#WE LOVE OUR SEWING STUFF CHALLENGE...

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Thought I'd post another collage of my participation in the #WeLoveOurSewingStuffChallenge sponsored by Leslie Bentley over at The Sewcial Place.

It's been all about measuring tools, buttons, pins, buttons, sewing machines and my library (not in that order).  There are only four more days left in the Challenge and as most are, it's been SEW MUCH FUN...

EVERYTHING'S IS COMING UP ROSES...

...following other bloggers has yielded exponential benefits in my sewing arena:

• provided unlimited inspiration
• taught me new techniques
• helped me step out of my comfort zones
• imparted motivation, and 
• given me sources of information/assistance when I found myself stuck with a sewing project.

And if you are anything like me, after a while you actually start to feel as though you really know these people!, and I guess I do - virtually at least. So has been the case with the blogger featured today.  It seems that every time I take a peek in at her blog EVERYTHING'S IS COMING UP ROSES, and all kinds of other flowers, and girls, and garments, and quilts.  You probably guessed today's interview session is with Lori V, author of GIRLS IN THE GARDEN!

For more beautiful pictures of her gardens look here  http://www.girlsinthegarden.net/2015/06/my-garden.html#more & here http://www.girlsinthegarden.net/2013/07/my-welcome-home.html

Won't you please grab a cup of tea (or coffee), maybe a Girl Scout cookie or two, sit back and get ready to learn more about another one of MY favorite bloggers...

Lori I've been reading your blog for a number of years now and have enjoyed your content immensely. Can you tell us the back story of your blog title?

 LORI:  Back in 2006, when I found a sewing blog and I was intrigued and slightly obsessed with the idea of a blog.  I wanted a fun title, a meaningful title.  Once I had a good name, I felt like I could start my blog.  I have four daughters and wanted to incorporate that into the name somehow.  One day, my youngest two (twins) were helping in my flowers, as I looked up to see what they were doing, the name just popped into my head.  Girls in the Garden was perfect!

 I’ve often called you the “Top Lady” because you make so many nice ones.  Are tops and blouses your favorite garment to sew?  If not, what is?

 LORI:  Tops and blouses are my favorite to sew mostly because they fit into my lifestyle.  I work in an agriculture related field and jeans are my daily uniform.  I have been trying to consciously sew things I will wear and love.  I love dresses but in reality I would wear a dress of some kind 2 to 4 times a month.  A new top or blouse will get worn and loved so much more.  

What things excite and inspire you in your sewing and the designs that you create?

 LORI:  All the other sewing bloggers out there excite and inspire me.  From their blogs to their Instagram to pattern review sites, I am amazed of the talent out there.  It is refreshing and fun to see a different take on a pattern.  It is like that ah-ha moment, “I love that and what a great idea.”

I also have the Friday Fashion Inspiration on my blog, finding inspiration from RTW and a sewing pattern to copy that look is inspiring to me.  It is fun to think I can make that and really make it my own.  In fact, in some cases really save money by making it myself.

Have you had formal training or are you self taught?

LORI:  I had 8^th and 9^th grade home economics way back when!  I did take a few sewing classes at a local sewing machine dealer.  For the most part it is books, blogs, magazines and Craftsy.

What garment or project has presented the biggest challenge to you?

LORI:  My McCall’s 6711 a stripe jacket was the biggest challenge.  I was using a great stripe fabric in a princess seam blazer.  I wanted to trim the seams in a navy solid knit, add some piping and make it all look good.  Not to mention where to end the navy binding and type of closure.  It was a fun challenge and I still to this day love my blazer. 

http://www.girlsinthegarden.net/2013/02/navy-stripe-blazer-and-red-jersey-top.html

Your pink Michael Kors (Vogue Pattern) Pea Coat inspired me to make one for myself. 

Of all your handcrafted garments to date which would you call your masterpiece(s)?

LORI:  I would say my Navy Pea Coat (Vogue 1467) that I completed in November 2015.  I made a very conscious effort to use good couture methods both inside and out.  All the work paid off it a great finished garment and the knowledge I learned from this project.  I researched couture techniques from books, magazines and sewing blog tutorials, using this knowledge I felt I was prepared to take on a big project.

 

Being a member of Mood’s Sewing Network seems awfully exciting.  How did you get involved in the program?

LORI:  In December 2012, wow has it was been 3 years, Meg from Mood Fabrics, now with McCall’s Patterns, reached out and asked if I would be interested in being part of the Mood Sewing Network.  I barely let her finish the sentence before I was saying, yes, yes, yes!   It is very exciting and I am thrilled and honored to be part of such a great group of garment sewers.

What other sources do you use for fabric?

Mood Fabrics

Fabric Mart

Style Maker Fabric

Girl Charlee

IndieSew

Emma One Sock

 Are there any sewing techniques that you have not mastered yet, but plan to work on?

LORI:  Bound Buttonholes, I struggle with those each and every time.  I practice and practice and still I am not 100% happy with my results.  Welt pockets would go along with that but being on a larger scale, I get better results with those.  I think with both of these, if I could take a hands on class, I would be much better at them.

 

If you could only have five (5) patterns, which five would that be and why?

LORI:

1.        Grainline Archer would be the first.  I love this basic button up shirt and it looks great every time.

2.       A new make – Straight Stitch Designs – Bellevue top.  The design is so me and with this top I can add the shirt tail hem or leave it off.  This is a versatile top and the raglan sleeves are a favorite.

 3.       OOP –McCall’s 5525 – it is a classic trench I have made many times.  You can’t go wrong with a trench.

 

4.       Simplicity 1499 – vest.  This envelope photograph doesn’t do this pattern justice.  The pattern is so JCrew and I love how the JCrew vests are styled, I need to find more great quilted fabric and make another one.

5.       Ginger Jeans – these are amazing and now with then wide leg addition I am set.  I have a pair cut out and just need to get to them.

LORI:  Hey I like my list – I can have a good wardrobe from these 5 patterns.  A wardrobe that is very wearable for the way I live and work.  Notice no dresses or skirts?  LOL!

I think your quilts are fine works of art.  How long have you been quilting?

LORI:  For about 30 years, that is a long time.  First was garment sewing, then it transitioned to quilting.

 How did you learn to quilt?

LORI:  My mom and I took a class together at a quilt shop in the neighboring town.  It was tracing pattern pieces on to cardboard, then tracing the cardboard pieces onto the fabric. 

 What size quilts do you usually make?

LORI:  From baby quilts to queen size and lately more queen size.

 How long on average does it take you to make a quilt?

It depends on the complexity and size.  A few nights to a few months depending on how hard it is.  I have started going to an open sewing night every Monday at the local quilt shop and Pfaff dealer.  It is so fun to sew with my friends; we sew, laugh, chat and catch up, plus eat!  In that concentrated time without home interruptions, I am getting so much done and feel like my quilting stash is getting under control.

 Do you have any favorite quilt blocks?

 LORI:  The churn dash would be my favorite.  I have a pattern that is up soon to make with all churn dash blocks.  It is funny, my favorite and I have not made a quilt totally of this block.  I have incorporated it is some sampler quilts.

I hope you've enjoyed getting to know Lori and her gorgeous blog as much as I have.  For more Gardening/Garment Making and Quilting inspiration visit her blog at Girlsinthegarden.net...

NICE, CLEAR, COZY AND QUITE...

...thought I show what it looks like in my little studio on a clear day.  As you can guess, I'm between projects, so this just goes to show - when it's clean that means there's absolutely NO WORK GOING ON.

What's going on in your #SewingLife today...

DAY 5: HOT, HOT, HOT...

...still loving on my sewing stuff.  Today's topic is HOT, HOT, HOT, and the first thing that came to mind was  - of course - my gravity fed steam iron.  Oh goodness yes, I am seriously attached to this iron so much that I really do not want to sew without it.

What hot, hot, hot iron do you perfer???

ARE YOU UP FOR A CHALLENGE...

...yes, I've joined yet another challenge.  This one sponsored by my fellow FB Pericrafters Group member Leslie Bentley of The Sewcial Place.    The challenge is run through Instagram but I thought it would be fun to also post it on my blog.  (Can't let ye old blog go lacking you know.)

 

 Here are my IG pictures to match the Challenge topics:

 

 Although it's day 4 of the challenge, it's not too late to join in...

LET'S CELEBRATE GIVE-A-WAY DRAWING...

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first a big "THANK YOU" for all the well wishes on the 9th Blogiversary of Faye's Sewing Adventure!

The "pull a name" drawing was held early this morning.  Thank you to all of you that participated by entering.  So I'll announce the winner without further delay...

Myra, I can't wait to put "The Classic Guide to Sewing the Perfect Jacket - Tailoring" reference in the mail to you.  I know it will find a good home in you Florida Sewing Room!  Please inbox me your address on Facebook, or shoot me an email to fayedoll (at)cox(dot)net.
 

This is such a good reference that I really wish I had enough books to give one to every one that entered!  But, be on the lookout for future give-a-way opportunities on Faye's Sewing Adventure throughout the year - you never know just what might pop up...

LET'S CELEBRATE...

...there has been a whole lot of sewing, writing, learning, sharing and just plain enjoyment going on here for me during the last nine years.  Hopefully my blog has provided some interesting content  during this time.  I've met soooo many interesting people from all over the world who sew - and they YOU have been so very helpful and involved - cheering me on to complete sometimes easy, and sometimes and complex projects.

I remember back in 2006 when I started sewing again and in the process learned about "sewing blogs".  I was desperately seeking help getting back into the swing of things (really, learning to sew all over again).  I remember saying "I want a sewing blog too", then on February 10th of 2007 launched my very first post.

In this 9 year time span; I've learned new techniques, stepped out on faith to interact with many others, and with your help my skill level has drastically improved.  I also remember wishing I knew tailoring techniques - it just seem so far over my head at that time.  But through trial and error and seeking advice from others who so generously gave it - tailoring is actually one of the things I like  doing most.  Just yesterday I had the following conversation with my Mother:

ME:  I love making coats so much that I just might make a couple during the summer.

MOTHER:  Yeah right!  If you could deal with having your lap full of wool during your summers.

We both got a good laugh out of that one.

I've amassed quite a tailoring reference library, so in CELEBRATION OF 9 YEARS OF SEWING ADVENTURES  through blogging, I'd like to offer a copy of my favorite Tailoring Manual as a giveaway!

Help me CELEBRATE my 9th year blogging anniversary!  And if you are interested in this copy of my most used book, please mention it in a comment below.  An old fashion pull the name out of a hat drawing will be held on Sunday ...

FINALLY...

... Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
  Psalms 37:4

Have you ever noticed my WISH LIST on the side bar of my blog?  Probably not. It was placed there some time ago ONLY as a reminder of books, gadgets, notions or supplies that I thought I wanted or needed along the way on my sewing adventure. It changes from time to time when;

• I purchase an item and eliminate it from list
• change my mind or realize that I really didn't need or want an item
• find something else to add to the list

Late last year, sometime between Thanksgiving and my Birthday, I received an email from a fellow blogger saying she wanted to send me something.  Such a surprise, and I couldn't imagine what it would be.  When I received the package and opened it I immediately thought "SHE MUST HAVE SEEN THIS LISTED ON MY WISH LIST".  
 

Magnetic bars to hold my scissors!!!  I finally got them hung perfectly on the wall next to my cutting table.  While perusing TheTaleTellTasha's blog recently I caught a glimpse of the sister bars displayed in her newly organized sewing room.  So I want to give a big shout out to Tasha - one of my stylish sewing muses (I'm constantly contemplating copying her creations)...

YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE SO LET IT WIP...

...Diana Ross and the Supremes knew exactly what they were talking about when they sang "You Can't hurry love".  If you'll remember, the last episode of Faye's Sewing Adventure found me working hard to complete the 4th and final week of Sew Much Talent's Kicking Stash sew-a-long - outer wear and/or accessories.  Even though I chose a simple pattern (only 5 pattern pieces), I couldn't resist incorporating at least a few tailoring techniques that I thought would make the coat not only look better, but also last longer.  So, needless to say, I did not finish my coat in time to count for the challenge.  Not to dismay though - turns out I did come in in THE TOP 5 of the sew-a-long!

With the deadline for submission being 11:59 p.m. Sunday Night,  I threw in the towel at 11:29 after finally coming to grips with the fact that YOU JUST CAN'T HURRY LOVE!  This is what the project looked like Sunday night when I decided it was time to go to bed.

The clocked ticked on, and January turned into February, and my project magically evolved from Kicking Stash into a WIP (work in progress).   I CAN'T HURRY LOVE, but I can just let it WIP!!!