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!