I’ve been having a blast making dresses from my flash sale a few weeks ago AND >>> I’ve been coming up with a couple of new pieces to offer in my shop AND >>> I’ve been making aprons!

Here is my new Caftan Tunic (also available as a dress and a maxi dress) .. I'll be offering this in lots of different fabric combinations.

Just in case you'd like to see what it looks like on a real live person ... although, I've not had any coffee so I'm not technically "real live" yet! (sorry mom, I keep taking photos of myself without makeup!)

And this is my new Moonview Dress ... available in any color combination - great for those color blocking dreams of yours!

And finally - today's tutorial project : an apron made from a man's XXL button-up shirt. (which was thrifted for $2.50!)

Just like last week’s project, I saw this in a book somewhere … I would LOVE for you to believe that I can look at a shirt and say to myself “hey you, turn this into an apron!” … but I’m a horrible liar!  So settle for knowing that I didn’t create this idea, I’ve simply just executed it.  Just in case you don’t have a bookstore nearby that’s filled with lots of crafting books to read aimlessly, here’s a tutorial for How To Turn a Man’s Shirt into a Woman’s Apron!

Start by raiding your husband's or your father's side of the closet (or a thrift store) for a size XL or bigger button-up shirt. I got mine for $2.50 at Savers.

To make the bodice of the apron, unbutton the shirt, and cut off the lower half of the shirt. I cut up the righthand side to the armhole, then across to the button holes. (Here is the first of several gratuitous blurry photos! Hey, it's a FREE tutorial!)

Now cut off the rounded part at the bottom so you have a square or a rectangle, whichever shape makes more sense for your apron. NOTE: keep the button hole placket in tact.

You'll end up with something like this.

Now go to the back of the shirt - to make the skirt of the apron: cut up the left side to the armhole, then around the armhole to the upper back, cut across the upper back to the other armhole and straight down. Here you can see half of what you end up with.

Then cut a straight line from armhole to armhole. (Yes, you can skip this step if you're good eyeballing a straighline across.)

I put a couple of small pleats just off the center of the skirt portion, then I sewed the two pieces together.

If you have a serger, you're back side should look like this.

Now, cut yourself a long strip of contrasting/coordinating fabric to become the tie of the apron. Cut it twice the width you desire + seam allowances.

Sew the tube right sides together, then turn right side out and press.

Center the tube on the apron, and carefully sew it along the upper edge of the skirt - all the way across the seam of the bodice and the skirt - and continuing to the other side.

Tuck in the ends of the strip, press and stitch closed.

Form a casing at the top of the bodice to thread ribbon through. Then, duh, thread your ribbon. You're done! Bam!

Here's your cute little homemaker ditty. So fun, huh!?!

I chose to keep the bottom of the shirt in tact, so it's rounded at the bottom and not straight across. Why reinvent the seam!?!

So there you go … an easy repurpose project for cheap.  Here’s the breakdown:

Cost: If you have scrap fabric on  hand for the tie, then all you’ll pay for is a shirt.  Go cheap – you might be tempted to pay $8 for a nicer shirt but DON’T!  It’s an apron… the fun of this project is not the fabric but the fact that it used to be a man’s shirt … and now you have that shirt cooking in the kitchen!  Ha!

Time: If you are privileged enough to get to do this at one sitting, I think you can easily do this in one hour.  (unless you’ve got Parenthood on in the background)

Are you going to make one???

I know, I didn’t forget!!!

The winner of the giveaway for a set of Boo Boo Bags … is …. SUZANNA!

(Now, usually I’ll choose winners at random, but I feel obligated to choose Suzanna because she was able to identify the book that came up with the project!  This makes me soooo happy because let’s face it – good people give props to good people.  I’m working on being that good people kind of thing!)

Congratulations Suzanna.  I’ll get to work on your set of Boo Boo Bags this weekend!  Send me your address!

These are Hand Sewn Rice Therapy Bags!

I’ve been intrigued by rice bags ever since I bought these for my sister-in-law for Christmas.  They’re simply nice rectangles of fabric stuffed with rice instead of pillows.  You simply heat up or freeze the bags – then place over your eyes to soothe or over your “boo-boo” to comfort.  I saw this handmade project (almost exactly) in a book at Barnes & Noble, and I just HAD to make a set.

Thanks to Thimble Times for recalling the name of the book - and thank you SEWN BY HAND for such an approachable book on hand sewing!

Here’s how you make these fun Boo-Boo bags:

Choose your fabric - you don't need much. Depending upon how large or small you want your bags to be...I'd suggest between 1/3 and 1/2 a yard. I chose a linen cotton blend for sturdiness and coordinated with a quilting weight cotton (top fabric). HINT: use scraps, like I did, so your project is just about FREE.

Cut out 3 sets of rectangles from 1 each of both fabrics. For this project, I knew I wanted to stack them on top of each other, so I cut them in 3 different sizes. You can, of course, do them all the same size if you like.

Before I started sewing, I stacked them on top of each other just to make sure I was happy with the sizes.

Then, for each bag, sew a running stitch all the way around - leaving a hole on one side for turning. Oh, and you can see how I tripled the thread so that I could have a sturdier stitch. I almost never sew by hand, so I have no idea if this is a necessary step. Anyone out there agree or disagree with loading up the thread?

When you finish, your bags will look like this. Be sure to get those corners really closed up or else they'll pop out when you turn the fabric.

Turn each bag right side out, fill with rice, then whipstitch closed.

The book where I saw this suggested adding a topstitch along each bag. I decided I don't really like that look, so I only did the small one.

As much as I loathe hand sewing - I still really love this set! I mean really, who could resist such darling "ice packs" and "heat packs"..??!!! I'm almost hoping my kids bang their heads on something today!

I love this little set!  I am going to keep it safe and sound until someone I know gets sick … what a fun Get Well Soon present!  Here’s the breakdown:

Time: Okay….sooooo…. this is NOT a fast project – but only because it’s sewn by hand.  If you machine stitch these, you’re done in about 30 minutes TOPS!  Hand stitching is going to run you about 1 1/2 hours.  I’ll let you guess which way I’ll create the next set!

Cost: Rice will cost you about 80 cents per bag.  I used 2 bags.  Since I used scrap fabric and have embroidery thread on hand, this project cost $1.60!  YOWZA!  If you pay for everything, you’re still looking at only paying about $5!

So there you go.  A darling little project … so so cheap … not so quick … but really worth it!  Send me photos if you make one!

Oh…and since you read all the way down … I’ll make a set of these* for on of YOU….IFF: you leave me a comment about why or why you do not enjoy hand sewing!  I’ll choose a winner Saturday night, 1/28/12.

****Here’s the fine print: I am most certainly going to sew these with a machine.  Also, I’ll need to send them without rice so that they’ll fit in the shipping envelope.  All you’ll need is rice and the ability to sew them up.  Sound fair?

Today only – EVERYTHING IS $50!

Usually $79. Today $50!

Usually $76. Today $50!

Usually $74. Today $50!

These are just some examples … EVERYTHING in my shop is $50.  Today only – for my blog readers and FB pals.

Thanks for being so loveable!

(Oh, just convo me on etsy and I’ll set up your special listing)

I hope you all had a ridiculously wonderful Holiday Season – I’d love to hear about all the handmade gifts you receive…and, if you read all the way down, you’ll see that you just might get rewarded for sharing…. oohh, how enticing right!?!

Well for me, I’ve been thinking.  (well, sewing is more accurate but thinking happens during sewing so it counts!)  Every year I make a big fuss with myself to figure out what should my New Years’ Resolution be.  I am opposed to weight loss resolutions and clean house resolutions.  I mean come on, we only live once.  My resolutions are never earth shaking but I do try to make them thoughtful and serious.

Oh, are you just so totally hooked…dying to hear what I’ve come up with for this year????

This year I decided that the worst thing I can do is try to change something about myself.  I’m not really capable of doing that and, furthermore, I just don’t like to think about things of that nature for too long.  My three lovely offspring keep hijacking my thoughts so it’s pretty futile to think too deeply at any given time!

What I CAN do, however, is improve something for other people.  I’m not talking about changing the world – although that would be awesome once I’m able to think deeply again.  I’m talking about spreading more joy and being more generous.  I was inspired by Ginger Nixon’s guest blog post about GIVING.  I was inspired by Tiffany Schwedland who often shows up at my house with a fun yard of fabric for me.  I was inspired by the truth that it’s better to give than to receive.

Sooooooo….in 2012 … it is my hope and intention to GIVE MORE AWAY!!  And this applies to my blogosphere pals just as much as to my family, friends, neighborhood and city.  I’ll try to keep you posted on what that looks like. ..but for today, for my Generosity 2012 hopes, I’ll start with you lovely people!

Generosity in 2012 Giveaway #1

One of these bookmarks...

...these fun kitty cat bobbies ...

...and this Strapless dress! (Size M/L - fits 10-14)

I have these lovely pieces in my possession right now.  I decided that I’d much rather have one of you lovelies wearing them than I would rather just having them sit around and collect dust!

How to win this set?

Tell me about the best handmade gift(s) you received for Christmas/Holidays.

I’ll pick a winner on Friday night, January 13, 2012.

Oh…I’m getting excited about the new year already!!!

(Oh, and yes – this generosity thing WILL INCLUDE lots of new free tutorials!!!)

Me and my family are wishing you and your family a very very VERY Merry Christmas.  You are each a blessing to me – giving me reason and encouragement to keep sewing, creating, and giving.  I’m so thankful for all your words (and gifts!) of kindness and support.  Thanks for making this year such a blessing to me!

Merry Christmas friends.

Now go sew something!

I’ve been using one of these fabrics throughout the holidays in just regular off-the-bolt form.  I hung it over a door to serve as a backdrop for fun photos.  I placed it over a table to serve as a table cloth, and I’ve used it as a makeshift tree skirt.  But, the real reason I bought this fabric was to become something for Ellie and/or Rosamund.  I knew I wanted to use some sort of creative energy to make something I’ve never made before….after all, that’s the real Christmas sewing spirit, right!?!

I came up with THIS:  A Saloon Skirt

I don't know what the official name of this kind of skirt it, so I'm calling mine a Saloon Skirt. It reminds me of skirts I've seen in western movies! Except - they probably didn't wear green/red/maroon huge polkadots...but they would've if they could've!

Here's the side view ... and what give this skirt it's personality. The seam allowances are sewn down to create two casings on each side. Those casings are given ribbon which is then tied at the bottom after the fabric is rouched. I just love this angle of the skirt!

I’m certainly not the first person to make this kind of garment, but this IS the first time I’ve made one myself.  I didn’t use a pattern, I just used the technique as best I figured it could be done.

The awesome thing about this skirt – it can be for a GROWNUP just as easily as for a LITTLE’EN.  I’m already thinking of a linen version for me!

If you’re intriqued—– read on for a free tutorial.  It’s the same tutorial no matter what size you make.  The only difference in the sewing is the size of the rectangles that you start out with.

To begin, cut yourself 2 rectangles of fabric. For my 4 year old, I cut the fabric approximately 30" wide and I have no idea how long. sorry. For your skirt, you want it to be no longer than waist to floor length...probably a little shorter. Keep in mind that you'll be scrunching up the sides so you MUST make the beginning rectangles longer than your desired finished length.

Now, you have to hem the bottom edge of both pieces. It may seem weird to sew the hem first, but you must for this skirt.

Next - sew the sides together ...BUT START AT THE BOTTOM, matching the hemmed edges. Usually I recommend sewing garments from top to bottom...but allow me a crazy diversion here! You want your sides to match up perfectly. Sewing from the bottom up will allow for this! NOTE: use a wider seam allowance than usual so you can be sure to fit your ribbon through there.

It's been a while since I've said this ... say it with me ... "If you don't have time to press, you don't have time to sew!" So now go press your two side seams open. I also like to tuck the sides at the hem inside so that they don't get any ideas of peeking out after washing.

The next step is to create the casings for your ribbon drawstring. Do this by topstitching your seam allowances closed. I always prefer to sew with the rightside facing me ... but if you're unsure of yourself, you can get by with sewing on the wrong side...just this once! This could help you enclose that seam allowance more easily.

Cut yourself 4 equal-length strips of ribbon (or you could make ties about of fabric). I cut mine about 2 or 3 inches LONGER than my skirt.

This picture is hard to make sense of ... but I'm threading my ribbon through the casing using a large and long safety pin. Start at the top and thread the ribbon all the way through to the bottom. Each side will have 2 ribbons.

After you've threaded your ribbon, be sure a little bit is peeking out at the top and secure them in place with some stitching. Then you can trim the excess. (only at the top!)

At the bottom, just let your ribbon excess hang out. You can trim it once you've tried it on and know how long or short you want the ties to dangle. DO NOT secure the ribbon here, let it remain loose .

Now make your waistband casing for the elastic..leaving the opening to thread your elastic through.

Insert elastic and close up the hole. You are ALMOST FINISHED...HOLLAH.

Hold both ribbon ties in one hand, and push up the fabric with the other. Keep pushing up the fabric until you get it to the right height. Tie the ribbon into a bow. Repeat on other side. Give yourself a huge hug...you made yourself a super-fun drawsting Saloon skirt!

Here's what the side will look like. For this skirt, I wish I had large black Satin ribbon on hand, but this narrower version will work.

Ellie's going to wear this with a long sleeved black T and black leggings. What's awesome is, when she tried it on she said, "Wow, this is the coolest skirt EVER!" Mission accommplished!!!

Just in case you missed it, here is the full view again!

and just for grins…I had to add a tattered rose headband!

This was really fun to make.  I am pretty sure more of these are in my future…I’m wanting a long one for me to wear with my riding boots.  Hmmm…I need to get of this computer STAT!

Here’s the lowdown folks:

TIME: This took a bit of time, but I think it’s because I was figuring it out as I went.  I’m guessing for an experienced sewer – about an hour.  For a newbie – about 2 hours.  But the 2nd, 3rd and 4th versions will go much much faster!

COST: about $5 if you have ribbon and elastic onhand.  YOWZA YEAZERS!  About $8 if you have to buy everything assuming you stick with sale priced fabric!

There you go…will you make one of these, please!

Well.  I did.

It was fun.  I enjoyed an excuse to cut up fabric that’s been sitting in my armoire.  I love playing with glue.

I did NOT, however, get rid of all the inventory.  Alas, it is stationed (neatly and packaged) all over my house … just waiting for a rightful owner!

So, here on the 20th of December, I thought there might be some of you out there still needing that last minute gift.  Look no further!  What you see below is priced DIRT CHEAP and is READY TO SHIP IMMEDIATELY!  If you see something(s) you like, email me or contact me via Etsy convo and we’ll go from there!

For starters….Strapless Dresses for $35!

This combination is a size "Normal!" fits size 10-14 beautifully. $35. shuh.

This combination is also a size NORMAL (10-14) $35. crazy good price!

SOLD! This dress is a size SMALL (4-8) $35!

Besides dresses, I also have accessories …

ONLY HAVE THE BANDANA ONE LEFT. Tissue pouches - great for friends with allergies! $3 each or 4 for $10!

Here's a better photo ... each tissue pouch is lined in coordinating fabric and includes a set of tissues. dreamy.

SOLD OUT. Elastic headbands with large covered buttons. $3 each or 4 for $10!

SOLD. Reversible Cowl Neck scarves - soooo fun to wear! (HINT: a tutorial just might be on the horizon!) ... $8 each or 3 for $20.

SOLD! cowl neck scarf options...

SOLD!...and more options ... oh the joy!

Rings - adjustable, sooo cute! $3 each for 4 for $10.

And lastly…

And finally, I have lots and lots of sets of Bobbies! tons of colors ... $3/set or 4 sets for $10!

There you go peeps … lots on sale…. the sale will extend throuh New Years Day … or while supplies last … feel free to make me on offer for EVERYTHING!  =)

Regardless friends … please be striving to rest.  to relax.  to enjoy yourself.  See Christmas through the eyes of a child – it really is magical!

I don’t know about you, but the craziest gifts to come up with are not for family members or friends … but for the millions of SIX teachers I get to give gifts.  I am already pretty close to being out of budget for all gifts…so what’s a mom to do???

COVERED BUTTON PUSHPINS – BAM!

These are really super easy and super cheap – yet they really make people smile!  I have already delivered 5 of the 6 of these gifts, so I’m speaking from experience when I say that they don’t look like cheapo gifts – and the recipients are pretty stoked!

Here’s how to make them…

In addition to buttons to cover and thumbtacks , you'll need something to remove the shanks. I prefer to use one of these jewelry plier thingies. I have no idea what it's called but here's a photo. For gifts, I think 4 buttons should be the minimum. Give as many as you want, but 4 is a nice gesture. =)

Just grab the shank of the back of the button with your plier thingy and pull. Sometimes you have to kind of jiggy it a bit! Just do whatever you have to do to pull that out!

You'll end up with this - a button back and a loose shank. You can throw that shank away!

Now simply cover your button as usual. If you need a tutorial for that, go here.

Now you're ready to glue your tacks tot he back of your button. I prefer to use these heavy duty home decorator pushpins, but regular thumb tacks work too. (If you use a button larger than 3/4", I'd recommend these heavy duty ones b/c the smaller ones look pretty wimpy)

Put a dab of hot glue in the center of the button back, and then push your pushpin right in there. EASY PEASY HUH!?!

You'll get something like this ... except yours probably will not be blurry!

To up the wow-factor for the gift, just grab some cork squares from your hobby store. Cut them in half to get two small cork rectangles. Insert your pushpins and add a fun tag. done.

You can see my first five sets here.  I put them inside little fun cellophane bags.  It was really a fun project to make and to give.  I am fairly certain Ellie and Rosamund’s teachers felt loved.

Here’s the breakdown:

Cost: 5 covered buttons will cost you about $1.50.  Cork squares – about 25 cents when cut in half.  Thumb tacks – about 10 cents.  Fabric – SCRAPS so free!  Total cost (at most) per gift is under $2.  LOVE THAT!

Time: about 10 minutes per gift…depending on how crazy those shanks are to remove.

I hope you’ll make some …you probably have these materials on hand already!

Merry Christmas Sewing Season!!!

PS:  We made these at our Craft Crowd’s Make It Merry Christmas… head on over to their blog to see more photos!  (If they’re not there, check back – I’m looking for my camera uploader thingie!)

In addition to planning a leadership party at my house Sunday night, and a Craft Crowd Make-It Merry Christmas craft night at my house on Monday night, and two kids’ friends hangouts on Tuesday, and a Chistmas Bazaar on Friday….I have decided to make a few READY TO SHIP strapless dresses in my freakishness spare time.

Soooooo….just in case you’re still looking for that perfect gift or that fun dress to wear to your company party…here are three options for a size Small/Medium.  Each dress is Ready To Ship immediately … this means it’s already made…and each dress is $55.  They usually sell for $68-81 but hey, it’s a recession.  (Don’t worry, if you need larger – or dare I say, smaller – sizes, those are coming OR you can suggest a size!)

sorry it's a blurry photo...but it wouldn't be a proper So Sew Something post without the gratituitous blurry photo!

There, that's better! The belt is an OBI belt - similar to the one shown in my Etsy shop on the Asian fabric. NOTE: the pretty white shirt is from LOFT and is shown so that you can see how cute these dresses look gussied up for winter!

Probably my newest favorite - I'm digging the RockaBilly vibe ... it's shown with a green/blue houndstooth sash, but I can just easily create a red or yellow sash that would look "rockin'!"

I mean seriously, can there EVER be enough houndstooth???!!!

Love this fabric pairing - striking Michael Miller fabric paired with vintage style polka dots - totally sweet and charming ... throw on a motorcycle jacket and you've all of a sudden got a tough chick...well, a pretty tough chick!

And now for the close-up!

So there you have it – three more strapless dresses from the girl who can’t stop making them!  I love wearing these year-round, and I think you will too.  Feel free to take one of these off my hands …for my blog readers, I’ll even throw in FREE SHIPPING!  Just let me know you read it on my blog!

Merry Christmas lovelies!

The first such project was to coordinate our outfits for our Family Christmas Photo Shoot we had last Monday.  Now, each year I make REAL plans to do this.  This, however, is the first year I have actually followed through.

Ellie desperately wanted pink.  DUH!  I knew I didn’t want our photos to have pinkness vomited all over them, so I had to go with something muted.  So, for the girls I chose a fabric you’ve seen before on a big scarf because I just love it.  It’s super soft, and it looks good on babies, girls and adults.  I coupled it with beige muslin and doses of black and white houndstooth.

(As usual, sorry for the lame photos!) I wanted them to coordinate but not be identical. So, Ellie got a fun tunic/dress with ruffley bottom pants. Rosamund had a baby version of my Team Spirit dress that I added huge pleated ruffles.

Twenty minutes before the shoot we had to sneak owen in to get a haircut. I'm glad we did because this is the only pre-shoot photo I got of Ellie.

We had to keep a bib on Rosamund to keep her from drooling all over her dress, but you can atleast get the idea!

For Owen, I finally found a truly AWESOME pattern for a boy’s jacket.  I was looking for a sports coat pattern, but I found something way cooler and way better for a boy in Austin, Texas.

This is Lillygiggle's photo of her KREW JACKET pattern that you can find here. Awesome, huh!?! It's a repurpose project using clothing that's too small! Genius!

I was in a hurry, of course, so I only had time to get the pockets sewn onto a sweatshirt. Even with just that, my husband said "What!?! Make ME one!". I call that a victory!

All in all, I'm super happy with how they turned out. Actually, I'm ecstatic that all three kids had something!!! woohoo. I will remember this long after they do!

Alrighty.  Now back to shopping.  Or sewing.  Anything but sleeping!

(Oh, and here’s a super special shout out to our amazing photographer, kara, from Click Chick Images.  She was SO awesome!)