Dakota Sews

Potholder Pass 10

2012-02-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, another Jane Market Bag! My partner showed a pillow with houses in her inspiration mosaic. I decided to run with that idea and used a tutorial from Sew Retro to raw edge applique two different houses onto each center panel. I really had fun digging through my scraps!! The linen scraps I used for the actual houses was my favorite and these houses really made maximum use of the scraps. My partner indicated that she may not use this tote for groceries so I used some duck and canvas in this bag to make it stronger and also added a pocket inside. I didn't really have a pattern for the pocket; I just cut some scraps here and there and sewed them together. Then I decided some straight line quilting was in order and after that I still though it needed something. I've been wanting to try stamping on fabric and had recently purchased a stamp pad for the that purpose. I did ruin a few pieces of twill tape working the kinks out and my images are for from perfect, but overall I think it works. The lining is osnaburg lined with medium weight interfacing. I also sewed canvas and duck to the insides of the Kona gray. The binding was leftover from a small throw I made for Christmas, but I thought it added a certain something to the bag, especially the pocket.

PP10 Bag Swap

2012-01-24T19:25:00.000-08:00

I've progressed a little bit further on the bag swap. I've added the birds and some topstitching. I think I may add some smoke lines coming from the chimney and perhaps a path from the door. I plan to use a Kona dark gray for the sides, osnaburg for the pocket lining and the middles section.

Working on Bag Swap (Potholder Pass)

2012-01-22T20:33:00.000-08:00

I'm making the Jane Market Bag once again. These are going to be the two center panels and of course, I just couldn't make a plain strap. These two also have the extra length added so the bag can be carried over the shoulder. I have felt birds to add, but I'm debating on what else I should add to the panels. The house pattern is from Sew Retro.

more Keyka Lou Bags

2012-01-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

I was so frustrated with the John Deere fabric I used on the pillow case, I thought I should just use this and be done with it. Well, this piece (remnant from Hobby Lobby) was much better. I enough material for two outers. I used the same brown I used on the pillow case for the inner layer. The denim on one bag is a lightweight denim chambray (also used interfacing) with a gray broadcloth on the inside. I couldn't find anymore denim scraps for the other bag, so I used the back of the legs from a pair of my daughter's worn out jeans. Since I already had interfacing cut, I interfaced those straps even though the denim is considerably heavier than the chambray. I also used a triple stich on the pair with the denim and I really like how the stitchin is more noticeable this way. The photo with the food is showing what was in the packed bag in the top picture. There was still plenty of room for more food too. Two more stash yards used.

Pillowcase for Nephew

2012-01-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

I made a pillowcase for my three-year-old nephew who loves tractors and bobcats (as in the machine not the animal). This is my usual pattern, but the quality of the fabric was not good. I wish another company had the rights to the John Deere prints. The green ran in some spots, and it the fabric in general seemed quite off-grain.

Keyka Lou Grocery Tote

2012-01-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

I'm participating in the Stash Contest at patternreview.com. Each year, my goal is to beat my previous year's goal. I still need to check back to see what I need to beat this year. These are my first finished projects from Keyka Lou. I made two grocery totes using a canvas purchased at a thrift store a couple years ago, a not-the-best dye job on the gray cotton lining, and a midweight denim (scraps) for the handles. I also used a bold straight stitch (#2 stitch on my pfaff) on the handles of one of the bags to make the top-stitching stand out more. At approximately one yard each, I now have two yards to add for the year 2012.

Pouch for Pretty {Little} Pouch Swap

2011-12-11T18:51:00.000-08:00

I"ve been working on this pouch from This and That called the Button Bag. I started the bag without reading through all directions. Once I had cut and sewn each side together, I read through the rest and found out the directions call for putting the zipper in by HAND. I'm not opposed to handsewing, but really, a zipper in a pouch will hopefully be used and and hopefully used often. I wanted it sewn by machine for both durability and appearance. I looked for reviews online and only found two other references to the bag. Both reviewers liked the bag, but said they would do something different for the zipper next time. So, I complete revised the assembly to this bag. I also added a pocket (pictured above). I didn't know how I'd get a good picture of the pocket once the bag was assembled. As of tonight, I just have the zipper pull and the bottom binding to go. Then it will be off to its new home!!

Coasters for Potholder Pass

2011-10-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

I finally finished these coasters for the Potholder Pass Swap (Coaster Version). I've had this Heather Ross print for a few years now. I think I received it in a variety pack that I received from Sewbaby or Sewzannes. I absolutely love the feel of the Heather Ross print as it is a brushed cotton. I love the prints she has done with Kokka, but I wish she would have continued to design for US companies as well. The main part of these was really easy and the handstitching went quickly, but the binding took me forever to sew on and then to finish the backs by hand. Next time I make coasters, I will try making a circle so I don't have to stop, cut and start over on all the corners. I do love how they turned out and hope that my partner enjoys them.

Halloween Mug Rug

2011-10-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

I made this mug rug for my partner in the scrappy mug rug swap. I knew my partner liked the Ghastlies and softer Halloween colors. She seemed to comment on mug rugs with handstitching, so I added the handstitching on the osnaburg. I ordered the halloween striped material just for the binding. I love stripes for bindings, but hate sewing with them anywhere else. There is also a small button embroidered spider in the lower left hand corner. I used black handquilting thread along with silver metalic thread for the spider's head and legs.

Coasters Received

2011-10-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

Look what I received from the Potholder Pass Coaster Version. I think I just listed vivid as my color. I think the different colors in these will really come through depending on what other decorations are around them. These really caught my eye when they were posted on the sneak peaks. Orange Queen sent the beautiful orange fabric and orange card that are in the back of the picture. Thanks!!

MMM Swap Package Continued

2011-08-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

Here are photos of the entire swap package I received. Erin included a table runner (or piano runner) - for now it is on the table - much more visible, a cute pouch, cathedral window pincushion, beautiful fabrics, cute dress pattern (Izzy and Ivy) and some scissors. The pouch is Amy Butler and she put the cutest charm on the zipper. That pouch is actually going to end up in my purse. I decided the other day I need something to contain all the discount cards/punch cards that I carry. The pincushion is going into my sewing room. The fabrics are Sugar and Spice (Riley Blake - Quilted Fish)), Spirit (Lila Tueller), paisley print I'm unsure of - Moda, and the two end fabrics are from Amy Butler's Love line (Bali Gate & Cypress Paisley). Erin sent me LOTS of fabric - much more than she had to AND I will have lots of fun with it!!

MMM Swap Table Runner

2011-08-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

I had to include this collage showing off this beautiful table runner. First of all, this is a beautiful table runner that my swap partner made me I recently made curtains for our dining room from this line so it coordinates perfectly. She used free motion feather quilting which I love and have no idea how to do. My kids all screamed how beautiful it is too. The backing is also gorgeous so I had to pictures of that as well.

MMMSwap Package to Send

2011-08-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

I've been participating the the Make Mine Modern Swap for the past 6 weeks. These are some of the items I have for my partner. For her sewing room (or wherever she chooses to sew), I have an armchair pincushion. This is available as a free tutorial from During Quiet Time blog. I used a scrappy binding osnaburg for the strips between the pincushion and pocket and for the backing. I also made her a bag from the Stitch magazine. This was the first time I did this much raw applique on a project. I like how it turned out. I used a rayon gray thread for all the 3/8 inch quilting lines. I'm also sending some Kona cotton, and 4 fat quarters of Barclay and 1001 Peeps, a crochet dishcloth, quilting magazine, and pattern for children's pants. Hopefully, my swap partner likes the package!!

I hope my partner likes straight line quilting!!!

2011-08-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak for my partner for the Make Mine Modern Swap. I am almost finished with the two handmade projects. I've been very busy straight line quilting. I really like how both projects are coming out thus far, and I sure hope my partner is happy with them.

Look what came in the mail!

2011-08-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

I had volunteered to make an "Angel Bag" for someone in the PP8 Swap, but thankfully, her partner did pull through. Since I had already started her bag, we arranged a swap together. My partner used these Farmdale prints by Alexander Henry to create the fabric basket and Jane Market Tote. As I'm typing this, I realized that I didn't include a good picture of the lining of the Jane Market Bag, but Sandi used the pink circle print that is in the fabric basket. I haven't quite decided what is going in the fabric basket yet, but I know it will be used. Sandi used wider straps than the pattern calls for on the Jane Market bag, and I like the boldnes of it. This Jane Market Bag pattern is one of my favorite patterns, and I love to see the unique qualities that every seamstress gives to the bag.

MMM Sneak Peak

2011-08-02T08:15:00.000-07:00

I'm working on another swap project. This one is for the Make Mine Modern group. The above photo is the project fpr the sewing room. It is about half finished and I like how it is coming out. I used a dark Kona gray (unsure of the exact color name) and I just love this fabric. The red, purple, and turquoise are also Kona cottons. The orange and green hexagons are an unknown scrap and the yellow owl is an older Momo print. The second photo is the group of modern fabric (1001 Peeps, Kona cotton, and In the Kitchen prints)that I have picked out to send to my partner. The third photo is the pieces to the main project for my partner. I don't think this will take to long to sew, but it has taken me a long time to cut out all the pieces, and I haven't even started on the lining yet.

Pleated Tote Bag

2011-07-24T13:56:00.000-07:00

My daughter really liked the orange Jane Market Bag that had made last week so I tried out a new pattern in the orange fabric for her. This is the pleated tote bag (free) from Artsy Crafty Bag. She has recently learned to crochet so I tweaked the bag to work for her crochet supplies. She has several spots for crochet hooks as well as a zippered pocket. I used the zipper pocket directions from the Sew Liberated Mischievious Gnome Messenger Bag. Overall, I'm pretty happy with. I like the pleated and the general shape of the bag. I think I may add a few patchwork details in the next bag I make. I still need to add a button to the front, but my daughter can pick that out next time we go shopping.

PP8 Swap (Reusable Bags)

2011-07-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

I particpated in the Potholder Pass Bag Only swap once again. After knowing that I had a package at the post office, but was too late to pick it up, I made it there today to sign for the package. Sign for the package?? The postmaster said I needed to sign since it was registered and foreign. Laura from Brazil sent this beautiful bag from the Jane Market Bag (Posie Gets Cozy) to me. I love the bird print in the middle! The polka dot print is perfect to coordinate and she used a plaid to line the bag. Along with the bag, she sent some blue floral fabric (my girls already said it needs to go on the piano), stickers and a card. Thank you Laura - this was a really neat swap package and know when people ask about the bag, I can say it was handmade from Brazil!

Another Jane Market Bag

2011-07-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

I think I know this pattern well. I offered to make an "Angel Bag" for Potholder Pass 8 (PP8) when someone's package didn't show up. Well, the package did show up (yah!!!) and even better, the person I was making the bag for wanted to complete a swap together. My partner had several birds in her favorites including a stitchery pattern. I don't do a lot of embroidery, but decided to trying stitching a design on the machine. Overall, I think I like it. Hopefully my partner likes it. It is a very strong bag. I interlined most of the bag with canvas and there is also interfacing in the center panals and the pocket. The pocket is also lined and bound at the top. The straps are a little longer than the pattern calls for so it can be worn over the shoulder. I also decided to try piecing the straps together for a patchwork effect. Next time, I may try a couple different fabrics in the straps. I used cotton ric rac along the seams and when I tried sewing the straps on, my machine really gave me fits where the ric rac was at. Next time I use ric rac, I may purposely cut the ric rac short since you don't see it anyway.

Crochet Dishclothes

2011-07-19T20:02:00.000-07:00

When my forth child was born, I had a hard time sitting still in the chair. I'm one that likes to be doing "something." So, I decided to make crochet dishclothes for all the ladies that I worked with at the time. My goal was to make one per day (that meant I had to sit down and concentrate on the crochet rather than think about all the things I should be doing which meant I would be walking around while moving around). I did meet my goal that year, I healed faster than if I cleaned everything around the house, and I have continued to crochet dishclothes while we travel or if I watch tv with my husband.

The discloth with the cream border is a pattern I saw when I first started crocheting these where the stitches alternate front and back post single crochet. This is my favorite pattern all around although I rarely put anything other than a single crochet border around the edges. My oldest daughter wanted to know how to complete a scalloped edging so I showed her on this one. The second dishcloth is from a pattern that I first printed six years ago. I had to look to see if the pattern is still online and guess what - it is. Here is the link to the directions if you are interested. Cindy's Simple Dishcloth http://crochet.borgbilly.com/patterns/dcloth1.htm.

Jane Market Bag for PP8

2011-07-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

I'm participating in the PP8 hosted by Amy at During Quiet Time. My partner this time requested orange and turquoise or red and turquoise. She also stated that she likes flowers and fruit. When I searched through her favorites, I discovered she also likes crochet so I used size 10 thread to crochet the two flowers (attached with safety pins). I used osnaburg for the center panel with Kona solids strips at the top. I also quilted random flowers in the osnaburg (quilt sandwich made with flannel and more red checks for the back of the pocket). The ric rac came from a vintage lot I bought while thrifting. The straps are Kona with orange topstitching. I did use interfacing throughout this entire bag including the straps. The lining is also the red checks (properly aged - over 10 years). The bag is headed east and hopefully the new owner likes it!!

Sneak Peak for PP8

2011-06-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

I've finished the crochet flowers I wanted to make. My plan is to make the Jane Market Bag with the Osnaburg in the middle with a patchwork border. The red checks will be the backing behind the pocket and the lining. I'm debating on the ric rac. I've thought about putting it the vertical side seams or horizontally near the top of the pocket. Now, I'm just waiting to find some Kona cotton that matches the turquoise floral and the turquoise in the thread flowers.

Armrest Pincushion

2011-06-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

My daughter wanted to make a pincushion for the fair (4-H project). I immediately thought of the scrappy armrest pincushion tutorial at During Quiet Time blog. I decided to make one up so she can see the size of it and be thinking how she wants to use her quilt scraps. I used quilting cottons, denim, osnaburg, and pieced batting scraps to make this. The hardest part was deciding on a binding. The red I originally planned on using didn't match both the red checks and the red in the pockets. Cream looked too matchy. Blue just didn't work. I finally tried this batik purchased at a thrift store. The batik looked olive green in some lighting and tan in others, but I just decided I would go with it. It also has pink, purple, and blue in parts of the batik. I tried to cut the square for the binding in areas with mainly blue and the olive/tan color, but there are parts with the pink and purple in the pincushion too if you look carefully.

Jane Market Bag for PP7

2011-05-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

I sewed this Jane Market Bag for my PP7 partner. From her Flickr photos and favorites, she seems to like birds. I ordered the bird fabric from Fat Quarter Shop and was pleased with how quick everything came. I also ordered a lime green floral for the lining. The only modifications I made to the pattern were on the straps. I interfaced the straps to help them feel sturdier, and I also topstitched each strap four times. Overall, I am happy with how the bag turned out. It did take me a long time to sew this, not because the pattern was difficult in any way, but because I ended up with a sinus infection, we had an early May blizzard that knocked power out for several days, and then I had a kidney stone that really, really hurt. Knowing that we had a blizzard two weeks before this picture was taken, look at how green the grass is.

Jalie

2011-03-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Jalie 3023 Tankini Swimsuit. I made a size I with really no other adjustments. The photos show sides as tight and as loose as the gathers can be. I love the way this turned out as does my daughter. Now we just need summer!!

2011-02-26T19:22:00.000-08:00

This is the Little Chef Set from the book, Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist. Both the apron and hat are adjustable with Velcro. The book includes patterns for 2 sizes. This is the larger size in the picture.

Potholder Pass 5

2010-10-31T22:29:00.000-07:00

I finally finished these potholders. The pattern is from a Quiltmaker magazine, and it was much more difficult than I thought it would be. I do love how they turned out and hope my partner is happy with them as well. The owl is from an online tutorial.

Potholders Again!!

2010-06-01T05:25:00.000-07:00

I finished these for Potholder Pass 3. I almost didn't buy the brown stripe that I used for the bias. I made a remark to the saleslady that I hate sewing stripes. She replied that she usually likes to use stripes for binding so that is what I chose to do. Overall, I think it works. The back is a black cowboy boot print with a linen and red check piece slightly off-centered. I wish I hadn't used the scrappy look to the back, but I realized that I didn't like it so much once the entire potholder was quilted. I'm hoping to go back to the store today to see if they have any fabric left of these prints because I really do like the way it worked out.

2010-04-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

I participated in Potholder Pass 2. I really like this pattern and it is much simpler than it looks. The original pattern created 12 inch blocks which are much too big for a typical potholder. My first try at changing the size created approximately 10.5 inch squares. My second try was a little smaller than I prefered so I added a 1/2 inch border. I hope my swap partner likes these.

Ottobre Design Gilda/Jalie 2447 tankini

2009-06-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

I sewed the Gilda tankini top (#39) from the 03/09 issue of Ottobre Design with a few modifications, of course. First of all I lengthened the top, added a lining to the front and I dyed foldover elastic to match the brown hearts in the fabric. The bottoms are from Jalie 2447 - Choice of Tankinis. I sized up three letters after reading a review on patternreview.com. I ended up trimming almost 3/4 of an inch off the leg openings, and I used 1 inch more elastic than what was recommended in the pattern.

So far, my daughter likes the pattern. I am curious to see how it will hold up as she moves through the water. Swimming lessons start in a few days so we'll find out soon.

Portobellopixie Gracie Tiered Top/dress

2009-06-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

This is a dress I sewed the end of May. I used the Portabellopixie Gracie for the Tiered Top,
but I made a few changes. First of all, I lengthened the bodice and I used the bottom ruffle for the Tiered dress (wider). I made several muslins and the bodice was hard to get on and off even though it seemed to fit well. I tried adding snaps to the back, but when I sewed the bodice using the denim I found it had a LOT more stretch than I thought so that really took care of the problem. If I sew this again using a non-stretch woven for the bodice, I will definitely add snaps or buttons to the back. I also added three buttons the bodice after seeing Patty Young's Modkid patterns done in denim.

Faith Double Layer Dress top

2009-06-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

I tested the cute SewSensible Faith Double Layer Dress top. Aimee is in the process of converting her PDF patterns to paper patterns.
This is a pattern that I have watched and watched since it was featured on youcanmakethis.com. My hesitation is buying this pattern has been that the pictures that sewers have sent it don't have the cute ruffle at the top. When I sewed this pattern, I asked Aimme about it. I believe she has corrected the problem; I can't wait to try another one.

The capris are just a pair of holey jeans with the knee area cut off and a ruffle sewn on. These ruffles were 21 inches by 6.5 inches. Next time, I think I'll make the ruffles a little shorter.

2009-04-13T20:12:00.000-07:00

This is a close up of the bodice seam and gathering. I used a honeycomb stitch above the piping. This is the first time I've used piping in almost eight years; it wasn't as hard as I remember it!

2009-04-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

This is another Ottobre Design Strawberry Tunic. This time I hand-dyed the fish fabric. I added navy piping and decorative embroidery above the bodice seam, used navy foldover elastic on the neckline and sleeve edges, and sewed navy stretch lace/edging to the hem. The 3/4 pants are from the 02/03 Ottobre Design issue. The pants are made from a stretch denim remnant.

2009-04-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

I made this outfit from Ottobre Design issue 3/08. It is number 11 & 12, the "summer" short sweatpants and the "strawberry tunic." So far, my daughter just loves it. I used a stretch woven for the pants and went up a size and there is plenty of room. Hopefully, there is enough growing room to last until fall, so she can wear it to school when it is still quite warm.