Homecoming 2008

I have been sewing. I've been sewing a lot. But, I have not had time to get to the computer to blog. Besides, I've mostly been doing alterations, so not very interesting stuff for most in the sewing blog world.

Even more important than that - I have a little bragging to do. My oldest DD was voted to Homecoming Court. I did not have time to make her dress(es) this year, but I have made them the past three years. We found lovely RTW dresses that she was very happy with. I was informed that she had to have three. One for the parade, one for the football game, and one for the dance. My favorite was one she wore for the Homecoming football game, however, I sew very well - I do NOT take very good photos. I hope to get a good picture of her in that dress soon, because it was the perfect dress for her. Since she is senior yearbook editor, I'm sure she will be getting lots of pictures from several sources.

It was my youngest DD's first homecoming. She said she looks like Christmas in her red dress. I love that it will do double duty. She is singing a solo during our Christmas Eve service, and this is a beautiful dress for her.

Homecoming Dance Tickets for two daughters - $50
Shoes and accessories - $75
Dresses for parade, ballgame, and dance - $215
The excitement and smiles on their faces, plus memories to last a lifetime - PRICELESS!!!

One more thing today - Happy Birthday to my son. He was recently in a wedding, so the reason for the tux. This picture is with his girlfriend. They look good together, don't they?



My next big project - costumes for a local dance and acting group. I have the pattern and fabric, and I have the girl's measurements for six little Medieval princesses. This week, I will get with the director and measure for the "Ornaments From Around the World." These costumes will represent Christmas customs and dress from around the world. I am hoping that the girls in this dance will learn a little their heritage by wearing costumes that reflect their family's heritage. I know one is of oriental heritage, so I would love to make a Kimono for her. I also know one will wear a St. Lucia costume. Obviously, this will be a Christmas program.
I'll try my best to keep up my blog as I work on the costumes. I'm sure I will be burning the midnight oil several nights. The first program is December 5th.
More to come.

Simplicity 2917 - A Simple Black & Red Dress

Black and red are great colors for me. This fabric is 100% cotton that I purchased at A Stitch Connection aka Carol V's Sewing Room in Port Charlotte, FL. They carry mostly cotton fabric for quilting. I could not resist this piece when I was there just a few weeks ago.

I'm not sure I am crazy about the finished results. The patterns seems a little short waisted on me. I plan to take in the sides a little to improve that, but I'm moving on to something else right now. I cut View A with the cap sleeves, but made the shorter version. I like my skirts/dresses to be just below the knee, but even with only 1/2" hem, the length was just above mid knee. I think it looks a little awkward. I did get compliments at church and at the grocery on the way home. I guess I am very critical of my own work.

You can really see how the flare begins a little too high in this photo. The cap sleeves stand out a little more than I expected, but if they were more snug I'm afraid I would not be able to lift my arms.

I tried it with a belt, as in one of the pictures on the pattern envelope. That did not work for me.





I fully lined the dress. I line almost everything. It makes
the inside prettier and helps cut down on wrinkles. I also
avoid wearing slips. Who likes to wear slips anyway?
I hand stitched the lining to the zipper. This was the only
change I made in construction.




My mother knits beautiful shawls.
I can wear this into the fall here in
Southwest Florida. It will be perfect
for those slightly chilly nights or out
to dinner where they keep the dining rooms so cold.

I think after looking at the pictures, that I definitely need a little something around my neck. Maybe a black beaded necklace with an oriental black or red piece in the center.

Sorry about the crooked kitty picture. It really is not crooked on my wall.

Daisy loves to sew too!

Meet Daisy. She's a great Kitty. Her favorite place is my sewing room, and her favorite spot in her favorite place is my sewing chair. She loves to sit on the back of it, right behind me, while I sew. This is where I found her today, and look at what she left behind. Lots of cat hair, which is why I have a lint roller in my sewing room, my bedroom, and my car. I know better than to leave my needle cushion out. I'm happy she did not notice it sitting right behind her.

In my last blog, I had cut out several things to work on. I have been sewing, but doing more alterations than sewing for me. I did manage to finish Butterick 4812. I had said that I might not pretreat the fabric, but my better sense took over and I did wash and dry. I was concerned with how the embroidery would take the washer and drier, but boldly went ahead. It washed beautifully.

I barely had enough to make this dress as this was the end of the bolt. I cut the dress out so the border was along the hem. I love how I was able to center the embroidery perfectly across the center front. This is a cute pattern with a casing and drawstring front. The casing is sewn to the back with the ends caught in the darts. I had considered sewing the slits on the sides, but decided that they were necessary for walking ease. This was a simple, basic pattern. My full review is on the Pattern Review website.

I wore the dress to work yesterday and this picture was taken after sitting at my desk all day. I chose not to line it. Even so, I think it still looked very nice at the end of the day.




My beautiful girls started school a couple of weeks ago. The oldest is a senior and the youngest is a freshman. For the first time since early elementary school, they are attending the same school. I sew for them for special occasions, but they wear the typical teenage RTW for every day. I am looking ahead to Homecoming for some ideas.



My oldest DD is an artist and loves photography. We have the most beautiful sunsets here. These pics were taken outside our back door in the last two weeks. The rainy season, especially with the tropical storms, brings some truly awesome skies. Just take a look at these.

Absolutely Breathtaking.

Planning and Cutting

I picked up my SM after some much needed servicing. While I was there, I browsed some really pretty, good quality cottons. I wish I could remember who the manufacturer is, but this cotton washes beautifully! It needs very little ironing right out of the drier. I plan to make this simple dress, and should have it cut out today. I will fully line it with a polyester lining and will not put facings in the neck. I will make View C, which is the one pictured in black/white, but will add the little cap sleeves and put an invisible zipper in the back.


I also love this black linen blend with the embroidery that I already had in my stash. I was looking through my "ginormous" pattern stash and found this one I have had for a while. After I happened on Sharon M's post at Pattern Review, I knew this would be a great pattern for this piece. I was happy to find out I have just enough fabric. I may not add the side slits, but that depends on walking ease.


I also picked up Kwik Sew # 6807 while I was out. There are five really cute knit tops on this pattern. I recently got this jersey knit from Gorgeous Fabrics. I plan to make View B, the one pictured on the model, and will have almost a yard left over. I may make a cami out of the rest to wear under a jacket - maybe. I love the feel of this fabric.

Finally, I have already cut the following out. Both are from Burda World of Fashion Magazine. The pants are in the July, 2008, issue, and the top is in the May. I have finally overcome the dread of tracing the patterns and then adding the seam allowances. It takes a little more time, but I have kind of figured out what works and I really like the designs. Having said that, the top is probably going to be hilarious with the bright colors and flowers. It is not really something I would typically pick out. My DD even said she wouldn't wear it. LOL If nothing else, I will get the fit down and decide whether or not I want to make it again in something more reasonable. This is all cotton. The pants are a light weight stretch polyester from Joann Fabrics in the bottom weight section. It was on sale and I like the color, so if the top looks really stupid and juvenile, I can always wear a white top instead. :)

So that's my plan, and will finish getting everything cut out today. Hopefully even get the interfacing ironed on, threads pulled, zippers for the dresses and pants, and buttons for the top.

Of course, I have a couple of alterations to do before I can sew for me. Just a quick hem on a pair of pants. Shorten the sleeves on a jacket and repair a little seam that was not lined up properly, to help pay for this addiction hobby.

Edited 7:35pm Eastern
I'm back and ready to sew. Here is everything cut out. All I have to do is find the time this week to sew. But for now, oh my aching back. I'm going to watch the final ceremony of the Olympics with my youngest DD.


Don't you love it - I used Chico's tissue paper to trace my patterns. LOL

Weathering the Storm

I took my Sapphire machine in for repairs on Saturday, after having some minor problems with it for a while. I'm thinking that's a good thing with the approaching Hurricane. We have moved patio furniture, bikes, and other things that can be tossed around in the expected winds, and taken all the precautions. I will be unplugging the other machines tonight when the storms and lightening approach so I won't have to worry about the lightening taking them out. Even though they are plugged into surge protectors I worry about it. I love living in Florida - I really do, but I hate it when I can not get to my sewing machines because of the weather. I guess I will catch up on my needlepoint. :)

The first day of school is delayed and my DD's are torn between being let down and happy about one more day of summer vacation. Oldest daughter begins her first day as a high school senior and youngest as a high school freshman. What a year this will be.

Back after the storm.

Costumes for Performing Arts

I have had the pleasure over the last couple of years to work with a group of young dancers and actors by making their costumes. These girls study ballet and acting and their instructor is truly an inspiration. She loves what she does, and she loves the kids.

A couple of days ago, I received a disc of pictures from a program they did in May of this year. I had been unable to attend their performance, because my daughter had another event to attend. Before we go into that though, I want to go back to the year 2006.

That year they did a comedy "Christmas Carol" I made over 25 costumes. It was a lot of work, took a lot of hours, several fittings, but worth every moment to see the excitement when they were finally delivered for the dress rehearsal. My daughter was in this performance in a couple of different roles. She was a Caroler and an Irish Dancer. Here she is in her costumes:

I especially love this picture of the younger girls, dressed up and made up, waiting to take the stage:
Here is Mrs. Cratchet and two of the Cratchet children and Tiny Tim. I did not make the boys:

Just a few more:

And these:

Now on to "The Velveteen Rabbit". Can you tell the costumes in the center below were inspired by American Girls collection? The girls really wanted something like that.

These were so much fun. I just let the scraps pile on the floor. The colors were so pretty.

The rabbit is the one in blue above - sooo cute!