Pattern Storage X WendybyDesign

Love the tips she gives here. I agree yes you can get the pattern back into the envelope. I usually press them flat with a warm iron (no steam) first.

Yikes, My Sewing Machine Broke!!!!

Hello fellow sewist,

Hoping all had a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving. My Thanksgiving was blessed. I ate well and enjoyed time visiting family. My sewing mojo was even in full gear. I planned and prepared to make two version of  M6992. Then I discovered that I only had enough fabric to do one, so I decided to make a cocoon sweater and found a pattern by Truebias.com.  Cut that out and sewed that up first because it was going to be an easy sew. (Reviews will be coming soon).  I worked on M6992 Saturday, Sunday, and with finishing touches on Monday. And that is when disaster struck. I was about 15 inches from finishing the hem when the needle holder on my Brother XL5700 fell completely off!

A close up shot

Needle holder

Sob!!!!!  Luckily I have a Euro Pro Fast and Easy machine as back up. Its basic but it got the job done.

The funny thing abou tthis is while sewing the hem I was thinking how nice it would be to have a machine that could stop in needle down position and how I would like to have a computerized machine.  Do you think the sewing machine read my mind? Did I hurt its feelings? Did it intentionally drop the needle, holder and all? LOL!

Well I am taking this as an opportunity to research machines for an upgrade. Do any of you have suggestions on model or type of machine to buy? What type of machine do you have? Do you like its features and would you recommend it to others?

Please Help!!!

Meanwhile, I will I will be sewing on my Euro Pro. Hopefully it will hold up. I have fabric on the table ready to be cut and sewn.

God willing!

Keep sewing and God bless…..

Deal Man Jacket of the future.

Saw this posted on Facebook and just said WoW! This mens blazer is amazing. Great tailoring and unique style lines. I would love to see this in a womens blazer. (Note not a promotional ad.0

http://www.dealman.co.nz/products/men-s-2014-futuristic-jacket

Flash Back Friday: Simplicity 2369

Hello there! TGIF!
I hope that everyones week has been blessed.Mines been pretty busy especially around the hime. I recently thought about what was my favorite sewing project  and I will have to say Simplicity 2369 was it.Made and worn in 2010, I liked the mock wrap and the maxi length. You can read the review here. The handsome young man is my brother. He had just graduatied college. Keeping on sewing......

Inspiration from Instyle

Hello there!

 I hope your week is stating off blessed. I saw this editorial in the November issue of INSTYLE Magazine and thought what a simple diy project this would be to upgrade a pair of leather gloves with some bling. I think a quickie project is in the works!

Keep on sewing........

Thought of the Week...

Thought For the Week Ahead

October is Awarness Month

The wind is crisp, the leaves are beginning to change colors, summer is taking its final bow and fall is is taking center stage. Its already October and we know what that means trick or treating, but more inportantly, awareness. This month we focus on Breast Cancer Awareness and now Domestic Violence Awareness. Pink and Puple is poping up everwhere. In celebrating the good work these cause are doing for women and their families, I am pinning curated pink and purple items from aroind the web. Just things I see that catches my eye. You can follow me on my pinterest board by clicking the "follow me on pinterst button at right. I might pin something that may catch your eye!

Be Blessed

Do not fear therfore; you are of more value than any sparrows.- Mththew 10:31

Its National Sewing Month- Enter to Win a Bernina at AllFreeSewing

Go to AllFreeSewing.com for chance to win this Bernina 215. Good Luck!

New Day Sunday-three things That Blessed Me Today

1. I want to share three things that have blessed me this Communion. That I don't have to walk around carrying guilt and shame because I am cover by the blood of Jesus.
2. Being saved is a process.
3. That we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No man is perfect.

I am looking forward to a blessed and productive week letting God lead the way. I pray that you all have a blessed week also. Much sewing and crafting.!

Happy 4Th And What's Fresh This Friday

I wishing everyone have a blessed and safe 4th of July.
Its been since Mother's Day that I have last posted. The mojo took a vacay. So to get back in the mood I started a bedroom/sewing room makeover. Most of the changes will be DIY. When done I will post on that. However, the it helped to get mojo stirring. Also, looking at shows like Renovate My Wardobe gave me the motivation to finally purge my closet and now I know what I need to sew.  Another motivator is my eight year cousin wants to learn to sew. I brought her a Hello Kitty chainstitch sewing machine a couple years ago and she has been practicing with that machine. I know it is designed for children, but it is too hard to thread and the stitches are very easy to come apart because she can't backstitch to lock the stitches. She's feed up with it and I am too ( I have to rethread that darn machine). So, I told her that I will teach her on my real machine. I believe she old enough and ready. We'll see how that works out.
I purchased some new fabrics from Fabric Mart.  It arrived yesterday.

All pieces are challis that was on sale. The black and cerulean blue butterfly challis is so soft. The red is darker than it appears here. The red and cream are crinkled textured. I have some Ideas in mind for the fabrics. Redecorating will have to be put to the side for a moment so I can sew.

Until next time be blessed and sew much!

Happy  Mother's Day to All

Wardobe Architect Week1Worksheet Cont.

In the last post, I started the Wardobe Architect with a discussion on my history with fashion or my wardobe. This week I will contiue with the next two topics: Philosophy and Culture.

Philosophy:
How does your philosophy, spirituality, or religion affect your aesthetics and buying habits? Or, what aspects of those things would you like to see reflected?
Well let's see. I guess you can say that I have some conservatism when it comes to dressing. As those who attend church knows that you definitely don't wear daisy dukes and crop tops. There is a certain expectation when you go to church. And I do believe that has a far reaching effect in other areas of my life. Don't get me wrong, I am not the type that believes a woman cannot wear pants to church. I wear plenty of pants and pantsuits to church. But I know the limits.

Culture:
How has your cultural background shaped the way you look? How did the aesthetics and values you grew up with affect your tastes as you got older?
Like I stated above, a religious conservatism was bred in me. However, I was taught to still appreciate being a woman. This made me think of my 92 year old grandmother and what she would jokingly say, " boys like it when you look good."  There is nothing wrong with appreciating your feminity.
There are a few more topics on this worksheet that I will deal with in another post. Until then continue sewing and seveloping your personal style.

Butterick Summer Pattern Release My Picks

Here are my picks from the new Butterick Summer Release

B6606

This wardobe pattern has some potential. I like the dress and the option for some colorblocking. The tunic and the pants make a great summer suit. 

B6053 I love the seam detail. The neckline and fit and flare style are very flattering.

B6050 The back detail and hemline makes this dress a fun summer dress.

B6058  the fabric that Butterick chose for the sample garment is what drew me to this pattern. I want a striped top. I think this pattern is going on my must sew list.

B6061 These look like a great pair of pants and shorts. 

B6070 Nice yoke detail

and last, but not least these two skirt patterns B6059 and B6060

I see my self mostly in skirts for the summer this year.

My Jouney to Understanding and Building a Wardobe I Love.

Coletterie for the past 12 weeks have been conducting a wardobe survey of sorts to help its readers to get a better understanding how they are affect by fashion and how it is reflected in their wardobes. I had downloaded week's 1 worksheet a few weeks ago and just decided today to begin the journey. So here it goes.


WARDROBE ARCHITECT
DESIGNING AND BUILDING THOUGHTFUL ATTIRE
WORKSHEET #1:
MAKING STYLE MORE PERSONAL
On average, we are exposed to over x ads a day, all designed to elicit responses and get you to buy and to want.
On top of that, if you’re spending time on the internet, you’re likely also being treated to a barrage of images of trends, status, and desire. You find yourself comparing your home, wardrobe, and life to the seemingly perfect ones you see online.
Is it any wonder we lose the sense of what our tastes actually are?
This week, let’s look a little bit deeper than the flashy and new. Let’s think about how we’re different, and how that affects our aesthetic choices.
How has your personal history informed the way you dress? When did your tastes crystalize? Have they changed over the years, and why?
Well, I feel my fashion history was formed by my mother who believed in keeping it simple. She wasn't the flashy type. She always look pulled together and even her makeup was applied minimalistly.  However, she was not one to be stagnat. She encouraged me to keep things looking fresh by never wear my hair same way everyday.Change it up.
For my style, the more unique the better (within in reason of course). Especially when it came to accesories. I ove handbags and jewelry with something uncommon. I still look for that in my accessories today.
In clothes, my tastes have shifted over the years. I have gone from wearing mostly dresses and skirts to pantssuits, and jeans, to the point that my wardobe is serverly deficient in ddresses and skirts.
What I have come to realize that now that I want a more sophsicated yet fun and a little edgy wardobe. I don't want to look like I trying to be too young. I want to be pulled together and comfy.
Hopefully by the end of this Wardobe Architect I will have a better understanding of my personal fashion style and a wardobe to reflect it.
Until next time....

Quick Craft: Rhinestone Studded Clutch

I just needed something easy and quick to get the mojo in high gear. A pallet cleanser of sorts. What came to mind was a clutch. I went to the pattern stash and found the perfect project, NL6397 OOP. I knew I had some leftover faux leather and I settled on some leftover natural linen look for the lining. In all it took less than 1/4 or less of a yard of both fabrics for this clutch. In my stash I also had some rhinestone studs, and a tassel that I could use to the bag give some "pop". I did not want a boring brown clutch.

Now I have to make a spring floral or pastel bag. I love a quickie... a sewing quickie I mean LOL.
Until next time.

Projects Update- January- March

 Here are the finished projects as promised. The V8923 was sewn in January, hemmed in February. Pretty much a straight forward sewing. The Fabrics are a black poly ponte knit and a Marni black and gold tiger print. I thought it would be fun to block with a print instead of a solid.
The peplum and the skirt was for the fearless  February/March Challenge held by the blog Ten Thousand Hour of Sewing.. These were not the only projects I had started for this challenge, these are the two that worked out. The peplum S1699 was a combination of the bodice and sleeves of view A and the peplum of view B. I did not want the cap sleeves nor the collar of view B. Overall the project was a breeze to sew.  The fabrics were black and an off white stretch poplin shirting. The effect is more on the sporty side which is trending right now.
The third project is S5505 OOP view B. The fabric is a navy lace floral. Its lining is a navy charmuese. I cut the length  below the knee and at the top of the calf. Think this a "right for me" midi length. This was easy peasy project. Especially because of the elastic waist.

Here are some things I did learn as part of the challenge:

• Don't get down and discourage if the project fails. Toss and move on.
• I learned how to use my roll-hemmed/narrow hem foot. I am not perfect but its a start.
• How to sew a lap zipper, I had not sewn one before. Pretty easy.
• Have fun and continue learning.

Next post I will layout my April projects. Until then, Keep Sewing!

Checking in

It's been awhile since I have posted, but in that time I have been sewing and planning. In the next post I will be showing a couple of garments I made for the Feb/Mar. Fearless sewing challenge. Also, a garment I made back in January. I am also pulling fabrics and preparing patterns for my April sewing.
 Until then, keep sewing!

Otis Fashion Sophomore Studio: Lap Zipper

i


Like the tip to use clear tape to as a guide for topstitching lapped zippers.

Rant!

You tell me, how wrong is it to tempt people by posting only one episode of the Great British Sewing Bee Season 2 episode2 and not post  no more. I am hooked and I need my fix. I have picked my home sewist and I want to see how they do.  I know there is casting for the American version, but I can't wait that long! So come on....... keep the videos on Youtube coming,LOL

Rolled Hem Using Rolled Hem Foot

She makes it look so easy. I have seen other tutorials, but theirs did not end with the polished results as hers. Must try this!

Visually Sewing

Hello Everyone,
No sewing but plenty of planning. I did visually sew....I watched videos soaking in techniques to improve my sewing. Here are some links that might interest you.

1. How to single-fold clean finish a seam
2. How to sew a skirt
3. stitching technque for the tailored jacket

Gotta love Youtube. Until next time.....

Sunday Inspiration March 2,2014

If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.  Job 36:11 

Sunday Inspiration February 16,2014

504-2 Gretchen Hirsch shows how to add underlining to a skirt on It's Se...

If you haven't underlined a garment here's a great tutorial.

Down But Not Out!

I made plans, changed plans. I fretted over my plans. Finally, I settled on the patterns and fabrics that I am planning to sew for the Fearless February Challenge hosted by Victoria over at Ten thousand Sewing Hours.  And then it happened, my foot became swollen. Painfully swollen. Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhy! If something can go wrong it always will. Standing right now is difficult. There's no way I am going to be able to use the foot pedal on my sewing machine until I can get rid of the swelling and pain. Sooooooo, my planned skirt for week one is on delay. Hopefully, next week will be better. With a whole month for this challenge, I should be able to still accomplish my goals. Just pray for me. Send good sewing vibes.
Until later.......

Happy New Year