In which I sewed six slipcovers

 

Say sewed six slipcovers six times fast.

Kevin ordered some embroidered chambray upholstery fabric from JoAnn's, and asked me to make slipcovers for the dining room side chairs.

I was able to make them all in one day!

Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour

Look What I Made!

I made new slipcovers for our counter-height kitchen chairs!

I think I spent about 5 hours working on this project, including picking out the fabric, measuring the chairs, making a pattern, cutting the fabric, and sewing everything together. It was pretty quick and easy.

I like the new pop of color in the kitchen!

The blue matches some of our other kitchen decor and accent colors.

Dusty Rose Charmeuse Satin and Crystal Organza

I started sewing my pink dress together on Saturday.

The first day, I made the basic lined bodice with the organza overlay.

I did learn a few things.

For one thing, a neater neckline would be achieved if I sewed the shoulders together on the two pieces separately before stitching the front of the neckline to the neckline of the lining.

Note to self:

Step one: Stitch together lining, including shoulder seams

Step two: Stitch together front in the same way

Step three: With wrong sides together, stitch the whole neckline at once.

On Sunday, I put together the puffed sleeves and got the skirt ready to go.

But then I ran into a problem. I never bought a zipper! 

And it was Sunday evening so all the stores that sell zippers near me were closed.

So, on Monday, I went to the store and bought a zipper

On Tuesday, I added the zipper, sewed the bodice and skirt together, and hemmed it all up.

My dress is done!

I made this one a lot faster than the Tinkerbell dress.

And it actually looks like a Jane Austen dress!

It fits pretty well, although it is a little snug in the empire waist. 

Also, the arm bands on the sleeves are tight. 

I want to experiment with using with more fabric and some elastic on the next arm bands I make, so they move with greater freedom.

Third Time's the Charm

I cut out the pieces for my next dress.  Everything is ready for me to start sewing.

Last time, I started with the largest size on my pattern, and ended up cutting it down a lot. That worked pretty well, except for the positioning of the puff sleeves, which are slightly off and therefore a little restricting. This time I started with the smallest size on my pattern. Hopefully it fits better.

Also, last time I made the B pattern bodice with a square neckline. This one is going to be the A pattern bodice, which features a rounded neckline.

In which I attempt to make a Jane Austen dress, and accidentally make a Tinkerbell dress instead

A Photo Essay:

Pleated darts for the bodice

Sheer chiffon overlay

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Attaching the sleeves

Puffed sleeves!

My inner Anne of Green Gables is super pleased.

I had to buy a zipper.

I also picked up some thread, snaps and ribbon.

I intend to add hidden bra strap keepers to the shoulders with the ribbon and snaps.

I thought the sheer sleeves and longer sheer skirt would give it a more modern look.

Not Jane Austen.

Just need some fairy wings and a tiara, and I can be Tinkerbell for Halloween.

Where's my pixie dust?!

New Fabric!

I ordered fabric to make two dresses and a jacket, and it has arrived! 

Today I serged the raw edges of the fabric and put them into the wash to preshrink the fabric.

This was my grandma's serger. I am so glad that she gave it to me. It makes everything so easy!

In which I make some bracelets

So, while I was at the craft store to buy some sewing supplies for  my tiny quilt project, I found some beads that I really liked. 

Browsing turned to buying, and that turned into bracelets.

The large pink beads are 6mm quartzite stone. 

The pearls have been in my drawer for years. They were left over after I had my pearl necklace shortened before my wedding. I figured that I might as well put them to good use, instead of leaving them in a drawer forever. 

The smaller, ombre beads are 4 mm dyed quartz. 

Tiny Crazy Quilt Sampler

When I had my sewing machine out the other day, I decided that it was time for me to finish this tiny quilt sampler that has been sitting in the drawer for ages. This is what it looked like when I got it out today. 

Really, all that I needed to do was to piece together the back of the quilt, and then quilt it together with a layer of batting in the middle. 

I used the sewing machine and just quilted and quilted until I was happy.

Then, I stitched on the borders.

Now, it's all finished!

The back is covered in cactuses!

I suppose it is time for a new hobby

I have been watching videos of people making dresses on YouTube lately, so Saturday morning I was feeling inspired.  I bought some fabric and ribbon at Michael's. I had no idea how much fabric I really needed, but I really liked this sunny yellow color. I asked the lady at the fabric counter to cut 4 yards, because that seemed like more than enough. But, the bolt only had about 3 and a half yards, so that's what I bought. 

I brought it home and turned on Emma (the newest movie version) for inspiration. Then I started making a dress. Without a pattern. Just for fun and to see what I could come up with. I figured that I had only spent $20 on supplies, and I have spent way more than $20 to entertain myself for a day before, so even if everything ended up in the trash, it was no real loss.

Honestly, it's not bad for a first try and a single day worth of work.

I've never actually followed a pattern, so I found one for two Regency era dresses that I like, along with a short jacket. I ordered the pattern. Then, I noticed that there was a photo with fabric measurements and suggestions, so I went ahead and ordered enough fabric to make all three designs. 

I am looking forward to everything getting here soon!

In the meantime, I need to run back to the store to buy some hooks and eyes, matching thread, and ribbon.

Buy a 3D printer they said. It will be great they said.

Today, we decided to print a turkey for Thanksgiving.

It printed in only 1 hour and 4 minutes.  I was a little surprised when it finished so early.

It's a bit smaller than we were expecting.  The Tiniest Centerpiece.

More room for food on the table, I guess.