Vogue 1329 -- Grr!! Invisible Zipper 3, Me 0

I was reading my sewing blogs and instantly loved everything about the Vogue 1329 dress as posted by Erica B. I also loved that it said "easy", so I thought I would give it a try, in slightly different colours. Things seemed to be going well until the insertion of the dreaded IZ. For whatever reason, this zipper insertion has kicked my @$$ 3 times now, so I will be taking a different slant on it. When I looked at my fabric panel, it has quite the curved raw edge on it, and my cutting is atrocious -- it looks as if it was cut by the Dr. Seuss' Grinch. Remember his crooked cut job on his Santa suit? Anyway, the pattern piece on the instruction guide looks quite straight-- of course it does!--and my fabric edge is quite curved, and , um, jagged. Sigh. Sooo very frustrating. My language was quite salty.  Since my fabric is quite stretchy, I am just going to sew up the centre back seam, hope that it all lines up, forgo the lining that I started on, and just wear a slip underneath. And maybe Spanx. Yeah. I'm not ready to give it up as a wadder yet, so I will do my best to salvage it, even if I have to wear a cardigan over it.



Yes Vogue, I am a sewing novice, but your easy pattern is not too difficult, and will not defeat me!!

Life Changes...

Life will be changing for me come January - I will be working full time! We have had a change at work as to how we care for our community patients who require in home health services, to stay home and avoid going to nursing homes. We used to carry people across the health care spectrum - acute needs, rehab needs up to dying at home, and I took care of them all. Now, we will be taking care of only one type of client. As a result, we were laid off with the knowledge we would have to re-post into the new jobs, winning them by seniority. This past week was very stressful as the picking of the jobs took place, and I was very lucky to post into a nice geographic area, working with very frail seniors. So, I am ramping up for the change from part time to full time work, and trying to get my loose ends tied up while I still have days off. It is exciting, but also a litlle bit anxiety provoking. I will have to make some hard decisions as to what activities and hobbies will stay in my life and what will have to go.Decisions, decisions ahead of me...

Alterations...uggh

Just a short post...I have had some alterations piling up in my sewing nook for some time, had a nice glass of red then went down and tackled them. First up, a casual, unlined jacket I purchased on sale, that I knew required some fixing to be wearable. Ugly bubble elastic hem removed, hem re-sewn, sleeve band attached to sleeves ( come ON, sweat shop owners!!) and pressed...now looking much better, and totally wearable. Yeah me!! Fixed my older son's jeans -- they had a rip right up the inside of the leg, about 4 inches. Nice soft denim, so I just used a 3 step zigzag. Fixed!! Next up, dress pants that I got on sale for $14.99 which need hemming, 3 pairs of jeans ( 2 for me, 1 for younger son) and 2 pairs of pj pants for younger son, but I ran out of patience, so will try to get those completed in the next 2 days.

Happy-- and not so happy -- Sewing!!

Till next time....

Vogue skirt...done!!

I finally buckled down and finished my Vogue skirt. I am slightly embarrassed to show my picture as I have the hem done up in...scotch tape!! Yes, when I did my disaterous photo shoot, I was so sick of that skirt and the errors I needed to fix on it that I just taped up the skirt and took the shot. In real life, I did serge and hand stitch the hem, and used fusible hem tape ( I know, I know...) on the waistband, but I must say that everything looks quite neat and clean on the inside. The skirt also looks nice on the hanger, it is a little big and one of the hips is slightly off, but that can be camoflagued with a long sweater. As I said, each project looks a little better than the last, so I am making some progress. I now have this pattern and all it's modifications done so the next one I make will fit me perfectly :)

Bad shadow, and it looks much better on in real life than in a mirror...

It is out Thanksgiving weekend up here in Canada, so I will now sign off and get cooking. Happy Thanksgiving to me, so much to be grateful for, and happy weekend to the rest of you!

NL 6470, Pictures, and a fail...

I got my hair cut today, was feeling great, and had a quiet night ahead of me as my husband and younger son were out at a concert,so decided that tonight would be my long awaited picture taking night. I got all my outifts laid out, went to set up the tripod, andddd.....noticed the handle which tightens and stabilizes the camera base was broken!! Aarrgghh!! Epic Fail. I did proceed to take my pictures but they are not what I hoped they would be. I also realized why so many bloggers bother to take pictures outside -- the lighting inside is just, well, not good, to say the least. Tomorrow I will have to review our tripod situation ( we have several) and perhaps purchase a new tripod.



New Look 6470 Zumba top...makes me happy!





I wasn't too thrilled with this top initially, however it looks better in pictures than I thought. This picture was taken in my son's bedroom, as he has full length mirrors on his closet doors.I did some of my own drafting techniques to the existing pattern - made a size larger, made it 2 inches longer, and extended the cowl by about 1.5 inces to give it more drape. The fabric was a polyester burnout type, with a little bit of stretch in it, and was a bear to press. Ahh, the things I learn with each project!!

I will leave you with a final shot of me fresh from the stylist, and having a great hair day! Now if only I could go see her every 2 days to style me this way, every day :)



Happy Creating!!

Back..and at it with V8773

We got back from DC last weekend, and had a great time while away. Our boys stated it "rocked", even though there was lots of walking involved. Hubby and I were able to leave them to their own devices in the hotel room 2 evenings while we went out for a quick drink and dinner, and some much needed adult time. Our hotel room was not as well equiped as we had hoped to make our meals -- while it had a fridge,counter, microwave, sink, it lacked a full stove, and only had a hotplate to cook on, and one of the burners was not working to boot, so we had to be creative. We were able to make basic tacos, and spaghetti, and went out for dinner one evening, so we made the best of it. Things and situations could be so much worse :)  I do have some pictures, and will eventually post, but haven't had time to download  from my camera, being that this week was the first week of school, and my mom made a last minute visit down to stay with us for a few days.

Vogue 8773

I have started a new project - a princess seamed skirt - Vogue 8773. "Very Easy Vogue" is not so easy for a new sewer as I am finding out! I bought this pattern back in January, with some lovely leopard print fabric, but wisely decided to make a wearable muslin with another fabric to work out all the bugs,prior to cutting into my gorgeous "cat" fabric. The current fabric is a really nice suiting, tan in colour, and has been easy to work with. I rushed some steps in an attempt to get it done, and am now faced with finishing the princess seams after sewing down the waist band. Lots of seamripper action for me today. The suiting ravels like crazy, so I have to figure out a way to do this. Might zigzag down from the waistband for a bit then finish on my serger once I am clear enough from the waistband.I also had to rip out the zipper twice, because I wasn't happy with how the topstitiching looked, and accidently sewed the front to the back the wrong way. Oops!!  I will also have to cut quite a bit from the length as I didn't pay attention to how long this skirt is, and it is far too long for me.All in all, a good project to learn on, and it does look decent so far. Hope to have it complete this week, and also need to show pics of my McCalls maxi dress too -- really happy with how it turned out.

Think I not only need but deserve a nightcap after my hours spent sewing (and ripping ) today.

Have a great week!!

Steph

Summer sewing..but no pictures --yet :)

I have been doing some sewing in the past few weeks -- I have two tops which just need hemming, and have a completed maxi dress which I love and need to now wear. I just need to take pictures to post. Why is hemming such an onerous task? The project is almost completed, almost wearable but it just needs that pesky hem... Anyway. We are on vacation this week, and are packing today to leave for Washington DC tomorrow. My boys are excited, even my 14 year old ( apathy is such hard work!) They haven't done much this summer, which has been their choice, so we have been struggling to think of where to take them for a few days prior to the start of school next week. My husband and I went to DC before we had kids and we loved it -- the history, the museums, the political intrigue. Should be a great vacay. Oh, and we are staying in a hotel suite with a full kitchen to manage Son 1's food allergies, and there is a Whole Foods 2 blocks from the hotel so this should be a piece of cake!!

I will leave you with some yummy food pics, and should have some sewing pics for my next post. Chocolate Chip cookies sans dairy, egg and nuts. And again, I will post the recipe if I get a request.


Steph

Dairy,Egg,Nut Free Sticky Buns

My oldest son, who is now almost 15, has food allergies. He was diagnosed as a baby with dairy, egg, then later with peanut and nut allergies. This issue has by far been my biggest obstacle to overcome as a parent. When you think about how often we eat, where we eat, and with whom we eat, one can begin to appreciate how difficult this can be. This touches every aspect of our lives.Essentially, most food he eats has to be prepared from scratch. There are almost no convenience foods I can buy that are safe for him.We rarely go to restaurants. We rent condos or private homes for our family vacations instead of eating out at restaurants 3 times a day - not the worst thing in the world, but I do need a break away from it with just my husband where we can eat where we want for a few days. Now in high school,there are no meals he can eat at the cafeteria ( gone are the days when french fries were on the menu every day).Thankfully, I was taught how to cook and bake by my mother and grandmother, as dealing with his allergies required reconstructing most recipes and dishes.Casseroles were out. Butter, milk, cream, cheese and eggs all had to be substitued with another ingredient. Lots of trial and error went into my recipes.Having said all this, I love finding recipes on the net which meet my criteria, or are simple to substitute ingredients with. This is one that I found: Sticky Buns!! He loved them, and they are not hard to make. I will post pictures, but not recipes unless I receive a request for it. Maybe when I have some followers - lol.

Don't these look good? Soo easy too...

Again, if anyone wants the recipe, just contact me or leave a comment and I will send it your way.

Happy Tuesday!


Steph

McCalls 6078--- Leopard print top

Just putting my feet up after a very busy week. I was a single mom for part of it as my husband left for Toronto for work Monday and returned late Wednesday night. Luckily for me, the boys activities wound down so I had some time for me after work - Zumba!! I love the classes I attend, and work up such a great sweat, I have never sweated as much doing any other workout. Awesomesauce!

 This is a top I made in the spring of this year, I loved the New Look cowl top, but wanted one with more substance, and came across this McCalls version. It sewed up fairly easily, and didn't take too long, as I recall. It is fairly long in the body which is fine with me as I am long waisted, and am finding that I need to add some length. Funny, as I am not tall, about 5'4".

This will work with a cardigan overtop in the fall and winter months so it stays in my closet all year round.

I find my sewing gets better with each garment made, so I am trying to be patient with myself and know that a year from now, clothes I make should look pretty good. Great goal for me!

I currently have another cowl top, kind of a wild burnout fabric. One of the girls in my Zumba class the other day had layered a RTW cowl neck top over a little tank, and it looked so cute, I thought I would try my hand to see if I could come close to replicating it. Hoping to finish it this weekend and then will post the pictures.

Happy Weekend,

Steph      

McCalls 6073 - Sundress

 Happy Monday!! I am getting in a little blogging while sipping my coffee, and getting ready for work. I am fortunate to be able to work in a job share position, and in the summer we each alternate working a full week, so we have the next week off. It works out great. This is my week to work, so my partner is off; hoping work and family life doesn't curtail my sewing too much.

I wanted a sundress for summer, with more substance in the bodice than I often see in RTW, so this is the pattern I chose - M 6073. Fabric selection was somewhat limited, this is what I picked - Nice and soft, colour could be brighter. The belt is purchased.While blogging may seem self indulgent to some, for me it is a valuable and visual learning tool as to what actually looks good on my body, and what colours and fabrics will flatter. And I certainly could wear a little more makeup, though at the time thought I had plenty on? Hmmnnnn.....food for thought.

Since I consider my sewing skills as "progressing amateur", I tend to wear sewn clothes with cardigans or jackets overtop, until I am really confident with my finishings. I also will wear them when I am on house visits to my patients, who tend to be elderly ,with less than ideal vision. Haven't received a negative comment yet!Aren't I sneaky?

I did figure out how to use my picture program features to fix my photos, so the next batch should be a little larger, with more detail evident.



Hope Monday is gentle to you.

Steph

New Look -- Polka dots

Today is our "Day of Champions" -- my oldest son ,who is almost 15, just played his final competitive baseball game, and likely this will be the end of his baseball playing days. My husband is out of town on a bike riding fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis. He is with a group, in a pack of thousands of other riders, and they will be riding for 80 km today, then getting up tomorrow and doing it all again back to their starting point. I am very proud of the determination and perseverance he and my son have demonstrated, especially when the going got tough. I am packing up a cooler and my boys and I will be driving up to the end of the bike race tomorrow to watch hubby cross the finish line.

This is NL, can't remember the exact pattern number, but I did post pictures of it earlier. It is a cowl neck top, went together well, but I think I would make the shoulders wider, and the cowl deeper to make it more substantial and less flimsy. I will likely make this again.

Enjoy the Olympic coverage, if that is your thing ( it sure is mine) and enjoy the weekend!

Happy Creating,

Steph

I'm Back!! .... M6355 Nautical Stripes

I have had a few other irons in the fire, so to speak, so sewing has been on the back burner. Those projects are done, so I was able to get to some sewing, picture taking and blogging this week. Nice to have the sewing mojo back. Thanks to my favorite bloggers,I have also picked up some new inspiration, patterns and fabric. I have also re-named my blog to reflect all the cooking and baking I also do!

So... this is my nautical inspired dress, McCalls M6355. It's a Palmer /Pletsch pattern, and this is how I  style it. The fabric was much thinner than I realized when I bought it, so a slip and cami are mandatory! I learned a lot from this dress - how to make bust darts, back darts and put in short sleeves. I was happy with the neck binding instructions, it worked out very well.

If I were to make this again, I would do the side zipper option and also add front darts for even better shaping. Pardon my "flasher" pose

Unfortunately, my red shoes got cut out of the picture, but I also used the tripod and self timer on my camera for the first time, so here's hoping my blogging, sewing and photographing skills improve with time.


Happy Creating!!

Steph

Next project..

Rose and shone early this morning to cut out my next project M6078, which is an easy and popular cowl neck top.Coffe pot is perking--mmmmmmm. I already made an easy cowl neck top by NL, which turned out better than expected, however the McCalls version looks to be more luxurious and substantial. I am excited to see how it turns out.

This has been a busy few weeks for me as my job-share partner has been away to the sunny climes, and I am working her extra days. A LOT. Plus, this is Easter weekend, which means lots of cooking and baking to accomodate Sun1's allergies, so I am busier than I prefer to be. One of my work colleagues is also retiring today, so we have been busy getting her celebration planned, and DH is away on business so....you get the picture. I will be very glad when tonight rolls around and I can put my feet up.

Our local fabric store - Fabricland - is having an upcoming sale,so I have scoped out my upcoming projects and fabric. One of these days I will get brave enough to order fabric online from either fabric.com or fabric.mart. Any thoughts out there on which one is a better source?

 Still using winter-ish fabrics....

Not such a great perch for my wine :)   



Happy Easter and Happy Sewing!

My Sewing Corner

Happy Spring!! It looks as though we are past the nasty low temperatures of last week and onto consistent spring weather, at least in my neck of the woods. My poor magnolia tree just doesn't know what to do, so I have been taking lots of photos, just in case....you know. In past years, I have wanted to take pictures of it, but ended up putting that on the "later list" and, you know what happens..... Happy this year to have literally taken the time to smell/photograph the flowers!

Thought that now I have my blog up and running, I would show readers my little sewing nook -- I spent last weekend cleaning and re-organizing our "hobby room" in our basement -- a place where we have our workout gear, Mr. Savvy's ( lol) photography equipment, and now my little sewing corner. We have a futon which converts to a bed for guests, so that room truly does multi-task. I set up a tea/coffee station, which makes my time enjoyable down there, and Mr. Savvy commented that the room had come quite far -- I used to hate going down there, but now really look forward to it. Quite sure the "Nook" will continue to evolve.

       The Beverage Station....

 Mr. and Mrs. bookcases, and my serger set up on my antique Singer sewing machine table, which I plan to refinish, eventually...

 My table is just a foldaway dining table, and the cloth hides boxes filled with patterns and fabric.

                                   
Happy Sewing!

Back to Reality....

We were on vacation last week, which was our March Break up here in Canada. The four of us drove - because flight prices were ridiculous this year - and it took us 2 days down, and also back, but totally worth it. We stayed  in a condo on Sanibel Island, Florida, which I happen to believe is heaven on earth. The complex we rented was right on the beach. 2 minute walk down to the sand and sea. We rented bikes, as most people who visit there do, and biked around part of the Island each day, went down to Bailey's - the only grocery store on the Island, for our food and sundrie needs. I did travel off the Island for some outlet mall shopping - YESSSS -- but otherwise we read, had some cocktails and just relaxed. I did finish my dress in time to bring down there, and did get a chance to wear it, and it looked perfect when cinched with a brown belt. I was very pleased with how it turned out, considering the original neckline on the mock up was a nightmare, and my mother came up with an alternate method by drafting a different pattern piece for it. When I grow up I hope to sew half as well as she does.

I think I was a mermaid in my previous life, as I am consistently drawn to oceans, beaches , and seashells. I even love to read books with any/all of the above shown on the cover.Should have been born a Pisces instead of Taurus. If I won a million dollars, the very next day I would purchase a home on Sanibel Island. Love!!!

4th generation seamstress or sewing newb?

This is my first post and foray into the world of blogging. I wear many hats - daughter,sister,aunt,wife, mother, and have successfully mastered many skills, now looking to the new/timeless skill of sewing. I am the 4th generation of seamstresses in my family, learning  from my mother, who learned from her mother,etc. You could say I am a lapsed sewer -I started sewing simple things for me, then switched to clothes and costumes for my sons when they were smaller, and now that they are teen and preteen and I have some time for me again, I will be returning to sewing for me. And as my title suggests, while I would love to consider myself a seamstress, in reality I am a sewing "newb". Stay tuned for more as I re-discover this timeless art.