Doggy love sunhat

 First off, thank you for all the lovely comments about my spring top.  I didn't win, but I honestly feel like having it be a finalist was such an honor!  There are two more weeks, so maybe my color block top will find its way into the judges favorites, or I'll get my act together and actually sew one of the MANY ideas floating around in my head. 

I also wanted to share a quick project: another Oliver + S sunhat.  This time, it is a bit more "boy" - for a little friend who turned ONE yesterday!  Happy Birthday, little man!

The party theme was dogs so I thought this print was perfect!  The blue is Robert Kaufman Whiskers and Tails "Dog Park", and the green magically coordinated (from Joann's).

I love the pop of red - I think that white dog does too - sniff sniff! 

Hope you have a tail-wagging kind of day!

Fabric sunhats

Just popping in to say hello, and share my latest project: fabric sunhats from Oliver + S Little Things to Sew: 20 Classic Accessories and Toys for Children

All the fabric is from the Little Lisette line at Joann's (can you believe that?).

I love the colors, the feel of the fabric and, of course, the perfect summertime print.

Sending some sunshine your way!

Fabric Party Hats Tutorial revised...

Somebody is turning TWO tomorrow! 

In honor of her special day, I wanted to make her a fabric party hat to match her birthday bunting.

This was a great time to try an idea for revising the pattern a bit - using buckram to add stability and including a cute lining fabric.

Here's what to do:

• follow the basic fabric party hat tutorial but substitute one lining fabric for a layer of duck cloth and one buckram for the other layer of duck cloth 
• layer the fabrics as shown below 

That's it - the rest follows the original tutorial! Now you have a cute fabric party hat that has a coordinating lining fabric.

Then, go make another one because the resident 4 3/4 year old would like one, too.





blurry photo of said 4 3/4 year old - still cute though, right?

Wishing you lots of reasons to celebrate...today and everyday!

On a roll...

Just a quick pop-in to share some projects from a while back.  I got on a roll with these infant knit hats (from Craft Hope)

 and these snack sacks. 

 Both are so quick and satisfying - especially when I finally dared to cut into my t-shirt stash!  I can't tell you how long I had been hoarding saving thrifted t-shirts but never wanted to ruin them!  As for the snack sacks, we have been using them more and more so I thought now was the time to make some of my own.  And, once you make one, why not make 27?! 

P.S. I have two tutorials coming soon - stay tuned for some fun summer projects.

Hope you are well and enjoying some summer sunshine!

Harry Potter in the house!

Who's that?  Could it be?

Harry Potter!  AKA my almost 9-year-old nephew, proudly showing off his Harry Potter party hat.

 O, my friend - here's wishing you the MOST magical birthday ever!

 

A few more...

...hats, that is.

Three new ones to add to the collection - two with ball fringe, one with extra large rick rack.

And, I couldn't resist this one.  What do you suppose she's thinking right then and there?

Have a happy day!

Celebrate...with party hats!

While looking at a very girly princess hat the other day, it occurred to me that I could revamp the design to make a basic party hat.  Seeing as this is Celebrate the Boy month over at Made by Rae and Made, I thought this was the perfect way to get in the spirit!

So, dig out your favorite boy fabric and celebrate your little guy by making him a cute (and super-simple) party hat!

Here's how:

Materials: one 10" x 15" rectangle of outer fabric

                  two 10" x 15" rectangles of duck cloth for interior

                  one 11" piece of 1/8" elastic

                  one 18" piece of trim (rick-rack, pom-poms, etc.)

OR

                  

                  see HERE for an alternate way to line hat, including coordinating cute fabric



Step 1: Make a quick pattern - this hat is 9" long (from point to bottom) on both sides, and about 9" along the curved bottom.  So, the top angle is 60 degrees (hello, junior high math anyone?).
I'm trying my hand at including a pattern here (forgive my superior technical skills...ha ha) - the pattern is hand-drawn, and (I'm pretty sure) upside down.  Oh well - it will save you some math, right?

Step 2: Place one 9" side along the fold of your fabric.  Cut along the other 9" side and the curved bottom.  Repeat for both pieces of duck cloth.

Note: when you open the cut pieces of fabric, they will now be triangles with 9" straight sides, an 18" curved bottom, and a 120 degree angle at the top.



Step 3: Layer the fabric together.  Make sure the right side of your outer fabric is facing out.  I like using a temporary spray adhesive to hold the pieces together vs. pins - much quicker.

Step 4: Baste along the bottom curved edge.  I used about a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 5: Serge (or zigzag or pink) along this edge.

Step 6: Sew down your elastic about 4 1/2 " in from each end of the bottom edge.  I zigzag and straight stitch over the elastic a few times to really secure it (do you think it looks secure?).

Step 7: Sew down your trim, covering up the elastic and serging.  Be sure to move the elastic out of the way so you don't sew it into your trim!  Trim that little bit of elastic sticking out.

Step 8: Fold the hat in half, right sides together, to match each 9" straight edge.  Sew this seam, being sure to backstitch at either end.  Serge (or otherwise finish) this seam.

Step 9: Turn the hat right side out, press and try on your little one. 

Have fun with all the fabric and trim combinations you can make!  I only had this green rick rack on hand when I made these three, but later that day, I raided the trim aisle at Joann's for lots more options.

I also think this would be such a fun project to make with muslin as the outer fabric.  Then, give the kids fabric markers, etc. and let them decorate their own!

Have fun!



Crafting for the holidays

The holiday season is upon us, and I love this time of year for so many reasons - especially having an extra incentive to create for friends and family.  I feel a bit like an elf these days, working on varied projects for the girls, for a few small craft fairs, and gifts.  This year, BabyE has had an influx of requests and orders, and it has been fun coming up with new projects and ideas to fulfill different wish lists.

First up on this mini-roundup, part 1, is the Snow Blossom Hat from Made by Rae.  Here's little A modeling hers, complete with dimples and two front teeth.  Although the straps were tricky to turn, they are VERY worth it as this is the only hat that will stay on her head!  Thank you, Rae!

Next up, a few crochet flower headbands for this past weekend's crafty open house.  (By the way, with all the creating I've done lately, I have few photos apart from my blurry phone ones to show the new and improved craft table set-up.  While not a project to sell or give away, it definitely counts on my list of recent creations.)  I saw similar headbands up in VT a few weekends ago and got that familiar "I can make those!" feeling - so I did!  I love the simple cotton yarn and color combinations.  And, they really are cute for young and old alike.

Lastly, a new apron design for BabyE.  Usually I do simple aprons, but a friend requested a "waitress" style for her little girl who loves to play restaurant.  It was really fun checking out different styles and ideas on-line.  I found this one and figured out how to recreate it for a smaller size.  The lace edge is vintage and has been sitting in my trim drawer just waiting for the right project.

So...just a few of the many projects pouring out of my little sewing and crafting space these past weeks. 

I just picked up the new Amy Butler book and am looking forward to picking out a holiday project for my sister-in-law (Sharri, read no further!).  I also found this one which I really like, so I guess Amy and Lisa will have to duke it out for my vote.

Happy Tuesday!