My Early Birthday Surprise! :)

Have I ever said my husband is wonderful?!?! Well he is and I should say it more often! He is wonderful for so many reasons, but right now, I want to acknowledge how wonderful he is for getting me my very own sewing machine as an early (a month early) birthday present! As I have said in past posts, I have been borrowing my mom's old Singer sewing machine. Now, thanks to my wonderful husband, I am the proud owner of a Singer 9960 Quantum Stylist. I was so excited when it arrived Tuesday night! I spent the whole evening reading the manual, just itching to sew something with it. I attempted my first project the next morning: these adorable baby Mary Jane shoes. (I promise to post pictures later of these adorable little creations.) The machine sewed like a dream. It does so many wonderful things! I think it will take me years to fully appreciate each of the 600 stitches and all the cool features. I can't wait to show you what I made on it last night (and finished today), but that will have to stay a surprise until another post. This post is about my wonderful husband! :)

There is Mr. Wonderful all ready for his game.

And of course, me with Mr. Wonderful!

 Click below to take a look at my baby, but beware, you might want one for yourself. 

SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist 600-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine

Cozy & Simple Baby Booties

I found the easiest pattern here to make little baby booties with three seams. You can make a set using one fabric quarter and still have fabric left over! Sorry, I didn't take pictures as I went along; however, the pattern provides pictures. I have made two pairs so far. Here is a picture of the first set I made.

These are the 3 to 6 month size.

Aren't they adorable? The only part I had trouble with was the third and final seem. The pattern calls for a zigzag stitch that goes off the right edge. I had trouble making sure both pieces were stitched, so there were no gaps. I probably just needed to cut better or line the pieces up better. It was easy to fix though. For the next pair I make, I might just stitch close to the edge but not off, and then trim some of the excess.

I made these little darlings for my youngest niece, Rihanna Rose.

Baby Feet = Adorable!

A perfect fit! I promise that I will take step-by-step pictures of the next pair I make. I am thinking about adding some cute buttons to the top. Also, I want to extend the size and make slipper booties for Hannah, Rihanna's big sissy.

The Ariel Dress (Second Installment)

I must apologize for my delay in returning to the Ariel dress. First, I successfully finished it, invisible zipper and all. Second, my niece loved it and she looked adorable in it at her second birthday party. In the first segment I wrote on the Ariel dress, I showed how I made a lining for the dress and how I attached to the dress.  In this post I will share with you the completion of the dress, which included installing the invisible zipper, sewing up the back seam, adding a hook and eye clasp, and attaching the ribbon straps. I did not finish this all at once. I tackled the invisible zipper on a Saturday, along with sewing up the back seam. Then the next Sunday, I attached the ribbon straps. However, I had to reposition the straps after trying the dress on my niece (the straps were spaced too far apart that they fell off her shoulders). I added the clasp and eye hook when I repositioned the straps.

So installing the zipper...... On the afternoon I finally attempted to install the invisible zipper onto the Ariel dress, I realized there was no way I could use the zipper foot I had bought at Jo-Ann's. For some reason, I failed to notice that it was a Vertical zipper foot (this was written clearly across the top). I still really do not understand what a vertical zipper foot is and if I can even use it on my machine but that is for another day. After doing some online searching about zipper foots and installing zippers, I came up with this bright idea to use a regular foot. Some people online said that it was possible to do. Well after breaking my first needle (which thankful I had spares), I successful got the invisible zipper installed.

Pinning the first strip of the zipper.

Beginning my attempt to attach an invisible zipper with a regular foot...before the n

eedle broke.

One side finished...Can you tell that I sewed as close to the teeth as I could?

Complete!

Practically invisible. :)

Sewing up the back seam.

Back seam completed!

Here are what the straps looked like after the first attempt.

Here is what they looked like after I repositioned them. On a side note, I do not recommend using this type of ribbon. It unraveled horribly and I really had to reinforce the stitches in order to keep them from continuing to unravel. I recommend plain ribbon or material. Still they were adorable.

Here is the clasp!

Here is the finished product on the birthday girl!

This was a fun project for me as a beginner. I learned some great skills, such as hemming, gather, and inserting an invisible zipper. Stay posted as I begin to share more about the projects I have completed since this.