seams to me

Since I began sewing, I have learned a few different ways to finish seams.

When I was learning to sew in school, we were told to do a straight stitch on both seam allowances before sewing up the seam. 

When I started sewing clothes for my little girl, I zigzagged both seam allowances.

Then I began to zigzag the seam allowances together for a stronger seam.

I also learned how to finish a seam with bias tape, but I rarely use this method.  When I do use it, it is for armholes with tiny seam allowances.

I still use the zigzag method when sewing in sleeves and other curvy pieces, but more often I use french seams to finish seams cleanly without any raw edges showing.  

French seam.

I just learned, as in this week, how to do a flat felled seam.  So handy when making boys button up shirts because it keeps the shoulder seam clean and bulk free.  Plus you have some nice stitching detail.

 Flat felled seam.

Are there other ways to finish seams?

 

i should be sewing

Really, I should be sewing rather than blogging. I've made a bunch of dresses for my upcoming markets, but I still have to make boys button ups. 

I've made two already for a custom order, but none for markets.  

My husband keeps asking me when I'm going to sew the shirts.  He seems more concerned about me being on the ball than I am!

Here is another style of dress I am making more of for spring.  

 

Cute little flutter sleeve dresses.

I also finished up my Covert Robin swap this morning.  Now I simply have to package it up with a little note and send it off to its secret destination.  

Sure hope you like bright cheery colours partner!

covert robin - check!

What I started, I have finished! 

That's always a good thing, eh?

 My last post I showed some peeks of the swap item I am making for my covert robin swap partner.  

Now I show you what I have made from said sneaky peek.  

I am particularly pleased with this bright little pouch.  I love the contrast of brights against the dark blue linen.  Maybe next time, I will try with smaller hexies.  

I used this tutorial from Sew Together to draft the pattern for the pouch.  I made it smaller than they did, and my pouch measures about 8" wide, 4.5" high, and 2 inches wide on the bottom.  I think it's a great size for storing some sewing machine feet or stashing candy.  

No fancy schmancy zipper ends on this pouch.  Just plain jane zipper-ends-here style.  And since the outside was so bright I thought to tone it down on the inside with a neutral print, simple black on white. 

I will be posting more about the pouch and how I came to make it on my partner's blog sometime in April, after she has received it.  I'll let you know where and when.

making the deadline

I finally decided what to make for my Covert Robin partner.

Just a little late, but I will ship on time!

i spy a...

In an effort to get my hexie playmat all sorted out in the near future, I am swapping some 4" i-spy squares. The swap is hosted by Jenn at compulsively creative.

 I had to choose 10 different fabrics and cut 20 4" squares from each.  So I send 200 squares and I get 200 back - 190 being different than the ones I sent! 

Now I probably won't be able to use them all since there are some prints I definitely stay away from such as skulls and halloween prints and the like, but I think I will get enough to finish my playmat!

These are the 10 prints I sent off today.

200 layers of fabric makes a pretty tall stack I thought.

new stock

I've been absent. 

That's because I've been sewing. Getting ready for TWO markets now! 

One right after the other, so I have some serious stocking up to do. 

I am adding some new items to my stock as well.

Boys button up shirts.

And a new dress style, perfect for summer. 

Pattern is the Hannah Dress from Yeppar on Etsy

Off to make some more now!

Getting Busy

For those of you who follow my Facebook page, Little D and Me, you know that I am going to Weestock on April 21st in Edmonton.

 

Weestock advertises itself as 'Edmonton's Unique Indie & Boutique Baby Show' and is booked full with fellow Canadian businesses, so I am pretty excited to go.  

All vendors have products geared toward mom's between the age of 25 and 35, babies and toddlers, and their caregivers.  There are a lot of independent business owners who will be selling everything from kid's clothes and Waldorf dolls to photography and nursing covers.  

I've looked at past year's photos and the hall looks so full of energy and kids!  

I think I will have fun.

I'm a Swap Sucker

I've joined yet another swap.

They are just way too fun and a little addicting when they go good.

This one is a secret swap and it is pretty open as to what you can make for your partner, so long as it is has an approximate retail value between $20 and $30.

There are only three simple rules:

1. make something handmade and lovely
2. send your gift (and guest blog post) according to the above time frames
3. have fun :)

I figured I could do that.  

But I am stumped.  

I have no idea what to make my partner!  

I pretty much have to come up with an idea based on her blog.  I can get an idea of colours and styles from her blog, but not of what to make - what she would like to receive.

So because I am stumped, it may be that my partner is stumped too.  

Let me help you out.

Here are three things I would love to get and could find use for (in no particular order):

1. A pillow cover for a 17.5"x12" pillow.
2. A fabric basket thread catcher thingy - not one that hangs off the table, that would be a disaster with my almost 2yo.
3. A small mini quilt for my wall. 

For colour and style inspiration find check my pictures on Flickr.

I hope I have helped you out in some way partner.  And if you are so inclined, scraps for my ongoing hexie project are always appreciated :)

I'm Back!

We had a good holiday with the family in Holland. Two weeks can go by so quickly, and yet when I look back, it seems like it was longer than two weeks. It was good fun. 

When I got in the house I had mail waiting for me and I could hardly keep myself from ripping open a special envelope because I knew it was my swap package from the Mouthy Stitches swap.  I did wait, for about a half hour before I did open it.  

I knew by the address which pouch it was and that was part of the reason I was so excited to open the envelope.  The address was familiar because it was the same address I sent my swap package out to!  Sneaky swap mamas, pairing Rachel and I together!  

I couldn't be more pleased with the pouch and the scraps I received!  The pouch was one of my favourites in the swap from the very beginning - the colours are perfect, the fabric is a fave and the wrist strap is just what I asked for!  She also generously included some perfect three inch squares for my hexie project.  I also love every one of them, especially the laundry line one in the pic below.

Just look at all this beautiful stuff!

I consider this the front.  LOVE IT!

Bikes on the inside... it doesn't get any better.

I am so in love with this pouch!

Funny thing is, because Rachel was my partner, she had been stalking my blog and had seen the pouch I had made in full, even though I only put peeks in the Flickr pool. When she saw the pouch I had made, she was convinced it was for her!  It really doesn't get any better than when your favourite pouch is the one you actually get.

Also while we were away, my branding stamp finally came.  Now I can brand the clothes I make and people will know where it came from.

I like it.  Simple and cute.