In the home stretch...

Ok, still wasting time. Completed Simplicity 1794 for my niece. I completed the bib and the dress. It was an ego boost to have something complete.

  


But then it was back to the blouse. It is Butterick 5211. I already had the pieces ready, so I started slow and steady. I love the pink and the shirting cotton. It's starting to come together. It was easier than I thought but I always have trouble with collars, so I am expecting the worst.

Follow ups:

• My blanket looks great now, but I am still missing the binding. (lost in the sewing room somewhere) 
• And the dress does look great on:

Still looking for a easy maxi dress pattern and I think I want to get rid of some yarn with a crochet project. Keep a look out.

Postponing the hard stuff

I am suppose to be sewing my blouse for the contest but it is pretty daunting. So, I took a detour and did something quick and easy.

Butterick 5211
It's an easy dress with very few pieces. It also allowed me to use up some of the material in my stash.

I have to work on the hem but other than that it was an easy day job.

I also took a distraction to work on another blanket for my niece. Now that she is crawling around she finds everything possible in the carpet. So I decided to sew something for her to crawl on. I found this  fat quarters pattern at maidenjane.blogshot.com/2012/07/big-beach-blanket-tutorial.html
I had coupons from Joann's that I used to buy 4 quarter sets. I used my serger to connect them and I love it. It will be a go to blanket pattern as I am not a quilter. I will be using padded quilting on the back instead of canvas because she would not be using it outside.

These were great distractions but I have to get focused.  There are so many pieces to the blouse but I purchased really good shirting to use.  Once finished I will take a stab at another pants pattern to go with it.
That's all just wanted to update on my progress for the blouse...looking or support and motivation.

I needed more days...

Thank everyone for their support during Fearless February!!! The challenge provided me with the focus to finally create garments to wear. I may not have done as much as I wanted to but I did more than I had at any time before.  The last project were a pair of pants that did not have elastic.  I have made a few pull on pants but I was one with a zipper and I did it!!

I'm am not a professional by a long shot so these are not lined or cuffed but they fit and I can wear them in public :).

I used Butterick 5692. It was a very easy pattern and I did a little modification for size not a lot I could have done more, but have to start somewhere. I love the material, a light weight suiting, but it is soooo unforgiving. Have to remember to wear my spanks :)

 



I will take a better picture in the morning.  I am just excited to get them done and they don't look bad.  Excuse my butt view, but I love the way it fits because I have a shelf and I usually have a gap in the back.  This covers completely.

All in all a good month for me and a lot of motivation. Now it's on to the fitted shirt. All leading to making my clothes for a full year. Thanks again to all the sewing community. This is great!!!!!

Project Runway is inspiring!

I love Thursday!! There is nothing better than sitting in front of the sewing machine watching Grey's  Anatomy & Project Runway. I was very motivated to knock this top out. I wanted  to start pants next but shied away. I have to get my nerve up.

This top was great and easy. I wanted something with the cowl neck, it was new to me. This was an easy to sew and I can see making it again. It was so easy that I skipped muslin, wish I didn't .  I altered the pattern to size but I forgot to adjust the armholes. The pattern was a lot smaller in fit so at the end I had to add side panels to accommodate the hips (I make the long version). I will take a picture with it on tomorrow.

Pattern: Simplicity 2594


Fearless February may have motivated me, but I know this will continue for months to come. Next : Simplicity 4971 or Butterick 5692 for easy pants and tops. Still looking for a maxi dress pattern.


Keep on keeping on!!!

CC

One down....

My dress is finished.  I think it looks good for the first time. I should have moved the pockets up a little higher, I did not pay attention at the time. I also used my bias tape maker for the first time and it worked great. I still need to press it completely but the picture was immediately after finishing as I was so excited.

On to the next one. I wanted it it be the jeans but my husband really loved this new skirt pattern.  I might make it first.

Thanks to who every is reading this, it really just feels good to chronicle my sewing I actually feel like I am accomplishing something.

CC

Making way for new things

Ok, I have started project one.... Hee hee already mid month but I am not discouraged. I did get a few items off my table. So here is an update:

1.      I found this amazing Disney Tiana fabric at Joann's on a whim. It was perfect for my new amazing 10 month old niece named after the first African American Disney Princess. I have only used it for this pillow but it was an entire bolt so more things to come.

2.     This is another item for my niece. This is about as close to quilting as I plan on getting.

3.     Here is the beginning of my dress. It looked better pressed out. It was starting to look very housedressy. The collar will bring it together. I will finish this weekend and start the maxi dress.

So far so good. Does not matter how many but the I make something and have fun doing it.

CC

Behind but catching up

WOW... it is Feb 6th and it looks like I am already behind the sewing gun. The ladies in this fearless challenge are way too advanced, I am in awe.  I am happy to get 2-3 things done this month. It would help if I did not have to put in 60 hours at my 40 hour a week job :).

Put I have picked my first project for February. A simple dress SIMPLICITY 2894 .  I have made a few things before, but this time I want to take my time and be detailed and finish professionally.  The last couple of things I made started out great but I get lazy and just want it to be finished. I am using muslin to start. I probably don't need it, but as a plus size its better to try then to make too small. 

I have two fabrics that I can not decided between. 

 A: is a pretty Pink and Green paisley pattern.

 
 B:Brown and white pattern but is an amazing quality fabric picked up in Orlando.

As I see the pattern come together I will decide between the two.  I should be completed by the weekend and should have decided on the next pattern to use. I say a jean pattern used on another blog. Many I will try my hand at denim. I have a lot of it from tote bags I used to create.

After this I would like to create a shirt, one pair of pants, and one maxi dress. Can you every have too many maxi dresses? If I can learn to make them really well, there will be no stopping me. I joined the Join the Challenge: Sew Your Own Wardrobe For a Year! http://sewyourownwardrobeforayearchallenge.blogspot.com/

I hope to be able to have a few things in my sewing treasure chest by the start of April. So Please send all the encouragement to me :)

Sewing my own clothes has me obsessed with shoes - not like I was not before :) but I wonder if this is a side affect? 
     

 

New Year; New Plan; New Action

Its a new year and a new me...

Well at least, slightly improved me.   

This is my first blog and I am dedicating it to my favorite hobby - sewing. I am new to the official  sewing game. I learned to sew in the Girl Scout and eventually in Home Economics (showing my age).

The last few years I have been dabbling at really making sewing my passion. I have loaded up on patterns and fabric, I have take several sewing classes, and I purchased a new house because it had a great sewing room (among other features).  But I have yet to really feel comfortable that i can create nice wearable garments. 


 

I need a little motivation and encouragement. So I am joining the "Ten Thousand Hours of Sewing Fearless February"









So wish me luck more thoughts to come....