Swimsuit Coverup Update

The swimsuit coverup is complete, and I'm very pleased with the results.   I will also be posting my first review on pattern review.  I've been a member for several months now, but haven't posted a review.  This will be my first review.

Pattern Review
Loose fitting, unlined Jacket. I made this as a swimsuit cover up.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes
Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, but surprised the instructions did not include stay stitching the neckline to prevent stretching.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Easy Pattern, nice for knits and wovens.
Fabric Used: Multi-coloured lightweight woven slightly sheer batiste like fabric
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
No design changes were made.
Small change made to the construction of the ties. Because the fabric I used frayed quite easily, folding under the edge was difficult. Decided to knot the end instead.
Also stay stitched the neckline and hems to prevent stretching and distortion
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes
Conclusion: Would Recommend this pattern.

On another note; here's the results of a Christmas Eve project I worked on.  A 3D puzzle, how cool is that!

Last Call - Vogue Pattern Giveaway

Today is the last day to enter my Vogue Pattern Giveaway.   I'm giving away a Vogue Pattern 1205 - a fabulous dress by designer Kay Unger. This is a new uncut pattern in size 8-10-12-14.  Be sure to follow the link to the original post to enter.

Check your fabric stash, if it includes the following, this pattern may be for you:

FABRICS: † Moderate Stretch Knits Only. Lightweight Double Knit and Lightweight Jersey. Also for Contrast A: Stretch Charmeuse. Lining: Tricot and Stretch Georgette. Unsuitable for obvious diagonals.

I'll be announcing the winner this weekend.  

Christiana

Project Update, Fabric Giveaway and Pattern Giveaway

Happy Happy Happy, not quite new year....

I'm procrastinating packing up the Christmas decorations for another year, so instead of making it a major project I decided to do a little each day with the goal of having it all packed up by January 1st.

I'm making progress on my beach coverup.  Although it's a simple project that could have been sewn up in one afternoon, I'm doing that in bits and pieces too.

Tis the season for giveaways and Retro Mummy has a fantastic fabric giveaway, be sure to check it out.  Also, don't forget you still have a few days left to enter my Vogue Pattern Giveaway

Christiana

The Christmas rush is over

The rush is over, and I now a have a few days of quiet time before heading back to work.  Under the Christmas tree this year, was the perfect companion for blog reading, web surfing and pattern reading.  A Nespresso machine, isn't she a beauty.

On the cutting table this week is Butterick 5224.  We're headed to the Dominican Republic in a couple of weeks and thought I'd make this as a nice beach cover up.  The pattern is a two hour express pattern, the lone  review on patternreview.com can be found here.

Now that New Year's is just around the corner, I'm sure that everyone is thinking about celebrations and resolutions.   This year we're starting the new year with the New Year's Resolution run/walk.   In 2011 my goals are to become more active physically, spiritually and creatively.

There's still time to enter my Vogue Pattern Giveaway and be sure to vote in my reader poll on the right side of my bog.

Christiana

Vogue Pattern Giveaway

I've just put a new gadget on my blog, a polling gadget. To encourage participation and help grow my readership I'm sponsoring my first ever blog giveaway.   I'm giving away a Vogue Pattern 1205 - a fabulous dress by designer Kay Unger.  This is a new pattern in size 8-10-12-14.

To enter the contest take the poll and leave a comment on this post, I'd love to hear why you'd like to have this pattern or how you would add your personal style to this dress.  Maybe you have a fantastic piece of fabric in your stash that is perfect for this dress or perhaps you have creative touch that you'd like to show off using this pattern.

The contest ends on December 31st.

Good Luck

Helps for Troubled Sewers...Your Sewing Problem?

I think I spend more time reading sewing books and reading sewing patterns than I do sewing.  And I love reading vintage pattern books and instruction sheets.   Today when I was digging through the closet trying to find the Christmas wrapping paper I was slightly distracted by a couple of Vintage sewing books.   I had to chuckle at the subtitle on the cover...Helps for Troubled Sewers and on the back Your Sewing Problem? bring it to SINGER....  This lovely Simplicity Sewing Book was published in 1935 and the cover sounds more like an invitation to attend a support meeting than a sewing book.

Some things never change, here is some advice regarding pattern sizing from page 10 "Don't, however, think you live and die the same size...Check these measures once each season.  Your ready to wear size does not help you here."  

And some things do change, from page 26 "MACHINE STITCHING is recommended for all seams.  If you have no machine, ask a friend to stitch your dress, or take it to a machine store"  I wonder how responsive my local sewing machine dealer would be if  I took my sewing project to them for stitching.   Any bloggers out there willing to give this a try?  ....I double dare you ;-)

Christiana

Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman with a Sewing Machine!

Feeling Stichy posted this cute saying and I couldn't wait to share it with all my on-line sewing peeps! Another business trip has kept me far..far away from my sewing projects. Tonight was "hang out" on line night and I got caught up with the sewing blog community. Here's some are some of the highlights of my travels through the cyber sewing space.

...turning back time with a little vintage
I absolutely adore Evie's vintage creation. Such an elegant dress in a radiant blue. Sew amazing! She even has the perfect finishing touches, love the shoes and the seamed stockings. The weather is cooling off and Lemondrop Vintage is cuddling up with the soon to arrive little lemondrop in a cozy vintage sweater.

One less UFO -
How many of us have a few UnFinishedObjects in our stash. Sewing projects that we started; but never finished. Paul Simon sings about 50 Ways to Leave your Lover. There must be at least 50 ways to recover that UFO...just slip into the stash...make a new plan... Check out Sharon's project from two years ago that she recently finished. Great job on such an unique skirt.

New Looks from Old Patterns
I just adore it when I see new styles adapted from old patterns. The caftan pattern that the writer of The Sew Convert Blog used to create her fabulous tops from reminds me of a caftan pattern that my mom used to make caftans for me, my sister, my aunt and herself. The new look to an old style is a great example of how creative you can get with sewing patterns.

A new seamstress.
I love it when I hear about little ones being inspired to sew. I started sewing early. Harvey's Seat Belt Blog shared a story of an up an coming seamstress. What is Harvey's Seat Belt Blog all about? If you're into handbags...and I do love handbags...you have to check these guys out. In 1997, when installing seat belts in a 1950's Buick, they came up with the idea of making a matching seat belt. Now they make hundreds of seat belt bags. So cool!

Speaking of Handbags, I recently discovered The Miche Bag. A handbag with interchange able shells. I'm wondering if any bloggers out there have tried making custom shells for the Miche Bag.

Well...it's getting late and I have another presentation tomorrow, so...
Type at you later!
Christiana