Aesthetic Nest

Giveaway Winners: Birch Organic Fabric Potholders and So Pretty! Felt Book

2013-06-14T07:30:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the delay in announcing winners for two giveaways: Birch Organic Fabric potholders (sewn by me) and the So Pretty! Felt book by Amy Palanjian. Did you think I forgot? The truth is these past months have been a little sloooow motion in terms of blogginess. I'm hoping I get a break in the real life action soon (though real life is pretty great) so I can get back to some projects. But in the meantime, how about some winners?!

Click to read more.
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FYI: Butterfly Applique Gift Bag Tutorial for Tip Junkie

2013-06-12T23:37:00.000-06:00

Do you love the fashion trend of photo realistic prints on fabric? I think they are great! while I haven't sewn anything yet with one, I did buy some photo realistic butterfly fabric a few months ago and just used it for an applique fabric gift bag for Tip Junkie.

I think these little muslin bags turned out so beautifully! Using a new product called "Phoomph" I was also able to make a few of the butterflies three dimensional. I think they look like they've just touched down for a minute.

Making this gift bag requires no sewing or ironing (though I added a few stitches for the 3D butterfly...) so it's really quick and easy to use. A great no-sew project if you don't sew yourself, or if you're looking for something to do with your kids!

You can find the full tutorial (and printable instructions) here.

Recipe: Garlicky Green Bean, Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad

2013-06-10T22:53:00.001-06:00

It's the time of year when I seem to pick up locally grown corn-on-the-cob every time I go grocery shopping. The kids love it and it is easy! Perfect side for a large gathering too. I usually boil it on the stove with nothing added, and I often have some leftover. So, I decided to use the leftover corn off-the-cob in this salad.

This is one of my favorite combinations: crunchy green beans, sweet corn and tart tomatoes. Just what I want to be eating when it's summer. It would be really good with some fresh avocado too. Or maybe feta. I'll have to experiment some more...

I tossed it in a garlicky lemon dressing with a bit of basil and I think it is my go-to salad for the summer! It would be great next to grilled steak or chicken. I would also like to try it as a pasta salad, or served in romaine leaves. Pretty versatile. We ate it tonight and it elevated low-effort hot dog dinner to something that seemed a bit more premeditated. Nice.

Would it work for you? Click through for the recipe.

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Sewing: Stripey Bateau Neck Top for Spain

2013-05-30T22:05:00.000-06:00

I wanted to sew a new wardrobe for our trip to Spain (yes! I went to Spain!), but all I had time for was this one shirt. Kind of like those bad t-shirts about "...went to Spain...and all I got was this t-shirt." Given the way the weeks leading up to the trip went, I was pretty thrilled to have finished at least one thing actually. Maybe I'll make the other tops and skirts of this summer. And maybe not... I'm learning... We'll have to see which priority rises to the top.

I will have to share some of the highlights of this trip without kids later. Wish I had beautiful pictures of my girls in front of the fields of poppies and this beautiful Costa Brava coast. But they weren't there. So you've got me. In my striped shirt. The picture thing is pretty funny vacationing as two. There's one with me, and then him, and then occassionally the two of us thanks to some fellow tourist. I'm sure you can relate. I prefer to take pictures of our girls.

But I do like the way this shirt turned out. It's the grown up version of the Bateau Neck Top I've been working on. Not too wide at the neck (I don't like things peeking out) and a bit of a curve at the waist but basically the same mid-hip, 3/4-length sleeve idea.

Right at home on the coast. Comfortable too. I found the sweatshirt-weight knit fabric in this Etsy shop. It's a really soft cotton with a great stretch and the perfect weight for those in-between days.

Now I'm trying to adjust to real life again. Makes me think I need a vacation!

Sewing: Birch Fabrics "Grove" Potholders (Tutorial & Giveaway)

2013-05-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

Today I am sharing a collaboration with Birch Organic Fabric for their new, first ever certified organic line of canvas home decor fabrics. It's called "Grove" and you can see the line here.

This fabric would be great in a bag, or child's footstool, or my favorite: tablecloths and place mats (always the "what to do" when I find a great fabric but can't decorate a room in it). But we came up with another idea--potholders, or "hot pads" if you prefer.

Who can't use a new potholder? I know I can. And one that is nice to look at? Such a luxury! These would make great gifts for your girlfriends, or next Mother's Day, or Father's Day for that matter. These fabrics are beautiful, and one of my favorites is the Poppies print, but there are several that wouldn't be described as girly.

If you are a quilter, think of these as mini-quilts. A potholder is a nice size for experimenting. And if you aren't much of a quilter, don't be scared away because these are really very simple. In fact, you don't need to quilt at all. And, they work! I've included a lining fabric that reflects heat.

Want to learn to make a potholder? Click through for the tutorial.

Just wish you could have a new set of potholders? Then enter the giveaway! Birch Fabrics is giving away a pair of these potholders (sewn by me) to two winners? To enter see the instructions at the end of the tutorial.

Party: Arcade Birthday Favor Bags (Printables)

2013-05-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Audrey's birthday this year by inviting a handful of her friends to a "fun center." It had batting cages, bumper boats, mini golf, go-karts and an indoor arcade. Not a lot of room for my own creative overlay, but then it wasn't my party, so... It turned out to be OK--I've learned May is a really busy month to celebrate a birthday so I was actually feeling grateful to have a shorter list of things to do. But I wanted to do a couple creative things so I designed the invitation and the favor bags with a retro arcade theme in mind.

I happened to have these cotton muslin bags left over from Audrey's birthday party last year and decided add a "Game Bag" graphic with heat transfer paper. Just a simple thing but it was really fun to do and gave it the personalized touch I was looking for.

I used Avery t-shirt transfer paper (finding an inkjet printer was a bit tricky) and followed the directions. It worked without a hitch. Since I have a bunch of paper leftover I'm thinking I better do some summer t-shirts with this stuff!

Who knows if the party goers noticed the bag, but they did like the contents--a couple old fashioned twos, a big lollipop and some of my favorite candies (in the appropriate colors and loud graphics), Zotz.

If you would like to make some Game Bags, I've got a PDF file with the printable (it's a mirror image) here for you to download. (You'll need to get some transfer paper and follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.)

Review: So Pretty! Felt by Amy Palanjian (Book Giveaway)

2013-05-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

Chronicle Books (one of my favorite publishing houses for children's books and art books!) sent me a preview of Amy Palanjian's new book, "So Pretty! Felt," which, as you may imagine, includes pretty things you can make with felt. I am such a fan of felt! I had to pull out a stash I've collected to see what colors might work for one of these projects (but I didn't get to the actual project yet given my very crazy month of May...).

I love 100% wool felt (and boiled wool too)--there is just something about it's natural feel, texture, weight and no fraying! The density is so cozy. And it seems Northern European to me (I may have to check this), which has big appeal. It's a bit hard to find, however. Luckily this book includes some resources for wool felt, and a great blend (which is what I have stacked here), as well as everything else you'll need to make pretty things with this material.

This book is beautifully photographed and the projects are explained clearly so it seems truly possible to make something simple, such as embroidered pennants to top cupcakes, or something more complex, such as a pieced pin cushion. I really need a pin cushion. But I may have to make myself a felt Carnation Corsage first.

In addition to the fun projects, I love the introductions Amy has included for each of the artists contributing them--such a beautiful glimpse into their creative minds. The whole package is inspiring.

Would you like a copy of "So Pretty! Felt"? Chronicle Books is giving away a copy to one of my readers. To enter simply leave a comment on this post. One entry per person.

Tell me why you love felt, or what you have recently made with felt, or what you have been dreaming of making?

This giveaway is open until midnight May 24th. Then I'll pick a random winner. Good luck!

Invites: Audrey's Arcade Birthday Party Invitation (Printable)

2013-05-06T06:08:00.000-06:00

You know I love a good birthday party. And one of the best parts is coming up with the concept, which thus far has involved a set of carefully edited suggestions offered to the birthday girl so that she is excited about it and I am too.

The most important reason for having the party is of course to spend time with friends and family. But I like the little details too. It's a good excuse to get my creative wheels turning. That may be more of a challenge in the future, or at least less of a big deal, as my girl's come up with their own ideas. This year Audrey passed on a few ideas to land on "remote control car" party. Hmmm... I was working on it--it could be really fun--but then she decided she wanted to go and drive go-karts. "I think they have their own tablecloths, Mom," she said. What?!

So we are on our way to a fun center this year. Can you believe it?! There are fewer opportunities for me to create, but lots of opportunities for a group of kids to have fun, and that's what counts. Whether any of them is actually tall enough or brave enough to drive the go-karts is another story... Maybe we'll all play mini golf instead.

Turns out this simpler approach to her party comes at a good time as it feels like the busiest time of the year. But I still insisted on making invitations. I found these cute "speedway" pocket pinball games here at TinToyArcade (they have a lot of fun stuff), designed a simple two sided card and taped the game to the front. I made some customized labels for the envelope, which we hand delivered, but I think they would mail just fine in a padded envelope.

The pocket game is pretty irresistible! The recipients all ripped it off the card and starting playing with it immediately. Which is probably nothing compared to the wide eyes we'll get when they see the arcade at the fun center. Wish me luck!

Here is the PDF printable if you'd like to make similar invitations (it can be edited with your party information).

Sewing: Blue Wool Bateau Neck Tops (Pattern Soon)

2013-04-23T14:57:00.000-06:00

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

...

Can't help thinking about this Robert Frost poem (beautiful, brooding, true, though tinged by popular culture). I am crazy for this spring green covering some of the hills. Weeds or not, I love this color. And it is fleeting.

We've been spotting these flowers while carpooling this past week, so I took the girls to wade through them, and get some pictures for the pattern-in-the-works. If only that work were more fleeting!

Seems like it is taking forever! This Bateau Neck Top is not at all complicated, but there are multiple versions. And I am reinventing some things about how I produce patterns (excited about these!). And there were the Easter dresses and other projects I interjected. So I guess that explains it! Everything takes time.

But it's almost ready to go into testing. (Thank you thank you for volunteering...I'll be in touch!) Which means it will be available for purchase soon thereafter. Fingers crossed. Notice I'm not mentioning any specific dates!

Audrey and Scarlett are wearing Bateau Neck Tops in one of my favorite fabrics: boiled wool. It's pretty hard to beat for cooler weather. All the great properties of wool, but soft and stretchy. I wish it were easier to find! I purchased this light blue boiled wool here and have purchased other wool-blends ("Lana Bollito") here. They also carry some boiled wool blends here. I've even purchased some wool fabric and boiled it myself but I wouldn't say I've perfected that method!

I'm excited about sharing this pattern because I think the Bateau Neck Top may be the answer for every outfit. At least for my girls. I love the ruffle at the neck, and Audrey is wearing it with a pleat. The variations means it doesn't get old and using fabrics of different weights means it's a year round solution.

So anyway, that's my update. Back to work. I hope you have great color where you are too!

Giveaway Winners: Guide to Sewing Techniques Book and Shabby Apple Gift Certificate

2013-04-12T20:21:00.000-06:00

Ready to shop for some vintage-inspired clothing courtesy of Shabby Apple?

Or read all about whatever sewing technique has you stumped?

We have two winners!

Receiving the Shabby Apple $50 gift certificate will be:

jenicini who said...

My favorite thing about vintage clothes is that they seemed to flatter the feminine parts of a woman which I so appreciate!

April 2, 2013 at 11:12 PM

And the winner of the Vogue-Butterick Step-by-Step Guide to Sewing Techniques is:

candacek who said...

I only know basic stitches, have only done one zipper, and never done button holes. This book would be super handy!

April 3, 2013 at 8:27 AM

Please contact me via email so we can get these goodies out to you.

Thanks.

Sewing: Easter Dresses 2013

2013-04-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

Happy (belated) Easter! It's amazing to me how each day matters in Spring. One day greener. A few more leaves on the bare branches. Bulb shoots multiplying. Thank goodness. We need those signs, don't we?

The weather switches between warm and cool, cloudy and crazy bright. We have to take advantage of the clear blue days when they come.

I hope Spring is treating you well. Reminding of you of all that's good and beautiful.

I need to appreciate more the everyday joys.

Such as these funny girls. So difficult to get a good photo of all three. (And never mind about the overdue haircuts.)

But if I shoot enough I get a few, even if they aren't exactly what I had in mind. They're probably better than the image I had in my head anyway.

And the best thing is, as I'm reviewing them all I remember that these are the faces I get to look at everyday, in real life. And these are the little people I get to take care of, in small ways and really important ways. And occasionally I also get to make something for them. And I have a lot of fun with that.

I love the tradition of new Easter dresses. I shared detail's about Scarlett's square yoked dress here, and Audrey's double-breasted dress here. And for Tess I decided on a velvet tulip skirt and a ruffled bateau neck top (same pattern design as this one). I'll have to share more about her outfit later.

If you'd like to see past year's Easter dresses you can view them here:

Sewing: Double Breasted Easter Dress for Audrey

2013-04-04T22:57:00.001-06:00

I gave you a peek of this dress in the giveaway post earlier this week. Nothing says Easter like blue velvet, right? The thing is, it's not quite full-blown Spring around here at Easter time. It's often chilly. And, before the grass has greened and the bulbs are blooming I can't get enough color--this fabric is about as saturated as it gets. But most importantly, this fabric (Anna Maria Horner LouLouThi Velveteen Coreopsis Marine) is gorgeous! I had to use it for a dress for Audrey.

I think it was the right decision. Easter Sunday the blue velvets stood out like hyacinths in a snow of pastel dresses.

The design for this dress was inspired by the Christmas dress I made Scarlett a couple years ago. But I knew Audrey wouldn't like the gored skirt. She is more tailored. So I found a pattern with inverted pleats, changed it from a back zip to a front double-breasted, drafted the new collar (love this peterpan front and sailor back!), added some length, piping, and (count them) eighteen velvet covered buttons. (Which by the way, are working better now that I'm using this tool--the shanks on the buttons are so much better than the ones I was buying in fabric stores.)

It was a bit much for my short deadline but I am happy it happened. Can't wait to share photos of the girls wearing their dresses, but I don't have the photos yet....

Wondering about making a pattern for this. That always seems to be the question...

Hope you are having a good week.

Giveaways: Guide to Sewing Book and Shabby Apple Certificate

2013-04-02T11:57:00.001-06:00

I have a great couple giveaways for you today. Something to do while I try to get photos of the Easter dresses! I was sent a copy of the book Vogue Butterick Step-by-Step Guide to Sewing Techniques and have had a chance to look through it. You may laugh, but I really found it a good book to curl up with on the couch! I read it cover to cover (while watching TV--I love to multi-task).

It's organized alphabetically so you can easy find a subject you'd like to understand better--different ways of applying facings to collars for instance.

Or the different ways to construct and set in sleeves. I have been using both the "flat" and the "round" construction methods but didn't realize those are the terms.

This is a great book for building confidence if you are a beginning sewer. It's so nice to learn about alternative methods of construction or different techniques for finishing. I love a good finish! But there is something for all levels of sewing. For instance it includes instructions for smocking. Something I've always wanted to try. And it defines all the relevant terms. I found I've been using "edgestitching" and "topstitching" interchangeably. It's actually "edgestitching" that I prefer.

Could you use a guide like this? I think anyone who sews could! I've got one copy to giveaway. Just follow the instructions below.

With all of my Easter sewing I was thinking "Mom is the one who really needs a new dress in her closet!" Do you find yourself doing all the sewing for your little ones and never getting to sew for yourself? I plan to do make a few things this Spring but it's often more realistic to buy something. There's only so much time...

My next giveaway is a great solution for sewing moms: a $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple! They have great dresses inspired by vintage clothing. I love sewing from vintage patterns for my girls (see here for instance) and have been wanting to sewing something vintage-inspired for myself (maybe a shirtwaist dress?), when I find the time. While I'm waiting for that bubble of free time I went ahead and ordered a couple Shabby Apple dresses on sale (coincidentally right before they contacted me about the giveaway) the Casablanca and the Antisuyu. So cute! Shabby Apple is also offering 15% their vintage pick of the week.

THESE GIVEAWAYS ARE OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY (Sorry).

To enter the Vogue Butterick Step by Step Guide to Sewing Techniques book giveaway:

Leave me a comment telling me what sewing term or technique you'd like to bone up on.

To enter to win the Shabby Apple $50 gift certificate:

Leave me a comment telling me what you like about vintage-inspired clothing for women.

These giveaways are open until the end of the day next Tuesday, April 9th, and then I'll pick a couple random winners.

Good luck!

Sewing: Aqua Easter Dress for Scarlett

2013-03-30T13:52:00.000-06:00

We've got a bit of sunshine to usher in Easter and I'm sewing, sewing... Have to leave time for dyeing eggs though so it's not a full time effort.

As you can see I thought I would go ahead and attempt to make the girls Easter dresses despite the very late start. I've got one finished, for Scarlett, and Audrey's about half way there. Not sure I'm going to get there for little Tess. Lucky for her she has a lot (a lot) of hand me down dresses!

I've had this particular design on my brain for a while. It could be a pinafore, or worn on it's own. It's a bit like this jumper I made in cotton velveteen for Scarlett last Fall, but the shape is closer to some of my favorite dresses--these Pretty Posie Dresses I made Audrey and Scarlett a few years ago. The sleeves are more full, almost an angel sleeve, but most importantly, they are lined! This time with a luxurious Liberty Tawna Lawn Becci print, which also lines the yoke. I used the print on the covered buttons in the back too. I love it with this aqua cotton velveteen (purchased at the Online Fabric Store, and sadly out of stock--wish they would get in more velveteens!).

I haven't had time to try this on Scarlett so I hope it looks like I imagined. I may need to make another one and tweak. Thinking about a pattern for this dress with a couple options. No time for a dress rehearsal I'm afraid...

I hope you are having a beautiful weekend!

Sewing: Button Back Bateau Neck Top (Pattern Preview)

2013-03-27T23:13:00.000-06:00

The landscape is starting to wake up a bit around here, but not fast enough for me. I need more color! Do you feel the same way? I keep gravitating to this yellow.

Tess seems to like it too. She kept pulling this fleece top out of the sewing room while I was working on it and asking me if she could wear it. She even took out the pins.

This Button Back Bateau Neck Top is a sneak peek at a pattern I hope will be ready for testing in the next week or two. As usual, things are taking longer than I hoped.

And, Easter is this weekend! Yikes. (Those are Peeps on a stick Tess is eating.) I haven't started the dresses. Think I can pull it off? I'm not sure I should try.

We'll see. I've got a few more days, afterall.

Sewing: Rickrack Place Mats and Napkins (Tutorial)

2013-03-19T06:05:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year: the Spring tease. Real or not, the warmer weather and bright sunlight have me excited about parties! In our family there are usually a bunch of them between Spring and early Fall. In case you are experiencing a similar warm weather excitement, I thought I'd share a tutorial from a party a few years ago (this first appeared on Kirtsy). (You can check out Audrey's Vintage Zoo Birthday Party here.) These rickrack napkins and place mats would be a fun Spring update or a great detail for your first outdoor event.

Rick rack, or “ric rac” if you prefer, is so simple: up-down-up-down-up-down. Yet whatever it adorns is suddenly transformed with vintage pop and lightheartedness. I think it’s the perfect way to add a smile of color to otherwise plain place mats and napkins whether you are going for modern and bold or sweet and old-fashioned. And, not only does the addition of rick rack make a big impact, it makes one without too much effort. What could be better? If you can find a couple hours you can have a whole set of new place mats and napkins just in time for dinner.

I think I have to order some fabric to make some more of these! We need something fun for weeknights.

Click through to see how to do it:

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Giveaway Winner: Fat Quarter Reversible Child's Aprons

2013-03-16T15:35:00.001-06:00

Thank you so much for all your nice comments about the Child's Reversible Fat Quarter Apron. I'm happy to hear it's a tutorial you'll enjoy using.

I have picked two winners, who will each receive one of these aprons. They are:

august said...

I pinned the post, liked it on Facebook, and shared it on my FB wall!! My favorite is the blue/coral one- dying over that!!!

March 4, 2013 at 9:48 AM

and

Jayne said...

I've happily shared the tutorial for this wonderful apron, thanks for the chance to win!!!!

March 8, 2013 at 6:29 AM

Congratulations! Please get in touch with me and I'll package up these aprons and get them out to you.

Sewing: Lime Daisy Ruffle Neck Dress (Ugly Pattern Party)

2013-03-13T06:02:00.000-06:00

It is fair to say I've never seen a vintage pattern I didn't like. When I was invited to join Simple Simon & Company's "You Can't Judge an Ugly Vintage Pattern by Its Cover" party I thought it would be simple to find something ugly in my stash. It didn't seem right for them to send me another pattern when I'd been snatching up so many. The party was a good motivation to sew with one. But as it turns out, they're all heartthrobs. Most are from the 40s, 50s and 60s, and seriously, the cover art is beautiful and it's hard to imagine improving on what is illustrated there.

I managed to go forward one decade to the 70s and landed on this sweet thing. But can you really call it ugly? Maybe it's the ponytails that get me...

I found this pattern online but it very well may have been used by my own mother. It's the type of simple ensemble she loved to dress her girls in: gathers, ruffles, gentle a-line, and pinafore! There were many pinafore dresses in our closets during the 70s and 80s and I kind of wish they hadn't been given away. Truth told, I would probably sew with this pattern as is. I'm convinced with the right fabric it would be adorable. The pinafore and bloomers alone are a no-brainer. In fact, one of my own patterns looks a bit like that combination...

But I decided to give this pattern a more modern vibe. Actually, it may be more of a mod vibe, but in any event it was fun!

I pulled one yard of Robert Kaufman Cool Cords Lime Daisies fabric from my stash and managed to cut out what I needed for this little dress. The pattern says "quick and easy" but by the time I added a few things it was less quick and easy! One of those, "I can do this in a couple hours," which actually took a few more hours.

Since I made the dress without the pinafore I decided to design a little piped patch pocket to add more interest. This is a fun shape: oblong but squarish and with a half-circle cut out for the opening.

I also eliminated the ruffle at the bottom of the sleeve and opted for a piped band instead.

Instead of the zipper the pattern called for I decided to create a button placket. I don't really like the look of zippers on most dresses and I thought this big bright yellow buttons (La Mode purchased at Joann) would be fun. They are, right?

I lengthened the dress a bit too by using seam binding to finish the hem. Such a great trick! I probably would have made it just a little longer if I hadn't been so short of fabric. But it's cute to see Tess's toddler legs. I think this dress suits her.

And there you have it. Some lime daisies in a soft baby cord to brighten up our Spring. I can't wait to see what other "ugly" patterns appear these next two weeks. Thank you liZ and Elizabeth for inviting me to play. I just can't say no to a vintage pattern!

How to Crochet 11: Understanding Gauge

2013-03-09T17:04:00.000-07:00

(Yarn: Berroco Comfy Chunky in Goldenrod; Fabric: Heather Ross "Nursery Versery" for Kokka "Postage Stamp Cheater" in Yellow)

My mother and I both returned to knitting (and I was also learning to crochet) at the same time, about ten years ago. She was a new grandmother and I was hoping to become a mother soon, and the idea of little people around inspired us... I'm sure we weren't the first.

Anyway, I remember finding cute patterns and going to yarn shops to pick out a yarn and being completely bemused by the "gauge" references. I would hold a strand in my hand and compare it to another and if it seemed about the same I would go with it. Seriously. I had no idea what I was doing! One time I was working with a baby cardigan pattern and found a boucle yarn I loved but it seemed very thin so my mother suggested I double it. This is a good trick if you know what you are doing, but I didn't know the yarn's gauge to begin with and the result was a sweater that would fit a seven year old (Audrey is just now able to wear it).

For awhile I was content with these mistakes because I figured one of my girls would be able to wear what I'd made at some point. But I remember the day my mother called me excitedly after visiting a yarn shop. Some nice woman had helped her figure out the gauge thing! A whole new day dawned! I want to help you figure out gauge too. Because it is pretty essential to getting what you want out of crochet, or knitting for that matter.

Hooked? Click through to read all about it.

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Giveaway: Child's Reversible Fat Quarter Apron

2013-03-04T08:05:00.003-07:00

I had so much fun sewing these Reversible Fat Quarter Aprons that I sewed a couple too many. So that leaves me with two to share. Would you like one?

These would probably fit a little girl between 2 and 8. You can get the idea in this post. They are shorter than the traditional fat quarter apron by about 3 inches.

If you'd like to enter:

"Re-Pin" this pin of my Child's Reversible Fat Quarter Apron Tutorial/Pattern on Pinterest, and leave me a comment here on this post to let me know
"Like," or leave me a comment on my post of the Fat Quarter Apron Tutorial/Pattern on my Facebook page, and leave me a comment here on this post to let me know
Share a link to my Fat Quarter Apron Tutorial/Pattern on your Facebook page, and leave me a comment hereon this post to let me know

You are welcome to enter three times if you would like to try all of the above. Please make sure your email address is visible so I can contact you if you win

This giveaway is open through Monday, March 11, and then I'll pick two winners and mail you your

Good luck!

Sewing: Child's Reversible Fat Quarter Apron (Tutorial and Pattern)

2013-03-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

A friend invited us to a tea party this week. Such a fun idea to do with friends and just what we needed after a few weeks of Winter storms. We're so ready for Spring! She said we didn't need to bring a thing, so because I was off the hook for food I thought it would be fun to make the girls some little aprons to wear.

With the rickrack and pom poms these have a dressed up feel but they are easy to wear, perfect for throwing on over school clothes, and double as a full length napkin! I made some just like them years ago for my nieces (along with a matching tablecloth and an apron for their mother), and again for Audrey (here's a peek) with matching napkins when she had a kitchen set to play with.

They are the perfect excuse for buying a bit of fabric you love, but for which you have no other plans! Or maybe you have a bunch of odd pieces in your stash and this would be a great way to use them up. I actually went to Joann earlier in the week and found the six different fabrics I used in their quilting section. All so cute!

I also bought this great big pom pom trim there. Very soft and great saturated colors.

This pattern calls for 2 fat quarters for each apron. I first saw the idea when my friend, Amy, shared it with me years ago. She had purchased a kit at a quilt shop. But you can certainly use some yardage and cut your fabric to the size of a fat quarter: 18"x22" In fact, if you are using fat quarters you'll need to be sure the pattern on the fabric is oriented the way you want it for the apron. I made the mistake the first time of not checking and I had ladybugs creeping sideways instead of up and down, which is what I'd wanted.

These little aprons fit toddlers and children. You can see ages 2 to 6 here. Audrey's (the pink and orange floral) is the full size pattern. I actually used pieces that were about 18" long for Tess's and Scarlett's aprons, so they are shorter. I was trying to squeeze them out of some half yards I bought and it worked just fine.

The little pocket is formed with the armhole cut out so you use every bit of fabric. nice to have a place to stash some buttons, or chocolate chips, or small toy. Tess is always excited to discover a pocket on something she is wearing.

Ready to sew some?

Click through for the tutorial and pattern.

FYI: Pattern Testers Wanted

2013-02-26T23:21:00.002-07:00

I'm working on a couple sewing patterns I hope to have out sooner rather than later and I'd love to have some of you test them. Are you interested? I am looking for feedback from seamstresses of all levels, sewing for children 18 months to 10 years.

If you'd like to test one of my new sewing patterns please send an email to Anneliese [at] AestheticNest [dot] com with the subject line "Pattern Testing." Let me know your sewing experience, the age(s) of the child(ren) for whom you are sewing, and your experience with digital patterns. Having a blog is not a prerequisite.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Sewing: Ruffled Rag Flower Applique

2013-02-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun with the Ruffled Rag Applique in a heart for Scarlett that I had to try another, for Tess. (Audrey is not at all interested in something with this much frilly texture, which is fine.)

So Tess got a flower.

This time I used one fabric for the first, inside outline of the flower, and a second for the outer outline. I love the corals and pinks together. And it was nice that the shirt happened to match the Prairie Pants I made her a few months ago (they are getting a bit short) (still working on finishing that pattern...).

The other difference between this applique and the heart one is that I sewed directly on the t-shirt after applying some HeatN'Bond to the reverse side, and then I adhered a piece of white knit to the reverse to cover up all the stitching and just stitched around the perimeter of the flower to make it permanent.

She's a peach. Full of personality. Thank goodness for her good humor, especially after a long weekend of indoor time...

You can find the original tutorial here.

FYI: Babble's Top 50 Craft Blogs List for 2013

2013-02-20T15:40:00.002-07:00

I just received an email that made me very happy so I have to share: Babble has included Aesthetic Nest in their list of Top 50 Craft Blogs for 2013. Yippee!

It's such a great list of blogs every year, and so nice to have Babble's editors culling through the great amount of talent out there and sharing their perspective on the best for moms. I always find fabulous blogs that are new-to-me (I need to browse around more!). It's amazing to see the beauty and generosity of ideas out there, isn't it? And to think this blog made the list again (I was happily surprised Aesthetic Nest was named "most beautiful" in their 2011 list) makes me want to keep on posting...

Thank you for being such a kind audience for my ideas.

Sewing: Faux Fur Slip-Through Scarf (Tutorial)

2013-02-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

I love white in any season--before or after Labor Day--but it is especially beautiful in Winter. I have always been a fan of a reduced palette: whites, neutrals, tints. So when Kirstin asked me to join her and Delia in their Winter Whites series I was thrilled. Not only to participate, but also to see how others are inspired by a whitewashed Winter palette. You may have seen my post KoJo Designs but just in case, I wanted to share it here while it is still Wintry (I'm really getting Spring fever--aren't you?!)

It is stating the obvious for you who have visited before, but my creativity is centered on my family, predominantly my three little girls, so I predictably thought about making something for them: Faux Fur Slip-Through Scarves. I'm such a sucker for animal prints and textures. And they like them too.

I made some Faux Fur Infinity Scarves before Christmas in rich browns and was excited about the idea of using faux fur in white once January arrived. So I made a White Faux Fur Infinity Scarf (Audrey is wearing it above) and for the Winter Whites series, a Slip-Through Scarf in a child-size. And why not one in light pink too?

I love these slip-through scarves because they go on so easily, and they stay on. And this light and fluffy variety is pretty fun to wear.

I've got a tutorial for making a Faux Fur Slip-Through Scarf for you or your little girl. Or one for each of you! And all your friends...

This is a pretty easy and quick project but if you haven't sewn with it before you may want to check out my tips for sewing with faux fur in this post before beginning. They make a big difference in cutting down the mess and making sure the final product is just what you had in mind.