Shirt Pillow - Upcycled Shirt Project

I have been away from my sewing machine since after I finished my Christmas projects. I have been itching to get back to my Singer 503A and start making things.

Here is my latest project: A pillow cover made from a favorite old shirt:

Here is the link to the tutorial on my other blog if you are interested in seeing how I did it.

Halloween Projects

During Halloween my sewing machine is always very busy. Here are a couple of recent projects I made using my Singer Slant-o-matic 503A:

A simple lined trick or treat bag:

A surgical mask for a little surgeon:

If you're interested in instructions for either of these projects see my other blog, https://heartbeetboutique.blogspot.com/

Busy Book Project

I love my Singer Slant-o-Matic. It can do just about anything I want it to do. I wanted to make a project that showcases many different sewing techniques that are fun for a beginner or an expert so I put together this project: a Busy Book.

Making this project I used many different techniques and vintage Singer Slant-o-Matic feet and attachments.

Some skills and attachments used for this project are:

- button sewing using the button sewing foot

- buttonhole making using the Professional Buttonholer

- top stitching using the straight stitch foot

- quilting/stippling using the darning and embroidery attachment

- eyelet making using the Professional Buttonholer

- satin stitch using the special purpose foot

Here is a link over to my other blog, the HeartbeetBoutique, with the instructions and patterns.

Retro All-In-One Apron from Singer's How to Make Aprons booklet

This is one of the booklets from the Singer Sewing Library, number 119, How to Make Aprons:

It's a really fun one to read. Some of the projects are outdated and impractical but are an interesting glimpse into the past.

There is one project that I thought was super cute, the All-In-One apron. I recreated it, following the instructions in the booklet, scaled down to a toddler sized apron. I had to make a few adjustments in lengths and sizes to make it work for a toddler but I think it turned out pretty cute:

Here are the instructions from the booklet if you're interested in making your own ladies' sized apron:

(Just a note, the instructions in the booklet were a little confusing in a couple of places so I just had to kind of go with my own methods here and there).

If you want to make a toddler sized apron, I made a tutorial for the Retro All-In-One Apron and I have it posted on my other blog, Heartbeet Boutique, if you would like to check it out.

This is a fun project to use some of your Slant-o-Matic attachments:

-General purpose foot - 

-Straight stitch foot and plate:

-Button sewing foot:

-Buttonholer (optional)

(If you aren't interested in using your buttonholer or if you don't have one, use the instructions in your manual for making buttonholes. It's one of the pages I use the most in my 503 manual. It's on page 44).

This project was great practice for a few essential skills including top stitching and making buttonholes and applying rick rack.

Anyway, if you get a chance, Singer's How to Make Aprons booklet is worth checking out. 

Plush Felt Kitty Craft using Fashion Discs

I have decided from time to time I will be showing a few little projects I have done with my Slant-O-Matics. These will be anything from simple crafts to Halloween costumes to formal wear.

Here is one of my projects: Plush Felt Kitties.

I made these little guys for my niece's birthday. They are a fun way to actually use those fancy stitches the Slant-O-Matic is so good at.

If you are interested in a tutorial it can be found at heartbeetboutique.blogspot.com.

I used the Singer Fashion Discs to do the kitties' stripes. Pretty adorable.