S4S- Clothing, Part 1

My absolute favorite part of blogging is making new friends-- often from many different parts of the world. One of my newest bloggy friends is The Sewing Dork. Not only does she have some fabulous ideas, and an amazing stash of fabric, but she is hilarious. There is nothing better than a friend who can make you laugh. She has graciously added a cute tutorial to my Sewing 4 School series. I

S4S: It's Cold Outside, Part 3

I am trying really hard not to cry. . . Really, REALLY hard! K2 will be starting school this year. How is it possible that she is old enough for school? In no time I won't have anybody at home! Tragic. In keeping with trying to be a better mother this year, I needed an additional scarf to keep everyone warm. I was thinking I wanted to do a scrappy scarf and when I started sorting through my

S4S- It's Cold Outside, Part 1 (and Giveaway!)

A round-up of all my favorite jacket and coat patterns: Urban Hoodie PDF Pattern by Heidi and Finn The Uptown Girl Jacket by Make It Perfect Chic Cocktail Swing Coat PDF Pattern by Heidi and Finn Stylish Kids Coat PDF Pattern by My Dear Kids Dana's Parade Jacket Mini-Tutorial And from my current favorite book, Sewing Clothes Kids Love: The Silver Lake Windbreaker The Avalon Jacket I am still

S4S- Extra-Curricular Activities, Part 3

This summer K1 and K2 took their first dance class. We had nothing to wear! So, I whipped up a couple little twirl skirts for the girlies-- super easy and fun! Here's the how-to:Supplies needed: about 1 yard of knit fabricabout 20 inches of string/yarn/thick threaddressmaker's pencil or marker of some kindThe basic concept is that you are going to make a larger circle for the skirt with a small

S4S- Extra-Curricular Activities, Part 2

With all those sports coming up in the fall, how do you keep your girlies hair out of their eyes, while still looking their best?Here is my solution:The Do-Rag Sports HeadbandIt stays in place, keeps hair out of eyes, is one of the most comfy headbands ever, is totally adorable, and it is even reversible! Doesn't get much better than that. . .Here's how to make your own:Supplies needed:1/4 yard

S4S- Extra-Curricular Activities, Part 1

Our first guest blogger for 'Sewing 4 School', is a real life friend of mine (that doesn't happen very often in blog-land!). She is sharing a darling tutorial on how to cute-sify a simple bag and notebook for piano lessons.Here she is: Lisa from Rainy Tuesday Mornings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Piano BagUsing the HP Inkjet Transfer Paper, I made a Piano Bag for

S4S- The Basics, Part 4

On to the tank top. . . Supplies needed:The rest of your long sleeve shirt that you used for the leggings***Supplies to make a pattern pieceAbout 1 yard of clear elasticLooks like this:I found mine at Joann's in the notions aisle.***Note: Make sure that your shirt has a good stretch and recovery to it. If it has a little lycra in it it will fit the best and not get so stretched out.First you will

S4S- The Basics, Part 3

I love spring clothes.I just can't help it-- the colors, the styles. . . yummy!So, when it comes to dressing for winter, 'The Basics' MUST include layering tanks and leggings.Three of my long sleeve shirts became these:Yep! They cost nada.To make the leggings, you can use the sleeves of your shirt. The knit that works the best is a cotton/lycra blend. It has the best recovery and will stretch the

S4S- The Basics, Part 2

Pattern Giveawaygoing on here!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Another expensive essential-jammies!Quite a while ago, I purchased a basic pj pattern from Wal-Mart for about $3. It has more than paid for itself. Then I grabbed a few of my thrifted pillowcases and whipped up some jammie pants. Super quick, super easy and super cheap!A few of my pillowcases even had ruffles on

S4S- The Basics, Part 1

Giveaway CLOSED! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . So today kicks off the new series at Brown Paper Packages:I know, I know-- thinking of school already? It just barely became summer here! But if there is one thing I have learned in my few years of sewing, if you 'fail to plan, you plan to fail.' So while we don't have to look forward to school actually starting, we CAN look