Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders: Hot Pad Apron

Oh, how  I adore the One-Yard Wonders franchise.  I usually mix and match fabrics and I don't necessarily stick with the one-yard philosophy, but I really think they're fun projects.  Maybe because they're generally quick, easy and completely satisfying.  Ever since I got the new Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders book in December, I've had a long list of projects that I wanted to try, one of them being the fantastic Hot Pad Apron.  Lucky for me, this is the chosen pattern for the Sew Along this month!

Like many other One-Yard Wonders patterns that I've made in the past, I didn't use an exact yard of fabric.  Rather, I was given a bunch of fabrics that I had no idea what to do with, and this plaid happened to be among them.  Like I've said before, I like to think that I'm still embracing the One-Yard Wonder concept by being thrifty and using a fabric that I already had on hand.

Some notes on this pattern:

• I didn't feel that there was quite enough fabric for the waist ties (because they were trying to get everything to fit in just one yard!), so I cut my waist ties a little more generously than you are supposed to.
• The hot pads can be a bit tricky to sew, because they get so thick. I didn't hammer my edges flat, but it might be a good idea.
• I felt that I needed an additional tack sewn in the hot pads, as they were still flopping out a bit with only one.  I added one more, about an inch from the first - this seems to work pretty well (see below):

I used white thread to put the tacks through the hot pads, and they are not very noticeable at all - I added red circles to the two photos above so that they are easier to find.

I think this may have to be my new go-to apron, at least for springtime.  No more searching for oven mitts!

Two Gazillion Gathers

Last week, I blogged about my Wave Illusions pillow that I made for the Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders sew along.  Now, I can proudly say that I have completed the second pillow for March.

Those who are paying attention may notice that this is my second Gazillions of Gathers pillow (the first is blogged here), but I did do a few things differently this time.  The first Gazillions of Gathers pillow that I made, I didn't mark lines to sew, and instead followed the lines on striped fabric.  Using striped fabric is certainly easier, as it eliminates the need to measure lines, but it does feel like a bit of a cheat.  This time I used non-striped Lotta Jansdotter fabric that I had left over from some other projects (skirt, binding a quilt), and used a chalk pen to mark the lines for sewing. I love chalk pens - if there were some sort of battle between chalk pens and disappearing ink pens, I would lead the chalk pen army.  But, in all seriousness, they just work so much better/more reliably.

Like my Wave Illusions pillow, I used mis-matched fabrics for the back of this pillow, just for fun.  The plaid is the same material that I used for Wave Illusions and the other fabric was used as the facing for that pillow.  So even though they won't live together, these pillows will (sort of) match.

Even though this wasn't my first go at this project, I had forgotten how much determination it takes to sew gathers well.  My advice for this project is to use pins, lots of pins.  Luckily, though, sewing gathers is also fairly forgiving, because the whole idea is for your fabric to look all bunched up.  So, just as long as you hold your facing and backing straight and flat, it will be beautiful.

I was thinking about giving this project away, but I think it looks really great on the sofa against the quilt that we keep there.  Or, I could put it on my bed where it would match my quilt binding.  So, that's it for March's One-Yard Wonders sew along projects - I'm excited to see what April will have in store!

Wave Illusions Pillow

I have tons of fabric and ideas for items for myself, but these projects always seem to get postponed.  There are tons of reasons why I do this, but I think it is mainly because it is so gratifying to make things for others.  I love seeing my kids in clothes that I make, and I absolutely love giving unexpected gifts to grateful recipients.

The March patterns for my 'Fabric-by-Fabric One-yard Wonders' sew along are the Wave Illusions pillow and the Gazillions of Gathers pillow.  Now, a few months back, I made one Gazillions of Gathers pillow for a family gift exchange, so even though I'm planning to make another for this sew along, it won't be as much of an adventure.  Because I had already tried one pattern, I started with the other - the Wave Illusions pillow.

Rather than making this pattern with one single yard of wool fabric as the book recommends, I tore apart a thrifted wool plaid skirt that I never wore.  It was one of those thrift store buys that I couldn't pass up because I loved the fabric, even though the fit left something to be desired.  I think its new life as a pillow will be lovely.   Because I was working with less than a yard of fabric, I eliminated 2 tucks and made a 14"x14" pillow, rather than a 16"x16" pillow.

Even though I probably had enough wool plaid left over, I decided to do the back in coordinating fat quarters that I happened to have on hand.  I'm a big fan of pillows with contrasting backs, so this pleases me immensely.  I think I'll use some of the same fabrics on the back of my Gazillions of Gathers pillow, so that they coordinate.  

I worry that maybe I'm not embracing the "one-yard" aspect of the 'One-yard Wonders', but I know this is silly.  I think the best way to think of these patterns is that they are a frugal way to enjoy sewing - and what could be more frugal than using a dollar thrift store skirt?

As I mentioned above, I love sewing for others, and this pillow is no exception.  I gave it to my mother, who thinks it will be the perfect addition to her guest room.

Also, just in case you didn't notice - Spring Flowers!!!

A Dino for Arlo

This is a very special dinosaur that I made for my very special new nephew.  He's colorful and soft and everything a new baby needs in a toy.  Of course, new babies don't really need anything at all in the way of toys, but I made it anyway.

His body is made from Michael Miller fabric from last year that I happened to have in my stash.  The eyes, spikes and bottoms of his feet are wool felt.  I used a pattern from the first One-Yard Wonders book, but made some changes.  In the book, the toy is designed to be mounted on a wooden base with wheels so that he can be pulled along.  Obviously, I didn't do that.  Also, the pattern in the book has the piece for the spikes laid out in a straight line, rather than curved to match the shape of the body.  I made one for my son using their straight pattern, and the felt spikes didn't turn out well.  This time, I traced a new pattern for the spikes, but used the body pattern as a guide.  Rather than being straight, my spikes were nicely curved.  This second attempt turned out really well.  The pattern called for button eyes, but, because it is for a baby, I replaced them with felt - I like the effect!

And here's the little man for whom the dino was made:

"I love looking at the pattern on my dinosaur!"

Welcome to the family, baby Arlo!

Hello, Bearlo

Unfortunately, it is sometimes so exciting to make toys for younger kids, that it's easy to forget that older kids like toys, too.  Joanna was more than a little jealous to see the bunny I made for Josh and the dinosaur I made for Arlo.  When I saw the Barnaby Bear pattern in Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders, I knew it would be just the thing for Joanna.  I had plenty of soft corduroy and fleece left over from a previous pattern.  We named him Bearlo, after her new cousin Arlo.  She's quite taken with him (the bear and the baby).

Even though this bear is for an eleven year-old, I decided to hand-embroider the eyes, instead of using plastic eyes or buttons.  I like the look just as well, and there is no possible way the eyes will fall off.  Anyone who is making this project for a very small child should be sure to hand stitch the eyes - anything plastic could potentially fall off.

If there is any advice that I have for others making this same project, it would be to make sure you don't over-stuff the arms and legs.  It will be much less of a headache to finish assembling the bear if he isn't super full.

Josh says that he would like a bear for himself, and I'll happily make one when I have more corduroy (or possibly velveteen!!!).  But for now, there are clearly no hard feelings.

Gazillions of Gathers Pillow

Another family gift exchange pillow!  About a week ago, I posted a photo of my first gift exchange pillow.  This second pillow is quite different, but also lovely. This pattern from ‘Fabric by Fabric One-Yard Wonders’ was a big success.  The directions recommend a lightweight fabric, but I used quilting weight and it worked perfectly.  I happened to have this striped/floral fabric in my stash at home - the stripes really helped to keep my smocking even.  Rather than using chalk to draw evenly spaced lines, I just followed the lines on the pattern! 

Anna's Woodland Bag

Actually, this bag is from ‘Fabric by Fabric One-Yard Wonders’ and it is NOT called the woodland bag.  The name in the book is Bees Knees Pocket Bag, but I didn’t use Bumblebee fabric (as they did in the book), so that doesn’t work for me.  My fabric is all from the Outfoxed collection by Lizzy House for Andover (in case you were wondering).  I love the little foxes!

This bag initially appealed to me because of the curved front pocket.  The premise of most One-Yard Wonders patterns is that you would only use one fabric, but this seemed like the perfect opportunity to use a great lining fabric and let the contrast show in the top corner.  It worked really well!

In the One-Yard Wonders pattern, they have you cutting two slightly shorter straps.  You can see (below) that I decided to do one longer, wider strap instead.  I really wanted something that I could wear diagonally across my chest, so this is perfect for me.

Another change I made was sewing just one large interior pocket, rather than two.  The bag closes with a magnetic snap.

If anything, I wish this bag were a little bigger, but this is a minor concern.  It carries everything I need, including a book and a rather large collection of other odds and ends.  Of course, this bag could easily be enlarged.  It wouldn’t be a “one-yard wonder” anymore, but, since I mixed patterns anyway, using more than just one yard of fabric obviously wasn’t an issue for me.  

Regardless, I’m completely thrilled with the way it turned out.