Happy Thanksgiving--Some new projects!

I need to write the text first--then add the photos. Maybe it will make sense that way. If not, it is still a photo record of sewing.

First is the Loes Hinse Garbo Jacket size SMALL! I tried these on at her boutique in Carmel and found that the diet and excercise have paid off. Whoppee! Fits right out of the envelope. I do need to readjust the dress form, as it is bigger than I am now. Anyway, this is the first jacket I made. The rust tweed one I made later--but took pics first of it.

The pants are of a stretch denim from sewbaby. The pattern is from a Burda Petite magazine, size 20. They originally had turn up cuffs, but the fabric had too much body. SO, I cut them off and hemmed them. The fit is great--finally might be able to make some clothes right from the pattern.

Finally, the grey items are for my DGD--more shorts for under her skirts and dresses! The leggings are a test garment to see how the Ottobre sizes work for her. Both items are from the same Ottobre leggings pattern--the shorts I just made a shorter length.

I have navy pinstripe pants from the same pattern on the cutting table. I hope to get them made sometime this weekend. I've done some of the interfacing and serging of the raw edges. I think I can just sew them up and wear them...at least I hope to have a photo to share soon!

Some Easy Stuff

I have been doing some sewing for me and for my DGD. All easy stuff!

The shorts are first in photos and last in text description...still not good at adding and moving photos!

For me, I made a tshirt from the Ottobre Designs women's edition. Size 40, long sleeve with a jewel neck.

I also made some pants from a Burda Petite magazine. They are size 20 which is part of their petite size range--17-21. They both fit fine and will make good muslin or TNT patterns from which to gauge other patterns.

For my DGD (age 5) I made a couple of pairs of black bike shorts to wear under dresses to school. They offer modesty for an active little one.

Here they are--I put small embroidery designs on the back waist area to help her know which side is the back!

Long Time No Post...

I have been away from my sewing for a long time--spent the summer in Long Beach, went to Central Europe for 3 weeks, and spent 2 weeks in Reno, No Cal, Monterey, and back to Long Beach. While in Carmel, I went to Loes Hinse's lovely shop and tried on several jackets. WOW! They fit! I came home and did some sewing!

Here is a photo of my Bolero jacket, size small, made with some wool/mohair blend fabric from Fabric Mart. I don't love the photo, but I do love the jacket! I am anxious to do more sewing now that I can make a few things that fit. I also made a Jalie crossover t shirt that fits--good news! Now to try some pants...that has been a challenge. I made 3 pairs of muslin pants--not happy with any of them. I can go to Talbots and buy a 10 petite and they fit great. Why can't I find a pattern size that also fits? I'm still working on it!

May sewing Projects!

Finally! I did some sewing.
I made 3 t shirts and I made some curtains for my sewing studio. I wish I could figure out how to manipulate the photos in blogger, but I can't so here they are as I downloaded them! The curtains are made from quilting cotton from Walmart! Nothing special, but a welcome bit of color in the sewing areas.

The shirts are:

Long sleeved is the Hot Patterns Plain and Simple Fitted T-shirt--size 14 and with the v neckline. The 2 short sleeved ones are Simplicity 4076 view D size 16. The green is coolmax from a coop and the white is cotton lycra from an online seller.

I have enough fabric to last the rest of my life, but it is great fun to brose the net and shop for more goodies. I've been good the past couple of months, though, and haven't bought any new fabric other than the curtain cottons.

Muslin of T shirt

Well, I guess I am stuck with a sideways view of the shirt.

This is a muslin made after doing a FBA on Simplicity 3837 size 16. I'm not crazy about the fabric, but that's why I used it for a muslin. It has been aging in the stash for quite a while! I used my sewing machine, serger, and coverstitch machine on this top. I will now make one out of some fabric I really like. The top turned out OK! I added about 1" in both length and width to the top pattern piece. Had to adjust the back by the same amount so they met at the side seam.

Dress Up In Action

Here's a photo of Cade modeling his doctor scrubs. We got him a little medical kit to go with the scrubs, so he is using the stethoscope and bag while he is appropriately dressed!

Isn't he just SOOOO cute?

Dress Up/Play Outfits

Here is the fireman coat I made for my grandson's 3rd birthday--it is made of felt backed vinyl--what I'd call oilcloth. He loved it! I made 2 other outfits--photos below. The scrubs are from a "veggie tales" print and the karate outfit from some unknown fabric that was on a clearance table at the local Hancock's. Patterns used were Butterick 3244 for the fireman coat and McCall's 4103 for the scrubs and karate outfit.

Now I may do some more sewing for--ME!

These were great fun to make, however!

Catching Up

Here are a few things I made in the past few weeks...

First, is a shirt for my grand daughter. It fits her, but the neck is a bit snug to put on. Good thing to note for the next one! Needs to have just a big bigger neck opening! The pattern is an Ottobre Design size 98 and the fabric is powerdry from Malden Mills bought from a fabric coop.

Let's see if I can get the photo over here! OK, they show up first! The second photo is of two pairs of pants made from different Burda WOF patterns. They are both from out of print petite editions of the magazine.

Both are wearable muslins made from Fabric Mart bundle fabrics. The pair on the left is corded fabric, maybe poly but has some stretch. It feels similar to cotton cord. Fit is OK. The pair on the right is of a cotton/spandex blend. I like the fit of this pair best.

I am trying to develop the TNT (tried and true) sloper for pants for me so I can just sew and enjoy the garment without having to wonder every time if they will be even close to fitting.

Sweater and Zip Bag

New photos! New Camera!

You can tell that DH is usually the photographer in this family! I got a new camera--a Pentax Optio. It is a "point and push" digital camera and even I can take photos. Not like the professional quality DH does, but you can see my projects! I learned to download photos from the camera to the computer and find them to download on this blog. Simple for most people, but a new trick for this old dog.

Here are the descriptions of my photos!

First is the zip bag I made for DGD--but put the zipper in upside down, so I had to make another. I thought it was cute and DGD loved the one she got. I love these in-the-hoop embroidery projects!

Second--the first sweater I have ever knit! It is for my youngest DGS who is 6 months old. I hope it will fit him when he needs a sweater! I still need to sew in the zipper. The pattern is "Zippy" by Berrocco yarns--a free pattern. I made it with some inexpensive yarn from JoAnn's. Now I know I CAN make a sweater!

I also made myself a pair of pants--need to get the camera again to take a photo when I put in the button holes.

Top and Eyeglass Case #2

Here are some recent projects--one made on my embroidery machine and the other on my trusty Bernina 1130.

I made two things the past couple of weeks. Well, I made more, but no photos! (No photos of the valentine bags I made for the DGDs! Cute zippered bags with lips appliqued on! All in-the-hoop projects!)

Anyway, I made another eyeglass case and a Christine Jonson Princess Wrap top for me! The top looks kinda scrunchy hanging on the hanger, but very form fitting on the body.

Eyeglass case and Jean Jacket

I made a couple of things the past 2 weeks...nothing too exciting, but they are done!

I'm still having trouble with importing photos to the right place in the text, so the photos are reversed! Look at the photos from bottom to top!

First, a great friend helped me out with this one--thanks Elaine! I wear those clip on sunglasses that fit on my regular glasses...but I abuse and lose them. So, I made this quick in-th-hoop project on my embroidery machine. I plan to make a case out of nicer fabric, but this one helps me find the glasses and protects them in the abyss of my purse!

The second is a Jean Jacket made from McCall's 5191. The fabric is some I got in a bundle from Fabric Mart--sort of a tapestry/upholstery fabric. I made several mistakes, had to unpick even after many topstitching stitches were sewn...but here it is. I think I like it--may be a bit too big, but I can wear a sweater under it if/when it's cold. The best part is, I finished it! I got out the manual for my Brother ULT 2003D sewing/embroidery machine and made SEVEN buttonholes! I was pleased with the results and felt some satisfaction that I'd finally used the sewing side of this machine.

Happy Birthday

Just a line--Happy Birthday Shawn! My firstborn is 36 today. YIKES!

Needle Case

I made this needle case using some directions I found online. It was a project from Hell, as I thought I'd ruined 2 sergers in the process. I ended up using my trusty Bernina 1130 sewing machine to complete the case--but my mood and attitude were somewhat dark as I finished the thing. It wasn't until I looked at the photo to post it here that I realized I had used the Garfield fabric upside down! Anyway, I have used this case already and appreciate the ease and portability of having all of my knitting tools at hand in one place. I'm knitting a sweater for my DDIL's Italian Greyhound at the moment. I'll post a photo when it is finished and being modeled on the pup.

More Hats!

I knit a couple more hats--these are a different pattern and really much easier to make! My DGS had a bigger head than I expected so I made him the red hat also--much better fit! It does fold up to be a watch cap.

These are made of Lion Brand "Jiffy" yarn on size 5 needles.

The black hat is for DH--really made him 2. One for home and one for the beach condo.