Batik skirt for Librarian Sara

Still trying different patterns. This was a McCalls pattern and I have NOT had good luck with them in the past. Either I'm really not good at sewing or their patterns have definite flaws. Naturally, I prefer to think it is the latter. It's supposed to have side seam pockets, but thankfully Sara does not like them, because they're extremely annoying to try to do. I used a dotted zigzag overstitch and discovered, belatedly, that if you do something wrong it's almost impossible to remove! Which I guess is half the point. Anyways, the main problem was that the waistband twisted and didn't come out even. I have one more pattern to try and then Sara can tell me which she likes best and I'll use that one. Or keep looking for a better one.

Batik pattern

Twisted waistband. Oh well.

Mini flannel bunny quilt

About six inches. Made in the pillow method - sewed inside out, turned right side and opening stitched up.

summer dress

This was one of those pre-smocked things. I've done them before and they never turn out quite as I'd hope, but I bought this last summer and decided to try again. No, the straps are not even. I don't care. I had to use a fiddly stitch to work on the thin, stretchy fabric, it doesn't cut evenly, and I'm not planning to wear it that much in public anyways.

Corduroy skirt

I've had this corduroy for a long time - I had a dress pattern, but I took so long to make it that I no longer fit in that dress size. So I got another pattern and then the same thing happened.... anyways, I finally just made it into a skirt. After I'd cut out all the pieces, I realized that I couldn't just sew it like regular cloth (while I was half-asleep in bed this morning actually) because it frays so much. So I investigated and actually used a presser foot I've never used before and overstitched all the seams. Then I went over them again with a zigzag stitch. I don't really want to put a patch pocket on this one and seamed pockets are just too much work, so I was thinking maybe I'll just get a little bag or ribbon for my keys. As you can see, I didn't really bother about matching the grain, which is just one of the reasons I am NOT a professional or anything and I wish people wouldn't say I know all about it. I'm far too lazy to make really good clothes.

Cleaning out the mending

This is an old sage green linen/blend skirt I've had since forever. I think I originally got it at Walmart. You wouldn't think it would fit anymore, and it didn't, b/c I am quite a bit chubbier than I used to be, but the elastic at the top had died long ago anyways. I cut off the top, put in new elastic, and actually ironed it. It's stretchy, so it will be fine. Too light for winter, but a comfortable skirt for summer, if I want something longer.

Underwater Applique Quilt: Part 1

I sewed together pieces of muslin, then cut up and sewed on the blue batik pieces. I tried both ironing the edges (yes, I burned my fingers. frequently) and using fusible webbing. My sewing machine gets very clunky - I'm not sure if it's because the fabric is too thin or too thick or the needle is getting dull or... what, but it hasn't broken yet, so whatever. Noticeably, the pieces got larger as I worked...