Sew Grateful Week Give-away Winner!

I've been busy this afternoon, relatively speaking. This is about as busy as I've been all week. But I digress...

I printed off the two blog posts (from here and here) that had all the entries. And I sat down to get to work.

I numbered all the entries according to the date and time they were posted and came up with a list.

And I checked it twice.

All that is left to do is to wish everyone who entered good luck, cue up the drum roll and random number generator.

And the winner of the Vogue 1137 Vintage re-issue pattern is:

Congratulations seeks!

I don't have your email address from your post, but if you would like to email me (grrracar at gmail dot com) with your mailing address I pop it into the mail for you.

Thanks to everyone who entered and visited. And thanks to Debi for hosting a great week! It was fun reading everyone's reflections and checking out what was being sewn.

Thank You!

{Source}

First, thank you for all the get well wishes. I guess it will just take time.

I've discovered sewing along with laughter is not the best medicine for a rib injury.

I tried to hand sew a hem on a skirt and that was challenging. I never felt so fatigued by a skirt hem. I had to break it down into three sessions. ~sigh~

I'm having a hard time with this rest part of the recovery process. I really would rather be sewing and back at work. And sleep, I really miss a good night's sleep.

But while I'm awake it has been nice to read everyone's comments and reflections on Sew Grateful Week. There are a lot of wonderful give-aways! Thanks Debi for organizing all of this!

I'll be laying low while I'm on the mend but I'll be back on Sunday to announce the winner of the Sew Grateful Week pattern give-away. Don't worry I've spent some of my recovery time jotting down everyone's entries according to the times posted from the two blog posts for the give-away. So it doesn't matter which post you had commented on, the comments are numbered according to the time and date that your comments were made. Good luck to everyone who entered.  

I hope everyone is having a great time in your sewing rooms. I can't wait to join in the creative process again. Hopefully soon.

Until then Happy Sewing!

Sew Grateful Week Give-away!

I just want to re-post the Sew Grateful Week giveaway!

It is open to anyone, anywhere... I will mail internationally. I just ask that you enjoy it, give the pattern a good home and do not sell it. You can leave a message here or at the original post to be counted in for the draw.  I will draw for the pattern give-away on February 12.

It is a Vintage Vogue re-issue pattern, Vogue 1137, dress and coat.  There has been a few robe versions found on patternreview.com that look intriguing using this pattern. I was going to make a version of the dress in plaid as my Sew Grateful Week project but bruised ribs changed my plans for the week.  So I'm just going to chill out and see what everyone else is sewing this week.

Happy Sew Grateful Week!

Sew Grateful to be Sewing for Family and How-to-Books

I have sewn for my extended family over the years. Some of my sewing projects were requested. Others were received with bored looks (not all Christmas gifts go over well). But they have all been made with care and love. I'm sew grateful to share my sewing projects with them over the years.

But over the years I have been sewing for family less and less. I took the hint from those bored looks that the kids are growing up and that teenagers would rather shop at Stitches or Forever 21. That is why I'm so thrilled that my niece is allowing me the pleasure of making her grad dress.

Giorgio Armani Vestment {Source}

But I also have another request in que, a Vestment set. It is a pretty special request.

It doesn't come from a priest...yet. It comes from my thirteen-year-old (soon to be fourteen) nephew.

His plan is to become a priest when he is older. It has been a plan for some time now. He has a beautiful and thoughtful blog where he shares his passion.

His passion for God and the church has been around since he was a wee little boy. Ever since he started school, he was fascinated with the rituals and mysteries of the church. He is quite remarkable. And he has requested a Vestment set.

Yes, YIKES!

What do I know about Vestment sets, next to nothing.

I know that they are stunning pieces of clothing filled with symbolism and tradition. But I have never touched or closely inspected a Vestment set.

I'm sew grateful that I have a few years to research the rich history of this important garment before my nephew completes his studies as a seminarian.

Thankfully, there is a book that can help; Lynne Green and Sue Merriam authored a book on the very subject.

Hallelujah!

Happy Sew Grateful Week!

In sewing news today...

Front (before the straps were added)  

I'm sew grateful that I finished the Simplicity 2398 muslin last night. 

My niece is coming over tomorrow to try it on. I hope she's impressed with the muslin. I can say that I am. 

The illustrations and photographs on the pattern envelope do not show the beauty of the ties. Well, either do my photos. 

I like how it is sewn as a strap around the neck and then flows in a single layer in the back. And the gathers in the front bodice, I like it more than I thought I would. It is very pretty.  

Back view

I will make some changes when I sew the dress. I would like to use an invisible zipper on this dress. The pattern instructions suggest a lap zipper. So I'll have to sew the bodice back to the skirt before attaching all the bodice pieces together like the pattern recommends. But I don't think it will be a big deal.  

I'm sew grateful that it is sewn because I don't think I'll be spending too much time around the sewing room this weekend. Well, except for checking out how it fits on my niece (hopefully there won't have to be any adjustments).

Right now I'm icing my back. The left side of my back is swollen and killing me right now. I was in a car accident this afternoon. I'm banged up on my back left side and my car is banged up on the front right side. I'm going to pop some tylenol and head to bed while my car recovers in the driveway.

Yup, I'm sew grateful I have the muslin done. (And that the other driver and I were able to drive away from the accident scene.) This might be a good weekend to catch up on some sewing related reading while I try the ice/heat therapy.

Happy Sewing.

Update:

Megan commented on the straps and I should apologize for the poor photos. My bad.

I got ahead of myself and snapped pictures prior to attaching the straps.

Here are photos that, hopefully, show the detail of the straps better than my words.  

Sew Grateful Week!

Debi over at My Happy Sewing Place is hosting another Sew Grateful Week. I luv this idea, thanks Debi!

I haven't won anything through a give-away so there is nothing to sew in that respect. But I do have a lot to be "sew grateful" for; a vibrant sewing community that have offered some many helpful hints, words of encouragement, laughs, and inspiration. Sew, I would like to participate by putting up a Vogue pattern up for a giveaway. Since Debi has made some of the most impressive Vintage inspired garments out there, I thought that a Vintage Vogue re-issue pattern would be appropriate.

It is Vintage Vogue 1137 (1950's design) coat, dress and belt pattern.  It is a brand new pattern, uncut and unopened in sizes BB (8-10-12-14).

I will draw for the pattern on the last day of Sew Grateful Week (February 12). Just leave a comment and maybe mention your own sew grateful thoughts.

I have my own copy of this pattern, and I'm thinking about making my own version in plaid. It is a vintage plaid that I picked up at Mitchell Fabrics a few months ago. Of course the choice of plaid is a tip of the hat to Debi.

I hope I can get it done in time to post picture(s) up during Sew Grateful Week. We'll see...

Happy Sewing!

In sewing news today...

I'm working on the muslin for the V.I.D. (Very Important Dress), Simplicity 2398.

That is my focus for this week. I'm both excited and nervous about this project. It is a grad dress for my niece. I really hope she likes it when it is finished. I'm giving myself lots of time and all my attention for this project. And I'm stocked up on coffee.

This evening I spent cutting, just one more piece to cut. But I had to take a break. I lost one of the two fold-out tables that I used to cut fabric on, so I've been cutting on my cutting board on the floor. My knees are not what they used to be, so a late night date with the ice pack was in order. Feeling much better now but it is past my bedtime.

Tomorrow that last piece, the skirt front won't take long to cut out and I should be able to get started on some sewing.

My niece will be coming over this weekend to try it on. Then I can make any required pattern adjustments.

We (my niece, her mom and I) have an date booked to go shopping for fabric over the Louis Riel weekend. I can't believe that is in less than three weeks. Fingers crossed the new spring/summer fabrics will be out.

Sew much to do before then!