PEASANT DRESS FOR FAT QUARTER FRIDAY

During the week I purchased this lovely sewing pattern called The Brooke Peasant dress (all sizes from 6mths to 12 years including a bonus doll dress to match) from Little Lizard King on etsy. I have become so obsessed with machine embroidery that it was lovely to use my sewing machine and overlocker for a change.

This dress is a size 2 and I used four fat quarters for this project. Yes that's right only 4 fat quarters, one for the front, one for the back, one for both sleeves and one for the strip at the bottom (note the sleeves and strip are a different colour to the body as I like contrast you could of course use all the same fabric.

Very easy to follow pattern with clear instructions and a few variations as well. Sewing/cutting time was about 3 hours as I was constantly interrupted that day (remind me to put the answering machine on next time) and I am sure I could do it in just over an hour all up.

I choose fabrics from my stash as this was the first time making one and I have some gorgeous fabric lined up for the next one - see pic 2.

FAT QUARTER FRIDAY

How many of you have a huge stash of fat quarters just waiting to be used?
Yes I am guilty my stash well it would reach the roof and beyond so I decided it was time to start using it!

The fabric used for this project is called "Sent with Love" by Deb Strain for Moda fabrics.

So I did a google search for machine embroidery designs - coasters and was sewing away in no time. For those who do not have an embroidery machine simply google how to sew fabric coasters. I choose the stipple version for mine and it is a little hard to see on screen but it is there!

This set of four took only just over an hour to make on the embroidery machine and looks lovely. Would look great made up in Christmas fabrics and a lovely present too!

TISSUE COVER OR CASE

In need of something to give as a small present? These quilted zippered tissue cases or covers are just the thing!
The pattern is for machine embroidery only and is available to purchase from GG Designs Embroidery and all you need is one fat quarter, one 18cm minimum dress zip and either very thin wadding or a small piece of flannel/flannelette.
Just a note I also quilted the back of some of the covers so this was an additional step or hooping before actually making the tissue cover. I did this as the front is quilted and I wanted the back quilted to match, you could of course omit this step in which case the back is just plain. You could also choose to use a different fabric for the inside or back cover which I did with the pink/green spot fabric. The ribbon loop at the end is also optional. You could then make a key holder or a small cosmetic bag to match the possibilities are endless.
Above is just a few covers that I made this weekend and instead of using wadding as suggested in the instructions, I used one layer of white flannelette.
What do you think? I plan on making a heap of these to have handy when I need a little present.

DOTS AND SPOTS

I was recently sorting thru my huge fabric stash and came across a pile of fabric with lovely spots/dots.
My mind was racing with what to do as I only had small amounts, I decided to make some appliqued bibs this time with my stack of colourful bibs. So what do you think of the end result?
These bibs are available for purchase on Ebay.

HEADBANDS

Saturday found me with a little too much time on my hands so I went searching thru all my scrap projects to find something quick and easy to sew and I did! These gorgeous headbands were the result and yes I just had to personalise them as well for all the neices.

As we were having dinner with the whole family I had to get three made in just one afternoon and I did it!

Might just make a few more of these would also make a great last minute present too!

PERSONALIZED PILLOWCASE

Inbetween all my sewing orders this week I have found the time to make a pillowcase using a tutorial I found on the internet.
I managed to find two fabrics the main fabric a lovely floral was reduced at Spotlight to $6.00 (from $14.95)and a gorgeous green to match (not reduced).
Instructions were very easy to follow and as an extra step I decided to embroider her name on the side strip.
You can find the measurements and instructions here at MaryQuilts.com

Once completed I realized that the pillowcase was way too big (perhaps pillows are a different size in the US) so out came the mat and rotary cutter and several inches later viola all finished.
Will be making one for each of the nieces and nephews as birthday presents so will take note of the measurements and post when I make another one shortly.
I think these are gorgeous what do you think?

MORE ORDERS POSTED THIS WEEK

Here's just a few orders that were made and posted this week. Gorgeous designs too and in the name of "Mia". I have a niece by the same name and also a friend with a daughter of the same name. Perhaps this name is becoming popular again!

PERSONALISED BANNER/BUNTING "LILY"

Another gorgeous personalised banner this time in the name of "LILY" using the flower power banner from Big Dreams Embroidery and two lovely quilting fabrics one pink and one brown.
Please note the design is for machine embroidery only and I am very happy with how it looks and I have lots of other fabrics in my stash which would look great!

PERSONALISED BANNER/BUNTING FOR "CHLOE"

Remember the gorgeous shabby rosebud fabric I showed you recently? Well I finally decided to make a personalised banner/bunting with this fabric. I teamed it with a lovely spot fabric in pink and the end result is just stunning. Add a lovely satin ribbon and your banner is ready to hang.
This design is made for embroidery machines only and is available to purchase from Big Dreams Embroidery on Etsy.
This banner is available to purchase via my Madeit store and if you would like one made (any first name) please do not hesitate to contact me.

PERSONALISED OWL BIB AND BURP

I found the time during the week to sit down and sew up a new matching bib and burp. Made in the name of "Charlotte" this set uses the most gorgeous owl fabric - isn't it cute?
This set is now available in my Madeit store and yes I can make one up in any first name.

ORDERS AND MORE

It's been a busy week at Thecabbagepatch. Running around stocking up on fabrics and threads and also found time to catch up with friends this week too.
Here's just some of the orders finished this week and on their way to a new home.

SHABBY FABRICS

Do you love shabby or shabby chic fabrics? I do I am regular visitor to my local patchwork store always on the look out for some shabby fabrics and some lovely projects to make, whether its a birthday present, a house warming present or a present for myself. These fabrics are just lovely for home decor and here are a few of them from my own stash. I will be using these in the coming weeks so watch this space!

BANNER FOR MIA

Another gorgeous banner finished. This time in the name of "Mia" who it turning 2 later this month. I have choosen a lovely pink spot fabric together with a lovely brown fabric featuring stars. Design is called the Square Banner and is available for machine embroidery sewers from the lovely Kate at Big Dreams Embroidery on Etsy. The font letters were from my own collection.

PERSONALISED BLANKETS

Another large order finished. Two beautiful blue blankets each embroidered with the names "Ripley" and "Lachlan". Also a matching bib for each and a burp cloth for "Lachlan" as well. Gorgeous spot flannel fabric and blue fleece and I think I will head off to my local qulting store to see if I can buy more of this gorgeous fabric.

NEWBORN BABY PRESENT - LADYBUG

My cousin recently became a grandmother again this time to a little girl by the name of "Holly". This matching set has been made using the most gorgeous ladybug flannel (thanks to all those who helped me choose this fabric) and contains one tshirt, one matching bib, two embroidered bibs - one with the name "Holly" and one appliqued with "LIL sister". Here's hoping the new parents will like it as much as I have enjoyed making it.

ORDERS AND MORE

Here's just a few of the personalized bib orders I was working on last week, some I forgot to photograph before posting (bummer) and a few tshirts for hubby's niece and nephew.

CHILLI DUST OR POWDER

It's that time again when hubby decorates the kitchen with home grown chillis, garlic and bay leaves. This is just a sneak peak of my kitchen! My hubby has an obsession with his chillis, he allows them to dry then he extracts the seeds then into the food processor and viola, chilli powder or chilli dust as we like to call it. He then puts it into an old salt/pepper shaker, one where you have to turn the knob at the top and it comes out down the bottom. This is potent stuff as his chillis are very hot!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Goodmorning and Happy Mother's Day to everyone.
Hope you all have a lovely day with family and friends.

MOTHER'S DAY PRESENTS

My mother's day presents are finally finished. My mother in law, my mum and my Aunty (who is here on holidays from Western Australia) will each receive one monogrammed bath towel plus a matching hand towel.
What Mother's Day wouldn't be complete without a flower so I have made a fabric flower for each one and will pop that on the outside once wrapped. Each flower is made of two quilting fabrics, one plain pink and the other is white with pink spots. Flower tutorial can be purchased from jewelboxballerina on Etsy. I also made a fabric button for the middle using the white/pink spot fabric.