Christmas PJ's

I really wanted to make Cole Christmas PJ's. I had visions of adorable little flannel PJ's with a button up top. . . .When I saw that Joann's would have flannel on sale for Black Friday, I decided to brave the lines and get some to make my Christmas PJ dreams come true. It took me a little longer to find the exact patttern I wanted to use, but I finally ended up with Simplicity 3584. The pattern wasn't as tough as I thought it would be, although I was scared of the collar! Overall I would say that my first attempt at apparel went pretty well!

Close up of fabric

Cutting out the pattern pieces

 

finished top

Top and bottoms

Final product!

Christmas Decor

To help spruce up our Christmas decor I purchased a couple yards of red and green plaid flannel and went to work. I ended up making table runners for our dining room table and a display table as well as pillowcases for a couple of the couch throw pillows. The plaid helped to pull the whole house togehter and was really warm and inviting!

Sewing a hem for the table runners

Display table

Dining room table (why didn't I push in the chairs before the photo?)

Plaid pillow case (our Aussie was a fan!)

Christmas Owl

I made these Christmas Owl's as gifts this holiday season. They are very easy, felt, owls and I typed up a little story about the Legencd of the Christmas Owl to go with them.

Christmas Tree Skirt

I really want to make a new tree skirt for our Christmas tree. Our current one is a red velvet that, while pretty, is like velcro to pet hair and with 2 dogs and a cat it gets pretty furry fast! I found this tutorial from SewTeacher.com and used it to make a new skirt using fabric I got a great deal on during a Veteran's Day sale. Following the directions exactly I ended up with a nice looking, casual, tree skirt.

Some changes I will make on future skirts:

1) The tutorial must use decorator fabric size bolts. Using a standard 45" fabric bolt produced a tree skirt that is a little less than 4' in diameter. Because of its size I am probably going to donate it, along with my old tree, to a friend (since the old tree is a very narrow tree, the skirt should fit beautifully underneath. My new tree is very wide and you wouldn't be able to see the skirt at all!)

2) The tutorial doesn't mention using a walking foot, but I may next time just to help my bottom fabric move at the same interval as my top fabric.

3) I think I will try to add ribbon on the cut edge so that the skirt can be secured around the tree (or maybe buttons??). As I mentioned, I have a cat, so it is important to have a secure tree skirt or it will end up across the room.

As a side note, I used piping as a finishing touch to the skirt I made (my first time using piping) and I love the results. Such a nice clean look!

Here are pictures of this first attempt at a tree skirt. Hopefully I will find some decor fabric I can use to make an even bigger one, if not maybe I will try the ruffled tree skirt (or the new sew variety here)look that is becoming so popular . . .

Total project cost about $7

Finished Project.

Piping :)

Close up of fabric - cute and casual!