Conquering Couching...Almost

So I have been thinking of trying couching a ribbon onto some fabric for use in my coasters. I tried it tonight to decent, if mixed results. In general these did not come out perfect. I also used a fleece liner inside so the part I left open to turn it inside out sticks out a little on each one. Oh well, such is life, it was still fun to couch the ribbon on. I am sure next time will be even better but in the mean time, I really like these!

Reversible Coasters

This project is from a book called Bend the Rules Sewing. They add a ribbon in theirs but I just wanted to try my hand at some of these so I went without. I am hoping to have some friends over for a sewing day to make holiday gifts and other fun things so I wanted to try out some of the projects and this is one of them. Yay Coasters!

Yay Bolero Jackets!

In a stubborn yet heartfelt move I decided to sew bolero jackets for my bridesmaids to match their dresses. Having never set a sleeve before, it was an adventure but with a great pattern from Fitz Patterns and some advice from my Mother-in-Law-to-be, they turned out better than expected. I say better than expected because I tried to fit each girl individually for it, adjusting the pattern myself rather than using a multisize pattern. So happy I finished them on time AND they fit! What a relief! Here is a picture taken by my Husband's (!) sister Kathy.

UPDATE: To "Big Mama" who wrote "Those bolero's are fabulous! Do you happen to know of a good websitefor bolero patterns? I'm trying to make one myself for a wedding I'm innext month." I didn't receive your email address with your post so I couldn't reply to you. I got my pattern from fitz patterns. Here is the link: http://fitzpatterns.myshopify.com/products/0505-alice-bolero-sewing-pattern. Good luck!

My First Skirt!

Well it's been a while since I've posted anything because I've been busy wedding planning but here it is finally- my first skirt! I was waiting for a nice day to wear it and the beautiful weather finally showed up. It's a wrap skirt and I used the method in "Sew What! Skirts" to make it. No real pattern, just my own measurements and a yard stick, which I liked. The fabric, which I adore, is Amy Butler, who I adore. I'll be packing this one for the honeymoon!

Success!

I'm told that Kayla, my fiance's niece also received a kitchen set for Christmas and uses her Apron a lot! Hmmm....maybe I'll have to make her some more! :oD

Apron Marathon!

Well I am super proud of completing every one of the aprons I wanted to give as Christmas gifts! The day before one x-mas get together I actually completed 7 aprons in less than 7 hours! Of course I had cut and pressed all my fabric the night before, but still. Yay for aprons! (You can click on them for a bigger picture.)

I had planned to center everything around this great apple/pear fabric and had a solid fabric to go on the back side of each apron making it sort of reversible but on a whim I used this great twill floral print on the backs of all of the little girls' aprons and I'm glad I did! A couple of them wore them for the rest of the afternoon like they were dresses! You can see in the bottom picture the "Family aprons" with the reversible girls aprons in pink, the mom's in light blue and the dad's in brown. Oh yeah and there's my first potholder thingy. I quilted the fabric and everything! (Insert "Beaming with Pride" face here!) I also gave three of the little girls an assortment of cookie cutters tied together with a ribbon and then to mom and dad I gave a Family Cookbook full of recipes that everyone could help with. Having just learned to sew about a year ago, I can't believe how much fun it can be! Can't wait to make more!