Sewing = Happiness Pt. 1

In case you didn't know, I love to sew. LOVE it.

I have done a bunch of projects in the past year. My Mom and Dad gave me my very own sewing machine as a graduation present when I finished University. I had not sewn much since my grade 9 Home Economics class, so I was a little rusty to say the least. Okay, maybe I had taken in the sides of shirts that were too big, or hemmed a dress or whatever, but putting together a full project is different. Where do you start? I practically needed a tutor to get the basics down again.

Amy Butler. She has revolutionized sewing for our generation. Her fabric is modern- definitely not the flannelette our grandma's were sewing with for our Christmas pyjamas that you can still find at Fabricland to this day. (Don't get me wrong, I loved those pyjamas as a kid). And her patterns are far beyond the fleece joker hats (remember? the long, pointy ones we thought were really cool as kids?) that remain in our childhood memories.

You don't have to like her fabrics, but her patterns take you by the hand and guide you through her projects step-by-step, almost to the point of assuming you are a complete idiot. But hey, I find that helpful. Not all of us have a clue what "stitch in the ditch" means...good for you if you do. Yes, I realize the pom-pom pillow on the cover of the book is not screaming "wicked awesome!", but I promise, there are some real winners inside. Like what, you say? See below!

The pleated apron, made with Amy Butler fabric. A personal favorite for shower gifts.

Reversible place-mats. On the back it is just one solid print, so you can change it up. Also, her fabric in the center. These are also a gift...sometimes it's hard not to hang onto stuff for myself!

Then we have the ridiculously useful Laundry Bag, all A. B. fabric again. It's primary use- hauling multiple loads of laundry to mine and Kenton's parent's every week.

I think this was the very first pattern I attempted out of her book, the Floor Cushion. You may have seen it in a few photos with Wrennie on top. It's one of her favorite places to hang out.

Yoga Mat Bag, how great does that look? I made this one for Andrea at her request. This is a free pattern on A.B.'s website.

My last one is a "tunic" from a Simplicity pattern (sounds like something out of the Bible...a tunic?) but it was made with her fabric too. Can you tell I was obsessed?

If you have an iron, basic sewing tools (machine, pins, measuring tape, scissors, etc.) and you can follow directions well, then you can sew. It's really not as hard as it may seem.

In part 2, my baby projects that kept me busy in my month off of work before Wrennie came!