I've Been Tagged!

Too cool! Although, I have to laugh because it is well known in my circle of family and friends that I don't do questionnaires! Anyway, Cathy, over at The Hem Line, has tagged me to do a meme of 7 things that you might not know about me. Here goes:

1. My grandmother taught me how to cross-stitch and do needlepoint when I was 8. This skill came in handy in my early 20's when I worked for a company doing embroidery samples for children's clothing.

2. I learned to sew at about 23. It is truly a passion for me. Sewing relaxes me, calms me, challenges me. I am so thankful to have found such a wonderful sewing community on the Internet to learn from, and I have learned ALOT.

3. I love to mow the grass. I have been kind of irritated with Cody because he keeps mowing before I have a chance to get out there. There is just something awesome about the smell of freshly cut grass.

4. I don't like to cook which is kind of funny when I consider that I love to read cookbooks.

5. I am a native Houstonian and proud of it. Despite this, I absolutely adore living in the country.

6. I grew up the oldest of 4 children. I have 3 brothers, Matt, 32, R.T., 24, and Taylor, 18. Yes, we are spread out and it looks like I am following in the family tradition because.....

7. I am expecting! By the time this baby is born, my DSS, Johnathan will be almost 22. Hannah will be 12, and Rachael, 7. I am still in shock.

So there you have it, 7 things about me you didn't know and 1 that I just found out about.

These are some of the ladies that I would like to learn more about (and it was hard to choose which ones).

Cathy Jean of Home, Sweet Home, Noble

Faye of Faye's Sewing Adventures

Sally of Sally Sews - Aunt Emily's Legacy

Marjie of Modern Day Ozzie and Harriet

Bunny of La Sewista

Shannon of Frogs In A Bucket

Ann of Ann's Fashion Studio

Ladies if you have already done this or just don't like to do this kind of thing, I promise not to be offended. No obligation!!!

Rules:
1. Link to your Tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know that they are tagged by leaving a post on their blog.

Tales of a Redneck

"Momma? I am now a real redneck!"

"Ummm, okay."

Leaning in to whisper, "Can rednecks go to church?"

"Yes, m'am."

"Can rednecks still carry a purse?"

"Yes, m'am."

This little redneck has her priorities straight!

McCall's 5631, Part 1

I bought this fabric at Hancock's several months ago, intending to make a skirt for Hannah. After looking at it in my pile of "TO DO" I finally pulled it out and washed it. This is what I ended up with. Hannah would never get a chance to wear this skirt because it would end up on the pile of "don't really want to do this" ironing! I plan to sew the petals down to facilitate ironing later on.



McCall's 5631, is basically two rectangles that are pleated and then gathered to a shaped waistband. The rectangles are the same for all sizes, the pleats are deeper for the smaller sizes and of course it is gathered tighter for the smaller waistband.

I am making a combination of view B and view C. I used pattern piece #4 for length, adding the hem band from view B. I want the skirt length to be about 30". The hem band has rows of top-stitching every 3/8". Instead of folding the hem in half and then top-stitching, I did my top-stitching first and then folded. I didn't want rows of stitching to show on the wrong side. I used the four colors of the flowers in the main fabric. The dark blue kind of fades into the fabric. Definitely a live and learn situation. Maybe I should have made samples. Maybe.

I am going to try to get the hem band sewn to the skirt and the flowers tacked down today. Cody has dismissed school today due to the need for me to CALM DOWN.

We found out this morning that the ADA dismissed charges against my neighbor for indecent exposure. I am going to the courthouse this afternoon to find out WHY! I know that I haven't explained the situation very much concerning my neighbors, mostly because it just makes me so angry and then it gets to be all that I think about! I'm trying to avoid giving her anymore space in my head than she already gets.

Fall Sassy Apron Has Arrived!

I really received this last Friday and am just now getting around to showing y'all but at least it isn't taking months like last time. This apron is Friday Night Apron by Vanilla House Designs. My swap partner, Adrienne L., is a member of Apronista but doesn't have a blog that I can send y'all to. I really do think this is cute! Thank you Adrienne!

Happy Sewing!

McCall's 5522

I love this blouse. I don't believe I have ever received as many compliments before! This is a very flattering look for me - and yes, it will be made at least once more.

McCall's 5522 I made view B without the ruffle in a size 16 using the pattern pieces for a D cup. A 1/2" FBA will be necessary the next time. I did a 1/2" swayback adjustment for that extremely large rear end I have. THAT'S IT, no other alterations. Yippee!

The material I used is a stretch cotton that I had originally bought to go with the material from this dress. If I may, please let me rant for just a second - why do fabric stores have such bad lighting? I can name at least twice in the past year that I have bought what I thought to be coordinating fabrics, only to get them into a different light and they suddenly look completely off!

What was supposed to be a wearable muslin is quickly becoming a favorite. If the sleeves weren't such a pain to iron I know that I would wear this even more often than I do.

The skirt is my TNT, Vogue 9974. Made from a quilting cotton I bought at my local quilting store.

Hannah's Summer Sewing

Today, I have a guest blogger! Hannah:

This is just something I made in a summer sewing camp.The shorts print are horse's.My Shirt says I love Horses!. I embellished it. the shorts are longer but I had pulled them up.They didn't take long to make and I was very proud of my self. After camp I made my sister a pink and white checkered pair.I kind of messed up on hers.She loves them.The seams weren't perfect but she still wears them.

Before and After

These are the pajamas that Rachael has been begging me to buy for the last 4 months. I finally caved and bought the XS for her birthday. The shirt was fine, she likes her nightshirts to be big and baggy. The pants though? Major overhaul.

I used the pants from Simplicity 9186 OOP. Rachael decided that she wanted Capri length. I ended up completely cutting apart the pants and re-cutting. This was one alteration that actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. From the time that I cut the pajama bottoms apart to the time I handed them to Rachael to put on - 1 hour. She stood over my shoulder the entire time waiting!

July Sewing

Yesterday, I showed y'all what I made during the month of June. Today, I'll show you the only thing that I managed to get sewn during July.

McCall's 5471 is one of those made-for-you patterns. It has separate pattern pieces for A/B, C, D cups. This is really great, they've done 1 pattern adjustment for me, only 5 or so to go! The only differences for the various views are the sleeves. I made view A, the 3/4 sleeves with a gathered ruffle around the bottom.

This shirt is a wearable muslin that I made just to try out the pattern and to use up some of my fabric stash. I pretty much made this shirt straight out of the envelope. I started with a size 16, transitioning out to an 18 at the hips. I cut off the collar stand about and 1/8" and the collar a scant 1/4". I did a 1/2" swayback adjustment and I finished off the shirt with red snaps that I ordered online from SewBaby.

Okay, so now let me tell you what all I need to do to next time that I make this. First, raise the bust points about 1 1/2" or wear a lousy bra, slash and spread the sleeves at least an 1" (my high bust measurement may put me in a 16 but my arms are still much bigger). Do another 1/2" FBA. I really need to start writing down what I notice that I need to fix the next time, WHEN I notice that I need to fix it. I know that I am forgetting at least a couple of things. Maybe more of a swayback adjustment?

If y'all notice anything else, let me know. I promise not to be offended!

Happy Sewing!

What I Sewed This Summer

Actually, this is what I sewed during June. The ONLY thing that I sewed during June. The top is the famous Sandra Betzina pattern, Vogue 2980. It is made from a teal and white stripe I bought from Sawyer Brook Fabrics - love that store! This is the second t-shirt that I have made from this pattern, but the first that I actually wear out in public. On this one, I went up a size to an E, and also raised the neckline 4". Just a little bit more modest, while still being fashionable.

The skirt is OOP Vogue 9974, I absolutely love this pattern. I have the choice of a 4, 6, or 8 gored skirt, full to just simple A-line. This is the 6 gored A-line. This piece of fabric also came in the same order as the striped knit from Sawyer Brook Fabrics.

I am really happy with this outfit, I love the colors and the print of the skirt fabric. What made this even better to me though, was the fact that both of these are usually a size smaller than I would have made at the beginning of the year! The skirt is a size 20 instead of my usual 22, and I know that I made the shirt a size bigger, but I would have had to make an F to make this comfortable for me to wear earlier. Make sense?

Happy Sewing!

Sewing Room Organization

So, some time in the next month I have a guy coming in to redo the floors in the girls bedroom and in my sewing room. I found a blog today that talks about re-organizing your sewing stuff and am posting about it here. This way, I won't forget were I found it!!!

Book Review: The Apron Book

The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort by EllynAnne Geisel

Published by Andrews McNeel Publishing
ISBN: 0-7407-6181-1

In the introduction, Mrs. Geisel states, "... every apron spoke worlds of the heart and character of the people who had sewn and worn them." How fascinating to learn that there is another person who looks at an apron and sees "their stories." Why did someone use this particular fabric? Why did they choose the pattern? Every apron, whether for messes or entertaining has a story behind it.

Chapter 1 focuses on the aprons' journey from utility use to decoration, from Adam and Eve's aprons made from leaves to modern day. Throughout this book are pictures of aprons, directions for making several different styles of aprons and the remembrances of the roles that aprons have played in peoples lives.

Chapter 2 talks about the differences in aprons and includes a pattern for a Basic Waist Apron, Basic Bib Apron, and the Basic Smock Apron. Mrs. Geisel also mentions how pockets can really bring an apron to life and give it personality.

Chapter 3 is an overview of the kitchen apron, the "workhorses of aprons." There is a section about adding hot pads to an apron and about children's aprons, including a pattern for a Basic Child's Apron.

I love this line at the beginning of Chapter 4:
"Who, after all, gets high fives for a well-washed load of laundry or kudos for an expertly dusted room?"
So begins a look at utility aprons, made for cleaning, dusting, laundry, etc. The Baby Bath Wrapper, a variation of the Basic Bib Apron is such a great idea and shows how versatile one apron pattern can truly be.

"The Backyard Daddy" is the title of Chapter 5 and it talks about the wonderful aprons men wore/wear for backyard grilling. I just love the pattern for the Bottle Apron with a place for a straw.

Did you realize that there are many uses for "aprons on the job?" Chapter 6 talks about the many different occupations that wear an apron, maids, soda jerks, butchers. It includes a variation of the Basic Waist Apron, the Wipe-and-Go Plastic Apron. How ingenious!

Chapter 7 discusses the fancy apron, The aprons saved in the back of the drawer and pulled out when entertaining company and throwing parties. I absolutely adore the mauve satin waist apron on p. 107. I must make one for myself!

Chapter 8 covers the funny aprons. The aprons that have messages, such as, "I Hate Housework." Ummm, that would be me!

The last chapter is about the collecting and preservation of aprons. The love and care of them.

While reading this book, the love that EllynAnne Geisel has for aprons really shines through. There is so much inspiration included in the book, not only the patterns and their variations but also the modern and vintage aprons pictured throughout.

Please buy a copy for yourself, this book deserves a place on your bookshelf!

*****************************************************************************

So, I wanted to show a few of the aprons that I have.


This apron is made from a pot holder and a kitchen towel with red bias tape used for the neck and waist ties.

This apron is the Basic Bib Apron from The Apron Book.

This is the apron that I received for the Summer Sassy Apron Swap from Beth of cloth and fodder. I told y'all that sooner or later I would get a picture taken!!!! Please forgive the wrinkles, I was actually using it. One of the funny things that I have noticed since I received this apron, is how much I LIKE wearing an apron!

This apron is an antique child's apron that I bought years ago off of ebay. I bought it for Hannah to play with but changed my mind when I received it. This apron is completely hand stitched together. The embroidery is hand-done and the yellow ribbon is SILK. Do you see why Hannah didn't get her hot little hands?

Happy Sewing!

Fall Sassy Apron Swap

My apron was well received by Cathy of Aunt Daisy's Cottage. Please go by and check out the totally cool slide show, with commentary, she has set up about my/her apron. Also, check out the apron that she made for her partner! Too cute.

********************************************************************************

Somebody, tell me why I have to do without air conditioning while waiting for the electricity to maybe go off? We've survived Hurricane Gustav, but I wasn't sure I was going to survive the without just completely melting.

Musings About Fit

Every once in a while, one of my SIL will send me one of those "get to know me" emails. You know - the kind that asks you about 20 questions about yourself and then you send it to everybody in your address book? One time, Tori sent me one that asked who would be the least likely to respond. Her answer - Amy.

What's that got to do with fit? Last week I received one that asked, "What is the first thing you notice about a person?" I'm going to extremely shallow and tell you that clothes are the first thing I notice. Why? I think it has so much to do with all of the sewing I do. Lately though, I've also started noticing the fit of that persons garment. The wrinkles, the pulls and drags of the fabric as it drapes their body. It wasn't until I joined PatternReview and started reading all of these sewing blogs that I realized how important fitting can be.

The way a garment is fitted to a person REALLY affects the way a person looks and at least in my case, the I feel.

I've noticed that if a skirt is too tight in the hips, I feel like a sausage squeezed into its casing. Conversely, if what I am wearing is too loose, it's like I'm swimming in an ocean of fabric. Either way, I end up being self-conscience about myself.

I'm not sure how many other sewers out there in blogland have experienced the same thing. What I do know is that my fitting skills have definitely improved and my perception of what type of clothing works on me is completely different that before.