A Fair Isle Winter!

My husband LOVES fair isle sweaters.  We try to get one every winter, sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn't.  I think some of them are ridiculous.  Others are adorable.  So,  while finishing up the last orders of the season, I decided to make a few door hangers of my own.  (Finally!!)  I took inspiration from my husbands favorite winter sweater style and made these.

Not too shabby for a quick days' work.

Long Time, No Write

It has been an extremely long time since I last blogged about our little family and our projects.  A lot has been happening.  After a bout with the flu, the stomach bug, and severe colds I think we are all on the mend, except for mom, who is just now catching everyone's little colds! (Yay me! - NOT)

Still, in that time I have managed to complete a few projects, and of course, start a few more.  I promised back at the first post to show you how I make a burlap door hanger.  Today I will post those pictures and simple instructions.

First, Supplies:  1 yard of Burlap
                          a pile of grocery store sacks
                          acrylic paints in your preferred colors
                          a sewing machine threaded with a coordinating thread

In this project I was making a two sided wreath and "snow globe"

First I took a large round serving platter and used it for my template.  With my burlap folded in half (like it comes on the bolt) I cut about two inches around the plate, or however large I could get it to fit.

Second, I sewed a large stich around the perimeter, being sure to leave a hole big enough to get my fist through.  This is where you'll stuff your bags.

After stuffing, go back to the machine and sew the hole closed, being sure to start and end where you left off.

Now comes the sloppy part!! I usually put on an old apron for this, because I tend to make a ginormous mess in whatever project I'm doing.  Take your base color of paint and swirl in in the approximate shape of your wreath.  You can use your paint brush to push the design out further.  And, don't worry about messing up, you can paint over it.

After painting the first set, continue to paint until your desired area is covered.  Let this dry and then you can apply your accent colors.  (I chose to stick with the basic red and green, however, I do like to "prime" where the red is going to go with white first, it keeps me from having to go over the red three or four times.)

Once that's done, flip to the other side and paint your other picture.  This can be a "snow globe" like picture, an easter egg, a basketball, and many other things.  The possibilities are endless!

To make the "hanger", I use 12 to 14 gage wire.  I poke a hole through the top left side, twist it with pliers and do the same on the opposite side, that way each side has a swirly piece.

Now, on to the next project:  Ruffle pants

I take a pair of pants that fit my little girl very well.  Fold my chosen fabric in half and then half again, so there are four layers.  Lay them over the fabric I want to use for the pants.  Make sure the outside hem of the "pattern pants" is on the fold, then I cut about 1 1/2 inches above the waist, and about 1/2 to one inch along the inside seam.  This leaves me enough wiggle room, incase I mess up.

It will look like this.

For the ruffle, I cut a strip twice as wide as one pants leg (on this example I didn't have quite enough, because I was using scraps and had already gotten started).  Then I pressed the hem, and sewed it.  Next I ran a basting stitch along the top and gathered my ruffle.  I pinned the ruffle to the outsides of the fabric first, making sure to match the cut edges.  Then I adjusted my ruffle accordingly.   Repeat for the other pant leg.

I pinned that, and sewed each ruffle to the bottom of the pant leg.  Then simply turn the pants legs right sides together and start from the bottom of the ruffle and sew up to the crotch of the pants.  Do this on each leg, then place the right sides together on top half of the pants and sew those seams.

Next iron down about an inch or so, depending on the size of your elastic, and sew that edge down, forming a pocket for your elastic.  ***Make sure you leave a hole big enough to thread your elastic through the pocket.

Thread the elastic, sew it together, sew the little hole up in the "pocket" and turn your pants inside out.  Voila!!

I made the swirly ribbon shirt too.  It's requires a little more patience, but it's pretty easy.  The next one I do, I'll take pics and post a tutorial for it.

You should know that Christmas is my favorite holiday!!  And, "Elf" is one of my most favorite movies.  I've made a cute little printable just to get a jump on the holiday season.  I'm going to frame it in a funky frame and put it up on the wall in my living room, but feel free to mod podge it onto something, or use it as a little thank you card.  If you do use it, I'd love to see what you did with it!

Ok, I think that's enough sewing and painting for one day.  I'm going to rest and drink some hot tea.

Happy Thanksgiving!!