dishtowel pillows

i am starting with a HUGE warning:  i have NO business giving any type of sewing tutorial.  seriously, it's only been a few months that i've known how to turn a sewing machine on.  so this is not a lesson- simply an idea that is easy. 

a few months ago i bought bedding from target.  we have a tiny little porch off of our bedroom that fits two chairs and a small table.  i wanted that space to compliment our bedroom.  the problem was all of the throw pillows that matched were either not for sale anymore or 25.00 each.  so, the other day while i was doing my daily weekly shopping trip i found dishtowels that were a coordinating print to my bedspread!  i was so excited.  i went home and made pillows for the chairs on our porch with the dishtowels.

started with a dishtowel...

folded it in half, and already one of my sides is done- only 3 sides to sew.

i sewed along the line that those nice people at dwell and already made :)

i left an opening to stuff the pillow.

next i clipped the corners, making sure not to cut the stitches i made.

the i stuffed the pillow.  clearly looking at this picture reminds me that i should spend less time sewing pillows
 and a bit more time on my nails!  i'm sorry you all have to see that :)

finally, i sewed the pillow shut.

pretty cute for a dishtowel! 

and now i have tied the rooms together for ten dollars! 

while i was making pillows i decided to make this one for jack.  he swares he has a loose tooth!  the top of the felt tooth is open so he can slide his tooth into it for the tooth fairy........if that poor kid can ever loosen one of them!

sewing projects

 i've been sewing a lot.  i am so excited about most of the things i've tried.   here is a look at what i've been up to:

very soon i will let you in on who these new shirts are for! 

usually i shy away from the beginning of fall.  i love summer and hate to see it end.  this year, i'm trying to make fall cute :)

anna michael's halloween t-shirt

wanna know who these are for?  if you have a little pumpkin turning one this october-
this may be for her, and a shirt for her big sister.......

these are a work in progress!  one day they may be for sale in my shop- we shall see.

tomorrow is a special day in our house.  ok, it's just my birthday- but i'm going to celebrate with a giveaway!!! 



ruffles

i love ruffles.  my closet is full of jcrew tank tops with ruffles all over them.  it's sort of my thing.  last night i spent hours a while online with some wonderful tutorials on how to make ruffles. after reading this one i felt brave enough to give it a try!  (she has the cutest stuff- right?) 

part of my problem with sewing has been spending more time reading about how to do it than actually trying. 

this is what i've made today....

a ruffled hand towel for my bathroom

to match these little curtains i made these a few weeks ago.

and one for the kitchen :)

and sarah, if you're reading this.....you may or may not have something like this for your kitchen too.  ha! 

my new favorite dress

see this dress...

it's my new favorite one.  wanna know why?.............i made it!  yes, made it- as in yesterday it was fabric and today it's a dress, that can actually be worn! 

this summer i bought a sewing machine.  it's something i have wanted to learn for years.  i have taken three classes so far.  my teacher is so kind and so patient and i am SO thankful.  i'm like that kid in class with all of the questions........wonder where jack gets that?

i also made this last night for my newest niece, sweet drew-

here is miss drew hazel. of course better pictures of her can be found here, from aunt jen.

 i will keep you posted with my newest creations!  hope you are keeping cool on this HOT summer day!