Saturday, December 17, 2011

Pod Pillows now on etsy!

So, I've decided to sell some of my fabulous Pod Pillows (I kinda prefer Pod Stand) on etsy! I only made 7 to start, just to see if they actually catch on and sell. I'm hopeful because I think these are awesome and so super useful.

Click the link here to check them out!They are $8 a piece but . . .mention my blog when ordering in the "notes to seller" and receive 10% off your entire order!

Here are my photos of them, courtesy of my step mom, who gladly and graciously helped me out with the photos.










 I've gotten so many views for this pattern and I'm so thankful for everyone checking it out!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Dress Form Pin Cushion

So, I have been eyeballing this adorable pin cushion in the shape of a dress form at Joann's forever, but I didn't want to fork over $16 for it! So, I held off. Plus, it didn't have the sand/emery stuff that keeps pins sharp.

Well, I'm super happy I held off because I found a pattern for one (from Pinterest, of course). I want to modify it just a bit, but here is my first attempt and I think it worked out reasonably well.

If you want to give it a try, the link is here! Of course, the ones they make look just a tad better than mine, but the second try should prove better results. I'm not thrilled at how huge it is just for a pin cushion and putting it on a candle holder doesn't help either, so I'm on a mission to find something else to put it on, but for now, it was all I could find . . .

Saturday, October 8, 2011

*Updated* Pod Pillow Tutorial!


Okay, so this is my first tutorial! I’m pretty proud of myself for figuring out the pattern for the Pod Pillow and I am happy to share it with the rest of the world.

My directions might be flawed but bear with me and ask as many questions as you need. Hopefully, someone in cyber space will stumble upon my humble blog and be delighted at this piece of iPhone magicalness. 

You will need:
Disappearing ink pen
Thread
1 Fat quarter of fabric
I bag of rice
A funnel
A spoon

Pattern:
Update: I've read a lot of comments on Pinterest and other blogs that making the triangles is kind of a pain! I have run into this very problem and after making these over and over, I've found that different measurements work better than equilateral triangles.
So, you can now download the pattern here! It comes with a layout of the pattern NOT drawn to scale, then two separate pattern pieces.

1) Cut the pattern pieces out. You have two options: you can cut each piece individually or cut the two pieces out and tape them together. I prefer to leave them in two big chunks and tape them together once. It's really up to you though. The latter looks like this:

This pic is old, but it does show you how the pattern should look once all taped. I've changed the letters to each triangle side. Now, you just match the letters together and sew!

2) Now, once you have taped your pretty pattern, its time to cut the fabric!

      3) Draw lines with a disappearing ink pen on the fabric, front and back. This will help when you are constructing the ramp. It's hard to see in this pic because I didn't choose the best fabric to contrast with a disappearing ink pen, but you get the idea . . .

4)      4) Press triangle lines. This really helps when you are stitching up the sides of the triangle.
5) 
     5) Match, pin and stitch together the following sides:
a.       E

b.      F. 

c.       G. This is the side I like to have the opening. Make one about 1 to 1 1/2" wide

6)   Match and pin ramp corners together. Stitch one side closed (it's the right side in this photo). I tried using the best contrasting thread I could, but again, it's not the best.

7)      7) Turn triangle right side out

8)      8) Press the fold line on the ramp

9)      9) Press a ¼” seam allowance on the opened side of the ramp. I usually just eyeball this.

     10)   Sew ramp shut. Basically, you are closing off the ramp from the rest of the triangle body. I've drawn a line across to use as a guide when stitching it shut.

    11)   Make a seam 1”away from the folded edge of the ramp.

    12)   Make 3 to 4 decorative stitches along ramp (ignore the filled stopper, that will come next)

    13)   Grab a funnel, your bag of rice, and a spoon.
                        Fill tunnel with rice until around ½” away from opening. This is about 1 ¼ Tbsp of rice.

a.       Be sure to pack the rice down so it gets really dense.
b.      Leave about a ½” space from the top

    14)   Stitch opening closed completely (From corner to corner)

    15)   Now, fill the triangle body with about 1 ¼ c of rice. Be sure to pack it in and move it into the corners. Pack it as full as you can so the very top will be filled. The opening should sit open like the picture shows, but you should have no trouble pinning it shut.

    16)   Hand stitch the opening shut. My hand sewing skills are the greatest, but I just do a stitch that looks like a "x"

    17)   You are done! Hooray!

This pic is the original pattern I made that didn't include a printable pattern for you!

Here is a pic of the "new" pattern:

I hope this is easy to follow. It’s a really simple and quick once you get the hang of it.

You can make the triangles smaller or bigger, too if you prefer (check out the ipad pillow tutorial). You might also like a shorter or longer ramp, too. Here is a pic of the 2nd Pod Pillow I tried out before I made this tutorial. The triangles are 6 x 6" and the square is 6 x 6 1/2".

It looks like a throne for my little iPhone . . .


As far as the filling goes, be creative! You can use lentils, buckwheat, sand . . . anything that has some weight. I wouldn’t recommend pillow stuffing for the whole thing, but you could use something heavy like rice or sand on the bottom and fill the top with pillow stuffing, I suppose. The possibilities are endless!!

To all those who stumble upon this blog, please post pics of your Pod Pillows!!!! I’m eager to see any creative deviations from this pattern! Please feel free to share this pattern!


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Men's Shirt Dress

I finally made one of those t-shirt dresses that I keep seeing on Pinterest. I really like the way it turned out! I used an old sheet for the top, but I used an old stretch cotton tee for the back so I didn't have to put a zipper in. It takes some manuevering to get it on because it's a little tight when pull it over my hips. And, the side seams are a little weird. Bottom line, it has it's flaws but I still love it!



Friday, July 22, 2011

Boutique Bag for Charity Auction


So, the above picture is the Boutique Bag pattern that I wanted to make it for this charity auction for a fundraiser for foster kids to go to camp. I really liked this pattern and for some reason, only made it once before. Probably cause I feel in love with brocade fabric and it just wouldn't work with the casing. Anyway, here is the very first one I made . . . 


I wish I would have picked a different color for the lining, and looking back at it now, all the colors in general. But, hey, it looked good to me at the time!
Here is the one I made for the auction.

The colors are more subdued than I normally go with, which I think is a good thing. I'm not 100% sure on the bow, I keep thinking yellow would have been a better choice, but I go back and forth! I tried to keep in mind that not everyone likes weird contrasting colors like I seem to be drawn to, so maybe the bow is just fine as is (its the same as the lining). I made quite a few changes this time around too . . .

- First, I moved the location of the bow because I thought it being in the middle was obnoxious (which I also did the first time around). Just a personal perference.
- I also shortened the strap length so the purse curves right underneath your arm and added interfacing inside of the straps so they hold their shape better. That was one problem I remember having with the first one. Plus it adds stability and just looks better.
- I've also made the purse smaller in width because the original pattern is HUGE and downsizing it helps give it more of a purse feel.
- I also didn't put four pockets on the inside, just two because, again, four was just obnoxious and too much. Seriously, who needs four freaking pockets?!

Anyway, I totally love it and am sad that I must see it go, but hopefully who ever wins it will love it!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Inspiration!


To quote the first line, I wish some one had told me this when I first started sewing!

Clutch!


I've been wanting to whip up a clutch for months now, but never really got around to it, but recently, my step mom asked me if I would make some purses for a charity auction that would raise money for foster kids. I figured two purses would be a bit ambitious, since I take so long with them, so I settled for one purse and one clutch. I found this super easy, super cute clutch tutorial (you can find it here) and gave it a try!



I've had this fabric for years and I finally just decided to use it for a practice clutch, but it turned out awesome! I modifed the the "pattern" by doing the ruffled front on both sides and added a handle (which I made a bit too long). One thing I was super excited about was how she did the zipper with two tabs at each end that are sewn into the purse so it lays flat. Mine did not turn out that way, I think next time I will make the zipper just a tad smaller than she says to make it so I have more room to sew it all together (if you read the tutorial, you will know what I am talking about).

 Anyway, here is the lining . . .


Another problem I had was the lining not fitting very well at all. As you can see, it's a bit puffy by the zipper and it just doesn't lay right. Next time, I'm increasing the seam allowance to 5/8" which will help with the zipper problem and enough seam allowance to press open after it's all sewn together. Also, I want more rufflage (I know that isn't a word), so I'm going to increase the length by an inch or two.

Well, that is my big accomplishment! Enjoy!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

It's been awhile

Well, I have really lost touch with blogging my sewn creations. I must admit, after seeing all the other sewing blogs, I felt more than inadequate. All these other ladies make such amazing, beautiful, well-made things with the coveted Amy Butler fabric that my small hometown seems to hate selling. Not only that, but the photos are perfect and look like they are done by experts! I'm not an expert. I'm a sub-par seamstress on a limited budget with a short attention span. I also get discouraged and feel like my projects are just ok.

BUT, the silver lining is Pinterest. Pinterest as sparked such amazing inspirations in me, I cant' even begin to explain. Sliced bread doesn't hold a candle to this website. So, while this particular post does not have a project or anything, I can say there are more to come! I have seen HUNDREDS of crafts I want to dabble in, but I have so much going on in other areas of my life! Time consuming projects just aren't holding my interest. I want something simple and can be finished within the span of two days and I have found tons!
 

So, I want to start this up again, but kinda redesign it. Other websites have tutorials, patterns, tips and so on and I want that too. What's another thing to add to my long list of goals?


More to come (promise)