How to Sew a Bowtie

Here's my youtube video how to sew a bowtie! 

Happy Sewing!

More Table Toppers

I'm sewing these table toppers for Christmas presents.  Here's a few more.  Enjoy!

(Soon to come "Bowtie  How-to)

Happy Sewing

Table Topper Complete

I finished my table topper tonight for an early Christmas present.  I really love the backside of it, I had a lot of extra scraps from the log cabins that I didn't like, so I used the stripes for the backing.  I'm really proud of this!

Bowtie Table Topper

Here is the top of my bow tie table topper.  I think I might add a 

border of the center fabric, but I'm not quite sure yet.    

Log Cabin with the Twist

I went shopping to JoAnns on Black Friday, and found some good deals.  I got a yard of each matching fabric to make some table toppers for my co-workers.  Here's the top of one.  I started with the basic log cabin block, used a variety of widths ranging from 1 1/4 in to 2 inches, then I cut it at an angle to add a twist.

Happy Sewing!

Puzzle Piece Quilt

I finished my puzzle piece quilt.  It was sewn using 15 different fat quarters.  I'm really happy with it and I love the black border and binding.

Go Pack Go!

I finished my Packer wall hanging quilt.  I am so happy with it, and I hung it up on my wall tonight.  The binding was really fun, because I used fabrics from the quilt, so there are four different fabrics in the binding.  It turned out really great!

I also added another layer on my Aaron Rodgers painting.  Here is the photo.  I'm not sure yet if I will add another layer yet.

Packer Mosaic Quilt

Can you tell I'm a big Packer fan?  Here's an awesome Packer Quilt I made.  I'm super proud of it.  It's made up of 1in x 1in squares 20 x 30.  I'm going to hang it up on my wall!

Aaron Rodgers Painting

My first layer of the portrait of Aaron Rodgers doing the belt during the Super Bowl!

Puzzle Piece Quilt Top Complete

I completed the top of my puzzle piece quilt.  I'm adding a black boarder, and have to quilt it yet. What do you think??

Hot Pad

Sew your own hot pad.  I just sewed a strip of half square triangles using two fabrics that I liked. Then I arranged the triangles to make a design that I liked.  There are so many different ways to use half square triangles and it's fun to make your own unique design.

I made a 9 patch with the triangles and sewed them together.  Then I added a border.  To make a hot pad, you need two layers of batting and then I quilted the back and hand stitched on the edge.

Design Your Own Shoes

I wanted some funky shoes for Christmas. So my mom bought me white shoes and some Sharpies.  I've been  adding to them more and more, once some of the colors fade.  Here's my shoes now.

New Jacket

I am so proud to sew my first ever jacket.  I was a little worried to make a fleece jacket, because it looks so cheap.  But I got some high quality fleece with a dark gray and it looks quite expensive, almost like wool.  I love the collar being asymmetrical.

Happy Sewing!!

JoAnns

I've been going to JoAnns almost everyday.  They have such great deal!  Today I went looking for a few things for making our costumes.  I am sewing 6 tutus and then we're ironing on our T-shirts.  Then I looked and the patterns were on sale 99 cents.  So I found an awesome pattern for a fall coat.  I am really excited.  I was looking at Target today and coats are so expensive.  They are at least $50, so now I bought a pattern and all the materials for only $15.  Now I will have a one of a kind fall coat.  Photos to be posted.

Vogue Dress Bodice

I just bought the beautiful Vogue pattern for a chiffon dress.  Here is the bodice that I am really proud of.  I am currently working on the skirt, but it's taking awhile, because it is three pieces (lining, main fabric, secondary fabric).  I love the ruffle and the fabric choice.  It's a very big risk with such loud patterns, but I am excited to wear it and be fashion forward!!

Happy Sewing and Designing! 

Add Flowers to a Plain Top

I just added some basic flowers to a plain black sweater.  That way it makes it my own and unique.  I added just black flowers and white buttons, so it matches everything.  Here's the how-to youtube video. Happy Sewing!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tzk81cNqVQ

Packer Logo Brewers Logo...or Any Logo

Being an extreme Packer Fan, I like to accessorize with the logo.  Here's a fanny pack for my friend.  She gave me the green and white fanny pack and wanted me to add the Packer logo.

Packer Logo Fanny Pack

 I've also made denim pins with other team logos.  Here's the Brewers old-school logo and on the back is a safety pin, so you can add it to any bag, jacket or accessory.

Brewers Logo Pin

It's very simple and quick. Here's how
1. Print of the logo on white paper the same size you want.
2. Pick out the color fabrics you want
3. Trace each color out onto iron-on adhesive (remember to trace it backwards, because then when you iron it on it will be the right way)
4. Iron the adhesive to the back side of your fabric
5. Cut out each piece of the logo
6. Layer it and iron on each piece separately
7.  Sew on the top piece (or each piece individually)

Happy Sewing!!

Picture Frame

PICTURE FRAME

This is a really simple pattern.  You can make a magnetic picture frame to put on your frig or, I sewed a quilt with 24 blocks of this picture frame.  Here's what you need:

Fabric A:       

One 6 3/4" x 4 3/4" rectangle (center frame)

One 10 x 8" rectangle (backing)

Eight 2" squares (corners and photo holders)

Fabric B:

Two 2" x 4 3/4" rectangles (side borders)

Two 2" x 6 3/4" rectangles (top/bottom borders)

First iron 4 2" squares at the diagonal for the photo holders.

Then pin the corners to the rectangle and sew on the top/bottom borders

Then sew the corners 2" squares to the side borders

Finally line up the edges and sew on the borders to the main piece

Here's my wall hanging quilt of all the photo frames.  

Monster Coin Purse

Monster Coin Purse

I wanted to make an easy coin purse, but I didn't want just a plain one.  I searched several images and clipart to find something that I wanted to appliqué on my coin purse.  I found this cute monster with hearts. I used iron-on paper and cute out the colors, then hand-stitched around each piece to make it secure.  I then sewed on a zipper and made a little coin purse. 

Happy Sewing!!

Gray and Black Lace Tunic Tank Top

Gray-Black Tunic

I used the McCalls' M6359 pattern for this top.

 You need pattern pieces 9, 10 and 11.

 Pieces 9 and 10 go on your main fabric.  Both are cut on folds.

 Pattern piece 11 goes on the lace on the fold.

 First you must sew the darts.  Line up the pattern piece and pin where the dart should be. When sewing, start on the point and sew out to the edge of the fabric. 

 This is what the two darts should look like.

Now you need to sew the back piece on the gray fabric. 

Sew a "V" shape to secure the fabric.  

 Here's the V shape on the back of the main fabric. 

Cut at the point up to the seam. 

 This is tricky because the V of the fabric and the V of the lace don't face the same way, hence you need that cut in the main fabric.  Pin really well and sew the two Vs together.

 Here's the back with the two Vs.  I also stitched on top to make sure the lace lays nicely. 

 Sew the black lace to the shoulder seems of the front of the main fabric.

 This is not part of the pattern, but my tunic was a little too tight, so I added lace and the gray on the sides for a little more room.

 Here's the lace and gray on the side, it turned out great!  I also cut off a few inches of the bottom, because it was too long from the pattern. 

 Here is the finished tunic top.  

Puzzle Piece Quilt Update

Here's the first two blocks of my puzzle piece quilt.

Here is the first row of my puzzle piece quilt.

Subscribe and keep checking for updates.  I'm really excited about this colorful quilt and hope it inspires more beautiful quilts in the future.  Happy Sewing :)

Go Green! Sew a Shopping Bag!

Do you want to Go Green?!  Well here's a really simple way.  Sew your own shopping bag.  You can use if for groceries, or clothing, or any kind of bag to save on those paper and plastic bags in landfills.  Here's a quick how-to video on my youtube channel.

http://youtu.be/gPvHhuUWH84

Need a bag, or a purse, or a clutch to match that outfit?

My favorite project growing up was always sewing bags and purses.  If I didn't like any "old" ones that I had...or just wanted one to match a certain outfit.  So here's some simple photos of bags or purses or clutches that I've made in the past.

Beautiful Silky Fabric Clutch

I found this awesome fabric just browsing.  I thought it'd make a really cute clutch purse.  (Plus I LOVE the color red).  This is really simple.  I just sewed right sides together, (added black lining) and then I sewed up the sides on half of it.  This one rolls around a few times before you close it, hence the black ribbon.  The ribbon didn't hold too well, because the fabric is so "slippery" so I also sewed in a zipper to keep it closed tighter.  I added in a black ribbon (two pieces for strength) for the handle into the side seam.  Let me know if you need further instructions.

Ribbon and Denim Clutch

This was really fun to make!  (Coolest part it was all made of scraps)  I love ribbon, and I had a ton of extra ribbon lying around.  I thought it'd be fun to sew a ribbon clutch with some denim.  I used an old pair of jeans.  So I just sewed the ribbon on in various directions using white thread on both sides of the ribbon.  I added in the bow, and sewed both ends of it, and then tacked it down in the middle.  Then I had my front piece.  I sewed both sides together on the top, and then each separately for the inside.  Next I sewed the two insides together with a top stitch.  Finally I hand stitched some claps on for the top to close.  A very simple project and a fun clutch to match any outfit!

Simple Jean Clutch with Red Accent

(See I told you I LOVE red)  Here's another simple jean clutch.  This one I made in one hour and one half.  I needed a clutch really fast for a concert, and whipped this one up.  I used an old pair of jeans, this one was the pant leg.  I sewed on some red square for accents, and then stitched up a handle in the side seam and a blue zipper.  

Quilt Square Should Bag

I bought some fat quarters at the quilt shop, and wanted to sew this awesome bag with them.  I then found the guitar fabric, and loved it!  So I had to sew a bag with them all together.  It's super busy, but I still like it!  The quilt squares are just random fabrics sewn together using triangles, and then I laid them out until I liked the way the pieces looked.  It's a big bag, that I can use to put my school books in or for an over night.  

Happy sewing...if you have any questions or want more directions for these bags, leave a comment.  Don't forget to subscribe on youtube:

www.youtube.com/megasaurusrx

or follow me on twitter:

www.twitter.com/megasaurusrx

Current Project: Puzzle Piece Quilt

I am currently working on a puzzle piece quilt, hence I haven't posted much in a few days.  I'm really excited about it.  It has a lot of bright colors, and I'm taking photos of each step, so you too can create your own.  Also I just finished an elegant tank top, so I'll be making a blog about that soon, too!

Red Lace

I love lace, it's so eloquent in clothing.  I bought 1 yard of red lace, and made two different pieces of clothing with it.  One I sewed a lace vest.  It works to spice up a plain colored shirt.  Here's a photo and the how to video.

http://youtu.be/B3OepA2c6p0 

Also I sewed some lace onto a tank top I already owned.  It also dressed up a plain tank top.  It's really simple project for beginning sewers, because it's just straight stitching.  Here's a photo and the how-to video. 

http://youtu.be/neCUOdHeHrY

Now you can create your own projects using lace.  It's a great way to take a casual look and dress it up.  Happy Sewing!