Friday's Freebie: Crocheted Slippers

I am surrounded by old papers and patterns....surrounded...but patterns like this one.....I'm OK. These cute slippers came from an old magazine page....not sure what magazine but they look like they'd keep feet warm on a cold winter night....and winter will come soon enough. Crochet a few pairs of these honeys while you sit at the pool or in the car during the summer road trip and holiday shopping will be a little less hectic.
Per the pattern: "Crochet these from  Coats & Clarks Red Heart Knitting Worsted. Six ounces are sufficient for a pair; use plastic crochet hook G. Instructions are given for small size, changes for medium and large are in parentheses. Sew elastic thread around top.

Abbreviations:
ch (chain)       sk (skip)
st (stitch)        hdc (half double crochet)
dc (double crochet)   rnd (round)
inc (increase)
sp  (space)           dec (decrease)

Hope you enjoy the pattern. Work these babies up and keep the tootsies warm this winter. Handmade is always appreciated. 

Love ya!! 

Post by Eileen Patterson....who is GoofingOff 

Peach Blossoms

The sight of beautiful flowers always gives me a feeling, a wonderfully giddy feeling. The peach trees are in bloom. I love seeing the pink flowers. 

The hubby takes care of these trees with loving hands. On the trees there are tiny peaches formed but until I get to enjoy the fruit I think I will enjoy the beauty of the blossoms.

Hope you enjoy them, too. 

Post by Eileen Patterson

The Rag Quilt is Done!

So here it is as promised....the rag quilt. 

Since it is for a little girl I made it in pink flannel with a layer of flannel on the back. No batting. 

It's soft and minky, cuddly soft for a little one. The rag edges soften the look even more. 

Hope the new mom likes it. 

Post by Eileen Patterson...aka GoofingOff

New Listings

After a week plus of trying to get my printer working (not recognized by the computer after living together side by side for 2 years....like a marital dispute) I finally got it working. Hooray! I can get to work....here's some new listings in the GoofingOff shop. 

Simplicity 2303 Coats for Extra Large Dogs UNCUT

Simplicity 1953 Misses' and Child's Animal Hats UNCUT

Simplicity 3943 Flower Girl Dresses Sizes 3-4-5-6 UNCUT

Simplicity 1772 Misses' Costumes Steampunk Dresses UNCUT 

Simplicity 3629 Misses' Costumes UNCUT

Simplicity 1794 Babies' Dress, Bib, Hat, and Booties

Well that's it for now. There's more patterns coming but the hubby brought home a Popeye boat last night and I should help clean it up..... For real. It looks like Popeye or Brutus would be up there. A big, long crab boat with a wheelhouse....in my yard....I need a ladder to get in there....and strong arms to clean it up...I need spinach. 

Keeping the Bobbins Full

Yesterday I messed up....not a big one but a common one. I didn't use my own advice (isn't that the way) and ran the bobbin dry while working on my rag quilt. I ignored my advice to "fill two bobbins when you start a project" and ran out. Well, just as I was about to give in and unthread my machine so I could thread the bobbin I remembered the nifty little gift I bought myself...the Singer SideWinder. It threads the bobbin for you without the machine. It worked so fast and was so easy to use that I may never use my sewing machine again to fill my bobbins. 
It uses electric or AA batteries (so I can take it along to my sit and sews or there is no place to plug in). 

Sometimes it's good to buy yourself a gift. 
BTW, I don't get a dime from anyone about this nifty little device. It's just so darn wonderful that I have to shout about it....and if someone already knows about it...why didn't you tell me? 

Post by Eileen Patterson..who is GoofingOff...and keeping the bobbins full.

New Costume Pattern Listings At GoofingOff Sewing

The GoofingOff Annual Costume Pattern Sale is coming up....August 15th through September 30....and I'm getting patterns in order. I found some new (some new, some new stock) to supply the shop. Here's a peek.
Some of the costumes are cut but complete. I'm still in the process of listing but if there's one you want just send me a message and I will set it up.
No coupon codes necessary. Just pick out the ones you like and get started.

 For the wizard.

All costume patterns will be 30% off for the sale but the cutest and coolest sell out fast. 

A rare pattern, child size.

For the lord of the manor.

A little sexy look for the party. 

Is this not adorable?

Imagine your own little Dream of Jeanie. 

Post by Eileen Patterson @GoofingOff

How to Make A Dog Bone Pillow Chew Toy

I love my puppy....Miss Sweet Boxer Puppy is so much fun, and a lot of energy packed into one dog. If someone isn't paying attention to her she looks for things to do...or chew. The other day I tried to sew and she'd sneak in the sewing room, grab something...anything...and run. After retrieving the item (s) for the third time, I thought I should make her something to keep her busy.
I started thinking about something I could design and sew fast without too much hassle. Dog Bone!! Out of denim scraps!
Using some wrapping paper I created a pattern. I used a dog biscuit for a guide, only making it bigger.

The full length of the bone is 10 inches. It is 5 inches across the center. I used a can to make the round ends.

Use some heavy duty fabric for the bone. In my case, I used some brown denim fabric from my stash and traced the pattern on it. 

Cut the pattern from the fabric creating a 1/2 inch seam allowance. 

Sew along the line....straight stitch, nothing fancy. 

Remember to leave an opening along the straight part of the bone so it can be turned right side out. Make sure its on the straight part; it'll be easier to stitch close. 

The the stitching was complete I snipped around the curves so the bone would hold its shape when being turned inside out. 

The pillow was then stuffed with fiber fill.

The pillow opening was then stitched closed with hidden blanket stitches. Why hidden? Just in case Miss Sweet Boxer Puppy decided to take out the stitches. 

Dog Approved! 

Post by Eileen Patterson of GoofingOff Sewing Supplies. 

Pattern Weights

I am getting in the mood to sew….that might take a while as I get in the right frame of mind…some holiday scrub tops. Yes, Christmas and Hanukkah tops. Yes, I know the holiday is over but it will be back and once again I will be without a holiday scrub top to wear. Besides, holiday fabric is cheap now and my holiday to-do list is empty right now….it won't be that way in October or November. So.. being the totally organized person I am (quit laughing) I am assembling the things I need to make the tops. Pattern…check….thread…check…fabric…check….pains..I mean pins..wait, there's got to be a better way…how about pattern weights?
So I looked on the web for some ideas and here's a few I came up with:

Washer Paper Weights from Pin and Paper

Maybe now that they are pretty people won't think they're so weird.

Washer Weights by Sugar Tart Crafts

Fabric Covered Pattern Weights by Laney H

Glass Paper/Pattern Weights by Cheetah Velour

Thrifted Quilt Squares by the Dabbler

Felt hens by Shiny Happy World 

So, what do you think? Are these not the bomb? OK, still great ideas. What did I decide on? I'm the queen of the thrift shops so the thrift quilt squares, of course, and since I had a bag of aquarium gravel handy (who doesn't) that's what I used to fill them with. 

Trenton Quilt Festival

March is a busy month around here. Winter is over for the most part and everyone is out enjoying the sunshine. Up my way, in North Central Florida, there are two big things that happen every year....the Tri-County 4 H Animal Show and the Trenton Quilt Festival. I love animals but I love quilts more so I drove over to Downtown Trenton, Florida, home of the Suwannee Valley Quilt Shop.

 Quilts on the bank at one end of town.

Rag rugs for sale, crocheted by hand using hand made crochet hooks....The folks at the Dudley Farm between Newberry and Gainesville make these...and teach the process....Handmade owl pincushions...

Quilts hanging everywhere.

Adorable quilt made for a quilter's grandson. 

The guild had some of the prettiest quilts. 

               

Tea, anyone? All pieced...no applique.

I had the winning ticket for this but they picked the wrong one....I hate when that happens. 

Handmade bags from blue jeans.

Mason Jar Quilt. 

This scrappy beauty was made for a guild's civic service....All scraps and nothing but scraps...

More scrappy lovelies.

Gorgeous quilts flying high and proud...

The one on the left has  Japanese print fabrics. 

Wonderful handmade dolls ....Look at those faces!

I love the goldfish quilt.

Handmade Sketch Books.....I have to try this....

Love the eggs. 

OK, so I like old cars...but who doesn't love this? It's fabulous!

The Antique Tractor Club showed off some of their sweet rides, too. Did I tell you Trenton is a farming community? It is.....

Love this! I can see a quilt from this...in Redwork, what else?

Paying homage to our Florida heritage....Seminole Quilting....

As you can see, the festival is a quilter's paradise. Many of the quilt guilds from the region had quilts and wares to show off. I just wanted to wrap myself up in one...or two...or...hmmmm...

Mark your calendar for next year's show...middle of March. Good food, good music, and beautiful quilts....can't do better than that. 

Well, thanks for stopping by....

Post by Eileen Pattern....also known as GoofingOff.