SATURDAY MORNING CUTTING TABLE ROLL CALL...

...truth be told
my cutting table is in a straight up mess!  There certainly hasn't been any production coming out of this sewing room.  Been too busy with end of school year close-out, traveling to my grandson's graduation, finishing up this loooong 4-day workweek, and sewing project indecisiveness to produce anything.

 I am perched up in here this morning however.  Enjoying my non-traditional breakfast (perhaps a southern thing).  Left over of Parmesan grilled Salmon, pasta w/Broccoli, and a big old glass of Iced Tea w/ lemon (tea Arnold Palmer style).
So the main goals for today are:
1) clean up my cutting table mess ( I do commend myself; however, in that I've kept it clear for quite some time); and
2) muslin a project I've been pondering for a while.

 Hope you have a great sewing related day...

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY...

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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER...

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SATURDAY MORNING CUTTING TABLE ROLL CALL

It's just a little bit messy, but it's all good because it's all sewing related stuff.  I've been really concentrating hard on keeping this in a "Cutting Table Surface" rather than a catch all.  The small piles of fabric are a typical sign of indecisiveness - what do I make next????

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...

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THANK YOU MOM!

Now for sewing updates:

This weekend's make - another Simplicity 1916 view F for my daughter. Fabric has been stashed for eons, jersey knit from where I can't remember.  Nice print, but for some reason the dickens to sew.  Changed needles several times and eventually had to change machines because the stitches kept skipping.  Awful, but I refused to throw in the towel on this one and was finally able to get it finished.

Have a Happy Mother's Day!!!

TWO FOR HER, ONE FOR ME...

... Can't you just tell that I love sewing.  Even if things don't always work out perfectly, I still love it.  I have been having a ball!  This weekend I made

2 for her and one for me

Top #1 from Burda 7340 View A -  Sort of asymmetrical easy two piece pattern. The most trouble I had was switching between a single and double needle two or three times which was a pain.  If I wasn't too lazy to thread up the coverstitch machine it would have been so much simpler.  This top was a easy make and fit right in with my current KNIT TOP FRENZY (no folks, the frenzy ain't over yet.  I've got too much knit yardage calling my name).

Top #2 is Simplicity 1362 View A -  I always end up with kind of pattern - the kind I don't love but  go ahead and buy because it's on sale and cause I might want it later. (hahaha!)  I knew full well going in that there was going to be a battle matching the stripes of this chiffonny aztec print - I usually avoid prints like this.  But it was on sale and I liked the colors.  Easy Pattern EXCEPT I don't like using bias binding to finish the neckline (I skipped using it on the armholes though - just serged and turned under).  The fabric is sheer so it'll have to be worn with a cami.

Top #3 Vogue 1282 Donna Karan's crazy pattern made for the fourth time.  I LOVE IT!, and if it wouldn't be too darned crazy I'd make it in EVERY color.  Several people mentioned that they wanted to try this pattern so I wanted to suggest checking out Barbara V's tip on incorporating a BACK DART that will make the back neckline fit better.  It works like a charm.

KNIT TOP FRENZY RESULTS...

...sewing long distance for my daughter using her measurements was a bit scary.  I love to sew, but don't like to waste my time - like every sewist I want to end up with a good well constructed garment.  Of course the bottom line was I wanted the tops to fit correctly, and I wanted her to like them and want to wear them. I made 5 knit tops altering patterns from my stash because we  have different measurements and body shapes.  I "guessed" at the alterations but I think all in all things turned out very well.  I was happy when she sent me pictures this afternoon.  Her smile let me know that she likes my work.

This makes me want to sew for her more.  Since three of the patterns used have style variations I will be able to use the already altered pattern pieces confidently to create different designs.  This was also a great stashbusting project.  (She dared me to post these pictures on Facebook or Instagram but gave me full permission to use them on my blog.  Even threatened to contact MY lawyer if I didn't obey ) - get your own lawyer bossy girl!  Love my one and only, she's my very best project evah...

SEWING LIFE...

...Happy May ya'll!  In preparation of my next project I performed a little sewing room maintenance this morning.  The cutting table only contains "LEGAL" sewing related stuff (which is a miracle).  I even did a much needed 409 wipe down of my white sewing table.  It surprises me how cruddy my sewing table can become - so much dust and thread remnants.

Finished another top for my daughter last night.

Burda 7340

 

Pleated side seam ruching

Tired and work week weary I made a trip to Hancock's yesterday.  What does it take to re-energize a sewer?  Show her some great knit that is REALLY on sale!  Regular $7.99 on sale for $2.99 (96% poly 4% spandex - in glorious spring colors).  I definitely think I can work with these cuts.

The piece that shows up brown is actually an army green.  I LOVE that color!

Please don't tell my budget that I made this purchase; but I simply COULD NOT pass this opportunity up...

SEWING LIFE...

...thank God for leftovers!  It means that I don't have to cook which makes it possible for me to have a little sewing session before turning in for the night. 

Black ITY knit and Burda 7340.  Solid black ITY or jersey knit is a rarity in my neck of the woods.  I would have bought the entire bolt if my budget hadn't been protesting so loudly while I was in the store this afternoon.  And so the KNIT TOP FRENZY continues...

SEWING LIFE...

...the making of a MINI weeknight sewing session

Long ago stashed pretty fabric

, and

A good cup of coffee

 

 

A great combination...

KNIT TOP FRENZY CONTINUES...

...I finished the last top for my baby girl and was able to get a couple of easy Butterick 6065's made for myself as well

NewLook 6648 Dolman Sleeved top

Butterick 6065 Tank Tops for me

All went well so I'm calling this a weekend of sewing success.  Hope that it was the same for you...

GOAL MET - PROJECTS FINISHED...

...it's been an awful long time since I've been motivated enough to spend the ENTIRE weekend sewing.  I literally had to tear my self from the sewing room last evening.  I made these three  knit tops for my daughter.

Simplicity 1916 and Vogue 8881

Butterick 6065

 

I love the Butterick 6065 tank; what's not to love - great fit, cute design, 3 easy pattern pieces. I made this pattern once before for myself but now I want another one for me from this fabric.  After making both tanks there will still enough fabric left for another project.  Might as well use ever drop of this long stashed jersey knit purchased on one of my NYC trips at Metro Textiles a few years ago.

I was even able to squeeze in a fourth top during my KNIT TOP FRENZY for my sweetie but it needs just a little more work before I can actually call it done.  I'll tell you - weekend sewing is truly PRICELESS!!!