Six Sisters Sewing

MERRY CHRISTMAS We have been working on our pillows.   They are almost finished. The leaves are looking great.  We plan on making felt dolls in the future. Aren't these ones adorable? We did make some yo-yo ornaments for the Christmas tree.  The little ones made their own pillows too. My little brother joined our group and made a pillow case in no time.   Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone! 

The pumpkins turned out cute but were smaller than expected. It was a sewing project that went quickly and satisfied little hands who ran off to play once they were done.   http://www.craftbuds.com/fabric-pumpkins-tutorial/ The older girls opted for a more time consuming project, scrap pillows. They spent their afternoon cutting out leaves and tree trunks. http://cluckclucksew.com/2009/10/tutorial-scrap-buster-fall-pillow.html

Well we are almost done with our skirts. Only one sister is left. Our first post about the skirt was in August.  We each measured our hips and added five inches. Then figured out how many charms, (5" precut squares) we would need to make the first row. For the next we added the same amount of charms plus half. Then repeated for each consecutive row.  After each was pieced we finished the raw edges with a zig zag stitch.     The elastic casing is the same length as the top row and four inches wide. First sew the ends of your casing right sides together leaving an opening to slip the elastic through the seam on the inside. Fold it in half lengthwise and iron. Then stitch it to the first row. Finish the edges with a zig zag stitch. After it's sewed insert the elastic through the casing with a safety pin and pin the end to the skirt so as to not pull it through completely. Overlap the elastic and stitch back and forth. Whip stitch the small opening closed. Baste your r

  Barbie is waiting patiently for her new bed. She's excited even though it doesn't show.   I sewed the sides of both the mattress and pillow making sure to backstitch at the beginning and ends. Next I clipped the corners a little bit. Then I used a little wooden tool and poked my corners until they were sharp. I stuffed the pillow and mattress with left over quilt batting and stitched the opening closed. Barbie was happy to finally get to sleep alone. She had to share a blanket on the floor with her sisters. Nighty night.

  This is an easy purse I made. I was going to make a Barbie rug then mom said it would be a great purse. It's reversible. I decided to use a ribbon to lace it closed.       First I pieced together some black and white scraps. Then I framed my rectangle with piano note fabric. I cut the lining the same measurement. Next I folded both rectangles in half and sewed down the sides remembering to backstitch at the beginning and end. I trimmed the corners off the bottom so it would turn right side out nicely with sharp points. I pinned the ribbon shoulder strap to the wrong side of purse and tucked it in between the lining and outer fabric. With wrong sides together I stitched around the rim leaving a three inch opening to turn it. Then I turned it right sides out, ironed the top edges and topstitched it closed with a decorative stitch all around the rim. Finally I sewed some eyelets and laced it with more ribbon. I added beads to the end of the ribbon.    

  Because the season is turning we are looking at different crafts to sew. Among the top choices are:   Fabric Pumpkins http://www.craftbuds.com/fabric-pumpkins-tutorial/     Scrap Buster Fall Pillow  http://cluckclucksew.com/2009/10/tutorial-scrap-buster-fall-pillow.html      Button Tree http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/button-tree    If you know of any other simple but fun fabric projects for the season please share.       

  Some girls are still working on their gathering. With Tjasa's skirt out of the way we are personalizing her shirt. She is leaning toward a custom pocket.   Since we are closing in on fall I didn't fight the idea of long sleeves and leggings to complete their little outfits. They're constantly standing on their hands anyway. Unfortunately the color selection was not what I desired but it will work. White is beautiful but never practical at our home.     

  Harley was lonely. He needed his mommy.   I serenaded him.   Harley sends his love

              I am 7 years old and I have been struggling with my telling time flash cards. I didn't know the answers and I was always guessing. I don't know what happened today but my mind flipped into doing schoolwork and as I grabbed my flash cards I told mom I love school. When I began doing the cards a voice in my head was telling me the answers. I came to the card 8:05 and stopped. I wasn't sure what to say. The voice kept repeating 8:05, 8:05, 8:05. I was like, "Who is this in my mind? Who's talking to me?" So I slowly said 8:05 not sure it was the answer. When I got it right I said, "Thank you" and the voice quickly said, "Your welcome." I kept going but soon got one card wrong, then I got the next one wrong. That's when mom stopped me and said, "You were getting them all right. Go back to what you were doing before." So in my mind I said, "Tell me the answer. Tell me the answer." He started telling me the an

    The sisters have started a gathered patchwork skirt.   Each girl measured her hips and added five inches. Then figured out how many charms they would need to make the first row. For the next row they added the same amount of charms plus half. Then repeated for each consecutive row.     Every machine worked well without problems. No one ironed their hand or sewed their fingers. The sisters seemed to have decades of experience. Much progress was made in little time. Must be Grace.