Sew4Home Roll-up Case

If you haven't visited Sew4Home.com, you should check out all the great projects featured there. All projects include very clear, well-written tutorials. At my monthly American Sewing Guild meeting, we made the roll-up makeup brush case.

I forgot to bring along the clear vinyl which would make the inside of the case easy to wipe off so I adjusted the size of the pockets, making them about 1 inch. I filled my case with colored pencils, turning it into a storage case for art supplies. It's great to keep kids organized and also great for long trips.

I decided that I needed a little sketch pad to complete the art set. I made the cover for the sketch pad using the same construction method as the roll-up case, customizing the size to fit the sketch pad. This would make a great gift set for a little artist.

Here are a couple of the other fun projects that my ASG group has made this year from Sew4Home.

Fleece Neck Pillow

Fabric Basket

And this cute towel is on the schedule for December - a great last minute gift idea!

Kitchen towel with rick-rack

Don't forget that September is National Sewing Month! What have you sewn this month?

New Look 6901

I've had this New Look 6901 pattern for a while now and decided to try it out with a yard of rayon/lycra knit that I purchased at Joann Fabrics. I thought the pattern might be a little too fitted for my taste so I made the mistake of cutting a size larger. I almost threw it in the garbage after the first try-on. It was too low cut and too large in the neckline. I decided I would go ahead and sew it up and give it away. After fiddling with it a bit and cutting down to the size I should have used in the first place, it actually turned out okay. It's a very quick top to sew up. I made most of it with the serger and coverstitch machines.

It goes great with my $11 knit skirt that I bought off the WalMart clearance rack. I will definitely use this pattern again if I can remember what I did to make it fit!

More Cafe au Lait Mitts

I finally finished my alpaca Cafe au Lait Mitts! I love the pattern and love the yarn. Alpaca is a very warm fiber so these mitts will keep my hands toasty this winter and leave my fingers free for keys, phone, etc.

Ravelry link

Since I love this pattern so much, I decided to go ahead and knit another pair of mitts with my brown alpaca yarn. I usually knit items for gifts so this is quite a treat for me. My sisters gave me the yarn a few years ago for Christmas and I've been waiting for the right pattern. If you're a knitter, check out this free pattern on Ravelry and let me know how your mitts turn out!

Ravelry link

September is National Sewing Month so I need to put away my knitting needles and get back to my sewing projects! I have a stack of fabric calling my name. I just can't decide what to make first!

Simplicity 2004

It's good to be back to sewing and blogging after a little time off to deal with an appendicitis attack. I'm so glad that's all over with and I can get back into my routine, especially the sewing part of my routine!

Simplicity 2004 is one their Sew Simple line of patterns. The price is around 99 cents at WalMart. The picture on the pattern envelope doesn't show the lines of the pattern very well but it is actually a great basic pattern which could also be used as a top. I had pinned a dress from Anthropologie on Pinterest several months ago to use as inspiration for this dress which can be seen here.

The fabric is a medium weight cotton blend and the yoke is linen. I graded the yoke down to an XXS and it is still just a tiny bit wide across the shoulders so I'll cut it down a bit more next time.

I need to start sewing for fall now even though the temps are still in the 80's and 90's. What are your favorite trends for fall?

Cafe au Lait Mitts

I like to squeeze in a little knitting between sewing projects so that I can keep the fiber stash under control and not get buried underneath. This little project isn't making a huge dent in my stash but the pattern called for just the right amount of yarn (130 yards) for this skein of alpaca from Alpacas of Cedar Ridge. The pattern is very easy to follow and it will definitely be a quick knit. The free pattern for the Cafe au Lait Mitts can be found on Ravelry.

Ravelry link

The stitch markers are from Ruth at Sewchic.blogspot.com. She had a giveaway recently for these lovely stitch markers that she created and I was the lucky recipient! I immediately added them to my mitt project. Thank you Ruth!

What are your favorite one-skein knitting projects? 

Sorbetto Top #4

Believe it or not, I do sometimes make something other than a Sorbetto top! It just so happens that it was on the July schedule for my American Sewing Guild group. I decided to actually make one like the pattern this time with only a few minor changes for better fit. The fabric is a polyester woven floral print from Hancock Fabrics. After using my 40% off coupon, I made this top for only $3.71!

I made self-fabric bindings, added to the length, and took about 1/2 inch off each back side seam. I didn't add side back darts to this top as I did for Sorbetto #1, Sorbetto #2, and Sorbetto #3. I was a little worried about getting this on easily over my head without the button front, but it is not a problem. I always fold and press my binding before adding it as an edge finish. I encase the raw edges with it and baste, working it around the curves in a manner than encourages it to lie flat.

I can't believe it took me so long to try out this free pattern from Collette. It's great alone or with a sweater/jacket. I never put this pattern away because I know I will be needing it again soon!

Sorbetto Top #3

What do you do when it is over 100 degrees outside and there is a stack of fabric in the air conditioned sewing room? Make another Sorbetto! My third Sorbetto is made from a yard of fabric I bought at WalMart for $2. It caught my eye because it is a double cloth fabric. It has two warps and two fillings forming two separate fabrics. About every 1/4 inch a warp from the front and a weft from the back interlock and this holds the two fabric layers together. Individually, these two fabrics are very lightweight, almost like a cotton voile. When woven as a double cloth fabric, the result is a very soft, lightweight, comfortable cotton fabric. I decided to use the stripe for the outside of the Sorbetto and the more solid side for the contrasting front bands and bias bindings.

I made the same changes to this Sorbetto that I did for the Sorbetto #1 and Sorbetto #2. I used the extra tuck fabric in the front to fold to the right side for the button bands. This worked great for double cloth fabric, bringing the contrast to the front. I cut 1/2 inch off each side back and added vertical back darts.

Have you tried the Sorbetto yet? I must warn you that it is a little addicting!