Vogue 2873

First a funny story, on New Year’s Day, I read Erica's post on her fabulous pea coat.  I thought, “wow, I love this coat, I need to find the OOP pattern.”  So I googled that pattern number and saw the picture and said to myself, “I have that pattern, in fact, I have it cut out on my sewing table!”  You see I am an accountant, I am good with numbers, just not pattern numbers.  I see the picture on the envelope and not the number each and every time.
So for those of you, like me and need a visual, here is the picture of this OOP Vogue pattern:

picture source

Pattern Description: The pattern includes both a pant and jacket pattern. The jacket is double breasted, with 2 piece sleeves and cuffs. Front flaps and a back belt complete the jacket.
Pattern Sizing: The size range for this jacket is 8 to 24. I made a 12.
Likes/dislikes:  I love the style, the collar, the 2-piece sleeve, the cuff the back belt and on and on.  There were no dislikes, well, except for the fact it took me forever to make it.
Changes: I added 1” to the body and 1” to the sleeves.  I could have eliminated the sleeve length but it is fine.  I would rather have my sleeves a bit too long than too short.
I also used Fashion Sewing Supply interfacing to underline the entire jacket and to interface the required pieces. I followed some of the tailoring suggestions found online to make my jacket better.
Fabric:  A wool purchased from Fabric Mart with a project in mind but I did not get to that project.  This wool blend was laundered by mistake after purchasing this fabric.  It didn’t hurt it much, just made it beefier and a bit spongy.  Erica’s review was perfect timing, I desperately needed buttons for my jacket and she had purchased her button’s from Mood Fabrics.  I ordered these buttons for my coat and they were the perfect ones for my coat.  What do you think?


Conclusion:  I really love my coat, it might be bit big but I am wearing it with a very lightweight blouse, so with a sweater it might be just right.  I do like the longer sleeves and the color is wonderful for mid-winter.
I would love to make another one in a classic darker color, maybe next year!

I got out to take pictures just before dark and a bit before the freezing rain came.


a different view:

and the back

After looking at these pictures, I have moved the button so the pucker/pull of the middle button is gone.
If you are looking for a classic style, give this pattern a try.

Mood Sewing Network

I am sure you have heard about the Mood Sewing Network?  It started in September and here is the information
“Welcome to the Mood Sewing Network, a collective of fashion sewing bloggers from across the U.S. The nine women we've chosen to help us launch the Mood Sewing Network represent a cross-section of home sewers: some still consider themselves beginners, while others are at the more experienced end of the sewing spectrum. No matter where they fall, we admire their enthusiasm for sewing and their love of fabric. Follow their adventures here in sewing and creating with Mood fabrics and use them for inspiration with your own sewing projects.”
Mood Fabrics is expanding the Network and guess who has been invited to be part of this sewing network?  Yes ME!!!!

 I am so thrilled and honored to have been asked by Mood to participate.  To join this group of  fabulous Mood Sewing Bloggers is a dream come true.  I have been following Amanda, Carolyn, Erica, Marina, GingerMakes, Goodbye Valentino, Miss Celie, Oonaballoona, and Sew Well since the Mood Sewing Network was announced (and some of them way before that). 

Here are the details on how it works for me:
Each month Mood Fabrics provides the Mood Sewing Network bloggers with an allowance for fabric that they can spend online at MoodFabrics.com or in our NYC or LA stores. The bloggers, in turn, will sew a garment with Mood fabrics each month and then blog about it on their own blogs and here.
My first box of Mood fabric goodness is on the way and I can’t wait to open it and see my goodies.  My mind is racing with all the garments I want to sew over the next few months.
I have started posting more on Instagram, so if you want to follow my Mood Sewing Network search for girlsinthegarden.

Nursery

Here are so better pictures of the nursery, 
First off the cute rocker, from Target, pillow by me from Baby Times 24 Handmade Treasures for Baby & Mom.  The pillow is on the front cover.  The table was painted by the daddy-to-be, carrying out the cute green, yellow and brown theme

Next the crib with the shortened crib skirt, the crib is also from TArget

Here is the book slings and a bit of the artwork above the crib.  We saw this idea in a book and decided to do our version.  Erin purchased art canvases, we covered them in extra fabric.  Next I painted the letters in alternating yellows and greens.  After the paint was dry Erin used Gorilla Glue to attach to canvas.  I don’t feel right showing you the entire name, keeping that a bit private

Finally, the baby quilt made by soon-to-be Aunt Meredith and it went to the longarm quilter today.  That gives you a good idea of all the fabrics we used and the small bit of John Deere fabric that was included.

My Little Apron by Whimsicals

My first post of 2013, but this project was completed December 31, 2012.

Picture of pattern from Whimsical Quilts
This apron has been on display in a quilt shop and Kaitlyn has always wanted an apron from this pattern, the problem is the pattern has been out-of-stock and I never ordered one online.  The problem was solved on my last trip to the shop a few days ago. 
Kaitlyn’s favorite color is red and since she wasn’t with me, I had to pick out fabric myself.  She said I did good.

pockets, love the rick-rack

Side view


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A question – anyone have a snap press?  I am thinking about investing in one with the first grandbaby coming.  I think I would use it frequently but I don’t know anything about them.  Please give me any advice you might have.  Thanks

Best of 2012–Quilts, bags and more

You might be sick of these “Best Of” posts but I need to do one more with the quilting type projects.  A selfish reason really, I like looking back and reminiscing.
1.  Chris and Erin's quilt

2.  Pillow for a swap – I designed the layout and just love how the colors and pattern turned out.  It was hard to part with this one.

3.  String Quilt – love this after it was completed, it took for-e-ver to make

4. My all time favorite large bag Amy Butler's Weekender Bag – made it twice this year


5.   The Alice Book bag – Easy purse to sew, put very popular with the 16 to 20-somethings I know.  It is quick and easy – here is pictures of 5 of the 7 I have made




6.  Kimi Rose Purse – talk about visual effect.  My girls use this almost everyday, it can pack some stuff!


7.  Red and aqua quilt for Kaitlyn – it just screams “fun”

8.  Sunspot quilt – I love the white background setting off the bright colors even more.


9.  Christmas quilt – like it but most importantly it is DONE!

10,Evelyn Bag – the most detailed oriented bag I have made.  It does make it look so RTW.

Then I finish off the list with two bags from my own pattern line
11. Rose -A Messenger bag

12.  Daisy- my second pattern

So that is it, my three “Best of” posts, now I better head to my sewing room and start working on the 2013 projects!

Happy New Year!