Happy Anniversary

 

18 years ago today I said "I do."

I would say it again today.

 

We don't look the same as we did 18 years ago.

We are growing old together - and having fun in the process.

 

Thank you JB for 18 wonderful years.

I'd do it all over again - with you.

It's a Wrap!

 There really is nothing more to say about this dress.

I can buy fabric, pretreat, cut, sew and wear in close to the same day.   With the exception of my tendency to thrust my stomach forward, the dress is flattering. 

As I was cutting this version - I decided I wanted long sleeves and thought I had enough fabric to make LONG sleeves, but I didn't.  So I cut them as long as I could and make a pleat at the bottom of the sleeve to mimic the pleats going on elsewhere in the dress - at the shoulders, and the waist. 

Even though this is a very thin knit (bought at Hobby Lobby) I was plenty warm all day and never put on the cardigan I brought with me just in case.

I also finally remembered to shorten the ties and while I could wrap them around to the front and tie them, I just tied them in the back in a bow.  Maybe a bit too twee - but I got a ton of compliments on the dress and hubby thought it came from Nordstroms - even though he got the straight from the sewing room preview when I finished it last Thursday - Men! 

Anyway - as the title says - I think it's time to put this pattern aside for awhile.  This is the 4th make from this pattern and while they all look different, I think I'm ready to try another pattern for a minute. 

Plaid Pencil Skirt

 

It took me 3 weeks to make this simple, simple skirt. 

The fabric was bought at JoAnn's and most likely won't last long, but it's okay.

It's lined and the lining has a bit of lace on the edge.

I didn't have Jay take photos of the lining, but you can sorta see the lace

peeking out from the bottom of the skirt - so frustrating. 

 

The pattern is simplicity 2154 and I really want to try the cardigan from this pattern.

I added 2" to the length of the skirt and pegged the hem a bit more.

But then I hemmed it 2", so.

 

The dog had to be in the picture.

I have a pink sweater the same color as the pink in the plaid.

Maybe next time, pink would be better than white.

 

Birthday Girl

 Abigail Jane

13 years old now.

 

 

She claims not to like Beau.

But, now that there are only 2,

she lays on his bed most of the time.

 

Silly girl!  

Zig Zag Wrap Dress

It was a long day and honestly, I was ready to change and eat.

I was tired of waiting for JB and he decided that's when he'd start taking photos.

But this is how I wore the dress all day - with a red cardi.

I wore a black slip under the dress and grey tights and pumps.  Can you believe I don't own a pair of black pumps?  I know - me either.  Must be time to go shopping. 

Looking at the photos - I can see that the cheater step I took to hem this dress isn't holding and I need to add some stitches. 

This is the 3rd version of B5454 and with the exception of the ties - they are way too long, I love this dress.  It's comfortable,
easy to wear, and I feel cute and stylish.  There will definitely be more versions of this dress.

While I did an okay job matching the print across the waist seam and shoulders - I did a really crappy job matching the print at the side seams.  Don't believe me?  See below.

Thankful Thursday

All over facebook - people are writing a little post of the things they are thankful for daily during November. 

Honestly - for several years now, I've tried to be conscious of the little things in life that make a difference.  The things that not everyone has.  I started a Thankful Thursday series, but honestly - I haven't been very good about posting.  But I think remembering the big and small things in life that make getting up are important.

So today, I wake up my Thankful Thursday series again.  Please share your thankfuls in the comments - I love reading them.  Today, I am thankful for:

*friends, sitting and knitting, laughing and visiting
*healthy dogs and the ability to pay their vet bills when they aren't
*the ability to fill my gas tank - that's no small thing these day - no lines to get gas and I can afford it.
*having a job - it may be stressful, but most of that is my own doing.  Plus I only work 4 days a week.  I do put in long hours regularly, but not 10 hour days. 
*weekend get aways


The Border Print Wrap

There's not a lot to say about this dress. It's another version of B5454. .

The fabric came from Girl Charlee and it's thinner than I expected,

but still worked great for this dress

 

Photos taken in our hotel room while we were in Vegas.

 

JB is getting better - but um, hon?  Could you tell me when I'm all wrinkled across the back?

I'm sure he didn't even notice.

 

Border matching at the side seam.  This side is better than the other.

The border print is a wave - so matching was difficult.

But I didn't too horrible of a job.

In Vegas I threw on sandals and went out with bare legs.

At home, tights, boots, and a cardi.

 

I love this dress and am wondering how many wrap dresses is too many.

Promised Treat

Magic Pencil Skirt

I almost forgot about this today!  Sorry. 

I had lots of comments on this post.  Seems we all love good customer service and want to share the love.  Many of the commenters didn't want to be entered - but there were 11 people who did.

I went to Random.org and entered 1 - 11.  The thingmabob said 4.  Then I had to go back through comments and count the ones who said yes please to find the 4th person.  It was Marjie!  I have your contact info - I'll get the pattern out in the mail.

Tonight I'm ordering Pamela's Perfect Tee Shirt as well as the neckline and sleeve options.  In November - I'll be working on Magic and Perfect Outfits!  Who wants to join me?

JB's Birthday

For JB's birthday we headed off to Las Vegas so he could participate in the SRT Track Experience. 

Earlier this year, he bought his midlife crises car - a Dodge Challenger SRT8.  I'm okay with this as long as he doesn't want a midlife crises wife!

The car came with enrollment for one person in the Drive Experience.  Since they were holding the drive day on his birthday we decided that was the perfect day to attend!

While it wasn't what he expected - he had a great time!  In the top photo he was finishing the Autocross Challenge - this is a low speed obstacle course.  Our team won the challenge between the two meaning we had the best time and least penalties of the day!  Whoo Hooo!!

In the next photo, he was participating in the Performance Drive.  He's in the red Charger at the back.  In this portion of the class there is a professional driver in the lead car.  This is the car I rode in when I went along.  They went around the track (not a NASCAR Loop) as fast as the 2 people could keep up. 

Birthday Boy!

Birthday Dress

This is the second version of McCalls 6503 and there will be more!  I love this dress.  It was fun and easy to wear and got lots of compliments from strangers. 

Why the birthday dress?  Well because Monday was my birthday and it was the first day I wore it.  This time, I faced the collar with the solid contrasting fabric so it stood out.   I also added tiny, tiny (barely visible) yellow piping to the bottom of the sleeves and the yellow bow belt. 

I took out the extra length from the front bodice at the side seams only and it worked great! 

I added as much length to the skirt as my fabric would allow - which was only 2.5" and still wasn't quite enough.    With wider fabric I think I can get a skirt that long enough I don't have to do something funny to get it hemmed.


For this version I cut 2.5" wide slightly bias (cut on the 60 - because that's what I had room on my scraps for), seamed them together and then sewed it to the dress with the tiniest seam allowance I could.  I finished those inside edges, folded a tiny little bit at the top down and then hemmed the dress with a blind hem. 

It's a bit short - but it's fine.  With tights nobody can really tell anyway. 

I had company for dinner on Monday and they had just arrived as I was corralling JB to take photos.  The good doctor was playing 'model photograher' and whooping and hollering.  Yelling - "yea baby!  Work it!  That's what I want to see."  I was laughing so hard - there wasn't a decent photo in the shot!  But it was very fun!

Next up - what we did for JB's birthday.  Don't forget to enter the drawing to win the extra copy of Pamela's Perfect Pencil Skirt pattern. 

Guess What?

I made a dress!  Taking a page from Carolyn's book - I made the retired Simplicity 3744.  This is now the 3rd version of this dress. 

This version is unlined and made from a fabulous cotton print that screamed at me last weekend when I was sick and finally stir crazy by Saturday.  I decided to run out quickly and get some supplies needed for the polka dot dress (you've seen it on Instagram) and this spoke to me. 

Originally it told me it wanted to be a different dress and while I was pretreating the fabric, I heard the call of this Simplicity pattern.  Saturday night I slept on it and went back and forth between the two pattern, but I think (hope) this one was the right choice. 

This is the first time I've put sleeves on this pattern.  And honestly - I have share that while I was showering yesterday I was totally wondering how I finished the armholes because I didn't remember doing it.  Crazy!

The only changes I made to the pattern was to open the neckline up a little bit.  Apparently I'm quite narrow though my upper chest.  The first version gaps at bit at the neckline - which I fixed with 2 strategically placed tucks.  For the second version, I moved the top of the center front slightly off the fold and it still doesn't lay right.  This time, I moved it 1/4" off the fold - just the very top, getting back to the fold within 5" of the top of the pattern piece.  Then I also widened the opening using my french curve for a graceful curved opening.

Carolyn - I told JB you said he had to take more than 3 photos and it was his job to get me to relax and not be so self conscious while he was taking the photos, to talk to me and make me laugh and get cute, flattering photos.  He said - why is that my job?  Because you are behind the camera dear!

This dress was easy to wear and while we were yarn shopping the girl at the counter said "That's a cute dress.  Did you make it?"  Why does that follow up question always make me freeze?

Happy Monday!  I have 4 more dresses waiting to be worn and shown - including the border print (that still isn't hemmed) from retreat!

Share the Love

I believe in pointing our good customer service.  And what I received was not good customer service - but above and beyond excellent.  And I want to share the love with one of you.  



Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt

First - the back story.  Earlier this month, inspired by the skirts I'd seen around blogland, I ordered Pamela's Magic Pencil Skirt.  And then I waited and waited.  Honestly - we all know when a woman (and one who sews at that) has decided she wants something, we don't wait very patiently.

Finally, on Monday, Oct. 15th, I emailed Pamela and asked where my pattern was.  Turns out that Pamela had been away teaching so it didn't get mailed until October 8th.  But still - it was the 15th and I still didn't have the pattern in my hot little hand and anyone who follows me on Instagram knows the 'sewjo' is hot right now! 

Pamela emailed me on Tuesday.  We emailed back and forth on Tuesday and ultimately Pamela said she would put another pattern in the mail - she offered, I did not ask.  Of course my pattern turned up Tuesday night.  I very quickly emailed Pamela and said it's here.  If you haven't sent the replacement - please don't.  She replied, I'm taking this directly from her email:  "Of course it went out already - haha! I also included some Fantastic Elastic for you as well. So maybe you could give the extra pattern to a sewing friend and work on them together! Let me know how you like the pattern."

So - I have an extra copy of the Magic Skirt pattern that I'm happy to share with one lucky blog reader.  I'll send the pattern anywhere.  Just let me know you are interested.  I'll close the give away on Oct. 30 and draw one lucky winner on the 31st for a nice treat for someone. 

And for the record - I WILL be ordering from Pamela again - I have no idea how her pattern will work for me - but her customer service is above and beyond and that deserves my repeat business.   How do you reward excellent customer service?

Butterick 5454 - Thanks Elizabeth!

Butterick 5454 is another dress that I saw on a blogger (Elizabeth of Sewn!)  And thought - Oh, I love that dress and I have a ton of dress lengths of knits - wonder if I can wear that. 

The weekend before retreat I had run to Hancocks to looks for some ponte knits and came home with 2 knits.  They both took a trip through the washer and dryer and then one of them got cut out as 'fake fabric' for the Butterick dress.

Just like the other dress - I worked on faith.  I made very few adjustments  mostly to the back .  I adjusted the sleeves to be short.  These days I prefer short sleeves or sleeveless - because honestly - long sleeves are just too hot.  I raised the front by half and inch.  And I cut the skirt at the biggest size on the pattern - trusting the finished garment measurements printed on it that it would in fact fit my hips without adding more room.   Oh - but I did add length - 6 inches!

This is such a quick dress to make and I sewed it completely on my sewing machine!  Yes - it would have been much, much quicker with the serger and maybe on the 3rd version I'll use the serger. 

After sewing it up - the only changes I had to make were to unpick the back pleats in the skirt by an inch and half - they weren't falling nicely and needed to be shortened.

I think because of how I raised the front neckline, the hem didn't fall evenly at the bottom and I had to have a friend mark the hem - which is why the border print isn't hemmed yet.  I'm going to attempt to figure that out on version #3 - because there will be many, many more.

This dress was comfortable and easy to wear.  It stays overlapped with no fear of anything horrible happening - even when the wind blows. 

One of the best parts of sew camp?  Besides coming home with 2 patterns I feel comfortable sewing over and over?  I gained confidence in my skills and came home feeling pretty and not nearly as big as I thought I was!  Win / Win / Win! 

McCalls 6503

 First - I have no idea who the average is for dresses these days.  I added 2" to the skirt when I cut this out, but it still wasn't enough. 

The first version of this dress is what I think Karen of Did You Make That? would call an 'ickle' print - or rather childish.  But I wanted what I've started calling 'fake fabric*' in case my alterations didn't work out. 

The only alterations I made to the pattern tissue was to shorten the back for both my sway back and my very short back waist.  What I didn't do was shorten the front so the side seams matched.  I thought I could create a fake full bust adjustment by just gathering the extra front into the side seams.  It worked ok - but it's not perfect, there is a bunch of extra fabric under my arms at the side seams.  I have adjusted that and have the next fabric ready to roll (or be cut).

I like this version - but I think it's a bit boring.   I've dubbed it the prison matron dress - but seeing the photos -  it's not nearly that bad.  I've bought some lovely, tiny white tatted trim to put around the collar and will add it to the hem - maybe.  Will have to take a look at it.

As I said earlier - I added 2 inches to the skirt when I cut it out.  but that wasn't enough. To hem this version, I cut a 3 1/2" band, folded it in half and added it to the bottom.  It's just about the perfect length.

I wore this most of the day with a white cardigan.  The sleeves look tight, but they are not and there was plenty of room to move.   I was quite surprised by how well the pleated skirt laid over both my belly and my rear. 

The best part of sew camp?  Coming home feeling cute and not nearly as fat as I thought I was!

*Fake fabric - something old from the cupboard that would be alright to wear, but if it didn't work out wouldn't hurt my feelings at all.  This time it worked out!

Still No Dresses

How about some old business for Dogs on Thursday and Thankful Friday?

The Princess gave JB these lovely dog themed beer signs when we went to visit her in May.  What?  You didn't know we were in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island back in May.  Oh dear.

Bloodhound Brew
Beer So Good It'll Make You Drool
100% Howl-Ahol 



Headstrong Hound
Beer & Biscuit
"All Hail the Scented Trail
That Leads Us to a Pint of Ale"

I do love them and need to find a place and a way to add them to my decor. 

Now if you want the true take on retreat - or sew camp - click over to my friend Maris' blog and read her post all about it.  You can even see Wendy wearing the border print dress from the other days' post.

Thankfuls :: good friends who act as shrinks and help you work through body image issues :: having my own yarn shop in the basement :: new recipes that work :: Fall and the changing of the leaves - yes it happens here too :: healthy dogs :: kids who grew into responsible adults :: instagram :: good books::

What are you thankful this week?

Before the Reveal

Before showing you the dresses I finished at retreat 2012, I thought I'd finally show you the dress that I mostly made at retreat 2011.  Most of the completed garments from 2011 have been made and worn and gifted already.  But this red version of Vogue 1250 sat on the cutting table from October through August - when I finally asked a friend to mark the hem for me.  Yes - it waited a year for a hem.

I was finally inspired to get it hemmed to wear to a friend's wedding over Labor Day weekend.

I would have to say it's a bit more close fitting than I'm comfortable wearing, but I felt okay until I saw the photos.  I'm working on getting JB to take more photos - he shoots digital for goodness sake - it's not like we're burning film to take more than 3 pictures.  But whatevs.

 I'm glad this dress is hemmed and living in the closet now.  I'm guessing it will get a little vacation trip and taken out to dinner and show for the upcoming birthday vacation. 

I Am Exhausted

Sewing Retreat was wonderful as it always is.  Last weekend - before I had any idea what I was going to work on at retreat, I ordered some fabric from Girl Charlee.  I found it through Meg the Grand and then about a week later, Angie posted about Girl Charlee too. 

The fabric that made me put more in my cart and hit purchase was this one: 

And it's already been made into Butterick 5454 from my last post. 

One of the things I love most about going to sewing retreat is having others available to help you with fit.  On both dresses I took cut and ready to sew - I was very lucky - they fit!  The 'standard' alterations that I need were enough - sway back AND short back length. 

For the first time in my life, I DID NOT add extra room through the hips.  Both patterns had enough ease built in to accommodate my shape.

The changes I made to B5454 were as follows:  added 1/2" to the front wrap so it was higher; made a 1 1/2" sway back adjustment at the shoulder, AND shortened the back by another inch; shortened the back box pleats and only sewed them down for 3" rather than the 4+" in the pattern, and added 6" to the skirt length!

I came home from 'sew camp' feeling pretty, like I knew what the heck I was doing with pattern and fabric and that my hips aren't nearly as big as I think they are!  What a fabulous weekend.  Dress photos soon.  

So Much I want to do

I have so many things on my cutting table right now and I'm just not sure where to start. 

First up is McCalls 6503 - I saw this pattern on another blog and loved how it turned out.  I have a beautiful green floral fabric that would be lovely.  I plan to do either the bottom left view with the stand up collar or the top right with the cross over bodice and folded back collar.  I will do the pleated skirt rather than the full skirt. 

But I can't decide if I just want to dig in and start or spend time making muslins to make sure it fits.  Yea - I should totally do that. 

Next up is Butterick 5454 - I have been so inspired by the wrap dresses being made by Elizabeth of Sewn. 

I have a lot of knits that would be perfect for this type of dress.  They are comfortable and easy to wear. 

So what's stopping me with this one?  My little belly.  Can you wear this style of dress and look fabulous with a pouch-y belly?  What do you think? 

And being inspired by Carolyn, I really, really want to pad my closet out with dresses.  They make leaving the house so easy. 



Finally - I bought Simplicity 1880 way back when Sunni hosted the 2-in-1 Shirt & Wrap Dress Sewalong.  

Again - I have the perfect fabric and I got some great tips while the sewalong was going on.  But I haven't started. 

And I totally need to get my act together because this upcoming weekend is the Fall Sewing Retreat that is put on my by local ASG Chapter.  I am signed up, have a room mate for sleeping and will have my space ready.  With 32 lovely women to sew with for 3 days and get fitting help - well, see what I mean? 

This week I need to get over my damn body issues and just start tracing and cutting fabric already.  I learned long ago that I'm far more productive at retreat if I take things ready to go.  I'd be happy to work on the fit of these 3 dresses all 3 days and then make wearable clothes after retreat. 


My birthday is fast approaching and I need some new clothes.  So what do you all think?  Would you work on fitting issues?  All three of these dresses are very classic and once fitted could just be made over and over?  Should I work on all three?  Are the McCalls and Simplicity too similar to work on both of them?  Should I exchange one for a classic sheath dress? 

I'm still alive

 

Back in August, before we took a road trip to Yellowstone

(which I haven't told you about - but was lovely)

I won a contest giving out a copy of Cast On Bind Off.

 

This is an amazing little book and if you are a knitter - well you NEED it.

Since I'm always knitting - I decided to try out some different ways to cast on

and bind off.

I've knit 3 pairs of socks since vacation.

The first pair of socks were Carrie's Blackberry Brambles.

I won this pattern 3 years ago for naming the pattern and the yarn has been around that long too.

I tried the Channel Island Cast On on page 56.

It took me a minute to figure it out.

It's stretchy and pretty when the sock isn't on.

Looks perfectly normal when wearing the socks.

 



 

Next was another pair of top down socks - this time a test knit.

I decided to use the Slip Knot Cast On from page 59.

Again - took me a minute to figure it out.

This one was lovely transitioning to the k2p2 rib.

Super stretchy and looks fabulous on.

 

Finally - I had a pair of toe up socks that I was ready to finish.

This time the pattern was the Simple Skyp socks - heavily modified.

I tried the Elastic Bind Off on page 170.

I think it took more yarn than my usual toe up bind off,

however, there is absolutely no binding at the top of the socks.

 

So - if you are a knitter - go get this book.  It's worth every penny!

Pattern Pyramid - Winner!

I'm not very good at this 'puter stuff. 

I counted the entries - there were 18, skipping over the comment who didn't want to play.  Then  I went to the random number generator - it came up with #13 - but I don't know how to put the picture in the blog. 

Then I counted the comments again and the winner of all this cool stuff is:



SoISewedThis

Congrats!  I'll email you for postal information.  Plus I added another vintage pattern to the mix.  Enjoy.

Pattern Pyramid

is the brain child of Karen from Did You Make That?  The original post can be found here.  And since that post - over 2 months ago, I've been stalking Karen's blog and every single blog who has won.  I've added lots of new reads to my reader and I'm quite enjoying getting to know new sewing friends.  Just before we left for vacation, I received an email from Rocket Sews that said my stalking had finally paid off!  So excited.  And when I got home from my first day back at work - JB told me I had a package!! 

It was carefully packaged and shipped from Australia.   I was so darn excited.  I can't decide which pattern to keep - good thing I have some time.  Carolyn - is McCalls 2085 similar to your TNT dress pattern?  I'm torn between the McCalls and the KwikSew dress.  I also plan to add a vintage dress pattern or two, just haven't really made it downstairs this week to do much more than put the dogs to bed.

 

 

If you want your own chance to participate in the Pattern Pyramid giveaway - it's easy.  The official rules can be seen on Karen's blog at the official kick off post linked above.  But really it's like this:

 

*comment on this post and you must have an active blog.  I will post the remaining patterns anywhere.  I must have a way to contact you, if your comment doesn't include your email address, please leave one.

 

*edited -- I will draw a winner next Friday, September 14, 2012.  (I want more people to have the chance to win!)

 

Good luck - this has been so much fun and I'm excited to have won and get to play along.