stethoscope sock

I've started nursing school this year!  Along with big chunky white shoes, fluorescent green & khaki scrubs, pen lights, scissors, and tightly pulled back hair, I am also sporting a stethoscope around my neck.  I sound very attractive, right...hehe?!  The rubber tubing from the stethoscope pulls my hair and irritates the skin on my neck.  After several weeks of dealing with it I decided it was time to make a stethoscope sock!  I'm hoping that it will provide relief for my neck but also give me some sense of individuality when I'm marching around with the other nursing student drones. 

I Goggled 'free stethoscope cover pattern' and several good options appeared.  I modified the patterns to fit my needs and started sewing.  The whole project took about 15 minutes. I used 1/4 yard of 44" wide fabric.  These would make great handmade Christmas gifts for the nurses in your life...Simply lovely!

today's work

Today's work has consisted of finishing up several custom orders.  One customer requested a pincushion ring and needle nest that were complimentary and loved blue & yellow.  I instantly thought using the above fabrics.  Aren't they lovely?! 

fall gnome bonnet

Denyse Schmidt fabric + coordinating mocha & cream checked fabric + cranberry fleece + silvery gray satin ribbon = 1 Fall Gnome Bonnet!  This project was a bit more challenging than I anticipated due to the thick fabrics.  After it was all said and done I realized what steps to cut out to make the construction flow more smoothly.   What is fun about this bonnet is that the size can be adjusted.  My toddler, B, can wear this as well as her 8 year old sister.  I'll make another one in different colors so that they can trade bonnets as they wish!

I paired this bonnet with a simple gray turtle neck.  Simple basics can be transformed into chic outfits when paired with the right accessories.  My mother saw the bonnet, looked at me and said " I want one!" I laughed - they are adorable!

I won't be offering these in my ETSY shop but if you would like to order one for your little one, please e-mail me!

sewing machine

This is my sewing case!  Everything I need to sew is in here (except, of course, my sewing machine).  Speaking of sewing machines, I'm getting a new one tonight!  I have been using a beginners sewing machine for a little over 2 years now and I can't take it anymore - it doesn't stitch automatic buttonholes which has been a source of anxiety and project diversion.  I'm upgrading to an intermediate machine.  Nothing extravagant or 'brag worthy' but for me it will be like heaven! I can't wait~

Update on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 by art nest

The new machine is here! I'll have to undo some habits that I picked up sewing with a beginner machine (and get through the lengthy instruction booklet) - but I'm sure the automatic bobbin winder will win me over in the end!

'whale' I'm obsessed...

Today I adapted my whale pattern for sewing by machine.  The whale has a simple sophistication when sewn using all one fabric.  I used Denyse Schmidt fabric that I've been hoarding for months now.  This has been a fun weekend project.  Now to prepare for the week ahead...