the evolution of a skirt

People out there in internet land are amazingly talented and creative. Check this out- I have to make one of these soon. I just copy ideas (and spend too much time searching for them on other blogs) but some people blow me away with their ability to make something out of an item that seems to have no more life.

I bought three XL ladies skirts at Goodwill last week, with the hopes of turning them into summer clothes for Sweet A. She doesn't have much for the warmer weather (if it ever comes!) and I had the urge to sew for her. Two are cotton, and the middle one is a knit. I spent about $11 total.



I chopped up one of the skirts, which happened to be lined (more coordinating fabric!) and made a little tiered skirt with a contrasting lining, which doesn't really show in the pictures. Sorry they're blurry- she doesn't stop moving. Then I used this great tutorial to make her a matching shirt from an old t-shirt. I will probably re-make it since the tutorial looks much cuter and mine ended up looking a little like a bikini top on a toddler...I should have actually followed the directions.
There was even enough for Darling, her doll, to get a skirt. (She named her Darling because as she says, "Daddy calls me darling.")

Always a good sign when they don't want to take it off...
I may try to follow a real pattern for the other two, but I'm totally inspired to pull out some lifeless t-shirts and try to make them into something fun. (Probably not undergarments, but I guess if times get tough I'll know how.)

Cowboy pants

I am blissfully aware of what a carefree season of life we are in with preschoolers and babies. No school= no hard and fast schedule or any "must do" lists for our days. Play, memory work, chores, more play, naps, and meals consume our time. It's a sweet life. Coop is asking for more "school" so I have been working towards more consistency with Five In a Row. This week's book is Miss Rumphius, a sweet tale of a woman who sets out to do three things in her life: 1) see the world 2) have a house by the sea, and 3) make the world a more beautiful place. We will add "glorify God and enjoy Him forever" while doing all those things, but the book has prompted some good conversations about our calling in life...Coop is fairly certain God told him to be a fireman. One with a yellow hat, because they get to drive the firetrucks. (?)

Other activities filling our days...

• Coop sporting his new cowboy pajama pants. The rest of this adorable fabric is in the shop.

• Speaking of fabric- I'm carrying clearance fabric in my shop...hoping to pass on some good deals to those who enjoy sewing. Check it out.

• Heard the boys laughing hysterically one morning before I went in to wake them up. This is what I found:

They've discovered they can play with each other and pass things from bed to bed. The game is more fun now that Baby T is standing.

• I started staying on a consistent haircut schedule by naming the Monday after our monthly church supper Haircut Day. This week, even Baby T got in on the action. He had his first haircut with the clippers (albeit his 5th! haircut). Do you know how hard it is to get a 9-month old to be still for the clippers?

• Lastly, I'm teaching my first card-making class since the move. Here's a sample of what we'll be making...

My protege

Molly has been embroidering up a storm here. Wait until I show you the quilt she's working on! I made this little pillow but we both agreed it was too plain, so she absconded with it and added her own special touch. She doesn't have her own blog (being all of 11 yrs, that makes sense), so she's been begging me to showcase it here. :) This is the finished product:

I'm recovering from a weekend of strep. Thankfully we caught it early so the downtime was shortened and it looks like no one else caught it. Being sick all weekend left me in the wake of no housework for several days, so today will be a true catch-up day. There is a lot going on in our little family, even more in the church at large, and all of it needs prayer and proactivity on my part. I did make it to the evening service last night and the sermon was on the danger of doing nothing. Very inspiring...I'm off to do something.

Sewing Meme

June is Sewing Machine Month at a favorite blog of mine, Sew Mama Sew! They've created a little Sewing Machine Meme to learn more about all the machines out there. During the month they also have great sewing tips and sewing machine basics, which would be great if you are just starting out or want to learn more about machines.

What brand and model do you have?

Brother Pacesetter PC-4000

How long have you had it?

13 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?

At the time it was about $2400. I recently checked into the resale value to see if I could upgrade and it was worth a whopping $200. It's worth MUCH more to me!

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?

Mostly home furnishings: pillows, curtains, slipcovers. I've made baby gifts, clothes, and used it for tons of mending and alterations.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?

I get on a sewing kick and sew all the time, and then put it away for a few months. Lately, I've been sewing several times a week. But throughout its life I'd say my machine has been used monthly.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?

No name. I don't name inanimate objects. I'm boring like that. But I love love love my machine. I've never had a single problem with it. (And just between you and me- I've never even had it serviced. Hoping to remedy that in the next month or two.)

What features does your machine have that work well for you?

I mostly use the basic stitches, although the button-holer makes that project effortless, and there are about 100 decorative stitches.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?

The machine makes a beeping noise when you back stitch. I can never sew quietly.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!

I got my machine from my step-mother for my 18th birthday. She asked me if I wanted a sewing machine or a used car, and I decided the car would cost me money, but the machine could be used to make money. :) I've never regretted it!

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?

They don't make this model anymore.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?

Customer ratings...I'm all about good reviews.

Do you have a dream machine?

I would love an embroidery machine- that's my dream!