Still Settling In...A Little Spring Cleaning

I've done a fabric de-stash! Not just fabrics though, it included trims, scissors, and lace (loads)! All of the fabrics (mostly cottons) were donated to a wonderful group of quilting ladies who donate quilts in our community! The trims, lace and other notions are donated to a veteran's organization thrift store in our community!

I found a few "keepers" like, some vintage buttons (mother of pearl-like?); a couple of pieces from a costume that may become (earrings?); a "freecycle" container full of embroidered eyes, letters, hearts and such; and a couple of pieces of lace appliqué of which a nice fabric necklace will be made! Here's a pic of the instructions on how-to from a past issue of SewStylish mag, Spring 2011.

My next cleaning/de-stash project will be more trims and beads and some jewelry items! Now, back to finishing some costumes!

Until next time,

HAPPY SEWING!

Walkaway Dress

Butterick 4790

I've been wanting to sew this dress since last year! And, finally...I made my muslin. Now, to look through my stash and find pretty fabric! I planned to be a good steward and use what I have on hand for my projects; only to buy when necessary! ;D

This pattern is simple and quick which means I can make more than one dress using lots of pretty fabrics!

I agree with all my sewing blogger colleagues...that you should ALWAYS sew a muslin first before cutting your pattern from the 'good' fabric!

I will update when I find a fabric...HAPPY SEWING!

Junk Love..."Excuse me, I'm stuck in the 70's"

Okay, so I love that these jumpsuits have come back into fashion, as well as the wedge heel!  Usually, once you've lived through a certain 'style-period' you really do not want to repeat it.  However, I'm stuck!  Do you remember this pattern?

Well, I've decided to make this same pattern into pants!  So easy...I just extended the leg length!  And, to really make it "retro", I found this vintage fabric for $2 (ALL 8 yards of it)!

This tag (tape) was pretty old!  $6.50 was a good price also!

My jumpsuit turned out like this...

Excuse the clutter...I was so excited to show you!

With the summers so hot here in Florida, these are so comfortable and cool!  I'll be making more!

These Junk Love finds have been a stone cold blast!

Until next time, I wish you Love, Peace, and Soooouuuuuuul!

Long Time, No See...

Hello everyone!  I've missed you all!

Well, I needed some time to heal from life mishaps.  Loss of home, loss of job, marital issues, and trying to give the younger children some stability in the midst of it all!  And, I'm happy to report that God is Good, even in the middle of the mess; and that things are starting to turn around!

I am thankful to the childrens' school and neighbors and friends who have opened their homes and hearts to us all!  I love you, all!

Any hoot!  Here are some WIPs and a PhD I am working on and that have helped with my sanity!

I started this project soon after (or, maybe during) Christmas.  Hexagon piecing has always intrigued me, then I found a wonderful tutorial by Texas Freckles; and joined the Hexagon Charm Quilt Flickr Group.  I've done more than shown, but I still have a long way to go to have enough for a twin, maybe full size quilt.  It's great to do while 'waiting', or 'listening' to a movie or tv!

Then, I started a knitting project for a customer/friend.  A poncho!  This pic was taken in its beginning stage and I've come a long way since, but still working on it...

Here's some Junk Love/Thrifty projects:

a pair of pajama pants for my daughter (and, will make a pair for myself) along with nightgowns for her and I.  Purchased the full size fitted and flat sheets with 2 matching pillowcases for about $2 in its original package!

Next, is a workout and beach ensemble in dusty blue terrycloth.  It's large scraps from a crafty friend who was spring cleaning.  This terry is soooooo soft!  I made a peasant top and yoga pants with a bell leg and slits on side of pant legs.  Great for the beach!  Just to hang out in or as a cover-up!  Florida sun can be brutal during the summer!

My current project...

Rompers are 'IN', again!  I remember wearing them 'back in the day'; pant and short rompers.  I loved them then, and love them now!

Here's a close-up!  (sorry for the poor pic quality)

This is a vintage Vogue pattern circa 1960.  Of course, I will be altering and drafting this pattern to fit me and my body.  You can go along for the ride, as I work on this project!

Here is the fabric choice!  Not sure of the type fabric, but it's flow-ey and will give good 'drape' to the pattern!  I think I'm going to wear this for my second oldest daughter's high school graduation on June 1.  Yeah!

And,...

I'm still plugging away on my PhD's in my participation of Myra's PhD Challenge!  I've committed to completing four of my projects by June.  So far, this is 2 and 2 more to go!  Still quilting this one with my grandson's help (as you can see)!  I guess I'd better get crackin'!

I'm glad you all 'hung in there' with me and it's glad to be back with my online friends!  Have a Glorious weekend!

Peace, Junk Love, Happy Sewing, Quilting and Crafting!

Stacy

Sewing, Knitting, Quilting and Fabric Love

I was tired of looking at the standard black Featherweight sewing machine box.  Boring!

I knew that I wanted to do something 'different' to make it my own!  Decoupage, hmmmm?!  I didn't know if I wanted to decoupage with paper or fabric until I saw this...and, this!

And, came up with this...

I still need to add grosgrain or some sort of ribbon to the handle, per suggestion of my online crafty friend, Rita!  You gotta go check out her Etsy shop here!  Still have more to do, but so far I'm pleased with my box!

Next, on the creative agenda, was this laptop bag for my daughter!  All of my thrifting and garage sale shopping, left me defeated in finding a laptop bag that would fit "today's" laptops.  Most of the ones I came across were for retro laptops!  I'm talking about 5" thick from the 90's and shorter in width!

I'm also knitting a cowl for a dear friend!  Found this easy and cute pattern by Madelinetosh!  She's on Ravelry, also!  Beautiful patterns!

These blocks are from a Block Exchange via Treadle On.  For the love of vintage and antique people-powered machines!  Rules for this block exchange, this block design and colors be sewn on either a treadle or hand crank German manufactured machine!  Here's the machine I used!

Here's a center medallion block I made in March.  This is one of my WIPs!

And, I've been feeling the urge to splurge on some fabric!  The budget was tight, but my neighborhood fabric shop had a great sale!  (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)  So, I picked up these fat quarters!

I'm sorry I didn't have any Junk Love for you!  Maybe, next week...we'll see!  For now, I need to go over homework with the 2 youngest children and work on my assignment, due Monday!

Until next time...

HAPPY SEWING, KNITTING, and QUILTING!

Here are the newspaper clippings to purchase the patterns also, in the envelope...

Here are the actual patterns still intact...

I have found many of these vintage patterns by mail.  Mainly clothing, some dolls and some purses.

HAPPY SEWING!

Peace and Junk Love!

Junk Love and WIPs

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Not much going on in my fav thrift stores lately, but a lot of sewing going on!  And, I guess what I found this week was my sign to 'Get Busy'!

I love retro sewing patterns!  Last year, I posted that my husband bought home 2 large garbage bags full of vintage sewing patterns, that are now sorted and stored in vintage suitcases throughout my home.  The oldest pattern I have is from the 1930s!

Sew, with that in mind, I took advantage of the overnight quietness in my home to work on WIPs!

The first, is my table topper.  I finally found a backing I wanted to use...denim.  This would be great to use outdoor, as well! I've pin-basted and am machine quilting; then will add the binding...

These next two projects are ongoing!  They both come from two great blogs that I follow!  The first, is a Teeny Tiny Nine Patch Challenge from Julia at GreenQuilts!  Great Stash buster project!  This challenge uses 3" squares of fabric!  I plan to make 100.  I've got about 48 more to go!  Here's the latest addition...

Aren't they pretty?!  I love color!

The next, is a project from Karen at Selvage Blog...Asterick Quilt!  This is so much fun!  I need to make 50 of these blocks...here's what I have so far!

I've only got about 30 more to go!

And, what started my week off on the "Good Foot", was this...

Wheeler & Wilson No. 9!  Can't wait to get her into a cabinet with irons and sew, sew, sew!  I belong to a wonderful  family in Treadleonia!  Where we talk, share, advise, swap, sell and gather about people-powered machines (i.e., treadles, hand cranks).  She came from a home in Tennessee to me!

This is only the middle of the week and it's been 'full and joyous', thus far!  I hope you all have a wonderful week and a better weekend!

Peace, Junk Love, and HAPPY SEWING!

Junk Love

I not only sew, I also like to knit!

This was perfect!  I'm learning to knit socks and this is where I'll store all of my sock yarn!

Now, for my fabric addiction!  It finds and calls out to me...wherever I go!

I can't resist y'all!

Today is the last day of school!  So the children and I will be busy bees!  Alyssa (7) will get a chance to really work on her hand crank sewing machine; Alexis (17) will be sewing with us; and, my Charlie (10) will be crafting!  He loves to make pipe cleaner characters!  He's been doing so, since he was 5 years old!

Of course, we will frequent the pool (it's been 100+ here, lately)!

Stay cool and thrift often...
Peace and Junk Love!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY! Junk Love Day!

I've been babysitting my grandson these days and haven't been able to frequent the local thrift stores lately.  However, I did find more lovely vintage patterns on my last visit!

 These are Ann Person, Stretch & Sew Patterns.  I like these patterns because they're great for use on woven fabrics, jersey knits, stretchy fabrics.  And, if you do not own a serger, no worries...you can sew these patterns using a regular sewing machine.

Panty pattern. Great to have and can be eco-friendly if they are made from t-shirts!  Here's a tutorial for you!  (just click on the word 'tutorial')

So, since we're on the subject of 'unmentionables', these cute nightgowns would be fun to make!

Sorry, this photo is blurry.  These are various cute peasant dresses, tunics and tops.  I love these type top/dress patterns, they are a flattering design on me!

T-shirt pattern.

I wonder with all of these great patterns I found; could this be a hint that I need to get my gear (wardrobe) in order for the summer?  Hmmmmm, maybe?

Thanks for visiting and checking out my Junk Love!