New swimsuit

A new swimsuit for the girl. Ottobre 3/09, #38, size 116. I like that it doesn't ride up her rear end. She picked out the fabric last weekend when swimsuit fabric was on sale for 50% off.

A real bad t-shirt

May 2009 049, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

This simple curved raglan t-shirt that the boy requested ended up giving me fits when it came to using my coverstitcher (Brother 2340CV) on it. I was going for a three thread exposed coverstich and the machine wouldn't work without skipping stitches constantly. After changing needles, rethreading, adjusting the pressure screw, I switched to a 2 needle narrow coverstitch and that was that. Doesn't look very good but I was ready to throw everything out the window by that point! He likes it so I'll take it.

You know, just about everything I've read from Brother coverstitch owners has been so positive. I have had so much trouble since I got mine over a year ago. I find myself avoiding it and dreading its use and that sucks. I got mine used, so maybe that has something to do with it. The only time it might not skip stitches seems to be when I'm sewing on interlock, and that's only if I'm using two needles, not three. Three is always a disaster. I've changed the needles and adjusted everything I could think of to adjust. Anyone have any other ideas other than the obvious one of getting it serviced?

The lost shirt

May 2009 045, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

I made this shirt a while back but lost it, never to be found until I was organizing my fabric. I don't know why I set it aside - maybe to get a picture? I'm just glad it still fits for a bit.

Teacher appreciation week

This coming week is teacher appreciation week. On Friday the kids brought home a paper that gave them ideas for something to do for their teacher each day of the week. Monday's idea is to bring a little treat for her, so we came up with a couple of cute things that I could sew and they could give.

First up is this cute patchwork apple made from more of my Moda Uptown scraps. I used the basic instructions from the tutorial at The Wool Food Mama's blog here. I did the leaves a bit differently. The girl is happy to give this to her teacher tomorrow!



The other item is for the boy to gift. We bought a composition notebook and made a cute cover for it as in this tutorial at Joy's Hope. It was easy and fast and is super cute. I want to make some for me!

I just finished a new outfit for the girl. I'm trying so hard to use up fabrics from my stash. I can't remember the last time I bought fabric! Most of that is because I was in a sewing slump, so I was able to avoid it. Lately, though, I've loaded up my cart at the Chez Ami fabric clearance and emptied it more than once. The temptation is huge!

Anyway, on to the outfit. I bought this stripe a long time ago. I believe it's a cotton/lycra blend; it's very drapey. I thought the yellow accents and the green of the pants went together pretty well.



The girl likes it and is sitting next to me going through my Ottobres and making me a list. 99% of the items on her list are skirts and dresses, things I don't make a whole lot of for her. I guess she's decided to take charge!



My ego's been given a boost lately because the boy and the girl have been wanting all the sewing done for them. I had to tell them that I will alternate. So just for the record, I did make him three pairs of boxer briefs in between the heart skirt and this newest outfit. He prefers mom's underwear over the store bought underwear, I think because the elastic is covered by fabric in the mama made ones. It's pretty good when you can beat out Batman underwear!

Try out a purse pattern for free!

Ottobre Design Magazine has several patterns for free to try out on their site. The latest one is called the Pea Pod Linen Purse. Try it out and let me know how it went!

"Hertta" skirt

Here is the "Hertta" skirt from the 1/2009 issue of Ottobre Design. This one is a size 116. The only change that I left out is the petersham drawstring ribbon. I could just see that thing coming undone, untied, and the girl can't tie a bow yet. I envisioned a big knot mess or else it being pulled out altogether. Maybe a sewn on bow on the front of the waistband would be better.

Speaking of waistbands....ick. I'm really not fond of them. Maybe it's because I'm not good at them. What's the matter with a normal elastic waist treatment on a skirt like this? Next time that's what I plan to do.

The girl will love this. She was so excited watching me sew it up this evening. The next step will be to make up a top to go with it!