Sew Slippers for Kids by Julie Johnson

I recently came across this book from Annie's on sewing kid's slippers.  I thought, "they would make great gifts for my niece and nephew!".  The book has 8 patterns that could easily have many more different looks depending on your fabric choices.  I got my sister to trace their feet and then compared them to the full size patterns included.  So many styles to pick from- bunnies, booties, puppies, slides all for girls and boys.  Fabric suggestions include fleece, faux fur and recycled jeans.  I chose cotton because they live in Hawaii.  There is a layer of batting in the soles and non-slip grippy material for the outer layer.  The instructions were easy to follow.





Please notice the Hula Hello Kitty fabric- Happy Feline Friday!



Craftsy has Online Classes

You all know I offer local sewing classes to groups through Quilting Adventures and Henrico County Adult Education as well as individual lessons, but I also like taking classes from nationally known teachers every chance I get!  Sandra Betzina hasn't made it to my area lately, so when I saw she is offering online classes through Craftsy, I was thrilled!  I love her books and patterns.  I signed up for "Pant Construction Techniques" and got a free pattern for the class.  It is V2948, a really nice, princess seamed pant with a side or back zipper.

Sandra Betzina starts off with an overview of choosing fabrics.  While watching the intro, I am already inspired to get started.  There are class materials to download and a way to ask questions.  In between lessons you have "homework"-preparing for the next step.  Her class is chock full of great information and easy to understand explanations.  I would recommend taking her pant fitting class before this one if you have any issues.  I thoroughly enjoyed my class with Sandra Betzina!

McCall's 4878 Jacket

I sewed this unlined jacket out of an ecru cotton.  McCall's 4878 has patterns for pants, skirt and a camisole top as well.  Great pattern, but always check the sleeves.  Frequently the sleeves are drawn or photographed with out gathers in the cap, but in reality, they end up with excess fabric there.  For a good shoulder fit, I had to move the seam line in a little so that took care of the problem.

My husband gave me these beautiful copper conchs buttons for Christmas last year.

I used cotter pins to attach them (make an eyelet on the machine).  This way they are removable for washing and I won't have to worry about them doing something strange and

leaving marks on the fabric.

And here is why I usually don't model my clothes for this blog!



Black Friday & Cyber Monday on Craftsy

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale on Craftsy!   Online Sewing Classes are $19.99 or less!!  This is a great time to try them out.  I've signed up for a pant technique class.  Don't forget to check out my sewing patterns too!

Feline Friday

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

From Alice and her turkey.

Book Review- Babies On The Go- 10" Doll Clothes

A new book from Annie's and House of White Birches- Lots to Love Babies on the Go! 10" Doll Clothes by Lorine Mason, available from www.http://AnniesCatalog.com .  (Sorry about the flash on the baby's face-my fault!).   Full-size patterns and instructions for both girl and boy dolls are included- dress, vest, pants, romper, pool side, sleeping bag etc.  With just a fabric change, you could get lots of different looks.  I have not had the chance to make any of the projects yet, but I read through some of the instructions and they sound easy and straight forward to follow.  There is a general sewing techniques section that explains the operations needed for completing these cute outfits!

Happy Feline Friday!

Locals:

Come visit me tomorrow from 9-4 at St.Mathews Church

corner of Forest and Patterson at the Annual Sewing Guild Bazaar!

I will have gift items from $1-$130!

Also my pattern samples will be there in person in case you've been eyeing a pattern...

 

Speaking of patterns-

Catsongstitchery PDF Patterns are available from Craftsy, PatternSpot, and Etsy!

Etsy has added direct checkout so now you can easily use a credit card for purchases.

Craftsy and PatternSpot offer automatic downloads- no waiting!

 

Alice



Holiday Gift Ideas

Now is a great time to buy pdf sewing patterns!

All patterns are $7.00.  I am happy to email them straight to the recipient or to you.

Check out the selection - catsongstitchery

With just a change of fabric selection, you could tailor a special gift to suit all the folks on your list!

 

 

Locals- Don't forget about the

Annual Sewing Guild Bazaar

Nov.17, 2012

9-4

St.Matthews Episcopal

(corner of Forest & Patterson)

Lots of great gifts!

Feline Friday- Free Motion Quilting

The Free Motion Quilting expert for sewcalgal's November challenge is Sarah Vedeler.  I really tried to make straight rows of swirls, I really did, but I guess I'm just not a straight row kinda gal. 

More practice will help.  I am having a great time with the assignments each month and I feel like I have learned so much!  Emma came to inspect.

I can't decide if she likes my stitching or just likes having her picture taken!



Red Riding Hood Cape

I whipped this together real quick for my daughter for Halloween, but I am hoping she will wear it for other events like over her cotillion dresses or for Colonial dancing.  She is about 5'1" tall.  I bought 2 yards of a thick poly wool blend fabric (no lining).  I measured down 17" from the top and gathered the full width of the fabric.  I hand gathered it because I was in such a hurry, I didn't want to risk having to redo it if the thread broke.  I sewed a fabric tube over the gathering to reinforce it and to act as a tie.  I hemmed the bottom edge, but just left the selvages for the front edges.

I sewed the top seam to form a big, floppy hood.  She loves it!  I figure I can always go back and line it later if I want to.  It survived Halloween and that was my main goal anyway.



Annual Sewing Guild Bazaar

You are all invited to our Annual Sewing Guild Bazaar!

Lots of great gifts!

I'll be there with sewn items and information on my sewing classes and sewing patterns.

November 17, 2012

9am-4pm

St.Matthews Episcopal

(corner of Forest & Patterson)

November

Saturday, November 17

9 to 4

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

1101 Forest Avenue

Richmond, VA 2329

Featuring needlecrafts and Handmade Special Items!

Find those special gifts and

complete your holiday shopping.



Feline Friday-Fabric Collage Vest

Here is my finished fabric collage vest using Rosemary Eichorn's Sewjourner vest #6!

I am really happy with how it turned out.  I've already worn it and I got lots of good feedback on it.

I left off the buttons because it didn't seem to need them.  Plus, I like both the fronts and

didn't want to cover one up.

The back View.  You can see a little of the lining- I added the red flower for fun.  The slice of orange sun is peeking through the trees.

I added little animals in my magical forest.  A cat and below is a snail.

A bird is in one of the trees.  When it came time to bind the vest, this bird was too close to the edge.

I didn't want to lose her tail, so I cut the binding at that point.

This shows the raw front edge meeting the bound edge.  The whole vest is free motion quilted.