I enjoy sewing costumes for my girls' ballet studio, but I am sooo glad it's done!  Of course, I was still sewing an hour before the performance.  And I did use some of my stash.  All of the visible layers of Snow White's costume were from stash.  (There was also a lace layer on top of a classical/pancake tutu that she changed into before the prince kissed her--no photo.)



And the black jacquard that I finally settled on for the Evil Queen's bodice.



There were also two pageboys with tam O'shanters and pantaloons made from a burgundy crepe-backed satin from my stash.  But no pictures of those.  I was so busy in the back with costume changes and then putting away that I didn't get the chance to take pictures of many dancers.  And I made several more costumes, but they were from new materials or studio stash.

Now I need to reorganize my sewing bench because I didn't put anything away properly for the last two months or so.  And then I can get back to finishing my UFOs and other fun stash-busting.

This is a great pattern for using up those partial skeins I've got laying about.  And it's so quick that I made three of them this afternoon.  I hope it's okay to sell them at a fundraising auction.  I didn't see any copyright notice on the pattern.  None of the "don't sell anything made from this pattern--personal use only"  kinda' stuff.  Anyway..they turned out super cute in neon pink, lime, denim.  And I made one in sport yarn with a G hook, which should fit a toddler.  Thanks Maria!

K-starr -- do you have a particular pattern for those?

I finally tried out the pineapple hat from Maria Merlino. http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=421590.0#axzz2T7r8OFUX  It doesn't take a lot of yarn, and just a bit over an hour to complete.



So I made a few for a fund-raising auction coming up this weekend.  I made one with smaller yarn and hook, but now I'm not sure what size to call it.  I'm going to have to accost a neighbor with a baby so I can figure out if it's newborn or toddler or what.   

Taramor--you've sure been busy.  And well worth it.

CLM--I have the coffee table that gave me stitches when I was little, so I understand the sentiment!

In between using little bits of stash on ballet, I've finished one of my UFO's.  Kind of.  I had 15 cheap, plastic leis from various activities, and when one started to unravel I realized that they were ready-made plarn!  So with all this colorful stuff, I decided to crochet a rug for the weathered floor of the treehouse.



I wasn't too fond of working with the stuff.  It doesn't slide along the hook, so takes more manual manipulation and tired out my hand.  And after all that, this is what I ended up with.



See that shoe?  This rug is only about 8 x 36!  I would need about 40 more leis to make a decent size.  And that still wouldn't cover the floor.  I might still put it our there just because the kids knew I was making it and were excited.  And at least that's some stash used I guess.

lovesclutter--I sure wish I could help.  Good luck.

Here's my latest finished UFO.  My husband almost exclusively wears twill pants (think Dockers).  About 10 years ago I started cutting up the old ones into 3" strips.  So I had a few.  This month I sewed all the black and blue strips together very randomly, cut that into thirds, and threw it all into a bag in the car to braid while I waited.  I finished the braiding on Friday.  It was about 69 feet long.  Yesterday afternoon I laced it into a rug, about 36" across.  I didn't do a proper finish on it because I'm trying to convince myself that I will add to it as I get more pants.     I'm not thrilled with it, and some of it looks decidedly awkward, but it's serviceable.

So I make my daughters Easter dresses every year, but this year I decided to go with skirts.  I decided to use up some of the medium sized scraps I have by making them a little scrappy.  I thought they would be simple since they're just rectangles and triangles.  But once again I proved to myself that I really work better from a pattern.  I do think that they turned out super cute, after some frustration.  And they are totally from stash.  I'm particularly pleased that I used up every possibly usable bit of the red poppies--a couple of those panels were pieced together, but you can only tell if you know to look.

So my goal was to finish one UFO from my stash each  month.  And these really were finished during February...mostly.

This was a combo of two pieces that weren't working on their own.  My sister asked me to make her bridesmaid dress last spring.  I've had the two muslin/trial bodices lying around ever since.  I loved the plaid, so decided to make it work for me.  Not as a dress--it wasn't my size.  But jackets are supposed to be slightly larger than your normal size, right?  But I don't have anything to wear it with--or do I?  I made a sleeveless navy sheath dress 20 years ago for a friend's wedding.  Back then I thought I knew more than I actually did.  I never really finished it, it didn't really fit right, and I hadn't worn it since.  This was the perfect thing to go with the jacket!  I just had to cut off about 10 inches and hem it, then tack down the facing.  Voila!



I got that far about two weeks ago and stalled at the buttonhole for the jacket.  That was all that was left.  But I couldn't let this sit as a second generation UFO!  So I kicked my own butt in gear today and did the buttonhole.  Finished!  But I may save it for Easter.

Next is a UFO that I've been working on here and there for maybe 4-6 years.  It comes on trips with me, but mostly sat in the sewing room.  So in February I stuck it in the car and worked on it during all those 10 minute waits at the school and dentist office.  The last round was all done in one fell swoop (2 hrs) because I was determined to just get it done!  That was actually Feb 28.  Of course, then I needed to wash it (I did mention it's been around for a while) and block it. 



It took me about 40 hrs all together, and it's 34" across.  What am I going to do with it?  I'm calling it a small tablecloth, and probably saving it for when my daughter gets married.  But that means that sometime I'll have to make something for my other daughter.  There's always more projects!   

I don't usually get much done over the weekend because I'm dealing with kids.  But I just decided Fri afternoon to make a dress, got started, and finished Sat night!  Wore it to church Sun, and started thinking about the next version as I lay in bed that night.



Full post here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=420515.0

And I'm so happy with the way the stripes lined up (total luck) and the way my first side zipper is nearly invisible.  Yea!

I finally decided to stop just looking at all the cute dresses people have made on the internet, and make my own.  I really should step away from the computer more often!



I decided that the key to making a quick dress from a vintage pattern is to find a kimono sleeve.  So I went through my stash and found one from my Grandma.  I think she made the jacket some time, because the pattern pieces were labeled.  It also helped my quick-make factor that there was only one size (mine), and the pattern didn't need to be cut out.  Just slap it right on the fabric and cut!



It only took me a day and a half, but it was a good thing I didn't have too much else I needed to do.  And DH was very good about letting me sew.  But he likes it when I have a new dress--probably because they actually fit me and show off what curves I do have.

Here's that lovely pleated bodice.

I've finished two more UFO's.  Both of these were started in December, but it's good to get them out of the way.

First is the dress for my DD that I started as a Christmas dress.  All the materials, including the zipper, were given to me.  I had started, and asked her to try on the bodice to check the fit.  She basically let me know that I have no clue what teenagers wear these days.  (She is sooo 13!)  So I decided not to waste my time on something she wouldn't wear.  Now you can probably guess what happened when I finally did finish it.  She said it was so cute and asked who it was for!



I also finished the dress that I promised my sister for Christmas.  It's from a vintage pattern I bought at a thrift store, and made from fabric my Grandma-IL gave me.  My DD is modeling it here.  I should definitely get better photos when my sister comes to pick it up.