How about a little humor :)

credit: here

Update on my DD

Well, so far so good. After my convo with the principle and the teacher it seems that the kids have backed down, the principle had a convo with some of the parents and also had pulled the kids out to talk to them. The last few days have been good, she has had no problems so I am hoping this will continue. I will updtae you guys again if something changes.

Again, thank you to those who actually gave me advice on what I was ASKING :) I am going to delete the previous few post because all though I am all for freedom of speech this is my dang blog and I can do, say and believe whatever I want, that is one of the benefits of being an American right?

This has become more then it should have and I do not tolerate hate or nastiness or anyone putting other people down just because they feel they are superior then most. Usually those people are full of s**t anyway.

So I apologize on behalf of the ignorant for offending my readers, I myself love you and think you guys are great and I value all of your opinions, choices and lifestyles.

That is it!!!!

okay this is the last and final post about this because this is just ridiculous. Alexandra has now insulted all of you as well (in comments) I tried to handle it nicely earlier and laugh it off but now she kinda ticked me off by insulting my readers so I sent an email calling her a snarky bitch, which I prob should not have done but oh well! sometimes I just have a hard time being the bigger person.

Tomorrow we will return to the usual sewing and fun :)

Good night ladies

Wow! what the hell did I do??? LOL!!!

Okay, this began as me asking for feedback which by the way I got and THANK YOU so much you guys for all of the great advice you gave me. You guys are great!

Now it started something different, I did not know that I would be attacked for my "lack" of the English language or my poor spelling etc.. but mostly for my choice in homeschooling my kids.

This was left as a comment on my post (posted in my comments by Alexandra) and my response via email to Alexandra was simple. I explained that I myself do not home school my kids because I personally don't think I am capable of doing it correctly therefore according to California you must have an accredited teacher present in order to home school, which we do. I could never do that myself I could barely get through math class when I was in school..lol

Not that I need to explain myself to anyone but I did feel like clearing that up. What I did not expect was the comments that came in after in support of me..lol Thank you to those who spoke in my defense, you guys rock :)

This is how the first email started:

"Okay... At the risk of sounding condescending" Lol! yeah okay whatever!...

Off Subject but need feedback

Okay, so most of you know that we home school our kids. The only one we have in public school is our 10 year old. Well, a few weeks ago she started telling us that some kids at school were bulling her. It started by them taunting her and telling her they were going to beat her up. She had one prior altercation when a girl called her a name and pushed her and my kid punched her square in the face a few times and that was that. To which I told her she should have walked away and told the teacher what had happened but she got hot headed and just got to swinging.

Now however it has become something more with other kids...

I spoke to her teacher and principle and they assured me they would take care of it. Then the kids started putting their hands on her, walking by and purposely bumping into her or knocking her books off her hands. Then this one girl kicked her in the leg (left a bruise) and punched her in the arm.

NOW!!! at first we told her to turn the other cheek and that words were just words and that she should ignore them and tell the teacher or principle that they were bothering her UNTIL!!! she told me they were actually physically hitting her.

So I told her I would go to the school and so I did. I told her principle and teacher that obviously they were not fixing the situation and that now my daughter was being hit and that THAT WAS GOING STOP!!! I told them that the next time a kid put her hands on my daughter my daughter had full permission to knock there a** out!!

Okay so they got my point, well on Friday my lil girl came home and said that they hit her in the arm again so....

This is my issue, I am from the hood, I act, look and am very intelligent but dont get it it twisted. Im also old school and back in the day I would of let the girl punch me in the arm and I probably would have let it go for a few minutes and then grabbed my book and knocked her little a** out until she was unable to fight back and then I would have acted like a nut until them kids were thinking I was straight buck (crazy for those who dont understand the lingo) lol!!and they would have left me alone.

I am seriously trying to not pass on this advice.. but I also dont want to let my kid get punked on the school ground you know what im saying. So what do I do, what do I say at this point. Do I just put her in another school altogether???

Pattern Reviews B5257 & M5752

Butterick 5257 View B

Pattern Description:
Fitted, lined jacket has shawl collar, princess seams, double-breasted front opening with button closure or snap closures, left collar may be rolled higher or closer to neck to create a mock asymmetrical effect. B: long sleeves with buttoned cuffs

Pattern Sizing: I cut a size 8

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, I think it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy to follow and well illustrated.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the whole thing, I cant say there was one thing I particularly disliked. I did not do the belt because I did not have enough fabric :(

Fabric Used: I have no clue, it is a loosely woven houndstooth cotton fabric.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: none.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I dont think I will sew it again because there are so many other jackets I want to make, but I definitely recommend it.

Conclusion: I love this jacket and it looks great with my dark jeans :)

Click to enlarge pics

I lined it in orange just because I thought it would be really cute, and it is :) LOL

McCalls 5752 View B

Pattern Description: MISSES’ DRESSES: Dresses A, B, C, D have gathered, wrapped bodice, gathered self-lined midriff, A-line skirt and sleeve variations in two lengths; dresses A, B have gathered shawl collar and extended overarms

Pattern Sizing: I cut a size 8

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, I think it did.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy to follow and well illustrated.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the whole thing, the only thing I decided not to do was use the facing pieces for the midriff because I decided I rather have less bulk then another layer of fabric. I decided to use my serger for a clean finish instead.

Fabric Used: Jersey Red and White.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Just the one I mentioned above.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might sew it again in a solid color, I really like this dress. I would recommend it especially because it is a great pattern as far as instruction goes. The pattern also has all the fitting lines printed on the tissue with directions on how to make a FBA, Sway Back/Flat Back adjustment etc.. it is a great pattern if you have fitting issues and dont know what to do to fix them.

Conclusion: I love this dress, it is so cute!

OMG!!!

I just got my gravity feed iron and OMG!!! it is fabulous!!!!!

okay got to go iron now, I swear non-sewers must think im nuts being so excited about a iron...LOL

Thanks Erica B for the info :)

Knock Off

I ran across this pic of a LAMB jacket (Gwen Stephanie) but I don't remember who's blog it was on. They are knocking it off and I just fell in love with the jacket, so I am going to knock it off too...LOL


If you are the one knocking it email me, I am so excited to do it!!!


Here is the pic

Patterns Revisted, Jeans and more..pic heavy...

It all started with a pocket design :) I have avoided making Jeans in the last 15 years or so of my sewing life because the fit is imperative and I always thought that jeans made at home would look like jeans made a t home, feel me?

But this past Friday I was looking at the denim fabric I had purchased and was thinking of making a skirt, then I had pulled out my pocket design notebook and started playing with this pocket, after it was all done I knew it had to go on some jeans so...

I took out about 3 different Big 4 patterns and I was like "fitting this is going to be a nightmare so I scratched that and took my measurements again and decided to make them from scratch using just the measurements I took and some paper and then taking in the design features I knew I loved:

I wanted them below my waist but not so low that I could not sit without fer of showing ass crack..okay!!! then I knew that I personally love my jeans to be snug and that I love wide legs that cover my shoes so I off I went and this is result of my first EVER pair of JEANS!!!

This is the pocket I designed.


Back View:


Side View:


Front View:


On Saturday I was so short on time because I had been working on my jeans that I forgot to make a new dress for church on Sunday, so I pulled out my trusty V8489 and a few hrs later I had finished my dress for church, girl! you know I cant go to church on Sunday wearing something I had already worn...that is the vanity in me, pray for me :) LOL



This is what I am working on now, I need to do some fitting add some shoulder pads (made at home from batting) and then finish up hopefully this week. This fabric is a nightmare to work with because it frays like nobodies business.


Then I made this top to wear with my jeans for now until I finish my jacket (pic above) which was my initial thought.

It is Simplicity 2804 sorry for the bad pic, but it was late and the lighting was bad :(




Here it is on the dress form before modifications (I did not like how long the bodice was even though I cut out the top it seemed too long so I took off about 2" before adding the band.

My New Toy!!

I have been in serious need of a professional iron so I started looking around and then remembered that the fabu Erica B had purchased one some time ago so an email went out Mrs. B and a few minutes later I had purchased my very own...yay!!! I cant wait to get it.

Consew Silver Star CES-300 Gravity Feed Steam Iron

Next up will be a Iron Press which is also on sale for $99.00 right now, but I may get the brand up from this one instead in a few weeks.

Im at a loss

Okay so many of you know that you could click on my site and go directly to Vogue Fabrics right? I earn a small (and I mean small) commission when you guys purchase through my links, well I have earned them just around $500.00 which is about $30.00 commission. Well, I have tried to contact them about payment and regarding other questions I have and I have gotten no response, how weird because it was a constant communication before...????... so I have taken down the banner and have replaced it with Joanns and soon I will have fabric.com on here as well for you to shop using my links :)

Im not sure what has happened but I really liked them so I hope it's just some tech issues they may be having.

Either way Joann is having free shipping with $35.00 or more so check it out, the links are on my blog :)

Peace!

Podcast

The fabu Lori V had a little chat the other day, click here to hear the podcast. Thanks again Lori :)

B5247 Revisited

I wont do a review because I did one on PR for the dress version of this. I wanted the tunic length version as well so I made it up in a sweatshirt knit with silver stripes. The only thing I changed was the height of the neck cowl, I added 3 1/2" so it would stand up higher.

Self Drafted Pattern and DIY Belt :)

So I have really wanted to make myself a military type shirt dress, why? I dont know cuz I felt like it maybe...LOL

I knew that fit would be most important so instead of using a commercial pattern and spending all that time fitting it I decided instead to drape my pattern and avoid all the extra time, besides it is just a basic bodice and skirt so off I went. I also wanted to do a self covered belt to match and since I had never attempted this before (making a real actual belt that is) I thought I was in for a long weekend but it actually came together pretty easily.

*Disclaimer for belt* I took pics of my process (most of it anyway) and I will give you a semi tutorial but I will say that I had never made a belt before and I it was far from perfect but I think if I keep trying this I could actually perfect it. It worked for now.

I will start with pics of my dress:

I wanted a simple bodice with two small front pockets, a fitted skirt and I used the placket method I had done previously from a commercial pattern (cant remember what it was though)

I wanted my sleeves to have a tab and fold up. I initially added pockets to the skirt but I did not like them so I took them off:

Click on images to enlarge





DIY Belt in next post

DIY Belt

DIY Belt

Materials:
1 1/2 yards of Belting
Fabric
Eyelets
Basting Tape
Buckle
Needle and thread

Okay so here all the things you will need for this project: I bought my belting in the fashion district downtown but you can purchase it online: Here is the link and pic of what it looks like

I placed the instructions first followed by the picture: )







Cut your fabric the length you will need, this depends on your waist measurement, take a belt that you own already and measure the length of that plus 1" seam allowance for the non buckle end. For the buckle end I cut the fabric 1 1/4 inch longer then the belting so when you fold over for the buckle you will be only folding fabric and not belting.


If you are using the 1 1/2 belting I used you will cut the width of your fabric 5" if you are making a skinny belt this will be less. Simply wrap your fabric around your belting and make sure you have enough seam allowance to overlap in the center. For one end (not the buckle end) I folded the seam allowances in and hand stitched it closed.





I used basting tape to hold my fabric in place as I was folding it over so that it could be nice and tight, I did not want it to be loose or shift as I working with it. You can get this at Joanns.





I placed my basting tape along the length of my belting, then folded over one side. I placed the second strip of basting tape on top of the folded fabric edge and then folded in the other side. The second fold of fabric should have the seam allowance pressed under already for a finished look.





This is what you should end up with, once this was done I used a needle and thread and hand stitched the center overlap by hand.





Once this was basted I topstitched the sides of my belt along the very edge.





I tried on the belt to see exactly where I wanted my eyelets to go, this is something you will gauge, just make sure you place them so that the belt will fit when done and the extra eyelets will allow to loosen the belt or tighten as needed. I placed them 1 1/4 inches from each other.


Once I knew the placement I use my Awl to poke a hole where they would be placed.








I used my seam ripper to make slits in the hole I had just punched so I could get my eyelet through, this takes a little work since the belting is plastic and a little hard to cut.





I followed the manufacturers instructions on putting in my eyelets





Now that you are done with that part all that is left is to attach the buckle, I simply folded under 1/4 and then made a small whole using my awl to put the buckle thingy (I dont know what it is called :) LOL through the fabric.


Then I folded the fabric under the buckle (on the wrong side of the belt) and hand stitched it closed and really tight so that my buckle would not shift. You could use a zipper foot to sew it down but I did not want stitching on the right side of my belt so I did it by hand.





I made a loop for the belt by cutting 1 1/2" wide fabric by 3" in length the folded over the edges and topstitched them closed, I then wrapped it around my belt and stitched it closed. I placed the end of my belt through the loop to make sure it when in smoothly.





And then you end up with a belt! pretty easy huh?







I hope this all made sense, if you any further questions or if I did not explain this well email me :)

Have Fun!!!

THANK YOU STACEY

Stacey P. from NYC has sent me the link, thank you so much!

OH NO!!!

I accidentally deleted the blog template I was using and now I don't remember where I got it from :(

Help!

Knitting Project

Hi Ya'll I just finished a knitting pattern I have been working on, it's a pattern from SweaterBabe

This is my finished Capelet:

Fabric Shopping, a wedding and a Pattern Review: Pic Heavy!!

OMG!!!! this was an insane weekend, first of all I will tell you about the dress that did not make it and the sewing disaster that was this weekend :(

First of all I new the wedding we were attending was approaching so I went through so much care getting my fabric ordered in time so I placed my order with...nah! I am not going to put them on blast, let's just say it is a online shop we are familiar with, anyway. I got my fabric on FRIDAY!!!! the wedding was on SUNDAY!!!! so I got busy making my dress, when I opened the box and saw my fabric I was immediately suspect, I ordered a silk dupioni but the fabric looked CHEAP and VERY poor in quality but I knew I did not have any other fabric so I pushed on.

Well as I am sewing and the stupid fabric was just getting all out of shape, I underlined it and still the dang fabric was a mess...so I finally was able to put the shell together to try it on and check my fitting right, so I have it on and it fits, it's not snug but it fits nicely just skimming my body right so I am pinning the bust area and I drop some pins so I bend over to grab them from off the floor and RIP!!!!!!! the whole freakin dress just rips in half and Right off my body!!!! LOL!!

I was about to cry I tell you! I was so pissed off it was not funny (at the time)!!! My husband was out of town and due to arrive late Saturday so I had ALL THE KIDS AT HOME WITH ME it is now past midnight and I have NO DRESS, so I go looking through the pile of fabric I just bought and was desperately looking for something pink so I could match my hubby (who was a grooms men) for pics. I find this knit print that I had just picked up and went with that. In two hours I had a knit dress done, that was SO NOT what I wanted to wear but it was all I could muster up to do after such a disaster.

I got the dress, I wore it and I guess it was okay but definitely not what I had in mind. So here are pics we took at the wedding and a pic of what I threw together in an hour to wear to the pre-wedding function Sunday morning...OMG!!! never again and I am almost about to through that freaking disaster of a dress in a box and send it back to fabric.com...oops and have them send me my dang money back...for real!!!!

First up the fabric I bought on my trip to the fashion district:



This is the dress I wore to the wedding, no pattern just some quick serging going on...LOL















My superfine husband ...lol




Pattern Review:: Butterick 5247


Pattern Description: Semi-fitted, pullover tunics A, C or above mid-knee dresses B, D have cowl-like collar, short or long dolman sleeves and belt. Purchased top, pants and belt.

Pattern Sizing: I cut a size 8

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? OMG! I could have done this with my eyes closed it was so easy. I dont think I even looked at the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It's super cute and super Easy and super comfy!!

Fabric Used: Sweater Knit

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and I think it will be made up in many colors and as a tunic as well.

Conclusion: The style is not what makes this dress it is the fabric you use, this is really easy to make and depending on the fabric you use it is super fun!

Fabric Shopping...SShhhh!

Handbag Handles

Many of you have emailed me asking how I make the handles for my handbags so here it is:

I buy heavyweight belting in a natural color at Joanns

Then I buy ribbon that coordinates with my fabric choices (I use 2 ribbons most of the time)

I then use the cream/natural color thread in my bobbin and the matching ribbon color on top

(this way you cant see the color thread underneath the handle)

I lay the second ribbon on top of the first (different width) and do the same thing again.


Final Result should look like this: The heavyweight belting is pretty darn sturdy and makes great handles you can customize :)



That's it! :)