one pretty thing after another

PILLOW FORM

2011-09-13T14:53:00.000-04:00

When I made the pillow cover from the Quilt-It Kit, I did not buy a pillow form and made my own by sewing together two 15in x 15in squares using a 1/2in seam allowance. I then stuffed it with polyester fiberfill and VOILA!!

Here is a wonderful tutorial on how to make basic pillow form in different sizes!

QUILTED PILLOW

2011-09-13T14:45:00.000-04:00

I finally managed to upload a photo of my completed quilted pillow that I made following the Quilt-It Kit I bought at the yard sale back in May!

HOOP ART

2011-06-08T07:53:00.001-04:00

I finally used my embroidery hoops and made a quick and easy wall art project. It's an easy peasy project! My only difficulty: choosing the fabrics! You can find the instructions for the swatch pattern from Purl Bee.

Swatch Pattern

DEALS AND STEALS AT THE FLEA MARKET

2011-05-30T16:43:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, Scarborough Village hosted its annual flea market and as it has been the case in the last 4 years, I had to go to work and miss most of event. However, as usual, by the 1pm closing time, I pop in and still get few great deals on sewing/knitting/craft supplies.
This is what I got this year:

6 embroidery hoops:

3 of the large ones (10 in) were 75 cents each, 2 medium (7 in and 8 in) ones for 50 cents and 1 small one (5 in) for 25 cents. I wanted them all so I asked the lady if I could get a deal. She gave them all to me for $1!!!!!!!!!

Quit-It Kit by Denyse Schmidt:

Priced at 24.99 US, I don't know why anyone would want to get rid of it! It's brand new with the instruction booklet, the 15 pattern cards, the pattern sheets to photocopy, the 2 fat quarter fabrics for the pillow con the cover, cotton and needle. I was baffled that it was marked $1.50!!!!!!! The lady charged me just $1!

I also got zippers for 15 cents each and left over curdroy and gingham for 50 cents and 25 cents respectively.

I can't wait to use them all!

The upholstered ottoman- foot stool

2011-02-02T09:39:00.001-05:00

My craft journey this year began with signing up for the upholstered cube class at the workroom. I've been looking forward to taking this class for about a year but with university and work and conflict schedules, I was never able to take the class whenever it was offered...til now! Being very crafty and handy, I always wanted to do some carpentry work but not signup for a carpentry class at a community college so when I knew that the workroom was offering a class that merged carpentry and sewing, I was elated!

The first Sunday class, was all about constructing the cube. Erin provided us with 5 planks of wood and nails and spent half of the class time gluing and hammering away. My main concern during this first part was making sure that the nails went straight in without sticking out or splitting the wood. At some points I hammered nails into knots which Erin told me was ok if I hammered really, really hard.

After hammering, came the cutting of the foam. Erin brought an electric carving knife which did the job superbly. Then I used a staplegun to keep the foam in place. Using a staplegun for the first time was...something. I was supernervous, especially about having my finger in the trigger. It reminded me of those movie scenes where the guy who's never held a gun is shaking their hand and randomly pulls the trigger. I was scared I was going to accidently pull the trigger and hurt someone with the nails. The sound of the staples coming out also made my heart jump quite a few times.

Then it was time for the polyester batting. This was a quick sew but it was tricky to put on because the batting had to be stretched without being teared.

Soon after the lining and the cover came together fairly quickly. Careful cutting, marking, pinning made the sewing a snap. The most important thing I learned is definitely how to round and sew corners.

The final step was cutting a dust cover to cover up all the fabric and the staples.

The next most exciting thing about the ottoman was getting the legs which I found at Lee Valley on King and Bathurst. I have to say that I saw very nice legs at Home Depot but for price reasons I ended up getting these adjustable legs.

Ta-da! My finished ottoman! I'm so happy with it! I want to make so many of them but it's going to be an expensive hobby- at least for now!

SCRAPPY STRING QUILT

2010-08-09T20:05:00.001-04:00

Here is my first hand at a scrappy string quilt!!!! After trying the Nine Patch block, I wanted to try something different! I began doing the scrappy blocks in December during my university break. Then in July, I sewed the blocks together [6 inch squares] to make 12 inch blocks and added the brown sashing. Today I finally finished it!!! It measures 34x34, has no batting in between so I can use it to dress a table. I'm quite happy that it turned out well even though I cut everything by hand with scissors! The one mistake I soon learned from [after the first block] was not to take the paper out of the back after you assemble the 4 squares together to make one block. Sew everything with the paper and only after the sashing is on, take out the paper. It's quite a bit of a pain but it makes sewing easier and it's completely worth it.

Here are some helpful links to those who are looking to start making their own scrappy quilt:

Scrappy String Quilt Instructions

String Quilting Primer!

String Quilt Tutorial from Sewtakeahike

THE CUTEST CLUTCH

2010-06-18T16:40:00.001-04:00

I love this zippered gathered pleats clutch!!!!!! It's a brown tweed with a cotton band in the middle. I can't wait to make more and in different sizes!

PLEATED CLUTCH WITH ZIPPER

2010-02-25T20:51:00.005-05:00

After this project, I think my new favourite thing to sew will be pleated clutches! If you made a pleated handbag, you are well on your way to sewing a pleated clutch. I have been a little picky with the design because I really wanted to insert a zipper and the tutorials I found, did not have any instructions for that so i was left to figuring it out on my own It was not an easy task but I certainly learned quite a bit for my next project.

Here are some links to get you started or inspired!

1) Classy pleated iridescent clutch from Craftster

2) Make a pleated pouch bag from Threads Magazine

3) Fat quarter pleated handbag from Sew Mama Sew

PLEATED HANDBAG

2010-01-15T18:21:00.005-05:00

This bag was supposed to be just a simple pleated handbag, instead it turned out into a HUGE beach-size tote!!! I made the mistake of adding a couple of inches thinking that the bag would turn out to be too small for my liking!

Things to learn from this project:
-Make larger pleats
-Don't use interfacing, or if you do, apply it after pleating the fabric
-Make slimmer handles or use braided handles
-Don't add a border
-Think of adding a magnetic snap or zipper closure
-Think of adding a zipper pocket inside
-Use heavier fabrics [canvas, linen]

For more information/tutorials on the pleated handbag check out the following links:

1) Green wool + brown plaid handbag "how-to" from sewtakeahike
2) Butterflies and Fruit Pleated Tote from Cut Out + Keep
3) Good posting on Craftster

PASSPORT WALLET from ADORN

2009-08-04T13:54:00.002-04:00

Here is my take on the ADORN Magazine passport wallet. I absolutely love it. My concern was to get the main cover with the two larger side pockets right and the rest was just decoration I could have omitted. I made the opening tab slightly longer [it wraps around] and decorated it with one crochet flower. I have the pattern and the instructions on PDF file so if anyone is interested, please leave a message in the comments along with your email address and I will be very happy to pass these along to you.

ECO FRIENDLY FABRIC GROCERY BAG

2009-07-18T19:45:00.002-04:00

On June 1st, 2009, Toronto new bylaw took effect: customers have to pay 5 cents for plastic bags. In order to be environmentally conscious, I sewed by very first fabric grocery bag! I searched for the very best tutorial and I found the Singlet Style Shopping Bag on Craftster. The tutorial is amazing and I didn't even mess up once [not that I was expecting to but sometimes tutorials aren't written well]! To continue with the theme of eco-friendliness, I even reused a bedsheet to make this bag! I am so proud of myself and I love this bag.

TWEED PASSPORT SLEEVE

2009-06-24T11:12:00.006-04:00

I recently became a Canadian citizen and I am waiting to get my brand new Canadian passport in the mail! Of course, I didn't want to get any ordinary passport sleeve/cover!

I followed bunnybum's passport sleeve tutorial and as you can see, it turned out great!

First of all, I have to say that tweed is my new friend!!! I had some tweed that I bought at a thrift store and haven't had that chance to use. Tweed makes everything so polished!

For the lining I used a sheer, woven cotton that I reinforced with interfacing.

bunnybum finishing steps were to topstitch the outside and to fold the pockets and topstitch again. I didn't want the topstitching to show so I embroidered little running stitched to mimick the 'topstitching' and finally, I sewed the folds by hand using the invisible/slip stitch.

To top it all off, I placed a simple crochet flower made from this tutorial.

EASY PEASY CROCHET FLOWERS

2009-06-15T22:36:00.002-04:00

My aunt taught me to crochet when I was 10. It was the first needlework craft I picked up and although I prefer knitting more, I have enough basic skills to create something. I finally learned to do easy two-layered crochet flowers. In the past I made just one small flower, never really understanding how in the world I was supposed to hold the needle in order to make a second layer. Then finally I came across a wonderful tutorial!!!! I made the three white ones first and when I got the hang of it, I made the others while I was watching a movie! I haven't figured out how to use them yet, but I am sure I will resort to them when I need to embellish something!

SUPERCUTE KNIT CABLE TUBE TOP II

2009-05-22T13:00:00.008-04:00

Here is another tube top I made using fine, fuzzy, grey wool. The pattern is the same as the regular tube top below but I added small cables all around with ribbing at the top and the bottom. Super warm!

SUPERCUTE KNIT TUBE TOP

2009-05-22T12:57:00.001-04:00

I've had a small ball of fine, fuzzy, pink wool sitting around for a long while and for the sake of using it, I knitted a tube top. The pattern is easy [when I wing things like these, I never write down number of stitches or the needle size!]. With a pair of circular needles, begin by ribbing 2 to 4 inches for the hem, knit around as long as you want and rib again at the top. The ribbing will stretch making it easier to slip on and off. What I absolutely love about this is the fact that it is a one piece, no-seam tube top!! Due to the lightness of the wool, I need to sew a light pink lining inside which I haven't gotten around to doing yet. You can also add extra decorations by pinning fabric or knit flower brooches!

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE TO.....LOOK GORGEOUS!

2009-05-12T22:28:00.007-04:00

First of all let me say, aren't these fabric boots absolutely pretty? I was excited to pick up from the library Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle by Tone Finnanger. Even though it's not Christmas, I couldn't help myself from trying to sew these cute fabric boots! The patterns provided in the book do not include seam allowances so I used 1/8 inch seam allowance. I also traced the boot pattern as is without enlarging it which resulted in 6 inch long boots. I used some black paint to define the sole and heel. Finally, I sewed little gold rings at the top for easy hanging.

KNITTING LIBRARY

2009-05-03T22:42:00.002-04:00

Complete Guide to Needlecraft by Reader's Digest
Knitted Toys: 25 Fresh and Fabulous Designs by Zoë Mellor
Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Marion Edmonds
Knitted Toys by Jean Greenhowe
Knitting for Dummies by Pam Allen
Knitted Toys by Sharon Welch
Cowl Girls: The Neck's Big Thing to Knit by Cathy Carron
Hattitude: Knits for Every Mood by Cathy Carron
Itty-Bitty Toys: How to Knit Animals, Dolls, and Other Playthings for Kids by Susan B. Anderson
Amigurumi Knits: Patterns for 20 Cute Mini Knits by Hansi Singh

SEWING LIBRARY

2009-05-03T22:33:00.002-04:00

Complete Guide to Sewing by Reader's Digest
Zakka Sewing by Therese Laskey
Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle by Tone Finnanger
Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy
Romantic Home Sewing by Christina Strutt
Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Sew and Stow by Betty Oppenheimer
Bend the rules sewing by Amy Karol
Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner
Sew Teen: Make your own cool clothes by Sheila Zent
Lingerie Secrets by Jan Bones

KNITTED CAT PYJAMA CASE

2009-04-29T16:24:00.004-04:00

For some reason, I love knitting from toy books! Little stuffed animals, baby toys, dolls capture my eyes! Everything seems to be cuter! This is the Cat Pyjama Case from Zoë Mellor's Knitted Toys: 25 Fresh and Fabulous Designs. It's definitely a book to have in your knitting library. I love how it turned out; I do not use it as a pyjama case, however, it can be used to store anything and since the back has an envelope fold, you can insert a fitted pillow.

THREAD HOLDER nº3

2009-04-21T14:46:00.003-04:00

I made another thread holder from The Stitching Room tutorial. This time I used narrower strips of fabric [1.25 inches] which turned the holder into a little tube.

FLOWERY SNAP COIN PURSE

2009-04-21T14:28:00.005-04:00

I've been wanting to make these cute coin purses for a while but it's impossible to find internal flex frames in Toronto's craft and fabric stores! Luckily I've managed to remove a flex frame from a used [and rather ugly] leather jewellery pouch. I used the U-Handbag tutorial and it came together in a snap! I absolutely love it! I'm surprised by how roomy it is!It's unfortunate that I won't be able to make more, at least for now...I have in mind a really cute purse design I would have loved to try out, but I guess I have to wait.

IN TIME FOR EASTER...MORE CUTE BUNNIES

2009-04-13T23:39:00.003-04:00

Here is an adorable knit bunny I made from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts–“Loveable Toys” pattern, by Marion Edmonds. I found this to be the best pattern for knitting bunnies. The tie and carrot were completely free-handed.

HAND STITCHED QUILT WITH FELT APPLIQUES

2009-03-26T14:01:00.006-04:00

Though I have made two beautiful quilts on the sewing machine, this one below is truly really my first quilt- made way before I learned to sew on the machine. It was made by using ready-made quilted blocks from a craft store. My mom got me a garbage bag filled with these blocks that her school was not using. Before I got my hands on them, they resembled frames; they had wooden buttons on each corner and a hanging rope. I took off all the buttons, all the glue, all the ropes. I hand stitched each block together to make a large quilt. Finally I embellished each square with cutout felt and used embroidery cotton to sew them. It was a great craft project that kept me busy for a long while. I'm extremely proud that I upcycled those quilt blocks and made something really pretty!

PATCHWORK PINCUSHION & THREAD HOLDER

2009-03-24T22:25:00.005-04:00

This weekend I made the patchwork pincushion from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson and a thread holder from The Stitching Room.

I already have a few pincushions that I use on a regular basis- one for my sewing needles, one for the sewing pins, one for the embroidery/wool needles, one that I keep by the sewing machine that holds pins as I take them off- I really could do without another pincushion, but I couldn't help myself!!! I thought it was going to be a challenge sewing each segments, but it wasn't at all. I got really excited once I closed it off, and tightened everything with cotton to definite each segment. I have it sitting on my desk as a paperweight instead. It's too pretty to put pins in!!!

I also made a thread holder using the easy tutorial on The Stitching Room. I made one last year as soon as I began sewing with the intention of using it as a thread holder, instead, it sits on my desk holding little things like my cell, lip balm, pen drive etc. Now, I finally got around to making a second thread holder and I'm happy it's doing its job!!

...UNDER THE SEA... PRETTY KNIT MERMAIDS

2009-03-16T21:49:00.006-04:00

The Little Mermaid is the first Disney movie I've watched and when I saw the knit mermaids in Sharon Welch's Knitted Toys, I knew I absolutely had to make them! My knit toys collection is growing exponentially!

Here are my three little girls!!! They are so pretty! I loved adding little details like a seashell necklace or "crimping" their hair by unraveling yarn strings. Their curly hair remind me of Taylor Swift!!! It would be so cute if these mermaids were paired with mermans. Well, that might be on the to-do list!

AS IF REAL CUPCAKES WEREN'T ENOUGH- KNIT CUPCAKES

2009-03-10T14:03:00.005-04:00

I am so excited about knit cupcakes!!! I really love how the tops turned out!!! I searched high and low for a good cupcake pattern. I saw many crocheted cupcakes but I don't crochet well! In the end, I made mini cupcake hats, stuffed them and sewed a circle at the bottom. They are so cute, it makes me want to make more!

A SEA OF LITTLE KNIT FISH

2009-03-07T12:39:00.004-05:00

Aren't these fish adorable??? I feel like making more! These are from Zoe Mellor's Knitted Toys: 25 Fresh and Fabulous Designs. I have them hung on a mobile and they are so cute to look at! You can jazz up these fish by filling them with potpourri or lavander and placing them in your drawers!

KNITTED HEARTS WITH SOME FLAVOUR

2009-03-06T12:23:00.003-05:00

These hearts are super fast and super easy to knit! The pattern is from Anna Hrachovec and it is published on Mochimochi Land

What's your flavour?

[from top to bottom] 1) mint 2) cranberry 3) chocolate mocha 4) chocolate orange 5) zabaglione 6) mocha 7) lemon 8) carrot 9) dark chocolate chip 10) chocolate 11) green tea 12) lemon strawberry 13) lemon cherry 14) chocolate mint 15) chocolate chip

WARM KNITS FOR A CANADIAN WINTER

2009-03-05T17:00:00.002-05:00

I'm keeping my head and my hands warm this winter with these matching hat and mittens. The hat is a 'grown-up' version of Wendi Dunlap's cupcake hat for babies. I was googling the pattern for the cupcake hat and by chance, I came across her lovely pattern! You can download the PDF pattern here.

To match the hat, I knitted this pair of super warm thrummed mittens! I have knitted mittens before and I once saw someone knit thrummed mittens but I had no idea of what it was called or what was used to make them. After researching, I discovered wool rovings make these mittens so toasty. I got two packs of rovings, one for each hand, from The Workroom. If you want to make your own, the best how-to for thrummed mittens is found at hello yarn! As always, I knitted an i-cord and attached it to each mitten because I used to have the tendency to lose things!

HELLO ELE!

2009-03-04T13:20:00.003-05:00

This is my finished ELEFANTE from Susan B. Anderson. The pattern can be found on her blog. He is just so adorable!

I intended to knit each stripe in different colours, but I after starting with the chocolate brown and the pink, I realized that I was not going to make it, so I added two extra colours, yellow and green. Regardless, I love him!!!!

HEXAGON MADNESS- GRANDMOTHER'S GARDEN QUILT/ HEXAGON QUILT!

2009-02-27T11:34:00.002-05:00

This quilt began when I headed to a rummage sale at the nearby Seniors home and found a box of partially completed grandmother's garden quilt blocks and HUNDREDS of hexagons still left to be sewn! I bought the box, two hexagon templates and a pair of scissors for $2

I began hand-sewing the rest of the fabric into GG blocks- a process that took on and off three months!

I think I ended up with 50 GG blocks and since I wanted to use everything and I didn't want to use a solid colour fabric to divide each block I sewed everything into a HUGE mosaic. I REALLY wanted to get the quilt done!!!!!

After taking the quilt class with Johanna Maskow in September, I completed the hexagon quilt at home on my own in October. I used scrap fabric for the trim and it turned out quite nicely!

SIMPLE PILLOWCASE SUMMER DRESS- FAUX SMOCKED

2009-02-26T12:07:00.004-05:00

This was my first attempt at making clothes and working with elastic thread!! The dress was made from a 99 cent pillowcase and elastic thread! Total cost $5. A great tutorial for sewing with elastic thread is found here.

MORE ADORABLE BUNNIES

2009-02-25T16:14:00.004-05:00

Here are my two lovely bunnies sewn from Romantic Home Sewing by Christina Strutt. Aren't they adorable? The girl bunny is the original pattern. She comes with a dress and a pinafore. I also made a boy bunny with a lovely tie!

You have to pardon my embroidery skills!!

MY FAVOURITE CLUTCH

2009-02-23T19:22:00.005-05:00

This was one of the first things I made on my own soon after I was comfortable with sewing. It's a simple clutch made with polka dot linen on the outside and strips of scrap fabric on the inside. I used batting in between layers to cushion it a little. I used a blanket stitch around the flap, used snap buttons for closing and added a strap, which can be tucked on the inside. It's suprisingly roomy! I simply love it!

The yellow clutch is what I made for my sister. I used a vintage print fabric which I bought from a rummage sale for 50 cents!!!

BATHINA HANDBAG

2009-02-23T18:49:00.003-05:00

Here is my take on the Bathina bag which you can find on Burda Style .

After cutting all the pieces, it came together easily enough until I hit a bump- I couldn't figure out how to place the handles!!!! I was playing with the handles for the longest time and I couldn't figure it out so I left it be for a week. Every time I saw the bag unfinished, I was thinking about this handle until one day, walking to the library, I figured it out!!! I came home, I sat at the machine and finished it!

Just a few days ago I saw an how-to that clarifies the sewing of the handles! If I had that before!

PRETTY, HOMEMADE, PERSONAL BUSINESS CARDS

2009-02-19T12:29:00.008-05:00

I always wanted to have my own business cards and after graduating with my M.A degree, I figured it was the perfect time to get them done to show off my titles. I was also growing tired of scribbling telephone numbers and

e-mails in pieces of paper.

I saw online ads that offer 250 business cards for free and you pay only shipping and handling, but two reason were stopping me: 1) I don't know what to do with 250 cards 2) I don't have a credit card.

Being creative, I knew I could make my own cards! But how? I knew I wanted something pretty, inexpensive and I wanted to control how many I had. I realized that I had a box of perfume cards that I collected over the years at the mall. Why not use them? They are FREE, come in stiff paper, different shapes and sizes and I can pull out different ones every time!!!

After sorting through HUNDREDS of fragrance cards- men and women fragrances- I headed to Microsoft Word and

I printed out dozens of cards!

I absolutely love them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So if you want to be creative, are looking for a cheap alternative to expensive business cards, reuse those pretty perfume cards!!!

For those interested here is a quick tutorial!!

1) Trace the outline of the card on piece of paper. Place the sheet in your printer.

2) Open Microsoft Word. Type your information in small font [size 7, 8, 9 depending on the size and shape of the card].

3) Set the colour.

4) Eyeball the position of the writing with the outline of the card.

5) Print it out. This first printout will help you figure out any adjustments to be made.

6) Once you made your corrections, print it out again.

7) If the printing is at the centre of the pencil outline of your card, you are ready to print on the cards!!!

8) Place your perfume card on the pencil outline using masking tape.

9) Print!

TIP #1) It is good to have extra cards in case you mess up- and you will mess up, believe me!!!!

TIP #2) If you like your cards to smell pretty, spritz the perfume and let it dry before printing.

***These cards are strictly for personal use only. No infringement intended***

MY FIRST NINE PATCH QUILT

2009-02-16T13:29:00.004-05:00

In September 2008, I took a three part class at The Workroom and learned to make the nine patch quilt!

The class was taught by the renowned Johanna Masko, quilt-master par excellence!

We were supposed to complete a 9 blocks quilt, instead I did a 36 blocks quilt. I worked on the other 27 blocks the week prior to the last class and used all the fat quarters I bought for the project. I considered that I couldn't really 'use' or enjoy a baby nine patch quilt. I wanted something big enough to throw on my lap.

The quilt turned out so HUGE [64"x80"] that for the back of the quilt, I headed to Goodwill and bought a king sized bedsheet!!! Boy oh boy! Prepping the top layer, the batting and the backing took LOTS of pins and patience! I had never sewn anything that large before and I was afraid it wouldn't get through the machine but we made it work!

Johanna was so impressed that she mentioned my quilt on her blog!!!!

From 9 fat quarters...

To a completed quilt!

BUNNY PENCIL CASES

2009-02-13T13:07:00.005-05:00

This week I worked on three bunny pencil cases from Zakka Sewing. I was very happy to come across this pattern on Craftzine.com! I'm so happy with the way they turned out! I used linen, scrap fabric for the lining and I did not use the batting in between layers. I also embellished the bunnies by using embroidery floss for the nose and eyes! I'm getting addicted to sewing with zippers!

2009-02-08T21:32:00.003-05:00

Here are two other Brazilian hipsters that I made for my best friend. I really hope she likes them. I'm mailing them out tomorrow. It would be quite the kicker if she received them before Valentine's Day! I got the wide stretch lace at Downtown Fabrics for $3.50/m. I highly recommend going there!!

FIDDLING WITH METAL FRAME PURSES

2009-02-08T14:50:00.005-05:00

Finally I made my 2nd coin purse [the first was for my sister]! I bought the frame about a month ago and even though it's a quick project to sew, I waited all this time to get it done! I used the U-Handbag tutorial and the instructions were easy to follow which made it all a breeze.

I used a sew-on frame not knowing there were frames you sewed on and those your glued on. I just thought the scalloped edge was cute. As of now I'm comfortable with the sew-on frames. I can always take it out if I make mistakes or if I feel like changing the fabric, I can redesign a new purse. I would love to make an elegant clutch but I have yet to find the perfect frame!

UNDERWEAR ADVENTURES- PART 2

2009-02-06T12:16:00.005-05:00

In the second class we made the hipster. I was excited about this class because now we were making something that was more of my element!

I got 1/2m of 55" wide stretch fabric for $2.

The first pair was challenging as I was trying to work out each step, the elastic and the zigzag stitches [was I pulling too much or not enough! arrrgggghhh!] . Once everything was done, I was pretty happy with the result considering that with a serger the sewing would have been a snap.

I made 3 of the green ones and 4 of the lilac ones. The ruffled elastic is very pretty but it's scratchy so I found other pretty elastics which are softer to the skin. I am going to use those for the boyshorts!

UNDERWEAR ADVENTURES-PART 1

2009-02-03T21:37:00.013-05:00

I am so excited to have learned to make underwear! I took a two part class at The Workroom and learned a lot about working with elastic and stretch fabric. We used the Jalie women's underwear pattern #2568. It comes with a camisole and 3 styles of underwear: Brazilian hipster, hipster and bikini.

The first pair I made was the Brazilian hipster. I admit I was a bit apprehensive and embarassed at the thought of making such 'sassy' underwear, afterall my drawer has always been filled with cutesy cotton printed underwear!

Due to my hesitation, I didn't dare to buy expensive or a lot of wide stretch lace. I went to Fabricland and got a great deal [buy 1m get 2m free at $3!!!!].

I was blown away at how easily the hipster came together!!! At home I made two other pairs! I'm absolutely in love with them. They are sooooo pretty and comfortable! Now I can have beautiful, "expensive looking underwear for a fraction of the cost.

2009 CRAFT TO-DO-LIST

2009-02-01T21:05:00.011-05:00

~~Make underwear~~

Make a pencil skirt

Make a tube top

Make a convertible/infinity dress from rostichery

Make a string quilt

Make a pair of shorts

Make a pair of pjs

Finish knitting the shoulder wrap

Make a second snap coin purse

Make a bunny pencil case from Zakka Sewing

Make a strapless dress

Use bamboo handles for a handbag

Make a camisole

Make boyshorts

Get a serger

Make a thread holder

2009-02-01T17:24:00.006-05:00

Welcome to my blog and to my first post! I'm going to begin with a confession: I am a craft blog virgin! With so many wonderful craft blogs and bloggers out there, what am I doing?! As of now, I haven't figured out a whole lot but I am very excited about this and I hope that in time, it will get better!
As the name suggests, I am a BEDROOM CRAFTER. Coming up with a cool, catchy name was hard and the ideas that I came up with didn't really reflect who I was! My bedroom is my studio; it is here that I read, plan, sketch, cut, sew and knit! I was never able to craft [particularly sew] or study in the living room. Something about the large room makes me self-conscious!! The bedroom however is the perfect niche!
As I inaugurate this blog, I would like to thank the visitors that passed by and the many who will come. I hope you will find my blog interesting as I share my work, thoughts, tip and other things crafty!