Wardrobe Considerations....Results of First Attempt

I stopped posting about the wardrobe.  Really, it was a good lesson in putting a wearable wardrobe together.  I did purchase a couple more tops/sweaters.  They were in the black/grey family.  Nothing exciting.  I did learn that I do not particular like the knit wrap top that I purchased early on.  Of all the items that I purchased, it has been worn the least.  It could be an issue of the fabric type or a combination of fit plus fabric. The colors are perfect.  Everything else has been wonderful and worn consistently with my existing wardrobe.

I have to admit that I found the wardrobe exercise a little difficult.  I suppose that it felt limiting because of the colors I choose.  I did pick colors that I prefer to wear most of the year.  The only one of those colors I would wear in warm weather is the pink/rose.  The teal would become lighter shade.  The grays and the blacks, I'm not sure I would wear in the spring and summer.  Maybe a very softer shade of gray would work.  We'll see how I move into warm weather next year.  For now, I'm set.

Even though the doctor wants me to lose the weight, it hasn't been happening very fast.  I now have a dietitian helping me.  With the exception of losing the morning snack and adding more calories/protein at breakfast, there hasn't been a lot of diet changes.  I think it is the little changes first routine.

Happy Stitching!

Easy Sewing...

I've done all the hemming that I want to do for a while.  Sewing hems by machine is easy but all the pressing for the hems isn't much fun.  Here are the hemming projects:

The tablecloths were actually finished a couple of weeks ago and they turned out well and help the dining be a little more festive.  It's a shame you can't see the border on the plaid table cloth.  It is very pretty.

A couple of batik scarfs.  Very easy except for all the pressing of the hems.  I'm pleased with the scarfs.

For all the hemming, I used the walking foot on my machine.  This keeps the really long seams and hems from shifting.

Hopefully, I will get to move on to a little more interesting sewing this weekend.  My order from Fabric.com finally arrived some two weeks after it was ordered.  I think that is the slowest delivery I have ever gotten from them.  The sweater knits are a bit thin but the black ribbed one is really nice and I wish I had gotten more of it.

Happy Stitching!

Quickie Costume.....

....or maybe it wasn't so quick.  My son came home from school and announced that he needed a costume for his Spanish class.  My first thought is that should be simple.  That is until he told me who he was suppose to be and that he had to be dressed in character.  Oh, yeah, he is suppose to be dressed like the baseball player Alex Rodriguez.  Well, I knew I wasn't going to shell out for baseball gear.  Here's my take on the required costume:

The hat isn't quite finished yet.  I need to tack down the felt applique.  The white is some white fabric that I found at Michael's.  I was looking for white felt but couldn't locate it.  

The white t-shirt is from Michael's.  I used a navy felt that I had in the stash.  The name and numbers I used my embroidery software for the design.  Additional items for costume which aren't shown is a black long-sleeved t-shirt, a baseball mitt, and a baseball. Although a bat would complete the costume, I don't think the school would appreciate it.

I did use a new product with this project.  It was Fabric Fuse from Therm-O-Web.  It worked really well.  The label states that it is washable, permanent bond that dries clear and is flexible.  I guess we'll find out when the costume is worn how well it works.  I will say that if you get it on you, don't let it dry.

I thought the costume turned out fairly well for a not so quick project.  I think I spent between $10-$15 on it.  Obviously, that doesn't include my time.  I hope the kid gets 100% on his presentation/costume.

Happy Creating!

Knitting Project....

I have two knitting projects going.  The first one is an at-home only project and the second is suppose to be a traveling project.  Today, I'm going to share my traveling project.  Here's a picture:

I enjoy doing cabling but this has a "new-to-me" stitch called the bricoche stitch.  I looked at the instructions and thought this was going to be super simple.  Let's just say that it is much harder than it looks and that I haven't progressed much farther than about row 5. This isn't a pattern that if you make a mistake you can just pull out to the mistake.  Although the scarf is beautiful and reversible, I think this is going to take a little while to complete.  If you're interested in the pattern, it can be found at Ravelry and it is called Janus Scarf (this is a link to the page).  This project may only travel to the monthly knitting club. I don't see being able to handle this pattern while sitting in a car.

I may look for another traveling project that is much easier to do.  I think that I have some balls of cotton yarn and those always work up nice into dish clothes.  Who couldn't use more dish clothes?

Happy Stitching!

New McCalls Patterns for Spring....

I love seeing the new patterns.  I like it even better when I get an email telling that a new collection is available.  The new spring collection is very feminine with many dresses/skirts being very full.  I guess it has a little bit of a 50s vibe.  Although a full skirt is very feminine, I still prefer a slimmer skirt.  Here are my picks:

This is McCall's 7081.  Cute little side-zip dress.  Doesn't it have a lovely full skirt?  I like that is has a sleeveless option and two sleeves to choose from.  In looking at the fabric suggestions, you don't want to use a light weight fabric in this.  I think this would look nice in a solid chambray.

The shirt-dress is still going strong with this fun version M7084.  The stripes really show off the cut of the fabric.  Although the full skirt shown is wonderful, I prefer the slightly straighter skirt.  Specifically, the collar on version A with the sleeves on version B.  Isn't this why we sew?  So, we can change it up to better suit our own style.

I love this top.  It is M7093.  This looks very wearable to me.  View B as shown in the picture is fantastic.  I also think that this style could easily be lengthened into a dress using the View D.  It calls for light to medium weight fabrics.  Oh, I think this one definitely coming home with me at some point.

What are your favorites from the new McCalls patterns?

Happy Sewing!

Shopping, Shopping, Shopping.....

I really should stay away from fabric.com but I go look and sometimes I buy.  Today, was a buy day and I purchased sweater knits.  I hope I like them when they show up.  Here's the fabrics that I indulged in:

Yep, my usual black and gray with a little bit of pink thrown in.  I don't usually purchase stripes but I wanted to make a top with with stripes on the front/back and sleeves with solid black on the sides.  So, we'll see if it turns out.

Happy Stitching!

Cleaning or Sewing...

That is the question.  I knew that attempting to clean and organize the sewing area during the holidays might be a disaster and it has been.  My sewing has come to a complete stop unless I’m at someone else’s house.  My mantel cover hasn’t been finished yet.  In fact, I’m still piecing the ornaments.  I had really wanted it to be finished by the first of December.  Maybe I will find time this week.  This isn’t a project to work on when you’re tired. 

I do have other projects that I wanted to complete for the holidays except they are easy projects.  I have the materials to make three new table clothes.  All they need are hems.  I know the pressing of the hems will take some time but the sewing should be quick and easy.  Surely, I can press hems even if I’m tired in the evenings.  The question that remains is whether is use a walking or a hemming foot.  The seams are very long which tell me that the walking foot might be a better choice but the means the hems need to be completely pressed in rather than just the first turn.  Do you have a preferred method of hemming?  Here are pictures of the fabric I will use to make the table clothes:

I will try to remember to take finished project pictures.

I have been knitting up a storm.  Not really completing anything just knitting and practicing techniques.  Well, I guess I shouldn't say I have been knitting anything because I did start the sweater that I purchased all the materials for.  It was a little difficult picking out the size and I did second guess myself on the size that I choose and almost pulled out all the work I have completed but didn't. The sweater has a lot of new techniques and I’m a bit terrified that I will not be able to accomplish it.  I spent a lot of money on the materials for this so I’m hoping that I’m able to finish the project. 

Happy Stitching!