Knifty Does It and Working with Vintage

I got busy again the last couple days, with crafting.  Finished two more projects, the more complicated ones too.

First off, I made this dress using a vintage pattern I got some time ago.  I didn’t quite follow the pattern exactly.  Basically I made the top part less poufy and the skirt more poufy.  Just the way I like it. 

Plus, the pattern called for using the same fabric for the top part and skirt and using a different fabric for the midriff part.  I thought doing it this way would be more interesting. 

Here’s another difference.  The pattern called for decorative lacing on the front, I put the lacing on the back and it isn’t decorative.  This allows me to easily adjust the fit as needed since this dress needs a snug fit in the waist to look good.  Otherwise I look like I’m wearing a horrible cheap costume or something along those lines.

As a bonus, I made this simple matching bag to go with the dress.  The construction is similar to a double layered envelope, not sure how else to explain it. 

I had intended to add gussets to give it a flat bottom, but when I tried that it ended up looking like a very pretty lunch bag.  Not what I wanted, at least not with this bag.  Of course now I have a great idea for a lunch bag, but that’s for a future project.

Now the most trying project, a knitted scarf.  I never learned to knit when I was young and around here that is kind of a big deal.  Dealing with knitting needles kind of turns me off. 

So enter the Knifty Knitter loom, I bought it on sale at Joann Fabric and Crafts and committed myself to using it.  After fiddling with the included instructions which weren’t clear, I finally got started on my first knit project. 

The finished scarf isn’t too much to look at, but there’s nothing horribly wrong with it.  It was quick to make, totally painless, and I am actually willing to do another loom project.  The loom is fun to work with despite the instructions.  I found it easier to learn by paying more attention to the illustrations than the written steps and numbers.  Weird.

Here’s the updated list:

• hair combs
• napkins
• headbands
• wrist band
• short sleeve blouse
• doll clothes
• skirt
• shorts
• scarf
• more broaches
• dress

Ten down, just one more to go.  It will probably be finished by Monday.  I’m on a roll.

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Super Five

Yesterday I had intended to blog about a finished project.  Instead, today I am blogging about five finished projects.  Yep, I’m been a busy little bee the last few days and got a good chunk of my list completed.

First up is the wristband.  At first this doesn’t look like much.  A simple stretchy wristband made from scraps of fabric I had lying around right?  What’s so remarkable about that?

Possibly the pin cushion on the other side.  This was my intended purpose.  I have seen several pincushions that go on the wrist like this and had always thought them to be extremely useful, not to mention really cool.  Now why would I go out and buy one when I can easily whip one up with a spare pin cushion and a stretchy wristband. 

More items made from the same fabric scraps.  I needed more pairs of comfy shorts, so I made this pair with some of the leftover fabric from the pajama pants I made (See Pjs and a Long Awaited Photo).  I also made a simple little skirt using leftovers from the top I made for class (See Catching Up, Again), so I can pair them together easily.  They were both super easy to make and really comfortable to wear which was the point.  Funny thing about the shorts, when my nephew saw them he thought they were like Dora’s shorts from Dora the Explorer.  He thinks his sister would like a pair, should I oblige?

Here’s the blouse, it’s being held up by my nephew in the photo.  See the cute curly hair peeking over the top?  Anyway, it’s a simple blouse with a gathered neck line and poufy sleeves.  It was a vintage pattern that had to be tweaked or else the sleeves would have been huge.   For some reason the pattern originally called for using a zipper.  I’m thinking “why?!”  I can easily pull this thing on over my head and not because it came out too big for me, the shape is like that.  Sometimes I wonder about pattern makers.  I still like it though.  I think I can make it work for me.

And of course the broaches.  I enjoyed making button broaches (See Button Broach, a Tutorial) before so much that I made even more, eleven more to be exact.  The hardest part about making these ones was finding the buttons.  I got them at SAS like the other ones, but for these I had to dig through their button barrel thingy to find just the right ones.  It was worth it though, I love to see them all gathered up like this.  I plan on listing these in my Shoppe, hopefully their new owner’s will enjoy them as much as I do. 

Here’s the updated list:

• hair combs
• napkins
• headbands
• wrist band
• short sleeve blouse
• doll clothes
• skirt
• shorts
• scarf
• more broaches
• dress

Eight down, just three more to go.  Almost done! 

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It Continues…

Do these headbands look familiar?  For some of you, they should.  I made them the same way as the ribbon wrapped pens I did before (See Pretty Pens: A Tutorial) except I used plastic headbands instead of pens.  These were surprisingly easier to make, no caps to get in the way like the pens.  It makes me wonder what else I can cover with ribbon like this.  Hmmm.

Here’s the updated list:

• hair combs
• napkins
• headbands
• wrist band
• short sleeve blouse
• doll clothes
• skirt
• shorts
• scarf
• more broaches
• dress

Three down, eight to go.  The next project should be up by Wednesday, possibly sooner.

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Ready to Use

Told you I’d have the next project up by Saturday.  I spent my morning making napkins out of muslin.  Made about twelve, two of them aren’t in the photo.  They didn’t come out quite right. 

Simple to do, but they take a fair amount of time.  Most of the time was spent ironing the darn things.  I guess they are worth the effort.  Fabric napkins are sooo much nicer than paper, more eco-friendly and more effective when eating greasy foods.  Now I need to grab something to eat.

Here’s the updated list:

• hair combs
• napkins
• headbands
• wrist band
• short sleeve blouse
• doll clothes
• skirt
• shorts
• scarf
• more broaches
• dress

Two down, nine to go.  The next one will be up by Monday, and it should look a little familiar at least to those of you that have been paying attention.

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More Combing

I had intended to post this yesterday, but I had finals to prepare for.  Actually I dozed off while attempting to “prepare for finals”.

Anyway, I loved making the last hair combs so much that I wanted to make some more but in pairs.  I made two pairs with small metal combs, some ribbon, and blue fake wired rosebuds.  I’m wondering if I should have used a color other than the blue.  I have some off white ones that probably would have worked too.  Maybe I’ll make another batch.  But I am happy with these ones.  I just need to find something to wear with them, and figure out what to do with the extra set.  Sell or gift?  Hmmm.

Here’s the updated list:

• hair combs
• napkins
• headbands
• wrist band
• short sleeve blouse
• doll clothes
• skirt
• shorts
• scarf
• more broaches
• dress

One down, ten to go.  Should have the next one up by Saturday, and by that I don’t mean Sunday with an apology.

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Bangles to Dangle

I have been meaning to post this for a while, just never got around to it.  This is a few of my favorite bracelet tutorials.  Such an easy accessory to pull off, and one can never own too many.  Especially when you make them yourself.

• Fabric Wrap Bracelets—Combine your favorite fabric scraps and metal bangle bracelets for these simple and sweet bracelets.
• Shower Curtain Ring Bracelets—Really cool looking bracelets made of shower curtain rings of all things.  Careful though, these involve cutting with a knife.  Cut the ring, not yourself.
• Shoelace Bracelets—Fun stretchy bracelets using those cute shoelaces you always see at dollar/discount stores or a set you have lying around.
• Popsicle Bracelets—This one amazes me, bracelets made by molding popsicle sticks. 
• Braided Hex Nut Bracelet—Nothing like raiding your toolbox or hardware store for craft supplies.  That’s what you need for this bracelet.  The result is a bracelet that really leaves an impression.
• Baseball Bracelet—Baseball fan or parent/sibling/etc. of a player/fan?  Show some support by donning a bracelet made from an old baseball.  It’s eco-friendly too.

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Up to Nineteen

Finished drafting up the new list.  Plenty of accessories on it, can never make too many.  Plus some specific clothing pieces.  It has become increasingly clear to me that I am lacking in casual warm weather clothing.  Is that big a deal?  In Arizona in July, yes it is.  So I thought I’d try my hand at a few sweat friendly items.  Anyway, here’s the latest list.

Project List #19

• hair combs
• napkins
• headbands
• wrist band
• short sleeve blouse
• doll clothes
• skirt
• shorts
• scarf
• more broaches
• dress

I should have it all done by mid-August.  Hopefully. 

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What Do I Do Now?

After much thought, maybe not enough, I signed up for a Twitter account today.  Yep, I’m on Twitter, and I am totally freaking out now.  In my mind I’m thinking “What do I do now?  What was I thinking, I don’t know how to use this thing.  Why? Why? WHY?!!”  and so on.  Ever had this sort of reaction when trying something new?  I don’t really understand it, but I think it’s because I am looking at “the big picture” instead of all the smaller bits.  At first glance to this beginner's eye, Twitter looks like something incredibly huge and complicated.  I just need to break it down into smaller details, learn how to do it bit by bit.  I’ll get it eventually, I hope.

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Happy #2

Okay, I sort of forgot that last Saturday was actually the 2 year anniversary for this blog.  Whoo Hoo!  Two Years!.  So in honor of it, and because I completely forgot to do anything for the 1st year, I made a video showcasing a few of my favorite photos from the past two years.
Enjoy.

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It’s So Huge

What’s huge?  My finished project.  It’s the last one for my sewing class and the last one on the current list so of course it’s a good one.

This has got to be the fullest skirt I have ever made.  Took quite a bit out of me to finish it.  You can imagine just how long it took to do the hem alone.  I’m fairly proud of this one.  I used a commercial pattern for this and it actually came out okay.  Usually commercial patterns don’t like me.  There are a few flaws, namely in the waistband and the size.  The skirt is a little too big for me, but only a little bit.  I didn’t get a picture of it, but I actually did okay with adding the zipper.  Unfortunately it’s a little too close to where I messed up on the waistband.  I’d rather not have photographic evidence of that.  Anyway it’s a decent skirt, and I have tons more of this print so there may be more like it in the future.  Possibly matching accessories too.

Here’s the updated list:

• Needle case
• Mug cozy
• Pants
• Hair accessories
• Brooches
• Necklace
• Other jewelry
• Food
• Top
• Skirt

Ten down and out.  Decent timing too, I have finals next week to prepare for. 

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Sometimes…

Sometimes I wonder…

• When I leave my charger in the outlet when it’s not connected to my phone, is it still using electricity?
• Why does my cat seem to know when I’m faking being asleep?
• How come when I try to fall asleep at night I can’t, but when I am trying to stay awake I doze off?
• Why does it seem like my toenails grow faster than my fingernails?
• How come with all the recommendations for protecting your skin year-round from cancer causing UVA rays, I still have problems finding sunscreen in stores after Summer ends?
• Is it just me, or does it seem like when I watch TV I end up watching more commercials than actual TV shows?
• Will my niece be more willing to eat green vegetables if they came in a package that had pictures of Disney Princesses on it?
• Why do they make “sweet” pickles?
• How come when I walk into a store several employees ask if they can help me, but when I actually need the help I can’t find a single employee?
• Is there a polite way to tell someone they reek of smoke?
• How come some people keep their air-conditioners set at like 70 degrees, but when it drops that low outside they turn the heat on?
• How come frozen dinners and such without meat costs about the same as regular ones, but frozen dinners and such labeled “Vegetarian” cost 2-3 times more?
• Why do dogs smell really bad when wet?

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Catching Up, Again

So I’m a little behind on things again, what a surprise.  Sort of behind on blogging too.  I had truly intended to post something yesterday, but I was too tired from Monday.  Happy Independence Day by the way.  Enjoy yours?  I enjoyed mine.  Got completely soaked without actually going into a pool.  Also got a candle knocked over on me, no burns but got candle wax all over my clothing.  At least I got a couple of bucks for it.  And I also found out I have strong beginner’s luck when it comes to card games.  It was a good holiday.

Moving on to more important things, here’s the top I made for sewing class.  Another “basic'” project so it’s a simple tank top.  No fuss, no knit.  The only problem is I made it too big for me and it bagged out around the neckline.  To fix that I added some elastic to the center of the front and back.  That cinches it just enough to fit perfectly while making the top just a little cuter.  Not too bad and you can never have too many sleeveless tops this time of year.

Here’s the updated list:

• Needle case
• Mug cozy
• Pants
• Hair accessories
• Brooches
• Necklace
• Other jewelry
• Food
• Top
• Skirt

Nine down, just one more to go.  Last one should be finished by Monday, kind of late but it does involve zippers. 

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Friendly Onigiri

I love living in Arizona, not.  I had to brave the hazards of a high heat advisory and an air quality advisory in order to get this up for you today.  Makes me wish I had a Wi-Fi connection at home.  Anyway, my brother’s birthday is next week.  Every year it’s a major challenge of what to give him.  What do you give the guy who has everything?

Well, if he’s into anime/manga and Japanese culture you give him these.  Onigiri friends.  Aren’t they adorable.  I made them with scraps of fleece and googly eyes.  I truly believe that everything looks cuter with googly eyes adhered to them, and that includes plush food items.  I am tempted to keep one for myself, but I already have enough cute stuff cluttering my drawers and shelves and such.  Time to spread it all around.

Here’s the updated list:

• Needle case
• Mug cozy
• Pants
• Hair accessories
• Brooches
• Necklace
• Other jewelry
• Food
• Top
• Skirt

Eight down, two to go.  Nothing left to do but some clothing projects for class.  Yay!

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