NEW AWARD

A few days ago Claire S. @ 1 Seam at a Time, Elaray @ Another Creation shared this award with me. I had to wait until I got a few minutes extra (you know; work, class two nights a week, studying for tests, etc) to follow through on it. I am glad to be thought of, especially as a sister as there is not much dearer. Thanks for thinking about me Claire!The rules connected to the award are:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post - check
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude! - check
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. - check
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. - check
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award. - check

learn2sewflorida.blogspot.com
chiqueazme.blogspot.com
shoesandsewing.blogspot.com
sewmuchtosew.blogspot.com
sewfit.blogspot.com
juliasewsweetandspecial.blogspot.com
wannasew.blogspot.com
www.smokingneedlesknitting.blogspot.com
www.ebbyj.blogspot.com
www.sewonandsewon.blogspot.com
www.pacoperaltarovira.blogspot.com

This award should make it around blogland pretty fast because you can nominate 10 or more blogs. Having sewing friends is SEW much fun!

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am really amazed at the things people are giving away in blogland. I ran across this giveaway this morning.


The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

LOOK WHAT I MADE....

Sooooo, this weekend I made my pattern weights. I saw similar weights listed on Esty over a year ago and they amazed me because I so love pretty things. I didn't want to purchase them because of course I thought "I can make them", but I kept forgetting to buy the washers. I decided it was time to get them done so yesterday I stopped by the hardware store and asked for 15 of their largest washers.

Then of course I had to go to Hancocks to pick up some pretty ribbons - I wanted a variety so I was so glad to find out they were half priced. I got set to start these last night, but OF COURSE, I couldn't find my glue gun and sticks, so it was back to the store this morning to get them so I could get started. The project was so easy, but just in case somebody out there wants to know how to do it...heres a pictorial.

The first one completed.

And heres the whole stack...aren't they pretty!

They can also be done using 1 to 1 1/2" wide by 28" long cotton knit fabric strips. I want to find a pretty little basket to keep them in.

New Pants

I've been working on a new pants pattern for two weeks now. First I did a muslin and boy am I glad I did.

My Project Recap:
Simplicity 2700; pattern includes customized fitting instructions

• Ok, so I'm still in search of the perfect pants pattern. I know I must have at least 15 pants patterns, but I'm still searching for the one that I can just pull out of the envelope to make me a pair of great fitting pants. I think this pattern is almost it - notice I said almost.

• Don't get me wrong, this is a good pattern, however I did have a few problems with it. First problem ten (10) pattern pieces. Come on now, can't I get that great fit with say five pieces. For the pockets 3 pieces; then there was the back and front pieces; the zipper area 2 pieces; the back waist band and two separate front waist band pieces. When I get really rich I'm hiring somebody to put the pattern pieces back in the envelopes...how about that!

• The pattern has room built in for adjustments like 1" side seam and back seam allowances that really, really helped me out. The pattern also have sizes that fit slim, average and curvy body types. Of course I used the curvy pattern - should be glad for my curves - because I remember when I had none and wanted them so badly (lol), now I have an abundance of them. We have to be careful of what we ask.

• Fabric used: Lightweight Black with thin pink stripe. Fabric Type: I don't really know, but it was a really good Walmart price from my New York vacation fabric purchase last summer.

• The pockets do lie flat and were not hard to construct so you know I like that.
  

• Notions: Medium weight fusible interfacing; thread; two (3/4") button because I couldn't find the 1/2" buttons called for; some lining material I had on hand for the pockets; a 9" nylon zipper and stretch lace for the hem.

• I had a problem with the front fly zipper application. Too much work. I prefer the Sandra Betzina's mock fly application and that is what I will use next time.
  

• Problem number 2 - the waistband. This pattern has a contoured waist band that comes in four pieces. Two for the back and a separate front left and right band. I always have a problem with this type waistband.
  

• The pants fit well, I think I will enjoy wearing them and plan on making a pale pink knit top (I have the knit in my stash) to wear along with them.
  

• I am planning on making these pants again as soon as possible but I will surely be making changes to the zipper application.
  

Here's my picture, I'll be wearing them to work as soon as I get my matching top made. I don't know how well the pictures I took will show up, but dang these pants fit me real good. Yayaaaa me! While making these I had made up my mind that I wasn't going to use this pattern again. But they fit so well that I guess I'll have to fool with that darn contour waistband again after all.



Also, here's a sewing confession: Why is it that every time I make machine worked buttonholes I forget to pull down that little lever next to the needle that sets the buttonhole mechanism in motion? I forget to do each and every time and there I am trying to start the first buttonhole and the machine just won't cooperate at all...until I have that "light bulb moment" and finally remember what to do...

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU...

I'd like to say "Thank you" to everyone who posted for my blog Anniversary. YOU MADE ME FEEL LIKE I HAD HAD A PARTY! And a big "Thank You" to my Mom who actually sent me a blog anniversary card - isn't that special! My Mom is so sweet! Thanks to all who entered my first giveaway. So without further ado....

AND THE WINNER IS.....

SUSAN @ KNITTER'S DELIGHT

...Susan email me your address at fayedoll@cox.net and your patterns will be on the way to San Diego by week's end...Enjoy!

MY SECOND BLOG ANNIVERSARY/136th POST

February 10th is my second blog anniversary! Prior to September '06 when I started to sew again, I didn't know what a blog was; can't say I had ever even heard of one. While searching the net for sewing information/resources I discovered Threads.Com and Artisan's Square and found out that if I posted a sewing question and waited just a little while someone one out there in cyberland either knew the answer or what direction to point me to find out. Then one day I clicked on a link that lead me to Carolyn and that was when the world of blogging was opened to me. I found that there were hundreds, no thousands of women and men who were not only sewing, but sewing and sharing information that could really help me out.

By February 2007 I was really getting reacquainted with the sewing scene and decided I wanted a blog of my own. So I took the plunge... and now I have 2 years of blogging history. It has been wonderful learning experience, and from time to time I find myself sharing information too. I believe that you can't just take and take but that the desire to share is contagious. Sharing even the simple sewing information is appreciated out there by somebody. I've made lots of friends and contacts, and people in blogland are so nice.

So in honor of my 2nd anniversary & 136th BLOGGER POST I am having the first ever......

FAYE'S SEWING ADVENTURE GIVE-A-WAY

AND HERE'S THE PRIZE - A FOUR (4) PATTERN PACKAGE

• Simplicity 3535, sizes 14-22
• Simplicity 4047, Sizes 6-14
• Simplicity 5801, Sizes 8-14
• McCalls 5142, Sizes 14-20
• All uncut
• ALL PATTERNS TO A SINGLE WINNER
  

To enter: Just post a comment here to let me know you are interested; that's all.

I will hold a drawing on February 17th to determine the winner, and will ship. Enter and help me celebrate starting my third year as a sewing blogger....

LOOKY...

Weekend update:
I am now the proud owner of my very first Patrones Magazine. It was shared with me from my good friend Paco from Barcelona Spain. I've never received international mail; I'll bet my mail man was even impressed to deliver this package. I am very excited about the new sewing possibilities that this presents - YET ANOTHER SEWING ADVENTURE! I know a teacher at school who is a Spanish major - hope she doesn't get tired of me!


I also received these real cool shell buttons in Paco's package and can't wait to sew them onto new spring projects.


My latest sewing project - Simplicity's new pants pattern. I started to jump right in on these with my fashion fabric; however after a second thought - figured I should take the time to do a muslin, so that is what I'm working up now. I did zero sewing this week - which is so rare. So this week I really need to kick it up another knotch...

MY SECOND BLOG ANNIVERSARY/136th POST

February 10th is my second blog anniversary! Prior to September '06 when I started to sew again, I didn't know what a blog was; can't say I had ever even heard of one. While searching the net for sewing information/resources I discovered Threads.Com and Artisan's Square and found out that if I posted a sewing question and waited just a little while someone one out there in cyberland either knew the answer or what direction to point me to find out. Then one day I clicked on a link that lead me to Carolyn and that was when the world of blogging was opened to me. I found that there were hundreds, no thousands of women and men who were not only sewing, but sewing and sharing information that could really help me out.

By February 2007 I was really getting reacquainted with the sewing scene and decided I wanted a blog of my own. So I took the plunge... and now I have 2 years of blogging history. It has been wonderful learning experience, and from time to time I find myself sharing information too. I find believe that you can't just take and take but that the desire to share is contagious. Sharing even the simple sewing information is appreciated out there by somebody. I've made lots of friends and contacts, and people in blogland are so nice.

So in honor of my 2nd anniversary & 136th BLOGGER POST I am having the first ever......

FAYE'S SEWING ADVENTURE GIVE-A-WAY
AND HERE'S THE PRIZE

• Simplicity 3535, sizes 14-22
• Simplicity 4047, Sizes 6-14
• Simplicity 5801, Sizes 8-14
• McCalls 5142, Sizes 14-20
• All uncut

To enter: Just post a comment here to let me know you are interested; that's all.

I will hold a drawing on February 17th to determine the winner, and will ship. Enter and help me celebrate starting my third year as a sewing blogger....

NOTCHED COLLAR APPLICATION...the way I did it

I have often had problems with notched collar applications. Such was still the case with the two jackets that I recently finished. Now I know that there are more experienced sewers that will probably tend to disagree with the alternate method I used instead of following the pattern instructions - however, until I am able to experiment with this application further - I had to do what I had to do in order to get this project finished in a time frame and still be able to present suitable finished garments.

I worked with Butterick 4138 which had front and back facings.

1. Reinforce inner corner of front pivoting at small circle. Clip to small circle.

Reinforce: Stitch along seamline where indicated using small machine stitches.

In the past I have not wanted to clip the fabric after reinforcing (I was scared to cut into the fabric), thus creating a problem in getting the collar to fit properly. So do clip; the line of reinforcement stitches will keep the fabric from stretching out of place or even tearing further than the clip.

2. Stitch fronts to back section together, and then stay stitch the neck edge.


3. Stitch under collar and upper collar together on sides and upper edge. Trim all edges and cut points.


4. Turn collar; press (taking the turn of cloth into consideration); baste neck edge of collar together. Pin collar to neck edge of jacket pivoting at small circle. Stitch.


5. Reinforce front facing just as done on jacket front. Clipping both front facings to small circle. Stitch back to front facings.

6. Pin and stitch facings to jacket right sides together. Trim seams, turn and press.


I hope this makes sense and helps you out...