Corderoy Evergreen Cushion Covers

A Better Homes and Gardens magazine came out before Christmas last year with some really neat projects in it. This was one of them. They owl garland was from the same magazine. My friend and I were going to make these but that's when I got sick, so she brought me the fabric in the hospital to cheer me up. It did, but they sure didn't get made then.

I made felt cushions a few years ago and they just didn't stand up. They got pilly and ugly pretty quick. These are machine washable - yay!

I decided not to make the trees on the two cushions exact copies of each other as far as fabric goes. The big flower from this one is from Bente -- who just absconded with my brother to live in Norway!! We miss you! I don't know if the flower will stay here permanently or if I'll find a new home for it but it reminds me of her.

Christmas Gifts For My Little Nieces

For Christmas I made my 3 yr old nieces a few things. It's Christmas/Birthday gift not because their birthdays are anytime soon, but I generally sew for them and I won't be sewing much with a new baby. The dress above turned out the best but gave me the most problems. I was nearly ready to give up. Drove me right crazy. I used the In The Garden dress tutorial by From An Igloo. 

This is the dress for the other little niece. Kelly has a dress the same style and this 3 yr old lives in town so they can wear them together in the summer. Both of them will like that. This is another From An Igloo tutorial - the One Hour Sundress.

I also made matching skirts for Kelly and the two little girls. 

I looked at the Ruffle Bustle Skirt on Punkin Patterns that she made from this pattern by Lil Blue Boo but I didn't have any knit fabric. I found another pattern (that I can't find now) that I looked at the picture on the front and with some help from these I came up with these skirts. Flat in the front and all ruffly in the back. For now I don't have any good pictures but I'll post some when I can.

I may do a tutorial on how to make them one day.

And last, I made them patchwork aprons and oven mitts.

I made the apron using this pattern from Living with Punks, and the oven mitts as well, but I can't find picture of them!! Oops. 

 was totally guessing as to whether they would fit and poor Zack was my model a couple times (he wasn't too thrilled to try on the first dress) but he's five and so I just made it too short for him but not too much and the aprons were about a size too small so I figured they would be ok. They were fun projects and since a lot of it was scraps (and thanks to mom for all the lace!) I spent $8 on 2 m of the butterfly fabric. That's it. And more white thread but I needed that anyways.  :D 

It's my favourite time of year!

Every November Sew Mama Sew hosts the handmade holidays, full of sewing tutorials, recipes and more. It goes on for the whole month and is worth checking out. Get into the spirit with past years here!