Howdy Bib

I bought this pattern for a unique bib from a sewing fair 10 years ago. Using half a hankie to tie the bib around the neck, it is both whimsical and practical.

Shopping Cart Cover

Let's face it. Shopping carts are filthy. Here's a great way to protect your child from germs in the shopping cart. This shopping cart cover can also be used on the restaurant high chairs, also purveyors of germs. I used a Simplicity pattern.

Purses and Coasters

I started making purses and accessories. This year for teacher's gifts, I made purses and coasters from fabric, most of which I had bought in Hawaii. I used a Butterick pattern for the purses and the coasters were inspired from a gift I had received. The teachers all enjoyed their gifts.

These fabric coasters bring a touch of aloha for your morning coffee.


I made this purse as a present for my sister-in-law. Fabric was purchased at Sew Special in Maui several years ago.


I made this purse for my son's 2nd grade teacher who loves frogs. Fabric was purchased at Joann's.


This purse was made for my son's principal. The fabric was purchased 15 years ago waiting for just the right inspiration.


This purse I made for myself. The fabric was purchased at Fabric Mart in Honolulu.


This purse was made for my daughter's preschool speech aide. Fabric was purchased at Beverly's.



This purse was made for my daughter's speech teacher. The fabric was purchased at Sew Special in Maui several years ago.

Pirate Princess

Using Butterick pattern B6295, I created this cute pirate outfit for my daughter. I did not like the jagged hems that the pattern had, so I cut the fabric for the sleeves and the skirt to be straight. This makes the outfit wearable as regular clothes as well.



I happened to have white cotton fabric which I bought years ago and it was enough to make the top. I also had left over black fabric from another project to make the belt. I purchased gold rick rack trim and the pirate crossbone heart patch. I think the pirate patch really makes the costume. For the skirt, I originally was looking for a red and white striped fabric like the one on the pattern envelope, but then I found this cute red and white Hawaiian fabric at Beverlys. The skirt gives a tropical twist to the pirate costume. My daughter wore this costume for her pirate-themed birthday party.

Fleece Outfits

I'm going backwards in the order of blogging my projects. These fleece outfits are some of the first outfits that I made with my new sewing machine last year. I had never sewn with fleece before so it was a new experience. Fleece is quite thick and leaves lots of lint when cut. Sewing zippers into the fleece was also a bit tricky because of the thickness. I made this hooded pullover jacket and matching pants for my baby nephew. The fleece is a baby blue camouflage pattern which reminds me of clouds. McCall pattern M4642 is used.



I made a girl version of the hooded fleece jacket for a friend's daughter.



I made a fleece vest with the same fabric. I used a size 5-6. McCall pattern sizes can be oversized so it helps to take measurements and try out the clothing on a model for sizing. I used McCall pattern M4964. Although this pattern is advertised as a boy's outfit, with a more feminine fabric, it can easily be used for a girl. The fleece is a pink and brown geometric design which reminds me of the Southwest.

Colorful Summer Dress

For my friend's 2 year old daughter's birthday, I made a summer dress. JoAnn's Fabrics was having a sale on their Tutti Fruiti fabrics. I found this magenta-based floral and butterfly print that was similar to the print on the pattern envelope's main picture. I used McCall pattern M5304. I made both the dress and pants, although the dress only is pictured. The neckline is ruffled and cascades down with an overlapping front that is closed with a single button. The pattern calls for using bias tape for the arm openings and attaching the collar. Luckily, I already had magenta bias tape at home that I had bought for a different project and so I didn't need to return to the store. Don't you hate it when you forget to get something at the store?

Tropical Fish Dress

Last December, I made this dress for my friend's daughter. It is from a New Look pattern 6694. I bought the fabric from Beverly's Fabrics and Crafts. The print is an aqua-based tropical fish design. The shirring on the back of the dress looks harder than it really was to create. It consisted of inserting three rows of elastic. The dress is a halter top with tie back and elastic waist. She wore the dress on a recent trip to Hawaii.



Materials:
1 yard tropical fish fabric
1/4" elastic