DIY Embroidery Floss Organizers

 Wondering what to do with those white cardboard pieces that come in bias tape packages? Well, wonder no more. Turn them into cute cat embroidery floss organizers.

I got the idea from this DIY String Organizers blog post.

Now my embroidery floss won't be all tangled up in balls in a plastic bag anymore!

Happy organizing!

Mara blouse pattern tour

 I had the pleasure of sewing up a dress for the Mara blouse pattern blog tour. Marte from Compagnie M. designed the Mara blouse pattern (a PDF pattern) and it is now available for purchase. Available is sizes 1Y - 10Y, the pattern includes both with or without seam allowances, and all measurements are in centimeters and inches.

The Mara blouse sewing pattern has a vintage touch with the front yoke and pin tucks.

There are 4 different sleeve options:

• sleeveless
• butterfly sleeves
• flutter sleeves
• long sleeves

Plus you can adjust the pattern into a dress (by following 2 detailed tutorials):

• an A-line dress with or without a colored hem band
• a gathered skirt dress

 My version is a sleeveless dress. I followed the tutorial on how to adjust the blouse to a basic A-line dress. I used gray linen, deep red stretch suede piping, and 3 black buttons. It is given a difficulty level of 2 out of 4 and I think that is right on. I sewed up a size 5Y and I am so pleased with how it turned out. I like all the little details which take a bit of time and attention, but after those are complete the rest sews up super fast.

 Be sure to visit Compagnie M. October 1-6 to see all the variations that were sewn for the pattern blog tour.

Marte has generously offered to give a copy of her Mara blouse pattern to nest full of eggs blog readers. Enter below for a chance to win. One person will be chosen to receive the sewing pattern. The giveaway is open until October 6th.

Oliver + S Guest Post

The Oliver + S Fairy Tale Dress came out a little over a year ago and since then I have used it 10 times! Today I am visiting the Oliver + S blog sharing how I have customized the Fairy Tale sewing pattern…

…including my 10th one called '10 Stripes'

Project Details:
Patterns: Oliver + S Fairy Tale Dress (difficulty level of 3 out of 4 scissors), pocket pattern from Oliver + S Playtime Dress
Size: 5
Modifications: Sleeveless, collarless, no bow, no crinoline, I added length to the skirt, I added on seam side pockets from Oliver + S Playtime Dress
Fabrics: Cotton sateen: smoke and eggplant, lining and pockets in cotton sateen: smoke. For size 5 I used about .5 yard eggplant (58 inches wide) and 2 yards smoke.
Notions: Invisible zipper, hook and eye closure
Inspiration: My inspiration came from the 'Carolyn' Stripe Fit and Flare Dress Kate Spade New York $478, black and white version, pink and orange version

Click here to see the tutorial.

Happy sewing!

Windham Fabrics blog has a Giveaway

Not too long ago I sewed up this Playtime Dress with Briar Rose fabric... well, I have some good news for you today...

Would you like the opportunity to win the Oliver + S Playtime Dress sewing pattern? And some Briar Rose fabric? If yes, then head on over to the Windham Fabrics Blog to enter the giveaway (by Friday October 4th).

Just thought you might like to know because who doesn't like free stuff!?!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tooth Fairy Pillow

 Back to school for my 3 kids means back to my sewing machine for me!

My 'baby' is about to loose her first baby tooth, so creating a tooth fairy pillow became priority and moved to the top of the sewing list.

The pattern/tutorial is from this Tooth Fairy Pillow blog post. I used white wool felt, black and pink embroidery floss, and fiber fill stuffing. Instead of hand sewing I decided to sew it up using the sewing machine.

There is a little pocket in the back to place the tooth :)

This project was easy peasy lemon squeezy as my girl would say.

Happy weekend!

PS My husband who was born and raised in France calls it the Tooth Mouse… what do you call it Tooth Fairy or Tooth Mouse?

Plaid Dress

 Plaid Dress Free Pattern and Tutorial

The Plaid Dress is a sleeveless drop waist dress with a circle skirt. It has a v-neck back with an invisible zipper and a hook and eye closure. It is fully lined with bias binding on the skirt/bodice seam for a nice finishing touch.

 What you need:

• Purple Rose Party Dress free pattern size 4
• 1 yard plaid fabric
• 1 yard lining fabric
• 1 inch bias tape maker
• 7-9 inch invisible zipper
• 1 hook and eye closure

 What you do: (All seam allowances are .5 inch)

• Cut out the bodice pieces in the plaid fabric.

•  Cut out the bodice pieces in the lining fabric. Also cut 1 yard of bias tape, 1.75 inches wide for the 1 inch bias tape maker.

•  With right sides together sew the bodice together at the shoulder seams, cut seams down to .25 inch, and press seams open. Repeat this for the bodice lining. With right sides together sew the 2 bodices together around the neckline, then along the 2 armholes.

•  Trim seam allowances down to .25 inch, clip curves, then turn right side out and press.

•  Sew the side seams.

•  Install the invisible zipper, hand sew the lining to the invisible zipper tape, and attach the hook and eye above the invisible zipper.

•  Cut out the circle skirt (10 inches in length or you could make it longer or shorter) in the lining fabric. Lay the lining circle skirt on top of the plaid fabric with right sides together, pin around the circle, then cut out. Sew these pieces together and clip edges all around.

•  Turn the circle skirt right side out and press.

•  With right sides together sew the circle skirt to the bodice.

•  Sew the bias tape around the skirt/bodice seam. All done!

The plaid fabric I used was Plaiditudes Collection Fabric- Cotton Heather, Pink, Grey & Magenta from JoAnn, it's super soft and was an absolute dream to work with. And I thought the gray with white polka skirt lining would make a playful addition.

Have fun sewing your plaid dress!

Felt Cat Ears Tutorial

 Felt cat ears for pretend play, dress-up, costumes. These are simple to sew felt ears that slide onto a headband. A super quick and easy project, too.

What you need:

• Paper and pencil to make a template
• Wool felt in 2 different colors
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Headband (I used a fabric covered headband)

 What you do:

• With paper and pencil draw the 2 templates shown in the photo. The big ear piece is approximately 2.5 inches wide and 5.25 inches tall. The little ear piece is approximately 1.75 inches wide and 1 7/8 inches tall.
• Use those paper templates to cut out 2 big ear pieces and 2 little ear pieces out of the wool felt.

•  Fold a big ear piece in half, place a little ear piece on top.
• At the sewing machine topstitch around the little ear piece.
• Repeat for the 2nd ear.
• Slide the cat ears onto the headband.

Purrfect for the little kitty cat lover in your life :)

>^..^<

Meow!

Thank you for taking the time to visit here.