Fixing Jeans

One of the most frustrating things for me it is to shop for jeans.  If I like the style and the finish then they don't fit right, they are too low on the waist or too tight on the thighs. You see, I am a size 8 and I am not in my 20's.

The other day I found a pair at Macy's (my favorite store) that it was just right except they were too long. So I thought I could fix them myself. It is tricky to fix jeans. The seams are bulky and hard to sew, but I knew I could do it if I used the right thread and needle.  

This is the style and brand I got. They were on sale and with a discount coupon I had, the price was just right.

And these are the pants before fixing them.

An important thing was to find the right thread color and type. I used a Top Stitch Gutermann 100% polyester  # 548. It matched perfectly. 

I also used a denim needle and this little gadget that I don't know what is called but helps when you are sewing over the bulky seams. The next picture shows how it is used.

As you sew and get closer to the seam the foot will start lifting into an angle. When you position the gadget behind the needle and underneath the foot, this one will move into a horizontal position as you sew. Once the foot is over the seam you will place the gadget on the other side to get the same results. 

This is the hem before I fixed it.

 I decided I was not going to cut any fabric since after washing the pants I only needed  to fold in a little bit.

This is the finished product. I think it turned out realy good.

 This is how the inside looks after finishing it.

Here I am wearing my new jeans. I am pleased with the results and I think I can do this again.

MORE APRONS

When I started designing aprons I thought that making them reversible would be a great idea.  Here are the  last two I just made.  In these photos you can see both sides.  They are a little bit tricky to make because both sides are exactly the same. Since I made the first one the pattern has changed a little bit . I have other changes in mind, so the next ones will be a little bit different.  

Sometime back I made a denim apron, but I was never pleased with the results. I knew I wanted to change the design, but it took me awhile until the inspiration came. This is the result. I thought it needed something else on the front, so I embroidered a star on one of the pockets. This is a half apron with ruffles on the bottom and it is not reversible. I  love the result.

NEW IDEAS

The new year has given me that extra time I have needed after a hectic Christmas season. I have not spent as much time with my sewing  machine, but I have been designing ( in my head ) new projects and learning about craft shows. I have also bought a few new things I will use for my craft displays. 

Here is another reason why I am so busy at times. 

I made this bag as a Christmas gift for a good friend. She plays the violin and in this bag she will be able to put her books when she goes to her lessons.

This embroidery design will be great on a wall hanging too.

This apron was a special order. My client had fallen in love with this lady bug print and wanted to make it part of her apron. I think it turned out really cute.

               Fun kitchen towels

                 

              

 Antique Table Setting Collection.

The apron has 3 front pockets. Each one is decorated with a different embroidery.The two side pockets have a different antique serving utensil. 

I did use the same designs on some kitchen towels.

They are all done in different shades of grey.

It is a different look, but I really like it.

                                                                     

                                                                                               

   Spa collection

Fun, little gift bags

                 

Inspired by a church leader's talk ( President Uchtdorf 's "Forget-Me-Not" talk ) I designed this bag. On the back I embroidered the 5 points he mentioned in his talk.                                                                                                         Inside there is a package of  "Forget-me-not" seeds.                                                                                                 Great gift for that special friend.

This is my right hand. Somehow I hurt my finger a couple of months ago, but I thought it would get better on its own. Well, it did not. Now I have to wear this  for  a whole month. I hope it goes fast.  

Fall Craziness

November and December have been one of the craziest months of my life. 

I started November organizing a Christmas Craft Fair with a friend. Several other vendors joined us and we had a couple of fun and successful days. I was the second top seller, so after all the work I was pleased with the results. 

We are already planning on doing it next year. 

Here are some pictures of our displays. 

The place is our subdivision's Club House.

For the second year I did the"Christmas in the Country" fair. For the last 15 years this lady has organized with her daughter a craft fair at her house. She has been very successful and I think I have done quite well. You take your crafts to her and she will display them and sell them for you. Of course she charges you a fee and also keeps a percentage of your sales, but it is all worth it. 

The first Saturday in December I signed up to do a Christmas Craft Fair at one of the Elementary Schools in town. The week prior to that I worked all day, every day (except Sunday of course) in order to have enough inventory for my booth. I was afraid it was going to look empty so I worked and worked without almost any rest. We did not have as many people as we wished, but I did sell more than the prior year so I cannot complain too much.  

Here are some pictures of my booth and some of my crafts.

Christmas Apron. This one is not reversible but I lined it for a more finished look.                                                   I sold 2 out of the 3 I made. 

                                       
                                                     Kitchen towels with a Christmas theme.

 These are some new fun designs for kitchen towels.                            I need to make some more because I sold them fast.

Here are a few more items I had for sale in my booth

                                               

                                               
                                                   And this is what my booth looked like.

                                      

                                           I made this ornament for an Ornament Exchange party.

After I was done with all the craft fairs I had to start working on some orders. A friend of mine asked me if I would do a Christmas tablecloth for her mother. This is the result. I feel very proud of this work. It was a challenge, but I learned a lot. This was really a labor of love.

The celebration of our Lord's birth is around the corner.                                                                                I wish to all of you who celebrate this holiday a Merry Christmas.