Mini Pip

New Name - New Place

The past few days my camera has gotten a workout! I've been playing around with photography and different ways to show off my bags. I've been adding little props to my photos, like buttons and spools of thread, to add a little spark to my pictures.

I'm not doing this just because I have lots of free time, I actually have a huge announcement to make! Over the last year the name "Mini Pip" hasn't felt like me. I started my blog to go with my etsy shop but over the years, half of my posts are about etsy and half are about other creations I sew, mainly apparel. I started to feel like I had outgrown Mini Pip.

I wanted to change my name but had NO CLUE what to call myself. When I was first thinking of names years and years ago, my mom always told me to have my name in my shop name but I didn't want Trish in my title. Don't ask me why. Little life lesson: Always listen to your mother. A few weeks ago, the perfect name popped into my head and I've spent those weeks getting ready to move everything around.

I am so very happy to announce my new name: Trish Stitched.

Over the next week or so--hopefully no longer than that-- I will be transferring all social media links and titles to Trish Stitched.

I'm also leaving the Typepad world for Wordpress. Typepad was great at first and a site I thought I could grow into but it isn't user friendly and I'm ready for an upgrade. My new blog can be found at trishstitched.com. It isn't ready just yet but I wanted to give plenty of notice. I've been reading up on the "blog moving" process and learned that the Bloglovin reader will move everyone over after I tell them about the change of address. So if you follow on Bloglovin, I don't think you'll have to do anything! But if you do follow from another reader, you may have to follow the new blog once it is up and running.

I hope you continue to follow me even though I'm changing things up a bit. I'll have more info when I do some more work. And one last update: I did put my Mini Pip etsy shop on "vacation mode" but my new shop TrishStitched is up and ready to go!

Find it here: www.etsy.com/shop/trishstitched

Little Red Scooter

This blog has been a little quiet lately, and I just wanted to share why. Monday morning my grandpa passed away, or Poppy, as I like to call him. Poppy was battling cancer for years and required blood transfusions almost every week. We knew his time was coming soon but even when you know someone is going to pass, it is still a shock when they do.

Growing up, I spent most of my time with my grandparents since both my parents had full time jobs. I would be with them after school and almost everyday in summer, so they were pretty much my second set of parents.

Years ago, when Razor scooters were the popular toy, I wasn't allowed to have one because of how "dangerous" they were (apparently they could cut off your fingers). I wanted a scooter so bad and when Poppy heard, he decided to make me one. The memories that my grandparent's gave me are priceless but that scooter is one of the greatest gifts I've ever been given.

This post has nothing to do with sewing, but I wanted to share a project of Poppy's that means a lot to me.

Cropped Jacket Refashion

Something about the snow day made me want to dig into my "to refashion" pile and Monday morning, that's exactly what I did! Of course pinterest inspired me (yet again) and I saw just how simple this jacket was made. I thought that idea would be cute with a sweater but when I pulled this cropped jacket out, it was perfect.

I got this jacket in high school, so it's at least 6 years old. I loved the cropped look in high school and the large buttons sold me in an instant. I took this to college, but after freshman year, knew it was time to retire it because the cute-sy look wasn't cutting it anymore.

The process of making a draped front jacket or cardi is really simple, like most refashions I tackle! I took of the collar, the front plackets with the buttons and buttonholes and the cuffs. I folded over all raw edges so I was starting with finished seams. Since I was just adding rectangles of knit fabric, I knew the raw edges on the front would show.

I measured the front length, where the buttons were, (which was 15.5") and decided to make the rectangle longer and cut it wherever it looked right after sewing it on. I started out with knit pieces, 15.5" by 20" and ended with pieces 15.5" by 11". The drape on that measurement had the look I was going for. If I had a longer jacket, the rectangle would definitely need to be longer.

After the front I added a little touch of knit to arms by adding a new cuff. All in all, I got rid of every button (!!) but don't worry, they will certainly go into a new project. Another quick refashion, and I will probably be doing something like this again.

 

 

Floral Gym Bag

I've been on the search for a cute gym bag. Why do companies think you either want a black bag or a hot pink bag and why do I want a gym bag that looks like every other bag? I wanted something that stood out and lets everyone know that yeah, I am going to the gym- but I'm going to look really cute doing it!

Of course I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I made my own. A few months ago the idea for this bag started to take shape in my mind and I made a muslin version a week and a half ago. I got the shape and size down but didn't have any of the hardware that I wanted. I decided to make a removable adjustable strap so I needed D rings, double loops for the adjustable strap and swivel bolt snaps. (And if you are wondering, this book is the biggest help with handbag making). I also wanted a metal zipper- this bag was going to be all sorts of professional!

The construction was really simple (after a few hours of imagining the steps in my head) but the process took forever. There were so many pieces, and then SO MANY decisions. What type of interfacing should be used? How many layers will I have to sew through and can my machine handle it? How the heck am I supposed to put a zipper in this thing?

I was really nervous with the zipper because I didn't want the ends to be shown. I sewed pieces of fabric on each end enclosing the zipper. This was my first time using this technique and it was amazing! I can't believe how well this came together and am super happy with the finished product.

I finished yesterday just in time to take her out for a test drive. Of course it had to be raining so two tests were completed. The bag held up great and felt comfortable to wear. I don't pack too much to go to the gym so that's why this bag is smaller than the typical "gym bag". It fits my shoes, shorts, small sweat towel, lock for my locker, water bottle and extra room for a wristlet and some gel shots. I love this thing and my boyfriend has already requested his own! I guess I'll have to buy some manly fabrics.

 

Handmade Leggings

Working from home has its perks. Walking a few steps to get to the office, streaming netflix in the background...but it's also really difficult to stay motivated. The best way for me to work is by breaking up my day and avoiding that late afternoon crash. With my marathon training schedule, I'm at the gym 4 days a week and I've tried the whole early morning workout and the "after work" workout but I hate a busy gym. So I go at 2:30, right before I feel like I need to take a nap but still enough time to get plenty of work done before and after running.

I work all morning, go to the gym in the afternoon, come home to shower and eat then get right back to work. My afternoon work is usually computer stuff so comfy clothing is totally acceptable. Enter the easiest apparel sewing project ever: handmade leggings!

One Little Minute has a great tutorial for making leggings with your exact measurements. It takes some time to make the pattern, but after that pattern is in your hands, you can make leggings in no time at all.

I made my first pair out of a solid red from Girl Charlee and wound up wearing them every day after that. So I knew I should have more than one. I whipped up a second pair out of a printed knit pretty quick. It is the perfect thing to wear after the gym. If you are looking for a quick easy project this one should be on your list!

Next version will be in a thicker knit and with all this cold weather here in Jersey, these will be great to wear as long johns as well.

Fun Fact: When I was younger, I wanted to be a cartoonist. I fell in love with drawing cartoons and became obsessed with the Peanuts Gang. I got this sweatshirt as a Christmas gift when I was probably 12 and still love it. It's just a tiny piece of my very large collection.

oh, etsy.

Guess what the next major holiday is? VALENTINE'S DAY. Yeah, it's already almost here, so I put some Valentine's inspired bags on etsy!

Three new little coin purses:

 

New Gift Card Holders and Mini Bags:

And for those who aren't into all that pink frilly valentine's day-y things:

All bags here!

I'm waiting on a hardware order to make some new bags. I'm also testing out a few different vinyl fabrics for my new crossbodys. Lots of sewing coming up!

New Years Eve Skirt and Crop Top

Have you ever been in a fabric store, picked up a bolt of fabric that you really liked but didn't have a use for and right before putting it back, someone else walks over and you get so nervous that they will nab it that you keep it for yourself? Well, that's what happened.

I fell in love with this beautiful plaid but had no use for it. I've been telling myself to use up my stash but couldn't put the bolt down. There wasn't much left on it and when I saw someone walking over to where I was, I couldn't bear to let anyone else have it! So I bought two yards. It's ok, it was on sale.

 

Fast forward a few weeks and a New Years party invite came my way. What better excuse to make a new outfit? Out came that fabric. My original idea was to make a high low skirt but got distracted by this pin (damn you pinterest).

The "tablecloth" skirt came together pretty quickly. The tutorial was super easy to follow and the fabric was fantastic because I didn't have to match the plaids (!!) I decided to make the skirt high waisted with a zipper closure and the hem raised a bit higher than in the tutorial. I thought this would look cute with a crop top and made a quick one to go with the skirt.

I made the crop top by taking my front and back bodice sloper that I made years ago and just straightened the sides and removed all darts. I made the front and back out of this black knit that I got as a remnant. I cut out sleeves before realizing that I didn't add seam allowance and didn't have enough to make new sleeves so they had to be cut out of a different fabric. It turned out to be a happy mistake though because I really love the look!

Take a closer look at this fabric: do you really blame me for not passing it up?

 

Happy New Year!

 

2015 Sewing List

Can you believe it's almost 2015!? All around the blogosphere, wrap up posts are in full swing. I wanted to share some of my favorite projects from the past year and the projects I'm looking forward to next year.

Handbags & Accessories : Mini Pip

This year I went from working 7 days a week between Anthropologie and my parent's farm to just full time on the farm with THREE days a week to dedicate to sewing! This was a huge life change and it has allowed me to think more seriously about where I want my little bag business to go. 

This year I introduced three new aprons, a new bag and started sewing for the farm.

For 2015, I really want to focus on the construction of the bag. I've started adding a lot more hardware to each design and would love to continue with that theme. I've already designed a cross-body to put into production in the new year and have a few more bag ideas looming in my mind.

Clothing: Personal Sewing

2014 was a huge year for personal sewing and I already have a list of clothing I want to make for 2015. 2014 saw a few refashions, some adorable dresses and lots of pattern making. Since farming isn't the best place for a handmade dress, 2015 will be geared towards more wearable items.

I conquered my fear of swimwear a few months ago - and got into knitwear - but this year my new challenge is active wear! I'm currently training for my first marathon so I've been running 5 days a week which is taking a toll on my current running wardrobe. Running apparel is SO EXPENSIVE and since I make almost everything else in my wardrobe, why not try running gear? Fehr Trade has some amazing patterns I want to try out.

Some other items on my must sew list are:

Waffle Pattern Caramel Jacket

Jamie Jeans (or Ginger Jeans, haven't decided)

Some cozy sweatshirts

Boxy Tops (I'm loving this style lately)

And some more refashions (I'm looking at these for inspiration)

 

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!  

Seamstress Gift Guide

With the holidays fast approaching, I've been making my own wish list (and dropping hints to my boyfriend) so I thought I would share some of my favorite gift ideas- perfect for the beginner seamstress or the veteran sewer.

For the Studio:

Utility Cart

I have been wanting this cart for months now. I imagine it filled with projects and fabrics, rolling it all around my sewing room. The color, the mobility, the size; everything about this cart is perfect. Any seamstress would be happy to have a place for their projects as pretty as this.

Mini Dress Form

Granted she won't be able to use this to make clothing, but it will look super cute in her studio. You could always get a full size dress form- but this is a big purchase so let her pick it out.

Just For Her

Ruler Bracelet

 

This adorable bracelet is the perfect accessory for a seamstress. Let her show off her hobby outside the workshop.

Pattern Envelope Clutch

Think she would love another bag in her life? She will probably make this one her new favorite. She can use it for her sewing tools, her makeup or her cell and wallet for date night.  

Stocking Stuffers

Sewing Coffee Cup

Nothing is better than sitting at a sewing machine with a cup of coffee. This is the perfect mug for any sewing lover.

Shop Handmade

Pincushion Ring

I love this little ring from etsy - pretty and practical!

Gift Card Holder

And if you are really at a loss of what to get, a gift card to a fabric or craft store is always a good idea. But if you are going with a little piece of plastic, put it in something pretty - like a handmade gift card holder!

I love getting the perfect gift and hopefully these ideas help you cross your favorite seamstress off your list!

Turkey Day Dress!

Another holiday means another party dress! I bought this beautiful knit during our vacation to San Diego. It's a heavier weight knit and the print is gorgeous, making it perfect for a fall dress. I used my trusty Cynthia Rowley pattern, the same as this dress, for a quick sew.

Since this fabric has a good stretch, I didn't need a zipper but I did have to watch my print. I'm proud to say all seams just about line up!

I decided to sew down the pleats because I wanted them more defined. When this pattern is sewn with a cotton, or sturdier fabric, pleats are more noticeable but with the drape of this fabric, I wasn't sure the pleats would be as pronounced.  

This dress is so comfy and a great holiday feast dress because the stretch allowed for more turkey ;)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Recycled Coin Purse

I'm super excited to show off these bags I've been working on!

I got lucky this summer when I spotted a crate full of fabric swatch books at a large rummage sale. These books were smaller than I've gotten before but had such great fabrics I couldn't pass them up- and for $1 each, I really couldn't leave any behind.

I had no idea what to do with them, so they sat in my room for months. I was constantly thinking about what bag could be made out of a swatch so small. I kept thinking to do something patchwork, but that would be too time consuming. Then the thought of a coin purse came into my mind. I could make it small enough, I would be able to work with hardware I've never used before and it seemed to be a fairly simple make.

It took a few paper patterns and multiple mock ups to finalize this bag but I am SO HAPPY with how these came together. The purse pattern is just big enough to fit on the swatch so each one takes two swatches. I've lined these with leftover fabric from another project and interfaced all pieces, making this bag able to hold its shape.

I've already made a hand full of these guys and listed them on etsy. I'll be making more in the coming weeks as well.