decorator, and deep-cleaner than I am. Gender roles aside, it's just the way it is. There are certain things I don't do that he excels at. I've had this stack of jeans with holes in them in my closet for about a year, and this morning Forrest felt inspired to pull out the sewing machine and make them into jean shorts for the boys. Way to go honey! You make your wife proud (even if you do put me to shame.)
And it keeps him from going stir-crazy (husbands aren't meant to stay home I've decided.)
The end result: 6 pairs of like-new jean shorts, sans the shopping.

Sneak Peek

Here is a preview of my latest endeavor: homemade stockings.


This one still needs a hook, a name and the embellishments. I figure if I can complete one stocking per night, I'll be in good shape.

I chose to make them out of crushed velvet with a satin lining. I have five different colors of velvet: one for each of the kids. They are lined with sew-on interfacing to help them keep their shape. I am hoping they will become keepsakes for the kids, but we'll have to see how well they hold up (they don't make fabric like they used to.)

My Christmas Rag Quilt

It's been nearly a year since I was first inspired to make a rag quilt. At last year's Relief Society Christmas celebration, ("Love in Every Stitch" was it?) I really enjoyed looking at the display of rag quilts hand-made by sisters in our ward, and from henceforth was determined to make one of my own. So, I did my research, priced the fabric, browsed many patterns for ideas, and came up with this:

It wasn't really a pattern per se, but rather a modge podge of coordinating fabrics that happened to be on sale at Hancock's. I wanted it to be a throw that I could bring out at Christmas time, and I think it turned out the perfect size.

I really love the frayed look of rag quilts. This attribute also makes them more forgiving; your seams don't need to be perfect.


I was surprised that all in all, I put only about 4 days of half-time work into this quilt. Here are the steps, in a nutshell:

Step 1: purchase fabric (do not pre-wash) and, using a rotary cutter and self-healing board (the right tools are essential,) cut into squares.

Step 2: assemble squares in sandwiches and pin together.

Step 3: pin squares together in rows, then join with a 1" seam allowance.

Step 4: pin rows together, join with a 1" seam allowance.

Step 5: Sew 1" border around all edges of quilt.

Step 6: Using spring loaded scissors, cut 1/4"-1/2" slits in seam allowances around every square and around border (taking caution not to clip your seams, as this would cause it to unravel!)

Step 7: run quilt through washer and dryer for frayed effect, then de-fuzz. Your quilt is complete.

A New Project

This is the beginning of my Christmas rag quilt. I started cutting squares yesterday but ran short on fabric, so the finished product will be about 3 rows longer than what you see here. The process of making a rag quilt requires that you leave about a 1" seam allowance around each of the squares, giving it a cute fringed look (like this.) I hear that rag quilts are fairly forgiving, making them good projects for beginning quilters such as myself. I'll post pictures when I am finished.

More Projects

I just finished this hat for myself. It is knit from baby alpaca (very soft) on size 10 needles, making it nice and stretchy. The black is very versatile, as well.



Here is a pocket purse I sewed for Ashlee last weekend. It took me all of about 15 minutes. I was originally making it for a friend of hers at school, but Ashlee decided to keep it. I told her that her friend would be none the wiser!

Ashlee's Activity Day project: a fleece tie quilt. She started it at Sister Harris' home this afternoon, and we finished it together this evening.

She'll be sleeping with it tonight.


These projects were super simple, yet very rewarding. I am so happy that Ashlee is getting to the age where we can make things together. She is so good with her hands. Stay tuned for my next feat: knit baby legs and a Christmas rag quilt. I'll keep you posted!

The Finished Purse

After putting the kids to bed, I managed to fix my sewing machine and finish the lining and straps on the purse.

Ashlee laid out her outfit for tomorrow before she went to bed, in hopes that the purse would be finished. She'll wake up to a pleasant surprise!

Projects

I've had a stack of old jeans up in my closet for quite some time that I've been saving for sewing projects. Today I pulled them out and came up with this...

A jean skirt for Ashlee.

The bottom will acquire more fraying with each wash, giving it the look we are going for.

And this...

The beginnings of a denim patchwork purse. Unfortunately, my sewing machine jammed before I was able to finish. It will eventually get a pink satin lining and a handle.

I also had some leftover Cars material, so I sewed Jacob a pillow case...

To match this valence I made a while back.

Now if only I can fix my sewing machine so I can finish the purse...

Window Valances

Well, I finally pulled out the fabric that has been sitting up in my closet for several months and turned it into valances for the kids' rooms. The boys' room is decorated in a Cars theme, and this fabric really pulls it together. Forrest found this diamond plate out in the garage and cut it to fit over the top of the curtain rod, which he spray painted red to match. I think it adds a custom touch.







The girls room is very pink (I like it that way and will keep it that way until they are old enough to protest.) The princess fabric is very suiting for them.



Ashlee's bed stays looking this nice due to the fact that she often sleeps with her brothers. I don't mind- it's one less bed for me to make in the morning! Sometimes it's nice to have a space in your home that does not look so "lived in."