Baby Gifts

My dear friend from dental school is expecting her first baby girl in April so I decided to make a few gifts for the new baby.  After making the New Years resolution to learn something new in my personal and professional lives monthly, this satisfies the February requirement.

I tuned in to YouTube after seeing bows and headbands at a posh store selling for $6-10 each.  That's crazy!  Not that I wanted to go cheap but seriously, if I can make the same things for less then she can get more.  Also, I can personalize them to the mother/daughter.  So, after a trip to Hobby Lobby, (they were having a sale on the ribbon) I was stocked and ready.

Also, I found some Minky and Zebra print flannel in hot pink to make a blanket.  Baby blankets at this store were also about $75 each.  The mother wants a hot pink animal print theme for the little baby.  Do you think I over did this???

Blanket and basket (these baskets are great for wet toys from the bath)

So, here are the fruits of my efforts.  My mom is embroidering some towels for burp cloths and lining them with some fab animal print I also found at Hobby Lobby.  Who knew they were such a good resource?

These are the fronts of the bows, flowers and butterfly (it's got beads on it and is too cute IMHO).  I also made the headband from an elastic ribbon.

This photo shows the backs of the hair accessories.  Each clip is covered with coordinating ribbon to hide it better.

The assembled gift- it looks like it has eyes:)

Side view of the gift prior to wrapping.

This was fun to make and super easy.  I hadn't used my glue gun in a while so it was nice to get it out.

If you want to learn to make various bows, here is the link to Hair-Hardware.com on YouTube.
Hair-Hardware Tutorial

So, 4 burp cloths ($14 ea. retail), 2 flower accessories ($10 ea) , 5 bows ($6 ea), 1 butterfly ($10 ea), 1 hat ($6), 1 headband ($6), 1 baby blanket ($75)and a basket later($2.50 actual)- my cost $36.  The actual estimated cost of retail- $177.50.  Sometimes it pays to make things yourself.

NOOOOOO!!!!!!

Ok, the new Pantone chart has come out for FALL 2010!  http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/PANTONE_Fashion_Color_Report_Fall_2010.pdf

Alright, it's nice and all but seriously, this cruddy Winter isn't over yet and we're thinking about next Fall.  Give me a break: I'm not buying it.  Since this Winter has proven to be a bad one that will not let go, I am going to spend my time dreaming of Spring and not the next Fall and Winter to come.  Please, give me a break here, I've been quiet (for the most part) about all the snow and gloominess this year...

Join the crusade to stop this Winter!  Start sewing for a long Spring and Summer.

Dreaming of Sugar!

My mom got me interested in this project. http://www.conkerrcancer.org/help.html
It's making a pillowcase for children going through cancer treatments or admitted to various hospitals for "scary" stuff.  So, on a snowy day I got into the car and let fate take control.  This is what it ended up telling me to make...  sugar laden dreams!

Pillowcase

Accent strip with batiste for the collar

I used instructions from Quilters Haven, Olathe, KS.  They are pretty simple but here are instructions if you're interested in making one, or more, yourself.  I serged all seams to finish them off.
Pillow instructions (1 method)

The accent strip which is basically a strip 40"x 1.75" which is not included in the pattern above.  Talk about a super easy project but way too much fun.  This would make a wonderful project for teaching kids how to sew because it involves straight lines but overall, simple.

I've contacted some ladies here in KC to see if they would be interested in helping.  We're going to donate to our local Children's Hospital- Children's Mercy

How great will these kids feel when they get to pick out their own pillowcase and take it with them when they leave?  One father wrote about his daughter who called it her "Magic Pillowcase" and she felt it helped her get better. (Wiping a tear)  So, off to CM this pillowcase goes.  I hope the little girl (I assume) finds it just as magical!

Lingerie- KS 3426

Photo courtesy Kwik Sew.com


After an enabling post http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl?t=46888 about Fabric.com having a sale on their VW (Vera Wang) silk and wool fabric, I found some beautiful 100% silk chiffon perfect for this pattern.  It so happens to also be time for the Lingerie contest at Patternreview.com.

This is my first Kwik Sew pattern and am thoroughly hooked.  It provided excellent instructions and diagrams for sewing.  This is a simple pattern but the fabric made it more difficult.  I modified the ruffles slightly due to the fraying nature of chiffon.

In order to combat the fraying and give more opportunity for the contrast thread to be used, I opted to cut 1" strips of fabric, roll hem serged on my BL Imagine Wave (love this machine) and then join 2 strips with a zig-zag to form a type of ribbon.  This was then attached to the garment at the neckline and armholes.

Elastic was stained with tea and encased in the chiffon to hide it better.  I opted to finish the hem with the same rolled hem as the chiffon ribbon.

Many views of the finished garment.  Stay tuned and I'll take action shots of the ribbons and french seams.

Do you think I should do something about this?

Everyone who has followed my Zebra print coat will recognize this fabric- yes, I'm going to coordinate with my furniture.

This chair serves as my desk and sewing chair.  I saved it from the dumpster at work, 2 years ago.  Did I take much time deciding to recover it???  Hey, I've been busy.  Well, now is the time to add a little more padding and recover this sucker.  The only problem I see is that I don't have a chair to sew with while it is dismantled.  This might get interesting.

First, for those who have never recovered furniture, I recommend taking a picture of the final piece so you will know how it all goes back together.  Next, as you start disassembling it, put all the pieces in a bag (I have a dog), enough said.  I then lay all the pieces out and decide if that's the way I want it to look when it's done.  This is where the padding comes into play.  If I don't like the lines or it needs more padding say, in the seat, this will change the size of the final product.  I plan to add more padding in the cushion because the foam is breaking down.  Since I don't plan adding new foam, I'll augment what I've got.  Did I say this already?  I love my staple gun.  I can staple anything- arghh (very manly sound).

Well, I tried to remove the bolts and after striping one of them I decided that was over-rated and I'd cover what was already there.  So, I draped the fabric and started stapling.  Did I mention I love my stapler?  Well, I need add a cover underneath to finish it off but it's vastly improved.  I don't have enough fabric to cover the back completely so I'm leaving it for now.  Do you think it looks better?  Less like a dumpster dive?

Ottobre Coat

The coat is finished- finally!  Why do I say it that way?  Well, from my previous post and the muslin, I commented on it's shape being definitely A-line.  After much consideration and opinions, I ripped it apart and changed the lines of the coat.  So much so that the coat appears to be standing away from my body.  This is probably more of the fabric characteristics then the pattern.  On Monday I'll be polling my friends for their opinion as to whether I should alter it and make it straight.  Really, that's not a big deal but I'd like to try to wear it first.  When I tried it one I felt like my head was shrunken...  this is not a good look regardless of how nice the clothing is on the hanger;)  Lesson learned- if the muslin needs tweaking then do it because that's what it's for!

Ok, maybe it's not that bad...

Here are a few pictures and changes I made.

I added a yoke in the back, hanging chain and omitted the pockets.

Front on hanger

This is a close-up of the lining.  I did a partial bagged lining and hand stitched.  The facing was added differently than the pattern.  I didn't want all the bulk in the yolk with self fabric.

I love the way the yoke and the back line up.  It looks so nice.  Unfortunately, I couldn't line up the print horizontally due to the large repeat and limited fabric.

This is the inner portion of the facing and lining- I think it turned out great.

I added a chain to hang it by.  To attach it I used grosgrain ribbon.  Black buttons were too stark.  I interviewed several different buttons and many people gave their opinions, thanks.  These won out.

Buttoned front.  Now you see what I mean, it's BUSY.  This photo is with the sides compressed.  Why should I have to do that?  The next photo shows the definite A-line.  It looks too big.   Do you see how the print is running down on the front and up on the back?  I did this to de-emphasize the bust but maybe, I shouldn't have...  I probably won't wear it buttoned unless it's really cold outside and then I'll have my scarf.  See how the print lines up in the front?

The lack of lined up print in the back seems to break up the pattern and I prefer this now.

Another view.

And another...

Before                                                                                      After

Final photo... until I added the modified coat.  As an aside, I took the lining and coat seams apart and extended the waist down to the hem.  This allowed me to remove about 6 inches of fabric and form a coat that was straight.  I went back and looked at the photo from the magazine and it clearly appears to be cinched in in the back to make it appear more straight.  THIS IS THE FINAL PRODUCT... ok, I missed a button when I took the photo- duh.  This makes me much happier:)

I LOVE my Juki dealer

Juki Jr came home today in place of Mrs. Juki- she had to go back to Juki.  My dealer made it so easy without any downtime.  I'm back in love:)

Valentines Day Project and Juki News

Yes, it was (Juki) once an object of my desire but now, I'm mad at this inanimate object.  The buttonholes began to change and it ain't pretty.  So, I've packaged her up and she's going to the doctor.  It's frustrating when I have to be without it and can't fix it myself.  I think I'm going to take it in and demand they show me what to do.  I'm that kind of person- irritating to some but definitely convenient and helpful for others.  I am that person who figures it out but honestly, I don't want to "learn" on my baby.  Let someone else do it and show me in the process.

With that information, I may not get the Valentines Day cami done.  It is the NL 3426 (view on the right courtesy of New Look

With matching thong. (I'll be making my own pattern for that)  The pattern changes I plan to make include a drawstring attached to dyed elastic so it's easy to slip over my head and adding beads to the drawstring.  I'm going to use contrasting thread on the BL serger to finish the gathers and hem.  The fabric is from the Vera Wang collection from Fabric.com.

This is the biggest taste of the fabric today since it is drying after washing and Fabric.com only has a small clip. (It is sold out after the $1.95/yd sale)  This is 100% silk chiffon in a raspberry color.

Washing silk- I use shampoo for color treated hair in a warm water bath, wash by hand and hang to dry.  It takes a lot of the silk smell out of the fabric and doesn't change the color much due to bleeding dyes.  Regardless, silk doesn't hold the intense dye well and will change color over time.  I plan on dyeing my elastic to a nude color so it is hidden when inserted through the casing.

So, price for a silk cami with matching thong- $5.00.  Don't tell anyone:)

SWAP Spring 2010

Photo courtesy:  http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/Pantone-FCR-sp2010f.pdf

After a fairly successful SWAP in the fall, I am planning on another wardrobe for the spring.  The olive color is definitely not for me but I could wear it in the form of pants, skirts or shorts.

I'm in the need for items I can wear to work and after hours- good basics.  Although black and white aren't listed as popular this Spring, I found the cutest stretch poplin that will be good for a cute BWOF skirt.

Here's what I plan to make:
4 tops
3 bottoms
1 coat (raincoat)
1 jacket

Here are my patterns so far:

Tops- TNT Hot Patterns t-shirt

DVF rayon knit

Jalie 2682 http://www.jalie.com/v-neck-top.html (probably sleeveless but I haven't decided on that either)

DVF rayon knit

Jalie 2562 (short sleeve version) http://www.jalie.com/women-polo-shirt-pattern.html

DVF rayon knit

I'm unsure what pattern I'll use for the ITY knit- probably something like the Jalie with the crossover.

Bottoms-
I'm thinking about a capri, pant and short as well but this is the only one planned so far.

Skirt

Stretch cotton poplin

Skirt BWOF 1/09- 128 (exclusive design)


Coat-

Raincoat   

BWOF 1/08- 128  with a nice red raincoat fabric and purple coat lining.  (The pantone is more pink but I had this Corvette red in my stash)

Jacket-

Jacket

BWOF Jacket 10/07-112 (without the hood) made out of gray or bluish stretch poplin (see above).  I'm thinking about adding contrasting zippers and dark buttons with the same top stitching but that will need to be determined.

I'll be a tracing fool in the next few weeks.  Time to finish the Ottobre coat that I started a few weeks ago.  Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

Not Sewing Related but Breaking That Glass Ceiling

I am the first female dentist in my study club.  It's filled with older male specialists who have the impression that women shouldn't be dentists.  Well, I was voted president today.  Yes, PRESIDENT- the first female member and president.  I'm stoked!

Just a moment of feeling good and knowing the Karma is working.