How To: Make a Sewing Kit for a Young Girl

 

I shared a photo on Instagram and Facebook yesterday of the above gift wrapped in fabric and secured with bobble-headed pins and ricrac. I mentioned that it is a sewing kit I put together for my niece, who also loves to create things. Some of you requested to see what is inside, so here goes: 

I used a tin that I had laying around (an old "moon cake" tin actually), which would have been better if it were pink, rather than purple, as my niece is an avid pink fan. However, part of the aim of this gift is to also impart a "mend and make do" mindset along with some inspiration for creation. 

I started with a range of pink-toned fabric pieces - some are fat quarters, others are smaller scraps from my stash. Did I mention that she loves pink?

Next, I rounded up some pink (and other coloured) ribbons, lace and elastic. I found a pink felt sheet, and cut a small piece to put a couple needles and a safety pin through. A small container of bobble-headed pins, with some tailor's chalk, and a ziplock bag with a small amount of polyfill in it.

Pink thread - well, all the fabrics are pink, so what else does she need at this stage? (My niece is only 5 years old, and will literally reject objects that are not pink). I also tucked a few different hairclips in for her to decorate her own clips. One of my favourite parts - a tin of buttons from my stash! I have fond memories of rifling through  my Mum's button tin, and figured my niece will enjoy having her own stash.

And last, but not least, a fabulous book by Jane Bull, aimed at young girls, with fantastic photos and instructions for a range of beginner crafts. This is a gorgeous book, with really wonderful ideas. I found it at our local library a year or two ago, and noted down the name, so I could buy a copy for my own daughter and my niece.

I contemplated doing a fancy needle book and pin cushion for her, but then decided she could make her own...that's all part of the fun, isn't it?

When you make your own sewing kit gift for a girl (or boy) in your life, you will probably have slightly different needs and purposes for the gift, but I hope this is a helpful guide to some of the basics you might like to include. I'd love to hear if you've made a sewing kit for someone!

How To: Make Paper Heart Embellishments

On my wish list for Christmas, I wanted a large heart cutter. You see, I had this plan to make some packaging embellishments from paper hearts. I had been given a sheet of these from a popular stationery and homewares store, and I loved using them to pretty up my packages last year. I loved the simple beauty of these embellishments, and thought I could make something similar pretty easily. 

Well, lo and behold, I received a cutter for Christmas...a round corner cutter, that is. Exactly the same as the one I already have. But my loved one who gifted this to me kept the receipt (smart person) and I was able to take and exchange it for a heart cutter. I couldn't find a plain one, so I ended up with a scalloped edge heart. Which I have decided I love, by the way. 

So, here it is. 

How to make paper heart embellishments:

 Materials: 

• Large heart cutter/punch
• Scrapbooking paper, or other thick paper or thin card, with pretty matching patterns
• Sewing machine threaded to match the paper/card
• Paper scissors
• Double sided tape

Method:

Use your heart punch to cut hearts out of a variety of matching scrapbooking paper/card.

Choose three hearts to go together. The three hearts are going to sit in a pile, so the top one will be most visible, but the others need to look good with it.

Stack your three hearts in the order you want them.

Sew straight up and down the centre line of the pile of hearts, making sure you keep them neatly together.

Flip the hearts over and cut a strip of double sided tape the length of the centre line of the heart. Place the tape on, leaving the protective strip on the second sticky side in place until you want to use it. [You can store the hearts at this point, in their flat state.]

When ready to use the heart embellishment, gently fold the top layers back towards the centre line, like little wings. Fold the second layer a little in the same direction.

Remove the protective strip from the double sided tape and place in desired position.
Voila!

Completing Another Unfinished Project

Belated holiday greetings! And Happy New Year to all. I hope you have all had a lovely time over Christmas and New Year. 

Here's another unfinished project that I completed prior to Christmas, and this one has a little "full circle" kind of story. The pink patchwork panel on the front was made by my Grandmother-in-law more than 15 years ago. It was intended to be a cushion cover, but never got finished. Grandma gave me several panels of different patchwork designs that were in various stages of completion, as she said she is never going to finish them now. She hoped I could find some way to make use of them. 

When my Father-in-law asked if I had anything in my store that would be a suitable present for his Mother (the same Grandmother-in-law), I immediately thought of the unfinished patchwork panels and said I could whip something up. 

So I made a simple tote bag, using this tutorial to get me started (though I altered dimensions and a few other elements).

I made a kanzashi flower brooch to use as the centre of the patchwork panel as a decoration, or it can be removed and worn as a brooch.

I made the outer portion of the bag with an upholstery-weight cotton canvas that I purchased at a thrift store, and the inner (lining) portion of the bag with a vintage sheet (also thrifted). The inner pocket was from thrifted linen. 

I always love the satisfaction of completing something, especially using thrifted materials. But with this project, the greater satisfaction was in knowing that the finished product would return a piece of lovingly-made textile craft to its maker in a form she can use every day.

Quiet Book Closure...LITERALLY!!

Hi there! I'm feeling rather satisfied right now. I have done what I have been meaning to do for a whole year. It's a little rough. It's far from perfect. But it is DONE! My daughter's Quiet Book cover. Completed in time for Christmas 2012. Huzzah!

Let's Meet: Becca Koopmans of Wear Love Now!

Hi friends! I've got a lovely treat for you today! An interview with a lovely and talented artisan that I "met" through Etsy. I'm excited to share her story with you today. Enjoy!

Please introduce yourself and a tell us a little about what you do:

I’m Becca Koopmans. I’m a stay-at-home-mum of four kiddos in the midwest of the United States and I run a little cottage industry of upcycled clothes called Wear Love Now.

 How did your Etsy shop get started?

My heart was pregnant with a lot of different ideas and issues when Wear Love Now was born. Some of the contributing factors were the image issues that I had struggled with finally coming to rest in my own personal style. As a busy mum of four I often struggled just to get a shower, let alone put on an outfit that matched. This frustration took me to my faith in God, where I learned wearing love was way more important than wearing clothes in vogue. “Regardless of what you put on, wear love...” Colossians 3:14, became my daily dress code. Other factors included good stewardship with thrifting, a creative outlet with sewing and a flexible family schedule.

How did you get started with your sewing skills?

This is a bit embarrassing to admit. Though I come from a heritage of pattern followers and excellent seamstresses...when I was in middle school home economics, I stapled the hem to my final dress project and transferred to woodworking shop...where I scored an A+ (probably because I was the shop teacher’s babysitter). All that to say, my art has always been there in various forms...but, sewing skills I had to learn as an adult. When I became excited about upcycling clothes, my Dad bought me a sewing machine and I asked an outstanding seamstress in our area to give me some private lessons. Whenever I would hit a glitch in my vision versus skill she came to my rescue. And now, I’m quite proud of my set of skills that make my art come alive.

What do you love most about your job?

One of the biggest surprise gifts of selling my clothes on Etsy is the friendship factor. I pursued selling on Etsy following a difficult health crisis of our youngest daughter who has a progressive neurological disorder. My normal venue for interaction and friendship became more and more limited as her medical needs increased. I never anticipated the treasure house of friends in Etsy sellers (especially Homespunsociety Teammates) and in Etsy buyers...literally around the world.

I also love that when I sit and sew, or pin something, or sort through one of my baskets, one or more of my kids are right next to me...humming, drawing, or sewing a button on a bookmark....I love that. I also love creating the clothes...it’s like art with my sewing machine for me...pure joy.

What inspires you?

Good artwork, especially by French Impressionists; beautiful music; nature, well-written books; friends; family; strong coffee; inspiring conversations; history; vintage style; bohemian style; designers creating outside of the box and my faith in God.

Could you please describe how the artistic process flows for you...from initial concept design to completed product?

The process varies with different pieces of clothes, but, typically it begins with the main item I want to use. I purchase items for their quality, possibilities and versatility. And then I set the top ones, the ones I’m most excited to use next, on a table and start putting lace out, material on top, twisting seams in various places, etc. Usually the longest part is gaining the inspiration...and it also is the most exciting, because I choose to wait until I get the ‘aha’ idea for each piece. Then, once I get my ‘aha’ idea, I consider the best plan for tweaking each piece and begin the cutting and pasting, so to speak...also a very fun stage as I get to see it come together. Then I let it set a day and come back to it for any last adjustments or additions. Finally, I take pictures using a barn door my husband put up for me in our backyard.

What’s the biggest challenge for you in the artistic process?

Probably my biggest challenge is balancing my to-do lists for my family and my shop. And another is, when my heart is heavy with some issue or another, creativity can’t be forced.

What does an average day look like for you?

My days begin early...I love to get up and exercise and then spend some quiet time reading and praying before all the breakfast chaos begins. My husband and kids are typically happy hearts...so that’s a great thing in our home. Mari rides a small handicapped bus to school with her wheelchair, our twin boys, Steven and Schyler, ride with my husband on his way to work and then I walk my oldest daughter, Liesel, to the bus stop.

Usually I check my shop early in the morning before for the kids are up or after they get off to school to see if any packages need to go out, any questions need to be answered or anything updated. Often, I go into my sewing spot and work on a few items. Depending on each day, I pick Mari up early from school, she goes an hour to a few hours. Then, she and I spend time reading and playing and then she takes a rest while I work on home life, sewing or Etsy teamwork.

When the other kiddos get home...homework, supper and life take a front seat with my time. I’m not a night person, so I’ve learned the hard way, with a seam ripper, that sewing after the kids are in bed isn’t a good idea, but I still check in on Etsy.

Any advice for those thinking of pursuing their artistic dreams?

Dreams are really important in life. Hang onto your dreams...but, realise they may take a different form or fruition timing may be different than you picture...and that’s usually best in the long run. Listen to those who love you when you consider your dreams...including God....he’s made a lot of mine brighter and bigger than I ever imagined!

Where can you see more of your work?

On Etsy here, or on Facebook here.

Thank you so much, Becca, for sharing with us!

Kids' Art Portfolios

I can be rather last-minute at times. Like this past Saturday, when guests were arriving for a family celebration and I was sitting at my sewing table, finishing off a present for one of my guests, while the apron I showed you in the last post was hanging on my dress form, waiting to be wrapped up for another of my guests. Oh dear. *Blushes with shame*

So I had the idea to make my niece who did these drawings an art portfolio. She loves drawing, and I figured it would be a great idea to have a little portable folio for her to take on car trips, or out to appointments, etc. I had the idea back before Christmas, and went so far as finding some tutorials on Pinterest, but just did not get to it. I remembered about it on Wednesday last week, while preparing for my daughter's birthday party. My niece's birthday is also in August, along with her mother's and brother's. *CRAZY MONTH*.

I used this tutorial from Jengerbread Creations blog, just adding a fold over flap with snap clip to hold it all together. For my niece's, I also appliqued a piece of linen on the front cover, on which I had embroidered one of her earliest drawings of a person. 

Due to my hurried, antisocial, last-minute rush to finish my niece's portfolio, I did not get any photos of it. Oops. I did, however, get (some rather poor) photos of the next one that I made for a little friend of my daughter's, who had her birthday party the next day!

I highly recommend the great tutorial from Jengerbread Creations.

*Confession time* My daughter's birthday came and went, and I still didn't get on and finish her Quiet Book cover, even after writing this post. Aaaaah!! Really, really must complete that this week!

New Little Girly Apron

Here's another order I completed for my super girly friend. A little girl's apron with plenty of ruffles, a pocket and button...

The photos are a bit blurry because I had to bribe my little model to let me put the apron on her in the first place, then she got really into the posing but would not stand still!

Another Fruity Apron

Hello friends. It's a lovely (albeit a little windy) day here in sunny Brisbane. How is it where you are?

I am feeling somewhat satisfied with myself for FINALLY finishing an apron that I started making for my sister's birthday months ago. That is, I started making it months ago, but her birthday was about three weeks ago. It is nice to have completed it to my own satisfaction.

Now that it is finished, I wonder why it took me so long. I made the skirt part basically the same as this one, but just had to figure out how I wanted the bib part to look. Every time I had time to work on it, I had no energy, or no inspiration, or some other excuse...well, now it is DONE! I just hope it fits my sister, or I will be making some alterations.

(Oh, by the way, the apron is hiding my new Modcloth dress! Super excited about finally finding one on sale that suits my body shape and my size!! )

My mind is now whirring with ideas for the ruffly, super-girly child's apron order that I get to make next. I LOVE making up my own patterns, but it takes me a while to work it out from initial sketch through to final product. Since this next order is due by mid-July, I'd better get on it, right?

Mummy and Me Oilcloth Aprons

Wow. It has been another crazy week in our household, what with sickness and exhaustion. Do you ever feel like you are just always at least one day away from catching up on everything? I just never quite get caught up. A common dilemma, I guess.

I have been trying to keep up with my making, alongside all the normal stuff of life. I just have not managed to blog about it for a few days. So...here's a little update of just one of the things I've been working on.

Remember the Kids' Oilcloth Apron I blogged about a couple months ago? I mentioned then that my friend had put in an order for matching aprons for her son and her. I have *FINALLY* made them. Sorry it took so long, my friend!

I learned a lot while making these about what a difference the quality of bias tape can make. Not a fun lesson to learn. As much as I would love to keep things simple and buy as few gadgets and gizmos for my sewing as possible, sometimes I think it would just be easier if made my own bias tape. I know I can do this without a bias tape machine, and have done that before. But...part of me just keeps saying "It would be quicker and easier with a bias tape maker". Arrrgh. Maybe I will relent and request it for my birthday.

Super Girly Half Apron

I have finished the half apron that I received as a custom order from the markets. Danielle from Sophisticake ordered this apron to wear as she makes her delightful cakes. You should totally check out her Facebook page, and if in the Brisbane area, keep her in mind next time you need a cakey creation for a function of any kind!

I designed the half apron in sketch and watercolour, and had a lot of fun seeing it through to completion. I am part-way through making a tutorial for this one, so hopefully that will be up within the next week.

Features a ruffle all the way around the skirt, and the pockets have cute buttons to match the fruit print - one has strawberries, one has cherries!

I will also be making a full apron version of this one soon for a special someone's birthday :)

Kids' Oilcloth Aprons

Today has been a shocker. I will spare you the details, as it is like something out of a B-grade PG comedy involving children and their bodily functions. Not to mention the kitchen disasters. And trying to juggle five activities at once, and the chaos that ensues.

Anyway. One thing that has gone right today is my attempt at a kids' apron out of oilcloth, bias binding and cotton twill tape. A friend has put in an order for matching aprons for mother and child. This is the style I am planning on making, as clothing protection is the number one priority. Oilcloth is great, because you can just wipe it clean.

 

Cute little model, isn't she. As my Mum always says, "God made them cute for a reason." Today is another example of why. ;)