On my lunch hour I went to the park and cut out the fabric for my overalls.  I would not normally do this at the park, but I am in a big hurry because I want to wear them this weekend (ambitious, I know).  I thought about cutting out the fabric at work but did not want to draw attention and have people wonder why I wasn't, you know, working.  Luckily, all the people that gave me curious looks at the park were too polite to come over and demand to know what I was doing.  I found a nice picnic table to spread my fabric out, and other than the wind it worked pretty good.

Here's how to design and cut out a pair of overalls on your lunch hour...

I used a pair of non-stretchy workpants that fit roughly how I wanted the overalls to fit and traced, leaving a generous seam allowance and a generous waistline for my growing pregnant belly . . .

Then with the help of the measuring tape I faked a bib shape and cut out some pockets, I added an extra 1" in each direction for seam allowances.  I also cut out straps and fleece lined side pockets.

Once I had all the fleece pieces cut out I laid them out on the expensive Supplex fabric and traced around each piece.  I don't want to cut out the Supplex fabric yet in case I made any mistakes . . . I have a lot of extra fleece, if worse comes to worse I can add a strip of extra fabric to the lining and it won't be very noticeable 

Tonight I will sew together the fleece pieces and make sure everything fits before I cut into the Supplex fabric.

Overalls: Burgundy Supplex Water resistant fabric

What I ended up buying yesterday was much different from what I said I was going to buy.  I originally planned to buy waterproof fleece (basically fleece with a plastic backing) that is available only in camo and is $29/yd.  Instead I bought some burgundy DWR Supplex.  Supplex is apparently tightly woven nylon and the DWR Supplex has a durable water repellant surface.  Water should bead up and not pass through the dense outer weave.  It is very lightweight, feels like it will be quiet (important to me not to go swish/swish/swish as my legs rub together) and is not plastic backed.  I also bought some water resistant treatment that I can use if the DWR finish is not keeping me dry.  

I happened to have a large amount of burgundy fleece in my fabric stash, so I am using that for the lining.  

Btw - I totally recommend http://www.seattlefabrics.com/, they have a large selection of outdoor fabrics to choose from and more rolls of robe/cording ect. than I've seem before.

Waterproof overalls

I shopped at Cabela's looking for waterproof pants or overalls that I could wear hiking when it is wet out.  I would like to be able to walk through brush and rub up against grass and bushes without being soaked at the end of the day.  It would also be nice to be able to sit on a wet stump or rock once in a while.  I was very disappointed in the selection.  I am short, and I am also pregnant right now, so pretty much anything I buy off the shelf I am going to have to alter anyway.  The women's selection was minimal and expensive - $150-$200 for something that wouldn't fit anyway.  The men's section was on sale but everything was still expensive or it was too thick (or both).  The best pair I found was $90, heavy and thick, way too long, and really ugly!

So my plan is to make a pair that fits right and is comfortable and cute.

Key design features:

1. Lots of pockets
2. Large in the waist
3. Adjustable straps
4. Elastic draw string around the ankles (want to be able to tighten them up around my shoes so they never drag in the mud)
5. Waterproof
6. Lightweight
7. Lined with flannel

The waterproof fabric I have in mind is waterproof fleece which is $29/yd.  It seems really expensive, but since I am so short, I will only need 2 yards to complete the entire project.  While I am at the outdoor fabric store, I plan to check out other waterproof fabrics - if I find something that is quiet and waterproof but lighter weight, I may buy that instead and line the pants in fleece.  

Planning some personal projects

I have a few personal sewing projects on my mind:

The boring stuff:

1. Modify a shirt I bought to bring it down to "short people" size
2. Fix Josh's pants he ripped
3. Change 2 of my pairs of work pants into maternity pants

The fun stuff:

1. Buy expensive waterproof fabric and make a pair of hiking overalls with lots of pockets

It's a bit on the horizon, but I also agreed to help a friend make or alter a wedding dress for her wedding next June.

More on all this when this busy mom gets around to it all.  

I am planning to go to the expensive outdoor fabric store tomorrow and hopefully start my overalls on Wednesday.  

Joined EtsyRAIN!

I joined a fun team on Etsy called EtsyRAIN.  It looks like a fun community of other Seattle and Puget Sound area crafters.

Their website is www.etsyRAIN.com - and I recommend checking it out to find highlights of great shops featuring handmade products that were made locally in the Seattle area.

Hilltop Craft Fair in Bellevue

I have applied to be in the Hilltop Craft Fair at the Northwest Arts Center in Bellevue.  It is a 5 day craft fair that lasts from November 29th through December 3rd.  New vendors have to send photos, and since I have no idea what they are looking for, I have no idea if I will actually be accepted.  Obviously, I hope that I am.  I am obviously not a very established crafter and I was unable to fill out the "last three fairs you participated in" section, but I am hoping to get in anyway!

Wish me luck!

I have an Etsy shop!!

The bags have been done for ages, but on my schedule it’s easier said than done to get all them all photographed and listed.  Anyway, all the bags and wallets to date are listed and viewable at http://trilliumstreasures.etsy.com and I am very excited.
In addition to the “Princess” Bags and wallets, I made a few that I call the “Pockets, Pockets, Pockets” bags and two bags that are round and more casual.  My favorite is made from an old camouflage army shirt, I used all 4 cargo pockets and it is reversible.  One side is camo and the other side is black corduroy.
Here is a preview of how some of my favorites turned out! 
Oh wait, that’s a picture of Josh with a fish the size of Ellie . . .
Here are the bags: