Sewing Machine Deal!

Hey everyone,

I've been away for a while, work and school have taken all my time this semester.  School is over in a week and I'm hoping to start making some scarves.

In the mean time, look what I found! My sewing machine is 7 years old and should have retired 5 years ago.  It's the first and only sewing machine I've ever had and to tell you the truth, I haven't treated it too well.  I need a new machine and I've been wanting a serger since... forever!

I'm excited, although I wasn't prepared for the expense, but i guess this is my Christmas present to me from me.... It seems like a great deal, $279.99 for both, $5 shipping and no taxes... if you're thinking of getting a sewing machine check out www.woot.com.

Singer 5523 Scholastic Sewing Machine & Singer 14SH764 Stylist Serger

www.woot.com

my new addiction...

So I recently discovered Pinterest... a new addiction and an awesome place to look for inspiration on DIY projects... here are some of my favorites DIY's for this week...

Source: epbot.com via Alice on Pinterest

The site has step-by-step instructions on how to create these cute little flip flop hangers.

Source: mckells-closet.blogspot.com via Robyn on Pinterest

This is so unique and easy to do, McKell is on Blogger and has an Esty shop too!

Source: prettykittyknittycity.com via Karen on Pinterest

SOOO adorable!

Source: lindseydanielladidit.blogspot.com via Mary on Pinterest

This looks so fun and EASY to make and so pretty!

Source: bedifferentactnormal.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Very handy...

Source: vixenmade.blogspot.com via Mona on Pinterest

A good refashion idea for old sweaters

Source: weheartit.com via Melanie on Pinterest

....and the list goes on and on....

A stroll in the park -Maxi Dress

My most recent sewing project as seen in THIS POST.  

I had a lot of fun making this dress.  Like I said on my previous post, we started off with a love-hate relationship, but once styled I really liked the outcome...

-Erika =)

This is the pattern I used for the bodice, as you can see I created my own version of the pattern.
 HERE is another dress I made using the pattern as shown.

McCall's M5623 Misses' Lined Dress

I don't remember where I got it, but I did find an Etsy seller selling it for $6.00

I'd rather be sewing...

I should be doing homework, but... 

...I'd rather be sewing.

 Well in this case blogging about my sewing.  Here is a glimpse of my most recent creation.  I was having a love-hate relationship with this dress until I finished and styled it...

 It's definitely love! 

HERE is a full post of the dress styled and worn :)

This is the pattern I was talking about in THIS POST.  I made this one a maxi dress by extending the length and I also added a lining fabric, which makes this dress sooo heavy.  I didn't expect it to make such a huge difference.   

I also created a sweetheart neckline for this dress, but it's much more subtle here.

I tried to make the dress reversible. The lining fabric is just so beautiful!  But that's a little too advanced for me.  Although I did buy extra fabric to make something else with it. :)

Ugh! Just looking at the fabric as I post this makes me wish this was the main 

fabric and not just the lining.  I'm seriously in love with it!  

Can any of you relate to my dilema???

Ok, back to doing homework, here is the final project!

DIY Belt Re-Sizing

I hope you enjoy this short tutorial.  I bought this belt a few months ago, I was in the process of adjusting the size, so I thought I'd share it with you all!

HERE is the belt in a styled outfit using my DIY maxi dress.

-Erika :)

2,000 Views!

While doing homework I stopped by and realized I have 2,000 views!

Thank You All For Visiting My Blog!

-Erika =)

Here's a recap of what I've made so far...

Sweet Heart Neckline Dress #1

Hello Everyone, I feel like it has been forever since I've been here! School and work are taking over my life, my sewing desk was been transformed into a computer desk, but it's finally the weekend and here I am again...

Here is one of three dresses I've made with the same bodice pattern.   I bought the pattern, resized it and have made multiple dresses with it.  I'm sure there will be more projects to come from it.  Hope you like it!

Hola a todos, siento que hace años desde la ultima vez que estuve aquí! La escuela y el trabajo se han adueñado de mi vida, mi mesita de costura se ha convertido en escritorio, pero por fin llego el fin de semana y aquí estoy otra vez...

Aquí les presento a uno de tres vestidos que hice con el mismo patrón.  Lo compre, lo ajuste a mi medida y desde entonces he hecho múltiple vestidos con el.  Estoy segura que hay mas proyectos por venir de este patrón.  Espero que les guste!

DIY Swimsuit Cover Tutorial!

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a long week for me and I'm so ready to just relax and enjoy my weekend.   I thought I'd do another swimsuit post before the summer is over, there is also a small tutorial at the bottom.  I hope you enjoy it! 

I started this swimsuit cover over a year ago and never got around to finish it, until now... and since I was in the mood I decided to pull out this gray fabric that I've had for quite a while.  I've left this fabric untouched until now because I didn't want to ruin it.  This fabric had a  purpose since the moment I bought it, and here it is!  I love making swimsuits, I made this one using an old swimsuit as a pattern and even though it was extremely time consuming I am getting better...I'm sure I'll be making more of these in the future.

I just realized that everything in this post is DIY!

The shorts were refashioned from an old pair of pants.

Materials: thread, needle, scissors and a lightweight fabric.

  The amount of fabric you will need depends on how long you want your cover to be.  My fabric is 43"Wx52"L.  Take in mind the width of your fabric because that will affect the length of your sleeves.  I didn't add a hem on the sleeves since we have the selvage to finish off those edges, but you may want to depending on your fabric.

Fold fabric so that the fold is at the top and raw edges at the bottom 

Sew two seam lines parallel to each other creating your sleeves

 Stop about 2" from the bottom leaving room for a hem

  Cut a slit at the top with a slight scoop for your neckline 

and hem,

Et voila c'est fini! 

Just to give you an idea, the side seams for my cover are 13" long and they are at a 17" distance from each other.  The neckline is 16" long, but you may need to adjust this according to your own measurements.

I hope you enjoyed this simple tutorial!

:)