Wow...I am totally neglecting this poor blog!

To be fair, though, I have been really busy.  Life in general has kept me pretty occupied, running kids and doing chores, etc. etc.  But, I have also found a little spare time in which I have been sewing (instead of blogging).  So I am bringing this poor, neglected blog up-to-date with the recent projects I have completed.  I also WON!!! a prize in the month-long EtsyMom Street Team SUPER GIVEAWAY!  You really should visit the EtsyMom blog;  you can enter two giveaways everyday. 

So, here we go...

The first project I completed was a set of pillows for my new sectional (which came in the day before my son's first birthday party to which we had invited 40 people!).  I used Joel Dewberry's Ginseng fabric, which I have been dying to use since it came out.  I bought pillow forms and made envelope style pillow cases (that way if I change my mind later, or some designer comes out with something I like better, I just have to make another set of cases).

When I showed my aunt the super awesome fabric I would be using for pillows, she instantly declared she wanted a bag made from that fabric.  

Then I tackled the two dresses I wanted to make my niece 

for Christmas.  For the first dress, I used a Robert Kaufman print...I love damask and my sister's favorite color combination (which she used in her wedding) is pink and black.  I used a Butterick pattern that I adapted to fit her size and also added the banding at the bottom and made it sleeveless.

For the second dress, I used a fun Alexander Henry print and just patterned a very basic jumper.  I am hoping that she can use them as dresses with tights and/or leggings and long sleeve shirts this winter and then as dresses in the summer and I think I left enough room that in the fall they can be long, oversized shirts she can pair with leggings.  I am having a fellow EtsyMom team member (and seamstress) make matching headbands.  You can check out WeezaWear's Etsy shop for some great items!

So, hopefully, that will bring us up-to-date.  I have several projects awaiting my attention:  I am assembling a blanket for friend for Christmas, I have 2 no-sew fleece blankets to make for gifts, and several blankets to be made for my Etsy shop.  I also have some lovely fabric that wants to be an apron. 

Trick or Treat Tote Bag Tutorial

This year, my daughter chose to be Minnie Mouse for Halloween (I am not making it, Disney store had it on sale so my son is going to be Mickey...too cute!).  So, since I bought the costume, I wanted to make her a trick or treat bag because the pink Princess pumpkin from last year just seems to clash with the red & white Minnie polka dots.  It turned out so cute that I thought I would share this project.

  It worked great for Minnie with the red and white polka dots with black trim, but you could coordinate it to just about anything for your little girl with the right fabric.  

This project is really pretty easy, so give it a try!  It is inexpensive (I found fabric on sale and made this for under $5) and doesn't take too long (probably between and hour and a half and two hours).  This is my first attempt at creating a tutorial...I would love your comments on how it went, if I explained things clearly enough, anything you think should be done differently!

Material List

1/2 yard of main fabric

1/2 yard of contrast /lining fabric

1 yard of 7/8"-1" ribbon

Interfacing (optional)

Coordinating thread

Tools

Straight edge ruler

Fabric marking pen/pencil

Pins

Scissors

Iron/Ironing Board

Sewing Machine

1.  Start by folding your main fabric to create two layers.  Then, cut 

your fabric 16.25" wide by 8.75" high.  Starting at the left edge of the fabric, mark 2-5/8" in at the top and at the bottom.  Then make a mark 6-3/4" down from the top mark (this should be 2" up from the bottom mark) and connect that to the mark on the bottom edge.  Then make a mark 2" back to the left and connect;  then, using a straight edge, connect it back to the upper left hand

 corner.  

2.  Fold the fabric in half and cut along your lines.  

3.  To cut the lining fabric, start by creating two layers and cutting a 16.25" by 10.75" section.  Starting at the left edge of the fabric, make a mark 2-1/2" down from the top on the left edge and then marks 2-5/8" in at the top and bottom edges.  Then make a mark 8-3/4" down from the top (this should be 2" up from the bottom mark) and connect it to the bottom mark;  measure 2" back to the left and connect.  Using a straight edge, connect that point to the mark on the left edge of the fabric.  

4.  Fold the fabric in half and cut along your lines.

5.  Cut the exterior contrast piece by layering your contrast fabric and cutting a section 16-1/4" by 3".

6.  You will need to cut two straps from the main fabric, 3" by 19".

7.  Cut 2 lengths of ribbon 16-1/4" long.

8.  (optional)For the bow, cut 1 main fabric and 1 lining fabric 4" by 6" each.

9.  (optional)  Use the lining fabric as a template to cut your interfacing for the body of the bag and then cut interfacing for each of the straps and the bow. (Interfacing just beefs it up and adds structure for use beyond Halloween;  it can be used without.)

You should now have all your pieces (2 main exterior-front and back, two contrast exterior-front and back, two lining-front and back, 2 straps, 2 trim, one main bow, one contrast bow)

10.  With satin/smooth side facing down, place one piece of ribbon on one main fabric piece;  with right side facing down, place one lining piece on top of main fabric and ribbon, pin and stitch together using a 1/2" seam.  Press seam open with ribbon/trim up.  Repeat for back panel.  Set aside.

11.  (optional)  Apply interfacing to front and back main panels, straps and bow.

12.  Fold strap piece in half length-wise, open and press in edges to center.  Fold back in length wise (enclosing raw edges) and stitch close to edge to finish.

13.  With right sides together, stitch bow pieces together using a 1/2" seam allowance and leaving a  2-3" opening to turn.  Turn right sides out, press and edge stitch all the way

 around, closing opening.

14.  Orient bow piece lengthwise (like a note card), fold and crease to mark center line.  Form 2 pleats (one above center line and one below) press and then fold up the top and

 bottom edges, pin in place and stitch vertically down the middle.

15.  Attach bow to exterior front, reinforcing the stitch down the center.

16.  With right sides together, pin the exterior front and back pieces together at the sides (matching trim seams) and bottom only(do not stitch corners).  Stitch together using a 1/2" seam allowance;  press seams open.  

17.  With bag open and wrong side out, bring side seam and bottom seam together(matching up) and stitch corner with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Repeat for other corner.  Trim corners and turn right side out.  

18.  Repeat steps 16 and 17 to make interior/lining.

19.  Pin straps to exterior of bag on the outside.

20.  With lining wrong side out and exterior right side out, slip exterior into lining and pin.  Stitch all the way around leaving a 3"-5" opening for turning.  Turn bag right sides out and slip lining inside bag.  

21.  Edge stitch all the way around the top closing opening and finishing the bag!