Cleaning out the Stash

Over the past year or so, I've dedicated more and more time to sewing. With all the amazing blogs and craft books, I've felt so inspired. But I've learned one thing about myself, I'm a bit scattered and find myself dabbling in different things. I get bored with a project quickly and can't stick to one thing. As a result, my sewing space is full of bins and shelves of different kinds of fabrics and supplies. So, I've decided that I NEED to clean out a little and work with what I've got and try try try to not buy too much new stuff. It's really hard....but so far so good. Here are a few things I've worked on.

I started my craft fair life sewing a simple tunic jumper dress. It's a very fun and easy project, but needed an update. So I added a box pleat to the top and made this cute dress from some red corduroy on my shelf from last Christmas. I especially like the polka dotted facing.

I made another version with a more summery fabric and decided to add a decorative button tab. Can you tell I love polka dots!

Since I've discovered re-purposing, anytime I hit the thrift store, I usually return with armfuls of sweaters for felting and shirts for making shirts for the kids etc. Another new item I've discovered is making onesies from old T-shirts. I love that you can find colors that you might have a hard time finding in a fabric shop. And the elephant applique is really fun!

With all the destashing, I did treat myself to a little bit of new fabric. I bought a yard of this heart print on sale with the intention of making a tunic for my 4 year old, but was also feeling the onesie inspiration. I've got the tunic cut out and should have it sewn up soon....unless I get distracted by another project.....

And now for the shameless plug. All these items are for sale in my esty, shop: www.zaaberry.etsy.com. Click on over and take a look!

Halloween Then and Now

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year and though I love to sew, for some reason, I'm not a huge fan of sewing Halloween costumes. So, 2 years ago when my daughter was 2 and my son was only a few weeks old, I looked into his Halloween future and planned a costume for my daughter I could reuse....

She was a Chef-cook! (she asked what a chef was...I said someone who cooks....the 2 year old brain decided she's a chef-cook, and the name stuck)

Here she is in action at my good friend Jane of All Trade's annual Halloween bash.




Aren't they cute!

And here's the boy, 2 years later at the same Halloween bash. The costume is a little less ironed and a little more stained, but it works.


This time around, the girl wanted to be as girly as can be and was one of a handful of princesses at the party. Her costume came out okay....but she likes it and that's all that really matters. I think I'll be finding glitter on my sewing room floor for years to come! You can't tell from the photo, but that pink fabric is covered in glitter.
Happy Halloween.....and happy costume sewing!

A Vest for the Boy

The fall weather is in full swing and the kids and I have been decked out in our vests. My son has been wearing this old vest that is a hand-me-down from his sister and really starting to be too small......but I LOVE it!


So, since the vest I made for my daughter was such a success, I decided to try my hand at a boy's vest. This posed a challenge since the one thing I avoid like the plague is sewing zippers.

I had this old blanket I'd found when cleaning out a closet. Yes, we had a Patriots blanket for our babies.....yes, we love football.....


And here's what it became....


I don't love the way this came out, it's okay. It's been worn and it's functional, but not exactly what I was going for. Oh well....sewing for boys is sometimes harder than it should be.