Unfinished Objects

First of all thank you all for such nice comments nd ,thanks to Carolyn, L and Gwen for solving my problem of buttons for the blouse from my last post. I got them today and will be putting them into action tomorrow. To answer L's question about the size I used for my blouse: I used size 22 (D cup size) and the FBA I usually must do was not needed. I added 1/2 inch to the side seams and tapered in toward the underarm seam. I'll post a picture of me wearing it soon.

 Finishing up my UFO's this weekend has given me time to reflect on the reason some of my projects get shoved to the back of the closet before the get finished. Although Ive done much better this year,reflection should aid in improvements or prevention. I want to share this with you in case you experience to many UFO's and only you know what is "too many" for you. This year I had three.
 
 1.  I get overwhelmed. Those 17 pattern pieces,half of which must be cut twice because of lining and interfacing, cause me to sit out the next few days.

SOLUTION: I realize that I have always disliked cutting and should simply make one day a cut and marking only day, followed by the next day interface and baste,next day fronts,backs,legs,waist, next day etc.

2. I get bored. Do I really want this or was just a moment of excitement after watching Project Runway, or seeing someone wearing something fabulous..

SOLUTION:  I wait and see if I'm still excited about it 48 hours later. I have a picture of it placed where I'll see it daily to keep me excited though out the process of making it.

3. I have waited to late in the season for the project.

SOLUTION: When the stores change season ,so must I.

4. Not gathering all the required notions for the project.

SOLUTION: Put everything needed together and don't assume you have something. Make sure you have put your hands on everything you need.

I know this is a simple list and there is "nothing new under the sun",but these work for me.
What helps you prevent UFO's ?

Simplicity 2151 -Progress

This blouse is coming along just fine. It fits well,the pattern instructions were flawless,and I've been fantasizing about wearing it. ( I hope we all do that .)

I have had a difficult time finding the right navy blue buttons for it. I should have done what some more organized sewist do,and gather all my notions during the planning stage. However,being me,means plans change almost every step of the way.
I searched through my button jars and then a trip to Hancock Fabrics. Tomorrow I'll try Joann Fabrics. I'm a little worried because both stores carry similar buttons.
I the mean time I will finishing some UFOs. I don't want to go into the new year with any unfinished projects.
I have three UFOs:
     1.Coat for my daughter.
     2. Quilt partially quilted
     3. Top from back in August (sometime I just lose motivation and get board with a perfectly good project)
I'll be "sewing my bobbins off "for the next few days.

What I've Been Up To

   I've been away for a bit again. I get really focused on major projects and try to give it my all.
I recently participated in my very first holiday bazaar. In preparation for the bazaar,I worked on craft items for the last month and a half. I still didn't enough items to make my table look full,but it was my first time and I made it through with a few sales and a small profit. It felt good to know, that someone likes your work enough,to shell out their money for it. I made tote bags,art dolls,embroidered aprons,pillows,towels and journal covers. I had fun, reached a goal,and gained a ton of knowledge.
                                                       Here is a picture of my table.

Now I'm on to the next thing. I need clothes! It has been a struggle putting together outfit for my daily activities. Today I went out in sweats and I don't mean the cute kind. I'm talking about the stuff worn in a boxing gym. That is a slippery slope my friends. So I rushed home and started going thru my patterns with determination. I will have a new outfit this week.
     I choose a pattern, did some pin fitting,and alter the pattern as needed. I got it cut out and marked today.

                                             Here is the pattern (Simplicity 2151) and the fabric.

The fabric is navy blue with white polka-dots. I'm making view A with sleeves from another pattern featuring cuffs. I'm excited.

Skirt Progress

The first skirt of the skirt sew along, is finished. I decided not to hem it ,since I am told it would not ravel.

I was unable to get my daughter to take a picture of me wearing it ,so this time it is on Clair.

Clair is a lot more curvier.

Here is a closer look

It has a simple elastic waist and one seam in the back. It is a basic tube skirt so I didn't use a pattern. It fits nicely. I may consider making it a little shorter.

Skirt Sew-a-long Fun

I'm participating in Faye's "Carnival of Skirts" sew-a-long. I decided to add 2 types of skirts to my wardrobe, one being a maxi-skirt and the other a denim skirt,as I've never owed either.
 I got the maxi cut from this fabric.

I don't know what its called. It is a knit and each strip is a ruffle. It was purchased from Vogue Fabrics back in March. It has movement,texture and an interesting print. I hope the skirt will have a "Wow factor".(I've been watching Project Runway too much)
I've also got to figure out how to hem it. The stripes are suppose to be horizontal.I have cut it out so that the are vertical. This is the selvage.

 I could leave it as the hem and that would allow the ruffles to move freely. I don't know. If anyone out there does knows, please throw your knowledge my way.

Vogue 8813 Finished

This weekend was filled  with quality sewing time and relaxation. I finished Vogue 8813 and wore it this evening. I really like it. This is my attempt at my plan to let my "artsy" self show in my wardrobe.

Initially I was worried about the large print being over-whelming, but the more I sewed, the more the colors made me smile.

The fabric is a silky print (polyester) from Joann Fabrics.

No zipper, no buttons and no interfacing. It was super easy. The big loose pockets can be buttoned if you choose. The pattern show that option. I like them without buttons and hanging. I think it gives the dress volume.

Sewing Supplies from Wal-mart

   Recently  a  friend of mine,visited my sewing room. She looked around and said,"You have a lot of sewing stuff. How can it be so much fun if it take so much equipment?" You may have guessed by now that she does not sew and does not have any hobbies.
   I think all hobbies have cool stuffed to buy and use in our enjoyment of our chosen interest. We may not need the stuff but usually it make things more fun,easier or helps us use our time more efficiently.
  After she left. I got an idea for a post. I have a few useful items I use during the sewing process that I'd like to share with you.

This is a small snack tray which I use for hand sewing tasks. It can commonly be found next to me while I watch TV in the den or bedroom. I keep small scissors,seam ripper,glasses,etc.,in it. I bought this from Wal-mart.

This is a picnic utensil carrier also found at Wal-mart. It can be found at the end of my cutting table,filled with the pattern of the day,a small notebook,trim,scissors and drink bottle.

I 

I don't know what its called but it is used to hold floral stems in the bottom of floral arrangements. I keep sharp items point end down. It is heavy and won't tip over and I don't prick my fingers grabbing that seam ripper or needle nose tweezers. Wal-mart again.

This acrylic document holder,commonly used to hold documents upright,while entering data by keyboard. I use it to hold books open,hold pattern instruction sheets or inspiration pictures. This came from Staples,office supply store.

This is a bowl of beanie piggies. They hold things down,like paper,pattern pieces and smaller bits of fabric, that blow around when I turn on my fan. The bowl was yard sale find and the piggies came from Wal-mart.

This is an hour glass for those occasions when I have limited time to sew. Most importantly it helps me pull away from Pinterest. We know how hard that can be. It came from Books-a-Million, bookstore
    
     I hope this has been useful to you.

Safari suit

Hi friends,

    Today I went out shopping with my DD. Actually she shopped and I gave opinions when requested. I love shopping with her because she is so confident in her style and fashion choices.
     While we shopped I had her to take a picture of my outfit,made recently from an OOP Vogue pattern.

                                                                       Here I am

It passed the wear test. I was comfortable and cool (temperature was in the mid 80s today). The fabric is a polyester blend listed as "spring suiting". I made the jacket in view A. I think it is too short. Next time,and there will be a next time, I will make it the length featured in view B or C.
     The only adjustments needed were a full bust adjustment. I like it and will make it again.

      Next up is, the project I started this morning,Vogue 8813.

     I was able to get it cut and partially sewn this morning. That's because it has no interfaced pieces, no lining,no zippers or buttons.  I didn't feel like doing pattern adjustment and choose this pattern because of it's loose,easy fit. So far its coming along nicely. I hope I can finish it before the weekend is over. I hope you have some quality sewing time this weekend.

What I worked on this weekend

        I am still working on a project inspired from this book.
While the book doesn't give you complete instructions on making a quilt,it does give general instructions and shows some lovely quilts on display. Inspired, I decided to do a quilt. I have completed twelve blocks featuring different black and white print squares surrounding  machine embroidered squares. There three different embroidered designs.

Sewing Machine

 Pin Cushion

Scissors

     I am designing as I go,so I haven't decided on a border yet. While I was searching through my stash, I ran across some fashion fabrics that I'd forgotten about. Usually when I purchase fabric, I separate the quilting fabrics from the fashion fabrics. This fashion fabric was at the bottom of the quilt fabric basket. Don't you love finding forgotten fabric ? It's like finding money in an old purse.
     Anyway, now I want to make something to wear,but that's another post for another day.
   

What Not To Wear

I had to share this with you. Do you remember MC Hammer's famous Hammer time pants ?
Check out these.

I didn't intend on getting this harem pants look. They were suppose to be a stylish pair of wide leg pants. Oh where ,oh where did I go wrong ? Sometimes you have to laugh at yourself. Feel free to laugh along with me. While you are chuckling, give me your thoughts on what went wrong and save someone else's fabric from the same fate.

The pattern is Vogue 8131. The fabric is stretch twill suiting. I know I will not make these again.LOL

Blazing White Blazer

    I know its a little late for a white blazer, according to some of the old rules, (no white after Labor day) of which I don't really follow. I have been wanting a white blazer since the beginning of summer and I was asked to make one for a good friend's mother. After hers was completed I started on mine.   
    That was back in July. I finally finished it. This is the pattern I used. It is out of print but very basic.

   I shortened it by about 8 inches for a more updated look and changed the pocket style to copy a jacket I snooped at JCPenny. Two rows of 1/4 in. elastic draw in a widened top,(widen the top 1in. on each side) gives a gathered look.

I wore it all day and it passed the wear test. I was comfortable and my DH thought I bought it.

    Please excuse the wrinkles. This picture was taken after a full day. The fabric is spring suiting which has a raised texture. You can better see it on the pocket picture. It is fully lined.
   My adjustments were for my full bust. I also shortened the sleeves even though they are rolled right now. When my sleeve are down,they are the perfect length.
    I think its a good fit and will be made again with a different pocket style or some other design change.

Project Two-Indecision

   The book features a nice patchwork throw and a variety of artwork featuring birds.
I began working on cutting some fabric squares and 2 1/2 inch squares for my own patchwork throw. I got some of the dark prints done before my DH began sending me on errands. Here the progress.

Later on this evening I attended my artist meeting,which is something I haven't done since the holidays season. I talked with some of the other artist about how life gets in the way of creating. It felt good to know that other artist go through the same thing and their remedies for this problem.
I remembered that the book featured all those little bird prints art pieces. I wanted the project to be sewing related. I haven't completely come up with a plan but I'm getting ideas. I think I will be using this rubber stamp in the project.

Project - Number One

  The first project this week is a very simple one. It was inspired by a beautiful picture from the book ,of a table setting,for a tea party. I've don't often sew items for my home and always felt it was a bit under decorated.
   The ultimate plan is to have a nice setting for my own tea party.

I gathered my tools. I used my 14in square ruler. It was just the right size to cut 6 exact squares of linen.

I machine embroidered those linen squares.

 

I choose a backing fabric from the stash. I've had this piece of cotton for years.

  I serge the embroidered linen square to the backing square,wrong sides together,all the way around, pressed,and now I have a set of six napkins for my tea party. ( I took a picture showing four,so that I could get this posted).

I'm off to gather supplies for the next project.

What's next?

    I love books. I really love sewing books and have a very pleasing collection of them. I buy them,browse through them, dream of all the things I would create from them and then put them on the shelf or some place in my sewing room,perhaps never to be seen again.No projects,no nothing.This is an endless cycle and maybe kinda wasteful.
    This weekend I spent some time looking through my wonderful books and decided I would start with one book and do at least four project from it. This is the one I choose.

                                                               TILDA'S STUDIO
    It is filled with beautiful pictures that inspire me. I will do a post, each day this week. Yes,me the "queen of once a year posting",will post each day this week, on my progress.
    My sewing room is clean and ready for action. I'm going through the stash  and choosing the first project tonight. I'm excited.
    Do you have a collection of sewing/craft books from which you've never done a project ?

Damn...Almost a year later.

What must you think of me? No post for 11 months. What to do,what to do?  Ask for forgiveness and start anew. While I don't want to get into too much detail ,on the world wide web,my life has been a pretty crappy roller coaster ride lately. Too many loops that make you want to throw up. There were moments at the top,and then a drop to the bottom. It was a thrill and the wind was in my hair,but in the end ,you stop and get off. Ride over. But..you still have tickets...so you get in line for another ride.

Each day is a new opportunity to do better than I did yesterday.

I'm wearing a skirt that I made about 5 years ago. I don't remember the pattern number but I'm sure that it out of print. It has 4 panels and an elastic waist. The fabric is a cotton border print from Walmart. I feel confident and happy in this outfit. It is comfortable and cool. That is a major point during a 97 degree day.