Sew Get Started Archives -

November 12, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

How to Create an Adorable Baby Shower Onesies Guest Book

Giving thanks for family … and Onesies.

PICTURED: Three Gens of Bronco Fans: Mom, Baby-In-Waiting-Station Tucker, Granny Sally.

Last weekend we had a good time hosting a Baby Shower Tailgater Potluck on behalf of my Denver Bronco Fan-ATIC niece MacKenzie. Her new little fan is due in January and we wanted to create something special to commemorate the celebration.

Years ago my dear friend, Laura Fielding Aspegren, fashioned the most adorable children’s “line” to sell at our church craft fare. Laura affixed cute fabrics to ready-made cotton-knit dresses, tops and jeans and if memory serves, had a hard time keeping up with demand.

Using Laura’s concept, various sized Onesies, Wonder-Under, some scraps from my growing stash, fabric paints and markers we created a fun and custom “Onesies Guest Book” that will hopefully bring Kenzie fond memories when diapering young Tucker.

As guests arrived, each selected a customized Onesie from those adorned with Bandanas, footballs, Bronco logos, ducks, a dog and a cute little monster. Guests were encouraged to sign and/or put a personal personal message on the tush region using fabric paints and markers. (Hint: Fabric paints work best).

“The Greats” selecting Onesies to sign. Important: Nana (Molly) is inserting a piece of foam core inside to avoid the paints/marker bleeding through to the front.

Messages were amusing and will undoubtedly be great reminders of a fun celebration to welcome our newest family member.

Evident: Alyssa’s fun sense of humor.

OMAHA! OMAHA! It’s a Peyton Thing. Go Broncos!

“Pages” … Football, Cute Little Monster, Little Buckaroo!

God created, sew should we. [Creative Joy = Therapy = Undeniable Rippling Effects.] Our stories as makers are valuable. [Life is humbling. Sharing our journeys is uplifting and productive.]

October 28, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

Beginner Seamstress Nails Princess Anna Costume

Amanda Brown: Marketing Specialist by day, Kirklee’s Costume Maker by Night.

“It’s awesome … making Halloween costumes for my little one!”

Health Insurance Marketing Communications Specialist Amanda Brown has been sewing just shy of a year.

“My mother bought me my first sewing machine last Christmas and I’ve loved it since! I grew up watching her sew and it’s come (mostly) naturally to me,” explained the Indianapolis native.

Amanda’s sewing abilities have blossomed over the past 10 months. So she felt confident tackling an important request from stepdaughter Kirklee, stepping up to the challenge of fashioning a special Halloween costume to be worn in the kndergartner’s school costume parade and for neighborhood trick-or-treating.

“Last year, she was Elsa, so naturally, she had to go as Princess Anna this year,” said Amanda.

Perfect Finish! Princess Anna Costume for Kirklee

Perfect Finish! New Seamstress Amanda Brown’s Princess Anna Costume for Stepdaughter Kirklee.

“I’ve made her quite a few basic dresses, but taking on a costume was a whole new challenge for me. After all, I’d still consider myself relatively inexperienced making garments,” Amanda noted.

Kirklee’s costume took Amanda a few hours over about 3 nights. “All together, I probably spent 6-8 hours on the Princess Anna costume. Well worth it for the end result!” she said.

“She LOVES the costume and was very concerned it would not be done in time for her to show off on her school’s Costume Day!” Amanda said regarding Kirklee’s reaction her Halloween princess attire. [Read more…]

October 24, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

Quilters’ Advice: Be Patient, Embrace imPerfection, Start Simple

Part One in a Series: Experienced Quilt Makers Offer Must-haves, How-Tos and What-nots. Read on for time-saving tips and a quilt top you can complete in one sitting.

Embracing Imperfection One Block @ a Time.

Patience & imPerfection & Jelly Roll Gladness! Oh MY!

Ok, I’ve gotta say it: if someone tells you, “Oh it’s simple, easy-peezy, nothin’ to it,” and they’re referencing starting a blog or embarking on the obsession of quilting, you’ve a right to question everything that person says forever and always.

Yet, if this person has a glint in his or her eye, it’s likely he/she so loves what they’re talking about and their goal is to encourage you to soulfully join in their mania. The person knows when creative energy begin flows, rewards are great and outweigh learning curve challenges. And they want to share that with you. [Read more…]

October 2, 2015 by: Janelle Jones

Step One: Beginning the Journey to Become A Maker

Vigilantly Seek a Miss Clara.

“If you’re going to actually do this, you’re going to need to get started, soon,” came the urging directive on the other end of the line. By her voice, ‘soon’ really meant, as in yesterday.

The caller was my sister Vicki, the ultra-creative-quilting-Martha Stewart-type-perfect-hostess-perfect-seamstress-family-glue-person championing me toward my goal of creating a graduation quilt for my first-born college senior, Grant.

If you’ve an opportunity to give someone hope, do that. The world needs more hope.

Once my gut settled on the immediate project nature of the beast, I became overwhelmingly encouraged that Vicki actually believed I could muster the task of creating a quilt. It was something I’d always wanted to do but never truly felt capable.

In a large sense, Vicki reminds me of Karen Abercrombie’s War Room character Miss Clara.
[Read more…]