I must admit 2007 was a BLAST! SO many good things have happened I am just not worthy
of all of God's little and big blessings!
When I started this blog in October WHO KNEW I WOULD GET SOME 8,000 HITS IN THREE MONTHS TIME! Whew! The community of sewing sisters I have met online have enriched my growing love for sewing more than you know. I ADORE sewing. What is funny is that I am bad with sticking with hobbies so since I have been at it for 3 months now that means I am in it for the long term. LOL.
So here are my new years resolutions:
1. To sew with more vision. Sometimes it is hard to see the total picture. There are so many patterns and fabrics that I like but I can be random in my selection! LOL
2. Try on average level Vogue pattern.
3. To take my time and sew neater and with more patience.
4. To make something (just one thing) for Mr. Right -- the hubby.
5. To clean out my closet for real this time and plan my sewing for what I need. Working in TV news can make you amass way more clothing then you need so that you don't repeat yourself to much.
6. To sew for my mom and sister little gifts here and there.
7. To get more sewing lessons from my mom (yay more trips home to Miami!). She is SO excited that I have picked up the tradition that has been in our family for generations.
Not that bad a list. I wish all of you a HEALTHY, prosperous, happy, peace filled, fun, loving, spiritual, exciting new year.
Happy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
2007 was a BLAST!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
I hate the cold, so let's talk Spring!
Here is a little something to get you ready to sort through your fabric stash!The Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2008.
Variations on popular colors such as energizing red, cool, waterborne blue and eco-friendly green also play a key role this season.
~Courtesy Pantone
At first I was not impressed, but now I am feeling it! What do you think??
There is nothing like home
*note -- My mother hates when I post her picture and therefore she will probably kill me for this and thus will be the end of my blog..
Talk about a weekend in heaven. There is something about going home that makes you remember who you are and what you are all about. When I spend time with my family in South Florida and then return to my (adult) home my spirit is renewed and rejuvenated. I can't even put it into words. I am blessed with the best family a young lady could ask for.
We had a full house for the first time.. My mom, dad, sister, her fiancé, my hubby (Mr. Right) and me. That is a lot for us! We had a ball. My dad was trying to kill us with food. EVERY meal was a full meal!! Our neighbor every year makes the BEST homemade pound cake. Well this year she sends over her regular loaf.. She sees the guys are home and sends over another 16" long loaf more. I was like is Mrs. Donaldson trying to kill us!!!! (*the problem is that I ate more than my fair share and I am still mad at her for making it SO good I could act like I knew how to manage my portions)
We had a great time -- of course I found at least one little gem of a fabric store! LOL
So there is this Mom and Pop fabric store called Fabrics for Less in North Miami Dade.. It is a small store but it had some great finds! I love knits. Their knits were around the $3-4 mark a yard. You can't beat that! I bought a gorgeous bold purple and a mod flowered blue.. I also picked up a great crepe in red, black and creme ($3 a yard)!
I am sure this place can be hit or miss.. but I think it is a must see in that part of the city. As far as service -- hmmm... they weren't up for small talk AT ALL. I am a talker and will talk to whomever will listen.. that didn't happen. They weren't rude, they just weren't girlfriends!
Fabrics for Less
19954 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, Fl 33169
305. 653.4069
My Mother's Pattern Stash
So I took some patterns from my mom that I knew she wouldn't touch again.. I am going to update and play with some of these. Should be fun to see what I can do with these patterns!
And of course I grabbed a few new patterns at the JoAnn's .99 cent sale!
I hope all of you had a MARVELOUS holidays! Now I have to catch up on reading everyone else's blogs!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
No posts for a week!
I am enjoying my Christmas vacation in sunny South Florida! Home sweet home! I more than likely will not post until next Thursday when I return home (adult home).
I will say this -- I have already found a WONDERFUL mom and pop fabric store by my house. I bought a GORGEOUS purple knit and a mod knit in blue.. also a pretty red, black and creme crepe for a blouse.
Okay LOTS of pictures to come.
I want to wish all of you a FABULOUS Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.. Much love to all of you. 2008 is almost here!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Girls Night Out! Plus other sewing adventures!
So the ladies from my TV station got together for the Chicks at 6 night out! Wow did we have a great time! We went to my favorite Mexican Restaurant Don Gallos! The service there is always A+!! We were treated like royalty.
The only issue I had was this...
This margherita was POWERFUL!!! LOL Maybe I am getting soft but I was lightheaded after about 3 sips! LOL
So here is what I cranked out last night.. This adorable little wrap shirt by McCalls (can't remember pattern number)! The fabric is a $1 come up at Walmart!! It is a lightweight knit. I am usually not one for clearance fabrics but this one was calling my name. It's not that I am above the clearance fabric but sometimes it can be cheap in quality (which is why it didn't sell the first go round!) With that said, clearance fabric is a great way to test a pattern before you spend money on a high end fabric.
**You all have me about to pass out with the Walmart die hard comments!! Clearly I am not above it since I bought it!! But I do know what you mean -- I am just trying to get my grown woman on when it comes to fabric selection!!!**
Friday, December 14, 2007
Today is a Not so Normal Day
For those that don't know, I am a morning news anchor in the Southeast. I wake up most mornings at 2:30am and get to work around 3:30am... This morning I woke up at 7:30am so that I can work a "normal" day today. I am working on a series of stories that have to be shot in one day and it's hard to do so in a half day. With that said.. man do you people who work "regular" hours have it made! I got up, didn't have to tiptoe around the house like a ninja as to not wake up Mr. Right. I had breakfast, booted up my computer, straightened up the house a little bit. Now I am about to get dressed with time to spare!! Hmph!
Tonight is girls night out!! I will post pictures later today or tomorrow morning. It's all the girls (women) from my tv station -- which I have dubbed the "Chicks at 6!" LOL
I am taking a break from the red dress (since I can finish it at home in Miami during Christmas Vacation) and am looking to some cute outfits to make for the trip. The problem is -- I have forgotten how to dress for Miami winter!! It will be hot but the Christmas Season.. Do I pair boots and short sleeves?? LOL Anyway.. pictures to come tonight!!
I leave you all with one of my favorite pictures of me and Mr. Right at a wedding we attended earlier this year. He is SO cute with those dimples!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Married with no kids and a husband watching football..
..will yield a great sewing weekend! So, Mr. Right and I are going to my hometown of Miami for the Christmas Holiday! Yay! I decided to work on a Christmas Sunday dress for church. I haven't done that in ages. Ya'll aren't ready for this GORGEOUS dress I nearly finished this weekend.
I cut out the pattern on Saturday.. and sewed ALL DAY Sunday! This is Vogue 4813! The pattern with the not-so-fab cover picture brings out a gorgeous Jackie O -esk dress. The fabric is a red crepe back satin ( I think.. it was in my stash from at least 2 years ago... whatever it is, it's got a little bit of stretch that makes it SO forgiving! :))
I am overall very pleased with my Christmas dress!! But..
Unless you all have some earth shattering advice on putting zippers in, I think I am going to finish up the rest and have my mom show me how to do zippers again when I get home. My zipper looks like it has a hangover and needs to lean on the bodice for support. Hmph...
I bought these sassy Max Studio shoes last spring and fell in love with them! They weren't for any particular outfit -- I just KNEW I had to have them..
Low and behold they match my dress to the tea. I will probably wait to wear them together in the spring and opt for black shoes with my dress this winter with a tiny black belt.
Sewing Buddy's Dress
Sewing Buddy, Tanya, wore her first self sewn garment to a holiday party this weekend. Isn't she CUTE!! You can't tell in this pic but she wore it with knee high black leather boots and tights. Just Lovely. Here is the patter info:
McCall 5516Friday, December 7, 2007
Don't forget today's sales!
50% of Notions (Pins, needles, sewing machine accessories, sewing tools & more. Excludes irons, dress forms, home decor & quilting notions.)
*Also have you all checked out the $10 sewing feet that are sold in the Viking Sewing Machine centers at JoAnn's? I just bought a hemming, gathering and rolling foot! Yay!
$1.99 McCall Patterns
*Patterns I think are worthy of picking up:
$3.99 Vogue Patterns
*Patterns I think are worthy of picking up:
Have fun shopping! I will..
BTW.. I am on the hunt for this out of print jumpsuit! If I can find it and "remix" it the way I want it is going to be HOT!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
She's Sew Live Spotlight!
I thought it would be fun to bring a little bit of my job (which I love!) to my other passion -- which you all know by now is sewing! There are so many bloggers that have wonderful sights about the art and culture of sewing. I have my personal favorites -- of which I am working on several interviews with. These interviews are really for the beginners and advanced beginners, such as myself. I am not at the point some sewers are at, like Adrienne, Erica, Carolyn, Tany, Cidell to name a few! BUT hey they started somewhere too! So these interviews are for the sewing sisters like me just trying to figure out "what does this button do again" on my machine! LOL So the first interview I present is with the lovely Ms. Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic!
I learned to sew at 11 from my grandmother. The first things I made were Barbie doll clothes and I moved onto pillowcase skirts. Skirts that were made from the pillowcases from my mom's linen closet.
Who mentored or guided you, if anyone?
No one really mentored me. My grandmother gave me the money to purchase a pattern, pulled an old dress from her trunk for me and my cousins to use, showed me a few hand stitches and that was it. I caught the bug from just that! As a young girl and a teenager I did take every sewing class that I could... even all the sewing classes in middle school and high school.
What is you favorite pattern company and why?
I don't really have one. I will use whatever pattern company is featuring a design that I like. Over the years I have had favorites, mostly one of the big 4 because that was the only thing available for years. However, I have been collecting BWOF magazines since the '90s! I even own quite a few of the independents and have made at least one item from most of them.
What pattern company do you shy away from and why?
There is only one pattern company that I won't use and that's Park Bench Patterns. They are a small independent company and I was so frustrated with the pattern, lack of styling and hard to follow instructions that I threw the pattern out!
Even with all of your skills now, what is your biggest sewing challenge?
That would be fit... I am always striving to perfect the fit on my garments and I don't think I am patient enough to do enough muslins before making the final garment. I like wearable muslins ~ wearable garments that I constantly work the fit out on. I am amazed at how patient Summerset was to get the perfect fit in the shoulders on her awesome new red trench. It's probably why I use TNT patterns so much...once the fit is worked out, I can just sew. And you notice that I didn't say perfected...cause to me fit is always a work in progress.
It's been a long time since a pattern and/or construction has stumped me but if I were in a jam I would turn to the lovely women on Stitchers Guild for assistance. They are a real caring and warm group of sewists who freely share their sewing knowledge. I have learned so much from them!
What patterns, companies and garment types should beginners start with?
When I use to teach people to sew I always started with a skirt. A straight skirt without a lining gives you a lot of techniques to learn...interfacing, zipper insertion, darts, some basic fit and it allows the person to walk away with a garment that others can oooohhhh and aaaahhh over.
Do you preshrink fabric and do you see a difference when you do, if you do?
Yes, I always pretreat fabric. I don't want any surprises when it comes out of the washing machine or when I get it back from the dry cleaners!
A basic list:
Do you have all of those tailors hams and other pressing tools?
Also, do you really use a rotary cutter and board?
I love natural fibers and primarily linens and wools.
What do you do when someone finds out you sew and all of a sudden they want you to alter garments for them?
I say that I only sew for myself - politely and firmly. They stop asking after awhile! *LOL*
What is your sewing philosophy?
And the second would be ~ quality sewing - always strive to sew the best quality garment that you can make. Always up your game. Always be willing to learn something new or try a different technique. Keep pushing yourself. Keep growing. Keep striving for quality in everything you sew!
Advice for new sewists ~ don't give up! If sewing gives you joy, smooths out the rough places at the end of the day and fulfills a need in your life, don't give up when something you make doesn't turn out quite right. It's happened to all of us. Keep going. Ask questions. Read a book. Try something different and then one day you will look up and you will have more successes than failures. You will find that you don't need to read the instructions three times to understand how to do a technique. You will find that the lingo is now part of your speech and you KNOW what it means instead of just saying it. And finally you will make something absolutely amazing that everyone ooohhhs and aaahhhs over and you will know, just know that this is for you! So don't give up!
So I cut out that wonderfully diva-ish dress by Vogue last night. That was interesting to say the least. It wasn't the pattern that had me scratching my head. I just had my first run in with a bold plaid! I worked hard and slowly to make sure that everything lined up just right. I don't want to look all hand made and pieced together! LOL
So just a few quick questions....
Can anyone tell me what I am supposed to do with those dots/ circles? I *think* I am supposed to mark them with fabric pencil or thread.. hmmm...
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
For all of my knitters!
Post Offices Stage “Knit-In,” Celebrate Knitting Revolution
WASHINGTON, DC — Knit One. Mail, too.
Today’s knitters are not all grannies in rocking chairs. Knitting is enjoying a surge of popularity among the young and hip. There is a very active knitting blog community, and yarn stores are as much a social scene as they are commodity shops.
And today’s U.S. Postal Service is not your grandfather’s Post Office.
In the time it takes to download a tune or video on an iPod, customers can print shipping labels, design personalized holiday greeting cards and make custom stamps — all from the convenience of their home, office or favorite internet café. Today’s holidays need today’s mail.
To mark the knitting revolution and the value of today’s mail, this week the Postal Service is calling all knitters. Armed with balls of yarn and a few good needles, participating Post Offices nationwide will open their doors for a “knit in,” mirroring the popular knit-in-public events taking the country by storm. In addition to knitting demonstrations, sweaters, scarves and other items knitted or collected from events can be donated and mailed to local charities, shelters and hospitals.
“Mailing that knitted gift is easy with one-size-fits-all Flat-Rate Boxes, the ultimate gift box for sending warm greetings to friends and family over the holidays,” said Anita Bizzotto, USPS chief marketing officer.“If it fits, it ships.”
Earlier this year, the Postal Service saluted knitters worldwide with the issuance of the Holiday Knits stamps. These four stamps feature classic winter imagery and were inspired by traditional Norwegian sweaters and knitted Christmas stockings. But how they were designed is anything but traditional.
In the spirit of modern knitting, nationally known illustrator Nancy Stahl used a computer software program to draw her original designs and convert them to stitches and rows. Then she downloaded the information to an electronic knitting machine and used it to knit her creations. Stahl scanned the finished pieces to create photographic images and retouched the images on her computer.
“These commemorative stamps will keep America in stitches,” said Bizzotto.
Modern knitters. High-tech stamps. Flat-Rate Boxes. Today’s holidays need today’s mail.
Please visit usps.com for a list of knitting events and more information on the Holiday Knits stamps and Flat-Rate Boxes.
This is where the magic happens...
So, football coaches have their play book.. I have my pattern book. I had a BIG problem with not remembering what patterns I had in my gallery and which patterns I had simply admired (but thought I bought).
Here is what I did.. I printed out all of the patterns I had from their various websites, hole punched and categorized them. This is the book I take with me *everywhere.* (usually in my trunk) You never know when the good Lord will bless you with a .99 cents pattern sale!
This really goes with Dishmay's discussion with Carolyn about falling in love with fabric first and then finding the pattern to create with it. This also keeps me from guessing how much fabric I need and what type is needed for a pattern.
Monday, December 3, 2007
ATL Weekend
Mr. Right and I went to the ATL this weekend! Good times had by all. I was there for a girlfriend's baby shower. I of course included in my gift 2 custom baby burp clothes. She LOVED them!
While Mr. Right watched the SEC championship game between UT and LSU at the hotel room, I roamed the mean streets of Atlanta in search of fabric and fun at the Atlanta fabric shops. I didn't get a chance to hit up Gails, but I did well at Hancocks! I finally found a fabric for my Vogue dress that I am starting next! This is my first Vogue pattern -- wish me well!
I found a gorgeous brown and orange plaid that is going to be so fab in that dress on the left! Yay!
I finished the blue jersey dress and I will take pictures of that today.
I also found this pattern by Vogue that I love!! The thumbnail picture that is online will make you pass it up...
But.. when you look at the rest of the views.. HOT!!! I am making that yellow dress ASAP!
