Bohemian Booties

There is nothing I like more than a pair of soft, cozy slippers (unless it's a tall, cold glass of ice water or a pair of new socks). I used this cute pattern to make a pair of slippers for a sweet friend.

The pattern is by Amanda Herring from The Quilted Fish and sadly, I learned as I was writing this post that the pattern doesn't appear to be available any more. (Hopefully there are a few copies floating around the Ebay or Etsy universe.) There are similar patterns out there though, and some of them are free. Yay!

The construction was a little tricky with some curves and tight spaces, but they turned out so cute!

The soles are a soft suede. After a lot of easing and clipping, it all worked out in the end, but the sole pattern seemed a little small for the bootie pattern since there's not much (or any) give to the suede. So, if I were you, I would wait to cut the sole pattern until you have the slipper top constructed. You will thank me later when you get a better fit and don't break out in a sweat trying to make it work! I used paper clips to hold everything together since I didn't want to stick pins in the suede. I'm sure there are better methods out there, but they worked and I had them around the house. Also, my sewing machine and the suede didn't really get along. You might want to think twice about using suede if you make them. I like it because it is more durable than the usual slipper bottom fabric.

You can't see it from the photo, but there is an elastic and button detail on the side of the slippers. I didn't see the elastic measurement in the pattern, so I emailed the designer and she told me that she used a coated hair elastic (like these) Adorable! I used the thinner type since I was already sewing through soooo many layers. 

I love the cotton print I used, but unless you are only going to wear your slippers while sitting in your lounge chair, eating bon-bons and watching a romantic comedy, I would recommend using a darker fabric than I did!

Natalie Bucket Bag

A girl can't have too many bags! Right? This Natalie Bucket Bag by ithinksew was the perfect choice for a young friend's thirteenth birthday.

See pattern here

I loved the designer's leather accents, but opted for a darling printed duck fabric from Hobby Lobby. With a 40% off coupon, it was also a great economical choice. The bright pink lining pant-weight fabric I had on hand added a little spunk to the project.

I made the finished bag a backpack rather than going with the designed shoulder strap. That process was easy. The only thing I would do different would be to add a loop at the top for easier hanging.

For the adjustable backpack straps, I used two one inch Dritz D rings and two one inch Dritz slide adjusters. I cut two four by thirty-two inch strips and followed the steps below prior to sewing the lining and bag bottom.

1. Fold both strips in half and press. 

2. Open straps and press each side into the center and press.

3. Fold strap in half again and press.

4. Topstitch down both sides of each strap the entire length of the strap.

5. Cut a 4-inch piece from the end of each shoulder strap to attach to the D rings. Thread the backpack straps through the slider adjustments and stitch. Baste the D ring tabs to the bottom corners of the bag. The straps go side by side at the center top of the bag. Baste in place and continue to attach the bag bottom and lining as instructed.

If you decide to make your own Natalie Bucket Bag and have questions about the shoulder strap treatment, ask away. I'd be happy to help!

A Little Mermaid

Who isn't enchanted by a mermaid? With this quick and easy pattern, you can make a mermaid for every little one in your life who wants to be one.  

I used this pattern by Bit of Whimsy: 

Pattern Here

The instructions suggested that the yarn pig tails are sewn into the seam. I got better results by adding them after the doll was finished and stuffed. I wrapped the yarn around my fingers until it was as full as I wanted and then stitched securely to both sides of the head by hand. 

The mermaids are only 12" so it's a great project to use some of the scraps we all have stashed in boxes and crates, cupboards and drawers. These little mermaids can't go in the water, but I know my sweet granddaughters sleep with their mermaids almost every night.

Pajama Time

With little ones, isn't the best part of the day bath time and getting them ready for bed in a snuggly pair of pajamas? Since my children are grown, it would be weird if I did that now, but I still love a nice pair of warm pajamas. For Christmas, I used this pattern to make pajamas for my sweet granddaughters:

See pattern here

I thought the design was darling! As a bonus, it came with a pattern for the American Girl doll size. 

In my experience, pattern company sizes for children run a bit large compared to store sizes, so it's best to go by measurements when selecting a pattern size. My granddaughter is seven, but I made a size six and added some length. The pattern called for packaged bias tape to finish the edges, but I made a bias tape with a nifty bias tape maker instead. It's softer than bias tape trim and it also complimented the cuffs at the wrist and ankle. I skipped the interfacing in the cuffs. I actually tried it first as suggested in the pattern, but even a light interfacing made them too stiff for my liking. The flannel I used for the trim was heavy enough to hold its shape without the interfacing. I also reinforced the snap closures with some interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric in the snap areas.

The pattern also has a pair of pajamas that would be perfect for summer. I love how they turned out so much, I might just make another pair or two or three!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

It's getting a little late to deck the halls since Christmas is just around the corner, but this year I needed some cute stockings to tuck some treats in for holiday gift-giving. I loved this little gem by mmmcrafts the minute I saw it. I needed a dozen or so and thought it wouldn't be too difficult to make.  

See pattern here

The ivy leaves are traced onto felt and cut by hand, which I did while watching "Murder She Wrote" reruns:) The most time consuming part of the project was hand-sewing the sequins. That process took about 15-20 minutes per stocking. 

I just finished making a bunch. I used wool felt like the designer recommended. I rounded the toe out to give it more fullness and I reduced the pattern to 72% since I didn't need a full-sized stocking. I also added some lace around the top to make it a little more elegant and bound it with taffeta I had left over from another project. I love the way the sequins make this project sparkle. I can't wait to fill them and give them away! 

Fa-La-La-La Fabulous!

If you are decking your own halls or looking for a cute gift for a friend, this whimsical pillow is a fabulous choice.

http://www.kimberbelldesigns.com/shop/ALL-Kimberbell-Products/p/FaLaLaLa-Fabulous-Pillow-x663922.htm

I bought my pattern at a local quilt store, but it's still available in a couple of Etsy shops. I gave several pillows as gifts last year. They were fun to make and my friends loved them.

The pattern was easy to follow and the pillow is a cute size. I wanted a little bit of texture, so instead of ironing on the boot cuffs, I traced them and turned them to give added dimension, but I think it's cute either way. (Is it just me or does the finished piece remind you of Kermit the Frog?:)

For filler I used Morning Glory Cluster Stuff. It's available at Hobby Lobby, but that's the only place I've seen it locally. It's a little tricky to work with because it's in small pieces, but it's perfect for pillows because it doesn't clump together. It's also perfect for me because I have a tendency to stuff everything as solid as a rock and this stuff(ing) keeps me from doing that.

Whose Christmas wouldn't be fa-la-la-la fabulous with the addition of this darling pillow?

A horse? Of course!

My granddaughter Prentice loves purses and ponies, so why on earth wouldn't I make this for her birthday?

kwiksew.mccall.com/k3970

I have a stash of fabric the size of Texas and I'm pretty sure I could have found something there that was cute enough for the project, but when I saw Riley Blake's My Sunshine Paisley, I couldn't say no. It's not my fault that it was perfect for the main purse fabric. The cute pink and orange polka-dot for the purse lining, pony ears and accent heart came from Jo-Ann, as did the fur, trims and yarn for the tail.  

The pattern was simple. There weren't a lot of pieces. The instructions were straightforward and easy to follow. I wish I could remember how long it took from start to finish. I do have a habit of seriously underestimating the time any project is going to take, but sweet Prentice loved it, so that's all that matters. It's a fun project, so if you have a purse and pony lover on your gift list, you should give it a try!