Pillow Talk

I have been intending on making pillow covers for oh, about 4 years now.
I have purchased fabric, promised my husband that I'd change them, promised myself that I would sew them and have been staring at the fabrics for years now.

Then I found blogs where I have found tutorials abound and they have taught me how to do the things I was intimidated by on my sewing machine.
Zippered pillow covers like this one on Prudent Baby;
How to sew a zipper in a pillow

And another great one for a hidden zipper on Freshly Picked blog;
Hidden Zipper in a pillow
And then a friend gave me a Potter Barn drape panel that propelled me to begin.
And voila, I have completed my project and am so relieved!

J Crew - thank you

I bought a white J Crew "belle" skirt last year and it has been a favorite summer staple. The problem is that this year, they didn't make the exact skirt and the closest style was made from a much heavier fabric. Doesn't work for this gal in the humid south.

I met a fellow sewing mom, Liza, who came to our kids swim practice to sell tank tops she makes for the team mom's; adorable!
She saw my skirt and asked if it was jcrew, but of course! She said she made it in seersucker and that it was easy to re-create...a challenge was born!

 Due to cutting after 11pm with only 1 yard, I made some mistakes. Notice the waistband is vertical although I kind of like it!

 My 6 year old insisted on capturing the outfit on film...I am not always willing!

Next- brown seersucker and my son's pick, orange seersucker. 

This time longer and will try my best at creating a tutorial.

You look good in my shirt...

I have always had an affinity towards men's shirting fabric and thought it would translate well into children's clothes. When my kids were young I took my husband's monogrammed shirts and made pajama bottoms for them. I re-sized the pocket and made it a back pocket on the pants. They lasted through three kids. I must have pictures somewhere.

I did a stint for a custom woman's shirt designer and got spoiled looking at fine french and italian fabrics; luxury.

I found a great blog, Made by Dana, when I first stumbled on blogs and haven't turned back since. 

This tutorial was my inspiration for some new dresses re-fashioned from men's shirts. My husband passes along some wonderful fabrics and gets to see his girls wearing his patterns. 

http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-shirt-dress.html

 The first go at it

 Ideas are coming...

Dress number two. This time I used a two inch grosgrain ribbon instead of making the waistband with contrasting fabric. Seemed quicker and I like the pop.

 I made one for a friends daughter for Father's Day with her husbands high school shirt.

Men just can't seem to let those memories go so what a great way to keep them!

 Then I had the idea to do a skirt which is a knock off from one of my daughter's favorite mini boden skirts.

Took me a bit longer without a pattern but it came out great!

I wonder what else I can make?!?

I Pledge Allegiance

My husband and I decided to attend a local charity polo event a few summer's ago. The tents were to be decorated in a chosen theme; ours was "patriotic". 

We spent a few weeks watching the season of "Nine by Design" where I found inspiration for my flag.

I paused, watched screen by screen, to see how artist Ann Carrington helped create one of the flags for their hotel project. Artist Ann Carrington
And an idea was born...I did a lot of sewing, breaking needles and at midnight before the event, got out my steam n' seam as my sewing machine would go no more. 
But alas, the result and I have used it every Fourth.