Maternity Skirt and Belly Shots!

I have been studiously ignoring the fact that winter is coming in the hopes that it won't....it's not working! I have been trying to figure out what I am going to do for the winter for skirts and pants....most of my medium maternity pants are getting small, but the larges are too big. I grabbed this skirt at a used clothing store so that I could try and modify it for my ever growing belly. The zipper needed to be picked out so the scissors wouldn't cut into the teeth and break....so I picked it out and still managed to cut the zipper!



A rectangle of knit fabric was folded in half, then I measured it on my belly and cut it to size, serged the ends to make a tube, then sewed it onto the skirt.....5 minutes before we had to go to church! :) When we were at church, I realized that the knit stretched more than I thought and had to keep hiking it up! While Nate was out hunting later on that afternoon, I took it back apart, make the knit tube smaller and sewed it back on. It is SO comfy!
I will definitely be modifying more skirts and pants!

Baby Stuff!

Last Spring, right around the time I found out I was pregnant, I ordered a serger, so I could sew with knits and finish off my handwovens better. It has sat in the box, under my loom (which also hasn't been touched) for the whole summer! The other day I decided I needed to be creative, so I took a women's t-shirt and made these for the little one. I am hoping they are neutral enough that I could use them for a boy or girl, but looking at them in the pics, they are pretty girly. I do love how they turned out though! For the pants, I took a pair of 0-3 mo. pants and made a pattern out of them. The hat pattern I found here. The shoe pattern I found here and then downsized it 80% to fit a smaller foot. We'll see how long they fit. Normally they are made with quilting cotton, so it was interesting sewing so many layers together in such a small space, but I really love how they turned out!

Lots more projects coming soon! I have a messload of fabrics and patterns to make stuff with. It really was a blessing in disguise for the Salvation Army to leave town - now instead of seeing all these clothes and coming up with stuff I could make from them and bringing them home, I actually have to start making them and using up my stash!

Sweater Refashion

Thursday, my coworker asked if I had gone over to Sally's after work. I hadn't, because we left town as soon as I was done to go ice skating with my sister. She said that they had a winter clearance sale and all sweaters, long sleeve shirts, and other winter items were only $1. I couldn't finish my work fast enough! I went over and found a bunch of stuff that I will post later. I figured that I had to do something with at least one of the items so Nate would know that I really planned on doing something with them, so I took a silk/wool sweater and made a dog sweater out of the body, and a cat sweater out of the sleeve.



It was over a half hour before the cat figured out she really could walk. As soon as I put it on her, she thought she was dying and collapsed. It was quite entertaining.....for me at least. She and her sister have done the same thing when we have put harnesses on them. They just go limp. Anyways....



The dog at least loved her sweater, which will come in handy soon, as she really needs to be clipped. Nate was too busy laughing at the cat to be concerned about the rest of the clothing. I also found some dress shirts that I really want to make tops/shirt dresses out of. Unfortunately/fortunately, I got the idea Thursday morning from CleverGirl, otherwise, I would never have picked up the shirts I did. I did find some nice ones for Nate, so he was happy!

Meanwhile, Tigg looked on wondering what on earth Psyche did to deserve that, not realizing the sleeve wouldn't have even fit over her head!

More Stockings!

I was able to finish the apron yesterday, so I went back to my Christmas Stocking project today as the snow did arrive. I was able to complete the front and back of another stocking. I had a hard time with the back of the blue stocking, so I took a break on that one and changed my approach on the back of the second, and am really pleased with how it turned out. Two more stockings to go! I love the color schemes for all of them! Maybe they won't become gifts...lol! I am taking a break on them, I think and am making that baby dress tomorrow.

Necktie Stockings: Step 2

Sorry about the title - step 1 was done last year when I washed, opened and ironed the ties. Yesterday I had so much fun before I went to work sorting them into different colorways, that as soon as I got home, I went right to sewing.






It went together fairly well. I love my rotary cutter - so much so, that I will need a new mat soon. :) Anywhoo, this is what the front side looks like. The back is going to be crazy quilt-ish. The base is made from a king size flat sheet that I found at the thrift store.




Over 4 yards for $2. Not bad! It won't all be hidden in these stockings. Looking at it so much yesterday made me fall completely in love with it, and I want to make an apron and a baby dress from it too. Well actually, it distracted me, and the apron is almost done. :)

I am noticing a recurring theme with the cat feet - she has to be involved in everything!

Upcoming Projects

In cleaning out the weaving room, I was inspired once again! I found so many projects that made me smile - a tablecloth that my great-great-great grandmother crocheted that needs to be finished, a bunch of ties that I want to make Christmas stockings out of,



all my corduroy to make more bags, as well as a couple more wool sweaters that will meet the same fate. Inkle bookmarks on my Inkle loom - that remind my husband of playing cards, but I love the combination of red, black and white right now.



Two bolts of vintage fabric - one a pretty boring plaid, and the other, the most amazing upholstery weight stuff! Love, Love the colors in it!



Let's see, what else? Fabric - and lots of it for various projects - a couple of baby outfits, some great corduroy that I want to make overalls with - but need a pattern. (Anyone know of a good one?) Lots of yarn as well, for weaving, but lately I am in more of a sewing kick. There is a quilt for my husband too that is still in the planning stages, and can't wait for that to start. So much to do! Not enough time! It seems like the older I get, the faster time is flying by! I am enjoying it thoroughly, but I really wish it would slow down some!

Thrifted Sweater

Wednesdays are my favorite day of the work week. Not only does it mean that my work is half way over until the weekend, but it is also half off day at the Salvation Army here in town. I go in for work clothes which need to be replaced at a scary pace, and also to find items that I have another purpose for. My coworker and shopping buddy thinks I am nuts! I wish I had a before picture of this as a sweater, but I don't. Oh well. This was an Old Navy sweater that had already been partially felted. Not very good for wearing, but it turned out awesome with this bag! It was so much fun throwing it in the washer, having been taught that wool NEVER goes in on the regular cycle. The pockets are made from one sleeve and also the neckline. Because it is felted, they don't fray. It could use some way to close it - a magnetic snap would be perfect, but it's a little late for that! I think I may make a tab closure for it, but as it is already in use, I'm not so sure it will happen. If you want instructions for it, let me know!