Friday, June 29, 2012

Happy Summer!


Happy Summer! A little ditty I made this week to welcome the most amazing weather! If you need a how to leave a note in the comments and I will put one together as soon as I can. 
Happy Friday <3

Wednesday on Wednesday (Or Thursday)


This little girl finished her first year of school (junior Kindergarten) yesterday. Amazing isn't it?! She's also turning five in a couple of weeks. I am hoping for a super fun summer. Not too much standing still. Do you have any super duper plans for the summer?

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Wednesday on Wednesday

My poor little baby got her first black eye a couple days ago. She bounced off of another little girl at the splash pad and then bounced off the concrete. The whole thing was just awful. At first I was in shock and couldn't believe how black it was that quickly, but my mom reassured me it was just a black eye. Not a bruise with a hematoma on a bruise with another bruise on top. (Which is what my brain was working towards.) After lots of ice, freezies, popcorn, Tylenol and the all important Daddy, Wednesday was in good spirits.

It looked even worse (which I did not think possible) yesterday. The swelling moved up closer to her eye and the bruise turned a raspberry colour. I was on the verge of horrified every time I looked at her. It is much better today, the colour already draining and a lot of the swelling has gone down.

Just so darn awful though. When she's sick I can dote on her, when she is sad I can make her happy, when she is scared I can comfort her. I felt (feel) helpless with this though. I just have to wait it out with her I guess. Poor baby.

Monday, June 11, 2012

How To: Fitted Front Girl's Skirt

You know what I love about sewing? Everything. And it is a lot like riding a bike. You really never forget how, and you might even be better than the last time. That is why when I made another pretty little skirt for Wednesday it whizzed by, even with photos for a tutorial.

Ikea-print-flat-panel-skirt-front
Front View
The reason this simple skirt design is so wonderful is that while the front waistband sits comfortably underneath the little belly that little kids have,it doesn't ride up over the bubble bum.
Ikea-print-flat-panel-skirt-gathered-back
Back View
That's right, this skirt is actually longer in the back than in the front.
After making Wednesday's Sunshine Skirt last week, I realized that without the patchwork the skirt was a super simple pattern. So today when I decided to make another one I wanted it to be light and simple for summer wear so this boldly coloured Ikea print was perfect.

Do you know what is not like riding a bike? Writing sewing tutorials. Forgive me i I rush through this, it was just so simple that I wasn't sure how many photo it required. Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions!

Alright! Here we go! Collect your supplies.

(2) Rectangles of  fabric 19 x 15 inches
1" No twist elastic
Coordinating thread
Sewing Machine
Bodkin (or safety pin)

Let's begin!

Step-2-and-3-fold-over-top. 
Step 1. Cut your rectangles 19" x 15"
Step 2. Fold fabric over 1/2" and press.
Step 3. Fold fabric over again 1.25-1.5" and press.
Do this for both pieces.

Step-4-and-5-sew-and-cut

Step 4. On BOTH pieces sew close to the pressed old.
Step 5. On just ONE piece (The one you want to be the front.) cut on an angle from the bottom corner to three inches IN from the corner. Make sure that the angled sides are not longer than the straight sides of your second piece. (You'll see what I mean in the next photo.)

Step-6-feed-elastic
Step 6. Feed elastic through casing of the second piece. Stop when the end gets just inside the casing.

Step-7-sew-elastic
Step 7. Sew end of elastic into the casing.
step-8-sew-side-seams

Step 8. With wrong sides facing, line up one side of angled pieces and sew.
Inside-back-view.

Step 8.5 Pull elastic taught and sew second angled side to straight side.
step-9-roll-hem

Step 9. Roll a half inch hem and sew.

Ikea-print-flat-panel-skirt-front 
 And you're done!
Ikea-print-flat-panel-skirt-gathered-back
Admire you're work!

sunshine-skirt-model 
The skirt has lots of room for movement.
sunshine-playability 
Serious playtime only though!
 
♥ Happy sewing! ♥

Sunday, June 10, 2012

New Arrivals at Modern Wednesday!

Things are happening! Things are moving! Things are never still for long! Today I have a few new items in the Modern Wednesday Shoppe Some hair accessories for mama and the little ones as well as some adjustable coffee cozies.


New In The Modern Wednesday Shoppe 

 1. Pretty Rainbow Clips 2. Pink Stripe Ruffle Flower 3. Suede Rosette Pink Center 4. Suede Rosette Blue Flower Center 5. Suede Robin's Nest Clips 6. Rusty Suede Rosettes 7. Vintage Fabric Coffee Sleeve 8. Pink Vintage Fabric Coffee Sleeve 9. Beige Coffee Sleeve

Coming soon will be some mug rugs/snack mats and with any luck a skirt or two! Stay tuned!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Wednesday on Wednesday


I couldn't resist snapping a picture of Wednesday in this vintage hand-me-down sweater and her hot pink Chuck Taylors' (So jealous!) with the knee high socks and the basketball she looks straight out of an old photograph. ♥

Monday, June 4, 2012

Recycled Leather Ruffle Skirt

One more entry into The Crafterhours Skirt Week 2012 contest. This time, it is something for mama! I am so excited to share this with you!

Recycled Leather Skirt Front
Two solid days of cutting and sewing were rewarded with this little number. 

Recycled Leather Skirt Back Ruffles 
I was tempted to call it the 'Mullet Skirt' because it is "Business up front and party in the back." I love the simple colour blocking in the front and the feminine ruffles at the back.

  black-suede-jacketred-leather-jacket
Hard to believe this is how the skirt began. I have been hoarding saving these two jackets for some time now. At first I was going to make a handbag (or three) but I think they were put to much better use don't you?

leather-skirt-front-back-clip 
When I began the skirt, I just took pieces of the jackets and clipped them to each other with alligator clips on my sewing dummy. I was going to do a sort of peplum detail at the front but I haven't the knowledge or skill set to make it work. I'm glad I didn't push it.

  back-detail 
This (the yoke/shoulders of the black jacket)was originally going to be the front, but it had too much of a 'western' look to it.  After it was sewn down I realized two well placed darts would have worked well, but because I didn't do them I was able to reverse the skirt. The points fit perfectly at the back.

  leather-skirt-ruffle 
I broke three or four needles gathering these ruffles by hand.

  leather-skirt-ruffle-detail 
So worth it though. I love the ruffle detail!

  leather-covered-button 
The last thing I did was peel apart the red leather to get a piece thin enough to cover a button. I sewed it at the top of the invisible zipper fly and snap (I cannot stand a zipper flap that won't stay closed at the very top!)
  leather-skirt-front
Business up front.

leather-skirt-back
Party in the back.

♥ I can't wait for Captain Awesome to take me out to dinner in this! Thanks for looking! Wish me luck! ♥

crafterhours

Friday, June 1, 2012

Wednesday`s Rainbow (the Skirt)

Sometimes we make things we are ridiculously proud of. This skirt is on of those things. I made it as an Easter gift for Wednesday but I loved it so much I made a second and sold it at Modern Wednesday a couple weeks ago. I absolutely had to enter it in the Crafterhours Skirt Week contest.


rainbow skirt 
This skirt just has so many little touches I couldn't not enter it.

  rainbow skirt pink tulle and sequin close up 
Like the gorgeous pink, sparkly tulle peek-a-boo ruffle.

raibow skirt liner tulle ruffle detail 
This was the first skirt I added a soft liner to. I now add liners to every skirt I make with ruffles for added volume.
rainbow skirt sequin close up 
The gorgeous sequined ric rac was from a box of vintage trims I bought on Ebay. For the longest time I couldn't decide what to use it on, this skirt was perfect (Even if I did break two needles on the sequins!). It glitters in the sun.

rainbow skirt waistband detail 
This elastic waistband material is what inspired the skirt. 

rainbow skirt ric rac echos waistband
Doesn't the ric rac echo the waistband perfectly?

  Wednesday's Rainbow Skirt 
Close up action shot.

Wednesday's Rainbow Skirt
Don't you love how a little girl 'poses'?

Wednesday's Rainbow Skirt
I sew for wearing and playing, but I won't lie. Crawling on the concrete with sidewalk chalk ten minutes after receiving the skirt made me cringe. 

Wednesday's Rainbow Skirt
But doesn't she look wonderful?!


crafterhours

♥ Wish me luck! ♥