Sewing Projects

Some of these projects are recent and some are just pictures that were in my "sewing" album - -

First up is my first ever sewing projects as far as I can recall -- a nightgown and robe for a Barbie doll. I was still in elementary school I think and Mom probably did most of it  . . but I can remember trying to get the tiny little seams to go under the foot of the sewing machine correctly. I never attempted another doll outfit. I think I took this picture while I was packing everything up to move/store a couple years ago.  Ok - on to things created in the last decade!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Last fall I got tired of trying to find a purse that was comfortable to war, had enough space for all my junk, and had a long shoulder strap to sling across my body.  Cross-the-body purses make life so much easier when you transport yourself by foot half the time - it's also a lot easier while grocery shopping. Anyway. Couldn't find one, so I made one.  Wandered down to the fabric store to look through patterns early one Saturday morning, bought everything I needed, and then set up camp at the dining room table with my sewing machine and started plugging away for the rest of the day.  I got it mostly finished in one day except for a few finishing touches that I finished up later. Here it is!

Looking inside, lining, pockets, and magnetic snaps!

Next is my first "upcycled" project - created as recently as last week!   I had a sweater that was bit of an odd shape - but I liked the pattern - so I just turned it into a scarf. Not complicated at all - I feel guilty even calling it a sewing project. Cut out some long rectangles of fabric, sew together. voila!

And here is my favorite!   I made this on Sunday.  This was previously a skirt - but I never really wore it for a variety of reasons even though I LOVE the print/color. So, I cut up the back seam, removed the zipper, and cut off the waistband.  Then I pleated the skirt, hemmed the raw edges, and sewed it back onto the waistband and trimmed off the extra waistband material.  The black ribbons are from packaging from a blanket - they were tied around the blanket and I thought they might come in handy one day so I saved them.  I sewed those into the  waistband and ended up with an easy tie. I think it took me two hours total - so simple!  I may go back and add a pocket and a "bib" to it in some nice black material - we'll see.  I probably could have easily cut out a section of the skirt to make a bib and pockets - but I wanted a really full apron. And, yes, for the picture below I did put on pearls specifically to take this photo.