Dad would often ask us girls, “What makes a girl pretty?” and we would reply, “Jesus in her heart.” I decided to sew a book based on that exchange for my little niece’s birthday.
I had so much fun gathering girly fabric and embellishments. Excluding the “binding,” each page is six inches square.
We went with red and white lights and hung a variety of ornaments. I realized I could do multiple (smaller) tree themes: trains/cars/planes, shoes, birds, carousel horses, Star Wars, or Rudolph. I like them all together though, at least for this year. I bought several silver bells at the dollar store and hung them on the tips of the boughs.
Brendan and I had large stockings that I made for our first Christmas together that were definitely sewn while I was a novice (i.e. they aren’t lined and not very nice looking). I’ve wanted to sew some new ones for a while, and Brendan and I wanted to go with smaller stockings since we usually fill our stockings with candy and we don’t need sacks full of candy. So I drafted a pattern and sewed these:
I think it’s no secret that I love fabric. I usually have no qualms about buying yardage even if I don’t have a particular project in mind. However, holiday fabric does give me pause. I love how cute and pretty some of the prints can be, but I do hesitate (just a little) to purchase any because I really have no clue what to do with it. This being said, I still have a decent stash of Christmas fabric. I knew I couldn’t—-and didn’t want to—make multiple stockings or quilts, but I couldn’t think of anything I would want to make. Until I thought about the “green” movement and got an idea: reusable gift bags!
I’m just using fabric I already have in my stash to make these pretty lined drawstring bags using this tutorial.
Over the weekend I sewed a fall apron.
The fabric is from Jo-Ann’s and I used a Simplicity pattern.
I’ve attempted my first block from the Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt book.
I’m pretty pleased with my results. There are a few seams that don’t quite line up, and I’m not completely happy with my decision to use a different print for the center pinwheel instead of the same fabric for the background, but I’m fairly content with my first attempt. My plan is to make a few different blocks with a selection of Fall-esque fabrics that will become a tablerunner. Time will tell. . .
Love,
Tiff
P.S. Fabric: center feather print fabric came from Portage Lake Quilt Shop in the U.P.; cream “lace” print is a FQ from Jo-Ann’s; red is possibly from Jo-Ann’s and a remnant of the quilt made for my mom; orange “kaleidescope” is a FQ from Jo-Ann’s
I purchased a new book for my sewing library from Jo-Ann’s (one of my favorite ways to use a 40% off coupon): Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts.
Target had these cute little baskets for $2.50. The lining is a boring, cheap synthetic, so I decided to do some sewing.
I’ve been frequenting our public library and wanted to make a pretty bag to carry all of my books. While at Hancock’s I saw this lovely print and knew it would be perfect.
I recently ordered some new feet from Sears for my Kenmore 15408. I am so excited about this set!
