Ahead of Schedule!

I shouldn't be this happy. My shoulder is killing me and my right knee is all swollen.  No, I didn't go out and do some urban skiing this weekend, I did some serious marathon sewing. And despite feeling sore, I feel great about having all this sewing done.

I'm happy to report that my Lenten Sewing Projects are done and I'm free to get to work on Vogue 1325 pants, Vogue 8876 Marcy Tilton's dress, Butterick 5891 the kAtheRine Tilton top, Mama R's dress. Come to think about it I guess I'm not free to do some for-me-sewing just yet. Sew much to sew, sew little time.  

I can't believe that I finished sewing all those purificators, fifty in total. And on top of that I managed to fix the bias trim on the vestment. I'm celebrating with a cup of java and a tylenol.

To fix the vestment, I found some metallic single fold bias tape. Who knew there was such a thing as metallic bias tape? Have you sewn with this product before? It is just like sewing lame fabric, tricky.

This is not fun stuff to sew. I found it to be very delicate and fragile. I was stitching pieces together (I needed a total of seven metres) and found that it frayed when I was sewing on the diagonal. And it snags easily. Some cuts of the bias tape were sacrificed while I tried to get it done right.

I had to change the needle to a sharp in order to lessen the amount of pulling on the lame fabric. Yup, this stuff is tricky to sew.

The thread I used is a 100% polyester in a perfect metallic match. Also very delicate and fragile. I found that I had to rethread the sewing machine a few times during the sewing process. In the end, I think it turned out well despite all the challenges.

Happy Sewing!

You'll never believe it...

Check me out!

Can you believe that I walked into a fabric store yesterday looking for one item and walked out with only that said item? It's true.

I will admit that I did look around at the new spring/summer fabrics that are filling the aisles with various discounted prices. That was it, I just looked. I know, shocking!

There might be hope for me yet to pull off some stash busting numbers to be proud of despite having stumbled along the way. Who knows, stranger things have happened.

Happy Sewing!

It's Official!

Spring is officially here when all the spring pattern books are out! Yeah, yeah there is all that chatter about March 20 falling on the spring equinox but seriously, this is a sewing blog. Sew, this happy event means spring is officially here!

This morning I called my local fabric store and heard the words I've been waiting to hear for sew long.

"Yes, the Spring Butterick book is out," the cheerful and professional voice reported.

Okay, I've only been waiting a couple of weeks when kAtheRine Tilton announced that her patterns are now available through Butterick. But it felt like a long time.

I've been waiting to get my hands on Butterick 5891. I have a pile of donated blue jeans that might be up-cyled into a funky jean jacket using this pattern. But first, I need to hit the road.

Happy Sewing!

In Sewing News Today...

My Lenten Sewing Projects are coming along slowly but surely. I took a week off from the project to work on my nephew's vest. It was an easy switch to do since I have two machines set up and in working order. One machine right now is dedicated to the purificators and set up with 100% cotton thread.

Right now, I've finished off a few more and so far I've managed to sew thirty-eight. It is a slow process. I have another thirteen to finish off and then I'll have to cut the remainder of the left over linen. And I'm not done.

After that is all taken care of, there is a vestment to repair. The metallic bias tape that was fraying has to be replaced. I never noticed that the fabric store has metallic trims. I'm more of a simple gal who is not attracted to bling. There is a whole section of the fabric store that I didn't pay attention to until now. I lucked out this weekend when Fabricland had their 50% off sale and Mama R helped out and removed the frayed bias tape. It looks I'll be kept busy for the rest of the month.


But I'm feeling guilty, as the days are getting longer and the sun is rising earlier in the morning, thoughts are turning to spring sewing. Squirrel!

I'm really would like to start on the pants but it looks like it will be pushed back further on the list of projects to get to. Mama R is waiting for a new dress. And this dress project will push its way to the top of the list after the Lenten Sewing Projects.

For Mama R's dress I'm thinking a vintage pattern, McCall's 9424. The pattern has sleeves and a neckline that Mama likes. The only design feature that it is missing are pockets, an easy fix. She has given the pattern the go-ahead.

I have a pretty spring colour in mind for this dress, an egg shell blue.

Mama R is suggesting a navy fabric from her stash but navy just not doing it for me. Navy polyester doesn't feel spring appropriate. I might have to convince Mama R on the egg shell blue though. She does have her heart set on the navy. Somehow, I think I'll be sewing a navy dress.

Well, I better stop dreaming about spring sewing and get back to work. What about you, have you started on spring sewing projects?

Happy Sewing!

My Nephews are Stylish Dudes!

Stash Busting 2013:  Project # 10

Fabric Used:    1.9 metres, 100% stretch cotton sateen and 100% polyester lining.

Interfacing Used:  0.6 metres

Pattern Used:  Simplicity 4762, circa 2004. 

Buttons Used:   No buttons were used from my stash... yup, I ran out and picked out some new ones.  

*****

I've heard that my nephew is one stylish dude when he gets all dressed up in his wool vest. Now his brother will be just as stylish. 

Front View

Both vests were made in black but in different fabric. I love the feel of the wool but I love sewing the cotton sateen fabric even more. Actually, I think it was the pressing stage that I preferred more in this second version. I didn't have to hand baste this one before pressing. Sweet, since it saved a lot of time. 

Buttons and keyhole shaped buttonholes

Speaking of time, this project did take some time to get done. And a fast approaching birthday was the kick in the pants that I needed. 

As mentioned, it is a second version of the men's vest using Simplicity 4762.  This one was a challenge when it came to fitting.  My nephew doesn't visit his Portuguese Grandparents often enough so that they can fatten him up!  His very tall and slender figure was drowning in a men's small but it's too big for a boys large. 

Back View

There were some serious adjustments to make the muslin work. I omitted the front darts completely and took in the side and centre back seams and that worked with the muslin. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. 

For this project I used one of my favourite sewing machine attachments, the walking foot. This foot came in handy when I had to sew the layers of lining, fabric and interfacing together without it shifting. I can not recommend a walking foot enough. 

The best part of sewing this project was my nephew's smile. He looks so handsome, doesn't he.  

Happy Sewing!   

Spring Shopping!

It feels odd talking about spring shopping with so much snow still out there right now. But you would never know it by the display windows around town.

I was out spring shopping, sort of... this week I was tempted to go into the stores and check out what trends are coming out for spring.  I don't need any clothes or shoes. I just wanted to check out what was new. It is exciting to see colour again, like these blue shoes. Aren't they adorable? I just love the retro vibe too.

If these were in my size, I would be sooo very tempted.  {Source}

And I came across a lot of orange which just makes me so happy. I'm quite pleased that emerald is not taking hold on the store racks. Nothing against emerald, it just seems like a fall colour and I'm craving some bright happy colours. Besides, I still have to get around to finishing last year's projects!

I have this 100% orange linen still sitting in my fabric stash from last year. And I still would like to make this dress from Pattern Magic. I can't believe that it has been almost a year since I've wanted to make this. Where has the time gone?

Maybe this year I'll find the time to tackle this project? But for now, I've got to get back to sewing something for someone else.

Happy Sewing!

Guess what came in the mail!

Super happy yesterday when I discovered what came in the mail, Vogue 1378. It is a Donna Karan design from 1994.

I've made both skirts in the past but the pattern that is in my stash is no longer my size. Well, I found one that will fit me once again.  

Better yet, I still have some red plaid wool that I used to make skirt B. There is about 2 metres of this 144 cm plaid left and I only need 1.7 metres. Just when I thought I couldn't get any happier, I was proven wrong.

I'll be able to stash bust this piece of fabric and end up with a once loved skirt. I think I need to pour a glass of port to celebrate.

Can you believe this fabric is older than my original copy of this pattern? I picked up this gorgeous wool plaid fabric while living in Toronto, a long time ago. Goodness, how I miss the fabric selection in that town. But I digress...

Of course, this project will have to go on the back burner for some time while I get to some of the other projects that are waiting to be finished and those pants that I want to start.

Happy Sewing!