Ordering Henry from Home

The power is out at the shoppe today, which in fact lead us to a familiar scenario;

My childhood home, Anita (Mom) and myself, a man named Dave, our dinning room table, 3 cups of coffee, and one giant black book of Alexander Henry.

Yep, that's exactly how it all started, over 3 years ago, before our little shoppe door had ever opened.
Our very first buying session. We jumped right in, ordering what we loved, knowing little about what might sell.  Hoping people would appreciate our choices.

Now, only a short time later, we find we are just as opinionated as ever, giggly as usual and truly blessed to know that so many people agree with our picks in fabric. Because, though it's one of the funnest parts of the job, a session with a sales rep can also be quite anxiety producing.
But for the love of fabric, we'll keep ordering!

So anyways,  here's some shots of what we ordered today:
FYI: These are all summer arrivals, due some time in June or July, but hopefully this little sneak peak will warm you up on this icy day.

We hope you like :)

Hooded Baby Towel and Wash Mitt

This relatively easy to sew duo would make a lovely handmade gift for a new baby or expecting mother.  Plus they're also a perfect chance to practice your bias tape binding skills! 

Place the set in a sweet basket along with my very favorite baby soaps and it's certain to be a cherished receiving gift. 

This new 100% cotton, terry velour fabric is so soft and cuddly that it almost makes me want to have another baby just so I can snuggle him or her inside it...

...yeah I know, I'm constantly debating another baby. Oh, those tiny little fingers and toes... and adorable little animal prints, cuddly fabrics and cute baby projects are so tormenting. They certainly help to tally up the pro's column in the poll I take in my mind.

Come to think of it, I have been oohing and ahhing over other peoples babies quite a bit lately, perhaps because mine is turning into such a big girl! :(  Don't tell her I said so though. She's really into being small right now. She's constantly saying "I'm tiny" and I say "Yes, you are. You're my tiny girl." ♥

She's still my baby. She still lets me rock her and snuggle her. 

I tell her she'll always be my baby, just like I remember my mother telling me. And she will be, just as I am. 

And we'll all be our mothers babies in someway, no matter how big (or old) we grow.

Happy Mothers Day.

Here's what you need: 

*1 1/2 yards of 60" wide terry velour by Spechler Vogel, this is enough for 2 towels and a mitt. 

One fun fat quarter, cotton print or a large enough scrap to cut an 11x11x16" triangle.

130" of bias tape or 1/2 yard of fabric to make your binding (since the towel has no curved edges I did NOT cut my tape strips on the bias, this saves both fabric and energy).

Coordinating thread

A rottery cuter, acrylic rule and cutting mat

Fabric shears

Pins 

and a sewing machine

+ scrap paper and pen for drafting your Wash Mitt templet

Here's how it's made:

The Towel

Select you fabrics. For this project I've used a 100% cotton, extra wide terry velour material from Spechler and Vogel. It is wonderful because the terry side is nice and absorbent while the velour side is oh, so cuddly!! Also for this towel I've used a fun hedgehog print and a red gingham flannel, both from Michael Miller.

First: Cut a 30"x 30" square from your terry velour; if you are using the 60" wide terry you can cut it straight down the center fold, then cut two 30" squares at once. Do to the salvage edge you may not end up with an exact square, as long as it's close it wont be noticeable.

From your printed cotton cut an 11"x11"x16" triangle. Pay attention to the direction of the print. I've made my 16" cut across the fabrics grain and two 11" cuts on the bias so that when the hood is up the hedgies aren't slanting sideways. 

Cut another 11"x11"x16" triangle from the terry.

Next with velour side up place your printed triangle face down on top. This way you will end up with a hood lined in extra soft velour, to be nice and gently on new baby skin. Pin bottom edge and stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn right sides out and press.

Trim off any little triangle tips that stick out or any other discrepancies between the two triangles. Then topstitch, a 1/4" from edge, along the bottom of the hood. 

Next aligned the hood with one of the towels right angles and pin.

Baste in place.

Trim any discrepancies.

Prepare binding.

Attach bias tape with mitered corners. Save you extra bias tape.

Trim out balk seam allowance around hood to allow the tape to neatly encase the raw edges. 

Finish your binding with the final topstitch, take your time neatly forming your mitered corners and making sure all raw edges are tucked in and well encased, if they are not fraying and unraveling might accrue during washing. Save you extra bias tape.

The Wash Mitt

First onto a scrap piece of paper, trace a rounded mitt shape about 2" away from your hand all the way around. Note the mitt I drew here was only an inch larger then my hand and it fits very tightly. 2" extra fits much better :)

Cut mitt shapes from your left over terry cloth.

Place velour sides together, terry sides facing out, pin and stitch 3/8" from edge, leaving bottom open.

Trim seam allowance to about 1/8"-1/4", being careful not to get too close to your stitches. Turn velour side out and stitch another 3/8" from edge.

Using the extra binding tape from your towel, begin attaching it to the open end of the mitt. First fold the sort raw end of the tape back and then pin around the perimeter, sew. 

Take about 4" of tape, top stitch closed, then fold length wise to make a loop. Stitch short ends together.

Turn mitt right (terry) side out.

Pin loop close to one of the side seams (but not all the way at the side seam to avoid too much bulk). Finaly fold binding over raw the edges and topstitch to finish.

Happy Sewing and lovely weekends to you all!

Snuggle your babies once for me,

♥April

"You will wear it."

This darling little Oliver and S Jump Rope Dress was made by my mom, April's grandma, Aelyn's great grandma, Ruth Pennel.

Ruth does an amazing job sewing anything she sets out to do. She is a very busy quilter but makes us samples a couple times a year. The details on this one are so sweet and her stitching is impeccable.

Aelyn loves to carry this dress around the shoppe on the hanger, hanging it in various places. She's always arranging our little dress samples. They really are hers.

Aelyn is the real owner of the shoppe. When people come in the door she says, "Customers!" One day we heard the cash register drawer open seemingly by itself. She had pushed a stool up to it, climbed up and keyed the appropriate button. She wanted to get her hand on some cash. But she'll be ringing up customers soon. Maybe when she's 3.

Anyway, one day Aelyn had her hands on this little shirt waste dress and I asked her if she wanted to wear it. She promptly said, "No." Then April jokingly said to Aelyn, "You will wear it." Oh, the frustration of sewing for a 2 1/2 year old who has strong opinions on what she will and won't wear.

Well, April and I are secretly hoping that she will wear it. Spring is coming and we shall see.

Stash

The other evening my husband was glancing over my fabric stash (which by the way is nothing compared to some I've seen.. or at least that's what I tell myself...) with an "mmm hmm" sound and you know that sort of face, insinuating that perhaps I have too much.

Too much?!?!

NEVER!

Are you kidding me?

but... well, maybe some of it could stand to be sewn up...

And then a spark was lit.

A little scrap buster! Yes, that's what I'll do.

I'll make something using bits and pieces of what I've been storing away and then he'll certainly see why I need more!!!

HA!

So that photo up there is a glimpse of the project I've started.

And here's a glimpse of my camera loving cat. He feels the need to help out with all of my photo shoots and sewing projects.


I'll share the full project and how-to soon.

'Til then,
April

Petite Pack

As we enter August plans for going back to school come to mind. You may want to stay in denial about summer ending but regardless, the wee ones will load up their book bags and march off to get smarter. On a brighter note you may have more time to sew while they're getting educated. Certainly you'll have plenty of time to sew up one of these cute, super simple, mini backpacks.

I designed it with an early elementary aged child in mind. Perhaps a darling little first grader. One who doesn't need to carry much but still cares about looking cute :)
However, I can totally see a young teen coming home only to toss down her heavy book bag, pickup this little pack and run back out the door to some after school engagement.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 yard fabric for exterior*
  
• 1/2 yard fabric for contrasting lining
  
• 1/4 yard fabric for straps
• 1/4 yard decorative ribbon optional (for top of pocket)
  

*(unless print is directional, then you'll need 1 yard)

• 1/2 yard "Pellon" decor bond
• 1/4 yard lightweight interfacing
• one full sheet of newspaper
• fabric shears
  
• and paper scissors
• 2" bias tape maker
• masking tape
  
• measuring tape or yard stick
• and large acrylic grid ruler
• fabric marker or chalk
  
• large snap, Velcro, button or other closure
  

*You can click on any photo or illustration to see enlarge.*

Here's how it's made:

Step 1

Making the pattern

Taking your full sheet of newsprint and cut straight down center fold. Then laying one sheet flat, lay second sheet on top, overlapping at the horizontal fold line, measure to ensure you have one long strip of newspaper, 33" long by 11" wide. Tape together. Now fold this new piece in half longways and draw (freehand or trace, using a large dinner plate) a quarter circle starting from top corner of folded edge and rounding down to about 5" bellow top corner of opposite edge. Cut along line. Unfold. You should have a 33" x 11" piece of newspaper with a rounded top. This is your pattern.

Step 2
Cut

Using the pattern you've just made cut 1 from exterior, one from lining and one from decor bond. IMPORTANT : If your fabric has a directional pattern you will need to take special care to ensure print is right side up on exterior front of bag. To do this lay your exterior fabric face up and pin pattern to fabric as illustrated (right).
Iron "decor bond" to wrong side of lining fabric.

Next you will need to cut your straps, to be made with a 2" bias tape maker, however you will NOT cut these on the bias. I cut my strips 3 3/4" wide x 45" long (entire length of fabric). Do this with both strap fabric and lightweight interfacing. Iron interfacing strips onto wrong side of fabric strips.

Step 3
Make Straps

Using your two long strips with interfacing ironed on, follow instructions to make 2" tape (it helps to cut end of strip to a point in order to feed through tape maker easily). Be sure interfaced side is facing up as it passes through tape maker. Cut off pointed tip of both strips and compare both lengths of tape to make certain they are the same length (about 42"). Unfold one short end, fold under 1/2", press, refold and press, repeat with all short ends. Now fold tape in half longways and press (the finished strap will be 1" wide). Edgestitch down one long side, across short end, down opposite side and across to meet where you started. Backstitching at start & end.

Step 4
Attach Straps to Exterior

Lay exterior piece face down on your ironing board. Fold bottom (straight end) up 13", and press. Fold top (rounded end) down over bottom, about 7", press. Now flip this (to what will be the back of bag). NOTE: If your print is directional it will be upside down on the backside of the bag. With a fabric chalk or disappearing fabric marker, draw an 8" line, starting 1/2" down from top fold and 2" in from left side. Repeat 2" from right side. These lines will be the guides for your strap placement.

Unfold bag exterior completely and lay flat, right side up (rounded end at top). Now take bag straps and fold in half, press or mark with chalk. Line this mark up with top of line on exterior, pin straps in place with outer edge of straps against guide lines (2" from bags edge). Chalk a line across strap where guide line begins and ends. Sew straps in place following existing edgestitching and crossing at marked lines (as shown below [click photo to enlarge]). Backstitch at beginning and end.

Step 5

Attach interior Pocket

Oh yeah! I forgot to have you cut a pocket in the cutting step. Well I guess you'll have to cut it now. First determine the size of pocket you'd like. I cut out a 6" x 8" rectangle and the result is a pocket about 7inches wide by 5 1/4" deep. Pocket option A: if using a decorative ribbon as I did, fold top edge down 1/2" to right side, press. Pin ribbon across front covering raw edge. Topstitch across top and bottom of ribbon. Pocket option B: if NOT using ribbon, simply fold top of pocket down 1/4" to wrong side, press, fold down again another 1/4" and press, edgestitch across.
Now lay pocket face down on ironing board and fold bottom edge up 1/4", press. Then fold sides in 1/4" and press. Place pocket onto lining piece, about 8" down from tip of rounded edge, center and pin in place. Topstitch around the 3 sides, backstitching at beginning and end.

Step 6
Assemble Bag

Start with exterior piece laying face up with straps folded down over themselves. Lay lining face down on top of exterior and pin together, starting at tip of rounded top and pining down both long sides. Leave straight, short bottom unpinned. Sew around sides where pinned with a 1/4" seamallowance.
Turn bag right side out. Placing your hand inside, run your finger or a turning tool along seam, especially at rounded top, then press nice and flat.
Take open end and turn raw edges in 1/2", press flat and edgestitch across. back stitch at beginning and end.
Lay bag flat with lining face up. Fold bottom edge up 12 1/2", press flat and pin along sides. Sew along sides from top to folded bottom, backstitching well at both beginning and end.

After these sides have been sew, do your best to press these seams open to show off the lining fabric. My trick for this is to first fingerpress and then wearing a potholder on my left hand (or which ever is your non-dominant), I slide it inside of the bag and press seams open this way while holding it. You could also use an ironing sleeve board if you have one.
Next turn bag inside out (use a chopstick or end of a clean craft brush to press corners out neatly). Flatten corner as pictured bellow. Place your hand inside and check to make sure seam is open and flat. Press corner flat. Measure in one inch from tip and mark, draw a line across corner perpendicular to seam line. Top and bottom of line sure measure about 1 1/2" from tip. Pin to keep flat. Stitch where marked. Be sure to backstitch well. Repeat with opposite corner.

Do not cut off corners, they will help bag bottom to keep it's shape. Turn right side out. Now with a potholder covered hand inside bag, press bottom flat.

Step 7
Finishing

To finish straps: Take one strap coming from top of bag and string two D rings onto the end. Fold end 2" up over rings, pin. Draw a line across the strap 1" down from top edgestitch, then draw a line from corner to corner to create an X. Stitch as marked. Repeat with both straps. Next feed bottom straps up through both D rings and then back down through bottom ring. Adjust straps to fit wearer.
Finally attach a closure of your choice. For example: a large snap, Velcro, button or other. When choosing a closure keep in mind your intended user. For a young child Velcro may be easiest for them to open and close on their own. If your little one is anything like mine they'll surely want to do it by them selves.
After your closure is secure you're ready to hand off the bag. Now watch as your little friend loads it up with treasures... or perhaps you'll load it yourself and watch as they unpack the surprises.. or maybe you'll be carrying it yourself :) . . . .
Whatever it is you do now, ENJOY.
April*


*I'd really love to hear any feedback you might have on this project/tutorial.
Also, if you make this "Petite Pack" we'd love to have you share it with us on flickr. Thanks.