Free downloadable patterns

If you haven't checked out the free downloadable patterns at fabric.com yet, do it!

Right now they have several offerings from Hot Patterns including a couple of bags and a cowl-necked top. These won't be available forever, so grab them while you can!

Another thing to check out are the videos that Hot Patterns posts on YouTube. It's pretty cool to be able to see a face behind the company, and get tips and help with your projects. Just search "hot patterns" and you'll find a bunch of videos!

Fancy Nancy costume

Fancy Nancy costume, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

Here is a costume I made on request by a friend. It's a Fancy Nancy costume, for those who aren't familiar with the children's book character. The skirt was a challenge, being costume satin and all. I hate slippery fabrics! Another challenge was getting the applique to stick on the satin, since I couldn't use high heat toapply the iron-on applique. I used fabric glue and it seems to be doing the trick so far. The underskirt is made from tulle - another favorite fabric. /sarcasm One new technique I did with the skirt was to use 20-pound fishing line in with the thread as I was doing the rolled hem. This helps the skirt to stand out a bit more despite the weight of the applique and the fabric.

I hope she likes it!

Tooth fairy pillow

August 2009 149, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

The boy lost his first tooth the other day. I didn't have much time to whip him up a tooth fairy pillow but I managed. The bandana fabric makes up not only the little pocket for the tooth, but the back of the pillow as well. I tried to make the pocket tooth-shaped, and I made sure to sew across the tops of the roots so the tiny teeth wouldn't get lost or stuck.

It worked out fine and the tooth fairy was able to retrieve the tooth and leave some cash. :)

Shorts!

August 2009 151, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

This is actually the first pair of shorts I made with the Little Smarty Pants pattern, but I just now got around to taking a picture. She has a pink shirt they go nicely with.

Birthday clothes

I've been neglecting this blog way too much. I have several items that I've yet to photograph and post. I'll try harder!

Today I managed to get some pictures of the birthday clothes I made for the kids. They are turning 6 this weekend and it has become an annual tradition for me to applique their age on a shirt for them and take a picture. It's neat to compare year to year and see how much they've grown and changed.

Here are the shirts for this year. I was a little lazy and bought the tees from Hobby Lobby. I can't believe the size I bought for the boy is already almost too small. Yikes!



I also made some matching shorts for the girl using some Chez Ami fabric and the Little Smarty Pants pattern by Favorite Things. These are the second pair I've made - of course I haven't yet taken a photo of the first pair. I really enjoy this pattern because I think it's more stylish than any of the other shorts patterns I have.

Mushrooms!

My kids want a Super Mario Brothers themed birthday party this year, so I made these to surprise them. Unfortunately, the girl spied me uploading pictures so she already knows about them. She promised to keep them a secret...we'll see!

WolfDreamer off the Hook offers this free pattern on her site as well as a few other Super Mario inspired crochet creations!

Motherload of bag tutorials

If you're in the mood to make a bag, start here!