Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Not a Bad Start to 2011...

13 garments (23 yards of fabric) got made this month!
1 for a client (Betzina Sweater Vest), 6 for the kids (2 dresses & 4 pj pants), and 6 for me.
I never showed you the first item of the month, my brown plaid skirt using Simplicity 2512.
Misses Skirts
View C
I started in on New Year's Eve, and really like it except for 2 things...  It's a little too short and a little too tight.  Oops... Time to hit the treadmill!
In my opinion, the pattern runs a little bit small (and is unlined), but I wasn't the best behaved over the holidays, so maybe I should take the blame! I had about 1 1/4 yds of this fall wool/flannel sitting in my stash for a long time, and never would've dreamt that it would be enough for this skirt! I paired it with a rust colored top (Simplicity 4020) that I made at the end of December, and it's a great match!
My most recent accomplishment is another pair of TNT pants ("Threads" pants pattern Simplicity 4135) using some lovely grey wool blend twill (Gorgeous Fabrics) I bought grey and brown, but now I see only the tan is left.  They just need the waistband and a hem, but they're nearly done, too! The wool is a wonderful "transitional" weight that will carry me through winter, into spring!
Can I say how much I love having my dressform, not only for fitting (tissue fitting was never an option before), but now I don't have to get all done up for a photo shoot! Woo hoo!
 My "Vintage Sew Along" pieces also fall into the "nearly done" group, as the skirt has some fitting issues and the dress just needs to be lined. Maybe today's "Snow Day" will allow me to get that done... The dress is so lovely, and the polka dot fabric I found on ebay is perfect.  Really excited to wear this in warmer weather!
The Communion dress is all cut out, but I'm taking my time on construction.  I really want it to be perfect, and don't want to rush through, or get frustrated.  I work on it a little here and a little there, which keeps me productive! See how my "helper" keeps busy while keeping me company?
Practicing taking a "self-portrait" with the camera!
My last "accomplishment" is really ridiculous.  I'm proud to say that I've not purchased any "fashion fabric" all month! I've bought only a few linings (I don't stash linings), and of course took advantage of the Atlanta Thread sale, but NO NEW FABRICS.  I managed to sew over 20 yards just from my stash, and bet that I can do it for another month (or more).  Crazy, but the great thing is that I'm using what I own and it looks great.  My "wish list" is definitely in existence (knit denim and some of that tan wool), but I'm really trying to thin the stash first.  Ann: I saw the 20% Today Only Sale.  La la la la la.... I can't hear you!!! Yeah right, who am I kidding! ;)

February will hopefully bring some nice cotton button-down blouses, a few nice winter dresses, and I should really sew something up for DH.  He's the only one that didn't get anything new out of me in January, and has had to deal with all that nasty, cold, white stuff outside!

10 comments:

Cennetta said...

Wow. You've accomplished a lot in one month. The skirt and top look great together.

Amanda S. said...

You go girl! And, I LOVE the skirt. I wasn't to excited about the other view, and completely missed the one with the ruffly flounce. But now I am definitely picking up that pattern! Being inspired to make a pattern I never looked twice at is what I find so fun about the sewing blog community!

Lori said...

You have been very busy, your skirt is so cute.

KID, MD said...

You had a great month! I love that skirt. Another pattern to add to the 'to buy' list, you Enabler, you!

Anita (Summer Gypsy) said...

I love the skirt with the little flounce. Very cute. And wow, you've been prolific. Good for you!!!

Dharma said...

I like the skirt. The top looks great with it. Congrats on your January sewing accomplishments! I need to get a move on!!

Highland Monkey's said...

Can't believe you made all that in one month...wow! Excellent.

Big in Japan said...

I'm impressed! That's a lot completed in a month. My machines haven't even been removed from their cases since before the holidays.

Bunny said...

What a great month to look back on and appreciate. Its really nice that you shared it all with us. I can't wait to see what February brings!

Gail said...

That is quite a production line. Love the skirt and the pants are coming on nicely too.