Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Mood Fabrics' Silk Blouse - Simplicity 1779

My post that appeared on the Mood Sewing Network yesterday (12-30-13),  this is my last sewn garment of 2013.


How can it be the end of 2013? This year has flown by and I feel very blessed to be part of the Mood Sewing Network. I know my sewing skills have grown tremendously, new techniques have been tried and fabulous fabrics from Mood Fabric's have been used. As I was planning my next Mood project, I realized my wardrobe was lacking a silk blouse.



That led to my next project using Anna Sui Blue Sapphire Silk Jacquard


Monday, December 30, 2013

Top 5 of 2013




Thanks to Gillian, the Top 5 of 2013 is popping up all over the sewing blogs. I have had so much fun reading others' top 5, that I just had to jump right in.

1.  My red Burda Pants - the pattern is such a hit and I think I have made it 5 times.  2 denim pairs, a red pair, a khaki pair and the red pair.  The pattern is Burda 7447

2.  My Missoni-Esque Maxi, the fabric probably puts this over the top.  The pop of aqua in the browns is wonderful

3.  This one is a two-for-one pattern Vogue 8884.  I made it for the spring in pink

 and the leopard coat in the fall.

4. A recent make, my Lola dress, this is just a feel-good dress.


5.  My transformed Simplicity 1886, using a RTW top as inspiration, this top is a real winner.




Then I have to include one more bonus, I just cannot leave out my Archer shirts, which I obviously can only wear with my sunglasses!



Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Merry Christmas











Friday, December 20, 2013

Lola Dress from Gray Ribbed Ponte


The Lola Dress by Victory Patterns, has been in my collection since seeing Ginger Makes on Mood Sewing Network back in April.

Girls in the Garden - Lola (Victory Patterns) dress made with gray ribbed ponte


I had this lovely ribbed ponte (it feels like ponte) which I thought would be perfect for this dress.  Sorry, I don't remember where I purchased the fabric.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Sequin Datura Blouse

I had a bit more of the Italian faux sequin brocade left from my holiday top and thought it would be a great top for Erin.


I just couldn't let this beautiful fabric go to waste.  I saw in my fabric closet a black knit which looked great with the sequin brocade.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Wool Bomber Jacket


This gorgeous wool denim made its way to my house, Mood Fabrics' Italian Wool Denim to be exact.  

 The description is medium-weight good for boxy tops and jackets. I had it in mind for another project to mix with a wool plaid but these two fabric were not quite right for each other. After Papercut Patterns Rigel Bomber, came out,


Monday, December 16, 2013

The Wool Bomber Jacket

Head over to Mood Sewing Network, to see all the pictures of my new bomber jacket


and you can see all my pictures in the snow and wind!





Sunday, December 15, 2013

Simplicity 4076 in Wrap Style

Yes, you read that right, Simplicity 4076 for the ump-teenth time!  This time it isn't for me, it is for Erin.

The fabric is from Joann's, something I had in my stash.  I had intended a top for me but Erin really needs some new clothes.


Here are the gathers on the side seam.

A side view of the top.


This really fits Erin nicely and will look good with a new pair of navy pants she bought on clearance.  No, Erin will not model any of the garments, I have asked time and time again.  Oh, well, the dressform does a good job.





Saturday, December 14, 2013

Rigel Bomber - Last Construction Details

Last Friday, I posted about starting my Rigel Bomber jacket and on Sunday I posted about the welt pockets.

I asked Meg from Mood for advice on how to line this jacket and she referred me to her blog post and suggested to flatline the jacket.  That was a perfect suggestion and I used this Mood Fabrics' blue and black silk print


Here is the inside of the jacket.



 I had purchased bias tape to finish the seams. After some experimenting and taking into consideration this Papercut Pattern has 1 cm (3/8") seam allowances, I went with a 3-thread serged seam finish.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Fall Plans - Update

On September 25th,  I posted my fall sewing plans, much of the inspiration was from Pinterest.


Well, almost 3 months later, let's see how I am doing

This isn't started, I have the plaid fabric but can't get quite the right sleeve fabric.  I think the next step is  to get some swatches from Mood, to get just the right one.


1.  I love this blazer


Pinterest link

2.  This top, honestly was forgotten until I saw the picture.  I need to get fabric and might use some brighter shades of ponte
Pinterest source


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Happy 19th Birthday!!!


Here they are at 3 years old, talking to Santa!

Kaitlyn in on the left and Meredith is on the right.

I made both dresses and will give information on another post.

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Rigel Bomber - Welt Pockets and Inside


On this post, I described the fabric and Rigel Bomber, which is my current project.

This pattern has welt pockets in the front and this was the starting point of my sewing tonight.  Anyone else totally stress out when sewing welt pockets?  I have so much anxiety when making welt pockets, I just worry about making a mistake, which leads to the front being ruined, which leads to do I have enough fabric for another front piece.  Is it just me or do you have the same issues over welt pockets?

I am happy to report I did finish the two welts and they look wonderful.  Hurrah and deep breath, the rest of the jacket will seem like a piece of cake.

Here is one of my welt pockets

This fabric is hard to photograph and I lightened this photo.  One thing about this wool denim from Mood Fabrics, I am amazed how much it resembles denim: the look, feel and some of the fabric characteristics.


I didn't take any pictures of construction but here are some great tutorials
Tutorials of all kinds
or
Coletterie Anise Sew-Along

One thing I made sure to do with the welt pocket, is lots of basting and chalk marks for straight lines.

Some observations from this pattern and the welt pockets. I think the pockets could be a bit bigger, make it easier to construct the welt.  If you don't want to construct the welts, you could do a faux welt or leave them off all together.  
I will enjoy the pockets, a great place for keys but I wouldn't have to have them in this bomber jacket.  I think if I am limited on time, I would just do faux welt pockets.

After the welt pockets, were complete, I went onto constructing the jacket.  More information on that later.

Happy Sewing all.

Christmas Ornaments


My girls and I are always ready for Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel.  The first one of the season for me was, The Christmas Ornament.  In this movie, one of the supporting characters tells the story of their ornaments and how so many of them are from gift shops, marking the events of their life.

Later in the weekend, I was putting up a tree in my dining room.  This tree is metallic and red ornaments, many of them angels.  In previous years, I have had help with this tree but this year the twins just wanted to relax during their break from college and the older two girls have family trees of their own.  I understood and started a new chapter, decorating this tree by myself.  At first I was a bit sad, then as I was pulling out the ornaments, I remembered all the events that were connected to the ornaments.

Here is one my brother brought me from Europe,  when he studied abroad, many years ago.


Then my brother and his wife had made a very special  ornament painted for us.  My sister-in-law called one snowy morning and said, "don't go outside for an hour."  She didn't say why but we did as we were told.

After seeing the ornament, I realized the importance of not disturbing the snow.  My brother took a photograph that morning.

Then there was the trip to Disney World, with the entire family, Paige included.

From the gift shop at Ellis Island on a trip with Erin

With the twins at Mount Vernon

Add to this some angels

And I have a tree full of memories. If this is not enough memories, the family room tree is amass with memories.  More trips, school events, first Christmas, ones I have made (sewing and cross-stitch)  and many more.

What about you, do you have a favorite ornament?  An ornament you like to make as a gift?  Do you like to watch Hallmark Movies, too?



Friday, December 06, 2013

Rigel Bomber


My next project for Mood Sewing Network is a Rigel Bomber by Papercut Patterns

And I am using this wonderful wool denim from Mood Fabrics


Here is the description, from Italy, a wool denim that's as soft as an old sweater.  Medium-weight.  We'd make this into boxy tops and jackets.

Wednesday, December 04, 2013

Giveaway Winner


Well, it is way past Sunday, but I finally have gotten to the giveaway from November 24th.

The winner of the fabric

and #10 is
Now for the book:

and #38 is



Email me with your mailing address and the giveaways are on the way to you.

Thanks to all of you for your entries and comments.


Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Tree Climber Trousers for the Little Guy

After seeing several wonderful creations on several blogs participating in the Winter Wonderland Pattern Anthology, I ordered this set of patterns for the Little Guy.

I made one of these patterns last week, the Tree Climber Trousers, I used some denim from my stash.  Here are some pictures but it was really hard to take pictures of a little guy on the move. I added a label for the back pocket, thanks, Debbie.

Monday, December 02, 2013

Renfrew with Trim

Back on November 15th, I posted a couple of trims for this top and asked for your input.  If I counted correctly the leather won 12 to 6.
Sorry for the wonky pose.

So leather it is.  I went with my Renfrew pattern this time, just adding width to the body, shoulders and arms.