Adventures in Sewing: Part 1

Ok. About five and a half years ago, my mom bought my sister a sewing machine (because she is a linen-a-holic. About every 2 weeks or so, she wanted a new duvet cover).

 My sweet mom thought this would help her addiction and make it easier on her wallet - the ability to make her own. Well, since we already had the machine, my mom and I decided to use it to make Noah's crib bedding before he was born. It was definitely an adventure but the end result was great.

 Then, we packed up the little machine and it was never to be heard of again. About 6 months ago, my cousin asked if she could borrow it for a while. No problem! I handed over the box from the garage and she was on her sewing way. BUT, BIG PROBLEM. When she opened the box to get started, the instruction manual, pedal, and power cord were missing. WHAT?? We must not have packed it back in the box those looooong 5 years ago. Boooooo. Now what? Well, my cousin ordered the manual on-line, and I went to a local sewing shop and bought a replacement pedal and cord. Grrrrrr. Definitely cheaper than buying a whole new machine, but still. Grrrr. Ok, now let's get sewing.      Wait.      I.don't.know. how.to.sew!! See, when we made Noah's crib bedding, my mom did most of the actual sewing and I "helped."  Grrrrrrr.
So, with my manual on hand, it was time to experiment. I had picked up some "Cars" fabric for Noah at Joann's in the remnant bin to make him a pillow case. Easy enough, right??

Noah got to help me push the pedal and was in heaven (....and as you can see from this picture, I neglected to remember that I needed to turn it inside out so the seams wouldn't show. Ooops.). Regardless of it not being perfect, my boy LOVES it and that's all that matters.

My next project was inspired by my friend Cassie. She has recently been making buntings out of vintage fabric (and since I'm a total copy cat, I had to give it a try). I found a vintage sheet at the thrift store for $.75. After washing it in scalding hot water, ha ha, I cut it in to triangles and gave it a whirl. Here is the debut of my first ever sewn bunting!!!

Isn't it pretty!!?? I took Cassie's suggestion and bought some packs of Bias Tape...it worked like a charm (well it would have if I could sew a straight line to save my life, ha ha).

There are a few areas that look like this, ha ha

and this.....

But, I plan to keep practicing until these little guys will be good enough to sell in my Etsy shop and at the flea market. We'll see how it goes :)

Happy Saturday!!!!