Amy Butler’s Honey Bun Poufs

My sewing friend’s were talking about this pattern and using it for a dog bed.  At first, I wasn’t too interested but then Erin and Chris bought new family room furniture.  New furniture means their golden lab, Junior, isn’t allowed on the furniture.  He has been laying on an old fleece blanket, so I thought about the pouf pattern for a dog bed and decided to give it a try.
I really thought sew  it  since I have been without a serger for a two weeks and it will be another week until it is ready.  That means no garment sewing.  I could do some winter coats but it is 90 degrees here today and I just can’t sew wool right now.

Here is a top view of her pattern




Back to the pouf.  This isn’t for the faint of heart.  For the large one you need 5/8 yard of 6 prints,  2-3/8 yard of canvas (had this on shelf for a few years),  twin size package of quilt batting (used all my scraps from previous quilts), zipper, and thread.
To get started you cute 90 pieces – 30 each from fabric, quilt batting and canvas.
The sewing was straightforward but a walking foot would of helped with the layers.
The zipper was the hardest part, mine looks horrible and no, I did not take pictures.  The stitching for the zipper goes through several layers and the pouf has the curved edge to it.  This making it a bit more difficult to stitch.
I know why she uses a button in the middle

I could not get the points to line up at all.  My button would have to be pretty darn big.  I am not going to worry with a button, probably isn’t that comfortable in the middle of the pouf.  Upon completing one half of the pout, the mis-matched point was driving me crazy.  I kept looking at it and trying to figure out how to fix it.  I didn’t see a good solution, re-read the instructions.  Still no answers, then reminded myself it is a dog bed.
I think if you used all the same fabric, the matching of points would be less noticeable.
For the inside the pattern recommends:
Polystyrene beads - bag size: 2 cubic foot (from Poly-fil®)

• 1 bag for the medium pouf
• 2 bags for the large pouf

I found a big package at Wal-Mart with the bean bags.  I used approximately 3/4 of a bag.  I did not overstuff the pouf so it would more resemble a dog bed.
A few more pictures:

Some notes:
If you used quilting cotton then you need the canvas to make the outer layer a bit thicker.  Home dec fabric does not need the canvas.
My fabric is quilting cotton and working on the entire pouf does get a bit heavy and bulky to manipulate while sewing.
Erin thinks the pouf – dog bed is really cute (just sent her a picture).  I am pleased with the project, would only consider sewing one more and that is if Paige wants one for her dog.

Weekender Bag–Yes, Again

Not sure which number this is, I think #7.  In my earlier tally, I forgot about my first Weekender,  made for Paige while she was in college.  I cheated and did not put in Peltex, needless to say it wasn’t that impressive
This one is for a friend, she did something very sweet for Jesse and I wanted to say Thank You!

The above picture was in the direct sunlight and maybe a bit too bright.  Here is one from the shade:



Then with the scraps I made her the Alice Book Bag



Now for the set:


I have found 30” non-separating zippers at Purl Soho in many colors.  That was a great find and it will be so much easier to order online than driving all around to find maybe a black and tan!

Honey Girl Dress–Jamie Christina Pattern

Description and sizes: delightful dress pattern that celebrates everything fun about being a girl. The Honey Girl pattern comes with complete instructions, illustrations, and full size pattern pieces to make a shirred sun dress or shirred top. Instructions on how to shirr with elastic thread are also included in the pattern. Sizes are as follows: Small (size 4 - 6), medium (sizes 8 - 10), large (sizes 12 - 14), and X Large (sizes 16 - 18). Jamie Christina Patterns and blog

Fabric:  An Amy Butler quilting cotton

Changes:  The front ruffle had bias binding for the edges, I cut out another front ruffle, added pink rick-rack for embellishment




The pattern calls for 1/4” elastic at the top of the bodice and then form a casing between the bodice and the skirt.  I added the elastic at the top of the bodice but omitted it at the skirt section.  This was my fault, I serged the bodice-skirt seam and did not leave enough seam allowance to make the casing.  That is what I get for sewing before reading.  I think with all the serging, the dress will stay in place without this 1/4” elastic

The instructions have you ruffle fabric down the middle of the 2” fabric and apply to the top of the skirt hem.  I changed this and used a ruffle like I did on my Sew Serendipity skirt.  I am very pleased with the result



Jamie Christina has a good shirring tutorial.  I have to change one thing for the elastic thread to work on my machine.  I have to wind the bobbin on my machine.  If I hand wind, I get no shirring while sewing.

Conclusion:  A fun, summery dress for Meredith.  It is a perfect style on her and all of us love the fabric.



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From all the comments on machine repair, everyone hates to be without their machines and many have a back-up machine. 

I am happy to report, I picked up my machine yesterday.  They had all the parts in stock and that helped with the speed of repair.  I was shocked when they called, as when I took it in they said it would be a couple of weeks.  Thanks, Marilyn, for the quick repair.

Weekender Bag #5

I have made this bag five times now and love it more everytime I make it.   This time for a friend of the twins, she is graduating from high school in less than 2 weeks.  I thought this would be a perfect gift for her college years, just the right size to pack for weekends home. 

Look!!!  I matched the pocket and the bag side, first time ever.

Amy Butler's Weekender Bag - Tips, Hints and a bit of a Tutorial

This tutorial has pictures from several of the bags I have made

Top 11 in 2011 for My Daughters

Today's post is the Top 10 sewn items for my girls.  I thought I would post it seperately from my own clothes, since some of the things are quite different.

1.Butterick 5327

2.McCall's 5525

3. McCall's 5313

4.Simplicity 2580

5. Simplicity 3678

6.McCall's 6200

7.McCall's 6163

8.Simplicity 2369

9.Simplicity 2728

10.Sophia Bags

11.  Weekender Bags

One thing I know for sure, sewing for my girls is fun.

Weekender Bags Times 3

I finished all three Amy Butler Weekender Bags  for Christmas. 

Kaitlyn, Erin and Meredith

Erin's is actually part of her birthday present (January 1st) but I couldn't wait to give it to her.


I took some pictures of the construction process and will write a post with some hints and tips

Sharing this on

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Sharing on Tater Tots and Jello

Poinsettia Pillow

I used a combination of two patterns.  The first, Amy Butler's Snow Mum pillow (free download)   and the second, Censational Girl.  My first intention was to use only the Amy Butler pattern but it was too much aqua and tone-on-tone.  I remembered the pillow from Censational Girl and used the petals for a base.  After sewing on the larger petals, I then attached my snow mum.

  This one is for Erin for Christmas and her color scheme for the holiday is aqua and red.

Birthday Presents - Sophia Bags

Now that the girls have opened their birthday presents, I can put up the pictures.  Two Amy Butler Sophia Bags, completed with 2 days to spare. 

Meredith's

Kaitlyn's

They did pick out the fabric last week but I lead them to believe I would not be able to complete them in time.  Meredith didn't even think I had purchased the fabric, Kailtyn said she thought I was making them but would get them for their Christmas.

Weekender Bag - Team sewing

I helped a very good friend with a Weekender bag she is making for her mom for Christmas.  We had two sewing machines humming this afternoon and evening.  It was so much fun and her bag is gorgeous.

Take a look:

I finished one Sophia bag last night, now off to work a bit on the other bag.  

Christmas Presents or maybe Birthday

Three of my four girls have birthdays in a 3 week period this month, so I have lots of shopping and creating to do.  Last year I made Erin Amy Butler's Sophia Bag and the past 2 days I made her the Amy Butler Weekender Bag.  We walk at our local rec center almost every night and  tonight she said I really wanted that Weekender Bag  last year for my birthday but you said it was too expensive to make.  I said oh, sorry, I did say that and it is getting too late to make one for Christmas or your birthday, maybe next year.  I am a tricky, sneaky mom and guess what I finished last night?  Yes, her Weekender bag!  Take a look:

I added the lining fabric between the straps and made a small pocket on one side.

Now she will have a complete set.  So if you see Erin, sshhh don't tell her!

I am going to try to make two Sophia bags and two Weekender bags yet this month.  Sophias for twin's birthdays and Weekenders for their Christmas.

I better get off this computer and go sew!

Amy Butler - Weekender Bag

Pattern Review
Pattern: Amy Butler’s Weekender Travel Bag
Description: The perfect carry-all bag for your next getaway!

Sizing: One size

Instructions: The instructions are very good with concise steps to finish this bag. Check out some updates for this pattern at Amy Butler's website These are mainly for the substitution of Peltex during the absence of Timtex. Sounds like a soap opera! One person is missing and the other is stepping in for the limelight.

Likes/Dislikes: I love the look of this bag, it is the second one I have made. The first was over 2 years ago and the results weren’t as nice. I have learned more patience.




Changes: Let’s see, a couple of changes that were a direct result from making the Sophia first. I used 2 layers of SF-101 interfacing on all the outside fabric layers (quilting cotton weight). If you were using home dec fabric, one layer would be plenty. I think that is in the updated instruction.

I used the Peltex on the main panel and pocket. On the bottom, I did not use the Peltex while sewing it onto the main panel and sides. Instead, I cut 2 layers of Peltex the size of the finished bottom and used spray adhesive to hold them together. I place this double layer in the bottom of the outside of the Weekender (before the lining). Purse feet were inserted into the bottom of the bag, through the double layer of the Peltex and then fastened in place. This somewhat held the Peltex in place but I thought it needed to be a bit better. So I turned the bag wrong side out

again and tacked the Peltex to the seams.

I trimmed away all Peltex from the seam allowances, this helps the SA to lay flat. Also, a welt piping foot or piping foot would be a great help in constructing this bag.





Fabric: A houndstooth quilting cotton.

Conclusion: I love my bag, it has been reunited with the Sophia bag at my friend’s quilt shop. She tells me people are commenting on them all the time. Now I have to get my hubby to take me somewhere, I have luggage will travel.

Weekender Bag

Finally, time to post pictures of my college daughter's Weekender Bag. It is a surprise, no, she doesn't read my blog so I am safe!!! It is this an Amy Butler pattern, I thought it was relatively easy to sew and the directions were pretty easy to follow. I used Peltex instead of Timtex, I know my bag isn't as sturdy but it is sturdy enough. Peltex was easy to work with and created a wonderful finished product. This matches her Laptop bag