Because this bird is made of felt, and is not that demanding. These little parrots took some time to make, but it was really fun watching them get pieced together. Plus they are super colorful and happy looking. The pattern is from this book full of bird crafts, because when their chirping wakes you at the crack of dawn, we have to be reminded that birds are still pretty cool.
I managed to finish three new garments last week. (I watch Project Runway while I’m sewing. Makes me feel more legit.) I only planned on two, but I ended up having a little extra fabric, so I was able to squeeze out one more.
First up is this fancy little shirt with a peter pan collar. The fabric is super light and perfect for hot summers. I already want to wear it everywhere.
Next we have a striped tank dress. I have made this pattern before, but with sleeves. I was really nervous to work with a stripe, since its pretty obvious if it turns out crooked then, but I have to start somewhere!
I had a little extra of the stripe material, since I didn’t make any sleeves, so I made it work with another tank top pattern! I like all the different stripe angles. I think this design would lay a little better with a more flowy fabric, but it was nice to get used to the pattern, and its definitely still wearable!
These cows look so pleased with themselves. I guess they should be, since they turned out all cute and stuff. For mother’s day, I made my ma this fancy tote bag, with a little parade of cows embroidered on the front.
I’m trying out a couple new shirt patterns this week, which means we had to go get some fabric. Oh darn. I get really sucked into sewing. Following the pattern, moving on to the next step, and the next and the next until its magically all done. I have to remind myself to stop to eat. We’ll see how many pieces I can finish this week!
We’ve lived in our house together and been married for almost a year, so it was time to add our family crest to the place.
I pay way too much attention to the back of my embroidery. Especially since it was covered up anyway. I just don’t want people in the 18th century to think I had loose morals because the back of my embroidery is all messy.
This kind of embroidery is the most fun. If I was around in the 18th century, I would have been cranking out the embroidery.
When that part was finished, I asked it what it felt like being. It said a flag, so then came some triangle math.
I used more leftover wedding fabric scraps for the back. It seemed fitting.
Then I sewed it all up, added some hanger loops, and stitched the edges. And someday, if someone rips it all apart, they will see how neat the back of my work looks.
I finished a new braided rug! It is made with fabric we used for wedding decorations. I originally thought we could use it for a new kitchen rug, but once I started putting it together, we decided that it would be perfect for a baby girl room someday. Wouldn’t it?
I was a stuffed animal making machine this week. A bunch of bright springy animals are off to new homes, and I get to take a little Easter break. Pretty soon it will be time to start on the summer animals!
This blanket was a special present for my Ma, who likes black-eyed susans (which is a super awesome name for a flower).
I have a couple more crochet projects in mind, but I might start a little scrap granny square quilt too, to use up some of my leftover bits.
I think the key to having fun while making a tshirt quilt is to be ok that it might not be exactly perfect. They’re tshirts. You wore them and washed them. They have (most likely) never been ironed before. All the designs might be different sizes, or shirts might be different materials. Oh well, it will be absolutely perfect for a picnic outside under a tree. 
These were tshirts from our time in college. I had to get a little creative to fit the shirts in the right number of squares, so a couple of the squares are combos. This one has the black fabric from our graduation gowns, that I was incredibly scared to iron because it was made from recycled bottles or something like that, and I was convinced it was going to melt. I also needed one more square, so we made a combo square with tshirts from the first places we worked after college.
I’ve been saving these shirts for forever to make this, so I’m happy its finally done, and looks good too! Now I want to make another one!
I had to make an emergency yarn run yesterday, so I stopped by the pattern department for a quick look. We are actually still in cold weather here in the heart of Texas, but it won’t be long before the sun is burning us alive. I started thinking that I should probably start sewing up some summer items now, so they are ready for battle when the time comes!
guy and his girl 