Project #7 Hearts

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I thought I'd make some pretty trinkets to mail away. I realized as I was making the first bracelet and all the beads slipped off (in a failed attempt to tie the stretch magic) beading is not my special gift. I'm easily frustrated that what I want to happen doesn't always translate. That being said, after retrieving most of the lost beads, I released all expectations of perfection or glory and just decided to enjoy the creative process. Surprisingly, I did.

Oh, btw - if there is a single thing you want to learn how to do, check YouTube. So many wonderful people have taken the time to film tutorials and share them for the betterment of the world. Chances are you will find help there. It's amazingly generous and I've learned much.

Project #6 Nightgown

I totally dig this nightgown! The fabric is a quilters flannel that I purchased on super sale last spring. I really like the color and pattern. It's busy, but the colors are muted and I think it's going to fade beautifully.

Some wonder why I make so many of my clothes... The answer is simple, I like what I like. So often, ready made items are a little short here or a little wide there. Hand made means custom. Take this nightgown, I like long sleeves... really long. When my arm is folded, I like the hem to reach just past my wrist bone. Same goes for the length, I want it all the way to the floor. I mean, it's winter, the less exposed skin the better ;). Hand made means I can customize the garments, adding a couple of inches to the sleeve and ruffle.

btw - anyone notice that this is the same lining fabric I used on the eyeglass case yesterday? Another bonus to making my clothes... the scraps :)

Project #5 More Glasses Cases

For these, I took plain tan twill, marked diagonal lines and then used two different decorative stitches on my sewing machine to stitch along the lines. I used a thread that picked up on the blue in the flannel print of the lining fabric. I think they turned out quite fine.

I am always on the lookout for scrap projects. Since I make a lot of clothes and since there is always material left over from those projects, my scrap pile is significant. Hopefully this month will whittle that down to a reasonable size.

Project #4 Scarves

Here are two very different scarves I finished today! One is a keyhole scarf in a yarn that reminds me of stones with gray, copper and cream. The other is a fluffy knitted eyelash yarn called "Denim".

This 30 projects challenge is really fun. I'm thoroughly enjoying the accomplishment of it. But I'm also pleased to have taken so many pictures. Quite often, I give away the item before I've recorded it.

from Emily Dickinson...
It's all I have to bring today --
This, and my heart beside --
This, and my heart, and all the fields --
And all the meadows wide --
Be sure you count -- should I forget
Some one the sum could tell --
This, and my heart, and all the Bees
Which in the Clover dwell.

Project #3 Mittens

These bright little stars are new mittens.

I've tried many, many patterns with frustrating success and decided to search the net for something simpler. The one I used for the above I found on a site some time ago and alas it is no longer posted there, so I can't link it for you.

I sewed one side of the mitten (around the thumb and down to the wrist) then opened it out to zigzag the elastic in place. I learned this technique from one of the many patterns above, and it works really well.

Mittens take next to no fabric and can be made out of anything you'd like. I've used a fleece scrap for these. Think I might try a pair out of an old wool coat with a flannel liner. hmmm... This 30 projects in 30 days is a winner :)

Project #2 Jams

Well, this is a close up of jammies, because I couldn't uncover a way to take a more interesting picture :)

This fabric, I bought several years ago. It was quite a bargain and I bought many yards. So far I've made a floor length nightgown and these jammies. There is still another 2 yards or so left... wonder what will be next.

Day 1: Eyeglass Cases

Bum ba nah.... Here it is, the very first project.

There is a really great book, called Ready Set Serge, think possibly I've mentioned it before. It's by Georgie Melot and she's filled the book with lots of great serger only projects.

The eyeglass case is just one. Today I made these two at the same time. The outside is an eyelet denim and the inside is a paisley flannel.

While the finished project is really quite something, serging through all the layers required some effort for my serger and I'm not sure I'll make too many others with denim. You see, for part of the project you are sewing through all the layers: two denim, two batting, two flannel. When using the recommended fabric(cotton) it's a piece of cake.

That being said, I'd forgotten how much fun this little project is and how quick it works up. Plus the amount of fabric needed is quite small and I made these from the scrap pile. Think I may be making a few more in future.

Oh, interesting note... see how the curve on the cases are opposite? Well, when I was cutting out the fabric I quite habitually folded the fabric right sides together for the outside and lining, then laid them on top of each other and cut around the pattern once. In doing so, the curve on the first went one direction, while the curve on the other went the opposite. They are like mirror images. It doesn't bother me, but should it bother you then you'll need to take more care in how you layer and cut.

Goal for one Month!

Okay, confession time... I have quite a stash. First, let me say that I love fabric. LOVE it. A fabric store is a wonderland to me. It's possibilities, ideas, creativity, hope, eagerness, ... Well you get the idea.

This isn't anything new... I've always had a stash. What's brought this to the forefront of my attention is that I was recently gifted a huge amount of fabric. Really great fabric... fleece, minky, felt, cotton, duck, fun fur and so much more. Really awesome stuff.

Only problem is, it won't fit into the alloted space in my studio. Now mind you, this is really good fabric and I must keep it. I must. So what to do? What to do?

I sat in my studio looking at the abundance and inspiration hit... For one month, I'm going to complete one project every single day. It's going to be awesome! I have some projects that are in various stages of completion and I have lot's of patterns for new projects. Plus, I think this will be just the right nudge to get me to sew a challenging sewing project that I've been putting off for some time.

There is more in my studio than just fabric and I've decided not to limit myself as to what I make, so the process will be more creative and more fun and not like a chore... so who knows what will be coming out of there.

Oh wait, you will know, because I'm going to post all the projects here :) Accountability is good. I'm going to use this blog as a way of keeping myself on task.

Plus, when the month is complete, not only will I have lots of newly finished projects, the shelves where I keep my stash can be reorganized to better display and therefore better inspire.

I'm really looking forward to what this month brings!