Gingercake

Simple HST Quilt in Solids

 

 

Last month my oldest turned 10.  TEN!  Hard to believe ten years have passed since she was a little tiny sweet baby.  She is a great girl and into style and trends and all things bright and beautiful (like most 10 year olds!).  I made this Half Square Triangle quilt for her gift and it is a big hit.  It is similar to this picnic blanket I made last year.

I used this technique to cut my HSTs and I used bella solds from Bloomerie fabrics.  The fabric was wonderful and the colors were so bright and bold.  It was exactly what I wanted.  The fabric colors I used were zen grey, amelia orange, peacock, peony, purple and buttercup.   I ordered a 1/2 a yard of each of the six fabrics and then cut the 1/2 yards into 18'' squares that were cut down into the 8 HSTs.  I used the extra 6'' strips to make squares to mix in and fill empty spots.

Although I shopped and shopped online for the backing and binding, I ended up just going to Joann fabrics so that I could make sure that the colors matched.  I knew that I wanted something with a bold print for the backing and this cute peacock fabric worked great.  Also, the polkadot orange for the binding was fine.  I would have preferred a stripe but I just couldn't find one I liked at Joann's so this had to work!  

Below is my poor attempt at the classic outdoor photo of the quilt floating in the air~

The colors are wierd and the photo quality is poor since my fancy new camera still baffles me sometimes.  But at least you can see how all the squares fit together.  Although it was my intention to put it together randomly, I still paid attention to mixing colors and letting some triangles and squares block together.  I really liked how modern it felt in the end.

Quilts are a challenge!  The biggest challenge for me is how time consuming they are and also the actaully quilting. It's a pain to wrangle all that fabric on my machine.  But this half square triangle type is a simple and fun construction and a twin size is not too hard on your regular home machine.  Making a quilt always makes me admire quilters who create complicated tops and the even more complicated quilting patterns!  

The Big Tote Bag: Last Day of the Sew Fab Sale!

Today is the last day of the Sew Fab Sale!  Yes, your last chance to get this fantastic bundle of patterns for only $29.95.  That means only about $1.50 per pattern!  For today, I made the Big Tote Bag Pattern by Autumn Street Patterns.  This is going to be so useful!  I love it already.

It's no surprise that with 4 kids in age from 10 down to 18 months, I have to carry around a bunch of stuff.  Espeically on weekends when I have to haul them all around to sports, piano, gymnastics, etc.  This bag can hold a blanket to sit everyone on, snacks, water bottles, toys, money for the concession stand, suncreeen, baseball and glove, and there is still space!

All that functionality and it looks cute on your shoulder too!  I even had to wash it since after I had it at the soccer field for about 2 seconds, coffee was spilt all over it.  It still looks great after a quick wash, dry and iron.  Awesome.

 

This fabric is from a table cloth my neighbor gave to me.  I love how it looks like wedgewood china.  So cool!

 

The Sew Fab Sale ends at midnight!!  Hurry and get yours before it is gone.  Head over to my original blog post for details on the sale and links to all 19 patterns.  

The sew fab sale is an affiliate program.  I make a percentage of each sale that is made through my links.  Thanks so much for your support of the sew fab bundle sale!

Sew Fabulous Norah Dress from the Sew Fab Bundle Sale!

I sewed up the Norah Dress by Welcome to the Mouse House for Miss Marion and she looks so so sweet!  This pattern is another great one in the Sew Fab Bundle.  I loved how easily it came together and how nice it looks on my girl.

Since the Norah Dress is a simple A line, the assembly was very straight forward.  The collar and sleeves came together beautifully!  I was pretty relieved not to have to do any skirt gathering!  

The dress is lined only on the top which was really nice for the finish but kept it from being too heavy as fully lined dresses can sometime become.  Also, the back closure is a simple button and loop which looked great!  I can finally do a decent button hole but appreciate avoiding the process if possible!

I added 2 little white buttons under the collar fo some extra interest since my dress fabric was so simple.  I love how sweet and nostalgic this turned out!  The norah dress is a wonderful staple to have in your patterncollection.  It doesn't use too much fabric, it's easy to assemble, and it produces a lovely dress.  Hurrah!

Only 2 days left to get your Sew fab Bundle!  Visit my original blog post about the Sew Fab Sale to get all the details and enter for your chance to win the Sew Fab Giveaway!

 

The Sew Fab sale is an affiliate program.  I recieve a portion of all sale made through my website.  Thank you so much for your support!

Leather Accent Fold Over Pouch for the Sew Fab Sale

More sew fab bundle sewing over here!  This one is actually for my mom for mother's day so I made it last week to get it in the mail in time.  I think it will be a really useful gift for her.  Have you checked out all the patterns in the sew fab bundle?  It really is a great collection at an amazing value.

This pattern is the Leather Accent Fold Over Pouch by Vanessa of LBG studio.  It's a great staple to have in your collection since it is both sylish and super simple.  Love that!  The pattern is easy to follow and well done.  I like that she includes pattern pieces to print out but also has the measurements in case you don't want to print them out.  

I used Dear Stella fabric from the Piper line.  I love all the fabrics in that collection!  For the lining I just used a fairly heavy cream duck cloth/ canvas.  The leather accents are from a hand me down pair of suede maternity pants that I have had for years.  Yes- I once wore some suede maternity pants because I am cool like that!  

It's a nice size too- not too small or too big.  Just right for your wallet, phone and some lip gloss.  Perfect!  You can easily make this as a gift or to match a special outfit in about an hour and 1/2.

Have you bought your bundle yet???  Head over to my original blog post for all the details and to enter the awesome sew fab giveaway!  Or click below to get your bundle now.

 

Nigh Nigh Time… Doll, Carrier & Blankie for Sew Fab Sale

Another adorable pattern that is part of the Sew Fab Bundle is this Doll, Carrier & Blankie from Patchwork Posse.  This pattern called out to me and said "Gingercake must sew this!"  and I loved it. I used some Get Together fabric by David Walker for the baby body and AnnKelle fabrics for the handles, blanket and carrier.  It was really easy to add the pom poms and I think it made a really cute addition! 

Little Miss Marion loves it too.  She immediately picked up the baby and said "nigh nigh baby" and cuddled it to her shoulder.  She is a baby doll lover already.  Her oldest sister was the same way- all about the baby dolls.  Her other sister is more into things like her new robot (but that is a whole other story!).  

Marion immediatley took the blanket off and pushed it back on and held the baby and then put the baby back in the carrier again.  And round and round like all 18 month olds, right?  I had to gently sneak it away from her though because this baby was actually a gift to a super sweet 1 year old cousin.  I will happily make my baby another one though!

My favorite part of making this was sewing that sweet face.  The sew fab sale is still going strong!  Check out my original blog post with the info on all the patterns and don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post.

TooSweets Tulip Pinafore for the Sew Fab Pattern Sale

This simple and sweet pattern is part of the Sew fab pattern bundle that I am promoting this week.  Read all about the bundle details here.  I really loved making this fun (I learned some new tricks too!) and easy pattern.  I made it during a naptime with extra time to spare...

TooSweets did a great job designing this pattern.  It is simple and straightforward and I love Miss Marion's new top!

This is just one of the several things I sewed from the bundle that I will be sharing this week!  I used Leah Duncan's Tule line from Art Gallery fabrics.  Art Gallery fabrics are wonderful for garmet clothing since they are lighter and softer than many of the quilting cottons out there.

It was really fun to make this fully lined garmet that involved not one bit of hand sewing!  Well, with the exception of the button, but you could do a snap and completely avoid getting out your needle and thread.  That is one problem with lined garmets for me- having to handsew in that lining to get a nice finish is always a drag, right?

And, she's running out the door!  Obviously the end of our photo shoot :) Get your sew fab bundles while they last!

AND- don't miss out on those amazing giveaways! 

Aster Cardigan Testing: A new pattern from Willow & CO. from LBG studio

I was honored to test one of Vanessa's pattern contirbutions to the new Willow & Co. pattern collection to be released next week.  This is the Aster Cardigan and it is adorable!  I was asked to do the Size 10 for my big girl.  She will be 10 next month!  It is really cute and stylish...

 

These were taken before school yesterday.  It was dark and rainy outside so we took our photos in my new basement studio!  I can't wait to finally have it organized enough to share some good photos.  

Vanessa writes a beautiful and organzied pattern.  The pieces all fit together perfectly and even though I am not a big sewer of knits, this came together very nicely!  The bands at the sleeve and the nice way the placket and collar are designed make it a project that sewers of many skill levels can handle.  

I always struggle with button holes but that is not the fault of the pattern.  The fit is nice.  In these photos, she was wearing a shirt that was a little bulky, but the cardigan is meant to be fitted so next time we will put it on with a more fitted tee shirt underneath.  Next week will be the launch of Willow & Co. so be sure to be ready!

Thanks for letting me test your pattern, Vanessa!

KCW- Front Buttoned Smock

It's a sewing miracle that I participated in KCW!  I think KCW is a great idea and I love seeing all the clothes people make for their kids.  For some silly reason, I always have something else happening and I can't join in the fun.  But this year I am back...

I did another shirt from the Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids book.  This one is called the Front-buttoned Smock.  Like the pull over parka, instructions are vague in the book, but the pattern pieces fit together beautifully and I love the finished shirt.

My middle daughter is really fun to sew for.  She loves everything and then she will always ham it up in our photo shoot.  

Actually sometimes it is hard to get her to just take regular shots so we often start taking about math class or how she did on the monkey bars during recess at school.  

Or, I have to make her sweep off the front walk!  She is a good sport though and always complies.  This is another reason that sewing for 8 year olds is awesome!  Did you read Monica's post today about a trying to get photos of her toddler?  So perfect!

I sewed this in size 8 (the largest size for this book).  I used a shirting fabric from the apparel section of Joann Fabrics.  It took a little less than a yard, which is always awesome although this fabric was 60'' wide.   When sewing for older kids, quilting cotton is just too bulky and stiff for their clothing and you really need to make the switch.  I can still get away with quilting weight for the baby though!

My buttons and placket are not perfect and I fretted a little about it.  But, in the end, I just finished the shirt even though it is flawed and it still looks great.  I love the sleeves and the pretty gathered neckline.  It is a little frilly but not too much- perfect for my easy going girl.  Thanks for getting me motivated KCW!

Feeling Springy! Bunnies… in the Gingercakesews shop!

It has been a long time since I actually sewed something to sell in my GingercakeSews shop!  But I am back on it and couldn't resist making bunnies from this super sweet vintage sheet fabric.

 

I had a great time sewing these up last week and remembered how fun it is to sew for your etsy shop.  I couldn't descide which color bow/ ears to make, so I chose to make yellow, orange AND pink.  

My little miss likes their pom pom tails in particular...

Head over to the Gingercakesews shop if you are interested in getting one OR head over to the pattern shop if you want to buy the pattern to make one yourself.  AND, if you are making them to sell in your etsy shop, be sure to email me so I can see your creations!  They always are a hit this time of year.

 

Happy Homemade Pull-over Parka

A few months ago I purchase Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids by Ruriko Yamada since I heard that it had been released in English.  I love the simple style and classic look of the kids clothes in this book.  Bonus- the sizing is 2 through 8 which covers most of my children.

I first made a pair of flared shorts in flannel for my 9 year old (the sizes are not hard to adjust) and they are nice but not really worth sharing on the blog since they are plain and already in the laundry bin.  But, over the weekend I made this cute pull-over parka for Anne (8 year old) and it is a big hit.  

I used a cotton lawn from the Little Lisette line at JoAnns.  It was a little slippery but really pretty.  I have more left over so you may see it again soon!  The drape is really nice and the feel of the cotton is great.

I made the bottom hem a casing for 1/4'' elastic and made faux ties on either sides.  It was a nice touch to make it a little more grown up.  

here are the versions from the book which ties in the front...

The hood is really cute and although it is small for Anne to use functionally, she says "that's ok-  it's really just for looks anyway Mom."   8 years old and she already knows that clothes are not always totally functional!

I admit that I struggled a bit to figure out how to make the neckline.  I am not a big maker of clothes so the lack of instructions in the book made it a little challenging for me.  I didn't mind figuring it out though and I really liked the result!  I wouldn't recommend the book to beginners because of the bare bones style of instructions but I really liked that since it made the project seem quicker to me.

A success!  Hopefully I will be able to sew more fun projects now that my big commitment tasks of the last several months are finished.  Have you tried this book?  What other patterns are worth making?