MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Merry Christmas!

PLEASE VOTE!

This is not a blog on sewing today.  I am very happy that Election Day is almost here.  I know many have already voted and for those of us who have not, Please Don't Neglect to Vote on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.  I like a great number of people am sick of the Ads and everything related to the Election but I will not IGNORE My Constitutional Right to cast my ballot.

 

 

Until Next Time.

Some Fall favorites

I have not posted in a while...been quite busy....Not sewing, unfortunately but hopefully soon.  I have been looking through all of the magazines and have been noticing some things. 

Suits are some of my favorite garments to make. They look sharp and pulled together without much effort. You can mix the pieces in order to stretch your wardrobe. So happy they are making a comeback, although some would say they never stop wearing them.

Loving the boxy coat trend as well.  The blue and camel coats are two of my favorites.  I have pulled out all of the outerwear fabrics in my stash and trying to decide which one to make first. I have this beautiful hunter green mix of wool and something else, not sure, but great for a coat.  I have a couple of Vogue patterns I am looking at and will decide tonight which one I want to make.

As always, Happy Sewing!

Classes

I have been a little overwhelmed with work and other things over the past month and have not posted very much.  Hopefully that will change soon. I celebrated by 56th birthday on yesterday....Happy Birthday to me!  It was a beautiful pre-fall day.  Went to church then to watch my granddaughter cheer at her team's football game (they lost).  The icing on the cake was Serena Williams winning her 4th US Open title.  I am a great Serena fan, just in case you have not noticed.  Also my Dallas Cowboys won their opener against the NY Giants so it has been a good sports weekend for me.  Took the day off from work to continue my birthday celebration, I plan on making a pair of pants for work and my three classes begin today as well....This is turning out to be a busy September...nevertheless, I look forward to the beginning of Fall....my favorite season of all...Grateful for the 30 degree change in the temperature.....Make this a great week...

As always, happy sewing!

Happy Blogiversary To Me!

It is officially my one year blolgiversary.  I did not have that many posts as blogging takes some adjusting.  I had thoughts of quitting but remembered that I somewhat like doing it.  I have enjoyed reading other's blogs and follow quite a few on a regular basis (I check most daily) so I think I will keep plugging away at it.  I am going to make some changes, although I do not know entirely what they will be.  I have to purchase myself a new camera, that will be my number one goal and may change the look. I really don't know other than I will make some changes. 

Thankful for the 16 followers of my blog and your comments throughout my year.  Thank you to Sheila @CTK and Faye @Faye's Sewing Adventure for your positive comments. Looking forward to another year and hopefully many more posts.

Gotta get going and get ready for church.  As always, Happy Sewing!

Summer Musings 2012

Before the summer began I had great plans of all the sewing I was going to complete. Did that happen, you may ask?   NOPE!  I did do some sewing but not a great deal, had some wonderful thoughts of creations that are still waiting to be made.  I am going to make a few more summer things before it is all said and done, but really I am ready to do the fabric shuffle thing...put away spring and summer and move on to fall and winter. I do this dance each year and I still never tire of it. I believe one would call me a true sewist. I absolutely love my fabrics and each year that I do this dance I am so full of joy when I pull out the seasons fabrics and see things I had forgotten about and it is almost like Christmas....I get so excited and my sewing mojo is revived and I start with a bang but fizzle shortly thereafter.  I am going to try to develop me a plan or a SWAP as it better known.  Hopefully I will be able to stick to it as my goal is to increase my wardrobe with only me made things.  I have not purchased very many things this summer and have been wearing something made by me almost daily.  Very proud of that fact for at one time in my life I wore nothing but what was made by me.  I aim to get back to that point because the fit is better and I get just what I want.

So my question to you is..What is your fabric ritual each season?  Do you leave all of your fabric out all year long or do the fabric shuffle?

As always, Happy Sewing!

Day Off Sewing

I had a free day off from work because I worked the 4th of July so I took advantage of it.  Had a few items that I had previously cut out and decided I would whip them up pretty quickly. All three were easy to make.

Vogue 9928 is my TNT for a pencil skirt.  I have pinned a number of pencil skirts on Pinterest that I have been wanting.  I really like the printed skirts and it is an easy way to add color to your wardrobe.
I made view A and took a page from Carolyn @diary of a sewing fanatic by underlining the skirt and I love the way it turned out. The fabric is a cotton blend purchased at Joann's and the underlining is something I had in my stash that worked quite well.

I also made Vogue 8815 View A, the popular peplum top.  I really love this pattern and am already planning on making it again out of some type of knit fabric.  The fabric used above is a cotton I picked up at Joann's and I exposed the zipper teeth in the back to give it a little something extra.  I normally use invisible zippers for everything. 

The navy pants were made from Butterick B5222, by Connie Crawford. I like the fit of these pants in the hip area. The width and length I play with as I have made this pattern about 4 times.  I have shortened and reduced the width in the legs to get a more skinny pant look before.  This time I reduced the width and made these more of  cigarette pant length.  The fabric is a bottomweight but has a percentage of spandex.  I believe I purchased this fabric at Walmart about 5 or 6 years ago.

I am going to get someone with a better camera to take pictures of me in these items and post at another time.  I didn't want to stop sewing but had do some other things before going back to work tomorrow.

Well it is getting late and I am winding down.  Everyone have a productive Hump Day.
As always, Happy Sewing.

New Additions

About two weeks ago I was on a mission. I wanted to make the popular McCalls 6559 maxi dress and was able to complete 2 which I absolutely love.

 The purple paisley knit was purchased from Metro Textiles earlier this year (02/12) when I visited NYC with a girlfriend and her sons.  Every blog that I follow have made this dress and commented the same thing,  easy pattern to make.  I made fabric facings on mine instead of folding the fabric inside and sewing it down.  I like the way that the facings look on both dresses.  I cut the 16 but graded it down to a 14 in the bust area.

The second dress is sort of an southwestern striped pattern.  It is also a knit fabric that was purchased at Joann Fabrics. 

I also completed a UFO that was started a number of years ago and I put it down because it was way too big.  The pattern, Vogue 1046 called for a Crepe de Chine, Batiste or Lightweight Broadcloth but of course I made it out of a knit that I purchased at Joann's.  I decided to take it apart and cut it smaller and remake it.  I made the size 14.  The dress was very easy to make and I probably will not make it again as I have quite a few others that I want to make.

I was very happy with the end results and it wore very nicely.  It has been extremely hot in NY state so I have been trying to stay cool. 

As always, Happy Sewing!

Congratulations, Serena Williams, Wimbledon 2012 Champion

I could not concentrate on sewing this morning as I was so into watching the Ladies' Wimbledon finals.  Serena Williams won but she put me through the ringer.  Felt like I had just run on the treadmill in that second set, but true to form she came back and aced away in the third and final set.

Now, maybe I can get back to what I had planned on today, Sewing!

Way to go Serena, now you have 5 like your sister Venus. 

Happy sewing!

Happy Birthday America!

Happy July 4th, 2012 Everyone.  I am stuck at work for the day so I am missing most of the festivities.  Proud of the fact that we live in a country where we are free to choose.  Thank God for his blessing and protection of America. 

Enjoy your day!

Missing in Action

I have been a little overburdened with many tasks as of late.  I have been reading the blogs I follow but not posting. I have even done some sewing but the camera I had has completely lost it and I have to purchase a new one.  Will however take a few pictures from my phone and post them later.  I have a question that has been troubling me for sometime.  Each time I use my double needle and get half way through what I am hemming my thread tangles and I end up with a mess. 

What do you all do when you use your double needle to?  Got any tips?

As always happy sewing

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of my followers and to the mothers of the blogs I follow.
Enjoy your special day!

Starting at the Top Challenge

I am excited as I just completed my first challenge since becoming a blogger.  Many Thanks to Faye @Faye's Sewing Adventure.  I was able to complete 6 tops and am very excited and motivated.  Looking forward to many more exciting challenges as well as creating additional garments to add to my wardrobe.

Here are pictures of the tops I made. As always, Happy Sewing!

Busy Busy Busy

I have been a little busy this month.  Trying to complete my two classes by 4/27/12...Yeah... I am also participating in a 15 day sewing challenge with some fellow sewists.  Having a great time.  I will post pictures of the tops at the end of the challenge 4/15/12.  Hope everyone had a great Easter weekend.

As always, Happy Sewing.

Color Blocked Dress

The color looks like two variations of pink but it is not.  My camera is really not taking very good pictures.  The top is red crepe and the bottom is a tangerine crepe fabric. The colors actually look real good together.  It is a self drafted pattern.  I made the dress for a fashion show I am doing later this summer.

The wrong side of the dress really shows the colors as they truly are. This picture was taken on the close up setting.  I'm not sure what setting I took the first picture on.

I am not preparing for the Top Challenge with Faye of Faye's Sewing Adventure.  The challenge begins tomorrow.  One top a day for 15 days.  I am really looking forward to the challenge.

As always, Happy Sewing!

I'm Up For The Challenge

I am so excited.  I can hardly contain myself.  I jumped on the challenge sponsored by Faye's Sewing Adventure....1 top a day for 15 days beginning April 1, 2012. I have been busy pulling out the fabrics and patterns that I want to sew.  This is a great opportunity for me to increase my spring wardrobe through tops and this is the first challenge I have opted to participate in. 

I have also been busy going through all of my fabric bins and cleaning them out.  I would love to change my sewing room and display all of my fabrics like Carolyn of Diary of a sewing fanatic.  Maybe Later....

I have about 5 more weeks and I will be done with school for the term.  I am not taking any summer classes, will resume in the fall.  I am going to take that time to do some sewing. 

Will be posting pics of the fabrics that I will be using for the challenge.

As always, Happy Sewing!

Spring Sewing

Well today it was 27 degrees when I came to work, mind you, we are suppose to be up to 60 degrees on tomorrow.  I am so ready for some color.  I have been browsing the magazines for their Spring favorites and color is popping up everywhere.  I have also been to some of my favorite web sites and checked them out as well.  I was particularly impressed with this one from Rachel Roy.  I am finding that I like her style asthestic.  It suits my age and preference for nice clean lines with just a little flair.  She is also using a lot of color.  I have to tell you, I grew up being afraid of color, I generally stuck with black, brown and navy.  I feel like color is trying to break out of me at this point.  I can't wait to get home and do a little sewing.  I am going to do a mini wardrobe for myself using Vogue 8799.  I really like the jacket the best. I am so inspired by one blog that I follow everyday, Carolyn @ Diary of a Sewing Fanatic.  I so enjoy her blog and all of the wonderful items she makes.  I am going to make a jacket, skirt, pants, dress and blouse.  I have been watching her and it just makes so much sense.  I am a very busy woman and would like to grow my wardrobe the correct way.  So thank you Carolyn for your inspiration.

Sorry I was unable to post the picture of Rachel Roy's pastels.  My computer is not cooperating at the moment.


As always, Happy Sewing.

Visited Mood Fabrics

I have been very busy with the two History classes I am currently taking and have not done much sewing. I have participated in two fashion shows with garments previously made.  I went to  NYC over the weekend and visited Mood Fabrics, Metro Textiles and Ebad Fabrics....First time for all the fabric stores.  It was awesome and a little overwhelming.  I did not need any fabric as most sewists don't, but I purchased 6 pieces in total, one stretch trigger from Mood, 2 rayons and 1 knit from Metro Textiles and 3 cottons from Ebad Fabrics.  I am certain I could have done more damage but as it stands, I already own enough fabric to start a small fabric store of my own.  Had a wonderful but brief time in the Big Apple.  Hope to visit again sometime soon.  Working on a couple of dresses for myself.....(Finally)
As always, Happy Sewing.

Computer Issues

I am posting from work.  My laptop has a few issues at the moment.  Taking it in to get looked at later.  I am doing some sewing.  Working on some looks for a fashion show at a friend's daughter's school. One down and 11 to go.  I will do posts and pictures later.  I wanted to post something for the start of February.  My goal is to post at least once a week.

Congratulations to the New York Giants!  Not my favorite team, (Dallas Cowboys) but in my favorite conference (NFC)....

As always, Happy Sewing!

Sewing for my oldest daughter OD

It seems as though I have been very busy in the sewing cave for everyone but myself.  I have done a number of alterations and still have some remaining.  My oldest daughter has been bugging me to make her a duvet cover.  I finally completed it and 2 pillow shams and 2 pillow cases.  I also made her a onesie so she can keep warm is the cold of Atlanta (LOL)  It feels great to check that off my list.  My youngest daughter will be home to visit in a couple of weeks and I have some things to complete for her....She is not as pushy as her big sis, which is great for Mom.    I have a niece that is getting married this year and I received part of her fabric to make her wedding gown.  I look forward to that since it is only the gown that I am making.  This year appears to have gotten off to a great start as far as sewing is concerned.

Here is the picture of the duvet cover, shams, cases and onesie.

As always, Happy Sewing!

Seeing Dots

One of my dear friends needed(wanted) a new dress for an event she is attending.  She is one of two of my girlfriends that purchase fabric and patterns regularly and don't sew.  She does however know what she likes and I am glad about that fact.  The affair is titled "The Black and White Ball"  a yearly event she has attended.  Of course she needs something new to wear and I get the honor of making it for her.  I don't mind as she is a dear friend and very agreeable.  With all of that being said, she described what she wanted, I told her how many yards of fabric, underlining and lining as well as the length of the zipper and she went right out and purchased everything from Joann's.  I don't really know the content of the fabric but it was easy to sew but does not like anything over the nylon setting on the iron.  I burned the left side of the back and underlining fabric once and had to re-cut them...Glad I learned that fact early in the construction.  She described what she wanted and I came up with a pattern which I think came out quite well.
You guys can be the judge.
As always, happy sewing!

New Beginnings for a New Year

Happy New Year!

I look forward to 2012.  A new year to share new sewn items and ideas.  A new year to create new designs and stretch myself creatively.  I really relaxed throughout the holidays and feel rejuevenated and ready to roll.  I have a couple of projects already for 2012 and look forward to creating some fabulous garments.  Can't wait to share.

As always, Happy Sewing!