Pajama fix for adjustable straps

I am a rather large breasted woman who lives in very hot summers. My favorite clothes are pajamas and scrubs (for work, of course). I am a thrift store junkie, and love to find great deals. Normally, I don't buy certain things at thrift stores (eg. bras, panties, pajamas). The one below just called my name. So for 50 cents and a good bleach washing, this find was wonderful.
But, this maxi style garment has adjustable straps. I have other pajamas with this same feature. After sleeping, I came to realize, the "adjustable" was a bother rather than a plus. The neck line seemed to plummet mid-sleep and no longer covered what needed to be covered.
Quick fix: adjust the straps to your liking, and sew them that way.

For obvious reasons, I did not want to model. But this is what it looked like after a nights sleep. Even on a hanger, you can see the shape is not flattering.

Once sewn, the results are obvious. a much nicer fit that wont slip during sleep.

A close up look reveals how easy this was. But it made a big difference.
Happy Sewing!

The Best Ever Bandana Blanket

Pictured above is a layout of six bandanas. These make a great medium for a "throw around" quilt. These blankets are the best for our family. We often refer to them as, The Camp Blanket. Oridginally, they were designed to go around your shoulders and made for sitting around the campfire in the summer, when the nights are chilly in the mountains.

Bandanas are cheap, have all pre-finished edges, and come in a huge variety. Every summer, a new selection of bandanas comes out at our local big box store. The best part: a dollar a piece.

1) Assemble you supplies: 12 bandanas (coordinating colors or your kids favorite combination), batting (crib size), thread

2) Arrange one side of your quilt, as seen in the picture above. With this quilt, I have decided to do "Fire and Ice" Varigated warm colors with a contrast in the middle, and cool colors for the back.

3) Sew together, with right sides together. Note: the natural rolled hem of the bandana is your wrong side. Do the same with the back side of the quilt.

4) On a large surface, lay out one side of the quilt, right side down. The "ice" side of this quilt is down. Then lay out the batting. Trim around the sides so that 1 inch of the bandanas are seen. These are going to be sewn together via topstitching.

5) Lay the top of the quilt on the batting. Place pins around the edges and a few anchoring the batting to the quilt. This will help keep the batting from moving around too much as you sew the edges.

6) Once the edges are complete, topstitch on the borders of each bandana junction. I also made large "X" on each bandana.

As you can see, we love these blankets, each blanket minus the red,black & white, have two designs. This is side one.....

Side two, my 5 year old, rather than hold up his sister blanket for display, decided to take a rest in the warm sun.

The best part about these blankets....They get softer with each wash.
Happy Sewing!

House Cleaning

Of all the things that we just have to do in life, housecleaning is in the top three. Death and taxes are up there too. I prefer cleaning house. In order to do this job a little easier, I have devised a system. The cleaning basket. Included are all the things you would need and a few added incentives. Home made cleaner (Vinegar and water), Window cleaner (Ammonia and water), Comet, air freshener when your done, sponge, rag, duster, coarse scrub brush and a small box with grocery bags in for trash and odds and ends. I also bring a tote with me to toss any item that doesnt belong in that room. So later, I can deposit said items in the right place. "A place for anything, and everything in its place".
One other thing I put in my basket. A timer. I find it almost fun to race against the clock. Bedrooms and baths get ten minutes. Larger areas, fifteen. You'd be suprised how much you can get done when you know there is a time limit. Plus, you get less destracted.
With three kids in the house, rooms get messy when I turn around. My day off gets nabbed by major house cleaning, so it's easier to spot clean on the days I work.
One more thing....an Ipod works great for this, set the timer on you device and listen to music, upbeat and quick rhythm, makes it more fun.
Happy House Cleaning

The Lunch Sack Tutorial

This is the Lunch Sack. Designed after a brown paper bag, but so much prettier. I made one for each child, but the kindergartener NEEDED the Buzz Lightyear metal one. This one is for me, and now I have the best "brown bag" in the fridge at work.

Bare with me, this is my very first tutorial.

What you will need:
                                   2 pieces of fabric measuring 24" x 12"  (one is you cover, the other is lining)
                                   1 piece of interfacing measuring 24" x 12" (use heavier weight for more stability)
                                    Small tab of Velcro (optional)

1.)  First, cut out your pieces. I have chosen this great fabric that was a remenant at Joanne's. I also used a medium weight interfacing.
2.)  With right sides together and interfacing placed on the lining side, sew together three sides. Turn right side out and press.

3.)At this point, you have two options. You could sew up the sides and have and extra detail of the liner showing on the outside, or you could turn inside out and sew up the edges making a nice clean seam. I chose the first option.

4.)This step is a little hard to see, but I have pleated the bottom. Once folded, liner side out, take the side seams and fold so the seam is verticle and in the middle of the fabric. Sew across the fabric, one inch above to tip. This should make a triangle. If you have chosen the side seams on the outside, be sure to have to liner edges pressed outwards before you do this, or else your seam will not look right. This step creates the bottom of you bag and makes the space you need to hold your lunch.

5.) To do the flap of the sack, fold inward the edges as shown from the top of the bag section and taper inwards. This creates an angle of your flap. Press and pin once folded. Carefully fold the top of the flap in. Again, press and pin. Top stitch around the edges starting at the top of the bag. I also topstitched across the back of the bag where the flap starts, thus making a natural crease in which the flap to fold over.
6.) Since I wanted a "sack", I stopped here. But, you can add a tab of Velcro to the top of the bag and flap for closure.
7.) Lastly, I like nice clean edges. So, I folded each side to make creases that you would find in a brown paper bag. Simply fold where needed and topstitch very close to the edge. I did the same with the base. This makes my bag hold it's shape well, even with odd sized items inside.

This photo shows the details of the edges. I gently tapered the back to meet up close to the seam.
Happy Sewing!

My first post

Ok, so I decided to start blogging. I follow a lot of blogs about crafting, gardening and have created several things that I would love to share. So here I am. My hope is to share my trials and error with you so that you may feel the joy I have when creating. So, in the morning, I am going to share my latest sewing machine project : The Lunch Sack. I fully believe that school lunches, even though they are improving, are still far from good for you. Last year, my two high school daughter spent over a thousand dollars....just on junk sold at school. Needless to say I was appalled at their purchases that the school allowed them to credit. This year, they are brining sack lunches. And if someone buys a school lunch, they will be tarred and feathered! Not really, but they know I will be very upset. My youngest has started kindergarden, so I can start fresh with him. The only thing he gets at school is milk (white, no flavored). So, stay tuned for my first tutorial. Enjoy!