Coming back, really!

Its been an interesting few months since my last post. While I did sew quite a bit, I didn't document much. Well that is not entirely true as I did do some reviews for PR. So once again I'm recommitting to this blog! Truthfully I write posts in my head as I'm sewing but they never quite make it here. Oh well.

In my last post I mentioned working on the jacket from Otto. I actually ended up making 2 of those jackets. They turned out really cute. You can see the review on PR: Otto Jacket

Some of the other stuff I've made in the last few months:
A really cute hoodie for my niece for Christmas, she loves it and wears it almost everyday!
2 jackets from Kwik Sew 3367, other than my zippers curling a bit, I was really happy with those.
Another jacket from Ottobre, I made this one in a beautiful blue wool jersey, I'm sort of sad that its too warm to wear now.
Oh, this outfit was great- Simplicity 4074. I'm planning on making the dress next, well when I find the pattern again.

Fortunately for me, life is only getting more interesting. I am in transition for now. Most of my stuff was packed up and is waiting to be shipped overseas. I do have my sewing machines though, so there will be sewing!

The good and bad of losing weight

What to do, what to do. On the bright side I'm losing the weight, that is never a bad thing. I have a closet filled with clothes that I bought at my goal weight. I can't wait to get into them!

The hard part, though, is what to do now. Those cute flip-flop pants I made this past summer no longer fit. With all the topstitching there is no way I'm going to fix them. Luckily the denim skirt I made at the same time can be easily taken in. The two tees I made are also too big. I'm planning to convert the maroon one into a tank and I think the green one will become a baby romper for my coming niece/nephew. Those really aren't the issue since I figured that would happen when I made all that stuff.

The thing is that I'm now wanting to sew and sew and sew but I'm having a hard time deciding what to sew. There is a pant pattern in Burda I really want to try but do I make it now and risk not wearing them before I lose the weight? I can't make them smaller, pants are horrendous to fit as it is. Then there is the round neck sheath I want to make from the newest Ottobre Woman. Uhm... maybe I should look at a sheath that would be relatively easy to take in, only I think I already have one in my goal size.

So far I'm stuck on making pjs- I made myself 2 yesterday. But really how many pjs does one person need? Well I decided I could make myself a lightweight jacket, that could be slightly big and still be fine. I pulled out and traced jacket 13 from the newest Ottobre Women's Issue- boy does it have a lot of pieces. I even pulled out a great fabric- well, I'm sure this choice would put me on the worst dressed list, but I would be there with a smile on my face.

But alas I did not cut. Unfortunately I do not have a good match for the lining. Not sure what I'm going to do. Now I'm back to my sewing cross-roads, what to sew while I lose weight.

Serge as You Go Quilt

I have been so inspired by the quilts that have been flooding the Runway on Sewing Mamas lately. Seriously beautiful work. That said, I have no patience for that sort of thing. Luckily there is the Serge as You Go Baby Quilt! I made this last year, or maybe it was the year before, for my grandmother and just loved it. Super easy and fast.

Well when my brother and sil got married in 2006, I bought this collection Italy, France, wine -inspired fabric to make them a quilt as a gift. Of course, it didn't get done. Amazing how time passes. Anyway I finally made them theirs and it looks great, even my husband likes it! It will be their Christmas present this year.

McCalls 4664 and an Otto Hoodie

I am really unmotivated to work out in general, so of course every time I decide to get back on track I need to inspirational clothes. Since we're short on cash right now, I decided to sew up some stuff. Luckily I had this lush grey cotton velour in my stash. Its so fun to touch. I also used some of the pima cotton for the tank.


Both the pants and the tank are from McCalls 4664. Surprisingly I really like the tank. I lengthed it but otherwise the pattern was fine. The pants, however, are a continuing work in progress. You'd think that sweatpants would be a breeze but I really want them to fit right. So this is the third attempt at this pattern and I think I almost have it. I need to cut down the front crotch seam about an inch more next time.
But really the best part of the outfit is the hoodie! I'm so excited. I seriously had a total crazy hair when I did this. The pattern is from the Children's Ottobre 4/2007, #34, a girl's hoodie. I up-sized the pattern, added lenght and width. I got the inspiration from That Darn Kat, she posted a pic on Sewing Mamas. Hers turned out so nice I decided I had to try it.

Well that was one thing, but then I decided I need to embroider the thing. Not a simple little embroidery but a beautiful floral I got from Embroidery Library that had 13000+ stitches! Not only that I used my endless hoop and ran it down the front of the hoodie- 5 separate hopings. I was seriously praying this thing would fit after all that!

Turns out the hoodie was slightly wide but that was easy to fix. I wish I had done a better job on the front cross binding, so I may go back and fix that but otherwise I love it! Of course, the minute I finished it the weather warmed up so I haven't been able to really wear it.

So much sewing!

I have been sewing up a storm lately. Its fabulous. I feel so productive. Downside is my house is a mess, my husband is feeling abandoned and my 3-year-old surprised the speech therapist by correctly answering that you use a thread and needle to sew. She told me that she had never had a child that young answer that question correctly.

Of course, getting the pictures up is another story. They are all sitting on my computer waiting for editing. I like to put the pattern number and size on the pic to make it easier to remember what I've made and what I've liked.

So far in this sewing frenzy I've made jeans for my little one out of my husband's old jeans. Several outfits for my nephew for either Christmas or his Christening, depending on how fast he grows between now and then. Jammas for a friend's child, late birthday gift. A new version of my grocery bag that converts to a backpack for walking to and from the store or farmer's market. I'm going to have my sil test it out. I'm also finishing up 2 t-shirts for same sil from the knit fabric she chose in Peru. I made a long-sleeve tee for my brother too. My little one got a Superman costume for Halloween, still need to make the shoe covers for it though. And I made myself 2 tunics from the newest Ottobre Women's issue. Also new Rose Tee with 3/4 sleeves, a velour sweatsuit, tank top and a bunch of underwear. I tested my adapted pattern of the cross-over top from Ottobre, which I made into a nightgown. I had just enough of the fabric left over to make a little baby gown which of course meant that that is now a set. Too bad I don't know anyone about my size having a baby girl. Goodness I have been busy!

If you can believe it, I also started my Christmas sewing! I finished an enlarged version of the Serger Baby Quilt for my brother and sil. I'm planning another for my other sil. I figure I can start on the things that I don't need measurements for. I started my list and as usual its a mile long! Well that will be another time. Off to finish my current projects.

Oh and thats the best part, I'm finishing projects!!!!!

Rose Tee from Ottobre

I actually made these in June but didn't get the finishing details done until after our move in August. Of course, thats when I realized they were too big. Mind you, I'm still wearing them. In fact I'm wearing the Rose Tee now (green one).

Overall I like the pattern, fairly easy to put together. The V-neck on the Rose Tee gave me fits and still doesn't look great. I used a satin and it was so slippery I just did not get it lined up right. For the next one I'm going to try a less slippery fabric. I do like the woven and the knit together. I did cut the sleeve bands on the bias since I have larger arms and thought a bit of stretch would be nice. Surprisingly those are great. I love the way the sleeves turned out, which explains why I'm ignoring the neck and wearing the shirt anyway.

The maroon Tee was made with the sleeves of the Rose Tee since I liked the puffy sleeve. Its the scoop neck from the same issue. Really easy to put together. I made a 46, which included the gathering on the side which was easy enough but too high for me (ie I guess my cans aren't as perky as they should be). Turns out, though, that the 44 does not include the gathering so I won't be dealing with that on my next version. I did a thin binding for the neck instead of doing their way and then coverstitched, which I think turned out great. I'm getting so much better at that!

I'll definitely be making a few more when I get back, with my new knits.

Big Intentions

So I had to leave the country for a family emergency so I went ahead an uploaded a bunch of pics of some sewing I had been doing so that in my "spare" time I could update my blog while I was here. Yes, you can laugh now. Oh well. I'm going to try and do some today, we'll see how it goes.

On the upside, I was able to alleviate some of my sewing withdrawls with a bit of shopping. I found some old issues of Burda, one in English and a few in Spanish, and a couple, so far, of Patrones! I'm surprisingly excited about the Patrones issues. I didn't expect to be so excited since I tend to wear more simple stuff. I'm itching to get home and see what I have in my stash to try out the patterns. I also raided my mother's stash for 3 fabrics that would be prefect for a dress from one of the Burdas and a blouse from one of the Patrones. Funny thing is those 2 fabrics were originally mine! Her stash is made up of my casts-off, but then since she rarely sews, they tend to just hang out there. I did get a third fabric which is a purple/cream/lime green Boucle that is really great for a short jacket from one of the Patrones. I'm still combing the newstands and mercados for more issues, wish me luck.

I also bought a ton of plain Pima cotton knits in various colors, its just beautiful. Very, very soft. I'm hoping they wash and wear well since the closest in quality I've found stateside is about $12 a yard, this was far less. Thats the story for now. I'll post pics later.

Women's Ottobre pants patterns

I've actually been really liking the fit on these patterns for me. Other than my usual swayback, I didn't need any other alterations. Pretty cool. I'm going to try a pair of jeans next.

These pants were from Ottobre Kids issue 1/2005, the linen capris. I thought they were a bit more like high-waters rather than capris so I just added 2 inches to the length and made them pants. They are a linen embroidered with flip-flops, I think its cute but my husband thinks they look like pjs!
Next are the linen capris from Ottobre Womens issue 2/2007. The striped pair are the pattern as is, then I made 2 shorts using the same pattern. I don't have a pic of the black pair- black linen with embroidered circles. The bonus about the shorts is that they were from the remnants bin at JAs when the linen was already on sale so I think the brown shorts were less than a dollar! I already had the zipper and button. Gotta love it.

I made the other capris from this same issue. I have to take some pics and upload them later.

But this fabric is by far my favorite remnant bin find! Embroidered denim, slightly less than a yard for $3! I will admit that this skirt turned out a bit too wide at the bottom because of the denim. I'm planning to take it in a bit but otherwise it fit great.
I also have the Rose Top and the Puffed Sleeved Tee from the 2/2007 issue that need hemming so I'll post those later. Overall I'm really enjoying these magazines, I have a ton of post-its hanging out waiting to made!

Time sure flies...

when you're sewing up a storm and moving cross-country! Craziness has been abounding around here. I finally unpacked my sewing machines so I thought it would be a good time to update here.

My niece's prom dress looked great on her. I wasn't as thrilled about it but she was so thats what counts. Unfortunately I have no pic, sorry.

On other sewing fronts I spent the few weeks leading up to our move sewing up as many summer things as I could as I have "outgrown" my old stuff. Since we were going to California I, naturally, assumed I might need them. Not so much! Oh well.

I have to come up with a plan now. As I was unpacking my fabric I got a million and one ideas. I was finding fabrics I hadn't really looked at in a year. Uhm... I'm thinking I need to do a mini-wardrobe or something like that to get focused. I'm going to browse PR and see whats up over there.

I'm an Auntie to another boy!

My sil went into labor early this past weekend but all went well, mom and new baby boy are doing good. So, of course, that meant procrastination was done! I worked all Sunday on the cushion covers and the box is sitting outside my door waiting for UPS. Yipee! I think they turned out pretty good but plain. I have some extra fabric so I'm thinking of making a pillow or a head rest with the baby's name or monogram. We'll see.

Off to work on the prom dress!

Procrastination Zone

I'm seriously procrastinating from doing the things I have to do- niece's prom dress and the covers for sil's nursing chair. Both projects need to be done by May, the earlier the better even though Prom is the 31st and due date is the 29th. Both "clients" are a bit anxious. Personally I'm the type that is still sewing 5 minutes before my date comes to the door. Oh well.

In the meantime, of course, I've been doing other stuff. Made another McCalls 5271, only this time the fabric was too stretchy so I'm going to have to fix it- will take off the bottom band, shorten and put in a center seam to pull in the shoulders a bit. I also have one cut out for my mom plus I modified the pattern for a higher neck to wear without an underlayer. That one is cut too. I'll post pics when they are all done. What else... I cut 2 pairs of pj pants for my nephew who turns 15 next week. Wow time has really flown by, I still remember him as an adorable 4 year old.

Well since Photobucket is not cooperating (and pics are on the other computer) I'll post pics later.