Long Winter's Nap

I admit I'm a cozy, comfy sort of gal.  Given the chance to wear yoga pants instead of tailored trousers, I'm all in.  Naturally this time of year our home is all about the comfy.  I also admit I can be found shuffling through pinterest at least once a week for that next great, wow-ie-ka-zow-ie project.  When I saw these, I had to do some of my own and put a different spin on them.

Instead of boiled wool I opted for a suit-grade flannel.  Something with a soft nap.  And right about the time I settled on this project my local fabric store, much to my surprise, had several bolts of suit fabric just in.  In plenty of color options.  I nabbed up about 8 yards of each style in grays, beiges, reds, navy blues and more.  Next, I made my way over to the bolts of wool flannel which I would need for the leaf appliques.  Lastly I settled on cotton batting which would make these cozy and comfy throws a bit warmer for those long, winter naps.

High-tailing it back home I threw all the fabrics in a very hot wash cycle drying them on the hottest dryer setting as well.  Preshrinking all the fabrics makes for warmer blankets.

Next I tracked down some basic leaf patterns.  The leaves are about 8 inches long.  Place the leaf patterns on  the flannel, cut them out and blanket stitch to the top portion of your throw.  You know the drill from this point.  Cut the flannel to the size you want: mine are 72 inches by 54 inches.  Cut the batting to match and the underside flannel, too.

Stitch them together leaving an opening to turn right side out.  Slip stitch the opening closed then at every 6 inch intervals tie off the throw with either satin ribbon or embroidery floss.  Don't skip this step.  This will keep the batting from bunching when you wash them.

I'm only speculating but I bet we'll enjoy plenty of wintery nights around the fire all comfy and cozy: sipping hot chocolate and watching the chestnuts pop.  Doesn't it just warm your heart to imagine it?

All Keyed Up

You know we spent the summer up in the Great Lakes area.  We were doing something nearly every day. From visiting relatives and old friends; to craft projects and furniture projects; to canning strawberry, blueberry and cherry jam; to welcoming my oldest into the fold for 4 days and entertaining my youngest daughter's dear friend for the last week of our stay.  We kept those young ones going so much that each time they rode in the car they nodded off to sleep.  Yes!  They did!  I have photos to prove it.

One of our excursions took us to Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island.  After the touring and walking and the afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel we took in a little shopping.  I focused in on some small, lined, zippered bags and some key fobs.

"Hey!  I can do these!"  I thought to myself.  And for pennies on the $40 price tag in those tourist boutiques.

You can do these, too.

  

What you'll need:

• One 3" x 10" rectangle of fabric.  I used a medium weight canvas.
• One 2" x 10' rectangle of Pellon 987F fusible fleece.  I found this to be a little too lightweight.  The next batch I will use a heavier weight fusible..
• One key fob hardware set.  You can get them at JoAnne's for $.3.48 each or try ordering online here.

And here's a good tutorial on how to sew and assemble them.

I've already made 14 snazzy key fobs and it took me about 4 hours.  Talk about a nifty project with quick results!

I must be doing alright because my kids are already staking their claims and asking me to make them for friends.

I'm only speculating but I bet this item will have me singing songs in the key of life knowing my kids think they're cool!

Who Wears Short Shorts?

She wears short shorts.

If you've been following this blog you know we started a number of sewing projects to keep us busy during the chilly winter months.  Since this one has been languishing in the sewing basket, I got busy and finished up.

I'm only speculating but I think these red and white, striped shorts will make a statement on the 4th of July when we'll be waving old glory and enjoying the parade.

Sew 60's

We searched the internet for just the right pattern and when we found this one, with only a few clicks, we purchased it.  Straight from 1963 and just look at that original 65 cent price tag!

When it arrived, 8 days later, we had quite a giggle at that triangular scarf. Even so, that's next on my list to whip up!  {toothy grin}

First up we made a pair of hi-wasited, side-zip shorts.  And she loves them. She put them on as soon as I finished the last stitch in the hem.  And she looked darling in them.

After the shorts we were off and running, putting together a shorter version of the skirt.

I couldn't help but sing along with Nancy Sinatra: 
"These boots are made for walkin' and that's just what they'll do..." just because.  Just because I was having flashbacks to 1963 when my sister and I had our very own go-go boots and sang a rousing rendition and danced around the house.  And somewhere in there I landed on Sonny and Cher's "I got you baaaaabbeeee.  I got you babe." 

I'm only speculating but I think this week I'll sew up another pair of shorts and dart around the house singing and waiting for her to walk in the door from school and marvel:  "Mom!  These are so cool they are better than I even imagined."  And that is the real music to my ears.

Sew Simple

February proved to be a chilly and rainy month.  Oh, but we needed the rain and actually got excited to see standing puddles in the backyard.  To brighten up our days we got busy sewing.

She's got a flair for the 1940's-inspired dresses.  If it has a "twirly" skirt, she's sure to perk up.  And she's particular.  "I want red with white polka dots".  And besides all this, she has my heart.  A Mom's got to do what a Mom's got to do!

A trip to our local sewing and notions store and a thumb through pattern books got us revved-up. Voila!  We even found the perfect fabric.

 A little cutting.  A little fitting.  A lot of thread.

And she has a new dress.

It's really quite simple and I don't have to speculate, as soon as she twirled, danced, and smiled we got busy on another one.

Sleeping Beauty!

"Mom!  Let's make Mickey Mouse pajamas for our Disney adventure."

We quickly rustled through the pattern file and voila!  This is perfect. 

Next, we hop into the car chatting and giggling all the way to the fabric store..  We look at three aisles of flannel fabric and find...nothing.  "Maybe we can use solid red flannel" I hinted.

"No, that just wouldn't be the same."  she said softly.

"Ok then, let's look around more."

And what to my wondering eyes should appear?   Across the store a sign: Character Fabrics.  I point it out to her and we make a bee line like two sprinters in a track and field relay.  Sure enough there's Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White fabric.  There's Tinkerbell and Cars.  We turn the corner and there's the perfect Mickey Mouse flannel fabric.  Six yards of it ought to do the trick.  Enough for 2 pair of pajamas.

We get home and cut it out. Pin it together and sew a couple straight seams.

A little bit of pressing of the seams; add a waist band and thread the elastic.

Looking at her sporting big, flannel, Mickey jammies and I know it's not just speculation-- she's a sleeping beauty!