For everyone that is participating in the Ziggi Sew Along, there’s good news – the deadline for photo submission has been extended to April 30 (shhh, I still need to upload mine)! This gives you extra time to sew up your version if you’ve gotten behind or even sew a second jacket if yours is finished. Be sure to ask questions if you have them… with so many of us that have completed this pattern, there’s plenty of people available to help out!

I hope everyone has a fantastic, candy filled weekend and are able to sneak in a bit of sewing before Monday arrives.

Don’t forget to enter to win the latest copy of My Image pattern magazine here at StacySews! I’m even using Rafflecopter to make entering so much easier!

I think one of the most talked about tutorials this week is the adorable, Goin’ to Camp Duffle bags – and I see why, it’s pretty awesome!

It’s pretty safe to say that everything that comes from Elle Apparel is pretty awesome. The Falling For Florals skirt is no exception.

If you’ve ever seen\purchased\heard about cheer bows, you know they’re quite expensive. Skip the shopping and learn how to make one for yourself.

Ready for summer? Learn how to make the perfect summer swing dress just in time for the season.

If you haven’t caught the Riley Blake Union Jack Blog Tour (wow, that’s a mouthful), then I suggest you check out some of the great tutorials everyone has been posting (cosmetic bags, pajama pants). Before you leave her site, be sure to check out the fun, Pocket Full of Posies skirt, too!

Are you a fabric junkie? Love social media? Take Sew4Home’s Social Media Survey and be entered to win a mystery bundle!

There’s not a lot of (detailed) instructions on how to create this Sock Bunny, but it’s still awesome…. It’s a Sock Bunny – I love it!

I love instant gratification projects and this 30 minute sheath dress definitely fits the bill (and it’s stylish, too).

I may not be a huge fan of the word “totes”, but it’s cute and funny on this tote bag!

Easton’s birthday is next week and I’m thinking I may have to sew up one of these Felt Rainbow Birthday Cakes.

There was recently some talk about some people thinking about making underwear. I say, we do a sew along later in the year for it! Here’s a quick tutorial to get you started, though.

I am feeling the need…. the need for a GIVEAWAY!

I’ve been subscribing to My Image magazine for a year now and have enjoyed some of their patterns included in their magazine so I thought I would share the latest issue (Spring\Summer 2014) with one lucky winner. I’ve joined the 21st Century and decided to finally try out Rafflecopter – so hopefully entering the contest is much easier than what has been in the past. You can enter once daily and the contest ends on the 23! Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

It’s hard to believe that Easter is this weekend. While I have all the purchased items for the baskets, I’m a little behind on some Easter crafting! So yesterday, I sat in front of my machine and whipped out two stuffies using Urban Threads in the hoop Plushie Pals pack.

Since these little guys are Minky, I really should have used a ‘topper’ (a temporary stabilizer that keeps the ‘fuzz’ down, like Sulky Solvy that washes away when you’re done) because there are bits of fabric peeking out behind my threads, but I was in a hurry (last minute crafting) and I honestly don’t think my kids would notice\care if there’s a few ‘pokies’ sticking out. If I make more for gifts, I definitely will fix that! Otherwise, these little cuties took under 2 hours to stitch out, stuff, and attach the wings – so easy! I may even try to find some time to make a bunny before the weekend!

After some diligent sewing this weekend, I was able to finish my Rigel Bomber. Unfortunately, I can’t wear it today because it SNOWED overnight (I was able to snap some pictures while it was still 80 degrees yesterday. Yes, you read correctly, 80 degrees during the day with snow overnight…. CRAZY). On the bright side, I’m set for when spring returns. Enough about Mother Nature, let’s get to that jacket!

When I traced off this jacket, I went with an XS even though the size chart really places me in the small range. There was so much ease in the finished jacket that I thought it might be better to go one size down. Doing this made the finished jacket more fitted which worked with this look\fabric, but it is a bit more snug in the back than what I know it should be…. consequently, I’ll try the small next go around so somewhere between the two sizes to see how it changes the fit.

Overall this jacket wasn’t terrible to sew, although the welt pocket gave me some fits for awhile. At least the the end result looks nice from the exterior – just don’t look at the inside of the jacket… the pockets looks a bit sloppy and are definitely not representative of my best work. With that said, the rest of the jacket came together nicely and the instructions were great. My chief complaint? There’s no lining. While it’s really not a huge issue, I think I would have liked to see this one with a lining – at least it would hide my hideous pockets!

The bottom line: I can honestly say, I love this jacket. It’s on trend, not that difficult to sew (I would place this in the ‘intermediate’ category, but if you’d skip the pockets I could see an advanced beginner putting this one together), and doesn’t require tons of fabric and notions to put together. While the pockets gave me some difficulties, I think I have it sorted out enough to make a successful pair the next time around…. or a really awesome faux welt on the next go around! Overall, I’d highly recommend this one – it’s going to be fun to wear….. if we ever see spring again!

Today’s tweet was supposed to be me making a new shirt out of a very cute Kawaii Super Hero fabric, but my Rigel Bomber pattern arrived and we all know how distracted I get by new patterns!  LOL

So, instead of cutting into my Kawaii knit, I went shopping for fabrics and notions instead. After some very thoughtful browsing, I finally settled on ….. wait for it…….. a floral. I know it seems a bit obscure for a bomber jacket (although there seem to be quite a few out there with this pattern) and definitely not what I would ordinarily work with, but this sateen ‘called’ to me so I’m going with it (plus I think this jacket would be cute this spring with a pair of black shorts and a bright tank). I decided my first version won’t have the contrasting shoulders so I don’t need to worry about color matching! Here’s the details for the project:

Pattern: Papercut Patterns‘ Rigel Bomber

Fabrics: Floral Sateen “Bottomweight” from Joann‘s

Total Cost:

Pattern….$26.00

Fabric….$18.29

Notions….stash!

Total….$44.29

Since the weather is getting warmer, it’s time to ditch the pants and change over to skirts. This asymmetrical version is a cute way to change up your wardrobe.

Need a bit of help getting your sewing room\area organized? Koala’s contest can help!

Transform a ready-to-wear top into an exposed zipper knockout with this easy tutorial.

If you struggle to get your kids to wear a coat, then you’ll want to whip up one of these dinosaur hoodies – they won’t want to take it off!

Spring has sprung! That means it’s time to get in a few picnics! Learn how to transform a ‘regular’ basket into a picnic basket (with lid).

There isn’t a pillow big enough to hold all of Easton’s minifigures, but I love the idea of this cute pocket pillow that’s just the right size for Lego guys, Polly Pockets, and small treasures.

Remember the Midtown Messenger that I recently made? Here’s a quick video tutorial on how to install those tuck catches.

Sewing up toddler skirts are a snap and make for a great spring wardrobe.

Bunny treat bags are a sweet way to fill up your Easter baskets, give as gifts, or use as table decorations.

If sewing sequins scares you (I will admit, I dread it), then this tutorial is a perfect way to bring in some shine to your tops without having to touch your machine!

This top looks so easy to wear, I can see making an assortment to wear this summer!

Still looking for a stuffie to put in your Easter basket? This pattern for a vintage dog and lamb are perfect!

Day 3 of Geek Week is all about Legos! As you probably saw from my previous posts, Easton is having a Lego themed birthday this year so the treat bags will be filled with brick\minifigure crayons and bottle cap necklaces (plus those cool brick candies!). I searched around for some sort of Lego cupcake decorations without any luck…. so I got my crafty on and made my own! I used the 2″ circles from a “party pack”, a 3″ scalloped paper punch (with a firm scrapbook paper), and glued it all to a toothpick. It was so easy that my 5 year old helped make them!

If Wonder Woman wore leggings, I am convinced this is what she would wear. Continuing on my Geek Week posts is my latest creation – star legwear! I was inspired by the Black Milk clothing’s release of Heroes and Girl Charlee’s knit for these fun pants. I used my Jalie legging pattern and paired my look with my Wonder Woman t-shirt (and cuffs, just for the photo).

I bit of warning about the star material – it does not shrink like the cheetah print I purchased from Girl Charlee. However, it doesn’t nearly have the amount of stretch that the cheetah print did either. My suggestion? Go up at least one size and add a bit of length (1/2-1″ at the least) to your legging pattern for the most comfortable pair – and enjoy those leggings!

I think the best way to describe some of the blog posts for the week is to just go with the headliner “Geek Week”. I generally like to think that I have a ‘socially acceptable’ level of nerd-dom. However, my actions as of late have probably pushed me right into full fledged geekery. Today’s post? A ‘themed dinner’ for the Game of Thrones season premiere (using A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook for some of the recipes).

On the menu: Roasted aurochs (beef) with leeks, 16th century stewed rabbit, lemon cookies, and a fun bottle of (Game of Thrones themed) Fire & Blood ale. (Also served, but not related to the theme, was a tasty Asian-Style Braised Pork Belly – lots of effort, but well worth it).

Even if you’re not a fan of the show, the cookbook is very interesting. Most recipes have a medieval and modern version so you can select which style you would prefer to prepare (it also tells you which book you might find them dining on that particular meal). It also encompasses all sorts of foods from wild boar, rattlesnake, and locusts to more traditional fare such as roasted meats, spicy eggs for breakfast, salads, and breads. We were thrilled with the recipes we tried – in fact, my 5 year old was shocked that he actually liked the rabbit… and you can never go wrong with Lemon Cakes (which are really more like cookies).