Fearless February Project

  I've made jeans before. The first pair of wide leg jeans,(about 5 years ago) were OK and I still wear them today.

The second pair (about 2 years ago)... not so good. They looked nice,fresh off the sewing machine but, as the day wore on they got bigger,baggier and saggier as the day went on.

  So I was happy to live with one pair of made-by-me jeans and one pair of RTW jeggings, until the "Fearless February",challenge made me think about my fears of making jeans and solutions to some of the problems had before.

•  Fitting was achieved by comparing the measurements of each pattern piece to the similar pieces on a pair or RTW pants that fit me well.

•  I stabilized the waist and crotch area so that they would not stretch. 

• I hammered bulky seams and they went under the presser foot without any problem.
• I used a different thread for top stitching (more on this further into the post).

I'm very pleased with my new pair and they passed the wear test. No bag, no sag.

This Butterick 5682 pattern is wonderful ! I made the boot cut version from dark wash denim from Hancock
Fabrics.

I use this stitch for my top stitching and 40 weight cotton poly core thread. It comes in a large variety of colors and it sits nicely on the surface of the fabric. I didn't use denim top stitch thread because I've had to many problems with it bunching underneath the stitches.

On the fabric it looks like this.

 You can also use it in an embroidery machine without any problem,so that your pockets match the top stitching thread.

I have found the right pattern for all my jeans. I will be making plenty more in the future.

A Happy Birthday

Today was my birthday and my wedding anniversary. My husband and I had breakfast together. My husband and daughter did the cooking and cleaned up after. I spent the rest of the day doing things I enjoy.
That means there was some sewing, (my Fearless February project is almost done)

some quilting,(piecing some blocks)

and some painting.(finished)

It was a very good day.

Giveaway Winner

The "Plus-size Pattern Pyramid Givaway" winner has been pulled. All contestants names were placed in a sewing basket. I blindfolded my daughter and she pulled out the name of the winner, but first a little information. Beajay ask about which pattern I choose for myself. Here is what I choose, from the lovely selection she sent to me. I hope to attack the dress before this month is over.

This is what I added to the selection.

A sweet blogger friend,Tanya of Eating Pins made a generous donation to the pile also.These arrived Monday.

So without further ado. THE WINNER IS:

Chris Lucas of chrislucas.com.au

A Giveaway - The Plus Size Pattern Pyramid

I won a giveaway from Beverley aka Beajay,( check out her blog,she is a delight) as a participant in "The Plus Size Pattern Pyramid" .

The prize patterns arrived today. I selected 3 keepers and added 4 to the prize package.

In keeping with the rules,now I have a giveaway. Please enter by commenting and including your blog address.  Here are the rules:

THE RULES (As copied - and slightly amended - from Did You Make That)

• Anyone, anywhere can enter the giveaway by posting a comment below by midnight Eastern Standard (US) Time, Wednesday ,February 13th,BUT you must have an active blog. (Reasons to become obvious.)
• I will randomly select a winner and post your name and blog link on my blog.
• I will post a comment on your most current post,on your blog,notifying you about your win.
• I will send selection of approximately 5 - 6 patterns to the winner. The winner will pick one pattern to keep for themselves, then host their own giveaway. They will randomly select a winner, post the remaining patterns to that Person C. Person C will pick a pattern for themselves, host their own giveaway and post the remaining patterns to the winner, Person D. Person D will…
• All patterns are in the plus size category - ie - if the pattern comes in 2 sizing groups, then it will be the larger category. Patterns to go up to at least go up to a size 20 (most go higher). Patterns listed as "all sizes" will include plus sizes.
• If you wish to take more than one pattern you can replenish the stock with a pattern you no longer want - but please make sure it is in plus size range

You get the idea!

THE SMALL PRINT

• We are taking it on trust that all pattern pieces and instructions are there.
• Your selection of patterns will be picked at random - please don’t contact me asking for specific patterns.
• If you’re a winner, I would love it if you could make a small contribution to The Brooke. This is a charity close to the heart of Catherine, who so generously provided the original patterns. These plus sized patterns have been contributed by me in the spirit of the generosity of the sewing community
• Please engage in a timely fashion, launching your own giveaway soon after receiving a parcel
• You must be be happy to mail patterns worldwide.
• Mention the blogger and link,from whom you received your win, on your blog.

Me Made Monday

I have started participating in Me Made Monday.  I have plenty of clothing sewn by me, but I'm not working outside the home these days,so I tend to wear t-shirts and jean a lot. I should get dressed and get out the house more often,but if the weather is cold or rainy, I don't want any part of it. Sometimes I'm just not motivated. 
    Today I went to visit an art gallery,where I'm hoping to show some of my art. This is what I wore.

 

I made the white shirt from OOP, Mccall's 3723.

 It is a basic button down shirt with french cuffs. The fabric is cotton/poly blend. It is the only white shirt I have and this was the first time I've worn it. I made it a year ago and hung it in my closet with no buttons on it. While I was cleaning out the closet last week, I found it and sewed on some buttons. I will make a few more because, I have heard that everyone should have a few white shirts.

Fearless February-

I am a participant in Victoria's "Fearless February" sew a long. This is a cool sew a long designed to get us outside of our boxes and conquers sewing fears.Victoria is quite the motivator. I love her "can do" attitude.     
  My goal is fashion embellishment. I've found it to be a challenge to create a garment that features embellishments that actually look good. Most of my embellishment attempts,like machine embroidery (other than monograms) are failures.
                                           They always look obvious or homemade dorky.

   I've seen all kinds of embellishment on boutique clothing, in catalogs and on the Internet that look fantastic. I like to successfully...                              

   add trim or fraying

add beads or ornate buttons

                                                        or mix fabrics in an exciting way

However ,when I try to duplicate the look, I jump right in with no practice,or test runs, and end up destroying an otherwise nice piece of clothing. I haven't try any embellishment in a really long time. I have tons of books and magazines on the subject and I have begun my studies. I'm prepared for a fun journey. Wish me luck.

No More Sewing Block

  The past weekend was super productive. I figured out the reason for my creativity block...my sewing room was full of junk and had become chaotic. It was time for a major de-cluttering,reorganizing and cleaning. I spent most of Saturday, going through patterns,fabrics,notions,books and various art supplies. I was determined to finish this in one day, so I only stopped for lunch, dinner and bathroom breaks.
   I advised my family that if anyone should disturb me, they would have to help clean. No one disturb me,even once.I started at 9:30am. I finished completely by 10pm. I went to bed exhausted but satisfied.
     Sunday, I went into my refreshed sewing room and finished this quilt.

 I also decided to get one more garment in for the Jungle January sew-a-long. I'll be making the skirt from this fabric and,out of print, McCall's pattern 5481. (I don't know why this picture is facing the wrong way)

  I've made this skirt before and the pattern has been adjusted,so I was able to get it cut and marked and ready to sew.

   I had little time today to sew. All that is left now,is the waist band and a hem. I hope I can get it finished tomorrow.
   

Stolen Sewing Time

I am  garment sewing blocked. I have no idea what I want to sew next. All my usual motivation boosters, my look book,watching Project Runway, are not working.
  This past weekend I had all day Saturday and Sunday to sew. My DH and DD were out with their friends and activities,all day. Leaving me to sew un-disturbed and guess what I did with that time? I layed around watching tv,reading and eating. What a waste!
    So I decided to work on a quilt.

    This is sewing meditation because its just straight line sewing. Add a little music and go into a zen place in no time. Today I had 15 minutes to myself for sewing and as soon as I stitch 2 inches,my DH bring his laptop  to me,with that frustrated look on his face. By the time I fixed his computer boo-boo, he returns to the sewing room with two pairs of pants that need "a little repair,while you've got your machine going".
   A "little repair" is a zipper replacement and re-seaming worn out areas. My 15 minutes of zen quilting was changed into 30 minutes of repair sewing. Damn!
   Maybe tomorrow.(Sigh)

Jungle January - Jacket Number 2

I finished another jacket for the Jungle January challenge.

 The pattern I used is Butterick 5616. The fabric is faux alligator print suede. The color is similar to a dark- wash denim with light and dark variations.

.

I made the short white version (A) and made no changes. I did not have to make my usual FBA because this pattern runs a little larger. I interlined it,to give the fabric a little more body.

This pattern is super easy. There was a ton of top stitching,but that's the norm for this type of  jacket. I like using this type of button. All it takes is a hammer and a hard surface. No hand sewing--YIPPEE.

 

Here is the back.

I will definitely use this pattern again. I can see it in a few different types of prints or a bright solid with some machine embroidery. There are a lot of possibilities.

Inspiration

I had to share this with you. It is powerful and true.

First Garment-January Jungle Sewalong

My first garment of the year and first for the January Jungle sew along ( see the button on the right) is this snake print jacket.

From this pattern, Simplicity 2341. On my version, I left of the collar and quilted the center front and center back panels. I also lined it.

 I used a hera marker to place a couple of quilting guidelines. This marking tool is great because it marks by leaving an indention in the fabric that can easily be seen.

Quilt a piece of fabric the right general size of the pattern piece.

Then cut the pattern piece. It is time consuming but worth it if you want custom quilted fabric.

Here  is a close up of the zippered pocket and you can better see the print on this faux leather fabric.

I have had the fabric in my collection for about 7 years and I don't have any idea where I purchased it.
 I wore this jacket out and about today. I was comfortable and got a lot of compliments. I think I'll use this pattern again and do a different version in denim.

Finished Quilt

 Quilts are fun to sew and great to have lying around the house for snuggling under. I love to see my family or friends wrap themselves in one of my quilts while watching TV,tailgate parties,napping or just sitting around talking. I always have one or two in different stages. This one began back in September with this post .

Here is a better look at each block,which features machine embroidery.

A Coat For Ashley

I finished my daughter, Ashley's coat. She slowed down long enough for me to get a picture.

The pattern is McCalls 5525,view A. The fabric is coat weight wool from Joann fabrics. I started this one last February and dragged the construction out until March and put it away unfinished because cold weather was on the was out. Now she can wear it while it is cold. However she's always running out of the house without a coat,no matter how cold it is. " Mom,its not that cold",is her daily weather forecast. That's why I was shocked, when she ask me to make a coat. She says she loves it and will wear it ,even if it is" not that cold".

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.