Lady Bug Wearable Pin Cushion

Sometimes the sewing machine breaks...........

I made a little pincushion today to take my mind off the fact that I still have three outfits half made and another three or four ready to go and no sewing machine. I think a piece has broken off and is lodged in the machinery somewhere. I pulled everything apart and cleaned it, I followed the T.N.T theory. T= thread, is it threaded correctly? N = Needle, is the needle dull or bent? T= Tension, have you adjusted the tension? I think I'm going to have to give her to the professionals to look after.
:(

I hand stitched a large part of my bathing suit top and had a hard time with pin cushion. It kept sliding around on the table. Very frustrating. So I decided it was time for one of these wrist pin cushions.

Here's how I made it.

Things you will need to make this wrist pin cushion:

one sheet each of red and black felt
small scrap of white felt for eyes
matching embroidery floss
stuffing
plastic lid

Tools:

scissors for cutting fabric and plastic
pinking shears
embroidery needles
two large snaps (or some velcro)

Cut an oblong shape that is about 1.5 inches by 3 inches from the lid of a plastic food container.

With your pinking shears cut an oblong of black felt that is a half inch larger than the plastic oblong on all sides.

Make a red oblong that is one inch wider and a half inch longer than the black oblong. Cut two, one inch long triangles from each end of the red oblong. These are darts to make the red piece a three dimensional shape.

Using matching embroidery floss sew the darts closed.

Flip the red piece inside out so the rough sewn edges are on the inside. sandwich the plastic piece in between the red and black pieces and sew around the edge with a quarter inch seam allowance. Stop when you are about an inch away from where you started sewing and stuff the piece between the red felt and the plastic with stuffing until it is firm. Continue sewing the piece until it is sealed. I used red thread but black would work also.

Cut a small half oval from the black felt.

Match the bottom flat edge of the half oval to the bottom flat edge of the lady bug as shown.
Pin the piece in place and sew it there using black embroidery floss.

Pin the top of the half oval around the top of the ladybug tucking and pleating where necessary. Sew it in place using black embroidery floss.

Add a middle stripe and some dots of felt and sew them in place using black floss.

Add some eyes. I used white and black felt but sew on or glue on googlie eyes would be pretty cute too.

Using your pinking shears cut two strips that are two inches by five inches, and two strips that are two inches by three inches. Round off one end of each strip.

Sew the matching bands together around the edges.

Sew the non-rounded ends to the bottom of the ladybug.

Add snaps or velcro to fasten the piece.

I chose snaps, GIANT snaps!

Add a mouth with red embroidery floss.

The plastic will keep the pins from stabbing your wrist. I think this little guy will stop any future frustration from skittering pin cushions.

George helped a great deal by keeping my lap warm. Every time I removed him he crawled back up. It was easier to just work around him and nice to have the company.

Butterick 6582

I finished the Butterick 6582 wiggle dress, made from the thrifted bed sheet.....

It's way too cute.
Gossamer thin.
It will need a slip.
I liked the bow details at the shoulders.

There is a slit in the back to make it easier to walk. I put two little crystal buttons at the top to close the zipper.

It turned out very pretty and girly and fresh.... just what I wanted.
Unfortunately..... I did cut it too small. I need to drop a dress size to wear it.
I will totally wear this when I can get into it. I think it's a pretty good use of 2.99 and a day off.

The Beginnings of Butterick 6582

This is what I decided to do with the blue rose print sheets.

I had the thread and the zipper in the studio just waiting for me and the pattern was there too. I made this for the first time four years ago. So far this project has cost me 2.99 for the sheet.
I think I may have cut it too small though.

Thrifted Sheets for Dressmaking.

We went to London yesterday to shop and ended up at the Sally Anne.
Here's what I came out with....

Fabulous like new, pink and blue floral sheets. I think they need to be house dresses or aprons.

Smurf sheets in really good condition. Maybe these will be jammies.

and SUPER HERO sheets!
These are going to be a play suit... I think. I'll have to hunt for a good pattern.

Do you thrift sheets into clothes? I think it's a terrific way to get really great patterns on the cheap. Plus it's super good for the environment to reuse instead of buy new. Good for my pocket book, and good for the environment.......

Towel Day!!!!

In honor of TOWEL DAY!!!!
My cousin Tyson sent me this Fabulous (He made it himself! I'm so proud!) towel a couple years ago.
We are both Fans of Hitch hiker's guide to the Galaxy.
(I think that's one word...... it's totally one word! but spell check says it's two, so two it stays......)

The towel is never very far from me. You should always know where your towel is!
Seriously, don't panic.... it's only birdy poo...
Time to clean the car huh?

Random gratuitous flower shot......
They smell extra lovely today.
:D

New Retro Pattern, Simplicity 6546.

I've been working like a fiend this week!

Deadline looms on the 25th
I haven't had much time for sewing or playing but I can't believe how much fun this current commission is! I can't wait to show you guys!!!
But I'll just have to be patient......

In the mean time, this came in the mail on Friday........

It's to be made up for summer vacation.

It's lined and takes almost no fabric. I hope I have time to make this up. It'll be adorable with a huge sun hat and some big sunglasses.

Mr. Jimmy had some dental work done this week and is doing very well. He's such a trooper. Auntie J and The A Man have sent these to cheer him.

They always manage to send the prettiest most interesting roses. We are all enjoying these flowers. Mr. Jimmy is sharing them with us.

Sometimes You Just Have to Hug a Dirty Bunny.

We got Maggs a special treat. We fell deeply in love with these

Dirty Bunnies
created by artist

Amanda Louise Spayd
I can't say enough about how imaginative this lady is. Her work is so beautiful and playful I simply couldn't resist this little nubbin of adorableness.
I also have great respect for her as a business woman, her artful limited pre-order sales are genius. Enough gushing.... you judge how amazing she is for yourselves.

Seriously....... how cute is this little guy?
He came with two scatter pins that are molar teeth all tucked inside this little hand made bag.

My only fear is that while wearing it we'll walk into things because we're too busy looking at him. I think he has become the face of that little voice that tells us to do naughty things.

Maggs is making noises about putting him on a hair bow to wear in her hair.
Can't thank you enough Amanda.
We all smile in your general direction.
:D

Short Sparklers for Work.

I'm doing some detailed sculpting over the next few weeks so I shortened my nails to make things easier. I couldn't resist adding some glitter and Mylar to them while I was at it.

Martha Stewart blue sparkles and Mylar flakes in UV gel.

It's hard to get a good shot of sparkle.

It always fuzzes out.

Grape hyacinths and tulips from the garden.

Well...... back to work!

I have some things to do.

I'm going to be pretty busy for the next couple weeks. If I go missing, send someone to my studio to remind me to stretch my legs and eat once and a while.
Thanks!

Shorts from Simplicity 5436

I decided I needed some shorts. The weather is getting warmer and I do need a vacation wardrobe. I used Simplicity 5436 to make a pair. I gave them a back zipper and some pockets but used the rest of the pattern as is..... just shortened it.

The fabric was a thrifted housecoat. I think it was a dollar. I still have heaps left. I'm a sucker for a good floral.

Here they are on me. I like the really high waist. It means I can make more retro crop tops for summer to go with them. I added pockets to make them more functional and to hide the tummy blub. It seems to have worked..... as long as I keep my hands in my pockets that is.

Here are the shorts front view. I think I'll need some more like these in different patterns. They only took two hours to make from start to finish. Pretty speedy!

Maggs picked these yesterday from our yard. Makes things so much more cheery!
Yeay Spring!!!!