Still more toys

I've finished a blue purse and a red purse, and I'm working on a bunch of money.

Pennies and Quarters....

Still working on the toys, but now I've invested in digitizing software. The first creations with the new software are pennies and quarters, simple designs with the denomination on the reverse and the appropriate bust on the obverse.

The penny needs some work - the color for Lincoln looks much better on the patterned fabric than the more golden color I chose for the 1.

Mirror, mirror, in my hand....

Mirrors! Yet more work on the xmas presents... Again, this is the Molly Mine purse pattern, with various colors of cotton fabric and foam core to give it stability. The mirror material is adhesive-backed vinyl from Specialty-graphics, who sells it by the foot ($2 per foot for 15" width), and shipped it out really fast (arrived within 3 days for standard postal shipping). This is a poor scan, since you cannot actually tell the mirrors reflect nicely. The flexible material does create some distortion, but the overall effect is pretty spectactular considering the price of materials.

More photos of toys

Some toys....

Along with the play money from Molly Mine, I also purchased a purse pattern and roadsigns. I'm going to be making presents for some children I know (so if you know one of these children, please don't give away the secret)

Some edits to the purse design were necessary - first and foremost the design files are meant for one single purse to be constructed at a time. This isn't very practical when I have a large number (8? 10?) on my 'to do' list. So I used Embird to edit the files - merging several copies onto the same hooping. In addition, some files were stitch-edited such that colors and outlines were done in an order that makes the higher volume easier (join multiple instances of the same color, run all applique stitches together, etc). I'm still working out the kinks, but it's much faster than one-off.

Some more play money - Curious George

Spent some time making more play money, this time with Curious George as our featured portrait. It's turning out rather nicely.



















For the interested parties, this is an embroidery pattern purchased from Molly Mine, and can be found here: http:\\www.mollymine.com

Making Money

So I've decided that children destroy play money far too quickly. To combat this problem, money made of fabric with an embroidered motif should withstand the rigors of childhood.

Back after a hiatus...

This blog hasn't been updated in close to 2.5 years... yeah, I know...

I just got a new toy, a janome 10001 embroidery machine (thank you Craigslist), and I'm starting a whole new set of sewing tasks - toys and stuff for young children. I'll post about it here as I get things accomplished.

Kid's room - completed

I've finished off the curtains - after a week or two of time to stretch, they could be hemmed.


Extra fabric was used to make the crib dust ruffle. The pattern is 5 rectangles - a 'base' that will be hidden under the mattress with a finished size of 52" x 26.5", two short sides finished size of 56" x 32" (double fullness pleated, double thick), two long sides finished size of 112" x 32" (double fullness pleated, double thick). By doubling up the ruffles, they hang nicely and can be reversed should the 'outside' get dirty.

I should add that the finished ruffle hangs about 15" down from the mattress platform.

Props to the sister-in-law, who made the crib sheet.

There's still tons left (maybe 14 yards?) so perhaps some floor cushions, laundry bag, slipcovers, liner for a swing/car seat/stroller, cover for a boppy pillow.... lots of ideas, not much motivation. :-)

--Mickey

Kid's Room Windows

Here's the curtains (nearly finished) for the kid's room. The pattern is 'girl' but not too girly.



Fabric is from Mike's Fabrics "Circles - Spring" (where it was cheaper to order the half bolt than to order 13 yards elsewhere) It did shrink nearly 2 inches per foot of length, so don't forget to pre-shrink your fabric people! Hems are not complete, as I want the fabric to hang and stretch if it's going to. Since this is a child's room, I've substituted very large stainless steel washers for traditional lead pennyweights. Those will be tacked onto the bottom hem once it is complete.

Pleats were made using Goblet Pleater tape from Rufflette.

With all the extra fabric, I may do up some additional nursery decor - Crib dust ruffle, laundry bag, chair slipcover for a glider, etc. Then again, I might just sleep instead.

Living Room Windows

I've finished the living room valence and started work on the drapey-thing. You can see the prelims here, but I'm not sure I like the result. I may take down the green sash and tack it to the back of the valence, then use some beaded cording to tie it back and up into swags. The far left is going to be cut short, but final length is undecided at this moment.

(the blue chair was a hand-me-down, so it isn't going to match until I get a slipcover made or reupholster it)

--

Simplicity 5318 - The office curtains

This was created using Simplicity 5318 pattern, I just repeated the festoon several times and created side panels similar to the pattern. The sheers are store-bought and hemmed.

Fabric was from http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com and trimmed with 3" gold bullion fringe from Textol. The dragon sconces and plaque are from Design Toscano.