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.

FAIL - McCall's 5271

Here's the first FAIL of 2010 - McCall's 5271 and also a fabric from the bin.

The cowl hangs super low which is okay because this can be remedied with a tank underneath. But something else is wrong, there is just too much fabric that causes tons of ripples and waves down the front. The fit in the shoulders is also off causing the shoulders to hang incorrectly and slide off when I move a lot. It does not look that bad on my dressform but on me --Ehhh!

What I do like about this pattern is the fit in the back. I usually have issues with the back being to large or droopy. I also like the way the front and back are sewn together to hold the cowl in place. The top still needs the band at the hip (View F) and hemming at the sleeves. I will try to salvage this garment but not now. I'll pack it up and move on.

I'm eating ice cream and apple crisp right now. I know it is 10 pm but I skipped dinner - LOL.

Made IT! Monday - Cowl Neck Tunic

Butterick 5247 has been made by many with great results. I thought it would be a cute dress to throw on and go. I originally wanted to make View D but didn't have enough fabric. I tried to pull it off with the 2 yards I had by putting a seam down the back but I didn't like the length. I chopped off a few inches and made it into a tunic to go over leggings. I like it much better this way. I didn't like the way the sleeves tapered down either so I shortened these as well. I plan to wear bracelets so the length doesn't look too odd. I cut a size 8 and graded it up to a 12 in the hip based on the pattern measurements. The pattern is very straight forward and a quick sew. Great for a beginner. This is fabric from "the bin" and I haven't a clue when I bought this but I know it is at least 7 years old.

Front & Back View - Hmm...I wonder if I have a swayback?

My Hubby caught me in between poses.

It's wet and cold but I am trying to pose.

My handsome photographer aka Hubby

Happy New Year

I hope you all had a great time bringing in the New Year. I certainly did. I am really excited about 2010 --it sounds so futuristic. I remember imagining what I would be doing in 2000, 2010, 2020 and so on. It sounded so far away but it is here and now! WOW!
My One Bin Fabric Challenge officially begins today - again (LOL). I have swapped out a few pieces of fabric and actually cataloged what is in the bin. If you've made a resolution around buying less fabric or reducing your stash, join me. I am using the bin as a measuring tool because I need a tangible focal point and that's what I store my fabric in. If everything in the bin gets sewn that's great and if not a dent has been made in the collection. I've already cut a few pieces out from before and have a FO or 2 in the bin as well. Time to sew! Happy New Year Sewing Sisters!