Archive for the 'Sewing' Category

Cinch It

Published
by
Simone
on May 18, 2010
in Sewing, The {NewNew} and Tutorial
. 2 Comments

This year, some of my bags will be sold at the Governors Island Treasure Chest boutique brought to  you courtesy of The {NewNew}.

My friend Kimm of KimmChi came into this funky fabric, and we thought we’d make it into a unique Governors Island souvenir for the store. Tada:

If you can’t make it to the Island, but are longing to transform a special fabric into a bag like this, you can find the tutorial I wrote up for the bag on the {NewNew} blog here.

By the way, don’t use this map to find your way around New York. Williamsburg is NOT next to Chelsea.

A Message from Australia

Published
by
Simone
on April 13, 2010
in Sewing, The {NewNew} and Tutorial
. 3 Comments

The other day I got a message and this picture from Renee in Australia. She had just completed this darling skirt for her daughter inspired by a tutorial I put together on the Crafty Daisies site almost two years ago.

I love Renee’s variation from my version below with the contrasting, overlapping ruffle and the pretty kanzashi flower.
Since we’re on the topic of tutorials on other blogs check out my latest project involving DIY iron-on embroidery transfers on The{NewNew} blog.

Executive Purse

Published
by
Simone
on February 18, 2010
in Recycling, Sewing and thing a day
. 5 Comments

Some of you may have already seen this on Thing-a-Day, but here is my newest foray into the repurposing world:

My husband recently pitched this suit and shirt. I loved the fabric and now it shall live on as a small purse to be tucked under your arm. I think I’ll use the jacket pockets to make a cross-body bag.

Illusions

Published
by
Simone
on February 3, 2010
in Sewing and thing a day
. 3 Comments

Isn’t it lovely how you can create a perfect alter ego with one picture? This is my true self: organized with a whimsical flair. In other words “practically perfect in every way.”

THIS is my wicked twin, alternate life ego who broadly sweeps all the junk on the table away and pretends to create a warm inviting space instead of putting her toys where they belong.

Time to go clean up. :-)

Oh and by the way that trivet is inspired by the doily trivets in Applique Your Way.

Roundup: Upcycled Pillowcase Tutorials

Published
by
Simone
on January 8, 2010
in Other Blogs, Recycling, Sewing and Tutorial
. 6 Comments

Happy New Year! My parents just arrived for a two week stay, so there hasn’t been much crafting time, but for those of you looking for some projects, here is a roundup of ways to recycle pillowcases into something else.

Number 1: The Always Popular Pillowcase Tote Bag.


This tutorial is by Max and Ellie and features detailed instructions.

Number 2: Cafe Style Apron with Pockets

This tutorial was designed by Lee-Ann from Whoopsie Daisies and featured on Vintage Indie. It’s made from two pillowcases and has those always important pockets.

Number 3: Pillowcase Dress

I found this kid’s dress tutorial on Craftleftovers It was designed and written up by Australian blogger and author Alissa Devanny of Refashion.

Number 4: Pillowcase Pajama Bottoms

Brandy of Minivan Life put together this tutorial. I think the dress and the bottoms together would make for a cute, complete set of pajamas.

Oh, and don’t forget that you can always cut up those pillows and sheets to make fabric yarn.

The Year Of The Rooster

Published
by
Simone
on December 26, 2009
in Sewing
. 3 Comments

For me, this year has been the year of the rooster. Here are 3 renditions of the same design:

The First Rooster

The White Lace Rooster

The Purple Rooster

I love how the different colors and fabrics give each rooster a completely different personality. I think I’ll try a black, white, and red rooster next.

Last Minute Present

Published
by
Simone
on December 23, 2009
in Sewing, Uncategorized and christmas
. 3 Comments

This one is for my daughter’s buddy. A stocking made from a sweater his mom wore when she was pregnant.

His name is on top in Unown language.

His favorite childhood friends Pijon and Bunny are peeking out of a pocket. The only design flaw of this stocking is that the top doesn’t stretch out for those really big presents. Oh well, next year.

Teacher’s Pet

Published
by
Simone
on December 15, 2009
in Sewing and Tutorial
. 3 Comments

My friend told me that teachers prefer to get a bottle of wine or cash instead of the homemade kid art picture frame with the class picture, but I think this is a pretty cool end of the year gift:

My daughter has a favorite art teacher she’s been following from one class to the next. As part of the animation class she made this bird.

I scanned it and printed it on a silk inkjet fabric sheet. Cotton would have been better, but this household is currently out of cotton.

Then I attached fusible web to birdie and ironed it to the flap of a canvas bag. Birdie was further secured with zigzag stitches and embellished with a few outline stitches.

Two vintage buttons finished it off and there’s a cool to-go bag.

This would also be a good grandparent, or cool cousin gift.

Stockings - A Tutorial

Published
by
Simone
on November 18, 2009
in Groundsel, Sewing, Tutorial and christmas
. 2 Comments


So you made yourself a felted sweater bag and still have two sleeves left? Turn them into Christmas Stockings!

Materials:

  • Felted Sweater Sleeves
  • Paper to make a pattern
  • Embellishments: Buttons, patches, embroidery thread, felted objects. . .
  • Optional: Bias Tape

How To:

Cut the sleeves from the sweater along the shoulder and the arm seam. Steam the sleeve flat and trace its outline on the pattern paper.

Within that outline on the pattern paper trace the shape of a boot. That is your pattern.

Cut out a right and a left boot. In other words, cut out one boot, turn the pattern over and cut out the second boot on the second sleeve. When you put the two halves together, the left sides should be touching.

From the remainder of the sleeve, cut out a 8″ x 1.5″ strip. This will become the loop to hang up the stocking.

Now it’s time to embellish the stocking. For the red stocking I raided my vintage button collection to create a button snow storm. The heel is decorated with a needle felted star.

The black stocking is decorated with a patch that I embroidered with a picture of my husbands vintage land cruiser. You could add appliques, yoyos or just leave it plain.

When you’re ready, put the two halves together with right sides touching and sew a seam around the stocking. I covered the seam with bias tape, but that step is optional.

The original ribbing of the sleeve provided the edging on the red stocking. For the black stocking I sewed a blanket stitch around the top.

Fold the strip in half and sew the loop in place on top. This one is again finished with a blanket stitch, but that is entirely up to you.

I’d love to see your variations on this theme.

Countdown

Published
by
Simone
on November 6, 2009
in Other Blogs, Sewing and christmas
. 4 Comments

This year, our family will go the homemade advent calendar route instead of the toy-filled storebought version we usually get from Oma and Opa. Here are some designs I’m contemplating:

Last year’s Little Birdie Advent Calendar by Skip to my Lou:

The sleek and clean modernist calendar by Sarah Neuburger of The Small Object:

This extremely elegant calendar (scroll down to 12/17/08) by Miss Gioia:

Although the thought of sewing on 300 buttons is a bit daunting.

Then there is this tiny little chewing gum calendar by My Little Mochi:

And finally, Sibylle suggested this Quilted Calendar designed by Elizabeth for SewMamaSew:

What do you think? Do you have a favorite design you’d like to share?

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