This month (I am boldly saying it will be a monthly event) the doll event is sleeping bags.
They are based on THIS TUTORIAL. I added a pillow and ribbons (which might be too long) for rolling and storage.
Being a grandma (known as Nana Deanna) is fun!
A local headstart preschool posted a listing on JustServe.org that they needed capes sewn for the two-year olds.
Capes for two-year-olds? Count me in.
Using the donated fabric (nice, high quality stuff, by the way) I created 32 capes, mostly based on THIS TUTORIAL.
I LOVE my new serger. It made this so easy.
I can see all the children running around looking like super-heroes (or butterflies, which is what I REALLY think they will look like).
It feels good to serve.
No baby, not even a grandbaby, but the scraps were begging to be something for a baby.
So, I “had” to make a baby dress. It has been a long time since I sewed this small, but I really enjoyed it. 
For now it will hang in my sewing room until the right baby comes along. 
It is about 12m-18m size. Any suggestions?
I had these batik scraps. And, they “happened” (If you believe in such things) to be for the college Sparkle Jane is attending this fall.
Time to make something.
In this case, two somethings.
Just a tissue holder (tutorial HERE) and a little clutch purse (tutorial HERE).
Neither of them was difficult, and the tissue holder took just a few minutes. I think they would make cute gifts for any friend, but especially for quilting friends.
Daughter, Sparkle Jane, enjoys participating in school theater. This year she is in the Music Man at her high school. It is all very exciting as the preparations are finalized for opening night next Friday. One of the biggest challenges each year has been costuming–small school, small budget, limited help, etc.
So, I offered to come today (Saturday) and be the alterations shop.
Twenty costumes and five hours later, they are ready to go. Most of it was nothing big–tighten this button, add a hook-and-eye, take in this waistline, raise this neckline, etc.
I wish I had more pictures, but I was busy!
This morning my daughter-in-law married to Number One Son came over with the boys and we made Halloween costumes. Daddy is a plumber, so this year they are the Mario Brothers.
I should have taken “before” pictures, but these started out as 4 t-shirts. The small shirts (red and green) were each $2 at the thrift store. The overalls are made from mens XL t-shirts (turned inside out to hide the print) at $1 each. The logos and buttons are felt from my big pile of junk. Not to bad for $6 and about 2 hours of work time.
It was so much fun! Too bad thanksgiving isn’t a costume holiday, too. Then I would have an excuse to do this again soon!
Homecoming! The first big dance of the year.
Daughter is 16 and now dating. While she has attended occasions before, she can now go in the company of a very fortunate young man. Of course, such an important event calls for a new dress.
We hit the thrift stores and Daughter came up to me very excited waving, well, part of what could be called a dress. It was $12, but the bodice did fit perfectly.
However, it was strapless and had a bubble skirt. Please forgive me if you personally love bubble skirts, but I have never found them flattering.
“But, Mom,” pleaded daughter, “The color is perfect and we can tear out the skirt and build sleeves and we can make a petticoat and it will be very ruffle-y and perfect and I really want it, PLEASE?!”
So we took it to the counter. It was marked “x2” on the tag, meaning that there should have been a second piece–maybe a scarf or jacket? The second piece was nowhere to be found, so would I take it for $8. Sure. Oh, and that color tag is half-off today, so your total is $4.
OK–I am feeling better and better about this purchase.
Daughter went to work right away tearing out the skirt. She was right. There would be enough leftover fabric to build the rest of the top.
In my big pile of junk there just happened to be (if you believe in coincidence) a piece of matching blue tulle. We built a very ruffle-y petticoat. Just as she dreamed of.
We were trying it on for about the tenth time Wednesday night when disaster struck. The zipper TORE. Not the fabric next to the zipper. The zipper itself. We both wanted to cry. But, instead we went to bed.
A good night’s sleep later and things looked brighter. Plus I was pretty sure I knew how to tear out and replace the zipper in this particular dress.
No, it wasn’t much fun.
But, it went back in better than I expected.
We took the fabric cut off the skirt and constructed a top.
Daughter very diligently stitched the sleeves in by hand, the only way to really do it right.
And we were done.
Today, her friend came over to do hair and make it all fancy.
And she is off to dance the night away.
All’s well that ends well, right?!
Any time THIS is involved in a make-over project, it is NOT a good sign.
Here is Daughter’s second pioneer trek outfit. We know real pioneers crossed the plains with only one outfit, but it takes at least two for a modern pioneer to take a three day trip.
This is another $4 combination: the skirt is a thrift store makeover for $3; the top was 50-cents at a garage sale this past weekend; the apron and bonnet are again donated fabric from my big pile of junk. I did, however, have to buy some more interfacing. That was about another 50-cents.
I will share pictures of her all dressed up sometime soon.
We continue to prepare for the pioneer trek. It is traditional to wear period-suggestive (not period authentic) clothing. We’re glad the pioneers were tough, but I am grateful for modern sewing machines, elastic and, when on the trail, tennis shoes.
Truly, the dressing up is part of the fun and really helps you get in the spirit.
Here is Daughter’s first complete outfit.
Wedding Dress Blue 