Saturday, February 19, 2011

Spring Rain Jacket


Ages ago, I purchased this very cool two-sided rain-resistant fabric [purchased from Michael Fabric] with the intention of making this little rain jacket [OOP Vogue 8480].


Returning to warm weather in Cincinnati has pushed this project to the top of the list. I'm going to cut it out today. I plan to modify by eliminating the flare on and lengthening the sleeve. (What is the point of a cropped sleeve on a jacket - that would just annoy me!) I would also like to make the jacket longer so it covers the tush. Since the jacket is not lined, I think I can try the longer length and if it doesn't look right, trim it back to the design length.

JoAnn's has buttons buy one/get one free this weekend so I'll zip over to pick up coordinating buttons this morning.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Birthday Goodness

My middle child turned 20 on Sunday. No more teenager years. (Can I get an Amen, people?) Her birthday present request was for data service for a Blackberry (she already had the phone). Boring present in my mind but it's her birthday, right?

But I also gave her the cutest sweatshirt. Kristine of "Just Keep Sewing" showed some adorable designs she created here and here and I knew my daughter would love one. I emailed Kristine and she agreed to make a couple for me. She uses Vera Bradley fabric for the letters. My daughter goes to Ohio State so I thought she would like that. (She LOVED it!)


And I had to get one for me adorned with my initials.



Saturday, February 05, 2011

Baby Shower Package

I finished the last of the baby shower presents this morning. In addition to the bathrobe I finished last week, I made two hooded towels and 5 bibs.



The hooded towels are made from one bath towel and one wash cloth. I used this tutorial as a starting point but I added some bias binding and the heart appliques for extra cuteness!



I found a bib template here but I didn't use the same instructions. I added some interfacing to the two tabs to strengthen where the snaps would go and I added a contrasting bottom, rick rac and appliques. The back fabric is flannel. I also chose not to use seam binding but instead sewed right sides together, trimmed seams and curves, turned right side out and top stitched. As you can see, I used the bath towel and bathrobe fabrics as well as some other purchased fabrics. I dug out my handy dandy snap setter that hadn't been used in at least 14 years (when my now almost 17 year old son was 3!) I LOVE this tool and enjoyed using it again.



Finally, I purchased a baby "spa" (seriously, a baby spa???) off the gift registry and a few other goodies to complete the bath time theme.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Baby Bathrobe

Mark's daughter is pregnant with her first baby and the baby shower is in a couple weeks. She is having a girl and you all know that means cute baby clothes! I have a few things in mind but the first thing I've finished is a reversible bathrobe. I made this pattern a few years ago for my co-worker and it turned out so cute that I wanted to make it again.



The pink side is flannel and the ducks are just a woven cotton. The pattern is Simplicity 3711 and is still available.