Changes

Hello friends. Well, I've gone and done it. I've cut off my hair. I almost had a panic attack as the scissors met my hair but I feel good about it now. I needed a change. I think the hair might just be the beginning.

See that messy desk in the background? It's been seeing a lot of action but unfortunately I have nothing to show for it yet. I've been busy designing a new bag pattern but I'm still working out a few kinks. I'll have something sewing related to show soon though. In the meantime, I have some non-sewing related projects in the works that I'll share this week. I told you the hair was just the beginning, didn't I?

Happy President's Day!

P.S. The necklace I'm wearing in this picture is one of my most favorite necklaces ever. I bought it from Sheny Designs at the Crafty Bastards Fair in DC this past fall but she also has an etsy shop here.

You make my day

Lara from Thornberry recently gave me a "You Make My Day" award. I'm so honored.


I'm supposed to pass the award on to another 10 people whose blog brings me happiness and inspiration and makes me feel happy about blogland. Well, everyone who stops by here and leaves a comment brings me happiness and makes me feel happy about blogland. But in the spirit of passing on the torch, here are some people who make my day:

Christina
Cidell
Katie
Regina
Kate
Mari
Sugar City
Lulu
Kelly
Oh Fransson

It was hard to narrow this down to ten as there are so many other blogs I'm constantly inspired by!

Up to my neck

It's been a little quiet lately because I've been up to my neck with non-crafty stuff. It's all good though. I apparently thrive when I'm super busy. I don't really like having a lot of time on my hands. Can anyone else relate?

Speaking of being up to my neck, here is my finished Simplicity 4111 top with a raised neckline. I wanted to make this top since last summer but just got around to it. All of the reviews I read warned about an extremely low neckline. I decided to raise the neckline so that I could wear it by itself without flashing my goods to the outside world.

I'm happy with the neckline but I'm not sure how I feel about the shirt overall. I think it just needs to grow on me. Anyways, here is how I raised the neckline:

First, tape your bodice pattern to some paper. Measure the amount you want to raise and mark a dot. Then draw a straight line down to the original point. Here I've raised it about an inch.


Next, draw a curve from the dot you just made to the side neckline using a french curve (like the one pictured) or do it freestyle.


Make sure you transfer all markings from the original bodice neckline to the new neckline. Once that's done, it's time to adjust the neckline facing. If your bodice pattern doesn't have a facing piece, then you can skip the next step. Remember to use your new bodice pattern piece for the lining if applicable.


Put tracing paper over your new bodice pattern. Measure the width of the original neckline facing pattern piece. Here, the amount I raised the neckline happens to be the same amount as the width of the facing pattern piece. On your new curve, measure and mark that amount along the entire neckline (represented by the dotted line in the picture above). Connect the dots and you have your new facing piece. Prepare your garment following the directions with your new pattern pieces.

There might be a more professional way of doing this, but this is the method I used which worked for me. I hope this helps at least one of you out there.

Amy Butler Anna Tunic

Check out my review of the Amy Butler Anna Tunic today at Sew Mama Sew. I was really excited to be able to do a review for them.

I had a lot of fun making this tunic and definitely plan to make another one.

My favorite part of this tunic: the buttons on the back!

Mama's got a brand new skirt...

...and it's fire engine red.

Materials used: red corduroy, big black buttons.

I'm currently toying with the idea of selling some skirts on etsy. I'll keep you posted.

In Stitches Apron

This is a late birthday present for Peter's mom. Better late than never, right? It's my first apron. The pattern is from Amy Butler's In Stitches with a few modifications: a shortened waistband width and shortened overall length. The pattern was very easy to follow. I used fabric from Heather Bailey's Freshcut line. At first I wasn't sure about these two fabrics together, but now I love the combination. I'm almost jealous that this apron will be headed down to sunny Sarasota while I brave out the freezing weather here. Spring will be here soon though. I can't wait.

What I did on my winter vacation

No, I didn't volunteer for the crossing guard.

With the help of my sister, we made duct tape doubles of ourselves. I had been wanting a dress form for a while. It's hard to check a garment's fit on one's self and the boyfriend never quite grasped proper tailoring techniques. Thankfully my sister was excited about the idea of making duct tape dress forms so we slotted out a time during the holidays when we both had a few free hours.

Here mine is in her spot in my sewing "room". We used this tutorial but also learned a few tricks along the way through trial and error. If you try this at home, here's my advice:

1. This is a two person project. I assume that's obvious, but just in case...
2. This project took much longer than we both anticipated. Plan to be standing straight and still for at least two hours. Go potty beforehand and wear comfortable shoes (kind of like the advice people give to brides, no?).
3. Scissors are no match for duct tape. It's much easier to just rip and tear it.
4. Use smaller pieces of duct tape. They're much easier to manage and go on smoother over curvy areas.
5. To make the process quicker, rip a bunch of pieces off at a time.
6. To stuff the dress form, use fiberfill. We used newspaper at first but found that it didn't stuff well at all. My dress form took 104 ounces of fiberfill to stuff.
7. We used a wooden curtain rod cut to size and a Christmas tree holder as the base for our forms (the rod goes all the way through the dress form).

I'm so glad to finally have a custom fit dress form. I've already used it on the two projects I've worked on so far in 2008. Here's hoping my shape and size don't change anytime soon!

The Red Duster

I've talked before about the amazing things my Mom crochets. For my birthday this year, she made me this beautiful red duster.


I love this duster and will wear it for many years. She saw the pattern in Crochet magazine (I think) and just "had to make it" (in her own words). Don't we all know what that feeling is like! She claims it is the most beautiful thing she has made. I'm honored she made this for me. Thanks Mom!

First dress of the new year

How is it possible to feel va-va-voom yet warm and cozy in these cold winter months? By wearing this dress, Burda 8771, that's how.

This dress might look very familiar to some of you folks. That's because it's an almost exact copy of Christina's awesome dress. I was floored so much by hers that I wanted to make one of my own. Christina graciously lent me the now out of print pattern so I could make it happen. I even used the same fabric but in a different color (I didn't want to seem too much like a copy cat). It's a washable organic wool from Fabric Mart. Any wool that can be washed and looks this amazing is a keeper in my book.

I'm still amazed at how easy this dress was to sew up and how great the end result is. I feel like this is a dress that will never go out of style and one that can be slightly modified for many great looks.

Handmade Holidays Recap: For the girls

Puppet theaters for my nieces using the pattern in Amy Carol's Bend the Rules Sewing:

These were so much fun to make. My sisters tell me the girls think they are so much fun to play with. A win win situation, no?


For my friend, Catherine, a crochet scarf. She kept telling me how much she loved my scarf so I crocheted one for her too. This was super easy and relatively quick to make. I just did double crochet using Lion Brand Homespun yarn. It's so soft, just like mine. I've had mine for three years and love it:


For my Mom, the crocheter, a crochet hook holder made from linen and Heather Bailey's Freshcut fabric:

Handmade Holidays Recap: Applique Skirt

My sister gushed about the applique skirts I made last month so it was pretty easy deciding what to make her for Christmas. This is my favorite of the skirts I've made so far. I almost couldn't give it away! It's made of burgundy denim. I think I have enough fabric to make another one to keep this time.

Here's looking at you, 2008

I hope you all had a fabulous New Year's. As I look toward the year ahead, I have many things I want to accomplish, both professionally and personally. Included in the list are some sewing goals. In the hopes of being more motivated to do what it is I say I want to do, I give you my sewing resolutions for 2008:

1. Sew a quilt. I've been wanting to do this for a while but couldn't decide on a pattern. I've finally decided.

2. Sew pants. I shouldn't be scared to do this. Finding pants that fit well is probably a lot more difficult than sewing well fitted pants. Right (she asks nervously)???

3. Finish what I start (or else don't start it at all). Enough said.

4. Sew with a plan. I am completely guilty of sewing random items that don't coordinate well with other pieces in my wardrobe. This is a shame on many levels but especially so because I don't end up wearing the garment that often.

5. Make at least one pattern on my own. This will be challenging but I am very excited and optimistic about the experience.

I hope 2008 brings you all much love and happiness.

Handmade Holidays Recap: The Boys

It was a lot of work, but it paid off in the end. I was proud to give something I made to people I loved and the gifts were well received. The only people who didn't get something handmade were the adult men on my list. The men in my life are hard to buy stuff for, let alone make stuff for! Maybe next year when I'm a knitting machine, (yeah, Katie!*), they'll get something handmade. Fortunately, my nephews are young enough that I was able to think up stuff I could make for them.

Nathan's mommy plans to do a nautical theme for his room, so I painted some canvases to add to the decor. This was actually Nathan's birthday present. Since he is also a December baby, his birthday present made it onto my handmade holiday list. I haven't painted in a while and I forgot how much I enjoy it. I am thinking about taking commission orders to sell. Let me know if you are interested.

For Christmas, I made the boys some personalized bunting to decorate their rooms (Ryan's is not shown here). I got this idea after seeing Jennifer's beautiful baby bunting. This was a quick and easy project and so cute in the end.

Besides being well received, these gifts were also great because they were made with materials I already had on hand.

*Katie and I are going to take knitting lessons in 2008.

Edited: Just when I was starting to wonder why there were no comments on this post, I realized the pictures weren't showing up. I've uploaded the pictures again so now I hope you'll be able to see the gifts I made for the boys.

100th Post and New York Advice

Wow, I can't believe I've made it to 100 posts.! When I started this blog I didn't know how many wonderful people and ideas it would introduce me to. It means so much to me when people stop by here. Thanks for visiting! There are a lot of great craft/sewing blogs out there and I hope that I make a positive contribution to such a supportive and inspiring community.

I've also received a lot of great advice through this blog and now I'm in need of some more. I'm going to New York for a New Year's Eve party. I've been to New York several times but have never taken advantage of its great fabric shopping opportunities. Do you have any recommendations for fabric stores I must visit? I'm currently in need of some crochet trim for a dress project in the works so I would also appreciate a recommendation for a great trim shop.

Happy Friday everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I share my birthday with my Dad and Aunt and I was lucky to be able to celebrate our day with both of them. I had a wonderful birthday and Christmas and I am looking forward to the new year ahead.

Now for some giveaway news. Using the random number generator, the winner of the Quilt-Kit is comment number 2. Lori, I will put this in the mail to you later this week.

Hoping you all are having a wonderful Holiday!

A giveaway for you

These past few weeks have made me really appreciate my friends and family. I don't know where I would be without them. I am truly grateful for their love and support.

I'm also grateful for all the people that stop by this blog to share and support my creative endeavors. To show my gratitude and in honor of my upcoming birthday, I'm giving away this Quilt-It Kit by Denyse Schmidt. Please leave a comment on this post by midnight EST on Sunday, December 23rd (my birthday!). I'll announce the randomly chosen winner on the 24th.


With Christmas right around the corner, I'll soon be able to show you all the projects I've been working on. As much fun as it's been to make presents this year, I'm really ready to start sewing another clothing project for my wardrobe.

BWOF

My birthday is almost a week away. I usually use this day to justify a big purchase on myself (as opposed to all the other months when I just spoil myself rotten for the heck of it). I've decided to buy a subscription to BWOF magazine so that I don't have to run all over DC hoping to find one each month. But, how do I subscribe? All you BWOF subscribers out there, help a girl out, won't you?

Handmade holiday sneak peek

Whew, I'm coming up for air for a moment from my holiday gift making fest.

I hope the recipients like what I've made as much as I do. Like the gift above, which I can only give a peek of for now.

How is your Holiday gift making/shopping going?

McCalls 5466

Yippee, I finished another fall/winter dress! I was immediately drawn to McCalls 5466 View B when it first came out earlier this fall. I've seen several beautiful versions of View A (the pencil skirt) but I'm a sucker for flowy skirts.

I'm not really quite sure how to describe the fabric I used. It's some sort of spongy brown tweed. I found it at G Street Fabrics in their remnants section for two dollars a yard. At that price, how could I not buy it? I did a burn test and concluded that it's made of polyester fibers. Whatever it is, it's incredibly soft, comfortable and has lovely drape.

I don't normally make muslins but for some reason I did with this dress. I'm glad I did! This pattern did not fit me right out of the envelope. I had to make several alterations to the bodice. First, the pattern as drafted is very narrow at the waist. I added about an inch at the waist so I could breath when it was zipped up. Next, I lowered the dart point so it ended three fourths of an inch below my bust point rather than right at it.

I also made several sleeve alterations. The sleeve as drafted has about three inches of ease and is very tight around the arm. I read in Power Sewing that most RTW garments only have an inch and a half of ease in the sleeve cap. With that in mind (and also because I stink at easing in sleeves) I took out an inch and a half from the sleeve cap and added an inch and a half to the arm band.

I think these simple alterations resulted in a great fitted garment. I am very happy with how this dress turned out. It's perfect for work paired with a cardigan and because of the short sleeves I'll be able to wear this into the spring. I'd recommend this pattern to others but I'd stress making a muslin first. I think I'm going to make muslins more often now!

Regarding tonight's Project Runway episode

Was anyone else a little bored with tonight's episode? Come to think of it, I wasn't really wowed last week either. I really hope the challenges get more interesting...

A new old bag

I had a brief stint as a bag designer about two years ago. While the bags sold fairly well for a business on-the-side, I decided to close up the shop and instead focus on my studies. I realized soon after that another reason I stopped was because it just wasn't fun anymore. I was making the same bag over and over and frankly I got tired of it. So when my friend requested the birds and the bees bag (the best selling bag during that stint) for her birthday, I dragged my heels a little.

Don't get me wrong. I love this bag. I love the fabric combination and after making so many of them it didn't take me long to make. I guess I just crave a new challenge, whether it be working with new fabrics or a new design. I seem to always be challenged when I sew clothing. Though I may feel like ripping my hair out at times because of it, I also tend to feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I finish something difficult or new to me.

My bag making days aren't over, but I don't think I'll be making this bag ever again.

How I spent Black Friday

Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,

The days pass quickly when I am sewing.

~Author Unknown.

Yesterday was devoted entirely to sewing. I worked a little on McCalls 5466 but spent the majority of the day working on Holiday gifts. Since my mom and sister now read this blog (Hi Mom! Hi Kathy!) I can only give a sneak peek of some presents until after the Holidays. I'd hate to spoil any surprises.

I'll be spending the rest of the weekend sewing, relaxing, and going to see this movie. Can't wait! What are your weekend plans?

My resolve has broken

Well, I just couldn't take it anymore. I taught myself to knit. I've actually been fighting this moment. You see, I'll be the first to admit that I have craft ADD. I love to sew. I love to crochet. I love to paint and make things. I sometimes get a bit overwhelmed at all the sewing/crocheting/making possibilities out there, wanting to do it all but knowing there just isn't enough time. I really don't need another hobby to throw into the mix! But then I saw this and then this. That did it. My "I want to make that" personality finally took over. Every night this week I've sat down and gone through the motions, trying to get comfortable with this new way of holding yarn. After three nights, it finally clicked (no pun intended). Here we go.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving (if it applies to you). I have plenty to give thanks for this year.

Tried and True

I actually made this dress a few weeks ago but just got around to hemming it over the weekend. My sewing has been pretty sporadic like that lately. It is Simplicity 3678 (View C) which is now my tried and true pattern of choice. I used a knit fabric I found at Joann's earlier this Fall. I feel a little "groovy baby" in this print and I guess that's a good thing because I love it.

This is the second dress I've made from this pattern (see the first one here). I can't recommend the pattern enough. The only change I made both times was taking in the sides. I have plans to make another dress from this pattern. Luckily, each view is different enough that I don't think anyone who hasn't read this blog will notice. Let's hope, anyway.

Groovy baby, yeah.

Decisions, decisions

I had intended to make McCalls 5466 View C out of this plaid fabric I found at Hancocks. Then I saw the cutting guidelines. I decided matching the plaid on the bias cut skirt would be more of a headache than I had patience (or skill) for. So out went that idea.

I really like this fabric and want to make something out of it this winter. Right now I am torn between two patterns: Simplicity 3835 or BWOF 9-2007-117. I know, I know, two completely different looks! I'm slightly leaning towards making the BWOF dress after seeing the beautiful versions on Pattern Review. However, I'm not sure how much of a headache using plaid for the dress will be. At this point, with grand plans of making a lot of my Holiday gifts this year, I don't really want any time consuming projects. Any thoughts and opinions???

Yummmmmy

What just a quick trip to Joann for batting results in. C'mon now, how could I pass up those cute prints? The owl print flannel is destined for a Christmas present and the brown floral cotton is for a jacket lining. I have no specific plans for the apple print corduroy, but I'm sure I'll think of something, eventually.

In other yummy news, the Project Runway Season 4 Premier starts in less than an hour!

Leaf and vine applique skirt

The design drawing:


I just can't stop. I'm on an applique kick. I came up with this idea as I was making the circle applique skirt. It's made out of a rusty red colored denim.

What I like most about these skirts is that I've been able to showcase the "wrong" side of the fabric. Sometimes the "wrong" side of the fabric is just as pretty as the "right" side, no?

I added a single leaf on the back hem just for fun. I don't have anymore applique skirts in the works at the moment, but I am toying with some other skirt designs. I have been having so much fun imagining a design, drawing it, and then making it. My colored pencils haven't seen this much action in quite some time.

A quilt many years in the making

I spent Saturday helping my sister finish a quilt she started in the sixth grade (many years ago). My parents recently moved and my Mom found the squares buried in a box. My sister's sixth grade sense of style (very pink) is much different from her current style (more modern), but she still decided to finish it.


Corinne is glad she did. Here it is prequilted. I think my sister is relieved that it's finally finished. Corinne watched the quilt being made. She even made her own sewing machine out of wood blocks and worked on a pretend blanket while mommy was working on hers. I love that she's curious about sewing and hope she still is when she's big enough to have a real sewing machine.

Where has the week gone?

I had one of those utterly fantastic moments yesterday when I realized it was Wednesday after thinking it was Tuesday all day long. Love it when that happens (hate it when it's the other way around).


Last weekend I attended the DC Craft Mafia's Holiday Craft Fair where I met Katie of See Katie Sew fame. Katie and her family are so nice! Katie's goods are even more beautiful in person than they are online. I think I touched every bag she had out just because they were so pretty. Luckily I arrived early enough to snag the scarf I eyed on her blog last week. I bought it just in time as it has been really cold here. I've worn the scarf almost every day this week and at work where I don't think they believe in heat.

I was hoping to make this dress this Fall but I think I might wait until the Spring when it's more practical to wear. Or not. I tend to sew whatever I feel like sewing at the time. I am trying to be more disciplined about it, but where's the fun in that? What's your approach to sewing?

Lastly, the randomly chosen number for the winner of the flower pin was 1. Raesha, look out for an e-mail from me!

Fall Swap Sent

Have I gushed enough about the book, Stitch and Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker? No? Well, let me gush some more then. I participated in Chara's Fall Swap. When I think of Fall, I think of sweaters and scarves and beautiful leaf colors. So for this swap, I made my partner, Joy, a one skein scarf (the third one I've made in as many months), and a crocheted flower pin in Fall colors using patterns from the book. I also included some caramel apple cider candles (yummm), a fall stamp, some stickers and ribbon. I hope Joy likes the package.

I really enjoyed making the flower pin and am looking for an excuse to make another. If you would like to receive a flower pin, please leave a comment by midnight EST on Wednesday, November 7th. I'll announce the randomly chosen winner on Thursday.

Circle Applique Skirt

As evidenced above, the idea for this skirt has been brewing in my head since at least the 5th of October. I am fairly positive I drew it before, but my "Ideas and Inspirations" catalog currently consists of bits of paper divided unevenly among several bags and bookshelves. It is not an organization system I'd recommend.


I really enjoyed taking the skirt from idea to finished garment. I used Simplicity 4036 for the A-line skirt pattern. The circles, about five inches wide, were made from the "wrong" side of the denim and go all the way around the hem. I almost made the circles smaller after a friend said it reminded her of a poodle skirt. However, I decided to stick to my original idea. I'm glad I did. I like the whimsy the large circles add to a basic denim skirt.

As for the rest of the list, I gave up on the dress and the remaining two items are still on my to do list, wherever it is.