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Showing posts from November 23, 2008

Butterick 5249 pattern review - a simply stunning skirt

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Warning! Photo heavy post. Hey, what can I say? I like the looks of this skirt. Butterick 5249 . Rated EASY. Great skirt. Hardly need to say any more do I? But I will. First of all, the skirt has princess seams which are great because you can easily adjust the fit. As usual, I substituted an invisible zipper, which you know is pretty standard for items I sew. I can insert an invisible zipper much quicker than I can a regular one. I don't think I've sewn anything this red in quite some time as the zipper in my zipper drawer had a 25 cent clearance sticker on it. Probably from my days of working part-time at Joann Fabrics. And that was about 20 years ago. On this particular view, view D, there are pockets hidden behind the side front pleats. I added a lining to the skirt, which is also pretty standard for skirts that I sew. To do so, I used the skirt panel pieces for view A and cut them so the bottom of the lining would fall just above the ruffle on the inside of the skirt. I

Pre-Thanksgiving thanks

So...it's the day before Thanksgiving. Tomorrow my house will be filled with family. That means there will be lots of laughter and loud conversations and, if I don't serve dinner within 30 minutes of my planned time, some good natured ribbing about my poor time management skills from my baby sister. Even though I have Thanksgiving dinner on my mind today, I want to say thanks to each of you who take a few seconds out of your busy day to stop by my blog. Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of my world with you and in return sharing your feedback, your compliments and parts of your world with me. I'm grateful for the friendships I've already developed through the blogging community and look forward to the new ones I've yet to form. As you celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, please keep in mind the many troops fighting for our country throughout the world. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy and be safe! By the way, did you know you could bring your pies with your w

Sometimes a gal just has to give in

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I need another 70s pattern like I need a hole in the head, but every once in awhile I stumble across one on eBay that is too tempting to resist. For less than $3 (including shipping) this vintage pattern will be joining my Butterick 70s designers pattern collection. It's only a size 6, but I'm sure it would be fairly easy to size up if I do choose to actually use it. While the design looks like evening disco wear, especially when one model is holding a clutch and the other has the jacket belted, it's actually a nightgown and bed jacket.

Cinnamom pear tea bread

I've had my mind on food lately. IDK, maybe it has something to do with all the aprons I've been sewing. Or maybe the fact that Thanksgiving is coming soon. Whatever the reason I've been thinking food. Not just any food. Baked goodies. There's something about the fall season that triggers a must-bake-cookies-and-breads response inside of me. I especially like baking tea breads. Years ago I used to bake bread...the yeast, the kneading, the whole nine yards. However, after having carpel tunnel surgery on both wrists I found the kneading to be a bit uncomfortable. And I have yet to try out the bread maker that hubby bought me as a gift a few years ago. So now I just stick to tea breads. They're easy and make a delicious snack. Last week, after baking a batch of pumpkin poppers , I tried a new pear bread recipe. We think it's a keeper. Try it yourself and see what you think. Cinnamon Pear Tea Bread 1/4 cup butter at room temperature 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg

Butterick 5302 apron pattern review

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Just this morning I finished sewing my apron for the Holiday Hostess apron swap . Not being able to find fabric I envisioned combined with a serious lack of sewing time, resulted in a finished apron that looked quite differently than my original sketches. However, I'm still pleased with it and I certainly hope my secret swap partner will be too. The pattern: Originally I was going to do my own design. But as time began to rapidly slip away from me I choose to use a commercial pattern. It's Butterick 5302 , a fairly new release, that includes four different apron designs. Fabric Used: The front of the apron and the apron tie: quilting cottons from Treadle Yard Goods. Gotta keep those independent fabric stores in business you know. The white contrast band and waistband: stretch panne velvet. (Note: be sure to interface a knit fabric when sewing to a woven to prevent the slight sagging you see happening on my band.) The underskirt: a sparkly, sheer, polyester fabric embellishe