Recovering and behind in school work

There has been some sewing going on but not much really. I had some outpatient surgery on 7/23 and all is well, recovering nicely but that among-st other things has placed me a little behind in my school work.  This week will be catch up as I only have 4 weeks remaining.  No stress, Right?

I did however make a dress on this morning to wear to church. McCall's 7121 made in a midi version with fabric purchased from Fine Fabrics in Atlanta last year.  I lined the bodice of the dress with a black tricot fabric I had in my stash.  To say I like this dress in an understatement. It wears really well and was extremely comfortable.

I matched the bodice stripes on purpose, did not have enough of the fabric to match the skirt but I still love it just the same.  I may make a couple more simple knit dresses before the summer ends but I am beginning to look towards the fall which is my absolute favorite time of the year.

I keep trying to post at least once or twice a month but have not been able to do so, hopefully I can add this to my list of things to do on a monthly basis. I've really got to get myself into a workable routine.

As always, Happy Sewing!

Sewing but not blogging

Where has the time gone? It is July already and I have been so busy. I am in school full time trying to complete a degree in History, lots of reading and writing.

Some sewing has been going on. I have made a number of things for myself but I'm only posting about the latest, McCalls 7121, the new maxi that everyone is making. I do love this dress and it was extremely easy to make. I made it from an ITY knit in my stash that was purchased from Fine Fabrics last year. I liked the pattern in the fabric and let it dictate pattern placement. Love the way it came out.

The two pics represent the front and back. I love black and white combos, so you know I loved this fabric from day one when I saw it at the fabric store. Just wanted to check in and hopefully get back to blogging more regularly.
As always, happy sewing.

Jumpsuits

I am having such a love affair right now with jumpsuits.  I have made three, two for my youngest daughter and one for a fashion show I participated in.  The two for my daughter were made out of Ankara fabric using Simplicity 1158.  The other self drafted but not shown in this posting.  I like they way they came out but will not see them on my daughter until next week when I visit her for the Easter holiday.  I purchased the mannequin from a store closing for only $20.00 bucks as she is missing her right arm.  I figured I could locate an arm at some point but she fits right in with the other dress-forms. 

I recently purchased a book on draping through Amazon. Waiting for it to arrive as I am writing this blog. Can't wait to get started reading and draping. Will post something regarding the book once it arrives. I've got many other projects on my plate at this moment and hope to blog again soon.

As always, Happy Sewing.

Ankara Prints

I have been sewing quite a bit here and there, not necessarily for myself .  I have been having a love affair with Ankara prints or African print fabric.  I have purchase quite a few yards from an online store out of NYC. I truly cannot get enough of them.  Lately I have been making separates that can be worn with other pieces already in your closets.  I love the way the prints almost look as though they are the neutral part of the garment.  I have been posting a great deal on Instagram and some Facebook pages that I belong to.  Trying to get back to posting regularly on the Blog.  I have been viewing everyone's blog through Bloglovin.  As always Happy Sewing.

Sewing but not posting

I have been doing a great deal of sewing for myself and others but have been to busy to post anything. I am currently completing a degree in History and have been taking 3 classes among many other things, so to say I have been busy is an understatement.  Currently in Atlanta visiting my oldest 2 children for the Thanksgiving holidays and going home on Sunday 12/7. I have certainly been visiting everyone else's blogs and having a great time seeing what everyone is making.

Here are some of the things I have been sewing for myself.

The pattern numbers for these items are McCall's 6991, 6844 and Vogue 8780  for the camel jacket made out of wool knit fabric and 8909 for the pants. The grey quilted knit is a circle skirt of which I used my waist and finished length measurements to make the skirt. The sequined top was made from sequined fabric in the front and a lightweight knit in the back, love this combination, the pattern is OOP.

As always, happy sewing.

Missing in Action

I feel as if I have been gone for sometime.  The Summer 2014 was quite busy for me. I completed a lot of First Moments.  I visited California for the first time and went to the US Open for the first time and both events were amazing.  I have been doing some sewing in between first moments.

I have started some fall sewing and have a number of items planned. It seems as though I am drawn to outerwear this year. I have purchased fabrics from Fabric.com and Moodfabrics.com, all relating to sweaters and coats.  I am absolutely loving the capes and coats that I have been seeing in the magazines and different websites I review.  Can't hardly wait for my fabric to arrive, some should be here today and later this week.

The picture that you are seeing was taken at a 50th birthday party for one of my dear friends. I have been having a love affair (for the lack of a better phrase) with the circle skirt.  I have made three for myself and one for my daughter.  Also taught another young lady how to make them.  The picture below is of my current circle skirt made out of a quilted faux leather purchased from JoAnn Fabrics.  I underlined the faux leather with a broadcloth because I did not want the quilted background of the faux leather to show. I must tell you I absolutely love this skirt, it is everything I had envisioned.  I wanted a simple but funky top to wear with the skirt and I pulled out McCall's pattern 6400 for the top. The fabric I chose was purchased from Michael Levine's in LA this summer.  It is a four way stretch knit fabric with a bunch of writing that is not really saying much, just artsy.  I was drawn to this fabric when I first saw it and purchased 4 yards, not knowing what I wanted to make. I used about 1 5/8 yardage for the top and a small amount of faux leather for the sleeves.

These two pieces have infused some life into my sewing mojo and you will be seeing more posts soon.  As Always, Happy Fall Sewing.

Summer PJ's

It has been so hot and humid in Western NY, (I'm not complaining, just explaining) and I decided I needed some cool pj's.  I visited Marshall's and saw some I like but decided that because I have so much fabric currently in my stash, I needed to use it rather than spend my money on RTW.  I trotted my happy self home and pulled out this lightweight stripped knit and begin sewing.  I used McCall's 6658, the shorts and sleeveless tank views for my pj's.  I had some lingerie elastic in a an aqua blue that I used to trim the the armholes and neckline of the top and I also cut the top wider in the waist and hips in a sort of swing style.  I really love the way they came out. I only wish I had made the top a little more swing than I did, nevertheless, still like them a great deal.  I also made a kimono style robe of the same fabric using  OOP New Look 6312.

I really love it when an idea I had in my brain comes together so nicely.  This new addition should wear well on my upcoming trip to California.

As always, Happy Sewing.