The Nancy Dress

I found a pattern on Fabric.com called the "Nancy Dress." The whole pattern was more paper and ink than I wanted to print. So I took the layout and put the measurements onto my 1" graph paper. I went hunting for the 1 yard of fabric the pattern called for. I found a piece of rib-knit fabric that was 34" and figured that would do the trick. Boy, was I wrong. I did some editing, to make the pattern pieces fit onto my fabric and cut out the required pieces. I managed to sew the waistband and the skirt together before my sewing machine went on strike. After an hour of threading, re-threading, breaking a needle and re-threading the overlock machine, I finally managed to get it to sew reliably again.
Here is the finished skirt. At least two sizes too big for me. Good news! I didn't have to buy any new fabric to learn these lessons. I know that no matter what the instructions say, I'll buy 1.5 yards of fabric and sew it at least two sizes smaller than the size I think I am. (It also won't be so much like a miniskirt.)

Ladies Saturday

Today we had a very productive day. Wonderful food and good company will do that.
I promised someone a bag that will hold crayons and coloring books for traveling with little angels. Quick and simple, this little bag fits the bill. It won't hold 24 crayons, but who wants white and brown anyway?The girls each made the Dinner Party Grocery Bag from the New Handmade book. I love the great canvas fabrics they picked out.
Everyone should have one of these great bags. One, they are good for the environment (if you remember to take it to the store with you) and two, they are just so darn handy and stylish.

Knitty Ditty Bag: Perfect for sock knitting

I've done it! That's right, I have finally made the knitting project bag that is perfect for sock knitting. (That means it meets my idea of perfect.)
It only took three tries to get there, but I've finally made it. A simple (yeah, right) drawstring bag that will safely hold two balls of yarn and your socks in progress.
See how perfectly they snuggle together?Here is how it compares to my first attempt.

I guess the next step is to design a bag that will hold your hat project, or your sweater project, or... okay, I may have gotten a little carried away. I'll stick with the sock size.

Red Hot Momma Bag

In Carry Me, they call this the "granny bag." I was told I couldn't call it that, since the Momma that will carry said bag did not want to be associated with being called a granny. So, I give you the Red Hot Momma Bag.
This bag is huge!
To prove my point, I put three adult-sized sweaters inside. A great bag to carry everything except the kitchen sink (an item I don't think would actually fit into this bag). I deviated from the pattern in fabric and construction. I still think it is a great bag. Most importantly, it will be used.
Before the ladies showed up yesterday, I made up these little curtains. They are meant to be used with the Little Partners Learning Tower. A fun print that was pre-approved by the little partner they are intended for.
I don't have access to the tower, so you'll have to accept a picture of the curtains on my yard stick.

Knitty Ditty Bag... just a little smaller

Since the bags from yesterday were too big, I made a smaller version today. I basically just shortened the length and width. Two balls of sock yarn do fit inside, but it wasn't easy getting them in there. (I had to put one in and kind of squish the other ball in beside the first.)Still plenty of room at the top to hold the work in progress (WIP is such a wonderful term). I think it is a good size to hold a hat project. A wonderful hat can be knit from a single ball of yarn.I'm not sure I'm entirely pleased with the size. I shall have to make another to decide.

Knitty Ditty Bag

I needed a small project. Something that could be completed in a couple hours. Something that someone would find useful. Something that would use at least a small bit of the piles and piles of fabric that seem to be taking over my house.After I made the shoe bag, I thought another drawstring bag would be good.
What size... just the right size for a knitting project. I found a couple balls of sock yarn and set about making the pattern.
I wanted this bag to be perfect for a pair of socks in progress. I miscalculated, a little. This bag is actually big enough for something much bigger than a pair of socks. Perhaps a scarf? Or, a shawl? I'm not sure. I'll have to try it out and see what will fit in there.

Little Artist

I have found a pattern, or two, or three, for making crayon rolls for the little ones. I hadn't found one that quite made me smile. I set out to design one that did make me smile.After a friend mentioned something about the big crayons, I decided to work with those to make something that would not only hold the giant crayons, but be cute and hopefully fun in the process.In one of my many orders of random stuff from Fabric.com, I had a couple pieces of this cute chalkboard fabric. A perfect fit for the crayon tote.
Of course, I sometimes get ideas for things completely off-target. That is how this crayon tote turned into a crayon apron. Neither is kid-tested nor mommy-approved. I'll have to let you know how the testing goes.

Simple Drawstring Bag

I love it when I'm asked to do something simple. The drawstring bag is a simple item that has so many uses. JG wanted a bag to put her shoes in when she travels. She picked the fabrics, I did some simple math and put together this cute little lined bag.I should make a few more to have on-hand for gift giving.

Montana Memory Quilt: The finished tops...

On Saturday, we worked and worked until everyone had a completed quilt top (except me, I finished mine on Sunday). Here are the finished tops. All that remains is a little layering, quilting and binding. Simple!
Here is JG with here wonderful quilt top.
And LP displays her Hawaiian flair.
JB is not in the mood to have her picture taken.
I didn't have anyone to help me take a picture, so you only get to see the quilt.

Everyone did a great job and they look great. I think they will be a great keepsake to carry with us when we move away from Montana.

Montana Memory Quilt: The complete fabric collection

I wanted to capture of of the fabric that will be used in the Montana Memory quilts. Here they all are, wonderful collections created by each of our contributing ladies.This bright splash was selected by LP, our Hawaiian native.
This subtle and cool collection was put together by JB.
I went with a cool collection of green leaves and dark purple and plum.
I'll admit it, I picked the colors for JG. I did have help from the other ladies. Subtle lavender, a bold purple and black and a yellow to make it all pop.

The Coupon Made Me Do It

This began because I had a coupon. Coupons are dangerous in my hands. I saw this jelly roll of cute fabric that I just couldn't resist.
I started by sewing four random strips together into long strip sets.
Then I chopped them into these blocks that are about 8.25" X 8.25".
Some more random sewing got me this wonderful quilt top. It needs borders, but I hear there is a sale at the fabric store. It is a little bigger than I anticipated, but will make a great throw quilt when it is done. I wonder if someone with a long-arm quilting machine has a sale on their services...

Montana Memory Quilt: Shopping for fabrics

Since we couldn't all get to the fabric store, and if we did all get in there at once we'd make all the ladies that work there crazy, I picked out some fabrics for the Montana Memory Quilt.
The idea is simple: pick out six fabrics, make four identical blocks with a signature block in the middle, trade blocks with three friends, use fabrics from your own selection to finish the quilt.
With a little help from my friends, I picked out two very different color combinations. (Please forgive the flash for washing the colors out a little. They are really nice in person.)

With luck, I'll have pictures of the other fabric combinations this weekend.

Composition Book Covers

Just a quick post (mostly pictures) to share what I've been doing today.

If you know someone that needs a composition book cover, please let me know. These things are going to take over my house.