HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing everyone a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May your year be filled with , love, joy, peace, good health and prosperity.
And lots of creativity!

Coming Out with A New Look!

Ah Ha! Gotcha...well I decided to let it all hang out for the New Year! I'd been wanting to do this for quite some time. I decided for the new year I would just do it. I uncovered & cut my hair and I'm starting from scratch...all natural ta boot. I don't really know why it took so long to decide, I've worn it short before years ago but never with the (salt) that's taking over. I guess that the salt & pepper look is what I've fought for so long, but decided WHAT THE HECK! It feels remarkably freeing even though I'm trying to get used to it, but it is what it is LOL.BTW- My sister-in-law was my biggest inspiration in my coming out. She did it last year, so she was the pioneer for a few people. Thanks Carla! Love You!

Not your grandmother's sewing machine

Check this out,I believe this is a prototype of a futuristic machine. I ran across this while roaming through sewing blogs tonight. I love unique, gadget type things. Click on the photo to go to the link about the machine. Unfortunately I can't remember the blog I was on when I came across this but thought it would be fun to share.

Getting Organized for the New Year

Fabric Organizing: I love "Threads" magazine, I just received the Feb/March 2009 issue today.It's always full of great techniques, tip and inspiration. This month it has a great organizing tip for your fabric stash. The tip was submitted by a Threads reader...J. Watson, from Indiana, pg 18. You would use a three-ring binder... and clear sheet protectors from an office supply store. The web site OrganizedHome.com has the free downloadable title sheet for the binder and the insert for the binder spine as well as the 8 1/2" x 11" inventory pages that contain enough space to record three fabrics, including source, yardage, width, fabric content & additional notes. I've been looking for a way to keep track of my fabric stash, so I'm trying to decide if this will be the one I use. It will probably take me at least a year to get this stash inventoried...

This represents only a portion of my stash and I'd love to get a handle on it. While going through the fabric it will be a good time to clean out and maybe give away whatever I know I won't use.

Pattern Organizing: I actually organize my patterns in a similar way now. When I purchase a new pattern I separate the pattern envelope, pattern tissue and the instructions. The pattern tissue and instructions go in a poly bag from Nancy's Notions (I only buy these on sale), then you store your patterns in a clear plastic tote buy number order (regardless of brand). The pattern envelope goes in a sheet protector then store in a three ring binder by pattern category. So, when you are ready to select a pattern to sew or you just want to browse your pattern inventory for inspiration you just look through your binderI got this tip from someone on PatternReview.com a few years ago. It took a while to get my pattern stash in order(there's still a few I need to work on) but I try to keep it up by doing this now as I purchase patterns. I like that I don't have to dig through tons of patterns before finding what I want. It's just like looking through a pattern catalog in the store then going to the drawer to get it.

It would be interesting to hear how you organize your fabric, patterns, yarn etc. So, share your favorite way to stay organized. I'm always up for new tip, especially keeping things where I can find them easily.

WISHING EVRYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sliver Spring Sewing Meet-up

I've been meaning to post about the sewing meet-up I started a few months ago. Silver Spring Sewing Meet-up. I'd been away from sewing for quite a few years and wanted some sewing friends to help be get motivated to sew. So, I happened upon this "Meet-up" website and decided to use it to meet some sewing friends. This is a wonderful group of ladies that range from beginning to intermediate sewers. We meet once per month and have loads of fun. A couple of us help teach the beginners and everyone shares what they know and we all learn together. Here's a few pictures from a couple of our meet-ups





On average about 8-10 people participate per meeting and we meet in a meeting room at a local library. It's a great way to meet new friends. I look forward to seeing how we all grow together in the coming year. Later I'll post pictures of some of the completed projects.

JUST FOR FUN

I got this from my sewing friend in Chicago "The Mahogany Stylist "

Welcome to the new 2008 edition of getting to know your family and friends. Here is what you are supposed to do, and try not to be lame andspoil the fun. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. Some of you may get
this several times; that means you have lots offriends. The easiest way to do it is to hit 'forward' so you can changethe answers or copy and paste.
Have fun and be truthful! Enjoy!

1. What is your occupation right now? Payroll manager
2. What color are your socks right now? Black
3. What are you listening to right now? the TV
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Tacos
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My boss, (I know get a life right?)
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes
8. How old are you today? 53 & proud of it!
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? Tennis
10.What is your favorite drink? Pepsi
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, of course
12. Favorite food? Anything Italian or Soul food
13. What is the last movie you watched? Must Love Dogs on DVD
14. Favorite day of the year? Every day I'm breathing
15. How do you vent anger? usually hold it in, (I know not good)
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Ball & jacks (remember those?)
17. What is your favorite season? Fall
18. Cherries or Blueberries? Cherries
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? Yes
20. Who is the most likely to respond? Not sure
21. Who is least likely to respond? Not sure
22. Living arrangements? Townhouse
23. When was the last time you cried? Don't remember the exact date, probably while watching a movie
24. What is on the floor of your closet? shoes, laundry hamper, laundry bag, couple boxes.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Brenda
26. What did you do last night? Practice knitting .
27. What are you most afraid of? Living with an incurable illness.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? cheese burger (turkey or beef)
29. Favorite dog breed? West Highland White Terrier
30. Favorite day of the week? I have two, Saturday & Sunday (a day for myself and a day to worship and enjoy family & friends)
31. How many states have you lived in? Two
32. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds!
33.What is your favorite flower? White Calla Lily

Skirt finally finished!

Pattern Description: McCall's 5523 Straight skirt, mid-knee length, side zipper and faced waistline. Several lower back variations, shaped flounces, pleats, gathers.

Pattern Sizing:Regular Misses/Miss Petite (4-12) & (12-18)

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? Yes, very easy...except for one snag when I was putting in the invisible zipper . Some how when I thought I was finished and tried to turn the skirt right side out it was so twisted so I had to rip out one side of the zipper and do it over, that was NUTS!. I love using invisible zippers and I'd never done that before but this is how it ended up.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like the straight front and the various details on the lower back I love skirts without waistbands, so I especially liked that this skirt has the faced waistline. Though the skirt is straight it's not extremely fitted like a pencil skirt. The back detail give plenty room for movement. Excuse the bunch up of my top, it's actually a little too long for a skirt so, I'd pulled it up a bit to make sure the back detail showed. It's actually more suited for wearing over pants or leggins.

Fabric Used: Not really sure of the fabric content, I'm assuming Polyester blend.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Yes, I had to make the skirt my size, the highest size is 18 and I'm a 20/22. I forgot to take pictures of the alterations but, I basically added to the side seams and the front panel. I'm short waisted and round in the tummy, so the waist is about size 20, around the tummy I'm a 22, then back to 20 at the hips. Gotta get rid of the gut!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I think I might sew this one again. There's several variations on the lower back so I'm thinking of doing the pleated version.

Conclusion: It was an easy skirt to make (except for the snag I ran into with the zipper) and a nice style for most figures (in my opinion) so I'm not sure why they limited the size to an 18. I like that it's straight in the front with the flirty flounce surprise in the back, to me that adds a nice touch.

While I was at it I made this tunic/top since the fabric went so well with my skirt.
Pattern Description: Butterick: 5247, Semi-fitted, pullover tops/tunics, mid-knee dresses with cowl-like collar, short or long dolman sleeves and self belt.

Pattern Sizing: Misses-Plus (8-14) & (16-24)

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? Very, very easy. Really nice for beginners.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? How quick and easy it was to cut and sew up. No fussy fitting alterations necessary.

Fabric Used: Poly knit.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: One addition I did, I wasn't able to get the full length of the sleeve on the fabric I used so I decided to simply add a band to make the sleeve the length I wanted, I made it a 3/4 length sleeve

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I'll sew this one again and again. Nice to wear with leggins or pants or make as a dress & it can be dressed up or down. Nice flexible addition to any wardrobe.

Conclusion: Quick and easy to sew up, lots of flexiblity.