Soccer Shirt Done

We had a hot day yesterday with a high of 36.4C or 97.5F. There was plenty of sunshine for everyone. Today is to be warmer and then back to normal temperatures for a couple of days. It is summer in our area.

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit spent half a day in Ambulatory having his monthly immune booster via IV. He had a bit of an upset stomach this time so didn't do a lot when he got home. But looking out the window was entertaining. Fire trucks and ambulances going to emergencies, police ticketing a driver, and the by-law officer doing the same. His best laugh of the day was our neighbour. He put a lamp on the side of the road for free and it was gone in 3.5 minutes. The things that entertain you when you aren't up to par.
We were busy getting ready for inventory at the store. We worked until 9 p.m. last night and got quite a bit done after hours. We want to be done by early next week and it is looking possible.

Sewing

I bought the following items for doll clothes. These are for the soccer outfit I am making. Balls for the t-shirt and maple leaves for the bag.

The small square buttons will go on a dress or shirt; maybe even the little western shirt I want to make.

The buckles are for belts and the celtic knot buttons are for a doll's outfit also.

They were fun purchases I found when helping customers look for doll notions. I always offer them to the customer and then hold them for 2 or 3 days afterwards if the customer returns and wants them.
I made the ladies' soccer team shirt for the doll yesterday. I do like it but cutting it out was a pain. No where does it say to cut two of the from and one of each back. I cut one of each and had to cut out a second front. All worked out well in the end.
This is one version of the top where they had a white band coming up and fading out into a halogen maple leaf. The neck band was white. They will wear this outfit to the Olympics 2016 in Rio. 

 The shorts are pinned onto the fabric and I have started cutting them out. Last will be the socks.

Today

I am home and am cleaning up the living/dining room prior to sewing. Laundry will be done also. I get my hair cut early this evening.
Until the next time..........................

More Doll Clothes Ideas

Yesterday was hot with a high of 33C or 91F. By 5 p.m., it started to cool off as a storm was coming in. It is suppose to be hotter today.

Lifestyle

Elliot showed us how to sleep during the daylight.

He can be such a silly boy!!
It was run around day for us. We got some groceries and then we headed out to see the neurologist. The Spousal Unit has two small growths on his brain. One will never bother him but the other one could be a result of his cancer and could cause seizures, headaches, and hand numbness. Or it may not bother him at all. He gets another MRI in December to keep an eye on it.
In the afternoon, we headed out so the Spousal Unit could look for parts for the gate and I went into work to get some fabric. The Spousal Unit found nothing, I got a few things.
After that, we gassed up the vehicle and took a drive to the posh part of our area. Big houses, small lots, and one idea we came home with for our house. Paint the house a light colour and add stone to the front where the wood siding is.

Sewing

The doll set up in the store.

She is quite a hit with the girls. And has been named Rachel.
I did buy a few items for sewing. I will show them in another post. I did get these two patterns though.


McCalls 4896

McCalls 6904

McCalls and Butterick patterns are on sale for 1.99 on their website.

I am making soccer outfits in red to represent the Canadian women's soccer team. I want to use both patterns. I have ordered two pairs of soccer cleats for the outfits. I am thinking of buying a second doll.

The Garden

It is growing like crazy and the Spousal Unit has picked 3 English long cucumbers for us to eat.

This is the most amazing garden we have had in years.

Today

I work from 8:30 to 4:30. Here's to coding and waiting on customers. I'm looking forward to it.
Until the next time...........................

More Doll Clothes Completed

Yesterday we woke to it raining and sat outside listening to it. It did clear off and was a lovely 26C or 79F.  This morning is damp again, though we had less rain than yesterday. It is suppose to be cooler. The weather people are calling for it to get hot again.

Lifestyle

Yesterday was a day off so I started cleaning up the guest room. The floor is 75% washed and had a lovely layer of dust on it. I did it on my hands and knees so it would be really clean.
While in the room, I started to sort through the Christmas fabrics once again. I have 2 huge bags to go to a friend who will give them to quilting guilds. I have one banker's box left of mixed fabrics. There is some Christmas fabric in the mix.
I still have one more half day to finish up the room as I need to sort and organize a bit more, launder the bedding, and finish washing the floor. But, I am happy with the results so far.

Sewing

I spent the other half of the day sewing for the 18" doll. I sewed an apron for her and she looks like she could cut fabric at a fabric store on July 1 (Canada Day).

The apron was quite simple to sew. Next came the hat which was a bit more difficult but not so hard it wasn't fun to make.

Lastly, I made the tote bag which was the most time consuming of all the pieces. It has a piece of fabric folded into pockets on the front which was very fiddly to work with. But, in all it turned out well.

 I sewed the last large piece of the maple leaf fabric into a table cloth so she can have a picnic or cover a table. It is folded up and in the bag.
In all, I am happy with the results and she will be in our Sew Canadian display at the store.
I will be making more of these items when I can. I have some fabric which will be perfect for aprons, hats, and bags.

Today

We have to grocery shop and then I work the late shift at the store. I do hope to get a lot of number work done on fabrics today/night.
Until the next time............................

A Doll's Apron and Bag

It was a warm day yesterday with a high of 27C or 81F. Today is suppose to be the same. It was humid yesterday which people were complaining about. If the weather person has guessed right, it is suppose to be hot next week.

Lifestyle

The Spousal Unit got a call from the doctor's office yesterday and confirmed that his pneumonia is gone. We had figured it out as he has more energy and is napping less.
The garden continues to grow rapidly with the warm temperatures we have had. Soon we will be eating beets from the garden as they are that big. We will also be eating an English long cucumber. It is amazing!!

Sewing

I have a small project to sew for the store's "Sew Canadian" display.

The apron and bag will be made out of the remainder of this fabric.

The apron will have red rick rack and the bag will have red ribbon on them. The doll will wear the grey pants and red t-shirt as that is all I have for her to wear that co-ordinates with the maple leaf fabric.

Today

I am working an 8 hour shift and tonight I will have a quiet evening. I am off Thursday and will be doing housework and sewing.
Until the next time.....................

Mid Summer Thoughts

• It is suppose to be the longest day of the year and we have had cooler weather than normal.
• The higher spots had frost a couple of days ago and some areas had snow.
• We headed out yesterday to visit friends and wore our coats outside to look at their yard.
• They have almost finished the upstairs of the house they bought. It looks fresh and crisp.
• The colours they chose are exactly what I had envisioned for our house. We are copying some of it, especially the paint colours.
• My renovation juices are flowing and I have ideas of how I want the rooms to look. I need to be patient though.
  
• While the men talked renovations, we ladies talked about sewing. That was fun.
  
• The next sewing projects are planned; pyjamas for the dolls and a few other simple craft items like pillow cases and a bed throw for the guest room.
  
• This week is wonderful as there are no doctor appointments.
  
• We are recovering from our tenant having a 24 hour party Friday-Saturday. He is within an inch of being evicted. We are within our rights to do that.

I work today so I had better post this and get ready to go.
Until the next time...................................

Doll Outfits Completed

We have had some rain and somewhat more normal temperatures, we have not had the rain northern BC has experienced. We love the rain as it waters our yards but those in the north have experienced not seeing their yards. We did experience this type of weather a few years before we left, looked at pictures of the flooding the year after we left and pictures of the flooding yesterday. It is amazing how these people pick themselves up and move forward after such devastation. The people of the north are such strong people in my opinion.

Lifestyle

I have been working 40 hours a week. I am learning the process of inventory and am doing well at it. I keep it organized by writing notes on the back of the inventory slips and attaching paper to the front. All mean something to me to help me get everything in the right place the day before inventory.
The Spousal Unit had another chest X-ray yesterday and we haven't heard from the doctor so no news is good news. He is feeling much better and is bored. He can't do a lot of things he loves to do due to his cataracts. When I am off, we drive around some so he can have a change of pace and location.

Sewing

Yesterday and today, I had a bit of time to work on doll clothes. A knit remnant was used up as I made two knit tops for the dolls.

When I made this top, the neck, sleeves, and hem were bound with bias tape. I stretched the neck so had to insert elastic to gather it up to look nice again. A good save.

With the jacket on. A cute outfit for the doll.

I also made the 18" doll a t-shirt for her grey outfit. More pieces than the Cabbage Patch doll's t-shirt but still an easy make.

I am finding these patterns boxy and would love to make them more fitted through the body. But for little hands, these may be the best.

Jacket on to show how it all looks together. I then tucked in the shirt and did up the jacket.

And the dolls together in their matching outfits.

I had a lot of fun making these outfits and am looking forward to making the next outfits. I am doing, it seems, matching outfits for these dolls.

Today

I work from 9 to 5 p.m. It is the start of a big sale so it could be a busy day.

Until the next time............................





Triangle Pocket Bag

I enjoy making reusable grocery bags and found another version at Sew Mama Sew. As usual, I did my take on her lovely idea.

Fabric

I used a Canadian maple leaf print and a solid coloured quilting cotton along with some piping that is polyester.
I bought plenty of the print and was a bit short on the solid so I changed my size slightly.
Straps - 4" x width of fabric. Cut in half.
Bag Body - Cut two pieces of fabric 21" x width of the fabric.
Pocket - Cut one piece of fabric 21" x width of the fabric.
** At this point, I cut the fabrics so they are all the same width and then cut them all in half to have 6 pieces:

• 2 for the pocket
• 2 for the outer bag
• 2 for the lining
• 2 handles

Interfacing - I used a light weight interfacing to line both the pocket pieces but will only do the outer pocket the next time. It is also used to line the handles. The outer bag pieces were interfaced with a craft weight interfacing. The lining wasn't interfaced at all.

Procedure

Straps

Interface the straps as shown in Sew Mama Sew's tutorial or in my post.
Fold the straps in half lengthwise and press. Bring the raw edges to the center and press again. Fold the strap in half and press well. Stitch both sides close to the edge using matching thread.

Pocket

Interface the outer pocket.
Fold the pocket pieces in half as shown in the Sew Mama Sew tutorial. I marked 2" across the top and 8" down the side. I drew a line to see if I liked how it looked and then used the rotary cutter and ruler to cut on the line.
On the outer pocket, I pinned the piping on and basted it down. I laid the inner pocket on top and sewed the two seams together. Turn right side out, press and top stitch close to the edge.

At this point the pocket is done.

Bag

Interface the outer bag. It will be stiff. On the front bag piece, pin the pocket along the top, sides and bottom. Lay the back bag piece on top. Sew the sides together using a shorter stitch and a 1/2" seam allowance.
Lay the bag on the table and measure 2.5" from the stitching line at the top and bottom of each corner.

Cut out this square. I re-stitched the seams where I cut so they wouldn't come unstitched.

This is the lining piece but the outer fabric with the pocket is done the same way.

Press all the seams open and then match the side and bottom seams together. You will have the seam allowance in the middle with the corner of the square on the outside edge that is folded fabric. Stitch closed with a 1/4" seam allowance. Your bag can stand up now and has a bottom to it.
Do the lining piece the same way. The lining is not interfaced. The seam allowances can be a hair over 1/2" in width though the square at the bottom should only have 1/4" seam allowance.
Following this tutorial add the handles. You have to go half way down the page to get the instruction. From there you follow the instructions to the end to complete the bag.

Enjoy using your new bag. This one has a towel in it and is for our grandson.
Again, a thank you to Sew Mama Sew for the great idea and tutorial.

Checking In

We have had it quite warm until this morning. A shower has gone through and it is quite cool. It is suppose to be cool for the next several days. I will enjoy that for a few days.

Lifestyle

I have been busy at work and getting home and resting in the evenings. We are on the go getting ready for inventory. It is a lot of work and everyone is pulling together to get it done.
Elliott was to the vet yesterday for a check up. His weight has been bothering me as he seemed heavier than before. The answer was YES he is fat and had gained weight. He logged in at 21 pounds.
The vet has put him on a diet and he is not happy. He is whining about the new food and has only eaten about 1/2 cup in the past 20 hours. He will get over it as we aren't offering him anything else. Weigh in day is July 9.

Sewing

I bought the rest of the fabric to make another reusable grocery bag or a bag that can be used to carry items to picnics, the beach, farmer's market, etc. The original design is from this blog post by Sew Mama Sew. I am on her blog all the time looking for ideas. I do adapt some of them which I will be doing with this bag.
The feature fabric I have chosen has red maple leaves on it. That will become the pocket fabric. The bag itself will be a solid red cotton.
I am changing up the size of the bag to be larger and I will square off the bottom so it is more like the reusable grocery bags I make.
I will be doing a tutorial on this bag making reference to the original post where necessary.

Today

I work an 8 hour shift and will be busy at work.
Until the next time..........................

Table Topper, Runner, and Napkins

Some time ago I started the Christmas Once a Month thread. Life intervened or shall we say the Spousal Unit was sick and I stopped doing an item a month. I will be doing more on this as time permits.

Fabric

22" by the width of the fabric will make 2 napkins.
45" by the width of the fabric will make a table topper.
20" by the width of the fabric for a table runner.
The fabric I chose is not quilting cotton but a lovely cotton that is in the garment fabric.
I had the fabric ripped but am not sure if it is necessary. I washed the fabric to remove any sizing and to shrink it as it is 100% cotton.

Napkins

I cut two 22" by width of the fabric into four napkins and then spent a lot of time making sure each piece was 20.75" square. That gave me the least amount of waste. The finished size is 17" square which is almost a dinner size napkin.

Sewing Steps

I machine basted 3/8" from the raw edge.

Fold to the wrong side and press well. Do not unfold this piece when doing the next step.

Fold a second time so the hem is 1.25" in depth. Pin and press well.

Unfold and remove the basting thread. Once that is done, I carefully folded down the ends to form a triangle. The hem fold had to line up so I had the same measurements down each side.

I lightly pressed and then drew a line across the base of the triangle on the wrong side.
Fold the triangle in half making sure the half way part is where the two 3/8" hems meet and it is lined up. Line up the line and sew. I started and ended with a short stitch length.

Cut the fabric off 3/8" from the stitch line.

Clip the fold almost to the stitch line.  

Press the seam open with your finger.

Turn to the right side out.

Take your time and get a nice sharp point at each corner. Fold down the hem, pin in place, and press well. Using a longer stitch, stitch close to the edge having a long thread at the beginning and end. I tried to have the needle down on the seam at each corner. Tie the long threads and snip.

 I am pleased with the stitching on the napkins.

I folded the napkins into fourths to take pictures. 

Table Topper

I cut the fabric to be 44" and then cut it down to be a 42.5" square. When finished, the table topper is 38.75" square.
I followed the same procedure as the napkins so the topper has mitered corners. When I folded the hem, I used a 1.5 inch hem rather than a 1.25 inch hem.

Table Runner

As I had enough fabric, I was able to make a table runner.
Fabric size - 20 x 43". The finished size - 16.25 x 39.25"
I followed the table topper and did a 1.5" hem.

I certainly would make these in Christmas fabrics. I am thinking how I can do the hem part in a different colour or pattern.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I will add a picture when it is in my friend's house.

More Fabric

Yesterday was a hot day and it hit when we walked out of the store at 5:20 p.m. The high was 36C or 97F. The a/c ran all night as the temperature didn't drop before bed time. The front door is open this morning so Elliott can have his time looking at the world (in his mind) go by.

Lifestyle

I worked a full day yesterday so didn't even look at anything around the house. After supper, I sat down and slept on the couch for most of the evening. I was tired.
The Spousal Unit has been doing a few things outside but comes in when it gets hot. We are both afraid he will have heat exhaustion after being sick for so long. He is feeling better and commented that he is much more alert. He still naps for an hour or more each day.

Sewing

I purchased some rayon knit yesterday that was in the store's office.

I am not sure what I will sew with them but it may just be doll clothes. The colours are lovely and would make lovely slips for under this sheer dress.

Today

I am home for the day and I want to finish the table topper. We have to go out do some shopping and chores but I do want to be inside in the afternoon as it is suppose to be hot again today.
Until tomorrow..........................

The Garden is Flourishing

It was quite warm yesterday. The high got to 32C or 90F. Today is suppose to be warmer ~ 36C or 97F.

Lifestyle

I took a quick walk around the backyard yesterday looking at the vegetable plants. They are growing by leaps and bounds.
The English long cucumber plants are doing well. One plant has three small cucumbers on it.

The slicer cucumbers have doubled their size in the past three days. A few blooms were spotted.

The carrots and beets are flourishing.

And the potato plants. We usually eat new potatoes on the Spousal Units birthday but his birthday is in July not June. We could be robbing new potatoes for dinner on July 1, if not earlier.

Though the garden is 1/4 the size of our previous garden, this garden is going to give us a lot of fresh veggies to eat this summer.

Today

I work today and then get tomorrow off.
Until the next time........................