Friday, June 19, 2009

Project list: Cottage Canopy

I came across an adorable play house on Ohdeedoh submitted by Camille back in January. It has got to be the sweetest little playhouse I've seen in a while. I LOVE the shingles and the quilted walls. I would love to make a little space for Gianna like that and I think I will replace Duncan's "fort" (see below) when Gianna is ready to move out of her crib into his old toddler bed.
I found even more inspiration for this project on Ikat Bag who made a Princess Pavilion over a circular table. I think the windows are precious (but how did she construct them?) and think a few flowerpots might be fun for Gianna's Cottage Canopy.

Some thoughts on this project:
  • I'm planning on using old sheets as much as I can. I have some nice floral ones that will do nicely.
  • I would like to put some pockets on the inside for her to store all of her "babies" in. She has so many in her crib and we don't have a spot to store them in the kids room.
  • I thinking about making one "wall" roll up/down. And put some windows on it, and maybe a faux door. We can have it up for sleeping and down if she wants some quiet play. I will probably throw this idea out though in order to make the project doable in the time I have.
  • Duncan's fort got unbearbly hot so I might hide some vents in the roof.
  • The fort sagged a lot. I will use more velcro to secure it and make sure I have a snugger fit. I might have Andy move the bed into my sewing area so I can actually test out the fit as I sew.
So I am hoping to be able to scrap together time to do this before her second birthday. Is four months enough time? Wouldn't it be wonderful to use it as a transition out of the crib into a wonderful girly paradise of a bed?

Flickr Archiving

So I was using Flickr as a portfolio of my sewing projects, but then it informs me I am maxing out my free flickr account. I don't want to spend the money on a pro account. Instead, I am going to try to use this blog to access some of my older photos. We will see if it works. I am also looking forward to being able to comment more on my WIPs and ideas for future projects in this forum.

Hopefully, I will be able to get back into sewing soon. Newborns take more work than I remembered and my older two kids are working through some jealousy/attention-needing issues.

Butterick 4176


Butterick 4176
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I made this out of an old dress shirt of my husbands.

Lazy Days skirt


Lazy Days skirt
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I made this with an adjustable waistband. :)

Birthday Pleated Purses


Birthday Pleated Purses
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I really liked the "buttercup bag", but wanted to make some changes- as well as, be able to sell some without violating her copyright. I drafted a new pattern and made these two as gifts for my sisters for their birthdays.

They were made completely from fabric in my stash, and some awesome magnetic purse snaps.

Nursing Covers


Nursing Covers
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Baby Shower gifts for two friends.

From Daddy to Daughter


From Daddy to Daughter
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I used McCalls 5416 to turn an old work shirt into a new girly pull over. To get the pockets to position well I had to pull in about 1 inch of fabric on each side of buttons

From Daddy to Daughter


From Daddy to Daughter
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

From Daddy to Daughter


From Daddy to Daughter
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

From Daddy to Daughter


From Daddy to Daughter
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I used McCalls 5416 to turn an old work shirt into a new girly pull over. To get the pockets to position well I had to pull in about 1 inch of fabric on each side of buttons

McQueen Bathrobe


McQueen Bathrobe
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

My son wearing his birthday present

McQueen Bathrobe


McQueen Bathrobe
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

My son wearing his birthday present

Smock Apron


Smock Apron
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Smock Apron


Smock Apron
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

A friend made one of these for another friend. I nearly died of apron envy until I made one for myself.

Buttercup Bag & Monster Bag


Buttercup Bag & Monster Bag
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Buttercup Bag


Buttercup Bag
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Buttercup Bag


Buttercup Bag
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Buttercup Bag


Buttercup Bag
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Buttercup Bag

Made with leftovers from my "Monster Bag"

Used free pattern @
http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html

Saturday, June 13, 2009

The "Monster Bag"


The "Monster Bag"
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

The "Monster Bag"


The "Monster Bag"
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I wanted a purse that would fit three kids worth of diapers+gear+my purse stuff.

Plus I wanted it to be super cute.

This was what I came up with.

The "Monster Bag" - Button Detail


The "Monster Bag" - Button Detail
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

The "Monster Bag" - the fabric


The "Monster Bag" - the fabric
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

The "Monster Bag" - adjustable strap


The "Monster Bag" - adjustable strap
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I want to be able to wear it across my chest like a messenger bag or over my shoulder like a purse.

The "Monster Bag" - short strap


The "Monster Bag" - short strap
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Over the shoulder length

The "Monster Bag" - long strap


The "Monster Bag" - long strap
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Across the chest

The "Monster Bag" - inside


The "Monster Bag" - inside
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

The "Monster Bag" - inside


The "Monster Bag" - inside
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

The "Monster Bag" - inside


The "Monster Bag" - inside
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I divided the purse up into three sections. One for each kid. Plus one of the dividers is a zipper so I can contain all of my things in one place.

Bag for doll house toys


Bag for doll house toys
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

another little draw string pouch. My kids love these.

Birthday Bathrobe


Birthday Bathrobe
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

My son requested a bathrobe... a "McQueen Bathrobe". His birthday is in a week and I cannot wait to give this to him.

Made with McCalls 4643. I give this pattern two thumbs up. It was super easy to whip up (I had it started and completed during one kids nap time!)

Made with Anti-Pill Fleece and premade bias binding. The applique was purchased at Joann's

Brown Sling for Baby B


Brown Sling for Baby B
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

A new sling for my baby boy. I can't wait for him to come out! :)

Rings from SlingRings.com

Made with Cotton Stretch Sateen + Quilting cotton for accent on tail.

Followed directions from www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/sling.html

Nursing Cover for D


Nursing Cover for D
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

For a good friends baby shower.

Fabric from Joann's

- Removable boning at neck
- Handy pocket on green side

Dolly Sling


Dolly Sling
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Dolly Sling


Dolly Sling
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Dolly Sling


Dolly Sling
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Quick to whip up. A rectangle of fabric with a rolled hem. Velcro sewn onto one end to attach safely to D rings.

McCalls Toddler Pullover


McCalls Toddler Pullover
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

McCalls Toddler Pullover


McCalls Toddler Pullover
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

McCalls 5416

What a deliciously simple pattern. I will be making a few more of these for G's summer wardrobe.

Fabric and buttons from Joann's

Butterick 4176 Toddler Top


Butterick 4176 Toddler Top
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Butterick 4176 Toddler Top


Butterick 4176 Toddler Top
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Butterick 4176 Toddler Top


Butterick 4176 Toddler Top
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Butterick 4176 - View A

Fabric: Cotton print, thrifted by Grandma

Changes from pattern: facing for neckline instead of bias, left off front buttons, used loop of elastic for back button

Nursing Cover for ME


Nursing Cover for ME
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Finally, a cute nursing for ME! Made in preperation for Bebe Trios

I added boning to neckline and tried to make it removable, but that effort failed. Oh well. I have a better idea for how to do it next time.

Also added square pocket in corner for nursing pads, etc.

Nursing Blanket Clip


Nursing Blanket Clip
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I made this little strap to keep on a blanket while nursing. I plan on keeping it my purse as a backup, or to travel light.

Gratitude Wrap for SB


Gratitude Wrap for SB
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Gratitude Wrap for SB


Gratitude Wrap for SB
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Gratitude Wrap for SB


Gratitude Wrap for SB
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

A SouleMama's gratitude wrap made for a birthday present for a sister in law.

Change from pattern: I doubled the size of the pocket and stitched&flipped the edges instead of turning under and stiching. I hate raw edges.

I love that I made this with fabric I just had lying around. It turned out really lovely, and I am proud that I made my own bias binding and am getting better at doing it.

Gratitude Wrap for SB


Gratitude Wrap for SB
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Reworked Retreat T-Shirt


Reworked Retreat T-Shirt
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Reworked Retreat T-Shirt


Reworked Retreat T-Shirt
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Reworked Retreat T-Shirt


Reworked Retreat T-Shirt
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

Reworked Retreat T-Shirt


Reworked Retreat T-Shirt
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl

I have finally admitted that I am never going to fit into my old t-shirts from high school and college. But they hold some precious memories so I am trying to give them new life without making the classic t-shirt quilt.

So I made my daughter this little dress. I'm still struggling with learning how to use my overlock but this was some good practice. I made a lettuced(?) rolled hem for the bottom edge. It ups the girly factor.

Apron for G


Apron for G
Originally uploaded by umgeekgirl