NPRINS

I want to finish before the New Year!!   But, you can see I've been up to no good with the time off :) Dare I mention that I've been mesmorized by the snow on the mountains surrounding Los Angeles  -  I seemingly have contracted what is known in these parts as "snow fever."  Must go . . . see snow. . . 

Hello Readers, I guess everyone is preparing for the New Year - I've still had trouble finding time for sewing.  I changed my rating on Pattern Review to Intermediate, one step up from Advanced Beginner.    I'm now doubting that.  I've joined the Burda Pants Sew-Along from  The Cupcake Goddess .  However, it has been an uphill slope: First, what have I signed up for? Second, I finally used highlighter to mark the pieces, but realized there is a pattern piece number 2 black, number 2 yellow, number 2 green. Oops.  Mine are pieces 1 - 5 black.  I then used a black sharpie (not the recommended method to show the correct pieces).  This is a tall pattern, hurray!  Perfect, seemingly, for me.  And I plan to trace it out  -  any tips from anyone? I've never cut out a Burda.  According to the sew along - we're using 1" seam allowances generally and 5/8 SA for the crotch seam. . .  again, any tips are appreciated. . ....

Happy Holidays to all!  I am thankful for many blessings in my life, for all the talented home sewers blogging and for being able to write this blog. I haven't been posting as I've been so busy (both traveling for work and at home) -  but I am gearing back up in January - I'm taking Kenneth King's Clone Your Favorite Garment class on Pattern Review (starting January 10) and I am doing a Burda Pants Sew-Along from  The Cupcake Goddess . By the way, I did buy a ham and sew roll from  The Cupcake Goddess  and they are so much fun - she actually wrapped them in old patterns for mailing.  Adorable (and the smell of newly cut sawdust is to die for). By the way, I have to give a shout out to the productive sewing blogger - Katie's Blog .  Her blog provides me with countless tips.  Check out her blog - I highly recommend it. A few months ago I found what I thought was a Janome-sponsored blog that gave all kinds of tips (for example, home-sewn flowers for ...

Dear Readers, Despite the shocking title, I haven't finished my second version of my dress  - I was having trouble making choices.  Before I get to that - this is what I've been up to this Holiday. Before:  Nude machines - After:  Fully, and fashionable dressed (covered) machines -  I used Simplicity 2679 (purchased for $1.00) at Joann's Fabric.  I also measured the machines (the Singer Featherweight and the Serger) and tailored the patterns slightly.  The Janome (with the vespa fabric) sewing machine cover was one of my first projects 14 months ago.  In all three projects,  I used cording instead of binding to bind.  Wow!  The cording (or piping) foot on my serger was fantastic.  I love feet - I'm going to do a separate post on this.  I also have fallen in love with the serger - I love it and am glad I own it.  I never thought I would own a serger.  I bought the two new fabrics above  -  they are Japan...

Dear readers, If you've been progressing toward the end of the week (Congrats!) the weekend is almost here!  In the US, we're celebrating Thanksgiving, where the desire to get the perfect turkey and meal, spending time with relatives you may or may not desire to see, and planning crazy shopping the day after.  And, some people chose to give thanks for their lives (we do!). Yesterday, I went to the paragon of booksellers, and bought three sewing magazines.  One serves as an excellent reference and I learned a couple of  techniques.  The magazine is  Teach yourself to Sew  by Threads magazine. Although I am familiar with most of the "getting started" techniques - I have learned a few things (and I'm only 1/3 of the way through). For example, there are tools to help your presser foot stay level over thick seams!  And, the best way to get sharp points on a collar or tight angle is to make a box type of stitch during the seam instead of a point. . . I ...

Wow!  I need to buy a lotto ticket - stat!  First, I pass the bar (luckily) - then my father send me the new kindle (lucky, again!), and then wonderful Kathy Marrone comments to tell me that my last post is featured on the Vogue Patterns facebook page and that they like it very much. (Very shocking!) I still feel pretty lucky - I consider myself to still be an advanced beginner.  Out of the blue!  If you are on facebook here is the  LINK.   I wasn't aware of the FB page - and they post frequently - on a variety of sewing-related issues.  Their latest post indicates that they are giving away fabric (from their stash) on Mondays.  Now, I feel dedicated to doing a better job on my Hawaiian dress - all part of my guilt at being mentioned and featured on their link.  Well, dare to dream, I say! BTW, I think this counts for a few minutes of my fame quotient. 

Hello dear readers! Finally, I've finished Vogue 8667, pictured below.  It's been quite the journey! Finally, I might add.  I started this project at the same time as I was taking "Intro to Pattern-Making."  Which was brilliant.  I started out making the dress pattern initially with the bodice pictured here, in a Hawaiian Cotton Print.   Several problems emerged, when I sewed two muslins to check the fit.  First, the cotton has no drape for the collar piece.   And I actually didn't have enough fabric for the full skirt (of course!!).  So, based on Gertie's wonderful blogging , she gave me idea to use a double knit - a wonderfully soft fabric that I bought for 8.00 a yard from Michael Levine - I had more than enough fabric (the bolts were huge).   So, I put off the Hawaiian fabric (I am finishing this weekend).  However, do you think I should face the Hawaiian bodice?  I am tempted to use bias binding (same color) but J. thinks that ...