Now Read This: One Yard Wonders

One-Yard Wonders, by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins, contains 101 sewing projects that can be made with just ONE yard of fabric! This is the perfect book for a young or new sewer, wanting to experiment and build up confidence. No project is so advanced that she would get discouraged (or lost). At the same time, a seasoned sewer would find this to be an excellent resource for when you hit a creative block or just feel like playing around with your fabrics.  Best of all, no fear of wasting large quantities of fabric (you are only using 1 yard, after all).  Just about any project in this book is quick and easy and would make for some affordable last minute gifts.

 Full-sized pattern pieces are included. There are 300+ pages of projects, tips, and resource guides. This book was a steal at a mere $18! I've paid a great deal more for other books that were not nearly as fun and inspirational, and with only 20 or so projects at that.  I was lucky if I ever produced more than 3 projects.  I purchased this book for my very lucky niece (who received a sewing machine for Christmas from yours truly). I thought it would be perfect for her. I quickly fell in love with this book for me that I came incredibly close to buying myself a copy. Lucky for me, my wonderful husband-to-be had it under the Christmas tree for me.  =)

Yes, there are projects of incredible simplicity (really, does one need a pattern for a pot holder or place mat?  Do I need another apron, wall organizer, or laundry bag?), but the fabric choices and wonderful photography are so cheery that they encouraged even this seasoned sewer to whip up a few quick projects (once my machine is fixed). Why not? I already know that I will be pulling this book from my sewing library often. I must have revisited this book twice a week since the holidays. I may just leave it next to my machine for easy access.

There are 11 chapters that cover everything from Craft Organization and Household items to Playtime and Furry Friends. I love that not only can I make a handbag or smock, I can also find instruction on creating a cuddly turtle or baby elephant. Really, they have thought of everything.  The cute factor that is present on most photos helps as well. How could one resist?!


I give One Yard Wonders 4.5 pink buttons out of 5!

photos c/o storey.com

Knit One...Purl Two?

So, I am finally learning to knit! My future mother-in-law gave me a lovely basket of yarn, knitting needles, books, etc... for Christmas so that I may finally beginning the process.  This is another item that I would like to cross off my to-do list. I hope to be quite skilled enough at it to begin posting my creations.

It's been going pretty well so far. I definitely need to work on my tension and I have to actually pay closer attention to what I am doing. I have managed to drop several stitches all over the place, but I suppose when you are too wrapped up in what is on the television, this is bound to happen. I even managed to knit half a row and purl the balance. Not sure how I managed that, but I must have been knitting, put the needles down to do something and then returned to absent-mindedly purl the rest of the row.  Oh well, it's all a learning curve for me.

I am not so ambitious to start tackling sweaters, afghans or mittens. I really only want to stick to easy peices, like scarves. This is truly all that I can manage at the moment. I have to build up the confidence (and skill) to work my way up to garments and other items. As it stands now, I would probably produce a 3-armed sweater or some other terrible mistake if I ventured beyond practicing my stitches.

My sewing machine is ill...

Just before the holidays, while I was using my sewing machine (perhaps more than I ever have in the past few years) she started to show signs that she was in need of a tune-up and a little TLC. It was functioning quite well, but I suppose I was not paying as close attention to the mechanisms as I probably should have.

Over the month of December, the bobbin winder went from making slight squeaking noises, then to being sluggish, to a final horrid squealing pitch accompanied by no winding action what-so-ever. Darn!  Time to take it in for servicing. I probably should not have waited this long. I probably should have taken it in at the first sign of trouble. I just kept telling myself "...after this project...next week". 

I will be taking it in next Monday. I hope to get it back within 48 hours (as promised by my local sewing shoppe). After that time, I can carry on with some projects. My fingers have been itching to whip up something.

HaPpY nEw YeAr!

Here's to a great 2010 for all!

Sew Many Gift Sacks!

So, I actually managed to whip up 14 gift sacks for Christmas!  I was not sure if I could be completed in time, but I paced myself and churned out several each day. I was very pleased with the result, as were the recipients.

I wanted to take photos of them in action -- all lined up in their glory and filled to the brim with goodies on Christmas day, but there was far too much excitement (as well as far too many little hands) about.  The task of capturing an image became impossible...my apologies in the delay of presentation.

The reason for the sacks? Well, traditional stocking just do not work in my family. We tried hanging stockings, but the weight of the contents would simply send them crashing to the floor from their hooks.  So, we opted to lay stockings out on the floor for to remedy this issue. The trouble with this was that the "goodies" rarely fit completely into the stockings, and once 1 or 2 folks deposited their gifts, they were already brimming over. So now we were faced with little piles of gifts scattered about. We eventually started to use paper Christmas gift bags to contain everything, but I wanted to create something a bit more unique, stylish and personal...hence the sacks!

Each bag took up less than a half metre of felt and fabric. The embellishments were laid out and stitched on before assembly. I opted for trees or poinsettias for the women, snowmen for the children, and mittens for the men (I even made it so that you can slip a gift card in the mittens).  Satin ribbon finished off the ladies sacks, while gromets and cotton string tied off the men's.

These were quite simple to make, just a rectangular shape with side and bottom gussets--like a paper shopping bag.  I added some sparkly snowflakes to each (which was just plastic confetti, secured with a bead in the centre). I opted to line each one with a complimenting fabric to add a bit more body to the finished product, as felt alone would stretch and lose shape under the wear and tear of heavy contents or the rough handling of little hands. Hey, after the effort put into these, I wanted to get at least a few years of holiday use.

I hope this inspires you to create your own. Happy sewing!

Love my Lug!

So, I got this mini duffle bag from Lug as a generous stocking stuffer from my older sister.  I love it! Rather, it was love at first sight.  I generally don't care for larger bags of any sort and I am quite tired of the oversized, slouchy bags that every girl seems to be toting about town.

I have been looking for a decent bag for which to carry my belongings. As it stands right now, I have a fair sized tote that I use to carry my wallet, keys, phone, etc...  I also have a lunch bag that I carry to work 99% of the time. Finally, I may carry a pair of shoes to change into once I arrive at work (no teetering down the sidewalks in high heels for me...no sir!). If I am lucky, the shoes are small enough to fit into my purse, but those occurences are rare. Most of the time, I feel a bag lady, with so many different parcels hanging from my body. It is frustrating, awkward and makes it tricky to manouver when the subway train is crowded.  If I can sprint a fair distance without dropping any personal belongings or worrying about anything falling out of my bag, I am happy. I like to be contained.

Enter the Lug Tugboat mini duffel (shown above). I received one in pink, and I love it! It will hold all of my usual gear (previously noted) with room to spare and I don't look weighted down. The size is is just right and it does not overwhelm me. This is an important design feature to someone who has a small frame.

I had heard of Lug before, as I recall coming across some luggage straps that I purchased at a local bookstore... maybe 3 or 4 years ago. To some of you, this is not a rare new find at all and it is old news.  I guess for me it is a re-intorduction to the brand. It seems that since my last encounter, they have blossomed into a neat little offering of totes, duffels and travel accessories.  They seem to be a happy little company, with offices in Toronto and Dallas.

This is essentially what I have been looking for. Clean lines, easy to care for fabric (nylon that wipes clean--snow, rain? Bring it!), plenty of space to stay organized.  On my wish list? The RT Puddle Jumper (above) in rose pink (of course), and another Tugboat mini duffle in grass green or chocolate brown (can't decide on the colour...maybe both?).  I will use one for work, one for Boot Camp/yoga, and one for my GO Train travels.  For those of you that fear saturated or vibrant colours, they do offer more subdued options such as gray, teal, black and navy.  Check out their product offering and company info here.

images c/o Lug Travel

Made With Love...soon to be cherished

So, here is it is. Halle's quilt all finished and pretty!  The little madame will be receiving this on the upcoming weekend for her 3rd birthday. I am actually a bit surprised as how quickly it all came together. I would say that it took just shy of 8 hours to complete, working on it bit by bit a few nights a week. Mind you, it could have been completed in about 6 1/2 hours, had I moved a little faster and turned off the television.

The Tina Givens fat quarter bundles that I purchased online from Pink Panda Fabrics were even prettier than I had anticipated. I do have enough fabric left over to whip up a matching pillow sham. (We will see if I can manage to complete that in time).  Instead of traditional binding on the edges, I opted for eyelet trim for that extra sweetness.  This is for a sweet, tiny lady afterall. I really hope that Halle likes it and that it becomes worn in from many nights of story reading and dolly snuggling.