Sewing a Button on a Suit Jacket or Coat

I've needed to repair a couple things on my husband's suits since he wears one every day to work.  He purchased two brand new suits since he got his job and a button fell off of one of them.  Thankfully I was able to find where they hid the spare buttons (inside a small breast pocket) and sewed it on. Please pardon the lint in the photos!

When sewing a suit jacket button (or any other jacket or coat button) there needs to be space between the button and the fabric to which it's attached to leave room for the thickness of the other side of the jacket.  The amount of space depends on the thickness of the side of the jacket with the button holes.  For my husband's jacket I used two toothpicks taped together to use as spacers.

I also used a good, strong, heavy duty thread when sewing. After threading the needle and knotting the thread I stuck the needle through the fabric where the button would be starting from the front of the jacket (so the knot in the thread will be under the button in the end). I pulled the thread all the way through so the knot catches, then stuck the needle through and pulled it all to the front again. I went through the button (if your button has four holes you'll want to sew diagonally between the holes) and pulled the thread almost all the way through. Then I used the toothpicks on top of the button to get the right amount of extra thread and sewed through the other holes.  I sewed through the holes a couple more times in each direction, making sure the amount of excess thread remained the same.

Then I removed the toothpicks and pulled the button up so the excess thread was underneath.  I brought the needle thread to the front side, but kept it under the button instead of going through it.  I wrapped it around the threads three or four times.

When I was ready to tie off I brought the thread around almost as if I was going to wrap it again, then brought the needle through the loop to make a knot. I knotted a couple times, wrapped once more then knotted one more time, just to be sure.

I cut the thread and was done! Nice new, functioning suit.

I'm linking up to the parties on my "Blog Link Parties" page, including The Creative Itch

My First Guest Post - Weathered Wood Shelf

I was so excited when my über-talented cousin-in-law asked me to guest post for her while she takes a few weeks to travel (and work!) in Europe. My post is up this morning on her fabulous blog, go check it out!

Out on a Limb No. 6

I'm beginning to get more than a little frustrated that I haven't been able to get my husband to help me move in my new cabinet so I can complete the set-up of my creative space (and move some other things into storage which I can't fit in there until the cabinet is out!). Everything is still in boxes and I've been itching to work on some more projects. Usually when I can't get help I just end up doing it myself, but unfortunately this is one thing I can't move on my own! :)

I did actually finish another project, but it's being saved for my very first guest post ever! I'll let you know when it will be posted.

So here we go with another week of Out on a Limb!

Since my "brand name" is Cat on a Limb you can only link up projects or creations where you went "out on a limb" in some way. Either a technique you've never tried before, or a tried and true technique applied to a new object, or something 100% new to you. I'd love to see how you all stretch your creativity (please keep it family friendly).

**Please grab the button and put it anywhere on your blog (your post, sidebar or party page).** I would like to get more participation and be able to help promote fellow bloggers!

<div align="center"><a href="http://catonalimb.blogspot.com" target="_blank" title="Cat on a Limb"><img src="http://catonalimb.hostwebs.com/Blog_Party_Button_Final_copy.jpg" width="135" height="135" alt="Out on a Limb Tuesdays with Cat on a Limb" /></a></div>

Out on a Limb No. 5

I admit it.  I thought yesterday was Monday.  That's what I get for not leaving the house for two days!  Just trying to get settled in, still squeezing through boxes, and managing all the other daily tasks associated with keeping everyone fed, clothed, clean and happy!

So here we go with another week of Out on a Limb.  Here's hoping for more participation!

Since my "brand name" is Cat on a Limb you can only link up projects or creations where you went "out on a limb" in some way.  Either a technique you've never tried before, or a tried and true technique applied to a new object, or something 100% new to you.  I'd love to see how you all stretch your creativity (please keep it family friendly).

**Please grab the button and put it anywhere on your blog (your post, sidebar or party page).**  I would like to get more participation and be able to help promote fellow bloggers!

<div align="center"><a href="http://catonalimb.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="Cat on a Limb"><img alt="Out on a Limb Tuesdays with Cat on a Limb" height="135" src="http://catonalimb.hostwebs.com/Blog_Party_Button_Final_copy.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>

Jewelry Display Frames - Pottery Barn Knockoff

For a while I have been looking for a new way to store my jewelry.  I've been using a little wire dress form and while I like it, it's not quite big enough.  I saw these display frames one day when browsing around on Pottery Barns website:

They're sold out on their website so I don't know what the price comparison would be.  I had purchased a few frames in the past to use for something (I didn't know what at the time!) and otherwise used things I had on hand. 

Here's the before:

Cute floral pictures, but not my style. I also used the frame which I made into a seashell display. I decided that seashells are better in smaller displays, at least for my purposes.

 I started by removing the glass, pictures and backing out of each frame.  I also had to remove lots of staples from the larger frame, which I did with some pliers and lots of clenching of my teeth. 

The larger frame was made to hang in the "profile" direction so I moved the hanger so it would hang "landscape" style. I removed the hanger with pliers and, after measuring to find the middle, hammered it in to the new position. If you do this be sure to put some towels under the frame so you don't mash the molding.

I brushed on three coats of craft paint (using almost a full bottle for all three frames) then one coat of polyacrylic finish. It really made the color brighter to do this step instead of leaving it matte.

The larger frame is the necklace holder so I measured to evenly space five hooks. I just used cup hooks I had from another project.

When drilling the holes I put a little piece of tape around the drill bit so I would not drill too deep.

For the other two frames I stapled some spring twine (for upholstery) to the back. I used a couple of staples to be sure it was sturdy.

Here is the final result (I like how it's pretty much a functional version of the empty frame gallery):

 Including the frames, which I picked up at yard sales, and a little bottle of craft paint, my total cost was about $4.  I'm sure that beats Pottern Barn by more than a little bit. :)

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I'll be linking up to the parties on my "Link Parties" tab. 

PDF Pattern How - To

I have been thinking a lot about PDF patterns lately.  I've been wondering how people make them, how they digitize them, how they ensure they print out the correct size, etc.  And now I know!  It turns out the website Sew, Mama, Sew!  had Carla Crim from Scientific Seamstress do a series of three posts describing the full process of creating PDF patterns.  She even reveals some resources she uses to make things easier and the very basic software she uses to digitize the patterns. 

Part 1 - Pattern Drafting and Grading

Part 2 - "eFormat" Your Pattern

Part 3 - Writing Instructions and Marketing Patterns

I'm so excited!  I just may end up creating some patterns and selling them on Etsy.  I'll probably start with some childrens patterns while I get the hang of it, then try my hand at womens patterns.  It's also a good way to give away freebie templates for craft projects.  Oooo ideas, ideas!  Happy day!

Vote for Me! Pretty Please!

Wow!  I was nominated for the "Best of April" over at To Sew With Love with my pattern and sewing tutorial for the toddler Maxi dress and shrug.  She is holding voting through tomorrow (eeks!  I should have posted this sooner!) so please, pretty please go vote for me!  You can also vote for one other project that you like and there are some really cute ones.

Vote for me here!

Thanks everyone!

P.S. I'm still working on getting us settled into our apartment.  It's hard moving from a three bedroom house with unfinished basement, garage and backyard into a second floor two bedroom apartment.  Plus the house we lived in had so much built-in storage so now I have to figure out how I'm going to store everything, especially all my art supplies/crafts/tools/sewing supplies/fabric/etc.  My air compressor had to go into storage.  Sigh.  Just not something that really works in an apartment complex!  Settling into our new place I feel like I'm working with a giant one of these:

Oh, and I have some more triumphant deal finds to share as well.  Stay tuned!