Quick Update

My computer had a virus that caused it to randomly shut down. This meant that I couldn't spend any time updating my blogs or facebook. But, it also meant I could spend a lot of time sewing! As a result, I've completed two projects: one VERY easy and one more difficult.

I've updated my project total and the time left in the right-hand margin. I haven't updated the total money. I haven't added it up yet. So, as I update my projects, the total project total will also go up.

Project #3 - 961 Days Left

Stuffed Letters - "S" "N" and "C"

Cost Breakdown

Fabric: $10.41 (More expensive than normal, but I allowed Steven and Natalie to choose their own material)

Thread: Free (from my stash)

Pattern: $.99 (Joann's Fabric pattern sale)

Stuffing: $9.49 (yes, it was expensive, but I ran out of stuffing and needed a new bag. However, any stuffed project from here on out will be free since the bag was rather large and is now part of my stash!)
Total Cost: $20.89

Project Rating
Difficulty: Easy - The directions were straight forward and easy to follow. If you've never used a pattern before and want to learn how, I HIGHLY recommend "Sewing Patterns for Dummies."

Enjoyability: Excellent - Easy project with quick results makes for an enjoyable time.

Time: Excellent- The only reason why I wasn't able to complete all three letters in less than an hour was because I had to go to the store and buy stuffing!

Final Product: Excellent - Natalie and Steven were so excited to chose their own materials and they have been sleeping with their letters ever since.
Overall Rating: Excellent

Materials:

5/8 yd of material for each letter, since each letter used a different material - the pattern explains how to determine the amount of material required for more letters. I used cotton and fleece- the results were fantastic for both.

Stuffing- that's a big bag! Matching thread, scissors, pins.

Pattern:

Sewing Patterns for Dummies - Simplicity #4928. Although, if you are good at making bubble letters, a pattern would be unnecessary.

Instructions:

Follow the directions of the pattern for cutting letters out.

Pin the letters rights sides together.

Sew around edge, allowing a 1/2" seem allowance. Leave section open as indicated in the pattern

Cut notches into curves as explained in the pattern directions.

Flip the letter right side out and stuff

Hand stitch the opening.

Project #2 - Bedskirt

1000 Days Left

Toddler/Crib Bed Skirt

Cost Breakdown
Fabric: Free (My grandmother purchased all of these materials for me for my birthday
back in September. Therefore, I do not remember how much each material cost.)
Thread: Free (from my stash)
Pattern: Free (Once again, a birthday gift)
Total Cost: $0.00


Project Rating
Difficulty: Moderately Easy - The directions were straight forward and easy to follow. I only struggled with the "deck" of the bed skirt, so I made minor moderations.
Enjoyability: Excellent - I was so excited to use this on my daughter's bed.
Time: Okay - The panels of the skirt were easy to create, but due to the challenge of sewing the panels to the deck, I decided a break from the project was in order.
Final Product: Excellent - It is a little long, but if I sew and additional 1/4" of the panels to the decking, that problem would be solved.
Overall Rating: Great- LOVE the way this turns out. I can't wait to finish the other items to finish Natalie's new bed set.

Materials:

1 7/8 yds of main color (yellow), 1 1/4 yds contrast color (pink), 1 1/2 yds decking (white cotton), matching thread, scissors, pins. Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler are optional

Pattern:

McCall's Home Decorating M4855

Instructions:

Follow the directions of the pattern for cutting and assembling the panels. Do not use the pattern for the deck.

For the deck, measure the length of your long panel and the length of your short panel. Add 1 inch to each measurement. Cut a rectangle with these dimensions.

Sew each panel to the deck with a 1/4 inch seem allowance. Sew around the panels and deck again 1/2 inch in from the previous seem.

Project #1 - Toothless the Dragon

1001 Days Left
Toothless the Dragon Stuffed Animal

Cost Breakdown
Fabric: $4.49 (50% off)
Eyes: Free (given to me by a friend)
Thread: Free (from my stash)
Pattern: Free (found on the internet)
Total Cost: $4.49



Project Rating
Difficulty: Hard - due to the size of the project. A larger proportion would have been easier to do.
Enjoyability: Good - I knew I was making this project for a friend's son, so it made it totally worth it.
Final Product: Decent - I failed to consider the bias of the material when cutting the back, so the tail twists a little to the left. However, this is a minor detail and the recipient seemed to not mind at all
Overall Rating: Okay - Despite some errors, the project ended up quite decent.


Because I'm starting my 101 crafts from three projects I've already completed, I did not take pictures of the process.

I used the pattern that can be found at Deviant Art. The creator of the pattern was Katy A. It can be found HERE.




The pattern is straight forward. I suggest increasing the size of the pattern by 1.5. I have created Toothless before, increasing the dimensions and found it much easier. Since the eyes I received for this stuffed animal were small, I did not increase the size, nor did I cut with a 1/4" seam allowance. This made the project incredibly difficult, but well worth it, proportionally.

I used a black fleece as the pattern suggested.

New Challenge

I love sewing, and I'm confident that I get better every time I use my machine. I ran into a blog called Zenia Creations where the author has challenged herself to make 101 sewing projects in 1001 days. I LOVED this idea and have decided to set forth the same challenge. I've used her rules as mine, since they were very comprehensive and, frankly, she already set them in place. Easy for me!

This may be cheating a bit, but I've made three projects since Christmas Eve. Therefore, I would like to start my challenge on that day.

So let's set up some ground rules:

• When I say 101 unique sewing projects, that means no repeats! For example, if I make a bag I love and decide I'd like to repeat it in another fabric, the second bag does not count as one of my 101 projects.
• One of my major goals is to show how to make really great projects on a tight budget. I am a stay-at-home mom, so we don't have lot of extra cash. Bargain-hunting will be my new profession! To save some cash, I will avoid buying patterns and fabric at full-price and will always attempt to use either fabric I already have, something on sale, or even maybe find some used items at a thrift store to tear apart and put back together. -- This will be my hardest rule. I have a habit of falling in love with certain patterns or materials and nothing else will do!
• I will take pictures as I go to do my best to document how I put each project together.
• Part of learning is to continue to push oneself to learn more. As I go, I will try to take on more difficult projects, with the end goal of creating my very own pattern of some sort, whether it be clothing, a bag, a baby carrier, etc.
• I will rate each project based on ease, enjoyability, and the final product (did it turn out like I hoped it would).
• Each time I post a new project, I will keep track of what # project it is, how many days left I have, and how much the project cost.
• And lastly, I want to have fun doing this!