Some more inspiration

I'm back and will be sharing some more inspiring projects soon.  Coming soon...

- The easiest zipper ever
- Make your own Pin Magnet
- Ergonomic sewing options
- Creative crafting with kids
- Portable comfort

Stay tuned for more...I promise it really will be soon!

Sewingly yours,
Kim

Mini Cupcake Pin Cushion

I have seen several times now in different magazines this idea of making mini pin cushions using felt so this is my attempt.  I started with the following supplies: 1. 1 1/2" x 12" purple felt (top edge cut with pinking/zig-zag scissors), 2. Small scrap of tan and pink felt, 3. Small seed beads, 4. Small ball of Fiberfill, 5. Medicine cup.

I sewed pin tuck pleats in the felt ever 1/4 inch.  To get the felt in a more cone-like shape (wider at top than the bottom), I stitched just a hair wider seam on the bottom than the top.  This helped match the shape of the cup.  As you can see in the above picture I used the bottom of the cup + 1/4" all the way around as my template for the purple and the top of the cup + 1/2" all the way around as the template for the tan.  I also used the top of the cup for the template of the pink but cut it out with an uneven edge. 

I just kept putting pin-tucks in until it fit around the cup (approx. 10").  

I then Stitched the pink frosting onto the tan circle and hand-stitched some seed beads to look like sprinkles.  I also sewed a basting (longest stitch or gathering stitch) stitch around the edge of the tan and left the thread long to pull and gather.

I then sewed the purple circle to the bottom edge of the purple cup piece.  I forgot to take a picture of this.  You need to place right sides together.  In this case the side that the pleats stick out is the right side.  You may need to do this by hand as it is small and is hard to get under the machine foot.  Once the bottom of the purple cup is attached, hand-stitch the cup closed. 

Place the purple cover on the cup and put a small hand-full of fiberfill in the cup and a small amount in the center of the cupcake on the wrong side.  Pull the top threads of the basting stitches to gather up the edges of the cupcake until it matches the circumference of the top of the cup.  Hand stitch the cupcake to the purple cup and stuff more fiberfill as needed until desired fullness.

This is a fun gift or even a toy for a play-kitchen for kids!  Enjoy!

Theme Dress

Well, my youngest niece is turning 13 and is having a Nightmare Before Christmas themed birthday on Friday the 13th.  Cute, right?  For years I have made my nieces dresses and over the years they have evolved from frilly costumes to sophisticated dresses.  This is my most recent and I am very please with it.  I enjoy sewing so much I find a lot of satisfaction and pride in how these projects come about.  This has got to be one of my favorites and I can't wait to see her in it and enjoying her special day!

I purchased the fabric from the following Etsy site:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabricjunkeez?ref=seller_info

T-shirt Quilt

This is a fun and exciting project to do with all those worn out yet priceless T-shirts from various events and memories that you may have.  I did this one with a girlfriend as a gift for her husband.  It turned out great and he loved it!  If I get enough interest on how to do this project, I can post instructions.

Fun with Fondant

So, keeping with the "Angry Birds" theme I made a cake as well.  It was my first time working with a pre-made fondant from Michael's craft store.  I had WAY too much fun making this cake.

Angry Birds Fun

My son's birthday is coming up and he is obsessed with the game Angry Birds on the iPod.  I took it to a whole new level and made an Angry Bird Bean Bag game for him!  I look forward to having some fun with him!

Felt "Angry Bird" bean bags