The Dress...

I went to the craft store in search of inspiration. I knew I needed to find a pattern that was super super simple. No fancy sleeves, or collars, and especially no button holes... I hate making button holes. I landed on this little number. I knew that I was going to have to make some alterations in order to make it a little more grand. I was seriously not sure if I could pull it off. I haven't sewn since Mrs. Heaton so lovingly helped me with every stitch of my pajama pants in the 8th grade. (thanks dot!) ;)

So the pattern was chosen. It said I would need 1 1/8 yard of the main fabric and 1/4 yard of an accent fabric. I had no faith whatsoever in my abilities, so I got 3 yards of the satin and 1 yard of the overlay, just in case I screwed it up royally and had to start all over. I didn't want to have to go back to the craft store!

I already had these funky, beautiful freshwater pearls. I love them because they are not uniform in shape, and they have an old brassy look to them.

After painstakingly altering the pattern to be longer (which was way harder than it sounds, and probably more so than it should have been) I simply had to sew in the pleats... and sew the front and back together. Finished off the sleeves, and added in the neckline. Sewed a zipper in the back, and that made up the basic body of the dress.

Then it was time to dress it up! The pattern shows a big bow on the neckline, which was really pretty. I tried three times. I cannot sew a bow. I know it is lame, but it is so true. it looked awful! So I got my little brain wheels spinning and came up with the rosette idea.

I had to serge around the edges of the sheer fabric because it frays so easily. I was worried that it would look horrible, as there was no way to hide the serged edges, and naturally I had tan string in my serger, and no white to be found! (out of moral obligation, I could not return to the craft store just to buy string) So I took a leap of faith and started making them. I actually love the way they turned out. I think the serged edges give them dimension, and it works well with the brassy colored pearls.

So after 2 days of cutting, stitching, pinning, unpicking, and re-sewing... I have reached the end. I am so impressed that I really pulled it off. It is far from perfect. My seams don't all match up, and my "straight" stitches are rather wavy, but it looks great from a distance! lol... As I was literally sewing on the last of the rosettes, I thought, UGH! I wish I would have made it out of my wedding dress! But alas... I did not screw it up, so I had to reason to start over... but how cool would that be?! oh well... maybe I will make one for one of my grandchildren... anyway... I love the dress... =)

leather flower how to

Chantel had an old leather jacket... I am sure it is not real leather, but it has that look. She finally grew out of it, and then the zipper broke, so I took out the zipper and made some zipper flowers, but then it seemed like such a waste to just throw the jacket away. So I decided to try to make some flowers out of it.

I cut along the top because it had a nice seam on one side.


I started out pretty wide and gradually got smaller towards the other side.

Then grab a needle and thread and just stitch along the cut side.

as you gather it up make sure that the smaller end ends up on top, that way it will spiral in so that there is a more defined center. stitch through the center a few times to make sure it is tightly secured.

then simply cover the middle with a bead, button or jewel. Add a clip or a pin to the back and TADA!!! a gorgeous addition to any outfit! This can be done with any kind of fabric, but I thought the leather added a nice texture. HAPPY CRAFTING!!

What's on your list?

My Christmas list this year is quite long... I have alot of family and friends that I want to give gifts to. The problem... $$$$... always... so I had to get creative. I am sorry if I am ruining the surprise for a few of you, but I thought it might be nice to give people ideas for inexpensive gifts that are pretty cool... in my opinion at least. =)

Chantel and I spent all day walking around downtown St. George finding "letters" She is 5 and therefore is very aware of the alphabet. I think we came up with some pretty cool abstract letters to make name pictures out of. This particular gift set me back $2.99 for each print.

I happen to LOVE nativity sets. I think they are simply adorable. When we were at the Dicken's festival last week I saw an adorable snowman nativity... I had to have it! $45... I think not. I went to the store and bought about $6 worth of polymer clay... add a lazy afternoon of playing with said clay, a few beads, and a few scraps of fabric, and voila... a $6 snowman nativity. (characters are about 2" tall)

This next one is actually a stolen idea. My friend Shay gave me a very similar "car kit" last year. I loved the idea and found it very useful, so I decided to make my own. The one she gave me was made from a pot holder, and it was so cute! I was unsuccessful in finding pot holders that were cute and cheap, so I decided to make my own... I cut 2 pieces of fabric (about the same size as a pot holder) and sewed around the edge. I frayed it a little and called it good. I used 8 ziplock bags. I lined them up, 4 going each direction, with the zipper edge lined up with the outside of the fabric. I pinned it (it is really slippery to sew, so pin it like you mean it!) and did a simple zigzag stitch down the middle. I cut off the excess bag from the bottom and voila... it is ready to fill full of whatever you want. I put in disposable toothbrushes, gum, flossers, a sewing kit, tissue, nail clippers, a nail file, lotion, bandaids, a lighter, and a $5 bill. These cost about $11 each to make.


so cute when it is all closed up! and it fits perfectly in your glove box.

This last one is actually a baby shower gift, and not a Christmas gift, but the idea is still applicable. It is an applique towel. This picture is really hard to see it properly, but I used my Cricut machine to cut the baby's name out of wonder under. (wonder under is a FABULOUS invention... it is basically an iron on fabric bonder... it is so cheap... and my new best friend.) I then ironed the letters onto fabric. Cut the letters out of the fabric and ironed them onto the towel. I stitched around them just to make sure it would last through all the washing I am sure it is going to endure, but the wonder under is supposed to be pretty durable all by itself. I think it turned out adorable! it looks very professional if I don't say so myself... ;) This is a hooded towel, and it only cost $8 to make. I got the basket at DI for $1... seriously one of my favorite finds EVER! Throw in a teddy bear and a sweet little bow... and well, I think it is super cute~!

I hope this helps give some of you ideas for people on your Christmas list! What are you planning on giving family and friends this year?