Getting Ready For Baby: Phases 1, 2, and 3

My it's been along time since I've sat down to write a post!  Let's just say that life got a bit crazy over the summer. :)

When I found out in June that we have a little one arriving in late January, the countdown began - and my mind starting going crazy with all of the re-organization/redecorating that needed to be done.

The plan?

1. Split all toys between the "new" playroom in the basement and the kids' rooms.

2. Move everything from our computer/sewing room (the downstairs bedroom) into the back playroom (now workroom/office).

3.  Paint and fix-up downstairs bedroom and move my husband's and my bedroom furniture down.

4.  Paint our old upstairs bedroom and move the girls in there.

5.  Re-decorate the girls' old room for the baby.

Phew!  Got all that?  We decided to move the girls because our old bedroom upstairs is bigger than their current one (and has 2 closets).  And baby boy will get the smaller one all to himself.

The first 2 were relatively easy.  Really, it was just re-distributing stuff.  And, no, I am not going to post pics of the playroom or the workroom/office because they are already disasters.  They both started off generally organized but between the girls playing and my sewing...there is stuff everywhere.  And, honestly, I'm don't feel like organizing it all over again for a few pictures.

On to our new downstairs bedroom.

At first, I was pretty certain that we could complete it in a week.  I think I was delusional.  It's a small room, but there was a lot of stuff that needed to be done - and all after the kids were in bed for the night.  It took over a month.

Well, you know how these things go.

We were just going to paint the walls, but then noticed that the trim looked awful.  Add "paint trim" to the list.

But if we were going to paint the trim, we had to paint the doors, because now those didn't match the trim.  And since the doors were already off their hinges, why not put on new hinges and new doorknobs?

And, wait, if we're going to paint the trim and doors, we really should caulk all the cracks around the molding, windows, and doors.

Hmmm...the ceiling looks pretty old now.  Better paint that.

Ugh - look at the closet.  Let's paint everything in there, too - after we caulk it.

And then...

"Becca, the old paint is cracked, I'm going to scrape it."

An hour later...

"Ummm... now the wall is uneven - I'm going to sand it."

So, as you can see, we didn't just repaint the room.  We really re-did the entire thing.  While I was really frustrated at the slow pace, it did turn out really nice (I think).

What do you think?

It's small and cozy.  And we went from 2 closets to 1.  Amazingly, everything fits.  Well, after bags and bags of stuff were brought to Goodwill. ;)

I made the bedspread and then used the leftover fabric to make the curtains and decorative pillow.  It just looks so nice and clean now...ahhh...

New fixtures for the closet.

Pillow I made for the bed

Now that our bedroom is finished, it's time to start all over again and get to work on the girls' new room upstairs.  Wish us luck!

Flower Tote Bag Tutorial

  

It's finally feeling a little more Spring-ish around here and my mind is full of daydreams about gardening, the kids running through the sprinkler, and...a new purse.  Yep.  Every spring - without fail - I want a new bag.  I'm not quite sure how it all started but now it is cemented in my mind that Spring means purse - yay!  I LOVE purses, bags, totes, wallets.  Just obsessed.  My poor husband.  I won't throw the old ones out, either.  They just collect in my attic in a big bin.  Now my dirty little secret is out - I keep about 100 dust-covered bags in my attic because each one has special memories about a special time in life.  Sick, I know.  I should just donate them already!  But I just can't bear to part with that little clutch I used to be able to carry around all the time.  You know...before my purse needed to be large enough to carry extra diapers, snacks, the occasional toy, and even - it's true - my HUSBAND'S wallet and keys.  Come on, now.

Despite sighing over the small, cute, little purses I used to be able to carry around, I must say that I have a growing affection for the tote bags and larger purses that I've been carrying now for 4 years (oh my gosh, my daughter is almost 4!).

So here we arrive at another Spring and my "old" bag is starting to look decidedly worse for the wear.  Plus, I'm sick of my hands getting sticky from some mysterious substance that spilled on the inside - ick!

I keep seeing these types of pillows everywhere - do you?  I just love the look of them.

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2008/09/petal-pillow-tutorial.html

I wondered what the flower would look like on a bag.  Seeing as I was in need of a new one, why not try it out?

Here is what I did:

Step 1 - Gather Materials

3/4 yard outer fabric

1 yard lining fabric

1/4 yard felt (from the bolt, not craft squares)
approx 1/2 yard fusible fleece

measuring tape

chalk

scissors

thread

1 magnetic snap

14" zipper

Step 2 - Cutting

Always helpful when you're trying to cut and measure...

Out of your main fabric cut:

2 main pieces: 17" x 19"

2 straps: 2 1/2" x 25"

1 tab: 3" x 5 1/2"

Out of the lining fabric cut:

2 main: 17" x 19"

2 inner pocket: 17" x 10"

2 side pocket: 8 1/2" x 6

2 straps: 2 1/2" x 25"

1 tab: 3" x 5 1/2"

Out of fusible fleece cut:

2 main: 17" x 19"

1 tab: 3" x 5"

Step 3 - Adding the huge flower

Alright, I'll admit it.  I totally cheated here.  Well, not really, I just followed someone else's tutorial because I was too lazy to try and figure it out myself. ;)

Here is the link to the tutorial I used.  I followed this EXACTLY except that I put my flower on the front piece of my bag instead of a pillow.

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2008/09/petal-pillow-tutorial.html

Step 4 - The Tab

Iron the fusible fleece to the wrong side of one of your 3" x 5" tab pieces.

Turn the piece over so that the right side is facing up.  Take half of your magnetic snap and separate the washer and the pronged piece.  Use the prongs to press indentations into the fabric where you want the snap to be placed.  Mark those indentations with chalk.

Using very sharp scissors, cut through the fabric and the fusible fleece.  Poke the prongs of the snap through the holes and turn your fabric to the wrong side.  Place the washer over the prongs and flatten them until they are flush with the fleece.

NOTE:  A very small piece of cardboard can be placed between the fabric and the washer to make the snap more stabilized.  I didn't do it here, but on the bags in my shop I do - just to make it nice and strong. :)

 Sew your 2 tab pieces with right sides together, leaving one end open.  Press and top stitch.

Set aside.

Step 5 - Inside Snap

Take both main lining pieces (17" x 19") and iron the fusible fleece onto the wrong side.

Decide which piece will be the front of the bag and find the middle.  Measure down about 1 1/2".  Using the prongs of the other side of the snap, press down in the middle to make indentations.  Mark the indentations with chalk and cut slits through the fabric and fleece.  Press the prongs through, starting on the right side of the fabric.  Turn the fabric over so that the wrong side is facing you, put the washer over the prongs and push the prongs flush to the fabric.

Step 6 - Inner Zip Pocket

Take your 2 inner pocket panels (17" x 10") and iron down about 1/4" on the top, long side.

Unzip your zipper, center it, and pin it to the wrong side of  your pocket, along the folded edge.

Using your zipper foot, sew close to the zipper.

Pin the other side of the zipper to the other side of the pocket and sew close to the zipper.

This the front view:

And the back view:

My zipper was only 9" (it's what I had), so I hemmed the extra length on each side of the zipper.  The open hole really is not that big, so I don't mind.  If your zipper is longer, it should fit almost all the way across. There may be a little gap between the end of the zipper and the side of the bag, but that is ok!  Also, I used and invisible zipper which is why it is so hidden.  A regular zipper works just as well  - it's on the inside of the bag so no one will see it unless you show them!

I left this pocket unlined for ease, but the ones in my shop have fully lined pockets so you will never see the wrong side of the fabric!

Put the pocket right sides together with the zipper at the top.  Sew along the bottom only (leave the sides open).  Use a zig-zag stitch over the raw edges to prevent fraying (or just use your pinking shears, like I did).

Turn pocket right-side out and press.  Set aside.

Step 7 - Side Pockets

We are going to make 2 side pockets out of 1 panel.  Got that?

Alright, alright, here's how...

Take your 2 side pocket pieces (8 1/2 x 6) and put them right sides together.  Sew around the pocket, leaving about 4" un-sewn at the top.  

Turn the pocket right-side out through hole you just left.

Press.

Top stitch the top side of the pocket ONLY.  You will sew the hole at the top of the pocket closed while doing this.

Position your pocket in the center of your bag lining piece, under the magnetic snap. Pin in place.

Top stitch around the remaining 3 sides of the pocket, attaching it to the lining.  Sew a straight line up the center of the pocket, dividing it into 2 compartments.

Step 8 - Assemble the Lining

Pin your zippered inner pocket 3" from the bottom of the bag.  Pin in place.

Place one side of the bag lining on top of the other with right sides together.  Pin and sew around the bag.

Using a rotary cutter and a square, cut out 2 1/2" squares out of each corner. 

This is a pic of the main pieces of the bag - not the lining - but the idea is the same.  Do the same for the lining.  Also, this pic is awful and blurry, but it's all I got.  Sorry folks.

Pull the opposite corners of the square together to match the seams and sew across to make the bottom flat.  

It must have been really late at this point because I don't have a picture.  I'm sorry!  I will try to get one in the future and add it in.

Step 9 - The Main Bag

Place your main pieces of the bag right sides together and sew around the outside edges.

Cut out a 2 1/2" square at each corner (as shown above). Sew the opposite corners of the square together, with seams matching, to make a flat bottom to the bag.

Again, sorry for no pics. :(

Step 10 - Straps

Take 1 main piece and one lining piece of strap and place right sides together.

Sew down each side, leaving the ends open.

Turn the straps right side out and press.

Top stitch down the edges of each strap.

Step 11 - Assembling the Bag

Turn the main part of your bag right side out and place inside the lining.  Right sides are together (the fleece is on the outside now).

Measure 3" in from each side seam and place your straps in between the bag pieces.  The lining side of the strap should be facing the lining of the bag. Pin in place.

Place the tab with the magnetic snap in the center of the bag, on the OPPOSITE side from the other part of the snap and the side pocket.  The lining side of the tab is facing the lining of the bag.  Pin in place.

Pin the side seams of the bag and stitch around the top, leaving about 4-5" un-sewn so that the bag can be turned right-side out.

Turn the bag right-side out. Top stitch around the top edge, closing the gap in the process.

And you're done!

And inside:

Snap closure:

Like this bag but don't have the time to make your own?  Check out what's in my shop!

Pink Flower Denim Tote

White Flower Tan Denim Tote

Happy Easter!

Well, I'm a day late, but thought I'd post about the girls' dresses anyways.  I really meant to do this BEFORE Easter, but you know how it goes...life gets busy. :)

A couple of months ago I came across this dress pattern at JoAnn Fabrics.  It was on sale for $5.  I just loved the look of the dress with the cap sleeves.  Plus I figure I can make some cute sun dresses or tank tops for the girls out of this, too.

At about the same time, I was given 3 rolls of fabric that had been sitting around begging for use.  This is one of the rolls I was given:

I just love the light pink with the eyelet lace look.  I immediately thought this would make a great overskirt for the dresses I wanted to make.

While on the lookout for the underskirt fabric, I happened upon this king sheet at Savers for $10.

I just love the bright flowers!!  So cute for a little girl's dress!  Plus, it would go well with the lighter pink fabric I already had at home.  After a good wash, this sheet was ready to be made into dresses!

I finished JUST under the wire (I was putting finishing touches on the smaller one Saturday night), but I managed to pull them off!

I decided to throw in a coordinating dress for myself at the last minute.  I had a sheet sitting around that had no fitted sheet to match and hadn't been used in ages.  It happened to coordinate with the king-sized sheet  I used for the girls' dresses.  So I whipped this maxi dress up using 2 sheets. :)

I got the pattern for my dress here: 

Maxi Dress from a Vintage Sheet Tutorial

So that's about $20 for 3, brand new Easter dresses.  Yay!!

A Tool Belt for Levi

I really should be making my youngest her Easter dress right now.  Seeing as Easter is only 2 1/2 days away, it seems pretty important to get going on that.  But here I am, sitting at the computer and blogging instead.  I've been meaning to write something for 2 weeks now.  In fact, I'm a little behind.  I have at least 2 more crafts that I meant to talk about - never mind those Easter dresses. Sigh...they will have to be a post-Easter subject. :)

For now, I'm going to talk a little about this nifty tool belt for a cool 3 year old.

Last week, my friend's son had his birthday.  I had asked her what to get him and the response was "tools and a tool belt" (I'm paraphrasing here :) ).  There were a few other ideas but I liked the sound of this one.  I figured I could just waltz into the local toy department and pick up some toy tools and matching tool belt.  Not so.

The tools were easy...the toolbelt?  Not so much.  I'm pretty sure the reason I couldn't find one was two hungry, cranky kids and laziness.  I didn't feel like running around looking in stores when I had an idea in mind and knew I could whip one up in an afternoon.  Because that's easier (she said sarcastically).  You all probably know by now that I have a bit of a sewing addiction.  I was getting all excited at the prospect of a project.

Besides, I had this awesome tool fabric sitting at home that I had bought a while back and was just waiting for the right project to come along.  Hello tool belt!

I spent a good 15-20 minutes mapping it out and figuring out how I wanted to make it.  It's pretty simple.  There are 3 pockets on the front for storing tools.  This was made out of one long rectangle of fabric which I divided by sewing 2 straight lines up the middle of it.  I also wanted some loops to hang a hammer or screw driver or something.  So I added one loop on each side of the "apron" part (don't mind the scissors in this pic - we don't have toy tools at our house ;) ).

I also decided last minute to personalize it with an "L".  It was a little tricky because most of the belt was sewn together, but I think it turned out alright. :)

For some reason I always think little toddlers are WAY bigger than they are.  My waist straps are almost always too long the first time around.  The belt fit ME when I first made it.  Oops.  I ended up ripping off the straps and re-making them. And I STILL made them too big.  Ah well.  I provided Erin with some extra stick-on velcro to place at just the right spot for Levi.  It seems to fit ok, now.  I think...

Well, that was one of last week's projects.  I have more to share, but it probably won't happen until next week.

Thanks to my friend, Erin Mitchell, for the cute pics of her boy modeling the tool belt with actual tools in it. :) She also has an Etsy shop - check it out!

Lovely Dwelling Design

Until next week - Happy Easter everyone!