For Me!

Thought I would make a Mother’s Day gift for myself….a cosmetic bag. Had fun making it today!

Mother’s Day

Here are a couple of gifts for my mom today…an infinity scarf and a hot bag (she has a sore shoulder).

Me – Made – May 2013

Checking in with a me-made I forgot to post earlier in the week. I love making this Sorbetto tops because they are EASY and take a couple of hours. This one is sleeveless and made out of Maya’s flat sheet

Wallet

I found this pattern online and needed a small project for tonight. I had some really great material with scanned barcode images that lends itself to shopping and money. The holder was meant for a small pad of paper but who writes stuff down anymore! I have been using ‘notes’ in the cloud.

Here are pics of the inside and out. I travel lite with very few cards – can’t be bothered with locality programs.

http://www.lbg-studio.com/2011/10/12-days-of-christmas-blog-hop-organizer.html?m=1

Me – Made -May continued

I created a few more me-made items last nite. Three infinity scarfs. One for my best friend, one for my daughter, and one to wear to work.

From Texas

A nice surprise came to my door after work. Thanks Olita! And here is the story. Very touching: And greetings from Texas.

‘Here is your mug rug, made with you in mind. Of course I patterned it after several things that I saw when visiting Sault St. Marie Ontario, ( which I know is not the area in which you live). I hope you like it as I had a lot of fun making it. I do have to admit there are some glitches here and there and I have to blame the RA as sometimes it is rather hard when handling small squares etc.
The maple leaf block represents the fall foliage that was just beginning turn colors while we were there.

The bear claw block represents the bear prints I saw while stopped at a national park as we ,(Richard and I), rode the Algoma RR into the forest.
And of course the flying geese blocks represent the beautiful geese that I saw in Sault St. Marie. And we had a pair spend a few days here at my apt. complex a few weeks ago. I suppose they wanted a rest and our little pound looked good for them before moving on along home.

The light blue in the geese pattern represents the clear waters in the streams, rivers, and waterfalls, we saw while riding the train.

And lastly the red represents the red maple leaf in your flag.

On Its Way to Texas!

These two items are on their way to Olita in Texas.  I hope you enjoy using them.  It has motivated me to check my mailbox daily! The pattern is the ‘Little bite mug rug pattern’. Here is the free pattern http://alexiaabegg.squarespace.com/free-patterns/2010/11/15/the-little-bits-mug-rug.html

Me – Made – May 2013

Today I upcycled a pair of long cargo parts from old navy into a pair of capris.  I also made a a very flowing floral infinity scarf, and another Sorbetto tank top to wear this week for the May challenge. 

Me – Made – May 2012

My grey knit skirt ended up WAY to stretchy but I improvised and cut half of it away so it would fit. I guess when the pattern asks for fabric with 25% stretch I shouldnt choose 50%. So I ended up making another skirt out of cotton, with a simple elastic waist. Used the Meg McElwee’s skirt pattern kind of Regardless, my me-made outfit today was the grey casual skirt. Had a great day avoiding stores, people, and crowds in general. Had a cup of tea on the deck and listed to CBC radio. A good day!

I am thinking of making an infinity scarf out of my ‘Twenty-three’ fabric. Thought the orange, lime and retro images may work. But that will be for another day.

Me – Made – May 2013

Day 3 and I am still into the Me – Made challenge. Today I wore my blue hoody knit that I made using my Craftsy course by Meg McElwee. http://imake.gg/2013/01/10/things-i-like-thursday-sewing-with-knits/

I am sure I will not be able to keep up with pace of this challenge, but I will try to sew everyday! Tonight will be the knit skirt in black another Meg pattern…it is suppose to be +24!

Me – Made – May 2013

Today I presented at a Technology conference and proudly wore a handmade scarf that I upcycled out of an old April Cornell dress I had purchased in the 90s.  I never had the heart to be rid of it as the fabric was a favorite of mine.

May 1st – my Sorbetto top
May 2nd – upcycled orange & tan scarf

Me – Made – May 2013

‘I, Michelle @ http://createquiltsew.wordpress.com/
sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May ’13. I endeavour to sew everyday to increase my me-made items so that next May I am able to take up the challenge everyday. Currently, I will wear a me-made item once a week for the duration of May 2013′.

May 1st – my Sorbetto top

My Sorbetto

I downloaded the Collette Sorbetto tank top. It was my weeknd project. http://www.coletterie.com/colette-patterns-news/free-pattern-to-download-the-sorbetto-top

What inspired me was another bloggers post about 7 days of the Sorbetta. She added sleeves which was a big deal for me, plus I loved her 20s dress version too. Surprising how many ways a simply (2 pattern peices) can turn out – with a little imagination.

http://www.sewweekly.com/2011/07/7-days-of-sorbetto/

The fabric I chose for the top was a sheet set I had when I was a kid…so that unfortunately makes it 35 years old. The fabric has a wonderful worn feel, but the design was something I remember from being a kid in kindergarten. My favorite design I sparingly used for the bias collar, hem, and small strip down the front. Just could cut large chunks out of yet!

I still have to sew the buttons on…they are just pinned. Was waffling on which to pick, but the I will stick to these white ones I got at the estate sale last week.

Estate Sale – Sewing Notions

I went to an estate sale on the weekend and picked up some really useful items.

• Henkel’s pinking shears
• Thread nips
• 6.5 by 24 inch olfa ruler, 2.5 olfa ruler
• Olfa slash ruler for chenille making
• Dresden plate template – small, medium, and large
• Dritz Tailor board
• Wooden sleeve board
• Buttons, marking pens, and marking rulers for seam allowances
• Patterns were free, so I pick up a dozen
• And a tiny bit of fabric

Wow!

Don’t Touch My Ginghers!

In my house the kids and DH included, will see a pair of scissors in my sewing roomand use them to open jelly sticks, yogurt tubes, and popcorn bagSometimes of course they wouldn’t tell me and I would go to used them and they would be either stuck together from the sugar or dripping in coconut oil from the popcorn.

Now scissors are very important for quilting. I mostly use my OLFA 45mm rotary cutter. So I have gone all my years of sewing sharing my scissors with the family. Granted, most were from the dollar store, or fabric store but most were under $5.00.

Then I started my first sewing class on Craftsy and was told I need a good pair of scissors. I wasn’t really listening and went thru the class with my dollar store specials. Here is what happened:

-there was a bit of swearing -I couldn’t cut my pattern put because my scissors would slip – my notches didn’t even look like notches

So I was on a quest to purchase a high quality pair of scissors. I started with a 5 inch knife edge ginghers, after I received those in the mail, I found a pair of 4 inch spring action embroidery pair, and this Friday my last pair arrived – my 8 inch dressmakers shears! All are made in Italy and cut thru the fabric like butter.

Now I just have to keep these away from the family!

Sewing with Knits

If you are looking for a beginner pattern, I recommend ‘Sewing with Knits’ by Meg McElwee (Blog SewLiberated) on Craftsy. Super inspiring, non intimating, and you get over 6 patterns! I started with her first project which is the hoody.

Love how easy it was to put together (1 evening & and a 1/2 video tutorial). It is so comfy and my style. I picked a waffle jersey in grey and have enough left over to make an american apparel jersey infinity scarf knock off.

Heading to the fabric store today to by 3 more metres of this knit in dark navy….to make another. I think I will sew one size smaller to get it a bit more form fitting.

Update: Love the drk navy in a size medium. Very cozy to wear today, especially since it is snowing this morning!

Thanks Meg. You are an awesome teacher!

Overlock Foot & Stitches

I thought I needed a serger to finish my seams more professionally. I set out to do a bit a research before going to my local quilt shop.  The question I asked Goodle was ‘Do I need a serger?’  The search results provided a list of blogs about features to look for etc.  One of those blog posts was surprising.  She mentioned advanced sewing machines having a very useful overlock feet and stitches.  I had never heard of this before and went to search the house top & bottom to find my PFAFF owners manual.  Turns out my machine does have this capability!  I tried it out on a set of sleeves I am working on and was pleasantly surprise.  I think for my level of sewing I will stick to this method as opposed to investing in a serger!  Here is a pick with my PFAFF 2056 stitch 35.

 

Update: Stretch knits pose a completely different challenge….might still have to consider a sergEr down the road

Singer 127 Addition

As you know I really appreciate vintage sewing machines. This one was given to me this week. Her name is Norine. It was given to me by the most interesting seamstress who has made her own clothes since she was 19! This machine was her grandmothers. She brought it over from Europe, and it is a 1948 – 127 family shuttle machine. I gave her a good cleaning & oil and soon she will need a new belt. Other than that she is in great condition. I have found a great spot in my sewing area for this machine and it provides constant inspiration. It sometimes saddens me to think how items are made in our day as disposable. This shuttle machine will last for many more years and I will be sewing on it regularly. How lucky!

Spoonflower custom designed fabric

Just joined Spoonflower, a custom fabric design company…can’t wait to start creating. http://www.spoonflower.com/

For Amelia. Honey honey charm pk

I put this together with 2 charm pks called ‘Honey honey’. It is for a co worker. All that is left to do it the multi-coloured binding and the washing so it crinkles up and looks more heirloom.

PJ Pants

Well, this is the second pair I have made. Going into the holidays I wanted a pair on spring flannel pjs. I cut the pattern wrong, so I appliquéd giant pokadots on the side that ended inside out. Between the two pairs made, I officially have the hips of the M but the leg width of the S. Think I will stay in these until Apr 8th! Occasionally shopping online and sewing for a solid week. The kids will focus on their friends….and occasionally I will make a healthy meal.

A special box!

How lucky. I picked up a box tonight with at least a hundred vintage patterns: simplicity, mccalls, and vogue. Mostly size 12! Just looking thru I would guess primarily 60s style. It will be fun going thru them all.

I think I could be official called a ‘hoarder’ now.

The patterns I dont keep, I will use the pattern tissue to wrap my families homemade gifts in!

Sewing Pocket

I have a sewing class and needed a quick container to store my supplies in. The mini mat didn’t fit in my shoe box so I decided to create something my self. I was inspired by a link which a user on the quilting board posted. They wanted $8.00 for the pattern so I thought I would eyeball it. Here is what resulted. Taking this and a small zippered pouch for tiny odds & ends.

Thx.

Lanyard

I found this pattern by ‘Two Peas In A Pod Designs’ on Pinterest and made a few of these so far. I sew with a pair of snips on a lanyard and was in the market for a new one. These would be cute in themed fabric for a child’s house key, or teacher gift. I treated myself to a pair of 4inch gingher scissors for mine. They are still stuck in postal land but hopefully will arrive soon. The lanyards take all about 10 minutes to make and I use the hardware they sell for the Superstore carts coins, so I can easily remove whatever item I have hanging!

http://twopeasinapoddesigns.com/2010/09/sewing-seeds-with-the-two-peas-a-patchwork-lanyard-tutorial/

Gathered Clutch

I recently made Noodlehead’s gathered clutch. It was more challenging than I expected. I love her blog and like her sense of style. She always chooses the best fabric combinations and very funky designs. That side of choosing fabrics I am stIll learning….doesn’t quite come so easily to me. I chose to make mine out of a fabric I fell I love with called ‘Saturday Morning’. As one of my favorite days of the week, I just had to buy some of this fabric. Here is the gathered clutch pattern: http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html

My Neighbour Totoro

My daughter wanted to buy a Totoro stuffy. She likes watching Japanese animie. The one she picked out was $40 from some unknown website…so we decided to make one. It has earned a favourable spot in her bedroom. And I have enough fleece for about 5 more! In found the pattern & tutorial here: http://cheekandstitch.com/diy-totoro-plush-tutorial/

Charm Square Addiction

Those 5 inch squares are so handy for making little pouches.  They could be used for all sorts of things: earbuds, change, a couple lip balms, tea bags…And best of all they take 10 minutes to sew up. With all the charms squares I get in the mail this pattern is a stash buster.  Just look in my tag cloud under earbud for the tutorial.

Pressing Ham

I am working on the Sassy Librarian Blouse.  It has 8 darts and its suggested to use a ham for shaping the darts.  In the spirit of make-do I thought I would find a tutorial on creating one. Here is the link & my finished results.

http://www.burdastyle.com/techniques/how-to-make-a-tailors-ham/technique_steps/4

3/4 Sewing Box

Purchased a beautiful handmade walnut sewing box from Treadle & Treasures!  It came unfinished so I just oiled it with a small amount of olive oil.  It also has a handy side area for notions.  Wonderfully hand-crafted and a perfect fit.

 

Starblanket Online Tool

http://starblanket.cpfx.ca/

iPhone Sleeve & Earbud Pouch

I made this iPhone sleeve based on the ‘Easy iPhone Sleeve Tutorial‘ from ‘The dog under my desk’ blog. I also use one to carry my debit/credit card. She also has a great ear bud holder or coin purse. which is so cute and mini! I always find my ear buds crumbled in the draw and swear under my breath when I have to untangle. Here is the front & back.

Tea Cup Pin Cushion

Made this pincushion from a youtube video. It looks so pretty in my favorite tea cup. http://youtu.be/UgBwiGUE5Dw

SawTooth Star Quilt

The fabric was purchased near the Teddy Roosevelt National Park.   That day a herd of buffalo wandered thru our campsite at Cottonwood.  So when I went to the local town’s quilt shop and spotted this buffalo batik, I new it was a sign.  Didn’t use the material for a long time and finally cut into it.  I used a basic star block.  Added 2 inch sashing and spent the extra time  hand quilting this because it is very small. 

Reversible Baby Sunhat Pattern

Found this adorable free pattern on Prudent Baby’s blog.  I have made a dozen of this hats.  Here is the location of the online tutorial.  She has great instructions.  I use them for baby gifts because my kidlets are tweens.

Small Bento Box – Lunch Bag

I put together this bag based on a pattern I found at this website. It is lined with a $0.99 plastic table cloth which I cut for the lining so if anything spills it could be wiped up quickly. I like the square shape.

http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.ca/2012/02/tutorial-and-giveaway.html?m=1

Make Do & Mend

Love this pamphlet from 40s.  My mom & dad lived thru WWII in a German occupied Holland and my father served in the front lines of the Dutch army.  My mom still maintains this mentality in her daily life. Make DO & Mend. 

I have made quite a few coffee filters, so I just need to wash and reuse.  I just traced a paper one…its not lined, but my cup of joe doesn’t care.

White 763 Sewing Machine

I spent the morning cleaning, oiling, and fixing this beautiful machine. It sews at such a quiet volume and has a variety of stitches, including hem & zig-zag. I heard this machine is known as ‘My Fair Lady’ and was released at the 1964 Worlds Fair. Doesn’t remind me much of a lady…more of a 60s car with all the chrome details.

Heather Baileys Pincushion Pattern

I had fun making Heather Baileys design….http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/2008/07/some-of-you-may.html

Low Cost Fabric Basket

I hate to throw away the bags we buy our rice in. So here is the re-purposed results. Rice burlap bag meets old plaid shirt! Going to make another one for onions too.

A Special Day

I made this quilt for my father on his 83rd birthday. Shortly after he passed away. It has been 5 years past and so much of who I am is because of Jacobus Wilhelmus. Thx Dad.

Singer 1 Step Buttonhole

This has to be the handiest invention ever. The consistent, perfect buttonholes blow my 3 step computerized machine out of the water. When I first got this contraption I had no idea how to use.  It sat in the box for 6 months.  I had heard that they do make the best & consistent button holes so I thought I would try to find a ‘how to’ video on YouTube.

• YOUTUBE – The video which helped me the most is here. (you just have to get past the bad audio!)

I somehow ended up with 2 vintage singer button holers and several templates.  The one I am missing is the eyelet template which I will keep an eye out for on ebay.  My sample below was twice around with the contraption, but I was using a super thin silky thread, so next time it will be 3 times around.

Just Attach & Go! Love it.

Singer Advertisements & Decals

I love looking at old magazines and vintage patterns. Here are two of my favorites. I have all 4 of these sewing machines (thanks to Tammi in central AB for my 99K named ‘jellybean’). It is interesting to me to see how each machine has its own personality. I have also included a closeup of their 4 different decals.

99K ‘Eye’ decal

15-90 ‘Eye’ and Trefoils

201 ‘Paperclips’ decal

221 Featherweight ‘Celtic Knot’ decal

If you are interested in learning more or finding out the type of decal you have on your vintage machine, more information is found on the ISMACS website: http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/decals/domestic-decals.html