Real pics of Jack

Yay! Jack arrived yesterday and he is even more handsome in real life!



I am so glad I decided to go with the black and purple instead













of the black and ivory. They are amazing and soooo comfortable.









Nine West is quickly becoming my favorite shoe line.

McCalls 5430

Happy Thursday to you! I could not wait to post this skirt review. I am so proud of myself for being adventurous and making some design changes to a pattern. I am very pleased with the result.

I'm pretty sure I haven't formally introduced her, so a special thanks to the lovely Caroline for modeling the skirt and cami (store bought).

Pattern Description: wrap Skirt with self-ties and inside buttonholes; skirt has self-faced pockets; length is 2" below mid-knee.

Pattern Sizing: AA(6-8-10-12), D5(12-14-16-18-20)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Y es and no but only due to my design changes. I started with view C since I had enough fabric to make the pockets. I then remembered I had some extra fabric left over from another project and decided to use it and make a contrasting waist band and ties.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. Especially when it came to the waist. One could very easily sew the waistband on wrong and not realize it until it was too late. Everything else was pretty straight forward so I really only referred to them when doing the waist band.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love how easy it was to combine elements from different views into one. Also it's not just a basic wrap skirt but you can really spice it up however you like.

Fabric Used: 1 1/2 yards of a lightweight navy linen blend from fabric.com and a silk charmeuse print from fabric direct.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I shortened the skirt about 2.5 inches which is normal for me. I also decided to add a contrasting fabric to the waist and ties. Because I was concerned about the stability of charmeuse around the waist, I decided to add facing to it as well as sew a piece of the linen to the back. It is not bulky at all due to the weight of the fabrics. I used my serger to clean up the edges. Once everything was together I decided that I wanted to top stitch the waist band so it would have a cleaner look to it. I can't remember if the instructions suggested it but I also used a contrasting thread for top stitching the pockets. I couldn't find my double needle for my sewing machine so it was a tedious and slow process to get the double stitching just right, especially around the pocket corners.

(Sandals I plan to wear with the skirt and top)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would like to sew this again in view A with the cascading pleats but from past reviews I need to select a fabric that will do it justice.

Conclusion: I thought this was a really great pattern. Of course it took more than an hour but I also decided to get fancy with mine so that was part of it. Overall I think this skirt took me about 4.5 hours to construct.

Close up of the right front pocket and stitching:















Close up of one of the ties and the top-stitching



















Left front pocket and stitching:

New Mission

If you didn't know by now I get easily sidetracked. My DH swears I have ADHD and usually I don't argue. At any rate I have been wanting a shirt dress for like 2 years now and have yet to find one that I am
a) willing to pay for
b) a pattern that achieves 80% of what I want in the dress
c) fabric that is worthy of said shirt dress

Alas I had almost given up and spent way too much money on the dress from NY & Co. I went to the store and just couldn't bring myself to buy it.
In the past week I have found a pattern in simplicity 2923 that comes highly recommended via PR. I don't know how I missed this one before but clearly I was looking too hard. The pattern obviously isn't exact but for my figure I feel it will be flattering.
I also snatched up the perfect fabric for $2.50 a yard! I was so excited I picked it up in 3 colors. Yeah I know I'm getting ahead of myself but whatever.
Yay, so now I'm waiting on my fabric to arrive. Of course it may be 2 months before I actually get to sewing on it but that's another post.

Butterick 5242

I finally got my memory card reader working again so I can post pics for my reviews. I finished this dress about 2 or 3 weeks ago and wore it running some errands shortly after. It turned out really well as a comfy casual dress. When I wore it, I had on a black cami underneath just because I don't like how low cute the bodice is but other than that it was great. And it doesn't have the maternity look that I feared it would.

Pattern Description: Dress, above mid-knee or mid-knee, has front pleats, fitted, lined bodice, midriff, flared skirt and above elbow or three-quarter sleeves, narrow hem. B: contrast midriff and sleeve bands.

Pattern Sizing: BB(8-10-12-14), F5(16-18-20-22-24) I made a 18 bodice and 14 in skirt

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?Yes. I only followed them for constructing the bodice and lining.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the pleating on the skirt and bodice although it did take me a little bit of work to get the pleats right with my FBA. I really love the midriff band. It kept it from looking like a maternity dress.

Fabric Used: A light purple matte jersey from Denver Fabrics.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made a FBA and shortened the skirt.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I won't sew this again. About halfway through I decided it would be a 'run around town' dress and not something for work. That was mainly because of how low cut the bodice still ended up being despite my efforts. It is still a cute a dress I just don't need more than one of them. I would recommend it for a party dress as it can be very cute and flirty depending on your fabric choice.

Here is a super close-up pic of the lower bodice and skirt. I really love those details in the dress and am happy and how well they turned out.

Conclusion: Overall I had no problems with the pattern itself. It made a great casual dress for me and didn't take too long to construct once I got it myself together.

Introducing

Like I need anymore shoes....but here are my latest purchases:

This is Kenna
















Here's Christian

















Fare






















Jack
















And Carrie














All of these shoes came up to less than $40 each, including shipping for some!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Oldie but Goodie

I made this version of Simplicity 3803 last summer and never posted pics or a review. Forgive the wrinkles but I wanted to post before another summer came and went without me showing it off.

Pattern Description: Misses Threads Collection Dress and Day Gown

Pattern Sizing: 4-20. I made an 16 in the bodice and grade to a 14 in the skirt

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? I've made this dress 3 or 4 times before and no longer refer to the instructions. The first time around they were very helpful and easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love how simple this pattern is. After the second time I think I was able to whip these dresses out in an afternoon. It took me a little longer dealing with this silky fabric but it still went together with no problems. I don't think there are any dislikes since I keep making it.

Fabric Used: A silky 'safari' print from Joann's. I think it was about $2.50 a yard so this dress was a steal.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I think I took a few inches off the hem but that was it.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Never say never. If I do make it again I will make a shorter version. I've been hitting the gym lately and want to show off the work. I would highly recommend this to others. This was one of the first patterns I used when I started sewing. Although that one came out a little rough I still felt very comfortable with the results and still wear it, although only around the house.

Conclusion: Great pattern! Although it is currently OOP, it is a keeper.

Laugh for the Day

I was making a dress, I'm blanking on the pattern, but at any rate I was sewing the front overlay piece to the front of the arm opening. I finished up both sides and went to try it on, only to discover that I had completely sew together the left armhole! I cracked up laughing at myself.

Have a good one!

New Do

Apparently my memory card reader is dead since my computer is no longer recognizing it. So while I should be working I decided to take pics of my hair with my camera phone. They aren't the best quality but we finally have picture mail and I feel like playing.

For dramatic effect here is a picture taken a few days before the big cut:

And here is what my hair looks like now:



















Here are a couple of pics of the top/back. Gotta love self portraits. I didn't get the back cut/shaved because my hairline is funny and she would have had to cut it really high in the back. In other words I would have looked crazy and I don't need any help in that department. LOL.





























I love it and I have actually been to work on time (for the most part) since it seriously takes me two minutes to do my hair now.

Happy Tuesday!

Are you in tune with your star player?

Do you know your limits? Do you know your strengths and weakness and are willing to admit them? Do you admit defeat? Do you admit when you are wrong? Do you push yourself? Do you?
Katt Williams, controversial as he may be, certainly gives you food for thought. You have to be in tune with your star player.

I did (finally) manage to finish B5242 and as soon as I find my memory card reader thing I will post pics. Oh yeah and pics of my hair too. I will also post a full pattern review but overall I liked it. I did a lot of work on NL 6802 but didn't quite finish it. I think I had hit my sewing limit after doing more cutting and sewing and figured I should stop while I was ahead.

Application was accepted...I'm on my way....Got to get my game face on because it's game time!

I could have made this!

Ok in all seriousness this dress is a few yards of jersey and some charmeuse fabric and David's Bridal is charging $145 for it. How easy would this be to make? I'm ranting because this is the bridesmaids dress that I have to wear for a wedding in a couple of months. Don't get me wrong it's pretty and all but I could have cranked this out in no time. Well once I was in a sewing and not just cutting mood. I was tempted to tell the bride I would make my own but I didn' feel like having to hunt down the right shades of fabric so I wasn't sticking out.....but I thought about it! You better believe I will be wearing this dress several times before donating it to charity. I've already told my DH we are going to some fancy dinners so he better get over it and start making reservations, LOL! Anyway since it is such a simple, yet stylish dress, I know I can do my own alterations. A few inches off the hem and take it some on the sides so it fall well and I'm straight.

Champs

I had my interview on Monday and I was soooo nervous. I can't even begin to tell you how much so. We will see how it turns out. In two weeks I should know how everything is going.

Of course later that night I watched my Tarheels spank Michigan State to become 2009 NCAA National Champs! I managed to cut new look 6802 in between my shouts and claps. I've mostly been cutting fabric the past few weeks and not actually sewing anything. I'm not sure why.

I think I have decided I will most likely not agree to sew anything for anyone else. Seriously I have been working on those three outfits for my auntie for forever and still have not finished! When I talked to her a few weeks ago she mentioned she had lost a lot of weight and would have to get her clothes taken in. I ignored the suttle hint and was thinking, "Great, I finally cut the patterns out and you go and change your measurements on me. WTF?!?!" Anyway one jacket is about halfway done so I think I will just leave it pinned and such and have her try it on and then go from there. At this point it will be a little easier to alter than if I were further along. See I secretly knew what I was doing. : )

Oh yeah I cut my hair....like alot of it off. So drastic that people look at me 2 and 3 times before speaking just to make sure its me. If I stop being a slacker I will post some pics. Have a great Easter Weekend!