Sew, What's Up?

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a terrific Mother's Day...whether you are a mom or not! Wow, I've been sew busy (at work) that I haven't been able to get much done in my sewing lair since my last post about Nancy's bag templates. I did manage to finish the bag, but, sorry, I don't like it. I guess it is my own fault for altering the pattern, but I wanted to try making the purse strap adjustable by making it like a belt. I think the strap actually turned out good, but it doesn't "fit" the bag itself. It just doesn't look right on it. I definately like the strap and the hardware. Besides, I got to hammer the eyelets...is there a better way to relieve stress? Well, okay, I can think of some other ways, too!

Besides finishing this "Nancy Z" bag, I also made a top and skirt using some of the fabric I scored during my last Flea Market Friday. I think the outfit turned out super cute and my diva daughter loves it!

May has proven to be a busy month for me. I feel like the month is literally flying by. I have a lot of projects on my to do list and I hope to actually get half of them done. Cyndi at Bluebirdswing is having a busy month as well, but she is having an awesome giveaway on her blog. This month she is giving away some super fabric! I won her April giveaway and scored a terrific purse, wallet, key holder, and journal!

One last thing...even after the halter(s) fiasco, I still haven't totally given up on my quest for my own halter top. Maybe it's because I turned the big 4 0 a few weeks ago and I think wearing a halter somehow makes me younger?? Well, without any more attempts at pychological self-diagnosis or rather, denial, I might try another pattern. I found this one at Cut Out and Keep. It's called a Batwing halter made from a triangle.. check it out at Cut Out and Keep. Seems easy..right?

via Craft Gossip

Angela

Sew, No More Halters!

Okay, I've decided I'm done with halters!  I've finished the Craftstylish "Super Easy" Triangle halter and, while it was pretty easy, I ended up altering the back so much that it is no longer a triangle!  I put elastic around the back after cutting a big chunk out of it.  Anyway, it turned out pretty cute, and I love the cheap fabric I used ($3.00 yd), but it's definitely not for me.  Even though I believe I am a pretty hip and happening hot mama even at 40 (grrr), and I did contemplate cougarness during my birthday last week, I am not leaving my house without a bra!  No, not even to make the Walmart run wearing house shoes and curlers...(kidding).  So, no more halters.  Well, at least the kind that you can't wear a bra with!  If you are brave, and under 40, go ahead and make this top, but I'd suggest cutting the excess fabric off and inserting elastic in the back.  

Am I wise now and accept the fashion rules for women my age or am I just chicken? 

I'm not sure I want an answer to that.  Night night.

Angela

Sewing Box Find

I found this, we'll call it 'vintage,' sewing box during my Flea Market Friday! I'm not sure what sort of wood it is made from, but considering it was only $5.00, I'm sure it isn't mahogany. But, I think it is cool and it is a great addition to my sewing/studio/lair!

This evening I started working on the "super easy triangle halter." I'm sure I measured properly the 36" square from which I cut the triangle, but the bottom of the shirt seems super large. The directions state that in order to secure the bottom around you while you are wearing the halter, you tie the two ends together at your back. At this stage, I've tried to tie the two bottom ends of my triangle together and it seems too big and bulky. I'll see what I can sort out with this tomorrow. For now, I'm off to bed. I've been going on about 3 1/2 hours of sleep in that last two days..this is definitely catching up with me. Hmmm, maybe this might have something to do with my triangle measurements???

Angela

Sew...Another Halter?

Craftstylish Triangle Halter

Thanks to everyone for sending me birthday wishes!  I had a pretty great weekend with my shopping finds on Friday, a great meal out that night, a terrific play Saturday night, and then a surprise birthday party Sunday evening!  Yes, my hubby threw me a surprise party complete with candles, cake, and friends!  Of course there were also plenty of gag gifts including a cane accessorized with a horn, hair dye, and Geritol tablets!  Luckily,  there wasn't a "Lordy, Lordy Look Who's 40" sign anywhere in sight!  I probably would have drawn the line with that.  Anyway, I've accepted that I'm the one who is 40.  It's better than the alternative right?  Think about it.

Sew, what's next?  I've actually started making some graduation presents, but I realized that I can't blog about them since the graduates may be looking.  While I work on those projects in secret, I decided to try making another halter top.  Instead of another one of the Butterick patterns, I am going to try a pattern I found online at Craftstylish. Check out the Super Easy Triangle Halter. "Super easy" hmm?    All I need is 1 yard of fabric, which is cut into a triangle, 1/4 yard of knit fabric for binding, and 1 1/2 yards of ribbon.  The directions seem easy enough.  Of course they all seem easy at first right?  Sew, we'll see.  I'll keep you posted!

Angela

Butterick Pattern Review

I hope everyone likes the new blog format and background.  I'm pretty pleased with the look and I love the vintage photo I found!  I have also added an "email me" button.  I must say I am pretty pleased with myself for figuring that one out!  I guess you could say I am becoming a real Blogger eh?  Please, please send comments or email me and give me some feedback!  I'm really not an expert and actually need all the help/input I can get!  Thanks!

Pattern Review:

I've decided that when I sew a project using a pattern, I will write/post a review on that pattern.  When I started sewing a few years ago, I found most patterns difficult to follow and understand.  Even the patterns described as "Very Easy" were definitely not tres facile for me!  To me, it seems, that most patterns are written for folks that know all the sewing verbiage, etc. and not for crafters like me.  So, I'd like to review the patterns I use and maybe "translate" them into directions that might be better understood.  Sidenote:  In my experience, Sewing For Dummies patterns are still difficult to follow.  Does that make me a dummy?  I don't think so.  I just think that they aren't written well.

 I will review the pattern I will use for my next sewing project, which will be the next halter in the stack of halter patterns I bought a few weeks ago.  I started with Butterick 4800, 6 Sew Easy.  I began with this pattern believing it would be the easiest.  The next top I'm going to sew (try) is Butterick 4685 Fast & Easy.  I'm going to need some notions for this top, including 1 1/4 yards of 1/4" elastic and 1 3/8 yards of 1 1/2" single-edged scalloped lace trim.  I will also need to decide what sort of fabric to use.  My options are lightweight broadcloth, lightweight linen or cotton knits.  I will need 1 7/8 yards of whatever fabric I choose.  Sew, what's next?  A trip to the fabric store!

Angela 

Halter Weather?

Yesterday I wore sandals and a short sleeved shirt out shopping. It was 63 degrees in the sexy city. Today it is below freezing and it continues to snow! You gotta love the Midwest!

I started working on the halter a few days ago. I finished up this morning and, believe it or not, no curse words were spoken during this project! I had some trouble understanding the instructions on how to attach the front to the back at the shoulders, but, with some trial and error (big time), I figured it out and then it made sense. Another first for me, was darts! I've shied away from projects, mostly bags, that have darts. This time, however, I read ( and reread) the section in one of my sewing books (Teach Yourself Visually Sewing) about darts and success: darts where they are supposed to be! Now I just need to figure out how to alter this part of the pattern to make the bosom area a bit bigger. The halter fit, but it was snug in this area...or maybe the darts just need to be lowered a little...the model on the cover of the pattern appears to be a wee bit younger than myself! Ah, gravity!

I've added a few photos of two bags I made using a Simplicity pattern for size and shape, but then added my own spin to them by using bias tape on the pockets. Check them out by clicking on Bias Tape Purses.

Until next time, stay warm! Spring will come, I promise.

Angela

Halter Weather!

It is sunny and nearly 50 degrees in the Midwest! Well, partly sunny...or partly cloudy? Anyway, I hear birds chirping and see a tinge of green in the grass...and that's not the St. Patrick's Day Eve green beer talking. It may be partly sunny and 50 (probably more like 42), but when folks are donning capris and sandals to run to Walmart, that means Spring is just round the corner and that screams summer halter weather is not far behind! In celebration, I took advantage of the recent Butterick pattern sale at JoAnn's and picked up three halter patterns. To be honest, I haven't worn a halter since I was probably 13. That was a long, long time ago. I've decided, however, I've earned the right to wear whatever I want now. I do need to work on my tan though. I mean the wings are one thing, but to be so white I could glow in the dark, well, that's really not a 'good thing.'

I think I will start with the 6 Sew Easy pattern. It seems the simplest. I am a novice here, so there may be some cursing involved. I'll keep you posted.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Angela

A Tutorial....Finally

Well, I wrote a tutorial today about making an adjustable purse strap using fabric slides. I followed Nancy's steps to the letter, except for the length, and the strap turned out great! I'm not sure my how-to explains the process as descriptively as Nancy does in the 12 Easy Sew Bags episode I've watched over and over (and over) again, but I think it comes close. The bag I made (red and khaki plaid) is not from a pattern, although I did use Simplicity pattern #2830 for the size and shape, but the design is my own.
I used this same Simplicity pattern for size and shape for another bag I made this fall. I used bias tape on this bag, which was a first. I really like how it turned out. It is the black and white bag shown above. (I wish I could find a tutorial on how to add photos to posts)

Have a look at the how-to and let me know what you think. I've also added a few project photos of a summer halter top I made out of scrap fabric. I think it turned out really cute. I am definately going to try that one again in an adult size (for me and my tan)!

A.