Sunday, April 29, 2007

Jacket done


I have finished the Vogue 2875 Jacket, see photo. All the seams are princess seams which is nice on this unlined jacket. The skirt from V2875 is hanging behind the jacket, I have decided that I will not make this skirt again. The skirt is cut on the bias but is fairly narrow, so does not hang as nice as it would if it were fuller.
I had some light turquoise linen like fabric that I thought would go well with this jacket, so made up a top in Butterick 3383. While browsing around in my ever more thinly stocked local Hancock Fabric store I found some rick rack that matched the fabric very closely. I could not resist adding a little trim at the neckline.


Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Conference bags with added pockets











I got a few old conference bags from a woman at my church, here they are done up and ready for shopping. I just love the recycling aspect of transforming these forgotten ol bags into a attractive tote! I have lost count of how many of these I have made, they sure are fun.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Retro patches





Here's a little pocket I put together to add to an old conference bag. All of the fabrics are from a box of fabric scraps that I got at an antique store. The rick rack is new, but seems to blend nicely.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Bags for the twins and Katy makes a purse

I am back to bag making, I just couldn't resist making book bags for my grand niece and nephews 1st birthday party today. Kyle and Angela are now 1 year old and very chubby, healthy babies. They were born very premature, both weighing just over 1 pound. So we all celebrate today, for their progress and for the medical miracles that enabled this wonderful outcome.

While I was working on the bags this morning my friend stopped by with her daughters. Katy was particularly interested in the flowers that I was making by making fabric yo-yo's. She asked if she could make one and I said of course. She took to the sewing like a duck to water and before I knew it she was threading her own needle and running my sewing machine. She selected all of the fabric and thread colors and strap material from items in my stash. What a cute purse she ended up with! I really enjoyed teaching her, it was surprisingly easy. I think she is a natural. As she was leaving we discussed what her next projects might be, she is thinking she would like to make a birthday purse and winter season purse. Oh yes, she is a seamstress at heart. What fun it was to share the creative experience with this budding talent.


Here are two links on how to make fabric Yo-Yos - Home Sewing Association and on Heather Bailey's web site.

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Spring Skirt


Despite the weather evidence to the contrary (it's 26 degrees this morning) I have finished a spring skirt. I used Vogue pattern 2875. I like the way the bias cut makes the skirt hang nicely. I did have to alter the front by adding two small darts to accommodate my not so flat tummy. The jacket is next. I pre-washed the fabric and then realized that I did not have enough, luckily the fabric store still had some from the same bolt. Now it's time to get to cutting out.
Happy Spring, it will get warm again, I have faith.

Thursday, April 5, 2007

My Tarot Card


You are The Lovers


Motive, power, and action, arising from Inspiration and Impulse.


The Lovers represents intuition and inspiration. Very often a choice needs to be made.


Originally, this card was called just LOVE. And that's actually more apt than "Lovers." Love follows in this sequence of growth and maturity. And, coming after the Emperor, who is about control, it is a radical change in perspective. LOVE is a force that makes you choose and decide for reasons you often can't understand; it makes you surrender control to a higher power. And that is what this card is all about. Finding something or someone who is so much a part of yourself, so perfectly attuned to you and you to them, that you cannot, dare not resist. This card indicates that the you have or will come across a person, career, challenge or thing that you will fall in love with. You will know instinctively that you must have this, even if it means diverging from your chosen path. No matter the difficulties, without it you will never be complete.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Garment plans


I have been looking forward to getting back to some garment sewing, and what better time than the spring. Here is the collection of fabric that I am contemplating. Everything is a blend and has been pre washed. I want comfort, quality and easy to care for.

I will be using this Vogue 2875 and plan on making a muslin of the jacket before cutting the fabric. This will be fun.



Now I just need to nudge myself away from the various bag plans that keep popping into my head.