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.

Daughter's Homecoming Dress

Hi everyone. Here is my DD wearing her dress for her high school homecoming event. I used Vogue 8190, fabric from Joann Fabrics and lining,boning and tulle from Hancock Fabrics.

There is plenty of boning,which held the dress up beautifully and 7.5 yards of tulle(cut in 17 pieces) under the flounce. This dress was truly a labor of love. The shirring of the bodice,the ruffle,the tulle,the lining and the fitting muslin,which I'm glad I did first,wore me out. I also found out that my daughter loves to crack the whip. For the four days I took to work on the dress,she would remind me not to "lolly gag"whenever I had the nerve to eat,watch tv or anything else non-sew.
 She was so happy with the finished product,that she has requested 2 prom dresses for junior prom,1 dress for next homecoming events and 1 from senior prom next year. This is a high compliment because her second home is the mall. I'm glad I don't have to do this type of sewing on a regular basis.

Butterick 5496

Hello everyone. Been having some computer  problems lately. I should start the hunt for a new one or hope it's repairable. I've been working on a couple of projects at once. A denim shirt.a pencil skirt and this top.

This pattern is Butterick 5496. The fabric silky feeling polyester from Hancock Fabrics. The skinny jeans are a new purchase suggested by my fashionista,daughter. Everything about this outfit was super comfortable and cool. I wore it on a 90 degree day and felt just fine. I wanted to use up my summer fabric purchases before the weather changes(We are still in the 80's and 90'sin  Georgia).  I've got one more piece left and I'll be finished with summer fabrics.

Denim shirt

I've started on this shirt made from light weight denim from Joann Fabrics. I've seen denim shirts in every several fashion magazines and in the display windows at a few of my favorite stores for "snoop shopping".I like the way Express does their window mannequins.I can't fit anything in that store but that's why I sew.
Anyway I'm almost finished. I'm trying to decide between snaps or buttons at this point,and then it is completed.

I got a nice little package in the mail Saturday,from the Sewing Workshop. It is the Bells and Whistle shirts and Runway Finishes Cool Edges book and DVD. Like a true sewing geek, I popped some popcorn and watched my sewing DVD on Saturday night. It's pretty good. I will use every one of the techniques in my upcoming sewing projects. 

   In case you didn't know "snoop shopping" is looking at garments in stores for styles and details you'd like to make or apply to your own sewing. You can purchase accessories during your snoop shopping to set off your self -created fashions with style.
   Just a quick post till later. I've got 30 minute to sew before bed.

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.

The Fabric Store Tourist

I have returned home to after spending a month in Detroit with my parents. During that time I went to a fabric store in Royal Oak called Haberman Fabrics.
It was feast for the eyes the minute you walk in. They are masters at merchandising.
this is the center display. There were sample garment all over the store. They have beautiful fabrics and fine notions. I love the quotes on the wall. I touched and felt almost everything.

I know you are wondering what I bought and I must tell you ...THIS PLACE IS EXPENSIVE !! I didn't buy any fabric. No, I am not a cheapskate and I understand everything about quality fabric and notions,but I just couldn't do it. I did buy a Burda magazine.(yawn)
If you are in Michigan,you must check out this store but make sure you take the BIG purse.