Looming Away

This is my first real rug. Yes, it does get narrower. This is a problem that's harder to avoid than one would think. I think that with more practice I will become more skilled at making sure the tension is just right, but still, it's not too bad and I think once I get it off the loom it will look alright on the floor. This rug is made out of blue and yellow. I'm having great fun making it and am incredibly grateful to my husband for building this loom for me and I am going to keep making rugs on it until I perfect the technique!

Vintage Linen Half Apron

This is today's apron. I said I was on an apron obsession, and it seems I wans't lying. This half apron is fully lined in pink cotton which makes it really have a good weight and makes it even better for protecting your clothes against dirt and dampness while you're cleaning. I like this apron a lot because I'm a sucker for vintage linens. I love the old fashioned colors and designs. And they do seem to make pretty aprons!

Red Calico and Yello Gingham

I don't know how you can get more "country" than red calico and yellow gingham in an apron. This apron is my first one made over a pattern I sketched out yesterday evening. The main feature that I wanted it to have is a bias cut skirt portion. Cutting a bias skirt just gives it great movement and swing in even just an apron. The bib is fashioned after sweetheart necklines, and this apron has the adjustable neck strap the same as the pink pleated one had. I think this pattern is a keeper, and am very pleased with the actual working end product!

Apron Obsession

Those that know me well know that I go on obsession trips. This is when I focus entirely on one thing and everything else falls to the wayside. I do believe I'm trying to go on an apron kick. They are so fun to make and cute! This one was repurposed from a skirt I found at a thrift store that had great tiny pleats all around it. With much pondering, planning, and finally fancy cutting skills, I was able to fashion a full apron with a lined bodice and waistband. Not too shabby for an unwanted skirt, if I do say so myself. And I really like the way I figured out how to make an adjustable neck strap. I always disliked the aprons that tied in the back because that knot always felt so hard against the back of my neck, but the aprons that didn't adjust never fit me right. This apron has two button holes that the strap slides into, then you just tie a knot in the end after you've adjusted the length. Pretty nifty if I do say so myself!

Super Saturday

This Saturday has been super for several reasons. The first is this really cute tote. I really, really like totes, so I sew a lot of them.This one is so great because it once again features a great patterned vintage fabric. They just don't make the patterns as bright and vivid on most cottons anymore. And the fact that this fabric is still sound and not rotten, well, it just makes my day! The other super thing that happened was this purse. It's a great linen blend that feels so neat and textured under your fingers. Inside's the best part though. I featured 3 compartment pockets and a magnetic snap closure. The magnetic snap is the newest upgrade to my sewing talents and I have to say that I am definitely a fan. They are just so professional and superior in every way to any other closure I've tried to date. So most of my purses and totes will feature this type of closure from now on. But the best part of this Saturday, the thing that made it the superest, was something my dear husband did. He built me a frame loom. This thing is the best ever. It works great, and seems to be rather quick to make a rug on. I'm hoping to add homemade rugs to my repertoire, although this first one will be for our home use only, because it's the one I'm learning on. So all in all, this Saturday was very productive, and exciting too!

Thursday's Things

This fabric is just great. It is complicated, yet simple. I love the vintage pattern. This tote is lined with sea green cotton and has been reinforced in the handles and bottom to add stability and durability. I loved making this tote. In all honesty, tote's are my favorite way to haul my stuff around. They're easy to get into, and they hold lots and lots. You just sling them over your shoulder and go. I'm not a fan of lots of compartments. I think by making things more organized, you just make things more complicated. Tote's are simple, useful, and fun to use. How could you ask for anything more?
I just love corduroy. Anytime I see it, I have to buy it (if the price is right, of course!). This red floral corduroy used to be a shirt. Not anymore! Topstitched pleats on the main body draw attention to the fullness of the bottom. The top is actually curved downward, so that the sides are higher than the middle. I lined this in some fabric my mother mailed me that is the same color blue as the flowers. I used a really ornate gold colored button for the ribbon loop to hook around, and with something as rich as this, it didn't seem overdone. Corduroy has such a great texture, and the colors are always so vivid, that it's something I always reach for first!

Little Cuties

I was lucky enough to come across quite a bit of vintage fabrics yesterday. Some of the pieces were quite small, but they were just the right size for change purses.I whipped these up and thought that they were so cute! The pictures don't really do them justice, as they are interfaced and lined, and have a nice weight to them.
This one is my favorite because of the cute little zoo animals in pastels on the blue background. As soon as I get more zippers I'll be making more of these little cuties!