The Handy Pocket

Great as a gift- can be any size to fit keys or a phone etc.  I make them in two finished sizes 7"x4" and 5"x3".  To make one: cut 2 pieces of pre-quilted fabric (include seam allowance).  Stitch a zipper on, using a zipper foot.  At the same time, stitch on trim.  There will be fabric behind the zipper. Cut out behind the zipper.  Add a small hanging loop (see above left).  The photos above show the front and back of the same piece.

Place the back and zipper piece, right sides together.  Unzip the zipper.  Stitch around the outside edges.  Clip corners and turn right side out.

Add a colorful carabiner so you can hook it to your beltloop, backpack, purse strap etc.

Joy, Love, Peace!

I wish for you a Happy Hanukkuh, Peaceful Solstice, and a Merry Christmas!

1611 Gown

I was not aiming for historical accuracy went I put this outfit together for a recent 400th Birthday Tea.  But I do think I was in the ballpark at least.  The skirt is actually from my colonial gown.  The top was originally my mom's, but since I think breathing is important, I left it unbuttoned and added a white blouse underneath. 

Nativity for Small Children

 This is a pre-printed panel to construct a Nativity scene that is perfect for young children to play with.  No trims or buttons- just sew and stuff.

Here they are finished.  Last year my cats kept stealing the baby Jesus, but we always managed to find him.

Logo Tote Makeover

This tote came to me as one of those freebies with a business logo stamped on the front.  Seeing an opportunity, I dug out an embroidered sewing machine patch and some sewing themed cat fabric and got to work.  I bordered the patch with the fabric to make it large enough to cover the original logo.

I had fun adding some machine stitching.  Now I've got a tote I know I'll use and it was mostly free!

Nifty Teenie Kleenie Holder

This makes a great small gift, easy to sew too!  Start with 3 pieces of fabric 6 1/4"x 4 1/4" and 2 pieces 4 1/4"x4 1/4".  Press 4 of the pieces in half (wrong sides together) as shown above.

 Layer the pieces kind of like how you might reclose a cardboard box, with all the flaps overlapping.  The striped fabric shows this.  All of the folds should point towards the middle and the raw edges should be even with the unfolded rectangle.  Right sides together.  Sew completely around the edges.

 If you like, you can use a 3"x5" piece of paper to stitch around. 

 Trim the excess off.  Then pinch the corners and stitch across as shown below.  This should create a box corner.

 Box corners as seen from the underside.  Turn right side out and slip in a tiny package of tissues.

Here are some finished holders! 

Emma, The Escape Artist

Emma is the sister on the right.  She is the Cat Singer.  Alice and Emma are sisters we adopted about 4 years ago from our back alley.  They didn't run from me when I went to pick them up.  Emma has always been a little skittish though.  Yesterday she gave us a real fright.  I realized at lunch that I hadn't seen her for a couple of hours.  Not too worried because the cats usually take an afternoon nap.  I figured she'd come out for dinner.  By dinner we were getting concerned.  With flashlights we looked in every closet and under beds.  She never goes outside, so she had to be in the house somewhere.  Calling her and cat treats didn't work.  Panic was setting in.  We went up in the attic and looked everywhere.  I was really afraid she had gotten stuck in the walls.  I was imagining horrible things by then.  Trying to stay positive, I tucked tearful kids into bed that night.  In the morning I woke up and found Emma sleeping peacefully on the sofa!  Where did she go?!  She was perfectly fine, no cobwebs stuck to her.  I wish I could speak cat.  We are so happy she is back!

Needle Weaving a Purse Flap

This is the Chameleon Handbag by Shirley Adams of The Sewing Connection.  It is a great bag with interchangeable flaps so you can coordinate outfits etc.  The body of the bag is an embroidered suede-like upholstery fabric.

I used a variety of yarns to needle weave a flap.  You have to make your weaving really tight together.  I fused interfacing to the back of the weaving before lining and piping the flap.

I wanted to showcase a few of my favorite buttons.  The flap attaches with velcro to the purse back, and with a magnetic snap in front.  Shirley Adams has wonderful examples of her weaving at http://www.sewingconnection.com/  Check here to see my other flap http://catsongstitchery.blogspot.com/2010/05/chameleon-bag-with-flaps.html

Colonial Ball Gown

Here I am in a gown that I made for my mom and then altered so I can wear it.  I had to replace the stomacher.  I added the fabric flowers and the cream sleeve details to disquise my alterations.  I wore this to a ball at the beginning of November.