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Monday, February 28, 2011

Splat Mat

This weekend the hubby and I finally got around to unpacking some boxes in the garage and I found our splat mat! 







This was one of my very first sewing projects.  I've actually only been sewing for about 2 and 1/2 years.  On our 5th anniversary I told my husband I was going to buy a sewing machine and we agreed that I would buy a very inexpensive one at first to see if I liked to sew.  I feel in LOVE!!!  I made anything and everything I could think of, this splat included, unfortunately I didn't know about changing needles and thread types and in an attempt to make a slip cover out of duck cloth with thick piping and lots of pleats I destroyed that poor little machine.  Life got busy after that with babies and it was 2 years before I bought another.  I've educated myself since so this one will not have the same fate!

When I made this Nate was very young so I wanted something that would protect his little legs from the hard concrete.  I decided to use upholstery fabric on one side and felt on the opposite so it would have lots of padding.  I added a layer of vinyl to both sides then folded over the edges to finish.  As you can see it's soft enough for gymnastics!








This is nothing really special but for some reason I just love it!  I don't know if it's because It was one of my first projects or because it so useful for our everyday lives but either way it's a keeper.


Today we painted on our splat mat.  Nate cut out shapes from a paper plate and taped them together to make a rocket.  It was really cute so I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and turn it into a stamp to make thank you cards for his 5th birthday party.  He even went back and added fire to them.  I just love his creative mind!









These are the moments that make me so thankful to be a homeschooling mom! 



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Friday, February 25, 2011

Family Fun

Hi,
Sorry it's been so long.  We have been sick AGAIN!  Stomach flu, trips to the hospital, bla bla bla....  I am going to start juicing again tomorrow and start forcing  a little bit of health down the throats of everyone is my house! 

I did however want to tell you that if you would like any of my patterns please e-mail me.  I didn't realize docstoc was charging a fee!  I'm working on a better system but it is proving to be challenging.  I'm a pretty quick study but figuring out how to directly link to an adobe file is out there for me!  I'll get it just give me time!

I have some really fun sewing projects to share with you next week.  In the meantime, here are some photos of some of the things we have been doing between doctors visits.


We made a bird feeder.  Pine cones, a stick, some fishing wire, peanut butter, and bird seed.  Unfortunately it didn't make it through the night.





Madeline started sucking her big toe!  As you can see she is very happy about it!






The boys have danced,  ate giant cupcakes, and feel asleep playing games. 








We took a field trip to the museum to look at bugs.




And we took a boat ride to see the birds, eat at the local floating kitchen, and enjoy a breathtaking sunset.








It's felt like a lifetime in bed feeling crummy but now that I look at the photos we have had some fun! 

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Sunday, February 20, 2011

Scavenger Bag Tutorial


"Hello to those of you visiting from Made by Rae!  I'm Steffanie from sew grown.  I'm so glad to be sharing this super fun tutorial with you and participating in Celebrate the Boy!  I have 2 boys of my own so this month is dear to my heart!

I'm a homeschooling mom to 3 small children and love to sew for my boys any chance I get.  It's always more challenging but I've found that every project is more original and rewarding!  Today I will be sharing the Scavenger Bag tutorial with you.  I'm so glad to pass this one on!  It's easy and my boys LOVE their Scavenger Bags!  My boys, like most, love to collect trinkets and explore the backyard for treasures.  This bag gives them the perfect place to store their goodies while keeping their hands free.  It also makes a great library bag!  I hope you enjoy and thanks Rae for another awesome month dedicated to our little guys!"  

Here are a few shots and you can view the original post here if you are interested in learning more about these bags.   




This was obviously not a planned photo shoot but I wanted to show how this bag fits my little guy.  All I can say is he dressed himself and sometimes that's good enough for me!




The Tee for Two skull shirt is still going strong


I dont' think that's going to fit!


 Here is the tutorial.  I hope you enjoy!






What you will need:

  • 1/2 yard medium to heavy weight fabric for outer bag and handles. 
  • 1/2 yard medium to heavy weight fabric for lining.
  • 8" of 1/2" wide elastic.
  • Maxi piping.  (approximately 28").
  • Bolt Snap or any purse snap of choice.
  • D ring (any size of choice)
  • 2 sheets 8.5" X11" printer paper




Step 1:  Create your pattern.

To make your pattern you will take 1 sheet of 8.5" by 11"  printer paper and fold it in-half long ways then cut off the raw edge corner at a curve.  You can trace the bottom of a bowl if you need help making a curve.  This will be the top flap of the bag.



Next fold the straight edge of the flap over 2.5" from the bottom and place the flap with the folded edge tucked under on top of your second 8.5" X 11" printer paper.  Draw a straight line along the curved edge and cut.  This will give you a 2.5" strip pattern piece for the sides and bottom of your bag.  The remaining square will be the pattern for the body of the bag and bag liner.




Step 2:  Cut out fabric for outer body and lining.


Using your prepared pattern cut out fabric. 





Step 3: 

Cut fabric for pocket and strap.

You will need to cut 1 strip of fabric 12" X 5" from your outer fabric for the pocket and 2 strips 2" X 31" for the strap.  1 out of lining fabric and one out of body fabric.






Step 5:  Add piping and sew top flap.


Pin piping to the right side of the outer fabric flap raw edges together.  Sew along piping seam all the way around the top flap leaving the back straight edge without piping.  Pin lining flap and outer flap right sides together and sew around leaving straight edge open.  Flip and iron flat.

Note:  It's best to sew on the top seam created when you attached your piping to the outer fabric.  This will insure that no extra seams will show when the flap is flipped. 







Step 6:  Create and add pocket and embellishments.
Fold over top edge 1/4" and then again 3/4".  Sew along folded edge using 1/8" seam allowance.  This will create the pocket for your elastic. 







Attach a safety pin to the end of elastic and feed it through the pocket.







Make sure you have enough gathering to make a good stretchy pocket then pin to front outer bag wrong side of pocket facing right side of bag.  Sew along 3 outer sides using 1/8" seam allowance.   You may need to trim away some of the elastic depending on how your fabric gathers.






To make tabs and loops you will fold scrap fabric in the length and width of your choice in half, unfold then fold in raw edge sides towards the fold line, fold in half again, then top stitch along both sides for tabs or one side for loops.  








Feed D rings or clasps in the loop and attach loops to top of bag on the right side raw edges aligned.






For tab pockets attach to right side of bag along the left and right side of prepared fabric leaving the top and bottom open to slide things in. 







Step 7:  Prepare outer bag and lining.  You will us 1/2" seam allowance unless stated otherwise.

Pin side panels to front with right sides together and stitch.  Next pin back of bag to one side right sides together and stitch.  Fold right sides together and stitch last side together. 














With the bag inside out finish bottom of bag by pinning one side in place right sides together and sew.  Repeat for remaining 3 sides. 






Make sure you center the bottom panel so you will have the 1/2" seam allowances available on the sides. 






Repeat step 7 for bag lining.


Step 8:  Prepare and attach straps.

With right sides together sew along each long side using 1/4" seam allowance and leaving the top and bottom open.







Attach a safety pin to the outer fabric on one end and feed through the handle turning it right side out.  Iron flat when done. 




Top stitch using 1/8" seam allowance.

Turn the bag right side out and with right sides together attach straps to sides using 1/4" seam allowance.  Reinforce stitch a few time to give it extra strength. 




Step 9:  Add flap.

With right side together pin flap to the back on the bag and stitch using 1/4" seam allowance. 




Step 10:  Attach lining to outer bag.


With the lining of the bag wrong side out and the outer bag right side out place the outer bag inside the lining.  This will put them right sides together.  Tuck the flap and straps inside the lining.  All you should see at this point is the wrong side of the lining.  Stitch around the top using 1/4" seam allowance and leaving a 3" opening along the back side.  Flip right side out and finish by top stitching around the entire top using 1/8" seam allowance.






Congratulations!  Your Finished!





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