LTTSA: Bear Carrier Part 1- Fabric & Really Fun News!

Ok, I think I've finally recovered from the holidays and am back in the groove of my normal making. And I'm so excited to get back to our Oliver & S Little Things to Sew- Along!

This month we are working on the Bear Carrier. I figure a lot of little ones out there have new dolls and stuffed friends that might need a way to be close to their hearts. 

But of course, you can make any project from the book and link up at the end of the month. Have you tried the cozy winter hood yet? I would highly recommend that one too. Or maybe you could whip up some of those cute scarves like Tara did. Anything goes, as long as it's Little Things to Sew!

Today I cut out the pieces for my carrier. For the main part, I'm using nice gray denim I cut from a pair of my husband's old jeans. The lining, straps, and pocket are all fabrics from my stash. I gotta say, I'm LOVING the pink/ aqua/ charcoal combo. And I love that this project is a mix of old and new materials. 

The lovely mother of pearl buttons are from my vintage collection my mom gave me. I just love it when I have all the perfect elements right on hand. Next week we'll talk button holes! (Although you should know, I'm no expert. I've only done a few so I'm getting some practice too.)

Now for the exciting news about this month's sew-along prize. It's coming to you straight from Liesl G! Could there be anything better for our little group of Gibson groupies?? I decided to email her this week, and she graciously offered up a free digital download Oliver & S children's pattern to this month's winner. That means you get to choose from a few adorable out-of-print patterns. Check out all 4 that are available here. Thank you so much Liesl!

If you are new to the sew-along, we'd love to have you join this month. Read up on important info by clicking the sew-along tab at the top of the page, and be sure to leave a comment here if you plan to make something. All the fun is hearing from and helping each other- so don't be shy!

LTTSA: Backpack Part 1- Supplies

Woohoo! I'm so excited to start another month of the Little Things to Sew-Along! The first one went scrumptrilescently because you guys are so amazingly creative. We had 17 people link up their completed bucket hats, and I know I saw at least a couple more on Flickr that said they were sewing along. I don't know about you, but I definitely got some good practice on sewing curved seams and making pretty topstitching :)

Alright, let's get moving on our backpacks, because if your preschoolers haven't started school yet, they will be soon. And even if we miss the start of school, that's ok too. We are all about stress-free sewing along here.

We need a yard of our main fabric. If you are making a regular backpack, you could really pick any home-dec weight fabric or something else canvas-y. I think some echino or other thick Japanese import would be adoooooorable (if pricy) but might still need a little added interfacing or backing.

I haven't purchased my fabric yet, but I am making the penguin version, so I'm looking for something that is solid or at least reads as fairly solid. The version in the book looks to be cotton twill, which I think looks really nice. But I'll probably buy either denim or corduroy from the shop I work in. The corduroy is very fine wale and thin, so I'll have to interface that as well.

When you are picking out your fabric and wondering if it's the right choice, I would just trust your instincts. If it feels sturdy enough to be a backpack, it probably is. At the same time, you don't want to get something extremely heavy, (like maybe denim from thick jeans) because you will have to sew through a few layers of it at times and don't want to have too much trouble.

 More ideas on that here, from someone who has made it. Go on, read it... Thanks to Erin for paving the way for us :)


As far as other supplies, any quilting weight cotton is good for lining and the outside embellishments. You also need 1/2 yard of lightweight fusible interfacing.

The zipper- you need one of those bigger-molded-toothed kind, 18", which you can find at Joann or wherever. Not invisible and not one of the little-teethed kind you would put into a zippered pouch or something-

Strap adjustors- this might be a little more tricky to find. I haven't actually looked at my local Joann yet, but they are on the website. But they aren't called strap adjustors in the 1-1/2" size, they are called slides. (I tried looking on the site listed on the resource page in the book. Couldn't find them there.) I also think you might try like a sporting goods supply place if sewing supply stores don't have it. But it might just be easier to order online. And it doesn't matter if they are plastic or metal, just as long as they are made to fit 1-1/2" straps.

I'll leave you with another gem I found on flickr. Penguin fabric lining! Love it. 

Alright folks, we'll get started as soon as I can get my crap together. You can cut everything out and put together the front and back of the outside, but if you are scared of apprehensive about the zipper, I'll walk us through that part of the instructions with pictures. Don't worry! You'll do splendidly. 

So what are your thoughts on fabric choice for the outside of the backpack? Anyone have a good resource for strap adjustors? 

***Also, some of you have said you would rather make the messenger bag. No problem, you will still be eligible for the giveaway if you link up your project. I'd love to see them!

Oliver & S sew-along anyone?

I finally bought this book on an impulse when I stopped by the shop the other day for some fabric. I've been eyeing it for a while, and decided it was a good way to put my 25% discount to use. (Yes, you should be jealous. Heehee)

If you are like me, you have a bad habit of collecting craft books and maybe doing one project out of them, more likely none. I think we are all guilty. But this one is just so good I can't let that happen. I really want to make every single thing in here! 

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I didn't realize this until I bought it, but there is a page you can tear out in the back to cut out their signature paper dolls. Then you cut out all the little accessories on the book jacket to dress them up in. How freaking adorable is that?

The kids all had fun with the paper dolls this week. Even the two boys, not pictured because they enjoyed the paper dolls in a bit a different way. Namely, running them around the room bouncing off furniture with the penguin backpack. I did think it was precious that Hendrix specifically asked me to cut out the little sewing machine for him so he could "make sew." He's been watching carefully :)

Anyway, since my recent foray into Oliver & S patterns, (see an Ice Cream Dress I made and pattern review here) I am completely in love and want to make all of them.  

But I need craft book accountability from my interwebs friends. So if I organized a bit of a sew-along through this book, would anyone be interested? I'm thinking I would probably do it over 6 months or so, just one project or two of the simpler ones each month. Low pressure, make as much or as little as you want to, and we will all share our pictures and sewing adventures. If you don't have the book yet, I think you can find it for less than $20 on Amazon, and the high-quality patterns are well worth it. 

Here's a peek at some of my fave projects to entice you:

Adorable right? And all completely necessary. Please leave me a comment if this is something you would like to join in on! .... or even if you just want to see me do it all by lonesome and shout hooray from the sidelines.

A Dress a Week #3 (Plus some extras)

I finally got to use some Innocent Crush! I think I have wanted to make a dress out of that particular fabric on the left, probably since I was small enough to wear this dress. Yes, I know that doesn't make any sense, but I also know it in my soul to be true. Got them both at Sewn, of course.

I used this great tutorial on how to make any dress pattern reversible. But I drew the actual pattern myself, which I've never tried before, so I hope it actually fits her at some point in her life. It looks like it should though.

And here's a peek at some of the pillowcases dresses I made for the sew-along. The deadline is this Wednesday to be entered into the drawing for prizes, but the charity is always accepting dresses. I'll keep the button in my sidebar so you can find the info, it's a great idea and a great cause. Plus Vanessa's tutorial and pattern is fantastic anytime you just want to whip up something cute for a girl in your life.



So yeah, a lot of dresses here this week. Poor Hendrix needs me to sew him something manly. But he and I had a great weekend together, including several dance parties to this song:
(and yes, we do like to wear tribal scrappy-fur vests like this, it really enhances the dancing.)




Really, any song with a double-clap is just irresistible.