My Patterns
Guest Stocking at The Apple Orchard
I’m guesting at The Apple Orchard tomorrow! I have five outfits that stock tomorrow night at 8:00 p. m. eastern. Here’s a little peek:
Tags! And a Few Updates
Look what came in the mail yesterday! I’ve been waiting as patiently as possible for these to arrive from Fancyweaver in Hong Kong. They did such a beautiful job with them. I’ll have some of these listed in my store later today in case you want to grab some to sew onto the things that you’ve sewn from Fishsticks Designs clothing. I’ll also be including one tag with every pattern ordered as a “Thank you” between now and Christmas. And, I just might be sewing one of them onto everything in my house that doesn’t run away when I approach it with a straight pin . . .
I am sewing, and I’ll have some things to show off soon. I’m working on one top secret little sewing project that’s due in to an editor (gasp!) in a few weeks, but I won’t be able to reveal what it is for a few months. I’ve got two new patterns that I’m hoping to have finished up by the end of October: The Charlie Tee in teen/adult sizes and The Inside or Out Pocket Pants. I’ll have previews of those up soon. I’m also sewing a few things to stock as a guest at The Apple Orchard for October. I won’t have as many things as I’d originally hoped, though, because things are a bit busier here than I expected when I first signed up. Along with those first three projects, I have a GFA project that I’m helping out with, and, in case you haven’t heard, my oldest daughter is getting married in December! It’s funny that as much as I love sewing and know that I need to get things done, I can’t stop myself from constant wedding planning. Oh, and in case that wasn’t enough, we’ll be traveling to Florida for three weeks in November to visit our ministry supporters and to spend Thanksgiving with my family.
Wow! I need to quit blogging and get moving!
Happy 40th Birthday to Me . . . to Me . . .
40 pillowcases, sewn up over 40 days, are all finished in time to celebrate my 40th birthday! Thanks so much for cheering me on and joining in to sew with me! (In case you missed my 40 Day Challenge, you can read about it here.)
I have a wonderful day planned today spent with friends and family. I’ll post some pictures of all the fun tonight or tomorrow morning!
Adding a Gusset to the Little One Layette
The Little One Layette pattern was designed with a little extra room for cloth diapered babies, but not all babies and not all cloth diapers are alike—some just need a little more extra room. Adding a gusset piece to the pants or Jamie Jumper will give some extra space for bulkier cloth diapers or just more growing room.
Here, you can see how the gusset gives some extra room through the crotch without having to make adjustments to the body of the jumper or pants. If you’re adding the gusset piece, however, you will have to add an inch to the length of the legs because the gusset pulls the legs up a bit.
You can find the gusset pattern and tutorial here: Gusset Tutorial. (The link inside the tutorial for the pattern is broken. Click here instead to download the pattern: Gusset Pattern.
If you’ve never sewn in a gusset before, it make take a little practice to get it sewn in straight and even. The pants are a quick-sew, so I recommend trying it out on them first, then moving on the the Jamie Jumper.
As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment or drop me an email, and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can!
Trying to Impress Big Tex at the Texas State Fair
Fall is coming soon, and here in Dallas, fall brings the Texas State Fair! Last year, Allen submitted a Lego project in the Creative Arts Competition at the fair, and he was so excited to receive an honorable mention ribbon. He enjoyed participating so much that Samantha and I decided to join in this year, too.
Allen’s following up last year’s submission with another Lego construction. During our study of Texas state history last year, Allen especially enjoyed learning about the Alamo so he decided to recreate it for this year’s fair! Can you see Davey Crockett in his coon-skin cap standing in the entryway?
Samantha taught herself to knit this year, and now she’s always got some project on her knitting needles. She decided on this very cute beret for her state fair submission.
This was her first project knit in the round on circular needles. She did such a great job!
And, then there are my projects. I actually considered whether or not I wanted to share mine, but in the end, I decided that since the fair is actually a few months away, you’ll probably forget that I posted these by then. If I do well, I’ll remind you. If I don’t, then we’ll just forget I ever mentioned sewing something for the fair. Sound good?
I’ve been holding onto this cotton knit Texas-themed fabric for years now, just waiting for the right project. What could be a better use for it than the Texas State Fair? In the Children’s Clothing category, I’m submitting this color-blocked and appliqued Charlie Tee. It’s a size 4T, so Jamie can wear it when the fair is over.
In the Infant Clothing category, I’m turning in this embroidered Jamie Jumper in size 18 months. This one’s my favorite of the two. I’m really excited about Charlie getting to wear it this fall. It’s a little big now, so I hope it fits!
We’re delivering all our projects to the fairgrounds tomorrow. The kids will be on pins and needles waiting for the judging. The results should come around the middle of next month.
The FD Photo Contest Winners!
Are you ready to see the winners? I have a quite a few to announce.
First up, the winner for the Week 3 Drawing. Rather than having the kids draw this time, I assigned a number to each entry and used random.org to choose. The number that came up was number 9, and number 9 was assigned to brenda3boysplus for her photo contest entry! Congratulations, Brenda!
Next is the random drawing for those who voted for the contest winner. There were a total of 67 comments between the two posts. I numbered them 1 to 67 starting with the first comment on the the first round of voting. Random.org chose number 30. Comment #30 belongs to Sarah AJ. Congratulations, Sarah!
And, the winners that I know you’re most excited about . . . the photo contest winners!
Drum roll, please . . . .
In the Baby Steps Category the winner is Baby Mushroom by Suburbanbelle!
In the On My Own Category the winner is Cruis’n the Cul De Sac by emilyjohnson226!
In the Friends & Family Category the winner is Hanging Around by Sew Me a Garden!
Congratulations to all the winners! I’ll be getting in touch with you to get your mailing addresses so I can get your prizes out to you right away. And, a huge THANK YOU to all of you who submitted photos, commented, blogged and voted! I hope you all enjoyed the contest as much as I did!
The FD Photo Contest: Final Round of Voting
And the finalists are . . . .
In the Baby Steps category, you’ll be voting for one of these three finalists:
Baby Mushroom by Suburbanbelle
In this photo, Maggie is wearing the Halloween costume that her mom crafted using the Jamie Jumper from the Little One Layette pattern.
What’s on My Head? by Suburbanbelle
Here’s adorable little Maggie again dressed in her Christmas Emmy Top.
A Precious Gift by johnnysgirl77
This sweet little guy is 2-day-old Simeon modeling a Little One Layette gown.
In the On My Own category, the finalists are these three beautiful photographs:
Simon’s Ollie by brenda3boysplus
Simon and his skateboard are airborne in his driveway showing off a Patrick Curved Raglan.
Cruis’n the Cul De Sac by emilyjohnson226
Morgan’s speeding around the cul de sac on his bicycle wearing a Patrick Raglan that his Aunt Michelle sewed for him for Christmas last year.
Sweet Birthday Girl by Imamama Diapers
Because of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, this is a rare shot of Olivia actually looking at the camera showing off a sweet smile. She’s wearing an Emmy Top made by her mom for her third birthday.
In the Friends & Family category, these three amazing photographs made the top positions:
Snuggly Brother by mom2katncole
In this photo, big sister is wearing the new Charlie Tee while snuggling with her little brother.
Brotherly Love by emilyjohnson226
Miles and Phineas are sharing a hug here in their matching Patrick Curved Raglans.
Hanging Around by Sew Me a Garden
Big sister is wearing the new Charlie Colorblocked Tee while “hanging around” with her little sister who is wearing the Charlie Tee modified into a nightgown.
Now, you get to decide the winner! You’ll be voting for one photo in each category this time:
Remember to come back here and leave a comment that you’ve voted to be entered into the drawing for a free Charlie Tee pattern. You can leave a comment today even if you left one yesterday for a second entry.
The voting will run through 5 p. m. central time tomorrow (Saturday, August 8). I’ll announce all the winners Monday morning!
The Photo Contest: Baby Steps Entries
Entries in the Baby Steps Category of the 2010 Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest. Just click the thumbnail to see the full size photo:
Sitting on My Own Smiles! A Precious Gift Baby Sydney
Ooga Booga All Girly The First Days Checking My Email
On Her Feet Dressed for Tea What’s on My Head? Baby Mushroom
The first round of voting will begin Thursday, August 5th at 10 a. m. central and end Friday, August 6th at 10 a. m. central.
The Photo Contest: On My Own Entries
Entries in the On My Own Category of the 2010 Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest. Just click the thumbnail to see the full size photo:
Sweet Birthday Girl Gwen the christmas rosemary wheelbarrow
pumpkin patch voracious reader big boy T Stella’s dress
Hi, from Stella! Lunchtime yet? Bombs! My new tee!
Prepared for Vacation Showing Off Cruis’n the Cul De Sac
Simon’s Ollie Caitlyn’s New Tee She Likes It!
wild pajama party Pajamas! Daydreaming in Our Garden
Woops! cheesyalanapinkgirlystripe webheartdress bluestripeyalana
The first round of voting will begin Thursday, August 5th at 10 a. m. central and end Friday, August 6th at 10 a. m. central.
The Photo Contest: Friends & Family Entries
Entries in the Friends & Family Category of the 2010 Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest. Just click the thumbnail to see the full size photo:
trying for both smiling Brotherly Love Hanging Around
Snack Time Did We Take the Picture Yet? Snuggly Brother
The first round of voting will begin Thursday, August 5th at 10 a. m. central and end Friday, August 6th at 10 a. m. central.
