Aug. 10

I don't have too much time for an upload today, I just got myself two jobs for the fall! I'm pretty excited about both of them though. Last week I decided that I needed to get on the Sorbetto pattern bandwagon, especially after seeing The Sew Weekly's 7 Days of Sorbetto. I especially love the sleeve draft she did!

I had already made a skirt from some vintage fabric, but I haven't worn it too much because I can't find tops to match. I had extra fabric so a Sorbetto it became! You can hardly tell it isn't a dress, though does anyone know a good way to keep shirts tucked in? 

It is a beautiful day here! I hope everyone has a good week.

Aug. 4

I have decided that I both have too much fabric and I haven't been practicing my pattern drafting skills I learned last semester. This is a convenient situation in that it has a very clear solution.

I decided I wanted to make a sundress with some pretty navy gingham I got super cheap at Hancocks this summer. I have also really been loving how many backless dresses I've seen online this year, so I tried my luck with drafting a bodice with a normal front, but a twisted up back. It took me three muslin bodices to work it out but I'm so happy with it! The only things I would change are to lower the neckline a bit and make the twist of the back low enough to hide a bra. I thought I had it measured correctly for this but I was apparently waaaay off. I promise I don't draft while under the influence. The skirt could be fuller as well.

Also, if I were to make this again I would draft it so that instead of a twisted bodice, I would simply gather the back up with some fabric, kind of like a bow. The twisted bodice really led to some interesting lining techniques that in the end worked very well, but were fairly time consuming.

I had to sew the lining to the back piece separately before doing anything with the bodice front since I wouldn't have been able to twist it after it was sewn together. Sewing the lining in the front required me to first sew up the neckline and armholes, then kind of sandwich the lined back piece in between the bodice piece and it's lining, sewing the shoulder seams and side seams through all the layers and then turning inside out. I should have taken a picture but I doubt you would have been able to see what was going on through all of the gingham. 

I also admit that as of the taking of these pictures, the bottom of the skirt was only serged. I will need to hem this baby up tonight maybe.

But now on to some pictures!

June 25

Today I went to Old Navy and found some super cheap clothes on the clearance rack... I bought two blue turtleneck sweaters for $.47 apiece and two pairs of green corduroys for $.97 apiece (along with a pair of twill shorts for 17.50, but we'll focus on the big deals today I think okay?).

The pants are way too wide legged for me to want to wear, and that would be too much green for me to wear, but the waist fits really well, so I have already cut one up in an attempt to make a skirt (which may or may not be successful) and the other I am just going to make into shorts.

The shirts I'll probably cut up to use for something. I should have had the foresight to purchase them in my size, but I grabbed two sizes larger to give me more fabric to work with. I have already cut a sleeve off of one of them to make a bracelet using this tutorial that I've been admiring for a little while. I got a little carried away and cut up a couple of my other shirts to make some in other colors as well! I also made a necklace.... we'll see how much I wear these this summer.

Now I need to figure out what to do with the rest of these poor shirts I have destroyed!

Also: This is why I love Old Navy!

May 4

Happy Star Wars day! (as in May the fourth be with you.... too witty for me to have come up with it, I assure you). I don't know yet how I am going to celebrate, but rest assured that the holiday will be recognized.

Also, I was very recently featured in a great little magazine called Babiekins. The whole magazine is online and it is really great! The photography and styling are lovely and I'm really happy to have been included. Check me out around page 270!

Mar. 15

On Thursday the weather is supposed to be absolutely perfect for kite flying, so I'm finally getting around to making a kite that's been on my list for a couple of years. It is using this tutorial and I'm thankful for any excuse to use up my scrap fabric. When I got my dowel rods I went ahead and bought enough for two kites so a friend can join me! I'm very excited about this prospect. I haven't been kite flying for quite some time.

Speaking of scrap fabric, how cool would it be to have this lovely vintage piece around? I have had this fabric in my favorites for quite some time and while I have no idea what I would do with it, (I would probably be too terrified to even cut into it) I think it looks amazing. Check it out here!

Feb. 23

It's only been a few days since my last post but it seems like a lot has happened! I have finished my first project in my sewing class and am really enjoying the second, which is a button down blouse. I am using a great plaid I've had in my stash for a couple years now. I am ahead of the rest of my class, so I wanted to make sure to take the time and match up the plaids correctly. Hopefully it turns out well! I've been sewing up a few things here at home too, but I'll leave that for another day. I took pictures today and some were fuzzy, so I may have to redo them. I'm so excited for it to be spring! I just want to wear all of my pretty things!

Here are some treasuries I was included in this week. I love them!

Feb. 4

It appears I have survived the big snow storm. We could barely open our building's door and I had to dig my truck out with a dust pan (note to self: living in an apartment is no excuse to not have a snow shovel handy). As a result of all this weather I had not one, but two snow days! I'd have more if I took classes more than twice a week. I'm hoping this doesn't mean my classes will be behind the others for the rest of the semester.

I started a dress last week or so but for some reason I am not very excited to finish it. I think it might be the cuffs on the sleeves that don't even go around the arm of my machine. Next time it will be elastic for sure. We have finally cut out our skirts for my sewing class too. I certainly am looking forward to when that class picks up a bit. My pattern making class is pretty informative so far. We are learning about different ways to move and get rid of darts on slopers. I had no idea how mathematical it all was! Once you get the theory down it's all pretty straightforward though. There are just tons of things you can do with seaming.

In other news, my mom posted about me and my Etsy shop on her blog, Karen Stamps A Lot! Be sure to check her out!

Jan. 26

School has finally started again. I forgot how much work German was going to be, it's a good thing I have my own personal tutor living under the same roof as me! I think we are going to do the dorky thing where we put German labels on everything in the apartment. My sewing class seems like it will really start slow (it's an introductory prerequisite class) but after this first project, (a skirt) we are moving on to a button up blouse and then pants. I have never really done cuffs or that many button holes, and I've never done pants at all. I'll definitely be learning some things anyways. I'm also in a pattern making class which I hear is actually pretty difficult. Hopefully it isn't too bad though.

A day or so ago I took some pictures of a couple skirts I made. One has been up in my shop for quite a while, but I thought new pictures could do it good. The other is brand new. The pictures for it didn't turn out quite as well as I would have liked, so I might take some more on Friday.

Find it here

Find it here.

Jan. 22

This third project was made from the Simplicity 2282 pattern. There are lots of options here and I chose the cap sleeves and added the peplum. I figured it would have the perfect vintage feel for a particular fabric I've had for probably years now. The print is so big that I hadn't found anything to use it for this whole time.

I did make one big change to the pattern, which was to alter the neckline to a sweetheart, which is infinitely better than the super high one they used. Even with that it's still almost too high for my liking, next time I'll open it up quite a bit more I think. It's not very easy to see, but the front of the dress is attached to the lower skirt and it wraps all around to the back, with a side front and a back piece up a bit higher. This was a pretty difficult part to sew, and I think using the peplum attachment made it harder. Next time I make it I'll try to separate the bottom of the skirt from the front and make it more tier sided, not unlike THIS dress.

Today I'm working on a couple skirts to sell and maybe I'll cut something else out for myself. We'll see.

Jan. 21

Alright, I also very recently put together a pencil skirt out of a purple twill that I just adore. I used it to make a dress that I never wore (though I probably still have it in pieces somewhere) and I'm glad there was enough left for this skirt.

It's from the Vogue 8603 pattern and I just did the basic skirt without any gathers or frills. I was initially drawn to it because of the cool side gathers, but to be honest I don't think I'm going to do them any time soon. It would require my shirt to be tucked in and I find with this skirt that's not so much of a good look. Maybe if it sat a bit higher on my waist?

Ultimately, it was a good pattern! It was easy to put together, aside from little mistakes I made that the pattern can't be blamed for. I also wish it would lay a bit flatter on the front, but there may be something I can do about that. There are a few more slim skirt patterns that I think I'll try before I use it again... but definitely not a bad pattern. I do think I'll continue with a slimmer silhouette like this; up until now my skirts have always been fuller and loose.

Tonight, pizza. Tomorrow, the dress!

Jan. 20

Today was supposed to be my first day of school but it's a snow day! We got quite a bit yesterday and I believe we are supposed to get more today... which means I have all the way until Tuesday before I need to worry about school at all. Good good.

I seem to do my projects in phases.... In December I was crazy about needlework, then it was stamping and cards, and now all I want to do is sew. I want to start wearing more handmade items (with the goal of having enough to take part in Self-Stitched September this year) so I made a top, a skirt, and a dress. I make too many dresses. This must be fixed with more tops and a pair of pants as soon as I can wash the fabric for them.

Anyways, I'm going to divide them up into separate posts, so here is the top first.

I made it from Simplicity 4111, a Built by Wendy pattern. There was only one part of the instructions that didn't make sense, which was putting in the front placket. It seemed to have something backwards, so I just did it on my own. Next time I might omit the facing in the neckline... I can't decide if I don't like it being so much stiffer than the rest of the shirt or if I like the stiffness to keep the neckline from gaping, since it's pretty low. 

I really wanted to make it because I've never made a top that I wanted to wear, and also I need more plaid. I just love plaid, what can I say? I was worried that I would need to match it up but it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of difference. I'm not even sure how one would match it up to be honest. We'll save that for another day.

I made a review at Sewing Pattern Review and I also uploaded it to Burda Style.

Dec. 31

Source

So I suppose it's the time of year where one reflects on the last 365.25 days and tries to figure out what the next will be like. It has definitely been an ever-changing year for me, and I'm satisfied with it. That said, I hope next year offers a bit more stability.

I'm not going to make any resolutions because I kind of feel that they are silly, but I definitely have a lot to work on this year so hopefully I can motivate myself.

A friend of mine gave me some turkey thighs and a leg he didn't end up cooking, so I made it up the other day and this morning I made some noodles. I'm really excited about turkey noodle soup folks. It seems pretty cold out there so I don't know if it's worth it to go out and get some carrots.... I may improvise with some other veggies I have around.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to take my sewing machine in yet again to see what is wrong with it. I called a local place and he suggested that since I just got the belt replaced it might be too tight? I have been borrowing my mom's for the last couple weeks and it has been working fantastically... I was on it almost all day yesterday without any problems. I start it up today however, and it starts running really weirdly too! I really don't know what is going on with me and sewing machines. I seriously can't try to use them as my livelihood if they insist on not working constantly.

Since it's the holiday and all, here is my favorite version of Auld Lang Syne. I think I might curl up and watch An Affair To Remember tonight, as it's the only movie I have that has a NYE scene. A little champagne might be in order as well.

Dec. 4

Gee wiz, so it's already December folks! I've been a busy little girl this week... I had a big test on Thursday and I have a big Microbiology project due and a final on Monday, not to mention a couple other papers and stuff for Etsy. Whew! I've started to realize that I should have made more red dala horses and less in the other colors... I haven't sold any white ones yet at all! I think those ones are pretty.

I've also added a few new things to the shop, a favorite being Star Trek communication badges!

It feels good to have geeky things in the shop.

I'm going to work on some new ideas for the shop when I'm not doing schoolwork, so be sure to check it out!

Nov. 16

This is what my bed has looked like for the last three evenings or so...

A big ol' mess of ribbons, felt, and embroidery floss.

But look at the outcome! I'd say it's worth it, and I've been able to catch up on this season of Mythbusters while I embroider.

 

All to prepare myself for the craft show next weekend and hopefully some success in the shop!

In other news, my red dala horse ornament got to the front page of Etsy the other day! I'm super excited, especially since the season is just starting. Unfortunately it was up there at two in the morning and I didn't get any sales from it, but I got tons of favorites and views. Fingers crossed that I'll get in some more treasuries and get up there again before Christmas!

Nov. 12

Hey! Look what I've been up to!

 I made up a batch of these to hopefully sell at the craft fair later this month. They are meant to be little Russian dolls but I'm not sure how successful I was at that.

I've also been working on a sculpture in my ceramics class... I've never made anything like this but figurative sculpture is my teachers specialty and she gave us a few demos. It's amazing what kind of techniques can make something look realistic... I'm also making a head (that might turn into a bust?) and it looks so much better than any of the other one's I've made. Technique makes so much of a difference!

I've also become reacquainted with an author I read in high school named Mary Roach. She writes very entertaining science non-fiction books. I'm reading two at the moment, which may not be such a good idea because then I'll go through them and not have any more.

I also made lasagna tonight and quickly realized how silly of an idea it is to make a whole batch of lasagna when only one person will be eating it. Thank goodness for freezers?

Oct. 31

I said I would have something to show for this weekend and by golly I do. No, it isn't a finished garment, but it is a little group of adorable tapir pincushions! And I really made them a couple weeks ago, but I just now took pictures of them and put them on Etsy. That counts in my book! Two are happy and one is terribly sad. Poor fella.

And of course, I've been collecting more recipes! I fully intend to make my own french toast bagels with this recipe (though I'm putting some cinnamon chips in mine) once my package is all eaten which is a whole new ballgame for me. I also have a recipe for honey wheat sandwich bread that I'm going to try out once I finish my loaf. I'll definitely document the bagels, we'll see about the other.

Oct. 25

With my attempt to be a successful seamstress I've been thinking a lot about my decision at the moment to abandon a traditional college degree in favor of simply taking classes to educate myself about topics that can be useful to me. Learning how to sew as a trade to support oneself seems to be rare among people my age, and when talking about this with others I've felt that I needed to explain myself as to why I'm not on a path to get a degree like everyone else.

I'm definitely of the opinion that education is one of the most important things a person can do for themselves and I always thought that I would want to go to college for as long as possible, grad school and all. Now that I'm a little older (and I have a roommate in grad school) I can't think of much I'd rather not do with the next few years of my life. I guess now I just don't equate education with a degree as much as I used to.

I just read an interview with Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs about this, and there was definitely a quote or two that resonated with me.

"There is nothing wrong with working in an office. There is nothing wrong with getting a college degree. The flaw in our character is our insistence on separating blue-collar jobs from white-collar jobs, and encouraging one form of education over another. Why do we value one above the other, when our future depends upon both? That’s our blind spot." - Mike Rowe

Oct. 24

The Screenland Armour location when it was brand new.

There are these wonderful places in Kansas City called Screenland Theaters. I can't find any kind of summary of who owns the business or why it was started, but leave it to say that someone has renovated old theaters around KC and it's a very good thing. Before this week I had only been to one location downtown that plays almost entirely films that aren't playing anywhere else in the city (it is where I saw Best Worst Movie and The Animation Show). Horror Remix this month though, was at the Armour location in North KC, then yesterday my roommate and I saw another show there which is the main reason why I'm writing about this at all.

Three years ago I missed a showing of a Sound of Music sing-a-long and since then I have wished they would have another one, and sure enough, this weekend they did. I was so happy to see it on the big screen! Whenever there was singing lyrics would show up on the screen and everyone (mostly adults mind you) would sing along without abandon... "The Lonely Goatherd" was especially entertaining! It was a very relaxed show and there was almost constant interaction from the crowd... hissing whenever the baroness would come on screen and waving flashlights around during the Nazi scenes at the abbey.

Good times.

In non-film news, my mom, grandma, and I went to a little town in central Kansas today called Lindsborg which has capitalized itself a bit on being a "little Sweden" kind of place. I made adorable little gift tags and a couple phone calls beforehand and set up a consignment deal with a shop called Anderson Butik with some of my dala horse ornaments. This is the first time I've done anything like that and I'm really excited and I hope they sell. I'm going to try and get some in a bed and breakfast down there as well.

I haven't made any progress on the skirt other than trying a few different ways to sew in elastic (how is this possible people? I'm having a mess of a time with it) and ripping out tons of zig zags. I may have to cut out a new liner and start anew, possibly with just a straight up gather and a zipper -- sans elastic.

Oct. 22

I took a microbiology test on Thursday... it's always good to get those kinds of things out of the way; now I can enjoy my weekend without worrying about it. To start off with, my roommate and I went downtown this afternoon and finally tried out a new frozen yogurt place called Spoons. Delicious. The closest thing we have to a Red Mango around here... nice tart yogurt with fruit as the only topping. There was a snickerdoodle flavor as well which we almost got... cinnamon ice cream makes me weak! I'll definitely have to go back for some of that.

I've started a skirt today as well in my first attempt to make a pattern from draping on my dress form, first time doing pockets, first uneven hem, and first partial elastic waist. What am I thinking? So far I have the entire outside layer done with the pockets so I need to work on that hem and figuring out how to put in the lining/elastic. I think with the other half of the fabric I'll just give it a zipper and not worry about the elastic, it's cutting it close with being able to pull it on as it is and I don't have any extra fabric to spare. I guess that's what I get for trying to make two skirts out of less than a yard and a half of fabric.

It is raining in Lawrence tonight and I can't wait to go to bed.

Photo by deadst4r

Oct. 16

It would seem as if I've been doing stuff since I posted last... I had my first sale (the blue pinstripe dress from this post) which is pretty exciting. I also made a couple new skirts that I posted up on my shop earlier today.

 

 It's kind of exciting to be able to sell things that I make.

The other day I was such a homemaker... I baked pumpkin applesauce muffins, and tried three new recipes! The first was guacamole because we had an extra avocado, and that turned out great on top of some black re-fried beans... yum. I'm not much of a chip person so we don't have any in the apartment, so I baked my own lime tortilla chips with some corn tortillas I had which were great too. I may need to bake them a bit longer next time though.

Then I made some breaded ravioli from some frozen ones I bought at Costco. Breaded ravioli is one of my favorite things and I'm excited to know how to make it now. I may post the recipe here soon.