Beast Mode on Costumes

I haven't been doing much quilting this week.  I was tasked with making a costume for one of the characters in the school's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr play.  This is a huge ordeal for our school.  The kids are in 2nd-5th grade and they work HARD and put on an awesome show.

This is the first year my daughter was old enough to try out.  She got the part of an enchanted salt shaker.  Trust me when I say she is going to dazzle!   (Proud momma moment!)

So back to the costume...To be perfectly honest, I hadn't sewn anything requiring a pattern since my last home ec. class in high school.  We will just say that has been a while.

I was given a pattern for a pirate and this picture of what they really wanted it to look like.  (I hope the link works.  I am by no means claiming ownership.)  So I reluctantly took measurements of the boy playing the fish man and began cutting out the fabric.

I started with the shirt.  I didn't get any pictures because to me honest I was just focused on not messing everything up.  Then I went on to the hat.  This was actually the most fun.  I had a little confidence since I had done something similar for one of my daughter's Halloween costumes.

I started by cutting out as large a circle as the fabric would allow.  No I didn't measure because that is just how I roll.  I tied a piece of yarn to my chalk pen and moved my hand up and down the yarn until I found a radius that would work.  Then I marked off the half circle with the chalk while holding the yarn in the center.  It didn't have to be exact since I was gathering the edge to the size I needed.  I just needed a lot of bulk so that it would be nice and floppy.

Then I went around the outside of the circle with two basting seams; one at 1/2 inch and one at 3/4 inch.  

Once I had both seams in, I found the side of stitching that has a straight thread.  I am pretty sure that is the bobbin side of the stitch.  Any who, I  grabbed the two loose threads and started gathering the material.

Then I sewed it to the rim of the hat.  With that many pictures I bet you were expecting to see the final product.  I was too.  The whole turned out really well, but unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of the finished hat before I turned it today.  Sad face.  I wanted to get a picture of the actor in it, but got caught up in the excitement and forgot.  I think it went over pretty well though because when he walked into the gym where the rest of the cast was everyone started clapping and cheering.  You think I am over selling this, but they did.  He came back in and said, "Everyone really liked it.  They clapped for me." Awe!  

And another indication that I didn't do too shabby is that they gave me another costume to make.  So I am off to make this one.

I have to take them in Thursday to do a final fitting, so I will make sure I get a picture this time.  

Machines and Memories

So a couple of years ago (yes YEARS!) my mom gave me her old sewing machine and cabinet to sell in a yard sale.  The entire time it sat in the yard I secretly hoped no one would buy it.  My husband and I agreed that anything that didn't sell would go to the Goodwill.  Well, the sewing machine did not sell.  But as always, it is a woman's prerogative to change her mind so I now have this beauty sitting in my basement.

Yes.  I know.  It is not a "beauty,"  but this is the first sewing machine I ever used.  Used is a loose term....

Somewhere I have a picture of me when I was about 4 standing on top of this cabinet with a silver microphone, you know the 70's stereo mic, singing, "My hearts on fire, for Elvira! Giddy Up, Oom Poppa Oom Pappa Mow Mow..."  If I ever find the picture, I will be sure to post it.

Over the years it has been a drawing table, night stand, props in many childhood games.  I remember one time my sister lost a pair of earrings.  My mom and I helped her search all over the house for them.  I finally found them in the thick carpet by one of the feet of this sewing machine.

It is kind of like one of those trick boxes that you press a secret lock to get it to open.  If you try to just open it the top hits the edge of the opening.

So in order to get it to open, I have to slightly open the bobbin threader compartment, which allows the machine to clear the opening.

To be perfectly honest I am not really sure I would know how to use it even if it was in perfect working condition.  I mean seriously.  What in the world is this?

Here are some pictures that show the different parts.

It really needs a good cleaning and an overhaul.  I haven't gotten around to taking it to the shop yet since I bought myself one a while back that I really love.

My sewing machine is super easy to use and is mobile.  So for now, mom's machine will sit in my basement and wait for me to get around to cleaning it up.  

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An Old Project and New Inspiration

As you may know, I am jumping back into quilting after taking a unintended break.   Since my last post prior to my hiatus, both of my kids have started school.  With that came homework, piano practice, swim lessons, basketball, football, dance, Girl Scouts, etc.  All of that on top of a full time job.  I am sure I am not alone in letting some of the things I enjoy slide so that my kids have a few experiences I know they would enjoy.  The objective now is to find a way to do both!

I am getting back into the groove with this cute hexie which surprisingly reminds me a lot of my rooster.  I even have black chickens that complement the top.  

It is a little wrinkled as I am paper piecing it.  This is my first time paper piecing.  It is made up of 4.75" hexies.  I am really enjoying it so far.  It is nice to be able to pick it up and work on it for a couple of minutes at a time or sit and sew on it while catching up on TV with my hubs.  I am working on getting better at evenly stitching both in my piecing and quilting.  

  

I love the fabric.  My favorite by far is this one with the adorable deer.

My daughter is already asking me who this one is for.  I believe she is going to be a quilt hoarder.  That is one of the things I love so much about quilting.  I am actually making something my family will cherish.  

I am curious, what are your favorite paper pieced quilts?  Any tips for a newbie?

Costume

And this is what I have been doing instead of quilting lately. 
I did start on my nephew's quilt but don't have a picture yet.



I got the basic in formation on how to make this costume from the following blog:
http://sewlikemymom.com/strawberry-shortcake/

I didn't do the applique.  I just didn't have time.  I made a stensil out of freezer paper and painted the strawberry design on. 

FINISHED

I actually finished it! 

Sorry about my little lady's hair.  She just had got up.  I told her a soon as she was dressed she could have a surprise.  I finished it last night after she went to bed.

This was supposed to publish yesterday.  I got in a hurry and didn't make sure it did before signing off.

Too Precious To Start

Some thing in life are just too important to rush.  Since I finished my daughter's quilt I thought I would get out the quilt top my mom recently gave me to see how big it is.  It was a top my Mom Mom pieced.
As I spread it out over my bed the familiar but long lost smell of my Mom Mom's house greeted me.  Oh the memories!  I just wanted to wrap up in it and feel her close to me again.  I always held her in such wonder.  She passes when I was 17.  Oh how I loved her.  Being in her house and seeing all the beautiful things she made was more awe inspiring than any trip to a museum ever!
In that moment I realized that even though I would love to finish the quilt, I am not ready yet.  You see, I am new to quilting and am not sure I could do it justice yet.  Better to practice and grow in my ability before working on such a special project.  So for now I will fold it back up and store it lovingly.