I'm A Tracer...

...and a Indie Pattern lover too.  Indies are usually not available at $1.99 or even $4.99 as we all know, so I feel the need to trace those that I do purchase.  To facilitate preservation of my precious Indie patterns I started using Swedish Tracing paper years ago after I found out about it.  I love the feel and transparency of the Swedish paper and it can also be stitched up to use as muslins, although I never used it for that purpose, it is an excellent tracing paper.  I usually purchase a small stock of it once a year, but it tends to be quite pricey.

Recently Carol of Carol's Sewing Corner Facebook Group tipped me off about using gift wrapping tissue instead.   The sheets are 19.7" x 26", so two sheets taped together is more than long enough to trace off a pants leg for instance at a fraction of the cost of the Swedish paper (I always had to end up taping the Swedish paper as well). I purchased a 100 sheet package to give it a try.  As you know, gift wrapping supplies are half-priced every where for after Christmas sales which makes the savings even more attractive.  I didn't want to brave Walmart today so I just grabbed a package at the drug store.

Although not as strong, the tissue paper worked very well today...

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS...

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#Decemberbdaysew: Happy Birthday To Me...

...thank God for another year! I've always enjoyed having my birthday just 7 days before Christmas., It has been a very happy birthday indeed, especially since I was able to complete my new top last night.  It always feels good to wear something new on ones birthday.  I went with New Look 6415 again since I had already used the pattern twice before (here and here). 

I chose to work with stretch panne velour again in a different color-way. I went with View C but added long sleeves that I modified just a bit by cutting the bottom of the sleeve in a slight bell shape.

The panne velour provided just the right amount of warmth for this chilly day paired with my Vogue 8859 pants made several months ago.  Now it's time to clean the sewing room again.  I've got far too many loose pattern pieces floating around in here.

What's going on in your sewing world???

#89 Happy Fabulous Friday...

...

I can't even begin to tell you just how happy I am that it's Friday.  I rushed around on a few errands; needed ink for the printer, stopped by my local fist monger, and made a quick trip to the grocer to pick up a few things.  There's a cold, misty rain coming down, and I do not want to venture out at all tomorrow.

Today's the day that I get to corral all the sewing thoughts of the week - there are so many of them floating in my head.  Let's see just what I'm able to produce this weekend...

88 #Decemberbdaysew - PJ's For Me...

...early last week I mentioned that I really need several pairs of new PJ's.  I chose my patterns and my fabric and set out to make this simple project happen.  In the meantime, I changed my mind about the original pattern choices - which is quite natural for me. This is what I came up with:

The Kwik Sew pattern is an oldie but goodie, but I've made it several times before from the turtleneck view.  I actually hacked the upper sleeve and the neckband from an old tee shirt I never wear to add a little bit of contrast to the top and to match the gray stripe.  I chose the pant because of the slim leg width and the pockets (like I need pockets in bed). I miraculously ended up with stripes that match even though I cut the fabric double.

I really need a couple more pair, but I'll try to sneak them later...

87 #Decemberbdaysew - Never Enough Time...

...I intermittently think about sewing all day long - what I'm going to sew and how much I can get accomplished when I get home - Yeah right!  And then when the clock does strike time to go home, there's always one or two errands to run that seem to alter all my sewing plans.  Today it was State Election Runoff, egad somebody had better win this time!

I've been watching lots of people making pj's for their entire family, what a nice Christmas tradition.  Decent PJ's are something I always seem to be in desperate need of but never take the time to make.  Today I decided to make a quick pair as part of my #Decemberbdaysew Celebration.

They won't be the tailored type that I'd really like, but I think they'll be sort of cute.  I'll be using this recently donated knit fabric

and combining these two patterns.

Burda 6630 Ragland tee rather than buying another popular Independent Ragland pattern that I'm in love with, and

Butterick 6296 pants even though it's a woven pattern, I'll go down a size for my knit fabric

Now to see how far I can get in sewing these up this week...

86 #Decemberbdaysew...

...they saved the best for last - December! There is ALWAYS so very much going on in December:

• my Mother's birthday (Gift mailed on Tuesday - determined to be on time this year)
• the end of the semester
• (TaDa) my birthday!
• Winter Solstice 
• Christmas, and
• New Years Eve

can I cram anything else into this very busy month? - why of course I can!  I've teamed up with Denise Thompson of Sewlimitless.com & @sewlimitless on Instagram
 to doing some selfish birthday sewing (Denise's birthday 12/16 and mine on 12/18).  We'll be posting using #Decemberbdaysew so please check us out during the course of the month.
 
Today I'm posting New Look 6415, View D sweater that I started in November.

 I had originally intended on making View B - but in my haste cut View D instead. NOTE TO SELF:  Slow Down!  I discovered my mishap while looking at the top on the dressform - the point should have been on the side, not in the middle - I DON'T LIKE POINTS IN THE CENTER!!! - Oh well, I cut those points off and the rest is history shall we say.  I needed something red in my closet.  I sized up  because I thought this fabric lent itself to being a bit oversized.

What does sewing look like for you this month???

I sized up  because I thought this fabric lent itself to being a bit oversized.

#BLC 2018 - Day 30: Done.And Done.....

...another 30 days of showing my blog some love, connecting with my community, exercising my mind and my writing muscle.  #BlogLikeCrazy is quite a challenge!  Was posting every day easy?  Yes and No.  The first 15 days or so were easy.  Initially I kept at least 3 posts in queue, but then life happened.  Interruptions, lack of ideas and extended work schedules knocked me off track a little during the later part of the month.  But with determination and  help from those who watched and cheered me on, 30 posts were logged this month. 

A big  THANK YOU  to those who stopped in to read, those who commented, and those who wrote guest  posts to help me meet my challenge quota this mongh!  You are very much appreciated!  I hope that my content was enjoyable, interesting and hopefully helpful to you in some way.  You are the best!  Thanks to Javacia Harris Bowser of See Jane Write.bham who calls me out of my comfort zone by sponsoring this challenge every year. 

So I bid you adieu until December (which by the way is only 15 minutes away)...

#BLC 2018 - Day 29: Sew What You Know......

...

I mentioned last night that I would be using NewLook 6415 because I had had recent success with it using a stretch Panne Velour.  I had never used this fabric before so I was a little timid.  But after figuring my fit (size, particularly through the neck, shoulders and bust) this top turned out really good.  The only thing I'd really change the second one is lowering the neckline just a bit.

 I pre-treated the fabric last night and had all intentions of cutting but ran out of time.

I did manage to cut tonight, but no actual sewing took place.  Well, after all tomorrow is another day...

#BLC 2018 - Day 28: Reviving SEWJO - Sew What You Know...

...yesterday I wrote about Claire Kennedy's recent post on retrieving your "Sewjo" - should it go missing in action.  In order to get sewing motivation moving again, one of the things she suggests is making a quick TNT pattern.  Something you've successfully made before.  A pattern that has already been fitted, you've worked out all the kinks and love wearing.

Comments on yesterday's post revealed that other sewists also use the TNT method to ignite their sewing passions again.  For my next project I'll be doing the same - sewing what I know.  I had relevant success a couple of weeks ago with New Look 6415.  I've already worn it twice which means I really like it a lot.   Other people like it as well.

I'll be making View D with long sleeves rather than 3/4 length sleeves again, in this red variegated sweater knit (Hancock stash).

I'm cutting tonight so hopefully this top/sweater it will be completed before the weekend, so stay tuned.

 

I am very interested in knowing what TNT pattern you use to coax you Sewjo back home - do tell...

#BLC 2018 - Day 27: LOST YOUR SEWJO? WANT TO GET IT BACK???

... every since I started sewing again (circa 2006), I've heard sewists ask the age old question, "What Happened to my Sewjo?"!  Returning to my passion for sewing after being away from it for so many years, I just couldn't imagine not wanting to sew! - until it happened to me!  Thereafter I'd lose my sewing motivation at least once a year - usually after returning from a vacation away from home.

I hated those times! And then it seemed to start happening more and more; at least two or three times a year.  In it's absence I was lonely and miserable, and would have tried almost anything legal and moral to get it back.

I tried forcing it back, but the results were not always successful.  I worried about it like a woman with a lost child.  Some people even suggested "just relax and take a break from it".  But I really didn't care for that solution at all.   What's a sewist to do?

Last night I read a post at SewingArtistry.com written by its author Claire Kennedy.  Her post explained in full detail:

• what Sewjo actually is
• what happens to Ms. Sewjo
• why (she) up and leaves
• what coaxes her back, and 
• how to convince her to  stay!  

Claire Kennedy is an excellent writer, sewist and teacher.  I highly suggest paying her a visit soon at the SewingArtistry.com to learn more about nurturing your Sewjo and many other interesting things...