November 28, 2008

THANK GOD FOR BEING ABLE TO STAY AT HOME...

I thought I'd do a quick post just before I start my next project. Although I didn't announce it beforehand, this is a long totally dedicated sewing weekend. I had to tear myself away from the sewing room to make the sweet potato and broccoli and rice casseroles that I had to take to the Thanksgiving dinner that I was invited to (which by the way was way FAB). I excused myself to come home at a reasonable hour to ... you know what... get back into the sewing room. Soooo I wanted to share what I've worked on thus far this weekend while watching the Macy's parade (and I'm still scoring high on the believe-0-meter if you know what I mean), Miracle on 34th Street, and episodes of the Thorn Birds (there's nothing like my 13" TV in the sewing room, unless it the one in the kitchen).


Next I paired these two patterns together by making the jacket from this vogue pattern and my TNT long sleeved knit top from the Newlook pattern. I made this from a real mystery fabric that I got at Hancock's about a year ago and never could make up my mind what to make with it. I finally decided on pairing these two patterns to use it. Talk about stretchy! I really wanted to ditch this project right in the middle, but figured since I was about half way through it I might as well finish it up. I will wear it, but I will NEVER buy this type of stretchy fabric ever again.

November 24, 2008

IT'S GONNA BE A GREAT WEEK!

I came in and gave my sewing room a once over with the vacumn and boy what a difference. I think every color of thread I own was on the floor. WHAT A BIG DIFFERENCE a little tidying up in the sewing room makes. I had promised myself that I would clean it after finishing every garment, but that never works.

I couldn't find a photographer at work today so I took a picture myself - me in my newest top.

Like Tim Gunn says - make it work!

November 23, 2008

ANOTHER WEEKEND GONE...

I hope that I'm not boring everyone with pictures of my tops. It feels like I've made about fifty of them, but a review of my posts revealed that there were 5 in October and 9 (adding the two for this post) for November. That's a lot of tops! Do I want more and do I plan on sewing more - YES I DO! There are lots of other types of garments that I do plan on sewing - you know, pants and especially some skirts. And I still have that wonderful boucle fabric that my Mother sent to me, from which I plan on making a channel type jacket and matching skirt. I'm also feeling that I'd enjoy some new PJ's for Christmas. And of course every time it rains I kick myself because I have not made my raincoat yet. There's all kinds of ideas floating around in my head. Then something entirely different might pop up because of some inspiration I seen on sewing blogs. THE CHOICES ARE ENDLESS! But that is just part of the fun.

Here are the tops I made this weekend:

#1 Is from the same turtleneck Kwik Sew pattern that I've been using. I figured I needed a black one.

#2) is from Butterick 4606. I was inspired to make this top after reading Pamela's blog at "Off the Cuff". She has a tutorial there that shows how to change the neckline appearance on a top by using a rubber band or an elastic ponytail holder, and I wanted to give it a try.


I really like this top and it was easy to put together. I still need to practice with the rubber band idea, but I love the idea and already have another one cut out in a solid color.

I only had one problem making this top. I think that I was short changed when this fabric was cut at the store. HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU??? It's happened to me several times at different stores - MAKES ME SO MAD!!! Well any ways, I wanted to make a blouse from this fabric but did not have enough fabric for the long sleeved or 3/4 sleeve length, soooooooooo I had to patch the sleeve. I used a french seam to do that rather than just serge the pieces together. I think my 3/4 length sleeve turned out pretty well.

Well that's it for the weekend of sewing. I've got to get rid of this headache, do my hair and prepare for the new week (IT'S A SHORT ONE THANK GOD!). Happy Thanksgiving to all in advance....

November 22, 2008

CONTINUATION OF THE MONTH OF THE TOP...

Yes, as I said before, November has been the month for tops. I don't know how this happened as I certainly did not plan it to be this way. I guess it's just that I love knit fabrics and I had accumulated quite a few pieces and also because I just love going to the closet in the morning being able to pull out something that does not need ironing. I also love the way being able to wear something just a little different makes me feel, even thought it's just a top. Ahhh the simple things of life. Making tops is quick and simple - somewhat like instant gratification which I did need after making so many things that were time consuming. So although I didn't get to do a whole lot of sewing this past week, I did complete another wrap or tie jacket with another matching turtle neck top made from Vogue 8305 and Kwik Sew 2740.

I'm not absolutely sure that I am satisfied with my fabric choice here. I knew I wanted something knit and something red, but this fabric is a little shiny for my taste. Oh I will wear it, but I'm just having second thoughts about my fabric choice - which I'm sure is something we all of us go through from time to time. A should a, would a, could a type thing.

Last Saturday I woke up with some energy (which has been eluding me lately) and I was motivated to cut out 5 garments (all tops). This week I was thinking, "that I must have been out of my mind" to do that. I was afraid that in cutting out so many pieces at one time some of them might become UFO's. I have managed to sew up three of the garments - which is think is pretty good. So I've only got two more to go before all 5 garments are completed - what a marathon! So after finishing this post it's back to the machine to change my thread colors and knock out the remaining two tops...

November 17, 2008

NOVEMBER - THE MONTH OF TOPS...

So this is another version of Simplicity 2804 that I made on Saturday before I was called away on a sewing/fabric/friendship trip to Atlanta with Lisa and Ebony. You know how it is when you just want to look at something different - a spur of the moment trip can be just what the doctor ordered (lol). The cotton knit fabric for this top was donated by Ebony - it's so nice of her to share with us from her stash - I bet you wish you knew her too huh. I made a tunic from this pattern before, but this time I chose a shorter version of the same top with the band at the hemline.
This version called for ruching on the bottom of the sleeve.
This is a picture of a suit that I think I made during the later part of August or the first part of September, but this is the first time I've worn it. This outfit was also one of my Georgia National Fair entries that earned me a Second Prize ribbon.
Well I just wanted to check in, I think I can squeeze in an hour of sewing before bedtime, can't stay up too late....

November 13, 2008

MID WEEK POST

I didn't get very much sewing done over the weekend. I finally got my carpet cleaned and with all the moving things around and getting them put back where they were supposed to be I was just too tired. Me and my pals Lisa and Ebony had a Sunday afternoon "SEWALONG" at my house and I didn't get one thing sewn. I did however enjoy their company and all the sewing conversation and sewing planning.

Since Tuesday was a holiday I was determined to make some more headway with my Knit Top marathon. I made this brown knit Vogue pattern, the view with the rounded neckline and long sleeves.

I saw a top similar to this Butterick pattern at WalMart that I liked and used some fabric that Ebony had gifted this weekend to make it up. Don't know why the picture turned out so blurry. This top went together really quickly and I do think I'll make it again. I did lengthen this top 2 1/2 inches.


November 7, 2008

THANK GOD! IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY!

Just when you think you can't take anymore, God gives us FRIDAY!!! Oh my goodness the long hard week has finally ended. I didn't get any mid-week sewing done at all - didn't even get to cut out a pattern. But I did wear my new cardigan wrap and matching turtleneck top today. I enjoyed wearing it and the kids love it.
I'll be checking in again before the weekend end is over. Until then, HAPPY SEWING!



November 2, 2008

WRAPPING UP MY WEEKEND

I was talking to my Mother just a few weeks ago and I told her that I would NEVER make a turtle neck top. What is it about the word NEVER! Oh you can say it alright, but then you have to take back what you've said. Last week out of no where I got the urge to make a turtle neck top. So I did an internet search of all the pattern companies and this KWIK SEW is what I came up with so here is the results of my new turtle. I made view C with the collar from view A, and it is really a good fit. The fabric is a slightly ribbed knit from Walmart. Only four pattern pieces made it a snap to put together and I think I'll be making a few more of these for the winter.















I had a lot of the ribbed knit fabric left over so I paired my short sleeved turtle with this cardigan-like wrap, Vogue 8138, which was only two pattern pieces, but boy did the sleeve placement give me a mini fit. I'm still not sure if they are in right, but after my second try I am finished with it. Maybe I'll give this another try sometime. I plan on wearing this with jeans (blue or black) and dark gray or black pants. I promise you it will get some wear since I work in a classroom that doesn't warm up until the middle of the afternoon I need something to wrap up in.

Well that's it for this sewing weekend. Maybe I'll get a chance to whip up a quick project during the work week, who knows....

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