So I finished the Burda WOF jumper and the turtleneck top to go with it but I haven't had a chance to photograph it to show you. I'm happy with the way the outfit turned out. Stay tuned for pictures soon.

I also decided that it was time to make the coat I had planned and bought materials for last year. The muslin is made and tested and the fabric prepared, I have everything I need to go ahead. In preparation I started re-reading my material on making coats. I'm starting with the Bishop Method of Clothing Construction, then I will review The Great Coat Sew Along and Tailoring. I have made jackets and one coat before so not every technique will be new to me, however I have never tackled welt pockets before, so this will be new and I also want to try bound buttonholes. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

I also wanted to show you the last patterns I bought.



I loved 2473 when it first came out, but at the previous Simplicity sale they didn't have it (at Joann's). I really like the view with the collar for winter but I also like the other views. View A in 2560 is a really pretty layering piece (I'm always cold so I like layers), and I have fabric to make it with. View D of 2501 is wonderful, the sleeves are feminine without being frilly.


When I saw the review in Threads magazine for the Cynthia Rowley 2586 this cut of fabric came to mind. I think I can use the border at the hem and sleeves. I'm sure some of you will recognize this fabric, it came from Fabric Mart a while ago and Carolyn made a wonderful jacket out of it (I'm sorry I couldn't find it on her blog for a link!)

When photographing the fabric my camera was behaving weird. Keep your fingers crossed that it will straighten itself out!

A rainy field trip

Today I went to the National Gallery of Art in DC with my son's high school. Both the art class and the photography class went and he is in both. I hadn't been in the West Wing where mostly the classical works are exhibited in a while, my family enjoys the East Wing with its modern displays and special exhibits more, so I comply since I enjoy both.

It was a nice surprise to go from room to room and still be able to identify the painters; my son was impressed and you know is hard to impress a teenager so I was happy. We had terrible weather but as the teacher says it discourages the kids from wandering outside.



Above is a painting I had never seen before. It is by Leonardo Da Vinci, my son said it look like a dead Mona Lisa.

Hope the sun is shining in your part of the world.

My first stitching passion

A couple of weeks ago I woke up to 1/2 inch of water around my water heater; it seems overnight it sprung a leak. About $400 dollars later we got a new one installed and a major part of our storage had to be moved. In storage I had quite a few pictures of my cross stitch projects, so I photographed them to share. I picked up cross stitch when I first moved to Maryland back in the 80's. I made many pieces, a lot were given as gifts. After a while I realized I couldn't fill my house with pillows and frames so I expanded into quilting, knitting and fashion sewing. I still have some that I started and a couple that need to made into pillows, one day I will finish them.





I had just gotten my first dog, Echo, and I was in love with my little rascal!


This is one of my favorites, I love 30's fashions and this is reminiscent of a fashion plate; it hangs in the sewing/guest room.



I made this one to display along with wedding photographs of my parents and my husband's parents at our wedding.



This is the cover of my stool for my vanity. It is covered with clear plastic ( I know I know), it is the only reason that it still looks this good.


After I stopped cross stitching I made a few needlepoint pieces, this one I hope to make into a pillow eventually.


When visiting Winterthur, Delaware, I fell in love with this kit, I really do plan on finishing it!

I hope you enjoy them!

Halloween

My kids today woke up fever free and as the day went on felt well enough to go trick or treat. The weather did not cooperate and it has been raining on and off all night, so we did a quick run and returned home with full baskets (neighbors were afraid of low showing due to weather so they were more generous than usual).

My teenager wore the cloak I made for him last year and the youngest was a knight. For the knight outfit I once again used the pattern I have been using for 3 years now to make the bodice armor, the pants are from a McCall's pajamas set and the helmet I found instructions for here.







This is the sword my husband made, he also made the shield. The sword turned out fantastic, is made of wood and then carved and painted. My son is thrilled with it.




Happy Halloween!!!

Doctor Mom reporting

Both my boys have the flu, we think is the H1N1 because we were vaccinated for the seasonal flu. Regardless it is treated the same. My teenager has gotten it worse with high fever and stomach upset along with a bad cough. The younger one has low grade fever and a bad cough. I'm trying really hard not to get sick, as you can imagine, since who will take care of Doctor Mom?

I hope to take pictures of my youngest in his costume this weekend, he might be fine to go trick-or-treating by then. I'm off to finish his pants, at least last night I slept (only had to get up once) and I feel like I can function in the sewing room.

Hope you all stay healthy!

A beautiful fall weekend

Even though yesterday it rained all day, about the time that I was preparing dinner the sun came out and the light after all the rain was beautiful. The leaves had a wonderful color in my backyard so I ventured out to take some pictures. I'm sure I could not capture it all, I have a point and shoot camera that although has some nice features I really haven't explored them as I should. Anyways I thought I share with you the best shots.

I have finished sewing Burda WOF 09-2007 121 the famous jumper that has been made many times by other sewers. I used a beautiful rayon jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics, but I won't show it to you until I make the top to go with it. I have to put that project on hold because I need to start on the Halloween costume for my youngest son. He is going as a knight so I'm making armor once again.

I also finished knitting the Staghorn Cable Tunic from Webs, it needs to be blocked so I can sew up the side seams. To have a knitting project while watching tv I casted on and I'm almost done with the back of Drops number 97-5 Sleeveless cardigan in Silke-tweed in Burgundy. The pattern is free as well as many other patterns on their website.

Pumpkin hat for my nephew

I made this hat the other day, and I was in such a hurry to send it off to New Jersey that I forgot to take a picture. Now I have a better picture to show it off. Isn't he gorgeous?

Burda 8906 Boatneck top

This pattern is now out of print, I've had it for a long time. I finally decided to try it to use up a remmant from my Madison Avenue dress. I really like boatnecks but I usually don't have much luck fitting them on me. I have very narrow shoulders (there are 3 size differences between my shoulders and hips) and these type of necklines are always too big on me.

In this pattern the opening is too wide even though I made my usual Burda size at the shoulders. Also the shoulder width seems extremely narrow to me, it doesn't look that way in the pictures on the envelope. Because of the width the neckline never stays nice and straight, it deeps in the front; I believe it is also too high. The neckline and armholes are nicely finished with binding.



I had high hopes for this pattern but it needs work to fix the above problems. Nonetheless I wore it today like this. The sweater I knit a while ago from the Spanish knitting magazine Katia.



We've had two days of miserable cold, misty rain, which will continue at least for another day, I hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

Burda WOF 3-2008 107

This is a very simple tunic made out of a stretchy mesh that came from the $2.97 table in G-street in Rockville; I know it has been in my stash a while because it has been a couple of years since I ventured out to Rockville.

The neckline is bound and I followed the Burda instructions with no problems; it gives this simple top a nice finish at the neckline. One thing to note is that my version even though I went up a size from my usual in the hip area it fits snug.

As far as layering this top I would prefer, from looking at the pictures, to either wear a turtleneck or a lower neckline than what I'm wearing.

I traced, cut and sewed this top in about a day, that's pretty quick for me. If you like the style give a try!

Saturday

Not much sewing has gone on this past week, well no sewing really I refuse to count washing my fabric, but it is ready for a simple knit top. I still have to show you the shell I made with leftover fabric from the Madison dress, but because I worked in the garden today it was a natural looking day for me and I am not inclined to share with you that look ;-)

The boys are playing baseball as I type and I'm exhausted from the yard work. I know these pictures don't show that I did much, but I worked the soil to spread mulch which had turned to a really nice rich dirt and spread some seeds my neighbor gave me. I'm hoping that next spring I can have an "after" shot of these corners. I also made a border by cutting into the soil to create a trench;the same neighbor that gave me the seeds showed me how to do it and I wanted to try it out.




If you have seen these beetles, they are an accidentally introduced bug that seems to be showing up more and more in the suburbs.



Even though in my household we respect all living things, these bugs are getting out of control and my sons spent quite a bit of time today exercising some control. Here is info on this annoying insect.

I took a look at the new Vogues, and there are a few I like, I'll let you know more when I look at them with more time. Any favorites out there?

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Mystery Books

Cindy asked me who was my favorite mystery writer after I confessed to loving this genre.

P.D. James is who first comes to mind. I love that her mysteries are complex, wonderful stories with very well developed characters. Inspector Dagliesh which most of her novels are about is a policeman that writes poetry; reading each book is like reading about a friend you have known for years (and I have). I'm anxiously waiting for the next one, I worry because Ms James is now in her eighties. She also wrote two novels with female detective Cordelia Grey, but she never pursued this series, which received critical acclaim.

My next favorite is Elizabeth George who writes the series for Inspector Lynley. I love these books for the same reasons that I love P.D. James. Ms. George novels are grittier and more emotional with just as captivating stories and characters.

I have read many different authors that I enjoy, you can link to my GoodReads page on my sidebar if you are curious. You won't go wrong picking up a book by either one of these wonderful mystery writers!

Slouchy, comfy knits

I was thrilled when I saw the spread of slouchy cardigans in the latest Lucky magazine. I know some of you are thinking along the lines of Trini and Susanna and Stacy and Clinton...fitted is best. But I love these relaxed looks anyways!!
Here is one from Lucky



and a great pattern to make your own from Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine



Here are a couple of wonderful cardigans from Lucky



and here are patterns from Debbie Bliss magazine (Fall/winter 2009)



And here is another possibility, this one from Filati Knitting magazine in their latest issue.



Of course if you don't knit there are wonderful sweater knits available and there is always Ann Taylor Loft...

Seven things about me

A number of bloggers have invited their readers to play along because they cannot bring themselves to name seven people for the newest award making the rounds. I have decided to play along.

1. I left Cuba when I was 13 years old along with my family for Spain. It was to be a temporary stay until we were granted permission to come to live in the United States. It was a grand adventure for me even though I was sad to leave, family, friends and everything I knew behind.

2. I love mysteries, whether they are tv shows or books.

3. Shoes are my weakness, have been since I became aware of fashion, back when I was around 12.

4. I cannot excuse or tolerate snobby people, I quickly cross them off my list.

5. In my senior year in high school I was voted "Class Braintrust" in the senior poll, I was the valedictorian. I certainly pursue brainier activities more than physical ones.

6. I love to dance. I don't get to do it often so I compensate by dancing around the house when I'm doing chores. I hope no one is looking...

7. Gardening was my no 1 passion (after reading) before crafts (sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting) took over. It is a tragedy to have so many interests and not enough time to indulge in all of them ;-)

I hope you enjoyed my revelations, play along if you like!

Textile Studio Madison Avenue Dress

I have had this pattern a long time, I loved the simplicity when I first bought it and I love it still. As you can see I shortened mine quite a bit, I wanted to be able to wear it with flats in the summer and boots in the fall, and I thought this length would give me more flexibility. I still see making this in a stretch velvet in the longest length, very elegant.

I had never worked with patterns from this company so I needed to find out about the fit, but I figure in this easy to work knit from Emma One Sock and because it was a simple design I couldn't go too wrong. I like the fit. One thing I would do different is a forward shoulder adjustment, this is the first time in a pattern where the shoulder line is so off.


Something else that showed up when I took a picture of the back is the wrinkles at the waistline. I don't have swayback, so I know that's not the problem. Any ideas? Could it be that having the shoulder seam off is causing problems in the bodice?



Other than adding to the waist length I made no other alterations. I did notice that the fit is snug at the waist/hip area; I went up a size from their recommended size, to give myself some insurance and still had to make 1/4" seams in that area.

As far as construction I added 1/4" elastic in the shoulder seam allowance, I usually use clear elastic but I'm out so I used what I had in hand.

I also stitched down the neckline facings, they were flopping around driving me crazy. The directions have you stitching in the ditch to tack them down but it wasn't enough. I always remember Connie Long telling us in her knits class at G Street Fabrics that there is no reason not to stitch down the facings.


I have some fabric leftover which I'm going to use make a simple top so stay tuned!

Sewing plans for the weekend

Before I lose the opportunity to use the computer during the weekend (both the main computer and the laptop are monopolized by the boys and husband) I wanted to let you know that I modified the Textile Studio Madison Avenue dress and the fabric is now drying on my shower pole.

I was inspired to pull this pattern out after seeing the cute top that Shannon made. I've had this pattern for years! I'm making the short dress with a fabric from Emma One Sock which I have also had for a while.

I hope you all get a chance to sew this weekend!

The Pink Quilt is finished

It's done! Yesterday I finished the binding that is all done by hand, I rather not fiddle with trying to catch both sides of the binding when sewing it in the sewing machine.

The back is interesting...I decided that I would use the left over fabrics from the quilt top, pieced in a random pattern and I quickly realized that I didn't have enough, so I introduced the blue fabric. I like to think that I constructed the back in the way quilts used to be made, with whatever fabrics were available.

I quilted in a new way for me, 1/4 inch away from seamlines in a criss-cross pattern, I really like it. I used Gutternmann's cotton thread for the quilting which I had never used before (always bought Mettler's) and it worked great; the fact that is sold at Joann's is very convenient!

I went window shopping on Friday and I'm so excited to start fall sewing! I won't say which pattern I'll start with because it always seems to change; let me say that I have several patterns already modified so I might start there.

This past week to take a break from the troublesome lace tunic I started Valley Yarns Staghorn Cabled Tunic. I bought this pattern at last years Stitches East with the Northampton yarn called for. So far so good! Sadly this year Stitches East is in Connecticut instead of Baltimore =(



Keep on sewing! I'm enjoying looking at everyone's plans, and hope that one day I'll put one together...