Oven mitt design . . .

Well its a work in progress but I am pretty pleased with the first go around. 

A couple of months ago my mom made a request that I make her an oven mitt and some pot holders.  She desperately needed new ones and after seeing my pot holders. . .really wanted some homemade ones.  So I found some blue fabric. . .blue being her favorite color and traced out an oven mitt.

I wanted something more fitted and not so boxy and clumsy.  So here is what I came up with:

I just used regular cotton fabric and cotton batting for the oven mitt materials.  I then quilted the layers with just simple straight lines which I drew on with a disappearing fabric pen as a guide.  Once the quilted layers were complete, I added binding tape along the bottom and sewed the mitt together.  Note:  I did have to hand sew the binding down after the oven mitt was sewn and turned right side out.  Its a little more work but I like hand sewing my binding down whether its an oven mitt or a quilt because I find it to be more accurate for me.  If I can not see what I am sewing on my machine. . .it does not come out pretty.

Couple of issues with the design so far:  1.  Puckering at the ark of the thumb and seams showing on the inside of the oven mitt.  Now for the thumb, I think i will have to sketch the ark a little broader than originally planned but I don't think it will have too much of an impact of the fitted mitt itself.  But the seams on the inside . . . .that one has me stumped.  On this one I hand sewed a 1.5 inch twill tape around the opening to at least keep it from showing or fraying.

In the end I think its a great first start and my mom will love it!  As with all design. . .its never perfect on the first go around.

Baby Fabric Basket

I think this might be my new staple baby gift.  This is the second Noodlehead fabric basket I have made .....and this one was as fun as the first!  I can't wait to make the third!  Stuffed full of diapers, wipes, and seventh generation baby goodies it feels pretty baby friendly to me.  I think for the next one, I will try to make some baby burp clothes and bibs.

Again, I used canvas for the main fabric and a striped fabric on the inside in corresponding colors (not shown).  I should have taken more pictures but I was up until 11 finishing it . . .and then I had to scramble to make a card after that.  It was a short night sleep wise since I had to get up early to take photos in the day light before heading to work to deliver the basket.

If you have not made a fabric basket yet. . . . . Take yourself right over to Noodlehead and purchase this pattern! She has a few other great ones as well but this one is a must have!

The Emily Bag and The 201 Stitch Cowl

I purchased the Emily Bag pattern on ithinksew a while ago and finally got to break it out for a test run this past week.  This bag is for a birthday gift but is also a test run to see if I like the pattern enough to considering making it for resale.  

Results were good.  This pattern was not difficult to put together, nor was it too time consuming, . . . and the final product turned out really nice. 

Love the colors!  The only thing I would do differently in making another bag is to either use home decor weight fabric or interface the outside layer instead of or as well as the inside layer to give the bag a more sturdy feel.  This bag is for a 16 year old girl who loves Vera Bradley.  I think it will do the job.  

My favorite part was learning to put in magnetic snaps and the inside pocket.  I embarrassingly admit I have never used magnetic snaps before (sigh and roll eyes) . . . I don't know why.  They are so simple to put in and give a really nice professional look.  

I also put in one of my twill tags.  I like them but it does bug me that they were printed a little uncentered.  Oh well I will use them up and look for new ones.  

So I really think this will be one of the bags I sell at craft fairs this summer and fall.  I am already thinking of all the fun fabric combinations.  But first I have a few Brookie projects that must take priority.  She really needs a spring jacket so that is my next priority.

On the knitting front.  I have started another 201 stitch cowl (aka Chickadee Cowl ) for . . .ME!  I have made two of these for friends.  Both of which almost had to be ripped from my crafting fingers (little sigh and grumble).  

This one is knitted with madelinetosh yarn (YUM!) which I picked at Rhinebeck this fall.  I love the colors!  It will be a perfect piece for the fall.

However I can really wait to wear it though . .I am ready to get outside!  This winter weather has been hanging on for way too long! Time to play and run outside with my energetic 3 year old!

Oh and guess what. . .tomorrow is April 15th!  I can finally stick my head outside of the tunnel . . .woohoo!  Our office is closed on Friday so I have an entire sewing day to myself. . .a whole day. . .whole day!  Then a two day weekend to follow!  Brooke and I have BIG plans! BIG!

Completed Cowl

A finished project! In all this craziness that is my life I am surprised I can finish anything these days. Hunting season is in full force which makes my life a living nightmare not to mention making me as ugly as a bear woken in the middle of hibernation. Especially this year with all the added work stress, CPA exam stress, and Brooke being at the age where she is into everything and pushing my every button. Oh how I can't wait for the new year. . .even though it will be the start of tax season . . .the exam will hopefully be over, I will not be doing any bookkeeping duties and more . ..and hunting season will be OVER!

Sorry, . . . .back to the happy place. The Chickadee Cowl really came out nice I think. Really bummed I have to give it away but it was a fun knit so I can make one for myself. Love this colors. . .especially the white alpaca which has a nice fuzzy softness that adds a nice elegance to the piece.

And the stitch . . .looks almost woven doesn't it. An enjoyable and recommended knit.