Fabric Stash Storage Shelf

 Yesterday I organized my paper pattern pieces and today I tackled my fabric stash. I can't believe how much faster and better it went then I thought it would. Considering how quickly it went, I really should have done this much sooner!

So here's the story about this shelf… I bought it at a flea market…

It got painted white…

 It was filled with toys and materials for my daughter (who used to be in part-time school) and would have her space while we both worked/played in my sewing studio.

 Then my daughter started full-time school (sniff, sniff) and my fabrics began to take over the shelf. This is what it looked like this morning.

 I took those fabrics as well as some in a mesh container and the fabrics that were sitting on top of the piano and I reorganized them.

 And here is how the fabric storage shelf looks this afternoon.

Much better!

I still have to figure out what to do with some fabric scraps, but that will be for another day. How do you store your fabric scraps? Also what do you do with your fabric scraps?

On top of the shelf are my sewing projects I have planned for Kids Clothes Week October 21-27. Will you be taking part in KCW? If so, have you been planning?

Hanging Paper Pattern Pieces

 My sewing studio has become a complete mess! I was inspired by Sally's post from Daisy Chain Creations about organizing a sewing space. I want to go through everything and start from scratch.

This is so embarrassing, I've had paper pattern pieces sitting on top of the piano, some for over a year! These are the sewing patterns that are digital and I've printed them out on my printer or ones that I've traced with freezer paper from regular paper sewing patterns.

 I got these vintage metal hangers tiered with multiple clips from my mom's house years ago. Does anyone know what they were originally intended for? Anyway, I thought they would be the perfect thing to hang up all these paper pattern pieces, one clip per pattern. I have one hanger just for Oliver + S sewing patterns.

As you can see from the back of the hangers, they have many clips, 10, 12, so they can hold a lot of patterns. How convenient is that!?! So that's my tip for sewing pattern storage. (Note: to see how I store my paper sewing patterns that I've bought in a package, click here).

I feel more organized already… next up will be reorganizing the fabric stash, not exactly sure when that will be completed, but hopefully in the near future.

PS Speaking of sewing patterns, the winner of the Mara blouse pattern is Nele Combraz! Congratulations, you have already been emailed the pattern by Marte from Companie M.

Rainbowy Crafty Set

 This was a fun project... planning and making a girl birthday gift in bright rainbowy colors (as well as beige linen).

 First up, I sewed an open wide zippered pouch (medium size, the inside is lined with beige linen).

 I bought a 6-pack of gel pens and sewed up a coordinating gel pen organizer, following this pen wrap and roll tutorial.

I also sewed a rainbowy pin cushion which is super quick and easy. Cut 6 rainbow colors 2 inches by 3 inches, beige linen 3 inches by 7 inches, sew together with .5 inch seam allowances, leave 1-2 inch opening, turn right side out, fill with stuffing, and hand stitch opening closed.

 And lastly I put together a simple sewing kit in a (Bonne Maman) jar. I found that idea here.

All of the items fit inside the zippered pouch and made a crafty set.

I would really like to try to make more birthday gifts in the future.

Have a sweet day.

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!