Twinkle Toes and Company

To say my family loves hoodies is an understatement. Do we even have a stronger word than love in the English language? Maybe their actions will have to suffice, because they (all five other members of my crew) are all attempting to wear them already! When I was given an opportunity to test the Men's Hudson Pullover by Greenstyle Creations, my husband was elated! I don't sew for him very often and he was excited that it was his turn. He now has three of them in his closet ready for much cooler weather.  We've been in the high 90's here, so it's still too hot for him to wear to work, but he's more excited for winter to come now. I tested the 2XL version even though he technically fits in the XL.  He likes looser clothing unless he's playing football, so this is a little looser.   The options I chose for this hoodie are: Hood, zipper, pocket and bottom band. The pattern is drafted for a height of 5'10" to 6'0...

Only one of my children fits this pattern.  ONE.  The rest of them are begging me to find them a pattern like this that will fit them.  I'm not joking.  It has a hood, it has a kangaroo pocket (that is technically just an "option" but is a MUST in my home).  It's literally their dream shirt.  My 8 year-old is on cloud 9 that she is lucky enough to already have two of them in her closet.  She emptied her closet of all the store bought shirts she had left in her closet, brought them to me and asked me to replace them with the Delaney Tunic from Peek-a-boo Patterns .  Technically she is a size 4 around the chest.  However, she's not very big on wearing tight clothing.  So, I made an 8 in both length and width.  This tunic is the perfect length to pair with leggings or jeans or even Khakis.  As it was 106 degrees when we took the above pictures we had to go digging for pants and she had out grown most of them, so Khakis it...

Sometimes seem rippers are my friends.   Have you ever wondered how much money you've thrown away in wasted thread?  I have.  Especially since I started using nicer thread,  I love Gutterman thread.  It's so much better than other thread which shall remain nameless. As all of the swim suit fabric started rolling out in the groups on Facebook and then cute swim suit patterns started appearing as well, I couldn't help but start buying what felt like all of Zenith & Quasar's swim fabric.  We all know I didn't because let's face it, I don't have enough room in my house nor do I have the disposable income to do so....maybe Heaven will have unlimited fabric storage????  Anyway, back on topic.  I was so scared to sew a swim suit.  About a year and a half ago I had gone to Joann's and bought some swim fabric and the fabric lady scared the sewing fun right out of me.  She went on and on about how difficult it was to sew a swim sui...

We all know when a new pattern is being released, we start seeing snapshots of amazing fabrics and glimpses of tester's creations on Facebook.  I belong to so many fabric and pattern groups that I see a lot of fantastic pictures!  Over the years as I have been sewing, I have often wondered who tests patterns.  Until I started sewing knits at the encouragement of a friend of mine, I had no idea what an Indie pattern designer was or that I could buy a pattern online from a stay at home mom (although not all are), print it out my pattern, put it together and sew away.  I was SHOCKED that I didn't have to go to the store and look at all the same old boring patterns.  Seriously, they don't really change.  Most of the pattern directions in the store bought patterns (in my opinion) are hard to follow.  While I have learned a lot over the past year as I have branched out sewing new fabrics, I would  have considered myself a fairly advanced seamstress eve...

I'm Chaney.  And, I'm a craftoholic. I love vinyl..... and other fabric (not just knits)... I don't think that's a word.  But, I just made it one; and, I'm not at all ready to join a support group to rid myself of my crafting.  My overall very favorite crafting desire is sewing.  I'd say obsession, however I think obsessed may be a little too strong of a word (provided I don't have Facebook open...my personal opinion of Facebook is that it is useful for buying fabric and staying in touch with friends.  Note which I placed first).   and hot glue in a pinch!  (It saved my rear this night!) Besides sewing, I have been married for 16 years to a man who literally brings music into my heart.  We have four great kids, the oldest two of whom are quickly heading towards high school graduation.  I have found that sewing has brought me closer to my kids, particularly this summer as I have started sewing knit fabric in the last ye...