Gingham Crib Quilt

A few months ago we bought some new things for my son's room. His crib and dresser are light wood and his crib sheet is mint green with a white blanket. I loved everything together, but I needed to add a bit more color. I loved the idea of adding navy and a mustard or orange color.

I found the perfect grey, blue, and navy fabric at Super Buzzy in Ventura. 

I calculated how much fabric I had and how big I could make the quilt. If I did 4 inch squares (5" including the seam allowance), I could make a 45"x55" quilt, roughly the size of a crib quilt. 

I had just enough of each color to make this happen. I had a half yard of the grey and navy fabrics and one yard of the blue. Here is the gingham pattern all laid out:

Fabric all cut!

Once I had the gingham pattern sewn together, I started my search for the perfect fabric for the backing. 

I found the most perfect fabric at Joann. I fell in love with it right away. Its a white cotton with navy, blue, and mustard X's. The pattern is so simple and delicate, just what I had hoped for. It also made the decision easy for me: the binding had to be mustard!

My little helper!

The most time consuming part was stitching the straight lines on each side of each seam. It took a long time, but it was worth it. No other quilting technique would have don't this quilt justice. 

I found the matching shade of mustard quilting cotton from Quilty Pleasures. 

The "X" fabric perfectly matches the mustard binding and the blues. 

All finished! Just in time for the weather to get a little chilly! 

The best thing about quilts is that they get softer and softer with each wash. I've loved to watch my son grow attached to his new quilt. Every once in a while, he will drag it around the house with him after he wakes up from a nap and it makes my heart melt. 

Persephone Pants

My favorite (and most worn) make of the summer has been my Persephone Pants. I've worn them multiple times a week since I finished them.

I was debating between a few different patterns for a while. I wanted to make some cropped high waisted wide leg pants and I knew I wanted them in a cream/natural denim. 

I decided on the Persephone Pants by Anna Allen Clothing because they are so similar to the coveted Kamm Sailor pants:

KAMMPANTS

There are a lot of details about the Persephone Pants that I loved, such as the hidden button placket, the practically invisible front pockets, and no side seams.

The instructions were very easy to follow and it all came together very smoothly. I was lucky, in that I didn't need to make any fit adjustments to the waist or hips. 

Right after I finished them!

So happy with the buttons I used from my button stash

A few weeks after making the pants, I had the idea to check and see if I had enough fabric to make the shorts version. I did! I was able to whip up some Persephone Shorts with the leftover fabric. 

My handmade swimsuit and my handmade shorts

I went to the LA fabric district and found the perfect denim in a few different stores. My deciding factor was the price. I was able to get enough fabric for pants and shorts (3 or 4 yards, I can't remember) for $12. The cost of the pattern was $14, so total, I made a $13 pair of pants and a $13 pair of shorts. Not bad at all!
I get asked frequently if it is cost effective to make my own clothes. This is an example of how it can be very cost effective. I am lucky to be close to a major fabric district and, the more I sew, the more my skills develop! 

Avocado Pit Dye

I recently scored a pretty white shower curtain from a thrift store. I have saved some avocado pits recently and I knew I wanted to dip dye the shower curtain! I fell in love with dip dying last year when I transformed some dish towels and burp cloths.

Before...

After!

I referenced this blog post as I was researching the best way to dye with avocado pits. 

First, I submerged the pits in water in my largest pot (I wish I had a bigger one) and brought it to a boil. 

I then let it simmer for an hour. The pink color became apparent rather quickly and got darker and darker as it simmered. Then I let the dye sit overnight. 

Ready to go! Notice the dark pink color of the water

In the morning, I scooped the pits out of the water and brought the water back to a boil. I then got the bottom portion of the shower curtain (the portion I wanted to dye) wet. I then turned off the heat on the dye bath, submerged the wetted portion, and secured the rest of the curtain out of the way. 

I frequently moved the curtain around so that it would stay submerged. 

I left it soaking for about two hours.

I wish I had left it soaking longer! I think my dye bath had the potential to produce a beautiful, dark color because I had so many pits. 

I will definitely be doing this again! Just need a bigger pot... Such a cool experiment. I would also love to dye with yellow onion skins and tea. 

The Classic Tee

I had the chance to test a new pattern by Love Notions and had a blast!

I've always wanted to test a new pattern because I am a pattern maker and I know the process and I've always wanted to be part of the process in fine tuning a new pattern. 

This Classic Tee Pattern is the perfect basic tee pattern. It has three sleeve length options (short, 3/4 length, and long) and three neckline options (crew, scoop, or v-neck). I chose to do a short sleeve scoop neck version. I am going to make the v-neck version next!

The bodice is a relaxed fit that works perfectly with this cream rayon/spandex blend fabric I chose from Joann Fabrics. I've never used rayon/spandex fabric before, but I loved it! It is so soft and a little more heavy than other knits and I love the way it drapes. 

This top was so easy and fast to put together and only requires a yard of fabric!

I chose not to lengthen the pattern even though I should have. I prefer shorter shirts, so I love the length of this!

Wore it fabric shopping at Michael Levine in Los Angeles!

Asymmetrical Rayon Skirt

When I came across this pattern:

McCall's Pattern 7725

I fell in love! I needed it, and I had the perfect fabric for it. 

I used a black floral rayon fabric from Joann Fabrics. The drape is so beautiful and it gives the skirt the perfect sophistication I was hoping to achieve. 

DRAMATIC asymmetrical hem

Another one of my Me Made May makes. 

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to hem this skirt, even though it is a curved hem.

I also really loved the side closure. I used an invisible zipper and a button.

Button because
a.) I love sewing them on with my sewing machine and
b.) didn't have skirt hooks and eyes. 

One of my goals recently has been to become more efficient with making a project, specifically with following a pattern. I've gotten so used to making my own patterns, that I sometimes struggle with store-bought patterns. I want to get better at reading and following patterns.

I've had many chances to wear this skirt over the last month:

Wore it to the beach over Memorial Day weekend!

Wore it casually running errands

Dressed it up and wore it to church!

I claim this about most things I've made recently, but this might be my favorite item I've ever made! 

My mom has also requested I make her one, and I think this skirt in a pink rayon would be so cute! 

The Cutest Romper and Bonnet

I have spent an embarrassing amount of time perusing the Cricut Design Space library of sewing projects. There are so many to choose from! They have things like stuffed animals, baby clothes, doll clothes, all sorts of bags, quilts, and even pet accessories.

I decided on a romper and bonnet (two separate projects) to make an adorable matching set.

Romper project found here
Bonnet project here
Images Source

Once I selected my project, I connected my Cricut Maker to my computer and clicked the "Make It" button.

I was then walked through all the preparatory steps. First, I inserted the washable fabric pen and the rotary blade into the adaptive tool system. 

Then, I place my fabric of choice (a mystery cotton/polyester fabric) onto the FabricGrip mat. To make this easy, I cut my fabric into 12x24 pieces so they fit perfectly on the mat. 

Feeding the mat into the machine is done with just the press of a button. 

Sewing Kit Ready for business!

I've selected my project! Now I am getting everything ready for cutting. Behind my computer screen you can see the fabric pen and rotary blade inserted in the adaptive tool system.

Once I fed the first mat into the Cricut Maker, it makes all of the marks and cuts and prompted me when to release the mat. It is then ready for the second mat, so I just repeated these steps five times and I had all the pieces for a bonnet and romper marked and cut and ready to go!

Bonnet pattern pieces and interfacing

Romper pattern pieces and elastic references

Each project gives you an estimated amount of time and difficulty level. The bonnet was easy and the romper was intermediate. Each took 1-2 hours.
The step by step instructions give detailed directions and drawings to show each part of the assembly process. They are easy to follow, especially with all of the marking made by the machine.

Bonnet finished! 

The front of the romper with back/side elastic in
and top stitching complete

The facing on the inside front piece of the
romper. Such a clean way to finish seams -
and comfortable for the baby!

Both the bonnet and romper called for a few feet of double fold bias tape. It was used as elastic casing and to finish off a raw seam. This was really easy to make. With my manual rotary cutter, I cut long strips of fabric 1.25" wide on the bias. I then pressed the double fold and had perfect, matching bias tape for my project.

Almost done! just needs the crotch seam sewn, elastic in each leg, and closures!

Elastic casing sewn in

The last part of the assembly is the closures. The instructions call for velcro, but I chose to use buttons and button holes instead!
I recently learned how to sew buttons on with my machine, so I love sewing them on as often as I can. Plus, I think the yellow buttons add a special something to the romper.



When I am cutting a project by hand, I always forget to transfer pattern markings, which slows me down and requires me to refer back to the pattern multiple times. With the Cricut Maker, I don't even have to think about it anymore. The washable fabric pen came out with a little bit of water once it was all finished. Plus, the pattern pieces were perfectly cut, so sewing everything together was easy and resulted in the most perfect little outfit.

I am so in love with this romper and bonnet set! This might be my go-to baby shower gift from now on. This particular one, however, is going in my "too-cute-to-give-away" box!

The Cricut Maker Machine

My love for creating certainly doesn't end with clothing. I also love home decor DIY projects. 

When I was introduced to the Cricut Maker, I was blown away by how versatile it is! Not only does it make so many paper and vinyl projects, it has applications to make everything from quilts to leather clutches. It even cuts balsa wood! It's amazing all the things this machine can do. It is the perfect "toy" for a creator, and, along with my sewing machine, I can make virtually anything!

The Cricut Makers has an adaptive tool system, which means you can switch out the type of blade and/or marker depending on what materials a project calls for. 

Isn't it beautiful!? I have mine pictured with the essential tool set and the sewing kit

The first material I worked with on my Cricut Maker was paper. In the Design Space, I was able to personalize a card stock flag banner for my son's 1st birthday party and I was so happy with how it turned out!

The essential tool set has all the tools needed for paper projects. The machine also has compartment that fit all of these tools perfectly.

My Cricut Maker with the essential tool set

In the Design Space, there are hundreds of projects to choose from. You even have the option to add your own images to create your own project. 

One project from the library immediately caught my eye: the leather tassel keychain!

When you select a project, the Design Space gives you step by step instructions on how to load your materials into the machine, what mat to put your materials on, and what blade to use. This project calls for the 12x12 strong grip cutting mat and the deep cut blade.
Once the project is cut (so fun to watch!), it then gives you steps on how to assemble the cut project. The tassel keychain only needed a key ring and a hot glue gun.

It now hangs proudly on my diaper bag! 

The library of sewing projects includes patterns from Simplicity and Riley Blake. It makes sewing patterns super simple because it cuts and marks the fabric for you. The sewing kit has all the essentials for sewing projects. 

My Cricut Maker with my sewing kit

I was nervous to use this machine when it first arrived. I was a bit intimidated. However, as soon as I started to explore, I learned how user-friendly the Cricut Maker and Design Space are. 

The Cricut Maker comes with all the basic tools to get started. it even comes with the materials needed for your first project.

I have so many plans for my Cricut Maker. A few projects I can't wait to get started on are vinyl canister labels for my pantry, a leather clutch, greeting cards, a stuffed dog, and all the baby clothes!