Dank

That is what the weather has been like here for what feels like weeks. Maybe it has been that long. It's been raining or about to rain constantly. The house smells funny from all the humidity. It's been too wet to leave the house much (I really don't like going out in the rain). You would think that I would have gotten more sewing done but, see, I started reading those Twilight books and...well...that along with taking care of the baby meant no extra time for other things.

I have completed two projects and both of them are on my To Do list! I'm very excited to cross stuff off already.

The photos are poor from the lack of sun to help my tired camera along. And I also embarrassingly didn't realize that I had left the manual focus turned on. So I've been taking pictures thinking that the camera was focusing on it's own and then swearing at my camera when I saw the blurry images full-size on my computer screen. My camera thinks I'm crazy.

I made the baby boy some modified "Kimono Style PJ Pants" from Amy Butler's Little Stitches book. Rather than adding the extra wide trim at the bottom, I just used some homemade bias tape. I was looking to make shorts but these are more short pants. Next go-around I will make them a bit shorter but in a bigger size. He's is going to grow out of these very quickly.


And the second project is a play mat, also for the baby. This is the only photo that was in focus (!) so I will try to take them again once the sun makes another appearance.


I used this tutorial on the "katie did journal" blog. Have you seen this blog? Katie makes some beautiful clothes for her two little girls...gorgeous stuff. She has a little boy now as well so I will be looking out for ideas on sewing for boys. (Why is it so much harder? Are dresses really all that much more exciting then pants?)

The play mat is just two solids -- blue and dark tan -- plus batting quilted together in a free form zig-zag pattern. I added some patchwork to the binding just cuz. The mat is about 30x35 inches. And I call it a mat because that is what it's job will be but it could also make a very nice baby blanket. Thanks Katie for the nifty idea!

Little toes

The first project since the baby was born was to make him some cute little booties. I used the pattern from Amy Butler's Little Stitches book. I liked that they completely covered the foot and held together with velcro so they wouldn't slip off. But they ended up being a little too tight around the ankle and the velcro peeks out under the flap. So I'm thinking of making another pair where I alter the pattern to accomidate a fatter baby leg and use a smaller bit of velcro. I really hate to redo a project.

Doll Bed Quilt Set

I have made one thing this fall, a baby doll bed quilt set for my niece's birthday. The doll bed is from Ikea and it came with a little mattress, pillow and blanket. But they were, frankly, ugly and not pink. And they needed to be pink.

I made the new mattress out of two layers of quilt batting and some pink ticking fabric. The pillow insert has the same ticking...


The quilt is an around-the-world pattern that you can see better here...

With the holidays here and a baby due in January I'm not sure how much crafting I'll be doing but this is a start, no?

Skull Pants

Kinda big. They had really nice cuffs at the bottom with red trim but the pants were so long I had to hem the cuffs to smithereens. Sean approves though...very comfy. And skully.

And ANOTHER Built By Wendy top for myself! ('Scuze the crummy mirror photo.)


Thank you to everyone who voiced their opinion on the sashing debate. With each comment I changed my mind again and again. So anyone who hasn't spoken up, please do so! We are not ready to declare a winner.

And Jacquie came the closest on the vacation guessing game. Even though her final answer was Tahiti (!) she did mention Florida. We are going to Orlando! Disney and sun is not our usual cup of tea but I got a super deal on a hotel...and lounging around poolside sounds pretty good to me.

The things you do

I was at a certain large craft store this weekend to pick up some gingham for another Built By Wendy top when I spied this crazy skull fabric and remembered a request from my husband: to make him a pair of pajama pants with skulls. I don't get it, but I'll do it. Cuz I'm a good wife.

I made my shirt first though.

Built by Jen

From a pile of fabric to a fancy new shirt in one afternoon.

Pattern is Built By Wendy (Simplicity 3835)...only THE MOST POPULAR PATTERN IN ALL OF BLOGLAND. I finally made one for myself.

Because of the heavier weight fabric I chose (basically a quilters-cotton weight), I lengthened it and added side slits. I thought it would be more like a tunic this way and the fabric wouldn't end up being such a bad choice. I may still add darts.

I'll make the top again...maybe with the 3/4 length sleeves with the cute ties...but I'll try a different type of fabric. Some thing a bit drapier.

Fancy Pants

Made my second pair of summer PJ bottoms this weekend. I got a bit fancier this time with different fabric cuffs and ties.

And continuing in my series of 'things I love about my house', here is a picture of one of our living room radiators. I love the radiant heat and the marble toppers.

To see my collection of photos of Things I Love About My House visit my flickr set.

Counted Cross Stitch, Part 4

Finished my little counted cross stitch monogram project. I think it's very cute and just need to find the perfect frame for it.

And I started on another cross stitch project. This time the whole alphabet – woohoo! Here is a screenshot:

Love making these in PhotoShop...so simple.

I was thinking maybe red on white but ended up using my ecru aida stash with some navy and a lighter blue.

Sewing Machine Cover

Thanks everyone for your nice comments on my last post. I feel better about the quilt layout now.

Sorry about the photos in this post. The dark blue fabric just wasn't very photogenic.


I have wanted to make a sewing machine cover for a while. I don't like the hard plastic one that snaps onto the machine. It's very old and the handle is falling apart so I prefer to keep it in a closet.


I used left over fabric from other projects. The dark blue, light-weight canvas is from some valances I made for my old apartment (they were very modern/nautical looking with simple white sheers underneath). And the blue floral print is left over from cafe curtains I have in my office (very girly-girly).

In our current house I have both an office in a sun room and a sewing area in a spare bedroom. When we move, these spaces will be consolidated. I'm looking forward to that...having everything together. So I went with the blue fabrics since I knew that the sewing machine was going to be living in the same room as the cafe curtains at some point.

I just might be posting a tutorial on how I put this baby together. Stay tuned.