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Monday, March 31, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Upcoming Anniversary Giveaway #2
I posted here about this being my 8th year blogging here at Girls in the Garden. Last month, I gave away a quilt and plan to do a giveaway five more times.
This one will be a two part giveaway......
First part in this will be a gift card to Mood Fabrics, I love shopping online and want to share that experience with you.
And that is not all....these fabrics. A silk for the lining on this quilted fabric. What will you make? Maybe a jacket? Maybe a skirt?
I won several yards of different fabric a few years ago and used much of it but not these two pieces. They are so beautiful, I want to pass it on and I don't feel right they have just been hanging in my closet.
So tell me what you might make with this fabric or what you might purchase with your gift card.
I will draw for the winner on April 10th, the entries will close April 9th
Thanks again for all you comments, emails and just for being a great sewing friends.
Disclosure - the gift card will be purchased by me and emailed to you in the amount of $50
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Rigel Bomber Jacket - Metallic Tweed
Next up in my trio of garments, is the Papercut Patterns Rigel Bomber
which I have made once before.
The fabric I used is Mood Fabrics' Bright Coral and Black Metallic Tweed and a mid-weight ponte. I ordered two pontes and went with the lighter weight one of the two, it was the perfect color. A bit off-black.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Metallic Knit Simplicity 4076
My second piece in the designer-inspired collection is my old faithful Simplicity 4076, made many times on this blog. I went with this one for a couple of reasons
The fabric is Mood Fabric's Gray Metallic Knit
- I love the fit and the style
- the interesting neckline feature, something in the Tracy Reese designs
I use a small width of fabric, which is doubled for the binding. Most of the time on my binding, I like to add a row of stitching with my coverstitch machine. It just adds a finishing touch, but I do not do that with this pattern. That row of stitching flattens out the gathers too much
This is such a great pattern and the metallic knit just steps the t-shirt up a notch
Monday, March 24, 2014
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Designer Inspired Separates
Over at Mood Sewing Network you can see how these three pieces were inspired from Tracy Reese
The shirt is Simplicity 4076, skirt is Ottobre 5/2010 #2 and the bomber jacket is Papercut Patterns Rigel
Our challenge was to create a garment or garments inspired from the Spring 2014 runway collections. To see many collections head over to Style.com and click Fashion Shows. Spring 2014 RTW, was my preference to select a designer.
Why did I choose Tracy Reese?
Next week, I will post about each garment individually, the changes and what I would do differently next time.
If you would be so kind and leave a comment over at Mood Sewing Network, I would really appreciate it. Currently, Peter, Oona and myself have are challenge garments postes, with many more coming next week.
What designer has inspired you? See any new to you designers over at the fashion shows?
The shirt is Simplicity 4076, skirt is Ottobre 5/2010 #2 and the bomber jacket is Papercut Patterns Rigel
Our challenge was to create a garment or garments inspired from the Spring 2014 runway collections. To see many collections head over to Style.com and click Fashion Shows. Spring 2014 RTW, was my preference to select a designer.
Why did I choose Tracy Reese?
- the colors, fabrics and textures
- interesting details, especially necklines and waistbands, finishes
- the ability to mix and match the pieces
- garments that I would wear and enjoy
Next week, I will post about each garment individually, the changes and what I would do differently next time.
If you would be so kind and leave a comment over at Mood Sewing Network, I would really appreciate it. Currently, Peter, Oona and myself have are challenge garments postes, with many more coming next week.
What designer has inspired you? See any new to you designers over at the fashion shows?
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Cars and Stars Baby Quilt
Erin has a good friend expecting a boy very soon and so of course, a baby quilt is needed. Erin and this young lady have been friends since elementary school, wearing their cheerleading outfits (made by their moms) to school every football Friday. Also, bridesmaids in each other's wedding and continue to be good friends today.
I purchased a jelly roll and some yardage for this quilt and based my design on these quilts by V and Co.
I did omit the strips from the jelly roll with red. I wanted this to be more of an orange, blue and brown quilt.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Buttons
I just finished this navy blouse, blogged here
I went into the construction process convinced I would use bright gold buttons. When I went into Joann's all the buttons were just too bright and "fake" looking. I happened upon these antique gold buttons with a shank. These looked great with the navy wool. The biggest problem buying buttons at Joann's is quantity, you find a style you like and the correct size but do they have enough for your project? Luck was with me, they had just enough. Whew!
I usually only buy buttons when I am working on a project, that could mean when I am getting my supplies together or in the middle of a project or after the garment is completed or it could mean when I finally get to Joann's. That is my only source locally.
I do have a small stash of buttons, I keep a nice assortment of shirt buttons, most purchased Fashion Sewing Supply. One day, I was in a Singer store a town away buying some thread and they had all their buttons 90% off, yes I loaded up.
What about you, when do you get buttons? Do you have a stash? Do you have a favorite online source?
Friday, March 14, 2014
Navy Blouse with Gold Brocade Cropped Trousers
This outfit started with two different fabrics ordered 3 months apart, first I ordered this Mood Fabrics'
Blue Gray Solid Suiting, thinking it would be a jacket but the fabric is lightweight and it sat on the shelf while I contemplated what it would become. I washed this fabric on gentle and felt it would be a perfect blouse, dark navy with gold buttons. I wanted a dressier blouse pattern and fitted, so I went with a favorite, Butterick 5526
I found this Mood Fabrics' Elegant Italian Brocade in my cart and soon on my doorstep.
I knew what I wanted to make, after all, the description dared me, and I quote, "or dare to make a pair of cropped trousers. " So I did, using Burda Style 6981 The blouse went together beautifully, the trousers. had a few challenges.
Blue Gray Solid Suiting, thinking it would be a jacket but the fabric is lightweight and it sat on the shelf while I contemplated what it would become. I washed this fabric on gentle and felt it would be a perfect blouse, dark navy with gold buttons. I wanted a dressier blouse pattern and fitted, so I went with a favorite, Butterick 5526
I found this Mood Fabrics' Elegant Italian Brocade in my cart and soon on my doorstep.
I knew what I wanted to make, after all, the description dared me, and I quote, "or dare to make a pair of cropped trousers. " So I did, using Burda Style 6981 The blouse went together beautifully, the trousers. had a few challenges.
Labels:
Burda,
Burda 6981,
Butterick,
Butterick 5526,
Mood Fabrics,
Mood Sewing Network
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Navy and Gold
I have been noticing gold and navy together in fashion. Here is some inspiration from Pinterest
and finally this
So with this gold and navy inspiration in mind, I used these two Mood Fabrics'
A navy solid suiting but it is lightweight and that is my blouse
and this gold Italian Brocade
to make my newest outfit which is up at Mood Sewing Network head over to check it out.
source |
Pinterest source |
source |
Pinterest source |
and finally this
source |
A navy solid suiting but it is lightweight and that is my blouse
and this gold Italian Brocade
to make my newest outfit which is up at Mood Sewing Network head over to check it out.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Winner of the Quilt
Here was the post about the giveaway and I had 50 comments, thank you so much. Of those 50, 4 did not want to be in the drawing. So I used random.org to get the winner's number is
#19 is.........
#19 is.........
I've
only recently discovered your blog but already look forward to new posts. I
like your style aesthetic and admire your skills. I've already added a few to
my own repertoire!
So email me your address and I will get this quilt to you.
Thanks all of you for the wonderful comments, I so enjoyed reading each and every one of them.
There will be another giveway later this month, so keep reading.
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Baby Quilt using Honeycombs
We are having so many people having babies at my work, which is exciting and fun and I get to make baby quilts. Next up in the baby pool is a girl due this summer.
I choose the fabric line from Moda - Scrumptious by Bonnie & Camille and I used a precut called Honeycomb
I choose the fabric line from Moda - Scrumptious by Bonnie & Camille and I used a precut called Honeycomb
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Happenings
It has been busy here at my house, sewing mvoing, painting and family. I just thought I would do a little update and WARNING ..... it is a long update.
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As you know we celebrated the little guy's first birthday,
He loves his new car from Aunt Paige and Uncle Jesse (we laugh at this, like Full House).
I also wanted to show you a picture of my hubby, Mike, he doesn't make an appearance here very often.
He did not like his cake at all
Kaitlyn and Meredith made this cute cake for his party. They found the how-to through Pinterest.
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I just finished a Butterick 5526 Blouse
from Mood Fabrics' this lightweight suiting
Which I had ordered to make a blazer but it is much too light for that. A blouse is perfect and I found the antique gold buttons, they looks fabulous - pictures soon.
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In the sewing room, I purchased another table from Joann's this one is for Meredith. I used a 50% off coupon and it was $75, well worth it. One cutting table was just too crowded with two people sewing and Meredith usually had a quilt laid out for piecing.
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Erin, Chris and the little guy moved into their new home last week. They moved in with us on July 27th and moved out February 27th. None of us could believe it had been 7 months and I know it was wonderful to see the little guy each day.
Since they moved out I have been putting things back in rooms and closets and working on a project. Mike rolled his eyes, but I told him it has been 7 months with no painting or projects around here.
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The project....I have this wall of built-ins in the family room and that is the focus of my project. I thought I had taken a picture of the built-ins last week but I cannot find it. Here is one I found on the blog from several years ago and many changes in the room. It at least gives you an idea
We took down the corner cabinets, a friend made new bookshelves and a frame to mount the television above the mantle. Then I am painting all the cabinetry.
Here is a during and I cannot tell you how much brighter it is in my room. This is going to take sometime to complete but it will be worth it.
Primer only on the cabinets |
I want to say thanks to Carolyn at
Diary of a Sewing Fanatic
and all her hard work. She had a blog post titled "My Top Ten Sewing Blogs"
and asked for comments on your picks.
She then worked extremely hard from the comments and compiled
"Your Top Ten Sewing Blogs"
and wow what a list.
Then she added one more post
"Honorable Mention Sewing Blogs"
which I am excited to say, Girls in the Garden made this list.
Isn't it amazing how many sewing blogs there are out there? I just love finding new ones to add to my list. So take a look at all three of these posts, you will find some great sewing blogs.
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Then I received an email from bloglovin, which read
Wow! | |
Girls in the Garden just reached 800 followers! |
I can't believe I am over 800 on bloglovin' and I checked Feedly - 483 there. Thanks so much for subscribing, I really appreciate it.
I would love to know how you found my blog, so If you could leave a comment.
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Also, don't forget the Quilt Giveaway post, I am celebrating my upcoming 8 years of blogging (started in August 2006) with a giveaway a month through August.
The quilt is the current giveway and the drawing will be March 10th.
Okay, I think I have covered it all.
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