{zakka style sew along} week 5 : roy g biv pencil cases

I made an entire set of Roy G Biv pencil cases this week for the zakka style sew along ... unfortunately, "orange" had to sacrificed to the greater good of wrapping my head around how this case is constructed!  I assure you that I am generally good at spatial thinking, but for some reason* my brain wasn't functioning properly. 

Luckily I still had five other colors worth of pencil cases to construct, once I figured out how to make the pencil case -- and even better, I have a new and clever construction method under my belt, one that will come in handy in the future.

Here are my little cases ...

They are perfect for more than just pencils, namely crochet hooks and circular needles.  Surprisingly, they are NOT perfect for double pointed needles, as I imagined they might be ... [note to self : make another roy g biv set of these, only longer, to use for DPNs].   See the blue case on the left, how the case just doesn't quite close.

My pesky calico kitten (Trixie) had to jump into the photo session.  Of course she'll be forgiven ... I don't call myself the calico lover for nothing!  

*most likely the insanity of the end of the school year, which uses all my good brain cells up during the school week ;)

finished quilt :: "turtle love"

A pregnant colleague/friend of mine saw an image on pinterest and asked me if I could sew it for her, as I'd previously made her first child a baby quilt, and she knew I was "crafty".  (Some people would be annoyed at that -- I love the opportuntity go make something for someone that they actually want -- it makes it that much more special!)  It turned out that it wasn't sewn at all -- it was a crocheted "turtle cape" used for photo props, and my friend has a deep love of all things turtle. 

At the last minute -- like, literally 11:30pm last night -- I finished it up, just in time to present it to her at her baby shower at work today.  {raveled here.} I have to admit, despite the fact that I'm not the best at following crochet directions, this did turn out super duper cute :

I also managed to finish quilting and binding the baby quilt I'd started during spring break.  [Note to self : don't quilt at the last minute, at night -- save that for when you're fresh!]  [The quilting leaves a little to be desired.] 

I used the same label technique I used on my previous quilt : I embroidered my name and year on one side, and "made with love" on the other, and added it as a tab.  Because I finished binding the quilt last night, too [procrastinator!], I totally forgot to insert it to the binding, and simply sewed it on this morning. 

 I'd be more distressed at these minor little imperfections if the whole gift hadn't turned out so darn cute.  The fact that I *did* manage to finish up the set at the last minute is okay, because it was really fun to see my friend open these gifts today at the shower!.

I really do love giving thing that are just cute!

{zakka style sew along} week 4 : mother/daughter sewing kits

Week 4 of the Zakka Style sew along was a success !  This week's task was to sew up a sewing kit, which is very handy considering I just started a new embroidery project.

Once I got started, the kits went so quickly I ended up making two of them!  So, I have one, as well as my 9-year-old who has taken an interest in embroidery.

Here are the two of them together :

Mine is the (not surprisingly) kit with a "J" embroidered on the outside.  {Note to self : use a darker thread next time!}  I had fun with my kit, using the bottom of a pair of linen pants I scored at the local thrift store for $1.50 ... the hem had a little detail that I thought I'd include on my pouch.  I added the edge of the selvage to the outside, for a reflection of the fabric on the inside ...

The inside of my kit has Alexander Henry's "Sew Now" fabric, one I think is perfect for this kit!  And on the pincushion, I stamped a "J", though it might have been nicer if I'd done the same J as on the outside of the kit ...

For my daughter's kit, I used denim, which I think I'll have to start referring as "poor woman's linen". :)

I couldn't help but to add a denim pocket to the outside ... it's so much fun to be able to use all the little pieces that might get discarded.  I embroidered her name to the pocket.  {Note to self : use lighter embroidery thread on denim!}

My daughter is currently in a "snow leopard phase."  Being short of snow leopard fabric, I resorted to this horse fabric that I'd bought when she was in her "horse phase." (The fabric is another Alexander Henry one, "Stable Mates". I do love this.)  I'm glad I could use it while she still loves horses ... plus, horse fabric really goes with the denim on the outside, I think.

Off to next week's project ... what shall I do to make it extra kawaii, I wonder ??