Marley & Me *

I had to post about a book I just finished reading . "Marley & Me" by John Grogan. What a fantastic story. (true story). It was one of those stories that you instantly fall in love with the main character, in this case Marley, the dog, and what a dog he is. (The family is not too bad either :) The story makes you laugh, out loud laugh and cry....tears rolling down your face cry... It's such a heartwarming story! What is so amazing is that John and Jenny kept Marley and accepted and loved him as he was! I imagine not many could handle a dog like Marley. As you can tell I really enjoyed this story. If you love dogs (or not :) you have to read this book. Marley is a bad dog that you end up loving and almost wishing you had one just like him. And really he's not all that bad.....just a little "attention-deficit, hyperactive, nutty dog, but he had a pure heart and an incredible gift of canine-human empathy". Authors own words :)

How nice that there will be a "Marley & Me" movie - which is scheduled for a Christmas day 2008 release. I'm actually excited and anxious to see it. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston will play the couple who owns Marley, John & Jenny Grogan. There is even a "Marley & Me" Blog

Pictures are from the "Marley & Me" blog.

I'm Still Here

I wish I had something more exciting to write about but I'm just not having much time to sew or blog. Just so busy .....plain and simple. Hopefully I will have something to post after this week end. Happy Sewing to everyone!

Vogue Dresses * My Favorites *

• I absolutely * love * this dress.......... Vogue 1048 also.........Vogue 8493 . They are both beautiful styles.

Matching Up Lines!

I just thought I'd post a short update on my Jacket. (V8043) I am moving foward - ever so slowly - but still moving foward. I took great care cutting out the pieces so they would match when sewn together and it was well worth the time and effort as all the lines are matching up nicely, all except the armsyce princess seam ones :{ Thank you AnnR for confirming that some things will just have to be :) and this is one of them. Due to the curve it's just not going to happen. The pockets are basted on and ready for sewing. I'm making the "faux" welt pockets. The fabric is somewhat bulky and I didn't want to add any more bulk. (I still have to add the upper pocket - well the welt.) I'm really hoping to have this jacket done by the week-end so I can start on summer garments. I recieved my fabric from Julie today and I love the white/blue print. It's a Cotton poplin with some stretch (3%lycra). The White Stretch Denim Shantung has 5% stretch. They will make comfy top and pants.

Pictures uploaded from Timmel Fabrics .

I also received a railroad striped cotton, but I'll have to take a picture and post. It's also a very nice cotton.

Neue Mode Patterns * Part 2 *

I received my order today :) I am very pleased with the patterns. However.... The only one that was out of stock was the one I really wanted - 22471. I'll just keep checking to see if they will get more.

Briefly browsing thru the patterns I noticed that the instuctions are booklet style, approx 7 1/2" by 5". My initial thought was -WOW- this is great, no huge pages, very convenient. I'll see if that is how I feel once I start sewing them up. Hopefully there is enough information on these smaller sheets - but I'm really not too concerned. They all seem quite straight foward.

For the interfacing, for all the patterns that require it, they do use a specific brand that I have never heard of. It is "Vilene" interfacing. Has any one used this interfacing and what brand is it comparable to? (It is a sew in interfacing).

(When I finish my blog posting, if there's time, I'll do a little surfing to see if I can find answers too :)

Also there are letters beside the pattern number. Does anyone know what they stand for

S -M -V. (you can see on picture above).

I'm very anxious to get started on some of these patterns, but first I must finish my Jacket,V8043.

Progress is slow but I'm hoping to have it done this week.

Neue Mode Patterns

I have been looking at purchasing - on and off -Neue Mode Patterns. I would print out the patterns cover picture that I liked and put them up on my inspirational board. Today I finally decided to actually buy some. A sort of a little pick me up for the past couple of bad weeks. I found several sites that sell them, but the best I found was Mynotions*com. They also have a sale on patterns - for $1.00 . So - yes I did indulge and buy - allot - I have never used these patterns but they appear to be like Burda?? If anyone has used them I would appreciate your input on how they are compared to other pattern companies. I did check out Pattern Review and there are not many reviews. I hope I don't regret my purchase. Here are some of the patterns I bought. I like them all but I really like the 22471 dress.

These pictures are all taken from Mynotions*com site. .....and I do have a few more on my Flicker album that I purchased. I had so much fun shoppping! They are all such nice styles. I'm so anxious to get this parcel in the mail :)

Where has the time gone????

I can not believe it has been almost a month since I last blogged.

My husband and I took turns getting the cold that was going around - and it was such a nasty one. It seemed to take every bit of energy I had. I still am not my 100% well self, but feel so much better than the past few weeks. Plus throw in a little family matter.....plus a very very busy time at work - with not being able to take time off - and well there it is - a whole month has gone by. Winter like this cold is just hanging on and just doesn't want to go. I'm really ready for some sunshine and warmth :)

It's time to see this.............. ..No more of this * even if it is beautiful *

Images - Moments in Time

Pictures are from my home town web site.

These pictures are taken at my in laws house. They live in the same province, but 4 hrs away! They have gotten way too much snow!

Images - Moments in Time

I am so happy I am feeling better. I plan on getting back to work on my Vogue 8043 Jacket that I started, weeeeeks ago. It is all cut out and just waiting to be put together. It always seems that all is right when "something" with sewing is being done.

I did buy some fabric from Julie.(Timmel Fabrics). One of the fabrics is a Jersey knit - turquoise colour. It is such a beautiful colour and I plan on making a Jalie sweetheart top with it. I never wear red but when I saw this fabric, I loved the embroidery design and thought it would make such a cute sleeveless shirt.....maybe this one? View B or this one? Something simple in design but nice. The fabric is a nice light weight cotton and might also make a comfy summer pj?

Have a wonderful Easter!

How Cute are These Pin Cushions? :)

These are my latest ebay purchases....This one is a Pin Cushion..... just toooooo cute....

And then this one is a Pin Cushion - Sewing Box. The top opens up.......

From Els's house - to Ann's house :)

I received my ham holder from Els today.

Els mailed it on Feb 9th from The Netherlands and I received it today...in New Brunswick....that is very fast....and I was so very pleased to receive it. I have been looking for a ham holder for quite sometime, and had asked if anyone knew where I could possibly find one, since "nobody" anywhere sells these any more? Els kindly offered to sell me hers since she hardly used it. I just love it and I know I will enjoy using it. Thank You so much again Els.

*Note* For those who have not yet read Els post on her blog about "Presssing Equipment-Part 1 & 2", be sure to read them, they are full of great information - I really enjoyed reading them.

I have pretty much all the - fabric -lining - interfacing cut out for my Jacket * V8043 (View B). Seems like I am only getting in 30 minute sewing sessions these days ....so it's taking so long to actually see any progress.... not only was there allot to cut but I chose fabric that needed to be matched up. Now putting it together begins :)

Last week I also received my Jalie 2794 Sweetheart Top Pattern from Julie. I am really anxious to make this top. I love the style. Now I need to find some really nice knit fabric.

Vogue Jacket # 8043

I've been fitting my muslin for Vogue Jacket # 8043 - View B . I had to take it in at the front/back princess seams, side seams and took up the sleeve shoulder seam. I am very happy with the final results- however I see that I should have just made a size smaller and it would have probably been close to a perfect fit . I'll do a final measuring/comparing with the smaller size and then be ready to start my jacket :) (I'll post pictures next entry)

My Fitness * Jogging Chart *

I run pretty much every day so I thought keeping track of the distance I actually run might be fun to do. (Starting date today) I am now running inside, because it has been rather cold out lately, but when the nice weather returns I'll be running outside - even though the inside track is top of the line - it's so much nicer running outdoors. I've put 100 km on the "ticker" but will change it as I go beyond that distance..... (This little "ticker will be displayed at the bottom of my blog page)

Lost - Is Back - Yay!

We are "Lost" fans in this house and we are sooooooooo happy it's back - a 2 hour Premiere tonight :)

Picture from www.tv.com http://image.com.com/tv/images/processed/super/52/e1/174361.jpg

Re-Thinking Pattern Drafting

Patternmaking for Fashion Design. - Helen Joseph-Armstrong (4th Edition)

Designing Apparel Through the Flat Pattern - Ernestein Kopp, Vittorine Rolfo, Beatrice Zelin, Lee Gross (6th Edition)

Metric Pattern Cutting - Winifred Aldrich

Dress Pattern Designing- Natalie Bray (5th Edition)

Make Your Own Patterns - Rene Bergh

I've been thinking lately I'd like to re-visit Pattern Drafting. (Maybe because I'm having a drafting/cutting table made :) (Not Pattern Drafting using a software program.)

A couple of years ago I took a Pattern Drafting Course - Intro to Fashion, at my local college. It's part of a Fashion Design program. I haven't really touched pattern drafting I believe since I finished that course. I've done the odd pattern alteration,but not drafting. I learned so much from this course. Pattern drafting can be lots of fun, and as I found out it was not as hard as I first imagined. Mind you I can say that "now" after someone "showed" me how to do it. ( I made a doll size sample of a skirt pattern I drafted for myself). I found it so much better to learn hands on, than to try and figure it out from a book. Now when I use these books I find it easier to follow. The books posted above were very helpful during this cousre. My favorites were "Patternmaking for Fashion Design" and "Designing Apparel through the Flat Pattern". The "Metric Pattern Cutting" book was also an excellent reference. These are all great books to have in your sewing library.

I've been asked by different people in the past if I'd make them an outfit for a special occasion. At this point I don't feel confident enough to take up a request like that, and I normally don't have that kind of time to put into such a project. There are so many wonderful patterns out there and I love having them in my "collection" - but to be able to draft your own pattern feels like a great accomplishment. However - it is so much more time consumimg, and when reality sets in, it's easier to just take a commercial pattern and work with it. Which is what I've been doing. So I'm going to re-visit my notebooks, work on and improve the skills I've learned. In between making garments with my bought patterns, I'll work on drafting my own patterns too. When there is no time line for a garment it's such a pleasure working on it, and everything seems to go along just fine. That's just how I'll approach pattern drafting :)

Teal Silk Doupioni Top - Vogue 8391

I made View A because I just love the neckline style.

The colour is close but I just cannot get it right with my camera.It looks more vibrant like this picture.

Silk Baron

My inspiration for this top was Kathryn's top.

View A - is sleevless and I wanted 3/4 length sleeves - View C.

So I made the appropriate changes to the front/back pattern pieces to accomodate the sleeves.

As previously reported on Stitchers Guild I knew there was going to be issues with the fit of the armhole. I made my muslin with no alterations, other than the changes for the sleeves, as I wanted to see exactly how it would fit. Sure enough , it was quite tight. However the rest of the top fit just fine.

This is a very fitted top and the armhole is high.This style has practically no "ease" at the armhole, and it was definetly pulling -enough to say it was uncomfortable. I made adjustments on my muslin, till the fit was right. It took allot of fiddling -- it's still a fitted top, but it doesn't feel snug under the arms anymore.

I then transferred these adjustments to my pattern pieces.

The adjustments were:

4 added to the armhole on the front and back pattern pieces

4lowered the armhole depth and

4 adjusted the sleeve cap.

I made another muslin, just to be sure and the fit felt perfect.

I was really happy that my adjustments ended up being quite minor and not too difficult. The fabric is a very vibrant teal colour and I could not find serger thread to match "perfectly",

so I finished the seams by folding each seam allowance toward the seam, refolding it to one side and machine blanket stitching.

I embroidered a design on the front - this fabric embroiders really well.

I only lined the front pieces that I embroidered. I pondered doing it this way for quite some time. The fabric is fairly light but it feels nice as is. I knew I'd wear it with a camisole too, so I really didn't want to line the whole top.

To make the lining I simply made a lining pattern from the origianl front pattern piece, removing the facing and adding a 5/8" seam allowance. I used silk charmeuse for the lining.

When I attached the facing/lining I also sewed in clear elastic in the front neckline.

The only thing that holds this top closed are the ties, and that is really not enough to feel secure. I added snap fasteners along the front panel. I don't know how you could wear this top without doing this :)

I down sized the ties - length and width - and I tie them in the back.

The overall construction of this top was very easy. The silk doupioni was great to work with.

I believe I can call this a TNT pattern :)

All Work....and no Play

I'm back to work and just too tired to sew much....But I have managed to do some work on a top...Vogue 8391. I hope to have it done this week end. Will post when complete.

It's a Blustery last day of 2007

Images - Moments in Time

Bill and Duncan shovelling the back deck......while Bradley supervised :) - till Duncan accidently shovelled snow on him - then he came running over to me - he didn't like that at all :)

This was just at the beginning of the snow fall, they had to go out 2 more times during the day.

Vogue 8151 Top

Vogue 8151 Top Originally uploaded by Ann's Fashion Studio

Another Vogue 8151. As you can see, I really like this pattern. I used a very very light print knit and lined it with a brown knit. I left the sleeves unlined. I used Sarah Veblen's method, my favorite, for the neck band and it turned out great.

A very comfortable top.

Quick Projects

Small projects completed. Bill's PJ bottoms were fun to make. It is a very easy pattern, Mcall's 3019, but it's the Fabric Print that I love, cute little penguins snowboarding and skiing :)

The Wine Bottle Gift Bag is also a fun and quick project.

Merry Christmas

I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Picture of Bradley - taken by Dale *( Dale's Happy Tails - Pet Grooming)

It's starting to feel allot like Christmas........

Images - Moments in Time

{- Making a path to Bill's "Barn" in Blackland's New Brunswick. The picture on the left was taken in 2005.

The one on the right was taken just this month.

Blacklands is where my husband's parents live and this beautiful winter scene is part of our /their property there.

Harmon & Irene's Throw - Label

Harmon Throw - Label Originally uploaded by Ann's Fashion Studio

These are the labels I made. The Throws were bought. I customized the designs. The designs were machine embroidered on the same type of Fabric as the throws.

I then sewed the labels to the wrong side of the Throw.

I was able to match the Throw's fabric. Both are a very soft chenille type fabric and it is quite heavy, so these Throws will be nice and cozy :)

I also thought the fabric would be great for a Jacket :)