Making More with Less: August 2013

26.8.13

Winner of the Jersey Love pattern!

***The winner is....(Drumroll)....#19***

Lisa Van Dam August 23, 2013 at 1:40 PM

You did a beautiful job on both of those dresses Suzanne! My Carrie loves comfort too and would love one like that - the brighter the better -lol!

I need your email address, Lisa, so we can send you the pattern.

I'd love to see yours when you make it!!

21.8.13

A Double Tablerunner for the Newlyweds

I almost forgot to share the gift I made for Will and Karen! I actually had to ask Will to take and send me a few pictures because I completely forgot to take some before giving it to them. Thanks Will!

Side 1: I used this Sharp Chevrons Template to do my first every paper piecing

Side 2: Inspired by a friends table runner (you can see it in the first picture of this post).

Looking good on there coffee table

And one more cool picture from my artsy b-i-l :)

Jersey Love Blog Tour and Giveaway! - Beachcomber Dress - CLOSED

I'm so excited to be part of the Jersey Love Blog Tour!

When Bonnie of Fishsticks Designs asked Alisa and I if we wanted to participate in the blog tour we were in the middle of a fabulous family reunion and getting ready for a wedding. Alisa knew she wouldn't be able to do it so she signed me up...and I'm so glad she did!! When we got home from holidays I had some beautiful Riley Blake knits waiting for me.

I made a size 12 for my oldest and it turned out great. The fabric was so soft with great recovery. I didn't have any trouble sewing it. I have had a few lines of stitching snap but I'm pretty new at sewing with knits and still trying to figure out the best way that works for me.

It's such a great pattern. The instructions were very easy to follow although I kept wanting to put right sides together so had to watch for that. I wasn't sure how I'd like the raw edges and thought I'd be hemming the bottom and finishing the edges of the sleeves but it turns out I love it. The style of the dress and the fabrics work so well together!

And...my daughter loves it! She loves to be comfortable and you can't get much more comfortable than this.

In action :)

I was so happy with it I right away made another for my younger daughter in a size 5. I used the Riley Blake red polka dot that was left over and a couple other knits from Fabricland that I had picked up earlier this year. What a difference in quality of fabrics! It still sewed up easily but did quite a bit more stretching as I sewed and it's not nearly as soft. It's still very cute on her and she loves it too.

Here's hers getting a good workout doing the dishes at camping. We just got home from a week of camping and both girls wore them a lot!

There's a couple more days for the tour. Go on and check out the other cute creations:

Tuesday, 8/13: Call Ajaire & Rock the Stitch
Wednesday, 8/14: imagine gnats & Busy, Beautiful and On a Budget
Thursday, 8/15: Shaffer Sisters & Blue Susan Makes
Friday, 8/16: Rooibos Mom & Mama Says Sew
Tuesday, 8/20: Designs by Sessa & Hopeful Threads
Wednesday, 8/21: Making More with Less & Sew Can She
Thursday, 8/22: Crafty Hour & Winter Wonderings … Wanderings & Whatnot
Friday, 8/23: Little Kids Grow & Max California

Thanks Bonnie and Riley Blake for the pattern and fabric! It was fun to be part of this!

Now that you've made it this far, it's time for a giveaway! One of you will win a pattern for this Beachcomber Dress from Fishsticks Designs! Leave a comment and I'll pick a winner on Saturday

***The winner is....(Drumroll)....#19***

Lisa Van DamAugust 23, 2013 at 1:40 PM

You did a beautiful job on both of those dresses Suzanne! My Carrie loves comfort too and would love one like that - the brighter the better -lol!

12.8.13

A new bathing suit

I got this bathing suit made just in time for swimming lessons a couple weeks ago so it's been put to good use already.

The pattern is Jalie 3023 and the fabric is bought locally from Marshall's fabrics.

I really like style and so does Anneke! This is the second swimsuit I've made and for the most part it worked out great.

You can see both my issues on this photo though.

• Gaping at the neckline - I had this last year too and thought maybe it was from the fabric which wasn't very good quality but it's happened again. I think if I cut the fabric out at a bit more of an angle on the fold? Any ideas for next time?

• Popped stitches on my twin needle stitching. I was so excited to have figured out how to use a twin needle properly this time but now I have a bunch of places where it's coming out? Any solutions/ideas on that?