Needle Felting Fun

We've been enjoying a really fun winter break.  It's been a lot of relaxing, staying in our pajamas and trying out some new crafts.  My daughter has been interested in learning about needle felting so we got some supplies and tried it out.

This is really fun activity for kids and adults.  Both my kids, age 8 and 6 were able to make some cute little shapes and had a lot of fun doing it.

 Here's what you'll need if you want to give it a try.  A foam block, needle felting tool, wool roving, and a cookie cutter for the shape.  We watched this video to get us started.  One word of caution, the needle felting tool is just that, it's a needle.  I was very nervous that the kids would poke themselves and reminded them constantly (much to their annoyance) to be careful.  In the end, the only one who poked themselves was me!  Go figure.

We attached metal rings to a few so we could use them as keyrings or backback charms.  They would also make really fun Valentine's gifts.

Once you get the hang of it, it's fun to experiment.  There are lots of videos and tutorials for endless fun!

Here's to a fun and crafty New Year!

Sweatshirt Dress for Me // My Creative Process

If you read my last post, you already know that I've put myself on a fabric buying freeze.  I've decided I have way too much fabric and I need to use some of it up before I'm allowed to buy anything new. 

I had the itch to sew something for myself and grabbed this green sweatshirt fleece off my shelf.  I have a few yards of this and it's the same fabric I used to make a cardigan for my son over 2 years ago!!

Right now I pretty much live in leggings, boots, and long sweaters or tunics.  This particular sweatshirt fleece has a super soft underside and much more stretch than is typical.  I contemplated making a Lola Tunic.  I have the pattern cut and ready to go, but it just isn't quite what I want.  It looks a little oversized in it's fit.  Which brings me to my "creative process".  I have trouble following patterns because I find myself wanting to go in my own direction.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

 image source

 I searched around and found this picture for my inspiration.  I think the result is not too far off, though I'm not sure my fabric drapes quite the same.  Here's what I did.

 I wanted the top to be fitted but also a little slouchy.  I grabbed a dolman style sweater and traced it for the top and sleeves. 

 For the skirt, I used my Dress Pockets Tutorial and Pattern.

 Because this fabric is kind of thick, I cut one of the pockets out of a lightweight knit to make it less bulky.

I also didn't want to topstitch the pocket opening, so  instead I understitched it.  If it's not a technique you're familiar with, there's a great tutorial and explanation here at Sewaholic.  The purpose is to keep a lining from peeking out without having to topstich.  Essentially you sew the seam allowance to the lining or in this case the pocket.  I'm not sure why it works, but it definitely holds the lining in.

Once I put the bodice and skirt together, I had to do A LOT of tweeking.  By the end of the night I was pretty sure my "creative process" had failed me.  I ended up having to add darts to the front and back and also took the sides in so much that the pockets openings are pretty tiny.  Good thing I have small hands, because they still fit in.

I topstitched a little triangle a the neck on the front, tried the dress on, and was pleasantly surprised.

 It's far from perfect.  The white thread from my serger (I always only use white because I hate changing the thread) peeks through in spots and some of the seams are a little wonky, but it's amazingly comfortable.

 And I kind of love this side view.

 I'm happy that so far I've managed to not buy new fabric and now have a new dress!  Win, win.

Getting Organized // New Clothing Labels

 Over Thanksgiving break, I took advantage of the extra time off and went through my fabric.  I folded and organized and put together a bag of fabric to donate to a friend's business.  I love to buy fabric and end of buying more than I actually use.  So I made a pledge to not buy any new fabric until I use a bunch of what I've already got.  Part of that means sewing up some items to sell in my etsy shop.

I did a few craft events in November and ended up feeling a little disappointed with how much stuff I didn't sell.  It's not really about the money for me, I have a full time job and don't think I'd enjoy sewing if I depended on it as my primary income.  What I do enjoy is making cute things for cute people, ie baby clothes!  My kids are getting old enough now that they are pickier about their clothes and truthfully, their clothes are big enough that it takes so much fabric to make something for them, it's cheaper to buy them things...  It's not always about saving money, but that's a whole separate post. 

 So, in an effort to use the fabric I have, I've been making lots of cute baby things that will be listed soon.  I've been wanting to make new labels for my baby clothes for a LONG time and finally took the time to do it.  I designed the label in Powerpoint so that when it's folded in half, one side has my shop name and the other has the size.

 I printed the labels on printable fabric, cut and ironed.  I think they are so cute and I'm really happy with the way they look sewn into the side seam of the baby clothing.

It's amazing how something so little can feel so satisfying!