Sleepsack

My daughter asked me to make a sleepsack for my 5 month grandson.  She wanted it to be longer than the one he was quickly growing out of, so.....

I compared the one she brought over to a pattern I found in my stash.  Seeing as they are big Buffalo Sabres fans (who are losing), I also found some Sabres fabric in my stash.

This is the end result.

It looks so cute on him.  Should have taken a picture, but did not :(

This pattern ran SO big, I had to cut it way back.  I don't know how these pattern companies think a 6 month baby fits in their pattern, but the original one he was swimming in.  Plus I added the ribbing.  The pattern just wanted me to turn it back and stitch it down....I think this looks so much better!!!  For the ribbing I used a yellow fleece I had, cut crossgrain.

I'm making two more, but out of flannel,

Butterick B5792 - Long Nightgown

This was such an easy pattern to sew up.  I asked a friend what she would like for her birthday; she said that she would love a white gown.  My brain is dead, can't think of the name of the fabric...geesh...old age.

I picked up Butterick B5792.

I ordered this fabric on Fabric.com and didn't even realize it had a border on it..Bonus, I thought, perfect for the bottom.

 This is it gathered at the bottom....the print is sideways for the gown itself, but so unnoticable...well, maybe....:)

 I added a small trim around the neckline to give it more detail.

 Added a pretty pink ribbon and it's done!!

I hope she likes it, or better yet, hope it fits.  Luckily, its a nightgown and doesn't matter if it is a little large.  If it's small, then I'm in trouble.

Next, for myself, I'm making the pajamas for summer....in a green nylon, also from Fabric.com

Second Project with my Brother embroidery PE500....

One of my co-workers is expecting a little boy next month!!  We threw her a little baby shower yesterday during our lunch hour.  I never wanted an embroidery machine until little ones came into my life again (grandsons) and they make great personalized gifts...so....

I used fleece and flannel...

Maybe I'll make one for my dog Lucy!!  OR just embroider her existing blanket...that's what I'll do..

I Spy quilt...

Ethan enjoying his new quilt.  We had fun playing while his parents went out for their anniversary dinner.  I bought the already cut squares from an Etsy seller.  Sure wish I could remember the name of her shop so I could give her "kudos" but it was so long ago.

Now off for another cup of coffee and watch all the snow falling yet again.  At least it's Saturday and I have absolutely nowhere to go!!  yay    Maybe I will cut out a pattern and sew a nightgown for a friend's birthday gift...........or do laundry...hmmm..

Brother PE500 Embroidery machine

On an impulse, I purchased this machine last Fall.  Not sure of it, the jury is still out.

I bought it refurbished from Amazon.  Works amazing.  But, did I really need it?  NO.  Guess I needed a "happy" in my life, living with someone for 40 years, then BAM alone, will do it every time.

I haven't really found much need for it..........yet.   I embroidered small Christmas towels as gifts and embroidered a PJ top for my daughter-in-law with the built-in butterfly design, and her name over it.  It only works in a 4 x 4 area, which is good, but if you want to put in a sentence, like below....this happened....haha..  Still have to play with it to learn how to put the words on a straight line.  I think the word "little" was the limit of the one square.

Oh well, guess it makes it unique.  It's for my grandsons.....I still have to put a backing on it.

It's been 3 years.....

Hello all.  It's been a long time since I've posted.  A lot has happened in these three years.  I want to start sewing and writing again.  I always had so much fun creating garments and reading about yours.

In these past years, I lost my husband and best friend to an illness.  That was the hardest thing I've gone through.  A month before our 40th wedding anniversary...never made it.

Thank GOD for my (our) two children.  They both got married and I now have two gorgeous grandsons, who light up my life. Talk about bittersweet!! I'm still working as a legal secretary and attempting to get back upstairs and create!!  Of course all the while listening to some good tunes.

Over time I will show you my new machines that I've purchased and still trying to learn.  I am trying to get into embroidery with my new Brother and hope to start making gifts.  Havent been doing much garment sewing for myself, mostly baby clothes and quilts.

It feels good to be back and reading all about your lives and sewing projects. I've missed you.  So, wish me luck!!!

Butterick Jacket and Vest Done

Amongst the fabric my sister gave me, she also gave me patterns.  In the box I found this jacket and thought it was really cute.  Not sure how old it is or if they even print it anymore.

I decided on the red one.  I added about two inches to the hemline.
This picture is up close so you can see the fabric better.

 I don't plan on wearing the tan turtleneck underneath, but it was in my closet so I grabbed it for the photo.  I think a bright green, yellow or pink would be pretty.

I had black lining, but no matter how I sqeezed, put the pattern pieces in different directions...just couldn't get enuf to cut out.  So I found some pink that I had.  Who cares?  Even if I wear a different color top, no one will even know.....

I just got a new job.....so one more thing to wear!

Then I put together a quick vest....it was a "one" hour vest....but by the time I was done, it turned out to be around 3 hours.  The front piece came done WAY too long and just looked silly....so after cutting and re-doing, came out with this:

I think it's cool in a "bohemian, hippie" kinda way!!

Jean Jacket M5860 done.

It's complete.  I'm pretty happy with the results, although the pockets look huge in this picture.  The color is a dark Army green, which my camera did not pick up.  I topstitched it in a light green.  The buttons are from my stash and as I said before, the fabric was given to me....bonus!!  If your looking for a nice fitting jacket pattern, this is the one.  I didn't follow all the fitting suggestions the pattern had, I just cut out a straight size....with the exception of my short waist adjustment of 1 1/2 inch, then adding that same amount to the hemline.

Next up, another blazer for work.....that is, when I go back!

Happy Sewing!!

Sneak Peak - McCalls 5860 Jean Jacket

 I bought this pattern last year..I think.  My sister gave me a box of fabric that she didn't want.  oooo, free fabric, what's better than that?  In that box was an Army green denim piece.  I'm thinking, this would be perfect for that jacket pattern I have.  I'm stitching through it pretty quickly.....

Wish the picture wasn't so dark.  It's the lighting in my room.  I should be finished with it today and will post more pictures soon.  For those of you looking at this pattern, it's pretty easy!

Enjoy your weekend!

Vintage Wedding Gown

is actually my Mom's, and it is gorgeous.  This picture was taken February 12, 1943.

Today, it's yellowed from time and the beaded insert on the bodice is falling apart....but, it's gorgeous, I think.

 There are 25 buttons down the back!

My Mom is 93 years old.  Dad passed away in 1996.

For all you vintage lovers, I thought you'd enjoy this.....

McCalls - fleece jacket finished.

This is what I did all weekend.  Well, most of the weekend.  It was quick and easy...especially working with fleece.  I had a huge remnant of black and a small piece of yellow, although it looks more cream colored in the pictures I took. 

The little pocket on the sleeve is for my IPOD....I tried to angle my camera to get a better shot, but it didn't work.  A photographer - I am not.

This is a great pattern to put together for a gift for someone...hmmmmm....

My sister gave me a box of fabric pieces that she didn't want anymore!!  So, on to my next project...thinking a blazer....jean jacket.....not sure.  But, I'm loving this free time.  I should be downstairs vacumming, washing the kitchen floor........um nah!

Or, maybe this:

More alterations...creating lining for an unlined jacket....

A friend of mine asked me to line a blazer/jacket that she had.  She wanted it to "skim" over her hips, not stick to them.  Who likes a jacket that you have to constantly pull down.  I know I don't.  I said, sure, I'll try.  I've done it for myself, but doing it for someone else causes me to be a perfectionist.  But, it was much easier than I thought.

I took a tissue from a pattern that I will never use....laid it over the jacket back and poked holes around the armsyches and side seam....then cut it out from that

 Then I laid it over the jacket to make sure I sized it correctly.  I did cut it a tad larger just in case of error.

 Just two pieces.....that's it!  She didn't want the sleeves done.

 I machine stitched it to the top (which had a short bodice and the back, leaving the armholes free.

She's happy and I'm happy.  Super simple!  I know alot of you guys would have no problem doing this, but some of you are afraid of alterations and I just want you to see how easy it is.

Dorothy

from the Wizard of Oz.  That's what my daughter announced she wanted to be this year.  She is throwing a Halloween party tomorrow night .  I am NOT a fan of making costumes...seems like such a waste of time.  I'd much rather spend time sewing something you can actually wear.....I love Halloween, in fact, it's my son's birthday.  He was born 10-31-1983!!  And what a treat he is!

Got the pattern and fabric.

She even found red sparkly slippers at WalMart.












Finished today:

Trust me....it's just slapped together.  No finished seams on the inside or special hemming... It was fun...I'm glad that I had the time to do it for her.  She is going to put her hair in braids...and no, her fiance is not going to be the scarecrow....

My sewing room....project.

Hiyall!  Thought I'd share with you what I've been up to these past few days....amazing what some time off from work produces, besides very sore muscles from moving things I should not be moving!!  The name of my blog "little sewing alcove" was from our upstairs bedroom, which had an alcove.  Our upstairs is just one big bedroom with two alcoves and a walk in closet.  Through the many many years we've lived here, both our kids have been up there.  Inbetween one of them moving in/out, I moved downstairs to a single small room:

It was cramped, alongside a single bed...but I loved my little corner of the world.  Did alot of staring out the back window instead of sewing....inspiration?  ya, maybe....right. 

Now both my kids (in their mid to late 20s) are both in their own homes and our "revolving door" has stopped....hehehe...So, I decided to move back upstairs into that alcove - again:

 This is behind me, it's a closet that I'm going to just keep fabric in and a place where girls can try on their dresses in private (for my alterations)...

 This is the other side of the room that I'm going to TRY to keep clutter free...yeah right.  And yes, those are books in the corner...my other obsession...

I've already taken my machines up and will take a pic when it's set up.

But the problem with all this is.......I have a new project I want to start......

Happy Sewing!

Hobo Bag - done!

AND it was so easy.  At first the instructions were a little strange to me because I'm so used to the Big 4 patterns.  Also, there were a few mistakes in the pattern, which thankfully, I read on the Pattern Review site before delving in.  For instance, they put a picture of the snap on the handle side of the bag, not the middle.  It will make sense if anybody sews it up.  But, here's the inside:

I had this piece of gold paisley print hanging around for years.  I thought it matched nicely.  It's hard to see, but I put in a pocket on the right for a cell phone.  I skipped the larger pocket on the other side.

Took it outside for a brighter picture.  It's actually alot bigger than this picture shows.  In fact it's big enough to throw in a magazine, lunch and wallet and use it as a tote bag for work!

Couldnt end my post without a picture of Lucy watching me sew from under the blankets...She's just too cute!

HotPatterns Hobo Style bag - my next project......

That is if I chose to accept it.. The

pieces are all printed on separate sheets and I have to figure out how to tape them together.

 Looks like fun, doesn't it?? :)  I always was a sucker for the hippie era....

This is a brushed fabric I got at Joanne's.....I'm thinking it's an upholstery fabric because it is sturdy.  Perfect for a handbag.  Tomorrow is another day and will let you guys know!

Peace out.....

New Sewing...

I needed a quick dress to wear to my daughter's wedding shower.  This

 did the trick.  I wore it with a jacket over the top.  Sorry the picture is sideways.

 It was so very easy.  As you can see in the picture below, the tie belt went through buttonholes, they weren't  sewn into a seam.  The front was cut in two pieces and the back is one long piece.  If you want something quick to sew up, this pattern is it.  It also helped get me out of my sewing funk I had going on.

 Over the summer I made this top again....I have this same top in navy blue in a previous post.  I believe it was a McCall's pattern.

But I'm back.  I've been laid off from my job and now I'm going to do what I love....sew.  Not sure what is next, maybe a purse/bag.  I did get some fabric over the weekend.  I'm also going to move my sewing area back in the "alcove" upstairs where I have alot more room and I'm free to just leave it and not worry about cleaning up...!!  Yeah!!  I'm going to enjoy this unemployment for as long as I can...been working way too many years full-time.....right now, life is good.