Big Fat Failure

This top is a big fat failure.
 I'm sure there was nothing wrong with the pattern(Simplicity 2283).

 
                                                                                  
The instructions were just fine. The parts lined up well.The fabric was good. I simply messed it up. Look at that neckline.     I tried to add embroidery and screwed up the placement and if that wasn't enough the embroidery messed up the pleating around the neckline. Even if hadn't done disastrous design,this sleeve style give me a linebacker look.  I thought about using to sleep in,but I want to improve that area of my wardrobe too and that would be a step backward. I will have to trash it.

   I did have some success with my other project. I had another quilting class on Friday morning/afternoon and made this block. We made four of these to put together as a wall hanging. I didn't put mine together because I decided to make more blocks and make a larger quilt for a bed. This block is called "Orion's Star".

 I didn't do much else this weekend but work and relax after.
 I'm still trying to decide my garment for my "6 Piece Autumn Wardrobe". I wear a uniform to work,so any wardrobe would be casual and suitable for my usual social activities,dinners,shopping,movies, art galleries,craft gatherings and festivals.
  I am sure denim will be a part of it. I leaning toward tan and burgandy as the color scheme. I need to choose a jacket pattern,3 tops and 2 pairs of pants. Decisions,decisions,decisions.
  I started an excercise and healthy eating program today,but don't worry I won't be talking about it much. I just thought ,if I put I out there,I may stick to it. I'm am sick of needing to make so many adjustments in my sewing. I haven't set a pound goal. Right now,I just want my blood pressure and cholesteral levels to go down. Health first,vanity second.

Weekend Report

I work in retail, so I don't get every weekend off. This past weekend I was off. I had big beautiful visions of sewing and finishing projects already in the works.
Well,let me tell you,I didn't get any sewing done other than in the quilting class I attended.

I went to a really nice class taught by Dianne L.Dye .The class was wonderful! I learn the techniques used to make this block and good tips for better quilting.

 I'm new to quilting and have become hooked(well of course,it is sewing). Dianne is a fun instructor and her website has videos classes and more. Check her out.
After class was over,I went to sweet little store called Magical Stitches. I'd add their link but something is wrong with their web site at the moment. They have cotton fabrics,embroidery programs,sewing books,notions,Babylock machines and plenty of classes. I bought this book,by Kari Mecca.

I don't have any little girls to sew for. My own"little girl"is 16 years old and only wants store bought clothes. I miss doing ruffles,adding bright ribbons and lace to little frocks. Come to think of it,I don't know when I'll use this book but, I like it.

Lastly I joined Artisan Square . I need more motivation in my sewing life, and they have some interesting challenges and discussions. I hope I can keep up. I entered the "6 Piece Autumn Collection"sew-a-long,also know as the "6 PAC".

Well,that's it for now

Finished Shirt

My blouse is completed. Here it is on curvy Claire.

  

                                                      Here is the shirt on un-curvy me .

Here is the button which is a color match but it hides the buttonhole a bit.  This is the buttonhole ,uncovered.  I like little details like this.                                                                                                                    

 

Next on the cutting table is this knit top. I'm making the short sleeve version that the model is wearing under her vest.

It looks quick and easy and hopefully it will fill a void in my wardrobe. I have no knit tops,other than big t-shirts with logos and tank tops that show every roll. I have it cut and interfaced. I'm headed to my sewing room for a bit of late night sewing.

What 's New

 I have been sewing almost daily. I don't always get the long luxurious 4 hours or more. Sometimes it may be a mere 15 minutes. Do you remember Nancy Ziemens' book "5-10-15 Minutes to Sew"? She taught methods and techniques that you could do when you had smaller blocks of sewing time. I use her methods frequently. Sewing relaxes me and takes me away from the drudges of the average working woman,so of course,I want it daily.

I'm working on a shirt right now. This one,McCalls 5145, is and old but good pattern.The fabric is red broadcloth (shown under the pattern) from Hancock Fabrics.

 It has some nice top stitching. I do it using my small zipper foot. It gets really close to the seam edge. I hope you can see despite the blurry picture.
I'm almost finish. Buttonholes and buttons are all I have left to get done.
  I'm hoping to get some time this evening to finish this shirt. I'm going to use my embroidery machine to do my buttonholes. I can't seem to make up my mind about which design to go with.
Do I want contrasting thread or matching thread?
Decisions,decisions,decisions.

A Book Review

Pleating For Mercy by Melissa Bourbon.  

Read any good books lately?  You must check out this one. Click on the title to find out where you can buy your copy.
Harlowe Jane Cassidy's dressmaking shop,"Buttons and Bows"is full of magic,mystery,and sewing. What a great combination. I enjoyed it. I'm sure you will too.