Tagged

Kim has tagged me and wants to know 7 sewing facts about me. so here it goes.... LOL!

1. I started sewing when I was 12, The first few outfits I made where for my mom and she wore them even though they were awful..lol

2. All I ever think about is sewing, I sew so much my family walks around pulling random threads from my clothes...lol

3. I taught myself how to sew so there were many many many failures at first..lol

4. I do not own a Little Black Dress either Kim..... Shameful? yes in deed

5. My worst moment was when I worked for a designer in LA and we made an outfit for Lil Kim, you will never see that photo...LOL

6. I love sewing dresses, they are easy to wear and sexy.

7. I am a selfish sewer and rarely ever sew for anyone else, not even my own family...LOL

Ok, I have to pick 5 other people but I dont have time right now so I will do it later :)

Chicks with Sticks

Hello!

I was asked about that CD I gave my friend to help her learn to knit, here is the picture of her first hat and a pic of our click ( well part of our click some the gals are not in the pic) and the link to the CD

This is Jessica


and this is BJ, Me and Jess


The CD is Knitting made Easy

Pattern Review and Stuff

Kwik Sew Pattern: 3489

Pattern Description: Misses' fitted wrap dresses have waist seam, flared skirt with shaped front edge, V-neckline, bust darts, and self-fabric ties.

Pattern Sizing: XS-L: I cut the extra small

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?I had never done a kwik sew pattern before but I found it to be a really good pattern, easy to follow and the paper is nice and thick not like the big 4 What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I didn't dislike anything.

Fabric Used: Argyle Sweater Knit

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: The only thing that I had to do was take out 3" ease because even though I cut the XS it was still really big.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I am sure with some design changes I will use this again as a TNT

Conclusion: I love this dress but I am mostly in love with my fabric!!! you can see more on my




The fabric I used from Joanns





So I have been knitting again and one my friends wanted to learn so I gave her the CD-Rom I used to teach myself and withing the week she was knitting up a hat :) so I made her a handbag to carry her knitting in :) I liked it so much I almost kept it...LOL, here I am modeling it before I gave it away *tear*







The back:

OMG!!!!

Just Because

Fitting Issues

Okay, I am on a kick to provide you with info ..lol

This is my fitting bible :) it's prob the most informative, well illustrated and comprehensive book I own on fitting...seriously :)

Here is the link:

Short but Sweet!

I came across a great short video on fitting your muslin in the bodice (it's short but good)

Click Here

Taking Measurements

Hi Ladies and (and the one guy who follows my blog) LOL

So I have been going over my comments and emails and I noticed that many of you have sent me emails regarding the "fit: of my garments. First let me say thank you for all the nice emails you send me telling me how great the fit is on my clothes and many of you have asked me how it is that get such a good fit when I sew.

Well, I thought I would share what I use to make my sewn garments fit so well :) I take an extensive amount of measurements...LOL no I'm serious, it is time consuming when you first do it but let me tell you knowing exact measurements for all the parts of my body make it extremely easy for me to fit my patterns, therefore I have included the excel sheet I use with all the measurements I take for me and my clients and also a word doc on how I take those measurements (I cant remember where I got the latter so I cant give kudos to the author)but I have it here for you.

Excel Sheet (list of all the measurements I take)

Word Doc (how to take those measurements)


I hope it helps!

Pattern Keeper

Hi Guys

I was messing around with the form I am using to keep track of my sewing/designing projects and I think the form I made up is much better. If you are interested you can click on the image for a jpeg version of it or you can download the excel version which will allow you to type directly on your computer and add an image or the pdf if you plan on filling it out by hand and attaching a pic that way :)



PDF Version

Excel Version

Oh! I almost forgot, I have received several emails from folks trying to locate the dress form instructional video, they were on my old blog but I forgot to move them over so here is the link for that and the draping video as well.

Duct Tape Dress Form Video (full length)

Draping Video

Draping Video Written Instructions (pdf)

Im so beyond flattered!!!

I was just browsing the PR forum and I saw that Deepika listed the finalist for the PR Awards so I went over to vote for my faves (Erica B for thoses amazing pics she takes of herself looking oh so fabu! and all the other wonderful women in the catagories)) and so as I came to the last category, LO' and Behold I was listed!!!! how fabu is that :) Thanks to all of you who thought of me and nominated.

here is the link so you can vote for your faves: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/awards/vote.pl

LOL! this is the category I am listed in..LOL, If I had a penny for everytime someone told me I should go on project runway I would be able to buy a new pair of Pucci Boots (just saw them and they are hot) LOL, there is no way I could do project runway..lol I am camera shy...LOL!

Project Runway nominee from PR
If you were in the committee who would you pick to represent PR in the next Project Runway? Who do you think is the best candidate for the competition? They usually just use a pattern as a basis or mostly draft their own patterns for their creations on PR

202 Subscribers (You Tube)

I just noticed that I have 202 subscribers to my You Tube Channel!!! that is awesome. Thank you for viewing!!!!

Im excited :) LOL

Pattern Review B5243 and Stuff

Hi Guys!

I have a pattern review but first I wanted to answer a question about my last post many of you emailed me asking how I attach the elastic instead of gathering. Now I only use elastic on things like this, sleeves, waist seams etc. I normally dont do thid on dresses or skirts or pants etc in place of regular gathering.

I basically take a piece of 1/4" elastic and place it at the notch or circle where my gathering would begin, then I hold it and stretch it as much as I can until I reach the next notch or circle then I cut the elastic. I press my seams open then I lay the elastic in the center of the seam. I insert my needle to hold the elastic in place and I sew a very very narrow zigzag stitch right in the center so that in almost falls on the ditch. I stretch my elastic as I sew. I hope that makes sense. If it doesn't and you need a visual I will do a you tube video on it.

Okay now to the PR of B524

Fabric: Fabu Knit in a teal color

Modifications: None I cut a size 8 for the top and graded to a 10 for the bottom.

Would you sew it again: Prob not because there are too many dresses I want to get to but I do love this one.

Thoughts: The gathering is a pain in the butt!!!! but once you get past it it comes together so easily. I really like this dress and the instructions were very easy to follow.

3

Okay so I also wanted to find a way to keep track of my projects with details and such but the computer only version was not enough for me. I decided instead to start a binder of my fall 08 projects and i will do one for every season.

I have a place to put all my info, an image of my pattern and once printed a swatch of my fabric, lining and/or interfacing. I also have the info on where I purchased my fabric on the back but I didn't take a pic of it.

Here is the form I created on excel and then the one I printed with my swatches in a binder with a protective sleeve. It is working out nicely so far :) * Click to enlarge*

Quick and Easy

New Look 6648:
Super Easy and under an hour

Fabric: Jersey Knit
Modifications: Instead of gathering the sides I used elastic :)






Simplicity 2804 View A
Under an hour and super easy

Fabric: Really lightweight knit
Modifications: Instead of gathering the sleeves I used elastic :)

Can you tell I hate gathering...LOL

MIA But It's Back

A new post on "Mimi Goodwin Presents" is up, it's good one! Go check it out and see the Vogue Fabrics Recommendation and a "I never Noticed This Pattern Before" moment.

Go Now!

T-Shirts

Get your very own T-Shirt and more at my shop: Here

Preview:

A Friend

My good friend Jess has just made and posted her first craft tutorial! go check her out.

Duh! Moment

Have you guys ever had a thought that was like "a light bulb moment" well, I cant say that I discovered something to save the earth or anything but I was trying to find something to hold my scissors and pins and marking pens etc. that would sit nicely on my cutting table and then....I went to staple and I saw those desk top organizers that spin around and I was like DUH!!!!

It's perfect...LOL

Pattern Review 2 and 3

Click images to enlarge

I made up a pair of Vogues 1051...LOVE THEM!!!



Fabric: 100% Wool Navy Blue

Modifications: None!..welll almost none. I cute a size 10 although I did have to make a small waist adjustment because the back waistband is cut in one piece and I hate that because I have a sway back and I always need a seam in the CB to make the adjustment. But otherwise okay.

Conclusion: I adore these pants and the welt details are great! I will be making these again!






The Shawl Thingy is a Buterrick Pattern but I cant find it online so I will give you the number later.

Fabric: 100% Wool Navy Blue (I used the scraps to make this since it doesnt need very much fabric..lol

Here are some details of the insed and collar :)

Pattern Review 1 of 3 and Hair

Click imgaes to enlarge

Okay so if you have followed my blog for a while you all know that I had decided to let my hair grow out early this year....well, I cut it all off again. I just DID NOT FEEL LIKE MYSELF! I mean I know its just hair right but it just did not feel like me, it felt like someone else with my body attached..lol

After my husband cut it off I looked in the mirror and was like "oh! my gosh where have you been"..lol

Here is my before and after: Oh! and he also does my eyebrows :)

Okay now on to the pattern reviews, first up the ever so poular New Look 6704

Fabric: Cotton Mens Shirting (Blue)

Modifications: I added buttoned tabs to the shoulders just because :)

Challenges: None, this pattern is pretty easy to put together and I love the collar, button band and the sleeve options. I did the short sleeve because I did not have enough fabric, but I wanted to the the long sleeve.

Conclusion: I love it, and it looked great this morning with my wide belt (I will post a pic of me wearing it soon. For now here are some of the details and a pic of the shirt on petunia.

Pattern Reviews!!! Pic Heavy

*click to enlarge images*

Hi!!!!

So as many of you know a few weeks ago I posted a storyboard for my nautical wardrobe, NOW! I know it is almost fall and I had no business doing a nautical wardrobe..hello! but I needed it to get it out of my system since I have been wanting to do it for a long time.

Well, I kind of feel the same way Eric B feels about Wardrobe sewing..lol, I get board too! I think what I find to be fun about sewing for me is that I do whatever I feel like it and I change my mind so much that then I dont even want to sew. I did manage to get a few pieces done "kinda in the nautical thing" but I eventually drifted off..lol


Here is what I spent my weekend doing, first up is something that always gets me about patterns when it comes to knits: click to enlarge

Vogue Top: 8477

Pattern: Vogue 8477 and Butterick 5249








The Vogue top was easy as pie, the only thing I changed was the way they have you attach the neck band. Other then that the pattern was pretty easy and the top is cute. I used a knit that did not have very much stretch in it so next time (if there is one) I will use a stretchier fabric.

The butterick skirt is so cute! I am going to do the other versions too. The pattern was a breeze any beginner would do just fine with this pattern. I really like it.

Pattern: New Look 6823 "My Oprah Dress" can you guess why?? lol




This is the easiest dress pattern I have done all year, I mean really I cut and stitched the whole thin gin under 90 min. It was so easy!!! One thing, if I had used a very stretchy knit I would have omitted the darts in the back but because my knit had very little stretch I kept it.

This is a super easy dress and it's cute, I wanted to use this fabric for a simple dress since I love the "O" and it reminds me of Oprah...lol


Pattern: M4924 View B Skirt and Self drafted knit black top





Love this skirt!!!!, again super easy and the only tricky part is matching that darn plaid!! oh my!
I omitted the vents in the back and only did the two in the front.

Pattern: Vogue 8451 and Self drafted drawstring pants




I love this knit top, I have made it twice before...lol and the drawstring pants are so easy to do and I wanted a red pair so there you go.

Finally!!!! you guys wanted to see me "wearing" the M5705 so here it is :)