Much Needed Updates...

Time flies!!! I keep planning to blog and share some pictures of all of the wedding stuff and then I get busy. It's been 1 month now and I figure it's time to show you all of my hard work.

This is the dress I made for Melayna to wear at the rehearsal dinner. It has the black and white damask on the top and of course the teal color. It was perfect and looked really cute on her.
Austin and one of his best friends Melayna.
Kendyl decided that since I made Melayna a dress to wear to rehearsal the boys should have something fun to wear too so we made them t'shirts with the wedding colors. The front had their name and the back had "Ring Security" for the two ring bearers, "Pyromaniac" for the two candle lighters and "Prince Chiming" for the bell ringer. They turned out really cute and the boys liked them.
For the groomsmen gifts they got beer mugs with their nickname on them and the rolling coolers in the picture above. Kendyl, Megan, and I painted them with their nicknames. They were very happy with their gifts. (In this photo left to right: Chad, Matt (best man), Stephen (groom), Josh, Courtney, Jonathan, and Walter)
Above are the bags that I made for the bridesmaids. They all loved them. I also made the dress I am wearing and I love it. (In this photo left to right: Cat, Keri, Megan, Stephanie, Me, and Melayna...one of the bridesmaids was unable to attend the rehearsal dinner)
I made this dress for Kendyl for the rehearsal. It turned out really cute. (this is the best picture I have that shows the dress) We laughed so much that night about how EVERYTHING matched the wedding.
This photo is when Kendyl threw her bouqet. It's the best shot I have of the tables. I really wish I would have taken one when they were all set up before the guests arrived but I didn't have time. I ended up making about 16 table runners. They turned out beautiful and looked great with the teal table cloths and the flowers.

I ended it up doing a lot of sewing for the wedding and it was all worth it. It was a great day and Kendyl and Stephen were both so happy. I'm glad I got to be such and important part of their special day.

For my next post I will share some actual wedding photos. None of my work will be showcased in those but they are beautiful and I would like to share.

Something for Me!

I had a little bit of a lull in my sewing a few weeks ago. I had finished all that I could do for the wedding at the moment and I was waiting for the fabric Kendyl was sending me to start on some new things. So, I decided to make something for me. I had seen this fabric when I was shopping for fabric for Macy's clothes. Something about it spoke to me. And every time I went to JoAnn's I would look at it, but I just couldn't decide what to do with it. Then I found this dress pattern. It's a really cute dress and it has some fun details so I bought the fabric and started sewing. It took me about two days to finish the dress. The total cost for fabric and supplies was about $10. 10 bucks and I got a really cute new dress. I have actually worn it already. It fits really cute. I want to make another one in a different fabric because I like it so much. I think I am going to make a top using the same pattern. I think it would be cute. Next time I wear it I will get my mom to take a picture of me so you guys can see it on.

Fun Summer Dresses

These dresses are really easy to make. For the little girls all you have to do is sew the seam in the back because they come hemmed and add some ribbons for straps. For the womens you have to sew the seam in the back and hem them. I made one of these for Kendyl a few years ago and she loves it so she asked me to make her another one. She bought the fabric in Arkansas and mailed it to me. She also bought the fabric for Melayna's dress.

Kendyl's Dress

Melayna's Dress

Cheryl also sent me some fabric to make dresses for Melayna. She had found the cute ballerina fabric and thought it would be perfect for Melyna to wear over her leotard to dance class. It's adorable and the ribbon she picked out for both dresses is really cute!

Spring Parade

Update: Austin won 1st place in the school parade today!!!!!! He won a giant chocolate bunny and a free field trip. Woohoo! I'm so happy for him! It really made his day.

Every year at Austin's school they do a Spring Parade. The preschoolers decorate bunny ears, the elementary boys decorate a tie, and the elementary girls decorate a hat. The kids can do whatever they want to decorate and it is an "at home" project. Then they get to parade around the school and have a fun spring party day. This is Austin's first year to decorate a tie. We decided to go with Cars theme. Of course it involves fabric since I am helping make it. =) I just got some black/white checkered fabric for the background and cut Lightening McQueen out of some Cars fabric. I used some double sided interfacing and ironed it on and it stuck. That made it really easy and it looks cute too! When I finished the tie I decided he needed a shirt to match! So I made him a matching shirt. I designed it and made it without a pattern. There are some things I see that are wrong with it, but for my first time making a shirt without a pattern I think it turned out great! I'm proud and Austin loved it. When I dropped him off at school this morning all of the kids thought he was so cool! =) And just for fun I added the pictures from his other Spring Parades.

Spring Parade 2010
(The back of the shirt has McQueen and Mater)

Spring Parade 2009

Spring Parade 2008

Dress Rehearsal Outfit

I really enjoy making things for other people. I rarely end up making anything for myself. I just find joy in giving someone something special that is hand made just for them. So I told Kendyl that I wanted to make her outfit for the dress rehearsal for the wedding. She had no problem with that. I wanted to make it using the same colors from the wedding just for fun. I wasn't able to find the aqua color in the fabric i needed for the skirt so I went with a different color that i knew she would love. I think it turned out so cute. I almost didn't want to give it to her so I could keep it for myself. =) I will take pictures of her in the outfit because it always looks cuter on a person than on my dress form.

I took the photos before my dad returned from Hawaii so this picture is terrible but the outfit was on it's way to Kendyl so I had to get some photos. I made this flower out of extra fabric from the skirt. It has a rhinestone button in the middle, but you can't really tell in the photo. It's a pin so it can be removed for washing the top. I like how it ties the whole outfit together.

Ring Bearer Pillow

(note: Wonderful news...My dad came back from Hawaii last night. Now i can get the good camera from him and take better pictures!)

Cheryl and Kendyl were looking on Etsy for ideas for the wedding. One of the things they came across was a ring bearer pillow with the damask pattern. They asked if I could make it. It turned out really cute and pretty much just like the photo they sent me of one they liked. I just used some of the damask fabric leftover from making the tote bags and bought some wide satin ribbon and a rhinestone button. Cheryl is going to cover the flower girl basket with the same fabric and add ribbons to it. I will get some pictures of it to share. It really has been fun making all this stuff for Kendyl's wedding!

Table Runners

Kendyl has decided to use black, white, and an aqua color for her wedding. She wants to use a black and white damask pattern for most of the decorations, with the aqua. When they were deciding on table linens they couldn't find exactly what they wanted so they asked if I could make some table runners for the reception. I think they turned out beautifully! They are going to put them over an aqua table cloth at the reception and it will be beautiful. I will be sure to take lots of pictures at the wedding so you guys can see my table runners in action. =) It's only a little over 2 months away!

Quilted Pillow

This is something I have wanted to try for a long time now. I found a tutorial online, but was a little hesitant because I have never really quilted before. I had tried and failed in the past. It turned out to be easier than I thought, but it is a lot of work and I have a new found respect for quilters who make huge blankets! I chose a few coordinating space fabrics because Austin's bedding is space and it's what he likes. I let him choose the font for his name. At first I didn't think the font he chose would work, but it turned out cute. He is VERY happy with it and I am proud of myself. This project has made me want to do more quilting! Now I need to get back to all of the stuff I am making for Kendyl's wedding. I just needed a little break from it so I whipped this up.

Front

Back

Tote Bags

Kendyl asked if I could make tote bags for the bridesmaids for her wedding. She wanted them to have the black and white damask print that is going to be a big part of her wedding decorations and then each girls favorite color. She showed me a picture of one she liked and we went from there. I am very proud of these because I made the pattern. It's the first pattern that I have made and it wasn't easy, but I learned a lot. I was going to make them and send them to her and then she was going to have the girls names embroidered on them, but my new machine does embroidery so I was able to put the names on as I made them. Embroidery is a little difficult in the beginning but I think I have the hang of it now. I have had several people ask if I could make them a bag similar to these...so once I am done with the wedding stuff I may be making some more bags.

(note: I lost my camera right before Christmas. I figured I just misplaced it since I don't lose things, but it has been 2 months and still no sign of the camera so I'm pretty sure it's gone. =( I have been using my dads Nikon D90 for all of my photos since he was kind enough to let me borrow it until I can get a new camera. But he is in Hawaii on vacation with his camera so the photos are not the best quality because I am using a camera that is not quite as good with indoor pictures.)

Fleece Robe

I made this for Austin a few months ago. He loves it because it is soft and warm. He doesn't get to wear it much because it doesn't really get that cold here but it was something fun I could make for a boy. These are quick and easy to make. Maybe this fall I could make some for all the kids and use my new embroidery machine to put the names on it! I'm going to add that to my list. I could also sell these on Etsy and personalize them when they order it. I'm going to go practice and put Austin's name on his. I will share a picture when it's done.

New Clothes for Macy

Update: I had serious issues with the placement of the photos, but after an hour of trying to fix it I decided to just go with it. So the photos are a little out of place, but you get to see the cute clothes. And, Yes I will take some orders!!! =)

Brandy asked if I would make Macy a handful of new outfits for spring/summer. Of course I jumped at the chance because little girl clothes are so much fun and I rarely get to make them. I ended up with six outfits that I am very happy with. I used a variety of colors, but all can be worn with the pink leggings. I also think all can be worn with a top underneath for the cooler spring days. Once I get these outfits to Macy I will have to get Brandy to send me pictures of Macy wearing them because they don't look as cute hanging on my dressform as they will on Macy.




















The purple outfit above is a nice halter top with capri pants. The fabric is very soft and nice and light for spring/summer. The middle picture above is a cute butterfly skirt. It is not completed in this picture, but I think it is going to turn out really cute. I cut some butterflys out of the extra fabric and sewed them on to the top with some fun stitching from my new machine. It's the first time I have done any appliquing and I think it turned out pretty good. The third picture above is a dress I made from a photo Brandy sent me of a dress she found on Etsy. I am very proud that I was able to make the same exact thing just from looking at a photo. The straps can tie at the neck like a halter top or then can be worn straight back or cris/cross. There are button holes in the back that the straps can slip through to hold them back there. Brandy will have to take a picture of the dress on Macy so that you can see the back.

This is just a normal pillowcase dress. I really like this cupcake fabric. I used a brown polkadot ribbon for the tie. I think this dress looks really cute with the pink leggings. (photo below)












This halter dress is made from the same type of material as the halter top and capri pants above. It's really soft and light. This fabric is really cute in person. I think this dress would be cute with the leggins and a white long sleeved top on a cooler day. (photo below)









I really like this outfit. I love the colors and the way the fabrics go together. I also did an applique on this top. I used a ribbon spool to get the larger circle for the middle of the flower and then I used a thread spool to make the "petals" of the flower out of the second fabric. I think it turned out really nice. (last two photos at the end)

Upgrade!!!

I have been sewing for about 13 years now. During this time I have been using my mom's old sewing machine. It's been great. It does what I need it to do and I really haven't had any problems with it. I found out the other day that it is 25+ years old. Now that I have become a more serious sewer and have grand plans for the future it's time to upgrade.

Say goodbye to old faithful...



and HELLO to my new machine!


I was talking to my dad the other day about wanting to open an etsy shop and try to make some money doing what I love to do. He said if I was going to do that I need to be able to compete with the rest of the people selling and need a really good machine. So he bought me this one. It has over 70 different stiches, 8 different button holes, it threads itself, has an LCD touch screen, is computerized, and it does embroidery!!! I am going to be able to do SOOOO much more with this machine. I can't wait to get started! If any of you would like to buy the old machine or know someone who would let me know, it would be a great starter machine.

I am off to play with my new sewing machine.

My First Order & Cute Dresses

I got my first order! Well, kind of. Kendyl is getting married in May and has asked me to make some things for her wedding and for the bridesmaids. So this last week I have been working on stuff for her. When I finish each project I will post some pictures. It will be a fun change from only making clothes.

I found some extra fabric in my stash the other day and decided to take a break from making stuff for Kendyl and try making a "pillowcase dress". Apparently these are big in the south. They are adorable. So I made 2 from scratch today and I think they turned out so cute. What is great about them is that the little girls can wear them as a dress one year and then as they grow they can wear it as a top with leggings or jeans the next year. And you can wear them by themselves in the summer or layer a longsleeved shirt and leggings with them in the winter. The ribbons are adjustable. It took about 30 minutes for each dress. That included cutting the fabric, ironing, and sewing. And all it took was about 3/4 yd of fabric and some ribbon. The pictures below aren't that great, but I wanted to show them. Austin wouldn't let me try them on him and get a picutre so I can't show you how cute they are on. =)

Current Projects

Right now I have a lot of projects I am working on. I need to get these done so that I can start on some new things that I have in mind. Hopefully I can get down to business and finish these soon! When I am working on a project I will show pictures of it on the dress form, but when I have completed a project I will model it or have the person I made it for model it so you can get a better idea of what it looks like on. For the next post I will show a dress I recently finished, a robe I made for Austin, and better pictures of my mom in her jacket. And I am hoping Kendyl will take some pics of her jacket and PJ pants I made her so I can show everyone.

Project #1
This is a knit jersey fabric. I have never worked with this fabric before so it is a new experience for me. So far it is going well, but I haven't done much sewing yet to see if it is going to be difficult. It's going to have double straps that criss-cross in the back. It should be really cute once I finish it.

Project #2
This is a pink satin fabric with a little bit of a gold shimmer. This is more of a "going out" kind of shirt so I probably won't get much use out of it, but it will be cute and I like to try to make a lot of different things.

Project #3
It is a little difficult to see how this shirt will be when it is finished. It will have a little hole in the front and have a rhinestone broach to hold the two sides together in the middle. I think it is going to be a really cute top when it is done.

Project #4
This is a skirt I am working on for my mom. It's a nice flowy satin material. This material is difficult to work with! But it's really pretty so it is worth it. I just need to put the zipper in and finish the hem and then she can model it. =)

Project #5
I have been working on this dress for a long time. It's a soft flannel material. I really like the pattern. The front has the ruffle detail and also on the front and on the sleeves is a pretty sparkly band.
A close up of the ruffle and sparkle detail...the sparkle detail is just pinned on for now.

There is one more project that I am working on, but I cannot show it yet because it is a surprise for Kendyl. I told her I wanted to make her something to wear for the dress rehearsal for her wedding. I want her to be surprised when she opens it. So once she has it I will post the finished project on her for all to see.

Sewing Corner

This is where I sew. I don't have a lot of space in my apartment, but I was able to find the perfect spot by the window so that I can use all of the natural light while I am working. I made the inspiration board hanging on the wall. I wanted to do something bright and bold and I think it turned out really nice. I will hang pictures of things I want to make and other inspirations on it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my dress form. I am thinking she needs a name. I love being able to pin the garment I am working on to the dress form and take a step back to analyze what I am doing. It is SO much better than trying it on 100 times and standing in front of the mirror! I got the table for a great deal from IKEA. I love it. It's the perfect size for my apartment and for sewing. The best part is that the leafs go up and I can use it for cutting too! I used to cut all my pieces on the floor. I think I need to get a cute little table lamp for when I am sewing at night. I don't get much light in that corner so it's a little hard to see. That is my wonderful serger on the table in the picture. It makes the quality/durability of the clothes so much better.

Next I will post some projects I have finished recently and some of the things I am working on.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog! I took Brandy's advice and decided to make a blog to showcase my sewing endeavors for all of you to see. I have set you all up to receive emails when I publish a new post. I plan to make my blog a little more exciting but I wanted to get it started. I will post pictures of my "works in process" and my finished garments. If I do any other fun crafty things I will post about those too. Maybe one day I will also take some orders!! =) My next post will be about my new sewing corner. I will post some pics so you can see where my work comes to life. Love and Miss you all!