A Peek of LA's Loot

One of my loyal followers, Vintage Lisa, asked for pictures of my new fabrics, so here they are!

Washed and sorted

Jersey Knits

Shirred pink, white minky, denim, wovens, spandex on top;
Floral poly blends, linings, stretch poly on bottom.

Poly

Shirred pink; minky; denim; woven camo

Pretty woven floral; poly polka dots; lycra spandex in red/pink camo, black floral, abstract blues

Pretty stretch polys

Yesterday, Abby & I recovered some cardboard boxes & cans with wrinkled paper bags to make my storage a little prettier and more uniform.  I filled 4 boxes with my new fabrics :)

Now that all the new fabrics are washed and sorted, it's time to start cutting out some clothes for me!

LA Spring Break 2011 & Fashion District

We're back!  After a whirlwind month of March, it sure feels good to be home again!  The last 10 days we've been on Spring Break and for us, that meant a mission trip with the church youth group to Southern California.  We drove 18 hours straight to Burbank, CA on the 18th and stayed in a church there.  We were able to serve at  a homeless shelter, rescue mission and retirement home for retired missionaries 3 of the days then had a fun day at Disneyland.  Other fun adventures included Hollywood (in a torrential downpour!), Venice Beach, Glendale Galleria mall and best of all.....the LA Fashion District!!!

My friend, Jill Williamson, and I took the 3 little girls to the Fashion District to check out the deals I've seen blogged about.  It did not disappoint!  I'm talking $1.99/yd fabrics in small shops, Michael Levine's amazing selection in fabric store style and the incredible Michael Levine Loft where fabric is sold for $2.50 a pound!

I felt feral digging through bins in search of fabrics here.  In addition, they have rolls of fabric and notions along the walls.  If we didn't have the little girls along, I could have spent a whole day here.  In the end, I purchased 49 lbs at the Loft plus some notions and a bag of designer scraps for $2!!! The challenge was carrying it 2 blocks back to the parking garage...I was sore for a few days after that one :)

I've finished our 8 loads of family laundry and am starting to wash the fabrics now.  It's an amazing amount of fabric...it just makes me smile :)  If you have a chance to visit the Los Angeles area, make time to visit the Fashion District.  Bargains galore!!!

Boys Tie Applique Tutorial

Aren't these embroidered onesies darling?  Meg at the Brassy Apple is sharing a template and tutorial to make your own.  These are great as baby shower gifts or for your own favorite little guy.  Thanks, Meg!

Mama will be on Spring Break starting tonight.  See you the week of March 28th!

What Mama's Been Sewing

Miss Z's BD custom order

Dan.A's Cowl Neck Vest

What a whirl-wind month it has been!  Last weekend we traveled 300 miles to see my family, then did some frantic sewing on my days off to finish niece Kayla's wedding duvet cover before leaving Fri morning for another 300mi trip for the big wedding.  Our patient census is up, so I'm working more often than I expected.  It's really cramping my sewing style!  I still have pictures to upload and a quick tutorial to finish, but here's a quick peek at what I've been sewing...

Mama Stellato's 'Amelia' tunic

Kayla's apron

Willi & Kayla'a duvet cover

ManiMina's Hoodie dress testing

Testing 'Playdate' dress by Fun4me2

February Challenge Voting

I love to read Everything Your Momma Made blog.  Kymy does it all!  She also has over 1000 free tutorials linked on her blog.  If you haven't read her before, check it out!

Each month in 2011, Kymy is hosting a sewing challenge.  February was sewing for someone you love.  Head over to the blog here to vote for your favorite!

Dr. Seuss Day ~ Cat in the Hat Tutorial

If you've been with me for over a year, this is old news...If you're new to Mama Lusco, this fun hat comes together in about an hour.  Print off your pattern pieces, pull out the felt, and stitch up a fun hat for your kiddo to wear to school for Dr. Seuss Day!

My kids are excited for Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read Across America Day, March 2.  Their school is providing green eggs & ham for breakfast and inviting families to come participate in reading programs that day.  They have been encouraged to dress like their favorite Dr. Seuss character, so Drew decided he wanted a Cat in the Hat striped hat.  Here's the picture I used for my replica:

 

Mama Lusco's Dr. Seuss Hat Tutorial/Pattern

fits most elementary age - small adult heads

 

 

Supplies:

1/2 yd red felt

1/2 yd white felt

1/2 yd  lining fabric ( I used part of a pillowcase)

Sewing notions inclucing: Sewing machine, Thread (red recommended), Scissors, Pins, Rotary cutter & mat (recommended)
Pattern pieces for hat top and hat brim:
Dr. Seuss Hat Top
Dr. Seuss Hat Brim
Please add 1/4" seam allowance around pattern pieces 

1.  Cut pieces for hat body:  Cut 3 - 3"w x 22"l from Red Felt
                                           Cut 2 - 3"w x 22"l from White Felt
     (Cut lining fabric after above pieces sewn together to form hat body) 

2. Starting with a strip of red felt, sew with right sides together alternating between red & white strips.

3.  Place hat body onto lining fabric as a template and cut out lining.  Baste around all edges, connecting hat body to hat liner.  With right sides of hat together, sew up side seam.  You now have a tube shape for the completed hat body.

4.  Using Hat Top  pattern piece, cut 1 Red Felt and 1 lining fabric.  Baste around edge.

 

 

5.  Turn hat body with liner out and pin to hat top with liner up.  Sew around, connecting hat top to hat body.

 

 

6.  Cut out Hat Brim pieces: 2 - White Felt.  (see picture above in step 4)
    ( I did not have enough white felt, so I cut 1 piece red and 1 piece white)
    Place right sides together and sew around outside edge.  Turn right-side-out and baste around inside edge.

 

  

  

7.  With hat and brim right-side-together, pin brim to hat and sew around.  

  

8.  (Optional) Trim seams down to about 1/8" and overcast or serge.

Put on your hat and grab a good book!

Please forgive any errors or omissions in this tutorial.  Email me with questions or suggestions.  Pattern is for personal use only.