"My" baby is 20 years old today :)

 Uncle Duncan with Landyn......

"Happy 20th Birthday Duncan"

....my happy boys :)

Worcester Expo & Cynthia Guffey!

In Mar I went to the Puyallup Expo!

We travelled (flew :) Thousands of km.(5,646.1 km ) to attend this Expo!

The first day was a pretty good day ~ I attended some classes, Sandra Betzina,(Yay) Gail Yellen, Cindy Losekamp,Louise Cutting, Katherine Tilton, Connie Crawford, June Colburn..... and I shopped...

It really was a good day...

......but unfortunately the rest of my 4 days,  I was sick...sick in bed..can't get up kinda sick :(

in the hotel!! Not fun at all!

So my first Expo was not a very memorable one!

Luckily my second Expo ~ the Worcester Expo was amazing!

I had an awesome time.

I took ``all`` of Cynthia Guffey`s classes  and I was not dissappointed.

She is such an amazing lady.

Her energy and passion for sewing clearly comes across as she teaches!.

 The day before the Expo started we attended Cynthia`s all day class on

`Pattern Adjusting-UnBoxing the Boxy Jacket`.

The information in this class went beyond the boxy jacket......

We soon found out that all Cynthia`s classes

are loaded with side notes .. anything from fitting issues ....

style....pattern adjustments...perfecting a sewing technique...hand or machine...

best notions...fabric...tips....

and even a favorite recipe or two!

Cynthia wore garments she made, and they fit her perfectly,  and she had more garments at her booth, that we could look at or try on.

They were all beautifully made.

I bought almost all of her DVD`s, books and patterns :)))))

What I didn`t buy there I`ll order online..

 I enjoyed all her classes and if you have a chance to take some of her classes I highly recommend it.

 She  is truly an inspiration and you will gain such valuable information.

Peggy Sager was also at the Expo.

I did speak to her briefly about  the french darts in her patterns.

She was wearing garments she made and she looked great.

Peggy also had garments at her booth and it was nice to be able to see them.

When I was at the Puyallup Expo, the one day that I was up and about,  I did have a chance to take one of Gail Yellen`s two classes I had registered for.....I was very pleased to have the opportunity to re-take her classes at the Worcester Expo.

 If you have the chance you really should check out Gail`s beautiful jackets.

She is such a  nice lady and her work really is beautiful and fun to make.

Our drive home from the Expo was all talk about what projects we want to do, and trust me there are a lot.

Life in general has been so busy, in a good way,  as it is for most I am sure.

I just don`t know  how to accomplish everything :) on my to do list.

Well a good way to start is One pattern at a time.... First up is a Cynthia pattern!

I`m anxious to try them.

Back from the Worcester Expo!

I just got back from a week away ~ I attended the Worcester Expo...

I had an amazing time!

When I get myself organized I will post all about it.

Have a great week.


Ann

Sweet Dreams ~ Pillow Cases

I made these sweet pillow cases.

I chose some bright and fun prints.

Easy peasy and quick!


Kitty cats hiding....

 Fun circus clowns...

My Image & Young Image Magazine

My Image Magazine site

I received my magazines...delivery was very quick... which was a nice surprise.

The patterns are very stylish and their fabrics are gorgeous.

I've been working on a quilt these days so I will switch it up and pick a pattern from this magazine to sew.

Young Image site

The styles in the Young Image magazine  are sweet and the fabrics are also beautiful.

I know a little girl that would look adorable in some of these patterns!

Have a great week end!

Ann

Blind Hem.

How many of you shy away from making a blind hem by machine?

Blind Hem ~ PFAFF


I've been altering some of my RTW dress pants and I wanted to keep the original look of the hem -  a blind hem.


I've used this technique before ~ a long time ago ~  and for some reason was never successful ~  so I would hand sew the blind hem.

Today I decided to try the machine technique again.

.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this technique by machine is  actually very easy to do, gets done quickly and it looks great.


A successful sewing day!


Ann

My Image Magazine

Coming Soon...."My Image Magazine"/Pattern Review!

My Image Website

I hope you are all having fun Sewing!

Ann



Silhouette Sweater Pattern # 195

I made this Silhouette Sweater, pattern # 195,  with a knit I bought from my local  Fabricville.

It is a very light knit but it did sew up nicely.

Silhouette Sweater pattern # 195

Changes I made to pattern:

**  added 2" length to front & back

** added 1" length to the sleeve.

The next sweater I make I will also need to do  a sway back adjustment. 

I wanted to be able to wear this test garment so I made pleats to take in the fullness in the back and I actually like the look of this detail..

Silhouette Sweater pattern # 195, 3 pleats added to take in fullness!

Overall I like how this sweater fits.

It is a quick and simple garment to make.

With minor adjustments to the pattern it will be a great TNT.

Ann

Had a really fun day :)

Sewing & Stitchery Expo

Who has been to the Sewing & Stitchery Expo

 in Puyallup?

What is it like?

Ann



Merry Christmas!

 

 

Hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas!

 

 

Ann

Creative Sensation!

No Big deal......

Just playing with my new Pfaff  Creative Sensation..

First projects up are personalized towels for my Landyn and Ella....

 fun ~ fun ~ fun ~

Doubly Fun !!

Silhouette Yoga Pants # 3400 and Gucci Top # 241.

I made two sets of this outfit..... so it "was" Doubly Fun to make :))

The first top was really a muslin. I used a stretch fabric, that I love.

 It has texture and is like a bathing suit knit.

I made a Size 3 and it was too big so I made the next size down and it was perfect and I just love the fit. 

The changes I made were to lower the neckline and I didn't do the detail around the neckline.

I prefer the smaller size however I can wear the one that is on Annabelle.

The Yoga pants are made with a Ponte Knit I bought from Fabricville.

They are both size 6.

The change I made was to the waist. I lowered it by 2-1/4" and oh yes I also made the band slightly wider...finished width of the band is  3 1/4".

 I like the feel and the look of this combination better.

(More like lulu lemon style)

The fabric I used for the pants is "ok", but I would love to find some fabric that is really "great" and a really good quality!

Does anyone know where I can find some?

You know like the great fabric lulu lemon uses ;)

I can wish!

Over all I love these two patterns.

The pant style really does look like lulu lemon pants.

I will certainly make them again and my next pants I will  have fun changing  up the fabric on the waist bands.

Peggy does cover all this in her DVD ~ Yoga Pants - Worn Beyond the Exercise Class.

Ann

Sew many things to do...sew little time....

...however I did find some time to squeeze in a little sewing over the last few weeks...
but I  haven't had the time to blog  about it.

I made a couple of
Silhouette's yoga pants # 3400 and the Gucci top.
I made my top sleeveless for a work out top and it is a "perfect" work out top!
I didn't put the detail around the neckline, that will be in the next top.

I love both these patterns.
They were very easy to make and went together beautifully.
I made a very minor change to the pants ~ lowered the waist ( by 2-1/4") ~ and that is just because I like my waist to sit a little lower than the pattern style.
(I will post a picture as soon as I take one.)

...and  Tonight I did read a few blogs  and  I see there are so many more of you that are making up gorgeous garments and having fun in your
 sewing rooms.

 

I'm now going to pick another project!

I want ....I need ...to sew   :)

Have a great week end.

Ann

My Fabulous Finds!

Silhouette Patterns

Angela Wolf - Patterns coming soon!

Jennifer Stern

Gorgeous Fabrics - Denim

PFAFF- Creative Sensation

Sandra Betzina & Ron Collins


........just "some" of  my favorite places to go!

Did you notice my counter ~  top left margin  ~ "9" days left :)))))


More to follow........

Pumpkin Patch!

I made these cute Pumpkins for my family.

I normally don't make craft seasonal things but after making

just "one" of these pumpkins, I was hooked.
They are so cute and it was really fun to make them
and

it was a very quick project.

It felt good starting and finishing a project in one session.

 I just had to make more and share them!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving week end!

Fun Pumpkins to Make!

It sure looks pretty!

This one is mine but I bought more fabic today and I will be making four more

to give away to family :))

Hope you are all having a wonderful week end!

Ann

Sites I`ve enjoyed this week

Silhouette Patterns - has new patterns (Fall 2011 Pattern Pre-sale ends today :)

-in this  Fall Fashion Webcast Peggy also shows these new patterns made up.
I love the sweater!

 

Fashion Fabrics

- I thought this Sweater knit  would be great for the Silhouette Sweater pattern 311

Black/Red Boucle Sweater Knit 1186

Seamingly.com - has a facelift (I just noticed it this week)

- you can join and create an account

I`ve re-visited the Otis College -  

- a reminder- my favorite video Stitching Techniques for the Tailored Jacket

Embroidery Library

- I love these Little Miss Monkey designs

and A Peek-a-Boo Zoo  designs.
These are the designs I will use for the quilts I want to make
 for my grand children.
They will make cute and fun blocks!

DIY Fluffies
- I found this adorable stuffed elephant pattern on etsy..

Have a great week-end.


 

Frogs & Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

....that's what little boys are made of.

I made my little grandson

this quilt.

 It is an adorable flannel print ~ I bought from Sewing World.

It was such a fun and very easy way to make a quilt.

I had no small pieces to cut or endless sewing.

click to see details

All I did was ~

* sew the borders to the panel

* a local lady  (Penny- Beaverdam Quiltery Hand Guided Machine Quilting)
machine quilted the design of the buzzing bees.

She did an awesome job.

click to enlarge

* I attached the binding to the front of the quilt by machine and then folded it to the back and hand stitched it in place.

* I embroidered his name on the back of the quilt. 

Click to enlarge

He loved it! 

I haven't made many quilts ~  but I  enjoyed making this one so much that I have

 "four" more quilts being planned out :)

(Not panel quilts for these)

* one for my husband (African theme)

* one for Ella (monkey theme)

* one for Serena

* one for Duncan

* one for  Megan....

I see how this works, that's five...You can easily get carried away  :)

A new Serger for "Me"

Today I picked up a new toy!
My husbands idea ~  of course I  approved ;))

~ A Pfaff coverlock 4.0 ~

coverlock™ 4.0 - Sew like a pro!

"5 threads, LCD Graphic Touch Screen and a large variety of stitches.
Are you looking for the overlock machine that has everything?

The PFAFF® coverlock™ 4.0 overlock machine is for you! Its ultra-modern design fulfills all promises. The most modern convenience and a huge repertoire of stitches mean even more perfection and reativity. The PFAFF® coverlock™ 4.0 overlock machine offers all the features of the preceding models plus even more sophisticated extras"

(photo's and description taken from the Pfaff site)

Extension table included


I love everything about this machine, but what I really like is this feauture:

"Easy to change from overlock stitches to coverstitches - No needle plate/presser foot change needed at conversion for different stitches"

My husband is truly the greatest!