Sew Kansas

Dress #5

2012-01-30T09:46:00.001-06:00

Finally, the last dress! You got a glimpse of the dress here last week. Now for a closer look.

I used Kwik Sew pattern # 3921. I added the ruffle at the neck, made the skirt all one fabric, and made a fabric tie to go around the waist. After seeing the dress on Lucy, I probably should have put some little thread belt loops on the side to keep the bow in place!

Dress #4

2012-01-23T07:17:00.001-06:00

Dresses 4 and 5 are matching dresses I designed for Lucy and Darla. Scott and Chelsea took these cute pictures of the girls.

Not sure why I chose yellow and gray to make these dresses, but we think I might have been influenced by Scott and Chelsea's bedroom decor. What do you think?

So here it is. Dress # 4!

I started with McCalls pattern # 5791 and added the belt and ruffles.

Dress # 3

2012-01-16T18:03:00.002-06:00

I just returned home from a wonderful relaxing week in Hawaii! With the exception of checking out a Hawaiian Quilt store, I didn't think of sewing at all! Now I'm home and thinking of nothing but sewing--prom is officially here!

I really love the Lisette patterns for Simplicity, so I finally made one of them for Anna. Dress # 3 is Simplicity #2064. I fell in love with the pattern and found the exact fabric. I think it turned out great. Here it is:

Dress # 2

2012-01-02T14:28:00.000-06:00

Here's dress # 2! This dress was for our sweet little Ellie. I used Simplicity pattern # 2292 just like in the first dress. I made this dress according to the pattern except I cut the front piece on the fold so there wouldn't be a seam through these cute little flowers!

Five Little Christmas Dresses--#1

2011-12-26T16:50:00.003-06:00

I now have 5 little granddaughters to sew for. Hooray!! Of course, they all got a new dress for Christmas! Here's Macy's little jumper. I used Simplicity Pattern # 2292 and just add a few gathers across the top. It is made from a soft brown corduroy. Love, love, love ruffles on little girls! Simplicity featured my project on their facebook page! Here's the link if you want to have a look http://www.facebook.com/simplicitypatterns

Fitted Car Seat Canopy

2011-12-05T17:15:00.001-06:00

It is cold and windy here in Kansas so our newest little granddaughter really needed something to keep her warm and cozy in her car seat. Here's what I came up with:

This was made by trial and error! Next time we have a grandchild, I promise to make another one and write up a tutorial--it could be awhile!!

Adorable Anna and her matching doll

2011-11-21T18:14:00.001-06:00

Our beautiful Anna had a birthday last week! I made her a birthday dress of course, and then thought that her birthday dolly should have one, too! Here they are:

I used soft pinwale corduroy with pink cotton trim. Anna's dress started with Simplicity pattern # 1949. I just added the little pink ruffles and fabric trim on the sleeves. Dolly's dress was Simplicity pattern # 2296 with the same changes. What fun!!

Photo by Amy Armstrong

I think dolly's dress might be a little big, but Anna is SO CUTE!!

Wrap Dress

2011-11-12T19:07:00.000-06:00

Slowly but surely I am working my way through a stack of fabric earmarked for my wardrobe. I love sewing my own clothes, but have a hard time finding the time. Generally I start something for myself and work on it a few minutes here and there until finished. That can take a long time!! Yesterday I finished this cute wrap dress:

I love wrap dresses (and they are flattering on almost everyone) so if you're in the market for a new dress you might want to give this pattern a try. I used McCalls pattern # 6024 minus all ruffles and I think it turned out great!

Fortune Cookies

2011-11-06T19:06:00.001-06:00

I made these cute little fabric fortune cookies for a lesson today. I can't take credit for the idea or instructions so go here to learn all about it!!

Cheer for Halloween!

2011-10-31T18:23:00.003-05:00

I just had a trick or treat visit from the cutest little cheerleader ever!

Macy and her mom make a great cheerleader squad!

I used Simplicity # 3689 as a starting point for Mom's costume. I simplified it by eliminating the cutout on the skirt and adding an elastic waist. I'm pretty strict about sewing correctly, but when sewing costumes I almost always take shortcuts!

I designed Macy's costume to look like Mom's.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2011-10-28T08:20:00.005-05:00

It's that time again!

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This is a quilt I made some time ago. Now that I 'm looking at it again, I want to make another log cabin. I love them!

See you over at the festival!!

Our Newest Granddaughter Has Arrived!

2011-10-05T17:57:00.001-05:00

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We have a new granddaughter! Here's her quilt:

Nothing New Here!

2011-09-22T18:28:00.001-05:00

Nothing but homecoming at my house, but Jill over at Creating My Way to Success is doing a feature on me. I know she would love to have you stop by for a visit!

A Little Bit of Fun and a Lot of Homecoming Dresses

2011-09-13T14:05:00.002-05:00

Here's the rundown on all of my current projects:

Lots and lots of Homecoming Dresses

and some hemming of Rick's pants (1 down and four to go);

a few more squares on the cathedral window quilt;

Eric and Holly's quilt;

a little bit more on the guest-room quilt;

a baby quilt;

AND, a little work on a dress for myself. I sometimes wish I could concentrate on just one project at a time!

Birthday Outfit for Lucy

2011-09-03T13:58:00.002-05:00

Pin ItHere's Lucy's birthday outfit!

The skirt is just a simple ruffled skirt with a wide elastic band and belt loops. The skirt is made from Kona Cotton and is very full.

The Belt is adjustable with two different fabrics for contrast.

The top is Simplicity #5695. I love this super easy dress pattern so I just shortened it to make a cute blouse. Last but not least, here's my free pattern for the purse.

Quiet Book for Lucy

2011-08-27T17:26:00.002-05:00

Here's the quiet book I made for Lucy's birthday. I hope she likes it!

It is in a zippered case that opens flat. I put a pocket on the outside to hold extra pencils or whatever she else she wants to take with her.

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Page 1: I made this by using transfer paper--super easy

Page 2: A pocket with a magnetic snap. It holds a notebook, stickers, and colored pencils

Page 3: A clock with stick on felt numbers and letters. The hands are heavy felt.

Page 4: Yarn hair and a pocket for clips etc.

Page 5 and 6: Clothes and doll (This was by far the most fun)! Doll has a velcro slip and clothes a velcro back.

Page 7: Zippers

Page 8: Shoes to tie

Page 9 and 10: Road with cars

Page 11: Buckle Seat Belt

Page 12: Flower matching

Page 13: Noah's Ark with a pocket to hold a little book and some animal cards in pairs.

Page 14: A little book of Sunday pictures ( a photo album sewn right onto the page.

The End

Replacing A Coat Lining

2011-08-22T09:06:00.000-05:00

I'm guessing most of us have had a beautiful coat with a tattered lining. Instead of buying a new coat (or always trying to hide the lining) replace it! Replacing a lining is time consuming so don't expect to have someone else do it if you're on a budget. But, if you have some basic sewing skills, it's pretty easy.

Here's how it's done.

1) Carefully remove the old lining. It will probably be shredded in places, but try to keep it intact as much as possible.

This is the original lining

2) Pay close attention to how the lining was put together and attached to the outer garment. If it helps, notch pieces before taking them apart like this:

I also notch the shoulder seam on the sleeve and anything else that needs to match.

3) Press all the pieces, lay them out on the new lining fabric and cut out the new lining.

4) Now sew it all together and into the garment.

Here's the finished product:

Finally, don't skimp on lining quality. Buy the best you can afford and make sure that for a winter coat you buy a coat lining. If you can't find good lining in a local store, there are several plaes that you can order from online. Unfortunately, colors are often limited. I bought this black lining at Joann Fabrics and it is very nice. I also recently bought some light grey lining from Sew True.

Have Fun!

Sewing for myself

2011-08-14T21:47:00.001-05:00

It is not often that I can squeeze in some sewing for myself. I have a stack of fabric and lots of plans, but most of my sewing is the kind that pays the bills! This week I managed a few minutes here and there and made this:

I've had this red crepe in my closet for years and finally put it to good use. I used Simplicity pattern # 4047. I changed the neckline just a bit and hemmed rather than faced the sleeve. Pretty easy!

Ellie's having a birthday!

2011-08-07T19:35:00.000-05:00

Our beautiful granddaughter Ellie will be one next week! I can't believe it has been a year already--wow!
Here's a little dress that I made for her birthday. I used McCalls pattern # 6228 and added ruffles on the bodice and bloomers.

This is a pretty easy pattern, but if you are a beginner, make sure you follow the directions and line the entire dress. I only lined the top which made the armholes a bit tricky.

More Old Quilts

2011-07-31T10:32:00.001-05:00

One more quilt from my stash of old quilts. It was made by one of my grandmothers.

Not A Sewing Post

2011-07-23T13:27:00.000-05:00

Clearly this is not a sewing project. I did buy the clock works at JoAnn Fabrics so I'm going with it!

I bought the clockworks at JoAnn and wood numbers at Hobby Lobby. All it took was a little black paint and a lot of time going up and down a ladder!!

Cathedral Windows and Wedding Dresses

2011-07-18T19:37:00.002-05:00

Many years ago while still in college I started a Cathedral Window quilt. I didn't get far before it was abandoned. I've thought about starting again many times and finally I did!! So much fun! Here's a sneak peak:

Since I'm thinking of things started years ago....., here is the receipt for my wedding dress fabric! It's been just about 33 years ! Anyone know if this store is still in SLC?

Aww the memories!

More old quilts

2011-07-11T17:34:00.001-05:00

Here's another of my grandmother's quilts. Love those hexagons!

Little Girl's Purse Pattern

2011-07-02T19:54:00.124-05:00

You may recall this purse and that I promised a pattern. FINALLY!!! Here's the newest version and tutorial. Click on the two links below for the pattern.
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1) Cut out according to directions on the pattern.

2) Add interfacing to front, back, flap, strap, and bottom-side piece. I used an iron-on fleece to give the purse some body. This is what it looks like:

3) Fold the little tab in half and press

Now open up and fold each side to center and press again

Now fold in half once again and stitch close to each long edge

4) Position tab in the center of the front and about 1 and 1/2 inches from the top. Turn the ends under a scant 1/4" and stitch like the picture below.

5) Stitch flap and lining together leaving the straight edge open. Clip curves, turn, press and topstitch 1/4" from the edge. ***Note--All seam allowances are 1/4"

6) Stitch the bottom and side piece to the front and back. You will need to clip the corner. I reinforced the seam before I clipped it.

This is what it will look like after it is stitched together.

Trim corner

7) Here it is so far:

8) Turn right side out

9) Sew lining to strap, leaving both ends open. Clip curves, turn, press, and top stitch 1/4" from edge.

10) Pin flap to back edge and the ends of the strap to each side.

11) Sew lining together leaving a 2-3" opening along one side of the bottom.

12) Set purse inside lining with right sides together and pin along top edge. Flap and strap should be inside.

13) Stitch around the top

14) Turn right side out by pulling the purse through the opening you left in the bottom. Now stitch up the opening

15) Press the edge and topstitch .

All done! Here's the finished product.

Here are the links to the pattern. Enjoy!

page 1

page 2

Baby Quilt Finished!

2011-06-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

FINALLY finished this baby quilt! I started this over a year ago and then changed my mind about it and put it on the shelf. When a customer of mine had a new grandson, I thought it was the perfect time to pull it off the shelf and finish it.

If you follow this blog, you know that I think choosing the correct machine needle is VERY important (see this) so it won't surprise you when I say that you should use a quilting needle when you quilt.
You can really tell the difference. The quilting needle has a tapered design which allows easier fabric penetration and helps eliminate skipped stitches.