Sew What!?

I have completed several fun sewing projects lately (you've already seen some of them, so just bear with me). 

A few months ago I made curtains for the kids' room.  I found a tutorial that I liked, but I had a terrible time finding fabric I liked.  Eliza's decor colors have been pink and brown and Caleb's have been teal/blue and brown.  I wanted something that combined the two, which was pretty impossible.  It turns out that the fabric I decided on is the same fabric my sister used in her living room.  Funny coincidence.

The fabric is super heavy outdoor decor fabric and the curtains are lined with blackout fabric, so they are super sturdy.   I am very pleased with how they turned out.  When we want some light in the room, we just push the curtain to one side.

 

 There are two identical curtains, though I only took pictures of one window. 

Because I took this picture at an angle, it looks like the top is uneven, but I promise it isn't.

The fabric I used for the gathered top was the only decor fabric that matched.  I wanted decor fabric for the width and sturdiness.  The shininess adds a fun element, but I definitely wouldn't recommend the fabric for this project.  It was annoying to work with since it was so slippery and there was a lot of gathering to do.

My brother thought it would be cool if the nieces on our side of the family had little matching dresses for his wedding.  I had already been thinking that it would be fun to sew the girls coordinating dresses, so I offered to undertake the project.  It was a lot of fun and I think they turned out adorable!  My brother and his wife loved them too!

Here is my adorable little model showing off all the details.  I used McCall's 5793 (view D).

My dad has been a big golfer for years.  He takes an annual trip to St. George, Utah with his friends and he likes to wear loud, interesting golf attire, especially on the first day.  For years, I have wanted to make him a pair of knickers in the Payne Stewart style.  I think about doing it every Christmas, but have never found a good pattern.

This year I came across Simplicity 9529, a vintage pattern from 1971, only it wasn't the right size.  After finding some classic stretch knit fabric in my grandma's stash, I decided to go for the gusto.  I made a trial out of some low-quality peach-colored fabric my grandma had.  Then after having him (and Mike, Chad, and Derrick) try them on, I made the adjustments on the real fabric.  I did view 2 with the pockets from view 1.  There were a lot of firsts here: first zipper fly, first belt loops (called "carriers" in the sewing world, you know), and my first pockets.  I count it as a success.  We'll see how the first eighteen holes go once the snow melts.

Unfortunately I never got a picture of my dad wearing the final product, so you'll have to settle for my favorite model.  Keep in mind that my giant husband is a good 6 inches taller than my dad, so they will fit him a little different.

While we were in Arizona, I made a smock-type apron for my grandma.  She has lots of them, but most are threadbare and have missing buttons, so I tried to whip up a new one for her.  I used one of her old ones to make a pattern.  There are a few things I would do differently (like have the button higher), but it turned out fine.  It was a great excuse to learn the proper two-step method for sewing on bias tape.  It was also my first chance to make my very first button hole (my new machine nearly does it all for me)!

When I was making the apron for my grandma, she showed me a pattern she had for a similar apron without a yoke.  I traced her pattern, then made one for my mom.  I think it turned out a little big, but I don't know.  The special touch on this one is the decorative stitching on the top of the pockets (thanks to my new machine).

An awkward, present-opening picture is the only picture I have.  She is mid-unfold, so just use your imagination and double the bottom half.

Just the other night, I made a doll dress/nightgown to fit Eliza's 12-13 inch dolls.  I found a printable pattern online that I kind of made my own. 

I used scraps from our 2009 Halloween costumes.  Sewing the sleeves on was tricky because it was so so small.

I put velcro all the way up the back (it opens completely) so the dress is easy for kids to put on.