Hot, Hot, Hot Patterns

Trudy of Hot Patterns has several new You Tube videos out that I highly recommend. You can find them here. I just love her.

Of particular interest: the one she does on the waistband. It's a fabulous solution to what can be an annoyingly difficult problem.

And I am going to have to order that new slouchy skirt pattern. Talk about the perfect thing for spring!

xoxoxox

Sewing Room, I've Missed You!

I've been sewing again. Since my classes are all online (except one, which is about FABRIC!!! Woo-hoo!), I have time!

Right now I've finished a handbag, dolled up one t-shirt, finished dolling up another one, and tried to do a third but I think it's a colossal fail (as my kids would say). I'm getting better about giving up and just throwing it away.

I also worked the other night on draping a prom dress for Barbie. She's found one she likes, but it seems to accomplish the impossible. And I need to copy it. I know it's cut on the bias, but it grabs curves and drapes with absolutely zero seam lines down the front or back. It must be made of some kind of lycra blended satin. It seems they blend lyra into everything these days. I think the answer to this one is just going to have to be to find it in a shop and have her try it on. It is beautiful --

And by all means, if any of you has some idea as to how they did this with no princess or center front seaming, please let me know. Gorgeous? Definitely. Able to be copied? Not at this point!

I've also begun a couple of other projects, including a video. I'll keep you posted on those. Till then --

Happy sewing!

xoxoxox

Sewing Essentials

You know, I've been sewing for probably about 40 years now. And quite honestly, if you do anything for 40 years you become accustomed to doing it a certain way.

With sewing, that translates as simply this: when I have the right tools, things are just a whole lot better. The right tools make the job. This is true no matter what you're doing. For me, in the kitchen -- it's a rubber spatula. In the toolshed -- it's a ratchet screwdriver. In the laundry -- it's one of those fabulous new "Bounce" dryer bars that attaches to the inside of the drum. It pretty much boils down to this: you cuss a whole lot less when you have the right tools.

So because I have accumulated a few things that I commonly use, I thought I'd share those with you. If you're relatively new to sewing, these tools might help you. And if you're a more experienced sewer, you may not yet have come across one of the tools I use. Either way, I really hope it makes your sewing experience easier, more efficient, and more fun --

Please go to HERE, to You Tube to view the video, or just have a look below --

xoxox

What the Heck!

My kid works at Lowe's Hardware, and somehow the word has gotten out there that I sew. Everybody's calling me to do their alterations. Like I have time. Like I can say no.

I'd better make some serious money or I'm going to be really ticked. Maybe if I charge them an arm and a leg they'll leave me alone! LOL!

xoxox

New Twist, Old Idea

Here's a little video I did on hemming jeans. Enjoy!

I Have Decided . . .

to make a coat. (and to follow Jesus, but that's a different discussion and an old hymn, for those of you who didn't recognise it).

Anyway, it's gotten a bit chillier here on the NC/VA border, and I now have to walk from my car in a parking lot onto a school campus. The walk is far when it's cold.

So I'm thinking something about knee length or a bit above, that I can wear with a pair of jeans. Like a long black simple thing that doubles as a long jacket. Or deep pink, or orange, or a nice browny-beige. And fairly lightweight, and definitely NOT a trench. Nothing with a tie or belt.

I'm researching now, and have found these things:

This, but a bit shorter, above the knee:

Or perhaps this, longer:

Or maybe this. Not sure how I feel about the collar, though:

As I am currently so consumed by my biology class (I think my head may explode any minute now), any sewing I do will be to simply keep my sanity. I think this coat may be just the thing.

We'll see!

xoxox

In Search Of . . .

some ideas. I could use some help here.

I sponsor a Compassion International child in Haiti. She's about 7. I'd like to send her some homemade things, but what?

The problem is that it has to be flat. I have to be able to fit it into an envelope that's only 1/4" wide.

I've already sent paper dolls.

Any ideas?

Meanwhile, I'm buried under Barbie's dress re-do for a choir concert. It's "The Ed Sullivan Show" and she's singing "People" (by Barbra Streisand). She found a vintage dress online and asked me to copy it. I'll have to let you know if I actually get to doing it -- although I got a $30 wedding gown to revamp and lots of black tulle and satin. So far, schoolwork has prevailed, but I'm hoping to get to it in the next day or so.

More later.

xoxoxox