LA Meet, Shop and Learn

So I went to LA to attend Mimi G's Meet, Shop and Learn event. I had a 6:40 a.m. flight so I wouldn't have to rush around when I got to LA. Great plan, right? Soooooo after I missed my flight and sat in the airport for another 2 hours, I was finally on my way to meet my fabric, I mean Mimi and the rest of the ladies. Things were in full swing when I arrived and introductions were already underway. There was a brief question and answer session followed by a trip to Mimi's friend Catina's (a pattern maker) work/live space in the garment district for an extensive pattern fitting lesson.

After that there was a brief refueling session and then off to shopping! There were so many fabric shops, people and food trucks with bacon wrapped hot dogs, it really was enough to make your head spin. Mimi took us to the spots where she gets her fabrics and it was really cool that she referenced actual items that she has posted on her blog, i.e., "this is where I got the fabric for the ___________". We hit the independents shops first and then finally Michael Levine's. Can you say kid in a candy store and to top it off, Mimi arranged for the group to get a 10% discount SCORE!!!

Here's my haul:

Of course, fabric is always something to be excited about, but the best part of the trip was meeting so many fantastic women who share my love of sewing. I even got to meet the fabulous Karen (thanks again for the ride to the airport) who follows my ramblings here.

I'm happy to hear that this is going to be an annual event so I'm saving my pennies now for next year. Hopefully I'll meet more of you there.

Happy Independence Day - M6058

I have been crazy busy lately and haven't had time to do much sewing so when I get a moment do I sew something for myself? No, I decided to make the princess an outfit to commemorate Independence Day. 

She loved it, she kept looking in the mirror and running her hands over the dress when I put it on her.


Pattern Description: INFANTS' REVERSIBLE DRESSES, PANTIES AND HAT: Dresses A, B have elasticized front and back neckline, right shoulder strap and tie ends at left shoulder; dress B has hemline ruffle; panties A, B have elasticized waist and legs; panties A have elastic form self-ruffles; view A has purchased trim for dress and hat; view B has contrast ruffle at lower edge of dress and hat.

Pattern Sizing: S-M-L

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Definitely!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Super easy instructions. The shoulder tie was more complicated that it needed to be but it was still not difficult.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I did get a blister threading all the elastic which was definitely a dislike.  It also seemed like it ran a little short or maybe my baby just has long legs.

Fabric Used: Cotton

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None.

Would you sew it again? I might because it works up so quick but there are so many other super cute baby girl patterns out there.

Conclusion: Super cute, super easy pattern.  Give it a try.

Happiness

My feet are tired, my budget is busted, bought so much I had to buy a suitcase to take it home AND I made new friends. I am one happy girl. I'll be sure to show you my loot soon.

This one is definitely a keeper!

So we were all set to take the hubby out to dinner to one of his favorite restaurants on Saturday because he wanted to stay home and watch the game on Sunday. After getting up extra early to run errands and do the weekend cleaning, I noticed that he wasn't getting up to get ready.  When I asked him about it he said he decided he wanted to celebrate later because he wanted me to use the money we were going to spend on dinner to . . . wait for it . . . spend on FABRIC on my upcoming LA fashion district shopping trip! I was so touched. Of course I made a huge father's day breakfast, cooked his favorite dinner, got him cheesecake from his favorite place and I will be taking him out when I get back.

I've known him for over 30 years so his generosity is not news but he just never ceases to amaze me. Oh YES, this one is definitely a keeper.

Happy Mother's Day - Another M6559

Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mothers out there. It's the hardest job I've ever had to do yet I gladly show up for it each and every day. I originally planned to wear something else to dinner and this was supposed to be my back up dress but since we decided to do dinner on Saturday so that I can chill on Sunday, I didn't have enough time. I love this dress, style and fabric. I saw someone with a similar dress at the end of last Summer and knew I would soon be making one of my own. The fabric is a "trendy knit" I picked up from Fabric Mart during one of their knit sales.

and of course the gratuitous shoe shot

Here is my review:


Pattern Description: MISSES'UNLINED JACKETS AND DRESSES: Close-fitting, unlined jacket in 2 lengths has front extending into single-layer tie ends(wrong side shows). Very close-fitting, pullover dresses. E and F: front seam detail, bias upper/middle fronts, and lower front/back (cut on crosswise grain of fabric. All have narrow hems.

Pattern Sizing: A5(6-8-10-12-14),E5(14-16-18-20-22)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Definitely!

Were the instructions easy to follow? Since I made this before, I didn't even use them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? The thing I like about this pattern is there is no special bra needed but there is a slight racer back.

Fabric Used: A knit of unknown content

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Since this is my second version, I think that answers that question. I would recommend this to others.

Conclusion: 2 down, so many more to go.

Another Maxi Skirt

Have I told you how much I LOVE Fridays? I know that's not a radical proposition as for most people it's the end of the week and so they do too. Actually, Thursday is usually the end of my work week and Friday is my day to do what I want. It's also the only day that the hubby and I have a few child free hours to pretend that we are carefree. I usually spend the time running errands, trying to beat the Saturday crowds at places like the grocery store, the mall and Target and inevitably the day includes a lunch date with my boo.

I found this tank at Wal-Mart a few weeks back and bought it just because I liked the colors. A week or two later, I bought this knit at FabricMart in this color and yellow and what do you know they both match the tank perfectly! Since we are in the middle of a heat wave and I love to wear new clothes, last night, I thought it would be a good idea to whip up a maxi to go with the tank.

I love this fabric, it drapes beautifully, is light weight and great for the summer. I've been really making a concerted effort to upgrade even my running around town clothes because it makes me feel better.

This time I used Mimi G.'s method of using the two panels because of the weight of the fabric, I wanted the additional fullness. I also decided to leave the hem raw because it looks pretty cool AND that made it even faster to finish.

I still haven't finished the dress I'm wearing to dinner tomorrow, so . . .

See you soon.

My New Babies

They got delivered today. They are super comfortable. I love them!