A REAL LIFE LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP

Yes, I'm having a "REAL LIFE LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP" - with who?...no with what! My serger! When I sewed before I had several excuses for not owning a serger. 1)I felt I couldn't afford it. 2)It looked too complicated to use. 3)I was afraid of it because of the knife. Well this time around I decided that I had had enough with finishing seams by zigzaging; although effective, it just took too much time. So I took the plunge this past summer and made the purchase.

I really love my serger but I just hate threading it. I did learn to the tie on method of changing the thread color so I don't actually have to thread it that often, but Lord if that lower looper happens to become unthreaded or the thread break for some reason I' in for it. That's where the hate part of the relationship comes from because there have been times where it took me an hour just to get that looper threaded. Something happened when I placed it in my travel bag for the return trip home from Thanksgiving with my DD and the lower looper thread broke. Egads!! @#)))((*&^@!*#^^^ Can you read that language? There have been times when I was tempted to serge something black with the white thread that was already on the machine so I wouldn't have to thread that looper. Had to forego that because I know it just wouldn't be right. But it was a thought.

Here's a picture of my current project - The Butterick Mock Wrap Dress that I cut out on Tuesday and started sewing it on Wednesday and did get the bodice started. I had to work late tonight so I didn't get to sew any. Wish I knew how to make my pictures lighter.I'm going to make a slight alteration where it wraps in the front. If I do the alteration now I won't have a big problem with the cleavage area gapping after the dress is finished. The dress has a biased facing on the front and neck edges. I hand basted the bodice side seams in order to check my fit and think I need to use a 1" seam allowance when actually stitched for a closer fit. Pattern instructions call for set in sleeves but I'd much rather put them in flat but just remembered that the dress will have a side zipper. I think I'll still be able to do the flat sleeve application even with the zipper. We will see.

THE NICEST GIFT!

Look what surprised me in the mail box this afternoon. A Vogue "Michael Kors"" pattern from my Sewing Buddy Lisa from http://www.sewonandsewon.blogspot.com/, along with the nicest card. A big "THANKS" to Lisa! This is possibly the nicest gift I've received all year long. I love this pattern and really, really enjoyed our day out. I'm looking forward to having another Sewing Related outing with Lisa again one day soon!

Next up on the sewing plate is this Butterick mock wrap dress, that I'll make from this pretty knit that I bought the day Lisa and I shopped at Hancock's several weeks ago. I pre-washed the fabric before my Thanksgiving trip...it was so hard leaving it at home although I was only gone a few days. I rushed home this afternoon and cut it out and I've got it all marked and ready to go. Just got to get my machines unpacked and set back up as they went on the trip with me.

I was checking out a site several weeks ago (can't remember whos) and noticed that this person does a lot of hand basting before sewing. I'm thinking about hand basting especially the self bias binding that goes along the neckline and front of the dress. I'll tell you, my desire to sew well and get a proper fit is overwhelming. I'm going to keep trying and keep trying until I am satisfied with the things that I sew.

Thinking about sewing while at work helps get me through my day that is crammed with TEENAGERS!!!

2 Weeks-2 Tops

I know everyone has already made this top from McCalls, now here's my version.

I've prewashed all of my knit fabrics (about 10 pieces) and now they are ready to go. I'm taking my SM on Thanksgiving Vacation to my dd's house in North Carolina. I'll be making boxer shorts for the boys while I'm there.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

MMMMMMM THEY ARE SO GOOD!

Everybody in the whole world has probably made these, BUT just in case I wanted to share them here cause they are soooooo good.

BUFFET POTATOES
1 large bag Hash Browns (cubed or shredded)
2 C. grated Cheddar Cheese
8 Oz. Sour Cream
1 stick Margarine or Butter (melted)
1 can Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken Soup
1 medium Onion, chopped
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl stirring well. Place in a greased 9" x 13" oven proofed casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour or until brown on top.
Excellent served with roast beef and gravy.
Enjoy!

SUCH A LOVELY DAY!

Today was such a LOVELY day! I was able to have a sewing related lunch with Lisa from http://www.sewonandsewon.blogspot.com/ - my new sewing buddy. We had never met so we got together for lunch and talked and talked and talked sewing. I feel I've know her for many years! We talked and compared patterns and shared ideas over a wonderful lunch and then went over to Hancocks to do some real business. Hancocks was having their Veteran's Day sale of patterns, fabric and everything else. It was great having someone to bounce ideas around with, as well as ask for sewing and fabric advice. I have so been missing being able to do something like this, and really look forward to doing it again!

This is what I bought today using my 50% off coupon.

And I bought this from the $2.95 row and will use it as my sweat suit alternative.

And I finally did actually sew something! I used this pattern with a gray knit in my stash that I had picked up from Walmart's $1.00 table. Used it to make the KwikSew Cowl neck top. The open weave fabric that I had originally planned to use just didn't work out so I used the gray knit instead. All I need to do is hem the sleeves and the bottom and it will be done.

Of course I had to pick up a few other things while there...

yesterday I bought this at 50% off with a coupon. Doesn't show up well in the photo, but its a black knit with white circles.

I have officially run out of pattern storage space. I'll need to take the fabric out of the bottom drawer of the 4 drawer chest of drawers in order to use it as pattern space. Now where will I put the fabric that's now stored in that draw??? Your guess is as good as mine! Now what to sew next??? I've got to get some sewing order organization going on here. I still need a plan.

I PASSED, I PASSED, I PASSED!

I FINALLY got my test results this afternoon - I PASSED! This thing created so much pressure and stress for me before and after the test. I took the test on October 29th and felt pretty good about it afterwards, but as the days went on, I started second guessing myself with what if's. What if this, what if that. Thought I would be able to get my results 7 days later (this past Monday), but forgot that I had checked the box that said "send the results to me in the mail". Then I thought they would come on Wednesday but it didn't. But they did come today. It was a two part test; I got 92 on the written exam and 98 on my lecture/demonstration. HALLELUJAH!!! I'll bet my neighbors heard me when I opened the letter at the mailbox. I couldn't contain myself. I am now a licensed State of Georgia instructor!!!! I never have to go before the state board examiners again! Again HALLELUJAH!!!

My mother, daughter and friends were my cheerleaders - they always cheer me on with anything I do, and pray for me too. God has given me yet another desire of my heart and I praise him for it. Well, this is a great accomplishment for me and something I have wanted for a very long time. God opened up the door for me for this as he has for so many other things. Now on to other things!

KWIK.SEW COWL NECKLINE

I remember making a two piece outfit years ago that I just loved and loved. It was a really simple to make and wear knit skirt and long sleeved top - maroon in color. I've loved cowl necklines every since and had been searching or just the right pattern since I've started back sewing. I saw this Kwik.Sew pattern made up by Hungryzombie.blogspot.com and just fell in love all back over again. I rushed out to buy it to discover that Hancock never ever has a Kwik.Sew sale so I had to lay down the full price for this one. I figure if I make it two or three times the pattern will have paid for itself so I won't cry over it that much. I'm now use to paying $.99 to $1.99 for patterns, with an occassional Vouge at $3.99. I bought this fabric in 2005 when I thought I was going to start sewing again but didn't. I was going to make a short cape out of it but never did. Now I think it will look great as View A of this pattern. Mind you, I have never sewn this type of open weave fabric - HOPE IT SEWS UP EASY. The pattern called for 3/8" clear elastic which I had never heard of, but was able to find at Hancock's today. Glad I was able to find it - would have been forced to use regular black elastic instead.












I cut it out last night - only 5 pieces. I have a black camisole that I think I will wear under it because the weave is open. Will post results when finished!

Having problems with my camera (see the date?) - it's not the camera, it's me. I'm one of those who hates to read directions on things like this.