You Give Me Joy!

I have been nominated by these wonderful,talented,women,Linda of Faye's Sewing Adventure, Liana of Sew Intriguing and Lesa of Lesalicious Style and Life for this award. I am greatly honored and I thank you. The best part of blogging, is having the opportunity to communicate with these great women and other terrific people, who willingly share their knowledge,successes and sometimes disappointments of sewing. It's a joy to read comments and know that someone likes what I'm doing.I'm enjoy many blogs and here are my nominations:

1. SewHooked

2.Wardrobe Revival

3.After The Dress

4.Just Be Yourself and Sew

5.Green Apples-A Knitting Blog

6.Melodye's Needle Notes

7.Julia's Sewing Blog

Hear are the rules for the nominees:

1. Copy the award to your site.

2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.

4. Link to those on your blog.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

Dress Confessions-Part II

Thanks to all the wonderful notes of encouragement from my blogger friends,I jumped into this dress fitting project with confidence.

I've been working on muslins for my sheath dress.This is muslin #1. It is straight from the pattern,without any adjustments. I needed to familiarize myself with the pattern's design. It's very tight. No breathing room and forget about sitting. Every roll is exposed.

Here is the back view and more expose rolls.I modeled this dress in front of DH,who didn't know it was a fitting muslin and asked him how it looked? He looked for a few minutes and then said,"It looks nice."I was shocked to know, that he would let me walk around in public looking like this.

I made adjustments to the pattern shown here,highlighted by red marker.This is the front full bust adjustment.The front needed a FBA and some belly room.The back needed adjustment for fullness in the lower back and bottom,to prevent the dress from hanging up on my hip fluff. Here is the muslin #3 with adjustments. It passed the sit-down test and it doesn't show any rolls. It still needs a bit of tweaking.

There was a 2ND muslin but I decided to spare you and only show adjustments that work. I have tried on muslins 11 times, to get to a good fit. I think, I'm ready to move on to my fashion fabric.

True Dress Confessions.

I wore a dress to church Sunday, that was a little snug...no,it was really tight.I thought I could wear it one last time and then let it go.

I was wrong.It was one I really liked and standing in the mirror it looked good but when I got into the car,I discovered that sitting in this dress was an entirely different story.I was running late and it was too late to change,so off to church I went. I was so uncomfortable,that I couldn't pay attention to the sermon.I didn't worship,unless I can count, praying that this dress would give me an inch. All I could think of was, getting out of this dress.

Once I returned home ,ripped of the dress and was again able to breath freely,I decided that I needed to make a new dress.

I been browsing through the fashion magazines and find that they are filled with sheath dresses. I usually run from this kind of dress because I think it will be unkind to my plus-size body.Can I make a sheath dress that fits and flatters? To challenge myself and answer this question,I pulled out my "Fit For Real People by Pat Palmer " book. This book is awesome and has helped me before with my fitting issues.

I've selected McCall's 5818-view B,in the black and creme print fabric shown here.

I have cut my muslin and dedicate this weekend to making this dress. I'll be posting my progress. Wish me luck and share with me any tips,that you may have.

A Sew Along Sunday

I spent Sunday enjoying a "Sew Along" with my pals Linda and Ebony. Linda prepared a delicious meal and I baked a cake for desert. Our "Sew Along" also included a trip to Hancock Fabrics, where I purchased the fabric of which, my spring "swap" will be based on.(more on this later) My friends encouraged me to purchase a beautiful print in my colors. It is always good to shop with other people who sew. We sewed up a storm from about 3pm till 10pm. Time really flies when you are having fun. I was able to complete this sweater set.I morphed the jacket from my TNT, Vogue 1020, to create this long duster type sweater,by adding 15 inches to the hem and about 2 inches of hip room .The tank top underneath is from McCall 5271. I added 5 inches to the length.

The grey fabric is a ribbed knit purchased at Wal-Mart.

I plan on wearing this on Inauguration Day.I don't have to go to work,but hey...I'm dressing for the occasion anyway.

Vogue patterns were on sale this past weekend and because patterns are on some kind of sale every month,I only buy what I plan to sew in that month. This keeps my pattern stash from becoming overwhelming This is what I plan to sew.

I think they are kinda artsy,though I would never tuck a shirt into elastic waist pants. I like the leg treatments. I'm thinking this could be another sweatsuit alternative.

A New Outfit

I finished my outfit,Tuesday. I wanted to wait for my DD to take the photos of me actually wearing the outfit,but she's been busy with her own activities. I tried to do the department store type setup with my dress form. I'm still learning my new camera,so the color is a little off.

The shirt (McCall 5471) is made from a poplin/spandex blend. It is white with dark grey stripes.I'm not exactly sure where or when it was purchased.It has been in my stash for about 2 years.The pants (Simplicity 2700) are made from a wool blend,purchased from Hancock Fabrics.They are dark grey with light grey pinstripes. This is the inspiration picture torn from a magazine and placed in my "style file".The shirt was listed for $198, the pants $98 and the cardigan $325. My version,shirt $22,pants $20 and cardigan $0. My shirt and pants cost, include fabric and notions,all purchased on sale.My cardigan was a gift. Sewing saved me $579. I don't figure in the time I spend sewing because,I enjoy it so much.

Here is the shirt by itself,to show the curved hemline. I won't be wearing my shirt tucked in.

Here's the part that gave me a really hard time,the ruffled cuff.
It was very difficult to fit the sleeve onto sewing machine in order to sew the inside sleeve facing,while keeping the ruffle evenly distributed. There was plenty of stretching,pulling and screaming,but it was all worth it. It fits and it's just what I wanted.

What's next? I don't know,but I've got Friday off and you know what I'll be doing? That's right...sew on and sew on.

A Little Preview

I didn't get to finish my blouse this weekend as I hoped. I sewed late Saturday night,while sleepy and irritated.I know this is a NO-NO,but I wanted to finish.I made some big mistakes.First I sewed the collar stand on without putting on the shirt plackets,so I had to partially remove some of the collar.Then I put the plackets on backwards! I decided to stop and go to bed and get a fresh start after work on Sunday.(I worked all weekend) Sunday's sewing was much better.I was relaxed and at home alone. I fixed the plackets and proceeded without any problems.Sewing was pleasurable,like it should be.Here's a little previewI have the day off Tuesday and I plan to get this finished.

Color and Style Project

One of my resolutions this year is to sew only colors that flatter me.Some years ago,when I thought I wanted to become a hairstylist,I was attending cosmetology school and took an additional class on color analysis. This class was built on the premise that every woman's has a certain group of colors that are perfect for her base on undertones of her skin,hair and eye color.There were four groups of colors classes by seasons-Winter,Spring,Summer and Fall.

That was back in the early 90s.

In the last few month I've been studying up on the newest version of fashion color analysis (it's much more detailed and has more than four groups).Yesterday I had my first client,my friend,Ebony. Ebony's style is bold and dramatic.After her color/style analysis, we went through her fabric stash and removed all pieces that were not her colors or current style. She was very happy to see that her stash is now full of pieces that are totally Ebony's style. She even encouraged me to offer this service as part of my sewing classes.I like that idea. I regret that I didn't think to take before and after pictures. More on that later.

Here's my current project.I want to copy this outfit.

I'm using McCall's 5471 for my shirt.

I've already finished the pants using Simplicity 2700.

I've got my shirt cut and ready to sew.I hope to finish this by Sunday.I love weekends.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

I enjoyed the holidays,but I glad everything has calmed.Now I can update and catch up with my blog friends.

I did not totally abandon sewing,during the holidays.I went to Detroit for Thanksgiving,so that required a new jacket.I used my TNT, McCall 5485 again (see this post).This time I used fleece from Hancock Fabrics.No pattern changed or adjustment were needed and sewing it up was a breeze. It been great for the current weather conditions in Georgia.Last year,I made a few resolutions pertaining to sewing and I kept all but one,the last one. I think I have enjoyed sewing more than ever because of these small changes.It is a pleasure to pull several outfit from my closet that fit well and coordinate with several other outfits.

I learned tailoring techniques and fitting on this suit.

and this jacket.

I completed my first and only Burda pattern.

I reduced my fabric and pattern stash which made it easier to move smoothly from one project to the next and made more available space in my sewing room.

The one resolution that I did not keep, was to use a technique from every month's issue of Threads magazine.I didn't buy every issue,because there seems to be a lot of repetition in the articles.

My new 2009 sewing resolutions are:

1.Keep my sewing blog updated-no more month long absences.

2.Keep basic supplies on hand.-interfacing,variety of thread,twill tape,etc.

3.Use only colors that are the most flattering on me.

4.Work to make my sewing classes extraordinary.

5.Plan a sewing retreat.

Thank you for reading my blog and leaving encouragement,advice and laughing with me over my sewing boo-boos,thoughout 2008.

The Sweatsuit Alternative

Last time I posted a sewing boo-boo,the Connie Crawford pants,and as many of you advised,I quickly moved on to the next thing.I purchased this Vogue1020 pattern,the same day as the Connie pattern.I was drawn to the tie front jacket and the pants.The rest is a little too close fitting for my fluffy figure.

I wanted a sweat-suit alternative,because I will throw on sweat pants and a over sized t-shirt to make a run to the grocery store in a heartbeat. It is not a flattering look and when I run into someone I know,I'm usually embarrassed. So I decided to make a few knit pants that are just as comfortable as sweat pants,but look much better. I think I have winner here.
The jacket is a novelty knit from my stash and the pants and top are made of matte jersey from Hancock Fabrics.I used this Butterick 4819 pattern for the t-shirt underneath.I went to the grocery store and work in this outfit and I was comfortable and feeling confident and wouldn't you know it...I didn't run into anyone I knew.

This entire outfit was easy.There are no buttons,zipper or interfacing.Fitting is wasn't a problem because knits are forgiving. I will make all these pieces again. Next time I will pay more attention to the pattern instructions because,I put the ties on the jacket incorrectly.

Hello Funny Pants

Today was my day off from work.I decided to make a muslin for pants from my weekend pattern purchase,Butterick 5192.This is a Connie Crawford Long,pattern.It boasts "modern fit with ready-to-wear sizing",which appealed to me,because sometimes I'm lazy,and don't want to do a muslin.However.something in the back of my mind said,"make a wearable muslin"and I'm glad I did.

I took my hip and waist measurements and cut out the appropriate size and put together my muslin. I make them Capri length because I was limited in fabric and figured if they fit I could use them next spring.This was not to be.They are waaay to big.

Have you ever made something so funny looking,that you could get mad,because you were laughing so hard? When I turned and look at the butt in the mirror,I almost fell out...laughing that is.

Look out!

The center back of the waistband has a little hill in it.I think that is for extra butt room so that, when you sit,your pants don't slide down.
I'm going to go back to one of my TNT pants patterns.I'm not knocking Connie Crawford Long's pattern,I'm just telling you that this one runs extremely large and it was far from the "ready-to-wear"pants,I've ever worn.
I'll try the jacket from the pattern some other time.Right now, I need pants.
Oh well ,back to the sewing room.

Great Weekend

It has been a great weekend,even though I had to work on Saturday.Friday afternoon,I cut and sewed up this sweater jacket from McCall's 5485.The fabric is a chenille knit from my stash.This jacket was so easy to put together.There is no interfacing or buttons.Sewing with knit is the way to go,when you need something quick and easy.I needed something easy after struggling,for two whole weeks, with this jacket,from McCall 5188.I used dark brown crepe fabric and lining fabric from the stash.I had a very hard time getting the sleeves in properly and had to take them out twice.Not one notched lined up during the whole process.I'm not too happy about the fit but,I'm think I can slide by with wearing it,till I make a better one.

, Saturday morning I went to a huge yard sale and found this Rowenta iron,practically new and in the original box with the instructions,for a cool $2 bucks.It will be great to have one for my classes and sewing getaways.After the yard sale,I went to work for a few hours,but my weekend fun continued after that.I got off from work at 4pm,picked up DD for a little fashion shopping for her and pattern shopping for me. I picked up these. I spent the evening sewing,talking and eating pizza,with my friends,Linda and Ebony.Time spent with them is always a pleasure. After seeing their beautiful creations,I'm filled with all kinds of ideas for the next few projects.They both love sewing with knits and have gotten me addicted too.

Today,I went to church and spent the day relaxing with tea,magazines and a little more sewing.

I'm totally renewed and ready for the week ahead.

The "Real Fit For Real People"Jacket

Way back in July,I began working on a jacket,using the Palmer and Pletsch book,"Real Fit For Real People".(see this post) As I was going along,getting a good fit,I decided to learn tailoring techniques using a book by Cecelia Podolak,"Easy Guide to Sewing Jackets".Both books are loaded with techniques that are well illustrated, easy to understand and best of all ...they work.

My jacket was finished and, after I made a pair of matching pants,I entered it into the Georgia National Fair.Now I have my suit back,finally and here it is. I wore it today,for the first time.


The jacket is from Vogue 8042 and the pants are from Vogue 8157.Both pattern are recently OOP but you might have them in your pattern stash.I plan on using it again and again.The alterations I require are:

• FBA
• Reduction in the shoulder area for slope shoulder.
• Increase at the sides
• Shortening the sleeves

While DD had time to take a few photos,I threw on the garments I made during my last "sew-in"with my friends,Linda and Ebony . I made the black pants from ponte knit and cut out the jacket during our gathering.I finish the jacket and top the next couple of evenings.

The jacket is from McCall's 5241 .The tank top underneath I copied from tracing a RTW top.I used cotton interlock fabric from Hancock Fabrics, for the jacket and top.I'd like to try a lighter knit, so that maybe it would drape closer to the body and create a more flattering effect.The necklace was given to me by Ebony.She made it! She is very talented.

Well I'm heading back into the sewing room.Since "Project Runway" season is over,I've got an extra hour to use for sewing time.

Quick Quiz

Check out this little quiz. It's super fast, just 2 questions.

Here's my result.

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
• * Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
• * Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
• * Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
• * Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

• * my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
• * my ability to establish warm connections with people
• * admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
• * my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
• * being unique and being seen as unique by others
• * having aesthetic sensibilities
• * being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

• * experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
• * feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
• * feeling guilty when I disappoint people
• * feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
• * expecting too much from myself and life
• * fearing being abandoned
• * obsessing over resentments
• * longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

• * have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
• * are very sensitive
• * feel that they don't fit in
• * believe they are missing something that other people have
• * attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
• * become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
• * feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

• * help their children become who they really are
• * support their children's creativity and originality
• * are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
• * are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
• * are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Sandy of Sandy's Sewing Niche. Thank you,Sandy.Here are seven facts about me.

1. I took my first sewing class in 7Th grade and did not learn a single thing.The teacher spent all her time with 3 of her favorite students and totally ignored the rest of us.


2. My Mom taught me how to sew after the sewing class fiasco.I still didn't want any part of sewing.I made a couple of things because she forced me .Thank god for mothers.


3. I love watching horror movies,while eating Lemon Heads,buttery popcorn and Coke


4. I still read comic books between the "serious reading"novels,spiritual,motivational and how -to books.


5. I began teaching my own sewing class this past August/Sept. This was something I've always dreamed about doing. It is fantastic. I think I may have found my passion.


6. I think have too many hobbies.That's why I had to get a job.LOL. Sewing,painting,knitting,doll making,reading...there just isn't enough time in the day.


7. I like to cook from different recipe books .Today I made a Humming Bird Cake from the book,"Southern Cakes by Nancie McDermott.

Now I'm tagging:

Charlene

Kelroc

Kassmin

Lesa

State Fair Sewing

The Georgia National Fair has opened and my friends,Linda and Ebony were so excited.We entered items in the sewing competition for the first time and guess what? We won ribbons and ca$h. Here are Linda and Ebony with the fabulous pant suits they entered and won ribbons for.I'm truly blessed to have these ladies as friends.It made this experience absolutely fabulous.I won 3 blue ribbons(1st place). One for this pantsuit.It is the one I blogged about here

back in July.

One blue ribbon for this trench coat.
I won a blue ribbon for my jeans which are not pictured and red ribbons(2ND place) for this jacket,a pair of coordination pants(not pictured) and a rag doll.

This post is not about boasting or bragging. It's about encouragement. I think that when we put our works out there for others to see,it says,"Hey you,this game is fun! Come on and play! "

It was nice to see so many others participating in this sewing competition. I wonder if any of them blog?

After all of that walking around and looking(4 hours) and 30 extra minutes of me trying to find my car(I went to the wrong parking lot),and long drive home,I had no energy left to sew.

I went to bed with a Threads magazine,a Coke and a smile.

Jacket Drama

I'm currently working on another jacket. I have had a really hard time with this one.Not because of technique or pattern flaws,but because I keep working on it when I'm tired or stressed.

I didn't realize this until I looked at my "sewing commandments".You may have seen these floating around the Internet a few years ago.You may even have them posted somewhere in your sewing room.

The commandments "Thou shall take a break when stressed"and"Thou shall remember to break for sleep,food and personal hygiene"are the ones I have neglected to keep.Now don't turn your nose up yet.I take care of the personal hygiene and I eat,but as far as sleep...I'm up sewing or reading about sewing(blogs,books and magazines) until 2am.lately. Believe me,this isn't working,at least not when I have to get up early the next morning.Late night sewing is so peaceful.Everyone else is asleep and its just me and my sewing.However,I'm going to have to remember to cut it off and get my sleep.

I have sewn and un-sewn each sleeve twice. I have sewn over stop dots several times.I have caught other parts of the garment in seams and stabbed my fingers on forgotten pins.All this drama makes me want to hurry and finish before I get sick and tired of looking at it.

I have the day off, tomorrow and I am determined to finish my jacket.

Update

My DD is back in good health and able to resume her roll as my fashion photographer.Here are the pictures I promised.
This Butterick pattern is a super fast and easy.If I wouldn't have had a problem finding the perfect buttons,I would have finished this fully lined jacket in a few hours.

Here is my jacket.I even put on gloves for effect.By the way it is about 80 degrees in the daytime in Georgia,lately. It is made in a short pile novelty fur.I used my walking foot attachment for the first time.

I had a difficult time finding matching buttons so I purchased bright green buttons and painted the with acrylic paint and sealer.The sealer protects the paint(no chipping)while adding texture and sheen. This jacket is from Simplicity4082(OOP).It is unlined.Next time I will line it or extend the front facing all the way to the side seams. That will keep it from hanging up on my girls.I will have to wear it with a smooth texture top to avoid that problem. Hey,that a good reason to make a few silky tops.

Last of all here is the white tie blouse from Vogue 7935. Please excuse the bad bra. I didn't wear it out in public.

Now ,I'm heading back to my sewing room. I think I've got jacket fever.I'm working on a blazer and I'm struggle with the sleeves.It's seam ripping time.(sigh)

Latest Creations

My DD is still not feeling well and is not up to take my pictures for me so bear with me and my photos of Claire.Claire is wearing the white blouse from yesterday's tutorial.

It is from Vogue 7935 .I believe it is recently discontinued.The attached neck tie can be tied up high or low or to one side as shown here.

Next up is a swing topper from Vogue 7935 which is also discontinued.

Here is Claire in view F on the pattern envelope.I wore it to church this morning an I think it looked better on me than on Claire.

Both of these pattern were easy and fun to sew.I plan to sew both again.The blouse fabric (georgette) was given to me by my friend Nancy.The jacket fabric(suiting) is from Hancock Fabrics.

I plan on taking pictures wearing these garment along with another jacket.It's been a good sewing weekend.