I don'tknow what I was thinking when I left out this one. This project is my crown and joy. These slippers are slated to be an intermediate project, but Jesus helped me do it! He showed me how to make the tricky parts not so tricky!!! He has all the great ideas!

I made my son a pair of Timber Lane Press Easy Slipper Sock #802 pattern. I used fleece from JoAnn's (NEVER AGAIN!!! It is cheap fleece for a slipper that gets much use), ribbing stuff from Wazoodle (NEVER AGAIN...again.  I had no idea what I was getting and had to re-measure each ribbing piece so it would fit the opening), fabric paint for the traction instead of that jiffy grip (NEVER AGAIN...you get the point. I thought the Jiffy Grip would get own out too soon, but I discovered that the paint leaves marks on my linoleum floor!!!!) and ultasuede for the soles. It took me a while to read and re-read the directions so I'd know exactly what I was doing and not mess anything up! It took me a while, but I finally got it all worked out. Here are the final products:

They don't stand up anymore because the foam inside them moves around after you wash it a few times.

True to my word, here are the outfits I made. I made Simplicity's 5080 for my older daughter and McCall's 5028 for my infant. I was so excited because I finally had enough fabric to match their outfits. So here are the pics of their matching outfits:

I made another outfit for the Little One in a different color:

On this one, I used my decorative stitches to spruce up the dark colored top. I actually got a compliment on this one. Her smile is as big as mine was!

     It's been about a year since I last wrote of sewing something. The last things I was concentrating on sewing were cloth diapers for my new Little One. Well, she's 10 mos. now and we're well into cloth diapering. I don't use them when we go out places because it doesn't seem practical to be carrying around pee and poop. We're mostly at home so I get to use the diapers a lot. I love the ability to clean them and they don't have stains or smell! I spray the poop with Shout and just wait until there's about three of them (half a day) and then wash. I sometimes pour the Shout into the machine along with the detergent. We have hard water so I guess it works out okay. My diapers smell clean and you can't tell she's pooped or peed in them one day! I used two pieces of white sherpa for most of my prefolds (luxury prefolds) with hemp stuff in the soaker part. For the AI2 shells I used sherpa for the inside and PUL for the outside. The PUL is waterproff and makes sure she doesn't leak. I love the Darling Diaper (DD) pattern because she makes the inside smaller than the outside so that when you add the elastic to the seam allowances the PUL rolls in and keeps all liquids inside the diaper! It's genius! So anyway, here are some pics. I was able to get some cute pink PUL and purple sherpa:

The one on the left is the diaper closed and the one on the right is the diaper opened with a prefold in it.

     I've also made diaper covers when she was smaller. It was easier to just use a prefold (pf) and put a cover over it so it didn't leak. Here's a fleece cover I made:

I made this like a pull on because it was easier to work with.

     So, that's all in the diaper category. I'll do another post with a couple outfits I've done.

     I have been neglecting this place, but I have been doing things. Thank you everyone for your wonderfully encouraging comments. Yes, I was feeling like I was getting attacked at Sew Mamas for wanting to sew everything in my home. I got it again at the Hancock's store near me, although the first criticism prepared me for more. Since you all have been encouraging me so much I feel compeled to continue writing about my endeavors.

     I currently have two different projects going. I started on a skirt (B4235) with some fabric that someone gave me. It's an A-line flair skirt that has a side closing zipper. I cut out the top piece wrong (the fabric kept shifting) and had to do it all over again (does anybody know of a better way of cutting out patterns??!!!??? I hate that tracing paper! I keep thinking there's got to be a better way). I sewed the side seams and now I'm waiting to do that zipper. The instructions are not very easy for me to follow, so I found three different directions in three different books. Now I'm trying to decide which one is best. I'm hoping they don't steer me wrong.

     My other project is sheets for my daughter's bed out of some other fabric someone gave me. I love the way the overlock stitch looks so I'm doing the hem in that. So far I've got the two sides done. Now I'm going to do the top and bottom. I'm thinking of making the top and bottom the same size so she can use the sheet either way on her bed. I was looking at my old sheets and didn't like the way it looked washed out near the top, but the bottom was still colorful. I found some sheeting at Hancock's that was too cute for our master bed, but couldn't get it because I didn't have enough money.

     Next on the list is making some slippers for the children this winter as well as the cloth diapers this new little one will be wearing. I've been stocking up on the fabric and patterns so that when I get my new machine I can just get started. I'm praying and hoping that my father will come through and pay the last payment on my Viking Platinum 770 so I can get to work on that. The Simplicity I have now just breaks my thread and needles on layers. What a waste! I will forever tell people to buy quality when learning how to sew and needing a machine.

     Oh yeah, hey everyone. I don't think I put this in here before, but there's a website I found that has reviews on so many patterns, sergers, sewing machines, sewing websites, sewing stores and sewing books! There's also a message board area where you can ask questions and stuff. The place is: www.patternreview.com. I do hope someone gets to visit it and take advantage of the info! I've learned so much from there.

     Well, my last project was kind of sucessful. The pants do fit her although the waistband looks messy. I'm happy with it as my first serious attempt to sew. God has put it on my heart to do more and keep sewing until I reach my goal of sewing everything around this house that can be sewn. I'm getting there and He's also given me a desire to persevere through the troubles of sewing (like broken needles and bobbins running out in the middle of a project).

     With all that in mind, I'm embarking on my newest sewing project, cloth diapers! As you can see I'm about 5 going on six months pregnant and I have decided to cloth diaper this baby (saves SOOO much money). I've been scouring the internet for help and instructions on how to do this. I have found many, many sites that deal with all different aspects of sewing your own cloth diapers. I've got my patterns, I'm getting my notions and fabric (my God just blessed me through my fahter with $264 worth of materials), so all that's left is to get to sewing! I love it. I feel like I'm actually living out those verses in Proverbs that talk of sewing and making things for the family. God has surely changed my heart and attitude.

     So, I have done a few (I'm on my third) practice diapers but they really don't look anything like good diapers (I'm just using scrap fabric which doesn't act like the real fabric) so I'll spare everyone the horror of viewing them.  I will , however, post the pictures of my progress as I'm making the real diapers. I've figured out that I need to make 40+ for the newborn size and 60+ for the small (2-5mos. maybe). Imma be one sewing Mama!!! Until next time!

     YEAH!!!! I finally finished the capris pants for my daughter. I have the pictures. I didn't keep up a steady journal in here from start to finish, but I can tell you that I stopped four times (I called them phases). I was stuck in four different areas so I had to get counsel before I could continue. So here are the pics (keep in mind this is my FIRST real attempt at sewing)!!

These are the pants

This is the messed up waistband I did because I coudln't see what I was sewing (I sewed it from the inside). I need to think of a better way to do that. I coudln't adjust myself to the dip in the middle

This is the back waistband. I had to open it up to get the elastic through. I used a safety pin to shuttle it through the casing. It was getting caught up on the seam allowance from the back of the pants. I also have to figure out how to do that. After the elastic was in there I didn't feel like fighting with it to sew the waistband back up.

Here is the cute stitch that I used for the hem. I think it makes it look more girly which is perfect for my girly-girl.

So there it is. A photo journal of my first completed big sewing project. I have one more of these to do (in royal blue) before I start on my stash of cloth diapers for the baby! =) I'm so excited to sew those!!!

     Yesterday I tried another stab at finishing up the capri pants. I have two general sewing books and they urged me to finish the seams I had done in the first phase. I had to change the stitch for that. I used the three-step zigzag. Then I easestitched across the top of the pants from seam to seam. Next, I fused the interfacing onto the waistband...and that's about as far as I got. All of that took me about an hour if you can believe it. I had to read up on every detail before I did it. I also had to try out the fusing so that I was sure I was pressing it right. I was so tired out and had a complaining attitude by the time I finished. My husabnd asked me if I was discouraged, but I said no. I know I'm going to finish this project, I just REALLY don't appreciate all the complicated aspects I'm encountering...

     Now as a child of God I remind myself of the Isrealites in the wilderness RIGHT AFTER God delivered them from the Egyptians. I know my lesson is to be thankful that I have all the resources I have and can sew my daughter capri pants. So, this morning I'm rebuking and correcting myself and pushing past the bad attitude to a place of praise and thanksgiving. I'd probably be ale to fogure things out a bit easier if I had just had a thankful attitude and just prayed and asked God to interceed and give me wisdom (I am afterall supposed to be doing a Created To Be His Helpmeet wisdom study. If I'm studying, I'm supposed to be learning something, right?). So, that's what I'm doing today. In spite of my complaining, God did give me more ideas for home decor styles and fashions and I am SO EXCITED to start with those projects....but for now I say, PRAISE THE LORD for this time of learning! I know God put this on my heart to do (as He's turning my heart more towards home and homemakeing), so I will praise Him at every turn. Even if the capris come out terrible...PRAISE THE LORD!!! =) I'm going to be a joyful maker of my home even in sewing.

     Oh yeah, here are the pics of phase 2:

That's the interfacing I fused onto the waistband

This is the finished seam I did and the easestitching across the top

     Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've posted here and that directly reflects the wok I've been doing. Aside from practicing my hemming foot stiches I've been doing no real projects...

     Until now. This past weekend my mother and I tried to go shopping for my 4yo. daughter. It was next to fruitless becuase all of the pants we saw for her (that weren't denim) would have to be taken in or adjusted in some way and would mess up the style of the pants (I'm only a beginner sewer and don't know how to do perfect alterations yet). So, I decided right then and there that I would have to get off my duff and get to work (funny how necessity shakes off the laziness immediately)!

     So, here I am working on my first project. I decided on capri pants using a (supposedly) simple pattern from McCall's (McCall's conviently left out the sewing allowance and we had to squeeze to fit all the pieces onto the folded fabric. It was quite a panic for a while when it dawned on us that we didn't have enough room. This will be my last "easy" pattern from McCall's). My mother, so graciously, added the seam allowance (by sight! She didn't even measure it or anything. I was waaayyy impressed to say the least) and helped me cut out the fabric pieces. All I had to do was re-thread the bobbin and machine with the right color thread and start sewing! I made it through the first two steps (sew the darts and the seam down to the first notch on the crotch). The third step says something about easysewing a seam allowance on the top of the pants. Mommy didn't add in that seam allowance so Imma hold off on that till I get clarification. So here's what it looks like so far:

     So this is my first attempt at doing something substantial. I'm very excited and already thinking about how I can make the next pants project better (like thicker fabric). Praise the Lord!!!

If anyone has any wisdom to share PLEASE lay it on me...

     Earlier today I received an e-mail from an online saying she liked what I did in my sewing section and that she could identify with what I said. Later on, I felt this drive to do something I had been putting off for a week. I made my son a bib:

     The shame ful part is it seems to me like the only catalyst for completing this needed project (his other plastic one was cracking) was my friend's comments!!! Aaauugghh!!!! I guess I haven't been cured from my approval addition as I had hoped. Back to the drawing board (A.K.A.- On my knees in prayer).

     The productive part is I did it. I even did it throughly. Here is a picture of where the string goes through the top:

     I didn't sew all the way to the seam. I left an opening and then just threaded the string through there. It acts like a drawstring.

     So anyway, that'as my newest creation. I need to get back to those receiving blankets for Caleb Ministries...

     Today I focused on my relatinoship with God. I also listened to a Joyce Meyer sermon called How To Wholly Follow God (from her How To Be Radically & Outrageously Blessed series... by the way, SHE'S COMING TO INDIANAPOLIS THIS THURSDAY, FIRDAY AND SATURDAY AT CONSECO FIELDHOUSE!!!! WHOO HOOOO!!!!) and gleaned so much. She helps me get my fire back to fight my own flesh and bring it under submission to Jesus. I got an idea to write out the scriptures she was using and some quotes from her sermon on a piece of paper and then hang it up in my prayer closet (which is really my walk-in closet where I pray). Before long I had eight sheets of paper and I wasn't even finished listening to her sermon!

     Then an idea and a remembrance hit me all at the same time. The remembrance was that my husband doesn't like to see just plain pieces of paper scotch taped to his walls. He's the classy type and would prefer them to be framed in some way. The idea that hit me was from a sewing book I was reading that gave instructions for making a picture frame! Bingo! I could frame my paper posters! I guess I started around 2:30 and by 3:45 I was finished (give or take a half hour. Next time I'll wrtie down my start and finishing time). I made a lot of adjustments to their instructions (which reminded me of cooking from a receipe and substituting almost everything) because we didn't have it and I didn't think that should keep me from completing this project (see, that Joyce Meyer fire spills over into everything!). My materials were:

• cardboard
• thread
• needle
• stapler w/ staples
• fabric
• scissors
• exacto knife
• scotch tape
• paper w/ scripture or encouraging word written on it in nice font

     So here's what I came up with. This is the front of the frame with my paper poster in the middle (The scripture on it is Philippians 2:14-16 Life Applicatoin Bible):

     I realized too late that I cut the hole for the frame too big. I drew a line around the paper and cut the line. I should have measured in a bit and then cut the opening for the frame. Ah well. Chaulk it up to experience! Next is a picture of the back (where all the mess is ):

     At first I stapled the fabric to the cardboard (which worked quite well for the edges. I was using a black fabric so you couldn't see the staples after I put the new piece of fabric over another side of the frame), then I found I need something to keep the fabric in place for the inside of the frame. Since I had just thrown a piece of fabric over the front of the sides of the frame, the ends were wrapped around the back of the frame. I just got my needle and thread and sewed them together. As you can see there's only half of a back to the frame. I had one piece left over from the cardboard that I had cut out and didn't feel like wasting it and wasting time cutting out another full piece for the back. I just scotch taped the paper to the cardboard and stapled the cardboard to the frame. This got a bit messy because the staples stuck out in the front. You can't really tell because the fabric is black (I also hung it on a wall that's far enough away you can't see those ugly petty details, but close enough to still be able to read the scripture). My husband put a nail in the wall and I made a hanger (which was supposed to be made out of ribbon) out of some left over pieces of fabric I had cut earlier. I just stapled them to the back of the frame and it made a hanger:

     All in all, I am very pleased and thank God for showing me I am still creative. I haven't been for a long time and thought I'd lost it for good. When I sew I get ideas for other things. It's like you open the gate of creativity to sew and all these other ideas come pouring out. Praise the Lord! I'm a creative, crafty Mama! Who knew?

     This is what I actually cut out (by placing the paper cut out on top of the fabric) and sewed. I just sewed the edges and you can tell not very well either:

     Later my husband came up to check on me and tried to put the puppet on. He ended up busting the seam, but I can't get too mad at him because it was my shoddy seam that allowed him to bust through. Anyway, this took a long time since it was small to fit my preschoolers' hands so I'm thinking of going bigger and perhaps working with felt since it doesn't pull and gather when you turn corners (or so I've heard). I'm thinking of just getting all the right color felt and sewing them together and adding the eyes, mouth, and whatever else the character calls for. I think I'll make them some Lion King puppets since they LOVE to act out scenes from the first movie. We don't have the fabric yet, so this may take a while to complete (and it's not because of my procrastination).

     I also decided to read my sewing books from the library. One general beginning sewing book mentioned I could possibly sew a hem without my having to hold the fold in place and iron the fold. The foot they used looked familiar and I checked to see if I had it in my storage compartment in the machine. I did. I was brave and tried it out. Here are the results (front and back):

     The book says I should get better with practice which I'm so glad they said. I'd be kinda down if they thought it was the easiest thing to do and mine turned out looking like this.  So I'll keep practicing and maybe this will help me in making the hems on my receiving blankets.

     (I've been doing a lot of intrductions to my posts lately. I don't know why...anyway) I cracked open three general books on sewing and home decorating today. I've got so many ideas!!!! I saw projects on making lamp shade covers, picture frames, tablecloths and placemats as well as curtains, valances, shower curtains and slip covers. There were so many good ideas that I am starting to feel slightly restless to get started on these projects. I'm especially hyped about that hem foot I just discovered. Once I get that down pat Imma use that on just about everything until I learn how to mitre my edges. That looks really good.

     Since 9/28, I have mailed out the three receiving blankets I made along with their samples. I haven't started any new ones, but I am reading about hems (since I am in such desperate need of understanding).

     I just got back form the library today and got an armload of sewing books and videos. I'll let you know what I learn.

     I'm really excited to start work on my tablecloths and placemats. So far I've been using a tablecloth I bought from a garage sale (it's mostly white and has apples and pears in the corners) and some placemats my mother-in-law gave us. The placemats are orange and light green, blue and multicolored red, orange and white. They seem to lighten up the table area and compliment the tablecloth very well. God gave me the idea to put it out. My husband even commented on it. Around my home that's a big thing.  Big boost in confidence...except I didn't really do it. I just obeyed. Great encouragement to obey God again!

     Another project I'm excited about is our puppets. I found a pattern online for a puppet that includes a head so Imma just cut the fabric and sew it....except I haven't done it yet.

     So, that's about it. I'll post the pictures of what I finish. I won't post anymore blankets until I do a different hem. You've seen enough catastrophe to last you a lifetime already, don't you think?

     Since you can't really tell how bad it is from this shot I did two more:

     What happened was, I folded all the other edges and then found out the last edge was not cut straight (my fault) so my folds weren't going to come out lined up. One end was longer than the other! I had so much left over I had to cut just to make the fold at the corner look somewhat decent. the edge is wavy not straight because I had to curve one side over more. So I hope someone can redo this for me when they get it or maybe the Momma who gets this won't mind the mess up. I didn't think I could mess up a receiving blanket. The Holy Spirit taught me how to fold the corners. I thought it would look perfect after that. Guess I need more practice...

     This is what I did after I said, "Go!"  I took out my machine, re-threaded it (which fixed it a bit) and sewed this. I was just working on hems. I didn't get my iron out so I think I should have done that first. I just took the picture becuase Kellyque777 said to. I'm going to rip this out and do it over so I'll really practice. I just wanted to do "something".

     This is a close-up of the mess-up. I sewed the rest of the fabric up into the hem. I hadn't folded the hem all the way down and when I got there I just sewed whatever was under the foot. DON'T DO THIS!  Again, I just wanted to, "do something". I'll do it over...I might make this into a tablecloth for my daughter's table. She's been wanting tea parties lately and I hear you have to make everything look nice (I'm a tom-boy so I have no clue about tea parties. I go to the library often ).

     This summer as I was visiting my mother (who brought me my Simplicity Creative Spirit Plus Model SA2200 from the Americana series), I again found the fabric that someone in my church had brought me so I could make these receiving blankets (she had heard of my sewing endeavors and financial hardships as well). With Mommy's help, I measured and cut, folded and sewed it all together. It's nothing fancy but it's the only one I've made for them. It was so easy and took so little time. I again procrastinated and still have the blanket instead of the ministry. All I have to do is send it. I have many excuses in my head but this conversation (and me finding the blanket. I keep it in the sewing machine box) has sparked me to action. I struggle with perseverence, but I will just claim victory and plod on in Jesus' name!!!! Who's with me?

The last thing I did at 6:15pm was get on my marks, get set, and git to taking out my sewing machine. When I took it out it was still messed up from sewing the fleece so I actually spent the whole 20 min. trying to figure out (with manual in hand) how to thread the machine (Someone said in a comment taht if you just re-thread it that usually works all the kinks out). Well, it worked, although the big dial is still feeling stiff. I read in the manual that if the feed is not smooth you should dust the insides and re-oil.  Here we go again with the stuff I don't know how to do. I tried sewing on it and it worked fine. It sounded a little rough but the stitch was good so I just counted my blessings and figured if it 'ain't broke, don't fix it. I'm really dreading having to oil the thing. First off I don't have any machine oil (will Canola work?). Secondly, this thing has so many little parts. Aside from having to take it all apart I hope I don't oil something I'm not supposed to.... or I could just get in my prayer closet and give the whole matter to God since He's the One who wants me to sew in the first place. I think I like that last suggestion better.

     I did listen to what you said, Kellyque777. My digi camera is in need of a recharge (it's charging as I'm writing this) and I have everything laid out to take pictures of it for you. I have to warn you though. What I just did looks R-O-U-G-H!!!! Hope it gets you motivated anyway. Maybe I'll make a contest out of it to help you along, Kelly. How does, 'Can You Top This?', sound?

     The main thing that's bumming me out about sewing is that I have to take out the machine from the box where I keep it and put it back everytime I use it. I love to keep stuff out that I'm using or working on. It makes it seem so much more inviting when you can just slip into a chair and pick up where you left off.

     Anyway, I'm really feeling the urge to take it out and start sewing my daughters puppet and table cloth. We already hav a bag a placemats but they probably won't match....hey...I can pick whatever color fabric I want for my table cloth so I can make it match!!! Oh, wait a minute....while that's true, the placemats are individually mismatched. Oh well. Back to the drawing board...or sewing machine in this case  

     This is something I can take a picture of proudly...well...confidently (for me pride is bad). It's a receiving blanket for Caleb Ministries. It will go inside a memory box that will be given to a mourning mother who's lost her baby recently. I plan on making a whole bunch of these to send to them. You can click on the P.A.T. link in the menu to find out how you can do the same. I talked more about this in a previous post.