This article about Tim Gunn and Anna Wintour is kinda fun

The same reporter who created the YouTube word association interview with Tim Gunn (post with YouTube link here) wrote this follow up piece Everybody loves Tim Gunn...except Anna Wintour. Honestly, how can you not love Tim Gunn?!? Pin It

My flirty apron swap package arrived

It began like any other Monday. The buzzing of the alarm dragging me from the cozy comfort of my dreams, rudely reminding me that this was the beginning of another work week.

As I drove to work the DJ on my favorite radio station mentioned the likelihood of eight inches of snow by the evening commute. However, at the moment the dreary gray clouds were not giving up any of their snowflakes.

The day passed quickly after the usual morning work routine - turn on computer, check email, change voice mail greeting, team update meeting - with lots of projects to keep me busy. Soon it was time to call it a day.

By now the clouds had indeed decided to share their big, wet snowflakes and had been doing so for hours. The snow covering was heavy enough to snap the brittle plastic of my scraper while I labored to brush away the blanket of white that hid my car.

The drive home was cautiously slow but uneventful. As I pulled into the driveway, wondering if I should shovel now or after dinner, I noticed footsteps leading to my front door.

Eagerly I peeked at the front step and sure enough there was a package sitting there. Not recognizing the return name and address I realized that this must be my apron from the flirty apron swap.

Reluctantly I set the package on the kitchen table to take care of the dogs. Once they were settled and eating their dinner I unwrapped the package.

I was greeted by a rainbow of tissue paper which sparked a question "could my partner have seen that I clown and did a brightly colored apron in honor of that hobby?" Although I wanted to tear into the package to see the apron, I opened the card first and read the sweet greeting from Elisa .

Not only is this her first apron, but it is her own design. She noticed I liked vintage patterns so she played with "...the vintage dress, features of the teardrop pockets, bias trim, round collars, and vintage buttons..."

Isn't this a cute apron? I adore the design, especially the pockets, and the colors all work together beautifully.

Remember I mentioned she saw that I like vintage dress patterns? Well look at the "paperdoll" softie she created that coordinates with the apron!

This charming apron is pretty enough that when I get a surprise visit while cooking I won't have to scramble to remove the apron so I look presentable when answering the door.

There are some very clever and talented people out there. I have to say that I'm happy that I participated in this swap. Receiving a swap package is really fun, but that's not the main reason. It's finding other creative souls, new blogs, and hopefully new friends.

Thank you Elisa! I think it is adorable and when I make the Zesty Chicken Taco Rice Salad (yum!) from the recipe you included you know I'll be wearing it and thinking of you.

Oh, and just in case you thought I was pulling an early April Fool's joke on you...it really IS snowing.
Pin It

Sometimes you feel like a flirt, sometimes you don't

My apron for my flirty apron swap partner is done! (No thanks to my expensive painintheneckwillnotmakeagoodbuttonhole sewing machine.)

Sometime you feel like a flirt...

...sometimes you don't.

But wait!

There's more!

Flirty cooks can get a bit distracted while cooking in the kitchen so sometimes they need an apron bib...


...and non-flirty cooks are sensible enough to know a bib helps protect that gorgeous top they're wearing.

Apron design inspiration
This was a fun project to do especially because I wasn't able to get a real good feel for my swap partner's likes and dislikes. I used advice my mother would give me when I was younger and would agonized over choosing just the right gift. She'd tell me to choose something I would like to receive. Which is exactly what I did.

I ended up not sewing any of the four options I had originally thought I would use. My design inspiration was another vintage apron pattern from the 1940s as well as a photograph of a 1970s Simplicity jumper. My color inspiration (pink, black and white) was from the cover of a miniature cookbook.


The apron design process
I began with the basic design of the 40s apron, mainly because of those great pockets, but made a few changes. I added a band of contrasting fabric at the bottom edge and added black lace with sequins (because flirts like to sparkle don't cha know) around the upper edge of the band as well as the pocket edges.

At that point I realized it would be kinda cool to make this a reversible apron. Instead of coordinating, the two sides would have completely different looks. So out came a sweet green, pink and white cotton toile.

Changing this apron to be reversible presented a few challenges including what to do about the apron ties - thus the white ties which coordinates with both fabrics - and playing around with the curved waistband.

Once the aprons were completed I remembered seeing a button-on bib jumper pattern in a 1970s Simplicity pattern pamphlet. That's how the removable and reversible bib came to be. Again, white neck ties were chosen so that it would coordinate with both looks.

Recipe cards
And I couldn't forget my two recipes. Something chocolate for the flirty side and something healthy for the other side.

Like I said, this was a fun project. Especially the design process which evolved as I went along. I'm going to work on the apron design a bit more, this time taking time to write down detailed step-by-step instructions, before I create another one.

Hey flirty apron swap partner...hope you enjoy your new apron! Pin It

Make it Mine magazine winners

Sorry for the late posting! I've been trying to finish my apron for the flirty apron swap and the automatic buttonhole function on my stooopid machine won't work! I'm going to have to pull out my trusty old mechanical Kenmore so I can finish the apron.

Enough with the sad news...here are the Make it Mine magazine winners. The numbers were generated using random.org.

3 - Lori Kay

1 - Debbie Cook

9 - Coolobreeze

11 - Anary

Email me (sewingbysharon at gmail dot com) with your mailing address so I can get the magazine on its way to you. Pin It

Flashback Friday - 1985 and the tropical shorts

1985.

Big hair, bold colors, and big tropical prints.

Why? I don't know.

But, being the fashionista that I was you know I was right there. See? I even have proof.

Big permed hair, big button earrings, big oversized shirt and big bright baggy front pleated, very full, partial elastic waist shorts. Yes, I sewed a pair of front pleated and very full shorts in a tropical print and wore them proudly.

The pattern was McCall's 9519, c. 1985. A Shari Belafonte-Harper design for shorts and suspenders. I remember thinking the paper-bag waist shorts were cute but would make me look fat. Good grief, I doubt at that time in my life anything would have made me look fat, lol.

So, no paper-bag waist or suspenders for me. I only sewed view F - the shorts you see me wearing in the photo above - as well as view C and D.

I kept the pattern envelope, but tossed the actual pattern pieces years ago...I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to use a shorts pattern cut to a size 6 (yes! size 6). Besides who needs shorts? Just give me some nice cotton skirts and adorable sandals and I'm ready for the summer heat. Pin It

Tim Gunn visits local shopping mall...and I missed it

Tim Gunn was in Minneapolis last night to promote the Liz Claiborne line. The event was a free fashion show complete with the opportunity to have your wardrobe questions answered and pose for a photo with Tim (I feel like I can call him Tim, don't you?) if you spent $100.

I heard about his appearance too late to get a reserved seat and the thought of crowding along the second floor balcony to get a glimpse of Tim was...well, honestly? It just wasn't that appealing. So I skipped the whole thing (and saved myself $100 because you know I would have had to buy something just to get a photo, lol.)

Besides, I knew the local paper would have coverage or somebody would blog about it.

Not only did I find a blog post, but a few videos from a local report. This YouTube free word association interview is delightful to watch. Of course I especially liked his word association for Minneapolis - "surprisingly sophisticated"



I originally found the video on this blog post.

Photos from the fashion show are here as well as two additional video clips taken by the same reporter as the above clip. Tim Gunn loves a shirtdress video, and Tim Gunn offers career advice to a 7-year old video.

Enjoy! Pin It

Make it Mine Magazine Giveway

I have it! The latest issue of Make it Mine magazine. I haven't had a chance to do more than glance through it but I can tell you that this magazine once again has great ideas for embellishments - not only for clothing and accessories but for home decor.

There's a special section on jazzing up your shoes and, just in time for April showers, instructions on customizing an umbrella.

Textile crafts aren't the only thing represented in this issue. The charm bracelet made with shink art sent me running to the store for some jewelry findings as it provided an inspiration for a bracelet that I can customize just for me...you'll have to wait and see what it is.


Thanks to the generosity of the publisher of this magazine,I have four copies to give away to you! (Two other copies already ended up with an artsy teen-aged niece and a crafty mom of three pre-schoolers - the first time either had seen the magazine - when that mom of three little ones finds time to craft is beyond me. )

If you're interested all you have to do is leave a comment on this post by midnight Saturday, March 30. (Sorry my non-U.S. blog friends - I can only mail in the United States this time.) I'll do a random drawing (if more than four of you are interested) on Sunday. If you don't leave me your email address be sure to check back Sunday to see if you won.

Pin It

Somtimes it's all about the shoes

I had plans to sew one more late-winter dress before heading full force into spring sewing. After all the ground *is* still covered with snow.

The dress was a long-sleeved button front number from a 1975 pattern - Simplicity 6894 - in a silver/gray stretch suede purchased from (where else) Fabric Mart Fabrics. (In the 3 yards for $5 section.)
But when I realized this piece of stash fabric matched my new shoes...

...well, you understand why I had to change my sewing direction don't you?.

Pin It

Happy Easter!

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Matthew 28:1-10

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." (NIV)

Pin It

McCall's 5591 Skirt Review

It may look like this outside....
...but that's not stopping me from sewing brightly colored summer apparel.

Using a cotton stretch sateen bursting with colors I sewed a pleated yoke skirt (view B) from McCall's 5591.

Skirt pattern layout
First of all, note that view B and C are cut cross-grain - which means you should not use a directional print. (A border print would work well even though it's not shown or recommended.)

Now you might be looking at my skirt and thinking "but you're print has a one-way design" or "with all those colors who would even know that print has a one-way design". And you'd be correct with both statements. This fabric does indeed have a directional print, but with all of the colors it's not immediately evident.

I choose the fabric and pattern without realizing it was cut cross-grain until I pulled out the layout instructions. There would not have been enough fabric for this skirt if I had followed the layout - so I didn't.

Instead I removed an inch of the skirt width - both front and back pieces - and laid the pattern out of the length-wise grain of the fabric. If you sew this skirt in a size 14 or smaller (with 45" wide fabric) you can do the same layout as I did. Any size larger than a 14 you'll need to follow the cross-grain layout or use 60" wide fabric.

Pleats
There are three inverted pleats in the front skirt piece and three in the back. Each pleat - with the exception of the center back pleat - is sewn together four inches before the pleat fullness is released. The center back pleat meets in the center covering the back zipper.

Pockets
This skirt has side seam pockets that are sewn in before the yoke is added. I added the pockets, tried on the skirt and removed the pockets. They poked out slightly when wearing the skirt - you might want to check how they look on you before finishing the skirt.

Zipper
I wasn't able to use an invisible zipper due to the pleat at the center back of the skirt. The zipper is sewn onto the yoke portion of the skirt ending at the yoke seam. Then the pleated portion of the skirt is moved away and the zipper is attached to the skirt.

I moved the zipper from the back to the side after trying the skirt on - I didn't like the look of the zipper underneath the pleat - it pleat didn't lay smoothly and I knew I'd never wear the skirt if I left it like that. You can decide what works for you.


Final touches
The width of the sash was decreased by three inches but it's still a wide sash. The sash is a nice finishing touch if you choose to wear a tee tucked into the skirt.

To hem to skirt I finished the raw edge of the skirt, turned it up one inch and pressed it in place securing it with steam-a-seam. Then, on the right side of the skirt, I sewed black gross-grain ribbon one-inch up from the bottom of the skirt securing the hem in place. The black helps ground the busyness of the fabric.


Color versatility
I plan on wearing this skirt during the summer months in place of shorts or capris. The cotton fabric is heavy enough that a slip is not needed yet light enough to be comfortable in the heat.

The multi-colored skirt also lends itself well to any color tee I choose to pair it with.

White, of course, is always a good choice for summer. Red would be fun worn with a pair of red flats, or even cobalt blue with neutral colored sandals. Black works paired with casual black shoes for running errands (like fabric shopping).

And for those times when I need to be semi-dressy the skirt can be paired with a purple sweater-set with matching peep-toe heels.

I think I'll wear this skirt just so I can wear those shoes.

By the way, in case you want to make your own multi-colored creation, the fabric is a cotton stretch sateen, 48# wide, purchased from Fabric Mart Fabrics ( #807767). Pin It

Flashback Friday - Spring 1983

I heard a rumor that spring had arrived, although you wouldn't know it by looking outside. That's because more of that white stuff is falling - and falling - and falling. Before it ends we'll likely end up with four to six inches of that beautiful white stuff.

White can be such a beautiful color. Crisp, clean and perfect for spring and summer sewing. Like this 1983 Cathy Hardwick model garment in a Simplicity pattern catalog. (Simplicity 5360).

Now when I sewed this blouse and skirt I choose to follow the colors of the illustration rather than the model garment.

A cream-colored cotton blouse with a coordinating cream colored cotton floral print skirt sewn to wear when my daughter celebrated her 1st communion. Pin It

Dogs on Thursday - sleeping and slurping

After a rousing game of tug-of-war or catch-me-if-you-can this is typically how I'll find Sophia. Sound asleep on the floor next to me.

Abby usually retreats to her bed but sometimes she decides to nap close to her water bowl.

Really close.

Like keep-my-head-in-the-bowl close.

Some days life is just too exhausting to exert energy on little things like standing when getting a drink of water.

More Dogs on Thursday blog posts here. Pin It

Mark you calendars - Craftstravaganza is coming

St. Paul Craftstravaganza, a one day rogue art & craft sale, will be held the end of April - Sat. April 26 to be exact.

An opportunity to browse many indie vendor's booths, listen to live music, or attend a workshop or demo. Check out the media coverage from last year if you're wondering what a Craftstravaganza is all about.

Sounds like a good time to me! Leave a comment or send me an email if you plan on attending - maybe we can hook up while checking out all the cool stuff. Pin It

Spring 2008 Make it Mine magazine has hit the stands

The second issue of Make it Mine went on sale today - at least according to their website. Click here to view a video preview of the issue.

Now if I would have remembered to actually mail my subscription card I would probably be reading and reviewing this issue already instead of planning a trip to the bookstore to search the magazine rack... Pin It

Simplicity 3962 - a season transition skirt

I barely had time to catch my breath from an incredibly busy week and now another busy weekend will soon be coming to a close. In between the usual chores (and a beautiful wedding and super fun reception yesterday) I managed to squeeze in a small amount of sewing time. The result was the completion of this skirt.

A seasonal transition skirt to wear as the dreary cloudy cool weather slowly changes over to bright sunny warm weather.

I used the skirt from Simplicity 3962, an OOP Threads pattern (I sewed the jacket previously - and I have yet to fix the threads that Abby pulled loose...).

The fabric I used is a poly/cotton glen plaid purchased from The Fabric Club. I choose to cut the bottom section on the bias in an attempt to spice up the business-like appearance of the skirt.

The end product was a nice, but slightly boring skirt. (But it did have a great flowing bias swing at the hem.)

It needed something but I wasn't sure what so I set the skirt aside for a few days while I waited for inspiration.

Oddly enough, I found my inspiration in a quilting magazine. I say oddly enough because I don't quilt so I rarely look at quilting magazines (except for Quilting Arts, but that's another story). This appliqué design was in the Fast & Fabulous Quilting Ideas magazine that I purchased because it had a tote bag, pin cushions and a dog bed on the cover.

Since the plaid was white and black I choose to embellish with only white and black cotton fabrics - that way I can add my pop of color with my shoes or my shirt. The flower and leave shapes were simple curves and the stem is a bias strip. Using black thread and a tiny zig-zag stitch I secured each piece to the skirt leaving the raw edge exposed.

Now I have a business skirt with a little surprise - a reminder that spring will soon arrive. Pin It

Flashback Friday - Easter 1975

"Say cheese!"

Look at the big smiles from the whole family while standing in front of the shed my father had recently finished building in our back yard. It wasn't just a shed - it was a large shed with windows and a peaked roof on a cement slab. The siding and roof matched our home and the final touch? The house address with a "1/2" added after it.

I gotta tell you - I dreamed of that shed being my own personal little house away from home. A nice little place to call my own where I could have the freedom and privacy every teenager dreams of.

You know, ever since I was in second grade I've wanted a playhouse. I went to my friend's house after school and we had a tea party in her very own play house! It had a living room and kitchen complete with a sink and cabinets and was filled with furniture just our size.

Not gonna lie - I coveted that little play house and when my husband built our shed I seriously asked if he could build a separate one for me too. Not gonna lie - he said I was nuts...ah well, it was worth a try.

But wouldn't that have been a cool place to store patterns and fabrics - provided I could have figured out a way to keep the mice out - kind of like my own little mini-fabric store.

Speaking of patterns and fabrics - I did indeed sew the top and skirt I'm wearing in this 1970s Easter photo. Pin It

Dogs on Thursday - sharing food.

Abby may be 10 times bigger than Sophia, but Sophia's the boss. Abby inches her way to Sophia's food dish but doesn't move off of the rug as she watches Sophia eat.

"Mmmmm, that was good" says Sophia as she licks her chops. "Don't even think about coming any closer Abby!" Abby, having been put in her place a time or two, keeps her paws on the rug but stretches her head over as far as possible in an attempt to nap a morsel or two.

Well, Sophia doesn't go for that. Right after I snapped this photo she reminded Abby who was in charge.

Sophia doesn't always have the upper hand. Abby usually rules when the two of them play in the yard - mainly because she's younger and larger so can run faster and longer.

And look at the difference a week makes! Last week beautiful white snow covered the back yard. Today the temps almost reached 50 degrees and look how dirty and dreary the back yard looks.

At least spring is finally on it's way!

Read more Dogs on Thursday blog posts here. Pin It

Low Sew Boutique Design Challenge - a chance to win Rowenta Iron and Steamer and more!

Remember this great book? Low Sew Boutique. You know the one. The one I've written about a once or twice.

Well, maybe more than once or twice...the Sew News magazine spread post, the showing off my gallery items post, the how to sew a drawstring placemat purse post...

Contest
Well, now here's your chance to show off how creative you can be! Check out the Low Sew Boutique Design Challenge contest over at Homestead Specialties. There are two age categories - adult (age 16 and older) and youth (age 15 and younger) with six winners in all!

What you need to do to enter
Make a purse, tote, backpack, or other fashion accessory inspired by the concept of the book, Low-Sew Boutique, 25+ Quick and Clever Projects Using Ready-mades. You don't need to follow a specific project in the book, but you do need to use at last one kitchen linen and one hardware store item.

Judging criteria
The winners will be judged on the most unexpected or unique supplies used, the quality of workmanship or techniques as well as the overall outcome of the final product.

Prizes (full details on the website)
Adult category
1st place = Rowenta Pressure Iron and Steamer
2nd place = Rowenta Professional Steam Iron
3rd place = Rowenta Pro Compact Garment Steamer

Youth category
1st place = Purse making supplies valued at $150
2nd place = Purse making supplies valued at $100
3rd place = Purse making supplies valued at $50

Deadline
Deadline = Oct. 1, 2008. Pin It

Butterick 5173 pattern recall

Remember this review? The wasted-my-sewing-time knit dress that made Carolyn say "oh puleeze!"

Well, it turns out the pattern had a "serious error". Butterick's web site doesn't mention what the serious error is, but they did post information on how to exchange the defective pattern for a corrected one.

If you purchased Butterick 5173 here's what to do to get your hands on a corrected copy.

Dear Valued Butterick Customer,

This is in response to your inquiry concerning the recall of B5173.

If you bought B5173 through our web site, www.butterick.com, we will send you a new corrected pattern as soon as it is printed. This will happen automatically. You do not have to do anything.

If you bought B5173 in a retail store, please mail the defective pattern back to us for an even exchange. Do not return it to the store. We will mail you a new corrected version of B5173 or another Butterick pattern of your choice (of equal or lesser value). In addition, we will send you a coupon for a free See & Sew pattern to cover the cost of postage.

Send your pattern to:
Butterick Recall 5173
The McCall Pattern Co.
P.O. Box 3755
Manhattan, KS 66505-3755

We’re sorry for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Meg Carter
Consumer Services

I'll exchange the pattern since I'm quite curious to find out what the error was, but I just might wait for someone else to sew it and review it before I sew another one.

In the meantime, I haven't checked with my daughter yet to see if she wants it. If she doesn't, I can try some of the suggestions left by KathleenSews...who has a favorite motto "every mistake is a new design." Love that attitude! Pin It

When you don't have time to sew...

Is it Sunday evening already?

I swear it was only hours ago that I was just leaving work and wishing my co-workers a good weekend. Every Friday it's the same thing. The work day ends and I gleefully begin to plan my weekend. On my 40 minute drive home from work I'm filled with anticipation and am optimistic about all that I will accomplish - including some quality time with my sewing machine.

By now you probably see where I'm headed with this. The weekend is over, we're winding down and getting ready for the new week. And most of what I had hoped to work on didn't happen.

So what's a soul to do when she can't dance with her fabric? I watch a few vodcasts or listen to a few podcasts on my iPod. This weekend it was The Ries Report - okay, I admit that one has nothing to do with sewing but I find it interesting.

A few of my other favorites include Girls Gone Geek (yea, not really about sewing either), Grits to Glitz (who has had some amusing recaps of this past season's Project Runway) and Howcast Crafts where you can find a variety of topics to view.

Last but not least, there's DIY Style, hosted by Allyce King and Melissa Watson (daughter of Pati Palmer), a sewing vodcast.

So another weekend has ended and another work week looms ahead of me. Before I know it, Friday will be here and I'll leave work wishing my co-workers a good weekend while I begin to gleefully begin to plan my weekend once again. Pin It

Dogs on Thursday - Cold, cold go away!

The calendar may say March and spring may be just around the corner, but you wouldn't know it by the cold weather we've had. Last night the temps slowly dipped back down to 4 degrees with below zero wind chills.

Brrrr! At least I think it's cold.

Abby? Well, she doesn't seem to mind the cold too much. She wants to be outdoors almost more than she wants to be inside with the pack. She quite content to grab a toy and plop in the snow.

Of course since she's still a puppy she can't resist a good game of Chase Me! Chase Me! Chase Me! Much to her disappointment, I refuse to play that game with her. However, she can usually convince Sophia to play a round or two around the yard.

Until Sophia remembers how cold it is outside and runs back into the house.

More Dogs on Thursday blog posts here. Pin It

Flirty apron - so many decisions to make!

I did it. I joined the Flirty Apron Swap.

Why? I dunno - it's not like I don't have a gazillion sewing projects underway at the moment. Guess I thought it would be fun to sew an apron for someone I don't know.

So now the question is .... what to sew?

• A current pattern? Emmeline seems to be apron of the moment - and for good reason.
• Make up my own? I have a few apron sketches (complete with fabric) that I haven't sewn yet but maybe I shouldn't make my swap partner an unsuspecting guinea pig.
  
• A retro pattern? I do love this old Betsey Johnson apron pattern - and judging by the way it gets snapped up on eBay I'm guessing others do too.
  
• A vintage pattern? I've wanted to try out this 1946 pattern with the interesting ruffle detail.
  
• A simple half-apron with unique embellishments? I just checked out 49 Sensational Skirts from my local library (I first heard about the book when Stacy reviewed it). Talk about fiber art inspiration! Some of the embellishments would turn an ordinary apron into a one-of-a-kind art-to-wear apron.

Each direction appeals to me in it's own way. Which way would you go? Pin It

The Big List of Sewing Blogs

Just in case you didn't have enough sewing blogs to read...check out this collection of sewing blogs is maintained by Suzi from Suzical.

Click this button and you'll be taken to the big list of sewing blogs where you can find 142 sewing-related blogs to read.

Didn't find yours among the list? Instructions on being added are included on the site.

Pin It

The name game

Warning! Warning! Non sewing and useless information post heading your way.

I'll post about sewing later tonight.

But for now, this is kinda fun.

Kellie and Bonnie both had this name thingy on their blog. Since I'm a sucker for these quiz thingy's I had to head right on over and see what my name meant.

Of course I had to add my thought right behind the eerily accurate description...

What does Sharon mean?

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. - Wow! amazing how accurate this site is :-)

You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. - oh yea

You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. - uh, oh...you really didn't need to know that did you?

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. - duh!

Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. - ho, hum...it's so hard to be perfect, LOL

Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. - what?!? selfish and overbearing? I wonder if they were talking to my sisters....

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. - yep and yep

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. - and what's wrong with that? actually I'm not the least bit aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality. - maybe a bit but I'm working on it.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. - not anymore..I'm all grown up and a respectable adult ... just ask anyone at the clown club.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. - you too can have a tone of energy like I do - it's called caffeine.

You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. - trouble? Moi?

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. - maybe a bit too well rounded - I really need to get back to the gym...you know, to keep a healthy perspective on life.

You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. - Absolutely! Solid like a Rock (are you now humming that old Ashford and Simpson tune?)

At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. - oooo, yea, this is true too.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. - wise and intuitive - I like how those words sound - I'm keeping 'em

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. - LOL! yep and this is the reason I can't watch scary movies.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. - they plotted against me to say those things - I'm not jealous of them, they're jealous of me - yea, that's it. They had to plot against me because they're jealous...they're out to get me I just know it...

So, if you have five minutes to waste on perfect nonsense you can find out what your name means here.

And Stacey? I'm pretty sure Stacey also means "You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun." Pin It

Completing the look for McCalls 5532 - the skirt

Back in January I began the skirt suit from McCall's 5532 . The top/suit jacket I completed right away (here) but I kept putting off cutting out and sewing the skirt. Why? I don't know. I guess I wanted to waste my sewing time on knit dresses that don't fit, LOL!

Not any more - last night I cut the skirt out and today I completed the sewing.

The end result is a nice, classic, understated basic straight skirt suit.


That is until you turn around. Look at the details on the back - curved princess seams over the tush and a shaped lower hem that gives this skirt a bit of sass!


And of course I had to add a silk charmeuse lining to match the jacket/top.

Pin It

Butterick 5173 knit dress pattern review

Look at this cute maternity dress!

Oops, that's not actually what it is intended to be.

It's Butterick 5173, a Maggy London knit pullover dress, that didn't work out quite as well on me as I had hoped.

While I thought the dress was really cute, in the end the style of the dress isn't to my liking.


FBA
I did make a few minor changes to the original design, but nothing drastic. The first thing I needed to do was an FBA (full bust adjustment.) and I wasn't sure how to do it on this design. So what I ended up doing was tracing the dress front pattern above the waist only. Then I cut and spread the area where the gathers fall over the bust in three places. This worked pretty well, but I still could have added more to the width of the front. As it was I sewed the upper side and back seam in 3/8" seams rather than 5/8" seams.


Back
The back of the pattern has a v-neck with a contrast band and I changed that. I raised the back neckline by using the back pattern piece from New Look 6429 as my guide. The back band was eliminated so I finished the back neck edge with a narrow hem using clear elastic. I also brought the front neckline up by 1".





Front neck band
The first time I sewed the front band on there were way too many gathers at the bottom of the band (see the illustration on the pattern cover - it shows the tight gathers more accurately than the photo or the line drawings). The bottom point of the band stuck out in an odd way. I kept trying to make it lay flat but it would not cooperate.

So I removed the band completely - after sewing a double seam and trimming - and added another two inches to the length. This meant I could adjust the gathers so there would be less at the bottom point. It still pulls out funny at the bottom and that, in my opinion, makes it looks like a maternity dress - especially when viewing from the side.

Wearable?
Of course! Just not by me. Perhaps I could interest my daughter in a new trendy knit dress. I think she'd look really cute in it...plus she's a good four inches shorter than I am. Sadly, I was yet again seduced by the adorable dress on the adorable (and small busted) model on the cover of the envelope. I didn't take into account the shortness of the dress, the way the gathers emphasis the bust, nor did I anticipate the flaring underneath the bust line.

I'd still recommend the pattern as it's quite simple to sew and has nice shaping for a tee-dress.
Grab it on sale and then sew it quickly and review it so I can see how cute it can be, okay?

Full review on patternreview - here.
Pin It

Puyallup Sewing Expo blog links

Do you use Google Alerts? I do.

Not familiar with a Google alert? They're simple. If you have a Gmail account you can set up Google Alerts on whatever topic you want. You then receive email updates with the latest Google results (web, news, blogs, etc.) based on what your topic is. I have one set up for the company I work for to help me track news coverage as well as one for sewing.

Knowing I wouldn't be attending the Puyallup Sewing Expo this year, I set up a Google alert for the expo. I guesses there would be bloggers who will attend and will likely write updates as well as post photos. Sure enough, here's the first few updates that came my way.

Article in the Puyallup Herald

Expo update on About.com

Expo update on Sonya's Snippets

Try setting up a Google Alert with your name...you might be surprised at what you'll get.







Pin It