Recent fabric purchases

All washed, dryed, ironed and ready to sew!

$1.49 flannel from JAs Black Friday sale - planning on dresses for Nora, as well as little pants for Josh out of the owl fabric. I had one yard cut and then changed my mind and got another yard cut because it's just too stinking cute.

$1-$3 Red Tag Fabrics - some of which I even got for 1/2 off a few weeks ago at a sale.


These are from the remnant bin. All of them were close to a yard of fabric. Two are cute, cute, cute, and the others are good for contrasting fabrics.

The fabric on the left - I thought was adorable, and only $2 per yard! The middle two fabrics are more Red Tag fabric - maybe a reversible apron? Lastly, you've seen the fabric on the right before - in the apron that I kept for myself. My friend Carrie commented that she thought it was cute fabric and I'm making up a mommy and me apron set for her and her DD, so I bought some more of this today. It's $4 per yard in the Red Tag fabric. I got the original round for my apron for 1/2 off - wish I would have bought more that day! It was almost a solid bolt before, but apparently, more than just myself liked it. :)

Apron swap

True to my nature, my swap package is going into the mail, today, the last day. I'm waiting for my husband to get home so that I can run to the post office. I'd have gone earlier, but I'm afraid that after a trip to the breastfeeding support group and then to Walmart (I know, I know, but it's the closest store to me and there's that whole I'm pissed at Target thing too) Nora was done. Finished. So, home we came. Of course, we still had to eat, so after eating I told her she could lay in my bed or her crib (I'm trying to get her used to a big girl bed because she's going to need to transition to one soon enough) or in her crib. After several false starts on going to sleep I finally put her in her crib, where she's sleeping now. So, now I wait for my husband. He's not bowling tonight in order to finish up some work so I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know that I need to take 10 minutes to go to the post office!

I read on another blog that you're supposed to package your swap package nice AND you're supposed to include a little note. So, I made this up, the apron, as well as cute little bell earings are inside:

It's a placemat! I just sewed two straight lines, added a magnetic snap and then made that little ribbon thing to cover the snap. I think it's adorable - it's a cute little clutch that I'd use for a holiday party. :)

Please excuse the Tiffany's vase it's propped up on it - which makes the purse look a little wonky - it's really not. And, yes, I did name drop, thank you very much. :p The vase is huge and very heavy. I love it.

More apron sewing

I used this pattern, view B.

I wish I could say it was as easy to make as they claim. In fact, the instructions were just bad. Or maybe they weren't - maybe it's just because I have a two year old and an 8 week old and well, I'm tired. In any case, I still think the apron is too long - and because the apron pocket is essentially the same size, it makes for a very deep pocket. I think it would be a great house cleaning apron. You know, for when you're picking things up in the living room that belong in the bathroom, kitchen, and various bedrooms? Right, just put it all in there instead of running back and forth between the rooms over and over.

I did do a few alterations to it. First, I'm not sure who in their right mind thought that you could sew the pieces together - as in, lay the pieces out the way they'll be seen and sew them up. Then turn and fold to create a hem. Um, on the round? Not as easy to do as on a square. On the round and I would have been cursing for hours - the time it would have taken me to sew the hem. So, I did what any lazy lady would do. I pulled out the bias tape and used that. :)

Once it was all put together, those pockets just sort of flopped out and did not look like the picture. Since they're the same size, once you gather the top, well, floppiness ensues. So, I did a little pleat in each pocket.

On the waistband, I used a decorative stitch. Mainly, because I wanted to make sure that the folded over part of the waistband (per the instructions) that had the unfinished edge would catch underneath, so that it wouldn't unfold and start to unravel the fabric. It did not match up where I would have put a straight line - either slightly above the seam or on the seam of the waistband, but rather below it. Which makes sense in a way, since the idea was to make sure that the seam of the waistband was also within the waistband so that that fabric would not unravel and it would not need to be zig zagged. If I had a serger, I'd probably serge all the edges and worry about this less. Even still, the decorative stitch makes it look rather vintage, IMO.

Finally, I left out the lace. I'm more of a no fuss, no muss girl. Plus, if I don't sell this? It'll become a gift, and well, most of the women I know? They're the same way.

Without further ado, here is my version (sorry for the blurry picture - I need a form so that I do not have to take pictures of myself in the mirror):

Flirty Apron Swap - finished apron!

I finally finished the flirty apron swap apron. It's gone through several different design changes, yes, I've been using my seam ripper. But, I'm finally happy with the outcome. In the end, I don't think it needed bling so much as it was screaming to be a full apron.

So, what do you think?

Amy Butler's In Stitches - apron & a big name pattern

I decided, after repeatedly looking through the In Stitches book over and over again that I would make the apron. I was excited because I usually just cut freehand for my aprons and often times spend extra time in the end because the fabric is not straight. I went into the pocket of patterns and started looking. Not there. Hmmm. Flip to the page of directions. Oy vey - measure and trace? So, I started it. Despite spending several hours working on it, I didn't get too far.

I didn't get much further before I went to JoAnn's and bought more fabric (hey, it was on sale and I had a coupon) and a big name apron pattern. Later that night I went to my craft room in the basement to see what I was going to start on. I looked at the Amy Butler book. And then I looked at my pattern I'd bought. I cut the pattern and started on that. I must say that I didn't really follow the instructions for the apron, but I used the pattern pieces (though, next time it's going to be shortened a bit).

The next day, at nap time, I again ventured to the basement. I looked again at the In Stitches book and my half cut fabric and at the big name pattern. I went with the big name pattern. Cut it out. Read the instructions - oy vey, were they complicated. Changed them up a bit and got to work. Okay, so I pretty much have not followed any of the instructions on this apron - but I'll likely use the pattern for several different types of aprons - it's nice to have the printed piece. On this particular apron, it calls for gathering, but I might go ahead and make some boxy pleats instead.

And, the In Stitches apron that I started? Still sitting there and likely will for some time. Why? It's hard for me to draw a straight line, that's why. I think I'll stick with my free hand, but use the apron ties from the big name pattern.

That said, the other patterns look great and the instructions seem so much simpler than the big name patterns. I wish she had just included the squares - I can't draw a straight line - even with a ruler! I am going to be trying the checkbook cluthch soon - though, it seems a bit daunting to me I think it would be a great accessory for me. Although, I probably have to draw a few straight lines for that one too.

A rant on Target

Sunday night as I was using google reader to read my blogs, I came across an awesome deal. A Britax Marathon for $42 in Granite. There was another, cow print which was priced at just under $60. Speculation was that this was a clearance on these two colors, likely to make way for new prints. For the price, I wouldn't have even been upset had the seat been slightly older. If you don't have a child, you might wonder what that matters, but it does, most car seats have an expiration date of six years from the date of manufacture. If you're paying full price, that's obviously an important consideration. If you're getting an awesome deal, you can oversee this.

There has been speculation all day today about whether or not this deal was legit. Some online reported their orders were canceled. Early this evening, I decided to check my order status. My order was gone, no explanation. A few hours later, I received an email:

Due to an unexpected error, the following item(s) you have ordered
were incorrectly priced at the time of your order.

Britax Marathon Convertible Car Seat - Granite

We're sorry, but we are unable to offer this item for the incorrect
price. The correct price is $279.99. We have canceled your order for
this item. If you would like to order this item at the correct price,
please visit Target.com to check for availability.

Despite our best efforts, a small number of items on our site are
occasionally mis-priced. We do, however, verify prices as part of our
shipping procedures. If we discover that an item's correct price is
higher than our stated price, we will either contact you for
instructions before shipping or cancel your order and notify you of
the cancellation. This pricing policy is posted in the Help section
on Target.com.

Again, we're sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused
you. Thank you for being our valued guest.


Sincerely,

Guest Service Department
Target.com
http://www.target.com


Well, I for one, think this is crap! Retailers have been complaining about the economy and how they were afraid that sales were going to slip this holiday season. There has been talk of early Black Friday sales. As a consumer, why would this error really matter in the grand scheme of things? Because, it sends a bad precident: we'll advertise something really low, get a bunch of people to order that and hopefully other things and then say oops. The old bait and switch.

If I were to have bought this in store, I would have had the price honored at check out. If I check out from the target.com website, why is this any different? I got an email confirmation and an order number - and it should be honored. Why? So that we have faith in Target's website. As it stands now, we'll all wonder - is this just a good deal or is this another ooops? Better to shop somewhere else.

As I wrote to Target in an email, they should understand that this made the rounds. Around the mommy blogosphere, this deal circulated. How many of us bought this and had our orders not fulfilled? Target should take note about the recent Motrin ad that targeted baby wearing moms - we moms talk. And, do they really want to be the subject of a negative discussion amongts moms on blogs, message boards and through email?

Still sewing

I think I have missed a day or two of sewing this month, but overall, it's going great. :)

Here's what I whipped up tonight. I think I'm keeping it for myself....maybe. ;)

I made a trip to JoAnn's and spent way too much money there! I love that place, so it's a good thing everything I bought was on sale. I'm afraid that I didn't buy enough extra of this fabric - though, it's in the $4 red tag fabric (and was 1/2 off tonight!) so I might need to go back for more. I have a bunch more cute fabrics that I'll be showing off soon.


Pictures are wonky tonight - sorry!

Tweet tweet....

I stumbled upon a tutorial for birds today. Birds you ask? Yes, and they were totally cute. Needless to say, I took some time to make some tonight. There are still a few more tweaks I'll end up making to them, but they go together fairly quickly - the stuffing takes the longest time. Oh, and you can use some of the scraps from your other projects. I always like projects where I don't need to buy more fabric! Not that I don't like to buy fabric, it's just, fabric costs money and well, I'm cheap. ;)

More sewing

I've been really good about sewing! Here are some completed projects.

If anyone is interested in anything, please let me know. :) I have not put them up on etsy yet, but can!

Also, I'll be headed to the post office on Tuesday to get my swap apron sent off, so I could easily ship any of the lovelies that I've made the last few days.

I also finished making Nora a car seat coat - which is really nothing more than a poncho that has a front opening. It's red fleece and ties with a ribbon. It was a three piece pattern - though, I cut the front up for my car seat purposes, so we could call it a four piece pattern. Still, super easy and went together pretty quick. I made this one out of fleece but I plan on making more of these for her, I especially want to make her a nicer one for the upcoming holidays. I used this pattern.

Sewing after dark

After Nora went to bed I took Josh to the basement (he hangs out in his swing in my sewing room) and whipped up this:

I might list it in my etsy shop (that has like nothing in it) or else I will see if my mil will put it up in her shoppe since it fits in so well with her shoppe.

November sewing

Yes, I have been sewing. I usually sew during naps and after bed time. I did not sew on Sunday, I was too exhausted from the rally.

I got back to work though. :)

I have finished two of three crayon roll ups for Becky:
And then I got started on my fancy holiday hostess apron swap. The swap host had encouraged using old prom dresses. I had two fabrics (re-using fancy clothes) that were fancy and could fit the holiday criteria, a beautiful brown (Thanksgiving) and maroon (Christmas). But, I was waiting to see what my swap partner listed on her likes. Turns out, she's a Thanksgiving lover. Now, we don't have to mail until almost Thanksgiving, but since she likes it so much and since I was going with that in my color choices, I thought that I should get busy so that I could send it in time to use for Thanksgiving. Since it's a fancy swap, I didn't use fabrics that were themed - those seem more casual to me. Anyways, here's what I came up with:
It doesn't really pop on camera. It ties on the side, as you can tell. It has two ruffles on the bottom and it has a pocket. Here's a close up of the pocket and the pinwheels that are on either side:














It seems rather blah in the picture and I certainly don't want to send out a blah apron. But, it's a fancy holiday apron swap - I was thinking simple was more fancy. So, what do you think? Does it need more bling? Lace? Accessories? Color?

See Katie Sew: A giveaway for two

See Katie Sew: A giveaway for two

Katie is giving away lots of great fabric (even some great Amy Butler fabric). Go check it out! If you enter to win and mention my name, I'll get even more entries into the contest.

Speaking politics for a moment...

I haven't really talked politics on this blog, but I'm going to for a minute today. Primarily because tomorrow is voting day and partly because yesterday, I had the privilege to see Bruce Springstein yesterday - oh, and Barack Obama, in Cleveland.

I guess the estimates have the crowd at around 80,000 people. It was massive, I can tell you that. Despite getting there at around 1:45 pm, I ended up in the overflow area. Here's a picture I took shortly before the rally started of the overflow area. I simply stuck my cell phone up high and pointed it backwards. It's important to note that behind us is the lake (as in Erie, it's a big enough one to just call the lake), so there was pretty much no more room in the overflow area.

It was awesome and inspiring. Barack Obama is an awesome speech. Halfway through his speech, it started to sprinkle. Everyone stayed. I did too, though I had a moment of oh, gosh, is it bad to keep my seven week old out in this? But, my quick thought was - I was wearing him, his legs and arms were tucked in and he had a hood on his outfit, so I put his hood over his head and he stayed dry and toasty. :) And, um, how was I supposed to get out of that crowd? Better, in my opinion to wait.

The diversity was great. There were old, young, black, white, asian - well, just about everyone. Awesome that so many people are getting out this year. I saw many parents with children. The ones with strollers I felt bad - it certainly wasn't easy to navigate a stroller with that many people down there. I was glad that I was wearing my baby.

I rode the Rapid into Cleveland, on my way back, I needed change, so I stood in line to get change for my $10 bill. A mom behind me and her son commented on little Josh and were making small talk - guess what the son's name was? Joshua. :) It was his first Presidential election at 19 and he was very excited to tell me that he had early voted for Barack Obama. :)

People were very nice to me - mainly because of Josh, I'm sure. :) There were a group of ladies, probably in their early 50's who were near me in the crowd, when people were trying to barge through, like the drunken Browns fans who were clearly trying to stir up trouble, were trying to shove through, they were very mother hen over us to make sure that we didn't get shoved.