A Year in Review

Like others out here, I have been inspired to sew more. This year, I have made a few pieces and have actually worn them! LOL. Most haven't been posted, because, again, I am not the most fashion forward person (that's changing) , so those pieces were more functional than fashionable.



For 2009, I have a few goals for myself:

1. Inserting an invisible zipper properly


2. Sew a mini-wardrobe, so that I can have that go to 'fit. I think that I will get started on this pretty soon for Spring.


3. Increase my fabric stash. I did a major purge right before Christmas, so I want to increase it a little so that I will be in a position to rely on my stash.


4. Work more w/ knits. I am scared to death of this fabric and I don't know why!


5. Add more color to my closet. Right now, it's pretty basic and I want to change that.

That's all for now. I think this is a pretty extensive list for me. Wish me luck!!

Happy Sewimg

What Not to Wear

Okay, so I saw a jacket made up at my local Joanns and thought that it was cute. I bought this pattern

and it sat in my stash for quite some time. Hancock's Fabric had fleece on sale at $2.49/ yard, so I snagged a few yards for this coat.

So....
I make the coat. Didn't take long. I tried the coat on for DH and he laughs. He said that it looked like I was going to sing a choir!!. Then, when I added the belt, I looked like Mrs. Claus!! This is definitely a "What Not to Wear"! I have a few tweaks to make to it, like changing the pockets to reduce some of the bulk around my hips. As such, the only pic at this time will be on the hanger.....

Here's my review:

Fabric: Fleece

Pattern Description: Misses' jacket, coat,dress and pants. Unlined jacket and coat have high neck, drop shoulders, loose-fitting sleeves and optional snap closures.

Pattern Sizing:Multi-sized, 14-16-18-20, I made an 18.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes, it did because I made it out of red.

Were the instructions easy to follow?The instructions were easy to follow.What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I liked the look of all of the pieces. But, when I made the jacket, it didn't work for me. I think this was due to poor fabric selection. Fleece was one of the recommended fabrics as well as woolens. I think I should have used a light weight wool. I made it out of a red fleece, when I added the belt, I felt like Mrs. Claus!!

Fabric Used:Red fleece.Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:No alterations were done. I am going to go back on this one and change the pockets to a lining fabric to take away some the bulk around my hip area. Also instead of wearing it closed, I will be wearing it open.

Would you sew it again? Probably

Would you recommend it to others?It does have potential, just watch the fabric selection.

Conclusion: Overall, not a bad pattern, very easy to sew. I think I will give it another chance, just in a different fabric.

Happy sewing!!

What I Got

DH really surprised w/ this one! I've been wanting one for awhile and here she is.....

I have been playing with it all morning long!! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, also!

WISHING YOU A.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Off the Wagon!!!

Okay, so I know I said that I would stay away from purses, but I couldn't help it. I orginally bought the red corduroy to make a skirt, but , as you all know, plans can change. I had this pattern in my stash for quite some time, just like my others. One day, while picking up my sewing area, I read the back of pattern. Hmmmm.... corduroy, huh?? I think I have that. Now for a contrast?? That took me a minute, but, again, while picking up, I ran across the cotton animal print. Okay, maybe I am on to something. That's when it hit me! Why not not the red w/ the animal print as a contrast? The pattern was Butterick B5109, view D. Well, what do you think??

Sewing for My Little Guy

Okay, so my little guy has really been hinting at wanting a messenger bag to carry "his stuff". We made a make shift one a while back and I hoped that this one would buy me some time. WRONG!! No we all know that children have great memories when it comes to remembering stuff that you said-especially if it something they want, but can't remember you telling them to clean their room! So, I kept my promise and made him the bag. I borrowed the pattern from someone at work and it was a pretty quick sew. He didn't know that I was making it as I wanted it to be a surprise. I had some upholstery fabric in my stash and used some blue fabric to line it. I think it turned out pretty good. The pattern is a See & Sew pattern and the number alludes me at the moment. When I can pin him down long enough, I'll catch a quick pic of him w/ it and I'll post it at a later date along w/ the pattern #. Whatta ya think???

Heaven on Earth

Early last week I went to a training class that I needed to attend for work. It was held at ESPN Zone. At the end of training, we were given game cards. I couldn't stay and play as I had to return back to work. Saturday, I took Chipmunk and JC there for lunch. Afterwards, he and JC hit the arcade. JC really had a great time. As we were heading out, Chipmunk didn't take his usual route. **SIDENOTE**I read a post on Real Life: Live & Unscripted. In it, Adrienne mentioned one of her favorite fabric spots to visit in Atlanta- Gail K Fabrics. I told Chipmunk about it and that I would like to go there one weekend. What I didn't know was that it was so close to where we had eaten lunch.

This place is AMAZING!! I walked in and was speechless. Unfortunately it was close to closing time, so I couldn't look around like I wanted to. I will definitely be going back there. It's not too far from where we live, but when I go back, I need to make sure that I have my game plan, because it's not around the corner like Jo-Ann's or Hancock Fabrics. I did find some really pretty fabric to make Simplicity 2816, View B.

Thanks Adrienne for sharing all of blog world with this piece of heaven on Earth!