Wrap Skirt

 Kirsten's final project for the school year is this adorable wrap skirt. We found the fabric during our stay in Twain Heart back in March. Sascha had recommended us checking out an old fashioned Pharmacy store there in town. The fabric selection was overwhelming. I wanted to buy it all, but Kirsten and I only ended up buying two different kinds. Why didn't I get more? We'll have to take another trip up there. I love this wrap skirt! I want one for myself. Kirsten looks beautiful in it.

9-Patch

Each month, I learn something fun and new at the Fabric Arts Class. Not to mention the ladies that attend are amazing! Rose (standing next to me) lets us meet at her house and provides us with everything we need to complete the project. Tonight we each made six 9-patch squares to be put together into one quilt. 

Hedgehog

I attend a Fabrics Art class the third Tuesday of each month that the Relief Society sponsors.Rose Adams opens her home and huge fabric stash to us and teaches us many fun techniques. This evening we made an adorable hedgehog quilt square. Rose had all of the pieces cut out for us to save on time. I love how it turned out. I think I'll turn it into a pillow. 

A Good Witch

Kirsten finished sewing a hooded jacket for her Halloween costume. We bought the wrong size pattern (size 14). I thought it was a 14 in children's, but it was and adult 14. This was a good learning moment for her as her teacher, Mrs. Rumsby taught her how to size down from a patter. Kirsten is excited at how it turned out and is already rummaging through the house (mainly my closet) to find pieces to finish off the outfit. She is intending to be a witch; not and ugly evil kind, but a nice pretty one. 

Easter Dress

Kirsten's latest sewing project is complete. It's an Easter dress for Loni. When Loni saw it, she said, "Oh! Anna!"(She's obsessed with Frozen characters, Elsa and Anna.) I guess it reminds her of one that Anna would wear. I love how it turned out. Kirsten will need to tack down the green ribbon bow. Loni undid it withing seconds of trying it on. A bonnet is also being sewn to match the dress. Then, if Kirsten has time, she wants to make herself a matching skirt. 

Duffel Bag

Kirsten finished sewing her duffel bag just in time for our trip. I love the quilted look to the bag. Tomorrow we are off to Utah; then Montana; and last to Idaho. Kirsten will be travelling in style.

Cowgirl Skirt

I forgot to post this finished skirt that Kirsten made a couple of months ago. 

I love how it looks with her cowgirl boots. 

Currently, she is working on a quilted duffel bag.

I'm Hunting Wabbits

Kirsten isn't a hunter, yet she fell in love with the style. Her latest sewing project was this adorable hunting cap. It will make a great accessory for girls camp.

Oh, Brother

I can remember David giving me a sewing machine on our first Christmas as a married couple. Drapes to decorate our colorless apartments were sewn. A maternity jumper dress for my first pregnancy was attempted. Pants that were always too wide for my children's tiny waists were taken in. Halloween costumes were created and formed. 

My twenty-two year old Singer was even patient with Kirsten learning how to sew.

However, Kirsten does not share the same feelings. 

"The tension doesn't work."

"The stitch length won't adjust."

"Why is it making this clicking noise?"

"It's so slow."

These (and more) complaints are all I heard from Kirsten. 

I understand her frustrations and agree that my machine is on it's last leg, but we share a lot of history together. I couldn't turn on my Singer.

But David could. 

This past Christmas, he bought me a new sewing machine. This time, a Brother. It's fast, powerful, and offers much more than my Singer.

Kirsten immediately showed me how to use it. (Yes, you read that right.) Her sewing teacher has a similar machine that she uses at her lessons. But I felt like I was betraying my longtime friend. 

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I went to our ward's "Fabric Arts" class with my Brother in tow. That night, I completed my first project on my new machine. That's all it took. Now I'm okay with the change. In fact, the next day, I made another shoulder purse for my niece out of an old denim skirt to take on her mission. I thought it would be perfect for when she rides a bike. Then, I showed Kirsten how to make one for herself.

I crocheted a flower to pin on the outside for some color.

Now, my Singer sits in Kirsten's room for her to mess around with.

I'm not ready to get rid of it altogether.

Flannel Pajamas

Kirsten loves lounging around in her newly sewn pajama bottoms. My friend, Rose, let Kirsten come over to her house to shop for fabric. She's a bit of a fabric hoarder and is trying to downsize her stash. Kirsten loaded up on flannel for her pajama project. She intends to sew some for each family member as well. 

Mod Shift Dress

 Kirsten just finished sewing this mod shift dress. The comfort level is high which makes it a success in Kirsten's book. She also sewed an adorable skirt and scripture bag that I will post later when I get around to taking a picture of them.

Paisley Top

 Kirsten is excited about the top that she just finished sewing. 

I love the bright paisley pattern. She even made the belt.

I crocheted a hot pink headband to add to her finished look.

 (Check another thing off my list of Pinned items.) 

The pattern for it can be found at Creative Yarn.

Blossoming

 I can vividly recall my first day of school as an eighth grader. As I met up with my friends waiting for the bell to ring, a teacher from the past year approached our little click. He looked at me and said, "Wow Dixie! You have blossomed." Honestly, I was horrified at his words (which is why I remember this day so well). But he was right. I grew a lot that summer.

It is now Kirsten's turn to "blossom" into the woman God created her to be; inside and out. Towards the end of seventh grade, back in May, Kirsten was just beginning a new sewing project in her class. Her teacher and I measured her, we bought the fabric which was then cut. Over the summer, Kirsten met with her teacher three times, where they worked on the construction. Last month, the dress was completed. However, when Kirsten excitedly tried it on, she found that it didn't fit. The bust was too tight. Thankfully, Kirsten's teacher was able to suggest a few options to fix the problem. After moving some buttons around, we got it to fit, but barely.

As much as I wish I could keep Kirsten as my little girl for longer, I'm excited to see God's purpose for her unfold.

Squirtle Shell

I can now check Dave-o's Halloween costume off my list. 

Now I just have to hope it stays intact until the 31st. He is constantly wanting to wear it.

Baby Carrier

Lonetta is  outgrowing the sling that I normally carry her in. So, I used this super easy tutorial to make a Moby wrap baby carrier. 

It also makes for a great Little Red Riding Hood costume.

Gender Neutral Baby Shower Gifts

 Kirsten and I had a fun time at Camille's baby shower. She serves in our ward's Young Women's program. Kirsten adores her. 

Camille and her husband have chosen not to find out the sex of the baby. Kirsten built an adorable diaper cake (with an elephant theme, of course).

And I sewed a gender neutral blanket using Jessica's tutorial.  

Cowgirl Skirt

Kirsten was taught how to sew a basic elastic pocket at her last sewing class. She used this technique to make this cute skirt destined to be worn with her cowgirl boots.

Pink, Pudgy, Piglets

 Sallie is the proud mother of six squealy piglets.

There's Sarah, Lovely, Lucy, Bobby, Joe, and Wilber

Shhh! 

Lunchtime.

Sallie the Swine

 Meet Kirsten's pet pig named Sallie. 

 Kirsten spent three Fridays to sew this porky swine. 

Isn't the curly tail adorable!

A fact about Sallie- She's pregnant!

Check back in a few weeks to meet her piglets.

Pajama Boots

Kirsten completed her first sewing project for the year. These cozy fleece "pajama boots" are even reversible. I want a pair!