Day 2 Moto Jacket Sew-a-Long - A PDF by Jennuine Design

Day 2 is here and I'm ready to get cutting! 

Just a few things you want to remember before you start cutting into your much loved fabrics:

• Are you making your jacket for a boy or girl, left over right for a boy, and right over left for a girl, The right and left front pattern pieces are not the same!
• Are all your pattern pieces the required size for your model. Yes its happened to me, I've cut a size 4 front and a size 5 back, lucky for me I was able to fix that.
• Make sure you lay your pattern pieces the right way for directional fabrics and they are all following the grain line.
• Do all your required pattern pieces fit on your fabric, it would be ashame if you forgot just one piece and didn't have enough fabric to finish off your project.

Ok, I think we're ready to cut! I still get nervous when I start cutting into fabric...and I've been doing this for so long! Silly question here, and I'd love to get your comments on this, do you still get nervous when cutting into fabric or are you over that?

These are the fabrics that I'll be using. A heavier denim for the outside, soft cotton flannel for the lining and I'm going to upcyle a knit sweater and use the ribbing for the cuffs, neckband welted pockets. This is going to be one sweet looking jacket!

What to do if your zipper is just too long, that's an easy fix, but if your zipper is just a bit too short you will want to go and get something a little longer, at the same time pick up a couple of zipper stoppers, you'll be able to ask a sales associate for those at your local fabric store. (You'll see the little stoppers in the image below). Page 5 of the pattern tutorial has all the information you need about shortening a zipper. Jennifer has also set up the video tutorial on shortening zipper on her website. You'll want to make sure you have the tools you need just make your life easier and get it done.

Zipper teeth can be easily removed with a small pair of pliers and the new stoppers can be placed at the right height for the length of zipper you need. Some may wonder, but do I really need stoppers, the answer is YES! There's no way around it. 

Join us tomorrow, we start sewing! Yay, I can't wait!

By the way, still time to join in on the fun, join the Jennuine Design Pattern Group and grab your pattern in the Jennuine Design* pattern shop for only $6.00 using the code "MOTOSEWALONG" at checkout.

Until next time, xx.

*This blog contains affiliate links meaning I make a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase through it at no extra cost to you.

12 Days of Christmas; Mitten Ornament Tutorial

So happy to be a part of the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge! To be honest I had no idea what I could do that would be fun, different and gave myself the extra challenge of using what I already had on hand. 

The first idea was to make something using pine cones...I picked up a ton of them while at my aunt's up north. Searched Pinterest for ideas but I also had a serious time issue (I didn't have a lot of it!) and I wanted to make it look perfect. (I may have to post later this month what I made with all those pine cones, it turned out gorgeous!) 

I was also thinking of the quilted no sew Chirstmas ball, I've been making them for about 15 years, but again, I wanted something different.

So this is how I came up with my idea of making little mitten ornaments, left over socks from elves (I hate to waste), hummmm....Walked around window shopping....saw a couple of styles in Christmas trees and thought I should give it a go!

These are the supplies I used, 1 men's wool sock and red embroidery floss, but you can use any color you like. You can also uscycle a knit sweater.

I started by drawing on papaer the shape I would like my mittens to have, then cut the shape out adding a 3/8" seam allowance. Placed my pattern piece on two layers of the fabric. If you are making the mittens that attach with a string you will need to cut out 4 and if you want a single mitten just cut 2 mirror image.

Using the 3/8" seam allowance, stitch the shape with right sides together. You'll want to snip all the way down the "v" between the thumb and the hand with out going through your stitching. I also used a zigzag stitch to make sure that my knit wouldn't come undone.

Turn right side out and repeat for the other hand.

For the open edge of the mitten I used a blanket stitch to finish it off and make it look all pretty. I marked my finger to use as a guide to make my stitches even. 

I also embroidered a snowflake on them, but I could have made a heart, an initial, or anything else...sky is the limit!

I used a crochet hook to make a chain stitch and attached them together. 

And there you have it, my little mitten ornaments! 

Don't forget to visit all of the bloggers who are creating tutorials for the Sew McCool 12 Days of Christmas challenge! Voting will begin on www.sewmccool.com on December 13 and go through 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern time on December 20. The blogger with the most votes will win $100 - just in time for Christmas! you can vote here for your favorite!

December 1

Ren @ The Inspired Wren * Stephanie @ Swoodson Says * Alicia @ Felt With Love Designs

December 2

Natalie @ Sew Outnumbered *Deby @ So-Sew-Easy * Ajaire @ Call Ajaire

December 3

Amy @ Friends Stitched Together * Maris @ Sew Maris * Gemia @ Phat Quarters

December 4

Amy @ How I Make Stuff * Michelle @ Falafel and the Bee

December 5

Beth @ Beth Jarrett * Jen @ Just Joshin

December 6

Lauren @ Molly and Mama * Krista @ Bee Quilted Beauties

December 7

Vicky @ Vicky Myers Creations * Deb @ Sprouting Jube Jube

December 8

Addie @ Addie K * Michelle @ Not My Tree

December 9

Ula @ Lulu & Celeste * Sara @ Made By Sara * Chelsea @ GYCT Designs

December 10

Nichole @ Bluebird & the Boy * Darcy @ Ginger House Designs * Shelly @ Coral & Co.

December 11

Amy @ Britches 'n Bloomers * Kelly @ Kelly J Designs

December 12

Maegen @ Mae and K * Jess @ Gracious Threads * Jone @ Knot Sew Normal

Until next time, xx.

Memory Quilt

I wanted to share a special project that I had the honor and privilage to work on. I was commissioned to work on a memory quilt for a sweet girl for her 13th birthday. I had two shopping bags full of clothes all associated with this family's momories.  Something of her parents, her aunts, her grandmother and great grandmother, her baby sister.

I was really excited to do this project because I remember, as a child, my mother and aunts sitting around a quilt my grandmother had made talking about where the different fabrics were from. A dress from a special occaision, or fabric left over from a great-aunt or great-grandmother.

This is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, I mean who am I to decide what's important to this wonderful little girl, what will mom think of the way I chose to cut out precious family memories. I knew that I had to make it pretty and it had to last through wear and tear.

Trying to make all those pieces match up, measuring twice, and no room for mistakes. I took on piece by piece, stitching seams, pressing then top stitching for durability. I spent so much time ironing!

I was so pleased with the end result, this is only a little peek. Only once I got word that the birthday girl loved her new keepsake was I able to breathe. 

Thanks for putting this special project in my hands and letting me share it with others!

Until next time, xx.