Mom's 50th birthday gifts

My mother's 50th birthday is this weekend. On top of throwing a party for her I've also been seeing some treats for her kitchen/dining room use. 

I've made 8 napkins with fabric that compliments her pfaltzgraff dishes.

I found the blue fabric in a remnants bin and the two coordinating yellows at a cute little sewing shop nearby. Those were my first fancy fabric purchases, both being Moda. I can definitely tell a difference in quality. I wanted super nice fabric since they will be touched a lot. 

I still need to topstitch them once I buy green thread. 

I'm currently working on two items that can either be hot pads or just decorative place holders for dishes. 

And the bottom fabric- 

I hope she enjoys these new treats for her kitchen. Can't believe she's finally turning 50! 

Projects in the pipeline

I have been a little fabric crazy the past week or two. My stash is quickly growing, although most of it has specific purpose already. I have begun planning some gifts to make and some additions to my own house. 

Currently I'm working on placemats for my table. 

Not bad for my first attempt. I will be mixing up the patterns using the following fabrics: 

 (I forgot to include the white fabric). 

I also have these fall colors for a gift to give my grandparents in Colorado. 

I will be using these for pillows in Maddy's reading/relaxing nook. She picked most of them out and surprisingly I don't care if they match.

That's most of it for now. Can't wait to share my finished works. 

iPad case project

The world of sewing can be tricky, trying and oh so rewarding. On my latest project, that I just created in my head, I had a simple math error and ended up screwing up the project. Before I scrapped it, I decided to just work with it and see if there was any way to salvage it. I had originally intended to have it fold the same way as my iPad cover, and that's where my math error screwed it up. I had somehow cut it too short for the width. Once I twirled it around and looked at it vertically rather than horizontally I found that it was the right width, just needed another 4 inches for the length. The fabric I was using for the pocket was a large piece so I made an extension using it and extended the flap to coordinate with the back pocket. 

Once I got that little snag figured out it was pretty smooth sailing from there. 

This is the back pocket. My stitches are still a little shaky, mostly when I get overconfident and try to speed thru it. 

This is the front and flap extension. I think it pulled the project together well. 

I am still figuring out the closure. I have elastic cord but its a little bulky to fit around a button so I think I may use a small hair elastic. Also have to decide if I want one button or two. 

Only regret is not lining it, but its a learning process. 

First sewing tutorial project

I wanted to make some simple tote bags for the summer. Easy to carry things to the pool, library, friends house, park, wherever the wind takes us. I followed this tutorial and made a few modifications mid project. I changed the length of my fabric when I realized it was going to be too long for Maddy, and I switched the straps from 2 bought straps to one strap made from fabric leftovers. I changed the straps because I thought Maddy would do better with just one and it was a good use of this scrap.

I got this fabric on clearance at hobby lobby today with this purpose in mind. Maddy was quite pleased with the choice. Once I finished I had her try it on for length and cuteness. 

Success!!! I made a few mistakes along the way but with more fabric to use I know I'll get the hang of it soon.