Baseball and sewing - a logical combination wouldn't you say?

I love reading entrepreneurship stories involving sewing. When the story includes sports and highlights the fact that its a guy doing the sewing ... well, even better.

Read for yourself how the blending of baseball and sewing inspired an invention called the "Rag Arm".

Off-the-cuff invention may be destined for dugouts
By Tom Moran, Star Tribune

During the middle of a baseball game, Ed Hadash's life changed with seven words from his catcher "Eddie, I think you've got something there." Since then, he's been a man possessed by his own creation.

During the past two years, Hadash, 43, has worked in the "sewing laboratory" of his Burnsville home to develop a sleeve for baseball players.

Hadash's "Rag Arm" is a sleeve that is easily slipped onto a player's arm, intended to keep them warm while sitting in the dugout. The sleeve, intended mainly for pitchers, slips on and is held in place with a strap that is attached to the sleeve with Velcro.

You can read the rest of the story here.

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Another patternaholic is born...

Remember I mentioned how I excited I was about my 17-year-old niece wanting to sew again?

After purchasing the Amy Butler prints she liked, I asked her to browse the Simplicity pattern site to pick out a few favorites. I figured she could pick them out online and I'd purchase them when Joanns or Hancocks had a pattern sale.

Well let me tell you - someone had a whole lotta fun picking out patterns. To begin with, she choose a few tops that she'd like to use with the AB fabrics. All very cute (4127, 3956, 3750 and 3918) but I'll suggest she begin with either 4127 or 3750.

Okay, so here's where it gets even better. She picked out 21 one more patterns that she wants to sew! Yep, that's right. She plans on using money from the summer job to purchase sewing patterns and supplies. I think that 's a pretty good start on a pattern stash wouldn't you say?

I wonder how many she would have chosen if I would have sent her the link to McCall's and Butterick patterns also?

And K? I know you're probably reading this - when we have our sewing weekend, plan on spending some time browsing through my 60s and 70s pattern collection to see if anything catches your eye. Pin It

Thanks for the Happy Anniversary wishes!

Thanks everyone for the anniversary wishes! Sometimes we look at each other and laugh because I can't believe I'm married to the cutest boy in junior high school and he can't believe he's married to the cutest girl. (Our story is on this post.)

We celebrated our anniversary with dinner at Jax Cafe. We were escorted to our table which was next to the fireplace and close enough to hear the piano music. When we sat down we noticed two matchbooks on our table with covers that read "Ten Great Years | Brian and Sharon". Such a nice touch.

If you're ever in Minneapolis I'd recommend checking them out. They aren't in the heart of downtown, but well worth the extra drive. Fantastic food, phenomenal service and a fabulous atmosphere. Pin It

Just another Betzina Sunday

Finally! A few hours of sewing time was squeezed out of the day. I figured with so little time to sew I'd work on something quick - something I could cut out today, sew today, and wear tomorrow.

Hmmmm, what should I sew?

Oh! I know! I've been wanting to sew something from this bold knit - Fuschia Orbits - purchased from Fashionista Fabrics.

It needs to be something simple and something versatile. Ah, yes, a skirt and matching knit top. That way I could mix and match the two with other pieces in my wardrobe.

Remembering a spread in a Vogue Patterns Magazine, I pulled out Vogue 2911. Without that photo spread in the magazine I would never have thought about this skirt pattern.

It's a great bias skirt pattern. It has nice wide (1-1/2") seam allowances, plenty of ease, and a separate elastic waist band. The skirt can be sewn in an hour or less easily. Well, except for the hem because it's bias and you need to let it hang in case the bias stretches - but you already knew that didn't you?

Well, silly me was on autopilot when I cut out my knit skirt and I unnecessarily cut it out on the bias - so I used much more fabric than I had intended to. But doesn't it hang nicely? You can't tell on GiGi but it has a nice width at the hemline and flows beautifully when walking.

Now, onto the top. I've had this Vogue pattern in my stash forever - well, maybe not forever since it was only released in 1999 - and I've never, ever used it. Pulled it out many times and thought about it, but never followed through.

Until today that is. And I should have just let it stay in the envelope in the pattern drawer. Because it just ain't doing for me.

GiGi looks fabu in it...but GiGi is a good ten pounds lighter than has a longer (and smaller) waistline than I do.

I'm hopeful that I can somehow cut a simple tee using what I can from this wrap top and the odd sized scraps left from cutting out this top and the bias skirt so I can still have two pieces to mix and match.

BTW, *love* Fashionista Fabrics - both her fabrics and her customer service!
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Flashback Friday - And they called it puppy love

Yesterday we celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary. We may have married when we were both close to age 40, but our story began when we were 14.

As hard as we try, we don't remember exactly how we met, but we do know it was in 9th grade. Most likely we sat close together in homeroom as both of our last names began with the letter "M".

One day, while at our lockers exchanging books for the next class, he asked me to the football game that Friday night. I very coolly replied "yes, I'd love to go", while inside I'm jumping up and down because I can hardly believe that the cutest boy in the whole school just asked me out.

He stopped by my house and we walked to the school - and yes it was more than a mile. The night was chilly, after all, it was September in Minnesota.

I wore a navy blue, double-breasted, midi-coat with side seam pockets over my jeans and top. As the evening wore on, he snuck his arms around me and placed his hands in my coat pockets - "to keep warm", he said.

We "dated" off and on through out that year, but broke up that summer. Why? Neither one of us can recall but through out high school we never dated again. At a young age, I ended up marrying my children's father, and he enlisted in the Navy.

Fast forward to our five year high school reunion. I'm divorced, he's never been married. Our eyes meet and we begin dating again. Until he wants to marry me and I get scared. And we break up again.

Fast forward to our twenty year high school reunion. As I'm standing in line waiting to check in I glance around and .... there he is!

Our eyes meet, but the crowd is too thick to reach one another. I excitedly whisper to my girlfriend "he's here! And he hasn't changed a bit!" To which she replied, "ah, yes he has. We all have."

My girlfriend was wrong of course. I saw him with my heart and he still looked the same as he did 15 years ago. By now, we've both lived a lot of life and have experienced both fantastic and horrible relationships. But, this time, instead of breaking up, we married.

Surprisingly enough, there's been ups and downs over the past ten years. (You did hear the sarcasm in my voice didn't you?) But when I made those wedding vows I meant them. At the time I just didn't think we'd have any bad times, LOL!

So how do I bring this back to sewing?

Simple! By this time I was already sewing most of my wardrobe. So of course in the photo above the halter I'm wearing is one I sewed and the denim shorts I embellished with hand embroidery. Pin It

Dogs on Thursday - Happy Birthday Sophia

Sophia Nicole turned six yesterday. My oh my how time flies. It seems like only yesterday we brought this tiny little bundle of fur home with us.

Sophia's first day home

Sophia with her tug-of-war playmate.

Sophia at 6 mos.

Sophia with Brandi. Brandi was 11 years old when Sophia came to live with us and they quickly became best buds.

Sophia today, with her new buddy, Abby.

And no, we did not have birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate her birthday.

But if we would have don't you think these cupcakes would have been appropriate?

Photo from a book I recently purchased, Hello, Cupcake!.

(More Dogs on Thursday blog posts here)
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RetroRama Returns!

I'm so excited!The spring RetroRama is back! The last one I attended was soooo much fun...even if I never did get my 50s era dress (Vogue 2401) completed in time. In fact, it turned into a UFO and I honestly don't feel like finishing it for this event.

Remember the post about this vintage 1953 sewing pattern? That's what I'm going to attempt to sew for this event. Which means I need to get started on making the pattern larger. Thanks to Dana's comments I know I can find the information I need in a Threads magazine. She also left a link to a blog with the same info.

Because the theme this time is a "celebration of suburbia" a hostess apron might make a good accessory. Pin It

Cheerfulling giving my time

I could be sewing. In fact I'd like to be sewing, I haven't been in the sewing studio all week. But today is a day for giving. A day to give of my time for an organization named Cheerful Givers.

Have you heard of them? No?

Cheerful Givers is a non-profit organization that gives birthday gift bags to homeless shelters and food shelves so that every child has a gift on their birthday.


I would guess most of us take for granted that our own birthday's will be celebrated in some manner. If we have children, or nieces and nephews, we make sure their day is special with lots of cake and ice cream and gifts galore. However, there are plenty of kids you don't get to have their special day celebrated. That's where Cheerful Givers comes in. You can read their story here.

So today, instead of sewing, I volunteered to be an assistant face painter at the big birthday bash at the Mall of America. Can't make it to MOA but want to help out? Click here to learn how you can become a cheerful giver too. Pin It

Flashback Friday - 1963

This week we're going back to 1963. Obviously I wasn't sewing yet so you won't see one of my creations today.

Instead, I'm sharing a sewing spread from the April 1963 Family Circle magazine. I like the crispness of the white dress with the contrasting details; the simplicity of the vest and skirt; the elegance of the shrimp colored dress; and the sweetness of the scallop edging of the floral dress. These classic fashions, with a few minor tweaks, could easily be worn today.

Favored Fashions to Sew for Summer

One-, two-, and three-piece dresses in bright and varied fabrics bring excitement to your wardrobe for the season ahead.

The white shift dress with six red buttons and stitching trim will certainly make you stand out in a crowd. For unfitted ease, it can be worn without the belt. Here we used Crown Cruiseway, a rayon fabric. Sizes are 10-18. Simplicity printed pattern. No. 4952. 50 cents.

A characteristic in today's way of dressing is an air of casualness, and it's typified in this three-piece dress. The tailored navy-and-red check skirt and vest are combined here with a solid-eggshell linen blouse. Maygashel linens were used. Sizes are 11-18. Simplicity printed pattern. No. 4953. 50 cents.

A semi fitted dress in silk that looks at bright as a ray of sunshine. It is trimmed with stitching and has a slightly flared skirt that is accented with an inverted pleat. Here the color is shrimp boat, and the fabric is by Stehli. Junior-petite sizes 3-11. Simplicity printed pattern. No. 4954. 65 cents.


For a cool look this summer try and dress with a sleeveless jacket made in a wonderfully alive floral print material. A crushed cummerbund nips in the natural waistline and lends the costume a dressy mood. The fabric is a silk-and-rayon blend by Fabrex. Sizes are 9-18. Simplicity printed pattern. No. 4929. 65 cents.

Simplicity Pattern Company also had a full page ad in this issue of the magazine. How many general interest woman's magazines today have a full page advertising a sewing pattern company? Pin It

The 100 Skirt Project - "I Love the Flowergirl"

My second contribution to the 100 skirt project is completed; another size 12 skirt.

This time I began with a tan bottom weight fabric that was dying to be matched with two subdued floral prints buried in my stash.

I'm obviously a bit obsessed with huge pockets since I added them to the previous skirt I sewed also.

This bottom contrast band is simply a wide facing top stitched in place on the front of the skirt. To pull the color from the pocket flap to the bottom of the skirt, I added a 1" bias strip sewn in place with a decorative stitch.

The final touch was a pink button with a tiny gold flower button sewn onto the pocket flaps. So sweet.

And for you youngsters who are wondering about the name of this skirt...well this video's for you.


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The 100 Skirt Project - "I've Got a Secret"

Are you all aware of Charity's 100 skirt project? If not, click here and you can read through all of her posts on the subject. I love her idea and am thrilled that she was willing to have others help with the sewing.

My first contribution is a girl's size 12 skirt, "I"ve Got a Secret". No pattern was needed as it's just a simple a-line skirt with an elastic waist. I referenced an old Simplicity Sewing for Children book to determine what the waist size should be.

The skirt is sewn from two coordinating fabrics that are medium weight - almost like a twill - with great big pockets on the front. I played with the layout of the stripes on the pockets and didn't even realize until I took the photos that one pocket is vertical and the other is horizontal. I think I'll call that a design element!

The pockets have a small fold over flap that is sewn in place by machine. To disguise the machine stitches a fabric yo-yo and button were sewn at the corner of each pocket.


But why did I name this skirt "I've Got a Secret"? Because there's a secret pocket that can be accessed by pulling up the blue flap.

The final step is to purchase a matching tee-shirt to complete the outfit.

One skirt down, and five more to go. Pin It

Flashback Friday - 1999

I was talking to a niece last night - the one who wants to sew again - and I jokingly told her she just might end up starring in a Flashback Friday post. She didn't seem to concerned about it, so today we're only going back nine years - to the summer of 1999. A summer where we actually had warm weather and green grass, although I have heard rumors of 70 degree weather arriving next week. (Keeping my fingers crossed here.)

These two little sweeties are friends as well as cousins. On occasion I would sew them matching outfits because it's so much fun to sew for little girls. By the time I was sewing for these two, my daughter was out of high school and I don't think she would have appreciated an outfit consisting of orange pants, vest and headband - even knowing the fabric was sprinkled with little daisies, lol.

So this one's for you K!
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Dogs on Thursday - It's APSCA Day

Today is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (APSCA) Go Orange for Animals Day.

Did I remember to wear orange to work today? No I did not.

That's because this morning I was too busy wondering what sweater I should don for this beautiful (not) spring day. A spring day that began with a winter storm warning. The snow hasn't materialized - yet - but the cold sleet and rain are being blown about by the fierce winds with no signs of stopping. Which means another evening of battling the big dog to get the muddy paws dried off before she runs through the entire house.

Oh well, I guess if you want a clean house you don't adopt a big dog, lol.

Anyway, back to the APSCA's Go Orange for Animals Day.

Did I remember to put Abby and Sophia's orange scarves on them? No I did not.

Although Sophia might have appreciated a nice warm orange coat to wear when she went outside to do her business.


Abby? She such a happy dog she could care less what the weather does.

And just because I forgot to wear orange today doesn't mean I don't support the mission of APSCA. You can read about the Go Orange for animals day here.

More Dogs on Thursday blog posts here. Pin It

Creamsicles and purple cows

This darling apron arrived on my doorstep the other day - a gift from Gaylen. Wasn't that sweet of her? When she announced she was participating in the sassy apron swap, and I lamented that I had missed the deadline, she offered to sew up a second sassy apron and send it my way.

The colors are yummy! Makes you crave an orange creamsicle doesn't it? Maybe I'll wear this apron and make my own orange dreamsicle bars (recipe here).

Or maybe I'll just flip it over and whip up a purple cow.


No matter which I choose I'll look sassy in my new apron. Thanks Gaylen!

Now if the weather would only warm up long enough to actually enjoy some ice-cream... Pin It

Sewing at seventeen

Not me...my niece.

When I asked if she'd help me with a summer dress design I'm working on, she not only said "yes" but said mentioned that she misses our weekend get-togethers from her childhood. She and another niece would spend the night and, among other things, I'd help them with a sewing project.

You know what? I miss that those get-togethers also. I figured when she hit her teen years there were more important things to do than hang out with your old auntie. I'm glad to find out I was wrong.

To prepare for our weekend get together - as of yet unscheduled while both nieces find time in their busy social lives to spare a weekend away from friends and school activities - I asked her to choose some Amy Butler fabrics she found appealing.

The beauty of the Internet! I sent her a link to Amy Butler fabrics, she emailed me her choices, and with printed copy in hand I purchased three of them from Treadle Yard Goods. (The bottom fabric with the large floral print is mine ... you didn't think she's the only one that gets to sew on these did you?)

I'm not sure which one of us is more excited about resuming our weekend get-together tradition. Probably me...it's exciting to have a chance to encourage another young member into our circle of sewing. Pin It

Spring sewing wish list - a vintage dress

I too have been bitten by the spring clean-up-the-sewing-studio bug. One of the first areas to be attacked is my pattern collection.

As this collection has grown, I've grown lazy about putting patterns away in their correct category. As I began weeding patterns, I found this treasure buried in a pile of 70s era patterns.

Isn't this dress lovely? It's a McCall's pattern from 1953 (McCall's 9239).

If you look closely at the waist and bodice you'll notice that there is gathering under the bust as well as a front inset. The illustrations don't show this, but there is also an underarm gusset.

The full skirt is gathered and sewn to the dress top at the waistline with a waist stay sewn in as a final step. The buttonholes are bound buttonholes, plus there is a lapped zipper at the side seam. A fabric covered belt completes the look.

It's amazing the amount of detail in this simple dress as well as the instructions included on the instruction sheet of this vintage pattern.

This dress is going on my sewing wish list. If I can figure out how to size this up and find appropriate fabric this baby will be finding a home in my closet. Pin It

Go listen to the latest Sew Forth Now podcast

The latest Sew Forth Now podcast is online - this one includes an interview with Cheryl Weiderspahn - the author of Low-Sew Boutique. If you thought my reversible apron with the detachable bib was clever and cute, you should check out Cheryl's pattern line. She's the queen of versatile clothing.

The Sew Forth Now podcast has reached its one year anniversary and to celebrate Lori has three gifts to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment stating what country you are from, why you listen, and if you listen a few episodes at a time or keep current. You have all month to enter. Details here.

Now, I'm off to download the podcast. Pin It