Bouncing Back

After that horrible shirt, I knew I needed to make something foolproof. But what? I'm really getting thrown by this change in seasons. It seems like 90% of my fabric is summery, and 5% is corduroy. Rummaging in the remaining 5% turned up a twill print I bought at the end of the season last year. That'll work! And just to make sure I'd have no problems, I turned to my favorite, New Look 6843.

Because it's a skirt for the winter, I added four inches to the length, but I'm not entirely happy with it. It could be that I'm still thinking of summery stuff, though, so I'm not going to make any changes just yet.

I used my trusty backwards method of attaching the waistband: pin it on, flip it up, fold it over, sew!

Paisley Nightmare

I really didn't want to defile my blog with this ugliness, but since you asked, I dug it out of the trash can and snapped a picture:

I don't think there was any hope, even if I had finished the sleeves, put in the hem, and made it out of completely different fabric. Well...let's see how the sleeves would look:

Nah. I don't think so.

Lowbrow Reading

I'm almost ashamed to admit to what I've been reading lately, but in the interest of full disclosure:

Sisters by Danielle Steel--Yes, I read another one, and I don't even have the excuse of having never read one before. Just a bit of fluff about four sisters, who (of course) all have fabulous jobs and perfect lives until ---dun dun dun--- tragedy strikes. Not bad for what it is.

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier--One of my favorite library patrons was talking about how much she enjoyed this book, so I gave it a read. I felt like maybe I'd read it before, but it could be that I've seen the movie. Liked it!

Evan Can Wait by Rhys Bowen--Just the next in the Evan Evans series.

Trouble by Jesse Kellerman--My husband read this first and thought I might like it. It's a suspenseful novel involving a stalker. Maybe a little hardcore for me.

Play Dirty by Sandra Brown--My excuse? I'd never read anything by Sandra Brown! Doesn't she have the reputation of writing racy books? It wasn't all that racy, and I actually enjoyed it. Oddly enough (or maybe not so oddly), it didn't get good reviews on Amazon. Fans expecting her usual style?

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer--I read this a while back, but I don't think I ever posted about it. I felt like I HAD TO read it, considering how popular it's become. Unfortunately, I wasn't wild about it. It was okay, and I can see the appeal to teens, but...eh.

Cutting My Losses

I am so mad right now, because I feel like I wasted my whole day. Okay, I didn't waste the entire day. I did some laundry, got our suitcases put away, and generally tidied up around the house. But then I felt like I should sew something.

That says it all. I should sew something. I haven't made anything since before we went on vacation, so it seemed like I should get back to it. Only we're between the seasons. And I wasn't in the mood. And I'm wearing a new retainer that's making my teeth hurt and making me cranky.

So is it any surprise that things didn't go well? I had this pattern that looked like it might have some potential--a McCall's "Show Me" pattern from the late seventies/early eighties. This is what reeled me in, a line drawing from the instructions:

It kind of reminded me of that Built By Wendy top. Sleeves puffed with elastic, no separate sleeve pieces, gathered neckline. Well, thank goodness I didn't use fabric I liked, because this thing looks like a cross between a potato sack and a scrub top. Even though I made it a size smaller than the envelope said I should, it is so incredibly voluminous that (get this) it actually looks better tucked in. Considering it's been a good two decades since I wore a shirt tucked in, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that this pattern looks better that way. I have no intention of tucking a shirt in ever again, however, so I bailed on this top before I even finished it. Blech.

Field Testing

I first heard about Saltwater sandals back in February, at the McMaster and Storm website. I decided I had to have a pair, despite the fact that they were being targeted as perhaps "the ugly shoe of spring 2008," in a class with --gulp-- Crocs.

Well, ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and I'll take these over Crocs any day. They're simple, sturdy, inexpensive, they come in many colors, and they're made in the USA. What's not to like? And what they say is true: You really can wear them into the ocean without destroying them!

So will they become the next Crocs? I don't know. Apparently they've been spotted on many celebrity kids, and they're certainly popular with bloggers, but I haven't seen anyone wearing them in real life yet. What do you think? Would you wear them?

I'm Back!

Quickly popping "In-N-Out" to say hello! Just got back from vacation and have lots to do to get back on track.

Sew Thrifty

Don't worry--this wasn't all from one trip! These are just some of my sewing related thrift shop finds from the past few weeks. I don't even know how to use that "fashion ruler" thing! Maybe I should look it up in my circa 1979 Simplicity Sewing Book.

Do you like my trim? That set me back a whopping 25 cents for a yard and a quarter. The fabric behind it was $1.75 for a yard. (I would have paid much more--I love it.)

And of course I never pass up bias tape!

Hi, Mom!

Want to meet my mom? I'm always talking about her, so it's only fitting that I introduce you. This is mom, also known as Grannie Annie. She's going to die when she finds out she's on the internet. Shh, don't tell. Grannie Annie makes doll clothes. Someday I'll show you some of her stuff.

Another Blog I Like

Next in my series of Blogs I Like, it's Kidding Around! I came upon Carol's blog right around the time she was collecting toys for her sister to take to kids in China. The pictures and the writing were so engaging, I went all the way back to the beginning and read every entry! She isn't posting as often right now, but it's still worth a look. Some highpoints include her younger daughter modeling outfits mom's made, her older daughter's school project video about Batavia (actually on her husband's blog, but close enough), and the toys for China entries.

I think what I really like about this blog is that they seem like a very loving, creative, yet normal, family. The parents do cool things with the kids, but every minute is not a scheduled learning experience! I like this blog. It makes me feel good.

King Size

About a year ago, my mom gave me a sheet she bought at Goodwill. "I thought it was fabric," she said. O....kay. Now I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of using sheets to make myself clothing. I can never forget it was a sheet, and I'm always worried someone will think I'm weird for wearing bed linens or get sleepy when they look at me or something. But for pajamas? They're perfect! Pajamas take a lot of fabric, but my KING size, made in USA, no-iron percale sheet was more than big enough.

At first I was only going to make pants. All summer long, I'd been thinking about making a few pairs of light, flowy pants. With that in mind, I bought Simplicity 7092, but I was hesitant to cut a pair out of "good" fabric, so these pj pants would serve as my muslin. Once I finished the pants, I decided I wanted to make a matching top, so I'd have an actual pair of pajamas. I think I must be having some sort of longing for the Fifties--first the apron and now a set of pajamas. For the top I chose Simplicity 3571. I liked that there was no separate collar to mess around with, not even realizing there are no separate sleeves to mess around with either!

I really liked both patterns. The pants pattern has the combination elastic/drawstring waist which is great. The pants also have a lower rise than pajama pants usually do, which is more flattering. I know, I know, they're just pajamas, but if I ever want to make actual pants, I like the pattern for that too. The top is, in my opinion, just about perfect. It's easy to sew, but still looks like a classic pajama top. Wait until my mom sees what I made out of her sheet! Should I make a robe out of a blanket now?

Oh, I almost forgot...

Scrap Experiment

Remember the piece of fabric with the iron-on vinyl that I cut to the wrong size? I finally got around to trying my hand at sewing it into a little cosmetic pouch! The basic idea of sewing a zippered pouch didn't seem too difficult, but I ran across this tutorial for a zippered pouch with a lining, and a lining seemed like a good idea, so those are the instructions I used.

Oooh, I like the lining! It gives it a really finished look. Sewing on the vinyl was fine, but turning the bag right side out left it all scrunched up and mangled looking. Luckily, the peel-off backing from the vinyl was still in my trashcan, so I laid that on top and ironed it.

Does anyone else think Norwegian Hand Formula is the best hand lotion in the world? No matter what else I try, I like it best.

Seeing Spots

Weeks ago, my mom told me a friend of hers wants one of those clothespin bags shaped like a little dress. She brought it up again today, so I took that as a hint and got to work!

A Google search turned up two leads for patterns: one for sale at Clotilde.com and these directions derived from an old magazine by Kay P. Being the cheapskate I am, I opted to use the online directions, even though they weren't all that clear.

The bright pink dotty spotty fabric looked like a good candidate for this project. It's a little heavier, but not at all stiff. Tell me this, though: Why do I have four and a half yards of this fabric? What on earth was I planning to do with it? Anyway, once I decided on the pink, I went digging in my scrap pile for black and pulled out, guess what, a skirt!

Somewhere along the line, I'd removed the zipper for another project, so I just sewed the back seam shut and centered the piece for the main body of the bag along that seam. You can just barely see the hem tape near the top of this picture (and Isabella's rear end).

I have no idea if I put this together the way they intended. Well, I'm almost sure I didn't, because the sleeves and shoulders looked completely wrong at first, and I ended up redoing them. But it came out just the way I wanted, so I'm happy.

Now here's the funny part: I thought I'd post a tutorial with more explanations and pictures, but in a few places I ended up scrapping the directions and doing it my own way. So do I still post it or not?

Sunny Day

I've been plugging along on a sewing project this week, but I haven't had a lot of time, so it STILL isn't finished! In the meantime, I'd like to show you something.

This is my favorite washbasket. It's lost one of its handles, and the bottom is getting thinner and weaker. I can't remember exactly where I bought this basket, but I know I paid five dollars, which seemed like a lot, but I was sold on the "Made in Hungary" stamp on the bottom.

I know someday the bottom will fall out completely, but even then I'll keep it. It will look nice on top of an armoire or hanging from a beam in the corner of my living room.

But for now, it's still in use. As I was taking clothes off the line, I realized there was a pretty good representation of myself forming. There's a vintage pink slip (I like buying secondhand), a workout shirt (we go to the gym 4x/week), a skirt (love wearing skirts), a towel I bought in Ireland printed with laundry motifs (my favorite household task and my favorite place to visit), and a piece of fabric from my mom (love sewing and MOM!). There ya have it--my life in a basket!

Cheap and Cheerful

I've been pretty good at resisting useless stuff at the thrift shop lately, but a couple of things wore down my resistance. The wooden plate on the left is from Poland. Isn't it wonderful? I collect cheerful wooden things from Eastern European countries, so I had to have that! Three dollars. And then the tile. It's a Xenia Taler tile, which meant nothing to me at the store, but I thought it was too cute to pass up for two dollars, so that came home with me too!

More Apron Stuff

Who knew? That apron pattern I used? It's in print! It has a different number (4987), and the envelope has been updated, but the pattern is the same!

I think the next apron I make is going to be more of a lunch lady smock. Something like view C of Simplicity 4282, view A of Butterick 4945, or heck, one of the smockier ones in the pattern I already have! I don't know why, but they speak to me more than the fancy, ruffled retro styles.

Oh, yes, I also forgot to credit my helper. Never saw her do THAT before, huh?

And to mention how pinning the bodice pieces together is an awful lot like pinning the straps of a Tokyo Tie Bag. Isn't it amazing how it all comes together?

I realized I have made an apron once before. I used Simplicity 3752 to make a strawberry apron for a friend of mine. Now that one is a little tricky!

Lucky for me I used a very busy print, which his all the mistakes!

Watch Out, Mrs. Cleaver

After spending a good hour looking through my shelves of fabrics and trying to decide what to make next, I decided to take a different approach. Tucked away in a corner of the garage is a giant tote filled with fabrics from my mom. She's always culling her stash and giving me bags of discards. Usually these are fabrics that aren't exactly my taste, but some seem like they'd be good for something (a lining? grocery bags?) so I hang onto them. Others I pass along to a friend at work or donate to one of the thrifts.

So out I went. Uh oh. Gerry stacked all sorts of stuff on my tote! I moved a box, a trash bag full of corduroy (forgot I even had that), and a TIRE, and finally uncovered my garage stash. I was kind of thinking of making a nightgown or pajama pants, so I pulled out a few prints that looked good. By the time I'd walked inside with my finds? I knew what I wanted to make: an apron.

Aprons have really been making a comeback, and there are tons of new patterns out there, but I pulled an older one out of the files: Simplicity 7052. I like this pattern because they're straightforward, classic apron designs that don't take a ton of fabric.

I decided to make the bib apron on the lower right. It looks like something I should wear out at the clothesline, right? One thing about making aprons--it's FUN! I can see now why so many people are making aprons lately. You can use nutty fabrics, load on the trims, whatever strikes your fancy. Mine, alas, is devoid of trim. Nothing I had on hand looked right, and I wanted it to be a "something from nothing" project. Besides, that fabric is busy enough!

Look at that bow! I feel like Mrs. Cleaver! I'll need a pointy bra, though, if I'm going to give Mrs. C. a run for her money!

Kidston Envy

We keep this little stool next to the bathtub to hold shampoo bottles and razors and stuff, and, lately, it's been looking a little more decrepit than distressed. I cleared it off and sat thinking about it. Should I paint it? Put a tray on top of it? A doily? A folded linen towel? Finally, I realized what I really wanted: oilcloth.

Yvonne at The Yvestown Blog is always covering things with oilcloth. Cath Kidston oilcloth. (Pardon me while I swoon.) I told myself, "Go online and buy yourself some Cath Kidston oilcloth. It won't take that much, and it'll make you so happy." Okay, except buying Cath Kiston oilcloth in the US is practically impossible. And even if I was willing to pay to have it shipped from the UK, all the patterns I liked were out of stock. (Probably a good thing, as I see now how much postage would have cost!)

So I checked ReproDepot's selection of oilcloth. Much more reasonable, but no patterns that would work for this project. Checked Etsy. Nope. Googled it. Nope. It was starting to look like I could just forget about this idea. Maybe I'd just cover it with fabric and resign myself to replacing it every few months.

But wait! What about iron on vinyl? Yes! I dragged Gerry to the fabric store with me on Monday to see if they had it. No one who worked there had ever heard of it, but I kept looking and finally found it with the packaged Heat 'n Bond. It was even on sale! Then I picked out a Kidston-esque fabric and some white upholstery tacks (also half price, whee!).

The iron on vinyl worked great! I was a little wary of it, thinking it might be a mess, but it was easy to position and fused to the fabric well. My one complaint is with the grid on the vinyl's paper backing. I assumed they were one inch squares, and they weren't, so I wound up cutting a too-small piece of vinyl. Ooops. The resulting laminated fabric isn't as thick as oilcloth, but it's fine for something like this. Maybe I'll use the other piece to make a little cosmetic bag or something, and then I'll let you know how it works in sewn projects.

And here it is back in its spot next to the tub!

The Scarf That Took No Time At All

Red is my favorite color, so this top caught my eye, peeking out of the thrift shop's fifty cent bin. As it turns out, it doesn't fit, but even if it had, it's a little junior department for me. One thing you can't see in the first picture is the cut out on the back. Yep, definitely not something I'd be wearing to the library!

Over on Wardrobe Refashion, I asked for advice to see what others would do with it. A few of the comments suggested changing the sleeves, but if there's anything I can't wear, it's flutter sleeves! One observant commenter pointed out something else that bothered me about the top: the uneven line of the fabric's design right under the seam. I knew there was no way I could live with that, so there went any hope of keeping the bodice intact. Chop chop chop, and I have a rectangle. (And four nice red buttons salvaged from the bodice.)

At this point, I played around with some ideas for adding ribbon straps or incorporating the fabric into another garment somehow, but I finally came to the conclusion that I would never have the occasion to wear such a creation--too much pattern and too much silky polyester. I also feared it would end up looking too crafy or "happy hands at home" as Tim Gunn says. So, I went with what was actually Plan A all along and made a scarf!

One seam, turn it inside out, et voilà. (First time I tried to type an accent mark. Is that going to show up?)