Saturday, January 26, 2013

Pricing Page

So, I often hear: Oooh, I want you to make me a tshirt quilt. How much do you charge?

But I had been having a hard time coming up with a good answer. So I did a little research...and finally came up with a good answer.


Before I tell you how much I charge, let's examine the time and effort that goes into making a t-shirt quilt:
  • cutting out the tshirts (and sometimes ironing if they are wrinkly)
  • laying out the proof design
  • sewing the quilt top
  • sandwiching and pinning the top, batting, and backing
  • hand quilting each square
  • making the coordinating binding
  • sewing on the binding
  • optional: shipping
Now let's examine the materials I have to buy:
  • batting (I use 100% cotton)
  • fabrics for backing and binding
  • thread
Not to mention the wear and tear on my machine that requires new needles and visits to the shop for regular maintenance...it adds up.

So, now that you've seen what goes in to what I charge, here is the new formula I will use (instead of my previous formula of $ per shirt): (Length + height) x $2.5

If you want more information, visit my new Pricing page.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Treat yo' self

I'm always making things for other people. But this one was just for me...

I graduated 12 years ago this spring...and I've been wanting a XO alumni sweatershirt ever since.  I finally got around to making one.

I scored on a super soft Hanes sweatshirt on sale for about $5. What a lovely way to dress it up. :)


Update: And because I'm not totally selfish. Right after I finished this, I made this for my "sister"'s daughter who turns 5 next month.



Thursday, January 17, 2013

Little girl apron

I raided the fabric closet again!

This time, I used two pretty floral fabrics and a solid pink to make a sweet little dress apron for a little girl. 

Like the Garden Party dress, I did this without a pattern or tutorial, so I'm pretty proud of how it turned out.

In fact...I think I need a big girl version of this for myself!!
Click to make bigger

If you have a little girl in your life that would like a personalized skirt apron, you can win one in my first ever Free Giveaway Contest!

1. Like my Facebook page.

2. Share the link to the Giveaway contest on your own Facebook page.

3. And finally, comment on this blog post with the name and color scheme you'd like for your little lady.

I'll put all names who do all three into a hat and draw a random winner.

Contest ends January 31.


Front
Click to make bigger

Back

Click to make bigger
Update: Here are some pictures of the aprons in action...


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Garden Party Dress

One of my favorite little girls in the whole world is turning one this weekend. I dug in my new fabric closet and found a pretty fabric to make her a sweet little party dress.

I love how it looks floral, but doesn't have any actual flowers on it.


Fabric Heaven

I have never been much of a fabric hoarder. I have typically been a buy-as-I-go fabric gal.

But last weekend, my pastor's wife gave me 5 large trash bags of old fabric she'd been collecting but didn't want/need anymore. I spent Monday (had the day off because school was closed) organizing it.

I have to say, I'm enjoying having a closet full of fabric so much that I haven't even closed the closet door since I put it all in there.


I even organized the scraps into Joann-style fat quarter folds!