Dorito the chihuahua – handmade by Carole Carr

Look! Out on the lawn! It’s a…giant batik turtle?

Published on July 30, 2015July 30, 2015 by car2ole2 Comments

I don’t think there’s any way to explain why I now have a giant batik turtle. It does have a purpose other than being adorable – extra seating for the living room.

The pattern is Dudley by McKenna Ryan, from her Sea Breeze collection. I flat out refuse to call mine Dudley, because it makes me think of Harry Potter’s tormentor. My turtle did turn out big and round, so maybe I’ll rethink my refusal of the name Dudley.

For the head and the top of the flippers I used this awesome batik with turtles on it. That makes this project extra turtley.

As a cruel prank, I flipped the turtle over so you can see the tummy and the underside of the flippers. Yet another cool batik, this one with coral print. Flippers were flailing. I flipped it back over.

The eyeballs are appliqued onto the head. For added interest, and because I thought this turtle looked tired and/or mysterious, I gave it hooded eyelids. From certain angles the turtle looks angry.

This is the turtle shell draped over my sewing machine. Do not worry – no turtles were harmed to provide this picture. The shell is approximately 34″ diameter, so awkward doesn’t begin to touch what it was like to make the top shell. It has darts, which allowed me to make my turtle extra fat.

The opening I left to stuff this monster is pinned right now. Since I stuffed it more than recommended, I want to try it out on the floor before I sew it shut. I still have the option to slim it down, but I want to make sure it will keep a butt off the floor.

Little Dorito is not quite sure what to think of this fatty. She finished all her puppy shots, so this was her very first day going out to play in the yard. She will probably expect giant batik animals every day now.

This is the face of a very happy little girl. She loves her new playground. Now I just have to make sure she doesn’t pee on the turtle.

I actually cut my Liberty fabric! Lo and behold, a dress sprang forth!

Published on July 22, 2015 by car2ole2 Comments

I can’t possibly be the only one who hesitates to cut into beautiful Liberty of London yardage. But I did buy it to sew it into something.

I chose a wonderful pattern by Sis Boom, the Lucy Halter Dress. I am in love with the Sis Boom pattern line for a couple of reasons – they give excellent sizing advice, and they include cutting lines for different cup sizes! The patterns are also technically well written. I love that I can fit these to my body type.

The Tana Lawn fabric by Liberty is absolutely amazing to work with. It has the softest hand and perfect grain lines. And it goes well with my hair. Since we are planning another trip to London, I decided it was okay to use it since I can buy more next time!

This pose was my rather lame version of the Big Fig Newton. I put this in here just to see if my mom is reading my blog. Every photo session from my junior and senior high years has a Big Fig pose in it. I could usually elicit a “stop that!” and maybe a choice word from my mother.

I was so tickled with this dress that I cut into another chunk of my Liberty lawn. I’m sure you’re waiting with bated breath to see that one. Meanwhile, here is a gratuitous puppy picture.

I made little Miss Dorito a Minion outfit/jammies. Way too big as you can see. She wouldn’t move for awhile, and when she did, with her first footsteps she walked right out of it.

Using your sewing time wisely

Published on July 5, 2015 by car2ole2 Comments

Why, oh why do I feel compelled to dress this puppy? Is it because of her adorable little face? Those gigantic ears? The fact that she’s only six inches tall?

I was trolling around on Etsy and found the mother lode of patterns for tiny little dog clothes. The pattern company is called Sofi & Friends, this pattern is called the Sweet Pea dress. I used Moda Scrumptious fabric, the same fabric I used for that cute little baby quilt with the dresses. Little Dorito is so tiny that I only needed teeny little pieces.

She still has plenty of room to grow in this, and it is the size xx-small.

The dress is fully lined. Only the best for my little diva. The patterns are beautifully drafted and accurate. There are lots of great details, like the d-ring so the dress can also work as a harness. I have no idea where or why she will wear this dress. But when she does, she will look breathtaking. Now for some examples of her modeling poses…

She acted like she had been frozen in place when I put it on her. I didn’t even match up the velcro because I was scrambling to get my camera. We obviously need to work on her catwalk.

Happy 4th of July! (Plus some random musings…)

Published on July 3, 2015July 3, 2015 by car2ole1 Comment

Miss Dorito would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy 4th of July. She is rockin’ her new patriotic dress. She has a little bit of room, so she can grow into it. And no, I did not make it. I am trying desperately to maintain some dignity by not spending all my time drafting patterns for chihuahua clothing.

This little darling is sucking up a lot of my time, as any baby will do. She is a bundle of energy, funny and sweet. At 3 months, she weighed in at one ounce under two pounds.

Good news from the sewing room – I have new LED lighting. Talk about opening up a world of opportunity! Now I can actually work after sunset.

"I never sleep on planes" eye mask. Anita Goodesign embroidery. Gray poly satin fabric, black lace elastic. — “I never sleep on planes” eye mask. Anita Goodesign embroidery. Gray poly satin fabric, black lace elastic.

Remember the eye mask I made for our European trip? On our return flight from Shannon to JFK I sat next to two energetic young Irish women. They were on their way to San Diego to work for the summer. It was their first time out of Ireland, the first plane ride for one of them. Louise and Clodagh made the most of their flight time, partaking of the free (on international flights) beverages and flirting with the other passengers. When the flight attendants started passing out eye masks for those who wanted to sleep, I knew mine had ascended to a higher purpose. I hope Clodagh and Louise have fun showing off their new fashion accessory.

25 Hawaiian quilt blocks = a quilt top!

Published on June 24, 2015 by car2ole12 Comments

Do you think I’m just a little bit excited today? I have the top of my Hawaiian quilt stitched together!

There were many Kodak moments while I wrestled this through the sewing machine. I stitched the blocks for each row together, then stitched the rows together.