Nesting: The Sewing Corner

Last time 'round (a refrain that keeps going through my head), making things for my impending baby looked waaaay different.  I'm pretty sure I whipped out 5 quilts in 2 weeks (here, here, here, here).  This time?  Zero.  Zip.  Zilch.  No quilts for this baby.  Last time?  Diaper clutches, changing pads, tiny clothes, all of the things.  This time, well, most of the stuff I'm feeling compelled to make is not even for the new baby.

That's normal, right? 

Two Boppy covers.
One in flannel because *BRRRR!!*
This one is basically for baby...

Two new over-sized wetbags.
Eventually will be used by baby, but right now for RG.
So maybe kinda sorta for baby...

Pillow covers for the couch pillows.
The peach, its jersey.
I'm in love with it.
Baby, well, baby will likely not care one whit.

I wanted to show you the back of the pillows.
Riley did not have the same desire.

A new Shwin+Shwin Lizzy dress for RG.
Made with some Goodwill fabric from a while back.
Only the best for my first bambina.
Perhaps if we have another girl, it could go to her...

Its sort of a wooly blend.
Except soft and not scratchy.

Finally, an outfit for baby, complete with a bow just in case its a bambinA.
Hoodie pattern found here
Pants pattern found here

Aaaannndd... thats about it.  And by "about" I mean that its really all of it.  Its so much less than last time, and its much less baby-centered than last time, too.  I'm pretty sure that its going to be a theme with this whole shebang, however, that its less baby-centered than last time.  It's the trade-off of a second child, I believe.  They don't get nearly as much time or individual attention, but they don't get experimented on nearly as much either; they get the benefit of our experience while trading the personal care.  Oh, and they also trade in the new quilts and made-for-me clothes.  Hopefully we've learned enough that its not a loss on their part ;)

<3 M.

Inspiration for Making :: A List

Oh my.  You all.  Y'all.  I've got some ideas.  Coming out my ears in fact.  So many that I'm finding it hard to keep everything straight, and so if you will indulge me, I'm going to list them here.  Handsome has gently asked me to "stop. buying. flipping. fabric." and so I'm trying, I really am, to use what I've got currently, before indulging my fabric buying addiction any further.  Also, rather than spending $$ on a design wall, which serious makers apparently have, to see all of their ideas laid out, I'm basically making a virtual one.  So now you know what you're in for.

And so here we go!

As much as I keep ignoring the fact, there is a new baby coming our way in less than 3 months.
This new baby, s/he is going to be born into the cold, cold PA winter.
That means we will need warmth, which to me screams flannel.
I love flannel.
And these lovely Cloud9 and Birch Organic Flannels, well, they meet the bill perfectly.
Deadline: January 2015
(middle image via)

We've got ourselves a couch now, and its lovely.
Everything I dreamed it could be.
Perfect for sitting, snuggling, resting... I could go on.
But we've got no pillows, and we've got next-to-no throws that are larger than crib-sized.
Which is fine for crib sitting, but not great for couch snuggling.
These Hopewell Workshop pieces are lovely, and reminiscent of a design I've had flitting around in my head for eons.
Kona solids and Essex yarn-dyed Linens will do me just right, I think.
I can't wait to try out some fancy designs on the small canvas pillows provide!

This one, this is a gift.
See, I fell for V & Co.'s ombre fabrics when they first came out.
And so, like any good sewist, I bought them by the yard and promptly hoarded them.
I've got some long-range plans for the majority of the colors, but the purple & orange, well...
They're Clemson colors, no two ways about it.
And I know a little girl who will not appreciate this but she needs more Clemson in her life.
So I've got plans to flesh out another idea I've had ever since making my first ruffle quilt.
A friend & I are planning to splurge on babysitters and spend a day with ruffles.
Hopefully there will be 2 quilts at the end of the day.
Maybe even a tutorial, if you're lucky!

More Kona solids and Essex Linen, yes.
Which may seem uninspired.
But the heart wants what the heart wants, and I can't help it if these combos speak to me so loudly.
I'm planning on using Fresh Lemon Quilt's book, purchased last winter, to make a sampler.
Except not just any sampler.
I want to make the squares in all different scales, and arrange it similar to the star quilt on the right.
I've never made a sampler before, so that will be a new experience.
I've also never followed patterns, nor planned everything so carefully as this will require.
New skills in the new year, I'm so very excited!
This will be a queen-sized quilt for our bed.
We haven't had a new one in, oh, 4 years or so, so this will be a real treat!

There are a few other ideas I have floating around.  Ideas such as Old-fashioned Chenille Quilt (perhaps with a pieced top this time...!) and Christmas Stockings for Riley & myself (handsome already has his!), a large floor pillow for my sweet girl in Sesame Street fabric (she's crazy about them, despite never seeing the show), and a t-shirt quilt for my darling girl backed in some vintage Sesame Street sheeting (there's a theme, are you seeing it?).  I've recently made the little punkin a quiet book, which I can't wait to share with you once I get some pictures of it.  Finally, I'm in the process of making a custom-ordered leather duffle, and I can't wait to see how it turns out!  Items like that, where I have to do the designing and the sewing, there's always a bit of breath-holding until the finished product is in hand.  

And that's it.  Those are my projects.  Apparently there is life after grad school, where you have time for things like "hobbies" and "rest" and "not doing homework".  This life I'm getting the opportunity to live, its downright glorious, I tell ya.  I'm going to try my darndest to keep to this list, but I do have a few other things I need to make by Christmas time, so we'll see.  Ask me not for a promise, and I'll tell you no lie.

Are you making anything?  Please share it with me, I love to know what you're up to!  And also, lest you think I "do it all" I'd like to you to know that cleaning the house is the thing that gives when something's got to.  I just ignore it.  So "all" is not done.  In case you wondered ;)

<3 M.

Bags in the Shoppe :: Version 2.0!

I lined mine in the text print.
I'm pretty much in love.
I pet it.
Don't tell Duke.

Last week I shared this gorgeous little photograph on Instagram last week, my long-time-coming Framed Tote 2.0.  Everyone was so kind with their comments!  It took me a while to wrap my head around how to keep the "framed"-ness of it, but then a solution occurred to me!  Its a panoramic!  Boom, solved!  I'm still figuring out how to incorporate other designs into the panoramic style.  I think the sunshine burst might work quite well, and perhaps some arrows...?  Ideas are welcome, I love a challenge!

However, that is not all I have for you today.

Oh, no.  There was to be no "2.0" release for one until there was a "2.0" release for all!  And so here we are:

These ones are not yet lined, awaiting someone's preference of the gorgeous Indelible set...

These bags are the same size as the originals (approx. 11"x14"), but instead of the seamed portion being attached, it is separate from the body, creating an exterior pocket!  For me, this exterior pocket is perfect for keeping my phone, keys, and mail.  Inside, well, I find all manner of items to store inside my "black hole" of a bag, as Handsome calls it.  

The bags are now listed in my Storenvy shop, feel free to brows around!  I'm super excited for this next step in the shop.  Designing and manufacturing these bags is so enjoyable to me, and I'm so glad to get to share it all with you!  If you want one for Christmas (I know, its not even Halloween, but its coming all the same!  And if you wanted one for Halloween, well, you're too late.  Sorry.), there will be a cutoff in mid/late November for all Holiday orders.  Just to put a bug in your ear about it ;)

<3 M.

Toddlers & Art :: Finger Painting In A Box

Thus far, up until last week, I somehow I ignored the fact that my daughter, RG, might like to make things.  I mean, I loooooove to make things, and Riley loves all things, but I didn't make the connection.  It took her coming home, repeatedly, with crafts from daycare, for me to realize that we had never actually made a craft ourselves.  Unless pens from Mommy's purse and an old take-out menu count.  In which case, we've made 2.

The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to be intentional with creating things with my 20 mo. old (SERIOUSLY.  HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!?  YES, I KNOW I'M SHOUTING, BUT I'M IN SHOCK!).  We've had a few very fun projects so far, and I think I might be hooked.  Now, the projects RG & I do, they will never be perfect.  Or very well-planned.  Or necessarily attractive by the time all is said and done.  But we will have fun.  Of that, you can be most certain.

Today's art project comes to you courtesy of IKEA, who loves providing more cardboard boxes than any living soul knows what to do with.  Last night, after unpacking and wrangling and sweating and baptist-cursing (you know, like "dang it!" and "for the love!" and "I swear, I'm gonna........."), we had put together not only a child's chair, stuffed wingback, and couch-that-is-too-large-for-our-living-room, but also an impressive stack of cardboard sheets and boxes.

And the boxes, they spoke to me.  They said "We can hold things.  All sorts of things.  Things like messes."  And BOOM.  Inspiration.  

So this afternoon, I took sweet little Riley, got her down to a diaper, and plopped her in one of the boxes in our sun porch, which was by 4 PM nice and toasty warm.  Then I started handing her jars of finger paint.  I showed her how to use it (Is that an abomination?  That a toddler wouldn't know how to finger paint?  I felt abominable in that moment.  And not at all snowman-like.) and then just let her go wild.  She'd get tired of a color, and ask for more, and I'd throw another into the ring.  

Things started a little slow, but she quickly caught on, and I am proud to report that she now handles finger paints with at least moderate skill.  And by "moderate skill" I obviously mean she can slather with the best of them!

Lots of mess, oh yes.
But lots of mess IN ONE SPOT.
WHERE SHE CAN'T TOUCH OTHER THINGS.

Next time we do this, I'd change a few things:

1. Get better quality paints.  The Dollar Tree origins of the paints was not a big deal until bath time, when the blue was staining her skin, and I happened to remember that tomorrow is picture day.  We did eventually get the smurf-ness to fade, but it's still there somewhat.  I'd definitely go up in price some to avoid discolored children.
2. Speaking of bathtime, for the love, put the box in the bathroom!  The mess was wholey contained, right up until RG had to go the whole way through the house in order to get in a bath.  Luckily Handsome stepped in and provided a towel, with which I straight-jacketed my child and carried her through like she was foul garbage.  She thought it was a game.  We were both happy.  But keeping clean-up in mind when planning these things out is going to prevent a lot of headache in the future, I can tell.

Otherwise, we had a ton of fun, and I was happy that Riley got to be happy.  Plus, it gave me a few minutes (probably 20 or so!) of not hearing "uppy!?" or "block-shhh" or picking up legos or naming every. single. Sesame Street character 14 times in her book.  Yes, hearing "Elbo?" is cute once.  Even twice.  57 times in, it gets old.

What art have you been making lately?  Got any great ideas for projects that should take place in a box?  Please share, I've got plenty of boxes yet to go through!!

<3 M.

New Babies and All The Feelings

WHEW!  

I just got the word, delivered over the miles via text message, that one of my best friends has finally delivered her baby boy.  We've been waiting for Action Jackson for about 11 extra days now, and I was getting nearly as impatient as his mama!  I'm so glad he's here, that she finally gets to hold her dream baby in her arms.

Happiness is definitely the overriding feeling right now in this moment of excitement and hype.  So much happiness.  I haven't even seen his sweet face yet, and I'm in love.

But here's my confession: ever since finding out I was preggo with baby #2, new babies have equal parts delighted and terrified me.  They are darling, yes.  They are tiny and sweet and don't weigh 34 pounds.  You can wear them and not need a chiropractor to follow you around.  They are just so... new.  And new is nice.

They are not long-sleepers, though.  They are sweet, precious little balls of nerves that are experiencing everything for the first time, and its all a little overwhelming, and they do stuff like cry and they do it a lot.  Which is all part of being a new baby, they're just doing their jobs.  But oh my lanta, I am scared to go back there, and holding wee ones reminds me that that is indeed my fate.

It is likely due to the fact that those first months with RG were hard for me.  Like way-hard.  My type-A personality was still in full swing, and I don't do well sleep-deprived.  Coupling that with a husband who was only home 3/6 nights... well, those are remembered as dark, dark days.  I know that this second time around won't necessarily be like the first (at.  all.).  I'm getting a totally different baby, and I'm a completely different mama.  I've done this before.  I know that the phases don't last, and I know that one bad afternoon is not indicative of the rest of my baby's formative years.  I know I won't have to wait until he or she is 12 before getting a full night's sleep.  But there's residual fear there, that it'll all be dark again.  

I'm pretty sure that this is the part where I'm supposed to write about how I'm going to deal with this and turn that frown upside down and ta-daaa! not be scared/nervous anymore.  But I've got nothing for you.  I'll just do it, and it'll be what it is.  I've got no extra wisdom beyond that, and I don't feel like I need any.  Feelings acknowledged, check.  And now we move forward.  And by forward, I mean I want to show you the present that I've put in the mail today for my newest (terrifying) little buddy Jackson!

Amanda requested a bright blues quilt that was inspired by this no-longer-offered Land of Nod beauty.  The fabric for the back isn't showing up well in my at-night, smashed-screen-iPhone pictures (weird!), but it can be found here, and is Constellations by Lizzy House.

I love it like crazy, its so whimsical without being too baby-ish!  Other fabrics include Pearl Bracelets, Color Me Retro, Stella Dot, and Kona solids, as well as some un-named stash fabric and of course, Art Gallery Fabric's Pure Elements Snow for the most fabulous white fabric ever.

This lovey is made from the same fabrics as the quilt, combined with some of the softest minky you'd ever want to rub all over your face.  For realz.  I don't know if its really that amazing, or if I'm just that tactile-y inclined, but its so crazy soft.  I want to have a robe made out of it.  And wear it all the time.

Boom.  It was very much fun to play with fabrics again, and to use my stellar quilting machine for its intended purpose.  And now I'm going back to the land of regularly scheduled leather-making, because it smells so good and I can't help myself.  That is, once I do this daytime thing called a "job" (soft "o").

<3 M.

Makers Gotta Make - The Shop Is OPEN!

Want to know the most disconcerting feeling I had while packing for our move?  When I finally boxed up my sewing machine.  I'm sure it should have been when I packed the medicines away or when RG had no more toys to play with or photo albums or something.  But no.  It was the sewing machine.  Crazy thoughts raced through my head, like "What if a seam tears and I can't mend it!?  What if I want to make something, I get inspiration and have to act right. that. moment. and I can't??"

Cue slight hyperventilation.

Ridiculous, yes, but I've come to grips with the fact that I'm a maker.  I have to make.  Give me a 2-hour naptime for my toddler, and its off to the sweatshop - its where I unwind.  Making things helps me feel calm and creative, productive (one of my favorite feelings) and satisfied.  If I felt the way about exercise that I do about sewing things, I would be much more impressive physically, but whatever.  As I've found out, a maker has got to make!

And so things have slightly settled down in these parts, and I've gotten back to making.  Yes, I'm in the process of both a Laura Ingalls-Wilder dress for my niece (birthday request - from a to-be-7-year-old, no lie!) and a Land of Nod inspired baby quilt, but mostly, its been leather, all leather.  My upstairs smells so good, y'all!  I've been working on the exteriors of purses so that when I re-opened my shop, I would be able to have faster turn-around time, and also so that the bags would be more uniform, having all been made at the same time.

I posted this picture on instagram the other night, because it was just so happy for me to look at, bad lighting and all!

So now the shop is re-opened, and I'm taking orders and all that business.  I'm still working out some smaller items for people who don't need a whole new purse, but would like some quality leather accessories, so I'll be sure to update you when that's listed!  But in the meantime, want to know my favorite thing thats new this season?

The Framed Lonestar Tote & The Framed Sunshine Tote

These two.  And specifically, Mr. Sunshine there on the right.  I've had dreams of a quilt that is along those lines for a few years now, and when I realized I could make it into a framed tote, I was so excited!  Now I'm just trying to keep myself from trading my current bag (the framed chevron tote) in for Mr. Golden Sun... but I can always make more... ;)

And in case you need some size reference, I submit to you a nearly in-focus, husband-turned-photographer picture :)  

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away!  And if you want to check out more information, follow the link to my store on the right (or right here)!  Big huge thank you to all of you for your support and for waiting so long for me to get my feet under me again!

<3 M.

Not On Top of My Game

So, I'm not the most "with it" person I know.  There are others who are worse, yes.  A friend from grad school just posted a picture of her PhD husband who had opened a resealable bag of shredded cheese from the wrong side.  She "Doc shamed" him.  I couldn't stop laughing, but perhaps I should have, because friend?  The mighty have fallen.  

There are also those who are better at being on top of their game than I am.

Enter: Handsome.

He has a system.  Many systems.  He keeps his wallet either in his back right pocket, or beside the sink.  If its not in his pocket, and its not beside the sink, it is legitimately lost.  Truck keys go front-left or on top of the microwave.  The system may not seem to make sense, but he has a system and always knows where stuff is.  Compare this to him asking me where my keys where.  Which is a regular q&a that sometimes has an answer and often ends with big sighs on his part.

This last time it went like so: "Where are the keys?"  "In my purse" "Where's your purse?" "Uhm... I think its in the car.  Yes, in the car, passenger seat.  The keys are in the inside pocket of my purse that is in the car, on the passenger seat.  The purse is also full of peaches." "I hate you."  He doesn't hate me, of course, but our ways of keeping track of stuff are a wee bit different from each other's.  And his is right.  I admit it.

I have other problems, though, besides keeping track of stuff.  Like literacy.  Sometimes I think I know what something says, so I don't really read it, and then I end up sewing the ends of a boxy pouch together the wrong way.  Hypothetically.  Or, I see an adorable little purse pinned on Pinterest, and see that there's a sew-a-long, and that she's going to post the pictures on Monday, so I do my darndest to sew one up this weekend.

Giveaway (sur)prizes for the fabric survey winners!

I didn't really take much more away from the pin I saw, other than the roundness, the fold-over-ness, and the ruffle.  I made it, though, and it looked like what I saw in my head, which is the ultimate success of any project.  And I got on today and looked for that sew-a-long so I could post my ruffly clutch.

I couldn't find it in my blogroll (that list at the bottom of this page), which was weird, since I knew it was recent.  So I went to google and searched a couple of links, and then I found it!

Linked Here

Do you see what I see?  Or rather, what I didn't see?  Yes, dear gentle reader, this sew-a-long took place over 2 years ago.  I'm a little late to the party.  So late that I can't even comment on Kate's post and admit what a dummy I sometimes am.  "Precious" as I would call a student who did the same.  Sometimes I am just precious.

<3 M.

Fabric Survey & Giveaway!!

Hey friends.  I know, I said July 10, and here it is almost August 10, and whoa, late.  I know.  The good news is that everything is done and I am a Dr. (which is weird to say and also - not the medical kind so don't  call me if you have an emergency!), and I graduate Friday and move Sunday, and OHMYGOODNESS, its a lot.

Also, in a mildly-related note, just as I'm ready to get back into talking to you all and running my online shop, I've got to give back my school-supplied laptop, and have not yet purchased my own.  Which means I'm going to write this post and then disappear yet again.  I do promise to get back here by mid-August, as I'll be in an office (that says "Ph.D." on the door.  EEK!) and I'm assuming that I will have a computer in that office. If not, well, I'll need one and so I'll purchase one, and then I'll be back.  So either way.

But here's the survey part, where you come in.  I'm planning to re-open my online shoppe, where I plan to sell my leather bags/purses again.  For many reasons, not the least of which is that it gives me an excuse to have a room in the house that smells like leather every single time you open the door, and that, dear ones, is glorious.

The survey, however, has to do with fabric choices.  It's a single entry, although you can enter every day, because if you feel strongly enough about your choice that you're willing to come here everyday and vote, I want to know about it.  I've got 4 sets for you to choose from, and I'm wondering what you like best.  The fabric chosen will be used for the main interior of my bags in the Fall line. In no particular order (or picture format, whoops!) here are your choices!

Choice 1
AGF Indelible (Purple)

Choice 2
Cotton & Steel Assorted

Choice 3
AGF Indelible (Grey)

Choice 4
AGF Arizona

So, for your entry into a giveaway, the prize of which is a surprise gift of leather & fabric from my workshop, please use Rafflecopter below to enter your favorite choice.  And if you can't decide between one, come back and choose a different choice tomorrow! (If Rafflecopter won't let you enter again, just leave a comment on the blog post, because that's all you have to do for Rafflecopter anyhow!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If not before, I'll talk to you all once we're in Erie!  If you  get to missing me, keep up with me on Instagram, because that NO ONE can take away from me! (Except RG, who I am trying desperately to keep away from my phone!)

<3 M.

It'll Be Tomorrow Soon Enough

*** Don't forget, there's a giveaway going on HERE for $50 to The Leather Hide Store.  You can enter everyday. Mariah - Out! ***

Oh lovelies.  Tomorrow is coming.  Fast and quick and unrelenting.

In other news, if my dog doesn't stop whining, I might cause him murder.

Back to the point, tomorrow.  Tomorrow is big and heavy, I don't know if you knew.  Tomorrow, I hop on a plane and head to the Great Cold North (GCN).  And I do mean cold.  Super cold.  I recently acquired a handy little box that tells me the weather, and it told me that today the high here would be 56.  Chilly, but definitely do-able.  Then I looked up the GCN and saw the phrase "Near Record Lows".  

And then I cried.

Real tears.

Because while I've been hearing tale of your cold winter, you northern people, I haven't had the misfortune of experiencing it.  I'm totes not ready.  I need to find, like, pantyhose or something.  This isn't a trip for leisure; I've gotta be Business Mariah while I'm up there, which is a great segue to my reason for taking on such a harrowing journey.

Job interview.

GULP.

For those of you not in the Academia bubble, this isn't an "be here at 11:15 sharp" kind of thing.  Nope.  I'm locked in for 24 hours, although there is some time penciled in for sleeping/power point revisions, whatever seems more important at the time.  After dinner the night before, we've got breakfast at 7:30 (for the love!) and then back-to-back meetings with other faculty members, until I give an hour-long research talk, followed by lunch at the school (managed expectations: check) and then more meetings until 3:00 when I give a 40 minute sophomore-level lecture to a room full of PhD's (potential for awkwardness - moderate), to be finished with an exit interview, a drive to the airport, and a quick "don't call us we'll call you".  But hopefully, they mean it.

Just the right size for my cards and phone.
I call it the Airplane Wallet.
If I close it, it looks like a bad eye-glasses case.
Because that's how I do.

Its tiring just to think about.  I'm combating my rising level of nervousness by sewing myself a new wallet for the trip, cleaning my house for my in-laws (who are driving down here as I'm flying up there, take that two ships passing in the night), writing to you, and thinking about getting around to packing.

My biggest concern is that I have to brush off a language that I haven't used in a good long while.  After years of fighting my predilection towards talking math in public, I now have to re-become fluent in Nerd.  Apparently I undersell when I give research talks, shooting more for "relate-able" and less for "impressive".  While this has served me well in the classroom, it's not what potential employers are looking for.  They want the academic version of lady on the street, freak in the bed (which makes me blush just to write, but you know what I'm saying, right?).  They want simple talk in the classroom, but fancy talk for research.  My game plan is to watch that John Nash movie on my first flight tomorrow, then channel my inner mathlete on my second flight and revise my slides.

I've talked about this a little bit before, but in that vague way.  There is so much changing, so many different options and shades of options.  I've discovered that there is a thin line between trusting God and apathy.  I'm flirting with it.  I'm definitely going to give it my everything this week.  I'm going to Nerd them so hard in the research talk, and I'm going to charm them with my examples and wit when I lecture.  I'm going to be pleasant and excited and congenial, because I do think this would be an awesome job.  And then I'm going to let the chips fall.  Because God's got this, and after I do my part, there's nothing else to be done for it.  Apathy or faith, I'm not sure, but is it important?

So now I've procrastinated long enough for the diapers to be done in the washing machine so that I can switch them to the dryer before bed.  I still haven't packed, which is growing in importance in my mind, but still seems like it could wait a little bit.  Think of me tomorrow, dear ones.  And then tomorrow's tomorrow, because that's really the big day.

<3 M.

Hairy Leather Accent Pillow DIY & Giveaway

Hey friends!

So... what do you think??  Do you like my new haircut blog design?

What do you mean you didn't notice!?!?

The lovely and talented Kerrie @ Life on a Mission made this magic happen, and I am crushing on it so hard!  It makes me happy, and I hope it does the same for you!

But that's not why I brought you here today.  Today, we're going to make something together.  Yes, beautiful music, as always, but also a pillow.  Because (1) Who doesn't love a snazzy accent pillow, and (2) Its made of leather, and YOU can still do it!  Now, this project does require a sewing machine.  I recommend calling your grandma, see if she has one you can borrow.  I do not recommend trying to do this by hand, as leather is very, well, leathery, and sewing it by hand is cumbersome.

This post is sponsored by The Leather Hide Store.
They sent me this mind bottling FISH SCALE hair-on-hide leather.
I love them long time.
They're also where I buy all of my premium grade leather for my handbags.

Here's what you need:

• Pillow form (I used 12x16)
• Rectangle of leather the same size as your pillow form + 1/2 inch (12.5x16.5 for me)
• Complimentary home-decor weight fabric approx. 2 times the size of your pillow form
• Complimentary thread
• Leather sewing machine needle (Schmetz* is the shmetz. But any will do for this project.)
• Sharpie
• Rotary cutter & mat (scissors, serious scissors, will also work.)
• Recommended if using rotary cutter: acrylic ruler

Materials

Now, before you start, here's some basic leather-working knowhow that I've picked up since Christmas.  First, use a new, sharp needle.  It makes all the difference.  Second, one of my favorite things about working with leather is that you don't really need a pattern.  There's no shifty fabric, nothing is going to slide.  And, grab that sharpie, because you can draw your lines directly onto the backside of the leather, and it will never-ever-ever-ever show through the front.  I love leather.

This right here?
Rough patch.
Not what you want for a pillow.

Of note: leather, particularly high-grade, premium leather from The Leather Hide Store (I love those guys), is made from real cow hide.  Which means that there may be some imperfections, because maybe Bessy didn't watch where she was walking one day and got a scratch.  So before you start working with any piece of leather, check it over and make sure that the area you are planning to use is free of imperfections.  If its not, try a different layout so that you can avoid the problem area.

Okay, so now you're ready to get to work.  Grab that big, beautiful piece of leather, and lay it out flat, good side down.  Draw a rectangle the dimensions of your pillow form, adding a 1/2 inch to the top and one side.  Great.  now cut it out.

Next up, grab your complimentary home-decor weight fabric.  We are not doing leather on both sides of this pillow because when you make a pillow with leather on both sides, you get some air flow problems, and the pillow either doesn't whoosh out when you lean on it, or it doesn't re-inflate when you stop leaning on it.  Just trust me, its for the best.  Anyhow, grab your fabric, and cut out two rectangles that are the exact same width as what you just cut your leather, and are three inches taller than half the height of your pillow.  I'm sorry.  I know that sounds crazy.  Here's what I mean:

If your pillow is, hypothetically, 12 inches tall, half the height of your pillow is 6 inches.  Three inches more than half the height of your pillow is then 9 inches.  If your pillow is, hypothetically 16 inches wide, and you've added a half inch, you should have (2) rectangles, each 16.5 inches wide by 9 inches tall.

Fold each rectangle of fabric over 1 inch along the hotdog side (16-inch side) and iron it.  Seriously, you're doing awesome.  Next, sew about 3/4 inch in along that folded edge.  It should look like the picture below when you're done.

There, now don't those look nice?  They do. I'll bet yours look awesome too.  Use that momentum, keep going, we're going to actually sew the leather next.  Don't look back, you've got this!

Now is the actual working-with-leather part.  You've got your leather needle in your machine (you didn't need it for the fabric), you've got all of your pieces cut out, you're ready.  Lay your leather down, good side UP.  Then layer your two pieces, rough edge up, on top of your leather.  If you are using brown fabric, and you have the poor choice to lay them on top of some brown paper, your setup should look like this:

A little beige on beige with beige action, my favorite.  Now, if you were using all fabric, you would pin the pieces together.  DO NOT DO THAT.  You likely won't have a lot of luck with the leather, and you will poke a bunch of holes in the leather, and you don't want that. If you have some of those black office alligator clips, those could be helpful.  But I found that, since this project isn't huge, and there aren't that many pieces, slow going was enough to keep everything lined up.

Ready? Set your stitch length to long (3-4) and stitch around the entire perimeter (outside).  Back stitch once or twice, at the end. Voila!  you're done!!  Flip that sucker right-side out, shove your pillow form inside, and place it strategically in an area to get the maximum number of compliments.

Its a symphony of leather and class.

The back:

That's it.  See!?  Sewing with leather is not so scary.  Its actually pretty accessible, I think.  It just makes you look like you've accomplished a crazy feat, and that you ought to be lauded in the square.  I hope you enjoyed this little DIY!  I also hope that you've gotten over some of your nervousness about leather, because I have a small present for you...

A $50 Giftcard to The Leather Hide Store!

Isn't that awesome!?!  Use the rafflecopter below to enter.  The only requirement is to "like" their page on facebook.  How easy is that?  And what will $50 get you?  Oh, a really good-sized remnant.  Vintage gator print, if you'd like.  TURTLE SHELL!  I've never seen that one before.  Oooh!  And they all of a sudden have some gorgeous ostrich print leather in their remnant section!  I think I might have to get some of that myself!  Anyhow, I'm going to go shop some more, but this giveaway will be going through the 30th, at which time a winner will be selected!  And if you don't know what to do with the leather if you win it, talk to me - I'd be happy to help turn your leather into a custom bag!  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This pillow is certified by our resident pillow testing expert, RileyGirl.

<3 M.

Baby Girl Sewing :: A Collection

We've got a small problem in this hizouse, and the problem belongs to our small one.  Girlfriend is very good at... growing.  Which means I'm constantly swapping out her clothes for the next size.  Which is fine, when there are clothes for the next size but, well...

She's got no shirts.

Its nearly true.  A bit of an exageration, but in reality, she has about 3 pairs of bottoms to every top, and there aren't that many tops.  I was thinking about going shopping, but (1) I'm a cheapskate, (2) Handsome is a cheapskate and (3) Riley can't drive herself to the store yet.  Plus, the cheap clothes are usually made by underpaid 3rd world people, and sometimes I remember that and it bothers me.

But then i remembered that I recently cleaned out Handsome's dresser of all the t-shirts that he's too skinnified to wear, and I thought "Hey!  I'll bet I could make things!" which quickly spiraled into "Make all the things!"  And so, I present to you to today, a small sampling of "all the things" that I want to/plan to make for Riley girl.  The entire list can be found on pinterest.  Most of these are basic and imprecise and fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants because (1) that's how we do and (2) she's a baby.

Simple Toddler T-shirt
This is pretty much exactly what I was looking for.
Tip: Use a currently fitting t-shirt for size/pattern, then add 1/2 inch just to be safe.

Simple Baby Raglan (baseball shirt)
Again, perfectly what I'm trying to make.
Tip: re-use the ribbing from around an old t-shirt collar

The Warhol Dress.
Seems like a version of a pillowcase dress, but I haven't looked into it.
Tip: Start viewing old t-shirts as "fabric"
Double Tip: Always buy XXL t's when thrifting for projects like this (more "fabric", same price!)

Baby Headband from pants waistband
SO simple.
Disclaimer: pretty sure RG's head is too big for this to work.
Plan: go to Salvation Army Thrift & put different sized pants on her head.

The Party Dress
It's a fancier dress, but there's a full pattern you can print off
Tip: I have no tip.  I haven't yet followed a pattern.

Jersey Knit Dress
Again,we're straying away from my original plan, but they're SO CUTE!
Tip: teach her young that dresses with pockets are the best dresses!

The Runway Shortie
If you've made it this fat, this last one is a prize for you!
I think this might be the cutest little sewing DIY I've seen yet.
The instructions really explain it well, too!
And, if your baby wears 12-18 mo., there's an exact pattern for you to follow!
EEK!

So those are my big plans.  If you follow @gr8manyThings on Instagram, you also know that I've finally bit the bullet and bought myself a real live, tissue-papery pattern for RG's Easter dress, just like my grandma used to make for me!  Hopefully I can get one or two or seven things knocked out this weekend!  What are your plans?  Did you used to get an Easter dress?  Do you still?

<3 M.