My first One Yard Wonder

You are well aware how much Lauren and I love the library. We can rent DVD's, get armfuls of inspiring magazines without a subscription and pick up the newest Captain Underpants comics for our boys all for free.

This is another reason...

(Using what I had on hand, a vintage towel, I adapted the pattern from a dress to a bathing suit cover up for my daughter. )

I made this from a book I borrowed from my teeny tiny local library. It came with a complete sewing lingo dictionary, simple instructions for a bunch of neat projects and all of the

the patterns and templates.

I oriented the pattern so the gaudy towel fringe became a great ruffle-ish detail.

The top has a gathered band. In the back, I cut the waistband from a stained pair or her leggings and inserted it into the band to help make it fit snug.

The book is titled "One Yard Wonders" and that about says it all. All projects can be made from one yard of fabric or less. A great way to make something cute on the cheap. Beautiful shopping bags, adorable baby booties, sweet summer jammies, and all sorts of stuff to help you get organized.

I know that I'm dreaming making something for warm weather when its February, but she loves it so much she fell asleep still wearing it. Kids are great for boosting a mediocre sewers self-esteem.

P.S. The library just called. Apparently I mistakenly returned a personal copy of Captain Underpants instead of the one we borrowed. But that's okay. She said she would renew the one that is still in my possession and stick mine in lost-and-found with our name on it. It is totally awesome to really know your librarian!

One Yard Wonder - The Folklore Bag

I do one of two things every Friday: I play video games or I sew. Either or, there is always homemade pizza involved. Can you guess what I chose? This past weekend, instead of getting humiliated by my boys playing video games I was hunched over a pile of fabric and my sewing machine for the second Friday night in a row. Yes, I am that much fun. But look at my results.

This bag was another adventure from the book One Yard Wonder. You have to know how much I love that book by now. I learn a new skill each project and I can see my sewing improving. Progress is awesome! This was my first time using interfaced fabric. I must have compared it to working with cardboard about a billion times. I also am getting better at working with a pattern. Let's just say being a follower is not one of my strengths.

Completely lined with pockets, it has just the right amount of room for a couple diapers, some baby necessities and other mom stuff, like cards, cell phone and sunglasses (which haven't been getting much use around here lately, unfortunately, but I bring them just in case!) It is the perfect size for a diaper bag. Honestly, if it were not for baby stuff, the only things I carry can fit into a little zipper pouch on my key chain.

The bold fabric was purchased a couple months ago and it broke my heart to cut it, but it looks super as a purse and that is just what I needed to get through this yucky spring.

By accident, only the front is pleated. Not sure why I just told you that, you would never have known, but I guess I just like to be honest. The pictures do it more justice than in person.

It is endearingly lopsided and a little wonky, but it also makes me smile. The purse even got a complement today while out and about. I like to see my projects actually making their way out into public for a change. Who knows? Maybe I'll be sewing a little something for you one day...

What have you been making lately?