Tunics for cub scouts....

A while back I wanted to make a simple tunic for each of my cub scouts to go with out knight theme. I had 20 to make so they really needed to be BASIC. Here is what I came up with. Just in case you are as crazy as I.

  Each tunic was 1/2 a yard. I use basic 45 wide muslin. It's cheap and had the right feel.

Thankfully my son was helpful enough to let me measure and test the measurements on him.

Once they were all cut to rectangles I needed to cut a neck hole. Once again I just guess on what looked about right then held it up to my 10 yr old. I think I left about 4 inches on each shoulder.

I didn't want the fabric to fray out so a simple stitch down each side fixed that.

Add another stitch around the neck......

And VOILA! A nice pile of scout tunics. Sorry, I should have gotten a picture of my son with it on. They are opened at the top to slip over the head then open down the sides. Tunics were generally secured with a belt of some sort.

Sewing 101 for boys

I think sewing is becoming one of those lost arts. Few ladies sew or even know how to do simple stitches. Fabric is can be a bit pricey which makes sewing clothes, if you shop the sales, not much of a value. I believe however that this is still a valuable skill. I am not a great seamstress but I have managed to make several simple projects. It is always fun to look at what you have created. There is a certain sense of satisfaction that comes with creating. 

Having a house of boys doesn't change my thoughts. Boys can sew too. One day, in the not to distant future, these boys are going to venture out on missions for our church. They will not have mom around to stitch for them. One of our 100 activities of summer includes sewing a pillowcase. Pillowcases are great projects to practice on. You don't have to worry too much about measuring. You have straight stitches and only 4 lines to do. 

A couple of weeks ago I took the boys to JoAnns and took advantage of a great sale on fabric. I let them pick out coordinating pieces to make their pillowcase. I was a bit surprise by the older boys choices but hey, it's what they wanted. Part of the fun is choosing a fabric. One that is fun, colorful and defines your mood.

Today, the lessons began. I explained the very basics of the sewing machine, helped them thread the needle, and to get started stitching.

Josh made a couple of mistakes. One that led to learning how to use a seam ripper. ehehehehehe.

Total concentration to get that line straight.

In the end he was proud of his new project. Short and sweet. Keeping the project simple helped. Something about a fast reward. ;-P

Then Mr. Keegan was up. He did better than his big brother but mom hung over his shoulder more too.

He is very cautious and steady. Not too many oopses.

Scorpions on flannel. Great job huh!?!

Then came the little boys. I threw Mr. Ty's together quick and easy. I didn't have the right color thread for Mr. Matthew's though. I picked it up but didn't get back to the sewing right away. When he realized the other boys had new pillowcases but he didn't he was devastated!! I quickly told him why and offered to go right then to sew it. He loved the idea but insisted he had to help.

I don't know how much "help" he was but he sat on my lap the whole time. Thanks to Ty for the photos. ;-)

They were silly and thrilled. Ya just gotta love big grins like this.

The boy prints out now are too cute to resist.

I had to get some monster truck fabric too. 

1 yard of each.

I think I will have enough to make another pillow case with the reverse pattern, green body with print trim.

I enjoyed seeing their smiles. They all raced to get replace their pillowcases with their new creations. It made my heart smile too. Proof even boys can learn simple sewing.

It was fun, quick, and easy. Right up the alley for a group of 4growingboys!

A skirt and some bling...

My friend and I made this artwork for her daughters room. I showed you here but thought I would get a close up. I still love how her room looks!

I love how the bling gives it just a bit of sparkle! It is just FUN.

A while ago I started making a skirt but somewhere along the line I didn't measure right and it became clear it would not fit. DANG IT! What to do. I had splurged on nice suede-like fabric. I was thrilled to find it would fit my dear friend. I love making things for others. It makes me smile to see someone fall in love with a homemade gift!

She loved it. Just add a blouse and nice pair of boots!

Happy Birthday Friend!

Summer table runner and chair....

Remember back when I got this chair? I started painting it but got hung up, it just didn't look the way I pictured so I set it aside. Then we started redoing my friends daughters room and my interest in this chair peaked again. I had a different image pictured, something with a glaze finish but this is perfect for her room. Check out how we painted the walls here and the wall art. I hope she like the chair and it adds to her room. Dear hubby commented how good the chair turned out too......

My friend has been saying how she wanted to add some blue to her decor. Turguois is all the rage and adds some fun color to home decor. I made one of these runners for my sister in law but forgot to get a picture before giving it to her. I loved how it turned out. Hers was all soft, warm, vintage colors, Totally her! I decided  to do one for my friend too. No other color would do without some blue.

I love the colors together. I even have enough supplies to make one for myself. Yeah!

Activity Days and Pioneers

This past week was a busy one for me. For Activity Days we taught the girls how to quilt. I am always surprised at the homemaking skills that are being lost with each generation. The girls loved learning to quilt and commented how much fun they had. We made it a "Mom and Me quilting" activity. We managed to do one quilt then enjoyed strawberry shortcake. I finished up 3 more quilts at home with the help of my friend and her daughter (also one of my A.D. girls).....

3 lap quilts and one twin size.

I love, LOVE this twin quilt. The top fabric was on clearance and the backing is just a twin top sheet. It was so pretty. I was tempted to keep it myself, hehehe.

Then this weekend we had the Pioneer parade. It is a celebration of the summer of 1847 when the first pioneers entered Utah. There are lots of activities for the kids. During the parade every one gets to dress up as pioneers. We had all the primary kids on the float.We used the quilts to decorate the sides of the float. Then we will donate them to the local hospital.

Of course I forgot to get pictures before the parade. We had left the camera in the van, oops. I did managed to snap a picture before everyone started to take things off the trailer- just barely!

Two of the cutest young pioneers in years! A simple straw hat, bandana, and paid shirt. Not "authentic" but it worked!

Patriotic banner....

I love the half circle banners. I'm not sure what they are officially called. I tried searching for some homemade ones and couldn't find anything like I had in mind. So I set out to make my own. 

Now, I am a visually oriented person so not having something to look at was a bit of a challenge. I wouldn't say my project turned out perfect but it's enough to give me an idea of what to do better and change next time. Hopefully a true seamstress will come along and offer me some advice as well.....

 I think it is actually too small for this window but I'm gonna leave it up until I have something to replace it with.

 I also need another hook, dear hubby will rescue me when he gets home. I just used Christmas light hooks. I had found a couple of stragglers to use but need one more.....

 So here is how I did it. I wanted to use some scraps so I just sewed 4" strips together. I don't like to measure and with needing to gather it I wasn't sure how long to make it. I just winged it. I think these were 45" wide to begin with then I seamed two sections together....My next one will be longer and each strip will be a couple of inches longer than the previous. When I'm done I should have more of a triangle shape which will gather to a fan more easily, I hope. I think I will make it taller as well buy adding more strips of each color........

 After sewing my colors together I did a baste stitch so I could gather it. This would give me my fan shape...

Then I sewed the center strip in on itself. Now my rectangle of colors was starting to take shape. It took a lot of time to gather each strip but it worked....

I finished it with a solid backing and sewed along each strip to hold the gathers in place. I had to add a couple of tucks in the blue section, it is just so puffy. I think added a couple inches to each strip next time will help this as well. Plus the very center maybe try to make a half circle instead of folding it on itself.

I love this star pattern my machine has. Then I used grommets to hang the hooks.

 Voila! I am excited but now I wanna make another.

Not perfect but I'll take it.

If you have any tips that would help PLEASE let me know! I have another window to do!!
Linking up....

Pink Summer skirt.....

I added a zipper to this skirt instead of an elastic waistband. I think I prefer an elastic, this was seems to ride up in the back. Oh well, still not bad making it without a pattern.

Ahh, summer!!

Another skirt

This is my dear hubby's favorite skirt I've made, or one of his favs. He says he likes the ribbon embelishment, I think he likes that it was free. The fabric was some remnants from my mom and the ribbon was part of my 'you can never have enough ribbon' stash. Ribbon is just one of those supplies that is so versatile, I usually stock up when it is on a great sale.

I have to admit this skirt is very comfy. It washed up nicely. I think the fabric is a cotton/poly blend. It has a simply elastic waistline. Nothing fancy but just perfect for summer. It has pink and purple flowers too which makes it easy to match.

Oh, I did end up buying a couple of solid tees. They were only $6 each at Walmart.

$6 for this whole outfit- I'll take it!

I came across the SNOP challenge a few weeks ago. I loved the idea. I find skirts cooler and much more comfy in the summer heat. My problem was I only had a couple.

Last weekend my dear hubby managed the boys while I spent some time sewing. 

I finished 4 skirts done but didn't get a chance to share because of my work schedule- which by the way was totally insane!

Then we went on vacation to San Diego- ohh, so much fun.....

So here we are, and I am finally able to share some of my creations.

I used a couple of my favorite skirts as patterns. Let's face it I just too cheap frugal to buy patterns...

I have a fun white skirt with peek-a-boo tucks in it. It is so fun to wear but it's white and I don't want to wear it everyday. I love how this turned out, so much so I may save it for church or more dressy occassions. I wore it to church last week and got several comments on it. The brown sections are just rectangles with the more triangular teal peices inserted in between. It took a bit longer than my other skirts but wasn't hard at all.

JoAnn's had so many beautiful fabrics. With the grand opening sales I had a hard time choosing. 

They were all so great leaving endless possibilities but...

I wanted to try to match up to shirts I already have. Since most of my shirts are prints that meant more of a solid skirt. Red is my favorite color and my peasant style shirts are my hubby's favorite.

This was from an A-line pattern but I altered it to make more of a straight cut.

It is so comfy. I love it.

Tell me what you think.

Anyone else up to wearing skirts this summer. They are perfect for keeping the sun off and the cool breeze flowing! Plus you don't need great sewing skills. Skirts are easy; great projects for beginners.

Give it a try.

What do you think?

Girls sun dresses...

Joann Fabric finally opened. I am thrilled!

I have always wanted to make one of these simple summer dresses. The fabric was on sale so I bought some.

Just enough for a dress for my little niece

 I had my dear friends daughter try it on to measure for the ribbon straps. So cute! These pictures just don't do it justice. In the end I opted to go with tie straps- just to be safe.

I also picked up this print.

I am totally jealous. I may have to make one for myself. They had longer prints too. Maybe with the grand opening deals coming up this week.