To Vancouver

Well Ladies & Gentlemen, I am off on a trip. I won't be posting for the next week.

I have, however, finished two of the Pacific Northwest Sweatshirts - on in a hot pink embrodiered stretch cotton, and one in a plain white cotton stretch fabric. The pattern is super easy and I really like the collar.

My plan was to put some of the Native designs that come with the pattern on the white. I printed off the Canada Geese design using fusible fabric, then filled the colors in with heat-set ink. I just didn't like the result.

So when I get back next week, I will be posting a Pattern Review.

Until then, have a great week!

Happy Easter

A cold but at least sunny Easter morning. The crocus are closed, but I hope they will open and bloom this afternoon. The pansies are thinking about coming back. Spring is finally here!
Happy Easter Everyone!!!!!!!

Fun Thing: Recipe for Sally

Just for fun, although I thought the nonconformity was more than a dash!

The Recipe For Sally

3 parts Panache 2 parts Humor 1 part Compassion Splash of Nonconformity Serve over ice

What's" the Recipe for Your Personality?

Did you ask how much fabric did I get last week????

First, I got three patterns from Dana Marie Designs/Purrfection Patterns. The first is the sweatshirt show in the previous post. The others are shown above - the Exceptional Shirt and the Modern Poet. I am sure, once I crack the pattern making approach, these will be great additions to the wardrobe. In September, at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan, I bought the Classic Jacket and one of the coat patterns as well.

Then, I received an order from Hancocks of Paducah. The two fabrics on the left are lovely - the design is Fortuny Peony Damask in Flame and Blush, for the Flower Show II collection by Benartex. The green daisy (Michael Miller's Daisy Daze) I'm thinking about for the green trench coat I posted about before - it would make a great lining! I also picked up a few pieces that match fabrics I've purchased previously.

Oh, and the new IKEA in West Chester opened on Wednesday, I got three yards of FREDRICKA to make pillow shams for the dark blue couch in the family room. As I've looked at this fabric, I am wondering if I should get more and make curtains as well.

And, finally, an order from The Material Girls in Dearborn, Michigan! [http://www.materialgirlquilt.com]. The fabric at the top, shown in both photos, is a great cotton that has a variety of quotes, designs etc that will be a nice accent on bags or tops. [produced by www.artgalleryquilts.com - http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=6799381226226799&Store_id=520&page_id=23&Item_ID=1984]

The umbrella pattern poly on the left may be the new lining of my cream colored trench [Deborah Parker, designer at http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=6799381226226799&Store_id=520&page_id=23&Item_ID=2193].

And then the final four - a peachy pink and brown daisy design from City Girl by Kitty Yoshida will make a dynamite skirt and top [http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=6799381226226799&Store_id=520&page_id=23&Item_ID=3530l.

The next is Cho-Cho Floral Sprigs Red by Kumiko Sudo for In The Beginning Fabrics. I haven't seen this particular fabric in any of the other quilt shops. [http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=6799381226226799&Store_id=520&page_id=23&Item_ID=2872].

The final two are from the Three Sister's Flea Market collection from - - oh four or five years ago? I started a quilt in the glass colorway, and am still collecting bits and pieces as I come across them.

These should keep me busy for a bit, don't you think??

Two Sweatshirts Started & A Jacket Almost Ready

This weekend, I was busy playing Grandma, so not much sewing done. I did get two tops cut out using the Dana Marie/Purrfection Patterns "Pacific Northwest Sweatshirt". I cut it out in a plain white stretch 100% cotton, and in a hot pink jacaquard stretch cotton.

Earlier in the week, I started the Classic Jacket by Dana Marie/Purrfection in a hot pink fake suede. It is the fabric on the right in the photo above (I was considering lining it in the print, but haven't done so.) I've run into a small issue - the sleeves don't have enough ease, so they seem to be pulling the shoulder down. I hope in the next few days to have time to rip out the underarm seams and see if that is the problem.

Two New Pattern Reviews

See the box on the right for the two new pattern reviews I posted this afternoon.

Wardrobe Refashion Project -ADVICE NEEDED

I NEED YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS!!!

For Wardrobe Refashion, I need your suggestions as to what I can do with these two trench coats.

I've had these two coats since about 1990. I got them from Spiegel and they are still in fine shape. Having had them for so long, I would like to refashion them in some way to freshen them up and make them more interesting.

Cream Coat: As you can imagine, this coat gets worn perhaps once or twice, and then its back to the cleaners. I love the cream color, but am sick of the limited use. I don't really know much about dying, but that might be a possibility. I would probably need to have it commercially dyed, and that might be a barrier. OR . . . add a border from a patterned fabric? SUGGESTIONS?

Green Coat: I've called this my World War One trench coat since I got it. It gets more wear as it is darker. But, again, it could use some freshening. I am wondering about adding embrodiery or perhaps a trim of some sort. Or could this be dyed? SUGGESTIONS????

Snow Day Project - Simplicity 3697 Knit Top

I had an unexpected opportunity to sew today. So I cut out and made a knit top, Simplicity 3697. I love this top! The pattern is super easy to put together. I used a mottled brown and purple fabric with the design printed in brown over the mottling. I think this is just on the edge of being out of style - just my luck.

Of course, I created a little diversion for myself. The pattern states 2 - 1/2 yards of 60 inch fabric. Well . . . I had two yards of 52 inch fabric. Determined to proceed, I cut out most of the pattern pieces without a problem. However, I did not have enough of the fabric to cut out the ties. I think I have the least fabric left over I've ever had on any project. I had to find an alternative, as the design required the ties and they really couldn't be skipped.

Which gave me the opportunity to demonstrate to my husband the value of a stash!!!! I pulled out my box of purple cottons and found a batik with very similar colors in it. I had about 1/3 a yard - enough for the ties and facings. I put the facings on the outside of the top in the batik. I then sewed three times along the edges in a gold metallic thread - not the shiny ribbon kind, more the mottled sort of gold. I think it turned out quite nicely.

Another Pattern Review tomorrow and I'll photo myself in the top then.

Finally Finished - Simplicity 3804 Red Knit Dress

Here it is, finished (but not ironed!), and hanging on a hanger in the office doorway. This one was a struggle, but I have it to the point it is acceptable. I had to take off the cuffs and reduce them in size, and narrow the bottom of the sleeve. I am still somewhat concerned about the fabric - after washing it is much more sheer than before.

I am going to write a review for Pattern Review tomorrow or Monday. I will take a photo wearing it then. Rating - sort of ho hum.

It has been snowing here for two days, so running to the store to get thread isn't really possible. There has been a Level 3 Emergency that does not allow driving. I included the second photo to show how close to running out of the red thread I came - the remaining piece was about 10 inches long after I pulled it out of the machine!

Quilt Top Prepared

OK, since the big snow started, I've been burning up the sewing machine - but I've also sort of lost track of what day it is! On Wednesday night and part of Thursday, I put together the I-SPY quilt for my little grandson, Zman. The DH was nice enough to hold up the top so I could get a big photo. I have sewn together 4 inche squares, then added the ABC's. The border is Bailey pattern by Anna Griffin. I was afraid it would be too busy with the variety of patches, but it looks fine. I held up a plain fabric, but it was too plain.

Anyway, I need to get this quilted. I think I will back it with flannel, which makes nice lightweight quilt and holds the cotton top in place. I must get this done as his birthday is rapidly approaching!

Special Non-Wearable Project

I'm putting the clothing sewing on hold for a few days. I have a special project for a special boy!

My g-son Zman will be 3 at the end of March, and it is more than time for an I-SPY quilt for him.

Shown are 12 of the patches of representational fabrics I will use. I have a ton more - I've been collecting for a year!

Of course, I will still be thinking about what I will sew afterwards - perhap even hatch an idea for the Wardrobe Refashion!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Its my birthday today!

I am . . . well the same age as the year I was born. And it isn't 25.

This is the cute cake from dinner with my dh, my BFF and her friend. We went to the Golden Lamb in Lebanon, Ohio, one of the state's oldest restaurants and inns.

I got lots of cards from friends, and a sewing case from P, and a peacock pin from Pen. My brother even remembered to call this afternoon! No giftees from hubby as we have two potential spending events coming up: IKEA opens locally next week, and I will be on a trip to Vancouver in three!

Another Completed L2 Sewing Workshop Bag

I've finished ANOTHER L2 Sewing Workshop bag. This one is a gift. It is at 75% of the full size pattern. I made it out of three different fabrics from the Bohemian Manor collection.

You will see inside, where I placed the pockets described in an earlier post. I added a "strap" that covers each pocket and is velcro'd close. It will make things in the pockets more secure. And there is a key hook as well.

New Simplicity Patterns for Spring

Did you get an email yesterday with new Simplicity patterns for spring? I loved S2981, this wrap dress, so much, I ran out and got it about two hours after reading that email.



It is difficult to tell from the photos, but the dress has several godets to make the skirt fuller. It also takes a lot of material - 7-3/8 to 7-5/8 45", depending on size, for the white wrap dress. Fabric recommended is laundered cottons, lightweight pique or poplin, chalis, crepe back stain, crepe de chine, etc.


I have some nice teal rayon that might make work. I think I'd try first the b&w on the left side of the photo. The only thing I didn't like was the darn tab thing on the sleeve - I've never liked those things!!!!!


Now the suit in the other pattern, I'm not sure about. I do like the jacket, but the skirt just looks like it would gap or be difficult to fit. The photo even looks like there is a problem in the front seam. I didn't get this one, as the larger photo in the pattern catalog makes it look even more of a problem. Its charms may grow on me.

I've Joined Wardrobe Refashion for 2 months

I've joined the Wardrobe Refashion for the next two months - March and April. I want to challenge myself not to buy anything to wear, and to use my stash and, perhaps, some of the clothing in my closet.

Now this will be hard, as I am planning a vacation the end of March/early April and we all know we need something new for vacation, don't we? Well I bought some great jeans from AVENUE, and a white tshirt with silver pattern as I knew this challenge would be coming up.

For those who are not familiar with the Wardrobe Refashion Challenge, here are THE RULES:

1. No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
2. In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
3. You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
4. You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.