I Made Something!

Finally I have something to show! Okay, granted, it is a totally lame iPad shot, but I don't dare get my tripod out with my little helper. Although I must report I made him a tool belt and he sat in rapture of the embroidery machine and did not try to touch a thing, which I can't say for the downstairs machines. Yeah, that's right, I have a serger and regular machine downstairs in the common living space so I can sew or do alterations with the family...sometimes I like the company...
Here is my new Renfrew made with the space dyed knit

Not the most flattering picture, but you get the idea. The fabric is very soft and I believe next time I will interface the neck lining if I choose a fabric this drapy. It is very comfortable. The tee isn't as close fitting as my TNT Jalie pattern, but it's nice to have a little variety. Next up are some peplum tops an a dress for Spring. What are you sewing?

Craigslist Score!

Tom and I are slowly but surely putting the finishing touches on our LaPine home. The feel of the house is rustic cabin, and we knew we wanted a log bed for the master suite, but not just any old plain log bed. We found a gorgeous custom bed on Craigslist, but there was one detractor...the iron work had a horse scene on it. I love horses, but a little off our decor. Enter Tom, who can do anything! He plans to replace the horses with some elk! Perfect! So here's the bed, but imagine elk running through the trees instead of horses!

Sewing is progressing. Working on a lot of basics for summer. Did you see the new Vogues? I was going to get some, but as Shams pointed out, many of the new ones are already sold out! Gotta be quick these days! 

Sew Success!

In a manner of speaking! I did get a Renfrew Tee shirt cut out yesterday afternoon, but did not sew. I'm planning a big topapalooza and the Renfrew is a perfect top for that because you can do all the construction on the serger. I have a Babylock Evolve, but recently purchased a Janome serger off Craigslist that is easily portable. OMG...yesterday there was a Janome serger for $20.00 and a Bernina sewing machine for $40.00 advertised on Craigslist at a garage sale. Unfortunately ( or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I was at work and unable to go until well after they opened. I'm sure some lucky soul snapped those up! Anyway, back to my plan...I have a few knit tops and another Jalie cardigan ready to stitch...it's coming along!
Today I am wearing a retro dress I made a couple years ago from a cotton print I purchased from FabricMart oddly enough. The makes from their fabrics tend to live a long life in my wardrobe...hmmm...

Sew Fail

Didn't even make it to the machine tonight! Boo! After a 10 hour shift, I ran in to the station to have dinner with the boys...I didn't have to cook...Thanks Adam! I made it home about a quarter to 7:00 and felt compelled to pull a few weeds in the flower bed. A good 15 minutes got the major weeds out and a nice snack for Millie Goat. I went in and tended to some necessary chores and then set out to cut out a couple Sillouette tops. I didn't have enough of the fabrics I had intended, but I thought I could cut out a few Renfrews. Then I couldn't find my pattern. By the time I found it I was not in the mood anymore and decided the best thing to do was clean the carpet upstairs. Because that's what every sane person wants to do after a long day of work! But tomorrow is a short day at work...I have my patterns in place and a minimum of errands to do after work...dare I dream of an afternoon of stitching? Yes! Yes! Yes!

The Reason for my Sewing Slowdown

This little guy has been keeping me busy.

We've been helping Pop on the tractor...

And taking our new best friends for a ride on the tractor. We've been to the movies, and flown a kite, and even taken a nap! We went down at 1:30 and he was asleep at 2:00 when I woke up! He is spending some time with his other grandparents for a few days, so I should get some sewing in tonight as Pop is working! 

FabricMart is having another great sale and wouldn't you know it? The Maggy London border print I coveted is on sale for $2.80 a yard. Story of my life...oh well, I love it anyway at full price. Look for some garments soon

Itchin' 2B Stitchin...

Just a quick fly by...a toddler's attention span is very short and we have big plans for the day, but I just had to share my latest fabric aquisition. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I succumbed to a great FabricMart sale. They actually have another one that ends today, but I am showing incredible restraint (but I am thinking about going back there....) Let me just show you what came last week and maybe that will satisfy my urge! First off...the fabrics I selected:

The bright floral Maggy London border print in the lower right hand corner prompted the order. Common logic would dictate I use the floral on the bottom edge of a dress, but I am thinking of having it down one side with the rest of the dress black. What do you think? The black and white ponte print above that is amazing and I think Carolyn made a dress with it, but I haven't had a chance to peruse back through her makes to see. The zigzag will be a wrap dress I think, and the black with gold stripes and the olive spaced dyed knits are going to be Renfrew Tees. The grey and beige print is a nice lightweight stable knit and I'm thinking some kind of cardigan. Now for the surprise fabric that came in the bundles:

I've got plans for most of this too. Upper left is a gorgeous plum wool blend that will be a skirt...pattern yet to be determined. The pink is a super soft stable knit with tiny ribs...at first I was not sure if I liked it...not much of a pink wearer, but I am thinking about a longer cardigan pattern from an earlier issue of My Image. Next is a dark teal crisp poly that will probably be a lining for something. The black, white and grey animal print will be a skirt (soon, I hope). The upper right is a dark teal (very similar to the lining fabric) velveteen. It screams tailored jacket. The orange poly satin...LINING for sure...Tom said it would make a great hunting vest...NOT! The zebra print double knit will make a great magic pecil skirt unless I come up with something else. The circle print jersery is yumm, but will need special care in cutting out to prevent the bullseye effect!
I'm very excited to get working with this fabric. I did muslin out the Silhouettes Giorgio top to fit my body. I found the sizing a little confusing, but ended up with the smallest size and tweaking the sleeves a little bigger (for my massive biceps...LOL!) and nipping in the waist about an inch. Looking forward to sewing a few of those up because they do work up quickly. Hopefully my next post will have pics of fabric made into actual garments...gotta run...time to take a 2 year old on an adventure!

All's Quiet...

...in the blogosphere. Everyone must be contemplating the terrible tragedy in Boston today. Really? What possesses a soul to do something so evil?
Big surprise in the mail today! My Silhouette pattern and DVD arrived today! I ordered it Friday night! I live in Oregon...not anywhere near Texas! I am flabbergasted how quickly my package arrived. I purchased the Giorgio top #312. I already have my pattern pieces cut out. I need to pick a fabric. The instructions are very straightforward so it should stitch up quickly. I see a bunch of these once I nail down the fit. No sewing for the next two days though. Heading to the land of snow and dreams to work on the house. So excited to see the new sink Tom put in! Hope to return with a wardrobe plan to share...putting my thinking cap on!