My Friend's Skirt

Once again I decided to do the Project Sewn sew-along.
And this week we were to create our signature looks.

Well, I really have no idea my signature look, it seems as though it's ever changing. And after some recent weight loss, I feel as though I am starting over figuring out what looks good on my body and what still doesn't. I'll get there eventually, but for now I just don't know.

So for the signature style I chose to make something for one of my friends, of whom I adore her style. She is one of the sweetest people, and she has this great style that seems so effortless. Of course her being gorgeous helps too. ;)

Well, her birthday was coming up, and I wanted to make something for her. I found this great tutorial for a pinwheel skirt over at Elle Apparel. Yes I know its a post from August 17, 2010, and I am WAY behind the times, but its such an adorable skirt. And I thought it was definitely her style.

So after showing her pictures, she agreed, and I got started. It came together super quick and easy....if you don't count the fact that I put in a zipper that was broken and so I had to take it out and put in a new one!! (Yes my brilliance shines through sometimes!)  :)
Other than that, I think it turned out great!!

 

If you notice, the front is slightly shorter than the back.

 

Its simple, yet unique.

 

The back also has some pleats. And I carried the lace trim around the back too.

 

I really like how it turned out. And if you liked it too, head on over HERE and vote for me on Friday!! Thanks for stopping by.

 

Until next time...

 

80's Inspired week

I've been in a 'sewing blah' lately, but having a theme to sew for, and having to sew it for me has been rejuvenating! Thanks for letting me sew-along!! Here is my 80's inspired top....

Have I mentioned I really hate having my picture taken!! Ugg! Anyways...back to the subject!

When I saw that it was 80's inspired week, I searched to make sure the styles I instantly thought of were in fact 80's. I found these, but I couldn't see myself wearing anything like these on a daily basis.

So I went to the first place I thought of for patterns....my Mom's!! She rocks! She has tons of awesome patterns that she lets me borrow, and when I say lots, I mean lots of patterns. She has 2 of these bins (see below), a file cabinet and a dresser full.

Best of all, she has some that range from the 50s to today! So it made it really hard!!

Most of the patterns I loved and wanted to make were these, from the 70's. Maybe another time...

Then I saw this gem!! Doesn't it scream 80's?? So then it was on to the fabric. Remember forever ago when my Mom gave me all that fabric....

These screamed 80's, which I am pretty sure I can remember something for me or my brothers made out of all these from the 80's.  :)

But then these were more what I would wear.

I decided on this, it's light and airy, great for summer!!

Of course I didn't start sewing it until Thursday, but this is how it turned out..

Very comfy.

I also added a sash, but I think I will most likely where it without. :)

Love the button details! 

So head over to HERE and vote for me (Fri-Sun.), or your favorite 80's look. :)

Until next time...

A Chevron Sundress

This past Saturday was a stormy day with lots of rain and wind. My kids were playing relatively 'good', and the husband was taking a nap. (He had ran a 5K earlier in the AM and did awesome!)

 

I decided to use that time to make this cute little sundress for Lucy using more of the knits I got from Girl Charlee. I loved that watermelon color and thought it would be perfect for summer.

 

I bought 1 yd of it and lucked out because I found some bias tape that matched almost perfectly too. I used the bodice from my favorite dress pattern for Lucy, shortened it a bit, and left out the sleeves. I added bias tape around the arm opening, to give it a finished look. I also did around the waist too. I did a simple gathered skirt for the bottom, put in a zipper, hemmed it and done. It went together really quick. (I was only interrupted 2 times in the course of making it!! Wahoo!!)

 



 

I tried taking some pictures Sunday but the weather wasn't very good in the AM.

 

 

But she still wanted a picture outside, even with the wind and rain.

 

 

Isn't that a determined, almost defiant little face!! :)

 

 

 

Later in the afternoon I was able to get this picture, but by then the novelty if the new dress had worn off and she just wanted to play!! But I would rather play, than get my picture taken too!!

 

 

Until next time...

Project Sewn: Black and White

Heard of Project Sewn, it's a blog dedicated to sewing for yourself. Check it out HERE.

The first sew along challenge is to sew something black and white.

Remember that knit I ordered from GirlCharlee? Well I finally got around to using some of it. I bought 2yds of this great black and white striped knit, did my measurements, cut my fabric and then I got busy with other things. That's life. :) 

 I just got around to sewing the skirt today! And it happened to be black and white and just the perfect thing to enter in the sew along. Yea!

So here it is..... A Black and White Ruffle Maxi Skirt.

Thanks to my sweet neighbor for taking these!!

And don't forget to go HERE and vote for me!! I'm number #16. :)

Until Next time...

A Recipe for You

A some of you might know, I love to cook.

I also enjoy spending time with friends and chatting! So a group of us have been doing sort of like a food exchange, where we get together at someones house and bring a sample of food for that nights theme. We have had like cookies, dips, desserts, etc. as themes. We also bring the recipe of the food you made. It's a great night to chat and enjoy, then you end up going home with not only the yummy food, but you get the recipes too.

Well at the last desserts night we had, I received a cookie recipe for Samoas -Thanks Lisa!! YUM!! They are way yummy, so I decided to share this awesome recipe with you!!

Samoas
6 T. Butter
1/2 C. Sugar
1/2 C. Light Corn Syrup
1/2 of a 14oz. can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 t.Vanilla
4 C. Toasted Coconut (350 for about 8-10 mins. stirring every 2 min.)

In a 2 quart saucepan over medium-low heat, combine butter, sugar and corn syrup. Heat to a full boil, stirring constantly. Boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly pour in sweetened condensed milk, stirring constantly. Continue cooking over low heat until candy thermometer reaches 220-228 degrees. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Beat until creamy.

Immediately stir in coconut and mix well. Spoon mixture by teaspoonfuls into circular mounds onto buttered wax paper. Flattened slightly with the end of a wooden spoon. Cool completely.

Melt chocolate chips and drizzle thin stripes over cookies and let the chocolate harden at room temperature. Store in airtight container.

Note: They are a white-ish color. When I made them I doubled the recipe, mainly cause I didn't want to waste 1/2 a can of sweetened condensed milk. :) I also dipped the bottom of the cookie in chocolate too and then did the drizzle on top as well! (Got to get in as much chocolate as possible!!)


Untl next time....

Just Getting it Done...

Ever have those times when you are really excited about making something and then life happens and it has to take backseat for a while....well, that has been me for the last week.

 

I have so many things running through my head like my ruffle maxi skirt. I got all my measurements done and a pattern all figured out. But thats where it stopped.

And my flared maxi skirt with inserts, same thing, all but the actual cutting and sewing of it.

A maxi dress for Lucy, not even a pattern drawn up.

Some super cute baby shoes and much much more have all been on the agenda, but apparently no one but me got the memo! :)

 

But hey there's always tomorrow, and I'll be happy I got some spring cleaning done when I actually get around to doing it too!! Right? Right.

Well, I'm off to start destroying each room and closet some more.....I mean get some spring cleaning done! :)

BTW what is your spring/ summer must haves?

Ruffle Bottom Legging Tutorial

So a friend of mine showed me a picture of some leggings, they were adorable, however they were $44.99!! Way too much in my book. I thought about it and decided I could make some WAY cheaper. I had seen several that were done like this...

 

 

...with the material just gathered and stitched on top. Although it's still super adorable, it wasn't the look I was going for. I wanted mine to be more flared, than gathered, and I didn't want a seam!! So after a bit more thought, this is what I came up with....

 

The Ruffle Bottom Legging Tutorial

 

 

First I took a pair of Lucy's leggings I had purchased back in Nov. for $3, and 1/2 yd. of scrap fabric.

 

They had a huge hole in the knee and therefore were in the "do something with them, or throw them away" pile!! (Tell me I'm not the only one with that kind of a pile.)

 

 

Since mine had a hole in them, I already knew where to cut them off. Choose how long you want yours and then cut away.

 

Then measure where you just cut. Mine is 6 1/4" across.

Then comes a bit of math...don't worry though, I'll break it down.... (if you have ever made a circle skirt, it's the same thing, just on a smaller scale.)

Take your measurement (above) and times it by 2, (since it's folded), then divide your answer by 6.28. That equals your radius which is what you need to do the next part.

For example my number was

6.25"X 2 = 12.5/ 6.28= 1.99" (I rounded it to 2")

Then with a scratch paper measure from one corner and go out 2" make a mark, then move up and continue until you reach the other side of the paper. Draw a line connecting the marks making a quarter of a circle. Cut out and set aside. This can also be done with a string like in grade school. :)

 

Then decide how long you want your ruffle. I did a double layer one 3" and one 4". So using that same technique, do one for how long you want your ruffle + the radius.

For example I did one 5" (3" + the radius 2") and one 6" (4" + the radius 2")

Cut those out as well, and set aside. Make sure you mark what size they are. :)

 

 

This is what they should look like. I have a 2", 5" and 6" quarter circle.

 

 

Then fold your material over just enough to fit your largest quarter circle on, then fold it again, just enough to fit your largest circle. (By doing it just enough, it saves on material, but you can do it any way you feel most comfortable!)

 

Place your largest quarter circle on the corner. (There should be no edges on either straight side of the quarter circle, just folds. 

 

Cut the curved edge and then you get this. Which if you have done it right it makes a full circle.

 

Fold back up and place your radius quarter circle (mine was 2") on the corner of the piece you just cut out.

 

 

Cut along the curved edge. Repeat this process for any other ruffle layers you are doing.

You can discard the center circle, or use it to make a matching bow!

 

 

So now you have your donut/ ruffle circles.

 

Make a narrow hem around the outer edge of your donuts/ ruffles. Then fold and pin the inner edges, fold again matching your pins, and mark the other sides. Does that make sense?? You should have 4 pins equal distance apart. (Since I am doing 2 ruffles on each leg, I placed my smaller on on top of the larger one before pinning)

Do the same for each leg of the leggings as well. (Note: the side seams of the leggings aren't always equal front and back, but since there is no seam on the ruffle, just mark equal distances like you did with the ruffle.

 

 

Then with right sides together, match pins on leggings and ruffle. Pin together all layers.

 

Then stitch. I stitched with the inside of the legging up and went around that way.

 

 

If you have knit leggings with a knit ruffle I recommend using a double needle which can be purchased at most fabric stores. You just choose the distance apart you want the needles. This will help the seam stretch a bit. I did not use a knit material for the ruffle so I didn't feel I needed it.

 

 

I really like that finished look, so to finish it off, I folded the seam up and top stitched around one last time. Repeat steps for other leg and you are done!!

 

 

TA-DAH!

 

Can you see the difference in the way the ruffle hangs? It's not a big difference, but it's just what I wanted and I really like it!!

 

 

And because there is no seam on the ruffle, they look the same front and back!! (And you thought I was just showing you her round little butt!!)

 

After my tester tried them on and danced around a bit, the verdict was in......

 

(not sure what she is doing here....)

 

(Or here...mid sentence talking maybe??) Anywho...she loved them!

 

As for extending the life of a $3 pair of leggings...SUCCESS!

If you have any questions, let me know!!

Until next time....