Isn't this exciting?

I have been nominated by Mardel for the Kreativ Blogger award. Now, like Carolyn who graciously nominated every blog that she has ever commented on (Thanks Carolyn!), every time these awards go around and they skip me I say "Oh well, being singled out is not the reason I write". I would have survived omission once more, but how nice to be honored! I remembered Mardel, and her beautiful knitting/sewing creations, from the days when I used to keep up with Stitcher's Guild. These days is all I can do to keep up with all the blogs out there. Thanks Mardel! I'm glad you came out from "lurking".

Most every blog I keep up has been nominated, so forgive me if I don't have 7. Here are the rules.

1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from you received the award.
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.
4. Link to those on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you have nominated.

Java Jem : I had the pleasure of meeting Jody a while back after I had been reading her blog for a while. She not only knits beautifully, is doing some sewing but she sketches. Take a look at her blog you won't be disappointed, photography is also one of her hobbies and it shows.

Storm Moon Knits: Lindsay dies yarn and how! Her colors are out of this world and the names of her colorways just as creative. She is taking a break now, and we all wait for her return.

Cat Fur Studio: When I first started looking for sewing info on the net it was Barbara's website which inspired me. She creates wonderful stylish garments that continue to inspire me.

El baul de las costureras: Maria Elena's blog like Paco's is full of wonderful tutorials as well as her creations.

Stitches and Seams: Debbie clearly details every step she takes while creating her wardrobe. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and she has many tutorials available.

Coming up a new Burda WOF top.

Knitty's Half Clapotis

I know I'm behind everyone else, but I discovered this pattern after everyone else had blogged and made it. The yarn which I purchased at Stitches East in Baltimore is Storm Moon Knits Peace and Love a colorway (worsted weight wool)dedicated to a friend's daughter. I enjoyed making this once I got used to the pattern, but I did frog this project several times before this. To clearly see the dropped stitch pattern I blocked my scarf and the yarn behaved very nicely.

Storm Moon Knits offers all hand dyed yarns in wonderful color combinations and great names to go with them. She is taking a break so her yarns are only available till the end of the month. Take a look!

Inauguration Day

Today I had an interpreting job in the morning and errands to run (tomorrow is my oldest birthday and I needed to get his present). By the time I parked in front of the bookstore on the radio the speech came on. I sat in my car and listened. Although I will later watch with my family the inauguration on tv which I recorded, I am so glad that I was able to just listen. His words seemed to have more meaning and power without the visual distractions. I am proud of my adopted nation, a nation that voted for Obama.

My brother's Quilt

I love Kaffe Fassett quilts. I love the way he uses color and prints fearlessly. I love that his quilts are not perfect, he is not aiming for perfection.

I started this quilt a long time ago, I bought all the fabrics with the Melon Balls by Lucy Prior Lucy design in mind. It's a pattern from Rowan Patchwork and Quilting Book Number 4. I have most of the books in this collection, in fact most of my quilting books consist of this collection. Even though this quilt is not by Fassett it follows his aesthetics. The colorway I chose is very different from the original quilt, I wanted dark rich colors to give the quilt a middle-eastern sort of feel which I hoped the gold in the fabric would add. I'm very happy with the way it turned out, it is always nerve wrecking waiting to see if what one envisions comes true.


Image from book

Well my brother and his wife got to see the finished quilt top at Christmas and now they will be receiving the finished product. I hope they like it!




The color of the backing is truer in the photo below, the quilting was done by machine.



I attach the binding on my quilts initially by machine and then fold it to the back and finish it by hand, I just like the way it looks done this way. I also don't do binding on the bias unless I have to deal with curves.

My sewing history

Tia Milo and my mom

Lindsay posted about her sewing history and ask that we share ours.

The ladies in the picture were my sewing inspiration. I did not start sewing at a young age like many of you, it wasn't until I was married that I started sewing, I needed curtains for my new home and I have always loved fabric so it wasn't hard to jump in. I did however grew up while in Cuba exposed to garment sewing. My mom not only sewed for my dolls but she made almost everything I wore. She grew up having her clothes made by tia Milo (Aunt Milo), who sewed for all the women in the family.

Tia Milo was one of 15 siblings (one of them my grandmother). She was the oldest of the women and it was her responsibility to help in taking care of all the children that came after her. She was not formally schooled but she had a talent in sewing. My mom tells me that she would describe to her a dress she had liked and tia Milo would pick up her scissors and newspaper and create the pattern for her. She never married so she always lived with one of her sisters and to earn her keep she sewed and clothed the family. When I was ten or eleven I started spending afternoons with her sitting by her old Singer (she had it motorized when that was possible) making clothes for my dolls and listening to her stories. In confidence she told me "Unlike your mom, you have the patience for sewing". Mom and I now laugh when we remember that, my mom did persevere out of necessity and love of clothes, but she knows tia Milo was right. I never forgot that tia Milo believed I could.

Once in the US my mom, as soon as she was financially able, bought herself a Singer in the late 70's which she still has and uses. The dresses she made for me! I never went to a dance during my teens without a new dress. I enjoyed picking pattern and fabric (either at a great local store or in the fashion district) but mom did all the sewing;sometimes I did hems or finishes but nothing more.

I went to college and my mom still made me party dresses but I never picked up sewing. I got married and after moving to a new house with my newborn I needed to make curtains and I did. Later on as I started sewing costumes for the kids I got interested in quilting and bought my Bernina. I had been using a Singer from the 50s my mother-in-law had given me but it finally could not be repaired any more. I can't remember exactly when I became fascinated by making garments but once I did I couldn't get enough. I got my mom to help me and I read every book and watched every show on the subject.

As you all know my desire for sewing is still going strong, I only do home dec now by necessity. Quilting I still like and enjoy but garment sewing is what I want to do most.

What is your sewing history?

Beading class

I have been wanting to take a beading/jewelry class for a long time but could not find one. Finally my local Joann's found a teacher and I was able to sign up. After looking at the teacher's samples I was very excited everything was beautiful and to my style.

Because the class was so large 10 ladies in all she added another session in a couple of weeks to learn wire wrapping among a few more things that she didn't get to.

As you can see I made my first bracelet. I had a lot of fun in the class; the teacher was very patient and checked everyone's work after every step to make sure we had done it correctly.

I can see how this new hobby can become very addictive, I'm now looking to make a necklace...I'll keep you posted

ETA: Many thanks to all who commented on my jacket. I am glad it is now hanging in the ready-to-wear side of the closet!

Simplicity 4500 Pattern Review Jacket

This was not a complicated jacket. It has princess seams for great shaping and an (what I thought) interesting collar. I did not take a picture of the jacket all buttoned up because my teenage photographer was growing inpatient, but this is a jacket with very little ease, to wear with only thin knits and no sleeve woven tops.

I used the excellent tailoring techniques explained by Paco using fusibles. I am happy with the way the collar turned out and with the body of the jacket which is completely fused. The fabric raveled easily and needed some weight added. I did not add shoulder pads; as it is the sleeves are a bit shorter than what I like and adding a shoulder pad shortened them more. I did add sleeve heads which give the caps a nice shape.


I was inspired by Tany's beautiful creations and sewed the pleat in the lining with an embroidery stitch from my machine. Thanks Tany for the inspiration!



I actually made the skirt from this pattern about a year ago. I will probably wear them together when I interpret during parent/teacher conferences at the schools. Most of the time they will be worn separately for a more casual look.

Happy Anniversary

After reading Carolyn's post about her blog anniversary I decided to check when I started my blog. What do you know? on December 18 it was my 2 year anniversary! Well I'm happy that I decided to start this log, I have made "internet friends", have reconnected with old friends and I have enjoyed interchanging information with the sewing, knitting and crocheting community that it's out there.

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I have been quilting and knitting but nothing is finished yet. I hope today to finish the handwork on my jacket to share with you.

A year in review

After reading all the posts on this topic I was curious as to how much I actually produced this year. Because I also knit and crochet I included also those items.
I counted 12 garments and one Halloween outfit that included a top, vest, pants and hood. I knitted 8 items and crocheted three.

My biggest accomplishment was making my SIL wedding dress, this required a number of muslins before the final dress was made. I learned how to make a FBA (full bust adjustment)and how to fit someone else, I have sewn for my boys and husband but I had never fitted another female body.



I am proud of my crocheted skirt, it is my only crocheted garment so far.


The Tilted Duster I loved from the moment I first saw it and I'm thrilled that I finished it.



I also just finished (in between my son's pneumonia and mine) a quilt top. This is a gift for my brother and SIL, and my goal was to have at least the quilt top done so that they could see it at Christmas. I plan to finish it soon and then I will post a picture.

I loved making two party dresses for myself this year. A vintage Butterick for my brother's wedding and the Burda WOF Duchess dress for a friend's wedding.





My list is modest but I have enjoyed every single item. I am not a fast sewer and I still do a lot of reading when starting most projects. I try to incorporate a new technique in most everything I make. I can say the same for knitting and crocheting. Anyways don't they say that the more you know the more you realize how little you know?

A number of things...

First, today my son saw the doctor and his lungs sound great so he is ready to go to school on Monday. Now he has to play catch up, thankfully some of his teachers have posted the assignments and he will do as much as he can before he goes back.

Yesterday I made a quick trip to one of my favorite LYS The Celtic Knot Yarn Shop. They are having a big sale because if they can't find a buyer soon they are closing their doors, another sign of the times. Anyways here is what I got:

The pattern is from Wendy Bernard's book Custom Knits. She writes a wonderfully witty blog Knit and Tonic and I love her designs. This book concentrates on top-down designs (minimal seaming) and how to modify the patterns to fit your body. The yarn might be too stiff I don't know yet, but I loved the color and I wanted a yarn that would allow the funnel neck to stand.




This hat from the Vogue Knitting holiday 2008 issue caught my eye right away. The yarn is a soft merino wool.


These I got to make a toddler hat for a gift. The yarn is very practical, acrylic, soft and washable which is what you want. The pattern I'll use is from a class I took many years ago where I got to learn I cord and color work. It knits up fast and keeps you entertained with the different techniques used.

The sewing project I'm working on will remain a secret for a while, it is a Christmas gift. The Simplicity jacket is complete except for the hand work and has been put aside until more pressing sewing is done.

Why don't I listen?

By the time one of your children is a teenager you figure that you have experienced most variation of illnesses out there. Well I guess I was missing really high fever (105) and this past week my time was up. My oldest started with a cough and then bam! 105 fever. You know one more degree and seizures are very likely. I was also dealing with vomiting and therefore how to get in him the Motrin and make it stay. I thought sponge baths were old wives tales but they do work. Today the fever without medication was about 100, great improvement. I hope it stays that way I have a deadline tonight to call the doctor if the fever doesn't let up.

And the title? Well in my sleepless nights induced fog I have tried to sew and everything I have done has come undone. When they suggest not to sew when you are tired take the suggestion, I can vouch that it will be wasted effort and on top you'll be more tired and frustrated to boot.

Progress on the jacket

I have made progress on the Simplicity 4500 jacket. As you can see it is missing the lining and the buttons/buttonholes. For easing the sleeves I used the method described by Ann in the Be Sew Stylish blog. I love the results! Not a pucker anywhere and on the first try. Check it out you'll love it.








Buttonholes markings

The Day After

We had a nice and quiet Thanksgiving. My mom shared the meal with us and brought her famous sweet potato and marshmallow casserole (we still haven't found anybody that doesn't like it). I tried a new recipe for the turkey this year, the biggest change was that I used convection baking. Instead of basting with my standard butter/wine mixture I used a Cuban-style recipe and basted with butter,olive oil and spices; I also used a rub the day before to marinate. This is the best turkey I have ever made!It was so juicy and flavorful that I will repeat the recipe/cooking technique next year.

I was tempted to go out and do some shopping but it was so crazy the day before Thanksgiving that I didn't want to be in the middle of it again. Maybe tomorrow...

Colonial Day

Today was Colonial Day at fifth grade. I made the outfits, mine and my son's four years ago when my oldest was in fifth grade. After what I thought it was going to be a long time I got to wear my outfit again...I can't believe it has been four years. Of course I did wear the same dress a couple of Halloween ago when I went as Marie Antoinette.


Marie Antoinette has a date with Doc Oc

I wrote a review of Butterick 3071 in PR. The links for the pictures don't work anymore so I'm posting new pictures.

The kids have a great time they get to play games of the period, make candles, practice cross stitch and make toys. My son was the only American Indian representative; my oldest had not wanted to dress up as a colonist ("those clothes are ridiculous I want to be Native American!")and my youngest agreed.

Burda WOF 8/2008 118 Tunic

Well, here is my long sleeved version of this popular pattern. I finished it a while ago just as the temperatures rose so it sat waiting to be worn. The fabric is a very stretchy knit from my stash, I have no idea what the fabric content is, but it does wrinkle really easily. I extended the sleeves because I'm always cold although I really like the short sleeves. This was a very easy top to make. I probably won't make it again but if I do it will be the short sleeve version.

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I have been working on the jacket from Simplicity 4500. I had made a muslin a long time ago, corrected the pattern and then put it away because the weather turned warm. I now finished interfacing all the pieces and wanted to keep a record of how I did it so that in case I wanted to change the techniques used in my next jacket. I followed Paco's great tutorial (here it is in English translated by Tany). I have also been reading Tailoring Ladies' Jackets by Mary Ellen Flury and I followed her suggestions for the kind of interfacing to use in the armhole: on the curve I used a fusible straight tape and the upper section towards the shoulder a fusible bias tape.
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in tailoring techniques, the book has excellent, clear illustrations and just as clear explanations of all techniques.



The interfacing in all pieces except the sleeves is fusible tricot, I used up all that I had in black and white.

I now need to find the time to cut out the lining and then I can start on the fun part: sewing!! This jacket is to go with the skirt from the same pattern that I already made

Pictures from the Appalachian Trail

Two weekends ago we went out to Western Maryland to pick up a trail that connected to the Appalachian Trail. The trail sort of ended at Annapolis Rocks where a great view awaited us from an altitude of 1500 feet. The walk was about 2 miles and it took us about 2 1/2 hours. I found out I need better hiking shoes that my Nike sneakers, believe me my knees and ankles were asking me to please stop. We got some unexpected rain at the end but all in all it was a great walk. I wish I were a better photographer, my pictures cannot capture the beauty of this trail.

WOW

The 44th President of the United States and his family.

Did you vote?

I had to stand in line to get my free Starbucks, but it took me all of 10 minutes to walk in and cast my vote. The waiting is killing me...

Halloween and our family addition

I was able to finish my oldest costume, cape with hood and mask (he was a World of Warcraft Rogue)by staying up late Thursday night.

The cape is from Simplicity 5512 view A. I have used this pattern many times now. It is a nice cape with shaped shoulders and the hood drapes nicely on the head. I had to lengthen the cape (my pattern goes up to child size 8) and widen the shoulders, all easy alterations.


The youngest costume was a blending of patterns. The pants were pj pants from a McCalls pattern that I removed a lot of ease from to make them straight pants with an elastic waist (my son who doesn't like home made clothes told me he can wear these all the time!). The top, from the Simplicity pattern, I shortened and added the hood from Simplicity 5512. The vest I lengthened it from the original.




My husband carves our pumpkins following the design we each pick. Don't they look good?



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Look who joined our family!!






These cuties come from Small Angels Rescue, a non-profit organization that rescues little critters, fosters them and then finds permanent homes for them. We drove out to Frederick to pick them up this morning. So say hello to George, Jink and Houdini.