Stop staring and start sewing!

I may be a genius (either that or I'm an idiot)

Yesterday I had one of those serendipity moments while putting some fabric away.  I was pulling the plastic wrap over a bolt of fabric while standing at the ironing board.  The plastic wrapper got stuck on the hot iron and my heart sank (that's the idiot part).  I couldn't find my tube of Iron Off since I have re-arranged my sewing room at least two times since the last time I used it.  I tried all sorts of dumb things to remove it.  I squirted it with cold water thinking it would turn hard and fall off.  Then I sprayed it with canned air because that air turns cold and I thought maybe that would do it.  Nope.

I started thinking about that Iron Off stuff and it occurred to me that it's just a tube of greasy goop, so that gave me an idea (here comes the genius part).  I grabbed a tube of neosporin and squirted some out on a cruddy piece of flannel then ran the hot iron over it a few times.  It worked!!  Eureka!  Clean as the day it came off the factory floor!  Look.

After doing some research I realized that neosporin isn't cheap and maybe I should look for something cheaper.  Sooooo I found a tube of vasoline and heated up the iron.  I stuck some plastic to the hot iron on purpose and then squirted a blob of Vaseline on the flannel.  It worked lickety-split too!  You know, that's probably all that's in the Iron Off anyway.  They just change the label and hike up the price I'll bet.  So I'm feeling pretty darn smart except for the part where the neosporin melted through the flannel onto my ironing board cover (idiot part here, see lower left hand corner of the picture) and left a big old greasy spot on it.  Then I remembered that I had pre-washed my fabric when I made that cover so I can just take it off and throw it in the wash (genius!).  All in all a good day.

I also had a chance to play with some of that beautiful Flirt fabric I got last week.  I've been wanting to try this new pattern I got because it looked cute and simple and was cheap because it's a See & Sew pattern by Butterick (B5009).

I changed the straps to ties (about 17 inches long each) so it's adjustable and I added ruffles to the capris (because I needed an excuse to throw some of the pink nosegay print in there).  Here's what I came up with.

I thought it was cute but still wanting something.  So I added an apron (of course!).  Cute, fast, simple and it really adds some spunk, don't you think?  They have these beautiful shell buttons at Joann and they're fairly cheap (and have a variety of soft colors) so those worked perfect for making the apron removable.

I also made this little outfit and I really like the fact that it's a summery outfit but not summery colors (kind of throws people off that way!).  I've been wanting to use that embroidered lace (on the apron part) for awhile and it looks great with these colors.  I'm trying to use some of the fabrics that aren't selling as fast just to see if they really are cute or I'm just imagining they are.

I added the little birdie so it could have just a hint of some pink.  I like it.

Now I'm going to go play with some of that Bell Bottom fabric!  Fun!

Far out! I got Bell Bottoms (and Flirt too)!

Well the UPS gal (my guy must be on vacation) finally showed up at 5:45 tonight.  So after waiting by the window all day, my impatience has finally been rewarded.  4 beautiful cardboard boxes (it's what's inside that counts) filled with Jennifer Paganelli's Bell Bottom fabric and Flirt by Robyn Pandolph.  Oh boy!  Look!

I'm already picking my favorites.  There's this group:

And these (Sorry about the plastic but I can't have you drooling on my new fabric):

And (oh my gosh!) these:

It's going to take me awhile to get these loaded up in my store so if you just can't wait then shoot me an email and if I got it, you can have it (jona@fabritopia.com).  I didn't get everything but I got a lot!  Check out the Flirt and Bell Bottom galleries to see better pictures.  It's 8.25 yd and I'll ship them quick!

Have a great weekend!!

Bag Ladies unite!

When I started selling hand crafted things on ebay I only did purses and diaper bags because they were fast, fun and don't require much fabric (I'm totally tired of them now).  I was invited to join a group of other gals who made bags and it turned out to be the nicest group.  Everybody was easy going and generous in sharing advice.  Well, the place is a flippin' ghost town now since everybody found etsy and while I miss our little chats, I'm happy to see my friends (or "virtual friends" as Joey refers to them.  Whatever.) finding fame and fortune in what they do.

This month two of my bag lady friends are in Romantic Homes magazine!  I think this is one of the prettiest magazines out there and their creations fit in just perfectly.  Beth makes such beautiful bags but I think her pincushions are even more impressive and unique.  And Beth has a little not-so-little secret.  She's a published author.  Of bodice rippers.  Really (I know, scandalous).

Here's her darling little pincushion in the magazine.  See it sitting there on that pretty stack of fabric?

They even put a bigger picture in the back.  Isn't it cute?  And to be honest, this one isn't even the cutest of her pincushions.  One time another person on ebay started copying her pincushions (it was so blatant it didn't even fit into the "inspired by" category) and we all said "don't worry Beth.  Her stuff is crap and she'll be gone soon" (I think the copycat may have been the recipient of a few pointed emails too.  Just maybe.).  I have no idea where that copycat is today (probably in therapy over those scathing emails) but Beth is published in Romantic Homes, so there's a lesson to be learned.

And my friends Kelci sells zillions of bags on etsy (I think I've sold an incredible 2) and in local boutiques.  She's a hot item I tell ya!  One of the boutiques is featured in the magazine and includes some beautiful bags Kelci made.  She is also published in a local magazine (she lives on the Coast in central California but don't hate her for it) too!  Dang girl!

Aren't these gorgeous (I hope they're selling for a fortune!)? 

Way to represent gals!

Can't help but be inspired

I've been staring at these fabrics for a couple of weeks now and I finally had to play with some of them.  I really love the sweetness of Tanya Whelan's Barefoot Roses collection (and this fabric is so soft).  I can't wait to see her Ava Rose collection and I wish she'd give us some sneak peeks. 

I don't have a pattern for these outfits.  I just have the bodice pattern and kind of work from there and adjust the length, etc.  I just used a regular old pant pattern for the pants though.

I like making the straps that cross in the back.  I think the halter ones put too much weight on the back of a little girls neck (I think these are cuter too).

I think this is my favorite though.  These colors!!  Dang!  I really love the Fresh Cut line (have lots in my store) and I've never gotten tired of it.  It was fun to add a little bit of Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom too.  I think this pink print adds some more fun to it.

I made the back straps a little thinner on this one, and I'm so glad I had an opportunity to use some of  these pretty laces I have in my stash.

I've listed these on ebay and I'm trying hard not to check them every ten minutes.  Maybe I should go for a walk?

I should be getting tons of Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom Bell Bottom (fabulous as usual) and Robyn Pandolph's Flirt (oh my gosh!) next week.  I'm trying not to go into panic mode every time I hear a delivery truck coming down the street.  And sometimes the garbage truck sounds like a delivery truck and that's a real let down when I run to the window.  I need to get out for a walk.

Back in the saddle

Well we're back from Legoland and everyone had a good time (especially a certain 7 year old boy).  I'm glad we didn't pay full price though because I would have been demanding a refund.  And that's all I've got to say about that.

I was very anxious to get back to some projects and had a hard time sleeping last night just thinking about all the things I want to make.  Which makes me grateful for my morning coffee which I love so much.  Anyway...

I finally got around to making something with this pattern I've had for a few weeks and I'm so tickled with the result.  I finally weaned the baby a few weeks ago and I'm getting back to a normal "bosomage" so things are starting to fit better.  I will definitely be making a few more of these tops for summer.  I love the fact that it's sleeveless but still provides good coverage.   It's Simplicity 4176 and it's not out of print (bet you didn't see that coming)!

I made the top in the main picture but added about an inch to the length.  The example looked okay but I hate it when a top looks good and then when you lift your arms it exposes the horrifyingly jiggly results of 5 pregnancies.  Eeeek.

I love this fabric too.  I got it at Bolt in Portland last summer and have been waiting for just the right pattern. 

I really love the fact that it has no zippers or buttons but still doesn't look or feel loose.  It just has a few easy pleats and it went together pretty fast.  I did narrow the bodice at the top so the shoulders didn't tip out so much.  See my sunburn?  I always sunburn in other states but never in Arizona.  Go figure.

I'm very happy with this pattern and Joey liked it right away when he walked in the door tonight so that's a good thing too.  Fun!

Up for air

Thank you all so much for the shopping frenzy!  I just made my last trip to the post office until next week.  I did get a small lecture on stuffing those flat rate envelopes but they took them and I can handle a lecture (I went to Catholic school so I'm tough that way.  Bring it on Sister!).  Of course if the guy behind the counter had been carrying a wooden ruler I might not be acting so bold here.  I've been trying to be dainty in my fabric packing so people will receive beautiful, crisp, flat fabric but a couple buyers told me to just stuff it in there and tape like crazy and it worked!  It's not pretty but heck, you can iron the fabric when it gets there, right?

I finished up a couple little outfits (finally) and I thought I would share a fun way to "girlify" a tank top.  I had to make another one of these tanks so here are some pictures for making the little ruffles ("wings") on the sleeves.  This tank is about a size 6 (in childrens) so you can make adjustments if you're using a smaller one.

Take a piece of fabric 14 x 7....

fold it in half lengthwise and press....

Mark a curved line starting about 1/2" in from the folded edge (I used a fabric pencil because my "mark be gone" pen ran dry.  But it won't show anyway.)  Sorry it's so faint, you'll have to look close...

Make two rows of gathering stitches using the line as your guide...

trim....

Gather until it's about 7 inches long on the gathered edge...

Serge the edge to secure the gathers (you can also just stitch it and then zigzag to clean the frays up)...

Center the "wing" on the shoulder seam and zigzag (on the outside of the shirt) in place...

Ready for take off!!  Cute!!

I hope you all have a great weekend!  We are leaving in the morning for Legoland (yippy!  I think).  Time to pack.

A sale just for you!!

I desperately need to make some more room (and money) real quick because I'm expecting another huge order from Free Spirit (Jennifer Paganelli's Sis Boom Bellbottom and Flirt by Robyn Pandolph, gorgeous!).  So for today (Wed the 9th) and tomorrow (the 10th, right?) everything in my etsy store is 7.00 yd. 

This is just for you blog readers (thank you!!) so you will have to email your order to me at jona@fabritopia.com and I will send you a Paypal invoice.  Thank you!

ed. note:  I'm so sorry but the sale is for fabric only and does not include the patterns.  :(

Thank you all so much for the great response!!  Things are really humming here.  I will be ending the sale at 12:00 midnight tonight (thats Mountain Standard Time), so don't be knocking on my door at 12:02!!

12:01?  Well, maybe.  :D

Is it Friday yet?

This is setting up to be a crazy week here at Casa Fabritopia.  I spent hours loading all my new fabrics into my etsy shop while trying to figure out the website we are setting up.  I think I have it figured out but I need some non-sewing (waaaaaahh) time to sit and load it up.  Then I'm hoping to train my 2 teenagers so they will have something to do when classes let out next month.  I've already got Joey trained in the art of cutting fabric and will have to do a post on the beautiful cutting table area he has created for me (and it's well lit now!). 

All that and getting ready for a trip to Legoland in a few days!  And we're having a house sitter so I have to CLEAN (or rally the troupes which isn't always easy) and instruct the cats in the care and keeping of guests.   Peeing is bad.  Purring is good.

But I did take a little time to do something pretty (and practical) for myself.  A couple years ago I found this little shelf in a shed on my parents property.  All it took was a little sanding and some sweet pink spray paint and voila'! (walla!).  Isn't it cute?  It's been in the garage but I grabbed it today and put it right next to my sewing table.  I loaded it up with the things I'm always having to get up and find.  It makes me happy.

Those orange scissors are only 88 cents at Walmart and they're pretty decent for cutting thread and fabric (just not for tight spots).

Here'a a peek at part of my little fabric shop.  It really is a pretty sight when I come up the stairs although I had to tell those angels to cut it with the Hallelujah chorus when I flipped the light on (it was waking the baby).  Sigh.

Here's more yummy delicious fabric.  C'mon over (the admission fee is nominal)!

And guess what I found today while cutting fabric?  A fabric blooper!  Look at these (don't tell Sandi, I don't want her to feel bad if she hasn't seen it.  We'll just giggle amongst ourselves).

Spell check!

I think it's funny that it's on the lily pad print because frogs sit on lily pads and give you warts (right?).

I've put a couple of new things in my etsy store (well dozens actually, but a couple of new ideas).  Now you can order bundles of 2 fabrics in 1/2 yd cuts (1 yd total. I did the math so you don't have to).  Or you can pick 4 different fabrics in 1/2 yd cuts (2 yards, yep).  So you can mix Heather with Tina or Mary with Jennifer or Anna Maria with Tanya.  The possibilities are endless!

Oh, and I bought my tickets to Portland for Quilt Market today!!  I'm so excited!!  And don't tell Joey but I'm not wearing the "I'm Blogging This" t-shirt he got me for Christmas.  I have my dignity (and I'm planning on sewing something that incorporates everyone's fabric so I can be an equal opportunity kiss-up!).  See?  Dignity.

Time for Tea

I finished my little teapot (short and stout!...) outfit today and breathed a big sigh of relief.  I've been invited to be part of a launch with a really nice group of gals on ebay and I actually finished ahead of time (that never happens).  I made a pair of jeans to go with it and appliqued a few things on them.  I think I'm getting a little better at it.   I seriously hope this makes me a ton of money because it took forever!

The straps are supposed to be sewn down in the back but I wanted to do something with a little more flexibility in case it ends up on a tall girl.  I made loops and then put the (extra long) straps through them and I think it really looks prettier than the pattern.

Guess who showed up again today?  I got a picture as he was coming up the walk (and he never even knew it!).   Sorry for the bright picture but it is Arizona and I didn't have time to adjust my camera because I didn't want him to catch me (I know I wouldn't want somebody taking a picture of my backside).

Here's a sample of the chaos that ensued.  I'm going to be crazy busy this weekend!  Don't worry though, I am planning on sharing. 

Fun!

Hey Cupcake! (this is harder than it looks)

I'm working on this little apron for a dress.  I know, another apron.  But when I said I was on an apron kick I meant it.  This one is turning our super cute but my machine applique work is harder than I thought it would be.  I don't have much experience with it and I think it's another one of those things that just takes lots of practice.  But overall I'm pleased.

The stitches on the teapot are sort of wobbly.  Especially the handle.  I really like this fabric though because it makes it look like a chintz teapot (don't you think?).

I started with this.  Some sketches and fabric choices.

Here's where I'm at now.  Not bad for a novice (as long as nobody look close).  Don't you just want that cupcake?!   Fun!