IKEA bar stool gets a makeover

Before: IKEA HENRIKSDAL bar stool with a Gobo white cover

(This is what it looks like after day 3, until I wash it again.)

After: Isn't it a beauty?

I took the white one apart with a seam ripper and used the pieces as a pattern. The fabric came from Calico Corners. It has a teflon finish, so I am excited to put it to the test.

One cover down, two more to go.

More 90 minute shirts

I had been warned from Dana herself that this was going to be addicting, and it is. It is because they turn out cute whatever you made them with. I made two more last night and also added the dog to the one I had already posted. I can't stop thinking of cute color combos.

Quick refashion - 90 minute shirt

Quinn has been experiencing a growth spurt, averaging an inch a month for the past three. He started this fall/winter season with 18-24 month clothes, then 24/2T for a few months, and now threatens to move on to 3T before spring comes.

I went looking for warm 3T clothes in Kai's bin yesterday, but without much success. I remembered Kai spent his 3T time in San Diego and didn't need much of that. He just wore a hoodie when it got a little chilly. And that is how I ended up at the sewing machine making t-shirts during Quinn's nap.

I used a "90 minute shirt" tutorial that Dana of MADE put together. The idea of finishing two shirts during one nap appealed to me. No binding, snaps, or buttons sounded great.

Dana shows you in great detail how to make your own pattern with an old onesie you cut up and use as a templet. Since I didn't have one on hand I could part with, I printed out the picture of hers and photocopied it at 400%. Of course the whole pattern piece didn't fit on the letter size paper. I focused on the arm and neck details, and then traced it to my pattern paper. I added sleeve and body length to Quinn's measurements.

The actual sewing went very quickly. Ironing the ribbing in place before sewing helps. I used a large white t-shirt I picked up at a yard sale just for a project like this.

It looked very cute on, but I made a few adjustments to the pattern to make it perfect. I made the arm hole bigger, shoulders wider, and the back top seam lower for our chunky boy. Below is the improved version. The gray and green cotton-lycra knits are from fabric fairy.

This is a great tutorial if you have the patience to work on the pattern until you get the fit just right. It may take a few tries, but it is worth the effort.

Easy Summer Dress

Just a quick post to let you know what I have been up to. I am finally back in the groove.

This easy dress is the first of several projects I have planned for spring and summer.

Pattern: Style 114 of May 2009 Burda Magazine

Fabric: herringbone cotton from Japan (I love the bumpy texture and gauze-like softness of it.)

I first made a muslin with a $1/yd fabric I had on hand. It fit without any adjustments, so I ended up sewing it up to another dress.

Here is another gathered camisole for Asha. (the first one posted here.) I cut up my tunic. It was one of those "I will wear this when I loose weight" purchases. Now, two kids later, I would be happy if I could go back to the size I was then, and the tunic had to find a better purpose. I kept the side seams and bottom hem intact, so it ended up being a quick and fun project.

My sister's wedding - 2

My brother Ken, whom I enjoyed spending time with during the wedding.

I ran into my mission companion in the bride's room. She had just gotten married right before my sister.

Here is a picture from the reception. I wasn't able to stay for it, but I heard it was nice.

Christmas

I didn't make any gifts this year, but Asha got a beautiful coat completed with a hat, a hand warmer, and gaiters for her doll from Aunt Kim. The coat is fully lined and the details are amazing. There is nothing that tickles my sewing fancy more than gifts like this. Thank you, Kim! You are the best!

Scott got me some sewing books. I didn't know I wanted them, but I haven't been able to put them down. There is so much more to learn. He also got me some Project Runaway DVDs. I love it that he likes to watch them with me.

I got some fabric from Japan that I can't wait to turn into clothes. They are mostly lawn and double gauge for spring and summer.

Here is a glimpse of our crazy Christmas morning. Quinn is sporting the safety goggles from the Black and Decker Junior power tool set Santa got him from Costco. Quinn usually doesn't play with toys (He prefers kitchen gadgets and electronics we forget to put away.), but this authentic looking set has fooled him. The sounds the drills and saws make are pretty real, and Santa got a bargain for only $20.

We had a special Christmas dinner with Scott's parents and Scott's sister's family. Scott made roasted duck, oyster dressing, butternut squash risotto, and ginger cake topped with whipped cream for dessert. Everything was just delicious, and we had a great evening together.

Ski Trip

After eight years of having babies, we made it to the slopes this week.

Pictures and video here.