Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing

I've been having so much fun sewing during nap times this past week! And, wanted to show you some of what I've been making! Yikes! This is addicting!

A toile curtain panel from the thrift store became ~

An Apron (already sold):

On the pocket, I made one of these pins (remove before laundering of course) :


... and a tote bag/purse! (this one is a gift for a friend)

And, this purse was made from a sheet and some cloth napkins, also from the thrift store! I love the combinations! One is for me and one for a future giveaway here!

In addition to these things, I've made two other aprons and a small zippered bag to carry my camera in! David snapped this photo of me sewing at the kitchen counter:

36 comments:

*carrie* said...

Super cute, Monica! The pom pom fringe on the purse is so fun. I am loving that green polka dot fabric.

Anonymous said...

Dear Monica,
The apron is beautiful!!!! I love it. The bags are so lovely too. So very smart and thrifty creating such lovelies...you go girl!!!:)tammyp

Anonymous said...

I love all of it ! The aprons are beautiful ! I'd love to have a tote bag but even better, a case for my camera!

You are very talented, Monica! Thanks for sharing your beautiful projects with us.

Wish ya didn't have to sew on the counter though, isn't that backbreaking? Or maybe it's more comfortable standing?

Lovely items!

Anonymous said...

Wow -- these are all very cute! I'm glad you've been able to enjoy creating these goodies -- and love that they came from fabric that had a previous life as something else! Way to go -- Love you, Mom

Christi said...

Cute, cute, cute! I LOVE the apron and the bags!

Good job!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work!

Rebecca said...

You've been a busy lady! I can't imagine having so much energy while being so close to the end of pregnancy! Great job!

I can see we share a similar style. Love the design of the bags and the apron is just adorable!

Anonymous said...

The apron is absolutely lovely!

Katy said...

Wow! You did a fantastic job!!! I love the things you have made! :)

Paige said...

Are you using a stool when sewing or just standing. I know that's how Martha Stewart sews, usually standing. I imagine if the counter is the right height it'd be perfect. You're a bit shorter than myself so it might be just right for you. I have tried it with my tall table and it felt okay but then I got lazy and wanted to sit. How to avoid the shoulder cramping though, that's my big thing...
great stuff though, would love the pattern for the apron. I do LOTS of aprons.
p~

Missy K said...

You look like you are having so much fun, Monica! And all your creations are great-- such HAPPY shapes and fabrics. Well done!

Michelle said...

Monica, You're a great seamstress and do a nice quality job - everything looks wonderful!

Chrissy said...

So cute! Did you follow a pattern for the purses? Would you pass it along if you did? I'd love to make purses like that for my girls...

Anonymous said...

I love how you use sheets and napkins to make these things. I also have been sewing alot the last few day's. As I made my son a jean rag quilt for his Birthday. We got a puppy for Christmas. This morning I thought I would use this sheet I found at the local thrift store to make a bed for her. As for stuffing it. I was given a box of old tee shirts. So I am going to use them to stuff it. I love your apron and pin idea. Would love to copy it if you don't mind!

Mama C said...

Monica...you do lovely work. What a wonderful idea to fin pretty sheets at a thrift store to use for new creations. I too have had the sewing bug lately. I LOVE sewing! What pattern did you use for your apron? I really like the lines.

Blessings,
Julie

Anonymous said...

Yikes - those are the CUTEST things I have ever seen!!! I seriously love toile - and I have some on hand - I think I need to make myself a tote bag!

What pattern did you use for the tote bag? I would love the pattern & instructions! I made my 1st tote before Christmas and I loved it - but it was a gift for my sister in law. I wasn't mad about the pattern so I would love to try yours!


Oh, and I am with patty on the whole counter sewing thing - you need a chair, girl!

Josiah and Anna said...

Hi Monica! I think those bags are so cute. I love tote bags. I live in Mozambique at a Children's Center, and we had a lady from Germany here for a year to teach sewing to the girls. They made many tote bags, bible bags, and skirts, and even new curtains for all the girl's bedrooms!

I check out your site every day, and I love it! Thank you for your creativity and for sharing it with all of us:-)

When are you due?
Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Hi Monica,

Great work you have done!!
I don't know why, but I have always found it more comfortable to sew standing at the kitchen counter too. Though, I'm not pregnant either. You look really good by the way!

So, how is your friend doing? The one the Lord lay on your heart to ask to be expectant at the same time? I can't remember her name.

Have a great day!
Andrea L.

Anonymous said...

Wow!! You have been busy busy busy. Maybe this is your way of nesting. :o) Oh how I miss nap time. sigh!! I Love the toile apron and purse. How great that you were able to find such great curtains and sheets this time.

Gena said...

I just love everything you've made! The color/fabric combinations are adorable.

Do you always sew at your kitchen counter? Just wondering. I usually bring my machine to the dining room table so I'll be in the middle of everything.

P.S. I just read some of your other comments and it looks like a lot of ladies sew standing up. I'm about 5'9" and I don't think my counter is tall enough. Is it really more comfortable?

Anonymous said...

Monica,
You have made some really wonderful things. I love everything you have shown here as well as the tissue holders you made.
Are these your patterns or do you follow a regular pattern? I would love to try and make some of these things. I also like to look through the fabrics at thrift stores and see what I can use them for.
Ruth

Wendi said...

So cute! Everything is adorable. The green polka dot fabric is very cute. What a lucky friend to receive your bag!

Unknown said...

unbelievable how once again you've posted pictures of some of the cutest projects alive!!! you have a gift i do not. not at all! and i cannot believe you are standing when you're almost done with your pregnancy. you are my hero in many ways!

Karen said...

I love that apron and toile bag!

My husband and I upholstered our headboard in toile fabric and I think I still smile every time I see it. :)

Tamara said...

So, sew, so very cute! I love the serendipity of fabric found at thrift stores! Your combinations are wonderful. I love the pin on the toile apron - so cute, and the pom-pom trim on the tote bags is adorable! I finally got my house cleaned up after Christmas and traveling...time to get sewing!

Unknown said...

I love the red toille!! I'm a huge fan of French country and those are adorable!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely job! I can't seem to think of these types of things when I am
in the thrift store...but I still love going : )
You did a great job! I think that my favorite is the red purse. Tracy

Anonymous said...

You are so talented! I am amazed and inspired by what you were able to do with thrift store finds! Thanks for sharing!

Blessings,

Nancy

Kelly @ The Barefoot Mama said...

Those are simply gorgeous, Emily!

Monica said...

Everything is so cute!! Love the Apron!!

asnipofgoodness said...

Love all the creations!! It looks like the nesting hormones have hit big time. I have been inspired to check out my local goodwill.
Thanks for the help with my blog! You have been an inspiration there too!

Anonymous said...

You are "sew" talented! I wish I could sew. :) You do beautiful work! :)

kelly said...

great work, mama!

Anonymous said...

Hi Monica:

All of your things look lovely. I am very impressed with how you took things you found at the Thrift store & made something beautiful and useful out of them. I would never have thought of doing that when I was your age.
I love the red toile fabric, too!

I'm with all the others who have commented on your standing up while sewing. Do you really do that all the time? My back would kill me if I did that. I just don't know how you find time to doo all that you do! You absolutely amaze me!

I love you, Grandma

Amy said...

Those are so cute, Monica! You are so talented!!

Farmhouse Blessings said...

Simply lovely!