Clippity Clop...slow but steady...

I managed to make another dress this morning.  I need to use the packaged seam binding like I said I would instead of making my own.  Things might go a little faster.  If all goes well, I think after I get back from the hospital I will at least cut out several dresses and get the elastic and seam binding measured and cut. The assembly line system seems to work wonderfully when you have a larger quantity of the same thing to complete.  And look at me, waiting until the last minute!!  Okay well not entirely my fault !! Injured foot and clots needed a little attention, too!

PillowCase Dress #2

Here is a dress I made earlier.  It's kinda cute, huh?  I love using up smaller pieces of remnants that would otherwise turn antique unless I eventually made a quilt out of it.  I like the contrast, too.  Again, more remnants. That's all for now. One dress per day won't break any world records but at least two little girls will have something new!!  Also, I hope to post an update later tonight.  Until next time, wear something sparkly :-)  I know I am!

Dress*A*Girl ~ Sew-A-Long !

I'm so excited to participate in the Sew-A-Long!  Not only is it the first time for me but also the first time that I've made one of the pillowcase dresses.  They are so easy and this is for a wonderful cause!  Every girl in the world should have a dress! Of course the girl that gets one from me will have a PiNk one with a little sparkle in it :-)   Here's a picture my son took of me tonight after I put it together....  I know it's not about me but if you'd disregard the bags under my eyes, I'd appreciate it ! . Lol.  It is after 11pm and it's been a long day!!

Dress A Girl Around The World ~ Sew*A*Long

So I didn't actually use a pillowcase for this one. It's more of a gauze fabric which will be so nice and breezy in summer time. I think a pillowcase in this fabric wouldn't be so comfy. It takes about a yard of fabric for most standard pillowcases and I have lots of cute fabrics in one yard increments that will be put to great use. I may use the pre-packaged seam binding instead of making my own, as I did in the first one.  I can see myself getting all crazy with pockets or coordinating panels ~ which sometimes backfires for me and makes my project take much longer than it should. Lets see if I can stay focused  between hospital trips & whatever else pops up the rest of this week.  I don't know if I should set a goal of 10 or 20...

I was also able to finish an apron for my Etsy shop.  I like the fabric a lot, it looks like I should have made an apron out of it! The background is brown with little dots and it's covered with fruits & flowers.  I had to use rick-rack on the pockets. It just seemed appropriate. Check it out: 

Brown And Fruity Half Apron

I think it's totally cute. And how cool is it that I can use my orange tree as a backdrop and a hanging prop?  Works for me!
Update:  Hubby is doing okay. They are having huge difficulties with his stubborn clots. We thought he'd be moved to the regular floor today but he's still too critical so will stay in ICU a little longer. I also found out he may have developed an infection & was started on an antibiotic. Hope to have better news tomorrow.
Until next time,

 

It's such a beautiful day in So Cal today! Makes me want to do things outside.  Finally a nice break from the cold weather. I'm rather embarrassed to even bring up "cold" because compared to every other state, we are pretty warm.  But my blood is thin and numbers in the 60's means it's time to break out the scarfs, long wool coats, gloves and high boots.  And of course there is my personal rule:  40 degrees.  Do not leave the house if it's 40 degrees or lower.  No point, it's just too cold.  Sorry to all my friends and family living in those places with snow and 40 degrees or lower!
I hope everyone is staying healthy. I'm sure trying.  Especially as I see people dropping all around me.  I hold my breath a lot, so I don't have to breathe in their germs and possibly catch what they have.  My youngest son is one of the ones.  He came home yesterday very sick.  He lives on campus in the fraternity house. His resistance has got to be low anyway because in those houses, not much sleep happens and way too much drinking of your daily calories goes on.  I did all I could to help him last night but today we are off to see the doc.
As far as my sewing and crafting goes, I do have a couple new things to add to my store.  A knitted scarf and adult jammie bottoms (to match the toddler/child bottoms) in a cozy, warm bright fleece print. I have to take a very short break at my machine because of a small setback, but that just means I'll be doing more hand sewing/knitting type of things and learning more blog & website tips and tricks.  Speaking of tips....  I wanted to have a tip of the day or week or post - something like that - and I thought of one the other day.  It's about seam binding/bias tape.  Seam binding is a great invention!  You can do so many things with it.  One thing is to cover up a not-so-perfect seam! Or the obvious: finishing the edge of your project, like a baby bib or apron or placemats...Also, if you run a few stitches through it, it can be used as a loop on an item or an extension to a zipper pull.  But what if you can't find the perfect match for your project?  Have you ever thought of making your own?  You do need extra fabric for this because it's cut on the bias for best results. I had to do that with the red and white star diaper cover I made.  I did not have a red bias tape to match the red of the diaper cover or even the off white of the star, so I made my own.  I love how it turned out.  I'll post a pic to show you.

Made my own...and  no, I won't run over the pins!

Until next time,