Back in the saddle....

I know I have been MIA for a minute. I have been dealing with life stuff that has kept me away from blogging and sewing. I had a death in the family and was out of town for a week and just plain ol busy in general. I have a few updates to share though.

I met the ladies for tea this weekend at the Mandarin Oriental so I decided to sew me up something to for the occasion.















Fabric used: Brown and pink polka dot cotton.


Complexity of pattern: I used one of my vintage patterns. It was really easy. I think a beginner could handle it with no problem. I did have to do some research on what a placket zipper was. This is a term used on vintage patterns frequently. Basically a lapped zipper is all it is.

How long did it take to complete: 6 hours

Overall Review: I absolutely love how the dress turned out. The pattern was a size 18-36 chest, 30 waist and 39 hips. I could of made it a bit smaller in the waist and hips but it fit good. The darts and pleats in the front really make the dress look nice. It called for shoulder pads but I omitted those. I did the belt a little different as well. I think this dress would be really cute in some gingham fabric so I will put that on my list as tentative.

Mimi ROCKS!!!!

I was fortunate enough to meet one of my top sewing idols this weekend...MIMI GOODWIN!!! She is in DC visiting for the holiday weekend and we met up at G street fabrics in Falls Church. She is just how I expected her to be. Down to earth, friendly and just mad cool. Not to mention she is such a cutie. Jacqui and Nettie came out as well and it was great meeting them. Here are a few pics from out meet up.



Me, Mimi and Jacqui



Mimi checking out some fabric





Mimi's cart of fabric she purchased





Nettie and Jacqui

Oh well...hahahahahaha

I have good news and bad news. The good news is I finished my coat for the vintage pattern contest. The bad news is, I posted my review on the sewing forum ONE minute past midnight so my entry isn't valid. This is the dreaded pm I received from the lady on the contest committee:



Hi queensh,

I'm so sorry that I have disappointing news to tell you. I checked with the Contest Committe, and I'm afraid your review was posted too late to be entered into the Vintage contest. They're extremely strict about the midnight deadline. And even though your review was posted just one minute after midnight, unfortunately it will not be included.

I'm so sorry there was confusion about the deadline. This is understandable, though I did indicate several times that the contest would end at midnight of last night.

Once again, I want to let you know how badly I feel. Your white cotton coat is so chic and elegant, I'm sure it would have been a very popular choice.

Take care,

Nancy------


THAT BITES!!!! hahaha...oh well, teaches my late-doing-stuff tail a lesson I guess.

Here is my review:










Fabric used: Cotton Blend with a subtle flower pattern.


Complexity of pattern: The pattern was a little challenging constructing the collar but I figured it out. I improvised on some of the directions a bit doing the interfacing and facings. The pattern must have come out before fusible interfacing was available because the directions said to sew the facing and the interfacing on to the front of the coat separately. I could not find 2 1/2 inch belting or belt buckle so I had to get creative and I purchased some fake leather belting that was folded on each side and when opened all the way up, it was 3 inches and the silver buckle I found was 3 inches so it worked out great. I also used 3/8 seams to give a little more room because the pattern is a 12. Size 34 bust, 25.5 waist and 36 inch hip. I also did my first Hong Kong finish on the seams. It turned out well I think. I didn't really do a "cuff" for the French cuffs. I like them better the way I have them but I am considering adding the extra button holes to do the cuffs.

How long did it take to complete: 12 hours

Overall Review: I love the look of the coat. Very classy. I doubt if I will sew this one again. This is a type piece that needs to be the one and only.

M.I.A.

Ugh!! I know I haven't done an update this week but I have been diligently working on getting a project done for this sewing contest I entered. As usual, I sat on my duff and waited til the last minute to start the darn thing and it is due tomorrow so I will be slaving tonight and most of tomorrow night to get it done on time. The contest is the Vintage Pattern contest on PatternReview.com. Here is the pattern that I am making. It hasn't been the easiest but I haven't had any major issues and I am so thankful for this (keeping fingers cross). Here is a peek at the pattern I am working on. I will post the complete review when I am done.

Vintage Vogue 8440

I finished my first vintage pattern. It is a halter top that looks as if it is from the 70's or 80's.








Fabric used: Brocade...Brown with Ocean or Spa Blue flower print. I made the view on the far right with the white collar. I added the belt to mine although it wasn't as long as it should of been due to lack of material. This blouse only needed a yard of fabric. Maybe 1 and 1/4. I have been having this fabric for over a year in my stash.

Complexity of pattern: The pattern wasn't difficult at all. I improvised on a few of the directions for simplicity reasons. Their directions for putting in the centered zipper were strange to me so I did it the way I normally would.

How long did it take to complete: 3.5 hours.

Overall Review: I really like this pattern. I think I may make the view shown in white with like the turtle neck top later this summer. The only thing that kinda sucked is the size. Vintage patterns only come in one size per envelope. Current patterns provide 3 or 4 sizes per envelope. This pattern is a size 12 with the measurements 34 bust with a 25 1/2 inch waist line. My bust is 36 and my waist is 27so is was a bit snug...hahaha..my husband was scared he was going to break the zipper zipping me up. I was concerned about what would happened when I sat down but I had no problems. We went to dinner and and it didn't bother me at all. Actually it seemed to loosen up some through out the night. The next one I make will probably be a knit material that has some stretch to it or maybe I will feel like altering the pattern to make it bigger.

McCall 5251/Butterick 4815

First thing first, HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!! I had a good day and I hope everyone had a beautiful day with your loved ones.


I have been working on these 2 patterns it seems like FOREVER!! I could of been done a few days ago but I had other things to tend to this week. I actually finished the vest almost 2 weeks ago but did not complete the pants until today.








Fabric used:Poly/Rayon..black, green and white plaid which I don't know why I like to torture myself sewing plaid cause matching the lines up can be time consuming and start to be a pain after awhile but I think I did pretty good.

Complexity of pattern: Both patterns were pretty easy so I would say Beginner-Beginner Advanced could sew these without any problems. For the pants, I made the view that is shown in the maroon/burgundy looking color and the vest was the view with the brown looking color with the ribbon tied around the waist. I didn't do the ribbon part of it.

How long did it take to complete: The pants took about 3 hours and the vest probably about 10 hours!!(WAAAAAYYYY TOOOOOO LOONNNNGGGGG) LOL!

Overall Review: I like the pants pattern the best of course because it is super easy and they fit great. They have a back centered zipper and darts in the front and back. Now, the vest...it took entirely too long. And having to try and match the plaid lines didn't help. I made the halter view of this pattern a few months ago and it took forever as well so I should of known. The vest fits ok. I made a 12 but a 14 would have been better. I had to place the buttons closer together the make it fit properly. I am not sure when I will actually wear the outfit but it is for work so it could be soon. I think I will wear it with a white tuxedo blouse. I will update the post with a picture of me wearing it at that time. I will probably make the pants again but the vest pattern will be packed away to the archives unless I absolutely have to have a vest for something but I have a couple of other untouched vest patterns that might be more tolerable.

McCall 5705/Misc.

Well I am slowly pulling out of my sewing slump. My daughter's birthday party was Saturday and I decided to whip up something quick and casual for us to play laser tag in. At first her party theme was Littlest Pet Shop so I started making her a cute little vest with some Littlest Pet Shop fabric and then on Friday, I was informed the new theme was Hannah Montana. It was late and I really didn't feel like going through the motions of cutting and sewing another vest all in less than 24 hours so I decided to do something quick and easy and made her a little purse with some Hannah Montana fabric to match the shirt she was wearing. I was feeling kind of springy so I made myself a pink top.

I have a few things in the works to complete by the end of the week. I finally finished a vest I was working on and I am making matching slacks for it. Hopefully I can have them done in the next couple of days and post reviews. Also I am starting to work on one of my vintage patterns. I read through the directions and it doesn't appear that it is going to be difficult but you never know. Here is the review for my pink top:









Fabric used: Some type of knit

Complexity of pattern: Beginner-I made View B

How long did it take to complete: 3 hours

Overall Review: This pattern was easy. The hood part of it was interesting. You have to make sure your seams are neat and even because they show when the hood part is hanging down which is the only way I wore it. I didn't put the elastic in the bottom hem like the direction stated and I made the sleeves a little longer. I can see myself sewing this pattern again. More than likely it will be the sleeveless version without the hood. These style tops go really well with leggings so this can be a real casual outfit for the summer.

I used a New Look pattern for my daughter's purse and I think it took me about 45 minutes to complete. The pattern was geared toward a teenage girl and the purse was bigger so I took a couple of inches off of it to suit her better.