Christmas Sewing....

I try to make a few things every year for Christmas.  This year it was just for my immediate family.  Here are the results:

This was actually a request from my son.  There are two identical shopping bags.  This is a cute potato chips print that I found in the stash.  I used the grocery bag pattern from Creative Thimble.  This is the fourth set of these bags that I have made.  The hardest part of these bags is the cutting out.

Yeah, I know this doesn't look like much but it is a bag to put potatoes in.  As I'm sure you know, it is best to keep potatoes in the dark.  The last time I was at my son's apartment, he had them sitting out on a shelf in the open.

Another simple bag.  This is a linen bag made for bread.  My husband enjoys baking bread so I thought I would make a variety of bread bags.  Unfortunately, this one is the only one that was finished before Christmas.  I'll try to remember pictures later. 

By the way if you haven't worked with 100% linen, it is an absolute delight to work with.

Hope you seasonal sewing brought you joy!

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Striped Top

This top is really a sweater but I love this styling:

This is the Eileen Fisher Chenille Striped Tunic Sweater.  Price tag:  $278.00.  If you hop over to the Neiman Marcus website and look this up you will find the entire outfit.  There is also a silk camisole.  Price tag: $98.00.  We can't forget the leggings. Price tag: $98.00.

To recreate the outfit, you could use the following patterns:

This is the V Neck Tunic by Loes Hinse Designs.  This pattern would give you the general look.  It is a bit more fitted.

This is the 4-way Tank Top pattern by Silhouette Patterns.  This pattern will require fitting but once it's done you make as many changes as you like.  Remember style lines are easy to change.

This is Angel's Handbag & Leggings pattern by Silhouette Patterns.

I'm going to take a short break from the inspiration posts over the holidays.  See you in the new year.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Thud...

The was the sound of packages of fabric hitting the porch this past weekend.  I have done fairly well not ordering fabric this year but I couldn't resist these fabrics:

This is a lovely honeycomb double knit from Fabric Mart.  I'm hoping to make the 5th Avenue Cape pattern by Silhouettes. 

This is a black broken pattern ponte roma from Stylish Fabrics on Etsy.  I'm hoping to make Janie's Jacket pattern by Silhouettes.  I still need to do a muslin and purchase lining for this.

This is a speckled sweater knit from Fabulace on Etsy.  I'm hoping to make a V Neck Tunic pattern by Loes Hinse Design.

This is a ribbed jersey knit from Fabulace on Etsy.  I'm hoping to make T-shirt of some sort.  Pattern not selected yet.

One last item:

This is a mid weight linen from Fabrics Store.  Part of this is intended as a gift.   It was a special offer to get 2-yards at a discounted price.  This will be the first time that I have worked with 100% linen.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Shift Dress

Dresses can be a quick easy way to get dressed everyday.  Here's a shift dress that certainly fits that bill:

This is Lafayette 148 New York Thoren Shift Dress with Knit Trim.  Price Tag:  $498.00.  It is made from a viscose/nylon/spandex stretch crepe.  You can see more details on the Neiman Marcus website.  In looking at the fit of this dress on the model, it could really benefit from additional darting. 

When I saw this dress, I immediate thought of this pattern:

This is Indygo Junction Shift Dress IJ1151E. It doesn't have sleeves but it's a good representative of this style.  It is possible that you could draft the sleeve.

This pattern has the sleeves and general idea but would need more alterations:

This is Butterick 6473.  With this pattern you would get the neckline with the sleeves but the portion above the waist would need to be lengthened. 

Hope you inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Mystery Quilt Sew-Along...Block 16 & 17, 2 Rows, and Drum Roll....

I'm all caught up with the blocks for the mystery quilt.

Block 16

Block 17

Row 6

Row 7

Finished scrapped quilt top.  Does it feel like Christmas?

Now, I just need to get the backing prepped, decide on the batting type, and getting the binding ready.

What do you think?  The only block I'm not sure about is the cup.  I may go back and out line it so it will pop a little bit.  I should have gone with my instinct and made a dark red cup.  I'll post another picture once it has been quilted and bound.

Have you finished your Mystery Quilt?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Leather Jacket

I really like leather jackets and I have found a beautiful one today.  Check it out:

What's not to love?  The color is fantastic and it's asymmetric.  This is the Lafayette 148 New York Mary-Kate Weightless Glazed Lambskin Leather Jacket.  Price tag: $1198.00.  If you want a closer look, check it out at Neiman Marcus.

Here's a similar pattern:

This is Silhouette Patterns #914.  The details are very close on this one.

So how do you feel about sewing your own leather jacket?  Have you already gone down this path?  I'm a little nervous about sewing leather but I really should get over it.   With this type of sewing you really can save money.

Hope your inspired to sew something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Cute Gift Idea...

I love looking for cute little gift ideas and I found one this morning.  Here it is:

This is Indygo Junction IJ1146 Origami Pouch pattern.  How cute is this little bag?  It's perfect for the times when you don't want to carry a large bag with you.  For all those beautiful fat quarters that you've been stashing, this is a perfect use.  You can make it really special using beads on the draw strings.  Maybe you have a stash of those, as well. 

Here's a link to an Indygo Junction video featuring this pattern - Origami Pouch review.

Here's a little extra - Folded Fabric Stars.  It's another video but you'll be using up some of your smaller pieces of fabric.  This would make a wonderful decoration for packages.

Happy Stitching!
(This post contains an affiliate link.  I will get a small commission if you purchase at no cost to you.)

Mystery Quilt Sew-Along...Block 13, 14, 15 + Rows

I'm still moving right along.  I'm amazed at how long it takes to figure out the colors for each block.  I know that that the little stash that I have is slowly decreasing but I think I can make a few more scrappy quilts.

Block 13

Block 14

Block 15

Row 5

Rows 1 through 4 sewn together.

There is one more row and this quilt top will be ready.  I need to get figure out how much fabric is needed to be the backing.

How's your mystery quilt coming along?

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Velvet Dress

Velvets seem to be really big this year.  Here's a beautiful dress:

This is the Eileen Fisher Mock-Neck Short-Sleeved Tie-Back Velvet Shift Dress.  Price tag:  $328.00.  This dress is made from a rayon/silk velvet. 

If I were making this, it would be with a stretch velvet and I would use a T-Shirt pattern that had already been fitted and create a mock turtle neck on it.  This type of style change is pretty easy to do.  Just widen the neckband to the desire width.

I've been working on fitting this pattern:

I'm almost finished with fitting.  Maybe one more muslin which hopefully would become a wearable muslin.  By the way, this is Silhouettes #195.   Use your favorite t-shirt pattern, lengthen to the length that you want, add a mock turtle-neck.  Now, you have a fun, fun little dress.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Are You Looking For Bargains?

I've been looking for bargains this weekend and I found one that I thought I would share.  SewingMachinesPlus has a clearance page that has a variety of threads on it.  There is also a coupon code available for additional 30% off.    Go check out the bargains here.  You know there is more than thread on the clearance page.  So check it out with one of the two provided links or there is a link on the right side toward the bottom.

Happy Stitching!
(The provided links are affiliate links.  I will get a small commission at no additional costs to you.)

Inspiration...Over-sized Coat

I really like a coat that is big enough to go over your winter clothes.  This does just that.

Now, I really like the look of this coat and could probably even handle the fact that is is pink but this coat is far outside my comfort zone.  This is the Filipo Long Two-Buttoned Cashmere-Wool Coat by Isabel Marant.  Price tag:  $1310.00.  Aren't you glad you can sew?

As for the pattern, I could only find pattern that was similar.  This one:

This is the Marcelle Jacket pattern by Republique du Chiffon.  Although this is a French company, you can purchase some patterns in English. The lapel is a little different but I think that is okay.  Changes would be leave off the lower buttons and change the patch pockets to welt pockets with a flap.  Easy-peasy.

Hope you inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Special Deals...

Craftsy is having some great deals on their products.  Check them out!

1.  Craftsy is having a one day only sale on the Great Courses and Start Up Classes.  That's up to 85% off.

2.  BluPrint for $1 for one month.  If you sign up for a subscription, you will get 50% off Craftsy purchases through the end of the year.

You can also click on the links at the right.

Happy Stitching!

(Please note that these are affiliate links.  I will get a small commission if anything is purchased at no cost to you.  Thank you!)

Inspiration...Coat

There isn't anything better than a coat that you can wear your warm clothes under.  It seems like a long time since I seen a coat that fit properly (obviously, my opinion).  For several years, I've had to purchase larger coats by 2 or 3 sizes just so I could get a long sleeved in the sleeve.  Okay, I'll admit my arms are a bit chunky.  Here's the coat that I've found:

This is the Plaid Wool Blend Coat by Polo Raphen Lauren.  Price tag: $698.00.  This is perfect for the season with the muted glen plaid in grays.

Here's a pattern that could work:

This is Simplicity 8797.  It is described as a loose fitting coat which pretty much is the inspiration coat. 

Hope your inspired to sew.

Happy Stitching!

Mystery Quilt Sew-Along...More Blocks and Rows

I'm working hard to get caught up. Here's a little more progress:

Block 11

Block 12

Row 4

Rows 1-3 sewn together.  Yippee! It's starting to look a little more like a quilt.  I think the connecting block really stand out.  I feels good to be close to catching up!  Just two blocks left and I will be catch up.

How are you doing on the Mystery Quilt?

Happy Stitching

Inspiration...Knit Boucle Vest

Here's a lovely knee-length vest:

This would definitely be a fun extra in the wardrobe.  This is the Soft Boucle Knit Vest w/Patch Pockets & Chain Trim from St Johns Collection.  Price tag:  $1495.00.  To check it out closer go to Neiman Marcus.  This is a knee length vest with patch pockets and trim.  Note that the trim looks like the selvage so you would want to make sure that the desired fabric had a nice selvage.

As far as the pattern goes, any unlined jacket pattern with the correct features should be good.  It would be even better if it was already fitted.  If that doesn't sound good, this pattern would work:

The lapel is missing but you would still end up with a nice sweater vest.  This is the Sweater Coat by Loes Hinse Design.  One of the views has patch pockets. 

Here's one more:

 This is McCall's 7476.  This pattern gives the vest with a slightly different silhouette with the shawl collar and dropped shoulders but it would still be good.

Hope your inspired to make something beautiful.

Happy Sewing!

Inspiration...Knit Dress

How do you feel about knit dresses?  Love them, hate them, somewhere in-between?  I found this lovely little number at Neiman Marcus:

This is the St John Collection Short-Sleeved Herringbone Knit Dress.  Price tag:  $1295.00.  Isn't that a heaping amount of money for a knit dress?  No doubt the fabric is fabulous. I love everything about this except the call to the hips by the pockets.  I love pockets in a dress so I would probably figure out a way to have pockets just not the detail that the pockets on this dress has.

I do occasionally see a herringbone knit.  I have never purchased this type of knit but I may well in the future if the color is right.  I did an inspiration post on long-sleeved t-shirts in August. There are a couple of t-shirt patterns mentioned in that post.  If you have a well fitting t-shirt pattern already, that is the way to go and just add some length and the details. Here's an actual t-shirt dress pattern:

This is the Classic T-Shirt Dress pattern by Pamela's Patterns.  This pattern may not be for all but it comes with a ton of options.  I would have to guess that the New Necklines and Sleeves Options pattern would also work with this.  Of course, it you already have the The Perfect T-Shirt pattern by Pamela's Patterns then you can use that pattern. 

Hope your inspired to make something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Mystery Quilt Sew-Along...2 Blocks and more!

I have fallen behind on the mystery quilt but I'm trying really hard to get caught up.  Here's the latest:

This is Block 9 of the mystery quilt.

This is Block 10 of the mystery quilt.

Row 3.

Real progress is starting. Row 1 and Row 2 sewn together.

Hopefully, I can get caught up soon.  I'm not sure at this point how far behind I am.  I haven't checked the blocks in a couple of weeks.

How are you doing on the sew-along?

Happy Stitching!

Cotton...

We just got back from a short road trip.  We spent a few days traveling along the Mississippi.  In all the time that I traveled between Pennsylvania and Arkansas, I never saw the cotton fields ready for harvest.  This trip I saw many field ready to be harvested (I hope) through Tennessee and Mississippi.  Here's a little glimpse taken in the Delta area in Mississippi:

This field is ready to pick.  I saw many many fields that looked like this along the back roads of  Tennessee but I didn't see any thing in the state that indicated it was being harvested. 

Here's a bale of cotton.  You can see the field in the background and the differences between picked and not picked (picture above).  For a little perspective, my husband is 6'2" and this bale was taller than him.  A bale of cotton weights just a little under 500 lbs.

Many bales close to the road.

Many bales off in the distance.  There were areas where the bales were lined up for miles.  Many of the bales were sitting in water and I wondered how that affected the quality of the cotton.  There were actually two types of bales:  the round one as seen in the pictures above and a rectangular one that I missed taking a picture of.

So, seeing all the cotton sent me down the path of what types of cotton is grown in the United States.  The answer was there are two types:  American Upland and Pima.   Most likely the pictures above is American Upland. 

I found a website that explains a little bit about the types of cotton - PimaCott. 

Although cotton is grown all over the world,  Supima are only grown in the United States.  Check out the Authentic 50 website for more information about the types of cotton. 

This is only a little bit that I found about cotton.  It really is an interesting subject.

I was talking with my Dad who picked cotton as a child in Arkansas and in Arizona about his experiences. He said that the cotton was easier to pick in Arkansas.  I thought that was an interesting comment given that Arkansas is most likely growing Upland Cotton and Arizona is most likely growing a Pima cotton.  I'm sure he was/is completely unaware of the different types.   I need to spend more time with my Dad and listen to his stories about growing up.

Hope you found this interesting!

Happy Stitching!