Time for a T-shirt makeover! If you've got a shirt with a design you love, but the size isn't right or you just don't have enough opportunities to wear T-shirts, why not put that style to work as a messenger bag? I used the free Robert Kaufman Dubstepper pattern to do just that.

I used black twill for the entire bag and the back of the shirt I cut apart for the tablet pocket, though you could of course coordinate fabrics with your shirt in any way that suits you.

Have you checked out Foamology yet? It is a great new product from the same company that makes many of our other foam products (think baby bumpers, pillows and chair pads), Fairfield. These stiff foam pieces have sticky backs so it can all be no-sew. I was able to play around with the Foamology 12" x 18" two piece kit and it was a lot of fun. I decided to go full out no-sew to make some wall art for my daughters' playroom. My oldest loves dinosaurs and pink and my youngest loves horses. I used my old stand-by of coloring pages and printed out my two favorites: a triceratops and a quarter horse in profile.

Dinosaur Horse Color Party

It's that time of year again to make costumes for my two daughters. I wanted to branch out and try all new costumes and patterns but my 5 yr. old begged (there was some serious begging going on) for another dinosaur costume in Pink. She has been giving last year's dino costume quite the workout (riding her scooter, going on walks, roaring over hill and dale) so I knew the French Terry was the right choice for her but I wanted to give the spikes/plates a little more oomph. I decided this year to return to the fleece but just for the spikes. I loved how well her Lion's mane held up when I made it from the fleece vs. the jersey so I made the main body from Red (but I told her it was dark pink so don't rat me out) French terry and Bright Pink fleece. 

Find What You Need for Apparel and Home Décor Sewing  

September is National Sewing Month and the perfect time to celebrate the sewing skills you already know and indulge in a new set of sewing skills that you have been waiting to try!

Two weeks ago, we focused on the notions you would need to get started quilting.  This week, we will focus on what you will need to start sewing apparel and home decor, including this darling sewing basket!

We are SO CLOSE to October, which means I can amp up my usual spooky love to its fullest level. One of the ways I love to celebrate the weeks leading up to Halloween is with fun dresses in Halloween fabrics.

When I first saw this skull print for the Raven collection, it was love at first site. It has the best of all the Halloween possibilities: orange and black, a little bit of a pirate vibe, damask-style framing -- what's not to love?

For fall, I love a good dress. It is perfect to layer; to throw on when I am getting everyone ready for the day and I always feel put together. I chose the Moneta Dress by Colette because it has a classic silhouette, sounded so easy and it can fit into any wardrobe. I envisioned it with sandals until it is too chilly, with a lace cardigan, with leather knee boots, with a boho scarf or even a motorcycle jacket. I fell hard, and set about ordering my fabric. I decided on a Ponte De Roma in navy for a sleek, work-type look that would also work well for PTO or date night. My second choice was a lightweight Tencel Jersey that was very soft and slightly silky. I thought this would be perfect for day to day, running errands, meeting friends, and museum trips. The pattern was so easy and actually a lot of fun. I loved how simple the silhouette was, lending it to easy modifications. I set to work.

I have been on a FOE (Fold over elastic) binge ever since I made my first head bands and used them on diaper covers. I love FOE because it is so versatile. Up until recently I had long hair and the fold over hairbands I made were the perfect accessory. They didn't slip out, didn't pull, didn't leave a mark on my hair and I could adjust the size to fit my thick hair (I cut mine to 10 inches as opposed to the 9 inches recommended by the tutorial. I love the range of colors and prints - it makes it so fun. But you are not subject to only making hair bows and diapers with fold over elastic; it has so many uses, not the least of which is that it is a great way to reach that free shipping mark.

I have a lot of hair accessories. A. LOT. And they tend to be scattered all over my bathroom vanity, my sewing room, clipped to random things around the house -- you get the picture. There's zero organization. So, it's time for action. I wanted to find a way to keep my accessories handy and easily accessible, but out of the way. I decided to frame them as art!

Ever on the hunt for ways to save some cash, I decided that I would start by combing through my local thrift store for frames. I had initially thought I wanted one very large frame, but once I actually saw what was available, I decided on two medium-sized frames instead.

Here are the two beauties I took home with me:

I was recently inspired to make a new dress for my littlest who is almost two. Call it a birthday dress or a holiday dress, I haven't decided yet. My inspiration came from J Crew Crew Cuts Liberty Dress. It is a gorgeous gathered neck dress made from Liberty of London fabric and with a belted waist tie. I coveted it for my little girl but knew I had to make some changes. The first change I made was to shorten the sleeves. It is still reaching the 90's in Georgia so long sleeves are a long way off. The second change was to go in a different direction with the fabric and add a tulle ruffle along the bottom. I love the Liberty style of printed fabric but I wanted to try two different quilting cotton fabrics: one for the front and one for the back, sleeves and tie. The third change I made was to use a bias cut facing on the neck edge. I thought it would be easier to work with the gathers but honestly I won't go that route again. You can see how the neck funnels instead of laying smooth. I don't like it. I will use the original dress facing next time. 

Find What You Need to Start Quilting

That's right folks, September is National Sewing Month, the perfect time to indulge yourself into sewing and maybe explore a new type of sewing that you have never done before.  

This week, we are featuring everything you need to start Quilting!  If you have sewn Apparel or Home Decor, Quilting can be the natural progression of your sewing expertise.  Most of the "rules" are the same, but the tools can be a little different.  Ready to get started?  Here's a list of everything of you will need to get started and a brief description of the products: