Up for a Yard Sale?

I just might be with my Yard-Sale Wrap Skirt.

This skirt is Heather Ross through and through. The pattern came from Weekend Sewing, and the fabric is her Far Far Away line. It's that double gauze stuff that's all the rage. Definitely a new experience sewing with it, but worth the end result.

Fun, Full, and Summer-y to boot. Plus, the pattern itself was easy to sew, aside from the fact I had to hand-stitch the hem. Hand-stitch! Like I'm Laura Ingalls on the prairie. Sigh. Thank Goodness, I had Little Dorrit on DVD to get me through it.


It's stats, yo!
Pattern: Yard-Sale Wrap Skirt
Source: Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross
Fabric: The Frog Prince from the Far Far Away line by Heather Ross
Yardage: 4 yards (WAY more than suggested in the pattern, but I added extra panels and had to keep in mind the direction of the fabric pattern. Couldn't have upside-down frogs, now could I? Those things ate up my fabric.)
Made for: Moi
Date Started: June 13, 2009
Date Completed: June 20, 2009
Mods: Since most people who've sewed this skirt have complained about not having enough coverage from the wrap, I added two extra panels.

A skirt like this just makes a girl want to twirl...spin...

...and fall.

Built by Kara (via Wendy)

Ok, I know the title of this blog is "knitting lemonade" not "sewing lemonade" but I can't help myself. Just think of this blog as my creative space online, and there are lots of ways to be creative.

So in my sewing journey, it was time to move to someplace new...tops. After some really frustrating experimentation with elastic thread to make a top like this, I decided to switch gears and sew something that I understood, and was cute too boot. Enter this Built by Wendy top pattern.


Fast, easy, cute, and perfect for summer. I liked it so much I decided to make a tunic version...with pockets!


Isn't that fabric so vintage-y chic? I picked it up at purl patchwork when I was in NYC.

Ready for some stats?
Pattern: Built by Wendy Top/Dress
Source: Built by Wendy
Fabric: Random floral fabric from JoAnn (top)/Windham fabrics-Feedsack V, Crosshatch Flower in brown (tunic)
Made for: Moi
Date Started: May 31, 2009 (top)/June 4, 2009 (tunic)
Date Completed: May 31, 2009 (top)/June 4, 2009 (tunic)
Mods: No mods for the top. For the tunic, I used the top pattern for the top half, the mini-dress for the bottom half and added pockets. Oh, and I left off the elastic for the sleeves.

Basically, I'm a real fan of this pattern. I already have plans to make the full-length dress. No one can accuse me of being a love-them and leave-them type. I just keep coming back!

YUDU what YUDU so well.

My friend Denise works for Provo Craft. As a fabulous perk to being her friend (in addition to the actual friendship), a bunch of us got to go to her house and try out one of their products, the YUDU. It is a screen-printing system that makes it easy for you to screenprint your own designs at home. Um, yes please!

It was such a easy (and fun) process.

First you prep the shirt...


Then you pick the ink...


Add the ink...


Get ready to take the plunge...

Then go for it...


The final result goes a little something like this...

Hello Jane!

How could I pass up an opportunity to have Jane Austen on my shoulder? Now she can help guide me though the perils of my day with her witticisms. For the most part, we just used the screens Denise had on had, but I made a special request for a Jane screen. Voila!

Let's just say we went a little YUDU Cuckoo. I ended up doing 5 shirts. The funny thing is I arrived for the night with only 2 shirts. I was so obsessed I left in the middle of the evening on an Old Navy run to get 3 more shirts. A complete nutter.

Here's the rest of my bounty...

2 Jane Austen shirts, 1 Big Ben, 1 Crown, and 1 geisha (she turned out a little sad, but it's ok).

On this craft night, my friends and I had SO MUCH FUN. Bartley was a YUDU artisan. He did about 8 shirts, mixing colors, doing crazy angles. And Jess was full of inspiration. She helped me see the vision of doing my crown shirt on and angle and off the neck. Denise and Neil did an awesome job of holding our hands through the whole process. A very successful craft night, I dare say.

Now I look around my world and think, "I could totally YUDU that."

Seahorsin' around

You all know, I've been on a sewing kick lately. But did you know I am on a nautical one as well? First there was the Mermaid Robe, and now...Seahorse pajama gauchos! (I know that name just rolls off the tongue.)

Sorry for the wrinkles, but I test-drove these pjs the night before I took this pic.

So basically, I took the Wide-Leg Lounge Pants pattern that I love so well from Amy Butler, and cut it capri length. Perfect for summer, no? And how could you resist those seahorses? You know how I love that whimsy in my house wardrobe.

The all-important stats...
Pattern: Wide-Leg Lounge Pants
Source: In Stitches by Amy Butler
Fabric: Heather Ross's Mendocino Seahorse Fabric in Natural
Made for: Moi
Date Started: May 10, 2009
Date Completed: May 10, 2009
Mods: As I mentioned earlier, I shortened the pants to capri length. I also widened the waistband and the tie.

Checking back in.

Long break. I must've been really living up my new-found 30s. By the way, thanks for all the birthday wishes. You made my day that much more sweet.

I had an amazing time in NYC for my birthday. Funny enough, I didn't go to any plays. Didn't go to any museums. Didn't do anything extraordinarily touristy. I just hung out with great friends in great neighborhoods, having a, well, great time. How can you beat food. shopping, and hanging out with some of your most favorite people. I don't know what kind of mood I was in, but I didn't take too many pictures. I know. Sometimes I get like that. I just want to be in the moment, I guess. So sorry for the lack of photographic fun from my trip. But I do have something to show you, I picked myself up a little birthday present while I was there...

Oh, kate spade, you so get me.

It's only right to buy yourself something a little extravagant for your 30th birthday. Right? Right?!

Well, apparently I was really in the giving mood cause when I got home, I got myself another birthday pressie...

Yes, that is a wood tray.

I know, I am out of control. But it was too cute to say no. It's an Electra Townie Holiday 3i. Now I just have to get up the nerve to ride it on the street...where's there's really big cars.

Good thing it's no longer my birthday month, I don't think my wallet could take any more of my generosity.

Coming up...craftiness! Lots and lots of craftiness!