What to do next???

That question pretty much sums up my sewing the last month! I have a nice fabric stash and need to use some of it, but what to make??? That is the question.

Right as I typed this blog post title, I was hit with the notion of making a halter dress. It's probably because there was a lovely pic of Drew Barrymore in a summer frock with pretty heels in some newspaper, maybe a recent edition of one of the NY ones? So I've decided I want a nice summer dress. It's going to be a knit because I have a paisley print that's a possibility in my stash.

I'll try to run it by my Internet audience tomorrow. When I do, please tell me what you think about the style/fabric combo.

Of course, my bathing suit is currently a 14-month UFO! You'd think I'd want to work on that, especially when tomorrow might be the hottest day of the year with temps approaching 100 degrees!

HS Graduation and Mad Dash Sewing

Last Monday I was catching up on blog reading and read a post by Debbie Cook. She had posted about making a graduation dress in the nick of time, and I thought, "Oh my gosh! I have nothing to wear for DD#1's graduation!" So the 'ol noodle got a hummin' about what's in the fabric stash.

Last year I bought a nice black/green/white ITY print from Spandex World for my maxi dress pattern but it never got made. So I pulled it out and thought about using it for a dress from my CJ Wrap Top pattern from last week. The top was such a nice fit and style that it seemed a natural for a dress.

Here is a full pic of my dress and a closeup:





This was truly mad dash sewing! I cut out the pattern on Thursday night by lengthening the pattern 15 inches and adding an inch at the front and back side seam from the hipline down. I created princess seams for a better back fit and a CB seam in case I needed a slit (not necessary). On Friday, I worked on it for about 45 minutes right after the boys got on the bus, but had to stop for Bring-Your-Pet-To-School day. (BTW, Jake was okay with it, but doesn't particularly care for dogs.) Then I picked up DD#1 at the high school, had a snack, took her to the mall for her last-minute-Susie activity of picking out a graduation dress and shoes. I got home at 12:30, ate lunch, and worked on my dress from about 1:30 - 3:30. Then I had to go out and pick up pizza and take her to CVS for mascara.


The total sewing time for the dress was about 2 1/2 hours. I lost time in the morning because my machine was fussy with skipped stitches. I switched needles, then switched to Mettler thread which worked like a charm. It was truly the fastest dress I've ever made, and yes, it was hurry, hurry, hurry! The neckline and armholes were turned under and coverstitched. That really saved heaps of time. I put in a temporary hem for the evening to make sure it was a suitable length. I pegged the hem on each side seam, but will probably peg it a little bit more. In the next few days, the permanent hem will be coverstitched.


Some people thrive on sewing on a deadline. I find it somewhat stressful. However, it was truly sewing like my sister. When I was a kid and she was in high school, I was truly in awe how she could wake up, know she wanted a specific garment, cut it out and sew it up to wear that evening by 6 p.m. My own sewing has never been like that. So it was really nice to know that I could pull off this mad dash sewing like my sister did many years ago.


This dress is really one of my faves. I love the style and print. The only thing about the print is that it hides the wrap and gathering detail. Do you know what my thoughts were on this? Maybe black piping down the princess seams would give it an edgy look. The seams and gathering detail get lost, but I don't think it detracts from the dress, but a contrast piping would enhance it, at least the princess seams that is. What do you think dear readers? I'll probably try that when using a print next time around.


On to DD#1, we have our first high school graduate! One down, three to go. It was a lovely graduation, perfect weather, and here are some pics from the event. We are so proud of her! She will be attending school in Philly as a Pre-Med Major. You can see in her pics she is wearing her National Honor Society cords, her Summa Cum Laude medal, and Student Government sash. She has a long road ahead of her in her preparation for her goal of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon, but I know it will happen. It's an exciting time for her! It will be a long road, but I told her to savor every moment of the journey. It will have its highs and lows, but in the end it will be well worth all the hard work.


My only rants about the evening were:


1. You wait 18 years to hear your child's name announced when they receive their diploma. The microphone had issues for about 7 or 8 kids and mine was one of them--ugh! All the audience heard was her last name.


2. In the graduation booklet, they forgot to list National Honor Society next to her name. They also forgot to list her friend's scholarship. I'm sure there were errors for other people, but it's annoying when kids work so hard and there are little mistakes like this.


Here's a video link and pics for the last moments of graduation. The formed the traditional Blue and White Line at the end of the ceremony around the track. She was in the last group of 5 girls to exit the field near the center podium. It's sure to bring back memories of one's own high school graduation. She graduated on the same day and date as me, same time 26 years later. Even identical right down to the weather.


Here is a pic of her before leaving for the Graduation Ceremony

Here are the SGA group students, 2nd row of students to enter the field. DD#1 is second in from left. The valedictorian is on the right, salutatorian is second in from right.

DD#1's in her spot and looking!
Partial view of the graduates on a beautiful June evening:

Right after the ceremony and ready for pics:

Final seconds of graduation video:

To end this post, here's a few pics of our little boy Jake. Oh...how we love him so! So soft and cuddly. He's growing and sleeping more like an adult cat. His August birthday is fast approaching, and it's hard to believe little Jake is going to be 1. He's sleeping, but we really know he's begging for hugs and kisses. Or maybe a soft belly rub.

I. Did. It. :) :) :)

Last week I took my 1992 Pfaff serger in for a tuneup. I've rarely been using the 'ol serger lately because fitting and serging do not always go hand in hand. My Janome Coverstitch, however, has been getting a nice workout!

My Pfaff Hobbylock is/was a wonderful machine. The stitches it produced were fantastic. The only problem? You know what it is, dear readers! Fiddling with tension to get just the right stitch can make a 5 minute job turn into 65 minutes. Every time I want to do a rolled hem, I change my threads, change the foot, set the tension, run a test stitch, reset the tension, again, again, and again. It's another reason why my serger doesn't get used as much as it should. Many times I have said to myself, "So much for a 5-minute hem!"

If the tuneup was going to be over $100, I was going to use that as a downpayment on...A BABYLOCK IMAGINE!!! It's on layaway at the dealer. I also used the serger as a trade-in. The time has come. My eyes aren't going to focus any better, my time is always at a premium, so what the heck.

Jet-air threading here I come. Tension headaches are a thing of the past. I can live without a serger for a while. Not fun, but do-able. I'm hoping I can get it paid off by Christmas/New Years. I'm SO looking forward to 2011. The last quarter of the year should be interesting anyway because then I'll know if surgery is a must from the car accident that keeps on "giving".

CJ Patterns Wrap Top Done!

Here it is. I finished it over the weekend and even after recutting a side/back panel due to the drilled hole issue, there was still enough fabric for long sleeves.

Added to my Fall wardrobe...yes, I did say Fall. Review to follow in a few days. Don't look at the basement draperies! They've only been hanging there waiting to be finished for 3 years now.

Who Loves Leopard?

I do. My cat does. DH did too, and so did the fireman collecting money at the coin drop.

The leopard I'm talking about is my Textile Studio Capris Jacket in leopard print fleece. When I originally purchased the fleece from Fabric Mart for a chemo hat for Stacey, I purchased extra because I wanted something "leopard" in my wardrobe in addition to my leopard print skirt made several months back. I finished this jacket a little over a month ago but haven't modeled it, nor have done a review yet. Hopefully I'll get a review done tomorrow or Tuesday.

Here is the jacket front:

Jacket front different angle:

And now the back:

The pattern style wasn't changed much from the pattern, but it does look different. The first time I made this jacket was for my lingerie ensemble for the Lingerie Contest. I used a black panne velvet with lots of drape. However the fleece gives the jacket an altogether different look. One of the things I don't like about fleece jackets are the facings. They tend to flop around if not tacked down, so I took a tip from Nancy Cornwall (auther of the Polarfleece books) to turn the facings to the outside. I think that really makes the jacket. I trimmed the edges of the fleece with black lycra in my stash. The sleeves are long, but I can turn them up to a cuff as shown in my photos or worn down to cover the top part of my hands when it's chilly outside.


DH gave it a nod and said he liked it. The fireman at the coin drop growled at me and asked me to show him my "claws". I must admit, it was the first time I've ever been embarrassed about my short, stumpy nails. He was disappointed that I didn't have ones to match the jacket LOL. Jake LOVES my jacket. When he sleeps, it looks like it was made just for him. And as for me? It was exactly the jacket I wanted. I was thinking it would just look okay, but I loved it when it was finished.


Next up, I'm working on my CJ Wrap top shown below
. It's been hanging out on my sewing center in my kitchen for a week since I've been busy with prom dress alterations. I have to cut the sleeves for it, but they will be 3/4 length because I'm short on fabric. This velour stretch knit from Spandex House in NYC has been in my stash for maybe 3 years? Possibly more. The only thing I don't like about it is that it "changes color" depending on the angle. The colors in the pic look really bold (that's to my liking), but it changes to light and frosty coloring from a different angle. Love the intensity, not the paleness, so this chameleon fabric is not my fave.


The fabric does not have the recommended stretch so I had to use smaller seam allowances too. It's about 20-25% stretch. I'll probably end up taking in the waist side seams a little but I'll need to alter with a swayback tuck above the waist before cutting out another top from this pattern. The sewing side of my brain envisions a LBD from a black knit from this pattern. Lengthen it, tweak it, and voila! It would make a perfect dress. Gotta love those princess seams too.


More later. Or hopefully sooner.

Prom 2010, Young Fashion Eye Candy, Prom Dress Alterations

It's that time of year again--The Prom! (Can it really be 26 years since "MY" Senior Prom???) My oldest is experiencing that wonderful time of her Senior year, those end-of-the-year festivities. (On a motherly note, I just ordered her graduation announcements.) This year she attended two proms. The first was last week with her guy friend. This was his Senior Prom, not hers. Don't think he's a boyfriend in the true sense of the word, but she's a picky girl like her mama and doesn't want to take just anyone. Neither did he, because according to his Facebook page, he doesn't like dumb girls.

Here's they are in their prom finery:




I had to go on a field trip last week for DS#1, so my mother took care of prom activities for me.

She told me a cute story when he came over to pick up DD#1. He wasn't dressed for the prom, but had his tux in a bag in his car. As soon as he came through the door, DD#1 was making her way down the stairs and he looked up, his smiled a broad smile and gave a most approving look ;) . Like a Wow! moment. He quickly dressed for the moment so my mom could take pics. She snapped a couple of good ones below:



Fast forward one week later to today! My daughter went dateless to her own prom because according to her, "There's no one I want to go with from my school." The guy she went with last week had a previous committment for this weekend. So now I present you with some 2010 Prom Fashion Eye Candy. It was so cool because no one had the same color dress.

Here's DD#1 today modeling the bustle I created for her. We experimented with different effects, but this is what she wanted:

Here are the first pics from this afternoon. The beautiful girls modeling the front of their dresses:

And now the backs:

Here is DD#1 with one of her lovely friends. I created her bustle as well, and rehemmed her dress. She paid $60 to have her dress hemmed by someone else and it was uneven and too long on the sides (the sides only and I don't know why.). I told her I wouldn't charge her a dime UNLESS she told other people ( BEFORE the prom) I was doing some of her alterations. I certainly didn't need a slew of requests because I'm still very busy with doctor and physical therapy appts. as my arm and torn tendons are still healing. There's only so much work I can do and do comfortably. I'm not going to push it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the cutouts on her dress too.
Another pic of DD#1:



After 15-20 minutes of parents taking pics, the "limo" arrived. This morning I asked her how many people were going in the limo and she said about 25. 25?!?! What limo seats 25??? It was a limo BUS!!! Here is DD#1 expression after she saw the interior of the limo bus.

I had the same response! Check out a view of the limo inside:

Here is the entire group of girls in front of the limo bus. An absolutely gorgeous group, and all totally different and lovely gowns.

And finally, DD#1 asked a mom to take a pic of us both. Now why didn't I think this would happen? I would have picked a different purse LOL, one that matched. Instead I have a big epipen sticking out of the front, a huge purple key loop on my arm, and a big, ugly elbow brace. Didn't think about that at the time. At least I'm wearing a shirt I made :) !

Last but not least, I leave you with the bustle I created for her friend. We experimented with different effects and she chose this. I found two perfect, crystal colored buttons that matched her dress perfectly. Since she had a CB zip, I had to attach the buttons to the side of the sip. I tacked Timtex interfacing to the back for stability when attaching the buttons. The loops were *supposed* to be serger chains using decorative thread in the upper looper, but as I was threading my serger it decided to pop a spring from the knife. #*(@#*$(@*(#$&* So...I simply took three strands of Decor 6 decorative thread and braided it. I created two loops for the buttons to attach the bustle once the dress was zipped. I also stitched a "security loop" from black ribbon on the inside of the bustle just in case of a wardrobe malfunction (broken loops). Those loops were really stitched in well so I don't think loop failure will occur, but better to be safe than sorry.

And a final note to Connie! You SHOULD have kidnapped me for fabric shopping!!! I'm SO sorry I missed you guys in Philly, but here's a very positive note: DD#1 is going to college in Philly :) . So I'll be down there a lot. So looking forward to next year, and I missed seeing the sewing group very much.

CJ Patterns: Princess Seamed Wrap Top #426

Happy Mother's Day to all Moms!

Today DH made breakfast and "Linner". On Sundays, we really don't have lunch, but a meal around 3 or 4 that is a combo of lunch and dinner; hence, "Linner". It was delicious. We have the same breakfast most Saturdays and Sundays, but it always tastes better when someone else makes it. My eggs, bacon, and toast were mighty tasty!

For Linner, he prepared Citrus Tilapia, Mashed Potatoes, and Broccoli as per my request. DD#2 made a cake, DS#1 helped out a little, DS#2 gave me a neck/back rub, and DD#1 brought me home a Rita's Ice.

During dinner prep, I decided to do something for myself. Garment sewing has been so slow lately, but I managed to pull out my CJ Princess Seamed Wrap Top pattern. This is the one I bought a year or two ago and have really been itching to whip this one up. I traced off the small, used a single knit stretch muslin fabric in my stash, and stitched up the muslin in about 1 1/2 hours. Very quick and easy!

Here is the pattern and the muslin:

Let me tell you, this muslin "knit" is one that has minimal stretch, and although I used the pattern size that corresponded to mine, it was like a sausage casing LOL. Generally, I don't like super fitted tops, but this one was super snug. Even in the knit with the correct stretch percentage, the super close fit would not have been to my liking.

So I traced off the Medium using Small Shoulder seams. I don't want the crossover to come down any lower. That was my only issue. I will also move the entire shoulder seam forward by about a 1/2" and add princess seams to the back as a "just in case" measure for fit purposes.

I love this style and will whip up a wearable muslin tomorrow using the new size cut out. Also will check pattern reviews too.

Hope everyone had a nice day, but on my end I'm almost falling asleep at the keyboard. Good night and happy sewing!