Flashback Friday

Can you believe June is almost over? I swear I woke up yesterday and it was the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend and summer was looming ahead with promises of long, lazy, sun-shining days. (Shoot, now that old Brady Bunch song it running through my head "....it's a sunshine day..." - I bet it's running through your head now too!) Anyway, back to June, well actually it's almost July and the next holiday is rapidly approaching (and, ahem, this writer's birthday...)

When the calendar turns to that hot and steamy month of July what images are conjured up in your mind? Why, images of Christmas of course! After all, July is the month that the fabric stores start putting their Christmas and holiday fabrics on sale isn't it? The do it for all of those incredibly organized people who actually plan ahead. The rest of us just feel guilty that we are enjoying summer and not even thinking about the winter months. By the way, how do those incredibly organized people do it? And can they teach me how? Honestly, I've been known to to sew the final stitch on gifts on Christmas Eve, just minutes before we're scheduled to head out the door for the family festivities.

I wasn't always like that. There was a time in my life when I had time to plan ahead and sew beautiful gifts for Christmas.

Like the Christmas of 1972. I was 14 and my father asked me to sew a robe for my mother that he would give to her. You know, now that I think about it, he did always seem to give my mom some type of nightwear as a Christmas gift. It is pretty cool to know that my dad has always, and I mean always, been absolutely crazy about my mom. The man adores her. Even after 50 plus years of marriage. Isn't that sweet? Okay, I digress. Back to the Christmas story.

My dad and I set off together to find the perfect pattern and fabric for my mother's gift. We picked out a beautiful gold colored small ribbed corduroy with red roses printed on it for the robe and white ruffled lace to trim the neckline and sleeves and white frog closures to use instead of buttons.The pattern I used for the robe is long gone. I've tried to find it again on eBay for my sewing scrapbook but since I don't remember the company, the number, or the exact year it's a bit hard. I do remember that I used a size 10 pattern, probably chosen by the size my dad told me she wore in RTW.

That robe turned out so wonderful! My dad was so proud of me, for sewing it, and was so excited to give it to my mother. Unfortunately it was way too big on her. Way, way, way too big. My mom was one tiny lady and this was before I understood how pattern sizing worked. In retrospect I should have sewn the robe using a much smaller pattern size.

I was absolutely crushed that she would not be able to use the new robe. Not only because of all of the work I put into sewing it, but because I understood how tight money was and I felt that I had wasted my dad's hard-earned money. She was never able to wear the robe and no one seems to recall what happened to that robe. They probably donated it to a thrift store and didn't have the heart to tell me.
At least I have this great picture of my mother with her gift! Pin It

I need a new look

A new blog look that is.

I'm going back to May so I can reference an anonymous comment that was left on my "Free Mother's Day Makeover" post.

Dear Anonymous,

I'm hoping you're still stopping by to read my blog because I totally forgot to respond to your comment. And I have to do it as a post since I don't have your email. You kindly wrote, "Sharon, If you can post on how you would like your blog to be, I can show you how to do that (if I know that)..."

I don't want much. Well, actually I do, but I'd be happy if you could tell me how to customize the header on my blog. I just want to make the banner more attractive - maybe just replace the blah red banner with a photo?

It can't be that difficult as I see many, many bloggers with customized headers. I just need a little guidance that's all.

Thank you so much. And in return, I promise to continue to share my sewing projects - the good, the bad and the yikes, I'm so embarrassed to have to put that on the internet - with you.

Anonymous? Are you still there? Anyone? Anyone? Pin It

This and that and a game of tag

This and that
What interesting comments from yesterday's post! I'm glad you shared some of your insights and other studies. Those of you who agreed with the I.Q study - well, I bet y'all are older siblings too, aren't you? My two children were born less than a year apart from one another so I wonder what the study would say about them?!?

I do need to clarify that I am not the oldest child in my family. I have a brother who is three years older than I, which fits with the anonymous comment that a first born daughter displays first born tendencies because she is the first girl. Most people think I'm an oldest child because I do have many eldest child characteristics. I like to think of them as leadership skills but if you ask my younger sisters they'll just say I'm bossy. LOL!

More this and that
I'm off of work this morning and it was such a treat to begin the day by taking Miss Sophia for a long walk.

When we returned I then had a chance to sit outside and enjoy the quiet while doing my Bible study (I'm currently doing a Beth Moore study, A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place.), as well as some hand sewing on my 70's style red dress.

I haven't decided on what length to hem the red dress yet. Get your opinions ready because I may be asking for advice later!

Even more this and that
Since I had red thread in the serger I quickly sewed a red twist top using Simplicity 4076. Another knit top that is very easy. This one took less than two hours, including the time needed to cut the pattern out. Gotta tell you, I'm not crazy about this one. It just isn't a style I can wear. The neckline is too wide and too low so you won't be seeing photos of me wearing it.

It's too bad because the red knit is such a nice knit fabric (rayon/lycra) and is a beautiful red color. I'm going to see if my youngest sister would like it. I think it would be very cute on her.

A game of tag
So, I got tagged (uh, thanks Vicki?) Actually, I love to play games - even if its a virtual blog game of tag.

The rules? Simple...share seven random facts about myself. So, if you can stand it, here goes. I won't be hurt if you decide to leave right now and come back when I have more sewing projects to share with you :-0

1. Speaking of games...I'm super competitive. I try and hide it, but my heart rate increases, my blood gets pumping. and I get boisterous. I like to WIN! (All of you other board game fanatics - I wish you lived closer to me so we could have game nights together. Just make sure I'm on the winning team or things could get ugly.)
2. Like Vicki, I'm not too fond of snakes. I blame it on my junior high science teacher, Mr. Baxter. He made all of us hold a snake in class! Ugh! I still get grossed out thinking about it. That snake was huge. I thought it was going to be slimy but it was cold. I get teased at work when there is a reptile program for children because I find someone else to take the photographs. I don't even like to see the photographs!
3. My best friend and I met when we were ten. She is a fantastic lady - incredibly intelligent, beautiful, and talented. I shared with her that when I describe her to people I tell them that she has an elegant Grace Kelly look about her. She laughed and said "yea, Grace Kelly on the outside and Lucille Ball on the inside." Gotta love a woman like that! And I do.
   
4. I like to watch old Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons. I giggle at the hidden humor no matter how many times I've watched the show.
5. I've never received a speeding ticket. In fact, the one time I received a ticket it was a parking ticket given to me because I had forgotten to display my parking permit in my car in my company parking lot.
   
6. According to my mother, we're related to the guy that created the Hawaiian Punch Guy in the 60's. As a child I remember thinking that I was almost famous since the cartoon was on t.v. and I was related.
   
7. I walked on a nail when I was ten. On purpose. And no, the sole of my cute white sandal did not stop it from going into my foot. There was a piece of wood with a nail sticking straight up just sitting in the middle of our garage. I honestly thought I could walk right over it, you know, kind of balancing on top of it with my one foot. Guess this story disproves the elder children/higher I.Q theory huh?

Oh gosh, I have to tag people. This is the part I'm really bad at. If I tag you will you just roll your eyes or will you be excited? If I don't tag you will you be relieved or hurt that I ignored you? So I think I will just be a total wimp and if you are reading this and *want* to be tagged let me just say "Tag! You're It!" (Oh, don't forget to leave me a comment so I can go read the seven random things you write about yourself!) Pin It

Higher I.Q. for older siblings?

I love this new study that says the oldest siblings have a higher I.Q.! Can you tell where I fit into the birth order of my family - hee, hee! it must be true, after all I basically taught myself to sew at age eight :-) Okay, okay, you all know I'm joking right?

NY Times published an article yesterday about the study, Study on I.Q. Prompts Debate on Family Dynamics

The new findings, from a landmark study published Friday, showed that eldest children had a slight but significant edge in I.Q. — an average of three points over the closest sibling. And it found that the difference was not because of biological factors but the psychological interplay of parents and children.Predictably, the study set off a swarm of Internet commentary from parents, social scientists and others, speculating about what in families could enrich one child’s intellectual environment more than others'.

In my family, I'm certain my younger sisters must have had a higher I.Q than I because they saw me (older sister) get in trouble and quickly learned what to do to avoid the same fate, LOL!

Perhaps a study should be done proving that us sewing fanatics have a higher I.Q. Hmmm, wonder how I'd go about doing that...

My husband (youngest of five siblings), and I discussed it briefly coming to the conclusion that the study must have been done by an eldest sibling :-)

Pin It

Dancing with my red shoes on

New red twirly skirt - check

Red shoes - check

White top with sequins - check

Someplace to go - uh, nope

All dressed up and no where to go. No place to twirl in my new red skirt. So I did the next best thing. Set my camera on the table and twirled and twirled and twirled to see what the camera would catch. Sophia decided it looked like fun so she joined me in a few shots.






That was fun! You should try it sometime!

Now, let me quickly review this skirt pattern for you. The skirt was sewn using McCall's 5274.

The construction wasn't complicated at all. The skirt consists of eight panels with a godet sewn in between each panel - like the skirt section of the dress from Simplicity 3877.

As usual, I substituted an invisible zipper in place of the centered zipper application. It might not have been the best idea this time because of how high the godets are on this skirt. An invisible zipper needs to be sewn in place before finishing the seam and that was almost impossible with this skirt. You can see in the photo below that the godet begins at the same place that the zipper ends.
The final step was to add a waistband and hem the skirt. The hem is a narrow machine hem. I was so afraid of making the waistband too tight that I ended up making it way too big! Even after trying the darn thing on and taking in a few of the panels seams. Which means I have to take the waistband off and redo it. But for now it's covered by my white tee.

Interesting to note that one of the suggested fabrics for this skirt was a novelty sheer - yet there are no instructions for lining or underlining the skirt. Now that could be interesting wouldn't you say?

Full review of the pattern can be read at Patternreview - click here. Pin It

Is it true? Is fashion really headed back to "The Summer of Love"?

Let me begin by saying that I don't follow the emerging trends as closely as many others in the sewing and fashion blogosphere. In fact, I get much of my inspiration and fashion updates from reading all of the writings from those talented trend watchers.

The other day I was reading the Fashion & Style section of The New York Times and noted with interest the article "Another Summer of Love" by Ruth La Ferla. I'm not sure if you need to register to read the entire article or not, but basically it states that a fashion movement is underway - an urban hippie look.

In pockets of downtown Manhattan and in cities as far-flung as Miami and Los Angeles, young women in the vanguard are setting aside their trapeze and baby-doll dresses — and as often as not, their drainpipe jeans — in favor of a breezier, more audaciously colorful interpretation of boho chic. Their pavement-grazing frocks, bells and feathers, flares and cascading hair, recall the freedom that once was a hippie rallying cry, an invitation, quite literally, to go with the flow.

A departure from the structured shapes and rigorous geometry of the current ’60s wave, this look is blithely improvised, unencumbered and emphatically fluid. Which may be why, as temperatures spike, it is beginning to flourish at retail.

This article talks about the frugal and laid-back lifestyle of the hippies (in the 60's) as a rebellion against the "rapidly globalizing society." We currently are in the midst of the "green" movement and the refashioning trend has been underway for a few years now. In fact, there are a number of people where I work that are very interested in organizing a Swap-o-Rama. (More on that if planning becomes more than just "wouldn't that be a great idea?")

See how far behind I am on the trends? Didn't we just finish with the gypsy/boho hippie look? Or is this new hippie fashion trend going in a new direction? Guess I'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, I have a parade to attend so I'm going to go dress in my 80's inspired gown and transform myself into Princess D. Clown. Pin It

Clowning for a Cure

Saturday morning.

6 a.m."Oh yeah, that's right it's Saturday, no work. I can go back to sleep."

6:30 a.m. "Hmmm, dog's stirring, maybe DH will get up and let her out if I pretend to still be sleeping."

6:35 a.m. "Good, it worked."

7:00 a.m. "Ah, nothing on the agenda today, maybe I'll sew."

7:15 a.m. "Oops, forgot about the clown thing I got going on today. What time was that thing anyway?"

7:20 am. "I better get out of bed soon. It takes me an hour to put my face on. Then I have to pick up the other clown and get to that place by 10 a.m. I better allow myself time to eat since I don't like the kids to see me eat when I'm in character."

7:25 a.m. "Okay, okay, just one more minute..."

7:26 a.m. "Why in the world did you volunteer to be a clown at such an early event?"

Then I remembered - I volunteered because it is for a great cause. A fund raiser for Muscular Dystrophy. Nothing special required of me. Just show up dressed as a clown. Smile to and talk with the kids. Maybe do some balloon animals.

You see, my sister's friend has two sons with MD and she asked if my father and I would be willing to volunteer as clowns at this event. Yes, you read that correctly... two sons with MD. Two identical twin boys with beautiful eyes and mischievous grins - typical of any twelve-year old boy wouldn't you say?

What the heck is a few hours of my time compared to someone who lives with MD 24/7? Honestly, this was one of the best fund raisers I've clowned at. The people at this event, both those attending and those volunteering, were so awesome! Full of energy, patience and kindness. They really believe in this cause and I'm so thankful I had the chance to be a part of it.

To learn more about muscular dystrophy visit the MDA website.


Pin It

Flashback Friday

Don't you think the month of June is a just a wonderful month?

Summer is just beginning (at least here). The weather is warm, at times downright hot, and the mosquitoes are not yet out in full force.

School has ended and the promise of a long days filled with playing loom before the school-aged children.

Every weekend neighborhoods are filled with garage and estate sales where one can find some great treasures.

One of my sisters has a birthday in June, and since we were born only 11 months apart we are the same age for almost four weeks. (Oops, uh, sis? If you're reading this your birthday card is in the mail, really, I promise. Don't tell mom okay? LOL)

June is also the month we took a family vacation and visited my dad's side of the family in Colorado. The year was 1974 1972 and all six of us were together for an entire week.

I don't recall a whole lot about that vacation, except that I got in big, big, big, big, big, big trouble when I stalked off in a huff over who knows what. Someone probably looked at me wrong and I responded like a typical teenage girl.

Problem was I took off by myself in a large, out-of-state park, in an area I where I knew no one and had no idea where I was going. No wonder my parents were frantic! And extremely angry (and relieved) when they did find me. It's amazing I lived to tell the tale, LOL!

Here's a photo of five of us before the walk-off-in-a-huff-in-a-strange-city incident.

I'm in the lower left corner next to my mother. Wearing a cotton peasant blouse, that I had sewn, along with my favorite pair of blue jeans. I had embroidered a huge spider web on the knee with the spider dangling down the leg and resting near the hem of the jeans and thought it was the coolest design ever.

My mother, front row center, is wearing a summer tunic that I had sewn for her out of a cotton pique. My two youngest sisters, on the left in the back row, are wearing items I sewed for them. My sister wearing the red pants with yellow daisies and the yellow pom-pom trim at the hemline, now says that she "hated those pants!" I don't know...she sure has a big smile on her face!

Fashion aside, we did end up having a great time during the rest of the vacation. Pin It

Red, red, I love red

Red cherries and red strawberries, red apples and red watermelon, red tomatoes and red radishes.

Not only do I love to eat all of the wonderful red fruits and veggies that are so abundant here in the summertime, but I also love to wear red.

Two of my latest fabric purchases were red. One is destined to become a New Look faux wrap dress while the other's fate is still being determined.

Two of my latest sewing projects were sewn with red fabrics from my stash. The skirt, a twirly skirt with godets, was sewn using McCall's 5274.


The red retro 70's dress was sewn using a vintage pattern, Butterick 5731, from my collection.


Then there's little Sophia with her red, white, and blue scarf tied around her neck.

The color red. It energizes me and makes me happy. What color makes you smile? Pin It

New day, new attitude

Okay, sorry about the negative off-topic post yesterday. But y'all have bad days too right?

I have a smile on my face and to make sure you do to I'm sharing this photo post from The Apronista. A collage of bright and beautiful craft/cafe aprons.

Enjoy! Pin It

Fabric Mart to the rescue

What a lousy day....at work that is. Poor DH has listened to me vent way too many times over the past nine months or so. Those who know me well know it is very unusual for me to stay negative about anything for very long. A previous employer once gave me a pair of rose-colored glasses jokingly saying that I might as well wear them since that's how I view the world anyway!

I understand that every job has its moments and every job has its challenges. Last year a restructuring in my department came about after almost two years of planning. The promise of the newly defined job I now hold was exciting; exciting enough for me to hang around to see how it would be structured. Today was so incredibly discouraging that I would dearly love to schedule the rest of the summer off to re-energize - you know - get excited about my work again.

I know, I know. I should be grateful that I even have a job. And truly, I am. My income, combined with DH's income, allows us to own a home, support our church and ministries, keep our cupboard full, drive reliable vehicles, and buy fabric. (Okay, DH doesn't buy fabric but he doesn't care if I do...he buys tools.) At the moment I'm feeling burned out, unchallenged, underutilized and wondering if its time for a career move.

So when I came home and saw the label on this big ole' box, well, it was just good timing, you know what I mean? A box from Fabric Mart Fabrics can only mean one thing...lots of wonderful fabrics to caress and dream over.

I did show some restraint and held off from ripping the box open until after I let the dog out to do her business. After all nine hours is a really, really long time for a little dog no matter how well trained she is.

Finally.

All alone with my big box of fabric.

Slowly, I pulled the tape off and peeled back the cardboard flaps.

Ah, there it was. New dreams just waiting to be defined.

Of course buried in the bottom was the free mystery bundle, because I just can't resist those mystery bundles. This one contained a few fabrics that I might wear and a few fabrics that will be used for muslins.
There's nothing like a box of fabric to calm down a stressed out sewing and fabric fanatic is there? Pin It

Flashback Friday - 1978

We're in the midst of a heat wave here - how 'bout you? Our temps have been in the low 90s this past week, which is about four weeks earlier than normal. I'm loving it, but I've always been a hot weather lover.

My kids love the hot weather too. Must have been all that time they spent without air conditioning when they were young. Because we didn't have air conditioning we spent more time out doors especially if there was a breeze.

On those hot summer days I dressed those little ones in t-shirts and the heck with the shorts. The t-shirts they're wearing in the photo below were lovingly sewn by their mama. That particular t-shirt pattern was one I used over and over and over. DS's t-shirt has a train embroidered on the front - hand embroidered I might add as I used to sit on the steps of the apartment building we living in and embroider while they played. DD's rainbow striped t-shirt had her name on the front - you sure wouldn't do that today would you?

During the summer of 1978 I was carless, which meant that not only did we not have a nice air conditioned car to get around in, but we had to walk when I couldn't find someone to give me a lift. One evening on our walk home from the grocery store I snapped a photo of my two little monkeys playing around in an empty parking lot. Yep, I let them run around in public their little t-shirts and their (non-disposable) diapers and rubber pants.


So maybe they weren't always dressed impeccably but they were comfortable, clean, happy, and of course, adorable. Pin It

So which came first? The pattern or the Neiman Marcus designer outfit?

As I was browsing through the latest Neiman Marcus mini catalog I came across this summer top and cropped pants. The designer is Joan Vass. The cotton top sells for $155 and the cotton pants sell for $115. Mmm-hmm, you read that right, $155 and $115.

By the way, I do not shop at Neiman Marcus - I can't afford it. However, my incredibly fashionable and well-dressed co-worker gives me her high end store catalogs and mailers when she is done looking at them.

What really caught my eye was the design. Not so much that it is a "wow! I gotta have that and I don't care what it costs!" It was that I had purchased this Butterick pattern - 4814 - last year when it was first released. In fact, I already sewed the top, decided I disliked it and donated it to the local thrift store.

Now why can't all designer ready-to-wear be so easy to knock-off?

Pin It

Sew a Super Quick Summer Jacket with Vogue 8232

I don't know about you but the office I work in cold!

Between you and I, not only do I keep a heavy sweater tucked away in a desk drawer but a pair of lightweight gloves! I'm serious. I've even been known to drape a blanket around my shoulders ...well, okay, that was only once and it was to prove a point. And it did work...the cooling system was looked at.

Of course then there are the days that the temperature is perfect! It sure makes it difficult deciding what to wear for the day.

So what does my sometimes cold, sometimes perfect, office temperature have to do with sewing? Well, let me tell you. I am always on the lookout for a simple and versatile jacket that can be worn with multiple summer dresses or tops.

I thought the jacket from this pattern - Vogue 8232 - just might be one of those jackets. It has a simple shape, short sleeves, and a trendy shorter length. No lining, no buttons, no zippers. The jacket itself is basically a peasant blouse gathered into a rounded yoke with the center front left open. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Before I began sewing I decided to do an FBA on the jacket front. While there is a bit of ease built into the jacket front, I wanted to keep the design of the jacket intact and knew that I'd need just a bit more added.

So, out came my copy of Fast Fit for Real People (which is really starting to get worn) and used it as a guideline for the FBA. The jacket doesn't have a dart in the side seam because it has been rotated to the top of the jacket where it will be gathered into the yoke. This is the area I knew I needed to increase. What I did is shown in the photo below.

The jacket itself took less than two hours to complete. This fabric is a white eyelet look out of polyester. I don't remember where I bought it but I'm guessing I picked it up in the last year. I thought it would be lightweight enough to drape nicely, but is stands away from the body more than I would like. The yoke band is meant to be worn open, but I think the next one I'll extend the band and add a button closure.

However it will work just fine as a simple jacket to throw over a sleeveless dress this summer.

Pin It

One Year Blogoversary

Happy Blogoversary to me!

Four years ago a family member began blogging. He sent us all his link via e-mail, I checked it and thought"oh that looks interesting", and promptly forgot to bookmark the url. I grew tired of continuously asking him to send me his blog link and gradually I forgot about blogging.

Until a year ago that is. I had been reading more and more sewing blogs and decided a blog would be fun! It could be used as a sewing diary as well as a place to keep track of my ever growing sewing pattern collection. Besides, I heard rumors of the beginnings of a blog at work so I *needed* to know how to do one!

But a name, I needed a name. All the cute and clever ones were taken. But then I remembered that one of the first sewing blogs I read was simply titled Stacy Sews. So I created a blog and titled it Sharon Sews....direct and to the point. I didn't think that I would end up writing about more than just sewing. By the way Stacy, I never thanked you for the name inspiration ...

Once I had the blog set up I had *no* idea what in the world I would even begin to write about! Well yea, I knew I wanted to write about sewing, but what about it? But of course I had to do it right away so my first ever silly little post was about a retro Betsey Johnson pattern I had just purchased off of (where else) eBay. You know, I'm still looking for the right fabric for that one, LOL!

Over the past year I have found so many wonderful blogs on such a wide variety of topics! The ones I read on a regular basis, well I feel like I've gotten to know the authors just a bit. Some of you I've had the opportunity to communicate with via email. The comments you leave for me give me an insight into your personalities also, even if you aren't a blogger. There are many of you that I would really like to go grab a cup coffee so we could spend some face-to-face time together. I like to think that you feel the same way about me.

Just think, only a year ago I was living my life blissfully unaware of this incredible online community of bloggers. So here's to one year of blogging and many more to follow. Pin It

Look what I found at Sew, Mama, Sew! (Hint...ladybug)

Remember that piece of fabric that I asked for all of your great ideas on what to do with it?

You know the one I'm talking about. The ladybug fabric!

I was looking for apron fabrics at Sew, Mama, Sew and this fabric is posted on their home page! It's called Ladybug Red - In the Garden. It's $14.95 a yard and if you want some you better hurry....it looks like there are only 11 yards.

Ummm, I better hurry and sew mine ... Pin It

Flashback Friday - 1980

"The Return of the Romper"

Sounds like the title of a bad 50s sci-fi flick doesn't it?

Recently, I was reading reviews on Patternreview and read a review for the HotPatterns t-shirt dresses. (Super cute by the way...if you missed the review, click here.) At the end of the review she wrote " ... the onesie is back!! (like it or not) ... "

Oh dear. Not again.

I wore them...in public....and I have proof!

See that teeny tiny speck wearing purple? That's me - on vacation in Mazatlan in Feb. of 1980.

I was so excited to go on that trip! Why you ask? Because...it was free, it was the first time I'd ever been on an airplane, it was free, it was the middle of winter where I lived, and did I mention that it was free?

Yep, my friend won the all expenses paid trip for two in a sales contest and invited me along on the trip. I found out on a Sunday evening that we would leave Thursday morning, only four days later. The only problem was getting time off from work on such short notice. (This was back when you could travel to Mexico with a copy of your birth certificate and one other picture form of identification.) My supervisor approved my time off because "you'd go on that trip whether or not I approve the time off!" A free trip in the middle of a cold and snowy winter. One whole week basking in the sun and the only thing I had to pay for was souvenirs.

The little purple romper - or onesie - was sewn with this pattern - McCall's 6597, c. 1979. (And why in the world did I save this pattern all these years, yet I tossed out all of my Vogue Designer patterns from the same era?!?)

It was not a bathing suit coverup either. It was intended to be worn as summer wear. The back of the envelope describes it as a "pull-on playsuit ". I sewed two of them, one purple and one peach, both out of stretch terry cloth. I still can't believe I practically lived in them for a summer or two.

Actually, this style was quite popular in the late 70s and early 80s. Not only as a playsuit, but as a jumpsuit or dress.

I never made a long jumpsuit, but I did sew a tube dress....out of a tropical print stretch terry cloth. I wasn't sure if it GiGi was going to be able to model it for you or not, but after I adjusted her dials to the smallest number she was able to be dressed in this retro 1979 summer attire.

Seems silly looking back, but I must admit that I really liked this dress. (Obviously or why else would I have packed it up and moved it the zillion of times I've moved.) This dress saw its fair share of disco dance floors as well a sunny skies.

This may or may not have been the pattern I used. I don't remember for sure and I didn't save the pattern. This particular Butterick pattern arrived in a pattern lot purchased on eBay some time ago.

I found a similar style in the May 2007 issue of InStyle.

Just goes to show that everything old is new again, just with a new twist. Pin It

How to Sew a Drawstring Placemat Purse

Do you ever have a day that starts out great but by the end of the workday you feel like you've had the wind knocked out of you? It doesn't happen to me often, but today was one of those days.

Needless to say I was glad when the end of the workday came around and I could head home. I even felt a bit out of sorts as I went to my sewing room...usually the one place that where I can completely unwind and relax.

However, when I checked my email and blog - well, there were all of these wonderful comments on my faux wrap knit dress! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Today was a day that those kind comments were especially appreciated!

Since I couldn't quite decide on a new sewing project I pulled out my brand- new, hot off the press, autographed by the author, copy of the Low-Sew Boutique book.

One of my purses in the gallery section is the embroidered drawstring purse (that can be seen on page 123 in the book).

I brought this purse into work last week in an ill-disguised attempt to get some compliments. Hey, what can I say? I'm only human and sometimes I'm a bit too self-centered. LOL! My co-workers thought it was pretty cute and I promised that if they found the placemat I would sew the purse for them.

You, however, know how to sew. So let me show you how simple it is to create this particular placemat purse.

• Purchase an embroidered cloth placemat. I found mine at Pier 1.
  
• Cut two pieces of pre-packaged bias tape to use as the casing. I used double-fold because that was what I had on hand in the color I wanted to use. You could also make your own bias strips with coordinating fabric.
  
• Sew the casing on the wrong side of the placement, positioning it 1" down from the top of the placement and ending 3/4" from the side edge of the placement.
• Fold the placemat in half, right sides together, and stitch the sides together in a 1/2" seam allowance.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • To make the boxed corner at the bottom of the purse, open the side seam so that it forms a triangle at the bottom (the folded edge). Stitch across the triangle 1-1/4" from the tip.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Insert ribbon or cording into the casing.
    

• The finishing touch is to sew a coordinating trim on the outside of the purse 2-1/2" to 3" from the top.
• Pull the drawstring tightly to close the bag - either from both sides so you have two loops to hold on to (as pictured in the book) or on one side creating one large loop with which to carry the bag.
  
• The final product is an adorable little bag that is the perfect size to carry my cell phone, car key, lipstick and a bit of cash or a cash card.

All for a total cost of under $12.

Pin It

Knit Faux Wrap Dress - New Look 6429

I finally got around to sewing the faux wrap dress from New Look 6429. I had read a number of reviews on Patternreview and it looked good on everyone who had made it, so of course I needed one also!

The pattern is marked "easy" and it really is a simple to sew knit dress. I used a lightweight floral print knit that was purchased during my shopping spree at SR Harris last fall. An almost invisible detail on the fabric is the tiny horizontal gold thread lines running through it. I originally planned on using the knit for Simplicity 4076 but thought with its hint of gold it might make an interesting dress.

I did eliminate the neckline facing that is included with the pattern. Instead, I used clear elastic at the neckline to add stability and to pull the neckline in slightly. I cut the clear elastic about 1" shorter than the neckline and serged it to the wrong side of the fabric.

Next I turned the edge over and top stitched in place.

The back of the dress has a very nice design. The back of the bodice dips to a vee at the center back with the back skirt seams curving down slightly. Its a very flattering line and allows the skirt portion to flow nicely.

I tried hemming the dress using a three thread rolled hem with Woolly Nylon thread on my serger, but it didn't work very well. The hem wants to roll out. I think the knit is too lightweight and needs the weight of a small turned under hem to help it lay properly.

The pattern runs a bit large but I didn't realize that until after I was almost done. I guess I should have read all of those reviews a bit more closely. Anyway, I took it in at the waistline but it is still just a bit too large at the waist and too large and low at the neckline. It will probably need a pin or snap to keep the cross over in place.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the dress and DH really likes it. This particular one is too low cut for it to become work or church attire, but it will be perfect for our belated anniversary dinner. (Hint, hint honey! - yea, like that's gonna work. DH has yet to read my blog!)


Full review can be read here. Pin It

National Hunger Awareness Day

Today - June 5, 2007 - is National Hunger Awareness Day. Click on the logo above to see what events are scheduled in your area and to find out what you can do to help. Pin It

Looks like June is going to be a GREAT month!

Not only is it National Candy Month (and you know I'll be doing my part to celebrate) but I won a yard of fabric from Sew, Mama, Sew!

Oh yea, that's right, I won something! Cool huh? My first, second and third choices were sold out, so I'll just have to place an order when they're back in stock right? LOL.

Turns out it was a good thing they were sold out because I never would have found this adorable 1930's reproduction feedsack print from Maywood Studios otherwise! It is called White Cherries on Blue ~ Maywood Vintage Flower Garden III.

I'm envisioning this fabric made up into a very feminine apron with white eyelet fabric used as a contrast. And for some odd reason, I just can't get the picture of me wearing my new apron holding a cherry pie (fresh from the oven!) out of my head. Pin It

Instant Gratification Sewing - Simplicity 4076 and Reading Diva Sashes

Today is the very last day of vacation - sigh.

I had hoped to get more done, but isn't that pretty typical? The days in the future always seem so full of hope with their promise of never-ending time. In reality the days fly by quickly and every project takes twice as long as you thought it would.

I knew I wouldn't do much in terms of home improvement or sewing projects yesterday as yesterday was a parade day. I volunteer with a number of other fun-loving ladies and perform as part of a book-cart drill team. If you haven't seen one yet, check out these photos from an actual competition that was held a few years ago! And no, we weren't there, and no, we don't do back flips and other fantastic feats of agility.

We perform as "Reading Divas" and spin the carts a few times, maybe throw in a pinwheel formation to really wow the crowds. Mostly we smile, wave and blow kisses while pushing a book cart. We wear old prom or bridesmaids gowns, flashy tiaras and sashes. It's silly and fun...you should try it sometime. As one former reading diva commented, "if I'd have known what a guy-magnet a gown and tiara was I would have worn one all the time when I was single."

Anyway, in preparation for the parade I had to quickly sew up three "Reading Diva" sashes. I thought we had enough sashes from past parades, but when I counted them out we were short by three. Thank goodness that I know how to sew! (And that I live really close to a Joann's store.)

I didn't make the original ones but it was easy enough for me to figure out. Just in case you decide you ever need a sash (to go with that tiara you have tucked away) here's how I did it.

• I purchased two yards of white polyester bridal satin (60" wide) and iron-on letters to spell out "Reading Divas".
  
• For each sash, cut out a length of satin that is 2 yards long and 11" wide.
  
• Fold in half lengthwise, right sides together.
• Stitch using a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving an opening the center of the sash for turning right side out.
• Turn right side out and press.
• Place letters on the sash and iron in place, per instructions on the letter package.
• Slip stitch the opening closed.

There you have it! You're very own "reading diva" sash, guaranteed to raise eyebrows and spur questions.
On a more serious sewing note....

We're still finishing the kitchen painting project. I got kicked out of the kitchen this morning by DH because I wasn't doing a good job of taping the cabinets, so I decided to quickly sew something before tackling the house cleaning.

I pulled out Simplicity 4076, which has received multiple positive reviews over at Patternreview. I used a remnant (I sure seem to buy a lot of those don't I?) and sewed view D. It took one hour...from cutting it out to taking the photograph. You can read the full review here.

Pin It