Archive for the ‘sew it’ Category

A few years back, I made this fabric Advent Calendar for our family.  It was based on my husband’s recollections of the hanging advent calendar his family used when he was a boy.

Their advent calendar had been made out of burlap, which I seriously considered, but in the end I made ours out of wools.  I was true to his memories by adding rick rack to the tree and small bells to hang the ornaments on.

Our family loves this advent calendar.  It’s one of our favorite holiday traditions.  The kids can’t wait to take turns finding what miniature wooden ornament is hiding in the pocket each day.

I made a few mistakes, and learned a thing or two making my original calendar, so when my mom called to find out if I could give advice and help to make another advent for my sister-in-law, I was happy to say yes.

Here’s the fabrics I’ve chosen for her new calendar.  I think the light green felt for the background (a synthetic/wool blend from Material Girls Quilts) is absolutely wonderful.

After talking about a few changes and improvements for the new calendar with my mom the other day, she suggested I write a pattern.

Really?

I have a few hesitations.  It’s a little late in the game for a Christmas craft pattern, but if there are any procrastinators out there (like me) who love this advent calendar pattern, it could be perfect for them. 

My biggest question is about the ornaments.  My ornaments are wooden and range in size from about 1″ to about 1-1/2″ inches.  It would be a challenge to make 24 different wool ornaments on that small scale.  The miniature wooden ornaments are available and my sister in law is planning on ordering them for her calendar.  But that is a problem for a pattern.

I’d love to know what you think.  Would this advent calendar pattern be of any interest?  Would it be of interest even without the ornament patterns?  Has anyone made wool ornaments on a scale that small?

I’m not sure if this project will get chalked up to a great idea for another time, or something to go for.

It’s Halloween and all I have to share is a few pictures of costumes…

I haven’t had time for much else this week.  I did keep the swearing under control…. but I must confess a profound dislike of satins, crepes, polyester broadcloth, and sheers…

With costumes I hold to the galloping horse philosophy.  If you can’t see the mistake from a galloping horse, it doesn’t really matter.  So don’t look too closely!

The little gypsy costume is Simplicity 0532.  This costume pattern is a gem, easy to make and versatile.

If you drop by our home tomorrow my little gypsy will probably tell you your fortune.  It will likely have something to do with a mysterious stranger and hidden gold in your future.

This no ordinary knight.  It’s a Templar knight.  I didn’t have a pattern for this costume… (always fun when trying to make a sleeve fit!) but I did use Simplicity Pattern 5520 (which I had from a few years back) for a rough guide of how to make the hood.  That pattern only goes to size 8 and my son is a 12.

The Red Queen is Simplicity 0804. This pattern was also well made with the exception of what I am sure is a mistake on the instructions for putting on the fur trim.  It was my most involved costume with the chevron on the dress, and making the jacket with lining.  I think I must have cut out 30 pattern pieces for this one.  Phew… I’m glad that’s done. 

Don’t you just love the back of that jacket!  And check out the curls on my normally straight haired girl.  A night in foam curlers can do wonders…. even if it’s hard on your sleep!  (Good thing they weren’t born in the ’50’s!

There’s the crew.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!