More fabric for the stash...

...really I couldn't help myself.  I'm always going over and looking over the fabrics at fabric.com.  Generally, I just day dream about what I could make out of them.  However, today I purchased.  Here are two of the three fabrics I bought:

This is a called Curved Stripes Black and White.  I'm hoping that this jersey turns out to be nice.  I think it will make a nice dress.  The third fabric that I purchased was a white jersey for a lining of this fabric.  I hope it works out.

This is a Black/White Abstract double knit.  When I first saw it, I thought it would make a nice skirt but then I reconsidered and purchased enough for a jacket.  I hope that I get it made because I really like this fabric.  I also hope that I don't regret not purchasing enough for a skirt.

Tonight, I plan on sewing.  I will be working on another muslin.  Hopefully, third time is the charm.

Happy Stitching!

Kintting, Knitting, Knitting....

Yes, I've been knitting.  We went on a long trip which for me means having lots to do.  Fifteen hours each way is a lot of time on hands.  My husband always has lots of things to listen to but I like keeping busy.  So this trip, I had the Fit 2 Stitch DVDs and knitting.  I took along the knit dishcloth pamphlet I had purchased at a sale in early April:

I made 3 dishclothes.  I know that doesn't seem like much but when you consider that I was knitting while DH was driving down the bumpy old interstate I thought it was pretty good.  I can’t tell you how many times a pot hole would be hit and all the stitches would fly off the needle.  Somehow, I managed to get the stitches back on without losing anything.  I did get a 4^th dishcloth started but it isn't finished yet.  Here are my lovely accomplishments:

I certainly have enjoyed the process of knitting the dishcloths.  I could see with each one my knitting getting a little better.  I still have decided whether or not I prefer the knitted dishcloths to the crocheted dishcloths.  Both allow me to keep busy in the evenings when I’m watching TV.  

I should be getting back to my sewing in the next few days unless gardening calls me away.

Happy Stitching!

FIT 2 STITCH ...

Do you have the opportunity with your local PBS station to see the new Fit 2 Stitch sewing show with Peggy Sagers?  I haven’t seen it on the local station in my area.  However, I ordered the series and finally found the opportunity to sit down and watch it, twice.  These DVDs are stuffed full of information.  Here’s the list of topics:

1.   Bodice and Darts

2.   Skirts for all Ages

3.   The Sleeve

4.   Great Fit

5.   The French Curve

6.   Proportions

7.   Pants

8.   Jeans

9.   Yoga Pants

10. Sewing Styles

11.  Silk Blouses

12.  One Pattern

13.  Sewing Tips

Nice list of topics, don’t you think?  I've enjoyed each of the shows, especially the shows on fitting.  It seems as you age that it’s harder to fit or maybe I didn't notice as much when I was younger.  RTW is very frustrating.  Many times, sewing for yourself is very frustrating.  Anyone else feel like that? I think that it is so much easier to fit someone other than myself.  Yet, I keep trying.

It has been announced that there will be a second season of Fit 2 Stitch.  I have already ordered the second season DVDs and the pattern that goes along with it.  It won’t be available till the fall but it will be something to look forward to in the fall.  If you’re interested in this series, contact your local PBS station and request the show.  Of course, you can just purchase the series like I have done.  It can be found at fit2stitch.com.

Happy Sewing!

Sewing Magazines

What kind of sewing related magazines do you get?  There was a time where I had 7 or 8 sewing magazine subscriptions.  I slowly have let go of my subscriptions till I have two left - Threads and Inspirations.  I have complete sets of both magazines but sadly I'm losing interest in both.  Does anyone share this problem with either one of these magazines?  I'll admit that the Inspirations magazine is just terribly expensive and that is part of the reason that I will not be resubscribing.  Threads, I have more time to consider.  While I'm considering the my current subscriptions, I receive an invitation for a free Burda Style US addition.  I received it the other day.  Here's the cover:

Isn't the dress on the cover cute?  There are a few interesting styles in this issue  I don't think that this will be a magazine that I subscribe to but I may get another issue just to see.  I do hope that I try a couple of the patterns.  If I do find the time, I will share my findings.

It does show that a little over half of the patterns are downloadable.  I did check one of the downloadable patterns and they are for sale not free with the purchase of the magazine.  I wonder how that will go over with the people who purchased a subscription.  Not to say that getting 20 patterns in the issue isn't bad but I seem to remember Burda magazine having 40 or so patterns.

Happy Stitching!

The Annual Fabric Sale

Does your area have an annual fabric/craft sale by the Salvation Army?  The area I live in does.  It is usually packed with all kinds of things - upholstery, all kinds of apparel fabric, quilting fabric, sewing notions and tools, sewing machines, patterns for sewing, patterns for knitting & crotcheting, cross stitch, yarns, etc.  I think you get the idea.  I found the most beautiful old sewing machine in a wooden case.  I was very tempted but really I don't need any more machines nor do I have the space.

I went early thinking the lines would be long and I would be standing in the cold for a long time.  I stopped and got a little cup of coffee and drove over to the park.  When I pulled up, I saw people carrying rolls of fabric.  They opened early.  I didn't get to drink my coffee as there were no lines.  Here's my haul:

Before I went in, I told myself I would not look at the fabric.  As you can see, I found a piece.  I saw it and knew  it would be perfect to try the techniques in the Couture Cardigan Jacket book by Claire Shaeffer.  At least, that is what I keep telling myself.

Items for pressing,  These will be nice additions to the sewing area at work.

 A booklet on knit dishcloths.  How could I pass this up?  I have taken up knitting again and this would be a very nice portable project for times when I'm on the go and waiting at appointments.  Who can resist small practice pieces that are actually usable?  I have enough yarn at home to make 5 dishcloths.  I wonder which ones I will pick.

Rulers.  Who can resist this?  I paid 50 cents for all four pieces.  Some of these will go to work, some will stay home.  I haven't decided yet which will go where.

For some reason, it hit me where all this stuff comes from.  It made me realize that I really need to do something with my own stash of fabric and stuff.  Otherwise, my son will be dumping all of my stuff at the very same place.  He won't see the value in any of it.  So, I guess I need to do something with it.

Happy Sewing!

A Little Crafty....

I was at the Office Supply store the other day and found a little rotary desk organizer.  I thought it would work well for work so I purchased it, and made little pin cushions for it.  Here are the results:

The pink fabric is scraps that were on my sewing table.  The little pin cushion were made by cutting rectangles that were larger than the space.  I did a running stitch about 1/4" from the edge, stuffed them as full as I could, and then pulled the running stitch tight.  These will be really easy to change out the fabric as they are just set into the holders on the tray.  Super easy!  I did underestimate the size of the rotary cutter and it will not fit in the organizer but the scissors, clips, and making pencils will fit just fine.  The cutting table at work already feels a little more organized.

Something like this would most likely work well for the cutting table at home, too.

Happy Stitching!

Cooking....Fajitas

I'm always on the search for recipes that are quick and easy.  I found a winner today with this:

If you like fajitas, I think you will like this recipe.  This is Oven Fajitas from Budget Bytes.  It is a quick, easy, satisfying meal.   I followed the directions with the exception of cranking up the heat to 450 degrees the last 15 minutes. I wanted a little bit more charring on the veggies and the meat than it looked like it was going to do at the 400 degree.  This is much easier than the stove top method or the grill method but it does take a little bit longer to cook.  Although this is specifically written for chicken, I don't see any reason you couldn't substitute beef or fish. I wouldn't cook the fish as long as the veggies.

I'm sharing this because this recipe might just give you a little more time to sew.

Happy Cooking or Sewing!

First Muslin of the Diane Kimono Dress pattern

The first muslin of the Dianne Kimono Dress pattern has been completed.  I made the muslin using the tiered length on the skirt.  So, here it is:

I used a light weight cotton in a very pale yellow and did the stitching in black.  I cut out and followed the pattern directions exactly except I didn't do any facings or drawstrings.  When I saw this picture, I knew that when I tried on the pattern pattern that there was no way it had reached the center back.  It's hard trying to fit yourself.  Obviously, this is too tight.

So, it was off to trace the next size up.  The second muslin should be ready soon.  I hope it is a winner.  As this is a super easy item to stitch together.  I doubt that the stitching took me 30 minutes and that includes the pressing time and pinning the neckline so I could see how open it was.  I'm a very slow at sewing but I will try to note how long it takes me to make the dress.

I did play with the shoulder seams a little bit knowing that I have sloping shoulders but it's really tough to know how much to take out with the style.  Here's a picture with the should seams pinned up a bit:

It could be that there isn't as much wrinkling in the armholes area. How do you know when you have over fit this particular style?  Having those wrinkles are part of the styling otherwise you would have an armhole.  I think I need to remember that this is suppose to be a lose style.

Happy Stitching!