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Ikea Scrap Fabric into an Adorable Purse

Yesterday, I had the wonderful pleasure of spending the afternoon with a very sweet six year old girl.  The first thing we did together was make a purse.  She completely designed this purse.  Choosing the fabric, size, and decorating it with bows.  She even had ideas of how she wanted the straps and the pockets to be.  I was so impressed with her enthusasm and we had so much fun creating.  She told me I'd be a good mom to girls... maybe someday.  Or maybe I'll just have to have fun with other people's daughters.

One great thing was that all this fabric was FREE from IKEA.  They have a bin filled with small pieces of remnants that they said I could take.  The pieces were very small, but not too small to make a purse, apparently.  If you are a sewer, check out your IKEA for super fun free fabric.

I'm thinking about taking some of the pieces I have to decoupage a shelf... but that's a post for another day.

Wordless Wednesday

A New Color - Yellow/Green Seersucker Bowtie

OK, It seems that This Place has turned into a bit of a bowtie explosion, but I promise I will try to make and blog about other things- BUT I had to share the newest color.  A very nice gentleman asked if I could do a Yellow/Green reversible and I just couldn't say no.  So Here's his tie.

Bowties can be purchased by clicking THIS LINK- or e-mailing me at ellielaveer@gmail.com to place your special order.  I now have gentlemen in Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia, Vermont, Mississippi, South Carolina, Connecticut and North Carolina wearing my ties.  A professor at an distinguished southern university said this when he recieved his tie in the mail today.

The bow tie I bought from you arrived today. It's lovely! I'll have to get use out of it here in the South before I move out to Berkeley, where I'll wear it anyways, so as to antagonize hippies. Their pony-tails will spin!

Now I just have two more things to say...

1- It seems that my sewing machine is going to have to be permanently out and ready for sewing so I'll have to set up a studio in my house.  Does anyone in the Rock Hill area have a desk they would be willing to give me or sell to me (for cheap) so that I can use it to hold my sewing machine and sewing supplies?

2- I love my husband.  He has been such a patient, supportive dear through all this.  He tries on many of the ties so that I can make sure they look just right.  He models for me.  He doesn't get mad at me even though the dining room looks like seersucker vomit.  And when I'm not looking, he corrects all my grammatical errors on my blog.  Thank-you, honey.  You're the best.

[Edit - thanks, Ellie ;-) ]

Vintage Pillowcase Apron

My friends over at Clever Nesting have been making vintage pillowcase aprons following this tutorial from Glitter, Vinyl and Thread.  It looked fun and I really need another apron, just ask my husband (HA HA HA).  

I used a pillow case that I bought today at the thrift store for 50 cents.  It's really fun.  I'm collecting the names of ladies that have shared that they want to start sewing and I'm thinking of showing them how to make this apron.  It's a great place to begin if you're new to sewing and really, the investment is minimal if anything at all.  

Sorry for all the lo-fi pics lately.  I'm only using my webcam to take pictures.  I'm hoping to have the Canon back from the hospital in a week or so.  I can't wait!

Little Boy's ribbon belt and diamond point seersucker tie

I found some adorable fabric at Ashville Cotton Company yesterday.  I didn't even know what I was going to do with it, but today, I decided to use a little bit to make a ribbon belt for my 3 year old.  Sorry, as all crafting happens while children are sleeping, I don't have a picture of him wearing it.  But I was so excited to show it off I just had to post it tonight.  

I'm also quite fond of my first ever diamond seersucker tie which someone ordered by special request.  It looks really huge on me, but on a man with a dress shirt it would (obviously) look a bit more appropriate.  I just didn't have Andy around to model for me.

I'm pretty sure I tied it wrong, but you get the idea.  I bet Andy's going to want me to make him a diamond point tie now.  They are really neat.

Yet more seersucker bowties

OK, so we went to a massive fabric store yesterday and bought a few more varieties of seersucker patterns and colors.  This morning I made up a few more bowties.  

And even a twofer- Blue/Pink tie:

Who knew these little things could be so much fun?  

So, if you want one, you can choose your color or combination of colors.  Just e-mail me at ellielaveer@gmail.com.  I've even had requests for diamond point and straight style bows.

I'm still chuckling that this Ohioan is selling handmade seersucker bowties.  

Bowties Bowties Bowties!

Well, It seems that all of Andy's seminary and twitter friends want seersucker bowties.  I've spent hours cutting fabric and interfacing and meticulously sewing the cute little things.  He's taken about 15 orders in less than 24 hours.  I'm a bit overwhelmed but still having fun.  Sewing with the kids around is impossible so these people are dependent on me sewing during naptime and bedtime.

But it looks nice.  I've created my pattern based on a JOS A Bank tie that Andy has.  The width is 2 3/8 ".  The size is adjustable and I'm happy to make the bow wider or narrower. If you want one- or want to buy one for your dad for father's day, the price is $23 which includes shipping.   I may entertain the idea of trying different colors.  

JUST CLICK HERE it will take you to my paypal account so that you can buy one for yourself.  

*Cheers*

Deacon's Seersucker Jumper

Here's the jumper I made the other day.  It really looks adorable on my little boy, doesn't it?  This one is size 4T.

FYI- I purchased the pattern HERE.  It's a great pattern ranging from size 0 to 4T with lots of great instructions and pictures.

Handmade Seersucker Bowtie

I know my northern readers won't understand at all, but as the wife of a Presbyterian Minister, church clothes get lots of use at our house.  I bought a couple of yards of seersucker fabric to make a couple of rompers like these for the boys.  I know this is the last summer I'll be able to get away with dressing Deacon like this, so I have to seize the moment right?

I'll post pictures of the romper later on today hopefully once Deacon wakes up.

HOWEVER, Andy who is usually never the benefactor of my sewing projects got a very special southern style bowtie. Isn't it fun?

I'm seriously considering making a few of these to sell.  What do you think?

Another sewing project

I made this bag for my cousin that I just visited in Phoenix.  I thought it turned out pretty cute.  It was a rather simple project and the size is prefect.  I did add a little length to the straps so that it would be long enough to wear over the shoulder.

I found the FREE PATTERN HERE. 

Thank-you to My spare time for posting such a fun pattern!  I may try your Pleated Pouch next.  Three cheers for great talented sewers helping me out by sharing great tutorials.