What's new in Vogue

Well, I finally got around to looking at the new Vogue patterns. There are a few I like--and a lot that look like the same ol' thing! Here are my picks:

V1086: Cute dress. It is casual enough for my life. Would it make my rectangle figure look like an hour glass?

V1087: I like this one a lot, but I don't know if I'd have anywhere to wear it.

V1097: I really like this coat. I think it would be casual enough to fit in my wardrobe. The question then becomes "Do we have enough cold days to make it worth my time."

V8557: I like these sleeves.

V8568: These bags are a little big for my taste, but I love the way they look RTW. Maybe I should steal a few ideas (like the hardware).

V8561: I don't usually like Marcy Tilton, but these pants look comfy, casual and cute.

V1098: You can't really tell from this picture, but this jacket has the cutest detail on the back! I don't know if it'd complement my figure, but I love the back yoke and the sleeves.

So what do you think?

Something for Mom

Dear Mom,

Enjoy!

Love, me



ps. everybody else: This is Lazy Girl Designs #111-Runaround Bag. It takes 2 fat quarters, a very small bit of batting, a zipper (I used a 9 inch) and less than 1 hour. You can carry it across your chest and it is large enough to tote a wallet, your cellphone, a lipstick, and maybe one or two more small items. I highly recommend it!

A fun site and some birthday wishes!

The Long Thread has the 100 Top Tutorials of 2008. It's a great list, and I've already found two I want to try:

Make-your-own-Fabric-Labels

The Square Deal Pin Cushion

Do you have a favorite tutorial they missed?

BTW:

Happy Birthday Kristine! I hope the weather warms up soon!

Button Hole Trim

Here is a close-up of the button hole trim around the buttons on my pink jacket:


Here's how I did it:

1. Cut 7 inches of ribbon for a 2-inch trim.
2. Fold over 2 1/4 inches.
3. Mark the 45 degree line.
4. I sew this on freezer paper because my ribbon often gets bunched under my presser foot. It will also help if you will lower your presser foot first--then your needle!
5. Trim the corner.
6. Press it open.
7. Fold over 3/4 inches.
8. Mark the 45 degree line and stitch again.
9. Fold the remaining length back onto the length of top. Mark the 45 degree line and stitch again.
10. Mark the intersection of the miters.
11. Fold the top onto the bottom, matching the intersection.
12. Mark 45 degree line.
13. Stitch.
14. Trim the excess.
15. Press it open.
16. Fray check your edges and stabilize if you wish. If you stabilize, you will have to rip the stabilizer between the ribbons.
17. Secure it to over your button holes, matching openings.

Some more January Sewing

Well, it's mid-way through the month and I decided to check the progress in my sewing basket:

1 UFO
PJ pants featuring a certain mouse for John, just because
Bedroom curtains
A belated Christmas shirt (hey Sarah, did I tell you I found the pattern finally?)
Ahoy! A Spring Wardrobe (reds, whites and blues)

Not, too bad. Plus, I've finished 2 orders, Will's quiet book, and 12 of those too-cute penny pockets.

As for that wardrobe: it's about 12 pieces and I know it will take longer than a month. In fact my first 10-piece SWAP took 2 months and both the 4-piece mini-SWAPS (mine & his) took a month. Look for the actual "Plan" part of my "Sewing With A Plan" in the next few days.

Smores

I don't want to learn to quilt. I don't. I don't. I don't. But, I do like a quilt shop.

I ventured into our newest (and, to the best of my knowledge, only) indie quilt shop in town and found these.

I had to have them. Can't you see them pieced to make an apron, or a child's skirt?

So--since I like to wash everything before I use it and since the final project will be machine washable, how do I prep these charm squares? Surely I don't just toss all 37 of them into the washer, right?

Follow-up on Comments

I don't have much new to show you, but I wanted to take the time to reply to a few comments and say hi.

First the "Hi's!":

• Hi Aunt Kat! Mom told me you're watching. Now I'll have to watch what I say about my kindergarten education.
• Hi Aunt Jo! Did you get the cutest Christmas card ever glittered? We had a wonderful Christmas.

Now to the Comments:

From Kristine on January 4: That's so sweet! Love the monogram! What pattern did you use?

Thanks Kristine. I use a pattern that is a Frankenstein of sorts. I started with the pattern in the Martha Pullen Applique book, then lengthened the legs. Then, I found that the size 2 in her book runs WAAAAY small, so I adjusted it to the measurements of a McCalls OOP pattern.

From Marci on January 6: Great little book!

I knew you'd love it my Arkansas friend!

From Michelle on January 6: One of my new year's resolutions is to sew every day. Yesterday all I managed was washing the fabric I am planning on using. I have yet to sew a single stitch! Hoping today is the day...

Personally, I think washing is part of sewing, so you've already had a successful year!

From Sister #3 on January 6: What about that certain belated Christmas gift????

'Nuff said!

Amazing what you can do with 2 cups of coffee and Saturday morning cartoons

I confess: Saturday morning, I let the TV be my babysitter. Well, sort of... The kids played with all their new toys while they were watching cartoons. And, with the help of 2 cups of coffee, here's what I got done:

Will's Quiet Book
See yesterday for the details.


13 Penny Pockets
Okay, 12 of them need yo-yos and buttons,
but that's carpool handwork!
These will be filled with candy for Valentine's Day Treats.
Go here for details.



1 UFO
This top is based very, very loosely on Butterick 5259.
The front and back were together,
but it'd been waiting about 2 months for
sleeve facings, a neck facing and a hem.
Didn't it turn out cute?

Another Four Corners Apron

Fairly productive, if I say so myself.

A fun little project

While we were visiting last week, my MIL loaned me this little treasure:

It was created by my husband's Godmother, 32+ years ago. In with things to zip, button and lace, she included beautiful drawings.

I loved the idea, and turned it into a birthday present for little Will:

The pages are stabilized with a medium weight fusible interfacing. Two fabrics were stitched together, right sides together, and pinked to make each page. I used buttons in this book, because I know Will's Mommy will be watching while he plays with it. If I were making these for public consumption, I'd leave off the buttons and show my colors with thread instead. The final page is a pocket that Will's Mommy can fill with a surprise-maybe a baggie of Cheerios?

(Disclaimer: I'm not an Arkansas fan. I am married into a family of them and Will's Daddy is probably the most outspoken of them all--at least when Ark beat LSU these past few Thanksgivings. That said, I do what I can to keep the peace and make little Arkansas things for my nephew and cousins.)

Will's birthday suit.

Here's what the best dressed baby in Arkadelphia will be wearing to his first birthday:

This coffee bean brown long-all is made of uncut cord and lined with baby boy blue poplin.

Happy 1st Birthday, Will!

from left (and behind): the LM, Charlie, BG and Will

My new Saints Wreath!

Amongst all the wonderful Christmas goodies, I got one made just for me!

Sister #2 made me a Saints wreath!

I love the "D" fence and the numbers of some of my favorites. I spy 9, 16, 23, and 26. Do you?

It is so delightfully tacky that I just can't wait to show it off. Unfortunately the Saints didn't cooperate with my decorating ideas, so off to the attic it goes, ready and waiting for next fall.

Some January Sewing

Happy New Year!

Just to recap 2008:

60+ complete sewing projects (aprons, bags, garments, doll clothes, etc.)

You can see pictures of the latest few at the end of this post.

30+ garments

1 huge SWAP

2 mini-SWAPs

32 reviews on PR (plus 2 to finish tonight)

Yardage used: who knows

Yardage bought: don't want to know (but not as much as 2007)

So, for this year,

here's what's in my sewing basket for January:

1 UFO

PJ pants featuring a certain mouse for John, just because

Bedroom curtains

A belated Christmas shirt (hey Sarah, did I tell you I found the pattern finally?)

Ahoy! A Spring Wardrobe (reds, whites and blues)

New Year's Eve Sewing:

Kit Kittridge came to live with us this Christmas. She came along with a second dress, but no PJs, so what's a Mom to do? Well, whip something up, of course.

Robe: McCalls 5019, View B

Nightgown: McCalls 5775, View C (lengthened 2 inches)

I promise to get reviews up on PR soon, but until I do, both patterns were well worth the 99 cents I paid for them.