Strip

I don't do much quilting, I just don't have the patience for it.  When the urge (or need) strikes, I reach for a strip piecing pattern.  It's quick, it's easy, and I like it.  No brainer sewing, sometimes you just need it.  6 of the 7 quilts I've sewn have been strip pieced.  The 8th one (later this year, for my son) will be strip pieced, too!

The fabric and pattern were purchased while we were camping in June 2009, in East Tawas.  It was all bought with this exact intention, a quilt of patriotic, Navy, and Fire Fighting fabrics for DH.  The pattern is "Strip Stacks" from G.E. Designs, which has quite a selection of strip quilts.  I whipped up the top of the quilt the weekend before Christmas, and completed the "layering" part of it today, with the batting and binding and all.  I will still add some actual "quilting", I'm just letting the ideas marinate while I decide how to best use those empty white spaces.

We've got stars, stripes, anchors, rope knots, fire trucks, maltese crosses... the only fabric the store didn't have was a motorcycle print!  This one is a lap sized quilt, for the couch at home or the recliner at the fire station.  My next quilt will be more of the fire dept. theme, too.  Little Man's room is decorated that way, and when he was a baby, his crib sheet had that motif.  I'll be cutting his crib sheet, and joining it with other fabrics to make a twin-size quilt for his big boy bed.  I did one for my daughter, using her old butterfly crib sheets, and it turned out great.  Something she'll have forever, from when she was a baby.  All together now... awwwwwww.....

In other news, the muslin of the Communion dress is done, and fits perfectly.  Just a few inches off the hem, so we're ready to dive into the real fabric.  I'll post pics of the muslin and details of my plan later this week. 

Lastly, tomorrow is my 37th birthday.  I'm lucky enough to have the day off work, so I'm looking forward to spending the day relaxing! Hope you all also have a great day!

Here, There, Everywhere

That's where I've been in my sewing room... working on stuff here, there, and everywhere!

Here: Excited that my dressform arrived so quickly, so DH and I assembled her that night! Thank goodness for YouTube, because she didn't come with any instructions, and that's where we found the video showing how to assemble her!  I took some quilt batting and wrapped her waist and hips to match my measurements, which works great and didn't cost me a dime! Grabbed an old bra (of the right size) and filled it up to match my bust measurement, so now... she's matches me perfectly! And as I lose weight, I can unwrap the batting to slim her down.  (Bonus: my kids have had hours of fun with the big empty box. Sitting in it, drawing on it, standing it up... look, it's a boat!  It's an elevator!  It's a balance beam!)



I will say that seeing yourself first-hand is a very eye-opening experience.  Once I had her figure matching mine I thought, "Whoa.  Am I really that size?" (Or, "Man! Are my boobs really that big?") I'll just say that Bo has been a big "motivator" for me on the diet and exercise front this week!

There: Got lots of loose ends tied up in the sewing space in the last few days, with the end of the embroidered sweatshirts and a sweatervest that a colleague ordered.  I wore mine to work, and she loved it, asking if I could make her one in blues and purples.  I searched high and low for a lightweight, drapey sweaterknit in those colors, and found this one at Emma One Sock.  Having never ordered from her before, I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was wonderful.  Wish I had ordered twice as much to make one for myself!

It's the Vogue "Sandra Betzina" pattern (1124), and here is my version from about the fall of 2009.

It only takes a few hours to make, is basically a big rectangle with holes for arms, and requires zero fitting.  Perfect to make for someone else and earn some "fun money" while I'm at it!

Everywhere:  I made up my "wearable muslin" for the Vintage Sew Along and learned a couple of things.

1.  Don't grab coral linen in the winter.  It makes you yearn for spring very, very badly.

2.  Winging it through a vintage pattern is very, very different from winging it through a modern pattern.

The fit is nearly good, just about an inch too big in the waist.  But, boy oh boy, it is way too long! The picture above is with the hem allowance pinned up and it's still a few inches too long.  I've decided to shelf this just for a little while, since spring is a ways off and hopefully by then, Bo and I will be a closer match (without the batting)!  Seems silly to take it in twice, especially when the pocket placement will be effected.

Next Up:  The communion dress muslin needs to be made up, as I'm sure it will be April before I know it.  I've been playing with my train, strategizing the placement of the lace motifs, and decided that I want the big one on the center back to also be placed on the center back of her dress.  There's already a seam there, so I'm thinking I'll be able to open it up and place the zipper there still.  We'll see...

Just Checking In...

I've have lots of sewing to do, so I can't waste any time! A very quick update:

1.  My dress form arrived Friday (purchased on ebay Tuesday, shipped from New Jersey) and she is AWESOME! I ordered a size 10, thinking that there is absolutely no way in my lifetime that I will ever be smaller than 36 - 27 - 37.  I am currently 39 - 31 - 43, so I'm ordering the Fabulous Fit padding kit today.

2.  She isn't named yet. Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm debating between "Veroninica" and "Bo".  Veronica, as in the "Archie" comic book character, who is the best friend of Betty, and who is described as, "tall, slender and attractive with long black hair. Veronica favors expensive, up-to-the-minute fashion" by wikipedia.  Don't ask me how it popped into my head, but it did.

She's cute, and I have long dark hair with those bangs.  Youthful forever? I'll take it.

"Bo" is because my dress form is perfect 10.  Ten.  Get it? The movie, "Ten", with Bo Derek.

But, I'm not a blond, and I don't have cornrows, and if I ever look that good in a swimsuit, I most certainly won't be a size 10!

But, I do have to say, the woman is timeless.  She was 23 when the movie was shot in 1979, and here she is now, 31 years later at the age of 54.



I want to look this good at 54!  I'm turning 37 in a week, and that feels old already!  Which leads me to...

3. My muscles and bones are aching and creaking today.  With an upcoming tropical trip, I'm back on the fitness bandwagon again, and worked out extra hard yesterday.  2 lbs gone, so maybe I'll have a pic like Bo's to post in a few months! I'm looking at the "Couch to 5k" program, so we'll see...

Ok, so I'm headed downstairs to finish the sweatshirt orders, take pics of my "Vintage Sew Along" skirt, and get one other "paying job" out of the way.  Catch you later!  So much for a quick and brief post...

Does This Make Me "Professional"?

After much research and inner debate, I took the plunge and ordered her!
Thanks for your advice and feedback, it really did give me food for thought.  I ended up "Making an Offer" on ebay for this full body form (plus an arm) from Roxy Display.  Their seller name on ebay is "dressformmall", and they quickly answered my question, and fairly quickly replied to my offer.  It was listed for $330 + $50 shipping, so I made an offer.  Then another. Then another.  Then got kicked off ebay (apparently there's a "3 strikes and you're OUT" rule with making offers), and re-registered and made my winning bid of $300.  Still paying shipping, but I saved $30, so I'm very, very happy.  I may still order the Fabulous Fit kit from amazon to make her perfectly me, but I want to get her home first.  Between this and my gravity feed iron, I'm feeling pretty powerful in the sewing studio these days!

I'm so EXCITED!!! Next task is to think of a name for her...

Dressform Help, Please?

My birthday is coming, and I'm trying to decide how to spend my gift money.  Wanna help?

Silly question, right?

My parents bought my dressform for me when I was in high school.  She's an adjustable model from Joann's and she does an okay job.  She's smaller than me though, and I've been giving some thought to replacing her.

Super Conservative Route:  Fabulous Fit makes a padding system that would allow me to not only make her a better match to my dimensions, but also transform her into a pinnable dressform, so that I could learn more about draping (a New Year's resolution).  Upside: Lowest cost ($85 total).  Downside: No arms/legs/butt.

Which leads me to my first question: How important are arms and legs on mannequins?  I make lots of tops, but not lots of pants.  I'm really not sure how badly I "need" these parts...  thoughts???

Conservative Route:  A 3/4 body dress from would allow me to do pants, and I could always add an arm.  Fabulous Fit sells one, but the price she gave me on the phone seemed a little bit high, with the padding system to make her perfectly me.  Shipping alone is $84.  Or... a new half-body dress form with arms.  Pinnable, and an improvement... but how much different is this from what I have?  Again, how important are body parts, like arms and legs, on mannequins???

The Opposite of Conservative Route: A full body form.  2 legs, add an arm.  $400 for the whole shebang.  A wonderful addition to the sewing space, but will it make me a better seamstress?  I can get lots of other things for that amount, like classes, tools, books, etc.  One more time, everybody sing along... HOW IMPORTANT ARE ARMS AND LEGS ON A DRESS FORM?????

So, help a girl out.  There's no rush, so I'm going to continue to research and check out all my options.  The level-headed angel on my shoulder says, "Get the padding system, and make the most of what's already working for you."  The devil on the other side (wearing a fabulous red one-shouldered, sequined number) says, "It will make you a professional.  It will make you smile.  Why not?"

What say you?

2 New Tops and BIG PLANS!

Sorry, no pics. Yes, I know, I've broken commandment #1 of sewing bloggers: Thou shalt post pictures.

No work = No make-up, so there.  Deal with it.  I'll get some pics taken soon, promise.

DH has been fighting pneumonia since this holiday break started a week before Christmas, and he's doing much better, but still not 100%.  I've been taking the kids downstairs so he can nap and recuperate, so I've been able to finish these tops that I started weeks ago!

Butterick 5497

Simplicity 4020 - OOP

Both knits came from Gorgeous fabrics, and are wonderfully soft with the nicest drape.  I'll get lot of use out of these colors (ivory and cinnamon), and am toying with the idea of whipping up a skirt in a coordinating plaid that was in the stash.  We'll see how productive the next couple days are...

I've got the "Vintage Sew Along" brewing in the back of my mind, and have had some trouble choosing a pattern.  I really wanted to make up this one, as I love these tops!

But, it's a 32 bust (ha ha ha, isn't that hilarious?), and as I was trying to grade the pattern up to the right size, I realized that I already own this pattern, which has the same neckline.  And, I got a pleating board for xmas, so I want to try that out instead of the gathering along the front placket.

This skirt pattern is (nearly) the perfect size, so I'd like to start with it, and get warmed up with the whole vintage idea, as I've never made one up before.  Yes, I am a chicken...

If that all goes well, I'll dive into this lovely 50's era Patt-O-Rama.  It'll have to wait to be worn until summer, but that's okay.  I'm currently on the hunt for a cute polka dot fabric, just like in the picture...

Meanwhile, I have 2 projects on the table all cut out and ready to go.  A pair of grey wool trousers for work, and a new dress for Little Miss Princess.  I'm really trying to get these UFO's done before I cut out anything else new!  You can quit laughing now, really...

Each Man's Life...

"Each man's life touches so many other lives." -Clarence the Angel, It's a Wonderful Life

Thank you so much for your friendship, kindness, and support throughout the year.  Until I "met" you, I felt like a lonely "sewing geek".  Your passion and skill for this craft keep my inspired and challenged, and now I feel like part of a community.  Thank you for helping me share, question, and plan aloud, because your feedback helps move me forward. I'm really looking forward to actually meeting more of you this year, whether it is via your comments and emails, sharing of your blogs, or actually meeting you face-to-face!  It's really amazing how the technology of the internet has allowed all of us to come together, sharing laughter and tears, joys and sorrows, even though we are miles and miles apart.

Ok, enough of the mushy stuff... on to the goodies!

In the "Giving Department" this year, I ended up doing far more crafting than I anticipated.  All 3 of these projects came up just in the last week, which makes me pat myself on the back a little.

Apparently, the kids with "M" names were pretty naughty this year, as there was a surplus of these stockings at Target, but no "D" stockings were anywhere to be found!?  One kid's stocking was all set, but the other one was gonna take a little work.

So, I removed about 2/3 of the beads from the "M", and restitched them on to form the "D" I needed.  I was very grateful for grabbing the "M" to re-do, as it gave me lots of beads to work with.  It may not look perfect, but she is happy, so I am happy!

Also, my father-in-law is an avid mechanic, so DH had a great idea to pick up a Dickie work shirt, and add some embroidery.  He was thrilled to get his very own customized, personalized "wrenching" shirt!  The twill I've been using on the Vera Bradley sweatshirts came in super-handy on this!

Lastly, I warned you last Friday that I had decided to take on a last-minute, Top Secret project for DH.  It nearly got finished... but was "done" enough to wrap and put under the tree.

I just need to put the top together with the batting and backing, and he'll have a lap quilt to keep him warm, on duty or off.  The fabrics are various patriotic, Navy, Fire Dept. prints.  He's always said, "You made everyone else a quilt except for me!" So, now... he can't say that anymore!

In the "Receiving Department", I was happy to get a new Kai Rotary Cutter, a pleating board, and a grip handle for my clear ruler.  But, I was absolutely thrilled to open this:

A Consew gravity feed iron!  I never thought I'd be so happy to get a "domestic appliance" in my life!?  Anyone out there who owns one, feel free to drop me an email of tips and tricks of using it, as I am now scared and intimidated by the sheer weight of it!

Merry Christmas to all of you.  I'm wishing you a wonderful holiday with loved ones, making new memories, and cherishing the old family traditions.