NPRINS

Dear Readers, Well, in the spirit of the "New Year,"  I've compiled some sewing "to-do" lists for the New Years (in addition to starting Tony Horton's exercise program, P90X2), and for some reaons, I'm eager to get this post out in the blogosphere! This year, I'm considering sewing: (1)   A few pairs of bikini and boy short panties.   Status as of April 2012:  Fail, so far. ( 2)   A bathing suit .  Status: Cancelled, for now, I just bought custom suits from North Shore Swimsuits (well, sorta custom). (3)   A messenger bag and perhaps, a saddle bag or panniers.   Status:  Completed but not perfect. (4)   Doggie clothing ( rain coat and/or fleece).   Status:  Bought sale rain coats/need to make fleece. (5)   J. Stern's Khaki pants pattern - Cut out pattern have not sewn. (6)   Hot Patterns Moto Jacket - No work completed yet. (7)   Sailor Playsuit from Wearing History - No work completed yet. I am conflicted about this pattern (I myself am a ret

Dear readers! The customary 2011 year in review (I did forget to do this last year): I've attended the ASG conference (and joined American Sewing Guild )  in LA - and met some more bloggers and sewers in the sewing community (online and off). I've completed two slopers - one top and one skirt ( at Sew-La ). I have them hanging in my sewing room: And one of two tops: And, finished a fitted pair of jeans this year (Jennifer Stern's Jeans pattern and class ( Jennifer's Webpage ).  I count those as my notable accomplishments. Specifically, I sewed the following (fitted) garments: (1) 3 skirts (2) 2 tops (3) 1 pair jeans (4) 1 knit top (not fitted, unfortunately) (5) 1 pair shorts (6) 1 pair of shorts for Jonathan (6) 1 sew-along Burda pair of pants (7) 2 dresses and a bunch of doggie bags, and other home dec projects! ------------------------------------------------------------- Total:  12 garments! That's not too shabby considering  I  traveled last year, and we were m

Yes, finally my sew-jo is back!  Here's what I've been up to: 1)  I bought some fabric at Gorgeous Fabrics  (wonderful to purchase from!): 2)  Some new Hot Patterns: I also acquired a used pattern but cannot find it in the Hot Patterns catalog. 3)  I am making another pair of jeans in red denim, purchased from Mood: 4)  And, I'm attempting a satchel, from a green pepper pattern: 5) And, holiday presents for co-workers (with dogs): And, finally, taking some pictures, mountain biking and attending an environmental law conference in Yosemite late October: Happy Holidays! Hopefully I'll have more fun projects ahead!

Dear readers, I apologize for the delay in blogging - I've had some family medical problems, coupled with an extremely busy work schedule involving five weeks of travel this fall!  Again, no excuses -  I finished this blouse early November, and I am just now getting around to blogging it. Here is the creation, I darkened the hue to magnify the colors. . .  First, I used my sloper to modify the pattern - which is very well executed.  The pattern directions are a dream.  The collar method was a bit different than I've used before for peter pan collars.  I made a mistake. Yep.  As you can see below - the shirt contains no dart at the bustline.  My sloper is based on a princess seam.  I rotated the dart and added length at the bottom; unfortunately I measured incorrectly and the front was 1" shorter or more than the back.  So I took out the dart, leading to the blousey front as you see below! Other than this - a wonderful pattern.  I must have been tired when I cut this.  I us

My husband and I were lucky enough (or unlucky, you choose) to be invited to 4 weddings this year, and every dress I wore was made by me, although that wasn't my intention.  Vegas in November was the last of them, and I was all set to go store bought for this one.  The only request was that it be floor-length.  I ordered a great dress online (navy one-shoulder with beading and a slit), it came and fit perfectly except for the length.  And the value.   It was polyester jersey with a poly lining, no inner structure at all except for clear elastic applied to the neckline.  And $270.  No no no no no.  I just couldn't do it.  I had about 3 weeks to either hem it or come up with plan B.  So I ordered fabric swatches from Emma One Sock of this high-tech stretch matte crepe that was touted as a cross between 4-ply silk crepe and matte jersey.  They of course arrived in about 2 days, and I loved the color of the navy.  I could tell even from the swatch that it wasn't as drapey as