Using Up and Clearing Out the Closets

Hi, My name is Jeannine and I seem to be a hoarder.

 

Although I have not stated it anywhere for publication, one of the things that needs to be done around here is to get rid of some of the things I just don't need. To that end I took 2 large bags, approximately 10 years worth, of Victoria Magazine and Romantic Homes magazines to the school where I substitute teach and left them in the Art classroom.  That emptied an entire shelf in my craft room closet.

I also used up some fabric to make Valentine's Day pillow covers.  I have been saving two 1 1/2 yard pieces of barkcloth I bought on ebay over 12 years ago, but never intended to use them I suppose. I split them in half lengthwise and made covers for some $8 clearance feather pillow inserts. Perfect for our bed. The other two purples are from my quilt fabric stash.

 

 

The afghan was crocheted by my daughter for Christmas 2012.  She had just taught herself to crochet and did an admirable job.  It is perfect to keep my legs warm in the evening.

 

I have been working on a Cinderella costume I started for my son's girlfriend last October.

 

 

 

It took about 7 hours just to complete the sleeves, they have so many pieces. It is going to look fabulous when I complete it.

 

And my pattern for my Georgian Stays arrived in the mail today!

 

Blessings,

Jeannine

 

Veil into Wedding Garter Tutorial

My daughter gets married in about 30 days!  Very exciting.  

Of course, she didn't want to wear my wedding dress, although I really don't blame her.

She also did not want to wear my veil, another thing I don't blame her for.  It was all perfect in 1984! So in style.  But not in 2012!

I made the veil myself with tulle and the leftover trim from my dress. I loved it and I was very proud of making it .

Here is Daughter modelling.

I figured, why not use the veil for something she could wear?  So I went through and unstitched all the little trim pieces and detached it from the crown part. Then I flattened out the tulle and cut a three inch wide strip.

I ran two lengths of gathering stitches down the center.

Then I pulled up the threads and pinned the 3/4 inch wide ribbon down the center. 

I stitched, using navy thread, along each edge and then removed the gathering threads.

Then I measured Daughter's thigh and cut a length of 1/2 inch wide elastic, then threaded it through the opening between the tulle and ribbon.

The two ends were sewn together to secure the elastic and complete the circle.

I sewed two pieces of the saved trim onto the garter and an old earring from her great grandmother was hot glued in between.  This will be the throwing garter.

The second one will be her keepsake.  It only has a small covered elastic bit on the back side.  Hopefully neither one will be itchy or uncomfortable to wear.  

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, 

Jeannine

Wing-Back Chair Slipcovers

Here is my latest project.  First I have to say, my 22 year old daughter has the Spirit of an old man at times! She has wanted a Wing-back chair for several years.  And a good Cigar and a Globe Bar.

Well, she is on her own for the cigar and bar, unless I run across a globe for a good price at an estate sale.

We found these on Craigslist for $100 for the pair.  They are Broyhill and were originally purchased for $387 each (the price tag was still on one.)  Good Deal! And the fabric is exactly the color she loves and is in great shape with absolutely no tears or stains.

I thought it would be good for her to have slipcovers in case she didn't want them green all the time.

So I looked for tutorials and did some pinning first.

I checked out Miss Mustard Seed here and watched her videos.

Then I went to Honeybear Lane and read through her tutorial.

Then I decided to just go for it.

I had about 6 yards of a print fabric that I was not using so I created a pattern by draping, pinning, and cutting.

Then I labelled each piece and unpinned and stacked them.  It took me a while to find canvas dropcloths that were the cream color.  Home Depot and Ace Hardware had great ones...in grey.  Bleach won't help.  I checked at Sherwin-Williams and found these.  They are the 4' by 15' cloths.  It took three for two chairs.

There are so many tutorials out there that I am not giving step by step instructions.

I cut out the pieces from my pattern then pinned and sewed.

Here is the final product!  Front:

I used ribbon cut into sections for the ties. Back:

Daughter did not want a skirt of any sort.  I used the selvege edge of the dropcloths for the bottom of the slips.  The back closure is the ends where a seam hem was already provided.  Husband used the pinking shears to finish all the seam allowances. And, Yes, I did prewash!

Here are the chairs in their home: Daughter and Fiance's apartment! They have only had the apartment two weeks so there is not much for decoration-yet!

I think I will tackle slip-covers for my sofa, loveseat, and chair.  They need it!

Thanks for being kind with your comments.

Blessings, 

Jeannine

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday.

New Aprons For Fall

I spent a couple days last week sewing up these aprons.  They are a modified combination of store bought patterns.  I liked the flounce from one pattern, but it was too long.  I cut it down.  I used the pocket from a different pattern. The pocket is fully lined with the fabric peaking out.

This first apron has a little plastic leaf button.

This pattern is completely my own design.  I love the scooped sides and the ruffle.

This Fall apron has a cheery orange flounce and wooden leaf buttons.

This darker apron would be perfect for serving Thanksgiving dinner.  The buttons here are wood as well but round.

Make sure you check my etsy shop.  They are going up for sale right now.

Blessing,

Jeannine

First Christmas Stocking of the Season

It's that time of year again.  Time to start gearing up on projects for Christmas.  I have an esty shop and decided this year I would make stockings to sell.  I have been buying old linens at garage sales and added with my stash of quilting fabric, I came up with this one first.  

This was a hand embroidered pillowcase.  Lovely crocheted edging. Cute little bluebirds. I wanted to be sure to use as much of the handiwork as possible.

I even used a little leftover bit of the crocheted edging for the hanger loop.

A little flower for the stocking toe (it's a completely reversible stocking.)Same design on both sides of the toe.

I'm linking with Jami at Freckled Laundry for Air your Laundry Friday. See what other people are doing with their textiles here.

Thanks for looking,

Jeannine

Pencil Skirt Part Deux

A few weeks ago I posted about wanting to make a pencil skirt here.

I failed to mention how Captain America and the pencil skirt came together in my mind. (It works in Mysterious ways, obviously!)

Two women in the movie actually were wearing pencil skirts and it reminded me that I had been wanting to make a pencil skirt to update my wardrobe.

Here is the pattern I made.

And then I chickened out and bought a pattern! You will happy to know however, that I stuck with the original plan and used the pattern I made.

Here are the pieces cut out and ready to mark and sew.  I added a 1/2 inch seam allowance. After I sewed up the skirt it was too large, exactly the size of the seam allowances I had added.  Weird.  So I went in and took out the extra.

Here is  the back view.  I need to work on my waistband.  For one this wide (2") I should have shaped it.  I had to take little darts on each side (but don't tell anyone, they'll never know.)

Side-ish view

Front. I bought the cute white shirt at JC Penney. It is by Worthington and has French cuffs. 

Believe it or not, those black pumps are from the early 80's.  And yes they are my original shoes.  Love them.  I had new pieces put on the heels about 10 years ago.

Jeannine