Owl Oven Mitt Tutorial

Do you love owls? Then you are going to need to sew the Owl Oven Mitt Tutorial I designed. This is a fun and useful project, and the design perfectly matches the owls used in Ann Kelle's fabrics!

Let's get started!

Panda Face Zipper Pouch Purse Tutorial

Recently, I was commissioned to create some fun zipper pouches using Ann Kelle's Urban Zoologie in Spring panel fabric. I had never attempted a project quite like this before, so at first, there was a little trial and error in figuring out the best way to make these tiny animal face bags. I think the end result works wonderfully.

The following Panda Face Zipper Pouch Purse Tutorial gives specific instructions for using the Panda fabric panel to create this purse; however, the same steps and methods apply for using any of the animal face panels to create a simple zipper pouch, wristlet, or purse the perfect size for a child. The fabric panels that will work for this tutorial include a fox, panda, lamb, two dogs, and a cat. My daughter loves the fox coin pouch I let her keep!

Keep reading for a list of supplies and step-by-step instructions to create this precious Panda Face Zipper Pouch Purse!

Super Simple Tie Headband Pattern & Tutorial

Add a splash of color and a dash of fun to your outfit with these Super Simple Tie Headbands! Since they tie in a bow on top of the head, this style headband is easily adjusted and fits most children and adults. 

The Super Simple Tie Headband makes a perfect party favor gift for girls, great stocking stuffers, and an ideal item to sell at craft fairs. A half yard of Ann Kelle's Remix knit fabric can make up to 9 headbands! Now that's a great deal. 

Keep reading to get the Super Simple Tie Headband Pattern and Tutorial and start sewing your own headbands today! 

Sweetie Pie Baby Bib Pattern & Tutorial

Are you in need of a quick baby shower gift? Or do you have a baby or toddler who needs a stylish bib to protect their adorable handmade clothes? Either way, I've got you (and your baby) covered with my Sweetie Pie Baby Bib pattern and tutorial!

The round shape of the Sweetie Pie Baby Bib is just precious. The small bib size provides lots of coverage for a teething baby who needs help keeping moisture off his chest from drool while the large bib size is ideal for a self-feeding toddler. 

Sew the bibs with Ann Kelle's laminated cotton (slicker) fabric on the front and thick terry cloth fabric from Shannon Fabrics on the back to create the ideal barrier to protect your child's clothing. 

You can also use quilting cotton for the front, but please note that moisture will eventually wick through the cotton and terry cloth. Another alternative would be to use PUL fabric in a fun print or color for the front of the bib.

Let's get started!

Pumpkin Drawstring Pouch Tutorial

Is your house the one that all the children in your neighborhood love to trick-or-treat at because you give out amazing goodie bags? If not, then consider using my Pumpkin Drawstring Pouch Tutorial to sew up some fun halloween themed treat bags to fill with candy to give all the ghosts, monsters, princesses, and super heroes that stop by your house this year! They will love you for sure!

Not only are these little 6" x 6" drawstring pouches absolutely adorable sewn in halloween print fabrics designed by Ann Kelle, but they are quick and easy to sew. Plus, they are reusable and ideal for all sorts of other things besides candy. They make great jewelry pouches, organizers for sewing supplies, gift card bags, or even a little first aid kit to keep in the car.

sewVery Simple All-Purpose Headband Tutorial

Now that I have grown my hair back out long, I'm finding that I wear it up in a ponytail fairly often or need to keep the front out of my face, especially when I go for a walk, sew, or do a lot of chores around the house. I have such thick, frizzy hair, that I desperately needed something to keep those kinky curls contained and under some control. Of course, the simplest solution was to sew up a few wide, knit headbands for me to keep it all under control!

These headbands were such a cinch to sew and are great for everyday casual wear or a workout, so naturally, I took a few pictures and created the sewVery Simple All-Purpose Headband Tutorial so you can sew some, too. 

You are going to love these so much that you'll make one to match all your new knit shirts and dresses since the all-purpose headbands don't take much fabric to create. I've even given you the cutting dimensions to make them for your little girl, too. My daughter loves wearing hers to gymnastics class or when she is running around outside playing. 

Posey Tunic and Peony Leggings--Great New Patterns!

Last week, I participated in a pattern test for two new designs from Sew Like My Mom. If you follow my blog, then you already know I am a huge fan of Melissa's patterns. I was so excited to try out the Posey Tunic and Peony Leggings patterns, that I sewed despite some serious neck and shoulder pain that I had been experiencing for several days, and the results were well worth it!

Check out this adorable knit outfit!

Disclosure: I was provided the two patterns for free in exchange for my participation in the testing of the patterns. All opinions are 100% my own.

Gymnastics Outfit with Thread Faction Patterns

If you are looking for some new, fun, modern, simple knit patterns to sew for spring and summer, then you definitely need to check out the latest pattern collection from Thread Faction Studios. In celebration of their latest designs, I'm participating in the Thread Faction SS2016 Blog Tour and sharing how I put together three patterns to make this terrific gymnastics outfit for my daughter.

Disclosure: The patterns and some fabric used in this post were provided to me free of charge in exchange for participation in the blog tour. All statements made in the post are my honest opinions.

Keep reading for more information on these patterns as well as how you can win some fabulous prizes!

A sewVery Simple Apron Tutorial

Love to cook, bake, paint, or work with clay? Then this sewVery Simple Apron Tutorial is for you! Protect your clothing from spills and splatters when you wear this one-size-fits-all apron design that is super fashionable when sewn in your favorite fabrics (like Ann Kelle's Remix Wide fabric).

Photo from Ann Kelle

Gather these supplies, and in no time, you'll be on your way to sewing up a brand new sewVery Simple Apron! Get the full tutorial below.

Blank Slate Patterns Prepster Pullover

Cold weather is finally upon us, so I put my latest Blank Slate Pattern to good use and sewed Ella a lovely Prepster Pullover (affiliate links). With the sleeve versatility of this pattern, she'll be able to wear it pretty much year round!

This post contains affiliate links. Although I was provided the pattern at no cost in exchange for my review, all opinions given are my own.

It's rare these days that my pretty little girl can wear a piece of clothing that isn't standard school attire. While the Prepster Pullover can easily be made to fit the bill for school in a solid fabric, I chose to make this particular blouse using beautiful London Calling lawn from Robert Kaufman. The blue floral print and drape of this fabric are both ideal for this design and a pleasure to sew.

Remix Pouch Tutorial with Bonus Wristlet Strap

Recently, I was commissioned by the fabric designer, Ann Kelle, to sew up a few little pocket shaped zipper pouches using her new Rainbow Remix fabric collection. What's even better is that she asked me to write a tutorial for these adorable little pouches so that anyone could create their own! While part of this tutorial originally was posted on Kelle's blog, Ann Kelle, I've added a little twist to give you the Remix Pouch Tutorial with Bonus Wristlet Strap!

Cuddle Floor Pillow & Blanket Set

One of my most popular posts is my tutorial for a Cuddle Floor Pillow that I made for my children. The pillow is large, 20" x 30", has a zipper closure to allow for removal of the interior pillow form so that the cover may be washed, and includes a handle for ease of carrying. My children use these pillows all the time!

Recently, I shared the link to my tutorial on my sewVery Facebook page where a relative of mine saw it. She contacted me about sewing up a cuddle floor pillow and blanket set for her granddaughter, which I was more than happy to oblige. This is what I made for her!

Keep reading to find out what fabrics I used and how to make your own Cuddle Floor Pillow with my FREE tutorial!

Sewing Blogger Secret Gift Swap

Recently, I participated in a secret gift swap with a group of sewing blogger friends. We've done this once or twice before, but this year, we decided to wait a few weeks after the holidays to exchange our gifts.

Here's how the secret gift swap works. Those who want to participate sign up and provide information on their favorite colors, fabric shops, or other useful information (like favorite chocolate). Then a designated organizer (that was me this time) uses a random method to assign each person someone from the list to make a gift for (the recipient).  Everyone gets a couple of months to decide what to make or buy and then ship it off to their recipient, but not before sharing a few little sneak peeks of the gift first! The recipient doesn't discover who sent the gift until it arrives.

We all love getting gifts in the mail, so it's a fun, fairly inexpensive way to brighten the day of a friend or even a stranger. My friends and I have gotten to know each other pretty well over the last few years, and the gifts we all exchanged with each other really showed that this time!

Christmas Skater Dress

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! Sorry I haven't been very active on the blog lately. I have a quick project to share with you today--a Christmas Skater Dress I made for Ella!

I've been needing to make Ella another Skater Dress by Kitschy Coo forever, so when Modes4U sent me a half yard cut of both the green knit and the woven Cosmo Christmas print, I had a "make it work" moment! You see, Ella has gone up to a size 7, and the skirt of the Skater Dress requires more than a half yard of fabric to cut out the width of the skirt correctly. I decided to make the skirt not as full and make the half yard of fabric work. It turned out fine, in my opinion!

My New Oceanside Pants

A couple of months ago, my family and I took a beach vacation, but before we left, I needed some new pants to take with me. Since I was busy packing for everyone and taking care of last minute details, I didn't have much time to sew. No worries though! I tried out the very popular Oceanside Pants Pattern from Blank Slate Patterns (affiliate links) and had my new pair of pants in under an hour!

The Betty Skirt

If you are looking for a great, versatile girl's skirt pattern, then look no further! The Betty Skirt Pattern by the Shaffer Sisters is it!

I absolutely love patterns that offer you options or more than one piece to sew. With the Betty Skirt Pattern, you get 4 skirts--gathered, large pleats, small pleats, and gathered with placket--all in one pattern! What a great value.

And the best part of all, these skirts are easy to sew and the fit is fantastic! I'm pretty sure the Betty Skirt Pattern is now my go-to pattern for school skirts for Ella.

Oliver + S Music Class Blouse

With the arrival of cooler weather, Ella was in desperate need of a new long sleeve blouse that met her standard school attire requirements. Instead of buying her another basic knit polo style skirt, I decided to make her a few new blouses using the many wonderful patterns already in my collection!

One pattern I've had for a while and have been meaning to sew is the Oliver + S Music Class Blouse.

This pattern is amazing! I have loved every O+S pattern I have tried, and the Music Class Blouse is definitely no exception. Just look at all the details!

Visiting at My Cuddle Corner + Giveaway!

I'm back visiting over at Shannon Fabric's My Cuddle Corner blog today with a tutorial on how to make a Cuddle Pocket Blanket!  Come see how you can a few Christmas gifts for the little ones (or the grown ups, too) in your life!

Oh, and there is a giveaway, too!  Shannon Fabrics and Robert Kaufman have agreed to give one lucky person the fabrics needed to make one Cuddle Pocket Blanket!  Be sure to enter below or on my post at My Cuddle Corner!  Giveaway open to US Residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Have fun sewing!

My Super Girl + Giveaway Info

Back in September, Kelle of Ann Kelle designs asked me if my daughter might be interested in modeling some superhero capes and masks made using her new Super Kids fabric line sold by Robert Kaufman.  I didn't hesitate to say yes!  What little kid wouldn't want to run around and play dress up outside for the day and then get to eat delicious cupcakes and punch afterwards!?

A little later, my friend, RaeAnna from Sewing Mama RaeAnna, signed on to have her son, Christian, be a superhero, too.  Ella was so excited that her friend would be there!

Weeks went by and Kelle finally emailed me the details of the photo shoot.  I combed Ella's closet looking for the types of clothes she suggested and then sent her some quick pictures for her input. In the end, Ella wore the denim Schoolday Skirt I made her and a short sleeved raglan t-shirt from Kavio.  The socks and shoes were from Target.

The photo shoot was late in the afternoon on a beautiful, warm, sunny day at a farm with lots of cats, dogs, chickens, and even a pony.  It was the perfect outdoor setting for some fun.

Ella's first time to ever play duck-duck-goose!  She loved it!

Kelle and her assistant had a table set up in the pasture with cupcakes and all sorts of Super Kid decorations including garland made from Kelle's fabrics.  The whole setting looked like a picture from a magazine!

Although I've exchanged several emails with Kelle before, I had never met her in person until the day of the shoot.  She is the sweetest, cutest thing with such a welcoming smile and personality. She gave me and Ella a hug like she had known us for a lifetime.  I can now see how she can create such colorful, fun designs for fabrics and cards!

Guess what?  In honor of the party, Kelle is giving away a bundle of her Super Kids fabric and a $50 gift card to Tiny Prints (where you can buy her Super Kids cards and lots of other fun prints she has designed)!

Photo from Ann Kelle.com

To enter the contest and download free tutorials on how to make the Super Kid's masks and capes as well as the garland visit her blog at Ann Kelle.

Hope you have a Super day and have fun sewing!

All the terrific photos at the farm were taken by Simply M Photography.

Clara Tiered Twirl Dress

I love Fall weather.  Maybe it's because I was born in the Fall or maybe it's because I love the Fall colors. Whatever the reason, I'm glad it's finally here and things are starting to cool off!  Because it has been so pleasant outside the last few days, I've taken my children on several outings.

Earlier this week, we headed to the zoo where I was finally able to take a few decent shots of Ella wearing her Clara Tiered Twirl Dress by Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.

Since I am an affiliate for Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop, this post contains affiliate links; however, all opinions stated are 100% my own.  I was provided a copy of this pattern for free in return for my honest review of the pattern.

You see, I made this dress earlier this summer and have tried at least two other times to get her to stand still long enough for me to make photos.  The name of the dress does it justice!  She loves to twirl in it!

The Clara Tiered Twirl Dress pattern is a simple sundress style dress that is a great sewing project for a confident beginner.  I say confident beginner because there are four small buttonholes for the thin straps to go through on the bodice.  The pattern instructions and photographs are clear and straightforward as well as very easy to understand.

The tiers are simple, slightly gathered strips of fabric that are sewn together.  Because of this, you can make a dress like I did with lots of different fabrics, or stick to a variety of solid fabrics for the tiers, or a mix of both.

In all, I spent roughly an hour and a half sewing this dress together in a size 6 for my daughter.  I think the bodice fit is perfect on her with or without a shirt worn underneath it.  That's another great feature of this dress!  It can be worn year round just by wearing a short or long sleeved t-shirt under it.  We can even pair it with a cute little solid colored cardigan and some leggings and wear it in the winter, too.

Next time I make it, I plan on using more solid fabrics so that I can embroider a design or monogram on the bodice.  Don't you think that would be cute?

As far as the fabrics I used to make this version of the dress, Kelle of Ann Kelle designs for Robert Kaufman graciously sent me these beautiful fabrics to "play" with.  Since there are so many different geometric prints all in the same colorway, I decided the Clara Tiered Twirl Dress was the perfect pattern to showcase all of them at once!  Do you think it's too much?  Na!  It's perfect!

I made this brightly colored version of Clara Tiered Twirl Dress using Ann Kelle's Woodland Pals fabric in Bermuda for the bodice, Remix Small Chevrons, Remix Large Chevrons, Remix Dots, and Remix Triangles all in Bermuda for the five tiers, and the large chevrons for the straps.  You can purchase all of these prints at a variety of online and brick and mortar retail fabric stores.  I highly recommend them!

Want to grab a copy of this pattern for yourself?  Then head over to Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop to purchase the Clara Tiered Twirl Dress Pattern.

While you are there, be sure to check out the Thrifty Thursday pattern--the Adele 3 Tier Ruffle Skirt--that is on sale today only for just $4!