Just a TRUCK quilt

This one also took a while.
I had this truck fabric for a long, long time, until one special boy, who is obsessed with trucks was turning 3 years old.

Quilt Front:

Simple enough. I wanted to carry the colors from the truck fabric, at the same time to make it seem that the trucks "move" through the quilt. The yellow represents road, blue represents the sky and green - trees.

Quilt Back:

The boy's name (No, his name isn't really "hide The Name) is appliqued on either side of the light, using satin stitch applique.

Pattern used: none
Fabric:

• Unknown truck print stash fabric
• Kona red
• yellow and green, grey, blue solid from Connecting Threads

Quilting:  allover giant stipple

I did not have enough fabric leftover for a matching pillowcase, so I purchased a pillowcase and added a cuff with contrast piping.

Finished!

This quilt took a very, very long time.
I finished everything but quilting the border and sewing binding 3+ years ago!

2 reasons I never finished it: first of all, it's very large, making it very hard to quilt on a regular machine and second, I had another baby and with 5 kids there just isn't enough time!
Slowly, slowly I was able to complete the quilt and make a matching pillowcase for a standard Ikea throw pillow (even the zipper was a perfect size, no shortening needed- love when that happens!).

 15 minutes after the quilt and the pillow were laid on the couch my almost 4 year old fell asleep snuggled under the quilt and slept for few hours.
And just to think that she was a tiny baby when I started the quilt!

Pattern: Organic Style - Free pattern from Moda Bake Shop
Fabric: Jelly Roll Strips from Connecting Threads
Border: Kona Cotton in Wheat and Espresso
Batting: Warm and Natural.
Quilting: machine quilted with large all over stipple
Finished size: 70"x70"

Simplicity!

Not much sewing being done here, excluding alterations and getting everyone's clothes in tip top shape for school, of course.
But that doesn't prevent me from thinking about sewing!
I ordered 8 Simplicity patterns last night
(One of my favorite pattern shopping websites, sewingpatterns.com had an amazing sale).
Here are my faves:

Simplicity 1277
I think this is a very flattering, versatile dress.
It's sized by cup size for a perfect bodice fit.
For woven fabrics.
Wonder what it would look like in lightweight denim with pleather contrast panels?Hmm.

Simplicity 1285

Truthfully, I got this one just for the cute raglan T-shirts.

I love the neckline!

Simplicity 1283

 Love this one! Beautiful pieces, versatile and sized for stretch knits! Double knit, Ponte.

Simplicity 1323

More versatile knit pieces - notice a trend?

 

Simplicity 1325

And this! Love the basic T-Shirt pattern. The cropped jacket is great for spring/early fall.

These are the fun patterns, the rest are simple, ordinary ones. 

Once I match the projects with my fabrics, I will post an update.

 

Relatively busy. OK, OK, very busy.
Summer vacation with 5 kids at home: It's like having a rock concert/frat party in your house all day long!
A little sewing, a little quilting, lot's of making breakfast, lunch, dinner, laundry, pool, mall, etc.

Here is a quick re-upholstery project to give our  storage foot stools (which house a collection of Fisher Price Little People and Mega Blocks, of course).

Before: Yes, quite sad looking- 4 years of daily use by rowdy lovely kids will do that to you.

And after:

Not a great pic, the pleather (fake leather) is actually gold! Gold, because I took my 6 year old and 3 year old girls to the store with me and all that shines....

Toddler Rashguard and Swim Shorts

The only reason I'm posting this is that I searched for days for a pattern on the net for a toddler rashguard.
I found this tutorial and this cute set and that's about it.
Basically,I used Kwik Sew simple raglan top pattern (now OOP), but you can use any well fitting raglan pattern and switch the neckband to a wider one and a short pattern from Ottobre Kids magazine.

These were made last year and this year the fit is perfect!
The main thing to remember, inside seams need to be flat and soft, I used Wooly Nylon in my serger (overlock) and fast seams.

Fabrics are from Chez Ami 

Rhythmic Gymnastic leotard: "Dramatic Bows"

This Rhythmic Gymnastic leotard is based on 2 altered Jalie patterns.
Jalie 3026 and 2792. I needed to adjust the pattern to fit my slim 7 year old, but the pattern and the instructions are very well laid out and easy to follow.
This is a third leotard made from the same pattern(s).
I find that I always have to re-draft the sleeves - not sure if my daughters upper arms are too slim or the pattern pieces are too generous.

I have been asked what I use to applique lycra on lycra (spandex).
In the leotard below both bows and black"ribbon are appliques separately.
While I prepare a tutorial, here is short description:

• Use a cut of applique fabric large enough to accommodate   all your applique pieces.
• Trace all your piece to the paper side of your fusible bond, I use HeatBond Feather Lite Iron on 
• DO NOT CUT OUT your shapes
• Iron on the  Heat Bond onto your applique fabric
• Cut out all shapes when cooled off
• Peel of the paper, position on your leotard, gently iron press to secure and applique (use medium lenth zig-zag to ensure structural garment stretch)
• Done!

Quick skirt upcycle

Once upon a time there was a hand me down denim dress.
The dress top was jersey fabric beyond stained and frayed - it had to go.
The dress was transformed into a denim skirt:

Once the skirt became too short, but still loved, it needed a little more "tinkering"
We added a gathered ruffle from quilting cotton fabric
(that's where you break out your ruffling foot)
And a "yoga" style folding top from ribbed fabric (with an elastic inserted on top)

With an addition of a lovely bird applique, the skirt was as god as new!

My big girl wore it for a while and now it's tucked away waiting for my
little girl to grow into it.

Introducing....my newest project!

My new baby!
Funny thing is I have UFOs that took longer to finish.

The hat is hand knit from organic unbleached non-mercerized cotton using this pattern
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/babymockcablehat.htm
Love this pattern- fast and easy. I always make the ribbing shorter since I don't like a bulk of folded cuff on baby hats.

Here is another yummy pic:

Blanket knit from Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Handpaints in Blue Marble.