Halloween 2012

Here are some photos during my son's trick or treating in school and in our neighborhood. I made him his Dracula costume using McCall's M6417 pattern in view C.

I was a little bit skeptical with my choice of fabric. Slippery fabrics like satin are very difficult to handle but the walking foot worked fine with it. My son loved his costume. I didn't have a hard time taking his photos because he was very cooperative.

I made this photo box for my son's kinder school.

Pillow and Frame-perfect Pincushions

I had been thinking of making pincushions but never push through with the idea. While I was sewing my son’s Halloween costume, I kept dropping pins on the floor (I have so many) as if suggesting that it’s time to make one and so I did.

I thought about something easy so I made a pillow pincushion.

Then again, I want to see what other people created so I browsed online and saw this cute picture frame pincushion.

 I was inspired so I made my own version. This picture frame was from one of my thrift-shopping and coincidentally my fabric color matched the frame. (Yes, I love, love thrift shops but that’s another story) 

Quilt Backing Fabric

I am currently finishing a Christmas quilt and I am having issues with it. The recommended backing fabric size was off even if I literally followed the author's instructions to the letter. This is so supposed to be the largest quilt I am making thus far and as a newbie I have to rely whatever I read. It seems like the pattern was not tested for accuracy.

But anyway, I figured out a way to make it work. I cut the backing fabric in half lengthwise and added two columns of rectangles in the center and also added fabric in the top and bottom areas. 

Hopefully I will get better as time goes by. For now, I have to put this aside to give attention to another project - my son's Halloween costume. The finish quilt I will post in time for Christmas season.

"let's go fishing" Hat for Boys

Sewing patterns for men and boys are not as extensive as their counterparts. I had this book “Sewing for Boys" by Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage for the longest time and so I thought I should make something quick for my son.

This was an easy-to-sew project though the authors categorized it as intermediate. I used old pants to create it and turned out to be great. My son loves it and me too! Not bad for a casual boy-look.

Project Runway-inspired Dress by Simplicity

September is sewing month. I decided to sew something to wear for my daughter's school event next month. This is the first dress I attempted to create and it took two practice garments, lots of seam ripping and late nights to brought this to life. I'm proud of myself, what can I say! But truthfully, this wasn't an easy task. I've browsed other bloggers' versions and it took them just days to finished theirs.

The first practice garment was way too big and so I figured how in the world can I make this worked. Rereading the pattern instructions and notations, YouTube videos and researching books helped me modified the pattern. The second practice garment was a perfect fit so I was fired up to start the real thing.

I soon realized I have a big hurdle ahead of me. The fabric I purchased has a nap and I have to match the design and center it in the front bodice. Had it been just a solid color, it would have been easier to do. I have to psyched up myself that I can tackle this and refused to believe that it will be one of those unfinished project.

Halfway through, I asked my daughter to do the fitting and was surprised to know that  it was still a little bit loose in the waistline. Rip, rip, rip I go... {sigh} but I didn't want to give up yet. Next day, fitting again and I can tell my kid was getting annoyed already but voila.... it perfectly  fits. I was so happy I finally did it.

 Now, my daughter is supposed to be wearing this in her homecoming dance but decided not to. I'm not sure why but I didn't take  it as a bad thing.  In my mind, she was still not convinced that I did a good job and perhaps in my part I still have to sew some more. As a rookie, I think I nailed it to a point.

I can only wished that I took photos step by step but the process was too tedious for me to even begin. This was accomplished using Simplicity Project Runway Pattern #1803, tafetta for my fabric and lots of patience and persistence.

A Cupcake That Won't Make You Gain Weight... Ever. Promise!

It’s been awhile back since I updated my blog and it dawned on me that I should be sharing regularly what is going on with all my sewing. No more holidays coming up and my home organizing is still a work in progress and that’s what keeping me from creating more things. Yeah I know, more excuses! I’ve been donating and purging like crazy and I am not done yet but I have to stop for a moment to make something for a very special friend.

Yesterday was the advanced celebration of my good friend’s birthday and I thought of giving her something that is cute and handmade. It was very easy to do and friends who gathered last night liked it too. Using a silicone cupcake liner, 2 colors of felt fabrics for the frosting and for the cupcake base, a t-shirt scrap for the top portion and some fiber fill,  these adorable pincushions were a sure hit. Nothing spectacular but who can resist a cupcake! Tell me, it makes you smile, isn’t it?

Other things I made just recently:

Patternless Slipcover

Store-bought T-shirt with attached tie

Store-bought hand gloves personalized with felt fabric hearts