Three Ruffle Aprons from Sew It All Vol 5 magazine

 

 Aprons and baking. They go hand in hand in my house.  I have multiple aprons and am always ready to add more to the mix. 

These ruffled cuties are three versions of the In the Mix apron from the latest issue of Sew iT All magazine (Volume 5).  It's on page 108 if you happen to have the magazine.

Look closely at the byline for the apron project. Yep, that's my name!  This apron is one of my projects in this issue. 


This bright version was sewn to pitch the project idea to the magazine editors.  I left the ruffle edges raw but discovered they raveled more than I anticipated.

 When I sewed the sample for the magazine, I lengthened the apron and hemmed the edges of the ruffles.  By the way, you can purchase a kit to sew this exact design. The kit includes the Westminster's BoHo fabric shown as well as the instructions.

 My latest version was sewn using a remnant from JoAnn fabrics with the ruffles sewn from an IKEA curtain. I used black thread to serge the ruffle edges to mimic the black outlines in the fabric.

It's fun to see how different a simple design can look just by changing the fabric. 

By the way, if you don't have the magazine yet, it's still available in stores or online - and be sure to let me know when you sew your own In The Mix apron.

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Casual Comfort - Vogue 8817 tunic

Another casual knit tunic has been completed. Perfect to pair with skinny jeans and boots for running weekend errands. Or at least it will be once the temps warm up again.  As I write this the temperature outside has reached a balmy 0 degree F.  Yea, it's a good day to hibernate and sew, which is what I plan on doing as soon as I hit publish on this post. 

This is the knit tunic that inspired me to color block the Vogue 8831 sleeves when I discovered I was short on fabric. 

The pattern is Vogue 8817, a Katherine Tilton design that includes this long version with the hi-low hemline as well as a hip length scoop neck tee.


This is the first Katherine Tilton Vogue design I've sewn as the truth is I'm not really an artsy  clothing kinda gal.  But something about this design drew me in and I purchased the pattern during a BMV pattern sale.  (By the way, there's a BMV pattern sale going on right now through 1/22/13.)

It's described as close-fitting. Hmmmm, maybe...you judge for yourself.  I sewed a straight 12 (shoulder/bust) tapering to a 14 at the hip with no alterations at all. 

The light gray fabric is a rayon jersey; the black is an ITY knit (actually a 99 cent dress from the thrift store); the body of the tunic is a silk jersey print from SR Harris Fabric Outlet.

I had originally purchased the silk jersey to sew a maxi dress, but discovered it was a bit more sheer than I had anticipated.  It worked beautifully with this tunic with its great drape. 

The pattern pieces fit together well and the sewing was simple. You can't see it in the photo, but each section is topstitched after being sewn together. The only change I made to the sewing instructions was to bind the neckline before sewing one shoulder seam - which is how I bind all of my knit tops. 

I'm loving the hi-low hemlines at the moment, but it's an easy change if that's something that doesn't appeal to you. 

You know it's a winner when you're daughter sees you wearing it and says "Can I have one just like it, please?" 

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An All Free Sewing 2012 Fave

My Golden Goddess Gown infinity dress tutorial was nominated one of the top AllFreeSewing projects of 2012. Meaning it was one of the most viewed projects on the AllFreeSewing site throughout the past year.

It's included, along with the other top faves, in the Top 100 Free Sewing Tutorials roundup.

How fun is that?

 

As you can see from these two photos, I gave the gown to my photographer niece to use in her photo shoots.  

If you keep an eye on her photography Facebook page you might see more of my designs in action.  I gave her many of my tutorial projects once I was done with them as well as some of the samples I sewed for my Sew News and Sew iT All articles.

Here's the original photo from the 2009 post showing six ways it can be worn. I'm sure there are many more.

You know, I share my tutorials in the hopes that someone will learn a technique or enjoy sewing one of my projects.  It makes me smile to learn so many decided this gown was one of their faves.
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Casual Comfort - Vogue 8831 Knit Tunic

As I mentioned in my last post, my first few sewing projects of the new year were sewn to fill out the severely lacking casual side of wardrobe. 

This fun knit tunic top is Vogue 8831, a Very Easy Vogue Custom Fit for A, B, C, D cup sizes. The pattern is described as "close-fitting, pullover top and tunic have double-layered, draped collar, side front/side back seams and stitched hems". 

The tunic is designed for a two-way stretch fabric. The black and white polka dot cotton/lycra knit I choose only had stretch one way. No problem with the fit, but the cowl doesn't drape as gracefully as it would with a softer knit.


The contrast hem and wrist bands were quite by accident but I'm really pleased with the extra pop it gives to the top.  I didn't have enough fabric for the long sleeve version (which I needed if I wanted to wear this anytime before April!).  Since I had colorblocking on my mind as I had just finished sewing Vogue 8817 I pulled out some knit scraps and added the cuffs.  To balance the color I added a contrast band at the tunic hem.

Just two small fitting alterations were made to the pattern - a small forward shoulder and sway back adjustment.  I used the pattern piece for the dee cup and was pleased that no other alterations were needed in the bust area.

I'm not usually one to sew patterns multiple times, but I'm making an exception this time.

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New year, new sewing, new changes

Welcome 2013! 

Yea, yea, ...I know I'm already a week behind with the new year welcome.  But honestly the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 was a bit of blur.  You see I (like many others) was feeling under the weather. Not just a little mind you, but enough that I feel like three weeks of my life have gone missing. 


Not only did I miss a few days of work (which rarely happens), but I missed all of the family Christmas celebrations (sob), cancelled all Zumba classes I was scheduled to teach (like anyone would want to take a class from someone as sick as I was), and the thought of sitting upright long enough to try and sew something brought me to tears.

But all that is behind me now and I'm eagerly looking forward to a new year. 

The best news of 2012 was my son learning that his doctor was very pleased with the results of his last MRI and felt confident that follow up MRIs could be done very six months instead of three.  Today he is health with no side affects. Unless you knew his history, you would never know that almost three years ago he discovered he had a brain tumor.  Praise God as this was a miracle.

One of the biggest changes coming my way in 2013 is a career change. After 12 years with my current employer, I accepted a job this past December as a city communications coordinator and will begin next Monday. It was bittersweet when I gave notice as I enjoy the work I do, my co-workers are fabulous and the organization is a great place.  However, this new opportunity is something I've wanted for quite some time and I am very excited to get started.  Plus I'm pretty sure my new co-workers will be fabulous and this organization is pretty great too.

Last year sewing was placed on the back burner for some time as I concentrated on getting licensed to teach Zumba and then continued with group fitness certification so I could teach at the YMCA. While I enjoy teaching Zumba, I discovered that I adore teaching Zumba Gold (designed for beginners and boomers) and now have a weekly class with a group of ladies that make me smile just thinking about them. 

When I wasn't teaching or practicing my routines, my husband and I did a lot of home improvement projects which took up a lot of our time on the weekends.  At least when it's not warm and sunny outside. On those weekend days we're on the motorcycle enjoying the scenery. 

Sewing wasn't completely put aside.  I did a number of projects for Sew News and Sew iT All magazines (many have been published already), and have another project that will be in the third One Yard Wonders book.

2013 has gotten off to a good sewing start as I've already finished two knit tunics and a pencil skirt - one a #fail, but that's another post for another day.

Here's to a new year, new sewing and new changes.

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