TUTORIAL: Fabric Bookmark with Pocket

Here's a simple little tutorial you can whip up just in time for Mother's Day.

Who wouldn't love to receive a pretty bookmark with a little gift card or special note tucked in a clear pocket?

Grab some scraps and let's get to work.

 You'll need:  

• 2 fabrics rectangles, 3.25inches x 7 inches
• 1 rectangle of mid-weight, fusible interfacing 2.5inches X 6.25 inches (I use Craft Fuse)
• 1 scrap piece of vinyl
• optional ribbon scrap 

 With right sides together, sew around all  sides with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a small opening for turning on one short end.

 Clip the corners, turn right-side-out and iron.

Fold interfacing in thirds and slide it inside the bookmark.

 Then using a pen or knitting needle, flatten it out

Iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.

 If you are using a ribbon, fold it in half and insert the raw ends into the opening, pin in place.

 Grab your vinyl scrap and lay it on top of bookmark.  It should be about 3 inches tall.  Don't worry about the width, you'll trim it later.  It's best to have it hang over the sides, it makes it easier to sew.

Sewing with vinyl is like sewing oilcloth, it can be tricky.  My walking foot had no problem at all with this.  If you don't have a walking foot, there are some great tips HERE at sew, mama, sew.

With the vinyl in place, top-stitch all around, making sure to catch all the vinyl (this won't be a problem if you cut it larger than the bookmark) and close the opening you left for turning.

Add a gift card or note and you're done!

 A sweet little gift for someone special.

 Your mom, a friend, a favorite teacher....

Who will you give yours to?

Red Pants

Yesterday I went to 3 stores in search of a pink cardigan for the little girl and pants of any kind, that cost less than $15, for the boy.  I came home pretty much empty handed.

Last year's pants

So, I turned to Dana's kid pants tutorial.  I made a few pairs last year and decided to try it again.  All I had in my stash was some red linen-like fabric and though they do the trick, it's hard to come up with tops that work with red pants.

Guess I'll just have to buy more fabric :)

And if you've got a keen eye, you might spot a preview of a simple, stash-busting tutorial coming up.  Any guesses?

Bike Bucket for a Boy

 My friend Roselee and her kids were over last week for some biking and she commented that it was time to make my son a bike bucket.  She has made some really cute ones for her girls. 

 So I followed the same Noodlehead tutorial she used and voila, bike bucket for a boy!  

The one thing I did differently is make the lining about 2 inches taller than the exterior, so I could just fold it over and sew in place, rather than sewing a separate binding on the top.

My son is just starting to really ride his bike, and yes, he is riding his older sister's hand-me-down Dora bike.  Now much more manly with his construction themed bucket.

The perfect spot to carry along a special friend.

New Pajamas

  New fabric + new pattern = new pajamas!

I've been seeing a lot of posts out there using Rae's Flashback skinny tee pattern.  The little ones are in need of new pajamas, so I jumped on the bandwagon and bought myself a copy.

I found this fabric in the clearance section at Joann's, which was 50% off last weekend!  Major score.  

I made the pants using a pattern in Growing Up Sew Liberated.

Both patterns are really easy to follow and the sizing was right on.  I've made pants and tees before, but I've always traced a piece of clothing to make the pattern.  It's nice to have a ready to go, sized right pattern.

Just for Fun Top

So, do you think anybody will notice if I wear ruched-sleeve tops all Spring?

I couldn't help myself, I made another Spring top...just for fun.  

This time I did a boatneck and longer sleeves, and I love it. 

It's the little things...

Sometimes it's those little projects that can be so satisfying. 

 I have been meaning to re-cover this chair cushion for quite some time.  My good friend Roselee, from Jane of All Trades, and I made a trip up to Keene, NH to check out a new-to-us fabric store.  

I wasn't sure about this fabric, but it was a decent price, so I bought it.  And oh how I love it!  Last night I kept peeking out my window at the chair.  I'm sure my neighbors thought I was going crazy.

 

 Another simple project I've made recently was this fabric basket and bean bag set.  We have some little friends turning 1, and thought this would be perfect. The great part about this project is that in constructing the basket, you cut out 4x4 squares to make the bottom and so your bean bag pieces are already cut.  How great is that!

 So simple and so satisfying.

Spring Top Flop

 I started working on another Spring Top a week or so ago, and it ended up as more of a spring flop.  It doesn't look so bad on the hanger, but there are some definite construction problems.

 You can see the little oopsie where the sleeve meets the armhole.  I do really like the contrasting thread on the sleeve ruffle hems. But, the sleeves are just a bit TOO puffy.  I feel a little like I'm wearing shoulder pads.

   This is what I was going for.  

 

image source 

Maybe I'll try again....or maybe just move on to something else.

 Here's to more successful projects in the future!

 

Easter Cookies and the News...

 Growing up, one of my closest friends would invite me over to celebrate Easter with her very large, very Italian family. I decided to try to recreate the delicious Easter cookies I looked forward to enjoying at her house ever year.

 I used this recipe and made mine with almond extract.  I packed some up to share with friends.  
These cookies are soooo yummy.  Light and almondy, with a sweet icing. 

The perfect Easter treat.

And, if you haven't popped over to Made-By-Rae yet, you haven't heard the news....

my Simple White Pleats top won the Reader's Choice for Week 1!  And only by a small margin, so thank you to all of you who voted!

There will be a whole new batch of tops next week, so be sure to check back.  And keep your eye on all the great submissions in the Flickr pool. 

Happy Easter!

The VOTE!

Wow, I wasn't expecting both my tops to make it to the finals, and in the same week!

Go check me out with all the finalists for this week.  Remember to vote for your favorite ;)  You have until noon, Eastern time, this Friday.  A whole new batch of great tops will be up next week.


If nothing else, this has been such a great inspiration to do some selfish sewing.  In fact, I've got my Rays of Sunshine top on today!

For those who asked, yes, I'll try to post a tutorial for these at some point soon.

Hope you feel inspired to do some selfish sewing as well!

Spring Top #2

 Well, I wasn't planning on entering another top in Rae's Spring Top competition, but this top needed to be made. 

 I drafted the pattern from a H&M top that I have.  I ruched the sleeves by sewing a thin elastic to the seam allowance.  Very easy and really cute!

 The fabric is from The Fabric Fairy and is a really nice cotton/lycra with the perfect amount of stretch for a top. 

 Online, it looked more yellow.  It's a bit more orange in real life, but still really great.
Wishing you a fun and Springy weekend (it's snowing where I am).

Simple Pleats

 My first, and maybe only Spring Top Sewalong Entry. 

I had a lot of fun making this shirt.  If you looked at my Sewalong Inspiration Pinboard, you might have guessed I was thinking about pleats.

 They ended up being easier to do than I thought.  This fabric is so slinky and stretchy, it definitely called for my walking foot this time.  Worked like a charm. 

Despite the possessed look on my face, I am absolutely in love with this top.  Very comfy, flattering and wearable. 

Check out all the other great entries here. 

Swimsuit Tutorial Part 2 - Making Your Own Pattern

The first thing you need to make your own pattern is a swimsuit that fits.  I used this one because it fit my daughter perfectly. 

I like to cut patterns on the fold, so the first step is to fold the suit in half.  Pinning helps keep everything flat and even.  I also pinned the bum inside so I could trace better.

To draw the pattern, I start with a straight line.  This will be placed on the fabric fold.  I find craft paper to be really great for cutting patterns.  This roll I bought at the Dollar Store.

Trace around the suit exactly as it is.  We'll add the appropriate seam allowances in the next step.

Since we'll be adding 3/8inch elastic to the leg opening, I added a 3/8inch seam allowance.  The easiest way to do this is to simply lay the elastic along your traced line and trace again. 

I added a 1/4inch seam allowance on the side and 3/8inch along the top and armhole.

Most bathing suits have the crotch seam offset to the back, so we have to add that on to our front piece.

Lay the bathing suit on the pattern as shown and trace.  Add the seam allowances....

and you've got a pattern!

Do the same for the back.

Keep in mind that crotch seam again.

Cut out the pattern pieces you've created and double check that the side seams are the same length.  You might have to make some minor adjustments.

Check the crotch seam as well.

There you have it.  Pretty straight-forward.