just making 40 yards of bias tape over here

Often I use store-bought bias tape for projects because it's fast, easy, and perfect when I feel lazy. But really the color selection is pretty limited. And I needed (wanted) an icy blue tape for a baby gift. So I pulled out my tiny bias tape maker and went a little crazy.
Of course every time I do that I question whether driving to the store and paying for bias tape is any faster. This stuff really comes together quickly.
If you've never made bias tape check out my previous two tutorials: Understanding and Making Bias Tape and How to Sew on Bias Tape


This time around I made some 1/2 inch wide tape and went even smaller....1/4 inch wide double-fold tape.
Sometimes I can't decide if I should simply leave the tape single-fold? But I really use double-fold more often so I ironed those 13 yards on up. I'm always surprised at how many yards I can make....and then I frown at paying $3 for only 3 yards of the cheap store stuff.
Bias Tape!
1/4 inch and 1/2 inch.
(just had to try this again. I miss my old header...)
I also have a tutorial outlining how to use the Simplicity Bias Tape maker (which is a fun machine that folds and irons the tape for you). But I'm having second thoughts.
After making bias tape many, many times I've concluded this....

I'm not one for fancy machines.

I prefer a paint brush to my paint gun. I'd rather cut out a simple freezer paper design than get out a Silhouette cutter. Sometimes it's just easier to use minimal tools and your own hands.
So.
While I do like the Simplicity cutter (works great and wonderful), I really prefer using my old Clover bias tape makers. They're cheap and available at most fabric shops (the larger 2 inch tip I purchased online). Just remember when purchasing that if you're making double-fold tape, the tip size should be double the size you'd like to make. For instance.... a 1-inch tip will make 1/2 inch wide double-fold tape (the size I use for most projects).
I love making extra tape so I have options on-hand when a project comes up.
And bias tape also makes a great gift for sewing friends!
To dress up your tape, cut a cute board from heavy cardstock. Or cut some paper and glue it to the old boards from your store-bought stuff (I always save mine).
Wind it on up.
Wouldn't you love to receive that in the mail?

Okay.
I'm off to use my bias tape. Yards and yards of it.
Unless it's being used for this (which often it is, with two droids in-tow).
Have a great day!

little robe riding hood

Just one more to share...
I wasn't sure I liked it at first.
Well, let me rephrase that.
I wasn't sure I was going to like it when I cut out the red towel. The color felt super masculine, kind of Darth-Mal-ish, and blah.

So I paired it with girly pink trim (recognize that print from the Bias Tape Tutorial?)and then I loved it!
A little more Hello Kitty; a little less Star Wars.
and very little red riding hood, pool style.
Now off you go Little Red.
Into the woods.
With a basket of treats for Granny.
Beware of wolfie.
And just have fun.Total fun.
Don't forget....all MADE patterns are still on sale til Saturday Night, at midnight.
$6 each!
Grab your Beach Robe Pattern and have fun sewing!

vintage pearl giveaway

Remember when I had a baby, so I needed a new necklace?
I still wear that thing every day.
I love the Vintage Pearl.

Want to love them too? We're giving away 3 of their new necklaces today!
The Chunky Sunshine
Beyond the Sea
Vintage Name Charms
Giveaway Rules:
• Leave a comment, that’s it! (specify which necklace you prefer)
• Only One entry per person.
• Open to anyone in the world!
• THREE winners will be picked via random.org
• Giveaway ends Saturday 8/11/12 at 10pm (Central Time).
Winner will be announced on Sunday.

With one month of summer left, I figured it was time to finish-up my summer projects.
New Beach Robes!
The robes from last year still fit but they were so faded from tons of use and tons of washing. So this year I went with stripes (thank you IKEA and TJ Maxx)
The kids approved and were happy to try them out (especially since Owen thought he was a Jedi Master).
and just when you thought the robes weren't stripey enough....
We've got stripes underneath too!
Changes I made from last years Beach Robes:
• Added a bit of length to the Large size for both kids (I traced the top 2/3 of the pattern, then shifted the pattern down a couple inches and continued tracing the rounded corners etc)
• Went with short sleeves rather than long. We live in hot TX.
• Used T-shirt jersey knit in Owen's hood and seersucker in Lucy's.
If you've been on the fence about making a Beach Robe, you've still got time!
AND.....
I'm putting all MADE patterns on sale!
Click the PATTERNs tab above for options, or click a link below for each pattern:
Beach Robe
Rollie Pollie (bean bag chair)
Summer Vacation Dress
Can Can Skirt
Sweater Stockings

And don't be sad about missing out on anything. You've got till Saturday night at Midnight to purchase.
Yay!

Root Beer Float

Did you know?....Today is national Root Beer Float Day!
I must make a calendar of every national treat day so we have 365 excuses for celebrating.
Mmmmm.
There's not a lot of info on the history of root beer floats.
But I do know this....
It was originally called a Black Cow or Brown Cow in 1893 by Frank Wisner, owner of the Cripple Creek Brewing company in Colorado. He was inspired by the snow capped Cow Mountain and decided that root beer and vanilla ice cream should go together.

YES.
Root Beer Floats all around please!

I'm sure your family has a special way of making them.
Here's what we do at our house.....
Two things are very important: Root Beer and Ice Cream.
(duh)
But more specifically, we love a few brands of root beer: Stewarts, IBC, Barqs, and any other local or uniquely branded root beer that catches my eye (I'm such a sucker for cool packaging)

As for Ice cream, we love Breyers Natural Vanilla. They make a few other vanillas but Natural is the best, with tiny flecks of vanilla bean throughout.
Then, assemble.

My favorite part of the float is when the ice cream becomes so root beer-saturated that it's like a slush (or mini milkshake).
So I prefer more ice cream, less root beer.
Sometimes I even make it in a bowl.
Then it's time to eat, slurp, or spoon your float.
I like to stir.
Our kids use a straw.
Casey lets his "sit" for a while so the ice cream crystalizes.
Either way, it's a gooey pile of this.
What's your favorite RBF combo?
I'm always up for a new secret recipe....
Happy Root Beer Float Day!