some quilt blocks and a quick project

Just because I had to start another project.... I got a Punctuation/American Jane jellyroll a couple weeks ago and saw a quilt made from these blocks and haven't been able to get them out of my mind. They go together so fast! I made 10 of these in less than an hour this morning. Each block is just three 2.5" squares and 2 strips that are 6.5" x 2.5". I love the tickets.

Also I did this yesterday:

These thrift store jeans were too long and too flared so I cut them off and hemmed them with ribbon. It only took about 20 minutes to sew the ribbon on. Do you want me to make a tutorial for how to do this?

I finally got some fusible stuff and eyelets/grommets so I can make the ABC book from Moda Bake Shop. I have the letters and batting cut, I'm ready to go!

UFO week, day 1

Welcome to my day 1 UFO report. 
Today I finished binding a quilt that I can't share yet, but it's been in the works for 5 months or so. It's a good feeling, finishing those last few binding stitches. I did a lot of it while watching the first episode of the new season of Bones... it was a good one.

And then I decided I needed to do more, so I threaded the serger and switched it over off rolled hem stitch to regular. (Here's my link to serger rolled hem tips if you want to give it a go! For lettuce edging on knits, use regular rolled hem settings but stretch your fabric as you sew! Try a little swatch first, too.) I sewed up these pajama bottoms for D.

I have to confess that I didn't press the seams on these--on almost any other woven clothing item it's really important to me to press the seams as you go to avoid that homemade (not in a good way) look. But for pajamas, they will be washed soon and then they'll look fine. I need to find my J-sized pattern and make a new pair of pj pants for J... there is a pajama day at school this week and we forgot about crazy hair day this morning (J wanted to participate, the big 5th grader apparently didn't care) so I want to make it up to him with cool new jammies.

I made progress on a couple of quilt projects today, too. I need to decide what to focus on first tomorrow! I have something easy to make that's a gift, I'll do that and then work on something I can blog about as well.

So here's the tally: I started at 15 UFOs, finished 2. But I found another one (darnit) so my total is now 14. Did any of you get some UFOs done today? Or worked on? Want to share just how many started projects you have going? hmm...

I spent time looking at various flickr groups today, thinking about things I'd like to make for people I love. I can't wait to start a couple of things as soon as my UFOs are mostly done!

Kids' Clothes Sewing Week--birthday shirt and leggings

Here's the scrappy shirt!

I cut these and one pair of pj pants out on Monday, and sewed these up today. I am really happy with the shirt--it is just what I had envisioned. I decided to try a lettuce-edge hem for the first time, and I had to do it twice but I had extra fabric at the hem so it was ok. Too bad we have to wait about a month for her to wear it! (she's not 2 yet!)

The pants here were supposed to be leggings. I had L try them on and they are quite loose. I have a dress from the consignment sale that these are supposed to go with, and I'd like them to fit more like... leggings. Maybe I'll unpick the hems and just take them in--and if that doesn't work, I have enough fabric to try again.

Fall Clothing Sewing

I just read Meg's post about fall trends and style... and wanted to write about the fall clothing sewing thoughts I've been having.

Jean Repair blog. Via craftzine. All my jeans are from the thrift store; one pair is getting kind of worn but they fit me pretty well because I did a waistband/yoke alteration a few months ago. Instead of pitching them because they are almost worn out, I think I will patch them using one or more of the techniques on this site. And, oh yeah. There's also a book. Denim Revolution: Dozens of Ways to Turn Denim Cast-Offs into Fashion Must-Haves. (The book and the blog are written by the same person.) I love the image on the cover. I think I will buy this book.

What else? Something cool for the kids. I am inspired by these recycled, upcycled, patched together t-shirts by Little Overcoat and Janssen designs. I might need to hit Savers to see if I can find a shirt with a 2 on it for my little girl's big day next month.

I'm also wanting to make her a hoodie or two. I'd make them for the boys too but they are both (especially the younger one) not doing very well at wearing the few handmade things they have right now. I really like the Modkid Sydney pattern but I might go through my Ottobre patterns and see if I can use one of them.

I'd like to make a birthday dress for my girl, does anyone have any pattern suggestions? I was thinking about another charm pack dress but I don't know... I think I want to do something different. 

Finally, I have fabric and a pattern for a skirt for myself... I think it might be on the list in the next week or so. It's this pattern, and the fabric is a linen blend with brown and turquoise colors in the print. I might have to get new brown shoes to go with it. And a top, too. 

First though, I have a few quilt blocks to make, some pj pants to repair, quilting to do.

Let's go, Royals!

A few months ago, my husband and boys went to a free t-shirt Royals game... and all the shirts were men's size XL. I cut the boys' shirts apart so I could remake them to fit them, and then got busy with vacation and other summer things. My parents are here visiting us for a few days, and one of the things they wanted to do was go to a Royals' game, so I finally made the t-shirts! It was fun to make a clothing project, especially one that finished up quickly. I just used t-shirts from their drawers as a general pattern; I love how they turned out! They wore them to the game last night--we stayed through all 11 innings only to see the Tigers score 4 runs at the end, and beat the Royals. We did enjoy the fireworks afterward though!

I finally made my first gathered clutch last week, too. I've had my eye on that tutorial for a while; I'm glad I finally made one! The zipper ends gave me a bit of trouble; I hope that part gets easier when I make my next one.

And, here are some selvedge gift tags I made to send with my quilt for DQS9. I sent it off on Thursday and can't wait for my partner to get her package! (I'm watching the mail for mine, too.)