a few spring tops finished

I didn't know if I'd get the photos in on time, but here are my two entries for this year's Spring Top Sew-Along:

Spring top #1:

My Juliet Tunic in lilac/white shirting.

A little see-through, but I love the style and color.  I wore this out on Mother's Day with a cardigan.  I like the lilac and brown combo.

Spring top #2 

Jalie 2804 in aqua and brown interlock knit

This is so comfortable I want to make 50 of them!  I used the assymetrical hemline on this pattern.  I love how incredibly easy this is to sew!  

So those are my entries this spring.  I realize they're not the most exciting tops around, but I looked in my closet and decided what tops I needed to round out my wardrobe.  I have some pretty crazy looking skirts and needed some basic tops. 

Check out the flickr group to see all this year's entries!

this week's projects

Last week I was busy whipping up a (another) PBF Tee For Two.  Man those are easy and fun to do!  This was the first long sleeved version I've done.  I got this great soft jersey from Fashion Fabrics Club.

I also made this much-needed Sun Hat for my little red head.  I was able to make that from scraps!

Maura made these eggs for Easter, I had to include these guys!  Love the zombie egg.

And last but not least, I made this dress for a soon-to-be birthday girl in our family.

This pattern is the Perfect Little Party Dress from Heidi and Finn.  They are offering a Buy 2 get 1 free so I took that as an excuse for some girly sewing.  I already own all their boy patterns!

I've been shopping for patterns like crazy.  I just picked up the Monique Dress and the Juliet Tunic from Pink Chalk Fabrics.  I love that they always have free shipping on their paper patterns. 

I'm also working on a summer skirt for myself.  I hope to have pictures soon!

2nd Jamie dress

It's amazing to me how you can make two dresses from the same pattern and one is a success and the other not-so-much.  The dress went together easily enough.  Maybe it was my choice of fabric, but I'm really not liking the second version.

I actually took a few inches out of the skirt/gathering this time around, but it looks even more voluminous than the last jamie dress.  After 4 kids I'm a little sensitive about looking bigger around the waist.

This is the best photo I got:

This was the worst:

ICK!!  What happened in the back of the dress?  Still pondering that.  I may have done that when I tried to force the front and back waistbands to match up.  Maybe I can still rescue this dress.

In this one I think I'm holding down the poofiness of the skirt subconciously.  This dress will have to go back to the drawing board if I want to wear it out in public.

Sew Along Dress - finished!

I finished my dress for the Jamie Dress Sew Along a few days back and was finally able to get some pictures, thanks to my favorite 9 year old photographer, Liam. A few days ago it was too dark, and today it was really bright, maybe too bright. But, I'm not complaining!

This fabric was something I had lying around since last summer. It's from JoAnn's, it a "linen look" fabric. I actually like the drape, it's very light. I was a little worried about the large print making me look large, but I really like this funky pattern - good for summer!

The pattern, the Sis Boom Jamie Dress was actually very easy and enjoyable to follow. I have used Scientific Seamstress patterns in the past and I'm always floored at how great the instructions and photos are. I also loved how easy the paper pattern was to assemble on this one.

The only thing I changed from the pattern instructions was adding a ruched waistband to the back to match the front. Sara added instructions on her blog on how to do that. My favorite thing I learned from this pattern is how to use a glue stick to apply a zipper - SO awesome, how did I not know about this before??

I'm very happy with the dress and I'm already in progress with version #2, it's actual linen. Stay tuned for that one!

Than you, Sara, for hosting this sew along! Check out her flickr group of all the dresses.

Also linking up here:

 

 

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Sew along progress and New Machine Love

I'm almost done with my dress for the Sew Sweetness Jamie Dress Sew Along.  I just have the bottom hem left to do!  The completed dresses are rolling in each day to the flickr group, but there is still plenty of time to join.  The finished dresses aren't due until April 21st.  I may make another before then.

I picked some pretty crazy fabric!

I got a little sidetracked.  I've been learning how to use my new machine and I think I have her all figured out now!  Many, many thanks to my understanding husband who agreed to let me purchase her even though my Singer works fine.  I just really wanted a Bernina. I love how smooth it sews!

Here she is...

I know there are much fancier machines, but I think this one is perfect for my use.  I was looking at used machines, but found this one brand-spanking-new and on sale at my local sew and vac store.  I tried out a few features on the machines and fell madly in love with this one. 

Move over Silhouette machine, you have competition.



Urban Hoodie for spring

I finally got around to making a new Urban Hoodie for Travis to replace this one I made in the fall that is now too small.

I really love stripes, can you tell? 

This time I made passable buttonholes (and didn't cheat by using vel-cro). 

 

pattern: Heidi and Finn

fabric:  outside knit stripe from Annie's Second Hand Chic on Etsy (similar one here)

inside ivory interlock knit from JoAnn

meet my new little friend

It's a ....

Droid !

It's a Droid X to be precise.  My phone contract was up and I was able to upgrade to a much better model.  I had planned to get the iPhone, but when I compared them side by side, there was something more exciting about this one, so I went for it.  I'm so glad I did!  I now have access to every song imaginable while out in the car (or anywhere) at the touch of a button, with my Rhapsody subscription.   

This phone is HUGE, however so I had to make a new case.  This is just a very simple wool felt case with blanket stitching around the edges.  It has an outer and inner layer of felt to keep my new friend safe.

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In other news, I've joined the Sew Sweetness Jamie Dress Sew Along!  You should too!  She is even offering prizes!  Go check it out!

 While I'm waiting for that to start, I'm finishing up another Urban Hoodie for Travis and just cut out a shirt for myself: 

Have a great weekend!  I know I'll be busy.