No Sewing Here Lately

My sewing machine has been out of order since September 6! Oh, geez it's been a month now. I miss sewing so much!! It is now on the road to the manufacturer for repair. I hope to have it back in 2-3 weeks. We have a baby shower on the 18th and I am so bummed that I won't be able to give the mama a handmade gift.
I'm REALLY into quilting now. I've been spending a lot of time researching quilt projects. When I get my machine I plan to make a few D9P (Disappearing 9-Patch) quilts. I have two baby quilts to make and I plan to sew 5 lap quilts by Christmas. I have many other projects in mind. My mother-in-law asked me to make some zippered pouches she plans to give out to coworkers for Christmas. I've been going through my fabric stash and have been cutting away! I cut fabrics into 6.5 in squares, as well as 3 in and 2 in squares. I plan to make some scrappy mug rugs (over sized coasters..lol) with the 2 in squares as well as some quilted zippered pouches.
I have finally dedicated time to learn how to play the guitar Omar bought for me 2 years ago! -__-
My brother-in-law is in the worship band at his church. He came over last Saturday and taught me a few chords. I've been practicing every day since.
I volunteered with child care today during Bible Study. I found out they are in need of worship leaders in Children's Ministry. I would really like to play the guitar and sing songs with the kiddos! It would be so fun and such a great way to serve the Lord. Please pray for the Lord to bless me with time and patience to learn how to play AND sing...lol...and meet this need at our church.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.        -Colossians 3:16

The Octopus Play Day Frock

I made a dress for Little Lady following a pattern from the book, Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders. She chose the fabric over a My Little Pony print. What can I say the girl loves animals.....land and water!

It was simple, the most time consuming part was making the bias tape. The pattern doesn't call for binding on the pockets, but I wanted them to stand out. Next time I will also bind the bottom or add a strip of single fold bias for contrast.

Little Lady loves it and it is perfect for summer! There is plenty of room for her to grow in it and can even layer it over a long sleeve and leggings during the colder months.

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.    -Psalm 86:11

Ponte de Roma PJ shorts

As a subscriber to Melly Sews, I received a free pattern for pajama shorts. In her tutorial, Melissa used a very pretty quilting cotton. I plan to pick some up on my next trip to JoAnn's. I see a skirt for Little Lady and some bias tape in the works.

In an attempt to make room for new fabric, I decided to use Ponte de Roma from my bargain lot purchase on Girl Charlee. It is so soft and comfy! Perfect for pajama shorts.

Who am I kidding?? These shorts are so comfy that it'll be hard to get out of them in the morning. They'll be worn for more than just sleeping. I've got two little ones to chase around the house. The fabric allows for lots of movement. Will definitely be wearing these around the house.

I ended up making some changes before making the casing for the elastic. I had to do a 1in seam allowance on the side seams and made a single 1/2in fold for the hem. For the elastic casing I folded it 1/2in then again another inch or so....I sort of eye balled it.

I definitely want to make more of these shorts! Did I mention how comfy they are??


My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.    -Psalm 73:26

Chevron Knits

Remember my post on my fabric puchase from Girl Charlee?? Well, I finally made something with it, two things actually. Why I didn't use my walking foot is beyond me. Would've made things a whole lot easier. I think I was simply feeling stressed and needed to make something FAST before going off the wall. Lol. Sewing is quite the stress reliever for me. Praise God for blessing me with the skill!! These two projects took no more than 20 mins each from measuring and cutting to sewing together. Simple, fast, super comfy and best of all fresh for this crazy humid, triple digit weather.

Chevron skirt with yoga waistband for me.

 And a Chevron dress for Little Lady.

Next, I am hoping to make a pair of shorts for Little Man and a pencil skirt for me!

Thank you for reading!

Don't make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don't make it the center of your life.   -Psalm 62:10

Mini Quilt Swap

This month I participated in a Mini Quilt Swap hosted by Heather from The Sewing Loft. It was my first online goodies exchange and first time I sew a Mini Quilt. It was loads of fun and I loved the Mini Quilt I received.

So, how does it work? In this instance it was like a gift exchange or Secret Santa. I signed up on Heather's blog by filling out a small form with my name, address, and favorite colors. We were also asked if we would prefer a holiday themed mini quilt. I suggested the use of the colors red and turquoise. I also noted that I would be displaying my mini quilt in my craft/sewing space.

I made a Halloween themed mini quilt for my partner.

Piecing the quilt top together.

All pieced together, quilted, and bound!

I pieced together the backing as well.

And this is the one I received from the amazing Debbie Weise.

I'd like to join another Mini Quilt SWAP, but I'm having trouble finding one. I searched through Pinterest since that is where I found this one, but no luck. I really enjoyed making a mini quilt. It is a fast and easy way to practice making quilts. I've been reading a few different quilting books from the library and I'm looking forward to start using some technique in my quilt blocks. I've also purchased a patchwork or 1/4" presser foot and boy did it make a difference!! I will always use it to piece my quilt tops from now on.

Thank you for reading!

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day He carries us in His arms.    -Psalm 68:19

Baby Blankets

As a total newbie to the quilting world I was referring to my baby BLANKETS as baby QUILTS. However, according to the quilt books I've borrowed from the library I was wrong. A quilt must have three layers and must be hand/machine quilted or hand tied. The baby blankets I made started off as quilt tops and I simply backed them with anti-pill fleece.

This one is bound and hand tied:

And this one was turned and top stitched, then I used my machine to tack it down in several spots to keep the two fabrics from shifting.

Here is a picture of the "blanket top"

I really enjoyed making these two blankets. I made the "Cowboy" blanket for my husband's new baby cousin due in September. The "Pirate Octopus" blanket was a baby shower gift for some dear friends who are expecting a baby boy in October. Both were paired with a few "Pee Pee Tee Pees" I really wish I would've made some for Little Man. Those night changes were quite the eh, wet challenge. 

Thank you for reading! God Bless you!

Give your burdens to the Lord, 

and He will take care of you.

He will not permit the Godly

to slip and fall.  -Psalm 55:22

Cowboy Baby Boy Quilt

I found this fabric for $5 a yard at the Upland Sew & Vac shop. I knew it would be perfect for a baby quilt. The Vergara family continues to grow and a baby boy is expected soon. With the baby shower being around the corner I got to work. I finished the quilt top last night and started on the Peepee Teepees today. I wish I had some peepee teepees when my son was a newborn. It never failed, every diaper change was a challenge. Don't get me started on those middle of the night changes! Sometimes I didn't know he had whizzed all over until the morning when I'd see yellow spots on the white walls. Gross.

I learned a lot after making my first quilt and this one went a lot smoother. The pieces lined up a little better too.  The first quilt I made was for my Little Man and boy was it a challenge. As challenging as it was I enjoyed making it. I especially enjoyed watching him lay on it and play with it. He was very excited. 

I think I am addicted to making quilts. So much love goes into making one. I want to make one for everyone I love and appreciate. 

I came across a different method making a quilt. Using fleece for the backing without adding any batting and a turn-and-top-stitch trick instead of binding. It seems interesting and I'd like to try it, but is it still a quilt? Or does it now become a blanket? I plan to hand tie it instead of machine quilting the two layers. I am excited to try something new.

Reading through the Bible: I am currently reading the book of Job and am super annoyed by his arrogant friends. I can hardly wait to get past those chapters. 

Mail, Mail, Mail

I love shopping online! Mainly because I love receiving packages in the mail! Girl Charlee had a fabric lot sale this past Friday and I was able to snag 2, 1/2 yard lots of slightly flawed knit fabric. I don't have much experience sewing with knits so I figured this would be a great way to practice. I received WAY more than I expected and the fabric is just fabulous! I snapped some pics as we (me and the kids) opened up the huge package! I think they were just as excited as I was!

CHEVRON

  

STRIPES

SOLIDS                                                                         

                                                                                           

PRINTS

I am looking forward to sewing skirts, leggings, shorts, and tank tops with all this fluff!

The Weekend

I did not get to sew any diapers this weekend. My wonderful sister-in-law, Jazzy, spent the weekend with us while my husband was away on a trip with his students. It was very clear to me that the children missed him. Friday evening was VERY tough for the Little Lady. She "knows" the time Daddy comes home from work. Well, Friday afternoon came around and no daddy at the door. The rest of the day was pretty crazy. Dramatic tears over E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G......

By the time both kids went to bed I was EXHAUSTED and all I wanted to do was lay down and kick my feet up! Jazzy arrived and we spent a few hours catching up before heading to bed ourselves. No sewing.

Saturday was filled with energetic children, chores, and running errands. It went pretty smoothly until late in the afternoon. It was too hot to take the kids out to play and it was obvious they NEEDED to get out of the house. So, we took a trip to the fabric store! Hancock Fabrics just down the street. I purchased some medium weight fusible interfacing hoping that Jazzy and I would be able to sew up some quick and easy wallets. Jazzy has only used a sewing machine one other time and it was MONTHS ago when we made simple, zipper pouches. Although a bit stressed, she successfully made THREE wallets! I wish I would have taken some pictures. Next time I will.

I ordered some bamboo fleece from VancouverBamboo, a shop on etsy. The owner, Liana, was so wonderful to work with. I've never worked with bamboo fleece before. I "hear" (more like I've read) all good things! I'm too excited and can hardly wait for my package to arrive. It should be shipped out today!

Sewing Cloth Diapers

I am currently working on sewing cloth diapers for Little Man. 

He is 10 months old (WOW! How time flies!)

I prefer using cloth diapers because it is waaaayyyy cheaper than using disposables and I don't have to lather all this chemical-filled stuff on their booties.  My Little Lady is now 2 years, 9 months old AND she's POTTY TRAINED! Woooo!!!! 

*I couldn't have done it without my husband. He was so helpful!*

I watched a lot of youtube videos and read through quite a few tutorials before diving into making cloth diapers. I went out on a limb and purchased the RocketBottoms One Size Fitted Diaper. I bought it on etsy from a 3rd party, but that was before I knew she had her own website and shop. I've sewed one *turned and top stitched* and I love it! It is a great pattern and comes with wonderful instructions and WITH PICTURES! I want to try making one with fold over elastic. I am hoping it will be faster since I don't have to feed and tack down elastic through the small casings. Which isn't hard to do, it's just time consuming. And in this house free time to sew is VERY limited. The only problem I had, and this was TOTAL user error, was that I forgot to take out my safety pin (used for feeding the elastic) and sewed the diaper shut. I only realized it when my thread broke as the needle got too close to it while top stitching. Oops! And that was headache to remove.

I used an old receiving blanket for the outside layer and two t-shirt layers inside.

There is a snap for the prefolds I converted to inserts.

 I am using Little Lady's old, small prefolds as inserts. I simply snap them into the diaper. Works great!

GMD small prefold converted into an insert. Pictured here is one outer section zig zagged onto middle piece.

I also made some fleece covers to use with the snap inserts. I used this pattern and this tutorial to make my side-snapping fleece covers.

 I made three using an old fleece blanket and anti-pill remnant I found on sale at JoAnns. I really like using these fleece covers at home. I want to make more! 

I've purchased some PUL from JoAnn's and am in the process of making some covers. I hope to finish at least two this weekend as well as two more cloth diapers using the RocketBottoms pattern and this pattern I found over at prefold2fitted.blogspot.com