DIY Retro Jean Fun

 It's been a minute since I have had time to sew or do fun shit.

These are Marc Jacobs Runway

So, 

(mine are just as fab)

I, of course, was "given" the opportunity to snazzy up some of the Teen's thrift store haul.

This is how it happens:

Teen and friend buy cool Salvation Army stuff

they say

"Mom, look at this stuff, we have a plan"

then the plan sits on the kitchen table until I say,

" Damnit!!! I'll do it."

Anyways...

here's the how to:

1:Buy jeans

2: cut jeans in cool places (but use caution because you have to sew it back together!)

4: take half the cut pieces and bleach them or dye them

5: reassemble on the floor and pin

6: now remember when you sew them together that you want the seam to the inside and the fringe on the outside.

7: get a glass of wine ( or martini)

8. finish and make teens model 

look how cool....

She makes me smile...

There is your fashion for the day

YOU ARE WELCOME

xo,

sew ya later

m

Hellllllo October, you Bitch

Oh, October in Colorado.  One of the persnickiest times of the year.

One day 78 degrees and clear ....

Isn't it lovely?

All less than 12 hours later.

Same view....

17 degrees. 

No worries though, this is why we love Colorado, she is as unpredictable as a, well, let's say a woman who has been on the wagon for 17 days, attempting to figure out what to do with all her free time not spent drinking or surfing IG or Facebook.

"Shall I have an acid flavored Kombucha?....or a cucumber water?"

"Shall I knit or shall I clean and sort my entire sewing room, then decide to finish all projects which were left unfinished from years ago?"

Guess what ?

All of the above.

SoberOctober is proving itself to be quite productive, not only for projects , but for clearing my mind and getting my lonely lost head straight. 

Two Thumbs up, M!.

 yeah Kanye, we get it 

"MAGA"....and that is starting with my sewing room and brain.

Let's see, just for the idle chatter, I knitted a sweater, sewed a bag (little hexagon appliqué pictured below), got a Fitbit, been working out, am getting a BMI body scan, repotted all the outdoor plants to bring inside and planned a trip to Nashville

Who doesn't love Hexagons?

All of this while sober.  

I may just keep it up into November (probably not, because my friends are so not supportive).

I am still grieving the loss of a friendship which brought me much joy....but it will be ok. 

Everything works out in the end, one way or another, it is just weird to hear someone say they will be there, then , well.....go silent.

Part of my Yoga, workout, run therapy also involves lessons in patience. 

It's kind of cool.

I am working just being me. 

It's all good when you can look at yourself and laugh...give people hugs....and  say "good things happen to good people and mean it". 

I missed out (self inflicted) on a once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu, which was to start tomorrow, because 

1. guilt of spending $3K on myself

2. a little bit scared

3. head not quite where it needed to be to travel and enjoy.

it's ok....there will be more trips....right?

(yes that is grey hair...the red is being replaced by silver)

This is me....at work, 

washing my hands so that I can pass out some more hugs.

Try it.

I'll keep ya posted on my plans.

Nashville, Bryce National Park 1/2, then hopefully Italy and or Greece....although I have heard Croatia is quite nice. 

xoxox,

write ya later,

m

Easy Patio Chair Cushion Recover. DIY

So, as I cleaned up the deck, the one day the weather was nice, I noticed the chair cushions were nasty...nasty ....nasty...

The female that I am headed to the Home Depot to get new ones.

They were anywhere from $18.00- 32.00 each!!!!

Holy Heck.

So just like I did when I covered the swing chair cover, I decided to cover these old things, again.  This is the 3rd time I have recovered.

I wanted to do an easy tutorial because , even though I sew and read and follow a ton of tutorials, sometimes even the most "simple" ones are not so simple.

I guarantee if you can cut a shape (no pattern needed), sew a line with a sewing machine...you can do this one

junk you need:

2 yard+ fabric.  

I needed 2 yards of large bolt upholstery fabric

 and this was actually weather resistant.

I purchased it from Hancock Fabrics, on sale, in the crap section, for 9$ a yard.

Thread

Sewing machine

Scissors 

pins? 

OOOH yucky 

 Step 1: lay out your fabric (doubled) and figure out how those cushions will fit so that the shape can be cut.  

 Step 2: Cut out leaving about 3/4" or so all the way around.  no need to be perfect.  just cut out the shape, like kindergarten.  Remember, the fabric is doubled so when you cut you are cutting out 2 at one time.

Step 3: Probably cut out all at once, but I cut out one pillow at a time, because I like instant satisfaction and I want to see what it will look like.  

Once cut, put RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  You can pin at this point almost all the way around , but leave one side open so that you can get that ugly cushion inside it.  

Step 4: I start my sewing, with right sides together, about 3 inches up and head south, turn and go all the way around then stop about 3 inches into the las side.  that way it leaves the opening for the cushion cramming.

Remember! right sides together... and I sew about a 3/4 seam, but we aren't picky.  Just sew! we don't want difficult.

Step 5: put the ugly cushion in the new cover.  

Oh my, that is a lot of pattern going on there.  Sorry, its the ironing board cover clashing with the cushion cover.   

 Step 6: OK...the hardest part.  Now that the cushion is safe inside take the opening and iron the area where you are going to sew it closed into about a 3/4 fold.  it will match with what is all ready sewn. 

This just makes it easier to sew it closed in a few.  If you are super crafty feel free to put a zipper in, but if you know how to put a zipper win, you won't be reading this simple tutorial. 

Open....

 Step 7: This is where I pin the opening closed.  see?

Closed

 Step 8: Now take it back to your sewing machind and sew it on the outside at about a 1/4 inch topstitch.  I just line the outside of my presser foot with the fabric and sew that hole closed.

Don't worry if its a little wonky, your rear end is going to be sitting on this. If one of your friends looks that closely, they need to be scolded.

Step 9:  Pat self on back and go buy a 20$ bottle of wine because you will still be ahead on cash flow after the wine!

good job!

I'll take final pictures when the snow melts from my patio chairs.

Write you later,

m

feel free to share.

craft room disaster

Room is painted. I'm not sure why I choose to do these things.  I guess it gives me some sense of being able to fix something.  Anything.

Bobby ended up helping me "cut in " the paint because I always get the ceiling.  I chose my two favorite colors: tangerine and green...with white.  I love the 70s mod colors.

this is in no way my completed project...this is much too nice...but these are the colors I used.

My shit is all over the place.  I have cleaned up more mouse poop in the past 2 days then I ever did working on the farm.  Who knew we were infested in the laundry room?  Not anymore.  

I have cleaned and bleached and if I show up dead or deathly ill in a month, it's Huntavirus (sp?)

While I wait for paint to dry and for Bobby to sand the last part where we had to re plaster the wall...Note to self...don't try to chip that tiny piece off...it always opens a can of worms I am sitting in the crappy computer room looking at what to do with all this fabric.

I have ironed little scraps

 i have ripped fabric meant for the garbage into strips

oh my god....mess

i'm worried I won't be able to get this all back together.   So I sit here making fabric for the garbage into balls of fabric yarn I can make something with.   All my best ideas come when I am not able to do anything  i.e: craft room non functioning.

Well, I'll keep ya posted,   I really should try to go for a run.  Its bee 2 weeks since the boob surgery.  My pants are tight.  

xo,

write ya later

m

craft room and yarn hole! Lets do this thing

Shit shit and more shit.   

So today I start to fix and throw away and try to make something out of this place we call home.

It gets to a point where you have lived some where so long you don't really care any more, then one day you look around and say 

Jeesus, this place is a mess and we have such great space and I bet if someone else lived here they would make it nice

so I am going to make my space nice.

Of course as soon as I started the man came down and said you can't just paint...you cant just put stuff in here.

well why the hell not!?

Just go back out to your garage.

the front loader broke...I had to spend 600$ on a new washing machine on Mother's Day which really really pissed me off.  so that wont be here until 5/25.  that gives me time to paint.

I'll keep ya posted and in the mean time if you have any ideas via pinterest etc...send them my way

The Big Pleated Bag...handmande cuteness

howdy do...I decided to finish a task, you know, to make myself feel better about life and my ability to complete a few things.

It came out cute.  

Inside lining with pockets.

I'm my own worst critic...

so to me, it's not perfect, but if I saw someone else carrying it I would think, 

"wow, that is a cute bag....I bet I could make that".

You too can make it....

Warehouse Fabrics Big Pleated Bag.

Dont say I never do anything for you.

Yeah for me, I finfished something.

DIY Interchangeable Knitting Needle Case

Labor day brought a day of nothing for me.  Isn't that how it should be?  Friday I received my new Knit Picks Zephyr interchangeable needles.  My knitting partner in crime had ordered herself the Addy's and they came in this adorable wallet.  it was perfect purse size, tidy, and classy.  When I got my needles they came in this god awful tacky plastic Walmart looking thing.  I was sad.  I didn't want to spend any more cash out of my budget so I decided to sew one up.  I used Miss Vonkysmeed's blog and a combo of others and set to work.
I had all the fabric in my cabinet but if you don't I would head to the fabric shob and use some scrap upholstery or cotton.  I used two different coordinating fabrics.  I'm wild like that.
Plug your iron in and get your ruler and pins and stitch remover (just in case)….and a lemonade or cocktail. ( I prefer the latter)
This is what you need:

Two 11 3/4" x 17" pieces of fabric for outside of case and for lining 

11 3/4" x 10 1/2" piece of fabric for cable pocket

11 3/4" x 9 1/2" piece of fabric for needles pocket

11 3/4" x 8" piece of fabric for pocket on bottom flap

2" x 4" piece of fabric for button loop

6" x 8" piece of fabric for zippered pocket lining

11 3/4" 17" piece of interfacing*

11 3/4" x 17" piece of batting*

7", or longer , zipper

button

I chose not to use interfacing or batting, the batting made it too bulky, so I used a piece of thicker cotton canvas (denim or old jeans) I had around to give it some form.

1. Cut out all your pieces.  Extremely easy if you have a cutting wheel.   Don't worrry about being perfect.  Just cut and be happy.
2. Fold the pocket pieces together lengthwise.  WITH RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  Press and stitch a nice 3/4" hem ( or whatever size you like to hem…3/4" is standard so I will say that is what it is when I say hem.)   You should have 2 rectangular tubes. 11 3/4" x 5 1/4" & 11 3/4" x 4 3/4"  Now turn right sides out, trim seams, and press again.  Set to the side.

3.  Layer the large pieces together . Fabric lining then batting.  )Save the last piece of large fabric for the very end. Have your 2 layers nice and neat in front of you.

Now you want to take the smaller rectangle tube.  11 3/4"x4 3/4" and put it on your layers and pin it about 5 3/4" down from the top.  Mark the center with a little dot for reference.  

Stitch the bottom of the pocket across close to the edge.

This is going to be your needle pocket.  

After it is stitched down this is where you get to decide what you want to do.  

I chose to make incremently larger needle holders from left to right on my case.  Instead of measuring, dividing, doing long divison...I put my tiniest needles in,  marked top and bottom and sewed a line.***NOTE: sew from bottom hem where the pocket is stitched on so that you don't get bumpy.

You can look at Mrs. Vonkysmeed's if you want to do math.  I had too many cocktails by this point.

click pic to see bigger detail

So, take your time and sew your nice neat lines.  I think mine ended up having 12 needle compartments for "pairs of needles".
4.  Get the larger pocket and pin it neatly 1 1/2" DOWN and on top of pocket #1.  (oooh it's starting to look like something!)  This is your cable pocket.

Pin in place and stitch neatly, close to the bottom edge.  After it is stitched on the bottom I made one center stitch, which actually matched up with my needle pockets, so that I would have 2 cable pockets.
That's good for me.  Like I said, if you want to do math divide by 3 or something and remember !!!!STITCH FROM BOTTOM SEAM TO OPENING (TOP) so you don't get bumps.  If you do it wrong you will know, then just pull it out with the ripper. and do it over right.

Now have a drink, because I don't want you to be afraid of the stupid zipper.  You have Youtube and a few links.  it's easier than it looks.
5.  inner pocket tutorial  @ craftpassion and U-handbag tutorial  and please look at Vonkysmeed's…I used a combo of all three.  I like the way Vonkysmeed folds the pocket in half .
 YOU READY?  here we go
Go look at the tutorials, unless you know how to do it all ready.  We are going to draw the zipper box 2" from the top of the fabric and make it 6-6 1/2" long.  (Zipperbox is the drawing you are going to cut out.) ***I did not use interfacing, so when you look at the tutorials, just ignore the extra piece of fabric

click for larger view

When you draw the box only make the rectangle about 1 cm high.  I made mine too tall, which threw my zipper sewing off.  The closer the rectangle is to the zipper teeth the easier.

 U-handbag shows a great step by step on turning the pocket to the inside

once it is looking similar to this, press like no ones business!

put your zipper underneath as in tutorial, sew it in close to the edge…use a zipper foot…you must have one somewhere…and if you have NEVER ever sewn a zipper, refer to Youtube.  ( I swear by those videos)

Fold the bottom of the fabric up over the installed zipper and sew it all the way around (just on that  fabric) to make the pocket.   OOOOHHHH  very nice

except for my little pucker.

Look at this point you should be patting yourself on the back and doing the happy dance!

6.  Now easy stuff: the loop for the closure.  Get your 2"x4" fold in half length wise. Press. Unfold then press the raw edges in making a nice 4" thin, hemmed, piece of fabric.  Press again then sew close to the edge on the open seam to close it.  Got it?  now, pin it to the top, center, above where your new zipper is…on the edge.

8.  you should have another "pocket rectangle" there on your sewing table.  Fold it in half, WRONG sides together.  pin it with the raw edges lined up with the bottom of the project (opposite end of the zipper….) It's the last pocket , so it goes below the other pockets.  The folded side should be aiming north and the "raw edges" south.  layer the last big piece over the entire thing, right sides together, and pin together.  Capturing all the layers and loop enclosure.

7. Sew all the way around the edge BUT leave about 3 inches open on one side or bottom so that you can turn it right side out.  Turn right side out, press….stitch the last little section closed, either by hand or I just sew it together with the sewing machine, making sure I fold the seams inside and press.

When that is done press, admire your work…take a sip of cocktail, then I sewed all the way around the outside, close to the edge with a nice topstitch…. then add a button.  I had a button that I covered with matching fabric…but use whatever you like.

TA-DA!!!!!!

I'm so proud of you…..I hope it worked for you.

Thank you to all the other blogs which I found direction with…

Show me a pic…

send me a nice email….

But if it didn't work out….I'm gonna blame it on the fact you had too much cocktail.

xo,

m

A few cold day projects

 Its chilly here today, sunny and 15 degrees.  

The worst kind of cold.  

It looks nice out then you step outside and your boogers freeze upon contact of the cold.

I decided to work on a few little projects.

We have Jeans for Kit, the American Girl doll.

I used Daddy's old jeans he was throwing away.

Felted clogs; before the felt.

I'll post a few more pics of these later.

The pattern is easy to find on Ravelry and I think it is $7.95

And one very very cold lil chihuahua

balled up in a ball on the back of the couch.

I'm going to go listen to This American Life and do a bit of sewing.

I'll let you know how it all pans out.

xo

write ya later,

m

Kit's Tie dye shirt

This week we made sweet Kit a Tie Dye Tshirt using Liberty Jane's free patterns

Bobby keeps telling me I should just buy myself a doll.

I have always loived to sew, but I like projects that are fast.  I don't want to sit around sewing an adult sized 3 layer coat…It takes too long and I get irritated.

That's why Kit is perfect…and babies, but I'm not having anymore babies.

I used an old tshirt from Olive's drawer.

Used the Liberty Jane FREE pattern for the AG Tshirt.

(you have to sign up)

Sewed it up

It's not perfect by any means, but it only took about 20 minutes!

Then, because the shirt looked a little ratty, we got the left over Tie Dye from under the sink and did a quick job.  Actually Daddy did the Tie Dye, too messy for me~

Next day, we put it out to dry,and there you have it.

Now I'm making her jeans because she needs some goin' out duds.

Check out Liberty Jane Free Doll Patterns

She has them for every type of doll and once you get a basic cut out, you can adapt it to everything!

Making your own Bias Tape!!!

I have been working on my 5 homemade gifts for the facebook challenge.  One that I am doing requires a little bias tape.  As you know, if you sew, you can never get cute bias tape...so you must make your own.  I have always found this a miserable task which always just makes me pissy....until I found a lil website with some bias tape making help

Creative Little Daisy!!!

I have this little Clover Bias Tape Maker, just like the gal from Creative Lil Daisy...I can NEVER get it to work, although it says even idiots can work it.  Obviously,they were wrong.

I followed her DIY instructions, Not sure if she came up with this or if a Gramma some where did, but it is perfect, easy, no stress and effective!!!

I made 1" Bias tape when folded in half it is 1/2"

step 1:  Cut fabric strips...No need for bias cutting!  just cut along the selvage (which is the end that doesn't unravel...kinda like factory sealed)

I used my new rotary cutter and the self healing board.  Don't cut on the table or your floor...it will go right thru!!!  And watch your fingers, I sliced mine within 3 minutes.

These strips are 1.75"  seemed to work.  no need to be exact...

I used cheap quilting fabric from Hancocks on sale for 1.99$ a yrd

step 2:  For the Bias Maker...you take a long needle and your ironing board.

(click the picture for a bigger view)

I measured 1", stuck the needle in then out one inch below.   

this is what we will thread the fabric thru as we iron/steam.

Notice how I clipped the corners of the fabric so it would thread under easy...

Not rocket science...

easy

 I pushed the fabric under the needle/bias maker and started a lil fold.  It does it almost by itself.

You want the pieces to meet in the middle, but like I said it doesn't have to be perfect. 

It will all come together as you sew....hopefully...I haven't sewn it yet either.

 Next, with your hot steam iron...LOTS OF STEAM! Tug the bias tape under the needle and under the iron...it's like a little steam machine.  you don't even have to hold the iron, just let the weight of the iron do its magic.  I did lift the iron every few minutes so as not to burn my cheap ironing board cover.

Pressto!   

the last step is to again fold the in half and iron...just like bias tape!!! 

I'm sure someone will have a complaint, but I found it it quite exhilarating!

I made yards and yards...when My project for the gifts are all sent and received I will show you what I did with this batch.

remember the chair?

I'm scared to start it.

That just doesn't sound like me does it?

The silly thing is, the chair was destined for the dump, so by putting new fabric on it, what could possibly be worse?

heres the fabric, waiting for me to do my part.

I just can't seem to get motivated enough to even start.  don't know WHERE to start.

well, maybe I will do a bit of googling, get out the stapler and start.  I mean , really, what's the worse that could happen?   I fail?