TUTORIAL: Shortcut Quilted Tote

Sew this expensive looking boxy tote from one cut of fabric and in one afternoon.

I saw the fabric first, before I had a project for it. Unlike many sewists, I am not a fabric hoarder. But I needed this buffalo check and plaid. So I came up with a reason to buy it on the spot. Go get some for yourself and you, too, can make a Shortcut Quilted Tote in one afternoon!

PICTORIAL: Ripstop Reusable Bag

Sew a durable, leak-resistant, reusable grocery bag with Ripstop Nylon!

It's time we all replaced one-use plastic bags. I'd miss the disposable plastic, if I didn't already have a great pattern for a lightweight, leak-resistant, durable market bag ready to go. I sewed up half a dozen in just a few hours and you should, too!

Itty Bitty Baby Circle Skirts

Itty bitty baby circle skirts. Need I say more?

O+S = Jump Roping Bunnies

Did I say somewhere that I was making an Oliver + S Easter Dress. Yeah. Didn't finish in time. Clearly, I meant Spring Picture Dress.

Oliver + S Favorite: The Jump Rope Dress

Today I'm privileged to be over at the Oliver + S blog to share my favorite pattern. Do you know it?

Sew Chic Bubble Guppies

What happens when you combine my love of sewing chic, clean-line clothing with The Peanut's choice in fabrics? Chic Bubble Guppies, of course!

Spring-Ready Coastal Cargos

I've been working in a dark palette during these cold, snowy months; now I'm eager for some Springtime brights (and warmth). Here they are...

Oliver + S Plus Sparkle!

My final project of 2015 was The Peanut's Christmas dress: an Oliver + S Library Dress with bonus (refashioned) bling!

When I add to my family's wardrobes I make a point to never sew or buy items that would only be good for one use. Unless it's Halloween, then I pull out all the stops for a single wear. Seriously. But that's a post for another day. Today we're talking about Christmas, and stitching up a dress that is perfect for the holiday season, yet wearable beyond.

Zippy (Sweater) Jacket!

I realize it's been all crochet all the time around these parts lately, but I am still sewing! And here's the proof...

Inside Out for Lunch!

The first day outfit is done. The backpack is done. And now, the lunchbox is done. It's the end of September and she's finally ready for school. What?

First Day, First Grade

And just like that my favorite blog distraction is off to school!

Sew Chic Kids Striped Blouse

During Kids Clothes Week I sewed up this "Fourth of July and beyond" blouse using patriotic red and white stripes in a pattern from a Japanese sewing book. Of course. ...*shrug*

TUTORIAL: Asymmetrical Color-Blocking on Knits

The calendar flipped to October and the air magically turned chillier this weekend, at least in our little corner of the world it did. Time to break out the long sleeves and hoodies! Knit long sleeved tees are the staples of The Peanut's wardrobe (mine, too) once the weather turns cooler. I still prefer shopping for fabric in a brick an mortar so that  I can feel the fabric and see the color. Sadly, the knits necessary for tees are still underrepresented in our local stores. So I turn to appliques and color blocking to keep things interesting. I first put together this tutorial in August, so I'm excited The Peanut can actually wear the top now. And as long as I've pulled it out of the drawer for her, let me pull it out for you, too.

The Mimi Shirt, Adorably Chic

Sometimes when you're neck deep in a project of one type it can be energizing to work on a quick project of a different type. I'm sewing furiously behind the scenes on some lovely dresses for my sister's upcoming mid-October wedding. Thank heavens for my commitment to Pattern Parcel -- I don't know that I would have taken the break if it had not been scheduled for me (by me) in advance. But sewing a quick knit top, straight from a pattern felt like a breath of fresh air this week amid my fury of woven fabrics and pattern alterations.

Small Fry Skinny Jeans Rock My World!

You guys! This pattern. I have a new favorite pattern.

The First Day of School (Marathon-Sewn) Dress

So this happened.

Kindergarten. First Day. And I was okay. Really, not a tear. I had spent all of my nervous energy the night before in a frenzy of sewing a dress from start to completion. If you follow me on Instagram this is old news, but here's how it went down.

TUTORIAL: Pocket Tissue Pack Cover

Sew up this quick, self-binding Pocket Tissue Pack Cover to help you smile through the sniffles.

This month's tutorial is a quick one as I play catch up from a Summer's-full back-log. But it's one I needed. As we head back to school and into fall, I foresee many sniffles and runny noses. I'll stash a pack of pocket tissues in my bag and another in my coat pocket, so I whipped up these quick, self-binding pocket tissue packet covers from my scrap stash to make me smile every time I have to reach for one. And you can, too.

Quick Notes on Summer Sewing

Summer is kicking my newbie blogger butt! I had grand plans all prettily organized on an editorial calendar, and then Summer actually happened. Yikes! All of a sudden it feels very obvious that I've been doing this blogging thing less than a year. Yesterday I had scheduled to share The Peanut's new backpack. It currently looks like this. I'm learning a lot about what NOT to do as a full-time blogger when school is not in session. Hopefully I'll be able to actually apply those lessons in the future. Right now I'm just pushing on until Labor Day weekend. In the meantime I'm also making sure we enjoy Summer: swimming, and train rides, and popsicles, and tricycles.

Why yes, I did sew that swim suit!

In between I've eked out some sewing, too. 

The Peanut Gallery, Part 1: Sewing Space

I don’t know about you, but often while I sew I have a rowdy audience of one. She hasn't started sewing with me yet, but she’s always watching and (hopefully) sponging it all up. Today is a peek at what The Peanut is privy to to daily. So welcome to my home, please enjoy the view from the cheap seats.

 A Singer 5817c, my workhorse.

Oliver + S Croquet Flipped into a Mash-Up Romper

Apparently I still have rompers on the brain. When I first read about this month's Flip This Pattern, I immediately saw this romper in my mind's eye. Frances Suzanne chose the Oliver + S Croquet Dress for July's challenge and I found my excuse to purchase another O+S pattern. My solution isn't so much a Flip as it is a Mash-Up of two patterns, the Croquet Dress and the O+S Puppet Show Shorts.