Embossing Velvet.

Still playing with heart shaped purses, I thought I might emboss some scrap red velvet which might make for an interesting purse exterior.

I pulled out my rubber stamps and then tried to recall how to do it.  Do I wet the front side of the velvet or the back side and then press?

Simple rubber stamp from the 80's

I tried both.  Then it all came back to me.  Wet the back side of the velvet fabric, lay nap side down on the rubber stamp and with the iron set at the hottest. press down.

New iron. Woot!

However, there was another detail I was forgetting.

It worked!!

I had this nagging feeling that the velvet to be embossed had to be rayon or acetate or something other than cotton which was the type of velvet I was using.  But hey, it embossed.   I must have been mistaken.

Where did the 80's go?

Well, when I finished assembling the little purse, the embossing had disappeared into the nap.  I was right.  This method of embossing doesn't work well on cotton velvet.

Hide it with a big fake flower.

Gotta love fat q's

These little purses only take about 15 minutes to whip up.  I found some pink cotton fabric and made another one.  I've got a gold sparkle pen and maybe I'll write a message on it.  Be My Valentine.

Or maybe it should read Give Up Now!

 The little ones I made yesterday look like little vintage cards rather than purses. They'll have to do.

Well, I'm growing weary of heart shaped purses and besides,  I really don't have nice looking Valentines Day-ish looking fabric.

Therefore, it must be a sign that I need to move on.   A bunch of patterns that I ordered from Oliver + S patterns arrived in the mail yesterday and I'm keen to try them out.

Playdate dress pattern.

Apparently, this pattern is out of print, but I found one in a fabric store in Toronto.  I've seen some on-line for sale.  At any rate, I've got a copy and was able to make this little dress.  I think it's just too cute.

A few months ago, my daughter was looking through my stash to select some fabric so I could make a smocked dress for her daughter.  She came across this fabric, but there was barely a meter.  Not enough to make anything smocked.   I'm hoping she'll be surprised when she see's it made up using this sweet little pattern.

Colour seems a little washed out in the bright sunlight.

Playdate Dress. Oliver + S.   I made it up in  size 2T. 

Out of print. Too bad.

On the neck/bib area, the pattern called for flat bias trim.  Being old school, I was ready to make my own corded piping, but opted to try it flat; sans cord.  It was tricky to insert as is the case with bias piping, flat or not.

The pattern also called for a little bit of frill on the bib section.  Instead I went my old school way and put on a few lines of pin tucking ....corded pin tucking at that!  Besides, my daughter doesn't like frilly things, so I'm sure she'll appreciate the pin tucking accent.

I got bogged down somewhat with the pin tucking because on my Berninas, (1630 & 801) there is a hole in the throat plate to run cording for just such an application.  On my new Husquvarna (Quilt Desinger) there is no hole, so I had to improvise. There's no hole on my Husquvarna Iris, either.

My husband thinks a Husqvarna is a chainsaw.

 Technology.  When it changes, it throws me for a loop sometimes.  Just like my new camera.  I still can't seem to get a good angle or correct colour.

Bird's eye view from the suet feeder.

Well, the good news is I used up almost a meter or fabric, 3 buttons and learned something new about my sewing machine.

The bad news is it's the coldest day of the year, -30oC and my fingers froze taking these photos!

Jump Rope Dress

I'm still having a love affair with Olver + S patterns.  I wish these patterns were around when my 3 children were little nippers.  Thankfully, I have one grandchild, and a girl at that,  for whom I can make little outfits using these patterns.

Oh, and the good news is there is another one in the oven due in August.  Woot! Two grandbabies to sew for!

Back in the fall, my daughter came with me to a fabric store.  She has never been in a fabric store before and not only did she pick out fabric but she paid for it too.  Milestones were cetainly made that day.  So there's hope that one day she might be able to actually thread a needle!!

She didn't specify any particular pattern but has liked the Oliver + S patterns I've made in the past.  I'm quite sure she'll like this one.

Jump Rope Dress Size 2T

These patterns, as I've said before, are straightforward and easy to follow. For someone who might be new to sewing or have rusty sewing skills each pattern is somewhat of a lesson.  And the best part is they are size accurate.

If I had a dollar for every McCalls, Butterick or Simplicity pattern I've made over the years that just didn't turn out, I'd be rich!  Well, maybe not filthy rich. I  just wouldn't have wasted money on a project that flopped.

The O+S pattern styles are current, interesting and no matter the fabric chosen, they always turn out just great.

Like every project, there is always a hindsight factor.  And that's good because I can note it here and refer to it the next time I make the pattern.

Maybe the placket should be same as main fabric?

So the note to myself is: match the buttonhole thread to either the placket or button colour and measure the buttons using from the stash prior to making the buttonholes!  What was I thinking?  Apparently, I simply wasn't thinking. 

I shouldn't have matched the buttonhole thread with the top stitching thread.

I'm happy with the outcome and can hardly wait to see it on Caitlin.  My daughter never ever reads this blog so it'll be a surprise for her to see the fabric she picked out, made up.

Warning: bad photo

This outfit looks a lot better in real life than in this photo.  It's raining outside (and it's now nightfall) so this washed out  photo will have to do.

I used more of my Von Trapp fabric.  The same fabric I used for the School Photo Dress.  And I still have at least 3 meters left!

Because I had to wash it in order for the grandbaby to wear this 100% unknown fiber content outfit, the sizing that made it look smartly pressed has made it's way to our septic bed.  I've tried ironing it, but it just isn't the same as it was pre-washed.  Oh well.

I could spray it with sizing, but that defeats the purpose of washing it for baby's tender skin.

Oliver + S. Sundy Brunch. Size 2

 When I make this pattern again, I will use a more crisp fabric.  Or at least a fabric that looks crisp.  This fabric was just too limp plus it frayed like crazy.  It doesn't iron well either.  Tomorrow is garbage day, so perhaps the remaining 3 meters needs to be retired to the town dump!

Overall, I'll treat this like a muslin test run. The pattern itself was easy and straightforward.  I cut fabric and constructed the whole outfit in about 4 hours. I think the cockeyed hem gives that hasty assembly job away.
Actually, I was watching TV while I was making the skirt and I wasn't paying full attention when it came to the hem.

There are some more Oliver + S patterns I'm itching to try out but my daughter wants a smocked dress made post haste. 

Off to load up the pleater with needles...........

Everything fits. Phew!!

I drove down to the Big Smoke today with finished outfits in hand.  In my daughters front hall, I tried the clothing on Caitlin ...... over her jammies!

Vintage buttons might be short lived.

My daughter loved the School Photo dress, even my labrador Lucy liked the dress.  Well, maybe she was thinking something cookie-ish might come out of the pocket.

Definitely needs a Pill Box hat and white gloves.

This is the Hop Scotch Top and leggings from McCalls 6153.  Caitlin was growing weary of trying on outfits.

Top size 2. Leggings size 1.

Hop Scotch Dress in size 2 fits perfectly.  I got her to play a game just to get this photo.

Patience is wearing thin.

I am so thrilled with Oliver + S patterns.  They are easy to follow, they are size accurate and no matter the fabric used, they turn out looking great!
 

School Photo Dress

I must have been expecting to make a wardrobe for the Von Trapp family because I have meters and meters of this pink and white check fabric.

Son-in-law said he liked it, so I made this School Photo Dress from Oliver + S for Caitlin.  It's size 2.  It didn't use much fabric.  So I still have meters and meters of the fabric left! 

Fabric is synthetic something-or-other from the 80's.

I'm sure I had dresses in a similar style to this when I was in High School back in the late 60's. I found this pattern on Google images.  It looks like what I used to wear in High School and must have been the inspiration for the School Photo Dress.

We weren't allowed to wear pants in High School.

While I was making the dress, which by the way was easy as pie, I was thinking about Jackie Kennedy dresses and buttons that adorned her outfits back in the 60's.  So I dug out these vintage buttons from my stash.  These buttons were on a housecoat I had in the early 60's.

I'm thinking all this outfit needs is a Pill Box hat and white gloves.  Oh, and a sensible purse too!

Another Hop Scotch Top

Having fun sewing with knits.  Knit fabric isn't as difficult as I always thought. 

I found the front neck to be a little too low on Caitlin so I increased the depth of the pattern piece making the neck not so open and low.   I used size 2.

The leggings are from a McCalls 6152 and used size 1.

It is so cold outside today that while I was taking this photo, I could hear the trees pop. They sound like someone taking an axe to them.  But it's just the sap freezing.

Hop Scotch pattern

I am really enjoying the Oliver + S patterns.  They are easy to follow, size accurate and even though I've been sewing for decades, no,  more like a half century, I seem to learn something new from each pattern. And the Hop Scotch pattern is no exception.

Knits have never been my forté.  Sure, over the years I've made a knit items but overall I've gravitated to wovens for sewing projects.

This pattern was designed for knits.  My daughter prefers knits because she doesn't have to iron knit garments. (Sounds like my elderly mother!) And you know, it was easy peasy to make and I actually learned something new about my sewing machine too!
 

Knit dress, size 2. This knit was probably more suitable for a cardigan, but it worked well for the dress.

Size 18-24 months. I made knit leggings to match, (size 1 from a McCalls pattern) and I suspect they are a little too large.

Purple butterfly button on the top.

Knit top size 2T.  I didn't have enough scrap yellow pinwale cord to make the Hop Scotch skirt.  So I adapted the principles of the Lazy Day skirt and added some hot pink velvet trim that matched the hot pink of the flower in the knit print.

I feel that I have accomplished not only sewing with knits and functions of my sewing machine but also I busted a little more of my stash before the end of the year.

Looking forward to next year's stash bustin'!!

Red Flannel Christmas Dress.

I have about 6 meters of red and black buffalo check flannel.  It's a staple wardrobe fabric around here where I live.  While I have some plans for all that flannel, I thought I'd take a meter and make Caitlin a red flannel dress.

Fabric to wear huntin' and fishin'.

So I ordered the Oliver + S Jump Rope pattern from Elegant Stitches, who have been providing me with excellent service by the way.  When my order arrived, they gave me a credit because of their Anniversary Sale.  Thanks!

Like all the Oliver + S patterns I've tried to date, it was straightforward, easy to follow (although I got a little bogged down with the placket at the neck edge) and I am pleased with the end result. 

Made View B using View A pocket. 18-24mo.

I found some pine buttons in my stash.  Unfortunately, I only had 2 of the small size buttons.  The larger ones are a little too big for the pocket, but hey, they'll do!

How difficult would it be to make my own wood buttons?

For Christmas dinner I'm going to ask all my children to wear their red and black flannel shirts.  Grandbaby already has her flannel dress.  And with some of the remaining flannel I'll make some napkins for the dinner table.

It's going to be a Red Flannel Christmas!

The dog is going to need something red flannel too.

Book & Toys

A neighbour is an artist and she has illustrated a children's book called The Perfect Bear.  I bought a copy and of course had her sign it.  It's a Christmas gift for Caitlin.

ISBN 978-0-9810609-1-0

Then I got idea to make some of the toys found in the book.  A sock monkey, a giraffe,  whale, Raggedy Ann and a bear.

I found a sock monkey already made at a toy store along with a bear that looked similar to the bear featured in the book.

I've run out of time to make a giraffe and a whale, but I did manage to make a Raggedy Ann doll.  But I ran out of stuffing so this doll looks a little wrinkled, much like her maker!

McCalls 8077

I tried to match the doll to the one in the book. 

To see more of this charming little book, go to  Yellow Toadstool Press then click on the book cover and download the sample text and illustrations.

This is what the illustrators studio looks like.  It's a Fairy Castle in the woods.

Fifth Christmas dress completed.

I've  had this velveteen in my stash for ever it seems.  It's dark green and under certain lighting conditions, it has a sheen to it.  In this photo, it looks like the green sheen you'd see on a Ruby Throated Hummingbird!
It looks better in person than under this light ...  daylight, against white snow and the flash kept going off. Plus the lens kept fogging up going from inside our warm cottage to outside where the wind chill is -15 C.
 

I used the Bubble Dress but modified the bodice in order to add long sleeves.  This pattern works up really quickly and bonus, my daughter really likes the style.  So I'll be making a lot more of these dresse come the new year.

I used my walking foot to control the velvet as it wanted to shift under the presser foot.  However, I had a real problem putting on the gold piping.  There is no such thing as a piping/cording walking foot.  Too bad because it would have come in handy!

Poinsettia pin.

I was able to find some red felt to finish off the Bubble Dress.   Using the template found here: http://www.make-it-do.com/make-it/make-it-do-gift-felt-poinsettia   this  poinsettia pin went together quickly.

I used some small jingle bells in the centre and whip stitched a safety pin on the back.

I think it looks perfect on this dress.

Fourth Christmas dress completed.

It's overcast and raining so I can't use outdoor light today to photograph the 4th Christmas dress installment.  This will have to do.

I used the 18 month size of Children's Corner 'Adelaide'.  Thankfully I was able to double check the construction of the placket in a box pleat using their helpful on-line video found here: http://www.childrenscornerinc.com/videos.html

To make it Christmassy, I found this silvery star patterned fabric to use on the collar and sleeve cuff.

 

Found some star buttons and attached with Sulky silver thread.

The pattern called for a 3 1/4" hem.  I only used a 3" hem and I think it's too short.  Oh, well.  It can be fixed if need be.

I'd like to make a few more dresses.  Maybe some smocked ones.  But first I think I had better see if the dresses I've made thus far fit!  They are all either size 1 or 18mos.  All four have varying hem lengths, sleeve lengths and widths. 

I love this dress.  I love the pattern and how quickly it went together.  When I showed my husband the finished product he thought it looked rather 'Jackie O' looking.  And that comment has given me some ideas for the next time I use this pattern.

Third Christmas dress completed.

Using red velveteen, although it looks a little orangy in this photo, dress number 3 is completed.

I wasn't too sure how to apply the white fur strip so I just pushed aside the fur and using a 1/8 inch s/a stitched it down.  However, I think I might have to send a lint brush along with the dress because the fur is sticking to the velveteen just like dog or cat hair!

Ironically, this Santa inspired dress is sitting exactly on the 45th parallel which is half way to the North Pole.

The pattern used was M5964, size 1.  It was easy but because I didn't have a red zipper I made a placket in the back skirt and buttons on the bodice back.   Truth be known, even if I did have a zipper I might have still gone the button route because working with velveteen is tricky.  But making the placket sit flat was difficult given the bulk of the fabric.

The sun is low in the sky these days so getting a good shot is proving difficult.  Well, that and the fact that I'm still learning about light, angles and photography in general.  This photo gives a more accurate colour of the fabric.

Black bucket in background is the ash bucket and it's full!

Over 17 cm (6") of snow fell last night. The first snowfall of the season. Now I'm really in a Christmas sewing mood!