Spring Sewing

I've been wanting to make the tunic from this book for some time. I wore the dress from the book the other Sunday to Mass and remembered that the tunic would be a great addition to my spring wardrobe (which is full of old t-shirts and not much else). This photo doesn't do the top justice but I'm too lazy (and cold) to put the thing on and snap a picture. The pattern calls for adding a belt around the middle but it really didn't look right so I took it off. If I make another of these (which is highly likely) I'll add something permanent below the bust to add a little flair. It would take too much ripping to add it in now so I decided that plain works for me (which is actually more my style anyway). I'd like to find a nice simple khaki straight skirt to wear this with. I guess I could make one....

Market Bag for a Worthy Cause

I'm a sucker for a worthy cause. Maybe I shouldn't say that too loud but it's true. Arch Street Center is one of those causes I deem worthy. They do so much good in our city and have been hit hard by the economy in recent years. Every year they have a fund raiser which includes a fish bowl raffle and silent auction. I wanted to donate something to the cause and thought a market bag would fit the bill.

I modified a tutorial I found on Sew Mama Sew! It was originally for a garden tote. The size was just what I was looking for but not all the pockets and handles. The tote is quilted for durability.

Inside I added a removable zipper pouch for money, change, cell phone, lip balm, parking stub, whatever you might need while at market. I was vastly disappointed that I couldn't find my pouch hardware. I had to substitute hardware of lesser quality. Growl.

I also sewed up some little produce bags. I used muslin and some scrap fabrics to "cute them up." Wow, that's some bad grammar!

Here you can see that the bag really holds a lot. I've got onions and three kinds of fruit in the little bags.

Although tiny, the little pouch is mighty. I've got bills, my cell and lip balm inside with room to spare.

Just a sample of all you can put in the produce bags. I'm itching to make some for myself.

I made them using french seams. This is the first time I've made french seams and I'm in love with the process. Especially for something like these little food bags since most people don't want threads attached to their food. French seams are totally enclosed which eliminates the little threads that are inevitable on cut fabric and tidy up the inside of the bag. My mother would be proud.

Becoming a Young Man

I can hardly believe that handsome young man is my son. Seems like just yesterday I was dressing him in his baptismal gown. Everyone always tells you that time flies and I think most young mothers are sick of hearing it. Well, it is true. You blink and they are teenagers. Of course, everyday didn't pass by that quickly, just the years! Well, Nathan celebrated his Confirmation on March 12th with a beautiful Mass given by our newly installed Bishop McFadden. 

Here you can see Nathan and the bishop. I love the crozier (the shephard's crook-like thing). This is one bishop I am glad is leading our diocese. His homily was amazing. Nathan picked St. Martin dePorres as his Confirmation name. St. Martin dePorres was a humble man who did great good and loved all. Just like my Nathan.

Nathan enjoyed reading every word of every card. He reminded me of his DadDad in that respect. 

A few days prior to Confirmation, Nathan turned 15. I need to stop saying I can't believe he's that old, but I really can't believe it. We are so proud of the young man he has become. Above you can see the pillow case I made for his bed. When I asked him if he liked it he said,"I don't just like it, Mom, I LOVE it!" How sweet is that?

Here's the cake Nolan decorated for Nathan. I think that thing is called a one-up mushroom but don't quote me on it. Nolan spent quite a lot of time counting out the mini M&M's and organizing them on the cake. Of course we had to have pizza from our favorite pizza shop, Jr.'s. All in all it was a wonderful day for a wonderful teen. We love you Nathan and are so thrilled with who you are becoming!

I'll Fly Away Quilt

I'll fly away quilt

I've been quite under the weather for the past few weeks and haven't felt like posting or doing a whole lot of other things. I do have several things I'd like to share this week, including Nathan's 15th birthday and a few days later his Confirmation. 

Birds were applique, the rest pieced.

Today, I want to share a quilt that I don't remember taking pictures of! I was looking through the photos on my laptop and lo and behold, I found that I had taken some photos of the finished product. I made this quilt for my dear friend Amy last year for her cute as a button new baby (who is almost a year old now!) I thought I'd share the pictures with you today.

Machine quilting around one of the birds.

One of the patchwork squares.

give away (but not by me)

I've been under the weather for several days so don't have anything to show you but wanted to send you over to Make It Do for a fantastic give away. Although if I was selfish I should make that link send you somewhere else. I'd really love to win the book myself. But....in thinking about Lent and what to do for our family, I've decided we're going to focus on being selfless, on thinking of others every day. So, even though Lent doesn't start for a few days, I'm doing my first selfless act and pointing you in the direction of a great give-away. Have a lovely Saturday.

The Shop

My etsy shop that is. Mostly I'd like to make back the money I spent at Lancaster Creative Re-Use. No big deal if I don't. It's sort of a challenge to me. I sold things years ago on etsy when it wasn't such a huge site. After awhile I found that it would probably take a lot of work to get myself known and to get my product viewed so it could be bought. I just didn't have the time or the inclination to do it back then. 


Of course, I don't quite have the time now, but I have the inclination. So I'm spending a lot of my mornings and evenings on etsy, making treasury's and trying to figure out how to get my name out there. Of course, I need to be in the sewing room, too. Then there's Nolan's schooling. Fortunately, he is mostly independent on his school work. 


So here's a sample of my etsy shop. You can click here for the whole shop (which isn't too full). I'm still working out how to add my shop to my side bar. The world of social media has changed the way etsy (and everything else on the web) works so much that I'm having trouble finding the code I used in the past. Oh well. I guess I've got to learn something new.

Princess or Fairy cape. Fully lined with taffeta. Attached hood. closure is velcro on rickrack. 

Blue Knight. Hood "chain mail" is made of silver tulle. Tunic is some kind of poly/cotton light weight. Belt made of silver stretch. 

Here you can see the hood a little clearer.

In the sewing room

Nathan is obsessed with all things Mario. So for his birthday I cross stitched a little Mario and Luigi and will use them to make him a new pillowcase. I purchased the fabrics today and hope to get it sewn tomorrow or over the weekend.