polkadotbug

Stuff, Stuff, and More Stuff

Meet girly number 5.  I am afraid to name them or I won't be able to sell them!  If you haven't checked out my flickr photostream (why would you?), I’ve posted a bunch of the new stuff I made.  I worked my little (big) butt off to get a nice stock of stuff done because I have a few shows this week.  I'll throw a few of my favorites up in this post and you can see the rest on flickr if you want to see.

Shannon and I did the first of the 3 shows on Saturday.  I could write an entire essay on that day but I am not sure anyone would want to read it all and I am not sure I want to relive that day over again.  I will try to sum it up quickly.

1. Bad Christmas music on repeat.

2. Unfriendly people.

3. The woman behind us had no (literally no) filter on her thoughts, and everything that crossed her mind came out of her mouth.  And it wasn’t nice.

4.  No sales.  Well, to be accurate I sold one bib and one bonnet.  That was about half of the cost of the table, not to mention the long list of things I spent money on to get out there. Ouch.

There were a lot of people at this show too, so I can't blame it on that.  They just didn't like our stuff.  It was the completely wrong crowd for us.  I can't tell you how many people walked by our tables without even stopping.  It was kinda humorous.

So, to all of you who may have a show like this - don't worry about it.  Just blame it on the other people.  :)   I guess you just have to make a few sacrifices before you become famous. Heehee...

The good part about my lack of sales is that I don't have to worry about not having enough stock for the next two events!  

Ok everyone, cross your fingers for me.  I really need to sell some of these things I made to cover the cost of the boat loads of new fabric I may have purchased.  What I really need to do is get some stuff in my poor empty Etsy shop.  That's my goal as soon as these next shows are over.

Where Were All the People?!

We had the Indie Market again this past weekend.  It’s a really great idea for an indie/custom/handmade market each month for the Buffalo area.  We just need to get more people to go! 

Shannon and I had a fabulous set up (I may be biased) and were ready to do some business.  Unfortunately, there was no business.  Very few people showed up for the market and I did not sell a thing.  That’s right, not one single thing.  I guess the good part is that I don’t have to stress about getting a ton made for the next show!  I also had a great time spending the day with Shannon and her hilarious girls.  Another great crafty friend Josie was there this time too.  She has some of the cutest things ever.  I got some sweet little covered button barrettes from her.

Here’s one of the latest bags I made.  I thought it was appropriate with its rich Autumn colors.  I absolutely love the colors of Fall.  I never ran across a person who didn’t though.

And a dress-

Andrew got some cute shots of my hair bows outside on the front porch.  I also made some tulle bows to match the tutus.

On the home front, Molly is one tiny little tug away from losing her first tooth.  We whipped up a little tooth bag for her to put under her pillow when the magic moment happens.  I saw this somewhere but don’t remember where.  I did not have a problem when they were my own teeth, but for some reason it grosses me out when she looks at me and her tooth is completely horizontal.

By the way, what is the average rate that the Tooth Fairy has to dish out these days to get herself one of these treasures?

Experimenting Again

I’ve tried yet another reversible dress style and actually really enjoy it.  This newest style reminds me more of a jumper. I made button holes in the front and then just pulled the strap through and knotted it.  I saw a similar jumper like this (pants thought) in a catalog and decided to give it a whirl on a dress.  It was my first time actually implementing button holes to an article of clothing so it was a very new experience for me. 

I love that I keep coming up with new ways of making a dress that don’t involve a zipper.  Zippers frighten me.  Maybe I will get to that point some day. 

This size dress was a tad big on Abby, maybe more 24 monthish, but still super cute.  The best part is that is also fits Molly as a tank top.  How cute over a shirt with a pair of jeans?! This article of clothing can serve multiple purposes and last several years. So long as my stitching doesn’t fall out!

Here’s the reverse side.  This is how Abby wants to be ALL of the time now. On her feet.  Any day now she will be taking off on her own.  She still won’t crawl though.   Our little munchkin will turn 1 next Thursday. 

Last thing for the night… I covered a few lampshades with some glorious fabric in response to the excellent reception my first lampshade got.  Let me tell you I get a headache trying to pick which fabrics to use.  I love them all so much.  This stuff is seriously stressful for me.  That and the fact that I have to make so many dumb mistakes before I get it right.  I am thinking of putting a few on Etsy and seeing how it goes.

What do ya think?

Do Drink and Sew

I finally sat back down at the sewing machine tonight and actually finished a project!  Everything has still been packed up since we returned from our trip last weekend.  I really haven't been super motivated lately but this felt great to be productive again.  I even conquered a new dress style.  I saw something similar and really enjoyed it so I decided to give it a shot.  And once again it's a reversible dress in Heather Bailey fabrics.  Shocking. 

It's just like my classic reversible dress but it ties in the back instead of on the shoulders.  I must say that I don't know how to do the top trim where the ribbon slips through.  It came out a little sloppy.  Cute, but sloppy.  Good thing that the friend of mine who requested it hasn't a clue about sewing so she won't know the difference!  It bugs the crap out of me though.  I'd really like to know how to do it better. 

I also must share that I had a little help with my motivation tonight. 

Andrew prepared a fresh, icy, and delicious mojito for me.  What can be better than a refreshing ice cold mojito while you sew??  Answer: a refreshing ice cold mojito sitting pretty on Amy Butler fabric.  Fantastic!  It was even made with freshly picked mint from our herb garden.  I have it made.  That's all I've got for now.

Who wants to make a reversible dress?

Well everyone, I have finished the reversible dress tutorial!  You can find it here.  I hope that I have made it clear and easy to follow.  I am certainly no pro at making dresses (who knows if my techniques are even right), but I have made quite a few of this kind and they turn out incredibly cute.  I would really appreciate feedback if the tutorial has been helpful to you, or even if it hasn't.  I am definitely willing to answer any questions you may have if you get stumped along the way.  I hope you don't get stumped though! 

I am now thinking of a new reversible dress that I would like to give a shot.  I will definitely share once I get a chance to try it.  I think I see a reversible pants tutorial in the future as well.  The possibilities are endless!  I seem to be gravitated towards this whole reversible thing.  Maybe it's because I don't have a serger and I like the look of the finished reversible clothing.  That and the fact that you get 2 choices out of one product!

Ok, get dress making and let me know how it goes!

Here We Go...

How exciting!  This is the beginning of my very own site/blog.  I figure I would start it off with the reversible dress because it seems to be a great topic of interest.    This is the newest, inside and out, made with some recently arrived Heather Bailey fabric.  Mmmmm...

My good friend (crazy friend) Caren and I started a blog together, gigglepigs.blogspot.com, that we have been having lots of fun with.  She's a bag-making machine.  We've been very inspiring to each other, I think, and there's nothing better than having someone to share this all with.  My first reversible dress made its debut at gigglepigs, and that one dress has turned into many others and they will be coming with me to our first fair!   I am very anxiously awaiting this Saturday for the Buffalo Indie Market.  There is so much excitement and so many nerves at the same time. I plan to keep my blog with Caren and use this one more for my creations and perhaps a few tutorials.  Soon I'll begin putting a tutorial together for the reversible dress I make, so please check back.  I would love to help all you other crafty folks out there make your own reversible dresses!  I think it's so great that everyone is getting into this!

My bonnets that began this new adventure for me are still my favorites.  Is there anything cuter than a baby girl in a fashionable, modern bonnet?!  I don't think so, especially because I have an adorable 8-month old baby girl who looks great in one!  I think I've found something that truly makes me happy. The incredibly beautiful fabric choices out there make this even more exciting and addictive!  Hopefully I will begin to stock my Etsy shop soon.  Then all we need is to convert our walk-up attic into a work shop for me so I can move my mess out of our dining room!