Every year it happens, you blink and the holidays are upon us. It is the week of Thanksgiving and starting on Black Friday the official holiday season begins. I purchased this Italian "Sequin" Teal and Silver Brocade in September with plans for a holiday top.
I fell in love with the photograph and then with description, "If you love sequin fabric but shudder at the thought of sewing with it, then this is the brocade for you. From Italy, this poly fabric features a sequin design of teal and metallic gunmetal. It's lightweight with a crisp drape, and would sew up perfectly as dresses, tops, jackets and so many other items. We adore this trompe l'oeuil fabric! " Another plus, it is wide, 59" wide.
I have always wanted a fancy holiday top with shimmer, glimmer and glitz, well this Holiday 2013 season, I have just that,
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Saturday, November 30, 2013
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Carolina Herrera Turquoise Silk/Wool Take Two
Remember this kimono jacket
Well, as I stated on the original post, it was an injustice to the gorgeous fabric from Mood Fabrics' .
So I did some evaluating and searching through all my patterns. I didn't really have much extra yardage, so I completely un-stitched the jacket.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
A Giveway Post
Thanksgiving is a few days away and I thought about all the things I am thankful for. Here is a short list because I do have so many things to be thankful:
Family, friends, good health, a job I love, a hobby I love, being part of the Mood Sewing Network and all my friends here in the blogging community. I really appreciate all your comments on my blog, your wonderful blog posts, the inspiration from your sewn garments and other projects.
So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have a couple things to offer for a giveaway.
First a book
Second this knit - a ponte type with texture, there is approximately 2 yards. I bought it with a jacket in mind but the texture isn't quite right.
So leave a comment on this post, if you would like to win either one of these items. I will draw on Sunday, December 1st.
If you feel inclined follow and/or like Girls in the Garden with one of the icons below.
Happy Thanksgiving week to all those who celebrate.
Family, friends, good health, a job I love, a hobby I love, being part of the Mood Sewing Network and all my friends here in the blogging community. I really appreciate all your comments on my blog, your wonderful blog posts, the inspiration from your sewn garments and other projects.
So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have a couple things to offer for a giveaway.
First a book
Second this knit - a ponte type with texture, there is approximately 2 yards. I bought it with a jacket in mind but the texture isn't quite right.
So leave a comment on this post, if you would like to win either one of these items. I will draw on Sunday, December 1st.
If you feel inclined follow and/or like Girls in the Garden with one of the icons below.
Happy Thanksgiving week to all those who celebrate.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Chevron Quilt
Can you handle another baby quilt? Kailtyn made this and I did the binding, so I helped a bit on this project. Oh, wait, I bought the fabric, counts for a bit more, right?
I have had the chevron charm pack for quite some time, I purchased a solid charm pack and it coordinated with the chevron perfectly. Add a solid and the chevron yardage to finish it up, the result a fun, bright and modern quilt.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Be Thankful
I really enjoyed my Halloween window and porch display throughout October but I really need change out the window for something with a Thanksgiving theme.
I wanted something quick and easy and cheap!
A sign was the answer
I went by my local lumber yard and purchased a scrap piece of plywood. At my lumberyard scrap pieces of plywood are cheap, it was a nice surprise.
My first step was to spray paint the outer edge
After the outer edge was dry, I taped off the outer edge and painted the center
I cut vinyl on my Silhouette and applied it to the sign. It was pretty easy and simple. One exception it had been so long since I used my Silhouette, it was like relearning the software!
One more project, a thankful banner for my hutch
That's it for Thanksgiving, I can't believe the Christmas season is right around the corner.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Deer and Doe Airelle Blouse using Mood Fabrics' Voile
I started with this pattern
Image from Deer and Doe website Then I used two Mood Fabrics' silk cotton fabrics, the first an Italian Beige Rose-Print Silk-Cotton |
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Kaitlyn's First Quilt
Kaitlyn's first quilt is back from the longarm quilter and I finished the binding this weekend, so now to show it off
It is based off one of my friend's patterns, Dashing. Upon her advice, we substituted plain blocks for the churn dash blocks. Kaitlyn wanted to showcase the cool print fabric and we just thought a big square would show-off the fabric.
She chose purple thread for the quilting
It is based off one of my friend's patterns, Dashing. Upon her advice, we substituted plain blocks for the churn dash blocks. Kaitlyn wanted to showcase the cool print fabric and we just thought a big square would show-off the fabric.
She chose purple thread for the quilting
Here is the back of the quilt and the quilting
She has made another quilt, a cute chevron baby quilt. I will show you that soon.
Monday, November 18, 2013
New Look 6230 - Luxe for Meredith
I wanted a raglan sleeve pattern for a Luxe Sweatshirt for Meredith and Katilyn. I went with New Look 6230
I did change it up,
- raised the neckline, it looks wide on the envelope,especially on the sleeve area
- cut a couple sizes bigger so it looked like a sweatshirt
- added cuffs and waistband
- for Meredith lengthened the arms by quite a bit. She is 5'9" tall with a 6' wingspan (yes, long arms!)
- took off length, shirt is long and I added the waistband.
The fabric is a black knit from Joann's and a leopard sweater knit from Joann's also.
I did a guess on the bottom bands width and it is a bit wide for her. I will be taking it off and adjusting that a bit. Those are the chances you take when sewing for college girls :)
Good news, they fixed my serger in one day and it is back home. I will be making one of these for Kaitlyn next.
In October, Jesse told Meredith, "College agrees with you Meredith, you look really good." I think he is absolutely right, she is just blossoming into an amazing young woman.
I made this shirt for Erin, knit from Joann's, pattern is Renfrew. Erin won't model her garments, so the best you get is on the dressform
Friday, November 15, 2013
Which One Do You Like?
This top from Net-a-Porter is something I want to re-create. I have some dark charcoal ponte in my stash and I purchased two trims at Joann's the other day. Help me pick the one you think is best.
The left one is leather and the one on the right has rhinestones on black decorative elastic. I intend on using the trim down the front, across the front like a yoke and then around the neckline.
One thing to note, this will not be made in the next couple of weeks. My serger went in for repairs again, yes, the same serger that was in for repairs the entire month of June. I am a bit disgusted with my Babylock dealer and their repair service. A new serger is not in the budget right now but I would love to also hear your serger suggestions.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Mood Fabric's Cotton Floral using McCall's 6512
Beautiful fabric, as this Mood Fabrics' Black, Turquoise & Rose Anna Sui Cotton Print
requires just the right pattern. This Anna Sui print marinated on my shelf for a month before I decided on a pattern, I felt it needed to be a bit more feminine to match the floral of the print. I went with a pattern I have sewn twice before, McCall's 6512, view B, with the tie and 3/4 sleeves.
requires just the right pattern. This Anna Sui print marinated on my shelf for a month before I decided on a pattern, I felt it needed to be a bit more feminine to match the floral of the print. I went with a pattern I have sewn twice before, McCall's 6512, view B, with the tie and 3/4 sleeves.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
McCall's 6802 in Mood Fabrics' Turquoise Silk/Wool
Let me start this post by stating I did an injustice to this incredible Carolina Herrera Turquoise Silk/wool
It is a simply stunning fabric, much more silk than wool, feels like silk with a touch of wool. It sews beautifully, presses perfectly and has a nice drape (not too much, just right!)
It is a simply stunning fabric, much more silk than wool, feels like silk with a touch of wool. It sews beautifully, presses perfectly and has a nice drape (not too much, just right!)
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Cowboy or Cowgirl Quilt
A new quilt and this time I made it with a particular baby in mind. A young man at work is going to be a first-time daddy in the spring. He and his fiance are a very cute couple and I am so happy for them. This young man is a true cowboy, named for a character in a western movie and he dresses in Wranglers,Cinch shirts and cowboy hats. In fact a straw hat after May 1st and switch to a felt hat October 1st!
They will not know the gender of the baby until later this month but I knew the perfect fabric.....Sasparilla by Riley Blake, it will go for a little cowgirl or cowboy.
The quilting is cowboy boots, hats and stars, a closer look
First a cowboy boot....
and a cowboy hat.
I really had fun making this quilt, just thinking about this cute little baby who will play and sleep on this quilt. I embroidered a bib for the parents-to-be right after they told me the news. They were so thrilled with the bib, I can only imagine how excited they will be when they see the quilt. Isn't it great to give handmade gifts to people who truly appreciate them? This couple is one of those people. I am going to show my quilt off at quilt club on Wednesday and then I will wrap it up and give the present away.
You can see from this picture the cute girl and boys on the fabric
They will not know the gender of the baby until later this month but I knew the perfect fabric.....Sasparilla by Riley Blake, it will go for a little cowgirl or cowboy.
The quilting is cowboy boots, hats and stars, a closer look
First a cowboy boot....
and a cowboy hat.
I really had fun making this quilt, just thinking about this cute little baby who will play and sleep on this quilt. I embroidered a bib for the parents-to-be right after they told me the news. They were so thrilled with the bib, I can only imagine how excited they will be when they see the quilt. Isn't it great to give handmade gifts to people who truly appreciate them? This couple is one of those people. I am going to show my quilt off at quilt club on Wednesday and then I will wrap it up and give the present away.
You can see from this picture the cute girl and boys on the fabric
Riley Blake website |
and you might remember this is the same fabric I made a shirt for the little guy.
One last look of the full view of this cowboy/girl inspired quilt.....giddy up!
Thursday, November 07, 2013
Simplicity 1886 - Transformed
Along with my Pinterest boards, I have been tearing out pages from InStyle Magazine and one of the garments I wanted to re-create was Bailey 44 - Polyurethane top. (link and picture from InStyle Magazine)
Isn't it fabulous? I wanted something like that but not from polyurethane, so I went with ponte from Joann's. Two pieces are just okay fabrics but the gray ponte is fabulous! Okay, enough abou the fabric. Here is how I went about the top.
I scoured my patterns and I really didn't have a knit tank pattern, can you believe that? Time to start back with the pattern sales. I selected Simplicity 1886
First thing I did was tape out the dart and then I traced the pattern out full size on medical exam paper.
Then I cut each of my three fabrics - cream, black and gray in 3-1/2" strips width of fabric.
I pieced these with my serger in the order which corresponded to my inspiration piece (cream-gray-black).
Lightened photo so you can see stripes and colors better. |
I did nine strips total (I believe) and pressed these to one side, making sure none of them seams went toward the cream. I had black thread and the cream was thin, I didn't want the thread to show through.
Next up the pattern tracing. I drew lines to re-create the Bailey 44 top and cut the tracing on these lines (highlighted in yellow)
I added 1/4" seam allowance on the highlighted cut edges and then pieced the front. The back is from the gray ponte.
I did taper the side seams on this top since the original pattern was for a woven. The neck binding is the black ponte, and a wrapped it around the seam allowance for a bit of contrast against the cream ponte in the front. Now the armholes are bound with the black ponte but I wrapped it totally to the inside.
My neckline was a bit off and I tapered the middle cream one just a bit to shape the neckline back into a correct curve.
This will be a versatile top, I can wear it with "attitude" with my moto jacket.
Now a couple of out-takes from the photo shoot
I am getting Junior to sit before the self-timer goes off (it went off obviously)
And now look how bored he looks while he is sitting and waiting on me to finish!
He was rewarded for his good work, he loves to go on a walk and we went on a 3 mile walk. He pulled me most of the way!
This top was so quick to make but I think it has great impact. I look forward to wearing it.
Vogue 8815 with Belt
My first attempt at this Vogue 8815 peplum top was my first post for Mood Sewing Network, you can see it here on my blog. I like this top but since it has been washed a few times, it is very short waisted and the darts don't hit in the right spot.
I added one more inch to the body of the top, added and inch to each side of the center front on the peplum so I could pleat the peplum and I adjusted the darts.
Here was my inspiration top, I loved the pleats and the belt. Love your skinny little waist too!
From my pinterest board
I used a snakeskin knit from Fabric Mart, which still is in stock and a great price.
I might like my top a bit better without a belt or with a wider belt. I am so straight without much waist definition a wider belt might be better
You can see in this picture my belt won't stay in place.
I do like the pleats in the peplum, a bit of a change and this will be a great top to wear under cardigans and jackets.
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