the craftingfiend

sewing sewing and working on my photos

2013-06-11T11:52:00.001-05:00

I think my photography is improving anyways :) I love the sewing too. As you can see the simply sweet pattern is a summer basic around here :)

Summer posting is likely going to be slow by the way... I want to get more done with the kids, and more sewing/less computer time (except for work obviously - which is also eating my computer time)

What are you hoping to do this summer? any summer goals?

Another Dress for myself :)

2013-05-27T09:23:00.001-05:00

This is the LUCY pattern from sisboom/Scientific Seamstress. It was such a quick sew - I had it done in an afternoon (that included many breaks for taking care of the baby). The directions were very clear and you choose your size for the main dress - but you also choose your cup size for the top AA up to DD!!

Great pattern! Perfect for sewing along with the Summer of No Pants!

( full disclosure: I work for ScientificSeamstress now)

I really do love this dress and think it is a very flattering fit :) I decided to make the knee length version for chasing after kids this summer, but maybe I will make it maxi length yet too ... Perfect for beach days!

Another Angie Dress Me Hearties!

2013-05-17T15:38:00.000-05:00

ok... so mother's day has come and gone and I am still selfish sewing...

this is the Sisboom Angie dress pattern - I LOVE it!

I've made it before and raved about it then too - but I'll say it again - easy sew and pockets and no zippers or buttons. Comfort and style!

ps. yay for the summer of no pants! (at hideous dreadful stinky! - I know I'll have to wear some pants this summer - since I'm not even sure summer will come yet... but I love love love dresses so I will be sewing along! ...and adding this dress to my summer dress pile)

(and I really do think my vintage bling and pirate hat adds to the look.)

ps. the pattern is HERE and for full disclosure work for the scientific seamstress now (just started) :) !!!!!

I really do like to sew for myself !

2013-05-11T18:15:00.001-05:00

I made myself the Devon tunic this week (sisboom patterns) and I LOVE it!!!

Happy Mothers Day to me!

(and you other moms too - but I'm not making you a shirt - but sisboom does have a 20%off code on their blog if you want to make one for yourself)

ZIGZAG Bubblegum! See Kate Sew blog Hop!

2013-05-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

I was soooooo (SO) excited when the lovely Kate asked me to be a part of her blog hop, and hugely honoured!

I absolutely adore this dress, and my girl loves it too, she has asked to wear is a few times already. She calls it her button dress, and she really does love buttons.

(do you love all that snow? haha. the weather is WAY off this year!)

This pattern was a delight to sew, very easy to follow directions and it went together in an evening.

I love the piping detail. and I love that the sleeves are elbow length - a perfect spring and fall and cooler summer days dress.

and every photo shoot has a butt scratching picture doesn't it lol.

Thank-you so SEW much Kate for having me be a part of your blog tour!

Be sure to check out all the other wonderful versions of the dress from the rest of the blog hop (some great inspiration is to be had from these ladies!)

The Nelia by Popoluk

2013-05-05T20:03:00.004-05:00

The Nelia by Popoluk Designs

I was sooo excited to get to pattern test this gorgeous dress, I whipped it up the evening before family pictures so my girl could wear it for the photos.

Fabric used: I found locally in the discount section - I am sorry I have no idea what my fabrics are brand wise.

Time: I found the dress to sew up fairly quickly. About 2-3 hours I would say. It is more complicated in looks than actuality :)

Pattern: This pattern comes with so many variations, a great bargain in you want a multitude of looks with one pattern! I chose the peter pan collar, short sleeves, knee length. I would rate it advanced beginner because of the buttonholes though. If you are comfortable with buttonholes you will do great! Though she also includes snaps as an option.

Sizing: I love the fit on my girl! It is spot on in it's sizing! My girl wears a 3T and I made her a size 3.

Would I make this pattern again: YES! though I think I want to try the bow collar sleeveless next time like Ginger Dimples did - love that look!

Thanks for having me pattern test for you!

Jocole everyday princess top

2013-04-25T14:43:00.003-05:00

The Everyday Princess top by Jocole

Fabric used: This pattern used less than a yard of main fabric in the 3T. As for the print... I have no idea. it was on special in the basement of a local fabric warehouse

Time: the top sewed up fairly quickly once I gave up on getting my new brother machine to shirr and got my mom to bring back my viking (good thing she only lives 10 minutes away!). cutting wasn't a lot of work, a few pieces and then a few measurements.

Pattern: I found it well written and easy to follow. The thing about jocole I have realized is that she also does quick instructions - so if you don't need pictures you can just reference the quick sheet by the pattern for the step by steps - this will be a huge inksaver for those of you who like to print up the directions! The photos were great and I only had one user error part that was a very easily cleared up due to the designer being VERY easy to get a hold of :)

I loved the shirred back - it makes the on and off so easy! and the length is super cute with a little denim skirt too :)

Would I make this pattern again: Yes! It is on my pile of make again... but after looking through the jocole pattern page on this one I think I might try to make it ala fairytale style! I don't know about your girl/s - but mine is into princesses right now...

My kid makes some pretty funny faces when she poses lol

(I was not asked to or paid for this review, but I did pattern test this shirt so I guess in full disclosure I did get the pattern free)

Kids clothing week!

2013-04-22T12:56:00.002-05:00

I made this gorgeous Wednesday dress (pattern by Califaye collection ). I am in love with this dress. Though it is on sale on my facebook Page. But I plan to make more, for both girls as the pattern goes 12m-10yrs. Isn't that back cut out just lovely?

I had to bribe my girl with a candy to put the dress on for a minute and hold still for a picture.

Do you have a favourite new pattern? Are you sewing for kcw? In you opinion do you prefer a white cake with fruit, or chocolate cake? (I'm a white cake and some fruit kind of a girl)

Check it out here http://blog.kidsclothesweek.com/

A sew for you/me post! (and pattern review)

2013-04-21T10:46:00.002-05:00

(me - freezing my ___s off to get a half decent pic. but isn't the dress pretty?) Oh and please never mind the fact that I nearly blend into that white garage door... it's a long cold winter in my part of canada lol.

The pattern: Sisboom's Angie Dress

Fabric used: I used a very light weight cotton bought at fabricland (because I had a gift certificate thanks to my lovely aunt)

Time: I found this pattern to sew up quite quickly actually. I like fast projects as any of you regular readers have probably noticed :) A few hours and the pattern was only 6 pieces of paper I needed to piece so that was a pleasant surprise!

Pattern: I really cannot rave enough about the quality of this pattern, it is right along with other sisboom patterns - which if you haven't tried, you should! clear, concise, easy to do.

I Made the xs for myself (I was on the edge of xs and small - but wanted a fitted look so I went xs) There are darts in the front and back (which are MUCH less scary than one would imagine btw.).

The back is a simple bodice back - with a bit of elastic at the waist, but it still looks fitted and not gathered, for easy on and offs. I loved not fussing with a zipper or buttons. I don't mind doing buttons on kids clothes - but on my own I find them a pain in the buttocks to do up, and I have enough dresses I can't wear without some acrobatics to do up (or I have wake up super early when the husband goes to work to have him do up :P)

The only 'change' I did to the pattern was to put some elastic in that hemline so I could have a cute bubble skirt. It was very cute without the bubble too.. but I just love a bubble skirt. Plus my skirt is less likely to fly away on me now as I chase after kids this summer :)

Would I make this pattern again: YES!!! I looove it! It's a beautifully written pattern with equally as beautiful results!

So now go off and get this pattern if you want to sew something for yourself :) and tell her hi from me in the notes (not that I was paid for this review - I actually even bought the pattern with my own fun money - I just think it would be fun for her to see people are reading a review on the pattern)

I am alive, and sewing! And suffering from a cold....

2013-04-17T13:43:00.000-05:00

What has happened lately... Well, winter just keeps on. Which means my toddler is getting some pretty serious cabin fever. But I did win that gorgeous fabric above from Alida Makes link part :) along with 3patterns from gotopatterns.com :)

I also made this adorable baby dress with made by rae's free mini geranium pattern!

I am terrible at self pics with a tablet, and computer is down again :p but I made a super cute Angie dress (sisboom). I will do a proper post on that one yet :)

I also have been doing some sewing for the girlie, wide leg pants and adorable cropped blazer! (patterns from Califaye collection) I am planning on selling said blazers yet, more up to date information on facebook :)

And I made these adorable bubble shorts using the soon to be released pattern from elephants and elegance! You should check out her blog ! (I would link but haven't figured out how to on a tablet yet, sorry, http://www.eleganceandelephants.com/2013/04/bubble-pocket-shorts-pattern.html)

Heidi and Finn colourblock dress

2013-03-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

The Heidi and Finn Color Block Dress

A big thanks to Heidi and Finn for choosing me to pattern test!

Fabric used: This pattern is very conservative in fabric used, although it is fully lined so be sure to have some cheap-o cotton broadcloth on hand for that. Unless you like using prety designer fabrics on the inside... I am just a bit too frugal for that.

Time: It took about 3 ish hours for both dresses (I assembly lined it and did both at the same time). Plus a little extra since I also had to draw that stencil and paint it on.

Pattern: I found it well written and easy to follow, Step by step photos all throughout. This pattern is a MUST own!! It really truly is. I just don't even know what else to say. This pattern was a joy to sew. I like it when a pattern is simple yet gives such stunning results that sewing is more fun than work.

Would I make this pattern again: YES!!! In fact I think this is my newest favourite pattern and possibly will be the go to gift for all girly birthday parties this coming year!

I LOVE how versatile this pattern is! A clean basic shaped dress and with the colour blocking there are so many ways to change up the look of this classic pattern. As you can see I couldn't decide on just one look when I pattern tested so I had to do two dresses :) HAD to do two lol. I think my girl might be getting a bit spoiled, every time she sees me at the sewing machine she asks, " mommy making me a new dress?"

And just because my girl really was working the camera (she earned her stickers!) here are a couple photo mash ups :)

I wasn't paid for or asked to do this pattern review - I was just blessed to pattern test and thought I would share with you my results.

PS. Now on facebook! Feel welcome to come on over and like :)

The nova top

2013-03-25T10:54:00.001-05:00

The Nova Top by Popoluk Designs

Fabric used: not very much at all :) I love a cute pattern where I can get away with about a 1/2yd and a FQ ! The main print is joel dewberry and the solid is plain broadcloth

Time: I found the top to be a fast sew - especially for a lined shirt. About 2hours I would say.

I love the peplum look! and I think this pattern is perfect for a kid without being too grown up. there is a dress option to this pattern as well, I think if I was to do the dress I would shorten it up a bit to be more girly vs. knee length.

I thought the curved bodice top might be a bit tricky but it was a breeze. Even installing the zipper went easily!

Sizing: I made a 3T for my girl, the fit is great and it hits about the natural waist where peplum should.

Would I make this pattern again: Yes! Another top I want to make more of! and it goes from a size 1 up to size 8 as well!

I am thinking my next version might have a sheerer fabric as the top piece though and lengthening that peplum a bit and adding a circle skirt...

I made myself a dress

2013-03-22T16:01:00.001-05:00

I want to do a proper blog post on this dress soon! It is the anouk pattern by victory patterns.

But we are sadly buried under snow in my area of Canada, so a fun outdoor spring photoshoot will have to wait.. But I will say I loved the pattern and I LOVE this dress!

Hopefully spring comes soon! This late into march I am so over blizzards and -30 ish temperatures.

Sunshine Dress: A Pattern Review

2013-03-19T09:35:00.000-05:00

The Sunshine Dress (from Shwin Designs for Pattern Anthology)

Fabric used: a half yard of the yellow. and about a yard of purple. The floral and pink I found locally in the discount section - I am sorry I have no idea what my fabrics are brand wise.

Time: I found the dress to sew up fairly quickly. About 2hours I would say.

I LOVE the curve to the bodice and how gathered the skirt is!

In the purple version I added about 3 inches to the length and skipped the bottom drawstring I also only did the front pleat on one side for a different look.. In the floral version I followed the directions exactly. I love both equally.

My daughters favourite part of the pattern - the pockets!!!

Sizing: I wish it was down to a 1T size so my girls could have matching dresses for this summer - but i guess that will have to wait until next summer as it only begins at a 2T. I made my girl the 3T which is what she wears in store clothes and I think the fit is absolutely perfect!

Would I make this pattern again: YES! without a doubt! It might be my favourite summer dress pattern for this year.

Oh I can hardly wait until spring shows up and we can take outside pics. I hate seeing 4ish feet of snow on my front yard on the first day of spring!

I did pattern testing for this dress, no $$ compensation for this post - nor was I asked to post. Just honest opinions from an at home mom who loves sewing (especially girly things!).
Linking to the train to crazy party http://www.thetraintocrazy.com/2013/03/make-it-wear-it-thursday-1.html

Stitch-It-Up: Sew and Tell with the Meghan Peasant Dress

2013-03-01T12:04:00.001-06:00

Stitch-It-Up: Sew and Tell with the Meghan Peasant Dress: Hope everyone is having a great Friday!! I just can't help but smile when I know the weekend is so close :)

Check out my review of the sisboom meghan dress pattern and you can save 25%off the pattern! (from fairytale frocks and lollipops)

It is going to be a goooood weekend!

2013-02-22T07:56:00.000-06:00

I have been saving up my fun money and christmas cash and then my husband said to me to just order the machine, he would top up the fund as birthday/valentines!! (yes, I am 30 now)

I am so excited to be able to add embroidery to my sewing! And it even came with a double needle and other feet I've never used before but sound very useful.

And the waffle maker was a birthday gift from my brother and sister.In.law. One and a half inch thick waffles! Yummy!!! When my eldest saw it she said "WAFFLE MAKER WAFFLE MAKER!!! Let's make waffles!!" and so we had waffles for supper.

Anyone else looking forward to trying something new this weekend?

And valentines sketch

2013-02-14T14:51:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentines Day!

My husband loves mars bars so I picked one up at the store to sneak into his lunch, and, of course, had to quickly draw up a little card to go with it.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day. The gestures don't need to be grand. Just thoughtful. May your day been filled with love

The Juliette dress, a pattern review

2013-01-31T16:13:00.002-06:00

I was once again blessed to be able to pattern test for LilyGiggle! The Juliette Dress

Fabric used: I used a fantastic riley blake chevron (medium), about a yard... Honestly it's pretty close to that. I made my girl a size 3T and the contrasting green was just a fat quarter from the fabric store.

Time: This dress sewed up soooo fast! I LOVE quick patterns, especially now with a baby. Cutting and sewing took an hour and a half (ish)

Pattern: I found it well written and easy to follow, Step by step photos all throughout. (side note: I LOVE having PDF patterns for a few reasons but a main one is easy directions and more tutorial like directions) The pattern also includes a few options including shirt or dress options and two duifferent ways to finish the sleeve cuffs. I did the dress which has a fantastic high-low hemline. Included in this pattern are actually 2 patterns - same dress but one pattern to make it out of wovens and another pattern to make it out of knits

Would I make this pattern again: YES! without a doubt I LOVE how easy this is and that it has both a pattern for knits and wovens plus the shirt or dress option. awesome! and the size range as with all lilygiggle patterns is fantastic (2-12yrs)!

(I was not paid for this review, though I did get the pattern free to pattern test... but the opinions are real and my own!)

This is the shirt version (and my daughter's "cheese" face).

Have you made this pattern yet?

In other news, I am making myself a dress! I have it cut out - The anouk by victory patterns! I am sooo scared to start sewing though. It's the pintucks that scare me - and I know that sounds silly. I shirr, do buttons and zippers and yet some silly pintucks scare me... but they do.

I am alive.. just without a computer.

2013-01-23T15:58:00.005-06:00

My husband has decided my computer needs cleaning out and a better fan installed and so he took it, and hasn't given it back yet. and now you know why I've been quiet. I did sew matching dresses for the girls - Easter dresses maybe? The eldest needs summer dresses, but I can't just make her clothes and nothing for the youngest (because i feel like a bad mom if I do, like L will look back on pics and say didn't you love me too mom - why didn't you make me clothes - I might be a touch crazy. I swear it's the -40ish weather that's made me be a shut in that affects my brain) I used the every little thing dress pattern from shwin&shwin. I have the maggie mae pattern from them all ready to go as well! Other than that I have been doing tons of baking and cooking. Again I blame the weather. at these frigid temperatures my body wants to just eat cake, cookies, breads. mmmm carbs. It is a genetic blessing I'm not a thousand pounds. (little mini pies. mmm. these ones are mince (blech to me but the husband loves it), but I've been making loads of pumpkin pies too. and I didn't share the last one with anyone at all...) My toddler is getting pretty funny. I love this age where they say the most random things and put strange sentences together. On sunday I was trying to convince her she needed to wear a shirt to go out of the house and she runs away from me screaming at the top of her lungs "I no want to cover my boooobies!!!!" I was laughing so hard I could barely chase her to wrangle a shirt on the kid. and in sewing myself a dress news, I was going to get the washi dress pattern for a casual dress... but I admit I have a hard time spending $16 on a pattern I have to print out myself... but then I discovered Victory Patterns and I am (very) seriously considering the anouk and the ava! what do you think? I am a rather petite 5'5" person... could i pull off those patterns? I should also probably add the new years resolution of stopping the overuse of parenthesis and the ... but I love both of those. and that is pretty much all that has been happening and on my mind lately. What's new with everyone out there?

my one sewing goal for 2013

2013-01-02T08:58:00.003-06:00

I am going to keep things simple this year with sewing goals.
1. sew something for me that I am proud to wear out of the house!
I want to make a dress for myself with this Sarah Jane fabric being the main print.
I want it to be a bit of a timeless style but girly (obviously if you know me lol) and fun. If you have pattern suggestions for me - please leave them! I have been looking at the monique dress from sew serpendipity and doing the colour blocked bodice version - with dark pink... but I'm not sure how that style will look on my body type. (5'5" and fairly thin/not many curves)
I love mermaids. Always have.

present wrapping

2012-12-29T16:27:00.004-06:00

Present wrapping in 2012

I am sure you saw one of the countless posts about the ruby star wrapping book as it made it's way about the blog circut. Well it kind of inspired me in a way. I felt as though the whole point was that the wrapping in and of itself was a part of the gift to be enjoyed. and so I tried to make each present appealing and gift ish in it's wrapping.

I used raccon tags (thanks to imaginegnats for the raccoon week pattern)

I made my own bunny pattern for a toddlers gift.

and then I moved onto actual more like copying - the simple drawstring bag idea from the book.

one for my daughter - that I put her littlest pet shop toy in - and now she can keep her little treasures together. (and yes, she really does like to wear princess shoes all the time)

and a bread bag (except I squared the bottom to make it more bread bag ish)

This linen bag is made of valorie wells linen I had in my stash. and I'm certain my grandma will be pleased with the cinnamon raisin bread!

and then I made myself a linen bread bag

hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

A merry star wars prezzie for the husband!

2012-12-24T11:14:00.000-06:00

So, I don't know about you, but I really like being able to make things for the people in my life (hopefully they all enjoy craftiness!). Of course a big love in my life is the husband, so I decided to get out the silhouette and make him a Christmas star wars shirt!

If you want the svg file go here to ladywolf. I don't have the designer edition of the silhouette software so I asked a friend who knows things about computers to help me with the file thing - thanks Sarah!

I will say that it is important to have a nearly new/new kind of sticky mat! or else this will happen :

(ps. after trying a bunch of settings - I thought I was out of mats, I nearly gave up but then took a look around and found a new mat!!! yay! project went on!)

The weeding was an absolute pain in the ass! Seriously. I carefully took it off the mat so that nothing came out - ironed that freezer paper down and then carefully, using a needle, picked out everything I didn't want.

FINALLY done weeding!!!

then I broke out the fabric paints (I did a layer of white for everything, then a second layer of white on the snowflakes and a layer of yellow on the words - a-la star wars esque)

and lastly - gift that sucker up to the husband!!! (except I am WAY to excited about it for it to wait till Christmas .. I'm sooo bad at that!)

use scraps for gifts !

2012-12-08T09:22:00.003-06:00

I decided who doesn't like a festive tea towel? perfect for anyone you know who has a kitchen :)
These scraps are from a jelly roll I had used to make a Christmas table runner - the strips were just that bit too long so I had all these pretty scraps that really did need a festive use. Sewed the scraps together and then iron the 4 sides over, pinned into the towel, and sew! done!

so there you go fun, easy, and fairly inexpensive gifts.

ps. notice the lack of wordage lately (and posts for that matter...) I've come to realize it's very hard to keep up with regular blogging with a toddler and a newborn.. that both want to be held or in case of the toddler climbing on me all day long. by the time they are both asleep - I feel the need to be as well, or trying to quickly sew something. lol.

Basically I'm trying to say this blog might be a bit slow for the next while, or more just showing what I've made in hopes of inspiring you all to just sew something, even if it's a simple project. With any luck the newborn will soon start going to sleep for the night before 11 and I'll be able to slowly do a bit more on here Thanks for reading and sticking with me - even on the boring days ! :)

I also made these fun aprons! Saw a pic on pinterest (of course with a link to no where) so I made up my own pattern and made 3! I am giving 2 as gifts and have 1 extra I have no idea what I'lll do with it... so if you want to buy it email me. fits my 2yr old who wears mostly 3T a bit big but workable. so I'd say sizes 2-5ish

oh my goodness! I'm alive and doing stuff!!! and fray check

2012-11-19T08:40:00.000-06:00

Made these cute little snack bags this week - one for the husband and one for my dad's birthday - who my daughter has nicknamed "pumpkin". She loved colouring the little patches and even made the "A" in "daddy"

I also whipped up a hot water bottle cozy. As the temperatures keep on dipping I like to be cozy warm :) and I LOVE having a hot water bottle to take to bed with me. warm and cozy!

If you want one of your own - email me! thecraftingfiend@gmail.com I'm thinking $15 without embroidery applique... different fabric available. (and a must really - I'm now out of cute pink deers. Although I could order more it just means you probably wouldn't have your cozy in time for Christmas). ps. you can facebook me as well

Also made up these:

I even broke out the silhouette to make these mustache blocks to send to a friend - a group of us made 2 blocks each, mustache themed. to put a lap quilt together for a friend in need of some cheer.

and if you have little girls to shop for check out my dolls on etsy

ps. this is a note to me.... home made fray check. 4 parts water, 3 parts white school glue, and 1 part tacky glue (makes it slightly stretchy)

crafts with tot and christmas on the mind

2012-11-05T16:06:00.001-06:00

First off I can't believe it's been like 3 weeks since i last posted... Life has been busy what can I say.

We had a no screen time for tots week here and so that meant a lot of crafting:

Had the babes pick what she liked out of the toy catalogue - and she got to do a cut and paste Christmas wish list - I am keeping it and having her do this every year by the way.

snowman craft - she loves the "fluffy"

making a caterpillar with an egg carton box

For chritsmas crafting i have some ideas on my mind - Love these snowman face features

I think i'm going to do this craft with the babes - though maybe not pinecones since we don't have the pretty kind here

http://pinterest.com/pin/143200463123068068/

I want to make these with the babes too - but my husband HATES cinnamon... maybe they will have to be gifts...

maybe we'll make mice for ornaments instead...

I need some good ornament ideas for me to make - anyone want to link them or tell them - I'd LOVE to hear!

Thanks for leaving a comment :)