Jessica & Andrew's National Parks Aprons

Jessica had wanted a National Parks apron like the one I made in May for Sarah, but the fabric shop was out of the fabric. She was disappointed, but life went on.

I checked back about a month later and they had some more in stock! I bought enough to make both Jessica and Andrew aprons.

Then, like a doofus, I forgot to cut the first apron out on the fold and had to piece its front together matching the golden brown lines so that it looked okay.

Lesson learned - the second apron was cut on the fold. I tried it on for a photo, but it isn't tied behind my neck and waist so it looks big. Trust me, it will fit them just fine.

I mailed them to Jessica with the rodeo shirts - she has no idea that they are coming. I can't wait to hear what she sys when she finds them!

Just the Snaps!

I am determined to finish Cambria and Titan's rodeo shirts today. I sewed Titan's Monday and then yesterday I sewed Cambria's. I ran into a problem right away with the unicorn appliqué (unicorns are ALWAYS problematic, right?) 

I consulted with Jessica about how it should be stitched. It was so large that if I put it straight on the yoke, it would interfere with the collar and sleeve seams. Jessica told me that Cambria absolutely would not mind if it were at an angle.

Once that decision was made, then I was able to finish the shirt that afternoon. There is just one more thing to do.

Add the pearl snaps to the pocket flaps and the front of the shirts. And I am procrastinating this step big time.

 I've laid the snaps out on the shirts so that I know where I want to place them.

 And I've decided that five snaps going down the front is better than four. 

But still I procrastinate. Frankly, I am intimidated. It has been a LONG time since I put snaps onto a garment. (I used to sew my kids little rompers that could be unsnapped for diaper changes. Cole is 32. Yep! A long time! )

My experience was not always the best - I've used the spool and hammer method mentioned in the directions on the snap package above, and I've used snap pliers, too. (Old ones from years ago; I did buy new snap pliers for this project.)

It didn't help when I opened my new snap pliers and out tumbled a whole bunch of brightly colored parts.

 And the large, full color sheet of instructions that was front to back.

I was already intimidated; this served to raise my apprehension level through the roof.

I need seven pearl snaps for each shirt and I have two packages of twelve. There is enough to practice with on scrap fabric before actually applying them to the kids' shirts.

Wish me luck. 

Patriotic Pillowcases for Lukie & Susie

Aside from their birthday pillowcases, I finished Lukie and Susie's set of holiday pillowcases with the patriotic ones that they can use for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.

 Lukie got the pinwheels...

... and Susie wanted the fireworks.

Sarah's National Parks Apron & Mask

I found the best fabric at the Field's Fabrics (Michigan) online store. Anne Fields (no relation) mentioned on her blog that she ordered from them, so I checked it out. I was so glad that I did.

 Sarah LOVES the national parks, and this panel of fabric is perfect for her!

Not only did I make her an apron...

... but I had enough fabric left to make her a pandemic mask.

She says she loves it. I am thrilled!

Pony Pouches!

Every year I hold Happy Trails, a small live show/pony party, in my home the first weekend of June. This year I am celebrating my 50th year in the formal hobby, and I had big plans and some surprises for Happy Trails. 

Due to the pandemic, Happy Trails had to be canceled. I was disappointed, but I figured we could still hold it virtually like BreyerFest. (On a MUCH smaller scale, of course.) I put the class list online and invited my friends to post their photos in class albums. 

And while Happy Trails may not be happening live, I am still sending out swag bags, giving out ribbons, and have one more treat for all who enter.

Pony pouches! All entrants will receive a pony pouch made by me, even if they entered just one photo.

I made myself a set in orange fleece about ten years ago. I also have a couple of Breyer pony pouches and some made by Lori Batchelor. Amazon gift bags work in a pinch, too, although I usually bubble wrap any models I put into those.

But it is one thing to sew pony pouches for yourself and quite another to make them as gifts. I don't mind if there is a flaw in the fabric or if I have a messy seam on my own pouches, but if I am making them for friends, then I want them to be really nice. And since it has been so long since I made any, I had to sit down and figure out measurements before I could get started.

I kept notes as I worked because models, even in the same scale, differ. A Weather Girl or a Cigar model need width, whereas the Moody Saddlebred or Belgian mold need a taller pouch.

I have a roll of pattern paper from making clothes for living history reenactors, so I pulled it out and began making patterns for a variety of pony pouch sizes. (Pepper is hoping that I will play with her.)

I experimented with scale size as well as the closure. I do not like velcro closures - too risky for scratching the models. Instead, I make deeper flaps to fold over the top of the model.

These are the experimental pony pouches. I will keep all of them for myself. Their flaps are not as deep as I want them to be. A few are padded with quilt batting, another sewing staple that I have on hand. But I have padded pouches in my own stash for shows, and I find that that extra padding takes up a lot of space when the models are packed into tubs for a show. In my opinion, my plastic models do just fine without the padding. (Chinas are another story - I like the padding for them.)

I had found a basic pattern online for the experimental pony pouches. The size definitely needed tweaking, but that was an easy fix. 

What I did not like about that pattern was how the flap ended up being partially twisted in at its base.

But that was an easy fix - I adjusted my pattern and while it added a couple of steps to the stitching process, I like how the side seams no longer twist in.

The photo show is this coming Saturday, so now that I have figured out the patterns and am happy with them, I am cutting and sewing several hours a day. I made 18 the last week of May.

And I figure that, as long as I am at it, I will replace my old ones and maybe even make some for donations to live shows or to sell.

Plus, with all the extra fabric I have from past sewing projects, I should not have to buy any more to make my own pouches.  

Better get back to the sewing machine!

More Pandemic Sewing

As the shelter in place order has continued, I have kept sewing masks. I'd run out of elastic, but Cristine Holt sent me some from her own sewing supplies.

 Sarah requested four masks for herself and her family.

Looking good!

 Craig asked for grey. (I ended up using the argyle for Cole.) This is a snakeskin patterned fabric that I use to make dinosaurs in quiet books.

I participated in an early Secret Santa swap and made one for my recipient. I love this fabric!

Then I began sewing for friends - since I now had more elastic, I could do more than just my family.

 I made a birthday present for model horse collector Nancy Falzone.  Nancy wrote,

I just received my gift from you.  What an absolutely wonderful thing for you to do!!!!!  I know that was chosen just for me, it is so beautiful, I will proudly wear it when I go out.  Thank you, Lynn, you are such a good friend. Gloomy day here, but you sure brightened it up with that lovely face mask!!!!! Thank you so much.

I made masks out of the same fabric that I used for Nancy for several other horsey friends: Liz and Sam Cory, Nancy Kelly, Jennifer Buxton, and Susan Bensema Young.

Jessica confessed (I had to push her to do so) that the masks I'd made the kids were too small.

 So, I double checked with friends who had also made kids' masks and changed my measurements and made two new ones.

I hope these work better for them.

All told, I have now sewn twenty-five masks. I still have a little elastic left, but I don't plan to make any more unless I get a specific request or see a need.

Susie & Lukie's Easter Pillowcases

What with working on Melissa's quiet book and pandemic mask sewing, I forgot to post about the Easter pillowcases! Luckily, I remembered to make them on time.

These were the fabric choices that I had. (Thank goodness I have a stash of fabric on hand since I can't go out and shop while we are sheltering in place.)

Emily asked that I use the green bunny fabric for Susie's pillowcase,

and Vanessa asked for the blue Easter egg print. I delivered it to them along with a care package for each grandchild.