Wristlet

My first sewing project not from One Yard Wonders!! (Oh, besides the capes...) I had been talking to my sister-in-law about what I wanted to make and I mentioned that I wanted to try something *smallish* to try my hand at my first zipper. So she emailed me a couple of patterns for wristlets. (You might recognize the fabric from the Not Ugly Car Trash Bag.)

Here are the pieces cut out, the zipper and the strap already made. Also, each piece has fusible interfacing, to give the bag more shape:


"Sandwiching" the zipper to sew the first side:


First side of the zipper completed! I added the pocket...not on original pattern:


After sewing the second side of the zipper and laying it open to line up the strap:


I pinned the pieces together to sew the entire thing together:


Completed bag, with lining outside before putting it all together:


Lining tucked inside:


All done!


Things I learned:
*How to sew in a zipper.
*How to make a lined bag.
*To make the lining just a few centimeters smaller than the outside so it lays more nicely inside.

Firefighter's Hat

This is the Firefighter's Hat from One Yard Wonders. I made it for one of Liam's friends, for his birthday. He is crazy about anything firefighter, so I thought it'd be perfect!

I didn't take pictures until after I got going...I was really on a roll with this thing! First, I had to cut twelve triangles for the crown of the hat. 6 of those got fusible interfacing ironed on and then I sewed those together to make the underside of the crown:


Then I sewed the other six together to make the top of the crown and sewed on some patches:


This part of the crown is sitting on top of the interfaced part.

The brim was fairly easy. I put interfacing on both pieces and then sewed them together:

I didn't cut the hole out until after sewing the two pieces together. After cutting the hole, that is how I turned the brim right side out.

Then I cut plastic canvas, like you would use for cross-stitching, into the shape of the brim and stuffed it inside:


I cut the hole out of the canvas in order to sew in the crown pieces. This part of the sewing was the most technical part of the project. The book called for hand-stitching it in, but I really, really don't like to hand stitch. So I used my machine and made it work!

The front of the hat:


The back of the hat:


The side view of the hat:


I may have more pictures after I give this to the little guy...can't wait to see him try it on!!

Things I learned:
*To shape a hat using triangular pieces.
*Interfacing plus plastic canvas gives great shape!
*When something calls for hand-stitching, I can make it work otherwise!!
*It's very motivating when I'm making something for someone else, with a birthday deadline.

Travel Checkerboard

I completed this project on July 12, but had to wait to post it because it was a gift for my wonderful sister-in-law! (Don't worry, Flo, there's another gift coming your way....)

I'm not happy with how it turned out, (wrong fabric choice!) but very happy that I completed it! This is the Travel Checkerboard by One Yard Wonders. The pattern called for using one piece of fabric, but I used 2 and sewed them together, just to give it a little more strength/sturdiness.

This is the completed board, laid out flat:


Here is one of the corners with the yarn sticking out that ties it together:


The corners and the entire border are "tunnels" to hold the tie-string. The book didn't have clear instructions on how to create the corners, so mine were just pieced together as best as I could!

The most tedious part of this project was making the checker pieces. Cutting all the squares, pinning them together, sewing, filling and completing. Whew!

Here is one put together up to the filling point. I was grateful I have small fingers when it came to turning them right-side out!


After filling them, I pinned and sewed the last edge. The instructions said to hand-sew them, but I stuck them in my machine. (I really don't like hand-sewing, but understand I'm going to have to do it sometimes! I just chose not to make this one of those times...):


All but one of these are completely done:


The board with all the pieces placed and ready for a game:


The final product, tied up and ready to travel!


This project is not complete. I am changing out the white yarn with red ribbon I have (or possibly a different color, depending on what I decide to use for the pieces. I am changing the pieces because once this was completed and set up, I realize they are way too hard to see on the board.

Things I learned:
*Just because the fabric looks great, doesn't mean the project will look great with said fabric.
*Too much is too much. Crabs, in this case.
*How to make piping to thread a tie to make a cinch sack.
*You can burn yourself with yarn while cinching said cinch sack too quickly.
*Sometimes, simpler is better.

Rocket to Dreamland

This is my first project made using a pattern. (Another project from my One Yard Wonders book.) It took quite a bit of time, as you need to cut out the pattern, pin it all to the fabric and then cut out the pieces. And assembling the thing gave me headaches with every step, but I'm very happy with the end result and totally see myself making another one for future gifts! This is a rocket pillow with a pocket in the front. Liam absolutely loves it...I'm so happy!!!!

Laying out the pattern:


I had to hand-stitch the flames, but it was nice to sit outside and get this step done while Liam played in the pool:


Flame sewn inside the base and the completed fins:


One completed side, the front panel with the pocket on it:


All three panels sewn together and the base connected. The base was the toughest part to sew on, as the fins and flame were all on the inside of the rocket as I was trying to feed it through my machine in a circle! Looks like quite the hot mess here:


Finished project, sitting in Nora's booster seat:


Proud new owner of the "Rocket with a Pocket":


Things I learned:
*How to read/pin/use a pattern.
*Pinning your project as you go definitely helps it turn out better.
*What "staystitch" means.
*Sewing ribbon is tough, as it is extra slippery.
*Giving something to a child who watched the project take shape is immensely satisfying!

Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag

I was able to complete my latest project in one day, probably about 3 hours. I'm feeling more confident about sewing and am getting more proficient at it! Still not great, but better with each project!! The other ones I've done all had a diagram of how to measure and cut your fabric. This one only gave me dimensions, so I had to plan and measure more accurately.

Here are the pieces all cut out and the strap is already made, with buckle attached. I'm getting pretty good at making double-fold bias tape!!


Front of bag:


Hanging bag:


I think if I were to make another one, I'd try to find some sort of plastic lining since this is to be used for trash. Thankfully it'll be in the car, so not too much stuff that will be sticky and messy. On second thought, I have kids...I take that back!! Maybe this one will have to be a gift for someone...

Things I learned:
*How to make/attach binding to add some flare.
*Box stitch for reinforcing straps.
*Attach a "parachute buckle", the clasp for the strap.
*To zigzag the seem allowance for reinforcement.
*Think ahead of what the project will be used for, and then plan and make necessary personal changes/additions to the project. i.e. The lining.

Petite Diaper Tote

Another project from One Yard Wonders, the Petite Diaper Tote. This one was a lot of fun to make, but tons of steps!! I was introduced to fusible fleece and interfacing. I don't love them, but love the outcome they gave me. So we've become friends.

This tote is great for carrying just a few diapers, wipes, a toy or two and your keys, wallet, phone. Small, but so handy!

First, I'd like to share my work space. It's not easy, but it's the best I have right now:

Notice the spot on the front of the craft table that "melted" (or something similar...) after I ironed on it. I even had a towel on the table! Oh well...ironing board came out. The hard part of this is that it is in our basement which is essentially the kids' playroom. So every time I work, I have to bring everything out and get it all put away before Nora gets up from her nap or in the morning. It works for now...

These are all the pieces of the fabric cut before assembling:

I had already ironed on the interfacing, but not much more at this point.

This is the beginning of the changing pad, before I quilted and attached it to the tote:


Here is the front of the bag (The changing pad is folded up on the back side):

I realize now I should've taken a picture of the back side showing how the pad folds up. Another lesson learned...

Here is the bag with the changing pad out, and the front flap open, too:

The changing pad folds into itself and then up twice and attaches with the strip of Velcro.

The tote held up by the cutest model ever, to show the changing pad out from the back of it:


Things I learned:
*How to make a stiffer corner.
*How to use fusible interfacing and fusible fleece.
*How to quilt something.
*How to make double biased tape.

*How to attach a magnetic clip.

*Measure everything first and THEN cut.

*Measure what you need after the selvage line.

*You can use two strips of interfacing together to make it the correct size, when you inadvertently cut something before measuring the rest of your project.

Child's Messenger Bag

I finished 2 projects today. The first one is the Child's Messenger Bag from One Yard Wonders, a collection of projects you can sew with only 1 yard of fabric. This is my favorite book right now!! I'm thinking most of my projects will be coming from this book, until I feel braver and more confident to move to bigger and better things!

This bag gave me trouble during the assembly portion. Making all the separate pieces was really pretty easy. I couldn't figure out the directions on how to put it all together, though, and there were no pictures to show me what to do! I reached out for help in many different ways and it finally came at the library. I took Liam to a program today and brought my bag with me. One of the other moms showed me exactly what to do! I was so excited!!

This picture is the bag before assembly:


The piece on the right is the lining which needed to go into the bag itself. Also, in this picture, the straps and front flap aren't sewn on, just pinned. The directions said something about turning it inside out, sewing the top and pulling it all through. Yeah...OK....

I put the lining in the bag, turned the tops in and top stitched around the entire thing, tucking in the flap and straps as I went. I'm very happy with all but one little spot, which hopefully nobody will ever notice...

Here's the front of the bag, closed:


Front of the bag, opened:


Inside of the bag with the pocket:


Thing I Learned:
*How to make tucked corners (Not sure that's what they're really called, but that's what I'm calling them).

*Basting.
*How to ask EVERYONE for help.
*Sometimes directions aren't correct.
*How to do something my own way, which could be much easier!!
*It really helps to press the seams as you go.
*My kids' craft table isn't a good ironing board.

Super Hero Cape

Welcome to my new project...A place for me to share my sewing projects! I received a sewing machine for my birthday in 2009 and am just getting into it, almost a year and a half later! I will try to give credit where credit is due as I share my projects. My plan is to take pictures as I'm making something, but that may not always happen. But there will definitely be pictures of the final projects!

My wonderful friend, Angie, gave Liam a Batman cape for his 2nd birthday. I finally had the guts to go for it and create another one. I just copied the Batman cape, consulted with Angie via email on a few things and got started. Here's the fabric, before cutting:


Cutting around the completed cape:


Cutting the back side of cape:


Completed front side:


Completed back side:


By the way, Liam picked out the fabric! Here he is, as Flame Boy! (Notice the red shirt he just HAD to wear to match!):



Finishing this project gave me a little more confidence, so I headed back to buy more fabrics and am almost done with my next project and starting another one. I feel quite proud!!

Things I learned:

*Never sew sticky velcro to secure it. The sticky gummy stuff got all over my needle.

*How to change my sewing machine's needle.