49. baby bibs: create using leftover fabric

It has been a while.  I know.

About a month ago, I started another project on my list.  It wasn't exactly an unfinished project, but it is something I have wanted to do for a while.  Create baby bibs to give away as gifts.  The trick is that I only allow myself to use supplies that I currently have on hand.  I find that when I approach a project in this way, I tend to get more creative.

So, while my project is not finished, I did make a good start.  I cut and pinned together 15 bibs.... using up 1 fabric and a good chunk of another.

Here is a shot of where I left off.

Sadly, it is still in the middle of my small living room.    Next time, there will be binding... and they will be FINISHED!

#54, #55, & #56

After being sick in bed for a good three days, and having my messy house driving me crazy for the awake hours, I got in a busy cleaning mode this weekend.  Just the usual... laundry, piled up dishes, cleaning out forgotten items in the fridge, etc.  However, the usual turned into a pre-Spring cleaning of my wardrobe.  It was great tossing some in the trash-- If I shouldn't wear a pilled shirt, then someone purchasing at AmVets shouldn't either-- and adding to my donations bag.  Of course, I came across a couple items that need to be added to The List.  

#54.  Brown striped pants.  The hem had fallen out a couple of years ago, and so they just need to be mended.

#55.  Green & white striped T-shirt.    I bought this shirt at a cheapy store, and it held up OK, but now it is really beyond wearing.  I will be cutting it up to make a pattern, and sew a new one.  It was such a good fit for me.

#56.  Baby Quilt.  I proposed the idea to my Mom that we start meeting to quilt once a week... just a little project to help each other use up our piles of fabric-- we are only allowed to use fabric we have on hand-- and to have a set time to meet once a week.  I am planning on making a bow tie quilt similar but not exactly like this.  Oh... and the reason I am making a baby quilt is not in anticipation of growing our little 2 person family, but because I am trying to start out with a manageable project... so that I will finish it!

#46 Yanessa's Birds

Again... another project that took way too much time.  The pattern was by far the most complicated part.  I probably made about 8 different patterns, and I still feel like the final pattern could use a little tweaking.

Luckily, I had a little helper... aka The Husband... Here he is at the main event... The Wedding that the birds made their debut.  He really can take credit for getting the slope of the back and head right, as well as bending the wire legs.  The design of the legs was referenced from Peonies Blog.  She had good insight and ideas on how to build these cute little creatures.  

The Husband also made a pattern of his own that I am very excited about making up... it looks more like a pigeon... a cute pigeon.

Here are a few shots of the little guys.  They are, of course, styled after the Ann Woods Birds, at the request of the Bride.   Actually, she really only asked me to help her figure out the pattern, but it took way too long, so I just said I would make them up for her.

The night before the event, I called on another helper... my Mother (not pictured)... and I am so glad I did, as Yanessa would not have had her birds... I am most certain about that.  My Mom is much more crafty than I, and so had all the special glue and know-how.  We wrapped the wire legs in brown floral tape and then covered them with this bronze glitter glue.  We used glass head silk pins first just as place holders for what would become the eyes, but then decided we liked them better than any other options.  The noses were shaped from clay, and baked.  She made about 8 noses, and broke 6. Ughhh!  I know all that doesn't sound like a lot to do in an evening, but it took 4 hours to complete the legs, make and apply the nose, flowers, and wings, and glue in the eyes.

So... at 12:45am, on the morning of the Wedding day... the Birds were COMPLETE.

They really were pretty fun to make... once the pattern was complete that is....  I now want to make a couple just for myself.  

I'll add that to the bottom of The List.  

One Down and... How many to go?

So I finished #47 Oga Cupid Dress, a ballet costume.  Yeah!  It feels so good to be finished.... (or almost... I actually still have to finish the edge of the hem once they decide on the length, but that really should only take a few minutes.I don't know what it was with this project, but it just wasn't going smooth.  Partial ill planning on my part, and partial... well... Ok, all ill planning on my part... and serger not cooperating.  Hours passed by while I tried to set my machine up to coverstitch... and then eventually had to settle for a crooked edge.  ughh.

Thank goodness this is a costume that will be seen from afar.  I think the owner of the costume is happy... but I see all the random mistakes or uneven stitches.  I may have to make another on my own terms to see about a better construction technique.

So, here is a close-up of the top of my version... it is still a little rough (ie. pins).  Little Dancers Mom added embellishment later.

Here is the Russian made costume I had to reference:

In the end... I am happy that I made the costume.  It was so fun to get to know the little dancer and her Mother better... both so cute.  It also got me back into sewing... since I really haven't made anything in a while.

Now, on to #46 Yanessa's Birds, which is a project where I will be copying, sort of, these birds, that sell out way too fast... or else she would be purchasing.  I hope they turn out cute enough.... they will be going on her Wedding cake.  Should be fun.

Why do I agree to do such things... ughhh

So, I agreed to help someone make a ballet costume.  "Oh sure!" I say.  "It shouldn't be that difficult."

A few hours into it, and I am cursing, and making my husband promise to remind me never to agree to such projects ever again.  These kinds of projects ALWAYS take longer than I or anyone else anticipates. 

... so... 15 hours into this "project" and I am still hours away from being finished.  

I'll post a picture of the finished project.... hopefully soon... this torture will end.

The List

Here it is. The List. There is no order. Some of these projects have due dates, but most do not which is part of my problem. So, I will pick and choose from my list depending on my mood. Many of these are just mending, but since they have sat un-mended for so long, they must make the unfinished project list.

2. Toe Socks: need to shorten length

3. Black Vintage Dress: strengthen all seams

4. "Isaac Mizrahi" Dress: take in waist

5. Vintage Dress Blue/White Abstract Print: strengthen seams and hem

6. Fuschia Dress: reduce sleeve circumference

7. Yellow "Banana Republic" Blouse: alter to make interesting and wearable

8. "Dickies" Shorts: finish hem

9. "H&M" underwear: make pattern (bathing suit)

10. "Soma" Slip: make pattern and convert to have cap sleeves

11. White Hawaiian Shirt: copy and change to The Woodie Shop liking

12. Keely Dress: make slip and dress based on her custom form

13. Emily Dress/ blouse: design and make

14. Brown Shirt: make pattern and modify for modesty

15. White Cardigan Sweater: replace all buttons

16. Black Surplus Front Knit Top: make pattern

17. Grandma's Pink Slip: make pattern

18. Pink Leopard Print Towel: make into after-shower wrap

19. Japanese Head Cap: make pattern

20. Wide Leg Black Pants: reduce leg width and hem

21. Onsies (3) and Infant T-Shirt: decorate

22. Nicole Drape Front Blouse in Yellow/Gold Fabric: make

23. Nicole Dress Pattern: use top portion to make blouse

24. Nicole Black Skirt: finish (cut down waist & hem)

25. "Vena Cava" Blouse: make pattern

26. Black Leather Jacket: fix tear

27. "Sunshine & Shadow" black blouse: change all buttons and make pattern

28. "Cynthia Vincent" Grey Blouse: change buttons

29. Ivory Silk Blouse: shorten sleeves

30. Nautical Theme $1.00 Dress: mend and make pattern

31. Black Vintage Dress: finish changing to strapless dress

32. White Night Gown: fix straps

33. Vintage Organza Dress: fix seams at waist and side seams

34. Red with Ivory Polka Dot Top: make pattern and make skirt to attach

35. Beige Cami: sew

36. Gold Knit Top: make pattern and add modesty

37. Black Knit "Ralph Lauren" Dress: make pattern

38. Black Knit "Zio" Dress: make pattern

39. Black/White Print Dress: finish neckline

40. Black Vintage Dress with Gusseted Sleeves: pattern

41. Ivory Charmeuse and Black Lace Dress Drape: convert to paper pattern and finish dress

42. Ivory Tunic Top: reference to make pattern for silk T-Shirt idea

43. Silk Cape Drape: pattern and finish

44. Lace Shrug Drape: pattern and finish

45. Red/White Print Blouse Pieces: convert to paper pattern

46. Yanessa's Birdy Pattern

47. Oga Cupid Dress: make

48. Oga 50's Dress: make

49. Baby Bibs: create using leftover fabric

50. Ivory Chairs (2): finish

51. Western Theme Flannel Baby Blankets: make

52. White Dress: make

53. Brent's Pigeon: make

54. Brown Striped Pants: mend hem

55. Green & White Striped Shirt: make pattern and new shirt

56. Baby Quilt: ongoing fun project

57. Have Baby: March 28th 2011

58. Organize Shoes: a lot of them
59. Katie's Blouse: alter fit
60. Kitchen & Laundry Room Curtains: make
61. Dance Costumer: make, just for fun

This list will keep growing as I dream up others projects for myself, but in my large pile of existing unfinished projects, I was able to eliminate 3. I realize 3 is a small number compared to the 50+ projects listed here, but it's a start.

Unfinished Projects

I love to begin new projects.  So many interests and so little time.  Many of my unfinished projects are sewing or fashion related.  However, many of them are not.  I have moved them across the United States and back again, from house to tiny apartment, and from storage to home.  My most recent move into the first home of my married life has made me try to re-evaluate my many unfinished projects again in order to see if they are still worth finishing.  Due to the fact that I have a difficult time getting rid of things, most of the projects are worth finishing (at least in my mind.)

In the past, space has been a major issue, but now I have an entire room devoted to arts and crafts.  What fun!  Right now, it is a mess.  So, my first project to finish this year will be:

1.  Clean up the craft room in order to make it functional

Here are a couple shots:

I hope that this blog will help me focus on unfinished and new projects.  A full listing of unfinished projects will follow soon.  Hopefully, I can turn them all into finished products.