My First Jacket

I started this jacket about two weeks ago and I can honestly say, I am hooked on jackets. The pattern is Butterick B4865-

Unlined raglan sleeve jacket has collar, sleeve and length variations

I made view D using a wool blend with grey, yellow, burgandy and turquoise stripes. I wanted to make this jacket out of this fabric so that it would work with other pieces in my closet. It's still too warm here in the South to wear this just yet, so I can't wait until that first cold day! Until next time, happy sewing!!

Fay's Gone Away!!!

Goodbye Fay! Thanks for the much needed rain here in GA, but like my mom says, "I'm glad to see you come and glad to see you go!" I have finished most of my sewing that I mentioned in my last post, but have been lazy in getting the pics posted. Now that the rain has stopped, I will be getting outside to have DH take the pics of my handiwork. Hope to have them posted soon!

I have been working on a list of pieces that I would like for Fall/Winter, so I will be posting them soon. Of course, I heart Anthropologie but hate the prices, so will be trying to "make the look" as close as I can. Hope to have that soon, too.

Until then, happy sewing!!

Testing the Water...

So I have been away for a little bit, just busy with life.

I've blown the dust off of my sewing machine and decided to give apparel sewing a try. Ever since my mother taught me how to sew, I was drawn to making accessories. One day, I was making a purse (again) and my husband asked me the dreaded question, "Are you making another purse? Do you need another one?" The horror of this man asking me if I needed another purse!

After that moment and much purusing online, I decided that I should give making my own clothes a try. While I consider myself to be at an intermediate level when it comes to accessories, I think that I am some where between a beginner and beginner advanced when it comes to apparel.

Like most us out here, I too, have been inspired by EricaB and Myraida. I made a few pattern purchases as well as fabric. Fall will be here soon, so I am trying to think ahead. I bought three Built By Wendy patterns, Simplicity 3966, Simplicity 4109 and Simplicity 3835.

Now, since this whole epiphany, I have made two pairs of shorts and a skirt, from B3460 and a top from Built By Wendy. While I know that the shorts and skirt may not be the most fashion forward in design, they were made out of some really cute fabrics and they serve my purpose. My next project will be to make this top from Simplicity. The yoke will be made from a black & white print and tunic will be black. I hope to have pics soon. Wish me luck!!!

Matlock revisted-sorta....

My mother was a big fan of a televison show called "Matlock". He was a fictional attorney based out of Georgia. In almost every episode, he could be seen wearing a seersucker suit. With that said, on my last visit home, my mother had some aqua & white seersucker fabric. So of course I took it. And.... made myself a hat. Can't wait to wear this little number when it warms up and stays warm. I have the perfect jeans to wear w/ but the the rest is still up in the air. I have a crisp white shirt w/ french cuffs that I think would definitely work but that to me would be too obvious. Until I run up on the right shirt, I will definitely work w/ what I have. Here she is...

J'ai fini.....

It's done, finished, complete-but not quite right. So I finished my last WIP and I am very disappointed in myself. I hit one part in the directions that I simply could not figure out. I read it, reread it and still couldn't get. So I ended up doing my version of the purse. Don't get me wrong it's still okay, but that was not my goal, my goal was to make view A. I think one of my problems was using the wrong size handles. Mine were about an inch bigger. I have some of that fabric left, so I don't know what I'll do with the rest. I may try another view off the same pattern. Here it is...










I went to Jo-Anns and found some patterns to add to the stash. I have a lot of patterns for purses, hats, etc., but not for clothing. So I went for basics that way when I reach the level of my inspirations, http://www.ericabunker.com/ and http://www.domestichaven.wordpress.com/ , I will be able to switch it up a bit by changing necklines and buttonholes for example. I also have this book in my collection. It's an older book, but I like looking at for techniques that I would LOVE to try.
It's called "Make it Your Own, Personalizing Patterns for Creative Design" by Lori Bottom and Ronda Chaney.

Next WIPs- a hat from some fabric that my Mom gave me and this lovely number, http://maggiewang.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/larue_bag.pdf as inspired from the movie, "The Devil Wears Prada". Hope these turn out better.....

My new WIP

Here's my new WIP....

This pattern has been staring me on the face for quite some time, I just couldn't decide what fabric to use. Will post finished pics soon...

Trying to do better...

I had enough with my hair. I stopped going to the salon many moons ago ,because my purse was really taking a hit. When I stopped doing that, it just seemed like I gave up on trying to look cute and that started to show in my hair and in my clothes.

One night while surfing I ran across www.monicamingo.com from erica b.'s site. Her site is quite a jewel! On it, she talks about her everyday life, just like we all do. Over on the sidebar, she has a topic called 2007 Hair Care Regimen, http://http://creoleindc.typepad.com/healthy_hair_care_regimen/. I clicked on it and began to read. Am I so glad that I did!!!

Through her hair trip, she takes you on her jounery for longer, thicker fuller hair. So, now I am trying to do better. I, too, have started my own hair journey and from what I have been able to find online, this is not a new topic, just new to ME!

Will keep my progress posted. Thank you CreoleinDC for showing and inspiring me to do better.