Silent but Busy

What is going on in your world? I've been pretty silent over here but busy none the less. School is out and that means kids 24/7. Since they are pretty young we don't do a lot of camps - maybe one or 2 weeks otherwise it is Camp Mama. I've been doing some refashion style sewing and crafting. I usually document that stuff at my other blog and save the pattern sewing for this one. I won't give a ton of detail but just show some pics of some of the stuff I've made recently.

Apron for one of my son's friend

Barrettes for one of my daughter's friends

Skirt made from old T-shirts in DD's school colors for the last day of Kindergarten inspired by mini Boden

FAILED attempt at making a tank to go with skirt that turned into muscle shirt for son

Fabric bracelet - part of the gift given to DD friend (see barrettes)

I'll be making a lot more kid's stuff. I am on a mission to make handmade gifts for the million and one kid's birthday parties we attend. If you have young kids you know what I'm talking about. See my other blog for more details on where to find the tutorials for the apron, barrettes, tank top and fabric bracelet.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I turned 35 this week! It seems like such a mature age. I'm still trying to process it all. This birthday milestone has me pondering some things about my life - you know those deep questions. At the same time I'm very excited about what the future holds. Let me tell you that cake was so good, amaretto buttercream with white chocolate shavings- YUM!

B5104 - Striped Top Completed

Remember my What Not To Do When Sewing Stripes? That hot stripey mess has become a finished top and I really like it. After 2 or 3 neckband applications, changing the sleeves, and picking out the hem once - it is finally finished. This will become my fitted T-shirt TNT. I plan to make some solid colors as well. I added elastic to the sleeve for a tighter fit.

Sewing with Knits Tip: I used wooly nylon in my bobbin when sewing the elastic casing and when using my twin needle for hemming the bottom of the shirt. I think it does provide more stretch. A few sources recommend this technique and they also tell you to hand wind the bobbin so there is less tension.

I have really big hair - ALWAYS LOL

The other side is off by a stripe so the green flows into the white. I'll do better next time - maybe. Again this was made using OOP Butterick 5104. Of course, I made a few modifications:)

Enjoy your weekend!

Vintage Goodies

I posted this on my other blog and since it was sewing related I thought that I would post it here as well.

While at my local discount fabric store - a place that I have banished myself from because of my overabundance of fabric, where was I going with this. Ah yes, I found some vintage patterns at my local discount fabric store for FREE! Yep, they were just giving them away. I only took 5 oh I mean 6 - I was trying not to be greedy.

My fave for my daughter is Simplicity 7835 - I think those shirt dresses are adorable! For me, I'm feeling Simplicity 6531. I know it looks like a nightgown or house dress but I think we can make it cute for summer wear. I grabbed some zippers and buttons for 25 cents and (cough cough) 3.5 yards of fabric. I know, I know. I'll just have to sew 3.5 yards soon - that will keep the universe in balance right.

I love how Simplicity 9388 has the name Lillian written on it.

The pattern dates range from 1966 to 1971. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I grabbed the McCall's nightgown pattern. Now it's time to dream up ways to use these gems.

Checking in

Whew! Just catching my breath from a whirlwind of activity. Unfortunately not sewing activity. From the last week of January to this week there has been a major activity every week. It is now finally over - yippee. I also realized that while on our annual ski trip, my one bin fabric challenge ended. My production was pretty pitiful but I'll be sewing from my stash for the next couple of months - I'll try to keep track of yardage out.
My kids and I were on a episode of HGTV's Curb Appeal - it was filmed late last year but just aired this weekend. The home of one of my daughter's classmates was redone. It was kind of strange seeing myself and the kids on TV. Man, my eyes look really big - LOL.
What's going on with everyone else? Ready for spring sewing?

Happy Valentine's Day

My sweetheart and I spent Valentine's Day on the slopes in West Virginia. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your special one.

What Not To Do When Sewing Stripes

When sewing stripes please do not follow my rules.

1. Select fabric - I was eager to sew this fat stripey material because I liked the look and it felt nice too. It is from my stash.
2. Select pattern - I thought a raglan style tee would be simple and a nice basic.
Makes sense right, the wrong starts at the next step.
3. Cut fabric without acknowledgment of stripes- Doh! I totally failed
to recognize that this was a pattern that required a plan i.e. - the stripes need to be continuous from the sleeve and front to back.
4. Cross fingers that it will work - I hoped that is would just fall in place when sewn together. Wrong!
5. Purchase only required amount of fabric - I also only had a yard of fabric so zero room for error and of course I made one. Always buy extra, especially when it only costs $2/yd.
6. Wear it anyway - I plan to wear this shirt regardless of my mistakes. I've never sewn with stripes, plaids, or patterns that require matching. Did I mention I like the feel of the fabric so it's a keeper even if it's a stripey mess. I didn't have the heart to show you any side shots but I will when it is totally done.


It still needs a neckband (pattern calls for narrow hem - I prefer a neck band) and a sleeve and waist hem. I just had to share my foolishness. Oh yeah, this is the first knit tee that I've tried that is not oversized. I typically cut a 8 or 10 but the 12 fits me snugly. The pattern is OOP B5104.