Lets put the kit together

After you have cut out your kit so you have all the pieces its time to assemble them into a pillowcase.

Pin your body piece,trim and header together along the 45" side of your pieces.











Once your piece is all pinned together, lay it wrong side up and start rolling the body toward the header.

Keep rolling until the edge of the header and the section you pinned together meet.  Now, pin those edges together.  Take to the sewing machine and stitch together.  The body of the pillowcase will be inside and it will look as though you have made a terrible mess.  You haven't!!

You will reach inside the tube and pull the body out.   Now you press the the section flat.  You are almost done, you will just need to sew across the end and down the side seam.

There you go, you have created a pillowcase just that easy.  They make wonderful gifts and children love to own something that has their name on it.

First day-Pillowcases

Making pillowcases is a quick and easy project. A great project for beginners or getting back to sewing after a long break.  They also make fun and useful gifts.
Gather your fabric: You will need fabric for the body(main part) Header and contrasting trim piece.

• Body piece-23"x45"
• Header-13"x45"
• trim-2"x45"

A word about the trim piece. You can not use a trim piece and add rick rack to the seam as a top stich finish.  You can add wide rick rack in the seam and let the little points stick out.  Also you could add lace or eyelet.  so there are lots of different looks you can get.  I will use a trim piece in mine.

Not all 45" fabric is 45" wide some can be as short as 42" so be sure to measure and trim any long pieces.

I also trim off my selvage edges, this makes it easier to have a neat finished seam.  This piece is for the trim piece and I know it looks wider then 2", but I am making two pillow cases the same so I cut my trim 4" then will trim to 2".

You know have your kits made up and are ready to sew them together. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.  Zoe had a wonderful Christmas program at school and wore a dress I made her last year for valentines day.  I felt sad I could not have made her something new for this year but it was just one of those years.
As I have posted in the past, my sister was battling brain cancer after a successful fight with breast cancer. The brain cancer took her long before her actual death, as her mind was not clear.  Somedays we had good times and she could comunicate, other days were not so good.

So, now I find myself faced with a challenge and that is getting back to doing the things I love.  Which is sewing and sharing sewing. 
One of the steps is to get back to blogging, so I can share my love of sewing.  I had no idea getting back to the sewing machine was going to be so hard.  I think part of it is, I have just lost interest in so many things.
I will not let sadness control my life!!  Monday is the day I have set aside to get back to the sewing room and hopefully share the time with all of you.  Learn to do more with the blog so I can also share what some of my dear friends are sewing.
Maybe this step, will help others like myself.  Maybe you have gotten away from what you love to do and need a path back and together we can make that journey.

Memories

Sometimes when things are not going very good, I search my mind for good and happy memories. Those times seem to happen in the summer time for me. I do love Thanksgiving and Christmas but they just do not compare to summer.

A picnic sometimes just happens, no planning, no panic, just a phone call to a friend or family member asking "what are you doing today?" The answer usually is, "Why don't we all meet at the river and have a picnic."

The little town gathering where you eat ice cream and get your face painted and, meet up with family and friends one more time.

The hot summer nights when you go out at midnight and rock on the swing, everything is quiet except for the crickets. Those are the memories, I like to bring back to mind now as the weather cools and frost is on everything in the morning. The memories of the kids laughter and squeals of delight as we zip across the river. So, I won't say goodbye to summer, I will keep her close as a very special memory until the next summer comes along.

Festive pumpkin

I did post this on everythingsewing forum but some say they can not see the picture there so I will share it again here. A friend brought this over and I thought it was so clever. Her husband grew the pumpkin in his garden and she 'decorated' it. She found the fabric at Jo-Ann's fabric, wrapped the pumpkin and added a bow. It's one of those why didn't I think of that projects.

I really do sew

Even if all I got done was half of the costume I feel it's something. I did not get the cape done but can do it later and mail it off. I hope to get pictures back of her wearing her dress. It one of those "I hope it fits". The pattern is Simplicity 2817, the fabric is broadcloth so it can be washed.

Roberta's Pumpkins

I think these are so cute. I hope I can make some for next halloween, it would be fun to have a little tree of them for a table setting. There are so many cute things you can make using smocking.

The Christmas ornaments were for the raffle, can you imagine what fun it would be to collect smocked ornaments and have a little tree just for them? Maybe I will put that on my to do list.

Apple Valley Smockers

I am a member of the Apple Valley smockers. Each year we are invited by the quilters, to have booth at the quilt show. They have been doing this for 25 years. It has really grown through the years and just keeps getting bigger and better each year.

We make a few items through the year to raffle off, this is our groups only fund raiser. We make doll clothes for the AG doll and also Chritmas ornaments . It is always fun to see the little girls get excited when they see all the doll clothes.

Update on sis

I have been asked by many for an update on my sister. I find writing about her both therapeutic and at the same time a hard thing to do. I don't want to come to grips with the fact that she is slowly slipping away. She still tries to have her wonderful sense of humor and helps us all find little thing to laugh about.

Sometimes I think if I could only have a good cry, then things would feel better. I am very happy that we got to bring her home. She has a room with huge windows that over look the back yard. she can see the birds, flowers and trees and the little fountain.

I will share the picture that I love so much because it is peaceful. There is nothing as wonderful to me as to watch the sun set over the river. It always has such a quietness to it, bringing all the hectic part of the day to an end. The time of day when you can just relax and let night come so softly.

Another great creation

This outfit was sewn by my friend Jerry. She does the most amazing designs and really is an expert at mixing fabrics. She call this "cute little witch top". I love the embroidery on the jeans and you might also notice how she did the ruffle.

This is the third year in a row we have used this print for a Halloween outfit; but the last two years the print was on an ivory background. My daughter found this fabric on her recent trip to NYC. Then she scouted out the embroidery sites and found an applique designed to match the "Cute Little Witch" in the print from http://www.divadoodles.com . I tried to match the applique fabrics as closely as I could to the print which left off any touches of the teal of the background of the print. We will pretend the jeans will represent that color. I actually had an orange tee, but failed to put either that one or a white one under the top for pictures...sorry!

Karens skirts

My friends are still sewing up a storm, so I will share a great inspiration from Karen. The skirts, tops and headbands were made for her granddaughters. When she sent me the pictures she said I could pick one, little does she know I am going to share more then one. The girls are just to darling in their skirts, so how do you pick just one??

Karen sewed these skirts using strip's from Michael Millers fabric call Children: I will let Karen explain:

It was such cute fabric. And a BIG THANK YOU to Nonie for posting this for me. I'm so sorry that I have to have her do it.This is "Michael Miller's" called "Children". The polk-a-dot on the top was a seperate bolt, but the rest was just cut from the "Children" fabric. It has a third (stripe?) panel across the fabric which was boy's silhouettes, didn't use that. Being pink/brown, don't know how you'd use it for a boy. I tried to find a picture of this fabric to show you gals, it was in Oregon. I fell in love with it, and bought 2 yards. Just enough to make the two skirts. The color is wrong here, it's the regular brown/pink like the polk-a-dotsThe pattern was from an old Ottobre. It's just the center section, top yoke, and skirt. I pieced justthe bottom row from some of the fabric to get the combinations.KarenThe fabric:http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF%20...%20&Kwds=pink

What a great idea, thank you Karen for sharing.

The Butterfly by Betty

Since spring is right around the corner. I thought maybe you need a reminder to add sometime fun when sewing for little people.

I know you will want to add this little butterfly to your own design: So here are Betty's instructions.

A: Top, middle and bottom shows drawing on transfer paper, paper ironed on the back, peel paper off and iron on the lining.

B: Tiny zig zag in matching color on the very edge of the wings, cover body in a darker thread covering it solid. Use fray check or fray block around the edges, let dry well.

Second picture shows cutting away the extra fabric. Bottom picture shows completed butterfly.

C: Attach butterfly by straight stitching around the edges of the body only: Either embroider black "feelers", use a thin script perm marker or heavy carpet thread with a knot on each end and tack in place.

Bend the wongs up and curve.

The same idea can be used for flowers, ect.

I am not sewing but my friends are

As I work my way back to the sewing room, I would like to share what some friends are sewing.

This dress called the MURPHY'S LAW DRESS, is anything but that in my mind. I think it is perfect and so inspiring. The dress was created and sewn by my friend Betty. Betty said, she had trouble with every part of this dress: Thinking the problem might have been from not having ebough fabric to do what she wanted.

I can only say, the dress is adorable and so inspiring to think out of the box.

The fabric is cotton the pattern number is Simplicity 2928. Betty used a quilting tool to space the pintucks on fabric before cutting out the front of the dress;

You might notice the butterfly, which is also a Betty creation.

Joker the hero

I just have to tell you about Maurine's little dog Joker. What a hero he is. Because Maurine needs extra care, they leave the door open to her room at night to make it easy to check in on her. Joker never leaves the room, even if the door is open. He goes out on a leash or will ride on Maurine's lap. So the other night, the night shift knew something was wrong as Joker was running down the hall barking. Maurine had a seizure and could not call for help, so Joker knowing she was in trouble went looking for help. Everyone is so very proud of this wonderful little dog.

Today, was a very good day. Yesterday was not so good and it was very scary. Such a roller coaster of emotions.

I must say, the Hopsice people are beyond wonderful. From the nurses to the volunteers, they give so much caring and love in all they do.

Upside down

Life has been a little upside down for me. This has been my home away from home. I spend about four hours a day there. Chad the administrator asked me if I would like my own apartment. I sure have met some wonderful people, so it has been a good thing.

I didn't know how much of this experience to share, then a friend said it would be good for me to blog about it.

So I will do my best. I think it will help move me back to the real world. If it helps anyone, then thats even better.

My sister has good days and bad days. Yesterday was a bad day and she spent the day in bed. She had headaches for the first time but the staff is so quick with her meds, we were able to put a stop to it and she was able to sleep.

Today, was a good day. I was able to take her outside this morning for a walk around the compound, with her little dog Joker. I have hired a private care taker, so when I am not there she is still getting one on one help. Amanda, reported back tonight that Maurine had a very good afternoon. I was glad to hear that. I will go over in the morning and get her ready for company. A friend she has not seen in a long time is coming to visit.

A bend in the road

No, I didn't give up sewing or blogging. I have come to a bend in the road which has taken me in a new direction for awhile. I thought the best way to start healing myself, is to share part of my story.

My sister was struck with breast cancer, she had successful surgery but a year later was struck with Brain cancer. She has had two operations so far and continues to fight off this dreadful diease.

To give her the best possible care, I am moving her closer to me. This has been a process to say the least. The final step in the moving process will take place this week-end, which will be the end of one journey and the beginning of another. I would like to introduce you to my sister Maurine:

Next up

While working on my current project, the doorbell rang and the wonderful mailman handed me my new AS&E magazine, also known as Australian smocking and embroidery. I sat for a monent and thumbed through it and just looked at what jumped out at me. I know, it isn't like I had this planned as the next project , but it is added now!! Just the sweetest little jacket ever.

current project

I am working on a pattern called "Enchanted" The skirt is finished but the smocked blouse remains in progress. I am using the new silk floss by DMC and it is slow going. This is a seek peek at what I hope will come together.

I started

You probably have been thinking I was not going to get to my project anytime soon. I was beginning to think that too. I have been trying to re-learn everything as I am using a new machine. With a little practice I am sure I will get the hang of it.

Sometimes

There are times when no matter how well you make your plans, life get in the way. So I have been missing for a few days. My project is still layed out and ready when I am. I hope to be back on track very soon.

I have gotten a bit side tracked and decided to do some smocking, I am using new(to me) floss. It is a silk floss and has brought it problems with it. I have not made bullion roses with it yet, but will let you all know how that goes. It should be interesting as this thread likes to twist and fray.

Here are some beautiful cherries for you. A sign of spring and new harvest. we all look forward to new beginnings and that is what spring has always meant to me.

My Next Project

I am gathering together the supplies I will need for my next project. I do have an embroidery machine but, the applique on this dress will be done using a regular sewing machine. Yes, you really can applique with a basic sewing machine.

WeeCare Gowns

Zoe always ask's me "Are those for the hospital babies?" That is the name she has given to the weecare gowns.

One of the community projects of the Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA), is to provide weecare gowns for babies born to soon or babies that all to soon become angels. Each smocking chapter makes gowns to give to their local hospital. The gowns are then given to the parents of these little ones.

At our local hospital a grandma was asked by the family to pick out the gown for the baby. You can imagine how this grandma had looked forward to this baby that sadly would not come home. She was so grateful to be able to do this one little act for her precious grandbaby. Its story's like these that make it easy to set aside some time for sewing and smocking these gowns.

Since I like to have a project to work on in the evening, I always try to keep a supply on hand to smock.

Easter dress

This years Easter dress is from Vogue pattern 7435. It is a basic yoke pattern, with smocking. Incase I haven't told you all yet, smocking is another one of my passions.

who I sew for

These are the little ones I sew for: They keep me inspired

Of coarse the brother has to be goofy

Hello

Welcome to my new blog. I love to sew and I love family, so will be sharing some of both with you.