The diaper bag I owned when I was a new mom came with a small removable changing pad. It was super handy and as my baby grew into a toddler and I didn’t need to bring the whole bag, I would still take that pad and a couple of diapers. So when I saw Jordana […] Read more…
Making a Purse From a Leather Skirt
My friend, Sheila, always looks great and when complimented her on her clothing she’ll tell you which thrift or consignment store it came from. She has the best of luck at such places but she says it’s not luck; it’s just being there too often. Apparently this must be true because her sisters threw her […] Read more…
Gifts to Sew – Gifts I’ve Sewn
Gift giving season is approaching and every year I try to make some of the gifts I give. I do it because I enjoy making things. Long ago I thought it would save money to make some of the gifts I gave but with all the sales that go on this time of year, I’m […] Read more…
Taking Up From the Top Down
Shortening a skirt is pretty straight forward. Fold up the appropriate amount of excess skirt at the hem. Trim off any fabric that is more than you need for turning under a new hem and hem it. My skirt, too long as it was, could not be taking up at the bottom for it had […] Read more…
Wide, Non Slip Head Band
I saw via my Pinterest account, a tutorial on non slip headbands. I’ve always liked the look of headbands but I was always so disappointed in them whenever I tried to wear one. They either started to give me head ache, dug into the spot behind my ears or constantly slipped off my head. This […] Read more…
Quick Baby Quilt
I’ve been working on a quilt the last two weeks. I’m not a quilter but I do love playing with color. I made this as a gift for a soon to be new mom. This quilt is larger than the suggested crib size. I know this new baby’s baby cousin will be spending time visiting […] Read more…
How to Make Pot Holders
After sewing the coat that turned out to be unflattering, I wanted to sew something fun, kinda’ easy, and where success is a pretty sure thing. Ah, pot holders. I’ve made pot holders as gifts with themed fabric picked just for the recipient. I’ve made them as a class fund raiser using muslin the students potato […] Read more…
Bunting; An Easy and Fast Project For Any Festive Occasion
I see bunting for sale in catalogs and at craft shows. It can turn any room instantly festive. We use it outdoors at the school I work at on special days and and at booths when we have a table. Teachers have borrowed it to use at home when they’ve hosted baby showers. If done […] Read more…
How a dress became a skirt and a purse. Part 3: the Purse.
What got me started on this project, or what made this project (turning my mom’s dress into a skirt) jump to the front of the line, is that I really wanted a simple bag for summer. And I really wanted a grey bag. I saw that dress crumbled up in my mending pile and realized […] Read more…
How a Dress Became a Skirt. Part 2. OR Patch Pockets Tutorial
The Details: The skirt, like its parent dress, was simple but now, without its boat neck to echo the horizontal tuck near the hem, it lacked something the dress had. The tuck looked like a mistake; like I added on fabric to the hem as a way to add length. I needed to accent the […] Read more…