Vests and Surprises and Birthdays and Christmas Decorations

Okay, the surprise first. Meredith (dd #3) made this quilt for Erin's (her sister and dd#2) Christmas and Birthday (New Year's Day). It is a surprise and I have been sneaking around trying to finish the binding. Erin came home for semester break on Tuesday, which was the same day the we picked up the quilt from the machine quilter. Orange is Erin's favorite color and Meredith worked hard on this quilt. It is a Take Five pattern. I will get better pictures after Christmas and in the daylight.




Next a sweater vest for Meredith from the leftover bits from my tunic. The pattern is on old Lizzie McGuire pattern and it was a tank top. I just cut one size larger, turned under the edges and coverstitched. Meredith is thrilled with her vest and received many compliments today.

Speaking of Meredith, I need to add Kaitlyn's name and wish them a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY, they are 14 today!! Last night I asked them to stay 13 for one more year but they wouldn't agree.

Finally, a bit of Christmas decorations. I only had the white tree in my kitchen and it needed some company. I added a jar with some balls and greenery. Hung the JOY ornament on the white tree, sat Santa on the cake stand and added the table runner. Yea, my kitchen looks much more festive.

Off to spend some quality time with my birthday girls.

Simplicity 2852

Pattern Review

Pattern: Simplicity 2852

Description: Misses’ Knit top and tunics – 6 views, with sleeve and neck variations. I made view D – a sleeveless tunic

Sizing: 6 to 24, I made a 10

Instructions: Very good – I glanced at them for variations to a basic top and then went to my serger. It was so nice to have a quick and easy project after the trench.

Likes/Dislikes: I liked the look of the sleeveless tunic. A variation on a sweater vest and that was what I wanted for the fabric I was using. A dislike might be the way Simplicity has you finish the armholes (which is part of the bands). Bias binding is used. I had some black knit, I needed thinner than the sweater knit.


Changes: I added a small strip of black piping between the yoke and lower front. I thought the argyles might look very mismatched otherwise.

Fabric: Sweater knit from Joann’s.

Conclusion: A cute pattern and I like the look. I do think a white blouse will look better than my black t-shirt once view the pictures. I also have grey t-neck with ruching on the sleeves for another option.

Okay, I am totally wasting time right now. I am uploading pictures at Elf Yourself. My boss showed me one today at work, so I came home to make one of my 4 girls and future son-in-law. So while I am waiting for the photos to upload, I am surfing a bit. Here is Burberry jacket

It reminds me of the coat on the front cover of BWOF 8/2008

Okay, my video is done. Off to cut out a knit top. Thanks for all the compliments on my trench. It warmed up to 50 degrees today, so I wore it to work.

The Never Ending Trench - BWOF 10/08 #104

Pattern Review





Pattern: BWOF 10/08 #104 Trench Jacket

Description: The trenchcoat is fashionably cropped to jacket length. Cleverly constructed, dual-function patch pockets are double layered and have open tops, fold-over flaps and zip opentings.

Sizing: Sizing 36 to 44, I made a 38 and I think it is big. As I am writing this review and looking at the trench on the model it does look big on her and has fullness in the middle. My fabric is stiffer than the taffeta used in BWOF.

Instructions: The instructions were pretty good for the construction of the jacket. Now for the lining you have to see style 122 and follow those directions. I had just made Voge 2614 in October so I used that pattern for lining instructions.

Now this pattern is rated 2-1/2 dots and I felt it was worth every dot. All the details of this jacket lead to a lengthy construction project.

Likes/Dislikes: When I received this issue, I immediately marked this jacket. The sleeve tabs just did it for my decision, along with the button belt loop tabs.

My dislike would be it took FOREVER to construct this. Not only the construction time but the time to gather all your supplies, especially with no sewing store closer than 45 minutes. I made 2 trips for zippers and buttons.


Changes: I used 9” zippers for the pockets, the instructions call for 7” zippers but I wasn’t able to find those. The construction process on the pockets make it difficult to shorten the zippers. Take a close look at the pockets on the model to see what I mean. This made my pockets a couple inches bigger, but I don’t think it hurts the look of the jacket.

I believe the jacket would have been more trendy, if I could have found metal zippers. The only metal zipper I could find in the 9” size had gold teeth, that wouldn’t have worked with my silver/black buttons.



Fabric: An outerwear from Joann’s. I used every bit of this fabric. In fact, I made the pockets twice. First time, I totally misread the instructions and had to throw that set away. This was the 2nd trip to Joann’s for zippers and I was so short on fabric, the pockets are pieced to get the correct size.

Now I have to say, I love these buttons, I found them at Joann’s . The minute I spotted them, I just knew they were the “look” for this trench.




Conclusion: I really like the style of my jacket but I think It might be a bit big but I can live with that. I took such a long time making this jacket, the weather went from lightweight trench to heavy winter coat weather. I am sure we will have some prettier days here and there and I will be able to wear my new trench. This is one pattern I will make only once, too trendy, I think.

A bit of advice – gather all the notions and save yourself some time.





Zippered pockets

Side view

Back view - I topstiched each side of the seam, this fabric didn't want to press the best.

Check out my 300th post for a chance to win some patterns. I will draw on December 11th, the twins' 14th birthday.

What am I sewing next? Some simple, quick knit tops. I need instant gratification and my wardrobe needs some new things, especially before the holidays.

Togetherness and my 300th post

Stacy is having Theme Thursday on togetherness. Here is my entry for the theme, our annual trip to cut our Christmas tree. Use to be 4 daughters on this trip, but the 2 college girls weren't able to make it. We still have lots of fun but we do miss them. It was very, very cold and starting to sleet. We were able to select our tree very quickly!

This is the one:

Christmas decorations:

Some Santas:

This is what I am sewing #104 from 10/2008, it is taking me quite awhile, just 15-30 minutes of sewing here and there.

I can't believe this is my 300th post. A giveaway is in order, let's see....... I went and found 4 purse patterns (Big 3) and they have never been used. Leave a comment on what you are sewing/crafting for presents and you will entered into the drawing.