What I did on my vacation

I finished up piddly details on several projects: the olive dress got a zipper (it looks awesome on, can't wait for some fall weather and a dinner date) and hem and the pink sweater got faux pockets and buttons. Then I made this shirt and a black trumpet skirt. I tried to take a picture of the skirt but the camera couldn't handle the contrast. You can see a smidge of it under the shirt.

Look Familiar?

I'm not one to make the same thing twice, but I had the yarn in white and decided to make another one of these tops. I made it a little shorter this time around.

The dress is the one I was debating whether to go navy or use this deep olive green. I thought navy would win but I had way more yardage of the navy so I decided to save it for another pattern.

This dress is actually from the same pattern as the blue dress I made last month. I still have to put in the zipper and hem the sleeves and bottom.

Day 27

I am wearing the pink blouse from Saturday's post today with a cute black/white/pink/green print skirt. I think it looks cute but the males in my household don't notice these things.

I also finished knitting the armbands on this tank top. It fits well, the ribbing is very flattering. It will be very versatile - I can wear it alone in the summer or under a jacket in the winter.

I did a major reorganizing of my fabrics. Well, it wasn't so much a reorganizing as it was digging up the piles of fabric to see what I actually have. I started matching up fabric to actual patterns I could sew with them. I have some wonderful black wool that I am going to make a gored skirt with and then I have a very cute dress but can't decide if I want to make it in this very dark olive green or navy. I think the navy is going to win.

I also have two knitting projects that I haven't finished and decided before I start anything new I have to finish them. One is a pink cardigan (I spent a lot of money on the wool for it - it is soft and luxurious and beautiful). It's practically done, all I have to do is knit the bands, collar and pocket and sew in one sleeve (the other is already sewn). The other project is a blue cardigan that has wonderful texture to it with cable and bobble stitches. I need to finsh the back and sleeves on that one.

Day 25

This blouse was interesting to work on. The fabric shifts alot so it was hard to get a handle on it but it didn't turn out too bad - a cute little summer top with some nice embellishments.
I also have another knit tank top in progress so hope to be able to post that soon. It's a lot simpler than the other one but still cute.

Day 11

I won't bore you with day by day details, instead I'll focus on the finished products. Here is a dress that I completed. Luckily I had a zipper to match.
Picking the correct size in a sewing pattern can be tricky. They aren't sized like ready-to-wear. You have to go by your measurements and even then you have to check how much ease they put into the pattern. I went down a size for this dress because it had way to much ease in it and I am glad I did. It fits perfectly.

Day 4

Today's focus - skirts. Both of these skirts are actually remakes. I found skirts at a thrift store. Both were too big for me but I loved the fabric. The grey was a frumpy, long, old lady skirt but I loved the embroidery on the bottom and I figured worse case scenario, I could make a pillow with it. But I managed to actually get a skirt out of it. Unfortunately it is going to remain incomplete until the end of this month.
First of all, I like the length but still need to hem it, so I am going to create a bias binding hem - there will be a nice ribbon of black satin. I think it will look fab. Secondly, even though the original skirt had a lining AND I was able to cut out a skirt from the main fabric, I was NOT able to get a complete pattern cut from the lining fabric. Go figure. So I need more fabric for the lining (trust me, I scoured my stash and no suitable fabric for the lining was found.)

The brown skirt was a similar story except that I had already sewn it up except for the hem, so I just finished it.

By the way, the blouse is done.

Sewing Lessons I am destined to NEVER learn

I would call myself an experienced sewer, I have been doing it a long time and have done a variety of projects. However, it seems that there are some lessons that I am destined to repeat. Chalk it up to stubborness, everlasting optimism or just plain stupidity (I fear it is the latter) but here is my list:

1. Pattern sizing is wonky (it's not my body, I swear it is the pattern). Make a mockup before you cut into that expensive/favorite fabric to get the proper fit.

2. Pattern directions don't always give you the most professional look. Patterns are geared toward the lowest common denomenator, meaning a beginner. Read through them and adjust your methods accordingly to get the best results.

3. Take time to look where you are cutting before you actually cut. Pick up the whole garment and look because once you cut that perfectly done french seam that was lying under that seam you were trying to trim, there is no fixing it (well you can fix it...)

4. Irons are hot. Irons produce steam which is hot. Pressing the steam button when your hand is an inch away from the iron will burn.

5. It IS possible to sew fingers on the sewing machine. A sewing needle can penetrate a nail and come out the other side of your finger. And when you are looking stupidly at your finger (or thumb as the case may be) which you just harpooned, and carefully extract it from its position, thankful that the stupid needle (yes, now it is the needle's fault) didn't break off IN your finger, remember that it is going to hurt. A lot. Keep Neosporin and band-aids handy.

And the most important lesson of all that eludes me:

6. Being in a hurry is mutally exclusive from doing a job well. Most of the above mistakes come from being in a hurry. You have a picture in your head of you wearing the finished project, it is going to be gorgeous and everyone asks you about it. They are awed by your skills and creativity. But to get from that picture in your head to the fabulous finished project, you need to slow down. Take your time and do it right.

Christmas Commitments

Here are a couple of things that I have been working on for Christmas. The first is a lap quilt for my 91 year old "adoptee" that I signed up for with our local non-profit. She asked for one so I made it in her favorite colors (pink and blue) with her favorite flowers (roses). I hope she likes it because she is one special lady.

The second is a dress that I made for my husband's Christmas party at work. It is at Gilly's and is a country/western theme (obviously). I intend to wear it with a denim jacket and my uber cool cowboy boots (that I got at Dillard's, of all places).

This is a New Look pattern and is knit. It was very fast to sew and I plan on making another one but I will make it a size smaller.

Back to the sewing room - I have more Christmas presents to complete.