What’s new? December 6th addition

What’s new?  Here are a few peeks at what we’ve been up to this past week:


On my sewing machine:

I’m almost finished with this quilt top.  I was drawn to the modern colors and design, so with Momma’s help, I have almost pulled it together.  The picture above is actually just the blocks laid out on my bed.  It really is a big pile of Christmas tree blocks and courtyard squares that looks like this:



With the kids:
‘Tis the time for Christmas musicals!  C was an angel in the angelic hosts while his big sister donned a beard as Isaiah.  The kids were incredible under Mrs. Vee and Adrianne’s direction.


In the kitchen:

Christmas cookies! 


In the garden:
Our December harvest.  What?  You don’t have watermelons in your garden in December.  Well…
Actually, this was the last of the summer garden.  The frosts took care of the pumpkin and watermelon vines, so we’ve pulled those.  We are left with tomatoes (that are probably done), lettuces, cabbages, and broccoli.

Join me...

This one is for Jessica and Adriane and anyone else with a machine that doesn't sew as often as they'd like!

Doesn't this look like fun?

And 8 gifts for under $20! A girl's gotta love that!

So, I raided my stash and hit up HL for 9 great fabrics:

Anybody guess my theme???

Ahoy! A Spring Wardrobe

Yes, I do remember that I promised this some time ago. And, without further ado, here is my wardrobe plan:
Not much to look at, is it? I have made a fancy wardrobe plan storyboard using Adobe, a rough wardrobe plan on notebook paper, a wardrobe with only the foggiest notion of a plan in my mind, and now I'm using this method!

I had 3 goals:

1. Stash only --fabric and patterns!
2. Must have more casual pieces than dress-up pieces
3. I would do my best to make each piece work with the piece I finished just before and just after it!

So, I sat down on the carpet surrounded by fabric swatches and patterns. And this was the outcome:

1. 4 casual tops,
2. 1 dressy top,
3. 1 shirt dress,
4. 1 knit dress,
5. 1 pair of jeans,
6. 1 pair of city shorts,
7. 1 pair linen casual pants,
8. 1 cute everyday pants,
9. 1 dressy skirt,
10. 1 navy blue pants suit and
11. a great purse!

I've finished the silver linen pants and it will probably take me another 3 months to finish the rest!

Some February Sewing

Here's my February Sewing Basket:

Beautiful Amy Butler fabrics to make an apron for a Swap

Red stripes for bean bags for Dr. Suess Day at the BG's school

2 store-bought blankets to monogram

A little 30's reproduction fabric to make Kit another dress

The rest of my Ahoy! A Spring Wardrobe

In January, I finished:

all this

3 more custom orders

a Run-Around Bag

5 Valentine aprons for various swaps

a reusable shopping tote (I can't believe I forgot to take a picture!)

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.

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.

Christmas Sewing

It's about that time--only 43 days until Christmas. Here's a peek at my Christmas sewing list:

I know I be making several of these--the shirt, not the hubby;) ,

And a couple of sets of these in other fabrics,And a few little boys I know need cool super hero PJs,And at least one person requested one of these,

And then, of course, there are the pears...

Fall Mini-Wardrobe

Orange you glad it's fall:

I promised you a mini-wardrobe using these great fabrics:

Well, here it is. (In bits and pieces.)

Dress (Butterick 5259) + Turtleneck (Vogue 7799)

Turtleneck + Black Pants (Butterick 5259)

Great Orange Coat (Vogue 1068)

Plus, I could do:

Black Pants + Orange Coat

Dress alone

Dress + Orange Coat

I'll be adding or updating reviews on PR this morning. As for old posts, these links take you to the coat, the lining, and the typo in the pattern.

Here's a sneak peek...

In the midst of school carnivals, volunteering, teaching swimming, Halloween crafting and slumber party planning, I've finished a 4-piece mini wardrobe for myself. I'm very excited. I'll be taking the posting the pictures soon, but here's your sneak peek...

My Man in Blue

Here's my mini-wardrobe entry for PR. I've called it "My Man in Blue", even though my man in blue wears a brown uniform most of the time. (Local sheriff's office, not those delivery guys.) Anyway, I think he looks nice in blue, so I've created him a fun weekend wardrobe. (Besides, he wouldn't let me do a purple and gold wardrobe--darn Arkansan!)

The requirements were 4 pieces, 3 colors, 4 outfits. Here are the outfits:

McCalls 4518 unbuttoned over McCalls 5282 with Jalie 977 Pants

McCalls 5282 with Jalie 977 Pants (Unzipped to shorts)

McCalls 4518 with Jalie 977 Pants (unzipped to shorts)

KwikSew 3570 with Jalie 977 pants

Up this week...

This week's to do list:

1. Jalie pants to finish the PR mini-wardrobe contest entry.
2. 3 sweet jumpers and jon-jons for a customer
3. Recover the dining room chairs. Yeah! I finally found something I liked!
4. Finish my great orange coat.

...all while rangling the Little Man. He's school doesn't start until Friday.

New Mini-Wardrobe Contest

PR's next Mini-Wardrobe Contest starts August 1! I've been thinking about my entry for a while, but I thought it started in October. I'm not ready!!!!!

That said, here are the rules:

1. 4 pieces, 3 of which must be different types of garments
2. 3 different colors in the wardrobe
3. they must combine to make -4 distinct, different outfits

Ugh! That's exactly what I did in May--and others did not! (Yes, I'm whining. Now I'm done.)

Anyway, now it's almost August and I need to get in gear. I had been thinking about using this contest as a way to expand the hubby's closet. I'm leaning toward:

1. A pair of casual pants
2. A long-sleeve button-up shirt
3. A short-sleeve tee shirt
4. A fleece pull-over

I think that adds up to:

1. Pants + button-up
2. Pants + tee shirt
3. Pants + tee shirt + unbuttoned button-up
4. Pants + fleece pull-over

I just need to confirm that the different shirts will count as different types of garments and choose some patterns and fabrics.

New Vogue Patterns are Out!

Vogue has published their early Fall patterns. Here are the two that caught my attention.

This coat would be great in orange with jeans or jean-cut cords.

I'm looking for a cardigan, but I'm not certain this is the one for me.

My Fall Sewing Inspiration

I've been browsing. Here are a two pieces that could translate into something perfect for this fall...




From the runway:





I like the sleeves. I like the belt. I like the cord. I wonder if this pattern would work.
















I like this top. I like the sleeves. I like the texture. I like the idea of pairing it with a Hollywood waist.












Both of these are from this designer. I'm hoping to have a fall plan soon. I'll post when I do.

Two weeks of tee-shirts...

I cleaned out my closet this weekend. A dreadful chore, but well worth my time. I made the most amazing discovery--even with the 2 wardrobe capsules I've finished lately, my closet is still terribly out of balance. I have 16 great casual skirts and only about 6 tops to coordinate with them! And, you probably know what that means...

Simplicity 2971: White cotton Jersey

Simplicity 4020: Kimono-sleeved top in Teal Jersey

Simplicity 4074: Red slinky knit

Vogue 7799: Red ITY knit

Burda Style: Sadie: Cowl neck in hot pink jersey

I think I can knock these out over the next two weeks (once I finish 2 orders and a couple of father's day gifts!)

My Next Big Sewing Plan

Well, PR's mini-wardrobe contest is over and I've finished it. Time for a new sewing plan: Tim Gunn's 10 Essentials.

A number of sewers are working on a similar project right now, and quite frankly, it just makes sense. I have the fabrics to create these pieces, so why not go for it. Here's his list and my takes on it. You'll notice, I've some of the pieces already!

1. Basic Black Dress -I just finished 1 in my big wardrobe and a very dark chocolate brown (which I love more than black) in my mini-wardrobe.
2. Trench Coat - This one has been cut and ready to sew for 3 years now. Maybe it's time to finish this UFO!
3. Classic Dress Pants - My goal for the summer is the perfect fitting pair of trousers. I haven't decided which piece to use from my stash: the navy, the brown tweed, the brown plaid, the black...
4. White Shirt - I think I look better in ivory. And, I've just finished one button up and one pull-over in ivory. That's done. Check.
5. Jeans - Well, I've mastered the jean skirt, so how hard can a pair of jeans be...
6. Cashmere Sweater - I'm buying this one! It'll be my treat to me when I finish the other 9 pieces! I'm think V-neck and maybe royal blue or orange. Something striking.
7. Skirt - A-line, I think, and maybe in a dark grey or brown suede or a cute plaid?
8. Day Dress - I just bought a shirt dress (Vogue 8021) and I have got a beautiful pink cotton that is screaming to be a summer dress. I think I will take out the front and back pleats and just gather the skirt.
9. Blazer - Would my mini-wardrobe jacket count?
10. Sweat Suit Alternative - Can I just remind you how much I love my TNT pants pattern? I think my new khaki pants from the mini-wardrobe count here. Oh, and then there are the black pants and the jean skirt from the big wardrobe contest. I think we can count this done.

Bonus: 1 trendy item. Hum? Gotta think on this one.

I post a storyboard of sorts later. Let me know what you think...