I’m glad to be done with that dress. It didn’t like being ironed, one side was randomly ruched so it wasn’t easy making sure the hem was straight, and the top netting like layer had to be hemmed by hand.  Surprisingly though, I marked where the cut would be one night and then finished everything else the next day.  It’s so much more stressful doing something like that for someone else though, I’m always terrified I’m going to accidentally ruin it.

I didn’t mind doing it though, because next time I hem a dress or skirt or shirt made from similar materials, it’s going to be so much easier.

Here are two recent finishes:

Simplicity 3835, a Built by Wendy Dress. I made the mini-dress length, but omitted the sleeve ties because I thought they would be annoying.

It looks almost indecently short on the hanger, but really, it’s not. It’s been about the perfect weather for this dress lately, so hopefully I’ll remember to take a photo of it on me soon. This is the second dress I’ve made from this pattern, and I’ll probably make at least one more, perhaps the longer length this time.

Simplicity 3923: A simple hoodie.

I have plans for making a different version of this, but first I had to make sure that the pattern would actually fit once made, so I used some of my $1 Wal-mart fabric.

It actually turned out better than I thought it would, so I can move ahead with altering the pattern to make the hoodie I really, really want and can’t find a store for. I did find out that I don’t like this material at all though. It’s an odd color–an orange plaid but with a violet-gray sheen and it frays far too easily.

As seen above, I found a whole bag full of pearl-style beads, still in their original packaging; 5 embroidery hoops of various sizes; and 4 bags full of buttons. I love the buttons, I can never resist buying them if it’s a decent deal. One bag was full of larger buttons that would be perfect for using on purses. I’ll figure out something to do with the rest eventually.

And these were bought in an actual store, for usage in my next cross-stitch project. I’m working on a large piece, and needed a break from it, so these are for a smaller project so that I can have that wonderful feeling of knowing something is done. And then I’ll go back to work on the big piece, which I suspect I’ll be working on for the next few years.

The only problem with this smaller project though is that the store was sold out of one of the colors I needed: ecru. Though, since the whole top of the tray–the white and the ecru–was empty, I’m thinking that they must have just restocked it wrong. I’m not upset though, I’ll just stitch the other colors first and then fill in the last after I can get to a different store.

I’ve been working on my hexagon quilt (really, a grandmother’s garden quilt, but I like calling it a hexagon quilt better) for the past few months, and I’m sort of surprised that I still like it and that I haven’t abandoned it as a horribly impossible project.

I seem to work on it in bursts. One week I’m working on it every day, then I put aside my little box of quilt stuff and step back from it for a few weeks.  I think I’ll be working on it more soon, it’s a perfect project for multitasking while watching TV, and the fall season’s starting soon.

I’m also surprised by the response I’m getting to it. My grandmother seems to really like it, and I’ve been taking blocks to show her when I go visit.  I’m looking forward to showing her the next set that I’m almost finished with–we found the scraps from a quilt she made 15 or so years ago, and I was able to cut enough hexes for three blocks. It’s mostly plain material, but those three blocks have an amazing history. One of my cousins seems impressed with what I’ve done so far as well, she’s asked that I make a smaller version for her after I finish this quilt.  I’m looking forward to that second quilt already since I’d like to play around more with coordinating colors instead of using whatever I have that mostly matches like I’m doing with this one.

 I’ve finished about a dozen of the hexagon blocks so far, though I’m not sure as to the exact number since I haven’t counted them lately.  After I finish the one I’m currently working on I’m going to lay them out on the floor and figure what size quilt I’m working towards, and how many more blocks it’ll take to get there.  I already have material cut out for 5 more, but it’s so odd thinking that I’ll have an actual goal to be working towards soon.

Anyway, to start with, here’s three small projects I finished recently. Once I get around to taking pictures, I’ll update with the bags and dresses I’ve made during the last few months.

First: A little owl I embroidered. I might use this as a patch on a purse?

This one is a simple dragonfly from a British cross-stitch magazine, I’ll have to check and see exactly which one. While the British magazines are more expensive, I’ve found I like their patterns better, and the free kits/charts also make the higher price worth it.

And this last one is from My Aunt’s Attic, which has amazing vintage patterns, that she’s been kind enough to share. I’m pretty much saving each one posted, and have plans to stitch several more, eventually.