New Simplicity Collection

I am very excited about some of the new patterns from Simplicity's Early Autumn 2012 Pattern Collection. (Early Autumn? Seriously? It isn't even officially summer yet.)

My favorite is Simplicity 1777, a 1940's reproduction dress pattern. I think I am going to add it to my list of items to make for the Sewing Through The Decades Sew Along.

Image from Simplicity.com

Simplicity 1778: I am not sure if I actually like this pattern or I am just excited because it has a red polka dot dress on the front. I am not sure how I feel about the bunching on the front.

Image from Simplicity.com

Finally, I like Simplicity 1779. I would like to make view c, white with navy ties.

Image from Simplicity.com

Summer Wardrobe Inspiration 2012

Summer Wardrobe Inspiration 2012 by ms-awesome-girl 

Just discovered Polyvore. Love it!

Sewing Through The Decades

I have decided to join yet another sew along type thing. Now that I have finally discovered just how awesome they are, I just can't stop myself from joining in!

The premise as stated on Rhinestones and Telephones:

"The basic thought is to challenge yourself to explore different time periods (which can be three years in one decade—1943, 1944, 1945) or several patterns across several decades (50’s, 60’s, 70’s). You can sew blouses, skirts, dresses, trousers…whatever you want! It will be fun to share our experiences in sewing from different time periods. The patterns can span both vintage and modern years."

I want to work on some patterns from the 40's and 50's. I am going to use the vintage/retro reproduction patterns because they are already in my stash and that will help me with my Stash Busting Project and my 13 by 13 goal to use up lots of my stash. Here are my selections:

1. Vintage Vogue 8811
2. Vintage Vogue 8812
3. Retro Butterick 5209
4. Retro Butterick 5748

I haven't even looked at fabrics yet. I'll blog about that another day.

Summer Spark Sew Along

Hosted by The Wardrobe, Reimagined

The Premise:

1 MONTH: 
In the month of June, sew one fabulous garment that you plan on strutting all summer.

1 GARMENT: 

Your choice! What's the most wonderful thing you'd like to wear again and again this summer? A pair of linen palazzo pants? A shoulder-bearing sundress? A swishy skirt? A floaty top? Why not make it now and flaunt it 'til the days get shorter?

1 GREAT LIST: 

We'll be posting photos of our finished garments in a Flickr group and, at the end of the month, we'll tally up all the fabulous patterns in a list to serve as inspiration to all. One person's amazing garment could spark another's summer sewing—in July, the season's still young, after all! 

1 FABULOUS PRIZE: 

All folks who have uploaded a photo of their finished garment by July 4 (a few extra days for good measure!) will be entered into a giveaway for ONE INDIE SEWING PATTERN OF THEIR CHOICE, to be shipped worldwide. Can't resist those Colette Iris Shorts? That Sewaholic Cambie? The Christine Haynes Derby Dress? It's a thank you for sewing along with us. 

I am going to make Vogue 8615 in a white cherry print cotton! I already have the pattern and the lining in my stash so this counts toward my Stash Busting Project. Also counts towards 13 by 13: using things from my stash!

The UFO /Stash Busting Project

I really need to join this one hosted by The Little Red Squirrel. Not so much for the UFO part, but the stash busting is a must. I currently only have 2 UFO's. That's right: count 'em 2. I have about 800 sewing patterns and 100's of yards of fabric that I need to use.

Here are the guidelines set out by Miss Katie:

1. Projects must use at least one item from the stash, for example one pattern or one piece of fabric. A combination of items can of course be used too! 
2. New elements may be bought but they must be used with an item from the stash. For example I can buy fabric and notions for a particular pattern in the stash, but I can't just buy fabric all willy nilly! 
3. For every new project I start a UFO project must be completed. I added this because I know that personally I get carried away with new projects rather than finishing older ones. This way I'm giving myself a bit of structure and discipline! (This one should be easy for me if I can just make myself stick to it./;') 
4. I will find and/or create projects that use leftovers from the stash. I find very often that I have pieces of material and balls of wool leftover when I have finished a project, that aren't enough to make an item of clothing on their own. I want to find ways of using these leftovers to make useful and beautiful things.

Mash Up Circle Skirt

I used 2 patterns for this skirt. I used Vogue 8818 for the skirt panels. I added the waist band from McCalls 6403 because the original skirt pattern uses elastic. I hate elastic waist bands because they add bulk to my waist and I definitely don't need that. I don't suppose I really needed to use a pattern for the waistband because it is just a rectangle, but, ehhh. I had to gather the panels a bit to fit them into the waist band. I like it though; it gives the skirt a little more volume. I did not add the lining because I used quilters cotton and it was already bulky. I also didn't add pockets. I just don't like pockets in skirts or dresses. Again, they tend to add fluff where I don't need any. I also think I will shorten the waistband a 1/2 inch or so on the next version. Maybe put some lace or ricrac around the bottom? This one is a bit plain.

Skirt hanging to set the bias.

Sew Colette 2.0

Lucky Lucille, Miss Crayola Creepy and Rhinestones and Telephones are hosting a sew along of ALL the Colette patterns. They are taking 2 months to do each one. I would like to try and do as many as possible. Hopefully this will be quite a few. However, with Billy becoming more and more mobile I am not sure how much sewing I am going to get done. We shall see.

I am really excited to make the Hazel dress. I will be a but behind on it though since I am going to California on vacation for a couple weeks. I will try to get as much done as possible before I leave on the 17th. I need to finish Vogue 8615 before I can start Hazel though because I want to take it on vacation with me.

Me Made May 2012 Wrap Up

I decided to participate in Me Made May this year and I am so glad I did. It really encouraged me to get a lot done! My goal was to have either Billy or me wear 1 piece of Me Made clothing at least 3 days a week. We made it! Here is the wrap up!

There are a few days I didn't get photos. I also haven't blogged about these items yet (because of no photos.) I will  get some and post soon hopefully.


Week 1
May 1st: BurdaStyle Cap Sleeve Floral Dress - Need Photos Will Post Soon

May 3rd: Floral Denim Shorts

May 5th: The Frubbish Sorbetto

Week 2
May 8th: Billy's Stripey Pants

May 9th: Yellow High Waisted Shorts

May 10th & 14th: Washday Blues

Week 3
May 16th: The Frubbish Sorbetto

May 17th: The Thanksgiving Dress

May 21st: Polka Dot Baby Pants

Week 4
May 22nd: New Look 6483 and Yellow High Waisted Shorts

May 25th: Mash Up Circle Skirt - Need Photos Will Post Soon

May 26th: Washday Blues (This is obviously one of my favorites) Didn't get a pic this time

May 30th: More McCalls 6403  - Need Photos Will Post Soon