Summer Tops From Vintage Fabric and Double Gauze!

Using nautical fabric...

...(from a friend's mother's estate)...

...and a red and white print from my own stash...

                                             ...plus a Grainline Studios pattern...

                                       ...I created this whimsical sleeveless top...

                                              ...with colorful bias tape binding.

                                I repeated the process with a double gauze fabric...

                                                 ...and printed Moda cotton...

                                      ...that I fashioned into continuous bias tape.

                                                  These cool and comfy tops...

                                   ...have been a staple of my warm-weather wear!

'Sour Apple Green' Apron- Part 2 of 2

Assembling the needed components...

                       ...and stitching the bias tape to cover the apron's raw edges.

                                              A 'facing' piece covers the area...

                                ...where the straps attach to the body of the apron.

                                            A close-up of the sewn-on bias tape.

                                                   The finished apron (front)...

                                                               ...and back.

'Sour Apple Green' Apron- Part 1 of 2

Cutting out waterproof fabric...

                                            ...using my favorite apron pattern...

                                       ...and stitching the front and sides together.

                                            Cutting patterned fabric on the bias...

                                  ...and reattaching the pieces in a new orientation.

                                            Marking cutting lines on the fabric...

                                               ...pinning the edges together...

                                     ...and stitching the fabric pieces into a 'round'.

                                                Cutting along the marked lines...

                                   ...to form one long piece of continuous bias tape.

                                Next time: I stitch the tape to the raw fabric edges...

                                                  ...and finish the apron!

Deconstructing Slippers (An Experiment)- Part 2 of 2

Sorting out the instep strap placement...

   

                                       ...and clipping it into place, prior to sewing.

                        
                                         (I do love these Clover 'Wonder Clips'!)

                                             Assembling the slipper exterior.

                                                The two parts of the slipper.

                                         Placing the two 'right sides' together...

                                   ...and sewing the interior to the exterior slipper...

                                 ...then flipping them so that the right sides are 'out'...
                     

                       ...by pulling them through the opening in their elasticized heels...

                                        ...and then sewing the two heels together.

                                                 The results of my experiment? 

                                                 The elastic should be tighter...

                                ...and I need to modify the shape of the heel a bit.

                                         When I attempt this project again (someday)...

                                          ...I'll replace the two layers of fabric...

                                           ...with only one layer of finished felt...

                                               ...and see how well it works!                         

Deconstructing Slippers (An Experiment)- Part 1 of 2

I bought this pair of hand sewn slippers recently...

...and I wanted to try to draft a pattern from them...

...for later use (in modified fashion) with finished felt.

                                        I traced around each of the slipper parts...

                                          ...added seam allowances all around...

                                      ...and cut the patterns from white craft paper.

                                  Cotton flannel was chosen for the slipper interior...

                      ...and a boldly printed upholstery fabric was my exterior choice.

                                        Figuring out how to assemble the pieces...

                                                        ...was rather fiddly...

                                                     ...but I persevered. :)

                              After the pieces of the flannel interior were stitched together...

                               ...I trimmed off the seam allowances to reduce interior bulk.

                       Next time: I sew an identical 'half slipper' from the heavier fabric...

                             ...and end my experiment (for the time being, anyway). :)

Paisley Apron- Part 2 of 2

Pinning the straps to the apron body...

                                   ...and adding a long rectangle for a front facing.

The front view...

                                                             ...then turning...

                                                          ...to the side view...

                                                ...(on my very amiable model).

                                                             The apron back.
                  
                            (Notice how my dining room wallpaper nearly matches it?!?) :)

                                                        The finished apron...

                                             ...ready to be shipped off to my friend!