Ambition is Her Game

So, some bad news everyone: Mattie's gone.  She's no longer with me, and her loyalties might have even been switched over.  I don't know whether to say "TRAITOR!" or "Come back".  She's already set up at my sister's.  My sister has already decided what to make for her first ride with Mattie, and let me tell you- she's ambitious!  No wonder Mattie has given her loyaties away, there's no playing it safe with Lil' Sis.  In her own words, "Go big or go home."  There seemed to be a hint of finality in that statement.  I think she's judging me.  I went simple and quick(ish- not counting french seams).  Oh well, she still loves me, she has to, it's in her contract (that I just made up and she has no idea about).

Ladies (and maybe gentlemen), for her first project, she's sewing with knit.  Yeah, you know, that stretchy material that requires different measurements for cutting and different stitches for sewing and a pain in your neck (literally) if you have to rip any stitches out.  Oh, uh, yeah, it's also the type of material that I usually pass up in favor of something... easier.  

I showed her one of my favorite websites for finding free patterns/tutorials (www.sewset.com) and she picked one out (this cute old fashioned sleeper) and got to work. 

  A pattern was made from a currently owned sleeper, the thrift store was visited to find material (best value material- thrift store sheets!) and she actually scored twice with two sheets made out of this soft jersey knit.

  Fabric scissors, pins, thread, sewing machine- ready to go!  Since the sleeper has the old fahion drop-bottom, she's planning on putting this on it:

I told you she's ambitious (I hope Mattie's ready to keep up with Lil' Sis).  But she's also persistent, so I've no doubt that she will not only complete it, but that it'll be the cutest little sleeper on the cutest little nephew.  Speaking of The Neph, my biggest regret this visit was I neglected to get any new pictures of him.  Meaning not one...  Not even on my phone.  I'm seriously sad.  You'll have to excuse me while I go pout now...

A Surprise...!

So I love to sew.  I don't think that's a secret.  I started really sewing again about a year ago when I decided to make Miss Niece her favorite princess's dress for Christmas.  She loved it (and still does according to my sister, in fact Little Niece loves it too).  I loved seeing her face light up because of something I had made- even if she didn't know I had made it.  I was hooked.  I needed to make more.  So I started sewing for Miss Niece and Little Niece, and it was always on my mind: what could I make them next that they would always want to wear more than anything else?  I ended up sewing their Easter dresses, Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving outfits and Christmas dresses plus a few little outfits here and there (and my older sis loved the clothes too, bonus!).  With each outfit, I feel my skills improved, I slowed down more so less mistakes had to be ripped out and learned SO much.  It's even gotten to the point where Miss Niece will ask me to sew her anything she wants and Little Niece is starting to follow suit.

Now I have a nephew!  I don't think I've properly introduced him.  Here's The Neph:

He's a cute little squish-able,  huggable, squeezable thing.  I kinda adore him.  And I started sewing for him as well, which meant two firsts- sewing boy clothes and sewing baby clothes.  I've only made him two outfits so far (Thanksgiving and Christmas) but the pants that I made him, my little sister LOVES.  She's mentioned how she wished she had a sewing machine so she could make him lots and lots of pants like the ones I made and possibly learn to make him other clothes.  Well, I thought about getting her one when Target had a machine on sale for like $60/70, but a coyote had just given it's life to destroy my car at the time, so I had no extra moolah if I wanted my car back (a must for working and making moolah).  I've been keeping my eye out for one I could afford since then, but no such luck.  Until this week...

Introducing, for the very first time (besides a quick stint on Craigslist), Matilda!

She's a hip older lady with plenty of kick.  She was playing difficult at first, but with a thorough cleaning job (and a free downloaded user's manual) she's rearing and ready to sew.  In fact, I had to take her for a test ride.  I really like her and I mean I REALLY like her.  I actually wanna keep her, but I feel my other two sewing machines would be jealous (and that might be a little gluttonous of me).  Besides that, she's a surprise.  When I brought Mattie home I told my sister I had a surprise for her, and then proceeded to allow her to play twenty questions without giving her a straight answer.  Yeah, she loves me!  So, SHHHHH!  She still doesn't know.

As I was pondering what to make for Mattie's and my test drive, I decided she needed some hip old lady clothes to accompany her to her new home, so a sewing machine cover it was.  It couldn't be too girly cause tho my sister is definitely a girl, she likes subtle girliness, not over-the-top ruffles and bows or anything like that.  

My version of dressing Mattie- throwing the cover on...

Mattie made me fix and straighten it out...

She likes it, can you tell?  My sister takes care of her things very well, but I wanted to make sure that this could take care of itself, so all edges are finished (for no fraying).  There's a pocket for throwing things in quickly and pulling it back out later (cause who actually puts things away only to get them back out- not me!).  I split the bottom for the cords, so no bent or squished up cords for Mattie.  And check out this corner, I was so happy/impressed with how it makes it look like a little box on top:

A boxy top- that is SO old lady

Happy and free cords

All seams are french seams- absolutely NO raw edges (that took some time to do!)

I'm driving to my sisters house today and can't wait for her and Mattie to get acquainted with one another.  If she ends up not liking Mattie, I'll DEFINITELY offer one of my other (newer) machines and continue to bond with Mattie myself.  Ha!  I only wish...  At least we have these memories together, and maybe my sis will let me use her whenever I visit (which would also mean no more lugging a sewing machine around- two pluses).  

Anyone have a kickin' old lady sewing machine they wanna give away?  I'll give her a good name, home and clothes, promise.  Until next time, sweet Matilda!