Simple Simon & Company

Teacher Appreciation....a simple gift.

2013-05-17T08:33:00.001-06:00

Last week I shared the chevron baby quilt I made for a teacher appreciation gift and today I am sharing the last one. My oldest son's teacher is an avid reader and has a kindle, so I thought a gift certificate for more e-reader books and a handmade case were the perfect gift for her.

It got to her a bit behind teacher appreciation week (I told you I am behind in everything right now) but hopefully it will get used this summer.

And my favorite wrapping has always been brown paper packages (tied up with ribbons). I used to be able to buy them in bulk at a paper supply store, but it has since gone out of business. I have resorted to dollar store ones (which are actually good quality) but I need to be on the lookout for a bulk place again. They are my favorite--simple, white tissue paper and a ribbon from the stash. I actually keep some in my glove box for last minute things with a stack of blank cards and ribbon (yes I am so weird, I know.)

What did you do for teacher appreciation gifts this year? Anything that was super well-received that we should all pin for next year?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

~Elizabeth

Easy Swimming Suit Cover-Up Tutorials

2013-05-16T04:30:00.000-06:00

Hello.

Today I have two tutorials for you---one from last summer and one for this summer---and they are both super simple swimming suit cover-ups!

(Wowza...that sentence was a mouthful...don't try saying that out loud.)

Anyway.

The cover-up for this summer looks like this:

And we are sharing the whole tutorial for it today over at Mama Says Sew.

(If you've never visited Terra's blog before now you really should. Not only is she a talented seamstress and is currently running a great series called "Just Sew" but she is an all around lovely person who I have only good things to say about.)

So...after you head over there....

Come back here and browse through another simple swimsuit cover up.

The one I made last year...out of microfiber dish towels.

Grace wore it the ENTIRE summer...and it only got softer with each washing.

Oh and you can just click on this:

Easy Swimsuit Cover-Up Tutorial

to get the tutorial.

Hope to see you around!

-liZ

PS---Happy Sea Monkey Day!

Yes, it's real...I swear I didn't make it up.

And as long as I'm not making things up it's also the birthday of the U.S. Nickel....which you can send me any of your extra ones if you'd like because we just had to have our AC fixed and dang! That cost a lot of nickles.

Easy Fabric Bookmark and some thoughts....

2013-05-15T05:30:00.000-06:00

I know I alluded to this last week, but things are beyond busy around these parts. I am sure they are in your homes too. The end of school is so close (but not close enough) so it's just been running around like crazy. This week we have 6 evening events in 5 nights---and I haven't peeked at the calendar next week. I can only handle so much....

On top of that there are some big blog things going on behind the scenes (with some major deadlines to boot) so I certainly feel like I am swimming upstream for the next couple of weeks. We will share soon and it's not like they are momentous things....but they all just take a lot of time. And time is one thing I don't have much of right now.

(And I sincerely thought that as my kids got older things were supposed to get easier....ha! I know you moms with kids older than mine are saying to the computer, "Just you wait....just you wait." Ah!!!! I don't know if I want to know....)

So, if things are a bit quieter here on Simple Simon, you will have to forgive us. We do have some great things coming and some free patterns and wonderful tutorials, but we just need a few hours to edit pictures and tutorials and get them up here.

Onto today's real topic.....

I do have a quick and easy project to share today. liZ gave me a "One Line a Day Journal" a year or two ago for my birthday and I love it. I am not much of a long journal-er, so it is absolutely perfect for me. But, I keep losing my page....so the extra-easy fabric bookmark is now saving it for me.

I basically made it like a fabric cuff, just two pieces of fabric that I measured to go 3/4 the way around the book.

I added a hair band in between the layers, stitched around it leaving a hole to turn. Then, flip, top stitch, add a button and you are done! 15 minutes....tops! I should have made some more for teacher appreciation...anyone who reads would love one.

And here it is in my journal....

How do you get through stressful weeks? Bubble baths, chocolate, a good cry?

Me...all of the above.

~Elizabeth

The Art of Homemaking: Dig it Out

2013-05-14T04:30:00.000-06:00

For the past few summers our lawn has been infested with dandelions.

(Which I don't mind...I actually kind of like them. But it drives my husband crazy!)

So last year in an effort to help my husband I started googling ways to get rid of the dandelions. I wanted something quick and easy---I don't really know what, just something I could do in a jiffy and then show my husband that I had single handedly solved the whole yellow epidemic.

Maybe there was an organic spray, some sort of home remedy to sprinkle, or some voodoo I could chant and within minutes be done with the problem.

But it wasn't to be.

The more I read the more I realized what needed to be done:

"Dig out the roots with a trowel or a special tool called a "dandelion digger" for digging out dandelions. Work the end, which looks like a screwdriver, into the soil and pull up the whole weed."
Source :eHow

"Hand-weeding is still the best defense..."
Source: This Old House

If I wanted to solve the problem I needed to first, dig out each individual weed and then work to grow a thicker, healthier lawn that wouldn't allow the dandelion seeds to grow.

This is NOT the answer I (or my husband) was looking for.

But finally one afternoon I made the trip over to IFA and purchased a "dandelion digger" for each of us. Then we spent the next month or so daily spending a few minutes out in the lawn together pulling dandelions. And by the end of the summer we were all green and dandelion free. The hand weeding had made all the difference.

It's spring time now and guess what...our lawn is a lovely see of green COVERED in tiny little ships of yellow navigating their way throughout the entire yard.

We pulled out each dandelion but...we didn't work on make our lawn healthier and it wasn't strong enough to keep the weeds out.

So this week we are starting over. The dandelion diggers are back...but we also have a plan for the lawn to help strengthen it as well. And what, you ask, does any of this have to do with "the art of homemaking"? Well, I'll tell you.

As we've dealt with this dandelion issue it's reminded me of problems that come up with our families and in our homes. Often our problems don't have simple solutions..no sprays, simple remedies, or voodoo. Usually the only way we can solve them is to get in there with both hands and dig it out...with sweat...and tears...and sometimes over long periods of time until the problem is solved. And sometimes (as crappy as it is) we have to do it more than once.

That's just the way it is.

With everything from potty training to getting out of debt to addiction to establishing bedtime and homework routines. It takes work...everyday...day after day...and once you've got the problem solved then you need to keep at it so the problem doesn't return.

I don't mean this post to be a downer...maybe I just needed a reminder myself.

Ruth will be back at the hospital this morning having a tube replaced. It's a small, simple procedure but one that I am dreading non the less.
I'd like to complain now about the amount of illness we've had in our home, the number of doctor visits we've had, or count the trips we've taken to the hospital over the last 18 months...but I won't...they just happen to be the weeds that our family needs to pull right now. And we're working on it. Slowly but surely...just like your family is working on your own personal dandelions.

That's just the way it is.

In a way it's kind of nice to know that we've all got some yard work to do...and that we all need to do it the same way...day after day, one problem at a time...

(And sometimes, if we're lucky a friend or two will help us out and pick a few of the dandelions for us along the way...which reminds me...thank you for all the help yesterday on Facebook with the stinky kitchen conundrum---it still isn't solved but at least right now we know what the smell isn't! And you helped me fret my time away worrying about the smell instead of freaking out about this morning. So thank you, I appreciate it.)

Wish us luck today.
-liZ

P.S. The "Summer Sundresses" are up for voting at Project Sewn!!!! Go check them out....and VOTE!!!

A yellow polka-dot......

2013-05-13T05:00:00.000-06:00

I shared this post awhile back when Melissa was having her Polka-dot series, but today I am bringing it home....

The sewing studio winner is being announced at the end of the post (how is that for mean?)

One thing we love at Simple Simon is Vintage Patterns! We can't get enough of them. So I knew that the combination of a vintage pattern and polka-dots would be just the thing.

I had fun going through my vintage stash to find one that suited the polka-dot perfectly and when I came across this one, saw the blue shirt on the right---I knew it was the perfect combination. I loved the collar on the shirt (I am a sucker for anything with a vintage-esque collar) and so I was set off to sew it up.

(One tip about vintage patterns--make sure to check your size with the measurements carefully----the sizes were considerably different than today's ready-to-wear sizes.)

The thing I missed (when I didn't read the pattern more carefully) was that it was a maternity pattern, which I didn't catch until I had the pieces ready to cut and finally noticed that the shirt front and back where making pretty wide A-lines instead of the nice straight shirt I saw on the cover. (Deceiving cover, I tell you....)

Luckily I caught my mistake before I cut so I remedied it by taking both the front and back pattern sides back to a straight line and then I was off to sew it up.....

And here is the final result. See that awesome collar.....I seriously love it.

The fabric was a rayon-polyester blend that I picked up in LA at the Fashion District last Spring, and it had a great drape.

And while you are thinking it.....yes, while Little-Miss-Faux-Dressform and I have well, almost the same size shoulders, but we unfortunately do NOT have the same size waist....so those gaps on the waist....well they fit in real life. (And the belt, well it hasn't seen that hole in...um.....ever ;)

But I love the blouse, it fits well. I actually prefer one-size vintage patterns for that reason. When you get them to meet your measurements, they do fit great. Other than pulling the sides back from the wide A-lines for the maternity belly back to a straight line, I didn't change a thing.

Here are some other posts we did on sewing vintage patterns (like measuring your "high-bust" instead of the real bust) as well as how to measure yourself if you want to check those out.

And if you learn anything from the yellow-polka-dotted shirt...it's to not be scared to try a vintage pattern. They really are awesome!

P.S. The winner

of the sewing studio is....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Do it Yourself PVC Pipe Cabana (and some other fun PVC projects for kids)

2013-05-10T04:30:00.000-06:00

Every year for the past few years Elizabeth and I have built some sort of summer PVC project for our kids and this year is no exception.

This year's PVC project may just be my favorite so far.

And the kids LOVE it.

In fact Simon's been working up a routine to do with it to earn a little extra summer cash.

Ok, so maybe the four-foot-man-eating-chicken routine was really all my idea.

But with him willing to dress up and humor me by posing like a crazy person for a few minutes I just couldn't help myself.

Anyway...back to the point...this years PVC project....today we are sharing it over at Tatertots and Jello...and it's a good one. So click on over there for all the details!

And if you need some other PVC inspiration here are some of our projects from previous years:

PVC Water Mayhem and a PVC Target

PVC Summer Camp Chairs

and

The PVC Lemonade Stand

Thanks for stopping by and we hope to see you over at Tatertots and Jello!

Have a good weekend everyone!

-liZ

A Chevron Quilt and some scraps.

2013-05-09T08:09:00.001-06:00

Happy Thursday everyone! I don't know what it is about this week, but I am ready for a weekend. I think it might be all the last-minute HUGE school projects that we are trying to get tucked away before the end of the year--but I will be happy when they are turned in and done. It's been a LOT of homework time.

Also this week I have been working on some quilting projects. The hexagon quilt is finally back from Melissa's sewing shop and is ready to bind, which I am dying to get done. The plan is to cut the binding today and get it sewn on so that I can hand-stitch this weekend.

And this chevron quilt is going off to a teacher that is having a baby boy. The HST (half-square triangles) are 8-inch blocks (6 rows by 6 rows square) so it felt like a fast sew. The backing is a fabric off the quilting wall at Joann's and the front colors and Riley Blake Seafoam and white Kona Cotton.

And finally, this little pile of scraps was sitting on my sewing table from cutting a couple of days ago. It looked so lovely in the sunlight that I snapped a picture. It is going to be a quilt as well.

I am loving the colors together (although it doesn't match anything in my house). Then again, does a quilt really have to match anything?

Any projects you are working on?

~Elizabeth

Faux Peter Pan Collar Pattern and Tutorial

2013-05-08T04:30:00.000-06:00

Last week when I was sharing Gracie's Spring Lookbook I posted about her Almost Ready for School Girl Look with this shirt and a knit drop waist skirt tutorial. At that time I promised to give the pattern and tutorial for that shirt this week...so here it is:

The t-shirt is actually a Garanimals size 4T that I bought for just under $4 at Wal-Mart and then embellished with a faux Peter Pan Collar.

What you'll need to replicate this top is a the Peter Pan Collar Pattern, a Garanimals shirt, fabric for the faux collars, and mini pom pom trim.

To get the Faux Peter Pan Collar Pattern click HERE.

(Like I said I made it to fit a size 4T but it should also work for a 3T and a 5T.)

Once you have the pattern, cut two of them out (one for each side) using the fabric of your choice.

Next sew a line a scant fourth inch away from the top edge of both of your collar pieces.

Then fold that edge (wrong sides together) and iron flat.

Now take your collar pieces and sew the mini pom pom trim to the edge of the right sides of your collars (as shown in the photo below) all along the entire bottom edges.

Next you are going to fold the trim over from the front side to the back (hiding the top of the trim and making the pom poms look like they are popping out from underneath the collar) and iron flat.

Now pin your collar pieces onto your shirt.

And finally top stitch around the entire edge of both pieces of your collar.

Done.

It's a quick project.

And...I like the results.

This is another shirt that we've had done for several weeks now and it has already gotten use so I can report that it also washes and wears like a champ.

Alright...so that's that.

Hope you have a great day....today is "No Sock Day"...soooo...enjoy.

-liZ

The Art of Homemaking: It's the Little Things

2013-05-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

My mom found a great yard sale last weekend and brought me home some vintage trim treasures and this beautiful piece of smocking was in the bag. It's been sitting on my desk for a few days and I keep thinking about how lovingly someone made it---stitch by stitch. It's like everything we sew---stitch by stitch.

And then I read this quote and thought it was so apropos.

“Just as a little thread of gold, running through a fabric, brightens the whole garment, so women’s work at home, while only the doing of little things, is like the golden gleam of sunlight that runs through and brightens all the fabric of civilization." ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

She is so right. It's the little things.

One story....

I remember a time when I was in middle school coming home from school one day to a bowl full of neatly cut up carrots floating in a big bowl of ice cubes. They were waiting for my sister and brothers and I to get home from school. Ordinarily, this wouldn't have been a big occurrence, but you see my mom was working full-time then. My dad had lost his job and my mom was supporting us during that school year.

I don't remember why she was home that day, or even any other circumstances surrounding that occasion---but I remember knowing that by cutting up carrots and putting them in ice water for us---that she was showing her love. It was a little thing. But to me it wasn't, it was a big thing.

So, for this week my goal is to do a "little things" for each of my kids (and hubby too)--so that they will absolutely know how important they are to me.

I guess I just needed the reminder this week that it isn't the big things---it's the little ones that matter.
~Elizabeth

If I could make-over my kitchen...

2013-05-06T04:30:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I got an email asking me if I could make-over my kitchen what would I do.

Well...when baby Ruth was only 3 months old my husband surprised me one day by bringing home a truck load of wood.

Wood flooring to be exact.

(Enough to cover the entryway, family room, hallways, dining area and kitchen.)
And I was excited.

The next day while I was out running errands he got to work and when I came home not only were all the floors and furniture on our entire main floor missing but so were all the cabinets and appliances in the kitchen.
And I was not so excited.

And....I kind of freaked out---the weather had just gotten cold and stormy we had two kids now with no place to play (all the furniture was stacked in their rooms), a newborn, and a wedding shower planned at our house in two weeks.
AGHHHHHHH!!!!

It was CRAZY!!!!
But the flooring got finished.
(And I love it.)
And the cabinets were all refinished white with new black pulls.
(Something else that I love.)

But by the time we made it to that point we were starting the holiday season and the make-over came to an end. Boo.

However it's spring and we are both itching to get started on some home improvement projects.
Really---we just planned out a make-over for our bedroom that I am over the moon about.)
But I would like to go back and finish up the kitchen exactly how I want it---and I know just what I'd do:

First on my list would be a new sink...I have a really small, shallow sink with an icky faucet.
Next: I would put up a tile back splash.
Then: I would install some new blinds and a window treatment.
And finally: I would pick a new paint color for the walls.

(However, if you asked my husband he'd only choose one thing---the counter tops.)

How about you? What would you make-over in your kitchen?
(And be careful what you say...or rather WHEN you say it...or you may come home to a home under construction to! :)
-liZ

PS---Check out the video below from Home Depot...I think my husband has watched it like 12 times now and wants me to keep watching it to :) He has home improvements on his mind something fierce! And he has an undying love for Home Depot....
(Which reminds me...that slide he installed in the basement...again...while I was out...I'll be posting about that soon. It's become the hit of the century around here.)

The Art of Homemaking: Every day is a Celebration (May 2013 Holidays)

2013-05-04T04:30:00.000-06:00

It's time for another monthly installment of "Every day is a Celebration". Here are your holidays for the month of May...starting with today!

4th: Star Wars Day (May the 4th Be With You!), International Firefighters Day, International Respect for Chickens Day, National Scrapbooking Day

5th: Cinco de Mayo, National Hoagie Day, Oyster Day, World Laughter Day, Totally Chipotle Day
6th: Beverage Day, No Diet Day, National Nurses Day
7th: National Teachers Day, Pulitzer Prize Birthday
8th: Iris Day, No Socks Day, World Red Cross Day, Donate a Day's Wages to Charity, Receptionists' Day

9th: Lost Sock Memorial Day, National Train Day, Peter Pan Day (James Matthew Barrie's Birthday 1860)
10th: Clean Your Room Day, Fintastic Friday: Giving Sharks A Voice
11th: Eat What You Want Day, Twilight Zone Day, Mother Ocean Day, Baby Sitter's Day, Mini Golf Day, Stay Up All Night Day, World Belly Dance Day

12th: Mother's Day, Limerick Day, Hug Your Cat Day, Kite Day
13th: Frog Jumping Day, Leprechaun Day, Tulip Day
14th: National Chicken Dance Day, Lewis and Clark Expedition began (1804)
15th: National Chocolate Chip Day, Police Officer's Memorial Day, International Day of Families, Straw Hat Day, Wizard of Oz Day (L.F. Baum's Birthday in 1856)

16th Love a Tree Day, National Sea Monkey Day, Wear Purple for Peace Day, First US Nickel Minted (in 1866)
17th: National Ride a Bike to Work Day, Pack Rat Day, Endangered Species Day, NASCAR Day, National Pizza Party Day

18th: Armed Forces Day, International Museum Day, No Dirty Dishes Day, National Learn to Swim Day, Visit Your Relatives Day

19th: Boys Club Day, Neighbor Day, Circus Day (Ringling Bros. opened in 1884)
20th: Eliza Doolittle Day, Weights and Measures Day, Strawberry Picking Day
21st: National Memo Day, National Waiter and Waitress Day, American Red Cross Founded (in 1881 by Clara Barton)

22nd: Buy A Musical Instrument Day
23rd: Lucky Penny Day, National Taffy Day
24th: National Escargot Day, Brother's Day
25th: Tap Dance Day, Cookie Monster's Birthday, Nerd/Geek Pride Day, Towel Day, International Jazz Day

26th: Sally Ride Day, Blueberry Cheesecake Day
27th: Memorial Day, Sun Screen Day, Masking Tape's Birthday (patented in 1930)
28th: Amnesty International Day
29th: Learn about Composting Day, Paper Clip Day
30th: Water a Flower Day
31st: National Macaroon Day, Save Your Hearing Day, World No Tobacco Day

Happy Celebrating!

Spring Look Book: The Faux Bib Shirt. A Tutorial.

2013-05-03T04:30:00.000-06:00

This is one of my favorite outfits from Gracie's spring look book.

The shorts are some hand-me-down pants that we were given but that weren't long enough. So I wacked them off and she's wearing them as shorts.

And the shirt...oh, I love this shirt.

It's a $3.88 Garamimals T-shirt that I added mini pom pom trim to.

To make a shirt like Grace's you just need your shirt, the trim, some Liquid Stitch, and your sewing machine.

Now here comes the tutorial.

(Pay attention...it's a complicated one.)

#1. Lay your shirt flat.

#2. Using Liquid Stitch glue your trim onto the shirt.

#3. Let it dry.

#4..Sew over the top of the trim to hold it permanently.

#5. You are done.

(Hope you took notes...that was intense!)

Ok...so...you probably didn't need the "tutorial" for making this shirt...but I wanted to tell you how I made it because I really do like it...a lot. And she's already worn it...a lot. And it washes like a champ. I actually just bought another one of these T-shirts in white that I'm going to add colored mini pom poms to. I think I'm going to like that one to....maybe even a little more than this one!

Alrighty so that's that.

Have a good weekend everyone!

-liZ

Oh! And come back around tomorrow...I'll be posting all of the awesome holidays that can be celebrated in the month of May. (And it's a pretty good list!)

Spring Look Book: The T-shirt Dress Anyone Can Make (With the How To)

2013-05-02T04:30:00.000-06:00

This is the best thing I've made Grace in awhile.

Best as in she likes it the most. I think that is because I left the skirt long...like she wanted...so she doesn't have to wear leggings (or any sort of bloomers) underneath. I had planned on cutting the dress several inches shorter when I hemmed it but...she talked me into the longer length...and I have to agree that it is kind of cute like this. So the longer length will stay.

Now I said this is the T-shirt dress that anyone can make. And it's true. All you need is a t-shirt pattern...and those patterns are EVERYWHERE.

This is the one that I used:

A vintage boys t-shirt pattern that I picked up at a thrift store for 50 cents.

(But like I said, you can use any t-shirt pattern you have on hand...and if you don't have one handy, go to your local thrift store and you'll find one, or two, or twenty, that will work...all for under a dollar.)

Once you've found your t-shirt pattern hold it up to your future t-shirt dress wearer. See where the pattern ends and measure from that point down to where you want your skirt to end. Now you know how many inches to add to the length of your pattern.

(For Grace I added 17 inches.)

Add those inches on to the bottom of your pattern and you're done.

Done.

End of tutorial.

If you want to get fancy you can make it an A-Line shape by adding 2 or so inches to the pattern at the bottom hem and then....but...just don't. This is the T-shirt dress that anyone can make so just keep it simple. Add some inches. Cut it out. Sew it up. Call it good.

It's easy. And ANYONE can do it.

But, what's that you say? You'll have to use knit to make a t-shirt dress and you don't have a serger?

Well neither do I my friends and I still sew with knits all the time.

I've just learned to become one with the zig zag stitch. And you can to.

It may not look as professional as if I had a serger but it does the job.

And I don't think Grace looks any worse for the wear having a zig zagged dress instead of a serged one.

So there you have it. Take a t-shirt pattern and make it longer.

Easiest pattern modification ever.

-liZ

PS--We took these pictures yesterday and it was FREEZING. I only took like 3 and they all looked pretty much the same with Grace hunched over, ready to jump off the steps and climb into the warm van. It actually started snowing right when I snapped this photo and we were done...back home we went and turned on the fireplace...in May...what kind of spring is this???

Spring Look Book: Inspiration 2013---Black and White

2013-05-01T04:30:00.000-06:00

The inspiration for Gracie's Spring Look book can be summed up in 3 words:

Black and White.

That's it.

Right now...I am crazy for all things black and white.

It's clean and crisp and modern and graphic and I just love it.

Although after I just said it's "modern" I have to admit that I've probably been influenced by what I've been watching lately...and it's anything but modern:

"The Dick Van Dyke Show".

It's my favorite show.

(Nerdy but true.)

And I just finished watching all the episodes sequentially. I've been watching it for awhile now...during lunch with Grace...I just love it...and when I reflect on the items that I made during the time I've been watching it I can see just how much influence the show has had on me.

The shapes of the silhouettes, skirts, and collars are all reflections on the fashions worn in the show. Not intentionally but I suppose what you are exposed to sinks in without you even knowing it.

(So, I guess it is a good thing I wasn't watching something like Battle Star Gallactica or Saved By the Bell while I was sewing up Gracie's Spring collection.)

Grace's Spring Look Book is full of classic designs done up all in black and white. For each look I will share a tutorial, a pattern, a how-to, or a technique (like the knit, drop waisted skirt tutorial I posted on Monday) and I'm excited to be sharing these with you over the next few days.

Just like Gracie's Fall Look Book I wanted her to be able to mix and match the pieces within the collection. And just like in the fall the pieces are a crazy hodge podge---some of them self drafted, some up cycled, some store bought and embellished, and some modified patterns---all things I like to do.

I think there is fun to be had and a place for all those types of sewing---self drafting, following patterns, modifying patterns, up cycling, and embellishing....and I enjoy all of the above and included some of each in Grace's Spring Look Book.

So there you have it, the inspiration, the colors, whatever....enough talk!

Let's get on to the sewing!!!!

See you all tomorrow with another look and an easy how-to!

-liZ

A guest post and another giveaway....

2013-04-30T04:30:00.000-06:00

Today you will find us over at Design by Sessa's "On the Porch" series sharing some of our favorite things, so pop over and see us.

And then you can say hi to Vanessa, who we met through Project Run and Play. We love her boy designs....they are amazing!

As we said in the title, we do have another giveaway for you (although the first is still going on...so enter HERE if you haven't already....it's the chance to win a sewing studio!)

We get to be a part of one more giveaway for you....this one is a Mother's Day giveaway with a twist. You can win the prize package AND give one to your mom too. It's a two-fer.

Wahoo!!!

For all the details and to enter go
HERE!

Spring Look Book: Almost Ready for School (With a Knit Drop Waist Skirt Tutorial)

2013-04-29T04:30:00.000-06:00

Today I get to start sharing Gracie's Spring Look Book.

I really should start with my inspiration post but I'm too excited so I'm going to just jump right in and share my inspiration later...maybe on Wednesday.

This is the first look that I made for Grace. We just registered her for kindergarten so there has been a lot of talk about school next year---including what "school girls" wear which is where the idea for this look came from. (She doesn't have to wear a uniform but still thinks that all school girls wear skirts and dresses.)

I actually made a tutorial for both pieces of Grace's outfit but to keep this from being the world's longest post I'll just share the skirt today and then I'll do the shirt next week.

So...if you want to make a skirt like Grace's for your little one (or for yourself...I just cut one out for me...) then follow these instructions and you'll have it made!

*****

How To Make A Drop Waist Knit Skirt

#1. You'll need to take 4 measurements:

1. Your waist

2. Your hip/seat (the area between your waist and your knees that is the biggest around---mine and Grace's is right around our bums)

3. The length between your waist to your knee

4. The length from your waist to where you'd like your drop waist to end and the gathers of your skirt to begin.

#2. Now that you have those 4 measurements you'll need to do some math---but don't worry it is really easy math. The math is to get the measurements for the 2 pieces that you need to cut out for your skirt.

The first piece that you cut is the top of your skirt and should be as wide as your hip/seat measurement plus one inch and as tall as your waist to hip measurement plus one inch.

(See I told you the math was easy---it's just your measurements plus one inch!)

*For Gracie's skirt her top piece was 22 inches wide and 6.5 inches tall.

Then the second piece you cut will be the bottom gathered portion of your skirt and it should as wide as your hip/seat measurement plus half of your hip/seat measurement

(For Grace her hip/seat measurement was 21 inches so I added 21 plus 10.5 and made the gathered portion 31.5 inches wide.)

And it should be as tall as the measurement you took from your waist to where you want the gathered portion to begin plus a half of an inch.

*Gracie's bottom piece measured 31.5 inches wide and 8 inches tall.

Now the hard part is over and we can get sewing!!!!

#3. Take your bottom piece and let's hem it! I don't have a surger so I turn my hem under and zig zag, but if you have a surger then do your thing baby!

#4. Now run a long basting stitch along the top edge of the to-be-gathered piece of your skirt. Using this stitch gather your fabric until it is the same width as the top piece of your skirt.

#5. Now place the top and bottom pieces of your skirt right sides together and pin together. (You are pinning along the edge that you just gathered and pinning it to the top piece of your skirt.)
#6. Then stitch those two pieces together along the entire width of your skirt.

#7. Fold your skirt over right sides together and sew up the open side. (This will become your back seam.)

#8. Make your elastic casing at the top of your skirt and insert elastic. (For step by step instructions on how to do this you can go HERE to our Simple Spring Skirts Tutorial and it will walk you through how to put in an elastic casing.)

And you're done!

It's such a simple skirt to make and I really love it.

I just wish we had at least another year here at home before Grace is officially a "school girl".

I am so not ready for this.

-liZ

Simple Simon's New Look

2013-04-28T12:35:00.001-06:00

Hi.

What's going on?

Last week we made an unexpected change over here and think we should probably put up a quick post with an explanation.

So here it is:

Elizabeth and I have been in the process of doing a little housekeeping and redecorating over here at Simple Simon and Company. We are reorganizing the layout, fixing up the tutorial page, linking to Facebook, getting a new header, adding some buttons, etc. and last week our designer surprised us by putting up the new look live. Soooooo.....now, all of you will be able to see it as we go through the process of making our changes!

Changes are still coming and we'll let you know when they are finished. Until then we just want you to know a few things:

#1. Even though the blog itself is looking different the content isn't going to change.

#2. Next week I'll be sharing Gracie's Spring Look Book but after that things are back to business as usual. (Projects, sewing, and tutorials with Tuesday being "The Art of Homemaking" and Friday being "$5 Friday)

#3. These past few weeks Elizabeth and I have also been putting together some really fun new projects and tutorials that we are dying to share with you. (I can't wait---there is a little work on some of them to finish up but I love them!!!)

#4. As always we appreciate you all coming around here, checking in, leaving comments, sending emails, and for being so wonderful. (I know we say it all the time but we mean it...so thank you.)

Ok, I think that is everything....

See you in the morning with a Look Book post and new skirt tutorial!

-liZ

A Sewing Studio Giveaway and an announcement!!!

2013-04-24T03:30:00.000-06:00

As some of you may (or may not) know Elizabeth and I are the ladies behind Project Run and Play. But it hasn't always been that way.

We competed in Season 2 and loved every second of it---the themes, the sewing, and the other women in the competition. Back then there were no prizes---it was just sewing for the love of sewing. And love it we did. For us it was sewing heaven. So when we had the chance to purchase Project Run and Play we jumped at it and have been having a wonderful time over there making changes, starting a sew along group, and adding prizes ever since. We love having a place dedicated only to sewing children's clothing.

But almost from the beginning we knew that Project Run and Play would need a sister site.

Behind the scenes Elizabeth and I always have more sewing going on than just children's clothing...although we rarely share it...you see, we both enjoy sewing for ourselves. Sure, we give you sneak peeks of our sewing every now and then but we've kept it pretty much wraps until now. Today we are officially launching Project Sewn. A site dedicated only to sewing women's clothing!!!

And because of that launch we want to do a HUGE giveaway!!!!

See how huge?

One lucky person is going to win almost everything they need for an entire sewing studio. (You supply the table and we have most of the rest of the things you will need to start making beautiful things!) The retail value of the prizes is well-over $650 dollars--seriously great stuff!!!!

The winner will receive:

*A SINGER One Sewing Machine
* 50 Spools of Coats and Clark Thread
*One fat quarter bundle from Riley Blake Designs
* An Olfa rotary cutter and cutting mat
*And a SINGER dress form

The winner of this contest must have a US or Canadian mailing address to enter (you can apply if you are international if you know someone that will pay to mail it to you.)

You MUST enter the contest through Rafflecopter below (if you are leaving a comment about the post to enter---it still has to be done in Rafflecopter.) The giveaway will run until Wednesday, May 8th at 11:59 p.m. (MST).

Good luck everyone!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Lookbook: 80's Jumper Restyled (Tutorial)

2013-04-23T08:47:00.002-06:00

I had to make one more jumpsuit for the Spring lookbook. Remember this one? Well, I simplified it, took out the front placket and made a 30 minute jumpsuit from a pajama pant pattern.

Here's how I did it:

1. Cut out your pajama pants pattern and sew up according to pattern.
2. Measure how tall you want the top to be (leave 2 inches at the top and bottom to form a casing).
3. Measure how wide you need the top (use exact pant pattern).
4. Sew your top to your pajama pants.

5. Add your casing and elastic to the waistband.

6. Add your casing and elastic to the top of jumpsuit (I used 1 inch elastic for both).

7. Add casing and elastic to the ankles (I used .25 inch).

8. Add straps and you are done!!!

Our HUGE announcement is tomorrow!!!!! And trust us when we say you don't want to miss it.....

~Elizabeth

Spring Lookbook: Peplum Top

2013-04-22T08:16:00.001-06:00

I have two more looks to show you this week and then a big surprise coming up later on this week that liZ and I have been working on for awhile. (You are not going to miss it---it really is that good.)

Today's look was 110 percent ~~inspired~~ copied from Jill's Peplum Shirt that she made for the ugly pattern challenge. Hers was fantastic and I couldn't help myself from sewing one up. I used the pattern that I gave you HERE; lengthened the bodice, shortened the sleeves and added a circle peplum (instead of a circle skirt) to the bottom. Easy peezy.

And thanks to Jill for the inspiration!!! She was one of the first sewing blogs I ever started following---and have never regretted it for one minute. She is so amazing!!!

PS--Sorry for the short post---I am up in the middle of the night writing this one, and my brain is not functioning. I think I have written it about 10 times and keep deleting things because they don't make sense. Arghh...I hate when I do that. liZ and I had a long, fun weekend but we are so tired. Tell you all about it soon. But now I really need to get to into my bed....it is so calling.

~Elizabeth

Spring Lookbook: Orange Sherbet

2013-04-19T10:05:00.001-06:00

The last outfit of the week was also "client-inspired." Every year I have made Hannie a tulle skirt (here and here are past years) and this year she asked for another "ballerina skirt."

So, impractical as it is, I went with it. (Although I will add that both past years skirts have washed up perfectly and were worn a lot!) I don't dry the tulle skirts, I just hang them up and they are ready to go.

The tulle is actually bridal chiffon tulle, which I love because it is extremely soft (much softer than regular tulle). I cut 9 yards of tulle to knee-length and then gathered it to some 2.5 inch elastic. I did line the tulle skirt with a layer of white broadcloth (the cheap kind) and it turned out the perfect poofiness. I really do have a girlie that likes to be fancy.

The shirt I found at Old Navy where they had lots of pastel colors (and they were on sale---although I can't find them on the website now---I bought them about a month ago.)

Perfect for Spring Formal Wear....which is this week at PR&P....you need to go check out all the goodness there (and VOTE)!

~Elizabeth

P.S. Any sewing plans this weekend?

Spring Lookbook: A Casual Look

2013-04-18T07:06:00.002-06:00

This is actually my favorite look that I made for Spring/Summer and the one that I know will get the most use. The shirt is the Happy Tunic tutorial that I made about 3 or 4 of last Spring (or was it two springs ago?) and they were well-worn and well-loved.

HERE is the tutorial if you would like to make a couple (you will need a good-fitting bodice to make it.) The only differences this time were to add some white piping into the empire waist seam to give it a bit of texture and giving it 3/4 sleeves instead of long-sleeves.

I did make one change after I had made the shirt (and photographed it) because I was cutting off her arm circulation at the bottom. So I pulled out the elastic and added 1.5 inches (I was going off a long-sleeve measurement and didn't think) to make that fit MUCH better.

She loves the shorts, and is thrilled that they actually fit without having to pull in waist-tabs (so that's how I know they will be well-worn.) The chinos were made from an Ottubre pattern for boy's chino pants....and were an absolute PERFECT fit. I have been super impressed with the fit of Ottubre patterns, in my opinion, if you get your measurements right....they will be the perfect size! (The magazine was what I asked for at Christmas--and get so excited when they come in the mail---it's Christmas all year round.)

They have a working zipper fly, full pockets in the front and welt pockets in the back. The fabric was a light blue twill blend I picked up at the sewing expo when were in Seattle that washes and wears wonderfully.

I actually have 1 more pair cut out in chambray that I think will get lots of use this summer too!

~Elizabeth

Spring Lookbook: Easter Dress

2013-04-17T07:03:00.001-06:00

The next look for Spring was actually Hannie's Easter dress. Well, and really it was her second Easter dress to boot. The first one had some major issues ;(

So, the day before Easter when I finally succumbed to the fact that the first dress wasn't going to work, I got the idea for this dress and made it up in about 3 hours flat.

I made the bodice from a sloper and then drafted the collar to fit. The back is a simple, invisible zipper and the whole thing was made from Kona cotton. (I love that cotton.)

And the skirt....well, was a math mistake. (That happens to you too, right?) I meant the dress to be tea-length, but it ended up floor-length. I was going to cut it off after the third tier, but the minute Hannie saw that it was floor-length----she thought it was the most amazing dress. Ever.

So, although it's not my first choice, it was meant to be something she loved....and floor-length it stayed.

It is especially twirly.

(The skirt is two and a half yards of fabric itself.)

And when you are seven, twirly is just the thing ;)

~Elizabeth

PS--Be back tomorrow with a tutorial!

Spring Lookbook: Raspberry Sorbet

2013-04-16T07:11:00.000-06:00

........She wore a Raspberry ~~beret~~ sorbet.....(now you are going to be singing that song all day too.) Good ole' 80's Prince.

Because I always have to include a vintage pattern into my look-books, this dress is the vintage-goodness for this Spring. It is made from this pattern and was not changed a bit (so unlike me at times).

I fell in love with the asymmetrical bodice the minute I saw the pattern and have been saving it until it would fit. I can see a lot more of these dresses in the future....they are so cute on. And a version without the collar I think will be just as darling. See I am already thinking of another version....and maybe even one with more asymmetric lines. Wouldn't that be cute?

One story for the day. I have been waiting to photograph all the looks for about a week now and unfortunately our weather has just NOT been cooperating.

So last night right when there was a break in the clouds I made Hannie drive around with me to snap a couple of pictures to show you. And then rains came pouring down......

So we got a total of 4 pictures and I had to make them work.

Hopefully we get some good weather today....we still have 4 outfits to photograph!!!!

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!

Do you have Spring weather where you are? {If you do, please, please, please send some our way!}

Spring Look Book: The Inspiration

2013-04-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

source

This week I will be showing you Hannie's Spring look book and next week liZ will show you Grace's. Like the outfits from last fall, both mini-collections are unique which we think keeps things fun.

Mine, for example came from my latest obsession from the colors of sherbets. Weird, I know, but I love sherbet....like love, love, love!!!!

So, the look book was born from sherbets and the lovely shades of spring pastels that they are.

Want a sneak peek of tomorrow's first look?

Raspberry Sorbet with a peter pan collar. Yum.

~Elizabeth