Expanding My Repertoire

I was in Hobby Lobby one day a couple weeks back searching for something for my mom when I happened to notice they had all Simplicity patterns on sale for 99 cents. I've wanted to try my hand at clothes recently, but haven't known where to start. I decided to just jump right in and pick a pattern. I quickly flipped through as the store was closing in 10 minutes and found a simple looking dress pattern which I knew my sister would love. She tends to wear a lot of dresses and hasn't found a new one she loves in awhile so I was hoping to provide her with one. I stashed the pattern until I had a couple free hours last Friday night and this was the result. It took constructing, tearing it apart, and re-constructing to get to this point, but this dress fits her perfectly. I eliminated the elastic waistband so it drapes nicely on her. I just have to hem it up once she decides on short or long and it'll be ready to go! Hopefully I'll get a picture of her in it to show you since this one looks pretty much like a sack.

All in all I really liked sewing this dress and think some more clothes may be in my future. Think I'll wait for another sale before buying any more patterns though as they can get quite pricey. I think I will also have the recipient try it on as I go rather than after it is constructed so I don't have to tear my work apart again :-)

Another Skirt

Despite my lack of blogging lately, I have actually been doing quite a bit of quilting. However, I've been doing little picture taking. One project I did manage to get a picture of was another little reversible skirt.On the left is the first skirt I made and on the right side is the second. The two sides don't match as well on the second skirt, but I loved the zebra and purple lace together so I didn't look for something that matched the red side any better.

I'll post more updates as soon as I get pictures...hopefully tomorrow.

Much Progress

I have had a very productive couple of days. In addition to cleaning, studying, cooking, babysitting, and other such activities, I managed to get two items from my goal list checked off. First, I attached the binding on the disappearing nine patch. I am now setting this aside for when I need a car project or will otherwise be sitting for awhile without anything to do.

I finished the ironing and cutting for my Camelot Squared quilt. The ironing took forever and what felt like a gallon of water. There were so many wrinkles! I did some chain piecing and the top has come together quite quickly. I just need to sew the rows together and the top will be done.
After getting all that done, I still wasn't tired last night. I decided to put together a few more string blocks to add to the stack. I still need so many more though. I had no idea what a daunting task I had taken on when I began.
And finally, I whipped up this adorable little skirt from this tutorial this morning. I don't even know how I happened upon it, but I am so happy I did. All the materials came from my stash. It was exciting to realize I could actually make something entirely from what I already have on hand. When I figured out the cost, the whole thing ended up only costing about a dollar. And look...its reversible! I made it for a little girl that I babysit. I've spent hours and hours with her the last week and a half, but now that I have this I don't think I'll be seeing her for a couple weeks. Oh well, I'll get it to her eventually.Just looking at this makes me smile. I think I might have to make up a couple more.