Girls in the Garden - 12 Years Old

Yes, today, Girls in the Garden is 12 years old!!!

Blogiversary - 11 years of Blogging

Hey everyone, 11 years ago I started Girls in the Garden and it happened to be on a Saturday, also.  Saturday, August 26, 2006.  I started with a post about fabric cards

A few days later I posted my first garment post, Simplicity 4281 and I still have this jacket, I love all the details and the fact it was my first make.  Plus it is fun to wear,

Then my latest project, the embroidered tunic.

There are so many things between the first and latest project.  People I have met online and in person and the relationships that have developed.  The sewing knowledge I have gained from the online community.  New fabric stores and pattern lines to try.  Changes in my family with additions of 

son-in-laws and grandchildren, changes in jobs and a new sewing room!

I am so grateful for the opportunities that sewing and my blog have given me.  I  feel so blessed to be part of the online sewing community and I want to say thank you.

Thank you for following my blog and my instagram, thank you for leaving such incredible comments and sending such sweet emails.  

I am going to give a $25 to Style Maker Fabrics.  Just leave a comment about anything and I will draw on Monday, the 28th .  Entries will close at 8 PM Central Time on the 27th.

Upcoming Anniversary Giveaway #5

I looked at the calendar today and it is the end of June, which means  2014 is halfway over.  Please tell me how that happened?

This summer has been wonderful with some of  the best weather.  I have been enjoying my bike, evening walks, dips in the pool and playing in my flower gardens.  I have found quite a bit of time to sew and  just completed a quilt that has been one year in the making (Hurray! and pictures after I have it quilted).  The one thing that I have been not keeping up is blogging and reading blogs.

So I need to announce what the giveaway #5 is for my blogging anniversary.  In August, it will be my 8 year anniversary of blogging.  I have had 4 previous monthly giveaways to celebrate this milestone.  There will be one more giveaway in August for the 6th and final giveaway for the 8 year anniversary

A Girl Charlee gift certificate in the amount of $25.  In fact, my polka dot top was one of the garments  featured on their Knit Picks for June.  Thank you Girl Charleed

I will draw the winner on July 14th.  

Let's see to enter, leave a comment about your plans for the second half of the year, or your plans for the 4th of July or your plans for the second half of summer.

Upcoming Anniversary Giveaway #3

In August, I will be blogging here at Girls in the Garden for 8 years and I am having a giveaway a month until August.

To review, in March I had a quilt giveaway and "the wife" won the quilt
Then in April, it was a Mood gift certificate and some fabric from my stash and Beverly was the winner

Are you wondering what the May giveaway will be?  Well, wonder no more...
The Colette Guide to Sewing Knits

picture from Amazon

The book is available from Amazon and at Colette

That isn't all, you have to have the pair from Colette Patterns....

picture from Amazon

This book is available from Amazon and Colette

I will draw for a winner on May 10th, so entries end midnight central time on May 9th.

Good luck and thanks again for all the wonderful comments on my blog.

 

Eight Years of Blogging in August and a Giveaway

I was recently asked when I started blogging, so I went back and checked.  August 2006 was my first month of blogging and my first post was fabric notecards

I think my photography has improved through the years!

My second post is a jacket, which is still in my closet and I love.

I truly love blogging for many reasons, here are a few:

• It is a way to document my sewing
• I have found many new sites for fabric, patterns, notions and blogs!
• It has given me an opportunity to be part of the Mood Sewing Network
• Most, most, most importantly I have made so many friends through this blog and had the opportunity to meet several people. 

To celebrate my upcoming
8 year blogiversary......
 I am going to have a giveaway each month for the next 6 months.

1. March
2. April
3. May
4. June
5. July
6. August

Since March is just around the corner, I am going to announce the March giveaway today

This baby quilt I made last year.  It has been in the closet waiting for a sweet baby girl to be born.  

If you have read my blog for the past year or so, you know I have made several baby quilts to keep on hand to give as a present to new parents.  In the last year, I have given away 6 quilts.  I am not sure why this one wasn't selected (the girls help pick the quilt) but I love it and I want one of you to love it.

So just leave a comment about anything and on March 10th I will draw a winner (using Random.org)

One more thing, I want to welcome all the new subscribers via Bloglovin'.  I am not sure how you found my blog, but my numbers have just jumped via this reader.  I am so happy to have you here.  Look at the numbers of followers via Bloglovin'




Wow, that is my largest following ever.  Thank you!

So don't forget leave a comment to be entered into the giveway

McCall's 5477

Pattern Description: Semi-fitted lined jacket, hip length has notched or shawl collar, princess seams, bias side front and side back panels, shoulder pads and centre back vent.


Sizing: 8 to 20

Likes/dislikes:  I liked this pattern the first time I saw it and purchased it right away.  It is OOP now but I am happy finally to have made it.  I think the plaid version would be so fun to make.

I like the fitted jacket style, the bit of peplum look without the fullness. Interesting collar and sleeve variations are more likes.  The only dislike is it takes quite a bit of fabric 2-3/4 yards and it does take some time to construct.  The time is worth it though.

Fabric:  A Vera stretch sateen from fabric.com  I had to be very creative as I only had 2 yards of fabric.  This meant 3/4 sleeve and the front facing is pieced but it doesn't show from the right side.

Changes: Only changes were due to my fabric shortage.  The rest of the construction is followed per the instructions.

Instructions:  Were very clear and concise.  I really like the dart in the front and front facing, makes a natural roll line.  The instructions were also clear on all the pressing direction and the lining construction. Also, the front facing (which extends to side seams) and back hem facing are a nice addition to the lining process and add some structure to the garment and the gathered areas.

you can see the dart here

Conclusion:  Another winner in the jacket sewing.  Again this jacket was made for Erin and she loved it.
We both really like the silver buttons on the jacket and the back tab adds great interest.

I cannot get my dressform to fill out the shoulder area in these jackets.  It just isn't broad enough.

*****************************************************************************************************

Erin wants one more sewn item (at least for the time being) a knit shirt from a New Look pattern.  I do have time to sew for her as my dryer is broken again (second time in a month), this means I haven't been able to prewash any of the fabric from that big box!

One more note - check out the anniversary winners - two people have not claimed their prizes.  The other three were mailed on Friday.

Winner of Anniversary Giveway

First the winner of the purse:

MySummerTouch said...



Congratulations with 5 year anniversary! My fav garment is the first EVER dress that I made for my daughter, it was New Look pattern. Instrucuctions were clear until the insurtion of a zipper. I didn't understand them and put the dress of for 1,5 years. i took a sewing cource and only then finished the dress. The good thing is that I took a larger size and it still fits her! She wears it now!

Winner of the 5 x 7 cards:

Ann's Fashion Studio said...



Congratulations on five years! :)))


I've recently started listening to your podcasts ~ I know a little late ~ but I am enjoying them so much. It's great to finally meet/hear bloggers that I have been following, and then be introduced to new people/bloggers and products. You put a lot of effort into your podcasts and it truly shows, they are very enjoyable and informative.


Thank You!


Winner of the cards with wooden dressform on first card:

Jo said...



Congratulations! Your blog has been such an inspiration as I begin my sewing adventure. I appreciate all of your information and find myself checking your blog daily :)

Winner of the cards with the pattern envelope on first card:

vernonfashionstudio said...



Congratulations. You have been an inspiration to us all. Your energy is amazing.
Linda T

Winner of the book:

gMarie said...



Hi Lori, I love the garments you make. They always inspire me to dig out a pattern and get sewing - but really, I love, love your house makeover projects. Your designing is amazing! g

Thank you all for the wonderful and thoughtful comments.

Winners please email me with your mailing address.

Five Years - Anniversary Giveway

On this day, five years ago, Girls in the Garden was born with this post  This blogging experience has brought so much into my life.  Friendship with people all over the world, some of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting.  Thanks to all the blogs I follow and tutorials posted on these blogs, my sewing ability has developed.   I have posted garments, cards, gifts, purses, decorating projects and scrapbooking on this blog through the years.

I owe all of you a big THANK YOU for commenting on my blog, encouraging me, emailing me and sharing different family events through these five years.

Now I want to thank you for all of this.  Five years means five gifts.

1. A tote bag

2.  Set of 7 cards 5 x7 cards

3. set of 7 cards 4.25 x 5.5

4.  Set of 7 cards 4.25 x 5.5

5. Style Yourself  book



Now the details

• Leave a comment maybe about your favorite garment,  redo, card, garden, etc
• I will draw on September 3rd (let the giveway run for a week)
• I will draw the winners in order of the prizes listed above (so if you are first name drawn you win the purse)
• Then I will post the winners on the blog and you can email me your mailing details.

Thanks again