Day 7-Favorite Movies

Alright this challenge is making me admit some of my guilty pleasures, lol.

I have a lot of favorite movies but here are my top 10, in no particular order

The Color Purple

Million Dollar Baby

Precious

Dreamgirls

Transformers

National Treasure

The Notebook

Gone Baby Gone

Shaft

S.W.A.T.



Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy

Not what you were expecting, huh?  In case you couldn't tell, family is very important to me.  I was fortunate enough to meet 3 of my 4 grandparents and all 4 of my great-grandparents.  This picture is actually of an aunt and uncle but they are the spitting image of my great-grandparents, their parents.  We never got a picture of my great grandparents together but this is the next best thing.

Day 5-Your siblings

Every now and again there is a blog post that mentions my baby sister.  I had to stop referring to her as my little sister a long long time ago because she is both taller and bigger than me.  I remember being in college and telling a friend of mine that my little sister was coming to visit.  When she came to my room and baby sis was there, she was so confused because she was expecting a little little sister.  What she got was baby sister who towered over us both, lol.

Here we are eating dinner the first time she tried sushi

Baby sis and I are about 9 1/2 years apart but we get along very well.  She often refers to me as Momma #2 and I don't mind one bit. There have been times where she will call and talk to me about something and not our Mommy because she feels more comfortable.  For awhile I think that bothered Mommy but she got over it because she was glad baby sis was at least talking to someone about her troubles.

A throw back pic and one of the view pieces of evidence confirming I used to be taller than her

Baby Sis and I have had our differences but at the end of the day we are still sisters and I love that girl to pieces.

Three peas in a pod at baby sister's graduation

Day 4-Your parents

My parents are like night and day and were very young when I was born, but they have never been ashamed of that and neither have I.  Unfortunately I do not have much of a relationship with my father-his choice, not mine-but I really lucked out in the Mommy department because she is awesome.  OH HOW I LOVE THAT WOMAN.  Ya’ll don’t understand.  I will argue until I am pink, purple, blue, green, and red in the face about how a parent can be their child’s best friend and still have boundaries and a respectful relationship.  She sacrificed so much to make sure me and my sister never went without.  I am so thankful everyday that I can provide for her just like she provided for us. This is the same woman who I could drunk dial when I got a bit tipsy in college and she never batted an eye or scolded me.  The same woman who would drive 2.5 hours each way when I was in college just so I could smell her.  The same woman who will let me climb into her bed now and cry on her pillow just because I need to release.  The same woman who never missed a volleyball, basketball, softball, or soccer game that I played in, despite working two jobs.  I am so thankful I can call her my Mommy, my first best friend, and the older sister I never had.  Some of my most memorable moments involve her.  Ok I'm going to call my Mommy now.

It's Autumn

Finally the weather here is starting to feel like autumn and not early spring.  I had time to spare while flying last week and decided to use it to whip up a scarf.  I wasn't sure how much of it I would get done but I got about 1/3 of the way through on the way out and finished, except for the edging, on the way back.  All in all I guess it took about 6 hours which isn't too bad.  The pattern was posted on ravelry and crochetville and can be found here.  I like my scarves nice and thick so I decided to lengthen mine by about 100 chains and added two extra rows. It's still not as long as I would like once I bundle up but when it hangs loose it is fine. 

Another quickie

 Pattern Description:  Butterick 5255 Misses' Top And Sash

Pattern Sizing: Available in XS to XXL

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes.  I decided not to make the sash as it would have gotten lost in the pattern and instead opted to wear a wide brown belt with the tunic.

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Very

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  Really loved that it was a quick and easy sew.  From start to finish maybe 90 minutes and I was able to wear it on our recent trip to Vegas.  No dislikes at all.

Fabric Used:  A funky abstract stretch jersey knit in brown,orange, and cream.  I think I purchased in from fabric dot com

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  None.  This pattern was so simple there was no need to make any changes.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I will likely make this again in a solid color fabric.

Conclusion:  Very easy garment to sew and I highly recommend it.  Love the result and it so comfortable to wear.  I'm still in a bit of a sewing funk but this certainly helped scratch the sewing itch.

Bottom Line:
Pattern: .99
Fabric: 2 yds @ $2.99/yd=$5.98
Notions: thread and bias tape from my stash
Total: $6.97

Day 3-Your first love

I guess this could be taken a few different ways but I will speak on my first real relationship.  I started dating a guy my freshman year of high school and he was a sophomore.  We were both in band and that's how we met.  He was 6'3, 220, football player, dimples, smart, the works.  Did you ever dream about your wedding day as a little girl?  I did but could never clearly see the groom's face until JB and I started dating.  That's how I knew it was love.  We dated for a whopping four months before realizing we were way too serious for high school.  We were still really close friends and would go out from time to time.  I can't really say he broke my heart as it was a mutual breakup but looking back I realized that we were smart to break up as we would have never made it.  Once he graduated our lives took us in very different directions but we are both happy with where we are now.

 

Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name

Nothing too creative or interesting here.  When I first started sewing I took pictures of most of my projects-even the wadders but I wanted to keep a journal of my progress.  I decided a blog was the best way to do that.  I figured since it would be primarily a sewing blog that I should have sew or sewing in the blog title.  I was watching a movie or tv show and one of the characters said something like "Yeah it seems so" and Sew it Seams was born.

30 day challenge

Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts

I’ve been reading about this 30 day challenge on some of the other blogs I follow.  I am currently is a sewing funk and thought it may be fun to share more about myself so here goes.

Hi my name is Jayme, which most of you know is a pseudonym.  It’s also a nickname so I guess it isn’t really a pseudonym after all.  I live in the Triangle area of NC, have been married almost 4 years now, and work in HR.  

As for a recent picture, I had a hard time finding one-at least one that I was willing to post.  I am always taking pictures of other people and other things but rarely myself.  I managed to find a decent one that my baby sister took while we were eating lunch.  She will also be upset if I don’t point out that she gave me the lovely butterfly clip that is attached to the crocheted rasta/snood/tam I am wearing.

The good stuff: 

1. I consider myself to be a creative person but I get bored very easy.  I have been known to have multiple sewing, crocheting, and other craft projects going at once.  Like right now I have a dress and two tops cut out, another pinned, a blanket on my crochet hook, and have been hand painting a shirt.
2.  My Mother was my best friend up until I got married when that honor went to my wonderful Husband.  My Mommy is still a close second though. Likethisclose.  I talk to my Mommy several times a week and love to hang out with her when we can.
3.  I have never really had a career goal.  That may seem lame or lazy but it has always been more important for me to be happy in whatever it is that I am doing.  I am too free sprited to try and contain myself to one thing.  See #1.
4.  One of my biggest fears is that I will never have children of my own.  
5.  Reading Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady was one of the highlights from college.  Random but that book was hilarious and thought provoking at the same time.  
6.  I have only been to one musical concert in my life and that was when John Legend performed at UNC for Homecoming my Senior Year.
7. My crackberry is never far away.  I scold myself for being attached to it but it helps me stay as much on top of things as my personality will allow. 

8.     I love love love to travel.  We seriously have vacations booked through 2011 and know the places we want to visit in the next 5 years.
9. My favorite tv shows in no particular order are: channel 11 news, CSI, CSI: Miami, 30 Rock, Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, Law and Order: SVU, Bones, Chef vs City, SouthLAnd, and HawthoRNe.
10. I am the oldest child by 9 1/2 years
11.  I was a serious tomboy growing up and have the battle scars to prove it.  Also between 8^th and 11^th grades I managed to sprain an ankle, a wrist, chip a tooth, hyper-extend my elbow, dislocate a toe, dislocate two fingers, nearly bite all the way through my tongue, and cracked my patella.
12. As much as I love shoes I go barefoot as much as possible.
13. I prefer to have a small close-knit group of friends.  I have known my closest friends since 3^rd grade.  The few exceptions are some of my Sorors.
14. I played softball for years and had dreams of playing for Team USA.  Thanks to the crack in my patella that dream was shot down but I still love to follow the sport. 
15. I wish I could heal the world.  
 

Speed Racer-Butterick 5248

I called this pattern speed racer because it went together in about an hour-if that. 

I apologize now for the not so great self portraits taken in the bathroom.  I wore this piece during a 5 hour flight to Las Vegas and remembered somewhere over Kentucky that I hadn't posted a review.

Pattern Description: Butterick 5248 Misses mid-thigh length tunic with mock wrap fronts

Pattern Sizing: I cut a medium

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes and no but that's because I made some modifications.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Can't say that I followed the instructions but I'm sure they are fine.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Very easy and quick project.  No dislikes.

Fabric Used: a very lightweight knit

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: my sleeves are 3/4 length and I shorted the tunic (or at least I thought I did). I'm only 5'3 and I wanted to this to look like a top and not a dress.  The first time I wore it as a top but the second time as a dress and I like it much better that way so I am glad I didn't cut too much off.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? If I need some instant gratification I may whip this out again but I can't say for sure. I do recommend this to others as it went together in no time

Conclusion: Simple easy pattern that made it quick to add another piece to my wardrobe

Bottom Line:
Fabric: 2 yds @ $2.99/yd
Notions: Thread and facing from my stash
Total:$5.98

Butterick 5454 view B

A quick review with a couple of pics as I have made this once before.  My review of view A is here.
Pattern Description: Wrap dress with front tucks, front and back pleats, self-ties, and sleeve variations. This time around I made view B whichh on the envelope are three-quarter length sleeves but I made them long sleeves.

view of the fabric before cutting

Pattern Sizing:  Available in 8-24.  I cut a 14.

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


Were the instructions easy to follow?  Very.  I just glanced at them this time around and had no problems with construction.

Finished dress

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?  I love how simple yet flattering it is not to mention how quickly it went together.  I cut it out and pinned it during the first quarter of the game, took a break during the second quarter, began sewing at halftime and only missed 3 minutes of the third quarter.  Can you tell it's football season?  I guess in real time it took about 3 hours start to finish.


Fabric Used:  A blue matte jersey from denver fabrics described as 'Shades of Blue and White Print on Matte Jersey Fabric'  My choice in prints isn't always the best but I really like how this one turned out.  You can still see the pleats without them getting lost in the print.
 

Closeup of bodice 

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  I made the sleeves long sleeve instead of 3/4 but that was it.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Most likely but not before I make a few other things.

Conclusion:  The tucks and pleats add some nice touches to an otherwise basic but great wrap dress.  Highly recommended.

Bottom Line: 
2 yards of fabric @ $4/yd
Total: $8

 

Feeling like a homemaker

Butterick 5474
Maybe because it's fall, or rather supposed to be but this 85 degree weather has me quite confused.  Anyway I have been doing some serious decorating around the house.  Mainly hanging the many pieces of artwork we have collected, changing out the drapes, sewing tablecloths and placemats, etc.  I kept having to come down off the step ladder to get more nails and whatnot so I finally decided to make myself a cute little apron with pockets.  I used butterick 5474 as a starting point although my finished apron didn't look much like the pattern envelope.

Pattern Description: Package includes patterns and instructions for five aprons A, B, C, D, E in size small (8-10), medium (12-14) and large (16-18). A: purchased contrast bias binding. B: contrast pocket. C: contrast pockets and ruffles. D, E: contrast upper apron. B, C, D, E: contrast waistband and ties.

Pattern Sizing: S/M/L.  I cut a large but could seriously cut a medium next time and be fine.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Depends on which angle you view it from, lol

Were the instructions easy to follow?  I glanced at them, nothing complicated

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?   Very easy to sew and I love that there are several views to choose from.

Fabric Used:  Some leftover red twill and quilting square fabric I had from a wader

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:  Opted not to trim the apron in ribbon or add the bows as they really aren't my style.  Besides I used a solid fabric with print pockets so I didn't think it was necessary.  I finished the apron edges off with a topstitch on my serger and added a center front pocket across the chest.  It reminds me of the overalls my Mom made me wear as a kid.  Very southern but so comfortable and I will admit that pocket came in handy for stashing my candy.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  I have already cut out and plan to view D very soon although it doesn't have any pockets.  I recommend it if you want a cute apron.  I could see adding more pockets to view B or D and it being handy while doing crafts.



Conclusion: Easy pattern that was a very easy sew.  It was a good starting base for an impromptu project although a pattern probably wasn't necessary for such a simple project.  Hey I admit I am a sucker for a pattern sale, lol.


Bottom Line:
Pattern: .89
Fabric: leftovers from my stash. 
Notions: thread from my stash

Total: .89 and about one hour to construct.