Lessons in Dressmaking

So, I here is what I have learned from my most recent fashion sewing project:

1. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!
2. EXPERIMENT ON SCRAP FABRIC WHEN MAKING BUTTON HOLES!
3. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!
4. SEW THE GARMENT USING CHEAP FABRIC; IF IT TURNS OUT, USE YOUR FASHION FABRIC!
5. DO NOT CUT THE PATTERN TO THE SIZE YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE!

Did I mention NOT TO CUT THE PATTERN?  I made this mistake when I began cutting out the pattern pieces for See and Sew B5634.  I decided cutting the pattern to the size I thought would fit my oldest daughter would be easier than trying to fold the pieces along the appropriate lines.  Well, it was easier, but in the end, the dress did not fit her!  Too small!  Fortunately, it fit my friend and she modeled it for the photos.

 

You can see in the photo where I violated lesson #2.  The second button is clearly misaligned.  Oops.  What's also obvious is that I paid no heed to lesson #4.  I should have made the dress using cheap fabric first! 

   

I actually learned a lot from this project that helped me make the next dress.  I had never made a collar before!  It was much easier than I expected!  Setting in the sleeves was a bit tricky, but I managed, and I carried this experience into the next dress project.

My daughter's favorite kinds of dresses are shirt dresses and wrap dresses.  I messed up the shirt dress, but I scored with this blue wrap dress.  Actually, I did not intend to use this blue fabric for the actual dress.  This is cheap fabric I used to "practice" the pattern.  My daughter saw the dress, tried it on, and decided she liked the fabric!  Hit!  She wore the dress to work!  If you are interested, this wrap dress pattern is from Sew Simple.  I picked it up at Walmart.  Easy!

So, with all these lessons learned, I'm now ready to attempt the shirt dress again.  This time, I'm going to use McCall's M4769.  I think the fuller skirt will fit my daughter better than the See and Sew pattern.    

I'm using this retro looking fabric for this dress.  I bought this at Quilts and Quilts, my favorite quilt shop  in  Branson, MO.

  

I also bought some "self-ruffling" yarn called, Flounce.  I had never knitted with this sort of yarn before so it was a little weird to get used to, but I managed to follow the directions and make this adorable little scarf!

I'm thinking these little scarves would make great teacher gifts this year!  They are very fast and the stitches are very forgiving!  If anyone is interested in a quick knitting lesson, let me know!  I'll post an easy tutorial!

I also bought a few Jelly Rolls at the quilt shop!  I've already begun work on a quilt using one of them!  I can't wait to show you!  Stay tuned!

Tootles!

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Where To Begin?

Charlotte's Fish Transferred to Canvas and Embellished

For the past few days I've been wondering how to begin this post.  It has been so hard to start since I haven't written a post since before Christmas.  I haven't stayed current on anyone's blogs either.  My reasons?  Chaos of the the Holidays?  The physical demands of total knee replacement recovery?  The challenge of returning to work at the same time?  I'm not sure.  Probably a combination of all these, including a little bit of a funk I've gotten myself into.  Luckily, with respect to my knee, I'm starting to see a little flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. I've been going to physical therapy four hours every day of the week!  I have a way to go, but I'm getting stronger with every hour!  

My physical recovery has been frustratingly slow.  It's also been very tiring.  I haven't sewn or started any other art project since Christmas.  I guess that's another reason for my lack of blogger posts.  Forgive me?  I've got big plans to start and finish my first quilt before February 13.  Stick with me and hold me to this goal!  I will begin this week!  In the meantime, here are a few of the projects I completed for Christmas presents:

Charlotte's Knit Poncho

Freezer Paper Stencil Hoodie

Freezer Paper Stencil Hoodie Back

Sam's Bookmark

In all seriousness, I am truly sorry for being so blogger neglectful.  Thanks for sticking with me and I promise to get my sewing act together! 

Tootles!  

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P.S.  If you are interested in a super giveaway, head over to Georgie's blog!  She's celebrating her mom's birthday!

Ups and Downs

Geisha Girl Cosmetic Bag (Flat Bottomed)

Surfer Girls Cosmetic Bag (Flat Bottomed)

Wow!  It's been awhile!  I've been MIA for over a week.  I cannot say the reason for my absence is that I've been busy creating, sewing, baking, or doing anything fun.  In fact, the only thing I've been busy doing is physical therapy.  Having this new knee is a lot of work!  "They" said I'd have ups and downs in my recovery.  The last couple of weeks have been full of "downs."  I've been going to torture therapy sessions three times a week, which actually does help, but geesh, I'm ready to be back to normal!

When not at therapy (or napping), I have been working on a few projects, mostly presents for upcoming birthdays and Christmas.  I made the two image transfer cosmetic bags above and added them to my Etsy Shop last week.  I've completed half of a poncho I've been knitting for my daughter.  Her birthday is in a couple of weeks.  I've also done a little more freezer paper stenciling.

This time, I used sparkle acrylic paint mixed with textile medium to create fabric paint.  I've never tried this technique before.  I think it worked pretty well, although the fabric is a little stiffer than had I used regular fabric paint.  This t-shirt is for my step-daughter, Samantha.  She is involved with a dance troupe at her college.  I hope she likes it!

    

A few nights ago I read a jewelry tutorial at Marla Plain and Small.  Marla's tutorial describes how to make jewelry charms using Dimensional Magic Mod Podge.  I tried the technique using a silver necklace bail and paper I cut from a thesaurus.

The Dimensional Magic is actually some pretty cool stuff.  It really does add dimension and the charm would have been really cool had I not used such a thin piece of paper.  I think the poor quality of paper is the reason why the words on the reverse side can be seen.  I will definitely try this again, but I will use higher quality paper, maybe even laminated?  If any of you have used this product, let me know.  I'd love some pointers!
  

Tootles!

  

A Sew Loquacious Handmade Holiday

Halloween is in one week.  There are 33 days until Thanksgiving!  There are 62 days until Christmas and 69 days until New Year's!  What are you planning for the Holidays this year?  I recently posted about my pledge to contribute to handmade charity this season as well as my plan to either make or give handmade gifts this holiday season.  With this handmade pledge in mind, I've decided to document my Handmade Holiday here on my blog.

The The Sew Loquacious Handmade Holiday will include sewn, knit, or otherwise handcrafted gifts, as well as food ideas.  What are the most memorable gifts you received or gave?  I am certain that most were handmade.  I remember my grandmother giving all her grandchildren crocheted slippers one year.  I wore mine until they had holes in the soles!  When I was in my 20's,  my mother made pajamas for everyone.  I still have the pair she made for me!  Holiday baking always evokes memories of my childhood.  My mother made divinity every year.  Truth be told, I hate divinity, but she also made fudge, almond bark covered pretzels and Party Mix.

Grab the Sew Loquacious Handmade Holiday button if you'd like to join in!  Whenever I post a Handmade Holiday project, I'll add it to the linky tool at the bottom of the Sew Loquacious Handmade Holiday page..  If you write a post about a holiday project you are made, you can link up on this page as well!  Be sure to leave a comment, too!

I'm excited to get started!  I'm on the hunt for an easy knit slipper pattern or tutorial.  I'd like to make a pair for my youngest daughter.  If you know of an easy (not using double pointed needles), let me know!

Thanks again for sending me "get well soon" wishes!  I've been feeling much better in the last few days and have completed a couple of knitting projects, which I've added to my Etsy shop.

I've also managed to get into my sewing room to work on two birthday gifts.  I tried my hand at freezer paper stencils.

I bought two ready made shirts and cut about 2 inches off the bottom.  I then sewed fabric/ruffles to them after painting the stencils.  I'm really pleased with how they both turned out.  I made a yo yo for the top shirt.  It is attached with a button pin so it can be removed for easier washing.  I had a lot of fun doing the stencils and I am still amazed how well the freezer paper works!

Have a great Sunday everyone!  Please have a look through the Charitable Links page and consider making a project for charity.  Also, please join in the Sew Loquacious Handmade Holiday!  I know it's going to be a lot of fun!

Tootles!

A Christmas Commitment

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas lately.  Pinterest is probably a major reason for my Yuletide thoughts as is my obsessive browsing on Etsy.  I've decided this will be a handmade year.  I've pledged to either make gifts myself or buy handmade.  I've also pledged to be involved in charitable giving this year.  Every year I "plan" to get involved in a charity, but time always seems to get away from me (insert another excuse here) and my plan fails. This year, however, is going to be different.  No excuses.  There are 70 days until Christmas.  Let the Christmas countdown commence!

I've done a bit of research and have come up with a list of organizations in need of handmade items for the person(s) they serve.  Have a look through this list.  I'm sure you'll find one or two that might help you decide to get involved, too!

Project Linus volunteers, also called, Blanketeers, make blankets for kids who are seriously ill.  These handmade blankets can be quilts, crocheted, knitted, or even made tied fleece.  There are Project Linus chapters in every state.

ConKerr Cancer accepts handmade pillowcases.  These cases are then given to kids  who are battling cancer.  There are ConKerr Cancer chapter nationwide.

The Ships Project is an organization supporting America's military troops.  They accept handmade knitted socks, knitted or crocheted slippers and hats.

Soldiers' Angels Sewing Team also helps out America's military persons.  There are multiple ways to help this organization, but the Sewing Team works to make blankets, sand and "cool" scarves as well as pillowcases.

Binky Patrol is a national organization of volunteers who make and distribute handmade blankets to kids currently in foster care, children born HIV +, infected with AIDS, abused, or chronically or terminally ill.  The blankets can be sewn, crocheted or knitted.

Threads of Compassion is a group of sexual violence survivors based in Chicago.  They support "new" victims by giving them handmade (knit or crochet) scarves when they enter a hospital for emergency treatment.  

Compassionate Creations is a Massachusetts chapter of Threads of Compassion.  This group also helps victims of domestic violence and accepts lap squares (18" to 30" square) and wristbands as well as knit or crocheted scarves.

Carewear volunteers sew, knit, or crochet handmade baby items for hospitals.  There is a huge list of links and patterns on the Carewear website.

Wrap Them in Love is an organization that collects and distributes donated quilts to kids around the world.  This group is based in Washington. 

The Shawl Ministry website has a lot of information (and patterns) about joining and or starting your own Shawl Ministry.  

Obviously this list is only a small percentage of charitable organizations in need of handmade items.  If you are involved in one not listed, please let me know.  I will create a page just for these links.  No excuses.  We can all get involved this year!

Tootles!

A New Look, Part II

By now you've probably noticed the changes I have been making to my blog.  I've lost count on how many times I've changed the header in the past week!  I've been playing around in Photoshop and I came up with the character in the header as well as along the sidebars.  Please grab my new blog button!  I'm thinking of naming my new little characters.  Any suggestions? 

So why all the changes to my blog?  It's time, I guess.  I really love the vintage images I have used since I started blogging, but I want to try something new, fresh, and a little funky!  I hope you stick with me through these changes.  I am really excited about the new look and new ideas I have regarding posts about sewing, knitting, art, food, books, and more!  Speaking of knitting, I've almost finished the scarf I started a few days ago.  Look for it in my Etsy Shop in a few days!  Unfortunately I haven't been able to get into my sewing studio yet, but I think I'll be able to get to it by the weekend.  Thanks so much for your comments and emails wishing me a speedy recovery!  

Oh, if anyone knows an easy way to add post dividers in Blogger, please let me know!

Tootles!

Yo Yo Mountain

So what is it like having a new knee?  It hurts!  I've had a rough time since my last post.  The pain and swelling have been pretty severe.  I'm still confident, however, that it will get better and my recovery will be back on track asap!  

I haven't been able to get into my sewing room, but have made a mountain of Yo Yos and started a new knitting project.  I've also joined Pinterest.  I had seen references to being "pinned," on different blogs, but hadn't visited the site until a few days ago.  I haven't "pinned" a lot of things yet, but I'm starting to get the hang of it!  Are you on Pinterest?  Let me know.  I'd love to see your boards!

Tootles!

A Summer Knitted Scarf

I hate unpacking!  I've spent my evening unpacking from my vacation.  Three loads of laundry later, I'm writing this post.  My vacation was great.  It wasn't, however, low-key as originally planned.  We were on the go nearly the entire trip!  It was a lot of fun, but now I'm afraid I need another vacation just to recuperate from this one!  

I had planned to get in some sewing on my vacation and even brought my sewing machine with me.  Alas, I didn't get much done other than these few bag pieces, which I pieced and machine "free" embroidered.

I will use each piece as the "fronts" of zippy bags.  I didn't get the bags themselves completed, but plan on working on them, and others, as soon as I get my trip "stuff" organized and put away.  I did accomplish one goal on the trip.....I finished knitting the scarf I started months ago!  I worked on this scarf almost every time I rode in the car and finished it during the ride home yesterday.  Here are a few more views.

I still can't remember the name of this lace stitch, but it was pretty easy...just time consuming.  I wrote a post detailing the pattern and the yarn I used in March.  I think it turned out really pretty and the organic yarn is scrumptious.  I am also really pleased that I actually finished this project.  Here's a secret....I am notorious for not completing knitting projects I start!  Don't tell.

The dryer is buzzing, time to put another load in.  Keep in touch...I will be posting the details for July's Dress Up.  Here's a hint:  Think 4th of July!  Oh, and I will post some more vacation pictures...one of them may even involve me and a hula hoop!

Tootles!

A Confession

So I have confessed many things on my blog, including my addiction to lip gloss, not being as technically savvy as I'd like, the fact that I think Kid Rock is sexy (in a trailer trash sort of way), and that I walk like a man in high heels.  Today comes another confession:  I start knitting projects and don't finish them.  I'm not sure why, but it is probably out of boredom.  You see, I only make scarves and the occasional blanket or shawl.  Don't get me wrong, I love yarn.  Actually, I was addicted to yarn before fabric.  But, let's face it, how many different patterns can one choose from to make a scarf?  A LOT!  How do I know this, you ask?  Well, I've spent hours and hours searching the internet for the pattern I printed out months ago when I started my latest scarf.  Here comes another confession.  I started knitting a scarf months ago.  Of course, I gave up working on it as I do with most knitting projects.  In the process, I lost the scrap bit of paper I used to write down the pattern stitch!

I decided to work on this scarf last week when I figured out that I can't travel that far from the couch due to my knee situation.  Prior to my knee surgery, I had big plans to get a lot of sewing done.  My master plan:  get an inventory completed and open my Etsy shop.  Well, since I haven't been able to get the sewing machine to my couch, I decided to get my knitting out and work on this scarf.  My husband found my knitting bag, but alas, no instructions inside!  I remembered that it was an even number cast on, a simple four row pattern and yarn overs were involved, but that's it.  I couldn't remember the rest.  I cannot remember where I obtained the pattern.  I searched the history on both computers trying to find the website.  I can't even recall if it is an actual pattern for a scarf or just the pattern stitch, which I adapted for my own scarf pattern.  I looked at what I had knitted so far and thought, "How hard will it be to find this stitch pattern on the internet?"  HARD.  I've searched hours and hours and still no luck.  I even joined Ravelry, a site for knitters and crocheters.  I know it is some sort of lace stitch because of the yarn overs and the "holes" that are produced from this stitch.  No luck.

Guess what?  I found my scrap bit of paper this morning while getting dressed!  It was in a purse I last used months ago!  This purse was hanging in my closet.  I decided to look inside on a whim and there it was!  So, I got myself situated on my couch and started in where I left off.  I knit a few rows and stopped.  After all this, however, I pledge to finish this scarf!  It just might take me until next winter!

I still don't know the name of the pattern stitch since I didn't write the name down on my scrap paper.  Here is the pattern stitch if you are interested or can tell me the name of the stitch, which is in in bold:

CO an even number of sts

K 6 rows

Row 1:  k1, *yo, k2tog, rep from * to last stitch, k1

Row 2:  knit

Row 3:  k2, *yo, k2tog, rep from * until 2 st remain, k2

Row 4:  knit

Rep rows 1 - 4 until length desired

BO

For my scarf, I've used Lion Brand Organic Cotton in strawberry, US size 11 needles and I cast on 18.

Have a great week!