Pattern Review: Butterick 5495 Knit Top

 I love this top!  I usually have good results with Butterick patterns and this is no exception.  Instructions are easy to follow and the top goes together very quickly.  I made a size smaller than my measurements instructed me too (oops, picked up the wrong size!).  But I love the results and get loads of compliements.  My daughter even wants to borrow them!

 I used a Norma Kamali slinky rayon knit for the one above and a different Kamali knit for the long sleeve version below.  I also made a green polka dotted sleeveless top.

I have to admit I skipped the stay stitching steps and several other steps too in the name of speed.  It worked fine.  Sewing knits doesn't have to be hard or scary, in fact, I used a straight stitch for all of these.

Recycled Dress into Sarong Skirt

I had this dress (sorry I forgot to take a picture of it before), that I wasn't wearing anymore.  It was boxy on top, buttons up the front and gathered long skirt.  Not in style anymore and actually I wore it while I was pregnant (9 years ago!).  Time for a remake.  I cut the skirt off and saved the real shell buttons for another project.  I sewed one pocket shut.  Now I had a large rectangle with a hem and 2 sides finished off (button plackets without buttons).  I hemmed the top edge and bunched up one corner and secured it.  I added an inside button that uses an existing buttonhole when it is wrapped.

 I added elastic to the back waist to pull it in a little.  See inside view above and the back view below.

 I had this lovely shell inlaid silver leaf pin to help hold the overlap shut.

 An easy sarong to wear this summer that is way more attractive than the old maternity dress!

Ham Bag Hat!

My husband works in the garage in all kinds of weather, making guitars and ukuleles.  In the summer, to keep the sweat out of his eyes (and keep the sawdust out of his hair), he wears Ham Bag Hats.  This started a long time ago and yes, it was really the muslin bag that hams come in.  He has finally worn out/lost all his ham bags, so I made him some new ones.

 The basic shape is how we remembered it to be- slightly asymmetrical. I cut out 2 pieces, serged them together and that was it.

 He uses the "tail" to clean his glasses with!

A lovely Ham Bag Hat.

Adventure Time Hat

My son loves the show "Adventure Time" on Cartoon Network.  The main character always wears a white hat with ears, so I chose a fleece out of my stash.

 I just guessed at the size, since he was in school when I made it.  I drew directly on the fabric.

 I added a couple extra layers in the ear area to make the ears stand up.

Then I cut a hole for his face, serged the edges and it was done!  I love a quick project like this and he loves it!

Parachute Wedding Dress

This wedding dress is made from a parachute and has a wonderful story behind it too.  More parachute wedding dresses here.  I love the way it encompassed recycling and meaning.  This Jewish story of a Holocaust survivor is moving.  Read the whole story to find out how many brides wore her parachute gown!

Well Organized Sewing Room

I love looking at well organized and beautiful spaces- it is calming for me.  So check out Carla's sewing lab at The Scientific Seamstress Blog.  It is wonderfully organized and lovely to look at (and sew in, I'm sure) at the same time.  She even includes a fun Periodic Table of Sewing Elements to download at the end of the post!  Thanks Carla!

Craft Organizing

Pam Harris wrote this great article on how to organize yourself to get more projects done.  I keep notebooks everywhere for idea collecting like she suggests.  Mine are full of clippings, drawings, and ideas for projects.  I like how Pam takes it further suggesting you periodically go through all your ideas and make a crafty plan for the projects you want to get done this month or year, and then schedule it!  Definitely worth reading the article- thanks Pam!

Short Button Film by Anastasia Zhuravlena

I just had to share this adorable button film by Anastasia Zhuravlena.  It takes place on a subway.  The music is fun too.

New Pattern- Cabin Pillow and Quilt

I just finished up a new pattern- Cabin Pillow and Quilt
You get 8 pages of photos and instructions explaining how to make this great pillow and quilt. Instructions are in English and come straight to your e-mail so shipping is free!

I call this a Cabin design because it is based on a log cabin block. Easy to sew. Use up your scraps!

These would be great as a matching set or, like my examples, separates destined for different houses. I actually made a pair of pillows to sell but my family liked them so much I had to keep them!       

Thread Drawings by P.Nosa

Totally cool thread drawings by P.Nosa!  Warning- this site has automatic music.  Excellent though, he creates the free motion stitching on a solar powered sewing machine.