Weekend Sewing

I found time to sew Kate's kitty this weekend!


I didn't realize how small this kitty was, it stands just 8" tall. I guess I assumed that it was bigger because the original fabric I picked out was a really large colorful print. Seeing how small the pattern pieces were, I decided the big print would not work and chose this vintage looking fabric from my stash. I still think an even smaller print would work better.


The white button eyes are creeping me out for some reason, and I'll take them off tonight and try to find something more cat-like. This pattern was challenging, lots of clipping and pinning around the corners of the face to sew the small pieces together. If I do make the cat again or any of the other animals in the pattern, I will definitely make them bigger!

Next on my sewing list is a gift for a friend, and I'll get the pattern and fabric together in the next couple of days.

Speaking of sewing lists, how do you manage yours? I mean, there are so many things on my list that I want to make (and the list keeps growing) that sometimes I feel overwhelmed by it all! So do you have any advice on how to keep your "I want to make this!" list in check? And how do you decide what gets priority on the list? I'm looking forward to any comments you want to share!

A Kitty for Kate

This is my next project:
I've had this pattern for years and years, and have been meaning to stitch some of these cuties up for baby Kate, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Not that I haven't had the time, I just got a little (well, a lot) out of control with my "want to make" list. See, I always have a small list of things to make, and I can usually keep up and keep organized. But since baby Kate came along, my system kind of fell apart! I had a pile of projects to make, but I would see something or get an idea and start making a new project right away instead of sticking to my list. The pile, and the mess, got out of control. This pattern is one of the projects from that big pile from last year, finally getting some attention.

I can't remember where I picked this pattern up, but it is vinage from the 1950's, and lucky for me is complete and uncut. I am going to start tracing off the cat tonight. I hope to start sewing tomorrow and maybe have the cat finished by the end of the weekend.

Here's wishing all of us a relaxing and productive weekend of sewing!

T-Shirt Wipe-Ups Tutorial

My husband told me recently that he was impressed with my method of using washable wipe-up rags for cleaning around the house. He noticed that we hardly ever use paper towels anymore! I remembered that I had a tutorial for making recycled wipe-ups from tees from years gone by, and dusted it off to share.

Recycle old t-shirts into paper-towel replacing wipe-ups! I sewed up a stack and use them all around the house. Especially handy for small spills and messes in the kitchen, or any job a paper towel can do. When they're dirty, just throw them in the wash!

Also great for wiping dribbly drooly baby chins and other messes in baby's room. What could be softer and more absorbent than a well-worn 100% cotton t-shirt?


The size of the finished wipe-up depends on the size of the tee: a small tee makes a small wipe-up, and a really large tee...well...you get the picture!

Supplies:
Sewing machine with zig-zag stitch
Size 70 to 80 ballpoint sewing machine needle
Yardstick or straight edge
Fabric marking pen or pencil
Scissors
Pins

Materials:
Recycled 100% cotton t-shirt
Matching thread

STEP 1: Turn the tee inside out and spread it smooth on a flat work surface, front side facing you (you can tell by the collar, which dips down further on the front side - check the picture below).


STEP 2: Draw a rectangle inside the tee: make a line across the top of the tee just below the collar stitching using the straight edge and fabric marker.


Draw two more parallel lines down each side of the tee close to the sleeve stitching.


Finish the rectangle by drawing a line across the bottom of the tee close to the hem.


STEP 3: Pin all around the INSIDE of the drawn rectangle through both layers of the tee.


STEP 4: Cut out the rectangle along the lines.


STEP 5: Sew a seam along the outside edge using a 1/2" seam allowance. Make sure to leave a 3" opening along one long side to turn the wipe-up inside-right.

TIPS:
Use a very narrow zig-zag stitch to leave some "give" in the knit tee fabric. Try a stitch lenth of about 3 to 3.5mm and a stitch width of about .5 to 1mm. Sew a few samples on the discarded sleeve fabric. The stitches should hold the seam well and still give just a bit of stretch.

Use a walking foot attachment if you have one to help keep the layers from shifting.

If sewing with a standard zig-zag foot, try ever so gently to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the fabric as you sew. You may need to stop every so often to adjust the layers as you stitch. The outside edge may appear to be slightly stretched out after sewing, but will bounce back after the first wash.

STEP 6: After stitching the outside seam, trim the corners close to the stitching.


STEP 7: Turn the wipe-up through the opening and gently (ever so gently) push out the corners with the eraser end of a pencil or any other blunt ended thingie. Use an iron to press the seams flat, turning under the opening. Pin the opening closed then pin well along all the edges.


STEP 8: Top stitch all along the outside edge using a wide zig-zag stitch. Try a stitch width of about 3mm and a stitch length of about 2mm.


STEP 9: With a ruler or straight edge, divide the wipe-up roughly in 3rds (the long way) and mark with a fabric marking pencil.

Stitch along the lines with the same zig-zag stitch used in the last step.


That's all there is to it! Now you're ready to tackle any household clean-up job with your "new" recycled wipe-up!

Baby Changing Pad Tutorial

I whipped one of these out the other day to go with my new diaper bag. Wow is this easy to stitch up! Plus you can use iron-on vinyl to turn your favorite fabric into a waterproof top for the pad - no more boring pads!

Finished size measures 13" x 24" opened and 9" x 13" folded up.

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Supplies:
Yardstick or 24" long ruler
Fabric marking pen or pencil
Permanent fine tipped marker
Temporary spray adhesive or pins and office clips
Sewing machine - straight stitch
(Optional) Walking foot attachment

Materials:
13" x 24" piece of heavyweight or home dec fabric (for outside of pad)
13" x 24" piece of heavyweight craft interfacing (Craft-Bond)
2 - 13" x 24" pieces of craft fleece or thin cotton batting
13" x 24" piece of printed vinyl OR one piece of cotton print and one piece of iron-on vinyl (Heat 'n Bond Iron-On Vinyl gloss finish)

STEP 1: Cut out all of your materials to size.

STEP 2: Grab the fabric rectangle for the bottom layer that will become the OUTSIDE of the butt-pad.

On the wrong side of the fabric, iron on the heavyweight craft interfacing following the manufacturers instructions.

STEP 3: With the bottom piece of fabric right side down so the interfacing shows, layer the 2 pieces of batting or fleece on top.

Secure the layers together with temporary spray adhesive (or use lots of pins). Using a ruler and fabric marker, draw a line across each side 7 ½” from each end. Sew along each line stitching through all layers. Then set this part of the project aside.

If you are using pre-printed vinyl or other waterproof fabric, skip down to step 5.

STEP 4: Fuse the iron-on vinyl to the top fabric following manufacturer’s instructions.

TIPS: Make sure your ironing surface is as flat as possible before ironing. If you have an electric iron without steam holes, use it - the vinyl adheres best with dry heat and pressure.

The business side of the iron-on vinyl is tacky, and when lining up fabric I find it easier to lay the vinyl shiny side DOWN (tacky side UP) on my work surface, lining up the fabric right side down until edges are even. Then press the fabric to the tacky side, starting in the middle and working out towards the edges.

Don’t forget to use the paper backing as a press cloth, you don’t want to see the mess that happens if you forget! (Does it sound like I may have screwed this up once? A-hem.)

STEP 5: Layer the finished vinyl coated fabric on top of the batting or craft fleece and hold in place using temporary spray adhesive.
Using a straight edge and marker, make a line about ¼” in from each side.

Take a bowl, small plate, coffee can (you get the picture) and place on each corner, tracing around the corner with the marker.

Stitch along the drawn marker line using a long basting stitch. A walking foot attachment will help keep the layers from shifting while you are basting. Or, secure the edges using small office clips or clothespins to hold layers together as you stitch; avoid using straight pins at this step to keep from poking holes in the vinyl.

Trim the edges close to the stitching.

STEP 6: Then apply the bias binding to the edge. I am using pre-packaged cotton quilt binding. Here is a great video tutorial for applying bias tape! If you're careful, you can pin the bias tape so that the holes will all be covered by the tape when finished.

Fold the pad along each of the stitched lines and go!

I hope you enjoy this easy project. Post a link if you happen to put one together and post a picture, I'd love to see it. Happy sewing!

Sewing in the New Year

I love the New Year and the possibilities for new and exciting things to come. I also love reading about everyone's plans and resolutions for the new year, and I've noticed an overall theme to simplify, organize, and sew more. There's also been a lot of posting about sewing/crafting spaces as people get organized and geared up to sew. It's so fun to see how other sewers like to organize and work!

I also am resolving to stay organized and simplify my sewing this year, so I'll share my sewing space, too. This year I want to sew more for my family and home, and I want to use as much of my stash as I can. I already sorted through my stash and am in the process of finishing up a small pile of projects.

This is my sewing studio! I am currently sewing on a Bernina 1080 (on the right) and there is a new vintage Morse in the case (on the left).

The cutting table is a kitchen cabinet from Ikea, and has three big drawers and roomy shelves underneath for more storage.

I have a thing for pegboard, the board by the cutting table keeps scissors and rulers within easy reach. Pegboard over the embroidery machine holds all the hoops and cap frames.

I love my little desk by the window and when the sun is shining it's a very cozy work space. The Happy Voyager embroidery machine is, well, totally freakin' awesome. Seriously. That suitcase looking thing under the embroidery machine is a vintage Singer 301A that sews like a dream.

Just for the record, I snapped these pictures only minutes after cleaning my space! No, it is definitely NOT always this clean, are you kidding? But now that it's clean I'm ready to start my next sewing project!

So how about you - are you also making some changes to get organized and sew more this year?

A New Bag for the New Year!

My first diaper bag was The Everything Bag from Amy Butler's book, little stitches for little ones. It's a great big bag with lots of pockets, perfect for toting around baby stuff, and was pretty easy to carry while Kate was an itty-bitty. But now she's a tipsy-toddler and I need a smaller, hands-free diaper bag.

The solution was the Indygo Junction's Manhattan Messenger bag pattern and some recycled Bottletones T-shirts! This bag is the PERFECT size for carrying diaper changing supplies, snacks, a couple of sippy-cups, and a few of Momma's things as well.

The directions for this pattern were a little funky and I opted not to add any of the extra pockets or the hook and loop tape. I like easy access to my bag - no fooling with closures, so I added stacks of buttons along the bottom edge of the flap to weight the edge and keep it closed.



I used one black printed pocket t-shirt for the outside of the bag, and was able to keep the pocket intact as part of the front. It is perfect for holding my cell phone! One white printed t-shirt became the lining, and the inside flap was cut so the design shows when the bag is opened.

The large black and white gingham check is a new portable changing pad I made from some cotton, batting, and vinyl. I'm suprised how well it turned out because this was one of those hurry-hurry projects. (Okay, except for the crappy job I did sewing on the bias tape - that's not so great.) But, since it was so easy, I want to make another one and I'm thinking about sharing the instructions with you! Would you like an easy baby butt-pad tutorial?

A New Addition

Meet Mr. Morse, the newest addition to my sewing studio!


Isn't he the prettiest shade of turquoise?



This was a Christmas gift from my sis-in-law who has EXCELLENT taste! The theme for our gift exchange this season was recycled/reused gifts, and can you believe she found Mr. Morse on sale in the local antique mall? It was meant to be!


I collect Singer vintage and antique machines, and have never heard of Morse before. I did a little research at The Needle Bar and the ISMACS sites, and discovered that this is a Japanese made machine, probably manufactured c.1950. I couldn't find any definitive dating information, but the style and color sure fit with a model from 1950. Word on the street is Morse are well made and long lasting machines that sew very well.


Look at this, Mr. Morse threads on the SIDE instead of the front. How funky is that? Don't ask me how to thread it, I'm waiting for the manual I special ordered to arrive before giving it a try. I also want to make sure I use the correct sized needles as well. Other than a little cleaning and oiling, he's in great shape, and I can't wait to give him a try!



Here's wishing all lots of happy sewing in the New Year!