Ruffled Butt Sunsuit/Romper

front of romper

back of romper

 This cute little newborn romper or sun suit is made from a pdf pattern from http://www.tiedyedivapatterns.com/.  It comes in sizes from newborn to 24 months and was so much fun to do.  This one was for a new baby coming this month to a neighbor that happens to be a big Alabama fan.  It features directions for snap crotch using snap tape or plain snaps or no snaps.  Lots of fun to make and easy!

Christmas Blessings

 We were blessed again this Christmas.  Both kids were home with all the grandblessings and our future daughter-in-law with her three daughters.  I got all my Christmas sewing finished in time.  Made 6 personalized pillowcases for all grands except Ava, she got one earlier in the year, two pillows for gifts made from painters drop canvas with initials (loved them!), and 3 fleece throws embroidered for the 3 new grandblessings to be later next year.  I finally have a poncho sewed up for a great niece, just waiting to get the trims on it.....this is a "just because" gift so no hurry there.  Casey and Ava headed back home today so the house is empty except for me and Miz Peach.  I may lay back and take it easy for today or later I may sew some....catching up on some laundry and just being thankful for blessings beyond measure.  Say a prayer for Casey and Ava to arrive back home safely if you will!

Ava's Christmas Outfit

Finished a Christmas skirt and shirt for Ava.  Over three yards of the ball fringe on the bottom so you know it's very full for a near 3 year old!  The appliqued embroidery design on the shirt is from www.lynniepinnie.com and is so cute, offered in applique or fill stitch.  I spent a long time on it, near three hours, carefully trimming each letter as it was placed.  I don't like embroidering on shirts too well but she NEEDED, hahaha, the design to go with the skirt!  Heading to mail to Texas tomorrow hoping for pictures of her twirling and giggling in the new outfit!

Fun New Burp Cloths

Just finished making some cute burpcloths from prefolded diapers.  Quick and easy project for a baby gift.  I added ribbons to the bottom, you can never get diapers that have a nice clean edge, except for the one with cowboy boots.  I added jumbo red rickrack with a strip of denim under it that I clipped and left the edge raw so it would fray as it is washed.  Love doing

fun baby gifts!!!!!!

 The internet is loaded with cute things you can add to burp pads and then include a name if you can.

Happy Fall

Made little Miss Ava an October outfit....used a pumpkin applique on the embroidery machine that creates a "raggedy" look with no efforts hardly.  This is the bigger size of the one I used last year on the "boutique" overalls for her.   The applique came from www.embroideryboutique.com.  The skirt is made from cute little Halloween fabric found at JoAnn's, adding a pretty polka dotted edge to match the black shirt, purchased at Walmart.  I still have to open the sides on these small shirts to embroider!  Mailed them to Ava this week with some other goodies.

Decorating on the Cheap!

Grandblessing Ava has owls in her bathroom. I bought the matching rug from Target and bought and embroidered handtowels to match and a cheap garbage can from the dollar store. I embroidered the owl on tulle and used washaway stabilizer and ribbon to glue to the garbage can. My daughter had bought the
shower curtain and toothbrush holder at Target. Designs are from
www.fivestarfonts.com and www.appliquemarket.com

Hot Pink and Black Hair Bow Holder

Just adding another picture of another hair bow holder.....black and hot pink!  You can't tell in the photo too well but the hot pink tulle sparkles!
These are so much fun!

Using Metal Washers in Place of Sewing Weights

A couple years ago I had read about the benefits of using "weights" instead of pins when laying out your pattern on fabrics.  Each time you lift your fabrics to pin the pattern you stand a chance of shifting things a bit.  I didn't have any weights but had read about things you could use.  Some folks make their weights sewing fabric into small pillows and filling with rice or beans, etc. and some folks use small canned items such as tuna.  My husband picked up these large washers at the hardware store.  Twenty to the box, they are heavy and do a wonderful job holding the pattern down.  After cutting out, I pin the fabric with one pin to the pattern just to hold together until I get to that piece to sew it up.  Faster than pinning too!  Have you found an "everyday" item you use for sewing?

Elastic Thread Smocking (Shirring)

I can't for the life of me find the source of help I had found for doing the elastic thread shirring on my Brother 2002D ULT but I do have some pictures that will hopefully help you to learn how the threading has to be done.  (1) wind the elastic bobbin by hand with minimal stretching (2) put the bobbin in, hook it into the bobbin tension but DO NOT follow the normal bobbin thread path, lay the "tail" up as you see in the first picture (3) "pick up" the bobbin thread by dropping the threaded needle down and up again to pull up the bobbin thread as in picture two.  (you will likely need to use tweezers or something to grab the elastic thread to pull all the way up)   I sure hope this helps and I will post the link if I ever get my hands on it again!  Remember when using the elastic thread to not use the "scissors" on the machine but cut the thread yourself leaving a nice tail to tie off or either sew into your seam so it won't unravel.  I didn't try backstitching but many do and I will likely try it at some point.  ALSO, I did read not to count on a serged seam to hold the elastic alone.  I sure hope this helps and I will post the link if I ever get my hands on it again!

Elastic Thread Smocking

I love the clothing made with elastic thread in the bobbin but had never tried it until a few weeks ago.  I was in a fabric store and heard a lady say it could not be done on a "drop-in" bobbin machine.  I didn't say anything because I was overhearing this being said to someone else but I am thinking, I paid good money for my Brother machines (both drop-in bobbins) and surely this can be done.  Finally found a post on the internet showing the trick.  I will have to look up the site again, but the trick is to get the bobbin thread to hook into the tension and then bring the tail out and lay on the machine.  Use your needle thread to bring the bobbin thread up like you do in regular sewing machines.  Then you use regular sewing thread on top, the elastic thread in the bobbin (hand wind the elastic onto the bobbin) and just start making your rolls of stitching.  I put mine approx. 1/2 inch or less apart.  When you hit it with the seam from the iron it instantly pulls the thread together to make it look like the "smocked" clothing in stores.  Makes for a really easily made top for my 2 year old Ava.  Hopefully I will have the outfit finished before long and be ready to show you and I will look up that site so you will see the pictures of what I am trying to explain!  Blessings to all!

Kitchen Towels

I have been drooling over some of the blogs and tutorials for kitchen towels.  I decided to make some from "stash" fabrics and do some practice, after all, who couldn't use a nice new kitchen towel every now and then?  These may be for my son...divorced father of 3 so he is the "mom and dad' in his home.  He likes cooking and I am sure he will appreciate them.  I have lots of ideas for doing more, just have to find the time between other sewing and life.

The dress is from the stash collection again.  A little peasant style dress for Ava.

Some Things I Have Been Doing

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 Emilee gets a new top, of course it was last summer :)

ITH keychains for gifts!

 In the hoop projects, composition notebook cover and  monogrammed key chain for a friend of Casey's.  These projects can be found at www.fivestarfonts.com.  Very easy and really cute, the look changes with the fabrics you choose.  The key chain was my first ITH project and I love doing them!



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The overalls were from Walmart and became Ava's Halloween outfit......Said I wouldn't ever do another pair of these but I did and these were easier.  She looks like a little doll in them!

So this is just a little catch up on some of the things I have done.  Just made Ava two more dresses.  One is a pillowcase dress and the other a peasant style dress both using fabrics from the stash.  I hope to post more later!  The real world demands my attention at the moment!

Ava's First Birthday

This is the birthday tutu, shirt and hat although I still have to add her name to the shirt.  I just love sewing for little girls especially this one!
She is just ONE of our most precious blessings.......!!

New Year, No Resolutions!

I think I am at an age where I have broken so many New Year's resolutions that I am NOT going to make one this year!  In fact, I don't remember when this started happening but I have not had a New Year's resolution in several years!

I have the worst time doing all I intend to do.  I gather for projects that never get done at times because I seem to always be gathering for projects I want to do!  I have several things to do for Ava, want to make all the grandchildren quilts and my son, I want some coasters for myself and the list goes on and on.  On my Yahoo sewing group they are discussing a journal so you can see what you are accomplishing.  Maybe that is what I need.  I have a severe "focus" problem so I think I will give this a try.  We'll see what good it does me!

Rainy and cold here today and I really want to curl up under the blanket with my book and read and sleep but that won't get the projects started.  (really started, not just "gathered!")  First things first, I need to get Ava's birthday top finished for her birthday tutu.  If I mange to stay on track I can have it done in a little while so off I go to the machines to see what I can accomplish.  Since her birthday isn't until the 20th, this would be the perfect thing to get done first and off my mind.   I hope to post a picture of the finished top today or tomorrow.

HOT DOG.....

..hot dog, hot diggity dog!!  Ava LOVES Mickey Mouse.  I took a WalMart knit shirt and pants, some ribbon and embroidered a Mickey Mouse on it from the Brother Quattro machine.  She will love this.......and this is what older folks do on New Year's Eve!!!
Happy New Year to you all!

Ava's New Dress

I finished a dress for little Ava this morning. It is in the "pillowcase" style with the bow tying in the back so that Mommy doesn't have to wrestle with keeping the bows tied! I love these because they are so versatile and "grow" with the child to some degree......you can add leggings to make it a cute little top as she gets taller. This is the last of the fabric from what I used to make Casey's coasters earlier this year. I guess that means I will have to go purchase new fabric now......evil grin!!!!

We are getting a little taste of fall weather finally!!!! God has blessed us with nice cool mornings and sunny days. We just got back from visiting with Ava and Casey on Monday. Loved seeing them and getting to spoil Ava for a little while. She is growing and is so funny......tries to mock everything you do! Ava is now 8 months old.....time flies!!!!

Pillowcase Dress

This is the first "pillowcase" dress I have ever made and it certainly won't be the last. It was so easy and I had studied it so long......I have the tendency to make things complicated in my mind! I used a cupcake design from http://www.nobbieneezkids.com/ and the name was created in my Monogram Wizard Plus program. This is for a little girl's first birthday and she is having a Mickey Mouse party so I thought these colors would be perfect! I used instructions to use elastic in the front and back and sewing the ribbons on so they do not pull out. If you google "pillowcase dress instructions" you will find lots of help on the net. (there are some good videos too!) I do wish I had used white or yellow for the name but you have to live and learn! All in all I am pleased with the dress and colors although I really do want to do something floral and dainty!

God blessed us with wonderful chruch services today and a relaxing afternoon at home. Until next time, may God bless you and yours.

Reversible Swim Coverup

The Moda Bake shop has the cutest pattern up for this reversible swim cover up for kids......I just love to go there and see their ideas and all the things available. Click on the title and it will take you to the pattern!
I am battling an ear infection so will make the post short and sweet but its here.....just so thankful the pain is gone but the hearing is not good right now!

In the Hoop Coasters

I have discovered a wonderful set of coasters made entirely in the embroidery hoop. The title will link you to http://www.ggdesignsembroidery.com/ where you can find all kind of cute designs and ITH projects. These were extremely easy and came with a wonderful text document, complete with pictures, to guide you. Totally stress-free embroidering and the price was really good! I am sorry the picture doesn't do the fabric justice! I made these for my daughter Casey. She has some really pretty pottery type coasters but with little Ms Ava sure to be crawling before we know it these will be much safer for her and the coasters! All my grandchildren so far have been attracted to the coasters on the tables! Wish I had these a few years ago!

We were able to be with Casey and Ava this past weekend at Ava's dedication at her church. She was a perfect little lady. How can anyone look at this little face and not wonder at GOD's goodness and blessings?

Ava's New Dress

I just finished this new dress for Ava. I used McCall's pattern 5353 (stress free and easy to sew up!) which is a crossover in the back dress with button shoulders and the bloomers. I confess I have had the fabric in my stash for quite some time now....uhhh, lets say about 9 years!!!! I intended on making something from it for the oldest granddaughter when she was little and just never got it done! I also embroidered appliqued lemons on a ready made bib and embroidered underneath the lemons "Pucker UP!" I used the same colors so it made a complete matching outfit. I hope to do more sewing....and our little ole town has just been blessed with its first official quilt shop that has fabrics just begging me to buy them!
My daughter asked me not to make anything PINK.....I guess little Ms Ava has enough pink for now and I certainly don't see any pink in this outfit!!!
My sister had gallbladder surgery today and thankfully everything went well.....She is going to feel so much better in a few days and she is hyper and hard working so no telling what she is going to attempt now! I thank God for watching over her thru this!