Good sewing and bad sewing

First the bad news on sewing. I made this pattern, Simplicity 3790. I did go check Pattern Review but no reviews, so I proceeded. I made the bottom right view, really wanted the view on the model but it is getting too hot here and I hadn't found brown fabric. Not too original but I love the look and the belt. My fabric was cheap interlock from Joann's with no recovery. I really, really dislike my finished garment. It is big and floppy and just bad. I went by the finished garment measurements on the pattern and decided to go down a size. I could have gone down another size or two. Oh, well, the first wadder from Simplicity in quite a while. I think it is more my taste than the pattern. I like a more fitted style and this is just too relaxed.

I actually had the twins take my picture in the finished garment. They thought it wasn't too bad, but they are 12 and live in athletic shorts!! This in mind their opinion doesn't count but it was very sweet of them to try and boost my confidence!

Now to the good, a young family at church just had a little girl. I bought this fabric from Needle Nook and made Ottobre 3/2006 #5. Very quick romper with an invisible zipper in the back.

Here is a close-up of the gingham elastic.

I can't wait to give it to them. I have another baby girl gift to make, a co-worker and his wife are having a baby girl anyday now. You sure do forget how small they are.

New patterns

I hit the Joann's Simplicity sale yesterday

Sewing daughter (12 years old) picked out this one and some gauzy stripe fabric. She is going to make the sleeveless version. Simplicity 3904



I bought this one, read on a few blogs it isn't available on the Simplicity site. I went to get a picture and sure enough it is not there. That did it I had to have it, might be something I need at a later date. I like the bottom right and top right. What about you? Simplicity 3744


This one I needed after seeing some very cute garments on Pattern Review. I bought some eyelet for this. Simplicity 3887


Simplicity 3837, I live in knit tops at work, so a change of pace




Then Simplicity 3759 for the gathered top, another work shirt.


My washing machine is not working, so I can't prewash this bit of fabric but I do have other fabric ready to go. That is on tomorrow's to-do list.

Oh, found a fire pit today, we were going to test it out but rain came our way. Hurray, we were getting pretty dry, especially for May.

Oh, yes, the tunic twist top, wore it last night and love the longer length. Fun, dressy and slightly glamorous with my high heels.

A Perfect Saturday..... sewing and gardening

It is a Saturday that is unusual, I am home and doing some of my hobbies I love! I started the morning finishing college daughter's dress. It is Simplicity 3742 and looks very cute on her. Of course, I am the mom! I made the size 4, so really anything looks cute in a size 4. No, I am not a size 4. Changes I made:

• folded the pattern for the petite
• took in 1/2" on the side seams, started this alteration at 2" below the empire waist tie.
• cut off 2" from the hem and did a rolled hem.

It really is a nice cute pattern. She is off to her high school friend's wedding and will be the guest book attendant It is hard for me to believe, she is 20 and her friends are getting married. This is the second one. They are still going to college, a very good thing. I don't know why it is hard to believe, I was 20 and in college when I married.

Now to gardening.

• planted a few more annuals
• pruned some bushes and weeded
• arranged the furniture on the pergola

Tonight the twins and I are heading to Home Depot to look for firepits. It is going to be chilly the next few nights and we want to roast marshmallows. The spot for the firepit is right between the two benches. Thanks to the advice from a friend and ruled out wisteria for the vines. I think I am going with either a trumpet vine or honeysuckle or a combination of two. I am going to look for a couple of really big pots for the pergola, too.

I am home by myself, and finished New Look 6405. I used the leftover fabric from my twist tunic. I am not pleased with the bottom of the v-neck but you have to be very close to see that bit. I did 1" to the length and shaved about 3/8" off the top of the shoulders. This is a hold you stomach in type of top but perfect for summer.



Now back to sewing, then the twins and I are heading to TGI Fridays for appetizers before Home Depot. Hubby and daughter #2 are away for a big softball tournament. He called, I should have gone - motel is right next to a Joann's ETC and a huge garden center!! They are gone until Monday, I can still go.

New banner & sewing

Like my new banner? Felt like playing tonight and it had to be a garden picture. It is that time of year here. I changed this banner and I changed the one at the Sew Forth Now Podcast. My youngest daughter took the picture for the podcast header.

I started sewing Simplicity 3742 for my college daughter, yes, this dress needs to be finished by Saturday afternoon. She was a bit worried but I did accomplish several steps tonight. I KNOW I will be finished tomorrow night. Positive thinking here.

My Mother's Day present in progress

I know Mother's Day has passed but my present is in progress. Remember the stamped concrete from a previous post? Well, we are building a pergola over it. A family project but mostly hubby and me!! Here I am putting in some screws, love the cheesy grin? The wind felt like a Kansas wind today, no offense Stacy and Anne. You can tell the gusts from my lovely hair.

My husband measuring and contemplating

Fixing the drill for me

The frame

Top of the pergola

The almost finished project. Hubby has two more crossbeams at the top to do and it is complete

Almost is the key word, we do have furniture but are still looking for a firepit, then there are big pots, plants, accessories. I need to go to the nursery and talk vining plants - wisteria, maybe. I love my Mother's Day present!!

Back in the Garden

Yea, I can take pictures outside once again. My flowers won't be in full bloom for 2-3 more weeks but pictures are so much better outside.

Here is a couple of pictures. One has the front open a bit more.

I am not sure about the long length, going to give it a try with jeans and heels. If I don't like it, then it will be a shorter top.

Some sewing

I just finished Butterick 4986

From this fabric, purchased from Gorgeous Fabric

I have a blank cami to wear under this tunic, so that saves some sewing time. Now a project for the extra fabric (1+ yard left), maybe New Look 6405 in the sleeveless version, using black at the neck and arms. What do you think? I have a May BWOF coming from Needle Nook, maybe I should wait to see what is in it.

Another Third

Make it a repeat from yesterday, just in the 4 x 400 relay. A third place for my daughter and her team.

A great weekend. I took 131 pictures yesterday and 60 today, can you believe that? Thank goodness for digital cameras. I am burning CD's for the girls and they can develop their own pictures!!!

Now back to sewing and my flowers. I started half days at work last week, so I am hoping more time at home. More time at home means more time in my sewing room. Hurray, hurray.

Third place

My daughter's 4 x 800 team finished third in the state. They are going back tomorrow for the finals in the 4 x 400, right now they have the 3rd fastest time. My dd is the one getting the medal around her neck, her teammate is doing the honors.

So no sewing here, but that is okay,

it was a great day.

My week in pictures

Stamped concrete pad, we are going to build a pergola over it. Patio furniture is coming tomorrow, still looking for a fire pit.



Pots planted




Perennial, check out the insect in the picture



Part of my garden, mostly perennials, I move the chair, fence and other accents around to fill in the bare spots.


Waterfall built last summer, added the hydrangea in the background yesterday. Macy playing in the water. I can't keep the rocks over the plastic, she loves to cool off in the water.


New perennial


Sewing Simplicity 3867

My week

What did I do this week?

• no sewing that is for sure but there is always next week


• finished and uploaded Episode 3 of the podcast


• hauled 8 pickup loads of mulch for my flowers and perennial beds (after all this is a gardening blog, too)

• planted many flowers and I bought more tonight

• and watched my 17 year old daughter qualify for the state track meet in 3 events (she ran three today) and break the record in the 4 x 400 relay and take 7 seconds off this record. My dd is the front one getting the handoff. An amazing day, I am tired and I didn't even run!

Another good track day

They were first in their 4 x 800 relay, not a good time but still moving on. One more meet to qualify for state. My daughter had a good day: a 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th, which means she moves on in three events. Keeping our fingers crossed for the next meet.

My big project

I have been working on something, it is sewing related just not at my machines. Check it out Sew Forth Now Podcast. I have been researching and planning this project for months, then decided to go for it.

Hope you enjoy and if you have any ideas, please leave feedback on the Podcast site.
Thanks and be gentle please.

New project

Just started on:

Just the top from a black and white border print. I have the bodice partially constructed and ready for the straps. This is a cute little top and should not take too long to finish, IF I could just stay at my machines. I am not being interrupted, just thinking of other things I need to do.

The dress and top are the only things that really interest me from this pattern but they sure are cute.

Meet Macy

Here is our new puppy and she went for shots today. We think she is a beagle (obviously) and lab mix, they weren't sure about the daddy!! The vet thinks she will be big, so a large dog that looks like a beagle, should be entertaining. Macy is a wonderful puppy and hasn't been too mischievous yet.