One By One

The Designs

After tinkering and playing with the designs, I finally made a decision and went with it:

   Back and front views.

I started and finished one sleeve, but ran out of stabilizer, darn it! So, until I can get to Joann's, the other sleeve is just going to have to wait, double darn!

So far I am very happy with the design and the placement. I'm just a tad off on placement with one of the pieces, but I'm not going to tell you where because it is hardly noticeable :)

And I lovelovelove the new machine! The embroidery is a breeze and it looks so professional. I am *really* excited about this project - oh gosh, I really need to find time to get more stabilizer so I can finish this one up to wear!!

Wool Felt Jacket

I just had to come up with a new sewing project that would allow me to put the new sewing machine to the test! Something that would allow for pretty easy sewing construction put still give the opportunity for embroidery embellishment.

I have been eyeing a few jacket patterns, and decided one with simple lines in perhaps a wool fabric would be perfect.

Please welcome New Look 6516!

I'm working on View C - getting rid of the trim application and piecing together an embroidery design instead. I am using grey wool felt for the shell and white cotton for the lining. I have also purchased a decorative hook and eye that I have yet to decide if I am going to use or not, I think it will depend on how it matches with the embroidery design.

Anyhoo, here is my progress thus far, front and back views without sleeves attached:   

 

It was necessary to sew the front pieces together and the back pieces together because I want to do an embroidery design that traverses those seam lines. I pin-basted the side and shoulder seams to make sure the fit was good before committing to the task of embroidering.

And it fits! I hope to get the embroidery completed tonight... details tomorrow!

Double Drop Leaf Necklace

I was soooo close to being done when I ran out of beads!

Gasp - the horror!

I guess there is no guarantee that there will be enough beads in the kit to complete the optional tie finishes. So, I contacted Earthfaire and ordered more beads.

I received the beads in question over the weekend, and did the final finishing last night. Here are the front and back tie views:

   

The necklace is pretty heavy, but there are a lot of beads. It turned out beautifully.

Pattern: Double Drop Leaf Necklace, purchased as a kit from Earthfaire.

Yarn: A metallic copper thread that came with the kit. As far as the bead go, I picked the copper leaves and asked Earthfaire to coordinate the rest of the beads.

Needles: Innox US00, Double Pointed.

Alterations: None.

Impressions: Minus the wait time to get the additional beads, this was a really quick knit. The most tedious portion was stringing the beads. It did get heavy on the wrists towards the end and a bit awkward to bind-off - but it was worth it - instant gratification and it's pretty. I'm even considering playing with more beads :)

The Wrap is done...

Another dress is done!

Pattern: New Look 6349, View A - Long sleeve with flounces.

Fabric: Five yards of "quilting" cotton fabric, $2.99/yard and I used a 50% off coupon.

Alterations: A couple alterations, but all simple ones -

Instead of the standard hems called for on the flounces and the bottom I used the serger for rolled hems. What can I say - I like the look of rolled hems :)

I top-stitched the ties. This was not called for in the pattern, but I think it adds a bit more crispness and stability to the ties.

I altered the seam allowances on the back and on the sides since I took a leap and constructed a smaller size than I probably would normally. The ease in what I would consider "my size" was a bit excessive in my opinion. So, I used a 3/8" seam for back seam and 1/2" seams for sides and the fit is great!

I was having a problem with the front facings getting all wonky while walking and wearing. Out came the Steam-a-Seam! I fused the facings edges to the front pieces and that took care of that!

Cost:  Main fabric - $7.48. Interfacing (2 yds @ $0.99/yd) - $1.98. New Look Pattern - $3.99. Both the thread and the steam-a-seam came from the stash. Total - $13.45!

Impressions: I really like this wrap dress, it comfortable and has easy care. BUT - I do think the accessories make or break the outfit. Without them the dress seems a bit too much "Little House on the Prairie" for me. It could also be the fabric choice - maybe a non-cotton fabric with a lighter weight would give this dress a completely different look. The most daunting task of the project was the cutting... the pattern pieces were soooo long. Other than that, the pattern directions were clear and the dress came together easily.

Strike a pose!

I am so lucky...

What is this??

Could it be??

Is it really mine??

You betcha!

My brand-spankin'-new Husqvarna Viking Designer I USB!!

I am one lucky gal - I have such a fantastically supportive husband that participated (and encouraged) in the scrapin' and in the savin', and such a wonderful Mom that was willing to use her one and only yearly purchase on me! I owe them both such huge, gigantic thank you's!

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

BTW - This machine totally rocks and I'm going to have loads of fun with this baby!

Wrap Dress Progress

New sewing!

I cut the fabric for the New Look 6349 Wrap Dress (long sleeve version) last Friday evening. Boy, was it a bit labor intensive - so much fabric and the pieces were sooOOOoo long. I was sweating it out towards the end - I purchased "quilting" cotton fabric which runs 44" wide and had it cut about a half a yard more than required since on the back of the pattern it called for 45" wide. Boy did I get lucky - I just barely had enough yardage length! 

So far the pattern is pretty straight forward. The sewing is just taking awhile since the seams are sooOOOoo long :)

   

I have not touched it since Sunday. It needs some sleeves... which requires the attachment of the flounces... and a hem. Not too far to go, but things have just been so busy this week I have not had time to sit in front of the machine.... Risotto Risotto! Cooking Class last night, knit night tonight, and then my parents are coming into town Friday for the weekend (which means Thursday is all about the cleaning :)  ) So, maybe I'll be able to wrap it up next week.

UNLESS.... I'm able to get some sewing time in with my mom, because guess what is on it's way as we speak?!?

50%

I've been plugging away at Cozy... really the only knitting project I have been spending time on the last couple of weeks. She is currently 50% done, measuring in at 26":

At this rate, it will be 52" long unblocked. It looks like Cj's grew 15" when she blocked her's, so with any luck mine will be over 65" long when finished - perfect for the recipient!

The pattern for Cozy is pretty mindless, but upon reaching the 50% point I needed more stimulation, and beads seemed to do the trick:

This is the Double Drop Necklace kit that I purchased from Earth Faire last week. Talk about a speedy knit! Including stringing all 1800+ beads, I have spent about seven hours on this baby, and the knitting is officially done. I'm a little stuck on the casting off / finishing directions, but perhaps I'm just over-thinking it (no, not me!). I could not find any errata or clearer direction, so I might just give it a whirl - and if it is wrong and the whole thing comes apart, that's okay - I only spent seven hours on it, right?

And the Duro is Done!

I'm so excited that I finished my duro dress!!

   

Pattern: New Look 6615, View E

Fabric: The main fabric required three yards and was on the clearance rack at Joann's for $4/yd, with an additional 60% off. The one and a half yards of the contrasting trim fabric was also purchased at Joann's for $6.99/yd. Both fabrics are in what I consider the "slinky" family.

Alterations: I ended up not putting in a side zipper. I basted the side seams and tried it on to determine if I really needed one to aid in putting the dress on. I didn't need it, so I didn't put it in.

The facings for the contrasting collar, waistband and arm bands required stitching "in the ditch". Since I have yet to practice this technique on non-slippery fabric, I decided to use steam-a-seam fusible webbing. It did the trick.

The collar on the neck went just a little too deep for my tastes - and I did not discover the problem until after it was all sewn/steam-a-seam'd in. So, I whip stitched the v neck opening closed for about an inch from the bottom. I am happy with the result, and you can't even tell that I had to do it. When I make the dress again, I will take keep this alteration in mind.

Cost:  Main fabric - $4.80. Contrasting fabric - $10.49. Thread, two spools at $1.59 each - $3.18. New Look Pattern - $3.99. Both the interfacing and the steam-a-seam came from the stash. Total - $22.46!

Impressions: This dress offered me a new challege - sewing with slinky / slippery fabric. I definitely feel more comfortable using these kinds of fabrics now... it just takes a lot of pinning for me. But the results are worth it.

I purchased more fabric over the weekend for an additional duro dress - I think it will be perfect for my company's holiday party in December. With everything else on my plate, we'll see if I'm able to get it completed in time.

Oh, and let's not forget the model shot!!

October Goals

September Goals:

1. Make progress on Cozy, SKB and the mohair jacket. 2/3rd's done - I've worked on Cozy, and I finished SKB!

2. Sew either a dress, a skirt or pants of my choice. Done! In fact, I sewed a complete outfit.

3. Sew a handbag. Done! And it even has a matching skirt!

4. If I finish Cozy, start a new shawl - probably the Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style or Swallowtail from Fall's IK. I did make progress on cozy, but I did not finish it, so I did not start a new shawl.

5. If I finish the SKB or the mohair jacket, start a new project - probably Gatsby Girl from Fall's IK or the Phildar green cable cardigan. Done! I started Gatsby Girl.

6. Sew an apron from a vintage tablecloth. Not done - I stalked some vintage tablecloths on Ebay, but was out-bid on more than one occasion.

7. If the weather stays cool - pick up and finish the second sleeve to Homme #77 and block the pieces. Done! And I seamed the shoulders and knit up the neckband.

8. Research yarn options for the AV crochet wrap top. Not done.

9. Start new socks using recently acquired cashmere yarn from Threaded Bliss during my Nashville trip - pattern to be determined. Not done, but I did decide on a pattern - Embossed Leaves from IK Winter 2005.

Bonus: I started a Duro Dress

October Goals:

1. Make progress on Gatsby Girl.

2. Finish Cozy, and start Lace Leaf Shawl using a recent purchase from Elann.

3. Make progress on the Drop's Mohair Jacket.

4. Seam sleeves and sides of Homme #77. I'm not making any promises about the zippers!

5. Finish the Duro Dress.

6. Sew either another dress, skirt, or top of my choice.

7. Sew some football-watching pj pants for DH.

8. Start Embossed Leaves socks, finish one sock.

9. Stalk Ebay for a vintage tablecloth. If I win, I will make an apron.

Girlie Sewing Day!

Erika came down on Saturday morning.... for the specific intention of having an all day sewing day... and an all day, fun filled, fantatic sewing day we had!

The set up in my crafty room:

And in the living room:

Erika worked on Amy Butler's Covington bag, which required a glass of wine towards the end:

And I worked on an elastic-band, rolled hem serger skirt, something a bit more "fall-ish" to add to the wardrobe:

I had the skirt done in a little over an hour, and Erika loved it (aka - iwantonetoo). So we gave ourselves a quick break, and ran over to Rosie's Calico Cupboard to pick up cottonish fabric for her serger skirt:

That's me, working away on her skirt :) (The fabric she chose was really cute - I'll post a picture of the finished skirt when she sends it my way...) ETA - Here it is!

So, the second skirt was done is about an hour, so it was time to whip up a bag to match my new skirt! You've seen me complete one before, and it was actually Erika's idea to use the same pattern, Simplicity 4535 View C:

And the entire outfit (I didn't make the sweater!):

So Cute! I'm thinking I need to pick up an off-white/tan twin-set - that would make it perfect for work.

The rundown:

Pattern: Skirt - Simplicity 5505, Handbag - Simplicity 4535

Fabric: 1-7/8 yards of cotton from Joann's, $3.99 for the first yard and $1.75 for the 7/8ths (it was considered a remnant!) ($5.74). The lining and ribbon for the hand bag were in the "scraps" stash.

Alterations: I used the serger to make the side seams, put in the elastic and complete the rolled hem. I used the sewing machine for the top-stitching and final elastic casing.

Cost: Just the fabric - $5.74 - total, for both the skirt and the hand bag!!

Impressions: This is my tried-and-try cotton serger skirt, and I've made the hand bag before - love them both! Will most definitely make again :)

BTW - The Duro is still hanging out. I'm at the point of zipper installation, so I decided to take a break from it on Saturday. It should be done soon enough :)