Every child needs a super hero cape....

I just can't believe it's taken me this long to make the kids their own cape!

The kids have been really into Super Why lately. It's a cute show that helps kids learn how to read better. If you've ever seen it, you know that Wyatt wears a cape. Needless to say, that means I received several requests yesterday for a cape.

I searched online for tutorials on how to make a cape. I found one that I liked and tweaked it a little. You can find it here.

In between feeding the kids, getting them dressed, keeping up the house, and homeschooling, I managed to make 5 double sided capes, with each of the kid's initials. It took me all day to make them. It would have been quicker and easier had I not been constantly interrupted, but then, I cherish my life with all of the interruptions!

The kids are thrilled and so am I! They came out so adorable! It was hard going through my fabric stash, trying to find boyish fabric....but I did :)

Button shirt to toddler's dress

I've been wanting to do this for awhile....so maybe if I post it here and promise that I WILL do this soon....then I will be motivated to do it :)

How to make a button shirt into a toddler's dress!

A Batik Dress and A Bandana Dress

My new bag

Last week, I decided to treat myself to some great fabrics for a bag. I wasn't sure what it was going to look like.

Here are the three fabrics I chose:




After some contemplation and a few drawings, I came up with something and immediately began making a pattern and cutting my fabric.

Because I started so late, it was nearing midnight, but at least I had everything cut!

This morning, it did not take me long to get started. I began the assembly of my bag...complete with interfacing and lots of pockets! If this is going to be used as my newest diaper bag, and with as many kids as I have...you know it's going to need to hold a lot of stuff!

I didn't want to make it too big, and I am very pleased with how it came out.

It ended up being 11" tall, 15" wide, and 4" deep. There is one wide strap that has a double thickness of interfacing for stability. The flap has two magnetic clasps on each side for closure.


Here is a view of the back. There is one pocket in the back, that spans the entire width of the bag, that is also lined with interfacing for stability.

Inside, there are five pockets. There is one on each side panel...one is large enough for pens and papers, the other is just right for a cellphone.


There is another wide pocket the length of the bag, that has been sewn in the middle. There is a smaller, higher pocket on the opposite side for keys, etc.

The sewing went well...there were a lot of interruptions...(do I really need to mention names?) Because of my little interruptions, it took me the better part of the day. But the breaks were nice and much needed!

I can't tell you how much I love this bag :)

A few new dresses

Here's some fabric I purchased yesterday to make the kids all matching bermuda shorts, and Paysie a matching dress for the fourth of July!

Dresses and booties

More dresses? More booties?

One simple answer....YES!

I've had this fabric since Christmastime, and I knew I wanted to make a dress for Paysie out of it. I showed it to my mom while she was here, and she made a pair of booties to match. A few days later, I made a peasant style dress with some gathering at the waist!

Paysie wore it to church this morning...but it was still a little chilly, so she wore a sweater over it. Maybe next time she wears it, you'll be able to see her puffy sleeves!




A couple weeks ago, I made Paysie a couple of dresses....one out of a seer-sucker fabric and one out of a nice cotton fabric with cherries on it!

Of course, my mom made Paysie a pair of cherry booties to match!




We are working on the whole modesty thing with Paysie!!

I made up the patterns to the dresses, but they are just simple peasant style dresses!

Hooded Towels

I decided to try my hand at making some nice hooded towels for my Etsy shop that has yet to open :)

I purchased the towels and got to work!

I was very pleased with the final product. It's 100% cotton and very soft and plush.

Gideon was my model...and immediately asked if he could have one too!

I made four more tonight, two in orange (one goes to Haddon), and two in blue (one goes to Jamison).

This one, of course, is Paysie's!

A new skirt for the girl

Notice how the hands and feet are blurry....yeah, she doesn't stop moving!

Homeade Holidays

Again, at Sew Mama Sew, there are posts upon posts of gift ideas that you can make for those on your list!

I look forward to visiting her blog daily to see what ideas she will be posting!

Check it out...

Yes, I admit it...I love matching outfits

John...not so much.

I made all the boys matching shorts, and had enough left over to make Paysie a matching jumper with capris. I'm thinking that the dress should fit this year, and the capris might be for next year.

I made up the pattern for the shorts...which is really easy to do, just make sure you leave enough length for the crotch. That always seems to be the place I have neglected in the past when making things for the kids.

These shorts are a bit long. I wanted the 'bermuda short' look...plus I wanted them to fit next summer!

A dress for Paysie

I found this pattern yesterday and had to try it out. What I love about this jumper is that it can be used as a shirt, when she's older!


It was easy and quick to make....there will definitely be more where this came from!

And because I couldn't resist myself, I had to take pictures of Jamison in it. I wanted to see how it fit for sizing as a shirt. It was close getting it on him, but look at how cute he looks. (shhhh...don't tell John!)



Edited to add one more....I made this one in the next size up. I love the fabric (thanks Grammy!). I'm hoping it will fit come fall/winter.

What's a girl to do, when she's nesting...

and her house is clean???

SEW!!!

John thinks I'm nuts for making yet another bag/diaper bag. He obviously missed the memo that a girl can never have too many bags!

It started on Monday. I had the material ready to make myself a new diaper bag for the baby. I searched on Etsy to figure out exactly what I wanted. I then designed it according to size and made it up while the kids were resting. When it was done, I realized that it was bigger than I wanted...but makes a nice tote when we are going somewhere with all the kids!

It has seven pockets inside and the dimensions are approximately 17hx20wx6d. It is lined with flannel and has a hard interfacing for the bottom so help it keep its shape.

Here is the result:




Today, I wanted to make something a little smaller, yet still have enough pockets to contain a bunch of stuff! I loved the fabric that I used on the tote, and I had just enough to use it again! This has 4 pockets inside, is also lined with flannel, and has a magnetic clasp. The dimensions are 15wx17hx3d.




I also had other fabric that I have been itching to use, so I made both of these bags today at the same time. This one is a little different and has two straps that can be used over the shoulder or across the chest. There is also 5 pockets inside. The inside fabric is a pretty green gingham and pink flowers :) This bag has the same dimensions as the other and also has a magnetic clasp!




My boys always have rest time in the afternoon, so I was able to get the majority of the work done while they ate lunch and rested on the couch. Needless to say, when I was finished, my house was no longer as clean as it had been....so that gives me something to do tomorrow!

Another day gone and another bag made

The bottom piece is corduroy, as are the straps. It's lined with flannel and has a pocket...I don't know who to give it to for Christmas, so we'll see!

I made the pattern myself, and like the first time you do anything, I made it harder than it had to be!

Yesterday was a productive day

I made those 2 mini-purses that I posted and last night, I made this bag. I should stuff it with something so you can see it without it folding in.

I love the material and the way it came out. My mom always says that it's always a good thing when you want to keep the products you make.

Well, I would love to keep this bag, but it will be put into the lot of gifts to be given away this Christmas.

It is approx 8x10x2 with a strap close to 40". It is lined and has a magnetic clasp.

I had planned on choosing a bunch of different fabric combinations and getting everything precut, but once I started cutting this fabric, I wanted to see what it looked like! I'm not sure who is going to get this bag...but I have an idea :)

(and considering I got both of these fabrics for $1 and $2 a yard...and used maybe 1/3 of a yard of each....the cost of this gift is not high! Of course, you start adding in my labor and it goes WAY up, lol)

I can mark 2 mini-purses off the list!

First, I want to thank my model, Gideon, who was very enthused to get his picture taken with a girl's purse. He just kept saying over and over that it was for girls. Poor kid.

I can post these because the girls that they are for are too young to get on the computer. Even though I know their mothers may read, I'm not naming names, so you just never know!

It really only took me a couple of hours. The longest part is cutting out the pieces! I also made up the pattern, so that took a few minutes, just figuring out what I wanted it to look like.

Both purses are lined with flannel and have a tie. One has a satin ribbon, and the other, a satin cord. The strap is about 24 inches long.

I'm pleased with the way they came out. They aren't perfect...so it adds a human touch, lol. It's amazing what can happen when you are top stitching a bag and a baby decides to sneak up on you underneath the table and push on the presser foot!!!

Cute, eh?

I want a pair!!

Look at what I made :)

My good friend Melanie just had a baby! Since I found this pattern, I've been dying to try it out.

They are pretty easy to make and are just so soft and comfy.

I plan on making a much larger pair for my boys. I'm just waiting for the non-skid material I got off ebay to come in the mail!