Some News

Ok let me start by saying that I have been trying to post this since Thurs. am. So now some of the news has come & gone.......Like my interview on Fri. seeing as today is Sat.

Yes I am still alive. Still dealing with spotty internet connection but that should change soon.

So with the news, well several things really.

First I have my second round of interviews with The Gap Inc, corp. offices on Fri. They have part of their headquarters here in Abq (that’s short for Albuquerque incase your not up on the New Mexican lingo). They handle all the real estate, payroll, inventory & other financial stuff here. For those that don’t my degree when I was in college was Fashion design & merchandising until they canceled the program. Leaving me with a bunch of non-transferable credits & a bad tasted for higher education. Thus my unfinished degree. So I am rather excited about the prospect of working at The Gap, be it not at all in a creative aspect. But if you know away to make Payroll creative endeavor by all means please let me know. Anyhoo they have a tons of employee benefits & sound like a great company to work for. They remind me a little of when I worked for State Farm in MI. We shall see. It’s only part-time for now but from the sounds of things there will be tons of opportunity to move in all kinds of directions with them once I actually get the job.

PS ~ The interview went well or maybe ok. I don't know I hate interviews. I always think of what I want to say or ask an hour after it's over. Ugh! All four of the people that I interviewed with were very nice & personable. I think that I would really like working at there if I get the job. So fingers crossed. I shoudl hear something Mon.

There is a reason that I am only looking for a part-time job right now…….No not that reason. Although is probably will including taking care of babies next spring but of the four legged type. John & I have been offered a caretakers position at a Thoroughbred horse ranch! They currently have 3 mares in foal! Yeah! That will be fun to see babies born. Here is what we get an apartment & 1 car garage on the 40 acre ranch, including high speed internet, direct TV, all utilities & local phone calls. So as glamorous as all that sounds we in exchange need to feed & clean 7 horse stalls & paddocks every morning, feed again at night, feed 2 dogs & clean their kennels out weekly as well. But David & Laurie are very nice, we will have more room than in our “home on wheels” & they have a gorgeous view of the Sandia Mountains! We are moving in this weekend so I will try to get some pics then.


Also John & I are going to the SASS Convention in Las Vegas in Dec!!!!! Yeah! We will be working, volunteering really, but it gets us a room & tickets to the convention so who cares! This is billed as the social event of the year for SASS people. There are tons of vendors, a ball & lots of people from all over the country come. My friend Gina from Idaho will be there & a bunch of other ladies that I know from the internet that I haven’t met face to face yet. Pretty exciting for us. Once we move in to out apt at Rising Star Ranch (great name huh?). I will be sewing like a crazy person trying to get stuff made for us to wear in Vegas. It’s pretty fancy because everything is inside, so no dirt & wind! Yeah! I know one dress that I will defiantly be taking is this one. We finally got our pics back from the photographer that we had taken at Outlaw Trail. This is the one that we are going to use for our Christmas card this year.

On a totally different note I am really enjoying Twilight.

I saw the author on the Today Show a couple weeks ago & picked up the book to see what the fuss was about. It’s supposed to be the next Harry Potter type craze. I think that it is gear toward an older audience though. I have always like Vampires, not sure what that is about but I really got into the whole Interview with a Vampire thing. It’s an easy read & good for getting lost in. I like a little romance with my mystery/adventure, but not all that heaving chests & what not like the Harlequin romances. So this fits the bill. Also I have 2 more after this one to look forward to. I like my books like I like my movies, easy to get into & Calgon-take-me-away- esque. I don’t want to be depressed when I am done.

That is about it for now. We have my aunt & uncle stopping in for a couple days on their way to AZ (they are full time RV-ers), taking care of the horses where our RV is, cat sitting for some friends (at another place), job interview Friday afternoon & moving this weekend. Yeah I think that should be enough to keep me busy a couple days. ~ Again 2 days late on the posting thanks to a crappy connection, so they came & are leaving today. Had a great time with them.

Oh one last thing to share. I am loving this new jewelry set I made a couple weeks ago. The grey/black/cream stones are some kind of opal that I bought in a bead store in Old Town. They are really pretty in real life the pics don’t show them off that well. ~ Wore this with my bubble gum pink skirt & balck pants to my interview. It looked really nice with the pink actually. Maybe they brought me some luck?!

Wish me luck at my interview & I hope to post some pics of our new digs soon!

To SWAP or not to SWAP?

I LOVE checking out all the entries to the Timmel SWAP every year, but have never entered the contest myself. For one thing I never knew when it started so I was pretty excited when I stumbled on to a blog post saying that the rules for the 2008 SWAP contest where up! You can read them here: SWAP 2008 Rules.

For anyone that is not familar with what a SWAP (Sewing With A Plan) is here, is a brief description or you can read more here:

"Here is the formula: Stage One - make 11 garments. These are: 2 pairs of pants; 2 skirts, one in a solid colour, one in a print or check; 2 simple tops, one solid, one in the above print; 4 tops, in colours which coordinate with the solids; 1 simple cardigan jacket in a solid color."

Julie at Timmel has used this concept of a SWAP & made a contest out of it. You have to put together a wardrobe of atleast 11 garments. You can use one piece that you purchased and or one that you knitted, crocheted or wove. You must also use a print, plaid, check or stripe for one of your items.

Here are the basic 11 garments as they apply to the Timmel contest:

"This consists of 11 garments, 4 bottoms (skirts and/or pants), 6 tops (2 should be more like blouses than just tees), and 1 jacket that will work with all the tops and bottoms. This gives you a total of 48 possible combinations. However, you can substitute a dress or dresses for two of the tops if you wish. Therefore, your SWAP can be 1 jacket, 4 bottoms, 4 tops, 2 dresses or it can be 1 jacket, 4 bottoms, 5 tops and 1 dress. The jacket must work with all combinations.
In the case of a jumper, this would count as a "bottom" item, in that it must work with all the tops and it must also be able to be worn with the jacket. A vest is counted as a jacket since it is usually worn over a top. If it can be worn solo, count it as a top."


Every year Timmel also throughs in a twist to make each years contest different from the previous years. The 2008 twist is that you must use a combination/wardrobe pattern. Here is how Julie explains it:

"2008 Twist – Three garments must be made from one "wardrobe" pattern.
You must make three uniquely different garments from that pattern; making one type of garment three times will not qualify.
These patterns are available from all the major pattern companies and they usually include a jacket, dress and/or skirt, pants, blouse or top. For our purposes, any pattern with at least three different garments that work together will be counted as a "wardrobe" pattern.

The patterns labelled "wardrobe patterns" often have 4 or 5 garments in them; but as long as the pattern has three different garments, it will qualify. The purpose of this year's rule is to encourage making the best use of a pattern; in other words, work it for what it is worth. The other 8 garments can come from any other pattern or patterns or be self-drafted."

Now with all that said I have been reading about the posts about the SWAP on Stitcher's Guild There is a thread just for the 2008 SWAP & getting more inspired & excited. Now I am thinking that I want to join!

When I first read about having to use a wardrobe pattern Simplicity 4097 popped into my mind.

Here is the line drawing for the pattern.

The problem that I am running into is figuring out what fabrics in my stash to use that meet all the reqquirements & would allow all the tops to match all the bottom fabrics. I am torn at the moment between using brown or grey as my base color. I have a bunch of each.

Then I got a crazy idea this morning as I was laying awake at 5:30 am thinking about my SWAP. I could do a Victorian wardrobe instead of a modern on!!!! Hmmmmmm!!!! The problem with that would be coming up with the wardrobe pattern & having enough fabric for all the pieces that would need to match but it would be totally different.......

Victorian Sewing - June 1879 Dress

I have actually been able to do some sewing since we have been in NM. Not as much as I would like but with such limited space it’s a challenge.

This first dress has been on the drawing board for a couple years now. Then on the Carolina Belles site they started a “Dress of the Month” sew along for 1879. I have been eagerly awaiting the post of each new dress. Then one day as I was flipping though my Fashions of the Gilded Age, Vol 1 I realized that this dress is from Harper’s Bazar June 1879! Auhhhhhh! I already had the fabric so I decided to jump in!

Here is the inspiration fashion plate:


This is how far I have gotten so far…..

Front:


Back:


I drafted the overskirt (yellow print) from Fashions of the Gilded Age & used Truly Victorian Tie Back Underskirt (solid yellow & pink). I am going to add 2 more pleated ruffles to the underskirt but I wanted to see where the hem of the overskirt would hit before adding these ruffles.

For the bodice I am going to use the Truly Victorian French Vested Bodice as a base. I will alter the back to make it more appropriate for the Natural Form Era. Then I need to figure out how to modify the front to get the crossed effect above the printed “vest” part in the fashion plate. Hmmmmmm. I haven’t fully worked that part out in my head yet but I hope once I start on the pattern that things will fall into place.

McCall’s Winter 2007

I know, I know! I am soooooo far behind! Ugh! It's terrible. I feel out of touch with the blog world & the sewing world too. I am trying to get some blogs written when I can & post them when I have a connection.

Here is my way over due review of the new McCall's Winter 2007 patterns. Now I usually really like Fall & Winter patterns more than Spring or Summer, but this year the Big 4 are leaving much to be desired. It looks like they are just rehashing the last couple seasons. Blah!



Cute Jacket! I am not sure that I will be making it but I think that it is very cute, different & flattering!
Coat M
5513 ~ Fitted, contrast inside collar and facing with double-breasted front closing, wide standing collar and waistline front bodice, back bodice with appliques and V-shaped waistline, skirt with side seam pockets, soft pleats at waist and center back with balloon shape at lower edge, topstitch trim.



I think that this blouse has a nice shape to it. I personally like empire waist tops & blouses. I have a nagging feeling that I have seen this blouse in years past with different sleeves or maybe sleeveless but I could be wrong. Still a nice looking blouse.
Blouses M5522 ~ Shirts A, B, C and D have front gathers, princess seams with topstitching, front bands, collar and sleeve variations; shirt A has stand-up collar, elbow length and gathered bubble sleeve; shirt B has self ruffles, collar with collar band and gathered sleeve with cuffs; shirts C, D have collar with collar band and pleated sleeve with cuffs; shirt C has self ruffles; includes separate pieces for A/B, C, D cup sizes.



I think that this would make a good basic skirt pattern that also gives nice options for the back detail.
Skirts M5523 ~ Straight skirt, mid-knee length, has side zipper and faced waistline; skirt A has shaped lower back flounce; skirt B has pleated lower back; skirt C has gathered lower back with self-fabric ruffle; skirt D has two lower back flounces.


No, I am not hinting at anything but look at those cheeks!!!!! That baby was so cute that I had to post this pattern!

Baby hats etc M5539 ~ INFANTS’ AND TODDLERS’ HATS, MITTENS AND BOOTIES: Package includes patterns and instructions for hat, mittens and booties in size X-Small (181/2"), Small (19"), Medium (191/2"), Large (20"); hat, mittens and booties A have contrast hat band, tassel, booties back and sides; hat, mittens and booties B have contrast hat band, crown, booties back and sides; hat, mittens and booties C, D.


Pretty In Pink flash back! Eeeekkkkk! I am a big 80's teen flick fan but come on! Really McCalls? Do you honestly think that anyone is going to be sewing this?

M5542 ~ MISSES’ SKIRT AND APPLIQUE TEMPLATE FOR PURCHASED SWEATSHIRT: Straight skirt, mid-calf has back zipper and gathered lower back panel with lace trim and pearl embellishment; purchased sweatshirt converted into loose fitting, above waist length jacket has dropped shoulders, decorative front clasp closure, three-quarter length sleeves and embellished with assorted purchased lace trim, buttons, pearls and beads; instructions for “cut-by-suggestion” jacket facings and yo-yo’s are included.

Fall ’07 Simplicity & New Look Patterns – Part #2 New Look Fall ‘07

It looks like New Look is into knits this Fall. They are offering several patterns for knits & seeing as I have a PILE of knits in ye o’l stash I am looking forward to checking them out!

#6729 – Knit tops

Another wrap top, but with a twist!!! I am really excited about this one. There is this whole cross over wrap thing going on that I am totally intrigued by! It appears that the sleeves have a kimono kind of shape to them & there is a center back seam that is great for adjusting the fit. This is one my must buy list. Finally something totally new!

#6735 – Knit coordinates – Cardigan, tops, pants & skirt

I think that this might have been done already, in fact I think that I have this pattern, sans the cardigan, (ok maybe not that exact one but items that look pretty close in different patterns)but look at the fabric that they used!!! I have both the black & white floral in the skirt & the aqua, black & white chain link from the top! (Thank you Gorgeous Fabrics!) So not that I would need this pattern but I will probably pick it up anyway. I like the simple look of the black & white skirt outfit & the pants. Also can you have too many patterns?



#6731 – Knit dress & tops

At first glance I thought, "oh this has already been done!". Now that I take a closer look at view A & B it looks like it has a twisted treatment that seems so popular right now. Another one that might be worth checking out.


#6736 – Coat, Jacket, Dress and Pants
I think that the pink coat that they show on the envelope is super cute but I am not sure that I would bother buying the pattern just for that one item.


#6737 – Tunic or Top and Pants

I am on the fence with this last one. I think that the tops have an Anthropology look to them & probably if you used the right fabrics they would be super cute. I think that might be part of the problem is that I am not too crazy about the fabrics that they used.


# 6723 - Dresses

I like the black sleeveless version. I think that it would look so nice in a dark chocolate brown, deep red, or even like they have it, black. Everyone needs a little black dress & I think that this style would be very flattering. The shape looks like it would hide a multitude of sins.

Fall '07 Simplicity & New Look Patterns - Part 1 Simplicity

Hmmmm...

It doesn't look like I have missed too much in the pattern area while on my unintentional blog hiatus.

Let's start with the Simplicity patterns shall we?

#3691 - 80th Anniversary Vintage Evening Gown

I really dislike the taupe version with the the strange collar thing, but the blue one saved it for me. I love the way the skirt has an inverted pleat in the back(check out the line drawing). I think that this would be really lovely made in black or dark read satin, if you had an event to wear it to.



#3631 - Sew Stylish Collection: Coat, Jacket, Dress, Jumper, Slim Pants and Skirt

I am not sure how I would have felt about this collection if I had not just today picked up the Fall issue of Sew Stylish mag & seen the 11 different outfits that they made from this pattern! I haven't gotten to read the article yet but I love the red version of the jacket that they show on the cover. Oh and of course the magazine is getting canceled. Their last issue will be Dec '07. Figures! Anyway If you get the chance give it a look. I am not all that crazy about the pants in this pattern, but I like my straight or wider leg pants. I did the peg-rolled, skinny leg jeans & pants the first time around. Thank you anyway!



Last of the Simplicity's is:

#3640 - Misses Pants, Hooded Sweatshirt and Knit Top

I think that this has a nice look to if for sweatsuit/workout wear. The pants have a nice shape to them. The jacket looks fitted & not all baggy & blah. Maybe with this you could run to the store in your sweats without looking a frumpy!



That is about it. Most everything just looked like a version of other patterns that are already out. I might change my mind after I see some made up out there in sewing Blogland but for now I say, Blah!

Next up: New, New Looks, I feel like they did a little better job,a little that is.

Until then! Sew on y'al!

I'm Still Alive!

Ok let me first start off by saying that I hate computers as much as I love them!

I finally got my new Dell Inpiron 1521 nearly a month after I ordered it with grand hopes of in stalling a router on the DSL connect in the house to that I could have access in the 5th (yup we still are living in the RV because the house in MI hasn't sold yet). Well 2 1/2 weeks & 3 routers later I still can't get a signal in the RV. After spending 45 mins on the phone with Dell last night for the guy to tell me that I would need to pay Dell $130 for him to tell me what to do because I hadn't sighed for Dell on Call (at $250 for 4 calls that are only good for a year you got that right!!!) I had had it. Then like a blessing from God I found the problem! Only for my hopes to be smashed again when the the 3rd router also would not reach (we are only talking 175 feet & the router should have gone 600!!! What!!!??). So I reconnected the first & cheapest router that at least lets me connect in the house. I guess we are in some kind of Internet black hole or something. Sigh. Just my luck.

So I will be able to use my computer to surf the net again although not as often or how I had envisioned, but I guess that it is better than nothing, right? Maybe?

I hope to start posting again soon. I noticed today that both Simplicity & New Look have some of their Fall patterns up. I think that will be my first post & with any luck soon.

I am still trying to get through the 2 month backlog of e-mails so bare with me. I hope that all is well & Blogland & hope that I will be posting & catching up on what all you have been up to soon!

Burda WOF June 2007

I am finally sort of getting caught up on my back log of magazines since moving.

Which is great but now I am totally in LOVE with this top:



And that necklace for that matter. It's kind of big but it just calls to me....but I digress....

So in true Burda WOF style, the top is not one of the patterns in this issue. So I have been searching for a good knock off pattern. I think that the Hot Patterns Sunshine Tops is the best I have been able to find.



Well of course it is! I don't own that one!!!! Blah!

Simplicity has 4076:



But it really doesn't have same look or drape when you see it made up. Sigh. I of course own this one.

So now what to do. I really don't want to buy the HP one (not that I don't want but really shouldn't is more like), but I don't think that I will get the same look from the Simp.

Any suggestions? Maybe if I offer up my first born someone will loan me their Hot Patterns Sunshine Top pattern. Hmmmm probably not once they hear all the stores about how bad (but in a Dennis the Menace kind of way) John was as a kid. Darn..... Maybe a pattern trade of something that I have instead. Less mess I would think & waiting. Seeing as we only have Puggy Dog & no first born it would at least be 9 months at the very least & I don't see that has an option at the moment. Ha!

By the way I am not ignoring y'all who have commented. I just don't have much Internet time at the moment, but we are going to look & get (I hope!) a laptop tonight. Then I should have some more time to e-mail & post. Fingers crossed!

Ok I am off to clean up after the bad dog that we are watching (no Puppy Dog, she is always a good girl). Oh joy!

Welcome to The Land of Enchantment!

We have made it to New Mexico!

It is very lovely, very different, but very beautiful in it's own way. John unfortunately will have to make one more to trip to MI for another small load of "stuff" that we just could not fit in.

Other than that here is how we arrived in NM.



Now if you look closely at my car that we towed you will see that we had a special passenger......

Fred, The Deer Head, Greeted all passers by on our trip from MI to NM. We aim to entertain, what can I say?

Our new accommodations are a bit smaller (I know is it possible that out MI house? Yup it is), but very nice & without the legal problems with a corrupt local government.

Our new home!



It was like 1/4 the price to buy a brand new '08 5th wheel than for us to rent a house (pets add a lot to rent too). It is a little small, but it's very nice & we'll be able to camp in style once the MI house sells. Also it will be perfect to take to the bigger SASS shoots to stay in (once we aren't living in it full time).

Here is a little peek at the inside:
Dinning "room" & our "walk in" closet to the left. This a bunkhouse model & we just turned the bunkhouse into a closet area.


"Living" room:


"Master bed" room:



View from the "closet" of the dinning/living/kitchen:


Let me tell you it is about nothing to clean this baby! Yup we have lost our minds, but hopefully our MI house will sell soon & we can buy a "real" house.

I am on a borrowed computer so my Internet access is spotty. I miss being able to e-mail with everyone & I hope to have access in the "abode on wheels" soon!

I hope everyone is well & that I can post my report from End of Trail soon!

PS I had to add that Puppy Dog likes New Mexico too!

Virtual Sewing & Actual Packing

Well the count down is on & the packing has begun.

All of my sewing “stuff” has been packed up thanks to my lovely Mom, who came up from FL for 5 days to help me. She's where I get my passion for sewing (& collecting, fabric, patterns etc) from. So she totally gets that I will NEED to be able to be able to sew once we get to New Mexico even though most of our possessions are going into storage. We spent most of the time that she was here organizing the projects that I think I will want to work on first for easy access & packing up the rest of the fabric in a way that I should be able to locate anything that I need easily enough. It's doesn't seem like this should take 5 days but you haven't seen my "stash" either. It is really quite embarrassing.

Now my MIL, Joyce is up till Sun helping to pack up the rest of the house. My last day of work is this Fri & we pick the moving truck that same day. So Thank God for my Mom’s or it would never get done!

So because I can’t actually sew anything right now I am “virtually” sewing & planning out projects in my head for the time when I will be able to sew again. The first projects when we get to NM will be to finish anything that I need for my Victorian outfits to attend End of Trail, but once that is over besides looking for a job I want to use this fabric from Ann at Gorgeous Fabrics.


I was a little surprised how large the print was when I received my order & was totally stumped as to what I should make from it. Then my Mom & I were in Target & saw this dress!


Ah Ha!!! The light went off & I knew that I needed to make a dress from my Big Daisy knit.

Now what pattern……? Then I remembered the McCall’s 5379 dress that Stacy made & how much I liked view C.

While Joyce & I sat waiting for people to show up for our garage sale yesterday I cut out the pattern. At least that part is out of the way & once we are more settled in NM I will be able to get the fabric cut.

Speaking of New Mexico I am finally starting to get excited about getting out there. I have been so completely over whelmed by everything that needs to be done that I haven't fully grasped that I am moving 1400 miles in less than a week to state that I have never been to before! Oh wait, I take that back we drove through NM when I was 5 when we went to the Grand Canyon, but I would hardly count that!

During my lunch break today I did a little net surfing to see what kind of "dates" I can get John to take me on once we get out there. There looks to be a lot of cool places out there!

There is of course Santa Fe & Old Town in Albuquerque.

We will be living right by the Sandia Peak Tramway, which is the world’s longest passenger aerial tramway. John has already ridden (by horse not tram) to the peak & he says that it is incredible! A side note on that, John & Scott (his friend) rode to the peak on horse back & then they got to the top a tram full of tourists had just arrived. They heard "Oh look cowboys!!!" & got bombarded with photo requests. So if you were on the the Sandia Peak Tram a few weeks ago & took a picture of a couple cowboys at the peak chances are one of them was my John. Auh yes, one more thing the lady park ranger that was hitting on him in the parking lot better step back, he's already taken, but I can hardly blame you. There is something about cowboys.....

Anyhoo I digress, It appears that New Mexico has several wineries, ghost towns, caverns & even scuba diving!

Also I will be totally crushed if John won't take me Llama treking in the wilds of New Mexico!!!!

Doesn’t that guy they show on their home page just crack you up??? Oh just me, huh? Oh well what can I say? I am easily entertained.

It should be an adventure to say the least! I doubt that I will be able to post before we leave but I hope to have lots to share once we in our new digs in NM.

Until then I hope you all take care!

More new patterns….

Ok Kids McCalls just released their Summer 2007 patterns. Let take a peek & see if they have managed to come out with anything new or if it’s the same old tired offerings in different colors……

Ok is it me or are a lot of this years styles very baggie maternity looking??? I mostly like lose clothes (except jeans, bootcut yes please but I like a good fit in the rear, Y’all wanted to know that right? Incidentally 2 of the best fitting that I have found in a long time are Levis 525 & 515. Both are slightly low rise & bootcut with a little stretch. Yeah baby!)

So anyhooooo on with the patterns……

The Good:

McCalls 5428: Plunge neck shrug has yoke and tie closure variations, front and back gathers and below elbow length sleeve; shrugs B, D have yoke contrasts; sleeveless pullover top has front darts.

I think that this is a cute & different option for a summer jacket or sweater. I am always cold when I am in a/c. In restaurants, the office, movies etc, but in getting into these meat lockers I roast in the summer heat. When we lived in FL I always carried a sweater in my car just incase I forgot to grab one because I knew that I would be freezing by the time the food came. I would imagine that New Mexico will be the same for me so I might pick this one up. Also I think that it would be really cute over a sheath or tank dress.


McCalls 5430: MISSES’ WRAP SKIRTS- Skirts A, B, C have waistband with self-ties and inside buttonholes; skirt A has front pleats creating a cascade; skirt B has optional trim; skirt C has self-faced pockets; length is 2" below mid-knee.

I like View C because it looks exactly like a vintage 1960’s wrap skirt that I have. I am not sure how I feel about the one with the cascading trim thingy but this looks to be a true a-line wrap skirt & would be a great summer staple made up in light weight denim, cotton or linen. Also you could embelish the pockets with biase trim, embroidery, patches, etc. Lots of possibilities!


McCalls 5431: Flared skirt has yoke and back zipper closure; skirts A, B have lower edge band contrasts; skirts B, C, D have pocket and pocket band variations; skirt C has belt carriers; skirts C, D have machine-stitched narrow hems.

I have a skirt thing this summer for some reason. I would like to see this one made up to see if the pockets add to the design or add 10 pounds to my hips. I like pockets but sometimes they aren’t a good choice. I like the shorter views & the contrasting bands.



McCalls 5434: MISSES’ TOPS, DRESS, SKIRT AND PANTS IN TWO LENGTHS: Tops A, B and dress C have wrapped fronts with self-ties; top B has three-quarter sleeves; dress C is lower calf length; top D is strapless and has elastic casing; skirt E has mock wrapped front, elastic waist casing, length is 2" below mid-knee; pull-on pants F, G have elastic waist casing; pants F is lower calf length.

This just screams comfy, stylish summertime office to beach resort vacation to me. I don’t usually like the whole asymmetrical thing but this I like. I think that this would make a great travel wardrobe because it wouldn’t wrinkle. I am not too crazy about the tube top because my girls just don’t have the umph for that kind of thing but I think that I could easily add straps & use Stacy’s article from Feb 2007 Sew News to add a shelf bra. Or you know I could just wear one of the dozen cami’s with the built in bras that I have. I just LOVE those things!



McCalls 5441 - ORGANIZER ITEMS: Package includes patterns and instructions for pocket pillow A, 16" square; square wall organizer B, 20" square; closet organizer C, 17" square; long pocket wall caddy D, 7" W × 34" L, purchased handle; apron E, one size, 19" W × 16" L, excluding ties; all items have contrast pockets and binding.

I just love things that claim they will get me organized! Now I am not sure why you would want a “pocket pillow” but it is hard to see in the picture so it might be the best thing since sliced bread in real life. The other things I can totally see being handy for organizing from the sewing room to the bathroom. As we are going to be very limit on space in our New Mexico abode these might come in super handy. Also I just saw on U-Handbag where they used a purse handle for something similar. Great idea!

The Bad:



McCalls 5423:
That huge bow just bugs the bageezums out of me. This might be very cute made up in a different way but it’s kind of old lady muumuu looking to me here.

The very Ugly:



McCalls 5432 – I couldn’t even get past the color combo that they picked for this one to tell what the style is like. Then once I was able to pull my eyes away much like you can’t look away from a train wreck I realized that the style is really bad also. The jacket & vest look shapeless & the pants look high granny waisted & what’s up with the tube top. Ugh on the whole thing. I just think that this woudl look frumpy on anyone & there are much better wardrobe style patterns out there than wasting good pattern money on this. It doesn't even look nice on the model for goodness sake!

Victorian Sewing

Wow I actually do sew costumes still! It has been so long since I have done it I was beginning to wonder myself. This isn’t one of the fanciest dresses (well skirts now but will be a dress soon) that you would see at a large SASS event by any means but it is a big deal for me. I am not usually that good at going off on my own. If I have directions I tend to stick to them. I am fine if I start something on my own but if there are directions I am lazy & just following along like a lemming off a cliff. So for this one I really kind of took a picture of an outfit & made my own version from this & that, making it my own.

Let me give you a little crash course on Victorian Era Fashions. There are basically 5 periods; Pre-hoop & Hoop 1830-1869, Early Bustle 1869-1876, Natural Form 1877-1882, Late Bustle 1883-1889 & Belle Epoch 1890-1901. There are very distinct characteristics that set these periods apart & I do not claim to be an expert by any means. I just know the basics & just try to research the rest as I go along.

I like wanted to make a Natural Form dress. The big thing about the Natural Form period is that as the name suggested they primarily did not wear styles that required a hoop or bustle to hold the shape of the dress or at least nothing as elaborate as the earlier or later periods. When hoops & bustles could be huge! Also I should add that sewing patterns where nothing like what we have today they came in magazines all the pieces printed on one large page all over lapping in black ink, the lines of each piece in different combinations of dots or dashes. I will have try to find an example to show you all some time.

I drafted the overskirt from Fashions of the Gilded Age Vol #1 & the underskirt was made from Truly Victorian’s Fan Tail skirt, the trained version.

This was my inspiration from Fashions of the Gilded Age:



Here are my fabrics:

I used the diagrams in the book as best I could to get the general shape for the over skirt. Then I just pined & repined until I got the look I liked.

Here is the nearly finished product:






I still need to add a pleated ruffle to the underskirt & make a bodice, but I am so happy with the way that this turned out I had to share! I am still trying to decide what to do for the back. Here is a picture before I added the ribbon trim:



I will be sure to post some pictures of me wearing the finished dress hopefully at The SASS World Championships in June.

Playing catch up

Goodness that was such a long time with no posting! Now I have to try to catch up.

First up Chara & I are hosting a sew-along on flickr for the Sew What! Skirts book.* We have been talking about this book for like a month. Chara set up the flickr group & we already have like 3 or 4 skirts up in the photo album! I actually got mine cut out last weekend, except the facing which I totally forgot about. Maybe I will get that sewed up this week.

Next up Butterick has their Summer 2007 patterns out.

I can’t say that I am over thrilled by any of them but there are a couple that are kind of cute & I might pick up if I am near Joann’s during a $1.99 sale.

Flared, wrapped dress, below mid-knee has semi-fitted bodice, front band or collar, sleeve variations – There are a ton of wrap dresses out this season, but this one looks pretty nice with all the different options & it says it’s easy.


Front wrap top or dress has inset at waist. A, B, C: sleeveless. C: scalloped edge of fabric at hem. D: contrasting flare sleeve and inset. – For some reason I love the look of the pattern drawings of this. I am sure that it would look completely like maternity wear on me but I am just drawn to it. It looks cool, comfy & cute. I love the brown outfit on the left. This is on the maybe list.


It might seem odd that I would include a bag pattern but I keep seeing those triangle shaped bags in magazines. I think that they are supposed to be better for your back or something. I thought that it might be a good vacation type bag, not that we are planning one, but maybe one day.


Butterick appears to be jumping on the Indy pattern band wagon as well. They now have several patterns by CONNIE CRAWFORD. Judi & I saw her patterns at the Sewing Expo last Sept. I looked at them but wasn’t impressed enough to buy any. I don’t remember if we actually saw any made up or not. Maybe in the Indy Pattern company show that they did? I don’t remember. I will keep an eye on Pattern Review I think to see what people say. None of her Butterick offering are crying out to me as of yet. The neat thing though is that the Big 4 pattern companies must be realizing that their normal offerings are seriously lacking & are trying to make amends by offering the Indy patterns too. Good for them! I hope they keep it up.

On last thing I thought I would let you all know that my Mom has just listed some of Heather Bailey’s Fresh Cut fabric in her Ebay store & has it on sale. Look under the fabric section. I am super excited that she was able to get some. She says that it is beautiful in both look & feel. I can’t wait to get some. I have a birthday coming up in July & I can guess what I will be getting. I want to make a couple skirts from Sew What! Skirts but I haven’t worked out the fabric combo yet……hmmmmm…….

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*I should say that Chara is hosting & I am just tagging along because she set up the flickr group & got everything going! Thanks Chara!