Little Mermaid Dress - Ready to Wear

This is one of those little dresses that you just sew up the back. It comes already hemmed and every thing on the bolt. I bought this one at Walmart. You just have them cut what you need - sew up the back - add ribbons for ties and it is ready to wear. How cute is my little mermaid Lilypie?





Linking up with

Simple dress - 18 Minutes from Start to Finish (Video Included)

This is a Youtube video I did showing how to make a girls dress from tee shirt and fabric. I have made several of these now for my youngest granddaughter.

Lily wearing the 18 minute dress

One Dollar Twenty Cents = Maxi Skirt

I literally threw this skirt together tonight. Not that impressive - what was impressive is the price I paid for the fabric. A whole dollar and twenty cents for 1 1/2 yards and it is a beautiful rayon print.

My basket is full of bargain fabric - I see so many little projects right here!

Singing About My Singer {Sewing Machine}

I realized I never have posted a photo of my new sewing machine. The one that is in the picture at the bottom of my blog is of my old one. I bought this one right after we redid the sunroom and turned it into a sewing/craft room. I have been really happy with it. It is so easy to fill and load the bobbin (my last one was a pain in the patootie)

Here is the item description:
The SINGER Stylist 7258 Sewing Machine boasts an array of features that make creating elegant garments and gifts for yourself and others fun and exciting. Set up is a breeze with horizontal thread delivery, automatic needle threader and top drop–in bobbin. With 100 stitch patterns and 6 styles of fully automatic 1–step buttonholes, creating one–of–a–kind pieces that express your personality is a breeze. The Stylist also includes adjustable stitch length & width, programmable needle up/down, easy push button stitch selection, bright LED work light, free arm with accessory storage, feed dog cover (for free motion sewing) and 10 presser feet to accommodate any sewing project.

• Features: Automatic Needle Threader, Portable, Free Arm, Built-In Storage, Built-In Thread Cutter, Computerized, Multi-Style Buttonhole, Stitch, Width, Length Adjustments, Reverse Stitch, Built-In Light
• Includes: Extra Presser Feet, Seam Ripper, Screwdriver, Spool Holder, Bobbins, Feed Cover, Owner's Manual
• Number of Stitch Patterns: 100
• Bobbin Type: Top Drop-In
• Buttonhole Steps: 1 Step
• Presser Feet Included: Blind Stitch Foot, General Purpose Foot, Buttonhole Foot, Embroidery and Darning Foot, Zipper Foot, Overcast Foot, Rolled Hem Foot
• Dimensions: 12.0 " H x 15.0 " W x 7.5 " D
• Warranty Description: 25 Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty

You can see where I ordered it from here

My First Applique'-Zebra Print

I made another cute top like the one I did for Lily but this one is for my middle grandangel, Brooklyn. (she is 10) This was my first attempt at doing an applique' and I LOVE IT! I made the top exactly like the Dora top I made a few weeks ago - so simple. Again, this was a tee shirt piece left over from tee shirt dresses I made last year. I am so glad I kept them all! This Zebra print fabric was  $1.60 found in the clearance bin at Walmart. Last weekend I picked up about 10 of these rolls of leftovers - any where from 1/4 yard to 1 yard - I paid 80 cents to $1.60 for each piece. I am going back this weekend and loading up if they still have the bin.

I am actually trying to decide if I want to make this into a dress by adding a couple more layer, depending what other fabric I find.

This is the one I made for Lily from a scrap of Dora print fabric. I think I may add an applique on it as well before I give it to her.

So here is how I made it - I used the whole width of the scrap of fabric and hemmed the scrap. I then set my machine on the loosest setting so when I sewed along the top it gathered the fabric. I then pinned the gathered piece to the tee shirt - right sides together - making it fit and then sew! (remember to set your machine back to its original setting!) I seamed the ends together right in the middle of the back. You could do this part before you ever start pinning if you prefer.

Appique' - I used Steam A Seam 2 Fusible Web and the directions are on the packaging. You can buy this at Hobby Lobby and it is really simple to use.

Hook Em' Horns

I added this Texas Longhorn Scarf to Etsy today. It looks better tied with a couple of knots, but this way I could show the length and width a little better. It would look really good with a black sweater, I think. (haha - check out Miles in the background)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94422670/texas-longhorns-hook-em-horns-fleece

Rag Wreath

I LOVE these rag wreaths - so fun to make.This one is really large and I have just used a hodge podge of scrap cotton fabric - no rhyme or reason with the colors. You can pretty much cut your strips to whatever size you want - length and width. I cut mine about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide. The wreath I used is a wire one and I just tie the strips on and double knot them. You can dress them up as much as you want - adding flowers, beads, lace, etc. I chose to leave this one just as is - no frills.

My Sewing/Craft Room - My favorite room

This is an updated "old" post since I wanted to participate in the What's Your Favorite Room Linky Party. 
Since my original post,  I have upgraded my sewing machine so I am adding a photo of it as well.
Thanks to Shasta at In The Old Road for hosting.

Several months ago we decided on a whim to turn our sunroom into a sewing and craft room. I called my husband and told him what I would like to do and before I could get all of the words out of my mouth he was on his way to Lowes to pick up materials to get started. By the end of the weekend the inside was complete. I love it. I bought a new sewing machine last month. I love the colors I decided to decorate with. It has such a homey atmosphere. We painted the 2 rockers, bench, I made pillows, curtains, painted baskets and bought new rugs. We added a small flat screen TV, lots of plants and it is so nice to have plenty of room now for all of my projects.

BEFORE PICS

Gift Idea - Starbucks Frap Bottles and Carton

I made quite a few of these during the Christmas holidays and then one for Valentines. So simple  and fun to make. There are just so many ways to go with this. You can make it feminine or as "boyish" as you need it to be. Dress it up, Cute it up, Doll it up, whatever suits your fancy.

*I have to admit - this is a Pinterest idea - such a cool website. I have oodles of things I still want to try from there! If you haven't stumbled on Pinterest - check it out here

To follow my step by step instructions go here

T-Shirt Dress - EASY SEW

I made this dress for one of my granddaughters in 18 minutes *minus the hem. I had left over t-shirt "tops" from another project and then scraps of fabric I bought from a bargain bin at Hobby Lobby.

To see the video click on the link here

Valentine Plate for My Sweetie

I bought a kit at Michael's to make for Brad for Valentines Day this year. It turned out pretty cute. You can't use it for anything other than display. I used my very favorite picture for the center. I also bought 4 bags of sugarfree candies and piled them on and wrapped it in red saranwrap with his card on top.

This is a really cute idea for kids to do for grandparents, friends, etc. Perfect for Mothers Day or Fathers Day. (Daddy can even pull this one off as a surprise for mommy!) So easy to do. No baking - just seal the photo with the decal that comes with it and paint with the special markers included.