Stash Projects 1 & 2

Simplicity 7030

Hubby has been waiting for me to make him something special (14 years, if you ask him!), so here is the first (of many) cotton shirt(s).

The pattern was great, I cut off the sleeves after he saw how the project was progressing and asked, "Can you make it short-sleeved so I can wear it sooner?" I adjusted the shirt length and sleeve length to his liking, and used a bargain cotton from JoAnn's for this "muslin". I will definitely be making this pattern again, the instructions were easy to follow, and the fit is good (chest/waist measurements were accurate). 2 yards of stash gone...

Vogue 8080

This is the second time making this pattern, and I don't think I'll do it again. There's way too much ease built in, and even after making the smaller size, it's still roomier than I would like. It's easy, doesn't require much fabric, hardly any notions, and was a one-nighter project. The fabric was a couple of remnants from JoAnn's (one for the front, one for the back), and I love batiks, so it's one reason I like this shirt. The biggest change I made was that the pattern called for 2 pieces of front and 2 pieces of back, and it ends up being lined, but I wanted a light and cool top, so I used 1 layer, and bias tape to finish the edges. I also used a strip of elastic on the back to keep covered-up. Another yard and a half of stash gone...

Parting Shot

Miss D had a birthday this weekend, and you'll never guess what I bought for her...

It's just a $20 Singer toy from JoAnn's, but it really does work! It can either chain-stitch or zig-zag, and runs on 2 D batteries. She has free-reign over my scrap bag, so we'll see what the future diva creates!

Simplicity 2912

When I saw this, I had to make it up for Miss D's birthday. I'm skipping the hat, which hopefully won't produce too many tears (from her, not me!). I'm sure it would be cute, but it so impractical. Who knows, maybe I'll have enough fabric leftover to pull it off, but I'm not making any promises...

I'm toying with the idea of embroidering large flower outlines on the skirt, to add another dimension. I want to do something to make it look less "home sewn".


Got the 2 cotton prints from our local quilting store. They wash up so beautifully that I don't mind paying a few extra dollars. And, the purchase earned me a $20 gift certificate for being a loyal customer, which I really like a lot, too. The blue with flowers will be the main skirt and top fabric, and the yellow polka dots will be the sash, ties, and flowers. The pattern calls for "pom poms" for the centers of the flowers, but I think I will try making a few of the "yo-yo's" I've seen outlined in the sewing magazines lately, instead. Everytime I see one, I can't help but think of Angela from Project Runway...

With school ending soon, it should be finished and posted in the next week or so.
**Keep your fingers crossed for me.**

On a stupid, but optimistic note, I entered the June/July Pattern Review Stash Contest. Optimistic side: It will encourage me to make some things that have been a long time coming.
Stupid side: I'm more excited to work with my newest fabrics, rather than my older stuff.
We'll just have to see what happens...

One of my favorite blogs to check lately is Summerset's "Pins & Needles". Being a mom and a wonderful sewist, I like to think I actually have things in common with her, but the truth is her talent is on a completely different (much, much higher) level than mine. She ends each blog with "parting shot", a picture of something not sewing related, which I like because it gives us a different view into her perspective and life. So, since imitation is supposed to be flattery, I'm stealing the idea, and doing it, too!

My Parting Shot:

Waking Beauty by Leah Wilcox and Lydia Monks is a book I've been reading to my daughter every day lately, and it makes me laugh. If you read to your kids, which you should, check it out. It's about a dense Prince Charming who can't figure out how to wake the sleeping Beauty, with a twist at the end. For any little girl who loves princesses, it's a must-read!

My Treasure

"When someone you love becomes a memory,

that memory becomes a treasure."

This Mother's Day, I find myself in deep reflection, as it is my first since Mom died. There's so much to say, I don't know where to start. I miss her laugh, and watching her do the weekend crossword puzzle. I miss her advice, and laughing as she made my kids laugh. I miss her hugs, and seeing the multiple bookmarks in her stack of books so she would know when she was more than halfway through a novel. I miss her praise, and seeing the pride in her eyes when I would tell her about my students, or "monsters" as she referred to them. I miss everything about her, even the stupid oxygen hose that ran throughout the house, a path to follow to find her when you entered.

She taught me so much. How to cut out a pattern using the least amount of fabric. How to make Thanksgiving stuffing. How to show up for every school play, show, or ceremony. How to always leave the house wearing lipstick. How to be a good wife. How to make a commitment, be responsible, and keep your word. How to treasure family. How to love your children. How to shoot pool. How to be a good listener.

Mom was a miracle, healed by the venerable Fr. Solanus when she was 9 months old and was failing to thrive. She believed in angels, collecting figurines, wearing them as reminders, carrying them in her purse. Today as I was shopping in Target, I saw a display of angels in various forms as Mother's Day gifts. I looked closely for the right one, and found a snowglobe with the wording, "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure." I treasure my memories of Mom, and know that she's watching over all of us daily. I know in my heart that she's still with us, and while I can't have a conversation with her or hold her, she is very aware of our daily trials, tribulations, and victories. She's cheering for us, laughing with us, keeping us safe, and smiling.

My mother's day gift this year was a garden statue of two children, a girl and younger boy seated on a bench, sharing a book. I cried when my husband gave it to me, because it reminds me of my children and I know how much Mom would've loved it. Another reminder of one more thing she instilled in us: a love of books. Knowing that my kids love to read reminds me that I can pass along the treasures Mom gave me, and hopefully someday my kids will be able to say I've taught them as well as my Mom taught me.

Happy Mother's Day to all.

Vogue 8196 - Fitted Blouse Contest

Okay, here goes nothing. My first contest entry!

The pattern was great, it was the fabric that created all the extra work. I used black organza for all my facing to prevent a double layer of polka dots showing through. It fits well, special thanks to my 4 year old daughter for taking my picture! Good job, sweetheart! Just so you know... I have never been more proud of a garment I've made. I could wear this sucker inside-out, all the seams are either serged or enclosed in facings, and my hand stitching is getting so good!

I hope you like it!

Vogue 8472 Jacket

Great design... easy to dress up or dress down, can be worn with lots of different pieces (jeans, dress, skirt, pants). The fabric is a wool suiting recently purchased at JoAnn Fabrics for 40% off, so even with the lining, it's a bargain!
I'm planning on beading the cuff end to add a little pizazz.

The pattern also has a dress included, but haven't got to that project yet!

February Challenges

My goal was to complete 4 projects, but these 2 were my only accomplishments!

The blouse is Simplicity 3535, a Project Runway pattern with sleeve modifications. I purchased the fabric at JoAnn's. It was a long process, placing the pattern pieces so the large stripes would occur at the hems of the sleeves and tunic, and matching stripes along the seams, but well worth it. I made a size smaller than the pattern called for because of the fullness of the blouse. Also, I had intended to have bell sleeves, but again, the fullness in the center with a full sleeve wasn't doing my body shape any favors, so I pleated the sleeve hem and decorated each side with 3 small buttons. I received many compliments when I wore it to work, so it must've turned out well, although I doubt I'll use the pattern again, as it really doesn't compliment my body shape.

The coat is Vogue 2988 made of wool I purchased at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, MI (Sept. 2007). The lining I bought at Haberman's in Royal Oak, as well as the buttons. This is the first "couture" garment I've ever made, as almost every seam is pressed open and hand-stitched down to reduce bulk. It is also fully interfaced with fusible knit interfacing. Another pain, as the pattern called for 60" wide interfacing which apparently doesn't exist in my corner of the world! I modified the sleeve here also, as it was rather short, and very wide! So I gathered the hem, and added a cuff, which makes it perfect.

Anyhow, I produced a couple of very well made garments this month. Oh, and I got to use my custom labels that DH bought me for Christmas (see top).

Another project in the works...

I saw this picture in a magazine, and fell in love with this jacket. I'm on the hunt to identify what type of leather it is, where I can buy it, and how much it will cost.

If you know any of these answers, feel free to clue me in!

I've got the pattern, but have never worked with leather before, so I could also use any tips for this project.