sparkle power sew along

Tracy's Skirts

2009-04-08T12:03:00.000-07:00

Check out Tracy's lazy days skirts. Aren't they cute?! Tracy is pairing these skirts up with $4 t-shirts that she found at Walmart. The perfect easy, breezy outfit for a little girl. Tracy blogs at The Brown-Eyed Pea.

Matching Skirts

2009-03-12T07:06:00.001-07:00

I finished my first set of lazy days skirts for my girls. (They will not all be matching in the future.) I love, love, love this pattern! It couldn't be easier. I especially love how finished it looks in the end. Because you sew a tube from selvedge to selvedge, you don't have to worry about finishing off your inside seams. Since I don't have a serger, I think this method is awesome.

These skirts come together so very quickly. I'm planning to make 3 or 4 more per child!

Again, if you decide to sew along, please e-mail me a photo of your finished project!

Let's Get To It!

2009-03-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hello! I'm sorry that I've neglected this space for so long. Life has been a bit hectic for quite some time, but I'm ready to jump back into it over here. I hope that you all will be willing to continue sewing with me!

So, let's get to it. My next project will be sewing up a batch of lazy days skirts. The pattern is free from oliver + s. My daughters love to wear skirts in the spring & summer. The pattern seems easy & quick, just perfect to follow when whipping up a big batch.

If you decide to follow along on this project with me, please e-mail a photo of your finished skirts + a link to your blog. I would love to show completed projects in a future post.

Pajamas

2008-08-28T06:41:00.001-07:00

In our family we have a tradition of getting a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. This year I would like to make the pajamas for my girls as well as for my husband & I. Do you guys have the same tradition? Have you made pajamas for your family before? Is there a pattern that you used or did you follow a tutorial?

The above pants were made using this tutorial.

Quilts

2008-08-28T06:36:00.001-07:00

My daughters have loved the recent quilts that I've made for sale in my shop. I think they need their own for Christmas this year. Small quilts like this are also great as lap quilts for adults as well.

Quilted List Taker

2008-08-17T12:18:00.000-07:00

Jennifer has just released her Quilted List Taker Tutorial. I have admired and loved all the beautiful ones she has made for quite some time now. The pattern is available in her Etsy shop & would make a fabulous holiday gift for mothers, grandmothers, girlfriends, teachers, neighbors...anyone really.

Please Share

2008-08-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

Please leave a comment on this post and let us know what handmade items you plan on making for Christmas gifts this year. I think it is great to give & get ideas from one another. Thanks so much!

Please be sure to think about neighbor gifts & decorations as well!

Super Hero Capes

2008-08-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

So Christmas it is! The first thing I want to get to work on are super hero capes for my daughters.

The Puking Pastilles tutorial looks like the one I will attempt. I like the velcro closure on those.

I also found this tutorial at KC Quilts which looks really simple & uses a double fold bias tape for ties around the neck.

Oh Shoot! It's That Time Again.

2008-08-01T06:17:00.001-07:00

Okay so I've fallen a little behind over here. It's time to vote again. What should we work on in August & September?? I'll be honest....I'm hoping that you choose Christmas gifts because I cannot stop thinking about the holidays right now. So, the choices (all left over from previous votes):

For the Home - pillows, curtains, wall hangings, pin cushions, sewing machine covers, duvet covers, pillowcases.

Blankets or Quilts - this would be a chance for us to make lighter spring/summer blankets great for picnics or when you need a light covering, or to plan ahead & get some winter blankets or quilts done. Baby blankets would fall here too & I've got one of those I need to finish up. :)

Christmas Gifts - Why not get started now on some of those handmade gifts. I know that I'm always busting my butt come December & I still don't get everything done that I originally set out to do.

If you have any other fabulous suggestions.....please, please share them.

2008-07-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share the grocery bag dispensers that I recently made. They are wonderful for organizing all those stray plastic bags. Cute & functional...my favorite combination.

2008-07-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

Heidi made this adorable apron & paired it with a cookbook for a sweet bridal shower gift. I just love the pleats & the tiny lace trim. Too cute & a great gift idea.

Kidlet Wall Pocket

2008-07-09T05:33:00.000-07:00

Jennifer has a super cool tutorial for her Kidlet Wall Pocket. Perfect for helping the little ones become more organized & they are totally cute to boot!

2008-06-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

I just love Lily's table runner made from vintage towels that she inherited. It is so simple & beautiful. Just perfect for a summer table.

2008-06-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

Yetta has a great tutorial for a reversible child's apron w/ fabric crayon embellishment. Don't forget the little ones! They could use an apron too. Thanks, Yetta!!

2008-06-21T05:14:00.000-07:00

We've got aprons!

1. apron, 2. apron, 3. aprons, 4. DSC05985-1

2008-06-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I've failed to update over here...I've been on vacation.
SO! Kitchen, Laundry & Organizational! Are we excited, or what!!?!?! Here's a roundup of some tutorials to get you all going.

Kitchen:

56 Free Apron Patterns
patchwork kitchen towel
grocery bag dispenser
handmade napkins
patchwork placemat

Laundry:

clothespin bag
drawstring bags
ironing board cover

Organizational:

car organizer
fabric boxes
storage basket

Kitchen, Laundry & Organizational

2008-05-27T05:29:00.000-07:00

Well, the voting results were a lot closer this time. But, it looks like Kitchen, Laundry & Organizational won by a few votes.

Here's something lovely to get you thinking about what to work on for June & July. A great tin can cover tutorial from the talented elsie marley.

2008-05-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Jessica used a vintage pattern to make an adorable pair of shorts for her son. Vintage patterns are really fun to look through at the thrift store. I know that at my favorite thrift store patterns are always priced at 20 cents! On half off Mondays that makes them 10 cents!! I've seen them at other thrift stores for a dollar. Either way, you can't beat the price & as always with going the vintage route, the search is half the fun.

Vintage sewing patterns can be purchased on etsy & ebay as well.

Cast Your Vote

2008-05-12T04:24:00.000-07:00

We're already nearing the end of our clothing & accessories months. It's time to figure out what we'll be working on next! I've set up a poll in the sidebar. Please be sure to vote!

Most of these choices are leftovers from the last vote. Here they are:

Kitchen/Laundry/Organizational Items - A few of you mentioned wanting to make aprons. Those would fall here, as well as: napkins, place mats, dish towels, clothespin bags, drawstring bags, fabric boxes, bag dispensers, bedside organizers.

For the Home - pillows, curtains, wall hangings, pin cushions, sewing machine covers, duvet covers, pillowcases.

Blankets or Quilts - this would be a chance for us to make lighter spring/summer blankets great for picnics or when you need a light covering, or to plan ahead & get some winter blankets or quilts done. Baby blankets would fall here too & I've got one of those I need to finish up. :)

Christmas Gifts - Why not get started now on some of those handmade gifts. I know that I'm always busting my butt come December & I still don't get everything done that I originally set out to do.

So get to voting & as always....If you have any suggestions, please, please e-mail me. Thanks!

2008-05-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Amy's tutorial for this reversible wrap around dress? Too cute! Thanks Amy.

2008-05-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

Fabulous little mushroom skirt by Belinda. She's also been busy working on pajama pants, another skirt, little pants & a zakka pouch.

2008-05-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

How cute is this little owl bag that Jill made!?!! She's even got a tutorial up for her sling bag. Looks like Jill has been busy sewing lots of other clothing items as well. So check out her blog to see what she's been up to.

2008-05-01T14:20:00.001-07:00

Andrea made a skirt for her daughter using the easy skirt tutorial from two little banshees. She did a wonderful job especially for her first time sewing a skirt!

Inspiration?

2008-04-24T11:11:00.001-07:00

I'm so sorry to have abandoned you guys over here. My life just got a bit hectic. Hoping it will calm back down soon. Take a look at some cuties from the flickr group:

1. new PJ pants, 2. pants for Eddy, 3. Art Smocks: Front, 4. whale of a tale

Leave me a comment & let me know where you favorite place to look for inspiration is!

2008-04-10T12:58:00.001-07:00

1. IMG_5672, 2. Childrens aprons, 3. Butterfly Sun Hat, 4. Vintage Pillowcase Dress, 5. Finally, a bag for me!, 6. Wristlet, 7. Back 2, 8. Strawberry Capri Pants, 9. Rose Dress, 10. Frog Skirt, 11. Farmers Market Totes, 12. IMG_5677