I'm Back!!!

Just dropping in really quick to say that I am abck from the Oregon Coast.  I will write more later.  But I do have time to say, it was lovely!!!

Now.... off to laundry...

I Wanna Try This...

Yesterday was one of those days.  Really, it's almost laughable.  I have been watching my sister's 3 kids for a few days along with my 4, which is hilarious right there. 

Then yesterday morning, my 4-year old starts running around the house holding her neck, screaming at the top of her lungs.  She wouldn't let me come near her, but she wanted help.  Oh... and did I metion, ny husband is away on business?

Anyhow, we ended up in the E.R. with... a charlie horse of the neck that wouldn't go away!  So, after who knows how much money, 2 different doctor visits, 3 x-rays.... we walked away with a neck cramp.  I am so grateful that's all it was, but I am WORN OUT!! 

Oh, and did I mention, I was cleaning the house and trying to do laundry and pack for a vacation while this is all  happening? 

Thank heaven for mothers!  I have an amazing mom, who saved the day.  I am sure I will never outgrow my mom.

So... with that, I really want to try something like this:

This is from the blog Twin Fibers.  Isn't this top AMAZING!  Seriously, you will love what they do!!

Free Tutorial: Adjustable Apron

I've made these for about a year now, and they are definite winners.  So here it is... my adjustable apron pattern!! And here I am sharing it with you. Please feel free to use this, but please don't copy it-- just send people back here. Thanks!

OK... so here we go. First off, this is an adjustable apron. There are no awkward ties behind the neck because the ties adjust to exactly what you want them to be. So it's nice and snug and PERFECT.

So, here is the finished product.  The neck tie and the waist ties are all the same tie, so you can adjust this apron perfectly!!


Let's get going...
Before you start: There is some wiggle room in this pattern.

The tie can be lengthened or shortened depending on the intended user.
Pockets and ruffles are optional. I just like the cute factor.

1. Supplies:
Fabric (see measurements below)
Sewing machine (ha ha)
Thread
Rotary cutter and mat (very helpful though not necessary)
Iron
Bias Tape Maker (optional)

Cutting List:

	Sm. (age 1 to 3)	Med. (age 4-10)	Large. (14 +)
Apron	…………...see my lovely drawing below…….
Tie	72" x 2"	"96"x 2"	120" x 2"
Pocket	6.5" x 10"	7" x 11"	8"x 11.5"
Pocket Ruffle	3" x 13"	3" x 14"	3" x 16"
Bottom Ruffle	3" x 36"	3" x 42"	3" x 50"

General Pattern

Step 1: Make the pattern

Using the measurements from my lovely drawing, draw the main apron piece onto wax paper. Just eyeball the curved part, connecting the lines.

Step 2: Cut the pieces.

Pick out the fabrics you want. You can decide if you want your pocket to match the apron, or be with a coordinating fabric. Same with the ruffles and tie. You can play with what you have until you like the results.

You should cut 2 apron pieces, 1 long skinny tie piece (you can sew multiple pieces together if needed), 1 pocket piece, 1 long ruffle piece, and 1 short ruffle piece.



Step 3: Make your tie.

If you have a bias tape maker feel free to use it. It will make this job a lot easier, but you can still do it without one. I know, because I have made my own bias tape for years, with no fancy tool.

To do this by hand:
a. Get your super long and skinny strip. Iron it in half, so you have an even skinnier strip.
b. Open it up and fold each side in to almost the center. Iron it.

c. Fold it back in half along the first line you made. Fold in the unfinished top and bottom edge, as shown. Iron.


d. Sew along the top, bottom, and the really long, skinny opening.

Here is an image using the bias tape maker. (About $7.00 at JoAnn Fabrics.)


Step 4: Sew the main body of the apron.

Take your 2 main apron pieces and put them right sides together. Use a 3/8" to 1/2" seam. Sew the sides, curves, and the top. **DO NOT SEW THE AREAS SHOWN BELOW. THESE ARE USED TO MAKE A CASING FOR THE TIE. LEAVE THE GAPS ABOUT 1" WIDE.


Turn it right side out and iron it. Also iron the little gaps you didn't sew. Iron them as if they are sewn so that they are just in line with the rest. Clear as mud?

This shows one of the gaps I left.

Now we sew the casing. Just sew right along the edge of both curves for extra stability. Then sew about 3/4" away from that to form a pocket for the tie to be threaded through.

5. Sew the pocket.

Take your pocket piece. Fold it in half, right sides together. Sew up the two sides.
Turn it right sides out. Iron the pocket. Then fold about 3/8" of the top raw edge down inside the pocket. Iron this well. You will pin your ruffle into the opening and sew it all shut. Turning the fabric down will give you a nice finished edge to work with.

6. Make your ruffles.

You will be making a ruffle for the bottom of the apron, as well as for the top of the pocket.

Take your two ruffle pieces. Fold it in half along the long side, right sides together. Sew the two ends shut so your ruffles have finished edges.

Turn it right side out and iron.

Finally, baste along the open edge. I just make my stitch length as long as possible and sew along that edge. Carefully pull the end threads to gather the fabric into a ruffle.

This shows the ruffle AFTER I pinned it into the pocket opening.

7. Add the ruffles to the pocket and the bottom.

Iron about 3/4" fabric along the bottom of the main apron, as shown.




Pin the ruffle in between these two layers.


Carefully sew along the edge, making sure you go through all layers.



Do the same with the pocket, as shown.


8. Attach the pocket.

Pin the pocket on the front of the apron and sew the sides and bottom onto the apron. This also serves to add some stability between the two layers of the apron.



9. Thread your tie.

Attach a safety pin to the end of your tie. Carefully thread it through the bottom of one casing and down through the top of the other. Tie knots in the ends to prevent it from getting pulled all the way through.

10. Cook up a storm!! Enjoy.

Yeah, I know. She's a doll! This is the smallest apron on my 14 month old.

Christmas in..... JUNE!

Last year I decided to buy my family some nice stockings and get our names on all of them.  I I wanted something that would be classic, unique and durable... oh and  beautiful.  I wasn't asking for much really.

So I hunted around and here's what I found out:  Nice stockings cost a LOT.  So, I decided to make my own, which apparantly is the them of my life since I'm a total cheapskate DIY'er. 

I finally found the perfect fabric and a week before Christmas, I finished THESE. 

I love how they turned out, and I promised you all a pattern.  Well, I finished it this week.  I thought you guys would prefer a little more time to get them ready than I had. 

So, for those of you who are on the ball and who want awesome stockings, you can get the pattern at the Yards and Yards Etsy Shop. 

And, here are some more images.  This pattern has tons of pictures and digrams.  It has the stocking templates and really easy-to-follow instructions.  The best part, I really think just about anyone can sew these.  My patterns are for new sewers as well as experienced.  Seriously, this is an easy one.  I even added an option where you can add a trim to the cuff.  See?

How cute is that?  Ric-rac works as well!

So, here are some more pictures of the sample I made for the pattern:

Maybe I'll sell this one in the shop.  I have a LOT of the fabric's I used for my family's.  If you want to place a special order, let me know.  I'd even make them for you.  Of course, then you have to pay big bucks.  Or you could just get the pattern HERE and be a cheapskate  DIY'er like me!

Fresh Flowers, Anyone?

Heads up. I just added a new pattern to my Yards and Yards Etsy shop. I had so much fan with these beauties.


These flower headbands are adorable! I have three daughters, so how could I not add these to my pattern repertoire? The pattern includes several different options, detailed instructions and pictures, and some tricks and tips I have learned after making a LOT of these.

See how cute?

PS.  So Glad These Gals Host Parties!!

*All Things Heart and Home  *  It's Sew For You  *  Not Just a Housewife  *  Creative Itch  *  Quiltstory  *  Ladybug Blessings  *  Sew Much Ado  *  Trendy Treehouse  *  Sew Chatty * Women Who Do It All *  Sugar and Dots * Li'l Luna * Tea Rose Home * Polka Dots on Parade * Somewhat Simple *  Fireflies and Jellybeans  *  Blue Cricket Design  *  733 blog  *  House of Hepworth's  * Paisley Passions  *  A Glimpse Inside  *  Fingerprints On the Fridge  *  Fun To Craft  *  At The Picket Fence  *  Stuff and Nonsense  *  Inspiring Creations * Just a Girl *  Sassy Sites*  504 Main  *  WhipperBerry  *  Sew Many Ways  *  The Girl Creative  *  Making the World Cuter  *  A Round Tuit  *  Sumo's Sweet Stuff  *  Life Made Lovely  *  C.R.A.F.T.  *  Sew Modern Monday  *

Summer Begins!

Today is the last day of school for my 2 oldest.  And.... I totally slacked off on the teacher gift thing.  They both had really amazing teachers and I volunteered in the classes, so I thought that would cut it.  But both kids asked if we could make a little something.  As in, "Hi mom.  It's 9:30 pm.  Schools out tomorrow.  Will you whip something up for my wonderful teacher?"

Well, here's a great last minute teacher gift.  The original post is HERE.

These take very little time and they are super cute.  Best part... you can take this cover off and re-use it!

Off to sew. Have a good one!

Up and Coming: Lou-lou-thi by Anna Mria Horner

 I am feeling bright and sunny, so I found some bright sunny fabric to share.  (It was sunny yesterday for the first time in sooooo long and I soaked it in!)

On to fabric.  This is called LOU-lou-thi (not a clue what that one means) and it's designed by Anna Maria Horner, so it's bound to be amazing.  It has a bold, bohemia feel.  I look at these fabrics and they don't go together.... BUT THEY DO!  Amazing!

 Take it back.  I found out what LOU-lou-thi means.  Here it is, straight form Anna Maria herself:

Loulouthi is a treasure box of all that I love about flowers and fabric coming together in form and inspiration. The word loulouthi simply translates from the Greek as “flower”. But in an ongoing story, my cultural heritage has enlivened these fabrics with visions of needleworks in progress, the gentle tending of village gardens, and the luxury of living alongside everyday works of art. The language of flowers and floral handiwork has spoken to me since before I could thread my own needles, and this collection is my reply to all that beauty.

If you want to see more of these beauties, check them out on Anna Maria's blog, right HERE.  Enjoy!