Liberty Wall Display

I have been up to my ears (and occasionally over my head) in pattern design this week.  Things are looking good for a pattern release on Monday though, so I'm cautiously excited about that.  I needed a mid-week break from staring at digital lines though, so I thought something quick and easy was in order.

Awhile back, I'm not sure exactly how long ago it was but I do remember a dinosaur roaming outside the window, I bought a Liberty mini rainbow bundle from Purl Soho.  I meant to copy their iconic liberty embroidery hoop wall, which I've since visited in person and can attest to it's amazingness.  Here's a couple gratuitous phone shots for you:

(that's my kind of site-seeing right there)

I grabbed the embroidery hoops I had collected and thankfully had enough, since the likelihood of me hanging the remaining fabrics at a later date is negative zero.  I wish some were different sizes, but in our house you get what you get and you don't get upset. 

I don't have natural light on that wall (or anywhere), but you get the idea.  And now I have something pretty to stare at when I'm doing all that pattern-testing pressing.

Liberty prints are kinda like kids - you can't pick a favorite.  They are all equally beautiful and special in their own right.

Happy almost Friday!  Check back on Monday to see if I have a new pattern or an excuse.  It's really 50/50 at this point.

ps: and in case you're wondering, no way did I cut them!  There are precious 8x12 cuts of fabric stuffed behind each hoop!  It's a great way to display precious fabric before you figure out what to do with it.

Ballet Dress: A Free Pattern + Tutorial

 

Hi there readers! I feel like I should re-introduce myself after that crazy long blog break.  (it's me, Adrianna.)  It was a good break though, with birthdays and holidays and visitors and vacations.  But now I'm ready to do some sewing and blogging again so I thought I'd kick off 2013 with a new tutorial and pattern!

I have a dress that I love and have been meaning to recreate for awhile now.  It's a simple and versatile style, but has a few fit issues.  Plus, it's black, a color I almost never wear (I don't even own black shoes to match - true story).  So I decided to fix those issues and remake it in my favorite color, the one I wear 6 days out of 7 - navy.  Navy is way different than black, trust me.

It's just a simple ballet-neck knit dress with slight cap sleeves and an a-line skirt.  It may not be the most eye-catching item in your wardrobe, but it could be the most versatile.  To prove it, I will now bestow upon you the gift of seeing me model it in a few different ways.  Having my picture taken is just about the worst torture I can imagine.  I would go to the dentist 10 times and go through labor again to avoid it.  But here I go, nervous and completely sober, just because I love you.

First up, Secretary Administrative Assistant CEO Barbie:

Do you, unlike me, live in a cold-weather locale?  If so, you could wear it like this and not sweat through your cardigan within 4 seconds of stepping outside.  (by the way, YOU'RE WELCOME)

And then there's my personal favorite:  As is.

And now the breeze will show us what this dress would look like with a straight skirt instead of an A-line.  Might have to try that, thanks wind!

So here's the deal, I made a pattern for this dress in a woman's size smallish.  The actual measurements are a 33.5 bust and 26.5 natural waist.  The skirt is 22.5 inches from waist to hem.  But given its easy shape and that it's made out of stretchy fabric, you should be able to make it work if your measurements are a bit smaller or bigger.  I've given a couple hints on how to alter it beyond that in the pattern directions, but if you're looking for something more comprehensive, Susan and I can't recommend this book enough.

If you'd like to give it a shot, you'll need to download the pattern and tutorial here.  Select "file" and "print" and make sure you're printing at 100%, or "no scaling".  You can use A4 or letter paper as long as you print at 100%.  Page 18 has a test square if you want to make sure it's printing correctly.  Page 10 (marked "G") has the layout guide for taping the pattern together.  (many people, including myself, report not being able to see the pages in their web browser.  If you download or print, they should all be there.)

You'll also need 2 yards of a thick knit.  I used an unmarked matte polyester for mine.  The main fabric qualities you're looking for are:

 1. Not see-through-able (there are no linings or facings)

 2. Not too stretchy, but stretchy enough to pull over your head and bust without closures.  

My fabric had about 35% stretch to it, which means if I took a 4 inch length of fabric and pulled against the grain, I could stretch it to 5.5 inches.  I don't often sew with polyester, but I really think it's the best option for this dress.  It allows you to have both a fitted bodice and flowy skirt.  You could also spend some money for a nice heavy double knit or 100% cotton interlock.  Jersey will work too, it just won't hold the shape as well (think slouchy instead of fitted). 

This dress is a super quick and easy sew.  Once I had it cut out, it took less than 30 minutes to put together.  Can't beat that for a cute woman's dress!  You can add extra little details if you're inclined, but they're not necessary.  I top stitched around the waist and at the shoulder seams to keep the seam allowances tacked down.  I also inserted ribbon as I was sewing my shoulder seams so they wouldn't stretch, which isn't completely necessary when using a stable knit like this, but it can't hurt.  If you think you're going to wear a belt with it, you can add simple belt loops with coordinating embroidery floss.  I don't talk about finishing your seams, but you can of course serge or zig zag stitch or use pinking shears.  None of these are necessary though since knits don't fray.  The plain edges of my sturdy polyester actually looked neater if I didn't finish them.

So that's about it!  I hope you'll try it out.  I am so excited about the possibilities for wearing and accessorizing this dress.   You know, when I get back to a place with seasons.  For now, it's flip flops and a fedora all the time :)

And in case you thought that the previous pictures weren't that bad and are wondering what all the complaining is about, here are some outtakes for you.  First up, the reason why I have the exact same smile in all the previous pictures:

Because if I don't smile, I look like I'm trying to kill you with my brain.  I wish I could pull off that mysterious staring-off-into-the-distance look, but then it just looks like I'm staring off into the distance trying to kill you with my brain.

I get mad at things like the wind and sun when they mess up my shot and scold them as if they're my errant children.  It's embarrassing for everyone involved.

Hair in my mouth.

And the all time worst thing about photoshoots - glancing over to see your neighbors standing there laughing at you.  Yeah, hi guys.

Judgement-Free Homemade Vanilla For All

I'm just getting around to sharing our gift for many of our friends and neighbors. While the holidays are over, I thought you might like to see it. I'd pinned the idea over the summer and finally made a batch in the Fall for holiday gifts.

If you already know how to make homemade vanilla, I'm about to add a few reasons to the list of why you should bother. If you haven't yet stopped to ponder how vanilla is made, prepare for your mind to be blown. It's so simple. Something we pay a bajillion dollars for at the grocery store (unless you go the imitation route) is actually ridiculously easy to make. There are no less than a thousand posts out there about it, but here's the gist: alcohol + vanilla beans + bottle + time.  If you're only making one, the cost savings is negligible. But if you're making a few the cost for each one gets silly good. So good that you'd never think about using imitation vanilla to save money. And you'd be willing to make some to share.

Now, before we talk about the making, let's talk about vanilla as a gift. How many people on your gift lists bake? Maybe a few, maybe a lot, but probably not everyone. Of the people who don't bake, how many drink coffee? Or cocktails? Between baking, coffee, cocktails and straight up consumption, about 99% of my over-21 list is covered. And so I submit... Judgement-Free Homemade Vanilla. It's not just for baking.

Before you can give Judgement-Free Homemade Vanilla, you've got to make it. As far as the alcohol component of mine, I used vodka. Purchased in bulk with a wee bit of guilt over the quantity. I desperately wanted to tell the guy at the counter that I'm not an alcoholic and that I was making Christmas gifts, but that guy probably hears way more interesting stories and doesn't care what I had to say as long as the debit card worked.

I used vanilla beans from Beanilla. You can by beans at the grocery store but they're pricey. Crafty friend Jen was putting together a bulk order for a group of crafty moms, and she and I split a 1/2 lb bag of Bourbon Vanilla beans for a lot less than it would cost locally.

My bottles came from Amazon. I was sure I wanted clear glass bottles and white tops, and bought 2 dozen of them. If you've saved empty bottles to upcycle you're ahead of the game.

Assembly couldn't be easier. I snipped the long beans in half and put three pieces in each bottle, poured the vodka on top and sealed it up to sit in the box for a while. How long is a while? Well, some people say 30 days, some people say 60, some say 90 +, and some I've read have said "I give it with a note that says wait 30 days to use it". I say do whatever. It's a gift. Do it whichever way works for you.

The longer it sits, the more caramelly the color.

I shook the bottle before taking this shot. All those little bean bits are yummy in whatever you're making.

If you want to get fancy, you can print a few recipes to attach.

• For bakers, this Potbelly sugar cookie clone. 
• For coffee drinkers this simple cinnamon vanilla yumminess. 
• For cocktail drinkers maybe one of these many options.
• For an (almost) non-alcoholic option I'm digging this vanilla lemonade.

Lastly, you need a label. And this is really the point of my post. The label makes this a gift that doesn't say "you should bake something", 'cause even bakers don't always feel up to baking. Instead, the label says, more or less, "Happy Holidays, however you plan on indulging." It doesn't, however, offer any holding back of the hair. You're on your own there. We're just saying we won't judge.*

You can download a PDF of the labels here. They print at roughly 3" x 4", but you could easily size it down a little for smaller bottles. I chose to use a sticker maker to make the labels sticky solely because it's fun and I had one available, but you can also print on sticker paper. Or print on card stock and tie them on with baker's twine, embroidery floss, yarn or ribbon. You get the idea.






*unless you use imitation vanilla, which is a byproduct of the paper industry or is derived from coal tar. I wish I was kidding.

A Good Excuse to Say MINE! MINE! MINE!

Things have been quiet in crafterhours world lately. If you follow either of us on Instagram, though, you know that we're alive and well and busy with families and taking a bit of a blog breather. Partly because there's a lot coming up. Like, a lot. Not the least of which is that next week I'm on my way back to Alt Summit in Salt Lake City - which, if last year is any indication, will make my head explode with awesomeness. I wrote about it here, here, here and here. But that's next week. Let's talk about what's happening RIGHT NOW.

Until Friday, January 18th at 10 pm you can bid on a whole crazy lot of crafty goodness at the From the Heart Auctions page on Facebook. Organized by a group of dedicated crafty bloggers, the goods up for bidding include everything from handmade pencil and crayon rolls: (those are my fave polka dotted pencils!)

Small + Friendly

To coveted washi tape fabric:

Skirt As Top

To quilts:

Queen City Stitcher

To AMH loveliness:

Sewn Studio

To crafterhours's own drawer stickers and Spoonflower I Spy sets. And about a million more lovelies to choose from. 

All proceeds go to the Newtown Parent Connection. Every donation to the auction made by the crafting community includes shipping provided by the crafter. Just comment on the items of your choice on Facebook and after the auction closes you'll receive a Paypal invoice. Easy peasy. Go check it out! And bid! 

My Daily To Do List

Happy New Year! If you're trying to dig out of the mess like we are, you might appreciate this idea. Or maybe you'll enjoy a chuckle over the ridiculousness of it.

I'm a list maker. They calm me down, focus me and keep me organized. But there are some things that I do routinely that I need to remind myself of but I don't want to keep writing over and over. I know that I sound like a grade school kid admitting that I need to be reminded to do such simple things, but the fact is, I get distracted. I have to remind myself to figure out what we're having for dinner because otherwise it'll BE dinnertime when I realize that I have no idea what we're having. And that's the moment where creativity tends to fail me.

So I finally found a way to keep my routine to-dos nearby without writing "vacuum" on a list again and again. Or "dinner plan". AGAIN. The repetitive nature of cooking has got to be the worst part. If it were only once I week I'd be SO enthusiastic about it. (Didn't we just eat dinner yesterday? Is it already time for that again?!?) My solution: I made a magnetic to do list and added it to the magnetic boards at my desk.

I think my favorite one is the bathrooms magnet. Please examine it below. Bathrooms are so easy to clean when I just go from one to the other and get it all done at once. But remembering to do that... just doesn't seem to happen. Generally the realization hits me as the doorbell is ringing-- whoa, we've got problems. So, a reminder helps. Even seeing the magnet and asking myself "when was the last time I did that?" helps. I've tried to keep these simple and reasonable and do-able. I am probably overly optimistic with the 20 minute cardio one. Even 5 minutes of cardio a day would be an improvement. Well, planned cardio. As opposed to the adrenaline-spurred sprint up the stairs to find out WTH that crash in the kids' bedroom was all about.


You can see exactly how I made them over at Crafts Unleashed. I really want to hear what you think. On one hand, writing this post has made me wonder whether I'm the only one who is so easily distracted that I need to be reminded to do ridiculously simple things. On the other hand, I'm wondering whether I should add others, like... "drink water". 'Cause there've been (plenty of) days where that was forgotten, too.