Pattern Testing

I volunteered to be a pattern tester for Dear My Kids and was asked to make the cowlneck vest.  I made it out of a cream cotton jersey I found on sale for $2.50 a metre.  The pattern came together very quickly and, other than finishing the neckline, I had no problem sewing with a knit.  It was fun sewing something that I would not have normally chosen. 

Car trash bag

I made this car trash bag for my dad for Christmas.  He doesn't like when I buy him presents but he's okay if I make something for him.  He's fanatical about keeping his vehicle clean so I think he will appreciate it.  It has an adjustable stap to fit over a headrest or a little tab that can fit over a knob on the dash.  It is a double bag -- there is an inner piece that you tuck a used bread bag into so you don't actually see the trash bag.  I used heavy duty interfacing so that it would be fairly stiff and added buttons inside so that if you cut slits in the bag, you can slip it over the buttons to hold it in place.  The idea is stolen, this time from Allyson Hill.  I haven't actually seen one of her bags in person but I'm sure they are much better than mine :).  

The outer fabric is echino nico bus in yellow; I kept the selvedge on the bottom and I really like how it turned out.

Linen Stocking

The littlest will be three in March and finally has her own stocking.  The accents are momo freebird and the main body is linen.  I love the colour combination but looking at it in pictures, maybe linen was not the best choice!  I really need to try again to give it a good iron (I did iron it, I swear!) or I could take it apart, add some batting and quilt it . . . hmmm.

I stole the peekabo design from smidgebox and added some hand embroidery.  I love how it turned out.

Lunch Money Cuffs

My oldest is in Sparks and needed an under-10-dollars Secret Santa gift.  Since the whole family was attending the party, I made two lunch money cuffs so that the littlest could participate, too.  I used the tutorial on A Lemon Squeezy Home and loaded them with $5 each. They were super quick to make.  Both actually went to the same little girl -- she was the last child to pick and the reward for being patient was two gifts.  (Note to self: when next participating in a secret santa, wrap small gifts in big boxes). 

The vast  majority of the gifts had some sort of licensed character on them but the recipient of these was pretty excited to get cold hard cash.  I'm not sure how long I'll be able to get away with "homemade" before J. decides she doesn't want to be different.

Far Far Away 2 quilt - almost finished

I am almost finished the quilt for my new neice.  My husband just laughs at me because I thought I would get it finished before I went to visit at the beginning of November -- now I'm thinking it may get there in time for Christmas!  I machine stitched about 1/8 of an inch away from each seam and then handstitched around each picture.  The binding is linen and is handstitched.

Oliver + S Sunday Brunch Skirt

I have to get a picture of J. wearing this skirt because it is so cute on! A little more grown up than the ruffly stuff I have made for her in the past but she still seemed to find it very comfortable. I can see why everyone raves about Oliver + S patterns. Now I just have to find time to make the matching jacket . . .

Infinity Scarf

I was looking for a quick and easy teacher gift and this infinity scrarf is definately it, taking under 45 minutes to make.  It's made of two pieces of voile - forest hills in sea and water - cut into strips 12 inches by the width of the fabric and then stitched on all sides.  It's wonderfully soft and drapey, and can be worn in one loop or doubled up.

Diaper and Wipes Case

When I still toted diapers and wipes with me, I carried them in one of those zippered plastic bags that crib sheets come in.  I found it useful because I could just grab it and put it in the stroller or a backpack depending on where we were going and if I needed to change a diaper, I could just grab that and everything was in it.  When I saw the pattern from You Can Make This for a bag with a window so you can access the wipes without taking them out, I knew I wanted to make it for my brother and his wife who just had their first baby.  It ended up being a little more "loud" than I pictured in my head but hopefully they get some use out of it.

Doll stroller

This doll stroller has many, many miles on it and the seat finally gave out.  I used some canvas fabric from Jessica Jones' Amusement Park collection and some store-bought bias tape to make a new one.  I was suprised how quick and easy it was just using the old seat as a pattern. 

Far Far Away 2 quilt

This top has been finished for a couple of weeks but I'm really not sure what to back it with or how to quilt it.  I'd better decide soon though as I haven't got much time to finish it before my trip!