KREATIVE BLOGGER AWARD

Thank you Eugenia of Eugenia's (Fabulous) World of Fashion for nominating me for the Kreative Blogger Award. I will gladly and proudly display this logo on my blog.

As most of you know, the rules for accepting this award call for me to tell you seven things that you don’t know about me, after which I may nominate seven other blogs to receive this award.

So, here we go.

1. I'm married to my high school sweetheart whom I've known since I was 12 years old.

2. Even though I've been sewing for more than 20 years and have made bridesmaid dresses, ball gowns, skirts, casual dresses, blankets, you name it, I didn't make my first top until this year. The truth is I never even thought about making tops until browsing the review gallery when I first joined PR.

3. I plan to sew at least 90% of my wardrobe over the next year. The remaiing 10% leaves room for the ocassional layering piece.

4. I am the only family member of my generation that knows how to sew even though my mother and most of my aunts do.

5. When I was younger (read slimmer), I used to be able to sew straight from the envelope.

6. Part of the reason I stopped sewing for so long was because of fit issues when I got older(read heavier) .

7. I will never again let pattern company sizing deter me from my passion for creating fashion.

I too follow the blogs of many who have already received this award, however, I have found a few new talented women who are also very deserving.

'Toya at Stitch and Snitch
Jayme Grace at Sew it Seams
A Sewn Wardrobe
Busy Bee Crafting
Seams Fabulous

I am so thankful to be part of such a supportive sewing community.

Happy Sewing!

Burda October 09 - My Picks

I received my October 2009 issue and found a few looks that I like.

Dress 119B - I can see myself wearing this is a lightweight gray wool with tights, a thin knit turtle neck and boots.

Jacket 136 and Skirt 137 - Although I NEVER have occassion to wear a suit, if I ever did, this would be the one I'd want to be seen in. I love the combination of the shawl collar and rounded cut-away detail at the hem of the jacket and skirt. Very stylish.

While on the site, I took a look at the Burda Plus Fashion Autum/Winter 09 offerings and found a few things there that were of interest, enough that I'm contemplating subscribing.

Dress 401 - This dress looks so comfortable and classic but with just the right contemporary touches.

Skirt 408 is fantastic. It's shown in the magazine as part of a holiday cocktail outfit and may very well appear at one of the many holiday parties I usually attend but if the maxi trend holds up, I can also see this made in a more casual fabric for Summer.

Top 417 - I like this top because it's very simple but the layered use of fabrics make it pretty special.

Skirt 423 - Love this! It's made up in suede in the mag but it will likely show up in denim in my wardrobe.

I'm a pretty recent Burda subscriber and have yet to actually sew a Burda pattern likely because of the tracing involved (adds an extra step when I already have so little sewing time) but the clothing is so fashion forward, I feel like I have to collect so that when I do have the time, I can make something from here.

How often do you sew Burda patterns? Did I miss any of your favorites?

Happy Sewing!

Simplicity 2599

Pattern Description: Misses Tops With Trim Variations

Pattern Sizing:12-20

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Pretty close.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes the instructions are super easy to follow as long as you make sure to find your view.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It went together quickly and had separate pattern piece for D cup. I also liked how easy it was to do the ruffle. The ruffle is a separate piece cut on the bias, gathered down the middle and basted then stitched on at the neckline after the facings have been attached, all in all, pretty simple.

Fabric Used: Yellow Cotton BroadclothPattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I still had to make a FBA however not as big because of the different pattern pieces. I also used my serger to do a rolled hem edge on the ruffle instead of folding it under as directed because I think it looks better.

Here are a couple of close ups of the ruffle and the rolled hem.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I don't think I will sew this view again but I might try one of the other views. I think this is a great top for a beginner.

Conclusion: Quick addition to my warm weather wardrobe during this heatwave that we are having here.

What I'm working on

I keep telling myself that I need to switch gears and start at least planning my Fall/Winter sewing but I keep running into reasons to stay in Summer sewing mode the latest of which is the expected 100 degree weather all this week. So. . . to make sure that I will say cool during the week I decided to complete a few pieces that are either already cut out or that should work up quickly so that I can stay cool and fashionable. I'm done with Simplicity 2599 View F (the one the model is wearing without the bow) which I made in a bright yellow broadcloth from Hancock and will review in a future post.

Next I'll finish my second version of McCall's 5893

In this Tropical print ITY Knit.

It's been cut out for weeks now and the bodice is completed I just need to complete the skirt and join the two together.

I am also working on McCall's 5621 View C

in a black cotton waffle pique which has been cut out for months and months but I temporarily lost my sewing mojo over most of the Summer as I had the houseguest from Hell for three months. This promises to be really cute and I have the perfect shoes so I'm really trying to get this finished.

If the weather holds out into next week, I'll finish View C of McCall's 5977

In this satin charmeuse print I got for $2.99 awhile back from fabric.com. I've already started cutting it out so that should serve as added incentive.

This much sewing in a week is quite an ambitious plan for me considering I've got a full caseload and my two boys who love to ask me first for everything even though their very capable dad is right there, but I figure why should I be hot if I can sew. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

What are you working on?

New Winter/Holiday McCalls Patterns

The new McCalls patterns are out and I now know why I don't sew nearly as much during the Fall/Winter season. Of the 49 new offerings, here are the two that I like.

M5972 - This is so cute. I can see myself either making View C in Navy or Black for an evening event or in a bright fun color for Spring.

M5977 - I just love this pattern because I love ruffles and flounces so I can see this as a go to foundation piece.

What about you -- did you see any that you like?

McCalls 5425

Pattern Description: Pullover dress has front and back neck casings; dress A has contrasting tie that extends from left front and left back opening edges of casing, center back slit at upper edge; dresses B, C have shoulder straps extending from casing, upper and lower center back slits; dress B has contrasting shoulder strap and belt.

Pattern Sizing: (6-14) (14-20)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Sort of. I made mine a maxi but other than that it looked like the drawings.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were super easy. I'd just check every now and then to make sure I was on track.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The ease and quickness with which this came together. I don't get to sew too often so I like to see a finished product pretty quickly to stay motivated. This dress definitely fits the bill. I also liked how you can adjust the neckline to form little gathers for a little added interest.

There is great coverage and the straps are adjustable for those of us worried about bra strap issues.

Fabric Used: A polyester knit I snagged from Fabric.com

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I extended the dress length by 15 inches. I also did my standard FBA. I wish I would have cut the back on the fold since I stitched the entire seam up without the keyhole anyway, the print is busy enough that you can't really see the seam.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I'm sure I will eventually sew this again. I'd like to try a shorter version in a woven or silky.

Conclusion: This dress fits my current sewing mantra, quick, cute and easy. This would be a great dress for a beginner.

Happy Sewing!