Friday, September 27, 2013
Sewing Summit 2013
Posted by Unknown at 10:34 AM 2 comments
Labels: Sewing
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Catty Bombshell
Posted by Unknown at 2:51 PM 0 comments
Labels: Sewing
Saturday, April 14, 2012
First Renfrew!
There is no reason anymore not to make my own shirts. I made a Renfrew, and it was great. I cut a size 10 and did View B (short sleeves, V-neck) and it's really not so bad. The fabric I used was a bamboo jersey that I bought years ago. In the pattern, Tasia says to use a stable knit. I have no idea what that means.
I got a little confused as to when to use a zig zag and when not... which is why my right shoulder is a little frumpy. I did a zig zag stitch there and it seemed to rumple it up a bit. I did use my serger to finish up all the seams. I think next time I will use my serger from the start and only use the sewing machine to topstitch.
The shirt is a little wide at the shoulders... sometimes the seam goes onto my arm. But really, the shirt is comfortable and fits fairly well. I'll call it a success!
I have more planned, and I did a big order from Girl Charlee. Hope the fabrics are nice!
Posted by Unknown at 4:20 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Simple accomplishments
Chris gave me my Christmas present early. He got me a Kindle Fire! It's very exciting. I like it a lot, especially since I can use one hand to hold it. I decided to make a pouch for it while deciding which case to buy... and this is what I ended up with:
Sorry for the bad photo, but this little pouch caused me so much trouble! I'm still not entirely happy with it, but it's good enough. This is iteration #3. Most of the other troubles were from the zipper. After I sewed the zipper in, the opening was too small to put the kindle in!
I am pretty happy with it though.. it's fleece inside and I really like how I made a pocket for the earphones. The quilting (to the batting) took a long time but I think it was worth it. It now can sit at the bottom of my purse without worrying about it getting dirty.
Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Unknown at 11:29 AM 0 comments
Labels: Sewing
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A couple tanks..
I finished up this Colette Sorbetto tank top this morning.
I made a size 4 and I'm pretty happy with it. I used some fabric I got at an estate sale a few years ago and I made the bias binding out of navy blue linen.I really enjoyed how quickly this came together, and I like how the bust darts are in the right place (i think!) It's a bit less loose than I imagined it would be, so I might make a size up next time, but the top area fits great. It's definitely a bit too short for my liking, so I'd lengthen it. For this one you were supposed to hem the bottom but I wanted to keep that extra length so I used bias tape on the bottom too. I want to try adding sleeves too!
After I made this top I remembered the Wiksten Tank Top that I made a few months ago that I never blogged about...
So both tanks are loose fitting tank tops, but there definitely were differences. No bust darts here and the armholes are finished by folding under. Not sure which one I prefer yet. I used quilting weight fabric for this one, so the seams are a little bit bulky (instructions have you create french seams for the sides). I like the curved bottom hem. It covers up my behind when I crouch! The neckline might be a little too low and I might try a size larger with this one next time too. I've already worn this out a few times and regardless of the unflattering photo, I think it looks ok. This one definitely took more time because of the hems. Bias tape is so quick!
So the real reason why I made the Sorbetto is that I wanted to get a Colette pattern under my belt before I joined the Colette Clover Pants Sew Along. I'm pretty excited. I cut out a size 8 for the pants because I basically have no waist, but I'm a bit nervous because I also have no butt. We'll see how this works out...
Posted by Unknown at 11:39 AM 2 comments
Labels: Sewing
Friday, September 3, 2010
Little Pea!
This might be the quickest, most satisfying project I have completed. I used fleece scraps for the ball, and I had a great gift for a friend's daughter. SO cute!
My sister said that they have board books too! I will have to get those next time. I see more peas in my future!
Posted by Unknown at 11:45 AM 2 comments
Labels: Sewing
Monday, August 2, 2010
It's finished!
I finished the Ice Cream Social dress! It's so cute. It was nice and easy, spread out over a couple weeks with the sewalong, and now it's done! Also, I made the smallest size, so it was a nice change from the clothes I've been trying to make for myself. The pattern was really well written too. I really might have to buy the pattern in the larger size and try to make one that will fit me!
Photos from the creating process. Each photo has a few notes in flickr on my troubles.
Posted by Unknown at 2:30 PM 6 comments
Labels: Sewing
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Swaps for July
I'm all caught up on my swaps!
These blocks are for the Chaletgirl Blockswap:
Love Lara's fabric. Very easy to match, and so happy to use my Kaffe to match hers!
Blocks for Loulou. I'm not so good with pink, mostly because my stash doesn't have too much of it. But I think these worked out ok.
These blocks are for bee inspired. I can't believe we've already completed 5 months!
Blocks for Barb. I LOVE the fabrics she chose. She's planning on doing a wonky bento box quilt.
Blocks for John. Made from this pattern. It's going to be GORGEOUS!
Lastly, my blocks for the Three by Three swap:
Not sure how much I like these. I tried to keep with my theme of aqua and another color (seen here for May and June), but these were a bit off. At least they're the correct size! I measured each and every one.
And here are the blocks I received for June. I am getting excited to put this quilt together. It's going to be all sorts of random and crazy!
Posted by Unknown at 10:06 AM 3 comments
Labels: bee inspired, chaletgirl's block swap, Quilting, Sewing, swaps
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Mendocino Dress... at last!
Everyone on alert? A finished project!
I have seen this dress around the blog world, and I am so happy I am finally done. I confess, this dress gave me fits at first. It was my first time working with elastic thread. I got the thread to scrunch up, but not nearly enough. I was so frustrated that I put the dress aside for months (10, actually). In the super hot weather, I decided I wanted to finish it. I have been reading tips online so I was ready. My problem? It might have been the actual thread (I switched brands), but the main culprit was definitely that I was using too small a stitch. I had used the smallest stitch, but all the tips say use the longest stitch! It worked like a charm. Also, Heather Ross notes that it shrinks even more when you pass a steam iron over it because the elastic thread shrinks. In any case, it works now!
I need to add straps, but I already wore it for a bbq last weekend. It's fun, fast, comfortable... I didn't actually use Heather's pattern, I just took a rectangle and shirred the top. I'm sure her pattern would have helped with the pregnant look. The fabric is a sarong from Indonesia.
I also finished up my nine-block swaps, both for the Chaletgirl Block Swap and Three by Three. I think after I'm done with these my nine block obsession will be satiated.
Please notice that Nerdy Lucy has no ears!
Posted by Unknown at 11:58 AM 8 comments
Labels: bee inspired, chaletgirl's block swap, Lucy, Sewing
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Seams to Me Project: Pincushion Caddy
Funny that Oiyi left a comment yesterday saying she has yet to make anything from Seams to Me, because I finished my first project from that book last night. I borrowed the book from the library just so I could make the Pincushion Caddy, but lucky for you, I also found out that this is a free pattern online!
So. This pattern was kind of fun and kind of easy. It was definitely fun picking out the fabrics, but there is a ton of hand sewing involved. Thanks to my Dear Jane quilt, hand sewing doesn't frighten me as much as it used to, so it was ok.
At one point in the pattern it tells you to sew the eight wedges together with a 3/8 inch seam. I found this too small, and had to go back and sew about half the seams to 5/8, so I would recommend just sewing with a 1/2 inch seam to start. I used Peltex 72, which is Pellon's stiffest double sided fusible. I can't find any reason why it called for double sided fusible. One sided fusible I can see, but I never fused anything to both sides of the interfacing. It was also not stiff enough, as you can see by this photo. It sort of collapsed into itself, but it doesn't really bother me because it's cute unless you look from this angle. Plus you can stuff it full of stuff and you'll never notice it.
The reason why I made this is so I can work on my hand applique Dear Jane blocks in front of the TV and have everything there with me. Oh, and also so I don't leave needles around on the table. It turned out a bit wonky, but I love it anyway.
As for the other patterns in the book, I'm a bit split. There are a few that I can see myself making, like the smock and the one of everything bag, oh and maybe this gorgeous taxi tote, but I think for now I'll just keep it on my wish list.
Posted by Unknown at 8:02 AM 11 comments
Labels: Sewing
Monday, March 2, 2009
Book Review: Weekend Sewing
What's that? Finally a book review? I received my copy of Weekend Sewing at least a week and a half ago, and I am finally getting around to reviewing it. I LOVE it.
Alright, first the book itself. It is BEAUTIFUL. It is also very similar to Weekend Knitting in that all the projects can be completed in a weekend (or two), and there are cute little recipes sprinkled throughout. I love Heather Ross' writing style (love her blog), and I read the entire book, although I did not make anything from it yet. It starts out with an introduction of how she began sewing, and then goes into setting up your sewing space. I found this very helpful and this past weekend bought an ottoman in which to store my (new to me since friday!) Singer Featherweight. The end has an appendix with the terms she uses. The patterns are fabulous. The few that I skimmed seem to have clear instructions. Here are a few I intend to make:
There are cute patterns for women and kids, but surprisingly, considering the current trend in a lot of books I buy, nothing for pets, although Lucy did point out the Pup Tent to me.
I really do like this book. Most of the patterns in here are ones that I can see myself wearing and using. Hurray for Heather Ross!
There is another review on a blog I follow here and you can see more images from the book here. Also, Heather Ross is having a cute contest right now. You should check it out!
Posted by Unknown at 7:39 AM 5 comments
Labels: Sewing
Monday, February 16, 2009
Weekend Sewing
Oof, what a weekend. Lots of eating, lots of sewing, and lots of rain! I am so happy for the rain. It is cold and miserable, but we really need it. Plus, rain means that I have an excuse to stay inside and sew! Along with all the Dear Jane blocks, here is what I did this weekend:
A couple blocks for the bushfire quilt project. There are some beautiful quilts being made for the victims of the bushfire in Victoria, and I wanted to contribute a little bit. They're on their way to Australia now.
Also, I have been VERY lucky in online contests recently. I won these earrings from Sulu. LOVE her earrings. I think this is my 3rd or 4th pair of hers.
I also won a pack of fat quarters from Sew Mama Sew and 4 fat quarters from Anina via her Twiddletails store. She is also the one who is inspiring to make THAT QUILT. Both are great places to shop. I would have photos, but they went straight into the wash to be used for my Dear Jane quilt. You'll see them in blocks soon! Thank you!!
I think I will have to pass on this good karma and do a giveaway as well. Plus I have blasted past 200 posts, I think this is 204? I'll have to do a giveaway at 250 posts.
Oh and to go with the title of the post, my copy of Weekend Sewing is in the mail! I am SO excited!!!!
Posted by Unknown at 9:56 AM 6 comments
Labels: Sewing
Friday, January 16, 2009
Fleece no sew blanket
So I finally made one of these no-sew blankets. Basically you take two pieces of fleece, cut strips on the side and tie them together. It wasn't too bad, and I'm sure it will be warm, but I don't think I'll ever make one again. I think I'd rather sew it... Anyway, here it is:
Not bad, eh?
Whatcha doing?
Man, you stink. Why did I come over here?
Can I go now?
Zzzz...
Posted by Unknown at 3:11 PM 11 comments
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monster Post
Alright, apparently I did not want to post for an entire month after NaBloPoMo. Here is a mosaic of what happened in the month of December.
Lets see, included in there is the Christmas Tree, Napa, Corgi Faire (where Lucy won 3rd place in corgi limbo), stuffed animal, graduation from Puppy 2, Birthday cake, Freddy's visit and Lucy's new water bowl.
Yesterday I worked on a couple projects, the quilt top you see above, and my clapotis. I finished it! Here is a photo with half dropped stitches and some that still need dropping. I still need to weave in the ends. I'll take proper photos in the new year.
Have a safe New Year's Eve!
Friday, November 21, 2008
NaBloPoMo: Day 21
Still working on the project. How do you transfer designs to felt? I tried the iron on pencil, and either I have a bad pencil, or I'm just really bad at it. This design was transferred using Simplicity's dressmaker transfer paper, which is wax. Unfortunately I couldn't find the chalk one...
Posted by Unknown at 9:34 PM 1 comments
Labels: embroidery, NaBloPoMo, Sewing