My B-Day!

I had such a beautiful Birthday today!

Thank you all for making it such a very special day!

I truly have the most wonderful family!

Two New to me Sites!

1st site

Polyvore

Gray by Ann's Fashion Studio
 click on picture

My sister in law shared this site with me and I must say it is pretty awesome.
Thank you Stephanie! 

 Making up collections and sets is truly way too much

 fun and very addictive! 

Set up an account and start playing :)

~ Be prepared to spend some time here ~ 

2nd site

Seamingly.com

Ann's Fashion Studio

Find Ann's Fashion Studio and get more Home Sewing at Seamingly.com.

This is a great site to find so many more sewing related websites and blogs!

~ 

** Susan Khalje's  "The Bridal Couture CD" is now available 
to Pre order  :)))

 Picture from Susan Khalje Couture  site

Enjoy!

My Little Red Dress - Finished

Neue Mode 22471

Pattern Description:  
Dress, two lengths, princess seams, sleeveless, invisible zipper, fully lined.

Pattern Sizing:  
36-46 (10-20)  This is my first  Neue Mode pattern I've used so I'm not sure of  their sizing .

There is only a bust measurement chart to go by so I started with the 36 but had to take it in over 2". It did take some fiddling around before I got the perfect fit, but  I believe had I started with the proper size the fiddling would not have been necessary.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done ?  
It looks exactly like the picture on the pattern.

Were the instructions easy to follow? 
This pattern is similar to the Burda  magazine patterns where you have to add your seam allowances.
The instructions/illustrations are clear and well written. I did  read through them but didn't have to follow them.


 

It is a very easy simple style to make. It doesn't have complicated techniques.(However you should know how to insert an invisible zipper, the instructions are pretty meager, or have your favorite reference available) edited to add: When I was cleaning up after making this dress I briefly went over the instructions and realized they are for a regular zipper, not invisible. I prefer the look of an invisible zipper, so had I  followed or actually thoroughly read the instructions I would still have opted for the invisible zipper.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? 
I 'love" the neckline. No dislikes.

Fabric Used:  
Satin back Crepe - from Fabricville.
I can't say I enjoyed sewing with this satin back crepe. 
I had to lower the tension a significant amount on my sewing machine and my serger did not like this fabric much either, especially around the curves! 
It is also very hard to photograph this color...or maybe it's  my lack of 
photography skills / camera  knowledge ~ ) I'll work on that :)


Lining - Bemberg

Pro-Weft Interfacing - from  Sew Exciting Fashion Sewing Supply 

also known as Pam Off the Cuff.   This is the best interfacing I've used!

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: 
I didn't make any design changes. I did take it in.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? 
I definitely recommend this pattern.  I have a black crepe (not satin back) version already started. I just have to make the lining. I've never owned a LBD, I figured this would be a perfect pattern.

Conclusion:
I love this dress. It is comfortable. It is a very easy simple style to sew.  Even though it took me a long time to finish it,  it wasn't because the pattern was complicated, it was purely  time issues.

 I will post  pictures of me wearing the dress ~ as soon as  I find red shoes.


 

Back Yard Visitors !

These friendly visitors showed up in our back yard around
supper time.

They dined at our bird feeders

and then promptly waddled off to our little pond.....

......where they appear to be spending the night.

They brought some sunshine to a dreary ~ cold ~ rainy ~ day.

* Shoes of Prey *

 Picture from Shoes of Prey site.

Kimberlee posted about  this site ~ Shoes of Prey ~ on her blog.

Thank you Kimberlee :)

You  * design * your own shoes and purchase them!

"You choose the heel, toe, fabric, colour and embellishments"

This site is awesome!

Checking In

I definitely  did not plan on being away from my sewing for this long.....but life ~ work happens...

 My little red dress hangs on my dress form just waiting to be finished. 

 When I do find that extra energy , I  have every intention of finishing this beautiful dress.

It seems at this point that I just cannot  fit both work and sewing in...... and that's OK,  I know that all will come around - in due time .

I envy admire those that can :) and for now I am totally happy  reading about  what everyone is creating.

My Little Red Dress ~ Neue Mode ~ 22471

........it's not done yet...but almost....... 
It's that work thing getting in the way again...

I started  Neue Mode 22471 dress, in December, and was so hoping to have it done for Christmas, but unfortunately that just never happened. I'm hoping to have it done this week~end, so I hope to have pictures up soon.  I'm making the "A", the shorter version.

In April 08 I had placed an order for quite a few  Neue Mode patterns, from SewingPatterns.com, including this 22471 pattern. When I received my order, it was missing and they couldn't supply it anymore, at that time. 

I kept looking. It was now almost an obsession. I had found it on several sites but they would all come back and say it was no longer available.  So, I was thrilled when I found it at again at SewingPatterns.com. I received the paper pattern by mail, but had to download the instructions ! Too easy, Thank you :)  I now have it and love it, that's all that matters.


It's similar to Burda, where you have to add the seam allowances, the instructions are great and I haven't encountered any problems so far with the pattern it self................my iron however ~ is a different story.
I'm having the same problem with my Rowenta as Mary Beth (Thank you Mary Beth for the information :) and it was most frustrating when working with my fabric, satin back crepe, (red)!a color I never wear but absolutely love in this dress.

I'm blaming my dress not being finished on my iron :) I almost hated ironing the seams and must admit tried not to......of course I didn't follow through on that!


 Even though I'm not sewing much and posting myself, I am trying to keep up with all your posts. It's great to see what you all have been sewing.

Hope you all have a wonderful week-end.

Take Care

Vogue $3.99 ~ ends Jan 1 2010

~ Just a little reminder ~ Vogue (& Butterick & McCall's) 

$3.99 pattern sale 

 or $3.59 (Vogue members) 

is on until tomorrow ~ Jan 1 2010 :)

~ Happy New Year ~

~ Merry Christmas ~

I wish you all a safe and Happy Holiday! 

 

Thank you so much for dropping in! 

I  truly appreciate your visits!

P-P-Posing in my J. Stern Jeans.....yes snow....brr

This is how I wore my J.Stern jeans today....partnered with my Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Jacket ~  Vogue 8043. Yes we too got snow last night. It was a little bit chilly for an out door photo shoot :) ... but it was a very pretty sight.

Somebody else liked the snow....... just for a short while though....his little feet quickly got cold!

Bradley

J. Stern Jeans #0037 - Done.

Pattern Description:

Misses Jeans
Pattern No. 0037

Available in sizes 6 - 16. Fitted jeans featuring classic 5-pocket styling
w/ optional back flap pockets, easy front fly zipper, boot leg hem and topstitching. Finished inseam 34”.

 What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like the style. They look similar to my favorite RTW. They are not too low but also not too high. ( Jennifer Stern also has another jean pattern # 0037W, Available in sizes 12W - 24W)

Fabric Used:

12 oz Denim.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I'd say these pretty much fit out of the envelope. After making the original muslin I ended up only adding to the hips. I made my belt loops smaller.My front fly opens opposite the instructions because  when working on the zipper steps, I cut off the wrong side ...operator problem  :)  I embroidered a design on the back pockets and I also embroidered " J.Stern" on the back waistband. (My rivets and my button don't match because I couldn't find matching ones. I ended up using rivets from my Prym Vario Plus Kit.and the button from Fabricville.) I will find matching sets for next ones!     For the waistband, I used   "Pro Tailor Deluxe"  interfacing, from Pam @ Sew Exciting. It is an excellent interfacing and  the quality is exceptional. The waistband feels perfectly stabilized :)

 My husband assisted in applying the rivets. I used the tool (pliers) from the kit  and a couple of other tools :) like a  nail & hammer.

I used the tip from Sandra Betzina & Ron Collins Jeans Couture Video.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I will definitely sew this pattern again and I highly recommend this pattern.

Conclusion:

I am thrilled with these jeans.They  fit as well as, if not better than my Favorite RTW pair of jeans. The pattern went together extremely well. The instructions were easy to follow and if you do have problems Jennifer Stern has a blog and welcomes questions. She also adds in her pattern instructions if you have any questions or comments or require assistance to email her. That is pretty good!

 
Format from Pattern Review.

I'll wear these tomorrow and take better pictures. Tonight I was anxious to post them....

The "Giveaway" Winner is....

from  "1 seam at a Time".

Congratulations Claire!

 I hope you enjoy the  3 month subscription to Sandra Betzina's Web TV-Show.

Claire, can you please send me your email address and  preferred user name. (My email address is in my blog profile)

 I will send  it to Power Sewing and they will then send you an email which will include a temporary password to get in. 

 Thank You so much everyone for participating. It was allot of fun!

Have a great week end.

Giveaway * 3 months * subscription to Sandra Betzina TVShow

  

When I subscribed to Sandra Betzina's Web TVShow, the Special Holiday offer when purchasing a 1 yr subscription is that you can give a friend the gift of a 3-Month Subscription to the Power Sewing WebTV Show!

Well I immediately thought this would make a great giveaway. I e-mailed and asked if I could do this and Karla, Sandra's assistant replied "absolutely". 

The giveaway:   a 3-Month Subscription  to the Power   Sewing WebTV Show.

The 3-Month Gift subscription will consist of:

• Two shows per month (with unlimited accesss, on-demand) 
• The Fear of Sewing eBook
• The Pants Primer ebook

 To Enter:

please leave a comment to this post letting me know you'd like to participate,

                 and  also please be a follower of my blog (to add see widget at left) 

I will choose a winner on Saturday Nov 28th :)

Good Luck!

Picture from Sandra Betzina's site

You may recognize the little guy up there applauding, he is from Stitcher's Guild.

Sandra Betzina - WebTV Show

Today I signed up for Sandra Betzina's Web TV Show.

(click here for TV show info)

I must say so far I think it is awesome. I love Sandra Betzina and Ron Collins. They are fun to watch and there is just so much information in their videos. I would  love to one day attend their seminars.

Picture's are taken from Sandra Betzina's Website

I've also started collecting thier DVD's and  have the "Jeans Couture"  and  "Shirts and Blouses" DVD's. They are great! What is really nice is that you can preview all the DVD's and get an idea of what's on them. They are "all"on my Wish List :)

***** Stay tuned for a  Give away **** 

I'll have the details posted tomorrow :)

Have a great week end!

Blogger ???? Dashboard ?????

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Hi everyone. I have finally put some time into sewing my J. Stern jeans yesterday and will have pictures to post soon.

Is anyone else experiencing some funky stuff with their Blogger Dashboard???? Anyone know what is up?

I checked to see if there was some kind of maintenance going on but couldn't find anything? Hoping it won't last too long!

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DPC on Making Trousers - "Cutting out "tips

I wanted to point out David Page Coffin's latest post on "cutting out" tips. I love his replacement tops idea.

A great tutorial!

................................................................................................................................................................

How Much Fabric? Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

How Much Fabric? Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

.

Jennifer Stern Jeans 0037 - Muslin

I quickly took these pictures of the jeans muslin on Monday and wasn't overly pleased with them. I figured I'd take more this week but I will have limited sewing time this week so decided I might as well just use these after all. (Muslins are so not pretty - but are so necessary)

The pattern instructions are very well written and I had no problems with them.

The pieces all went together perfectly.

The only alterations I had to make was to add 1/4" to the side seam - starting approx 1" down from the waist and 1/4" to the inseam. (I don't like my jeans overly tight- personal preference - not a pattern issue). I think if I was using a stretch denim they would be perfect with no alterations.

There is plenty of length.

I still want to tweak the fit just a little more, but overall I am thrilled how they turned out.

The fabric I used was a light weight suit fabric and I think it was too light, but I know these pants will be much better made up in a denim. I'm anxious to get them started.

Fall Colors.....

Early Morning Sky......

Pretty Trees......

and Bradley

chasing leaves.