Pillows

I re-covered our sofa pillows with matching red fabric and scraps from the blue and brown curtains.



You can click this photo to see a larger image.

Tapered Window Valance

This pattern for a lined ruffle valance is borrowed and modified from Quick & Easy Window Treatments by Gail Abbott and Cate Burren. The original pattern does not taper at the ends.



You can click either of these photos to see a larger image.

We Have Curtains!

I finally got around to doing the handwork on my blue kitchen curtains. I had to stitch the loops and add buttons. They are now officially finished.

I also finished the sheer curtains for the front picture window.
You can click any of these photos to see a larger image.



Next step: a tapered valance for the top.

Tablecloth

I found this lovely remnant of decorator fabric for a few dollars at Hancock Fabrics. I thought it would make a nice tablecloth since
a) decorator fabric is wide enough to cover the table without an additional border
b) it's polyester - no need to iron!



On the left here you can see the raw cut of fabric - it fits my table well. All I had to do was hem it and - voilà! The photo on the right shows the finished product.

Curtain Update

I have made some progress on the kitchen curtains, as you can see here. I still need to talk with Brian about curtain length and hanging height before I finish them. The final steps will include hemming the curtains, stitching the loops to the back, and sewing a button at the base of each loop on the front side.



This pattern is from Quick & Easy Window Treatments by Gail Abbott and Cate Burren.

New Project: Curtains

I am ready to begin my next big sewing project: curtains for the front window and two kitchen windows. Here you can see the fabric Brian and I have chosen.

The front picture window will have a tapered valance of brown fabric (far right) and sheers of the rust-colored fabric underneath it. I plan to make cafe-style half-curtains for the kitchen from the blue fabric (far left). I will use the red fabric (center) and scraps from the other two to cover a couple of pillows for the sofa.

That's the plan. Wish me luck!

Love to all,
Sara

Cat Costume

Our Cats-loving young cousin recently turned four, so I made her a tail and ears.

Baby Hats

Here's another project from Simple Gifts to Stitch by Jocelyn Worral. It was my first experience with stretchy knits. Both hats are from the same pattern, so don't ask me why they came out in two different sizes.

Baby Blanket and Bonus Burp Rags

Here's a baby blanket I made for a friend. The pattern is from Simple Gifts to Stitch by Jocelyn Worral. The blanket is made from flannel on both sides with batting inside the quilted circles. I made a few burp rags with the extra gold fabric.

Coaster Set

The traditional gift for a second wedding anniversary is cotton, so I thought I should sew something for Brian. Here are photos of the box and coaster set I made. The pattern for the box is from Simple Gifts to Stitch by Jocelyn Worral.

Picnic Placemats

This pattern is from Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter. I made the placemats with outdoor fabric for maximum durability. They roll and tie nicely with the attached ribbons.

Tablecloths

Tablecloths are expensive, especially considering how easily and often we stain them. In addition, sewing them involves mostly straight lines. The result? I made several for my own dining set in March 2009.

















I also made a tablecloth for Natalie. Again, I gave away the finished piece before I photographed it. However, here's a photo of the fabric I used. The red broadcloth made a border for the calico.

Aprons

I've been making aprons for over a year. Every time I think I'm done with them, I find another friend who needs one. I have a nice pattern that makes a reversible apron with piping along the edges; the aprons look very nice when they are finished. I haven't been doing a very good job of photographing the aprons before giving them away, but here are some photos of the fabric scraps.

I've also included photos of two complete aprons: mine (with cherries) and one I made for Michelle from a world map panel. Michelle's took a little more work than the others because I had to piece it together, but I'm happy with how it turned out. As for mine, I wear it all the time.