MY PROJECT RUNWAY REVIEW...

...

I proclaimed that my Mother and I are Project Runway's Biggest Fans.  As a matter of fact we should have been the first to be invited last season when they aired a segment that featured PR fans - after all, we are the Biggest Fans.  We couldn't wait until the new season started, and we have a regular ritual of calling each other before the show starts every week.  The conversation usually goes something like this:

THURSDAY CONVERSATION:
MOTHER:  Well it's Thursday are you ready?  I've already had a little nap.
ME:  Yes, I'm ready; I'm watching the reruns right now.
MOTHER:  I'll tell you right now, I'm not going to make it.
ME:  Well I for one am not making any promises.  I've nodded out before while watching sitting straight up in a chair.
MOTHER:  I've come to the realization that I am NOT going to torture myself with this any more.  I've tried everything!  I'm going to bed!  I can watch it tomorrow, I have it set to record.
ME:  It is torture!  I tried propping myself up in bed, but that didn't work.  Woke up with a neck cramp and ended up having to go in for an adjustment.
MOTHER:  Well it comes on over and over again back to back.  I'll just watch it tomorrow.
ME:    Well I can always watch it online or catch On Demand.
MOTHER:  Well let's talk tomorrow, hope you make it.

FRIDAY CONVERSATION:
ME:   I didn't make it. Who won?
MOTHER:  I didn't make it either, and had to watch it twice today.  I fell asleep on it the first go round.
OR
ME or MOTHER: I saw the whole thing, but I can't remember who won - who went home?

CONFESSION:  As much as the Biggest Fans LOVE Project Runway - we can rarely stay awake long enough to watch an entire episode!  Pitiful, I say Pitiful!

My mouth fell open at the most notable judging critique of the evening.  The award goes to Heidi Klum's comment about Sean Kelly's American Doll crippled peace sign jumpsuit outfit:  "I don't think the look is o.k. at all to be honest with you.  To me it looks like a McCall's pattern book sew it yourself kinda thing."

All in all we do really enjoy watching... 

TODAY'S INSPIRATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

...WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET anyone???

TODAYS INSPIRATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY ETCETERA...

... I hadn't looked at Etcetera in quite a while, but true to form they still have cute clothes that spark my interest - styles that fit my taste but not my budget.  I'll take one of each please - they are all sewing possibilities.

What's your favorite online clothing site????

TODAY'S INSPIRATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHICO'S...

...as mentioned last post - "Inspiration can come from anywhere, at any time; and anything, anywhere—can spark the creative process".   I can't exactly put my finger on what it is about Chico's that always catches my eye - the catalog always brings a smile to my face even more than the September issued fashion magazines.

•  Pumpkin bracelet length swing jacket
• Camel cowl neck knit dress
• Blurred purple boyfriend cardigan
• Renaissance red turtleneck
• Do I dare faux fur vest
• Red leopard scarf

I could easily make these pieces appear from my sewing room.

What catalog or online stores spark inspiration for you???

TODAY'S INSPIRATION BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

...I like to give credit to inspiration sources.  In doing so today, I was reminded of a question from one of the chapters I taught recently...
(paraphrased)"Where can inspiration be found?
A)Movies
B)TV
C)Magazines
D)Videos
E) A person on the street
F)All of the above

ANSWER:  (F)  All of the above.  Inspiration can come from anywhere, at any time.   —Anything, anywhere—can spark the creative process." (Milady's Standard Cosmetology)

Of course, this statement refers to hair design; but it also applies to finding inspiration for sewing.  I constantly get inspiration from other bloggers and the eye-popping designs they make.  Today's inspiration - brought to you by Goodbye Valentino and a skirt she made last Fall that I wanted to make mine, or rather make for myself.

Vogue 8750

This bag contained a stable houndstooth knit that has been in stash residence for at least four years.  When purchased I thought it would become a skirt and jacket to be worn as a suit - which, on second thought would have been way too houndstoothy for me.  I started with 4 1/4 yds and this project probably took less than 1 yard.  There's plenty enough left for yet another garment.  The leather for my project was also taken from a thrifted skirt.

This weekend was dedicated to completing the skirt - which I did sans the leather part of the hem.  I had to use metal clips as well as jumbo paper clips to hold this project together while constructing it.
I'll go looking for leather glue or contact cement for the leather part of the hem tomorrow.

I underlined all non-leather pattern pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

Front View

Side View

Back View

 Although not a100% complete it's finished enough that I won't classify it a UFO.  I can safely move on to a third Fall 2014 project.

Leather glue/contact cemen

Leather glue/contact cemen

HAPPINESS RETURNED...

...yes my sewing motivation returned this weekend.  Yep, out of the blue it just showed up.  And if she could talk I think the conversation would have gone something like this...

ME:  Oh sweetie there you are!  Where in the world have you been?
HER:  Oh, just out and about.
ME:  Well I really did miss you, and this time I couldn't even force you to come back.  And you stayed away soooo long.   I'm really glad you're here though, things are just not the same without you.  Come here, give me a little hug!
HER:  Enough of the mushy stuff, let's get to work.
ME:  Alrighty then, but next time don't you dare stay away so long. Mama really missed you!

I bought a slightly ribbed knit off Hancock's bargain flat-fold table earlier this summer at a scrumptious price.  And although the weather was hot as all get out at the time, I knew just what I'd use it for.  I love a great garnet colored fabric for fall, and when I saw it I instantly thought of the black knit dress I made from Vogue 8939 last fall (Reference this post).

So since (you know who came back) we were able to whip up another one this past weekend.

I underlined the back and front pieces of the dress with black tricot.  Had I taken the time to look at the black dress I would have just added a free hanging lining and saved myself a whole lot of time.  I also altered the pattern just a little at the neckline and decreased the width of the collar by 2 1/4" and it feels much more comfortable. 

Found just enough 1/4" twill tape to stabilize the shoulder seams - its just the right width for shoulder seams.  It's so hard to find 1/4" twill tape in our stores here.  I really need to track some down via the internet.  Maybe I could buy it in a big roll.

So I had a really nice sewing weekend.  I'm so glad happiness has returned, and hope she stays for a very long time...

BEEP BEEP...

...ready for a little weekly blog cruising

first stop Cashmerette creatively turned the Colette Moneta pattern every which way but loose this summer.  Jenny's renditions was one of the reasons I was tempted to buy the Colette pattern in the first place.  Absolutely loved her strippy Moneta.   I happened upon Jenny's blog several months ago, and have been in awe of her creations and great pictures and poses ever since.

 

 She's also a one of the creators of the Curvy Sewing Collective,  which is a plus sized sewing community that is well worth taking a peep at.

every now and again I have to stop by  The Renagade Seamtress, refashionista extraordinaire. Now mind you, refashioning really is not my main theme.  I just don't have the eye to envision great things being made from not so great things.  But when I saw Beth's refashioned sweater dress winters ago it made me pay attention to this blog

She just had her first book published too.  Three cheers to the Renagade Seamtress!

 

 a final stop to visit with Natalie at The Tiny Closet.  After a friend told me about The Tiny Closet I had to visit her blog - read it from the beginning too.  The black top she wore in the first picture spinned me around so much that I would have purchased it if I could have found it.  Ended up having to create a pattern of my own to get it.  My top turned out pretty good and with just a little more tweaking will be a perfect fit through the neck area.  Thanks for the inspiration Natalie!

Natalie's husband Theo is an EXCELLENT  photographer as you'll see when you review her blog - which by the way is scheduled for a brand new re-launch in early September.

That's the trip for this go round, hope you'll join me again and again...

SUCH A SMALL COST TO PAY TO SUPPORT ANOTHER SEWING BLOGGER...

...I've been so busy with school starting that it's been hard to keep up with all things sewing.  Thankfully two of my buddies alerted me that Simplicity patterns were on sale this weekend just in time for the MimiGStyles pattern release.  How nice of Hancock Fabrics - 5 FOR 5!  That averages out to $1.07 per pattern including Georgia's sales tax.

I'm such a skirt person that you know this shapely color blocked skirt WILL BE MINE.  People will be saying "just who does she think she is?" (hahaha).  Will love the top (with a little length added), and the pants and cardi too.  This is just a wonderful wardrobe pattern overall!

Ahhhh the continual color blocking - in such a nice way though.  That contrasting color right at the hip curve will certainly help give me the illusion of the smaller waistline that I envision in my head - I think???  (another ha ha!)

Both patterns are sure to boost many an upcoming Fall wardrobe.  $2.14 is such a small cost to support another sewing blogger - VALUE PLUS! Especially since I'm already a PATTERNAHOLIC.  I'm so happy for MiMi and wish her continued success! 

BEEP BEEP...

Happy weekend ya'll!  What type of weekends do you like best?  I must admit that most of my weekends are spent lazying around - just one of my guilty pleasures.  Believe me, I have LOTS that I could should be doing, and I promise myself that I'll get at least a few pertinent things done today, BUT I thought; what a wonderful time for our first little blog trip!

First Stop: Dellia's
Have you seen this dress!!!

Shown in true Southern Style.  I oooooooed and ahhhhhh for a while when I first laid eyes on Dellia's dress posted at the end of July.  My first thought, "what a gorgeous party dress".  I could even feel the fabric - in my mind that is - that she named a wild colored paisley shantung.  This dress sent me flying to the pattern cabinet (my norm) to see if McCall's 6955 was already in my stash.  After a mad dash, I wiped the sweat from my brow and exclaimed "good, it's already there".  Mind you, I have no idea when I would get a chance to make it up - BUT A GIRL CAN DREAM, CAN'T SHE!

Party in the back - I'm just saying...  Gorgeous and serious racer cut back - What pretty girl wouldn't want a dress like this?!?!?!   I'd even go as far as inviting myself to someone's wedding, party or some other dressy event just to get a chance to wear a dress this pretty.  One day, one day, I'm telling you - this dress will be mine!  Wanting to know every detail about the dress construction - I asked Dellia what she used for the lining.  Her answer:  Hi Linda, Since the fabric was silk, I decided to go with Habotai silk for the lining.  It's really light and flowy.  This, by the way is not the only pretty thing Dellia has whipped up - for a closer look at her sewing world click here.

Last Stop: Dear Lillie

This porch was located at her old house that I watched as she decorated.  She changed this porch per season, and I thought she created were the prettiest rooms.  She has since moved to a new house and now I'm watching as she renovates and decorates all back over again.  She's also been working on decorating her brother's house.  I'm always amazed with her decorating talent.  She's also an excellent photographer as you can see.  She often includes pictures of her 3 little girls who are beautiful, and I think she named the blog after her eldest.

A picture of her current kitchen that I L-O-V-E  everything about - especially the nautical striped roman shades that I SWEAR I'm going to make just as soon as I can get roundtuit!  This particular kitchen post has a link included for a tutorial that even describes how to paint the fabric for the shades.  Don't know if I'd take it quite that far, but alas - I am a dreamer!

Hope you enjoy our first blog trip and will consider joining me on many more to come...

BLOG TRIPPING...

...I don't even get to travel as much as I would like - I don't usually have the time, and besides highway travel has started to make my nerves really shakey.  Anyone out there need a good passenger seat driver?  I excel in riding shotgun.

I've really been contemplating adding a "BLOG TRIPPING" feature to my little place on the web.    I'm always finding cute and interesting new to me blogs during my frequent blog trips, so I'm going to start bring them to the forefront here on my blog.  I'll just point them out, give them a little mention and tell you why I found the blog so interesting.  The trips may or may not be sewing related, so of course you can skip the posts that don't catch your eye (that goes without saying doesn't it?).  Maybe you will have already seen them, maybe not. But I'm sure someone will find several that are  new and interesting to them to them as well.

So when ever you see my new "blog tripping car", and hear me beep the horn, you'll know it's time to hop in and take a little spin with me...

Isn't it just the the cutest vehicle you've ever seen.  There's no need to stop for gas because it's totally flower powered - haha.  We'll be traveling by back roads so hopefully there won't be any heavy traffic so I'll be doing all the driving.  Be on the look out for me...

FAYE'S SEWING ADVENTURE UPDATE...

...hello out there in sewing land.  The sound coming from Faye's Studio lately has been mmmmmm....CRICKETS! Immma have to dust my sewing machine off from lack of use.   I'm not going to cry or complain because of this "lack of sewing motivation" that always seems to hit me near this time EVERY YEAR.  Most times it's  known hit right before the change of seasons - but you know living in Georgia means that summer really lasts at least until the end of September - at least.  Even though there are still weeks of summer weather left, I have to admit that I am soooo longing for Fall/Winter sewing with it's rich colors and heftier fabrics.  My gears are churning though, and I'm storing up lots of sewing possibility ideas in my head.

Usually I'll FIGHT SEW my way through a sewing slump, but not this time.   Guess I've been too busy to do even that.  High school started last Thursday, and needless to say - I'll be building this plane as I fly it as usual!  Praying every day for a good and productive year with these 70 students!

As far as it goes with

I've been so tired by the time it comes on that I've slept right through the ending and had to catch it on On Demand or the internet afterwards!  There's several things I've gleaned from Season 13 thus far:

• Love, love, love Hedi's coat hanger dress, or what's left of it.

• Sandhya's two wins - What The What!!!  I think the judges are doing a great job throwing the contestants off - me too, I'm confused!  We certainly don't know what they want or are looking for!  One thing for sure though, they are fast making Sandhya the MOST HATED contestant of the season.
• It's not good to judge other designers or make negative comments in your little cameo shots.  You just never know when the tables will turn and you'll have to eat your own words.  Common sense.

 On another note, I did get my Skirting the Issue skirts in the mail early this week. 
         

Hopefully I'll be able to get a pattern cut out and started this weekend, hopefully...