Pincushions

Perhaps it's leftover from my days in the IT sector, but I always feel like if you're not learning, you're falling behind. So, I watch a lot of YouTube sewing videos. Usually, even on the most basic of videos, you can learn something, refresh your memory, or gain a new appreciation of something. Yesterday, I was watching Gertie make a gathered skirt and I noticed that she had a wrist pincushion. What an awesome idea! Who ever thought of wearing a pincushion is a genius! I wanted one.

My thoughts went like this... Gertie's wrist pincushion looks like it's got a metallic bracelet, which isn't good for me due to my metal allergy. But a fabric bracelet would work.  And Gertie's bracelet looks a little too big for her, she had it half way to her elbow. An elasticized fabric bracelet would probably be perfect. And, Gertie's pincushion isn't very pretty...

So I made this one...

Wrist Pincushion

Here it is, on my arm. It has a cardboard circle sewn into the bottom of the pincushion so that I won't stab myself with the pins. It's actually quite comfortable. I put it on to show my husband when he got home from work and I got sidetracked, forgetting that I was even wearing it. He says it looks like a wrist corsage. I think it looks a little like a water lily.

Wrist Pincushion

Once I remembered I was wearing my wrist pincushion, I went back to my sewing table to take it off and I remembered that Diana's pincushion has been missing for a number of years. So I decided to make a little one to replace the one that's missing from her neck.

Dressform Pincushion

Completed projects: 20

Remaining projects: 32

Going Into Business

About a year and a half ago, I bought Nina (my latest sewing machine). In the back of my mind was the idea that someday I would start my own business with her. At the time, I didn't tell anyone because I was afraid that I'd be held to it. It's funny how fear can affect you... Anyhow, after mulling it over for the last while, and making sure that my skills are up to snuff I have finally taken the plunge!

Purple Hearts Bow-Tie

"Thing 1" landed a job at the casino. On the shifts that she is serving food and drinks, she is to wear a "kitchen staff" type of uniform. They provided her with a white shirt and black vest. She gets to wear her own black pants and her own tie. She had been wearing a tie from dad's closet, but she said she wanted a bow-tie. So, I made her one.

Pink Sparkly Leotard: Take 2

Here it is! It's two sizes bigger than her measurements, but this one fits!

Jalie 2792, View A

I've decided to count this scrunchie as a separate project because by the rules that I set out last year, it is. It's a brand new make, albeit a small one. But, I'll take it.

Pink Sparkly Scrunchie

Completed Projects: 18

Remaining Projects: 34

Pink Sparkly Leotard

How cute is this?! "Thing 3" wanted a leotard to wear to gymnastics. Have you seen the prices of children's leotards? They are expensive, so I decided to try making one instead. It turned out pretty cute, and it came in at a much lower price than the store-bought ones. I think that's a win. 

Running Belts

Lucky me! I get to mark two projects off my to do list. I made two running belts; one for "Thing 1", who actually runs, and one for me, who just doesn't want to have her hands full while walking the dog.

I followed this tutorial at sewbon.com. It is well written and has lots of pictures to explain the steps. Both belts were made from a black, high performance fabric and edged with 1/2" fold over elastic.  In fact, they're identical, other than the size difference. I'm not thrilled with the way the zippers turned out. I think it's because I used chunky sports zippers. Had the zippers been finer, the fabric wouldn't have to pull as much at the zipper ends where it transitions to the seam in the fabric.  I tried to get a picture to show you, but it's all black on black so it doesn't show up. Sorry.

When I installed the fold over elastic, I sewed it all in one step. I've seen many places where people sew it on the back first, then fold it over and sew it on the front. I didn't find the extra step was necessary, however that could be because my sewing machine can crawl along at a slow pace. I't never occurred to me to try using my bias binder foot, though. Darn. Maybe next time.

Running Belt

Oh well! Even if it's not perfect, it'll hold my phone, tissues, id and maybe even my keys. I think I'll try mine out at the park tomorrow.

Running Belt

Completed projects: 15

Remaining projects: 37

Green Nightshirt

I wasn't sure if this would count as a sewing project or not, so I went back to my original post and re-read the rules. I didn't say anything about refashioning existing articles of clothing. So, I'm making a call. Refashions count as a project. Repairs and fitting alterations don't.

This is one of my favourite refashions. It's not the first time I've done it. It's so quick and easy and SO CUTE! Every once in a while we get a cute tee (from a friend or cereal box or wherever) that nobody wants. I turn them into nightshirts for "Thing 3".