Backpacks Are BACK....

 and they're better than before!

Last year, I sized up the Made by Rae Toddler Backpack for my kindergartener.  And now, for a limited time, I have a few for sale in my etsy shop.

Here are a few of the features of this enlarged and improved backpack.

Backpacks are fully lined with a medium weight cotton canvas and all seams are serged for extra durability.

 Each backpack has a 14 inch, heavyweight, sport zipper which is more durable and also a little easier to zip.

 These packs are 13.5 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 4.25 inches deep.  The size fits a folder, lunch box, and snack pack perfectly.

 

Here the backpacks are shown on an almost 7 year old and almost 5 year old.  I wanted the backpack to be big enough to hold the essentials, but also small enough to be manageable on the bus and at school.

 In cool retro cars,

colorful popsicles,

and colorful giraffes.

So get them while they last!

Dress Pockets - TUTORIAL & PATTERN

 

 I've been making dresses like a crazy lady lately.  Using my Jersey Dress Tutorial as a starting point, I've made a couple different versions and finally tackled pockets!  It's actually easier than it looks. 

 First, download pocket pattern HERE 

(this pattern works great for me, you may need to alter to fit your hands or skirt)

Cut 4 pocket pieces total, 2 sets of 2 on folded fabric so they are mirror images of each other.

 

Lay your skirt front out in front of you.

 With right sides together, lay 1 pocket piece on each side of the skirt, making sure the top and sides lines up. Pin in place and fold the skirt in half so that you cut both pockets evenly.  Draw a nice curve and cut through all 4 layers of fabric.

 When you open up the skirt, it should look about like this.

 Sew along the curved edge.

 Turn pocket to the wrong side and press well.

 Here's what it looks like on the wrong side of the skirt front.

 Lay the corresponding pocket piece on top of the sewn pocket, right sides together.  Pin through just the pocket layers.  Sew from the top to the side.

 That's pretty much it!  You can top stitch the pocket edge if you like.  Finish your skirt or dress and enjoy your new pockets!

Dress Obsessed and a Tutorial Preview

I've been totally dress obsessed here lately and somehow, I just found out about the Summer of No Pants sewalong.  I didn't officially join, but all this time, I've been playing along and didn't know it.

Summer for me is all about skirts and dresses.

 While working out all the details of my Jersey Dress tutorial, I really came to understand basic, and I mean basic, knit dress construction.  I didn't realize it could be so easy.  I've made a few for the girl.

And a matching one for myself.  As an aside, she actually wanted me and her to wear our matching dresses when I volunteered for field day at her school.  How long do you think that will last?

 A fun black and white chevron version.

 Mustard stripes with a cool back cutout.

 I'm not gonna lie, there are a few more that I didn't have time to photograph.  It's really fun.  Once you've got the basic pattern, you can pretty much cut and finish a dress in 3 hours or less.

 And just this weekend, I figured out, POCKETS!  I think my life may be complete.  Dresses with pockets!

Tutorial coming soon.  

If you haven't checked out my Jersey Dress Tutorial, go do it now.  Then you'll be ready and can make yours with pockets too!

Teacher Gift: FREE PRINTABLE

 

10 months ago, we sent our oldest child off to kindergarten.  Our tentative, quiet, little girl cried every morning for the first week.  It was a tough week.

And what feels like a short 10 months later, she's blossomed into an outgoing, curious, little chatterbox who rushes to get dressed and teeth brushed at the mere mention of missing the bus.

 It's been an amazing year and I'm so thankful for the great school and teachers we have.

So I put together some little gifts to say thank you.

I found these cute metal tins at the Dollar Store and used a  hammer and nail to poke holes in the bottom.  We bought a 6 pack of thyme and a 6 pack of oregano at our local Farmer's Market and put one of each into each tin.  

Oregano is a great container plant since it self seeds and can take over a yard in no time flat.  Better in a container than in your lawn!

 

I used paper, punches, and sticks that I had around the house to make the labels.  

Free printable HERE.

The least I could do to thank our teachers for helping my little girl grow.

High Low Maxi Skirt - TUTORIAL

 

Two years ago I bought a cute maxi skirt.  Looking in my closet the other day I realized, I've never worn it.  I always admire maxi skirts on other people.  But, when I look closely, I'm reminded of why I never wear them myself.  Most of the time, people are holding them up as they walk.  Not very practical, especially when you're spending your day at work or with kids, or both!

So, in the midst of my sewing slump, I had an epiphany.  I love the high-low skirt trend and I love the maxi skirt trend.  Why not a high-low maxi skirt!

This skirt is super easy to make and even easier to wear.  

Are you with me?  Let's get started.

All you'll need is 1.5-2.5 yards of stretchy fabric, depending on your height and size.  I only had a yard, so I made my waistband from a different color.  I used a rayon jersey knit that was very drapey and stretchy.

My 1 yard of fabric (36 by 60 inches) was the perfect length and width for my skirt.  In the photo above, I have the fabric folded in half for the skirt front and back.

 Fold the fabric in half again, so now it's quartered.  Measure around your waist, divide by 4 and add 1.  Using that measurement, make a mark that distance from the fold.  Now draw and angled line all the way to the bottom and cut. You should end up with a nice looking A-line shape.

 With right sides together, sew side seams.

Now let's do the waistband.  I ran out of the main fabric, so I'm using a different color.  Cut a piece of fabric that is 2/3 your waist measurement by 8 inches, and with right sides together, sew short sides making a loop.

Fold the waistband in half with wrong sides together, matching raw edge.

 Match the raw edge of the waistband to the raw edge of the skirt, pin and sew.

 Your skirt is almost done!

 Now, let's make the high low hem.  Lay the skirt flat so the the side seams are matched up.  Figure out how high you want the front, keeping in mind you'll still need to hem the skirt.  Draw a nice angle from the front to the back and cut.

 Fold the bottom of the skirt 1 inch to the wrong side and topstitch to hem. When you hem, keep in mind you'll be able to see the wrong side of the back of the skirt.  I used white thread for my bobbin and didn't realize until later that you can see it from the front.  Oh well, I definitey see another one of these in my future.

So fun.  So versatile.

Mustaches and Motivation

 Mustaches are huge lately, though I'll be honest and say I don't quite get it.  They're cute, but I guess it's over my head. 

 I've been in a bit of a sewing slump lately.  A few failed projects coupled with nice weather = lack of motivation.  I have not however lost the motivation to fabric shop.  So to justify my recent Girl Charlee order, I added this mustache fabric to my cart under the guise of making some new boy clothes.  I made this cute newborn onesie as well.

The hubby is heading out to play music with the guys tonight, so I'm hoping once the kids are in bed, my mojo will return.  I've got some fun ideas....stay tuned and wish me luck.

Skirt As Top TOP

 This cute scoop neck top by Skirt as Top has been popping up here and there and since the pattern is FREE, I thought I'd give it a try.

Though I do really like the style, I was worried it would be a bit big on me.  I'm a pretty small person and big and flowy doesn't really flatter my lack of curves (if you know what I mean).  So I grabbed a shirt with a similar cut and brought the side seam in a bit.  I ended up taking it in even more after finishing.

The style is great, really easy to make and to wear.  I would definitely recommend this pattern as a great way to dive into the world of knits.  For me, it helped me tackle my ever growing pile seen here. 

 

And, while you're thinking of shirts, don't forget that you need a skirt to go with that shirt!  Crafterhours has launched Skirt Week 2013. 

Are you entering?  Look here for some inspiration.  Maybe I'll make another Simplicity 2226 and play along.

Knit-aholic

 

I have a confession....

I've been hoarding knits lately.  The time I've been spending acquiring fabric is starting to far exceed the time I'm been spending sewing fabric.  It's a problem.  But, I'm working on it, and hoping to tackle this pile this Mother's Day weekend.

What about you, do you love fabric shopping like I do?  Got any fun weekend plans?