Friday, January 30, 2015

MY FRUSTRATING BUT PRODUCTIVE WEEK!


It's pretty early over here (around 5:15) and as you can see I am starting my day off with a new post. I was snoring by 8:30 last night so I got plenty of sleep in (I was soo tired!) but my day starts even earlier when I fall asleep that early, so thought I might as well take advantage of it to get a post up.  I have had a FRUSTRATING week at the sewing machine, but at the same time a very productive one. I learned some new things, and had some moments of triumph and fun along the way as well, so I guess that's about as good as it gets.  I am very sure that there are MANY of you who think I might have gone a little nuts in all that I am making for this baby.  And I guess maybe it's true.  (I've never tried to pretend I wasn't a "little" nuts! lol) I guess I could justify it in a few ways in that all the clothes are not the same size and so will therefore serve for a several month period of time.  Lots of the clothes were made out of left over fabric and squirreled away pieces I have been hording saving and it feels good to come up with ways to use them.  Lots of the fabric Melody bought and sent over which thrills my heart so in that she actually LOOKED at fabric (I've been trying for years to get her interested, lol) and that she actually WANTS me to make things for the baby. I am crediting that amazing accomplishment to Etsy and Instagram which has been her inspiration and driving force, but she's too frugal to want to spend the money on the prices they ask.   I am totally amazed at the business these gals who have Etsy shops and Instagram businesses have got going for homemade clothes. AMAZED!!  Where was all of this when I was young and had the energy and desire to jump on board is what I want to know?  But it does provide both of us with daily doses of inspiration, and the desire to recreate what we see.  Melody does not have a mall she can pop over too easily to (it's and hour and 45 minutes away!) she does NOT even have a Target or a Ross or a Kohl's nearby she can browse through and dream about how she might like to dress her new baby girl, let alone actually buy anything.  Not too mention with a 3 year old and a 20 month old while 6 months pregnant to deal with as well, even if she did have those stores near has added to her dilemma.  Therefore, most all of her shopping must be done online, and that's how she has discovered this wonderful world of Etsy and Instagram for clothing shopping. And with a mom who looks for excuses to sew, well it works well for both of us  is all I can say.  It seems like one or the other of us is always sending over things we've discovered throughout the day to each other.  I guess 1000 miles away from me it's how we shop "together" lol.  Where there's a will there's a way. Anyway, now that I have gabbed away and wasted used a lot of my time, let me show you this week's work.  I think I already told you about the frustration I worked on early in the week with the romper.  Well it kind of continued on from there. The next couple of pieces of fabric I used were thin cotton pieces which both wrinkled easily and were a little more of a challenge to sew with, AND I kept making mistakes.  And I mean "rookie" mistakes!  Sewing the wrong side of something to the right side of something else.  And way more then once or twice!  The seam ripper and I have been mighty close this week. I was actually getting concerned that maybe I have been sitting there too much and my mind is going.  But I think I've mentioned my stubborn side, and so I pressed on.  I DID actually make the LEATHER shoes too! These moccasins sell for 60 dollars on Etsy and Instagram which is why I was considering "maybe" selling some of these. I've re-considered, lol.  They were not hard.  In fact, suprisingly simple considering, but still took me a good hour and half from start to finish which I consider long.  Now some of that may have been because I went REALLY slow and carefully and had to follow step by step directions.  There is NO ripping out with leather as of course once that needle goes into the leather there WILL BE a hole. But all of this is not my reason for re-considering.  It is just as I researched and looked I realized there are SOO many who already sell them, and the thought of competing for the market exhausts me.  Like I said when I was younger I would have jumped in there with the rest of them and fought it out.  But nowadays I think I will just stick to making an occasional pair for any grandbabies who might want some. They may not be as perfectly made as the other gals I am not going to lie, but mine only cost me 3 bucks too, lol.  Well considering it is close to 6 now (goodness that went fast!) I am going to jump into the shower now and get to the rest of my morning routine...I will finish this later, but at least I got a nice start on it....I'll be back.

Well here I am again (I know...I know...your thrilled!) let me see if I get the bad pictures up without too much of a fuss.  Sometimes that goes soo smoothly I wonder why I ever think it doesn't...and yet other times I want to throw the whole computer out the window.



I FOUND THESE FABRICS IN THE GARMENT DISTRICT AND MADE UP ANOTHER ONE OF THE LITTLE HOODIES WITH MATCHING LEGGINGS IN A BIGGER SIZE.  THE FABRIC WAS JUST A NIGHTMARE.  I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FOR ME THE "KNIT" MUST BE JUST THE RIGHT WEIGHT AND FEEL ETC. IN ORDER FOR ME TO ENJOY WORKING WITH IT.  THIS DEFINITELY WAS NOT.  WHICH I DID KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BUT I GUESS JUST TO TORTURE SEE IF I HAD CHANGED MY MIND I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A WHIRL.  THE ANSWER WAS NO...I STILL HATE IT, LOL.  BUT THIS DID EVENTUALLY, FINALLY, (AFTER MUCH MUCH RIPPING) COME OUT PRETTY CUTE!  THESE HOODIES BTW SELL ON ETSY FOR 50 DOLLARS!  IS THAT INSANE?  I WOULD THINK NO ONE WOULD SPEND IT, BUT THEY SELL FASTER THAN THEY CAN MAKE THEM MOST OF THE TIME I AM TOLD.

AND THIS FABRIC (WHICH GOES SOO WELL WITH HER GLITTER SHOES AND BOW!) IS JUST ADORABLE BUT RAVELED BADLY, WRINKLES WORSE, WAS TOO THIN AND WAS A GENERAL MESS TO WORK WITH.  I SOUND LIKE I AM NOT ENJOYING THIS, BUT THAT WOULD JUST BE UNTRUE, LOL.  JUST HAD SOME CHALLENGES THIS WEEK, THAT'S ALL.

AND THIS ROMPER!  LOL  LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS.  FIRST OF ALL THIS IS FABRIC THAT MELODY BOUGHT AND LOVED AND IT WAS NICE, NICE FABRIC TO WORK WITH.  I HAVE ALREADY MADE A LITTLE PAIR OF BLOOMER SHORTS OUT OF IT.  BUT AS I WAS GOING THROUGH MY PATTERNS TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TO MAKE WITH IT, I SAW THIS PATTERN AGAIN AND REMEMBERED THAT MELODY DIDN'T CARE FOR IT MUCH  (SHE SWEARS NOW SHE NEVER SAID THAT....BUT SHE DID! LOL) BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS DARLING, AND READING THROUGH THE INSTRUCTIONS QUICKLY IT SOUNDED EASY TOO.  AND AFTER MY LAST ROMPER ADVENTURE, I WAS LOOKING FOR ONE THAT WAS SIMPLE.  THIS ONE WAS A BREEZE! AND I JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE THE RIGHT COLOR OF GREEN RIBBON ON HAND FOR THE TIES (WHAT WERE THE CHANCES I ASK ONE?) SO I DECIDED THAT MEANT IT WAS MEANT TO BE.  THE ONLY THING THAT GAVE ME MUCH OF A CHALLENGE HERE WAS THE GRIPPER SNAPS IN THE CROTCH.  I WAS USING THE KIND THAT COME ON A BAND, BUT THEY HONESTLY WERE JUST TOO BIG FOR IT SO I HAD TO CUT THEM APART AND PUT THEM ON ONE BY ONE.  I WON'T BE DOING THAT AGAIN!  GOODNESS, THAT TOOK ME AS LONG AS THE ENTIRE REST OF THE ROMPER TOOK!  LOL (COULD IT BE BECAUSE MY ZIPPER FOOT IS BROKEN AND I HAD TO IMPROVISE WITH MY OVERLOCK FOOT?)  IF I MAKE ANOTHER ONE OF THESE I WILL HAVE HUBBY PUT HIS SNAPS IN THE CROTCH AND CALL IT A WRAP.   IT REALLY DID COME OUT PRETTY, THOUGH I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE EVER CHOSEN THIS FABRIC.  AND NOT BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE IT, BUT BECAUSE IT JUST WOULDN'T HAVE OCCURRED TO ME TO PICK.  THE RIBBONS CAN EASILY BE TIED IN A DOUBLE KNOT WHICH SHOULD KEEP THEM FROM COMING UNDONE EASILY,  AND I HEAT SEALED THE ENDS OF THEM TO KEEP THEM FROM RAVELING.  LEARNED THAT FROM ONE OF MY HANDY DANDY BOW TUTORIALS.  THEY USE THIS EXACT PATTERN (I KID YOU NOT!) AND SELL ROMPERS ON ETSY WITH IT FOR 45 DOLLARS!  45!  MELODY IS NOW CLAIMING THIS IS HER FAVORITE PATTERN.  (COULD IT BE BECAUSE SHE KNOWS I WON'T MAKE ANY OF THE OTHERS AGAIN?  LOL) 

AND THEN I MADE UP THESE.  THESE ARE MADE OUT OF VINYL.  I HONESTLY WONDERED WHY ON EARTH THESE SHOPS WERE NOT USING THE LESS EXPENSIVE VINYL TO MAKE UP THEIR MOCCASINS (AT LEAST FOR THE BABIES WHO DO NO WALK YET ANYWAY) BUT VERY QUICKLY DISCOVERED WHY.  GOODNESS WHAT A JOKE.  THEY ARE CUTE, BUT IT ENDS THERE.  THE "PLASTIC" SHOES ARE THIN, THE "FRAYS" ARE ALREADY COMING APART, AND THEY ARE JUST GENERALLY "CHEAP" LOOKING, LOL.  GUESS I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING AFTER ALL.

AND HERE ARE THE LEATHER ONES.  THE LEATHER WAS AS SMOOTH AS BUTTER AND HONESTLY VERY EASY TO WORK WITH.  I LOVED IT.  TRUST ME THERE ARE A FLAW OR TWO HERE BUT I THINK WITH TIME I COULD PERFECT THEM.  I MADE A MATCHING BOW WITH THE SCRAPS WHICH I GUESS IT THE NEWEST BIG THING ON ETSY....LEATHER BOWS.  SOOO MUCH EASIER THEN RIBBON BY THE WAY.  THESE SHOES (MINUS MY MISTAKES OF COURSE!) AND BOW WOULD SELL ON ETSY TOGETHER FOR 75 DOLLARS!!  YES. NO TYPO'S HERE...75 DOLLARS!  IT COST ME 3 BUCKS.  MUCH MORE IN MY PRICE RANGE, LOL  I AM REALLY HOPING I CAN FIND SOME MORE LEATHER SCRAPS SOMEWHERE  

AND THEN THIS SWEET LITTLE SOFT PINK ONE WITH THE SHIP WHEELS ON IT.  I USED THE PATTERN WITH THE LITTLE PLEATS ACROSS THE FRONT.  BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL CAME UP WITH A NEW WAY TO DO THE ARM HOLES SO I WASN'T WORKING IN SUCH A TEENY, TINY AREA.  HOW IT DIDN'T THINK OF THIS BEFORE I CAN'T BE SURE, BUT IT IS SOOO MUCH BETTER.  THIS DRESS LOOKS SWEET, BUT THE FABRIC WILL BE A NIGHTMARE I AM VERY SURE (MELODY BOUGHT THIS!) AS IT WRINKLES VERY EASILY.  I NEVER MINDED USING A QUICK IRON WHEN DRESSING MELODY, BUT SHE WILL I KNOW FOR A FACT, LOL

And so here I am, and it's only 8! I also made up some turbans for my nieces business and got those in the mail yesterday. They are going to stop offering these accessories though, so that was probably the last of those I will do.  I am not going to miss making them I won't lie, but I guess my "free" hair cuts have come to an end too, lol.   This was much longer then I intended.  My kids are constantly telling me that my posts are TOO long, and to NIP them back if I expect anyone to read them. quit saying soo much, but I can never quite pull it off.  It is who I am and this is THE WAY WE ARE....I have a lot to do today.  I need to get out the embroidery attachment out as I have a few things I want to do with that. But first I have one last dress already cut out.  In a darling lavender.  And it's a quick and easy pattern.  I hope all of you (who are still with me, lol) have a good week-end.  We've got lots on our agenda.  Blessings to you all!  Debbie

10 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie, You amaze me every time I come for a visit-you accomplish more in your early morning than I do over several weeks. Melody's friends are going to be so jealous. She will be getting comments about the adorable outfits you made and how they can get some.
    I so admire you my friend! Hope you have a fabulous day!
    Hugs, Noreen

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  2. Don't listen to your kids and don't cut back on your posts. I love reading them. Wish I liked to sew so I could make some more money on Etsy. I am selling some of my knitted and crocheted things. But those outfits are darling and I can't believe someone is buying them for that kind of money. I always think I'm charging too much. But I guess not. haha

    Hope you have a great weekend!! With the snow they predict coming in, I'm hoping to have a lot of knitting time.

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  3. I enjoy my every visit to you and I linger over each photo!!! You are having such a good time and I appreciate you sharing your joy with us!

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  4. Love each of them, forever amazed by your talents!
    Have a great weekend...

    Hugs!

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  5. Ah, Debbie, just be who you are. If you're like me, your blog is as much a journal as anything else ... so just be yourself.

    You are so productive. I need to take a lesson or two on productivity from you!

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  6. Wow that is so cute. I like everything and it amazes me how much you get done. The shoes are wonderful.
    Melody really lives out far.
    I am glad she has you. She will have so much fun dressing up this new baby. I hope
    you have a lovely weekend.

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  7. No way are you a little nuts, Debbie, you are just one of the best grandmothers I have ever met, you keep me motivated, I stand in awe at your gifts and talents, they are given to us by God so that we might bless others, and you sure do that! The little shoes turned out so beautiful, Please tell you dear sweet husband to pat you on the back for me! I know you family arise and call you blessed! have a great weekend,
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  8. There you go again, accomplishing so much in a week's time that you make me feel perfectly lazy! Such darling clothes and shoes for this baby girl. The little pink dress and bloomers with the ship's wheel design makes me swoon. I hope Melody will share some photos of the baby modeling some of these darling outfits. (Hint, hint, Melody! We can't wait!)

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!