Coming Up This Week/Fun Challenges!

This past Friday, I crossed a huge hurdle. The sale of my friend's house came to a close. That part of her estate is officially finished!!! In 3 months time, I was able to clean out the house, set it up for staging, get it on the market, and sell it. Whew!!! The new owner moved in on Saturday. I feel a million pounds lighter, or whatever a house may weigh ;) My husband has been a HUGE help. I would not be this far along without his help. He got up this morning and said that he really didn't know what to do with himself now that we no longer need to go over to the house and work. My house has been completely neglected over the last 3 months, so I told him, "I have plenty of work for you to do!!!"

All in all, I am having the best summer! I have so enjoyed getting out on the river in my kayak. Floating along on the river is just the peace that I need. 

I also have my little 1 year challenge still going along strong. I am having the best time with it. I promise to catch up here on the blog this week. 

A couple of weeks ago, I shared that I am doing a sew together with Pauline of Sew You Think You Can. We are using this vintage Simplicity pattern. 

My muslin is completed, and all in all, I am very happy with the fit. Pauline and I will be virtually meeting on Wednesday to share our progress. I should have a reveal date then.

I have chosen this twill fabric for my jumpsuit. While it's not a vintage fabric, this look will be all out 1970s!!! I'm just so excited!!! Can't wait to get it made up!  

I am also participating in a challenge of sorts with Helena of Gray All Day. She had posted on Instagram that she had purchased a pile of fabric that she would like to share, and have others make up. I thought it sounded like fun. She sent me a message and asked it I like stripes or polka dots. I said, "Both! I have even combined stripes and polka dots." I had no idea of what the fabric would look like, or the fiber content. I was so pleasantly surprised when the fabric arrived. It's a lovely gauze with little yellow, puffy polka dots. It feels like air in my hands.  

The reveal day will be this Friday. So excited that I'll finally be able to share my little creation.

I hope that you are able to find some lovely ways to make your summer special despite all the craziness. I took a ride down Michigan Ave. here in Chicago last week after the madness of last Sunday night. It broke my heart to see all of the destruction. I would like to leave you with this quote from Indira Gandhi. 

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.

The Best Sewing Gift Ever!

It was a Christmas that I thought would be especially bleak. My father had recently left, and my mother was especially sad. It was our first Christmas alone, and we were over a thousand miles away from any family. But, under the tree was a gift for me. I opened it, and inside was a sewing pattern and fabric. As wonderful as that was, what made it all the more special was that the fabric that was in the box was the exact same fabric that was on the pattern envelope! Everything was in the box to recreate the garment that I saw. I just couldn't believe it, 2 black and white coordinates, and packages of white cording. 

Over the Christmas break, I made up the outfit, and of course wore it proudly on my first day back at school. I felt as though I was wearing a designer garment. 

I still have the pattern. The envelope is a little worse for wear, but everything is still intact, no missing pattern pieces.

I've decided to somewhat recreate the outfit. Rather than in the matching fabric, I am using a plaid wool flannel for the skirt, and a coordinating black cotton chambray for the shirt. 

Although 1 is cotton, and the other wool, I really like how the 2 coordinate. 

I'll do the version on the right just as I did when I had the coordinating fabric, but this time around, I won't add the big patch pockets. Rather than a contrasting piping, I'll just self pipe both the shirt and the skirt. 

The pattern is really just a basic shirt and a wrap skirt, but it's special. It takes me back to a time when my world had fallen apart, and yet, there under that tree was a gift that represented potential. As it was, it was just a box with a pattern and some fabric. But, with just a little effort, I had something that made me feel so very special.  

Sew Cargo Crazy/Let The Sewing Begin!

Remember me???

Once again, I have been sewing, but no blogging :/

Lots of interesting things happening in my life. In August, I will be taking a 4 day pilgrimage. I'm actually quite excited. It may be a little daunting, but in the end, I think it will be so very good for my soul. I most likely won't share the entire experience, but some for sure. Taking a little time to be quiet, to explore some things that have been pressing on my soul, so wonderful. Even more, I am so very grateful that it's something I will have the opportunity to do. Truly a time of exploration :)

The Mahogany Stylist and I are a day late with getting our cargo challenge posts up. We talked yesterday and decided that it wasn't worth rushing to get it out. We've decided to move our posts to Saturdays.

The pattern that we are using for our July Cargo Pants Challenge is an out of print pattern, but still available on Ebay. Sadly, I didn't find any on Etsy, but I'm sure more will pop up.

For my first pair, the trail pair, I used a stretch woven fabric that I found at a favorite resale shop. 

The pattern calls for a center back zipper. Depending on the style of the pant, I usually prefer a fly front zipper. As I'm cutting out the front, I include the extension for the fly zipper.    

What I end up making is a mock fly front opening as I usually don't include the facing. Works just fine. 

I decided to do 2 of the large patch pockets. I found them to be a little shallow, so in the future, I will extend the pattern by 2". The pattern has the option to add the tab with a d-ring. I thought it was rather fun and added to the whole cargo pant feeling.

The pattern includes a real cargo pant type pocket. I LOVE this pocket! It has darts along the bottom that give it volume. This is a pocket pattern that I will be using again and again.
 

Rather than put a buttonhole in the pocket flap, or add the d-ring closing, I used velcro. I like being able to quickly get into a pocket. As I said in my last post, I love wearing a pair of cargo pants when I am out running errands, grocery shopping, etc. I throw my phone, reading glasses(need those!), driver's license, and a credit card in my pockets and I'm hands free.   

All in all, I liked how the pants turned out. 

She's Alive!!! You haven't seen much of me lately :)

BTW, the t-shirt I am wearing is from Pattern Union, the Molly Tee. I've made a pile! Obviously, I love this pattern :)

I just purchased the new cargo pant pattern from Iconic Patterns. You can find it HERE. I haven't given it a try yet, but I really like how the pattern is styled. 

For next week's addition of Sew Cargo Crazy, Cennetta and I will be using the same fabric, just in different colors. Her first pair of cargo's are up on her blog. Be sure to pop over and check them out. You can see her post HERE. 

And remember...

If you would like to join us, we will be posting at #sewcargocrazy and #sewcargo on Instagram. Hope to see you there!  

Sew Cargo Crazy

Compliments.
How do you feel about compliments? It seems that some are quite taken back when given a compliment, feeling as though it's not given in sincerity. Yes, that can be true, but I think for the most part, we know when a compliment is attached with an expectation, or just isn't sincere.

Last week, I received probably the loveliest compliment...ever. I had flown with a flight instructor whom I had never met. While we were out, it began to rain quite hard, the clouds began to sink, and the visibility was not the best. I've been in situations like this before, so I wasn't uncomfortable, and felt fine about us making it back to the airport without any problem. That night, the instructor sent me a note. Here's a portion of the note;

"Just wanted to reach out and thank you for our flight today. Your experience and professionalism helped me in expanding my personal minimums. You have a calm demeanor, and you fly the airplane like an expert."

What an amazing compliment! So kind, and so very generous. He has no idea of how much it meant to me. I did thank him, but still, he can't possibly understand the gift it was to me.

Last Monday, I did an inspiration post on cargo pants. A few weeks ago, I saw this picture in an email from Mood Fabrics;

  

I really love the pants, and I posted the picture on my Instragram page. My friend, Cennetta of The Mahogany Stylist saw the picture, and then proceeded to give me a call. She too loved the pants, and said that it reminded her of an out of print Simplicity pattern.

  

As we were talking, I looked up the pattern and saw that I could get 1 from an Etsy site. Then I had the idea that we could possibly do a challenge. Cennetta loved the idea, so off we went! 

Here's what we have planned for the month of July.

*Week One: Any view of the pants from Simplicity 5102 using      the pattern without any style changes.

*Week Two: Use any view, but add a personalized detail.

*Week Three: Once again, any view of Simplicity 5102, any view, but personalized to our own taste and style.  

*Week Four: Make a cargo skirt using Simplicity 5102. 

For the first week, I have chosen a very typical cargo pant like fabric. It's a gray/green fabric that has a little stretch. Love that stretch!! 

I think it's going to be a fun challenge, and even better, I'll get at least 3 new pairs of pants out of the deal :) You can see Cennetta's post and fabric choice HERE. 

If you would like to join us, we would love to have you! Post your makes on Instagram using #sewcargocrazy and/or #sewcargo. Be sure to pop over to Cennetta's instagram page and check out the discount that Mood Fabrics is offering. You can find Cennetta HERE on Instagram.  

For the most part, we never know how we touch other lives, what a compliment, or just a simple smile can mean. Be free with your compliments. You never know if that will be the thing that may turn a life around.

Happy Sewing!

 Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/When The Flood Gates Break!

Some of you may remember from earlier this summer that I put myself on a very restrictive fabric buying diet...no new fabric until after August 1st. Well, I did okay. But, I did buy the tea towels that I designed from my painting, and I also purchased the mirrored yardage. I am also cleaning up my studio. Those posts will resume soon. The doctor had asked that with this second eye surgery that I be particularly careful about not picking things up, and bending over. Tomorrow is freedom day, no more drops, and back to life as usual :)

Over the weekend, with my no fabric moratorium being over, I took a trip up to Gayfeather Fabrics in Madison, WI along with 5 other friends. We had a blast!!! 

I actually showed some restraint and picked out pieces that I knew I would make up quickly. I'll share more later, but this piece was especially fun...

Virginia had these wool panels that I thought were especially interesting. I decided to purchase 2. At just $5.00 per panel, a steal!

I wanted something fun to go with the panels. Found the piece above, went back and forth about it.

Then I flipped the fabric over to the so called "wrong side," and I loved it! I will be making the jacket below. The panels will be a skirt, just not exactly sure of how it will be executed.

If by chance you noticed the top I am wearing in the first picture, it was a gift, and what an amazing gift!!! Totally unexpected. I came home last Thursday and found a box waiting for me. Becky of Trial Balloons had sent an amazing treasure chest of fabrics. Included in the box was the top.

I had sent her the small piece that you see, on the bottom left of the top in the top left picture. It was a piece that a friend of mine had given me. It came from an antique kimono. Becky had the Kung Fu Bunny. What a hoot! Take note of the hand stitching she did around the edges. 

  

Love how the back was pieced, and if you look closely, on the back of the top, there are 3 small red stitches. Such a sweet touch.

Just a few of the other special pieces that were in the box...

The piece below did not photograph all that well, so much prettier in person. It's double sided. The pieces aren't large, but what a special accent they will be!

This piece is about 12" wide, but rather long, so another beautiful accent piece.

Her son had brought this back to her from China. She said that the colors were just not quite her, but thought I would enjoy it. I do! What I think I am going to do with the piece is actually use the back side for an unlined jacket. That way, when I take the jacket off, you'll see the amazing inside! 

I also want to share this sweet gift that my friend Sue gave me,

She didn't make the bag, but did the embroidery. It was the perfect accessory for our Gayfeather shopping trip. What I especially like about the bag is that it has snaps so the top can be closed up a bit. 

So yes, the flood gates broke ;) I can now buy fabric once again. But, my break gave me some space, a chance to really look at what I have, cherish what I have, and think first before I buy.  

Before I go, I want to share my shawl. This is the Honeycomb  Wrap from Purl Soho. I was seeing honeycombs in my sleep before it was over :/ But, it's done, I'm happy, and I can't wait to wear it! Now all I need is some cold weather ;) 

Just had to make a note about this picture...

Conehead Berkley is in the chair ;) He has been with us now for 3 weeks. As we were getting ready to go to bed last night, my husband said, "I can't believe it, you've created yet another monster." He was referring to the fact that Berkley is already so very attached to me, and wants to be with me all-the-time. Oh well :) 

Have a fabulous week!

Rhonda

Sew Chic Give Away Winner

My apologies! I had said that I would announce the winner of the Sew Chic Simplicity Pattern on Monday. I'm a day late. The day just got away from me and I forget. So once again, my apologies.
So without further delay, the winner of Laura's new pattern for Simplicity Patterns is.......

Congratulations Guffdragon!!! I think you will really enjoy sewing with Laura :) Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing information.

Sew Chic and Sew Fabulous! A Celebration and a Give Away

Quite a few years back, I fell in love with a movie entitled, "Seven Years In Tibet." There's a line in the movie that I thought was especially poignant,

"The success of a friend is a true blessing."

Well, today, that is especially true. Laura Nash of Sew Chic Patterns will now be designing a line of patterns for Simplicity, WOO HOO!!!! I couldn't be happier for her. If you'll remember, our first Sew News sew along of the year was Laura's Valentine Slip. 

Being not only the lovely, but gracious lady that Laura is, she would like to say thank you for making the Valentine Slip sew along such a success by offering to give away 1 of her new Simplicity patterns to one of you. Here's a look at the pattern,

The dress has an elongated waistline with princess line seams through the bodice. The pattern also comes with the cute little bolero jacket. I see so many possibilities with this pattern, and I love the twirly skirt.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Laura's new Simplicity pattern, 

1. Leave a message on this post

2. Go to this page and sign up for the sew along. 

3. You must leave a message on this post AND sign up for the sew along in order to have a chance at winning the free pattern.

*A note on the sew along. The sew along will actually begin on Monday July 13, 2015. Laura decided to push the date back just a bit in order to give everyone who would like to sew along with her a chance to purchase their pattern.

The winner of the free pattern will be announced this upcoming Monday, July 6, 2015.

Congratulations Laura and best wishes toward your future success!!!!