Weird!

Okay, I was going through my blogs postings and just realized that it's been exactly a year since I made this thing. Very funny since I pretty much only sign on once a month, if that.

I forgot to also mention that I finished the under dress for my designer knock-off!


A little skimpy looking, eh? Don't worry I won't wear it by itself, only under or over another garment... That is, at least in public. ;)

Ideas! Good Recycling Ideas!

Okay, first I have to grumble about the stupid switch to Google Blogger, or whatever the hell it is. Google is great and everything, but I do NOT need another stupid e-mail! Blah!

Anyways...

I had an idea. I saw this blog yesterday while surfing on my day off. I must say, what a cute blog! She had the cutest little apron, and I decided that I need to have one for myself. This is especially exciting to me since I have this and this that I recently received in the mail! I can't wait to combine the two color variations.

Now on to the recycling/reusing/repurposing, or what you will... I have a penchant to buy one or two things from Anthropologie.com. And they always package their smaller items in these muslin bags, which look like this...


I know that they won't make up the majority of the apron, but they will definitely be much more useful that way. I was previously storing small balls of yarn in the larger ones and small silk scarves in the smaller ones. I know I have lots of un-dyed muslin in my ginormous stash of fabric, so I can use that for the rest of the apron.

And speaking of aprons, I believe that my next craft book purchase will be The Apron Book. I have read so many good things about it, and since I've been doing a lot more cooking now, it could come in useful.

I have recently bought quite a few books. The classic Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, Last-Minute Knitted Gifts and Simple Sewing with a French Twist: An Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes and Home Accessories with Style. The New Cook Book, obviously, is a timeless favorite and a must have especially if you want to learn how to cook more than just spaghetti. LMKG and Simple Sewing are both beautifully photographed, well written, as well as well laid out. I must say I am thoroughly impressed!

Alright, that's enough jabbering for now, must start sewing!

Mission Started: Make A Designer Knock Off Outfit

I decided a while ago to join one of the Craftster sewalongs and found this Petro Zillia outfit that I just love. It's a lace shirt dress under a tube dress.


I knew that I had the patterns that fit the outfit, I just had to do a bit of searching in my stash. I found Butterick 3446 and New Look 6040. I am making mine a bit different, I just pretty much like the idea of the outfit.

I bought a charcoal wool for the tube dress and a black netting with red flocked polka dots for the under dress. This is definitely going for a more winter look. What's great about this outfit is that it's only made of two pieces, but both can be worn without the other! So versatile! I have actually used both of these patterns before and I remember both of them being pretty easy. I also plan on making a black slip dress to go underneath the sheer dress when I don't feel like wearing the tube. I hope I can have this done in time for my birthday/Christmas!

Making a Pair of Jeans, Factory Style

I found a link for this video at Ramonster. It's from The Science Channel's show "How It's Made" and apparently it only takes 12 minutes and 50 seconds to make a pair. Funny how some are willing to spend $200+ for this. Funny how if we made our own jeans it would take the better part of a day or two to make them and it would cost less than $30. Now I do realize that more goes into the jeans especially with the more bells and whistles on it, and that some are handmade, but seriously. Ah well...

Cute Apple!

I made this shirt on Tuesday out of an Apple print jersey I acquired from ReproDepot and another knit fabric I bought from JoAnn's a while ago. I like the shirt but it's not for me, it just doesn't suit my boyish figure. Oh yeah, and the fact that I already look like I'm 15! My ma said I can sell it on her Etsy though. Hopefully it sells!


Oh and before I put it up, I will definitely fix the neck binding, it's just not wanting to lay flat!

Okay, Now It's Really Done

Here it is... Buttonholes, pearly buttons and all!


I really love this blouse and am very proud of it. I did decide to enter it in the Built by Wendy contest. I'll cross my fingers! The last time I won something for creativity/art was in third grade when my town had a coloring contest for Halloween. I got honorable mention!

A "Charm"ing Blouse and Other Things

I recently bought Wendy Mullin's new book "Sew U" and dove into it. It is really well written and perfect for beginner sewers or more advanced sewers such as myself. But of course I had to buy another book to supplement my more advanced cravings...


This textbook by Helen Joseph-Armstrong is wonderful! It is definitely not for beginners. But I have a pretty good knowledge of clothing construction so decided to give clothing design a try. This text shows you how to slash and spread a basic pattern block to make endless amounts of designs. A word to the wise though, this text does NOT show you how to construct clothing out of the patterns, it assumes you already know how to do that.

Back to the whole reason for this post... I made a shirt! I used both books, Wendy's book comes with basic patterns for an a-line skirt, button-up shirt and pants. I used the shirt pattern as the block and went from there.

It took me about two weeks and a TON of muslin to make the pattern look just right on my body. I made a plethora of alterations: rounded the collar, shortened and puffed the sleeves, attached 1/2 inch bands to the sleeves, inserted a midriff section below the bust, substituted gathers for bust and side bust darts.


I used a cotton floral fabric from Amy Butler's "Charm" Collection that I purchased from ReproDepot.


Here's my shirt! With no buttons yet...


Don't worry I bought the buttons, they are 1/4 inch pearl half-buttons. I think I will put them on and make the buttonholes this week. I've already done a review for the shirt at PatternReview, so that has more details.

In other crafty news... I bought myself a serger on eBay! And it was only $110!!! I still have to take it to the local sewing machine repair shop, Bags 'N Bobbins. When I first opened the box it smelled like smoke and the Styrofoam was falling apart. Upon further inspection I found that the Styrofoam had gotten into the serger, so it needs a major cleaning. From what I understand the serger was never used and sat in its box, the foot rod (or whatever it's called) was a tad crooked so my dad adjusted that for me and there was a loose screw inside the serger's compartment. But here it is!


I bought a Brother because I was so impressed with my standard sewing machine which is also a Brother. All in all a good purchase considering most GOOD sergers start at about $500. One day I will buy one of those!

I also went on a shopping spree at JoAnn's last Friday. I bought 7 Simplicity patterns since they were only $1.99. I also bought a tracing wheel and tracing paper, JoAnn's Sensations Bellezza Collection Stellina yarn in Sea-Breeze and Size 6 Clover bamboo dpn's to make Knitty's "Fetching."

I also received a shipment of Artyarns' Supermerino in color #215 to knit a "Clapotis" for my Gramma for Christmas.


This yarn is 100% superwash wool and is so very soft. I hope she likes it!

Vogue 8153 Completed!

So I finally finished something! Vogue pattern 8153.


I am very pleased with the result. It looks great layered over a camisole or a tank and I believe it will be cute with a nice little cardigan as well. It's a great addition to my wardrobe! Now back to sewing something else!