I Will Learn to Sew

Happy New Year and Sophia!

2008-01-04T09:23:00.000-06:00

First I just want to say Happy New Year! I am so excited for what this year will bring for me and my family. My last day at work was Wednesday and I can't wait to get into the routine of staying at home with my son. However, he ended up staying with his grandparents this week unexpectedly, so that will have to wait till he comes home on Saturday.Meanwhile, I wanted to show you the completed

New sewing machine? Need feedback!

2007-12-23T17:59:00.000-06:00

Well, I've let loads of time go by again without posting. I've been busy, though! I finished my 4th (yes, 4th!) Nappy Bag.I started the Sophia Carry-All and everything was going swimmingly until... my sewing machine crapped out on me again. Argh! I have decided to purchase a new machine anyway, but I was trying to wait until after Christmas so that I could apply gift money to it. So, I need your

Zippy pouches

2007-12-06T21:09:00.000-06:00

Well, it's been a busy week, but I did manage to get some sewing done! I finished up some zippy pouches for stocking stuffers.I learn something new every time I take up a new project. This one gave me lots of practice sewing in zippers with my zipper foot. What a great use for scrap fabric. Now on to those Nappy and Sophia Bags!(Sorry, everyone whose stocking surprise I just ruined!)

Back to sewing!

2007-11-29T10:09:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to say that I actually managed to sew a seam last night! That's as far as I got because I went to plug in my iron and discovered I only have one working outlet in what was meant to be my sewing room! So sewing stalled while I had a meltdown about moving into a 60 year old house in which the electrical system is much less than optimal. We already need a new breaker box and my

A whole month?

2007-11-27T15:32:00.000-06:00

Warning: Long and rambling post.Wow, I can't believe it's been that long since I posted here! I certainly hadn't intended to neglect my blog for so long. We've finally gotten moved into our new house and closed yesterday, so I'm hoping to get out the sewing machine tonight and try to remember everything I've forgotten in the last month!We moved out of our previous house on October 28 and then

Thomas Tote Bag

2007-10-22T15:50:00.000-05:00

I had originally planned this post as a tutorial, but life has gotten in the way as usual. Things are just too busy trying to pack and move, but I did want to share! This is a tote that I made for my nephew's third birthday coming up next weekend. I am going to fill it with some activities in hopes that it can be taken anywhere he might need to be kept busy. He's a big Thomas fan, so I chose

I Love Ebay!

2007-10-15T18:59:00.000-05:00

Finally! I had looked high and low for a skirt pattern to match the picture in my head for that gray corduroy I bought recently. I wanted a knee-length, button-front a-line skirt. I wasn't being picky or anything ;) I had checked every pattern company I could think of, including all of the independents of which I was aware. Then, last night, it finally occurred to me to check on ebay, and lo

Birthday Apron

2007-10-14T19:12:00.001-05:00

Well, here it is, finally! A birthday apron for my baby sister. I used Butterick 4945, view D. I used contrast fabric for the ruffle, ties and facings and omitted the bow.I don't know what it is about aprons, but I love making them. In fact, that's what got me started on this sewing ride.Triumphs:The narrow hem on that pink ruffle. I used the technique described here and it worked beautifully.(

Nappy Bag the 3rd!

2007-10-14T19:06:00.000-05:00

Wow, I am really wearing out this pattern! See #1 and #2 for more...

Sewing Inspiration, Part 2

2007-10-12T12:23:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I'm a day late! Yesterday was a madhouse...A note about the blogs I enjoy most: I tend to have something in common with the blogger! I'll try to note those commonalities here.On to my favorite apparel sewing inspirations:A Dress A Day - I just love this one because it is fun. I can't imagine myself ever sewing vintage dresses, but I do love to sew dresses! (You should see my dress

Sewing Inspiration

2007-10-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

A recent post over at U-Handblog got me thinking about where my inspiration comes from. There are so many places that I'm sure I won't cover them all, but I just wanted to share a few. Today I'll focus on crafty sewing and tomorrow on apparel sewing.SouleMama - Amanda Soule and her beautiful family. I love the way she combines posting about her family and her craft, and the photos of her

Life happens...

2007-10-02T21:03:00.000-05:00

Just wanted you to know I'm still here! Things have gotten really crazy around here and it looks like we'll be moving in the next couple of weeks. We have to be out of our house by the 15th and it turns out we're not sure where we're going yet! It could get pretty interesting and I'm trying not to freak out.Meanwhile, I have been sewing but something unexpected came up. I was working on my

Crafting Wins Out Over Football (at least this weekend...)

2007-09-23T16:49:00.000-05:00

After this debacle, I decided to dedicate more of my time to crafting this weekend and less to football. What it amounted to was that I sewed while I watched (while pinning, cutting, etc.). I can't go cold turkey but after watching my Aggies get humiliated by a mediocre Miami team (so what does that make us, exactly?), I sure wasn't as enthusiastic as usual.Anyhoo, the result was that I finished

Make it from scratch!

2007-09-18T08:27:00.000-05:00

My pink dress is featured in the latest Make It from Scratch Carnival over at Sunflowers in My Kitchen. Check it out, especially if you're looking for some new breakfast recipes!

Where have I been?

2007-09-16T15:41:00.001-05:00

Meeting my precious new niece! She was born Monday night, so we dropped everything to go and help her and her mommy. She's so sweet!So, I'm finally back and working on something crafty. I'll post more about that later!

Weekend PatternReview Faves

2007-09-10T10:51:00.000-05:00

Simply AMAZING dress by PiggyAnnie. She won a trip to Paris with this creation!Gorgeous red coat by narcissaqtpie.Beautiful suede jacket by Annette1.Love this twist top by Karen6790.

I finished the pink dress!

2007-09-09T15:15:00.000-05:00

Simplicity 3803 is complete, and boy am I glad. I'm ready to turn my attention to some crafty things that will provide a boost of confidence and some quick satisfaction after this experience. It took me an entire month to finish this project! Without further ado: Pattern Description: Dress with empire waist and full skirt, with option for halter neck. Pattern Sizing:12-20 Did it look like the

TGIF Quick Hits

2007-09-07T15:37:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that Hancock's is having a .99 cent pattern sale this weekend! I don't know about you but I hate to miss an opportunity to stock up on cheap patterns.I updated my blog roll, so check it out! It's full of fabulous sewing inspiration.Have a great weekend!

PatternReview Faves for 9/6

2007-09-07T09:18:00.000-05:00

Beautiful top by Eli. I could never get away with this style!Cute retro dress byLadylike. I love it when people use thrifted material to make clothes. I've got to get thrifting!I love this dress by Melody. It shows what a great fit you can get by making your own clothes! (And now I have yet another blog to add to my Bloglines!)Adrienne has done a wonderful job with this outfit. What my

PatternReview Faves for 9/5

2007-09-06T10:25:00.000-05:00

Love this knit top by IsabelleB.Gorgeous bride's maid dress by cleandirty.Cute jacket by 2BSewing.Love this knit hoodie by Stacy Sews.

Zipper Tutorial Roundup

2007-09-05T16:09:00.000-05:00

I've spent some time today combing the web for zipper tutorials, so I thought I'd try to share some of my newfound knowledge. These tutorials run the gamut from bag zippers to clothing zippers to pocket zippers, etc. Hope you find them useful!Bag zipper tutorials:twelve22.org - for a lined bagisew.biz - zippy pouchesU-handblog - cute zippered pouchAfricankelli - wristlet with a zipperAnd yet

PatternReview Faves for 9/4

2007-09-05T09:29:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I did one of these, but I want you guys to know I'm still out here! I did make some progress on my pink dress, but now I have to figure out how to put in the zipper! I'm pleased with it so far, so I really don't want to mess it up by screwing up the zipper...Gorgeous blouse in black by Christina Sonja.Another hot top by Erica B. in white.Pretty t-shirt by

Halloween already?!

2007-08-30T16:39:00.000-05:00

Okay, I am already thinking about Halloween! I am trying to decide what costume I'd like to make for my 2.5 year old son. He's still a little too young to give me a straight answer if I ask him outright, but I'm thinking of purchasing a couple of different patterns to see if he'll choose one based on the picture. Here are a few I'm thinking about:The cowboy or the astronaut (or the fireman!):

Busy, busy!

2007-08-30T16:03:00.000-05:00

Wow, this week has gotten away from me! Things have been so busy at work and at home that I haven't had any time to lurk around PatternReview or sew! I think I should have titled this post "Confessions," because I am going to have to make a few here:1. I am stumped on my Simplicity 3803 dress. It has sat forlornly in my sewing room since Saturday evening. I was going gangbusters, having

PatternReview Faves for 8/23

2007-08-24T08:42:00.000-05:00

Lurve this keyhole top by tweedcurtain!Super cool farmer shirt by amanda77. This one brings back memories!Pretty knit skirt by Gorgeous Things.