Purse

This is my purse I made

I used a McCall's pattern (M6045):

Here's a fanny pack that I made

(I had no pattern either!):

 

Remnants

I used some remnants from an upcoming sewing project for the kids at school. We’re going to make fleece hats. So when I was cutting out the fabric I started to wonder what I could do with the remains…being that I’ve already confessed my pack rat ways, I didn’t want to “store” it away for some other day. So I remembered a project that took circles and the quilt reminded me of the old quilt pattern called cathedral window. So I did a small test piece to find out if it was going to be something I could do with the kids. Well I’ll have to say it will not be something they could easily do. It’s easy enough for me but the fabric tends to want to go down where the feed dogs are. The reason is you must sew straight instead of along the edge (making the circle into a square on the back side). Anyway I thought I’d share what the result was of my testing piece! I will do one of these for myself, someday! Thanks for lookin! OH, in case you think my stitches look strange, I was testing some of my fancier stitches too!

Stuffed Pumpkins

Well I guess I'm trying to make up for all that I've missed out on all this time....lol....here's another kid project from sewing at school.

Of course we made this one for Thanksgiving and the kids really loved it! I was able to make each child their own placemat as well.

The pattern is one that I made up on my own. I had a ball pattern that I just took the top off of, then I designed my own stem. We used 20 yards of fabric and 12 packages of 16oz. stuffing.

Oh, I need to tell you this was one that a student made. She hated the way it turned out because of the fact she didn't follow my directions and took some big seem allowances. When I told her she would need to start over she said, "no way, it will be okay!" Then when she saw what I tried to tell her she really wanted to throw it way. But I loved it because it was lumpy, the way a pumpkin really should look! :)

Before turning:                                                                                   

After:

I have to find another picture I took of a grouping of finished pumpkins on top of one of the placemats I made. I'll update when I find that picture! :)

I found them!

Cell Phone Case

I finished these on Sunday, while David watched football.

I used McCall's pattern M5644. My mom gave me some fat 1/4s for Christmas so I decided to try them on this project. I did a slight change...I made yo-yo's for the centers of each flower and used buttons given to me years ago by my Uncle Darwin.

Stuffed Christmas Tree

I started working after school three days a week for our after school program called ASPIRE (it stands for something but I don't know what!). Anyway it's been challenging for me, but really rewarding as well. The challenging part is the longer hours which puts a strain on the whole family. But I think they understand that the kids do enjoy their sewing time! OH, I also help with homework...lol!

Here is the Christmas trees we made during class. This is mine. The kids decorated theirs with buttons donated by my Uncle Darwin. I didn't get to take final pictures of them because I was too busy tying knots :(  But trust me they turned out wonderful!

I got this pattern from my grandma years ago. I shrank it some so we would have enough fabric for everyone!
This project took 3 hours. I have 3rd - 5th graders. Due to some being absent there were 20 made altogether. We used almost 20 yards of fabric, 20 packages of 16oz. stuffing, and tons of buttons! Sew much fun!