Paisleycats Sewing Room

I'm seeing Black n Blue and tiny checks...

2010-01-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

This apron was soo much fun to make.. I used McCalls pattern #3979.. I'm so proud of myself for making my own binding.. In a tiny blue check, and all hand sewn btw..lol .. I'm never pleased with how my binding looks when I sew it by machine.. Sure sewing by hand takes a bit longer, but it is soo very pleasing.. I just take my time and enjoy every single quiet minute of it.. (smiles)

My 'New' Fav Apron..

2010-01-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, ya'll..

I spent part of New Years Day making this lovely belted smock apron.. Cute huh? I think so, I don't really know why I've been avoiding this style .(Yes, I do.. It was the binding.. yuck..) It was a pleasure to make, and I love the one big pocket in the front, divided into thirds.. Even the binding was a joy to make.. All because of a great tutorial I found online..( Click here to see it..) Yep, I got to use my trusty rotoary cutter tool and handy dandy cutting mat with the clear measuring device.. Did you know that one little yard of fabric will make about 9 yards of binding? (Click here to see how to sew the strips together..) More than enough for this little number.. This pattern comes in little girls sizes too, I'll have to see what I can come up with for the 'Little Princess' in our house.. (wink)

Have a great Sunday..

Laura’s Lovely Giveaway

2009-06-10T10:29:00.001-07:00

I’m the lucky winner of Laura’s lovely giveaway.. Woo Hoo.. ( my first giveaway win ) A gorgeous pair (yes, a pair) of shabby chic pillow covers.. An adorable handmade (by Laura herself) Paris tag and a little goodie bag of buttons and charms.. I am giddy.. Thank you so very much, Laura.. You are so generous and giving.. I am soo blessed to have such wonderful blogging friends.. just click on the photos to see how exquisite these pillow covers really are..

Mother’s Day Apron Giveaway… 3rd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway... 'And the Winner is; Christine at Change of Heart' ..

2009-05-07T13:39:00.001-07:00

Hello, I’d like to Welcome you to my sewing room.. And my very first Apron Giveaway.. To celebrate Mother’s Day, I’d like to give this lovely Mother/Daughter Apron Set to one lucky winner and her little girl.. These aprons are hand made by me.. Made of 100% cotton fabrics.. Mom’s apron is a one size fits most.. Length from neckline to hemline is 31 inches.. Measures 23 inches across waistline.. Apron ties chris cross in back.. Daughter’s apron is a size 4 and has a flounced ruffle hem..
To enter this giveaway, just leave me a comment on this post..
Giveaway ends on Tuesday, May 12 th, 2009 at midnite..
EXTENDED THRU May 29th, 2009 at midnite.. Winner will be announced on May 30th, 2009...

Have a Blessed Mother’s Day, my friends..

I have an Update for ya'll.. I hope it's OK that I've extended this Giveaway thru the month of May.. I've decided to participate in the 3rd Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway 2009 .. Here's a link for ya to go over and Enter as many giveaways as your heart desires.. How awesome is that? There are 28 giveaways listed at the moment, with 100 giveaways expected by the end of May.. Thanks so much, my friends..

The 3rd Annual Cottage Charm Give A Way .. Click on this link.. Scroll down to the list of Giveaways..

Make your own Glam Gloves..

2009-05-01T07:02:00.000-07:00

Here's what you need to get started.. One pair of gloves.. ( We found these at the Dollar Tree) 2 pieces of fabric cut 16 inches long and 5 inches wide.. 2 pieces of lace ,each 10 inches long.. 2 buttons.. Buttonhole thread, a few straight pins, needle and a pair of scissors.. And a sewing machine..

First you want to sew the ends together.. like so..

Then fold them in half right side out.. Baste around the bottom edge.. Now pin the cuffs to the gloves, making a pleat in the front.. Like so.. Sew the cuffs to the gloves with your sewing machine.. (it feels so odd sewing thru rubber..smiles..)

Now turn the cuffs up, like so..

Now sew a running stitch in the 10 inch piece of lace (i'm using eyelet here) Pull your thread tight to make a circle, sew the little ends together and finish off.. Now sew the lace circle to the glove by sewing a button on top of it thru the cuff.. Like so..

And here's our Glamor Gloves.. Hope this helped you make your very own pair ... Can you stop at making just one pair?

Glam Gloves..

2009-04-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

Saw a pair of these dish gloves on a friends blog and I just had to make a pair for my Mama.. I made the pink check pair first.. Too cute..Oh, it was so much fun and soo very easy.. I just measured the width of one glove, then cut the fabric double that plus 4 inches.. Sew the ends together and fold in half with right side facing out.. Baste all around.. Now pin the cuff to the glove and make the box pleat.. Sew the cuff to the glove.. Now turn the cuffs up .. Cut a piece of lace about 10 inches long and hand gather it.. Make a tight circle.. Attach it to the glove by sewing a button on top .. Wa la.. Glam Gloves.. Just in time for Mama's birthday..

Pink Polka Dot Apron..

2009-04-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

Hey ya'll, I am soo excited about this apron.. Why? You ask.. Well, just google aprons and you will see what I mean..lol.. In a rainbow of colours.. This is a very popular apron style right now, as it is not 'Your Grandmother's Apron'.. Doesn't it look like a cute dress? Feels like ur wearing one..lol.. And no pockets.. Hmmm I'll have to do something about that.. Maybe put them in the sideseams.. Ok, the skirt needs some adjustments in the back, not liking the way it hangs.. I do love the way the bodice turned out.. And the brown trim with the pink polka dot.. Luv it !! Just wanted to share my latest creation.. I'd love to hear what ya'll think? What colours would ya like to see it in? I'm working on a Purple with Black trim.. Yummy... Happy apron makin'...

Denim Skirt Apron

2009-04-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here is another Apron~ology inspired Apron.. It started as a large denim skirt with an elastic waistband.. Isn't the paisley print adorable? The pink check was a curtain panel.. I think the pink makes a nice contrast with the blue denim.. and it was soo much fun to make the box pleated ruffle and the cutest pockets in the whole world..lol.. I have found that using a pencil to turn these pockets inside out really saves me alot of time and suffering.. As long as I'm carefull and don't poke a hole in the fabric.. I can hardly wait to visit the thrift store to see what else I might find to make an apron out of .. Ya just never know.. Happy apron makin'..

Vintage pillowcase Apron..

2009-04-04T05:18:00.000-07:00

Ok, I must say that since browing thru the new Apron~ology magazine I have come to look at aprons in a new and different way.. Making treasured pieces like this vintage pillowcase I have had for years and just could not throw it away, into a new treasure.. It was discoloured and torn, but still very lovely to me.. So, I was inspired to cut the end with the most embroidery on it, and use it in a new apron.. The pink dot was the perfect match.. Even had enough of the pillowcase to cut out the cutest poctets ever...And then finished it all off with a ruffle of tulle.. Like it? I Love it! Ooohh! This apron makes me feel all dressed up.. I think my MoMo would love it too.. Hope ya'll enjoyed this first installment of my Apron~ology series..lol... This one was soo much fun to make, there's surely more to come.. (wink) Happy sewing..

I LUV my new Brother...

2009-03-17T17:13:00.000-07:00

Oh lala! Here is the first apron made with my new Brother.. Isn't she lovely.. I used a reproduction vintage pattern.. A style I usally stay away from because of the binding.. I do enjoy making my own binding, but sewing with it was a different matter. Until I came across a little book at the fabrc store, its all about the 'Art of Pressing'.. The trick with binding is, when you make the center fold, make it slighty off center, that way one side is shorter than the other, then when you sew it on put the shorter side on top, this way the bottom side gets caught in the stitching. And that's a very good thing. For the first time in a long time I ENJOY making Buttonholes.. This little Brother really does make them FOR me.. Arn't they gorgeous? Now when I look an apron pattern, I think 'How many buttonholes do get to make?' Instead of 'Oh no, how many buttonholes do I have to make?' I do love a stress free sewing session every once in a while. (this means no seams rippers were used) Happy apron makin'..

My New Best Friend...

2009-03-01T08:21:00.000-08:00

Isn't she lovely? This year for my B-day, my hubby surprized me with this beauty..How sweet is that? I am now computerized in my little ole sewing room...Yee Haw!! I'll be back later to show ya'll the first thing I made with it..I promise.. Have a great Sunday ya'll..

Out of the closet Into a new dress

2008-08-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hey ya'll, I'd like for you to meet my dress form..She is out of the closet and into a new dress.. What do ya think? This dress reminds me of something from the 50's with this bodice, and the satin..Along the lines of that pink satin dress Marilyn Monroe wore in one of her movies. I stumbled across this dress at a (you guessed it) thrift shop...It was a whole $1.89...I added the necklace and the beads ( gotta check out the beads at the thrift shop) these beads are really for christmas tree decorating. Anyhoo, she looks soo lovely standing beside the window in the sewing room..I haven't named my dress form yet, calling her 'she' just doesn't fit anymore, now that I am writing a whole new entry just talking about 'her'...Thinking on that one...Here's a few pictures of 'her'...

New aprons

2008-08-01T13:13:00.001-07:00

I just luv this apron style..not too long..scalloped bottom edge...and the top of the bib fits better than any pattern I have tried before...( the others were too wide and just didn't look right)

Are these the cutest pockets ever? Found this pocket pattern on a craft site ( that shares) and just had to give it a try.. It looks intimadating, but really the hardest part was turning it inside out..The edges are all hemmed on this one and it takes less than a yd of fabric, the pockets are doubled fabric...I really use pockets on aprons, soo they have to be strong...(keys, mp4player, cellphone..) I wonder if this would work as a waist tie apron???

Happy sewing...

Apron making mood

2008-07-11T12:54:00.001-07:00

I have been in an apron making mood alot lately. My Mama came up from Alabama and spent last week with me and the hubby. We have sooo many apron ideas. Sooo many purty fabrics and soo little time. We did manage to get some made for ourselves and a few to take back home with Mama for some very good friends...Hope they luv their aprons as much as we luv ours...

Just wanted to share this one with ya'll...I found this pocket pattern online and just had to try it out. It looked intimidating but turned out to be sooo easy, the hardest part was turning the thing inside out...lol...I see alot of these pockets in my future projects...

Happy Sewing,

Cat...

Lace Knit Baby Hat

2008-02-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

Knitted hat for baby Emma Mae. Who just turned 9 months old. This yarn is soo soft. Emma's mama liked this hat..lol... It is a little big for Emma, but it will fit next year... I am on the hunt for another baby hat pattern... Happy knitting...

Coffee Soap

2008-01-30T13:43:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about this soap. It turned out great. I am pleased to be able to give it to family and friends. It is made with double strength coffee instead of distilled water. It has a very faint smell of coffee. And it has coffee grounds in it. I think it is pretty. Hope my family and friends will think so... Guess what they are getting for Valentines Day...

1st project of 2008

2008-01-04T18:33:00.000-08:00

This apron is my 1st project of 2008. Made from a pair of hubby's old jeans. I was inspired to make this apron when i was surfing a craft site . The apron was a waist band type. I had never thought to use an old pair of jeans. Guess what ppl are getting as gifts this year!!! It is thick and a little heavier than i am used to, but this will be great for soapmaking....I would even use this in the garden...Happing crafting....

It looks like soap!

2007-12-31T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hope everybody has a great new year! Well, after lot of reading on the subject, I finally got up the nerve to make some soap. It really wasn't all that bad, the lye didn't smoke or anything. The trick is to get the oils and the lye/water at about the same temps. and then stir and stir until it gets a little thick and starts to trace. We added some oatmeal (blended into tiny bits) to a basic white soap recipe. I think it looks like soap. I can find out if it will produce any lather in about 3 weeks. I'll let ya know how it turns out. Happy crafting...

2007-12-26T13:44:00.000-08:00

Did I tell ya that I love to sew? Well, sewing is not the only craft I spend hours on. I love to crochet,knit,paint,quilt,and bead. Here are just a few of the things I have made over the years. Just wanted to share...Happy crafting....hugs, Cat

Craft sale

2007-12-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

Here we are at the craft sale at Mt. Zion Church. My good friends helped me put this together. We carried all my stuff up the hill and sat up this display. The table is full, the aprons are pinned to the tablecloth,and the purses are laid out on a blanket in front of our table. It started out chilly that morning but it soon warmed up. We shed a layer and got on with the sales. We met lots of friendly people and some of our church family came by to check us out. Loads of fun, we will do this again..

2007-12-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'll, my name is Cathy. I was born in Alabama, grew up there,married a man from Indiana, moved there and had 2 boys. Have lived in Indiana now for 29 years. The same number of years that we have been married. I have been crafting since the age of 12 when my beloved grandmama taught me to crochet. I am fairly new to blogging, I am so excited about this craft blog. I love to knit,crochet,quilt,sew,paint,bead and cook. I love to make purses, aprons.pillows.quilts, hats,scarves,fingerless gloves,legwarmers and jewelry. Thanks for stopping by .