"How Much Fabric" Winner!

As a winner of these reference cards, I agreed to post them on my site and do a review. First, I'd like to thank Nothy Lane at http://aftagley.blogspot.com for selecting me as a winner of these wonderful cards.

You may purchase these cards from Gwyn at http://www.gwynhug.com

These reference cards are great when shopping without your patterns. You're able to puchase the needed amount of fabric and not spend extra money, or have left over remnants. Keep these cards on your key ring or tucked away in your purse. If you're like me, tucked away with those swatches for emblishment purchases and lists of needed sewing purchases.

Something New!!!!!!!

Brother 1034D Serger just for me! It's my first new purchase in the form of sewing machinery. For two weeks, I haven't sewn a stitch.

The grandchildren left today and I broke into the box. What's exciting is the machine came threaded from the factory and all I had to do was connect the power cord, turn on the switch, and hit the peddle. I had previously gone to YouTube and watched all seven videos from the company.

Finally Wearing My Birthday Outfit!

Remember this outfit from the "Smash Bust"! I finally got to wear it over a month later. The jacket Butterick 5720 and dress Butterick 5147 were made from white brocade fabric purchased at JoAnn Fabric. Both pieces were lined.
                                                                                                                                                                         

Peplum Jacket Finished!

The skirt, New Look 6154 was completed over a month ago. The jacket, Simplicity 7159 was started immediately after completing the skirt, but as I was adding the embellishment to the skirt, I remembered seeing buttons that I thought would be perfect for this outfit. After searching a couple of stores and not finding them, I turned to the internet and immediately located them and for a great price.

 

The jacket is the out of print jacket that I made for my daughter. I had to enlarge the pattern for her. Then, enlarge it further for myself. The sleeve cap was changed to remove the gathers. Adjusting the pattern included shortening the waist length by one inch, enlarging the arm width, and increasing the waist and bust.

 

 

The fabric is a white crepe with a shimmer. The complete outfit was lined with polyester lining.

 

I've had the hat with the pearls for many years. The necklace was a birthday gift from a few years ago.

Maybe, I distorted the pattern sleeves with my adjustment. Althought it fits, I think the sleeves and the sleeve openings are a little large. I can only fix it by reajusting the patten pieces.

Light Lime Cardigan!

Yes, it's another cardigan from Simplicity 1961. The fabric is a light lime polyester burnout knit from Fabric Mart. Today, as I was checking out at JoAnn's, I looked back and saw a lady in the checkout line wearing the same color burnout shirt with a matching tank top.

Today, I purchased the Threads magazine for July which included a burnout cardigan with an article by Connie Crawford about "Lightweight Knits."

I've decided to wear this cardigan with a taupe tank and taupe pants. I like the way the taupe had a barely-there look. Although I haven't checked, I'm pretty sure there is a lime tank packed away in one of my drawers.

*There is one thing that I forgot to mention about the top; I decided to enlarge the sleeves because it fit like a sweater or should I say, due to my arm size, it fits a little closer than I perfer.

A ballpoint needle was used. You can use a stretch needle.

Inspiration Maxi Dress/Cardi Jacket

When I saw this Bassa Maxi dress at http://www.igigi.com/plus-size-dresses/  it made me think of a piece of multi-colored chiffon housed in my stash. I only had about 1 1/2 yards.

 

The bodice was created from M6322 without the darts. Black polyester faille from Fabric Mart was used for the bodice and the lining. The fabric gave the dress a nice weight.

 

 I didn't want to use a polyester lining fabric because I thought it might become a little sticky in the heat. I would have liked to use the black lawn fabric, but didn't have enough.  A headband was made to match.

The chiffon fabric was measured and sewn up the back. After fitting, I had to go back with 1/4 inch elastic and to make it a little more fitted.

 

 This is the cardi wrap jacket from the previous post. It is from the same polyester knit faille fabric.

This is the back view.  I love the length of this jacket.

This outfit was created to wear on a date with my husband. He liked it and it was such an easy wearing outfit. In my jewerly box I found a bracelet with fuschia, black and cream.I found a fuschia chunky earring and necklace set for the next time.

Knit Cardi-Wrap

Simplicity SewSimple 1961 was made using a micro-pique knit.  The pattern comes in sizes XXS-XG and it can be tied in the front. Yes, it's black because it is simply time out (in my area of the country) for a sweater and it can worn with my next maxi dress.                                                                                
                                                                     

 

The fabric was a little too thick for the hemming-foot, so I used the open-toe foot. It was an easy job hemming this jacket because the foot keeps the fabric straight and housed between each side of the foot. I really appreciated the nice looking effortless mitered corners.

                                                                                                            

The length is a litter longer than I wanted, but I like the jacket so I cut two more.                                              

 

              The back length is perfect in that it gives great coverage and it has a straight edge.

No Regrets ??

While looking for buttons to match a shirt, I ran across some that matched and immediately recognized them as belonging to my mom and thought, "I don't know if I want to use these!"

Now, when does one decide to do something that might be regrettable? I often think about the fact that I've used the last of my mother's sewing labels, not accepted her $2000 Viking sewing machine, given away a basket filled with expensive sewing items, given away my fabric and pattern stash, not kept my mom's patterns, and given away unidentifiable sewing equipment, including a walking foot etc.

The good news is that at the moment, I was excited about giving and they were excited about receiving those gifts. That's exactly what they were, "Gifts." After this therapy session, I've realized that as time goes by, everything is leaving slowly. It's been twenty-four years since her life as a seamstress came to an end. While sewing, I often think, "Mom would not believe that I am now doing what she did on a daily basis."

Yes, I still have yellowed elastic that doesn't spring back, but does it count that I threw some of it away this week? Anyway, these are some of  many of her things that I thought you might like to see.


                                                       Do you think prices have changed?

                                                   Notice that this price is for 5 yards.

                                           
                                                   I'll definitely use these soon!

           

                                          
                                               How long did it take this to yellow?

                                            
                                              I'd love to find my thread at these prices!                                                                 

                                        Notice that it says, "Turn machine wheel slowly."

                                     
                    

                                                   

                                       
           Yes, the zipper and the instructions fit into this tiny container.

                               

Priceless!!!! 

1.MARKS 2.Gingher 3.SESAM Brazil 4. can't read 5.CASE