What's your favorite pattern!!! (Pic Heavy!)

I Love Simplicity Skirt 4672 and Simplicity Skirt/Pants 4237!!!

I can't begin to tell how much I love these patterns.  Unfortunately they are out of print and have been for some time but my links will take you to an eBay seller who has them.  They are super quick and work great with the Lycra knit, ITY, slinky, matte jersey and cotton jerseys! I even have one with an interlock waistband and woven fabric bottom (hot for the summer) They are easy to alter and look great on all size folks. Even short ones like me! LOL!  My friend uses them for belly dancing patterns as well.  These are "pinch patterns" when I don't have lots of time but I want a winning piece.  Well folks, here they are in several fabrics and styles as well as a top and I'm still not finished! I'm making more pants for this summer!

 

Lycra knit

skirt back



modified front w/bolero



as a top (side view)

top front view

Firey Red!

Knit/Woven



6 yr old slinky - soon to be put to death!



Me in D.C. feeling free you see. (LOL!) The date on this pic is so wrong! Taken 3/15/12



4237 Gaucho modified to pants



 3" added to length and 2" added to side seams

4237 gaucho and top

What more can I say! The proof is in the pictures!
I hope you can get one of these. Simplicity should bring them back!

No you can't have mine!

Talk Soon Carol

Purple!!!

Grape Kool-Aid!

This jacket is a result of the color block frenzy that I'm currently on. But - as I do - this jacket was cut out last fall.  (A year ago last fall) If you look at the Zebra post - you can see the pieces hanging in the background. (smile).  Well, I got sick of picking them up off of the floor and said  - "I need to finish the purple jacket!" So I did. But, it sat on the dress dummy even longer because I didn't like the buttons I purchased and just didn't know what I wanted.  My friend Grace said "Use the purple fabric and cover a button." DUH!!  Sometimes you just need someone else to enlighten you. So, I did and I really like it.  The plaid trim is a result of (shhh) a deco machine stitch gone wrong that I just didn't want to pick it out! Came out nice!

Have I worn it? No, it still needs a buttonhole. LOL!!!! (and a skirt and top)

Vogue 8627
This jacket was straight forward on instructions. This is a pattern for the intermediate+ sewer.  There are lots of pieces and the jacket is fully lined.  The back of the jacket is asymmetrical which is quite a nice style element. I mixed fabrics on this jacket.  I used Purple Faux Suede on the facings and bottom back and Cotton Sateen for the rest of the jacket. The lining was purchased on a trip to New York City about 8 years ago. (whew!)  I added a muslin jacket stay to the back, jacket interfaced the the front and facings. The color is all that! I want to make some lime green cigarette pants to wear with it. (Owwww!).

Faux Suede Lapels

 

Ribbon Detail (Look no button hole!)

 


Asym. Back w/Faux Suede

 

Inside out. Lining from NYC. Very Slippery!

I do recommend this pattern for it's sleek unique look but, I won't be making another. Maybe I'll go sew the buttonhole!

(Update - July 27. Still not button. I'll just wait for the fall Season!  Never made those lime green pants either.)

Talk Soon Carol

FABRIC DEALZ!!! - Update!!

G-Street Fabrics in D.C. WOWZA!!

Hi There Everyone,

The Living Social Deal I talked about on this post has expired!  Yes, you missed out!  I almost missed out but didn't (thanks to my wonderful husband)!  We dashed over there at the last minute (following mapquest) and we found it!! I managed to purchase two fabrics with my coupon. One for myself and the other hunk for my friend - Grace. 

The store was very nice and the fabrics pretty and a little pricey but hey, you lookie-you findey. It was fun as fabric shopping always is. I love visiting fabric stores in other states. Its nice to be able to compare and see new stuff!!  

Gorgeous hunk of 3 yds. Blk/whte soft lycra knit!  Can you say jumpsuit? Ooo Weee!



Talk Soon Carol

(Older Post)

I love fabric.  Let's face it - I always say I won't buy more and I have tons and tons of it. Anywhooooo, it seams I can't turn my head from a great deal.  I read lots of blogs and love the things that others sew and wonder  - - (in my green, stary eyed voice) where did she find that fabric?! 

Well, Well, some of  the bloggers I read shop at G-Street Fabrics and they also advertise on PatternReview.com.  I happen to be visiting the area and found this deal on Living Social.com.  For those of you who don't know, it's like Groupon. I'm addicted to both sites and have found wonderful fabric bargins on both.  I'm sharing one with you!!  A coupon for Living Social.  I can't wait to visit this store!!!!

I feel if I share this with you - I won't buy up all of the fabric. (Save some for the fish!)  Enjoy!!!  Get off the fabric diet for a few and join me in a falling off the wagon adventure! Oh, they have an online store!

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/259836?ref=conf-jp&rpi=51629788

Don't worry about me - I'll make room!!!

Talk Soon Carol

Rambling on!

Ramblings. . .

1. My 1 year blogaversary was last month - can't quite remember the day when I started. (Hmmmm.)
2. I was laid off of my seamstress job.  Good thing I don't have to stop being a seamstress.
3. I love sewing all night and watching Jerry Springer @ 4AM
4. My husband is a hardworking guy who takes great care of us. He's addicted to eBay. Another package just arrived.
5. I revamped my sewing space to take on more business at home (again? I never stopped.)
6. I just cleaned the house and cooked dinner (before noon!)
7. I went fabric shopping with my best friend of 37 years this weekend! She has already finished projects. I just washed my fabric today.
8. I haven't blogged in over a month but I've been reading everyone Else's! To my reader's (I'm sorry!)
9. I'm afraid of Pinterest - I have an addictive personality and no more time!
10. I like Chictopia.com but my "last" job certainly was NOT a "What I'm wearing" type of thang!
11. I just made the coolest dress. It's hanging on the door waiting for it's blog turn.
12. I have two pair's of slacks - cut and ready to sew. They have been there for almost two years now.
13. My husband wants me to stay home. (how long will that last?) I better not get to comfy and hurry up and sew that suit! (LOL!)
14. I've been asked to give dance lessons. Not once did they mention money. (WTF! LOL!)
15. My stylist wants to color my hair. I'm chicken. (bak, bak, bucaaaaaah!!)
16. The Mission Maxi is in the mail!
17. I made panties for myself. Bra's next!! (next what. . .)
18. I just found a hook for my gravity feed iron. I don't want to put it up. (snarl)
19. My camera has it's own personality.

I'M SEWING ALL EVENING!!!!!!!!!! (maybe I'll get those pants done.)

My Dinner for tonight! I'm hungry!

Here's my 8'x10' improved workspace in video!  Tell me wutcha think?

Talk Soon Carol

Poppyeeeeezz. . .(Wicked Witch of the East)

My Winter Maxi in Poppy!

This dress was supposed to have been worn yesterday but, things didn't go quite as planned (bummer!) so here it lands on my dummy lady.  (At least she gets to be fashionable).  Anywoooooo, this is another version of Simplicity 2580.  My first attempt at this dress was the leprechaun dress I made last March. 

This dress was so successful for my body type that I used it again in a "I need a dress crunch"!  This is view D which is a sleeveless maxi with a drape neck.  This dress took about two hours to make (with interruptions of course) and was ready to go. This fabric is a heavier ribbed cotton jersey an almost "sweater" knit.  I added a ribbon belt and loops in the same color.  The ribbon package says "Poppy" and I thought well if it don't match, I'll take it back.  Low and behold it's a Poppy match!


Drape detail.  I got this fabric to match this scarf 7 yrs ago!



Matching Satin Ribbon Tie Belt



So once again I post an outfit with me not in it. (Sigh)  I made only two adjustments, I added 1.25" to the bodice and cut 6.5" off the bottom.  I think I'm shrinking!

This a great project for any level sewer and again I'll mention a great style for "busty" women! LOL!! I will, more than likely, make another version of this dress in a crunch. 

OH! But of course - last but not least my shoes!


These boots hurt but beauty is painful! So I'm told!


Talk Soon Carol

To Animal Print or Not?!

I was trying to look like him! LOL!

Fashion is Animalistic! 

Hello Everyone and Welcome to a New Year! 

As you can see I'm starting off slow and this is my first "fashion" post of the year.  Let me tell you what I've been into!!  My sister in law and I and a few of her friends (now mine!) have been hitting the town on a regular basis!  I LOOOOOVE this because I just want to dance whenever I get a chance!  Anywhooooo. . .  this means I can sew outfits for myself errrrrr week!! Well, that's what I have been doing.  No fancy thought up resolutions, time wasters etc. - just SEWIN!! -  Friday is a comin and I'll be a sewin! LOL!

OK This post is about last Friday's outfit. Here's the line drawing.

I like my clothes original, classic and chic - sometimes very loud! LOL!  Well, this pattern has been in my stash for about 8 years (uncut!).  It's no longer in print so I can't evern call it OOP! (Wait I just checked. You can buy it on PR!) Anyway, I had some fabric set aside for it and when I got it out it was "fo real" summer fabric.  Here in Chicago you can't mess with that or you'll FREEZE!  So, I thought - use something else?!  WHAT?!  Now there's a thought.  All you sewers out there know that when you find a fabric and pattern to match there's no breaking up that relationship!  I took the risk and did it. . .


I used a pattern with fabric it was not intended for!
(Psycho screech in the background) 



ZEBRA! 

I loved my result!

The zebra fabric was in my stash about 3 years - I was supposed to make a coat.  The fabric feels like faux something? It's a mystery fabric from JoAnn and was a "costume" fabric. Nice and wintery.
Here are the detail pictures:


Jacket close up



Collar Detail w/piping



3/4 Sleeve with slit @ cuff



Double vent on front and skirt back. Stops right above the knee.



Skirt waistband (matches the collar) :-)

I won't have a pic of me in this as I already wore it. Maybe if I'm bored or something I'll put it on and take a pic. (yea right) but I promise to take pics in the clothes from now on. Last but not least the shoes. It's all about the shoes!

Today is Thursday - It's my night to pull an all niter for my Friday outfit .
I promise to get a picture this time! (cheese)

Talk Soon Carol

Happy New Year!

Graphics for Happy New Year Comments 

As this year has come to a close - for which I was asleep - I have to reflect on the past year:  I've sewn lots of things, broke another serger, cooked decent meals for my family, baked, laughed, cried, partied, danced, blogged and I'm almost over my grocery store phobia.  It was a lot like last year except I hadn't included blogged in 2010.  So with that said - thanks for reading and I enjoy the silent company!

Talk Soon Carol