Quiet Book for Lucy

Here's the quiet book I made for Lucy's birthday.  I hope she likes it!


It is in a zippered case that opens flat.  I put a pocket on the outside to hold extra pencils or whatever she else she wants to take with her.

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Page 1:  I made this by using transfer paper--super easy

Page 2:  A pocket with a magnetic snap.  It holds a notebook, stickers, and colored pencils 

Page 3:  A clock with stick on felt numbers and letters.  The hands are heavy felt.

Page 4:  Yarn hair and a pocket for clips etc.

Page  5 and 6:  Clothes and doll  (This was by far the most fun)!  Doll has a velcro slip and clothes a velcro back.

Page 7:  Zippers

Page 8:  Shoes to tie

Page 9 and 10:  Road with cars

Page 11:  Buckle Seat Belt

Page 12:  Flower matching

Page 13:  Noah's Ark with a pocket to hold a little book and some animal cards in pairs.   

Page 14:  A little book of Sunday pictures  ( a photo album sewn right onto the page.

The End

Replacing A Coat Lining

I'm guessing most of us have had a beautiful coat with a tattered lining. Instead of buying a new coat (or always trying to hide the lining) replace it!  Replacing a lining is time consuming so don't expect to have someone else do it if you're on a budget.  But, if you have some basic sewing skills, it's pretty easy.


Here's how it's done.


1)  Carefully remove the old lining.  It will probably be shredded in places, but try to keep it intact as much as possible.

This is the original lining

2)  Pay close attention to how the lining was put together and attached to the outer garment.  If it helps, notch pieces before taking them apart like this:

I also notch the shoulder seam on the sleeve and anything else that needs to match.

3)  Press all the pieces, lay them out on the new lining fabric and cut out the new lining.

4)  Now sew it all together and into the garment.

Here's the finished product:

Finally, don't skimp on lining quality.  Buy the best you can afford and make sure that for a winter coat you buy a coat lining.  If you can't find good lining in a local store, there are several plaes that you can order from online.  Unfortunately, colors are often limited.  I bought this black lining at Joann Fabrics and it is very nice.  I also recently bought some light grey lining from Sew True.

Have Fun!

Sewing for myself

It is not often that I can squeeze in some sewing for myself.   I have a stack of fabric and lots of plans, but most of my sewing is the kind that pays the bills!  This week I managed a few minutes here and there and made this:

I've had this red crepe in my closet for years and finally put it to good use.  I used Simplicity pattern # 4047.  I changed the neckline just a bit and hemmed rather than faced the sleeve.   Pretty easy!

Ellie's having a birthday!

Our beautiful granddaughter Ellie will be one next week!  I can't believe it has been a year already--wow!
Here's a little dress that I made for her birthday. I used McCalls pattern # 6228 and added ruffles on the bodice and bloomers. 

This is a pretty easy pattern, but if you are a beginner, make sure you follow the directions and line the entire dress.  I only lined the top which made the armholes a bit tricky.