Manly otedama

I'm getting ready for an intense weekend of sewing. I just completed this custom order of "manly" otedama for my etsy shop, Hot Gumbo.  Now I am moving on to clothing because I have an order for a smocked baby gown and slip...and I have made an awesome slip pattern (I can't wait to get it sewn up).

I'll also be starting two dresses for my niece...her Thanksgiving dress and her Christmas dress...and the fabric is really pretty.

Everything is cut out and waiting....

 I have had quite a few orders to get out over the last few months...and have really enjoyed each one.  My dad died in June, and I find that my grief is somewhat helped by spending time quietly making beautiful things.  Daddy took great interest in the little patriotic smocked dress I completed the week before he died (pictured on this blog).  It made me feel so proud to know he was proud of me.  Here is the latest creation from the studio.  This is a newborn size smocked bishop gown.  It will be the going-home-from-hospital gown for a little girl in NC whose mother is so anxiously awaiting her birth.  I can't wait to see the new baby in her first dress.  It's amazing to be a part of the etsy community because it lets me be a special part of so many special days in the lives of people I don't even know.  That makes me feel connected, somehow.  Pictured above is the full view of the dress.

Here is the silk organza bow closure in the back.

A close-up of the pouf sleeve and smocking.

Center neckline and smocking detail

Ironing Board Cover Tutorial. SUPER EASY!

My old tabletop ironing board cover was in awful shape.  Spray starch really did leave a mess on the surface.

The tag indicates that the cover should not be washed.  I washed it anyway, but, it really didn't help.

I picked up a yard each of two sewing-themed fabrics on eBay. It probably took less than a third of the width of the fabric to make an ironing board cover.  I decided to make two since I couldn't choose between the fabrics.  Plus, when one is in the wash, the other is ready and waiting!

While I was at it, I cut two layers of wool felt to the exact size of the foam pad to make my ironing surface extra padded.  I find I get a better result with the thicker ironing pad.  

I used the old foam pad for my "pattern".  I laid it on the BACKSIDE of the fabric I would use for my new cover.  Be sure to line it up with the straight of the grain (equidistant from the selvedge).

Using a seam gauge and an air-soluble fabric marking pen, I marked dashed lines two inches out from the pad all the way around.

Then, I joined the dashed lines to make a cutting line.

I made my second cover...I just laid my first cut out cover atop the other fabric and cut around it (on the straight of the grain again).

 I serged the edges to finish them.  However, you could use fusible hem tape, or a turned and stitched hem (1/4 turned down, then straight stitch).  You could also do a zigzag finish all the way around.  You could even just cut them with pinking sheers.  I plan to wash mine a lot...so, serging was the way to go. 

Fold the hem allowance in 1 inch.  PIN IT!  I also like to press at this point.  It makes hemming so much easier.

Here is another shot of the pinned seams.  I just gathered the curves a little by pinching and pinning.  Now stitch it all the way around.  I used a 3/4 inch seam.

I used a big safety pin to insert polished cotton twine into the channel made by hemming (just like you would thread the drawstring through your hoodie).  It is washable and durable and can be snugged tightly without breaking.

 I layered, face down, the new cover, two felt pads, and the old foam pad salvaged from the ironing board.  By turning the board upside down, I was able to get the cover and pad layers on perfectly aligned and cinched very tight without calling for assistance!

 Here it is...all finished and in use!  I made the second one at the same time...and I couldn't be happier with the results.

Instead of spending all of my time in the studio this weekend, I spent half of my time in the garden...and on the deck.  This is where I like to sit and dream up new projects.  I also made an ipad cover and a skirt.  But, I spent most of my time here "fluffling" the deck. 

I made a chandelier for my deck as well.  Here it is all lit up at night.  It is made of candle holders and Christmas lights.

Maura's dress for Ella Grace is ready!  Here's the listing in my ETSY shop! 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/101622273/custom-order-hand-smocked-reversible

I made a lot of progress on a custom dress for Baby Ella today.  It is hanging now as I always let a dress hang overnight before hemming and topstitching.  This is the front.  I had to cut the bodice apart and insert a smocked American flag panel that I made

Here is the smocked panel prior to cutting the bodice apart and inserting the panel.

Almost finished.  This dress is reversible.  The reverse side is an adorable red seersucker micro polka dot.

A closeup of my smocked flags.

I made the pattern this morning.

Here is my weekend project.  I can't wait to get started on a patriotic criss cross dress for a sweet baby girl.  Her mom contacted me on ETSY and has been enjoying designing the dress with me.  It will have a smocked panel with American flags on one side.  The best part...ruffled bloomers!  I think those are so adorable.  I'll post pictures as I go.

A finished Christening gown for Baby Crimson.

The angel sleeves and hem are edged with Ayershire lace and a lovely hand-tatted variegated pink lace.

The Peter Pan collar edged with hand-tatted lace

Blocking the tatting.

White on white embroidery on the smocked area

Two Christening Gowns in Progress

 Yesterday I made two smocked Bishop-style batiste Christening gowns (I embroidering them today). One is an order from a colleague for her newborn great-granddaughter. It will be white embroidery on white fabric. On that one I used some lovely double-edged Ayershire lace that was given to me. I cut the lace lengthwise and used it to fashion angel sleeves. I'll also be doing some French insertion along the lower skirt with the Ayershire and trimming the Peter Pan collar and the hem with hand-tatted variegated pink lace (made by my friend, Margaret). Since I had enough fabric for a second dress, I went ahead and made one for my ETSY shop. I made hand-made lilac gingham bias to trim the angel sleeves. I may do a simple lilac embroidery on that one. I think I have enough fabric for matching bonnets for both. If so, that will be the next project.

This is a close-up of one of the pillow tops.  Stitch and Slash Technique (from a Craftsy tutorial).

Both pillow tops.  The fabrics are identical. but, I varied the layering and the design.  They look very different, but, fit together beautifully.

Another close-up.

So, the studio clean-up didn't take very long yesterday.  I just needed to re-organize and clear out a few things.  I always have a surge of creativity when the studio is tidy (just can't resist messing it all up again!).  Here are some pillow tops I started for my best friend's new studio.  She is moving into a new home and finally has room for her own creative space.  I am so happy for her, and I'll be going to Nashville soon to help her set it up and decorate it!  YAY!  The next step in the process on the pillow tops above will be couching on cording and other flat trims over all of the stitching lines.  Then, I am very tempted to bead the butterflies as they are screaming out to me to be embellished!  Last weekend I had a sciatica flare up and I was flat on my back on the couch.  I used the down time to take online classes at Craftsy.com.  I learned so many things (even about general sewing, which I have done for over 30 years now).  I'll post pictures of the finished pillows when they are complete.  Today's project:  a smocked christening gown for a colleagues great-granddaughter...I'll post as I go!

Long Weekend: Clean, Organize, Create!

The studio gets disorganized when I don't spend enough time tidying between projects.  I am happy to have a space where I can close the door and not have to see the mess I have created.  HOWEVER, I am much more creative and productive when my workspace is orderly.  I admire artists and crafters who can make beautiful things in messy spaces.  I am not one of those people.  I am looking forward to the long Labor Day weekend ahead.  I have taken Friday as a vacation day and the agency is closed Monday.  That means I have four days to clean and re-organize the studio...and to CREATE some new projects.  Pictures above:  Rubber stamps and some wonderful Jaquard favbric paints stored in nick-nack shelves.

This is my sewing table, bought at the Habitat Re-Store (they always have great sewing cabinets and tables!).  The lifting mechanism was rusted shut, but the wood of the cabinet (Teak, I think) is gorgeous.  My sweetie put a shelf in it to hold my sewing machine.  It has lots of storage inside (did I mention you can never have enough studio storage), and a drop-down extension leaf.  Best feature?  It is a lovely mid-century piece that looks great in my home. Above the table is a rubber stamp storage piece made from some slat wall that the previous homeowners left behind in the basement.  

The wire grid wall was also left behind by the previous homeowners.  They were using it as a pot rack in the kitchen.  With a few s-hooks, it holds tons of things.  The bulletin board on the right side of the picture was given to me by a girlfriend who was throwing it away.  Her dad made it for her when she was in high school.  It is VERY heavy and very nicely made.  Makes a great design/inspiration board.

These are mostly CD storage boxes (and a few other sizes) from Ikea.  They fit perfectly into cloth hanging closet organizers and hold all kinds of things.  They are labeled to make it easy to find my stuff.

These are inexpensive ($14), assemble-them-yourself bookshelves from Garden Ridge.  I stacked them on each other to give me a whole wall of storage...which is currently abysmally messy...and a major focus of the re-organizing I'll be doing.

Serendipity: A New Treasure and Storage, Too!

I found this great piece on clearance at Micheal's this week and thought it had potential as a decorative studio storage piece (can you ever have enough storage in a studio?).  It is a jewelery mannequin made of wire.  It coordinates well with the dress-form-printed sewing machine and serger covers I already own and it is very useful beside the sewing machine.  I haven't filled it with notions and tools yet, but, I'll post another picture when I do.