whoa...

Lately I have been sewing... sewing a lot!  I am so grateful, so I hope that this post doesn't come across as unthankful, but I have to put myself on hold soon!

Everyone that sews out there know that you really can't become a millionaire doing it.  You sew because you love it and get a little cash here and there.  But as far as time involved, you work for less that minimum wage.  I know some of you are thinking, then why do you do it?!?  And that is a great question... Because I love it!

I love looking at a piece of fabric and seeing how with a little needle and thread, you are able to create an outfit that your child can hold onto forever.  When you remember Christmas of 2010, most of us moms, will remember what our babies were wearing.  I remember the outfits my children wore home from the hospital and the sweet 1st birthday shirts that they stained with cake icing.  There are memories in clothes and so it is greater than just creating a masterpiece with fabric.

It is so easy for me to get carried away in my little sewing corner.  I forget about the world around me and it is just me and the sound of my machine.  While very therapeutic, it can like all things, take your focus off life that really matters.  Because we all know that more than likely, that outfit will get lost, or stained, and ultimately one day end up in the trash.  What is most important are the people that live inside those clothes.

So often I must step back and let a little dust collect in the sewing corner.

I am going to take this time in December to focus on enjoying my husband and kiddos, spending a little less time sewing.  Trusting that during this break, God can provide for our adoption.

I am so excited about preparing for Christmas with them and doing all kinds of crafts in anticipation for Jesus' Birthday!!!  Now we all know I can't stay away from the beloved needle and thread for a whole month, so maybe just maybe, I will actually make my own kids some clothes!!  Ha!

So look forward to lots of pictures of crafts, baking, decorating,  and maybe an outfit or two for my little ones!

Blanket Stitch Appliqueing

Last Month I made a Birthday Outfit for Asher.  The shirt couldn't be worn after his birthday, so I made this one to match the pants.  I cut out the car and wheels and hand-stitched them onto the shirt.

It turned out so cute and I love the handmade look of a blanket stitch around the car.

Tutorial to come on "How to do a Blanket Stitch!"

Journal Redo

I know that the title of my site is "Cool People Sew" and I am about to paste a "no sew" project.

But hey you really don't have to sew to be cool :)

I have been brainstorming about Christmas gift ideas and working on a few projects with scrap fabric I have around the house.  

Here is a great journal recover, that requires only a few things and about 30 minutes of your time...

Results are a really cute journal for a friend... you could even write a sweet note to start it off.

You will need a journal and fabric to start.

I found my journal for 3 dollars at Dollar General, but anything should do as long as it isn't a spiral.

Glue the fabric around your journal with the hot glue gun folding it around the edges. 

On the inside you can see where I cut scrapbook paper to cover the raw edges, but I think it could be just as cute with rough edges of fabric.

Next I cut out the ugly black page marker and replace it with a fun piece of fabric...
Just put a dollop of hot glue at the top in the binding and press your fabric in...
I use scissors to do this, so I don't get glue on my fingers... OUCH!



The best part are the rosettes on the front of the journal...  

To create these you just need fabric scraps and fabric glue.

Start twisting your piece of fabric around itself in a circle.

Dab a small amount of glue as you continue to go around, creating your flower.

Last you place a big puddle of hot glue on the cover of your journal and plop that sucker right on.... SIMPLE RIGHT!

The glue will dry and it looks super cute!

You could get really ambitious and cut a piece of felt and attach the fabric to a pin to use on your outfits or jackets!

Hope Romper

This is an outfit I made for a sweet little girl in Texas (thank you Leah) !!!
It is the pattern that I have named the "Hope Romper"

The pattern is actually a Paulie, by none other than Children's Corner.  The pattern is pretty basic, but does have require a small amount of hand sewing for the yoke.  I try to avoid ALL hand sewing most days, but this is on the inside of the outfit and does not take too long.  I forget that it is actually nice to sit on the couch with the family and sew, rather than behind a sewing machine in my corner.

Labor to make this is $25... and you can mail me your fabric or have me pick some for you!  I would love to make another.

It is cute for a little boy, but of course minus the ruffles and maybe not the pink!