Monster Tooth Pillow

Isn't he cute, in a monster sort of way?

I adore this guy-friendly design for a tooth fairy pillow!

I happened to discover it while browsing Suzanne's blog, Just Another Hangup.

I used a medium weight twill for the pillow front and a quilting cotton for the back.

Applique pieces are a mixture of quilting cottons and craft felt.

I used a buttonhole stitch to applique the fabric pieces, and a zig zag stitch for the felt eyes and teeth.

I added a fabric loop at the pillow's top.

It may be hung on a door knob, drawer pull or wall hook, making it a little easier for the Tooth Fairy to find in the dark!

Finished size is approximately 10" square, and it is lightly stuffed with polyfil.

The lower part of his funny face makes a pocket for the surprises and treats

left behind by the Tooth Fairy!

Be sure to visit Suzanne's blog for other creative and fun ideas!

A link to the pattern and instructions for the monster tooth pillow, and a tutorial for applique by machine, may be found in the sidebar of her blog.

And now this little monster pillow is on its way to a special little boy!

Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!

Shortcake Romper and Dress

A fun little romper for Spring!

I used this pattern, Shortcake Reversible Romper & Dress

by The Cottage Mama.  It includes Sizes 6 Months to 6 Years.

Designer, Lindsay Wilkes, has recently started marketing her cute patterns.

She also has a fun blog, The Cottage Home, filled with scrumptious recipes, tales of being a young mother, and examples of her creative sewing.

Her patterns include excellent instructions, complete with photographs of each step of construction.

This pattern also included a recipe for Lemon Blueberry Shortcake Muffins!

Yum!

My version of the romper used Freckles in blue by FreeSpirit Fabrics and

Treetop in pink from an Oliver + S collection for Moda Fabrics.

This is a Size 3T.

This is a very easy and simple pattern, perfect for beginners, or if you just want to whip up something really, really quickly!  There is no hand sewing at all.  It is all completed by machine.

It probably took me longer to decide on fabrics and trace the pattern, than it did to actually stitch.

The romper is completely reversible, making it two outfits in one!

Both romper and dress tie at the shoulders.

I did add a sweet applique monogram to the blue side.

This is the Rick Rack Monogram from DigiStitches.

I alternated the fabrics for the leg bands, to add a little more contrast and interest to the finished project.  I also applied a lightweight woven fusible interfacing to each  leg band piece.  I believe this added a little stability and gave a more finished appearance.

In all honesty, I thought about adding the interfacing while tracing and preparing the pattern.

In my haste to get to the fun part of stitching, I forgot to cut out the interfacing.

Again, I decided to try and follow the pattern instructions for this first time use.

However, after attaching one leg band, I could tell interfacing would really help.

So, my trusty seam ripper was put into action!

After a few minutes of cutting and applying interfacing, I was stitching again and more pleased with the outcome.

For the dress version, I selected Half Moon Modern Big Dots in Steel by Moda.

I used a solid pink broadcloth for the lining.  While the dress is still reversible, I made it mostly to be worn with the dots as the outer fabric.

The hem is edged with pink rick rack.

The dress is Size 4T.

I really love the more full swing style of this little dress -- perfect for running, skipping and twirling!

I also monogrammed the dress in pale pink to match the rick rack and lining.

The font is Empire, one of my all-time favorites, from Embroidery Arts.

I am cleaning up my sewing room to prepare for a few more projects.

First, I am off to pamper myself with a much needed manicure!

Happy Friday to all!

All fabric and patterns available at BessieMary.

Spit!

Yesterday's agenda included embellishing and monogramming a few burp cloths for a sweet new baby.  As the day unfolded, it became the only thing on the agenda.  During several moments, I was the one doing some serious spitting, sputtering and fuming!

It has been awhile since I used the embroidery feature of my sewing machine, and it evidently decided to teach me a thing or two.  Or, at least test my patience.

I am not one to upgrade each time a new machine is introduced.  My Husqvarna Viking Designer I still uses those obsolete things called floppy disks to transfer the design from the computer to the machine.  That means plugging an external disk drive into the computer, since my computer no longer even accepts floppy disks.  We evidently replace computers more often than sewing machines around here!

After finally getting everything set up, or so I thought, all I received were error messages. 

The thought occurred to read the instructions.  Maybe I had forgotten some important step.

After digging through my sewing room, finding many other treasures in the process, I ultimately found the user's guide to my embroidery software. 

No enlightment there.

A call to my dealer provided no clues, either.

Except to shell out several hundred dollars for new software.

No, I don't think so.

The search for the user's guide also provided the embroidery software CD.

At that point, what did I have to lose?

I decided to remove the software from my computer, and reinstall it.

Don't ask me why, but it worked!

It only took six hours, five cans of Diet Coke (the sixth drink, if needed, would definitely have been something much stronger), one bag of Ghirardelli Sea Salt Soiree dark chocolate squares, and two broken fingernails.
But, the monogram was finally transferred to a floppy and headed toward my machine!

In the end, there are three monogrammed burp cloths!

Today, I am off to one of my least favorite destinations:  the dentist.

I actually like my dentist and all his office staff.  They are almost like family. 

I am just not fond of the pain sometimes incurred.

After yesterday, I am thinking a day of drilling is nothing.

I am pretty sure no fingernails will be broken while sitting in a chair.

And please, let's just keep my Diet Coke and chocolate addiction between us.

That is not something he really needs to hear.

May your Wednesday be wonderful!

E is for Turkey

The letter E is definitely not for "early", as I am running very late with this project!

The pattern is Children's Corner Lucy, shortened to tunic length.

I selected pink twill to coordinate with the purchased stripe leggings.

I adore this Turkey Monogram from Planet Applique!

The letter and bias binding at the hem are FreeSpirit's Freckles in brown.

Due to our cloudy skies today, the colors are a little off in the photograph.

It is much happier in person!

Pattern and fabrics available at BessieMary. 

The Great Pumpkin in a Small Size!

Do we ever grow tired of Jack's toothy grin?

I think not!

I selected Children's Corner Lucy, View B, and shortened it to tunic length.  Fabric Finder's orange and white polka dot twill was the perfect background for Ellen McCarn's Ready to Sew Applique, Punkin' Face!

The bottom edge of the top is trimmed with jumbo black rick rack.

I purchased a pair of little black knit leggings to complete the ensemble!



Now, this is making me hungry for candy corn, and all things pumpkin and spice!

~All fabrics, trim, pattern and applique available at http://www.bessiemary.com/

Nighty Night!

As mentioned in a previous post, I am making a few doll garments for an upcoming fundraiser.

After modeling all her gorgeous outfits contributed by other seamstresses, I figured the dolly might be ready for a good night's sleep!

So, I made a little nightgown out of a pretty floral lawn.

The sleeves and hem are trimmed with snippets of Swiss Edging from my overflowing stash drawer!

I used an out-of-print Simplicity pattern, also found in the depths of a sewing room drawer.

The pattern shows gathered lace at the neckline.  I was afraid the lace might suffer greatly with time and play.  Also, the type of edging I selected for the sleeves and hem is not suitable for gathering.

Instead, I decided to use a coordinating microcheck and bind the neck.  I also added microcheck piping to the skirt and bodice seamline to tie it all together.

And here is where I have a hopefully helpful hint!

I often make my own piping, as I love to use the same fabric elsewhere in the garment -- just like the neck binding and piping on this little dolly sized garment.  When not making my own piping, I do enjoy using Susie's Ready to Sew piping. 

This time, I did not have any of the light blue microcheck gingham fabric on hand to cut my own bias for the piping or neck binding.

Not to worry!

I used Susie's piping in Light Blue Gingham.

I pulled out my trusty seam ripper which, truthfully, is never too far from reach.

I picked out the stitches on a small length of the ready made piping, and removed the piping cord.

I then pressed it flat and had a piece of bias for the neck binding that perfectly matched the piping at the skirt/bodice seamline!

Normally, I strive for teeny tiny bindings at the neck, sleeves or other areas.  However, this time, I wanted the contrasting microcheck to be more of an accent or design feature.  It was taking the place of the gathered lace or a collar.  So, I made it a teensy bit wider than usual.  Overall, I think it helped to add a little something extra and was balanced by the longer length of the nightgown.

And please pardon my dolly's bed hair!  It is not that she has actually slept in this little nightgown.  I rescued this Samantha American Girl doll from a bin in a thrift store.  Her hair was even worse before a few sessions with the proper type of brush and a few mistings with a detangler.  We still need to have a few more beauty parlor sessions, but she was anxious to model her new nightgown for you -- and I was anxious to get the little nightgown sent on its way to the join the rest of the wardrobe being raffled!

I am participaing in Sew and Tell.

Hop on over to view other sewing projects completed this week!

Alligators, Elephants and Taxes -- Oh, my!

Pardon my temporary disappearance!  I was buried under the avalanche of paper, receipts and forms that seem inevitable at this time of year.

I did manage to eek out some time to go on a safari,  returning with some mighty cute alligators and elephants!

Wanting to try a fairly new pattern, Willilam and Winnie by Children's Corner, I first selected a LakeHouse Dry Goods fabric, Elephant Toss.  There are tiny little elephants scattered all over!

A coordinating dot provided the perfect lining.  I also used the same fabric to applique a larger elephant on the lower skirt, as well as make covered buttons for the shoulder straps.

William is a romper for boys.  Mango Stripe Seersucker was used for the romper, while Kiwi Gingham was used for piping and alligator applique. 

For this version of Winnie, I decided to add a ruffle to the bottom of the skirt. 

If you wish to add a ruffle like I did, you will need to use a different method of construction than provided in the pattern.  Children's Corner has produced a series of videos with clear step-by-step instructions.  You may view the technique I used by clicking here.

 

And what girl alligator doesn't love a big bow and long eyelashes?  Some quick hand embroidery added a few fun details!  The bow was made using cast on stitches, while the eyelashes are back stitches.

Alligator applique may be found at Embroidery Boutique.

Elephant applique may be found at Applique Cafe.

This entry is linked to Sew and Tell Friday.

Please visit Amy's blog to see more sewing fun!