What to do with J. Crew?

So, I had this pretty J. Crew sweater and I decided that even though it fit me, I would like to cut it up! I have been wanting to do a mitten project that I saw on Martha forever ago. So I looked it up. It was easy as pie and the kids were so excited to have mittens their size.

A Valentine's Day Tutorial

Valentine Envelope Tutorial

The children enjoy using this for their family love notes during the month of February.

For this pattern it is helpful to have these tools;

clear thread

sewing machine

self healing mat

clear angled ruler

rotary cutter

embroidery needle

small sharp scissors

The supplies needed are;

1/2 yard white wool felt

small piece of red wool felt

1/2 yard cotton fabric

red embroidery floss

white embroidery floss

2 buttons

(you will have fabric left over)

Cut out all pieces as shown.

13.5 inches x 9.5 inches for the back, and cut just shy of 9inches and just shy of 13 inches, (meaning just under the measurement.) Also, cut two hearts out of the red felt that are slightly larger than the edge of your envelope closure. Place the two hearts together and blanket stitch around heart with white embroidery floss.

After cutting the out the white pieces, use them to cut the red, especially for angles. The red should be cut just under the measurement of the other.

Using all six threads of embroidery floss, straight stitch around front of envelope using 1/4 in. stitches, 3/8 of an inch from edge.

Cut two straps for back out of the cotton print 15 x 3 in. The cut straps are not pictured. Turn straps right sides together and sew 1/4 in. from edge. Turn and press.

It is helpful to press off center, to make room for the button hole. Sew edge of straps closed.

Step 1: turn and press the squared and acute corners. Make two small cuts in the inside front of the envelope as shown. Be sure that the raw edge is folded down and pin in place.

Next bring up both sides. Press and pin.

Carefully pin the cotton fabric to the wool felt. Now you’re ready to sew your cotton fabric to your felt pieces.

To cut the scalloped edge, measure and cut 1/4 of an inch in every 3/4 of an inch.

Curve your cuts to form the scallop. It helps to use small sharp scissors.

Sew heart on to bottom of closure.

Pin flap of envelope to the back. Be sure to line it up so your hand sewing will show when folded down. Sew together.

Make a button hole on each strap slightly larger than the button. Sew straps on about an inch from the top. Then to secure it sew across the strap again, at the top of the envelope, where the sew line is already under the scallop.

Lay your straps flat and sew each button at the bottom of the envelope. Sew the front of the envelope to the back and you're done!

I am linking up to Julie's blog. I am in a contest, so be sure to leave a comment if you want to vote for me!!! And remember the commenter must mention the Valentine's Day Challenge at Life of Bliss in order for the vote to count! Thank you!!

Ellie

Here is another project from the Wee Wonderfuls book. I shrunk the pattern by 50% and then made this little elephant. She is made of fleece and cotton. This was a request from a little girl. I was so happy when she was pleased with it!! There is a secret compartment inside. It is just big enough to hide some lipgloss from a little sister, ;).

Mermaiden

The mermaiden was made from a pattern in this book. I helped my daughter make it. We used some of the velvet left over from the Jedi cape. It is pretty, though I would Never try that again!! It was very difficult and if I make another one of these, it will be out of corduroy for the hair. Still she looks so pretty on this shelf. We are happy with the way she turned out.

Historical poster

This poster was for a historical backdrop at my daughter's school. She wanted some help with it. I may have done too much. The teacher called it 'my' poster when she complimented me on it.

American girl doll Jeans pattern!

Jeans! You heard me right. I was giddy when I found out that there was a pattern out to make jeans for the dolls. I made the tee shirts too.

American girl doll patterns!

It has been exciting lately finding two very good sources for patterns for AG dolls! Here are some of the clothes I have made so far.

This was my first project for the AG dolls. I know what you're thinking... wasn't it difficult sewing small clothes out of satin? Yes, it was a little tricky, though I love attention to detail and this Tangled dress was all about detail. This dress was made with the Josephina Christmas dress pattern found here. Though I modified it.

I was thinking of buying Nellie's PJs, but then I decided to try making them.

It cost me under three dollars to make these!!

This skirt was super easy. It is actually the bottom of a pair of gap pants. The lace shirt was fun to sew. I did not make the boots. The shirt was made with Liberty Jane's free Tee shirt pattern.I helped my daughter make this apron. It couldn't be easier. It is cut out and glued together. I did not make the clothes that appear with this apron.

Another flower pincushion

This was made for my sister. Are you sick of seeing these yet? I'm not! I love how the different patterns of fabric change the pattern so much!

A Jedi Cape

A velvet Jedi cape. Rich, soft, chocolate colored velvet. I fell in love with this fabric. On a hope and with prayer I was able to figure this thing out. My Grandma helped immensely by telling me from the start that I needed to sew this with a ballpoint needle. It made all the difference. Oh, and I should let you know. I didn't use a pattern. I measured one of his tee shirts and made it up as I went along. The sleeve was too big at first and turned out gathered like a girls shirt, so I unpicked that, which was work and sewed the sleeve up so the hole would be smaller. Anyway, I am so happy with it. I wish he wore it more. I think I sewed this at the end of his Star Wars phase. Maybe if I get a hold of the movies he'll wear it more. I somehow imagined him loving it so much that he would wear it every time he was curled up with a book. The dreams of a mother... oh well.

A simple cake

I saw it once and tried it. Now I am seeing these more and more. It is fun to see the delicate banner above a cake.