A Little Halloween Sewing

(Warning: Blogspot is getting antsy over any attempt I have at formatting today-- so I apologize in advance for screwiness!)

Woo hoo! Halloween is over! Am I the only one who feels that way? I don't know why, but Halloween just isn't my favorite holiday. I love how excited the kids get. I love sewing their costumes. I loved the little parade at my son's preschool, but that's the extent of it. Halloween decorations aren't my jam and there's only so much candy I can stuff myself with these days. 

But like I said, I do LOVE sewing the costumes. Usually I start in August so there's no mad rush in October-- especially since I should be well on to Christmas sewing by now. But at 3.5 years old, my son has adopted the spirit of Halloween and realized all the costume options out there so nailing one down was rough.

We spent a good month arguing whether or not he could be Batman. I wanted just one more year where the costume wasn't a "Character". So we struck a deal that next year he could be any character he wanted if this year he chose something else. He chose a scarecrow for him and a crow his little sister (win one for Mom).

I have a tendency to go bigger than necessary, so I thought I'd give myself a break this year and buy the shirt and overalls from a consignment store. My 3.5 year old wears 5T and apparently it's impossible to find overalls in that size. I had some canvas duck left over from a different project and a pajama pant pattern in his size so I ended up making some simple overalls. 

I planned on buying a straw hat, but he was very specific that a scarecrow has a pointy hat that's falling over. So there you go. 

And the hay. My original attempt didn't give him nearly enough hay to his liking, so back to the sewing machine to add more felt. 

The crow was a little more straightforward. I had some black jersey in my stash so I whipped up a pair of a leggings and found a black long sleeve shirt at a consignment store. The feathers are felt sewn on to a felt backing and attached at the sleeves and back of the neck (later removed so the shirt could still be worn). The feather tutu wasn't a big hit and I didn't even bother with a headpiece since I knew it wouldn't stay on.

She got the feel of things towards the end and would "fly" around by request.

This was the first year that my son really got into Trick-or-treating and the idea of candy. I thought it only fitting to whip up some trick or treat bags.

When my son was an infant I printed this fabric to make a play mat and then got distracted and it's been up in my studio ever since. This seemed like a perfect application for the pattern. I cut out basic 10" x 13" rectangles and the kids helped with all the sewing.

As no good deed goes unpunished, they spent most of the time fighting over who's turn it was to sit on my lap in the chair, but they really did an excellent job! Obviously all the sewing was hand over hand, but they have mastered the presser foot lever, reverse button and hand wheel! My son calls it his "sewing classes" and told me he's ready to join me teaching my other classes.

How was your Halloween? Any handmade costumes out there? We'd love to see them!

Give the Gift of Sewing!

The holidays are almost upon us (seriously, even though I'm writing this on my back porch enjoying warm weather-- November is in 2 weeks!) and that means you're probably starting to think about the holidays and gift giving (ok, I started back in July). I love giving gifts and I do my best to follow certain guidelines: 

1. Make it handmade if I have time (hence starting in July).
2. Buy it local if I can't make it, 
3. Buy it from a small business if it's not produced locally, and if all else fails..
4. Make sure it's something they really, really want. 

This year though, I'm putting something at the top of that list: Something I can do WITH my loved ones.

Because here's my truth (and maybe yours?): I don't remember what I got for Christmas last year. If I thought hard enough about it I could locate a couple of items. Instead, I remember playing "Heads Up" with my family after the kids went to sleep and laughing so hard my stomach hurt the next morning.

I don't remember the tchotchkes we bought my brothers (14 and 16 years my junior) when they were little but I do remember going bowling with them and the smile that lit up the youngest one's face when I let him have an orange soda.

I remember a bread baking class with my step-mother. I remember details of trips to NYC with mom at Christmastime. I remember the first UCONN basketball game I went to with my husband (also a Christmas gift).

You don't remember the "stuff". You remember the time you spend with your loved ones. You remember doing and making and laughing and relaxing.

The holidays are crazy. We make them crazy with shopping and entertaining and running around. Wouldn't it be nice if instead of focusing on gifts of stuff we focused on gifts of our time and time together? On giving an experience and making memories?
 

This isn't a totally altruistic post, of course. We offer you an opportunity to do just that! When you're rushing around figuring out what to do for your loved ones, consider a sewing party. Whether it's in the comfort of your own home or at one of our partner venues, you get to gather your friends and family together, learn something new, create some memories and have some fun.

As with all of our parties: we supply everything including the sewing machines, tools, materials, patterns and instruction! Your guests get to choose their fabric and we pre-cut and prep everything so that at the party they can get right to the fun stuff- sewing! No experience is necessary and we every guest we've had has been thrilled with what they made, and impressed that they made it on their own!

Parties are available for up to 9 people in the comfort of your own home or at one of our partner venues. Here are several of the project options we have for you to choose from-- or we can come up with something just for you!

If the thought of adding one more thing to your plate in December is making your eyes cross, don't worry! Do what our other customers have done and plan your party for January or February. Book it now, "give" it at the holidays (we'll make a up a card for you to print and give) and enjoy the time together when everyone at the start of the New Year (when it's cold and dark and you need a pick me up anyways!).

We only book a limited number of parties each month so contact us soon to reserve your spot!