Thursday, October 6, 2011

The Quickest Path to Homemade Cuteness

... is baby legs. You've seen them everywhere, but you haven't seen them on my adorable baby yet, so obviously, it's necessary.




She really is this sweet. All the time. Even when she is fussing about something, you can make her laugh in the middle of it. And... cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeks!



These things are the quickest ever. I whipped up 4 pairs in about 20 minutes. They are made from long socks I got at target a long time ago for just this purpose. Now that the weather is changing and she's starting to scoot around, it had to be done.




I'm getting pretty excited to make her some more clothes next week for KCWC. I'm gonna kick ass this time. Last spring was the first time I tried to participate, but she was very new and sleep was still very precious, so I only made a couple of things for Hendrix. I'm hoping to gather my patterns and get a bunch of fabric cut out this weekend so that I can just zip through the sewing next week. Yay for fall weather and fall sewing!
















Monday, October 3, 2011

2 Blocks, 28 Squares, 1 Winner, and a Front-Butt.

You guys, attempting to shop for new jeans this afternoon has left me totally depressed. After striking out in the junior-ish section, I actually tried on a brand called "Not Your Daughter's Jeans." Really? That was a new dressing room low. There is nothing in between the low-cut-look-at-my-tramp-stamp variety and the mom jean front-butt variety. My life is over at not quite 29. Might as well get a dog that fits in a purse, switch to decaf, and go back to the store for those mom jeans.

Ok, I'm going to stop being so devastatingly dramatic, and think about pretty fabrics instead.



... Look what came in the mail this morning!



28 perfectly beautiful 10" squares of Echino prints. These make me incredibly happy. It's just going to be difficult to land on the perfect quilt design for them. Infinite thanks to Sara at Sew Sweetness for organizing the swap!






 These are my September blocks for the do.Good Stitches bee. Diane asked for off-centered square in square blocks with orange, white, and one or two other colors. I love pink and orange together and was happy to use up some Loulouthi scraps... I really need to finish that quilt. It has a back, just needs some quick and simple quilting. Anyway, I love how both of these blocks came out, and I think the whole quilt is going to be really fun.







Finally, if you are looking for the winner of LBG Studios Convertible Clutch pattern, it's #13, my buddy Liv!  (I promise that was the first result! Screen grabs don't lie.)

The rest of you, go buy that pattern anyway, it's going to be all the rage in blogdom. Do it, do it!





















Friday, September 30, 2011

LTTSA: Backpack Link Up



Yippee Hurray, it's done! Hendrix loves his new "Penwin pack-pack." I used a fine-whale charcoal gray corduroy, some solids from my stash and two black buttons from a vintage button collection my mother gave me.





On the inside, I used this odd green print that I don't love, but it's been sitting around too long and needed to be used. I do, however, love the red zipper I chose. I still want to add a zipper pull like some of you did, I think I might try something like this cute cuteness.


Let me just say a few things about this pattern:

1. Holy hell, that was a lot of pattern pieces to cut out, especially since I interfaced every single thing.
But my goodness, it was worth it because it's uber adorable.

2. Son of a beesting, I still loathe handstitching. Really not my strong suit. You can see my giant black stitches in the upper left corner there, so I'm guessing that's not a blindstitch. It took me two entire episodes of the Daily Show just to do one side. I'm the slowest ever. And that was after ripping out my first attempt and starting over. And after all that my fingers were bleeding... ok, that's a complete lie, I'm just being a wuss.

3. What the cuss, I may just have to sign Hendrix up for preschool now just so he can use this thing every day. Ok, I probably won't do that just yet...




Alright, can't wait to see all of yours! Remember you have to link up by October 7th at the latest to be entered into the giveaway for the Oliver & S pattern of your choice. (2 giveaways in one week? Whose blog is this?)

Next week we'll begin the bias-trimmed apron. You could also make the artist smock if you like that better, but that one has a kind of girly shape, which is why I'm making the apron. If your kids are really small, you could try a couple bibs, or if they are older, maybe the bento box carrier. Anyway, we'll talk next week about supplies and bias tape (which I have an odd amount of love for.)

Thanks for playing along everyone, this is really too much fun!














Wednesday, September 28, 2011

New Pattern Giveaway!

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be a pattern tester for Vanessa of Little Big Girl Studio. I  "met" Vanessa back in February when we both won new Brother sewing machines in the Prudent Baby potholder contest. She is definitely one of those bloggers who I know would be cool to hang out with in person.

And she has come up with one of the most creative bag designs I have seen in a long time! Seriously, how cute is this bag?



The pattern is called the Convertible Clutch because it can be carried two ways- as a clutch or a tote. Brilliant.



I used Whimsy Gray Flower Mosaic for Henry Glass on the outside and Robert Kaufman Remix Zig Zig for the lining. The pattern has a pocket inside and also adds a magnetic snap, though I did not.



The pattern is great to follow and the bag has a nice sturdy shape. I love my new clutch/ tote! Find out more about the pattern and purchase right here.



Vanessa has graciously offered to give the pattern away to one of my readers. To enter, just leave ONE comment telling me the best pattern or tutorial you've tried recently- Because I really want to know! Make sure your profile has your email, if not also leave that in your ONE comment. I'll keep the giveaway open until this Saturday night, then draw a winner. Good luck!






*** Also, I'm a finalist in this month's Celebrate Color contest!! Go here to vote for me or whoever you like more. Fellow sew-alonger Melissa is also a finalist for her super adorable fall Ice Cream blouse. Go Vote!***

















Monday, September 26, 2011

Quilted Sewing Machine Cover

Sewing machine cover
A couple weeks ago, it was my friend Julie's birthday. I work with Julie at Sewn Studio, so I got to make a gift for a sewing friend- someone who can really appreciate a handmade gift. Not that other people don't appreciate very much my handmade gifts, it's just different getting to sew for a sewer. It's really fun because you know they will appreciate your thinking in fabric choices and things like quilting styles. Also, Julie is just an all around fantastic person, so that made this gift even more fun to make very late at night. 


 Quilting detail
I decided that an "organic" wavy line style would look good with this design. It was actually harder to do than I thought. It's much easier to just make straight lines, but I still really like the look. 


Cool side

Spicy side
One side is cool and one is spicier. It's funny how much I love this Lizzie House print in brown because I'm normally not drawn to brown fabrics. I think I may have to get more. And the binding is that yellow Annie's Seed Catalogue which I also might need more of. I can't wait to use the red that I have in that on something special. 

I just used my machine as a guide to make it, and it came to about 17" by 28." It was a really fun little last-minute quilting project. 














Fresh Lemons Quilts

{Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations


Celebrate Color



Fresh Poppy Design

Sunday, September 25, 2011

LTTSA: Your Most Genius Ideas Ever

.... or you know, from the last two months.




Just wanted to do a little showing off of some really special and creative things you guys have added to your projects. It's really cool to see all these different takes on the same simple patterns. YOU GUYS ROCK.


Also, don't forget that the backpack link party will go up this Friday, September 30. I'll keep it open an extra week so everyone has a chance to catch up and add their project, then I'll do the drawing for the FREE Oliver & S pattern of the winner's choice (currently in print, of course.) Make sure you add your post even if I am showing it off here, and if you are playing along on flickr, I think you should be able to link your photo url, but if you have trouble just email me. Remember, messenger bags or any other project from the book counts.

I'm not doing any more how-to posts for this one, but if anyone has trouble, feel free to email me anytime- jessica@fyrefly.com







 I'm sure you've probably seen Anne's adorable girlie penguin backpack, but I just had to make sure! She added a squeaker in the penguins nose (so it sounds like Pingu!) and a beaded zipper pull. I'm definitely adding some type of pull to mine now. Love it.




Tara added a really sweet tree applique to her backpack. Love how the bright reds pop!. 






This perfect little bird applique took it's cues from seeing this fun squirrel bag. Great to see some messenger bags and some shared inspiration. 



Everyone's hats last month were so unique and well-done. I really like the way Sarah added this cute boy-ish patch and contrasting topstitching.




 Liv added a bit of velcro to her daughter's hat so she could switch out bows and embellishment, and she really got creative on her son's hat by changing the brim shape entirely. Love the vintage military-inspired look!





Cecile chose to make the perfect rain hat for her daughter by using laminated cotton. I would love to venture out in the rain in those polka dots :)



Can't wait to see everyone else's backpacks soon! (Including mine... maybe I'll finish tonight?) 


I made the mistake of showing the front of it to him, so then he insisted on wearing it around his neck for a few days. It was pretty cute... and probably a pretty poor parenting decision on my part, what with the pins and all...


















Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Baby Gifts: Bibs and Swaddlers

 A few friends having babies= a few baby gifts to make! Baby stuff is so fun to make because A. There are a bazillion cute projects and cute fabrics to choose from and 2) I like to give gifts to the parents that are a bit off the beaten path from the baby shower norm. Of course, that's why I like handmade for any kind of gift I guess.




Ever since I made this swaddler (free pattern here) for Elsie, I have known that every newborn needs one. Or more accurately, every parent of a newborn needs it. It's like a sleep genie. 





So after making three swaddlers for three babes, I had a lot of minky left over in odd shapes. I took one of Elsie's bibs and made a pattern for these, backing them in the minky and attempting some fun scrap-busting on the front. Making enough of that 2" square patchwork (postage stamp?) did take a little while, but it was the fun, methodical, mindless kind of sewing that is very refreshing sometimes. And I think the results are pretty cute. There was even one girl version left for Elsie- see, she does get something made for her once in a while.




Three fun baby packages all mailed out to sweet born babes or babes to-be.



Do you like making baby gifts? What are your go-to infant projects?















Celebrate Color