Deck the Halls

I have been sewing but thought my Christmas decorations made better pictures. The picture shows my Christmas dishes and my newest collection . I really only like the blue and white ones, goes with my room! The Santa pictures on each side are from my cross-stitching days. They are really pretty, sometimes I wished I still liked to do that but then I think, no.

I have been sewing tops for my girls, 3 from Ottobre magazine. Then 3 tops for me and embroidered 4 towels in a Christmas theme for a friend. All but one item was in my blue theme for serger thread, now I have moved onto burgundy. I have a Simplicity knit top partially completed for myself. I really would like to make this McCall's 5007 in a pink tweed. I think it would be wonderful for the holidays. On my to-do list for this weekend. Most of my holiday sewing is complete, might make a purse for the piano teacher. Oh, click on the back to album link on the denim jacket and see all the different ways she has made this one.

I end my post with one more picture

Happy Thanksgiving

We have much to be thankful for every year but this year especially so. Thanks to God for all we have.

Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Fun Fabric

Just had to post a picture of this fun fabric. I bought it after Christmas last year at Joann's, I think it was 75% off. I had in mind, pj pants for college daughter and that is what I made tonight. I added fuschia ribbon trim to the legs and a ribbon bow at the waist. They are very cute for this Christmas Season but don't scream Holidays either. Also, made pj pants for high school girl and a top for me. I am on the light blue serger thread kick right now. I have one more top to cut and sew for me then onto another color. What might that be? I haven't decided yet, maybe cream or black!

Nightgowns

Another completed Christmas present. This is for my American Girl doll crazy, 8 year old niece. She wanted a nightgown for herself and for her doll(s). I thought about making a cotton and lace nightgown like this but I didn't have a good pattern for my niece and I really didn't want that style. I decided fun and bright, so I used this Ottobre 4/2005 pattern #18 nightgown. I added length but that is the only change I made to the pattern. For the American Girl doll, I used McCall's 3627 and used view C, the nightgown pattern. It had the basic lines of my Ottobre nightgown. The fabric is knit polka-dot and I love the finish gifts, I think my niece will too. Yes, heading off to update my Santa list again! The folded garment picture is the nightgown for niece and the doll, it was dark when I tried to get a decent picture.

More Christmas Presents Completed

Notebook covers for friends, teachers, and others. I made nine this weekend, one is missing. I have that one packaged to send my niece. I also made 4 fabric notecards. Heading to update my list, checking it twice like Santa!

Thank You

On this Veteran's Day, I want to say thank you, to all those who have served this country and all who are currently serving.

Some Pictures

Today I thought I would just post a few pictures from this summer. My college dd and I went out and about on a hot, hot July day. Did I mention it was hot? She took these pictures for black and white prints to hang in her apartment. I think they are beautiful. The barn is getting ready to be restored, not to original but it will be around for future generations.

Navy Blue Sewing

I seem to sew in theme colors, earlier in red, now in navy blue. Really it isn't a theme so much as I don't like switching thread cones on my serger! My top is
Kwik Sew 2694 and I have made it so many times. It really is a favorite. This time I made a few changes, my fabric is a navy rib knit, very little recovery. I took in 2" on the sides, still working on the right pattern size after some weight loss but some of the 2" is the fabric. I was short on fabric so, I thought, make it look like layers. Thus the white at the neck, at the sleeves and then the lace at the hem. I wore it to work and a couple people commented on my pretty shirt. Well, one was my hubby but still a compliment is a compliment!! Oh, I also added 1" to the bodice and 1" to the lower front. I really like where the bodice line now hits and the extra length is great.

Second navy sewing is a Bitty Baby outfit for my niece. I had this cut out early in the summer and just never got round to it. I am going to put in the mail for her tomorrow, she loves her dolls.

Third navy sewing isn't quite complete. I am making high school daughter a denim skirt, cute wrap around Burda with pleats. It is finish except for buttonholes and I ran out of thread, darn.

What color am I feeling next? I do have some gorgeous light blue fabric on my cutting table and above mentioned niece is getting an aunt made nightgown and doll nightgown for Christmas. One guess what color that fabric may be!!!

Built by Wendy

Finally, finished this top, it only needed buttonholes. Finished those tonight and now it is too cool around here for short sleeves. I will have a new blouse for spring. It is Simplicity 4112 and the fabric is a shirting from Joann's.

Oh, my Christmas present didn't last very long. I gave college girl her laptop bag when she came home this afternoon! She did love it. My younger daughters talked me into it.

First Christmas Present

Just finished my first present for this Christmas. Mark it on the calendar, it is just November 2nd and one present is completed!!! This is a Hi Tech Tote for college daughter, I used her sorority colors and embroidered her Greek letters. I am very pleased with it. I need to buy a tassel, as recommended by the pattern. I believe it needs the tassel to add the correct proportions between the zipper and the embroidery. I did put the embroidery in the spot recommended by the pattern. I think if you are going to omit the tassel, the embroidery should be moved up. I sure hope she likes it. I am planning on making Amy Butler's Weekender Bag from this fabric for her, too. Here's a couple of pictures. If you want more information on the Hi-Tech tote please see an earlier post on the tote for myself.





It has not been a great couple of weeks here at our house but all is much better now. God has answered many prayers, which we are very thankful. I am hoping to get back to some regular posts on my blog now.