Sewjo: Lost and Found

It’s a strange thing when you have lost interest in something that you usually love to do.

There was an odd dullness in my life these past few weeks because of the passing of our Wonderful Mother – my Biggest and Most Loving Supporter. She was someone who constantly asked what was new in my world, someone who listened, cheered me on and encouraged me in every stitch of my life.

I certainly haven’t felt like planing or sewing any new projects – that dullness invaded my thoughts.

I took a stab at my UFO pile, mending and hemming a few items. Sort of a sewing therapy. Turns out, now I’ve got a couple of new tops to wear.

Scrolling through Designer Fashions on-line, I found my Designin’ December Designer Original. How are you doing with your search? Continue reading →

I learned something new…

Just by chance actually! As a matter of fact, I learned a couple of things.

I’ve decided I need more dresses in my life (again). I also noticed that IG is having a #sewtogetherforsummer Challenge that I can participate in – if I get my entry done by June 21st. I do not like deadline sewing, so this is going to be interesting.

I have my shirt dress pattern picked out – Butterick B5920. It is an unexpected shirt dress pattern, as it might not even be a shirt dress. It’s a Butterick Retro ’51 pattern. Of course, there is NO WAY I am sewing heart shaped pockets on my chest – sorry. I am going to leave the pockets off completely. But I do LOVE this turned up collar. It kind of follows my neck curve like no other collar I have seen before … and I love it!

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Finishing that friggin’ UFO … (Part 2)

I apologize for not posting sooner. I did continue working on my Sister’s shirt/jacket during the last week, the final chapter of my Sister’s Sewing Projects, although I am sure she will eventually think of something else for me to do! I am using Simplicity 5455, a pattern from 2003. I started it here using two wonderful fabrics, a solid blue and a white “newsprint floral”, both made of 97% cotton and 3% spandex. Things were rolling along nicely … until they came to a dead stop! Why?

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The Big Decisions.

The weather today was so changeable, I sat here this morning trying to decide if I should put the laundry on the clothes line… or take photos for my blog. What should I do?

You might remember last post I was fighting to make my dress pattern work with my fabric and my body. That pattern lost. This pattern, on the other hand, McCall’s M6840 was a winner. I made view B but with short sleeves. Short sleeves since the fabric is so summery – but also after salvaging the fabric out of the almost completed dress, I didn’t have enough pieces left that were large enough to make long sleeves!

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Pondering buttonholes…

I have been pondering buttonholes… but first let me tell you about one of the best Craftsy courses I have taken, Sew Better, Sew Faster, featuring a pattern from Islander Sewing Systems, Jacket Express #218. (Not being paid to say this neither, just my opinion!)

I have taken about a dozen Craftsy courses – some free, some not. THIS Craftsy course is one of my favourites – and I only have two favourites so far, guess I’m a tough sell.

I have always wanted to make another jean jacket, this time not a BLUE jean jacket like the one I wore during Me Made May 2014. My sister and I found this lovely fabric a while ago – an Annette Stretch Pique Print, 97% cotton 3% spandex. I pre washed it and it came out so soft. So between that and the abstract flower design on the fabric, I love it.

Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!

Now I don’t want to go through the whole process step by step, but I thought I might give you some of the do’s and don’ts I discovered.

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