Fabric Flowers

Of all of the DIY fabric flower books I've read, this book by Elizabeth Searle is definitely my favorite. I made a couple of the flowers and the patterns were clever and easy to follow.

Modern Seamster Magazine

Check out this hip new sewing magazine, Modern Seamster. Available for free download. Lots of very interesting stories and eye candy.

First Attempt

This is my first attempt at the back to school shift dress by Christine Haynes. I'm definitely a beginner, but I think the dress is turning out okay. The directions aren't very explicit and there was only one diagram so I messed up a few parts and had to reconfigure them. I also had some trouble with the gathers and wasn't careful enough about making the gathers even. The fabric is Sis Boom.

I think that I might cut the dress so that it is more of a tunic top instead of hemming it and keeping it as a dress. Thoughts?

Boat Neck Dress

How bad do I want to wear this dress? Really bad. I love the boat neck and full skirt. Too cute. Available here along with a whole bunch of other amazing vintage patterns.

Vogue Sewing Book

I guess I have gone a little bit crazy buying sewing books! I bought this Vogue Sewing book after I flipped through it in the library. It has great illustrations (no photographs though) to explain the details of garment construction. I am hoping that this book will help me figure out those pesky details of patterns that can be hard to understand from the pattern directions.

Chic & Simple Sewing

As part of my campaign to become a good garment sewer, I decided I need to start following patterns (at least until I learn more about construction) and then I can make my own patterns. I bought Chic & Simple Sewing by Christine Haynes, which I checked out of the library first, to start. The first pattern I am going to try is the "Back to School Shift Dress." I am making myself sew a practice version first, but then (if it fits well) I want to sew it in our Sea Gull fabric.

I also have both of Wendy Mullin's garment sewing books, which are great for first time sewers. I have tried a few of Wendy's patterns, with very moderate success. This was several years ago so I think I just didn't know enough. I also didn't keep the patterns so it is on to Christine's book.

VIntage Vogue Reproduction Patterns

I bought these 2 vintage vogue patterns. I think they would make amazing party dresses. Vogue patterns are expensive (around $30 each) but I bought these at one of JoAnn's Vogue pattern sales so they were only $3.99. I love love love the big skirts and the scoop back detail.

My goal is to get better at garment sewing so that over the next year or so I am able to sew these dresses. They use so much fabric (at least 6 or 7 yards) so I want to make sure that I can make a professional looking dress before I attempt these lovelies.

DIY Bathroom Towels

This is the last of the DIY projects from my mom (at least for now)! She sewed together strips of Sew Bettie fabric scraps and then stitched them to white hand towels for the bathroom. Too cute! These would be a great housewarming or wedding shower gift, don't you think?

Thanks to Emily for taking all of the photos of my mom's projects.

DIY Piggie Curtains

My mom made this curtain for her guest bathroom out of 1/2 yard (2 fat quarters) of Retro Fashionable Piggie fabric. She just pressed the ends under and sewed a hem on each side. The curtain rod has clips that attach to the fabric. This would be a great first sewing project for a beginner.

Rebecca Thuss

How bad do you want to go to this party designed by Rebecca Thuss? Love love love.

DIY Lamp

My mom made this lamp with 1/2 yard of French Bulldog Fabric. She added a clean edge with brown ribbon. Recovering lamps is a very easy project to do, although you have to be careful so that it looks good. Here is a link to directions from CraftZine.

DIY Retro TV Chair

My mom bought this chair at a garage sale for $5 and had my little brother spray paint it black for hers. She and I recovered the chair seat in Retro TV fabric. The project only used 1 fat quarter so the whole chair ended up costing less than $20! The seat unscrewed easily and we used a staple gun to secure the fabric - it took less than 15 minutes. This video from Ready Made has great DIY directions.