Happy New Year!

To You & Your Family

Have a Prosperous & Healthy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday with family & friends!

Thank You ALL!

Thanks for all the nice comments on my last suit project which I posted at the end of November. I am recovering from a medical procedure and will be back to sewing and blogland very soon.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their long Thanksgiving weekend!

Not much sewing happening this weekend so far, but here is something to share. It is OOP McCalls 4978. It's a wardrobe pattern that has a jacket in two lengths, a top, skirt and pants. The jacket has princess seams, collar and long two-piece sleeves. The skirt is straight with back slit. Both jacket and skirt are lined. I have had this cut out for over a year and one day decided to sew it up! I don't know why I waited so long because it was not difficult at all, LOL. The fabirc is an unknown but I renenber that I did have it awhile before I cut it prior to its aging in a nice folded stack. It looks like a knit that does not stretch. But it will be a warm addition to my wardrobe because tomorrow's forecast calls for snow!

I know! My blog is not updated. I've been busy in this and that. My current sewing project is a suit that has been cut out over a year! I decided last week to just go ahead and sew it. I have another project in the same category but at least it was started partially. I have lots to catch up on as far posting as Pattern Review. Maybe that second project will be for one of the upcoming contests for 2009 since there are other things I'd like to sew besides UFOs.
And my last post about the weather, well... It has cooled off tremendously and we've had snow, not like Indiana though! Not yet at least. LOL

The Weather

I just wanted to mention that we are all so thrilled that our weather is absolutely gorgeous! No coats & boots and it's NOVEMBER!!! We will enjoy it while it's here!

But while I'm typing this, the weather is on and Tom Skilling says we could have snow in two weeks! HAHAHAHAHA!!!

My Latest Top!

S3624 View B is made from a two-way stretch knit fabric I purchased from Walmart earlier this year. I started to take the easy way out and just make the plain sleeves, but decided to go ahead and make the elastic casings on the bottom outer using bias tape and the seam sides where the seam allowance is used to make the casing. I'm glad I did! This was a fast project to complete!

Alana's Yellow Dress

This Project Runway inspired pattern has lots of options for little girls. S2989

with bodice and skirt variations, I used the sleeves with tie ends, the bodice with a center tab (no buttons) and a band on the skirt bodice. The fabric is a cotton jacquard print that I had in my fabric collection which was leftover from a project I agreed to make for someone else a couple years ago.

So here's Alana in the dress this past Sunday at church!

McCalls 5434

I fixed my camera! YAY!

So this is the top I made last weekend using one of the knits I purhcased from the Joann's sale. It's McCalls 5434. I've used this pattern before. This is fast and easy and I think I did a pretty good job of matching the design! LOL
More to come

New Butterick Patterns for Winter/Holiday

The new patterns are on their site.

I like 5278, 5269, they look very easy to put together

5289 would have to be a little more fitted for me, I like the collar's pleated band but the bodice is too loose and I would make it slightly different. I don't like the dress, LOL

5292 has the princess seams and the cute draped collar. I will probably buy this one. It will be very stylish for the upcoming winter months that I am not looking forward to at all! LOL
And on 5277 it has a similar collar and I thought I was looking at the same pattern in the email. It's still cute. There are, of course, more new styles on the site, so take a look and have fun planning your winter wardrobes!

Happy Friday to everyone! I have things to share about sewing but for some reason, my camera would not connect to its software to download. Once I figure that out, I'll post pictures of what I've sewn since last week. Have a great weekend!

I Just Couldn't Resist

On Monday, my daughter and I went to the last day of the Joann's Columbus Day sale. This is what I bought from the red tag fabrics section which were 50% off! The prints and solids are all knits. I'm planning tops and a pair of slacks for the brown solid. The other three fabrics are for linings, which were half off as well. The green plaid will be used for lining inside a jacket, at the suggestion of my daughter. I did not make it over to Hancocks for the Butterick pattern 99 cents sale. Oh well, until next time!

I Bought A Few Patterns...

I forgot to share patterns purchased at Hobby Lobby for 99 cents last week.

McCalls 5768 - For this top/caftan in various lengths and sleeve variations, I like the zebra print version with the embellished details around the neck and sleeve edges. You can use leather or another type of fabric to make your decorative treatment. Simple yet classy.

McCalls 5756 - I really like this jacket. It's a simple design for everyday wear using knit fabrics and various trims.

McCalls 5718 - I thought this was a coat/jacket pattern I'd seen on someone's blog. It turns out that B5254 is what I thought I was buying, LOL! However, I decided that View C would be a nice choice for a fabric in my stash that I've had for a few years and is perfect for this time of year.

Joann's is having a Columbus Day sale this weekend. Simplicity, 99 cents and their entire stock of buttons, 50% off, among other things on sale!

I can get the Vogue Patterns I've had my eye on the 16th - 18th for $3.99. Have fun!

Butterick 4718 for Alana

This fast & easy dress pattern quickly came together. The bodice is fully faced as described on the pattern, a flared skirt with back zipper. I added beaded trim on the hem from my stash and floral ribbon rosettes on the front bodice seam, also from the stash. The fabric is a 100% cotton broadcloth that I'm sure was purchased for something else for her.

The skirt portion of the dress was not lined, but I've decided to add a lining piece to it. This is the yellow dress on the pattern picture. (not the one the arrow is pointing to, LOL) My daughter bought this pattern for the baby when she was just starting to walk. So we've waited and it is just right for her now.

New Look 6638 for Alana

One of the projects for my granddaughter is NL 6638 for pajamas. I used View C for the top and View E for the bottom.

As you can see from the pattern picture, the top can be made with various sleeves and lengths. Also the pajamas bottoms can either be long or short just below the knees. I used a 100% cotton print from Walmart. The top has a collar and three-buttoned closure. I made my own bias strips from the fabric scraps for the neck finish that encloses the seams where the collar and neck edge have no facing, and also to encase the elastic in the sleeves. The bottom of the top has a ruffle which was gathered to fit the edge. The pajama pants have an elasticized waist and elastic near the leg bottom edges which again is encased and making a kind of gathered ruffle at the bottom hem. I don't have a picture of the baby wearing them, but my daughter said she put it on her last night and said the baby says"Ooh Cute!!"

Here are a couple of photos of the self-made bias tape. I don't get to use this tool often. But I will make use of it again this week while making the pink pajama set from the same pattern.

I've Been Nominated & Tagged!

I have been nominated for the Brillant Weblog Premio-2008 Award by
Cennetta and I'd like to thank her for choosing my blog for this award! I think she does phenomenal work and is a great source of inspiration. Now from what I've read, I'm supposed to choose six blogs to nominate for this award and I'm going to have to come back to that as it will be hard to do! Here are the rules:

1. Select 6-10 bloggers to whom you would like to give this award. Here goes:

* Kaizzle

* Gold

* Trini

* Mimi

* Linda

* Carolyn

2. Put the award - prize on your blog and indicate who gave it to you by identifying her/his blog.

3. Paste these rules on your blog.

4. Write 6 of your most important values and 6 negative points you condemn.

-Faith

-Family

-Loyalty

-Love one another

-Passionate

-Gratitude

Now for the negative points, I don't have many to list. But here are a couple of things I do not like:

-Hatefulness

-Dishonesty

5. Inform the recipients by leaving a comment on their blog.

I've also been tagged by Krystal and I'm to list six sewing facts about me. LOL!! Oops!! Seven sewing facts! Ok, let's see:

1. I have been sewing now for 40 years!!!!!!!! WOW! I did not realize it has been this long. I started when I was in 8th grade. My mom let me use her machine and I've been sewing since! Both of my grandmothers were seamstresses and knew how to sew without patterns!

2. I made all of my children's clothing while they grew up. I put both of my daughters in a sewing class at Vogue Fabrics but the oldest daughter continues to sew today and she has a daughter now to pass this great skill to.

3. Well since I've figured that I've been sewing for 40 years, it was about 20 years ago when I made something like 20+ da-shi-kees (sp?) and hats for the Black History program at church. And another lady from church who made the other 20+! That was something. It was so beautiful and colorful! All the children were gorgeous! LOL!!

4. I had a sewing business. I made lots of bridesmaids dresses, choir dresses, plus suits, slacks, etc. for other people. I did not like making the same outfit more than maybe twice, and I was so happy to be finished with a wedding party. Maybe that happened from sewing the da-shi-kee tops, I don't know! LOL!

5. Today, I still make all of my clothing.

6. I am currently re-doing my entire wardrobe.

7. I am terrible in returning things when people give me items to hem, etc. If they say 'whenever you get to it' well it could take months or they may never get it! I do better if you say you need it in a week. Then I have that sense of urgency! LOL I didn't think I would have seven things to list!

The New Vogue Patterns

I was pleasantly surprised to look at the Vogue Pattern site and see they have new patterns to view! I like these two so far. I've put myself on a self-imposed pattern diet, but the next sale, these will be in my cart!

V8543 I really like the skirt, it has detailed seams, back pleats and a contoured waist. Really cute! The jacket is nice as well.



V1074 has a very cute coat! This would be great for weekends and even day to day errands. I like the pleated back on this!

Contests

I signed up for the sewing for babies contest at Pattern Review and have not done a thing! Sad I am I know, LOL! But one thing I needed to do was to make sure my granddaughter's measurements were accurate Last night, I cut out three projects for her, two pj's and one dress. I'm going to sew tonight and my plan is to have all of her things ready by this weekend! I have another dress for her on the cutting table as well. I'm about to run out now and buy some trims & ribbons for this dress.

Threads Magazine

I picked up the Oct/Nov issue of Threads Magazine yesterday in Walmart. There's an article on an inside peek at Ralph Rucci's studio and also about finding valuable suprises in your buitton stash, among other items of interest! LOL

OOP Butterick 3477

I finally got to take pictures of all my projects from the past few weeks.

Butterick 3477 is an out of print pattern that I've had probably ten years or longer. But I always liked the jacket. It's a simple princess seamed, long sleeved jacket with front button closure and a straight skirt with front & back darts, centered back zipper and a back slit. I did not make the loops & drawstring ties for the back. I didn't the first time I made it years ago. Also, this pattern does not include lining, but prefer to line jackets and skirts if at all possible.

This fabric is textured crepe and also was part of some of the first purchases I made online for fabric when Fabric.com was Phoenix Textiles. They must have had just about any color imaginable in this fabric and my daughter and I ordered lots! It was great for suits.

McCall's 5335

M5335

This suit has been cut out for over a year and I just decided one day to go ahead and complete it. I made Jacket A with princess seams, front darts, and two-piece sleaves and view B's self cuffs and fully lined. The skirt is a basic straight design but with a back godet and waistline facing (I did not line the skirt). The godet was what I like most about the skirt. I did not put the button tab on the back of the jacket. The pattern is a Palmer/Pletsch classic fit and has lots of fitting tips on the guide sheet. I did not have any fitting issues with this pattern, but for someone else, there is lots of instructions on how to make whatever adjustments you may have. I see it's hard to photo black. I should take this outside, not Leena (my dress form) LOL!

New Look 6788

I made View D the coat. It's unlined with simple lines. Details on the neck edge has band facings that are top-stitched with one large button for closure. I used a gabardine fabric that came from my stash. I did not like how the pockets came out. I ususally have no issues with pockets placed like these as they're just simple patch pockets, but I think the side seams are too angled out from the line of the placement (if that makes sense). I will wear this over a simple sleeveless dress or with a top & slacks during the early fall when the temperatures begin to drop. And later probably make the shorter jacket version that has the flap details on the outside for its pocket.

Simplicity 4273

This is the top from S4273. I've had this complete for over a month. It was very easy to make. Fabrics that are 60" wide, it takes less than a yard. The pattern has a dress version also. I will probably make the top in a solid next time and also make the dress and jacket. The arm-holes and neck openings have bias tape instead of facings and there is a side-zipper opening.

I am currently working on McCalls 5335 which has been cut out for over a year. The skirt was done on Saturday and the jacket perhaps tonight. I know I promised the pictures of the completed projects and which should be posted by tomorrow.

Spiegel Fall 2008

On the recommendation of Faye I ordered the Spiegel Fall 2008 catalog. She was so right about the ideas inside. I ordered one for my daughter who was on the phone while I was looking through it oooing & aahing! She was driving home and wanted to turn around and come over, LOL!!

Lots of ideas in it for fall. http://www.spiegel.com/ and click request a catalog.

Just A Quick Post

I know I promised to show photos from my last completed projects. I took photos but I don't like them so I have to do it over and hopefully post by tomorrow.

Also, I received an email from Butterick about their current BMV sale. The coat by Connie Crawford B5262 is made up on a 'real person'. I never considered buying one of her patterns until now. I think it is so cute!! (sorry I couldn't crop out all the other stuff on the side of the picture). What do you think?

Another question came to mind! I went to the store last weekend to buy interfacing because I was about to run out. You know if you don't have enough of the right one it can put a delay in your sewing progress. Do any of you buy it online, if so, where do you get yours? Thanks

Latest Contests on Pattern Review!

I entered the Sewing for Babies/Kids and the Pattern Stash contests both beginning yesterday. I have several things in the lineup for entries in both contests. Currently, I'm completing projects that I just want to get out of the way.
I would have sewn up lots over the holiday weekend but my youngest daughter came home and so I didn't get a lot done (can't really blame her though, hehehe!)
It's 93 degrees (so it says on the TV) but in my van on the way home, it said 95 and the a/c was on high!!
Gotta run now, but I'll be back to share photos of what I've completed.

Vogue 8473 - Complete

I've finally completed this project. I wore the dress today (without the jacket). Here's my review:

Pattern Description: Lined, semi-fitted jacket with darts in front and back, notched collar and lapels, back slit opening, two-piece sleeves with slit opening and button closing. Fitted, lined, sleeveless dress with pleated upper front, princess seams, slightly flared, back zipper closing and mid-knee length.

Pattern Sizing:AA(6-8-10-12), EE(14-16-18-20)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?Yes. The pattern is rated easy but I think a beginner might feel intimidated by all the work involved in making this garment. So an advanced beginner could probably do this because of the lining of the dress and jacket.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I like the dress. For the jacket, I'm gonna have to go back and stitch the neck edge. The instructions did not include that step, just a lot of understitching. (This is why I didn't wear the jacket because the lining shown around the neck edge and I did not notice this during construction).

Fabric Used:Rayon linen.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?Perhaps. I like the both the jacket and dress and if I were to make it again, it would be in a different fabric. Something more for casual wear. The fabric I used is for something I'd wear to church (which I did) or out to a special dinner.

Conclusion: I enjoyed working on this project. It was a lot of work though but I like the finished pieces.

I'm not sure what my next project is going to be. I have a few more I'd like to finish up before summer is over. Although next weekend is Labor Day and kind of an official end to the summer season (not calendar wise or weather either though) I am sure we will still have a few hot & humid days ahead and I'll still want to enjoy my cool attire. LOL! Also, I'm still in the process of cleaning out my closets and the things that I make up in the next few days or weeks, will be for next summer, even if I only get to wear them once.

Pantone's Fall Color Forecast

The link below is a Pantone's color report for Fall 2008. I know, I said I was holding off on thinking about Fall for as long as possible. But the colors are rich, vibrant, and exciting to look forward to. LOL Check it out!
http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/PANTONE-FCR-F08-f.pdf

Hooray Good News!

Today, off to Joann's I go in search of fabric that I purchased last year in the clearance section. Lo and behold, I was able to buy the exact fabric to cut the two pattern pieces that actually needed four instead of just the two I had cut! There was enough on that bolt to make my current outfit and probably something else! It is unbelievable that I could still get the exact fabric and this was in the clearance section! I started to wait until Friday when the clearance fabrics are 50% off, but did not want to take that chance! It would just have been my luck to not find it at all had I waited.
Now to finish up! LOL

Currently Working On...

I am working on Vogue 8473 in a coral rayon-linen type fabric purchased from Joann's red tag section last year. I did make a mistake however, in not cutting out 4 pieces where it clearly indicates such on the two pattern pieces that are used as facings on the bottom of the jacket front & back. Right now, I am not in a panic mode as I still saw some of the fabric when I last visited the store. I know, unbelievable, right! I'll post on what happens as I have another idea of how to complete my jacket if I can't find a little more of this fabric. YIKES!!

A Few New Patterns!

In the mail this week to add to my pattern collection, Vogue 1062 and 8524. Also, My Notions sent an email that they had a pattern sale, 12 for $12 plus two free! I did not see anything in that category so I checked out their other section which were priced around $4.20 apiece and this is what I got from that. I read somewhere that Neue Mode was discontinuing their pattern production. There is a company in Downers Grove, IL called Sullivan's and I think it was the only place in the US that distributed the patterns for sale when they became unavailable at Hancocks and Vogue Fabrics. They reminded me of Burda because when I first discovered this pattern line years ago, they had no seam allowances and their styles were more on point than the Big 4. (to me). So that's what I have added to my ever growing pattern collection.