Bright Blocks Table Runner

What started out as a bunch of strips of brightly colored fabric, soon turned into my first Table Runner.  I didn't know what I was doing, so I asked Tiffany a lot of questions, Googled some tutorials, and made up my own design.  

My friend Madison is getting married today and I wanted her to have something fun and springy for her table.  This is the end product:

I drew up a basic design and then Jesse and I laid out the pieces. I had sewed my strips together and then cut them and turned them so that they were going all kinds of ways. 

piecing it together

One of the 16 stitches on my sewing machine.  What is that? I should have more than 16 stitches? I thought so too! My husband bought me a new sewing machine for Christmas!! I haven't been able to play with it yet, but I know it will be lots of fun! 

The front

The back and my first attempt at hand stitching binding on.

Wow! After this table runner, I feel like making a quilt. I really hope Madison and her new husband enjoy it and that it will bring a smile to their faces

Carry All Tote Bag

I'm on a purse roll!

Here's the latest.  :D

Front and back are slightly different.
Enjoy!

Another Purse/Tote Bag!!

I have to say - my favorite thing to sew/quilt so far are bags! Purses, makeup bags, pouches for phones, etc.  I love em all!!

Here's my latest project - I love it! It's for my sister, but I want to steal it ! <3

Memory Foam Pillowcase

So, my MIL bought herself a contoured memory foam pillow.  It's very odd shaped, so normal pillowcases don't fit in it.  So, I engineered a quick pillowcase to fit it for her to take on vacation this weekend.  It's my very first pillowcase, but I think it turned out pretty cute!  Here's some pictures!

A Closer Look at the Trimmed Edge

Lookie! I made a camera case and makeup bag!!

My mother in law hasn't had a camera case for her new camera since she bought it.  So, I saw this ADORABLE cat fabric (she's a cat lover), and decided to whip one up!  I read a tutorial over at SewMamaSew, and modified it the other direction.

Then, for her makeup bag, I read a couple of tutorials online, and picked and chose what style I liked for the material I had on hand and the zipper size. 

So - here they are!  It was my first zipper, btw kiddos! I was so proud of myself! I mastered the zipper foot! :D

_Tiffany_

Child Suspenders Tutorial

So, my dear readers, I am finally posting my how to on making suspenders.  I hope that it makes sense.  If you have questions, feel free to email and I will answer!  And, if things are unclear, let me know, and I will try and take better pictures or explain my process more!!

This is how I make "Y" suspenders for my son.

Materials:
3 suspender clasps
3/4 or 1 inch elastic
Fat Eighth of Fabric
Thread


First, you need to measure how long you need them to be.  To measure for "X" suspenders (and how I measured at first) was from the left back pant line, across to the right front pant line.  So, that will be your measurement for each side.

When making "Y" suspenders, you have a piece of elastic on the back bottom that meets the pieces of fabric. I do it this way, so as he grows, instead of making whole new set of suspenders, I can take out the stitches connecting the elastic, and add a longer piece of elastic.

So, once you have measurements for the length of the suspenders, measure from the middle of the back to the  top of the pants line, and subtract that from the length of fabric needed. ( You can also measure from their back across their shoulders to the front pant line.  Whichever is easier for you and having your child hold still.)

So, for me, I needed 12 inches for each suspender length.  Then I add 2 inches, so I can have extra length to attach the clasps in the front, and elastic in the back.  The length of elastic I needed is 3 inches, and then add 2 inches again, for the clasp on the elastic and connecting to the fabric.

When you cut, you want 2 strips of fabric for the suspenders 2 1/2 inches wide x length ( so 2 1/2 x 14 for me).  I had 3/4 inch elastic on hand, otherwise you can use 1 inch.

You will also need to cut a coordinating piece of fabric to use to cover the stitches connecting your fabric and elastic, 2x2.  I either use the same fabric as the suspenders, or black, since I use black elastic.

All my pieces cut and ready.

To start, fold your fabric strips right sides together, and sew a 1/4 inch seam on the wrong side.

After sewing both pieces of fabric, turn them.

After turning, iron the fabric with seams in back like so:

On left side - front of suspender.  On right side, back of suspender with seam down the middle.

Next you need your suspender clasps.  Put the fabric thru the clasp, and fold over.  Sew your fabric to hold the clasp.

Do the same for the other suspender and the elastic.

I folded and sewed it over 1/2 inch.

Now you will have your clasps all attached.  The next step is to sew your two fabric pieces together.  Piece them one on top of the other at an angle like so:

Sew at an angle, like you do when making bias tape binding.

Now that you have those sewn, you need to sew the elastic to the bottom.

Take your 2x2 coordinating piece, fold your edges for a clean look, wrap around your stitches connecting all your pieces, and sew on.

Finished suspenders.

Another finished picture.  (I should have used black thread for the elastic, I know.)

My little man modeling his suspenders.

Tie Onsie

So - I made this this weekend for the little one!

  Isn't he a doll?  I used the tutorial from HERE if you are interested.  It was seriously a 10 minute project!  I think I will make another soon, but make a bigger "knot" at the top.  Here is a before and after.

And here is another of my son on his new monkey bean bag chair.  What a ham, eh?? :D

Suspenders!

My poor little mans pants are always falling down.  (That or, I'll admit, he pulls them off!!)  So..I whipped these up this weekend!  They were super quick and super easy!  It's a Y in the back, so there is only elastic in the bottom of the Y, and the two strips of fabric are simply sewn in half and turned.  The snaps were super easy to sew on also!  I have more clips so I'll whip up another 2 sets, so he has suspenders for every occasion! :D  I know, they are tradionally geeky, but I think he looks ADORABLE in em!

- A back shot, of the "Y", and my wiggly son!

My First Attempt at Applique!

So - my husband and I both have digital readers.  LOVE EM!  So handy to have hundreds of books at your fingertips, especially when travelling!  So, I decided to make him a cover.  He was excited, helped me pick out his fabric, and designed a front.  Yes, my lovely hubbs decided I should attempt applique to make him an art deco cover. 

It was super easy, I didn't use a pattern, just measure around the open reader, and how big I wanted the pockets to be, etc.  Then I quilted lines down the front, just straight lines.  It isn't perfect applique, but it looks pretty cool!

If any of my fabulous readers have applique techniques, feel free to share!!!


~Tiffany~

It's almost a tablerunner!!!

So - I have some pictures for you of my work in progress!  I'm working on making a table runner for my MIL.  We need to pick up some binding so I can finish it, but here it is!!

I really like the colors!!  When I get the binding and finish it, I will post pictures of the back also!  I don't have a stitch in the ditch foot, so I had to go really really slow along the stitches.  It turned out really well, and I didn't veer out of the stitches much at all!!!

:D