More Sewing Than Showing

I have been sewing quite a bit - but have been slacking in the photo department. In fact I completed several UFOs but never got around to taking any photos so I didn't submit them in the UFO contest on Pattern Review. Right now, I'm feverishly sewing from my stash and will definitely be making time to photograph and review these items. I need to get this done over the weekend because I will be out of town on business all next week.

It has come to my attention that I don't have a pair of black dress slacks. Who doesn't own a pair of basic black slacks? (Apparently, I don't.) How did this happen? Anyway...guess what's at the top of my list of things to make when I get back in town.

I received my copy of Cool Couture by Kenneth D. King. Has anybody read it yet? What do you think? I just flipped through it briefly, and I noticed that many of the photos are from his old book, but I am hoping that the information is new/updated.

Long Weekend

I hope everyone enjoyed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

It has been so cold here for the past few days that I have just stayed inside, except for extreme emergency like picking up the grandkids - that's always important. One good thing about staying in the house I can tackle some things on my sewing list.

First up, is a nice knit top (V8534) that I really like. One tip, the pattern instructions leaves the neck edge raw/unfinished, but that just doesn't work for me - so I hemmed the neck first, them sewed down the pleats. This top is pretty versatile - it can be worn belted or even with a turtleneck underneath when the weather is really cold (like negative 20 degrees - you know what I'm talking about Cennetta).

I also made this nice burnt orange tweed skirt from V8505. The pattern didn't call for a lining, but I added one anyway.

I have a jacket for this skirt, but it is still a UFO that I will finish during this month's contest. I just have to figure out how I want to finish the sleeves. I was thinking of some dias binding trim.

I made another printed knit top (B3438). The pleats at the center front and just under the armholes make this top very comfortable. And I really like the colors in the fabric.

Yeah, more knits.... This is a 3-piece ensemble that was very quick and easy.

Last one for now (And guess what? No knit.). A while back I upgraded my KitchenAid mixer to the 600 watts with the 6 quart bowl...

- but I kept putting off upgrading my cover. So I still had the same old, dirty, stained cover over my new mixer; and it didn't even fit.

I saw a larger cover in the store for over $20, but that seemed a little too expensive. So I made one.

That it's for now. I will do proper reviews as soon as possible. Unfortnately, I don't even have time to include my Monday's Meditation today, but I will add it later.

Later.

Where Have I been?

That's what I'm asking myself.

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone - let's make this one better than ever.

I have been very busy since I last posted (which has been quite some time). I have been working on my fall/winter wardrobe as previously mentioned. Unfortunately, I don't have time to post any photos tonight, but I will real soon.

I have joined two contests on Pattern Review (Stash and UFO's) so I should be posting some of those items soon as well.

I recently picked up embroidery software to go along with my Husqvarna Viking Diamond Sewing Machine - the 4D Professional and it is fabulous. Expect to see lots of embroidered stuff.

Yeah, I'm noticing a theme here. You can expect to see a lot, but right now I gots nothing to show.

I plan to upload photos this weekend. See you then.

Long Time - No.......

I cannot believe it has been over two months since I last posted anything. I know, I know, I say that everytime I am away for over two months. And unfortunately, I don't have much to show today either. I have been extremely busy at work (this is not a complaint by any means, as jobs are being lost everyday).

We suffered a large loss (relatively speaking, of course) a couple weeks ago, when the rains from Hurricane Ike (no Tina jokes here) beat up on NW Indiana. We had about four feet of water in our basement - I was tempted to put the house on the market, and say that it included an indoor swimming pool. LOL. We are in the process of stripping our finished basement down to its studs.

Our area wasn't designated a flood zone so we weren't able to get flood insurance. We lost everything we had down there (furniture, gym, my husband's music studio, water heater, furnace etc.), but STUFF can be replaced. We are just praising the Lord that we survived this disaster. One house in a nearby town, exploded as a result of the flood waters.

I had been planning a fall/winter wardrobe, but was sort of dragging my feet. Well....since all of my fall clothes were stored and "safely" tucked away in my basement I can no longer afford to drag my feet anymore. I need all new clothes, and I have no money to buy fabrics, patterns, etc. This means I am forced to use things from my stash. I have to really get moving because the temperature here is dropping faster than Adrienne Nixon can knock out one of her cute knit dresses. In other words, it's getting cold fast.

This is what I started with: V8505

I am making every single piece at least once. They are simple, quick and easy-to-sew pieces, but with the right fabric, will make a nice fall collection. I hope to finish and post photos real soon.

My First Burda

I know! I know! I said I was going to be more consistent with my posts, and two weeks have passed since I last posted - but it wasn't my fault. I was out of town on business all of last week and I just never had the time to do anything. In fact, I was in the City of Brotherly Love and thought I would get a chance to show some love along "Fabric Row" (Elaray of Another Creation even offered to be my Fabric Tour Guide - thanks again Elaray) but alas, I was stuck at work until late into the evenings.

I began my Burda suscription over seven months ago but I kept putting off trying it because the tracing looked scary. I kept reading other people comment on how easy (or not that bad) the tracing was. So this week I finally decided to take the plunge and am using my very first Burda pattern. I tried it, and guess what? It really wasn't so bad after all. I don't know why I had been so intimidated all this time.

So here's what I making. I only needed a few of my drafting tools. And voila!

Monday Meditation

Yesterday, we studied the Book of John chapter 9 where Jesus gave sight to the man who had been born blind. When the religious leaders asked the man who opened his eyes, he told them about Jesus. They became so bothered by his response that they cast him out of the church. When Jesus heard about what happened, He went to find the man and made him "whole" through salvation. Jesus goes on to say that it was those with natural sight who were really blind.

Sometimes people will ask you about your faith, and when you share with them the Lord Jesus Christ they will often become angry and dismiss you, discredit you, and cast you out of their circles. But once our eyes have been opened to the truth we must continue to stand on our belief that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. When all others have turned their backs on us because of our faith in Christ, He will come to us and comfort us.

Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? John 9:35

Staying Connected

I don't have much to report today, but I don't want to let too many days go by without posting something. I have learned that three or four days can easily turn into two months of no posts.

I was hoping to be able to show my completed living room curtains this evening but that didn't happen. I will try for Thursday night now. Today was my first day back to work after having 10 days off, so to say that I was pretty non-productive when I got home this evening is quite the understatement.

Monday Meditation

Sunday we were studying from a very familiar passage of scripture where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Here is where we read the shortest verse in the bible "Jesus wept." (If you are like me, you might remember choosing this verse everytime you were asked to recite a verse of scripture from memory in Sunday School. LOL).

But the thing I want to meditate on is the fact that Jesus learned of Lazarus's condition while he was still ill, but did not go to him until four days after he was dead. So instead of healing him of his illness, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus resurrecting Lazarus should serve as a reminder to us that no matter what has happened in our lives, no matter how dead some of our hopes and dreams may seem to be, it is never too late for the Lord to resurrect them. But just like Martha was reminded in verses 25 and 40, we must first believe that he is the resurrection.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...John 11:25

Addition to the Family

Yes, it's true I have a brand new "baby". Weighing in at about 40 pounds and approximately 30" long she is quite an armful. I took the plunge and purchased the brand new Viking Designer Diamond. I have been wanting a Viking for quite some time and it has finally happened. This big ticket machine sews beautifully. As I post future pictures of finished projects on my blog I will point out some of the many wonderful features of this fine machine.

Isn't she just lovely?

She comes with three bags: one for presser feet, one for the embroidery unit and the large pulley bag for the machine.

One great feature of the machine is the embroidery. I made this skirt out of a light cotton and underlined it with an organza to give it enough strength to support the embroidered border. I still need to shorten the skirt, hem it and attach the lining and waistband.

I was able to complete the border around the entire skirt without the thread breaking or birdnesting one time. YAY!

Another wonderful feature is the feed teeth (Viking doesn't call them feed dogs). I had some gorgeous silk fabric in my stash that I thought would be perfect for a sheath dress, but I didn't have quite enough to cut out the dress in the traditional way. So I had to peice some scraps together (cutting against the grain) in order to get all the pieces cut. Since the fabric is a vertical stripe I ended up with two strips of horizonal stripes in the back. I needed the stripes to match up along the zipper so that the dress wouldn't be too buzy back there. I didn't have to use a walking foot or do any other tricks to get the stripes to match up because the feed teeth did such a great job of feeding the fabric through.

Needs to be hemmed and taken in at hips and shoulders.

Hand-pick stitch on the visible seam of the lapped zipper.

In order to sort of justify the purchase of the sewing machine I have decided to part with two other machines. My Brother ULT 2001 and my Singer XL5000 - If anyone is interested in purchasing either (or both) of these machines and all of their accessories just make me an offer.

It's actually all boxed up and ready to go!!!! Make me an offer.

I have lots of accessories for the Singer too - I just haven't gotten around to taken photos yet.

One last thing, I will be in Philly for one week, beginning July 13th. I will be staying in the historic district, does anyone know of any must-see fabric shops? Please advise.