This is my old red couch!

We bought it about 10-11 years ago...when I loved red.

It is still in great shape because we really don't sit on it much,

but let me tell you it is comfy.

Once I painted the concrete floor I didn't love the red couch with it.

So I decided it was time to try my hand at slipcovering.

Many people I know I have done slipcover projects.

My friend Shannon at Anythingology slipcovered her couches last year.

My friend Wendy at Simply Brookes slipcovered her old couches years ago.

Her sister-in-law Heather is working on hers she gave me the tip on where to buy the fabric.

Nick of Time -- $3.50 a yard for white denim....this is a good deal.

They sent samples. It was $20 to ship from Pennsylvania to California but still worth it.

I pre-washed it. And it did shrink by about 25%.

Here is the finished product. I need to figure out how to tighten up underneath the curvy arm.

Will probably use a little velcro underneath, and attach it right to the couch.

But, all in all I am happy with the final product.

It was alot of work.

I got some tips from this website.

And opted for no piping to make it a little easier to get the fit right.

Upcycling-Free

As you know I have two girls.

10 years apart.

So saving "hand-me-downs" for 10 years seems a little bit well, long.

I have done it. But, did you realize that even toddler

clothing gets dated after 10 years, colors, and styles.

So I have decided to do some upcycling.

The blouse below was from Mini-Boden, youth large.

I cut off the top.

Removed the straps, took in the bodice,

gathered and reattached the skirt.

The result a new sundress for Ellie!

The second project.

Another blouse this one from Target.

This top was a little too short to reconstruct into a dress.

So a skirt it is!!

We will see what is next!

Sewing Day!

So the first sewing day was last Friday.

We decided the first project would be a pillow for Madeline's room.

We are using this pattern from Amy Butler.

It is free on her website. The pattern is here.

She has other free sewing patterns and CRAFT patterns if you go to her website here

and click on tab at the top on the far right.

Love her fabric designs and sewing projects.

But, back to our sewing day.

I am not sure Madeline loved it : (

But, she stuck with it.

One mistake I made trying to get by with fabric we had on hand.

This sometimes makes a project take a little longer because you often have to be a little more creative with your resources.

Plus, I need to find a way to keep this little one busier.

(This is her favorite new dress up outfit.)

The sewing day ended when we ran out of trim.

But, Madeline is doing great work.

So what I learned?

I need to be more prepared.

Make sure all supplies are on hand.

Have a good project for Ellie to work on.

Madeline said she liked the sewing part....it is the pinning and cutting she wasn't so fond of, I think a good tv show or movie on would make this part less tedious. I know that's what I like to do when I am sewing.

I think if I could sit down with her and work on something simultaneously might also help.

I was very distracted and multi-tasking last Friday.

I am not sure we will get back to it today.

We have a Girl Scout meeting.

We did buy fabric for the next project...