Monday, July 30, 2012

To Save or to Sell?

What do you do with the stuff you make?

I have been sewing for around 3 years now, and I have kept surprisingly few things that I've made. Mostly I give them away as gifts for birthdays, Christmas etc, or when I think something just belongs to someone I'll send it home with them. This way I'm not overrun with stuff and I know the item will be loved and appreciated. Plus, it eliminates the possibility of my nice handmade things being eaten by the dogs. Such was the fate of the very first quilt I made....

I did try to sell a couple of my quilts on Etsy, which didn't work. I majorly under priced them and felt insulted when they didn't sell! Looking back, I'm really glad they didn't sell. The money I would have made would most definitely have been spent by now, leaving me with no quilt and no money. Instead I still have my beautiful quilts, which I love and use every day.

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of making money from sewing. But in reality it's just not enough to make nice things. I started sewing to distract myself when I gave up smoking, so to start making things because I think they will sell, rather than my own enjoyment, would be a step back for me. 

My one concession is that I like to make a record of the things I have made before I give them away. Occasionally I forget, or I'm rushing and therefore don't bother. In these cases I always regret not having paused to take a few snaps. But for the most part I remember, and I love to flick through the pictures every now and then to jog my memory...




Friday, July 27, 2012

Just in Case

A while ago, whilst rummaging in my local resale shop, I came across an upholstery sample book. I didn't really know what I would do with it, but the fabrics were lovely and it was $3.... I don't think I need more reasons?

The pieces of fabric are only around 6" x 12", so the perfect size to make pencil cases. These ones are made from the pieces of sample leather at the back of the book...


The embroidery thread is filling the holes left by the label that was originally sewn on there, and I had way too much fun matching thread colors to the zippers and lining for each case!


Everyone needs 5 pencil cases, right?

Truth be told, I dont have 5 pencil cases. These suckers are quick and easy to make and oh-so convenient to put stuff in...... so I have WAY MORE than 5!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

A Bit of a Frill

Over the past month or so, both of my local Walmart stores have had huge deliveries of new fabrics and other items for the craft department (including a whole new embroidery section...with every color of DMC thread you can imagine for just 30c a skein!!!!).

I have had my eye on this fabric since first seeing it...


...with visions of long floaty summer skirts to wear over my favorite cowboy boots...

But at $13 a yard, these dreams are destined to remain just that; DREAMS! I did however decide to splurge on 1 precious yard to make some fancy boutique-style cushion covers for my 2 naked pillow forms that have been laying around since my trip to IKEA...... nearly a year ago. I know....I KNOW!

So I purchased a yard of the white frills and some heavy duty brown floral fabric for the backing (a bargain from the clearance section for just $2.50 a Yard!) and these two pretties whipped up in no time...


They remind me a little of something you might find in Anthologie or Urban Outfitters, but at a fraction of the price!  

Who the hell pays $90 for a cushion!