I'm A Winner!

I'm not doing any self-affirming technique - I actually won Sewl Sista #1's giveaway. I will be receiving a nifty HotPatterns skirt pattern. I am very excited about this as I have not used a HotPatterns patterns before. Thanks Sewl Sista #1.

Also, I answered the challenge presented by Mimi Jackson at You Can Have It Made. So I will send a lovely hand crafted gift to the first three (3) people who comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay If Forward (PIF) exchange. In order to give gifts that will actually be appreciated and enjoyed, I will survey your blog for a while and attempt to determined your style and/or preference. Mimi gave us one year to make good on the promise, but I'm sure it won't take me that long. I ask that you, in return, PIF by making the same promise on your blog. Let's keep the generosity going.

FINALLY!!!

I am finally back. I have been very busy this week. One thing that has cut into my blogging time is the fact that Blogger is now a blocked site at work. I used to be able to check in every morning, make comments during lunch and finish up when I got home. But now I have to wait until I get home in the evening before I can even get onto the site. DRATS AND DOUBLE DRATS.

I am almost finished with Ari's outfit. I have to hem the blouse, block the skirt hem and put buttons on the waistband. I think it looks pretty good.

This is the pattern I used for the top.

I used the same fabric for the top and the skirt lining.

I hope to get some much better pictures when she comes over and tries it on for me.

Now back to my fall collection!

Patterns, Patterns, Patterns.

A few days ago, Sewl Sista #1 called herself a "pattern glutton" - boy, oh boy can I relate. LOL. I need another pattern like a centipede needs another leg. But Simplicity and McCall's are on sale at JoAnns for .99 - need I say more?


I am obviously planning to make several hundred coats and jackets this fall, because I keep buying patterns for them. Here's what I got:











I need help with my pattern buying problem. But then you all might not be the best group of people to seek help in this particular area. LOL.

Monday Meditation

I forgot to include the weekly meditation yesterday. I apologize - but I don't think it's too late for a moment of meditation.

Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 18:13

How many times have we heard it said, "Nobody's perfect." Well that's not exactly true. God calls his children to perfection; not just in the scripture mentioned above but we see this mandate in several others as well. (For instance see: Genesis 6:9; Genesis 17:1; Job 1:1; Matthew 5:48).

The perfection that believers are to strive for, is God's perfection - not man's. We can never be good enough to please all the human race. But we can be perfect in God's sight and he is the one we ultimately want to please. We are perfect when we walk with God and follow after his ways. When love as God has loved us; when we forgive as God has forgiven us; when we are merciful and kind as God is merciful and kind to us, etc...then we are perfect in His sight.
Be blessed and be perfect.

I've Been Tagged - So I'm It

I was tagged by my good e-friend The Domestic Diva (Lisa). So here are eight things you would not know (and probably wouldn't care to know) about me:

1. I laugh at just about everything.
2. I have had to same two best friends for more than 35 years (since we were about 8 years old). We still talk on the phone nearly everyday; we still vacation together; our husbands get along with each other. All while living many miles apart at various times throughout our friendship. I'm not sure, but I think this is pretty rare.
3. None of my close friends (including my two BFFs) do any types of crafts at all.
4. My husband is also my pastor. Over the years I have learned to keep the two roles separate. For instance, I can still respect my pastor even though he happens to be the same person who sometimes leaves the toilet seat in the up position. LOL
5. I took off from work for two years in order to get my M.B.A., which would afford me the opportunity to get a better job. But after completing my degree and being off work for two years, I did not want to go back to work at all. But alas, I've been back in the corporate world for over two years.
6. I plan to go to law school within the next couple of years. SHHHH don't tell my husband.
7. None of my family or friends know that I have a blog.
8. I grew up with five brothers (no sisters) and only played with boy toys. My parents bought dolls for me, but I never played with them. However, I did make clothes for my friends' dolls.

So there you have it, eight things you never wanted to know about me. LOL

Now I am tagging seven other people. I'm not sure if they'be been tagged before, but here goes:

1. Cennetta - The Mahogany Stylist

2. Sarah - Chicago is 1230 miles from Maine

3. Linda - Danvillegirl Sewing Diary

4. Tany - Couture et Tricot

5. Sharon - Sharon Sews

6. Debbie - Stitches and Seams

7. Mardel - Sew Districted

Must Stay On Schedule

Last week, I committed to having Ari's (my granddaughter) outfit done by the end of this weekend. I think I still have a shot at completing it.

The skirt, which consists of 32 squares, has been put together and blocked. I need to make and insert the lining and the zipper; finish the hem and make the elastic wastband. The lining/top is the lavender fabric beneath the skirt.

The vest, which consists of 21 squares, has been put together and is being blocked tonight. Now I only need to finish the edges (using a sc stitch all the way around). There's no lining under the vest.

The top, is still in flat form (somehow that sounds better than saying I haven't even started it yet). However, it's a very simple little top and I don't anticipate in taking more than a couple of hours to make from start to finish. (S5222 a discontinued pattern)

Also in the line-up for this weekend is S3804 . The skirt is just about done, I only need to hem it. The top has been cut out and I expect it to come together very quickly and easily. Now that I have looked at the skirt more closely, I see that I made a huge mistake when cutting it out. I did not have all the pattern pieces going in the same direction, so you can see the difference colors in the panels. This is not good. I think I have just wasted time and money ($19.99 per yard to be exact). I hate it when I make stupid mistakes like not considering the nap of the fabric. Stupid Stupid Stupid!!!

And finally....I might even be able to squeeze in the M5194 skirt. It too is already cut out; and it only have four seams and a wastband plus a machine-stitched hem.

If I don't have any major interruptions .... oh yeah, that reminds me, I lost a whole evening of personal sewing this week because I had to do alterations on a friend's wedding gown. I was more than happy to do the alterations for her but at the same time, in the back of my mind I was thinking about how much of my own stuff I could be getting done. But I do try to not be so selfish with my time and abilities. If you have read some of my earlier posts, you know I am working on living out my Christain values/virtues. Believe me when I say I'm a work in progress.

And finally, since today is Thursday, I want to mention a few things that I am thankful for that perhaps I sometimes take for granted or just don't think about at all.

Thankful Thursday

• I am thankful that my mom (who is recovering from open heart surgery) is doing well and is getting better and better each day. [And not just because that will free up more sewing time for me because I won't have to go to parents house everyday after work to cook and clean. Okay, maybe I am a little glad for myself too.LOL]
• I am thankful for technology. You ever think about how much more time it would take to sew if we didn't have so much technology to help us? Not to mention the fact that most of us (in Blogdom) would never have met.
• I am thankful that my husband bought himself another motorcycle (he now owns two). Not because I am a fan of motorcycle, as a matter of fact I don't like them at all, but because now I won't feel bad at all about getting my dream machine. That would be the Bernina 730 with stitch regulator.

So much to be thankful for. Have a good night.

One Down

I did manage to finish one item over the weekend. I draped the muslin for this simple top over two weeks ago, and I have just completed it this past weekend. I like how it turned out, but I am going to have to pick up the pace if I intend to do everything on my fall/winter wish list.

I also blocked the skirt I am crocheting for my granddaughter. Last week, I mentioned that I plan to finish the skirt, matching vest and a coordinating top by the end of this week. I still think I can get it done.

That means by Sunday night I should have completed my granddaughter's entire outfit, a stretch velvet top and skirt (S3804) and a bias cut skirt (M5194) for myself.

I just got in the mail today my first ever BWOF magazine. After seeing so many wonderful designs from Burda, I thought I should give it a try. Hopefully, I will be posting some results soon.

Meditation Monday

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jude 1:18

When we think of mockers of our faith, we usually think of people who tease, belittle or perhaps disregard followers of Christ. However, according to scripture, mockers actually scorn, hate and even treat with contempt those who follow after the Lord Jesus. We have been warned that there are some who will hate us for our love of Christ. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. II Timothy 3:12 But we must continue to live godly and remember that we can find joy in being counted worthy to suffered for the cause of Christ. Stay encouraged.

Chicago Fashion

This week students from the one of the art institutes in Chicago are displaying their fashions in various office buildings throughout The Loop (Chicago's downtown). I managed to get a few pictures of the fashions on display in my building's lobby. I would have taken more, and I would have gotten some close-up detailed shots, but I was advised by security that I wasn't allowed to take pictures in the building.

If you click on the pictures you might get a little better look. But these designs are wonderful. I am going to try to find other buildings with displays, and if I am allowed, I will get some more (and hopefully better) photos.

Some Progress

I am posting pictures of the little progress I was able to make this past weekend.

This is the skirt I 'm making for my granddaughter. I still have to block the front and back pieces, add a waistband (with elastic), finish the hem, sew the side seams and make/insert the lining. I know it sounds like a lot, but it really isn't - okay, it really is but I will have it done by the end of next week. That includes completing the matching vest (no lining) and the top/blouse. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....

NOTE: In case you're wondering about the above dressform - no, it's not designed for very shapely little girls. It's actually a quarter model of an adult woman form (size 14-16 to be exact). My granddaughter is only 6 years old and she's really small for her age. I'm only using this form as a prop to hold up this skirt. I just felt the need to explain this picture because it was sort of freaking me out a little bit with the hips and all.

I also want to show you a picture of my first attempt at faux chenille. It was time-consuming and required lots of yardage but I like it. I think it will "fluff up" more with each washing. I used a Simplicity pattern, but I don't remember the number and I can't find the envelope right now. I think I will try this technique again, but I will make sure I use only rayon fabric because it will fray better.

Monday Meditation

Our pastor is still teaching on anger, and more specifically, some of the things that anger God. One of the passages of scripture we focused on this week was:

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18:5-6

When we hear of so many terrible things happening to children all over the globe, we might be tempted to think that God either doesn't see or doesn't care. Neither can be farther from the truth. But we can tell from the above verses that the Lord cares deeply for children, and he has carefully reserved punishment for those who would harm one of his children. So take care in caring for all the children in your life - for there is a great blessing in store for those who do. And remember, God's children come in all ages.

Weekend? What Weekend?

Where! Oh where did the weekend go? I saw it coming - it was heading my way Friday, late afternoon. It was carrying with it, high hopes and great possibilities. I looked into its bag of dreams and fantasies and saw myself finishing my purple, silk wrap top. I saw myself sewing my red knit top and skirt that's already been cut. And of course I saw myself beginning at least three new projects.

Here it is Sunday night and I got very little done in terms of sewing, knitting and/or crocheting. It all began to go down hill when my three grandchildren showed up Friday night. I can't resist those cute little faces, so they had to spend the night. Two of them went home late Saturday afternoon and I thought for sure I would get some sewing done with just the one grandchild underfoot. But no, we had to play TMNT (Turtles). That brings me to Sunday, and we have morning and afternoon services at my church on first Sundays.

However, I did make it to JoAnn's to buy four Vogue Patterns and one McCalls Patterns. How many of you know I do not need to buy one more pattern? How many of you also know that patterns buying has little or nothing to do with need, but everything to do with patterns being on sale.

I picked up V2967. This is a Sandra Betzina top that I believe will be very figure flatterning.

I also got V8259 . This is the ultimate Coco Chanel type jacket by Caire Shaeffer. Although, the upper pockets seem to be a little "off" on the pattern cover.

Then I purchased two accessory patterns V8140 and V8440 . I have some beautiful gray leather that would make a beatiful bag.




And finally I picked up M5512 by Hilary Duff. I plan to sew view B along with some leggings.

Tweaking the Plan - again!

I think I am making another major change to my fall/winter wardrobe plan. First, let me say that it's a good thing that we tend to have fairly looooong winters here (Chicago), because its going to take months to finish, or perhaps start, my collection.


I still plan to make all the pieces previously mentioned using all of the fabrics shown in my September 11th post. But most of those items will be addressed whenever I can get to them. The main focus of my wardrobe will be the color brown.

I have always liked the color brown, and I am seeing brown used with so many other colors now, especially in home dec. So I will be pairing brown with blue, pink, green, cream, red and gray (Yes, gray. I've seen it together, and it's very fresh. No, really.) So even though I never quite finished either of my first two storyboards, it's off to start a third one.


PLEASE HELP! I want to be sure to include one elegant (somewhat formal) dress in a gorgeous, dark, chocolatety, shimmery brown. Does anyone have any suggestions for pattern(s) and/or fabric(s)?

I am just about done with the crocheted skirt and vest set for my granddaughter. I hope to post photos by this weekend.