While I had big plans on Friday to accomplish a ton of projects, I wound up cleaning house…. and it too the entire day. I guess too much summer fun will do that to you.

Since we wound up “goofing off” the entire weekend, I only found the time for one project, more Jalie leggings! As soon as I purchased this print (it looks as if it is currently sold out but I got mine from So Sew English fabrics), I knew that I wanted to make a pair (fortunately the cut was generous and the fabric is wide, so I think I have enough to make at least the sleeves on a shirt later). One thing I do want to point out is that while this print has a 4-way stretch, it isn’t as generous in both directions so the area around the knees feels tight is you are kneeling or bending…. but they’re still a fun pair!

Enter to win a $30 gift certificate to The Fabric Fairy!

Not only can you get a free girl’s tank pattern, but some cute SVGs for your Cricut to put on it!

Before Taylor moved out she stole several of my headbands, which means I need more. I love the look of this knotted version, but I’m still partial to my non-slip version.

These fleece bean bag covers sound like a cozy way for the kids to curl up with a good book.

Get ready for the farmer’s market this weekend by whipping up a denim shopper’s tote.

Looking for a scrap friendly project that gives you the ability to stash small items when you’re not wearing pockets? Then you’ll want to check out this secret pocket lanyard project as Sew4Home.

This is no ordinary pencil pouch. When opened it turns into a stand!

This pleated wrap skirt is cute by itself, but what really makes it for me is that bow!

Tired of the waste plastic bags make? Then you’ll what to whip up a few of these reuseable bags for back to school.

Not only is this coloring book easy to take on the go, it’s washable too so you can use it over and over again!

I have a few panty panels that I’m itching to transform into new underwear. This hipster pattern make work nicely.

My grandma always had rag rugs under the sink in her kitchen so I’m always partial to tutorials that show you how to make them, like this one from HungryHippieSews.

Normally I would be sharing Linky Thursday, but it seems as if the patterns (and in this case, cut files) I have the opportunity to test are often released the same day, too. So instead of my normal post (no worries, Linky Thursday will be up tomorrow instead), I’m sharing my latest creation, Peek-a-boo’s Sewing Machine Heartbeat cut file.

I liked this one so much, I wound up using it on several items: a little notions bag, sewing kit, and notebook. Best of all, today it’s $1 off (along with two other new cut files, “The Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch” and “Messy Bun and Getting Things Done“).

And just like that, summer is over. Today is the first day of school for Easton which means that I can finally catch up on all the things that I’ve been behind on for months…. starting with an article that is due very soon (sorry no sneaks of this one) followed a massive sewing marathon to sewing down that fabric stash that’s been accumulating since May.

But first, time to unearth my sewing room – even with not regularly sewing this summer, it’s managed to become a mess… how does that even happen?

I honestly had very good intentions of posting yesterday, but I got a phone call early in the morning from Taylor saying that she made it into nursing school this semester! She had been on the waiting list, but after summer transcripts became official, she got notice that there was a spot for her – I am so thrilled and so proud! Then it turned to panic – the new semester starts in a week an a half so we had a bunch of stuff that needed done immediately (who knew nursing school needed background checks, drug screens, physicals, etc?).

But putting my proud mama moment aside, I’m sure you really want to know what I was going to post about yesterday: My latest project in Creative Machine Embroidery Magazine, embroidered leggings. This was a fun little project to make and really transforms a basic pair of leggings into something more high end. Of course, you could do the same thing with a pair of pants as well. Either way, it’s a very trendy look and I’m dying for this pair to come back to me so I can wear it this fall…. I just wish they could send me the top and shoes too!

I haven’t made a wrap skirt in age, but this pattern may convince me to give it a go again.

If you loved the look of my Harbor Knot Tank the other day, then you’ll be excited to learn that It’s Always Autumn has a free knot tee available for download. This is only in a size large, but looks easy enough to customize for a more personal fit.

Unicorns are everywhere this year so why not whip up a fleecy unicorn hat to keep the chill off this fall\winter?

Get ready for back to school by whipping up a few of these scrap friendly pencil bags. Looking for a bag that is a little more sophisticated? Then be sure to check out this Stationary Pouch tutorial.

With back-to-school starting for so many, there may not be a lot of road trips in everyone’s future, but your back seat can still stay organized with one of these.

This running band provides handy storage for your phone (or other small essentials) so you can listen to your favorite music while you’re on the go.

I am getting ready to make a box cushion for my mother-in-law. I had a different concept in mind, but this video tutorial makes it look even easier.

Making a convertible travel wrap allows you to wear the same garment in a variety of ways (and stay warm in highly airconditioned places).

Make an adorable stuffy with this Malcolm the Dog pattern.

There seems to be a lot of babies being born (at least around here) recently. These adorable baby booties would make the perfect gift.

Every little girl needs a twirly skirt – and this one is so easy to make, too. But wait, need one in an adult size? Then check out this circle skirt tutorial.

This funky bean bag chair would make a great seat in a reading nook.

I’ve made eye spy bags in the past but this Harry Potter version is definitely a fun themed twist!

This initial pillow says it’ geared toward little girls, but I can totally see whipping one up for a dorm room.

More last minute room decorating this week produced these two signs (using the Cricut):

Taylor stained both wood plaques (then roughed up the smallest one to give it more of a vintage feel). I purchased the “Good Day” SVG on Etsy and made the “Babe Cave” myself though Design Space.

Now, let me tell you about the vinyl. My initial selection (for Good Day) was a Metallic Adhesive Foil… for the life of me I could not get my machine to thoroughly cut through the vinyl – I tried several times, each with a different setting and wound up wasting the entire roll (good thing it came in a mystery box otherwise I might have been more upset). Then I cut it in a pretty, purple glitter vinyl… which Taylor hated (it cut perfectly though, so I may do something with it for my niece). In the end, we just made it in plain white vinyl (not even the outdoor kind).

Since Taylor is moving in with friends this year, they are all working hard to make their house look as adorable as possible. Of course, my child waits until last minute for me to make things…. The latest? A Euro pillow (26 x26″ square) and curtains (not shown) for her room.

There’s not much to say about these projects except that the pillow form was purchased from Target and I’m pretty sure it’s not really 26″. I didn’t measure it before I started, but I know my measurements are correct and it fits very loosely. I also made this a slipcover so that it could be easily removed and washed. Now onto the next projects – which use the Cricut instead!

After a week of cramming in as much fun as we can before the new school year starts, we wrapped it up with one more activity: The Walker Stalker Con. 

We spent our time watching panels, geeked out over the celebrity interviews, “shopped” all the quirky things venders had to offer, and got Easton hooked on the Alice isn’t Dead podcast. With all our summer fun just about over, that means I’m ready to get back into the groove and finish some projects! But first, who wants to come over and clean my sewing room?

With school starting this month, we decided that this past week would be a good time for a getaway with the kids…. which explains the lack of posting and sewing activity. We did, however, sneak in some time to tie dye some tees. I had purchased this kit around Memorial Day and we finally put it to good use:

This was a completely different kit that what we’ve done in the past. Normally we use the soda ash to soak the shirts then wet dye it, however, this one had nothing but the actual dyes and we applied it to dry shirts. I was skeptical as to how they would turn out, but even after a wash, I think they look pretty good.  And if you’re wondering, the onesie isn’t a hint that I’ll be doing future baby sewing – it’s for a friend of Taylor’s that just had a little boy this week.