TGIF

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I'm very excited since this is the first year that we've been in the house and will likely have kiddies come by for treats. (It isn't as fun in DC, trust me.) So anywho Hubby and I plan to curl up on the couch in our sweats and watch the tube in between the kiddies and their costumes. We didn't do any decorating because I'm all about that 75% off sale in the days after. I figure next year we should be well prepared with respect to decor for all the holidays we celebrate.
At work we have been talking about how some holidays have changed over the years. I remember the innocence and fun that used to come with Halloween. Parents could send their kids out in the neighborhood all dressed up as their favorite characters and not have to worry about safety. These days you will be hard pressed to find a group of kids without an adult walking with them up to the door. Sad I tell you.
I'm not sure how much sewing I will get done this weekend as we are participating in the JDRF walk on Saturday in Raleigh and will most likely spend the remainder of the day visiting family. This week has been a mental drain so I may want to hold off on sewing so I don't goof anything up.
Have a GREAT weekend!

VOTE!

I took 15 minutes out of my day to change the world. What did you do?

Two Patterns one Great Outfit!

I have taken to calling this ensemble my First Lady outfit. Inspiration-Michelle Obama.

The jacket is Simplicty 3874 and the dress Simplicity 4273

Here is a pic of the the jacket. I'll pair it with some khakis and a tee for my casual days at work.

Here is the dress. Very comfy yet I think it has a classic look to it.

And here they are together.

Change of Plans

So while I had planned on finishing 2 1/2 projects over the weekend, things didn't quite work out that way. I finished one, finished about 75% of another, and didn't touch the third. I did however cut out another one. I realized that I didn't have a dress to wear for our anniversary, which is less than 2 weeks away, and that was just unacceptable. So while I had all intentions of finishing the dress for my Auntie this week, it will have to share my sewing time with my Anniversary Dress.

I am also having to switch gears on my whole diet thing. I've been stuck on this 15 lbs weight loss for like a month now and it's starting to bother me. So I'm going back to tracking everything that I eat and exercising for a minimum of 30 minutes 4 times a week. That's what worked before and I got away from it but now I'm back. It's much easier to stay focused when DH is on travel because I don't have to worry about cooking two meals or snacking during movie time. I've found that if I stay 100% focused during the week it's a non-issue on the weekends. So here's to Day 1 or Day 57 rather but who's counting. Here's to a great week!

Butterick 4985

So the weekend was semi-productive and I finished one project which was my Butterick 4985 top. Here is my review:

Pattern Description: Misses top with gathered upper front, lower section with princess seams, sleeve and collar variation.

Pattern Sizing: AA(6-8-10-12), EE(14-16-18-20) I made a 16 with alterations

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very. It is almost impossible to goof this pattern up, especially the sleeves.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I thought the pattern was great and I had no problems with it at all.

Fabric Used: Navy Rayon

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: FBA as usual. I started out making view B but decided at the last minute that I didn't like the collar so I omitted it all together. I just understiched the collar facing so it would lay flat and left it at that.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I do plan to sew it at least once more (I have to be careful not to end up with 5 or 6 of these) in view A for a holiday shirt but after that I think I may retire the pattern.

Conclusion: I would recommend this pattern. It went together very easy and is very flattering for many body shapes.

The Weekend

So this weekend I have some big plans. Not really but I like to make it sound exciting.

I'm having lunch with the ladies on Saturday and then I'm locking myself in my sewing room until football comes on Sunday afternoon. I've already cut out and pinned Butterick 5244, 4985, and Vogue 8021. I need to pick up some buttons for all of them and some matching thread for two. My plan is to finish 2 of the 3 which is pretty realistic. My 4985 top is nearly complete. I just have to put on the buttons and hem it which shouldn't take long. I need to completely sew the other two but since they are already pinned that should go pretty quickly as well. Once I get those three out of the way I've promised to finish the dress and jacket for my auntie. If I work on those a few hours each night next week then that should get done fairly quickly so she can pick it up next weekend.

Our next cruise is only 51 days away and I want to crank out a dress or two for that. We spend half the days at sea so I won't have to pack too much but I still want to dress up for dinner. My birthday is one of those nights and I have visions of wearing a red dress for my day. Nothing fancy but I'm thinking Butterick 5243 should be simple and classy enough for the occasion. Paired with my Vyxen shoes I plan on being fierce!

I'm going to make B5030 again in a matte jersey and then I will officially retire that pattern. I made enough maxi dresses over the summer that I'm covered for the rest of the nights. I have no major plans to make half my wardrobe like I did for the last cruise. Especially since I actually did make half of it and only wore half of that while we were gone.

On another note, I'm still planning to go vote early but I'm thinking I am going to do it one day next week. Our county is pretty small but I know most people will be lining up this weekend so I'm going to wait until the rush is over.

Have a great one and I'll post new pics on Monday.

Simplicity 4014

I picked up this pattern last year when I first started sewing and it was on sale for .99

I finished the dress a while back and wore it a few times during the spring. I decided it was time to finish the jacket since fall is here and it really does make a nice suit. It took me a while to finish the jacket because I was a beginner when I started it and made the instructions more difficult than they should have been. Overall I really love how it turned out although when I make it again I will make some modifications. I will leave the dress as is since that went together fairly well-with the exception of putting the lining in so the wrong side faces out. On the jacket I will actually put the buttons on and see about making the lapels a little less wide. I keep thinking if I put the buttons on the jacket and button it up then it will be fine. But I rarely button up jackets so I think I will just make that modification and be done with it. So here is the finished product. Apologies for the wrinkles and as I took the pic after coming home from work.

PSA

Lung Cancer is contagious....please keep it to yourself.

Thank you,

My lungs

Ego Boost

Ok so I must admit that I get the big head when someone compliments me on one of my outfits-especially if its one that I've made. So a few weeks back I wore a dress S4273 and a jacket S3874 that I put together in a navy fabric. So I walk into the Department meeting and someone comments, oh you look fancy today, anything special going on? I replied, No I just finally finished the outfit and figured I should wear it. That led to a whole conversation about sewing which I love to talk about. So anyway I'm getting to the point. We had another meeting today and when I take my seat, one of the ladies leans over and asked me if I made the dress I was wearing today. I nodded and she goes, Wow, I was watching you walk in and thought that is a really great dress for you, it fits you so well, and then I thought she must have made it to get such a custom fit. I started grinning from ear to ear. Go me. Go me. It's my favorite B5030 so that made it even better.

On another more cryptic note, I am getting more and more excited about the new process that I hope to be undertaking soon. I will be busy this Saturday and the next and I'm really excited. I know a few other people involved so I'm hoping that will make it that much better. In due time, in due time.

Sickness and Sharing

Blah

I hate being sick. I hate going to the doctor. I hate germs.

Working on a college campus does not help any of this. So of course when one of your students gets sick chances are you will too. And yep it happened. I was out most of last week with bronchitis.

So I'm back at work this morning and half of my department is walking around coughing and then touching the copier, my desk, my stapler, the list goes on. I now have my can of Lysol sitting prominently on my desk so it is clear to them that I feel that they are contagious and I am prepared for their onslaught of germs! Ha Ha! And me being me I don't feel bad about it at all.

The only upside to being shut in this weekend was that I had time to work on crocheting a scarf as well as cut on some fabric for my upcoming projects. I cut on V8021, B5243, and B5244. I plan to work on them this week with DH is on travel. I also should finish working on those dresses for my Auntie. It would be nice if I finished one outfit for her so she knows I haven't forgotten about her.

But truth is I prefer to sew for myself. I'm excited that I can get dressed up and go somewhere although I'm sitting at a desk most of the day. Besides I figure it's easier to practice on me then to have someone pay you to practice on them. So in my journey to think more of others I am working towards working 50/50 on projects for myself and others. We will see how that goes.

Fabric Overload

So I went on a fabric shopping spree today and bought enough to keep me busy well into 2009. I'm also on the hunt for a serger since it is clear to me now that I am sticking with this sewing thing and it would clearly be a good investment. DH is also on board which is super exciting.

random

I got this tattoo on my right shoulder about 7 years ago. It was my first and is still my favorite. Perhaps a sign of things to come? I will be able to explain in due time.

Politics...not as usual

It's quite obvious that the upcoming election is nothing short of historical. In our lifetime and all that jazz. I been keeping up with all the goings on and I tell you I'm not one to push my political beliefs on anyone but I must rant for a minute.

Let's go back to last week for the VP debate. Everyone kept saying all Palin had to do was show up. A tie was a win. Are you kidding me? Need I remind you she is one 72 years old heart attack/stroke/take your pick from being the Commander in Chief. And you want me to accept the idea that all she has to do is show up? Get outta here.

No wait, come back because I'm not done.

That had to be the most unprofessional display I have seen in quite sometime. As a woman I felt like she set us back 10 years. That down home talk and attitude does not impress me. Do you think any foreign leader will take you seriously if you ask to call them by their first name, don't enunciate your words, and crack lame jokes? NO! She of all people should know that women are held to a higher standard and what does she do. Get up there talking like an idiot.

Argghhhhh!

Now on to her running mate. He has got to be the most disrespectful man I have ever seen. During the first debate he refused to even look at Obama or address him directly. Last night he refers to him as 'That One' and then talks about him like he's not even in the room. Are you kidding me? Do you think I can relate to your elitiest attitude and politics as usual. You come off as a phony who clearly gets frustrated when anyone challenges you. I can see you getting up and storming out of a meeting when someone disagrees. Grow up!

Now while I still believe that it will take some time for this country to recover and people start to feel at ease. But I'm taking my changes with Barack Obama.

The beginning

So I've been at this sewing thing for a year now and I've decided I like it. I've gone from just attempting to make a garmet to successfully completing various pieces and not being afraid to wear them out in public. As my confidence has grown I've decided to start posting pictures of my finished pieces. I have a number of projects in the works. I like it that way. If something starts to frustrate me, I put it down and work on something else.
Currently in the works:
Finishing jacket from
Simplicity 4014 I finished the dress sometime ago but for some reason the jacket sleeves gave me a fit
McCalls 5523 view A This was almost done until I started losing weight :)
New Look 6723 view B The purse is done I just need to finish assembling the dress itself
I will also be hitting up my local Hancock Fabrics for their pattern and fabric sale.
On my wish list:
Butterick 5243
Butterick 5244
Butterick 4985
Vogue 8021

The Mountains

We were fortunate to have been able to go to the mountains and visit a college friend of mine. DH had never been to the NC mountains before so this was a real treat for him. It was such a beautiful drive with the leaves turning and nice just to be able to spend some quality time together. I can hardly believe that it was been almost 2 years since I became a MRS! I still get excited everytime someone calls me Mrs. Superman. We don't have any big plans for our anniversary since we will be taking a cruise in December but this weekend was certainly a nice getaway.