African Inspired Blouse

Here lately, the only tops I've been concerned with making are crop tops. Well that and bodysuits. Alabama summers are such that you don't want to be involved with clothing alone, much less anything complicated.  I've opted for simple designs that don't require fancy closures or much ado.  That led me to designing my latest blouse.

My local mom-and-pop sew/vac shop was having a sale on fabric, and I happened to wander into there in the final day of the sale.  I had purchased some African prints from the shop before and found they had even more and they were 50% off. I ended up purchasing a couple of yards of several prints.

 Of these beautiful prints, I found this magnificent batik print cotton. It was so thin and crisp and vibrant that I had to bring it home. Initially, I was only thinking of making an accessory with it. However the more I looked at it I realized that I had some burnt orange colored shorts that this would paired excellently with.

I also knew that I wanted to give this shirt a little more visual interest, so I decided to play up the sleeves, make a tassel for the zip closure, and make a decorative hem.

I drafted a simple boxy midriff top, experimented with sleeve draping, and came up with this geometric shape that can be worn in several different ways.  I added a scoop neckline, which is not something I typically wear.   I also added a zipper to the back. It wasn't necessary; however I wanted to add the tassel, and I hate the hassle of getting makeup on EVERY.SINGLE.THING that I wear.  So the zipper opening will help with ease of use. 

I bought a bunch of crochet spools awhile ago, though I don't crochet at all.  I forget my original intent, but the thread does wonderfully for all sorts of sewing needs.  I purchased several colors when Hobby Lobby had a sale on them. At any rate, I used it and a few jewelry findings and beads to fashion myself a tassel for the back.  I think it complements the look fairly well.

To tie it all together (no pun intended,) I used the same crochet thread in my overlocker/serger and finished the hems.  I've used crochet thread to finish this way for several garments, and it never disappoints me.  It gives a hand finished look without actually having to go through the trouble of spending hours looking up tutorials. I also feel that it enhances the print on the fabric as well.

Thank you for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

Oh my goodness!! This has been quite a few past months.  I have been so busy with school that I have barely had any time for much else.  I am so glad the semester is over, and I have a few weeks break before going back.

Let me just say how I have MISSED you all and blogging. I didn't expect to stray away for so long.  Unfortunately, to cram as much school work in as possible I have to be a tad bit more disciplined toward it.

Are you all ready for Christmas? I can't believe that it is almost here.  Seriously, only a day away!! I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

So I have been working a few items for after the holidays.  I didn't get it ready in time for Christmas, but I think this break between semesters is a great time to catch up on my designing and sewing.  My sewing mood changes a little too quite frequently and honestly it drives me nuts and so I have to do things when the mood strikes me.  So lately I have been dabbling in all sorts of things.  But the most recent endeavors has included lots and lots of felt....

My First Ever Quilt: Chevron Vintage Sheet-Style

I wasn't going to post this until I revamped our picnic basket, but I'm super excited about the turnout!

Let me start off by reiterating that I am not a quilter, nor do I have the desire to be like the great many of you who are.  I applaud and adore your works and dedication to the craft.  It takes sheer talent to quilt.  I had to preface this post with that notice in the event you look at how wonky this quilt is and thought that I was trying to pass as a quilter.  

A Few Bad Habits to Break

Because I have been sewing a lot of garments for little miss and for myself lately (more on those later), I started thinking about some improper habits I have created out of mostly laziness and impatience but also out of limited time and materials.

Here's my effort to ward you away from making these same terrible mistakes.  These are in no particular order.

Where Was All This Energy for KCWC?

I have been on a sewing and creating roll here this week!  I've made or done something creative nearly everyday this week.  I've been working on lots of things for my daughter; and though some things are finished, there are still some wips left to knock out.  I updated my blog a bit.  I hope you all like the way it looks now.  I feel it is a tad fresher and represents me more.

Well today I have for you two articles of clothing: one being a pencil skirt and the other being a cardigan.  Let's start with the skirt.( I must warn you; there are a ton of photos.)

Open-Back Girl's Shirt

You may not know this, but I'm not a fan of strapless and much less a fan of halter tops especially for my little girl.  I did, however, want to make a top (or dress) that was in some way crafted with her back out so that she wouldn't get so hot in the summer.  I took some inspiration from the open-back dresses that have been popping up EVERYWHERE and crafted this little open-back number for her.

Vintage Sheet Bunting (I Finally Jumped on the Bandwagon!)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I created a vintage sheet bunting banner for a quick little craft show I was participating in one afternoon.  I took some semi-decent photos of my little sign.

I used scraps of vintage sheets, alternating in pink and blue scheme, and some vintage twill tape.  The twill tape I found at an antique mall on a spool with hundreds and hundreds of yards on it. I ended up making the bunting with my embroidery machine because I was pressed for time.  I layered felt and vintage fabric, embroidered the shape, monogrammed my lettering, cut them out, and strung them together with the tape.  Such a cute little thing to make.  It was very personal and intimate to have it hanging at my table.  I'm building some new storage in my apartment for vintage sheets, and I'm thinking about hanging it from the shelving to make it feel more welcome.  Or maybe right about my sewing machine.  I'm still not quite sure yet.

I wish that I had chosen a better choice of thread to use for the letters.  By the way the banner spells "create." for the blog (of course!)  I thought since the fabrics had the mutual color of kiwi green in them that the green I chose would have been perfect.  The green ended up being to washed out and hardly noticeable.  It kind of bummed me out a little.  Next time I will have to make better contrasting decisions.

Either way it goes, I'm fairly happy with the result.  I thought about offering mini vintage sheet buntings in the shop with different sayings.  Hmm, still toying with that idea....

Friday Evening Pop-up Shop

**Just a little note: My computer has been on the fritz lately.  I have had the next few posts in the draft section for a while, as I am just now being to get it to cooperate. Thanks in advance for your understanding!**

A friend of mine usually tells me about these little pop-up markets that we have downtown at one of the strips of boutiques.  Last Friday night they decided to sort of randomly host one.  It's held in front of a tattoo parlor, bead/jewelry shop, upscale restaurant,  used bookstore/coffee shop, and recording studio.  It's the one part of town that is geared towards the more artsy community.

It was a perfect day for having the market.  It didn't rain despite the rain chances we had.  Nor was it deathly hot.  The pop-up shop ran from 3 until 7. Great timing!   There was just enough time to finish making more items, pick up Kelsey from school, and go home to finish preparing.  We had gotten there about a half hour after it  started.

I whipped up a bunch of phone clutches and coin purses.  I brought some wallets, card wallets, and card holders.  I don't care how long you prepare for a craft show you will always feel like you aren't ready.

 

 

 I made myself a little bunting banner as well for a bit of signage.  I made the mini buntings out of vintage sheets, and I embroidered "create." on each pennant.  I made the pennants with my embroidery machine as well and stitched them together with some vintage twill tape.  I really like the effect of it.

My wee helper

 They also had some nice entertainment.  There was this gentleman who was a one-man band that did some nice covers for some oldies.  He played the guitar and harmonica extremely well.  That is one thing I do like about Auburn; when they have events, they commission local musicians.  The musicians tend to be very folksy or soulful, just the music I like!!

  

I also nabbed a snapshot of this incredible string of lights that were overhead.  I thought they complemented the sky well, and it was such an earthy, organic feeling.  I always love to look at this string of beauties when I'm down at this little strip.

 

KCWC 2013

     I'm very late with posting this for kcwc 2013.  I made one other piece as well that I will post later.  Anyway I whipped up this quick little blouse for my babes.  I bought the fabric from my local quilt shop.  It's Riley Blake's Song Bird by Carina Gardner.  I paired it with a navy and white chevron and navy and aqua chevron both also by Riley Blake.  I used the navy and aqua chevron to make bias tape for the arm holes and hem.  Funny thing about the bias trim: I made just over 2.5 yards of it and just barely had enough of it.  Fortunately I made it.

     I designed the shirt to be a bit A-line and a little of a tent blouse.  I added a keyhole button and loop closure in the back.  I embellished the front with multiple contrasting ruffles.  I also added a bit of elastic to the sides to cinch in the bodice to keep it from being so balloony.

     Before I forget: When I uploaded photos of this shirt to instagram, Elsie Marley was the first person to like my photo.  Talk about your excitement!!!!  I was super SUPER SUPER excited to see that.  No kidding!!!!  At any rate, what did you create for kcwc spring 2013?  I hope you were more productive than I was!

Oh My! Where Have I Been?

     I have truly missed you guys something awful! I hadn't realized that it has been months since I've sat down and blogged. But I suppose it has. I didn't mean to go this long; honestly I didn't.  I have been busy with volunteering, kindergarten, custom orders, and trying to get myself back into school.  If you follow me on Instagram, then you have seen the custom orders and things that I have been making my way around. Not even including the barrage of emails I've encountered.  But enough of this stuff! How have you been my darlings?!?  I hope great.

     I've been working on phone clutches lately, and I'm really into them actually.  I've had requests for monogrammed clutches.  To tell you the truth, I didn't even think about it until a client of mine asked for it.  So those options will be in the shop shortly.  Here are some for example.

     A couple of weeks ago I made a fabric purchase from Fabric Shack.  I very rarely purchase designer fabrics online.  I'm not sure why.  I think it's because I'm a very tactile, visual person.  I generally have to have things in my hand and see the true color of it to get my gears turning.  Well, I decided to check on the website anyway in their sale-a-bration section and found some really darling fabrics for a really good price and not to mention the half price shipping they offer!

     I ended up with a bunch of new fabrics that I am in love with.  One of the perks I'm noticing about shopping online for fabric is not only the vast variety (er, duh!) but the availability of stock and the prices are much cheaper than my local quilt shop.  Because I live in a sort of small city, it takes awhile for trends to catch on out our shop; and when they finally do come in they tend to be very expensive there.  Also it's hard to get a plethora of variety at our Singer shop, and I'm not the one to make special orders or requests for fabric.  I definitely will be purchasing more designer fabrics online from here on out, especially from Fabric Shack.  That bundle only cost me $3 to ship.

     I was in dire need of updated business/contact cards for my public outings and such.  Besides that, my tastes have changed.  So I sat down and created these fun, little jobs and printed them at home.  I used some kraft cardstock that I had purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I really like the look of anything natural like kraft paper and natural linen.  I paired it with social media icons in Pantone's color of the year Emerald (which also is my birthstone. Today is my birthday. Yay!); I think natural colors and blues work so well together.  That combination always makes me happy!

    

     I have more to show and tell but I have some photo editing to do before I can post.  And let me send my deepest apologies for these horrible phone photos (the pictures are from Instagram) and being gone for so long.  I promise to try to be back soon, mmkay?!

Simple Tablet Sleeve

First off I want to say I miss you all.  I feel like I have been a bad friend.  I can call you guys friends, right?  I feel like we are all friends at any rate.  I have been neglecting my poor little blog for no reason whatsoever really.  I have been volunteering at this Christian pro-life women's clinic for some time now, and Kelsey is in kindergarten.  So these events have kept me occupied.  With that being said let's jump right into this.

I purchased a tablet a few days ago.  I purchased a 7" Nextbook tablet. So far I am thoroughly pleased with it.  It came with this horrible black velveteen bag that collects all the dust in the world and is just overall ugly. I knew I wanted to make a simple sleeve for it to fit into.  I wasn't sure what style I wanted to make.  I was thinking about an envelope clutch but decided against it.

So this bad boy ended up costing me less than $2 in supplies.  I purchased some vinyl fabric sheets from Hobby Lobby for $ 1.47 a sheet and some felt sheets for $0.25 a piece. I only needed one of each.  The sheets were bigger than I thought they were.

I settled on the giraffe print textured sheet.  It's not so bad looking after all.  I was mostly just using it to test it out, but I actually like the end result.  I may try some other vinyls or leathers later, but for now it will work.

I did purchase some scrap leather, acrylic paints, and studs for a more designer cover.  Once I figure on a design for the leather, I will post the results.

What have you been creating lately?  I would love for you to share! I hope you all have a great day!!!

Err.., Happy New Year!

Hi gang! It's been a little space of time. I have been meaning to blog more frequently over this past month, but you know how the holidays can be.  All that's important is that we are here now! So how has 2013 been for you so far? I hope great.

I have been busy. If you follow me on Instagram, then you will have seen the bags and drawings that I have been working on.  I have started on some hand-lettered scripture drawings that correlate with my daily devotions.

Psalm 16:10

Psalm 91:2

2 Corinthians 12:9

John 14:6

Matthew 6:33

Hebrews 13:5

Hebrews 11:1

Jeremiah 29:11

Keeping this journal helps me in many ways: 1) helps break down the scripture in my words, 2) helps me get a better understanding of the Word, 3) helps me remember what I read, 4) reiterates God's love for me, 5) pushes my creativity, and 6) helps spread the message to others (since I post them on Instagram.) They also help to calm my spirit; I notice after I feel stressed out, I immediately want to read the Bible and do some hand-lettering.

I have also been sewing some, mostly bags though I do have some clothing wips. I have to be in the mood for clothes-making. And since I am one that hates trying on clothing, I oftentimes save clothes for the very last.

outside

inside

I made a faux leather and vintage canvas clutch. I got the idea from a good friend of mine, who said that she wanted me to make her an envelope clutch.  This was a prototype for what I'm going to make her. She wants a large one, and this little baby here would probably only hold a wallet, phone, keys, and some other small items (not that you would ever need room for much more.)  I added a little zippered inside pocket just to hold some other little items that might need to be protected.  I also attached a snap closure.  I rarely add magnetic snaps to bags because I have a fear of magnets erasing all the data out of any of my electronic devices, and we just can't have that type of chaos happen.

 

                                    

This little box bag is for my swap partner on swap-bot.  I believe it is for Sew a Pouch swap.  I lined it with a sunshine yellow and white zigzag fabric and quilted it with the same zigzag pattern.  It has a reversible zipper on it.  I just love these colors and fabrics together. I sure hope my partner can use it.

I've been working on some phone clutches as well. This idea stemmed from a phone holder that I saw at Target that really piqued my interest.  So I sought out a plan of attack to execute this design I had brewing in my head.  This is something that I needed a long time ago because I hate having my phone in places that aren't easily accessible (i.e. zipped up in a purse some place.)  It fits down in the outer pocket and is held in tact by a snap fastener while your essentials fit into the zippered compartment and your keys attach to the key fob/handle.  I have more prints and colors coming up that will be available soon.

Speaking of clothing, I made my junior some pajamas to match the vintage sheet pajamas I made for myself. I used the same pattern but a different colorway.  I also stitched some pockets onto pocket-less American Apparel tees using the pajama fabric and embroidered our monograms onto them.



Lastly, I'm going to show you guys some artwork that I did years ago.  I'm trying to get back into sketching and drawing because my mom has said if I don't use it, I'll surely lose it.  Besides I really want to do a portrait of my daughter soon.

pencil

charcoal

pen and ink (pointilism)

painting (watercolor)

Oh yeah! Side note:  Whilst perusing instagram for fabric ideas, I came across a lovely photo of jersey fabric some had taken.  Her caption had mentioned that she had picked up the four fabrics from her Wal-Mart for a buck a yard.  Since my Wal-Mart still carries fabric, I made it an immediate point to head to it as soon as possible, which was early the next morning. (BTW I rarely even step foot into Wal-Mart.  I only make the trip about once, maybe twice, a year and it's only for fabric on top of that.)

                                     
I brought home 9 yards of 7 fabrics for 12 dollars total. All but one of the fabrics were $1 per yard.  Only the jersey with hearts on it was $2 a yard.  The blue and orange striped fabric on the end is the same as a fabric at Hobby Lobby that is $7.99 a yard.  As much as I abhor Wal-Mart, I will go in there for the jersey fabric especially when I'm running low on it.