Goodnight, Monkey

I spent this weekend finishing this quilt... it was my first attempt at an unconventional log cabin block, and I love the results. I am not so crazy about the sock monkeys, but I love it nonetheless.

Machine quilting is coming a little easier to me now, but I am not sure I want to do anything bigger than a baby quilt. I'm sure after a little while I'll forget how long it takes with two kids at my feet and try it... Now I need to decide what I am going to do with it - pray for a boy next? Hang it in Mom's quilt shop? For now it will sit on top of the small pile of 'I finished this whole quilt' right next to the 'I have the quilt top done but haven't finished it' really big pile. I have my work cut out for me with that pile!

Lots to do...

We had family come to town today, so I started my day off cleaning the house, doing dishes, mopping, etc. I started in on my girl's closet, but found a shirt that I really like, but was stained. I hate that. So... I got my sewing machine out and started to play. Who needs a clean house anyway? Here it is - inspired by Alexis! Thanks!

Somehow Moo managed to stain the bottom of the shirt, which worked out well for this project. Please understand I am not playing favorites... Moo will just wear what I make. I have some Bug projects coming up soon.

I took this brown fabric that I love, and cut it into 1/2" strips. I used two, but I don't know how long they were. I folded and pinned and pleated the strips into the shape I wanted - a nice little heart. I sewed down the middle of the strip, then did it again...

... and again... until I had reached the center.

Here it is all finished!
This girl is an adventurer! This is the best shot I got out golfing tonight... Love the Tetons in the background!

Shirt refashion

I found this great print silk shirt at our local thrift store, but the side seams and back seams were coming apart. I loved the print too much to not get it, so it went from this:

To cute toddler skirt:

Bug took one look and said it was too small (aka don't bug me right now), so Moo got it. Lucky girl!

I just cut the top part of the shirt off, added a cotton casing for elastic, and done!

Summer Tank Tutorial

My sister gave me some of her old shirts and I have been refashioning toddler tank tops from them. It's REALLY easy, and the girls love them!

What you need:
Old shirt
scissors
elastic thread
thread

I used a tank that fits as my template. You can use the existing hem at the bottom to eliminate another step, so I lined the tank up at the bottom. Cut straight up sides, leaving 1/2" for seam allowance. For the neck and arm holes, make them bigger than you think you will need. They will shrink up and be modest.

Cut the front lower than the back. Because there is no tag, it's nice to make it obvious, then hubby doesn't put it on backwards... Again, cut this larger than you think is necessary.

Sew side seams and top seams, taking time to match the stripes if you have them.

Now for the fun part... make sure you have wound your elastic thread by hand onto your bobbin. The elastic thread will ONLY be on the bobbin. Regular matching cotton thread on top. My machine is happiest working with elastic thread when I change my tension to a '5' and my stitch to the longest length. With fabric right side up (remember elastic thread is in bobbin), start sewing in armhole about 1/8" away from edge of fabric. Be sure to back stitch. Sew all the way around, then back stitch to finish.

You should start seeing it gather a little. I chose to sew twice around, the second time with 1/4" seam allowance. Do this for both arm holes and the neck hole. It should now look like this, and you're done!

Here is where the bribing comes in - my kids aren't crazy about changing their clothes, so it's a challenge to get them ready for a photo shoot. Today? Moo was easiest to bribe and happy if we just went outside.

Bug is wearing a blue striped shirt I also made this way, but she had spilled something pink down the front and I chose to only give you a back view.

Notice no shorts? She is just recently potty trained and shorts seem to just be a hassle... but she did complete her outfit with pink "lady" shoes four sizes too big.