Sunday Update

Well I finished the dress and I will have pics as soon as someone gets home...so more on that later!

Today, I'm working on a UFO.  Now I'm not a believer in UFOs.  I either fix them, finish them or toss them!  I have way too much fabric, patterns and ideas to hold onto things that don't work.  So if a UFO exists in my collection, it's because I've put alot of work into it and don't want to lose it or I've just not given up on the piece yet.

This jacket just has way too much work in it to toss it.  So it sat waiting for me to come back to it...and it took me some time.  I hadn't realized that I started working on this jacket in November 2008.  It's been hanging on my closet door since then...WOW!  Anyway, here are the posts on it.  Of course since the jacket is almost 2 years old, I am now searching through my project notebooks looking for the construction details...*sigh*  I've had three project notebooks since then! *double sigh*

But I've charged ahead...the inital challenge that annoyed me and caused me to ignore the jacket is that the lining is too short. 

I think I've figured out a plan to fix that and after trying the jacket on, I now realize that it's also too big.  Gawd, how did I do that?  So right now I'm taking out the side seams on the jacket body and lining and will attempt to reduce some of the extra space there.  Why there?  Because the other seams are all topstitched down and I'm just not biting that bullet!

Originally I was going to make a dress to go under the jacket but I've fallen in love with the bowtie blouse from Vogue 1127...so much so that I want to make one for my SWAP...yes, I'm still swapping though you wouldn't be able to tell that from what I'm sewing now, right? *LOL*  I believe that I have enough of the painted silk (which started this adventure) to make the trial top from...and there is enough of the red doubleknit to make a straight skirt to wear with the jacket and top.  So that's what I will be working on today.

As far as my SWAP plan...I still have one pair of pants, a vest, and 5 tops to make.  I really think that I can get all of this done by the April 30th deadline.  That's 8 more weekends and I don't think I've picked really complicated tops...I also have another 3 day weekend in there so hopefully that will help me finish it up.

Okay, back to my sewing machine.  I had to take a break to put away the groceries that were delivered and eat some lunch...and I've been listening to my iPod as I've been sewing this weekend...

The soundtrak of the weekend has been, Mary J. Blige's "Stronger with each tear"; Maxwell's "BLACKsummers'night"; Melanie Fiona's, "The Bridge" and Michael Jackson's, "Greatest Hits".

as always...more later!

Simple Pattern + Me = Complicated

Yes, that's right!  I took a very easy pattern and turned it into a complicated situation.  How did I do that you ask?  First I used a woven for a pattern that requires a stable knit...yeah, noticed that little fact after I cut the dress out!  Second, I added a lining to a pattern that doesn't require one...and then I botched the way the facing is supposed to be added...

Butterick 5415 isn't ruined but it isn't finished either...because I complicated it!  Here's where it stands right now...

I'm taking a break...reading some blogs...getting myself together and generally enjoying the quiet that is my apt right now.  Then I will go back in and make it work!  *LOL*

...more later!

My Favorite Things...

Like Oprah, I have a few favorite things...things that I've probably shared with you but want to share again...these are all sewing related and in no special order...


1.  Fabric Mart
I know I haven't discussed my fabric addiction much here lately but if you've been reading along for any period of time you know that I absolutely love fabric...and I own ALOT of it!  Fabric Mart is my favorite go to place whenever I need a fix!  And can I tell you that I've been hitting off FM alot these past few weeks.  They have the best stuff!  I wholeheartedly endorse them and even though I don't get a kickback (and I should - I really should! *LOL*) they are one of my ALL TIME favorite things!


2.  Club BMV
Seriously, I don't understand how anyone is not a member of Club BMV unless you live right down the street from one of the sewing stores!  If you wait for just the right sale, you can get any pattern in any size, all the time...for a minimal shipping charge...from Butterick, McCalls or Vogue patterns.  Nothing in my book beats Club BMV.


3.  Atlanta Thread & Supply
I know that there are other companies out there selling thread but seriously, these are my go to people.  Every color, every weight, both sewing machine and serger threads, as well as other sewing accessories...my world is not complete without them!

4.  Vintage Pattern Spots
I have three of them in no particular order that I surf all the time looking for goodies and then convincing myself not to buy them!  *LOL*

Lanetz Living, Out of the Ashes and The Blue Gardenia

I have found some amazing treasures there and even though you haven't seen them all made up yet, don't worry they are coming!

5.  Sewing Magazines
My three favorite sewing magazines are Threads, BWOF (now known as Burda Style) and Vogue Pattern Magazine.  I have admitted this more than once but I must have 13 years of BWOF magazines and only recently made a garment.  But I love them as a fashion magazine ~ on some things they are so far ahead that 2 or 3 years later you can still make a wonderfully fashionable garment!

To me, Threads is the go to magazine especially the first issues because they had so many interesting topics in them.  Now that they are offering the entire collection on DVD, I highly recommend that you own it...even if you are a beginner because you won't be one forever! 

For years I collected VPM but I have to admit that for a time I fell out of love with them but they are back with a hotness!  If you don't subscribe, you definitely should...the last few issues have been packed full of sewing information as well as really kewl patterns!

6. Stitchers Guild
Even though I don't participate like I use to...my go to sewing board is Stitchers Guild.  I love the expertise of the people who sew there...and the sense of sharing that is the essence of the board.  I've made some amazing friends there and learned so many sewing techniques that have elevated my sewing to higher heights.  So even though I don't post like I use to...I'm still slipping in and reading!

Those are a few of my favorite things...so what are yours?  Leave a comment and tell me a few of your favorite sewing things, okay?

The weekend is upon us and I have plans...big sewing plans! *LOL*  Hopefully, I'm going to finish up the dress I cut out last weekend and work on a UFO.  I don't have many of them because I can't stand to have them hanging around but this one is now ready to become a real garment in my wardrobe...

as always...more later!

The Guts and the Glory

...or the construction details of Butterick  5546...I know I promised this yesterday but sadly it was not to be! 

First up, pattern alterations:

1.  As with any pattern I need to add some width to the finished garment.  Luckily I didn't need to add much to this one.  To the front piece, I sliced, diced and spread so that the bottom had a 1.5" increase.

2. To the back piece, I did a pivot and slide and added 2".  These two simple alterations provided enough space to smoothly flow over my protruding parts.

3.  The sleeves (I wish I had taken a  picture of the original pattern piece) were very large and bell shaped.  I knew I didn't want Sister Bertrille sleeves so I trimmed the side seams by 2" on either side.  Then I straightened out the hemline removing the flared shape so that I ended up with a more traditional looking sleeve.  I know that in my original post, I said that I was going to add elastic to the seam hem but when I tried the jacket on, I was fine with how it looked and let it stand.

Construction

*I pinned and then basted the front yoke to the front piece.  I was concerned about getting a proper fit and felt that a little basting would eliminate any shifting during the trip through the sewing machine.

*All of the exposed seams were finished with black rayon seam binding.  Since the jacket is unlined, I didn't want unfinished seams showing. 

*I added black piping to the collar to give it some definition...without the black framing the collar I feel like it fades into the background because the print on the fabric is very overpowering.

*The back yoke is an interesting detail to the jacket, this piece was also basted down with a bold colored thread so that I could see it on the right side when I machine stitched it down.

*I trimmed the sleeve hems with the black rayon seam binding preparing to turn them under to hem.  However, when I tried the jacket on, I felt that the binding provided an ending to the patterned material, so I left it.

Otherwise, I followed the pattern instructions.  The jacket is not terribly difficult to sew and I realize that the fabric choice is what really makes the jacket sing.  I'm almost afraid that it sings too loudly to wear to work!  And I won't be wearing it with the pants as shown, I'm going to wear it over my little black dress and hopefully I won't look like I'm going out for a night on the town!

I do want to make this with some short sleeves for a spring/summer look...I think it will work great with either a straight skirt or a sheath dress.  So you will probably see it again!

One final view of the outfit:

...more later!

I've had a Productive Day

Today was a good sewing day!  I finished the jacket, made a new pair of black pants and cut out Butterick 5415.  A very good sewing day, indeed!

First a pic:

Me wearing Butterick 5446 plus

the black stretch wool SWAP pants

A close-up of the buttons and the collar

It's late so I will share construction details on the jacket tomorrow. 

The Butterick 5415 dress:

photo courtesy of http://www.butterick.com/

from the wool that I bought with Elizabeth from Mood Fabrics...

The wool has been pretreated...the pattern pieces altered and everything cut out...I will finish this up next weekend.  I feel a little calmer now because I have plans to make a dress! *LOL*

...as always more later!

Looking forward to spring...

It's the middle of winter.  There is still at least 8" of snow on the ground here.  It's cold and more snow/sleet is predicted for Monday night into Tuesday morning...so what am I thinking about...SPRING!  Yeap spring...spring dresses to be precise.  See the March magazines are falling into my mailbox and they are all touting spring clothes.

Beautiful, lovely, amazingly pretty spring dresses are in magazine ad after magazine ad.   Making me long for soft gentle breezes, sundrenched days...and dresses and skirts.  Yes, I want to sew a dress so bad I can taste it!  And who wouldn't after seeing some of these lovelies:

Calvin Klein Gray Dress

Close-up of the detailing

Anne Klein white dress with lace neckline

Calvin Klein tucked sheath dress

Embroidered cotton dress from Macy's Inc. line

...and these are just the dresses that I had to tear the pages out of the magazines and hang up on my bulletin board.  I want ALL of these.  My TNT dress pattern, a little creative cutting to the pattern with a little fabric manipulation, and I, too, can have one of these designer dresses!  Now all I need is for spring to arrive!

And one quick note ~ work is getting frantically busy (which is a good thing!) but I will be around sparingly in the next couple of weeks.  

As always...more later!

Butterick 5546 - Part Deux

They say a pictures can say a thousand words...so I'm gonna let them speak:

The front

The back

The collar

The buttons

No, it's not finished yet.  I'm having an issue with one sleeve so I want to take it out and put it back in.  It needs buttons and buttonholes and the jacket needs to be hemmed.  Otherwise its almost done, however, so am I for the night!

I'll put all the gory pattern alteration and construction details in the finishing post...and I'll probably finish it next weekend.  Oh and one more thing...I will definitely make this again during the spring/summer in a linen...I just have to figure out how to line it!

...as always, more later!

Next Up is Butterick 5446

Lately I've been feening for jackets.  I mean really wanting new and different styles to put together with pants, skirts and dresses to wear to work.  As you know I work in a very professional workplace which requires a lot of suit outfits.  Now I have no problems coming up with outfits from late March to early December when the temperatures aren't in the single digits or there isn't so much snow on the ground.  However, from late December through the beginning of March I tend to live in pants.

I know there are many women who are fans of pants...and I believe they have their purpose in my wardrobe, but they are not my most favorite article of clothing to wear.  So now that I'm deep into the coldest part of the year there is just no escaping the fact that I wear pants more than skirts or dresses.  Of course to me, this is the area of my wardrobe with the biggest holes because I need quite a few jackets to balance out the pants and have a "proper" suit type look.

However, I HATE notched collar jackets...am quite uncomfortable in them...and just don't wear them.  It has taken me a minute to acquire enough patterns and inspiration looks to come up with some different jacket types...so now I'm feening for new jackets.

Butterick 5446 is one of the new spring pattern offerings from Butterick.  The description on the back of the pattern envelope is:

"Misses' Jacket:  Loose-fitting, unlined jackets, slightly below waist length have collar, double breasted front button closures and stitched hems.  View A has short sleeves with button and button loop closures.  View B has elbow length sleeves."

Butterick 5446

photo courtesy of http://www.butterick.com/

I like this pattern because it reminds me of the yellow version of the Michael Kors suit that Michelle Obama has worn:

You know just to continue my ongoing fascination with her wardrobe! *LOL*

As usual I'm using the bones of the pattern with some slight alterations.  After reading through the instruction sheet, I realize that the only closures on this jacket are at the top neckline and I'm wondering if wearing it through the day will cause it to flap open unattractively.  So I'm going to add a side tie at the waistline to help with keeping it closed.  If that doesn't work I will try some snaps but the tie will be my first choice. 

My second change will be to the sleeves.  Okay, those large bell shaped sleeves are quite trendy...just a little too trendy for me.  I will shave a little of the width off below the elbow and add elastic to a casing at the sleeve hem.  Still trendy but a little more office appropriate, to me.

My fabric is in the dryer...its some of that blue/black polyester brocade from the Vera Lavendar collection from fabric.com.  It was one of the few $1.95 per yard purchases I made...I mean I've bought so much of it during the previous sales that there was very little left that I wanted when the last few pieces were reduced to $1.95 a yard. 

I don't have many pattern alterations to make and I'm also planning on making a pair of black lined pants to go with the jacket.  The black pants will be one of the bottoms in my SWAP collection so even though I am making something new...I am pairing it with something from the SWAP and killing two birds with one stone!

Well I'm off to sew and I'm sure that I will have more to share later!

I'm Back!

Vacation was amazing!!!  We ate good food, rested, relaxed and generally had a wonderful time!

However, I went from this wonderful warm spring-like temperatures:

To this ~ 20 inches of snow:

Taken from my balcony this morning

Yes, I missed the white stuff...didn't mind missing it one bit...but it was a little overwhelming to come home to mounds of this stuff with the forecast of 4 or more additional inches to come this week...

Is it spring yet!?!  *LOL*  After I get unpacked, I will be spending some quality time with my sewing machine.  I haven't decided if I'm going to make more SWAP pieces or work on something different.  I will keep you apprised though...

...and as always, more later!

Dashing off a quick note...

I'm sitting here waiting for the snow.  I know it's coming and I know I'm going to dread it but still here I sit in anticipation of it...*sigh*  I should be packing...I leave Tuesday afternoon.  Or I should be sewing...some killer fabric from Fabric Mart turned up this week.  Or maybe just perusing one of those new Vogue patterns that showed up...but no I sit and wait for snow...something I can't stand...there is no justice in this!

Anyway...I'm signing off for a few days.  I have mucho things to do to get ready to leave.  Work has been overwhelming and totally uncooperative with my "real" life...so once the streets are plowed tomorrow...I'm headed off to do some things to get me ready for some fun!

I will be back online next Saturday...just in time for a 3-day weekend (President's Day here in the US)...and a little sewing before I head back to work!  Now you really didn't think I wasn't going to find a way to work some sewing in there, didn'tcha?!  *LOL*

...as always, more later!

Thank you!

If you don't know by now, Gertie did an interview with me on her blog, Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing, today regarding my musings on the plus size sewist.  As I reread it now, I could have been a little more succinct *LOL* and obviously from the comments there have been two plus size women who have won contests on PR.  Rachelle, who authors the blog, Smoking Needles and Marie Claude, who authors the blog, Blue Lilly's Sewing Page.

I definitely want to point this out, since I adamantly and wrongly said that no plus size woman had won a sewing contest!

Second, I want to thank everyone who left a comment and continued the discussion.  It was very interesting and I was especially moved by some of comments left.  I also want to thank those of you who sent me email messages, it was great to get your point of view too.

But mostly I want to thank Gertie.  Who took a passing comment on my blog, wrote some amazing questions and then let me go full bear ahead.  It was a gracious and awesome thing to do.  Today I've been humbled, in awe and downright amazed at the wonderousness of the sewing community.  I know there were some who didn't agree with my views but I so appreciate the fact that the discussion was held in a very civil tone.  However, these are my views and as in all things regarding opinions belong to me alone!

So thank you Gertie!  Thank you to my regular readers!  And thanks to my friends...and you know who you are!

I'm off to watch Lost...can I just say thank God it's back!!!

...as always more later!

No sewing Sunday...

I woke up this morning and I wanted to do nuthin...absolutely...positively nuthin.  There was nothing about sewing that appealed to me this morning, this afternoon or this evening.  I've been wandering around my apartment like a lost puppy because what else did I have planned to do?

Maybe this happened because I spent quality time in the street yesterday...maybe I didn't properly prepare myself to sew!?  Usually I wake up on Saturdays, clean my room, maybe prep some fabric and generally prepare to sew.  That didn't happen yesterday.  Yesterday I was out shopping with my mom...and these followed me home:

In brown and black

And last night I spent quality time drooling over the fashions in this book:

A Thousand Days of Magic

by Oleg Cassini

So today I did mundane things like the laundry...like seriously?  I am so ready to sew for spring so can I begin the chorus of..."I'm ready for spring!" I'm back to work tomorrow...gotta go figure out what I'm wearing tomorrow...but it has been one no sewing weekend and no sewing Sunday...

...as always, more later...

Friday Diary Bits

DB#1
Okay so the cutter/tracer "Question of the Day" was quite popular! *LOL*  Wow - I didn't realize how much this matters to us sewists!  I got everything from a 3 word reply to several paragraphs ~ finely worded of course!  I learned a few things - like I have two sets of mothers & daughters who read my blog.  That some people trace off even their "Big 4" patterns and the materials you use to trace patterns with is wide-ranging!  Personally I'm gonna get me over to Pearl's Art Supplies and see if I can find a roll of the tracing paper that was recommended. 

I know there are a lot of comments but some contain some great information in them...so if you haven't read them try to make some time...it is well worth it!  And yes Cindy, I do read every single comment that anyone posts - some more than once! *LOL*

DB#2
If you won one of the prizes from the Blogoversary Give-Away ~ they were mailed from the Post Office today!  Carla - you ended up with the new February Burda Style magazine because my lovely daughter (who should be reading my blog and obviously isn't!) found the second January magazine and traced a piece or two from it.  Sharon, my friendly neighborhood postal person said that your package should be to you in about a week...everyone else should receive theirs in the next couple of days.  Now if I've owed you anything, anything AT ALL...your package was included in the great post-off today!  *shew* Glad that's done! *smile*

DB#3
It's freezing here on the East Coast - temps in the teens (and no Shannon I'm not using the metric system!) but more than anything I want to make a dress.  Oh the torture of it all!  *LOL*  I think its because all of the spring catalogues are starting to make their annual appearance in my mailbox and I'm dreaming of flowy soft dresses for spring ~ which is no where in sight!

DB#4
Booked our flights and hotel room for vacation!  I leave February 9th and am beyond excited!!!

DB#5
Michelle Obama wore a plum colored Isaac Mizrahi dress to the State of the Union address on Wednesday.  I thought it was lovely but some others haven't been so kind!  What did you think?  And please could we show a little respect in our answers...thanks!

Finally I will be sewing this weekend...it's too damn cold to do anything else!  And since my darling baby boy has learned a new trick...I present to you Danny standing up and taking his first steps...

It's a whole new world now!

...as always, more later!

Are you a tracer or a cutter?

This question came to mind last night as I was pulling my Hot Patterns Trouseau Nightgown pattern out to read the instructions.  See I really like this pattern...and I really need a new nightgown for vacation...however, I put the pattern back.  Why you ask?  Too much work to trace.  Yeah, I know...sad right!?  I will happily cut a pattern out and cut it apart.  Do gyrations and gymnastic feats to get it to fit my well-rounded body...but trace a pattern and I start to back away from the cutting table...and not slowly may I add!

So this is why I have an amazing collection of Burda magazines - both the monthly and the plus size ones - and have made just one garment from them.  And then only recently...I think I'm a cutter.  Oh shoot, I'll just stand up and proudly admit - that I AM a cutter.  I'm taking my scissors to that pattern tissue and I'm wacking away with glee.  I'm not looking for the tracing paper, my sharpie markers and some rulers.  I'm not searching through miles and miles of lines (Burda magazine patterns) to find the garment I'm looking for and I'm not spreading sheets of thick white paper out and laying tracing paper on it to get my garment traced out.

Nope...not happening...well not often...cause it's just not me!  So tell me..."Are you a cutter or a tracer?"  That's the Question of the Day, folks, so talk back to me!

Sewing My SWAP!

"You are making great progress on your SWAP. Three pieces, including the jacket, which is one of the more labor intensive pieces. It seems like you planned out your SWAP work load really well."

Audrey left this message in the comments today and it made me think.  This is my 4th SWAP "contest" so I do have an idea of how to sew for one...but more importantly, I think that everytime you participate in one, you hone your wardrobing skills just a little more.

There are several things that I'm doing differently this time around because of my experience in the other three SWAP contests.

1.  No storyboard
I know that this idea is considered heresy because the storyboard is the starting point for most sewists when they begin a SWAP.  Technically, you really do need one since the entire point is to "Sew With A Plan."  However, I've found that being so tightly bound to a list limits my creativity and causes me to be bored with the plan before it's finished.  Then I start to sew other stuff in the meantime and I wind up doing all night sews at the end just to complete the SWAP...so NO storyboard!

2.  Sew the most complicated garments first
This is when your enthusiasm for the process is most high.  Knock out those all-encompassing pieces first.  It allows you to feel a measure of success and will encourage you to press on to the finish line.

3. Don't be married to your plan
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE!  Make allowances to veer off on another path.  That's why I just purchased the last piece of fabric that I need for my plan...and there are still chances that something can change! *LOL*  Leave room for creativity or inspiration to strike...you just never know...you may end up with an amazing reversible dress!

4.  Don't enter the contest to win
This might be controversial but what the h*ll, my blog, my opinion.  I've never seen a plus size woman win this contest anywhere.  I don't know what's up with that, but I'm of the firm belief that I can't win this contest due to my size...so I'm making a wardrobe FOR me!  The prize is that I will have all of these great new garments in my wardrobe and I will feel wonderful wearing them!

And this is the biggest change of all for me and this SWAP...most of the garments will come from new patterns and not a TNT pattern!  Now I'm not going to remake the wheel for a pair of pants and even one of my dresses is from my TNT dress pattern, but most of the tops in this SWAP are from untried and new patterns...the ratio is something like 40% TNT and 60% new!  Yeah, I know...

Here's a preview of some of the new patterns that will be incorporated into my SWAP:

Vogue 1750

Simplicity 2566

So that will be four new patterns included so far in the collection...there's a chance that one more will yet make the cut!  I also chose a different color this year...in the past I've used basic colors or in the case of my first SWAP a brightly colored lime for a summer SWAP that didn't really impress anyone...even me!  *LOL*  The choice of color (navy) was to expand my wardrobe horizons and hopefully by working with it and some new color combinations, I won't be bored!

I will be working on the bottoms or the two pairs of pants for the SWAP this weekend.  I want to get them out of the way so that I can concentrate on the tops.  If you've noticed, I don't make a lot of tops and in the last SWAP I participated in, only two of the tops I included actually got any wear.  One got donated pretty quickly after the contest so I'm trying to make sure that each top that gets made this time will actually get worn.

That's an update on my SWAP...my thoughts...and a little bit of a sneek peak of where I'm going!

Diary Bits:

This is a new section that will be making periodic appearances here.  It will sometimes show up at the end of a post and sometimes it will be the post.  It will just be a bunch of thoughts that I want to share...

Tonight's Diary Bit is about my Vogue 8593 - navy blue doubleknit Michelle Obama knock-off dress.  It's been finished since December but today was the first time I wore it to work.  And I can't believe the number of compliments that I got on this dress.  Both bosses were impressed...with one saying that she couldn't believe how great this dress was...even the "evil one" in my office took a second look!  So even though I more than likely won't make this dress again...it was a home run!

...and as always...more later!

Vogue 8623 is Done

This is the third piece in my SWAP Collection, "Midnight at the Oasis."  It's my "Your Choice" piece - chosen because I want it to go over everything in the collection.

Usually I have a list of alterations that I've made to the pattern to make it work for me...not so this time!  Because this is a "Custom Fit Pattern" that allows you to choose your cup size for your front pieces...and because this is a generously cut princess seam jacket pattern...I needed to make no alterations to either the jacket or the sleeves.

I can't remember the last time that I was able to sew a garment from the pattern without making ANY alterations!!!  So for the fact alone I love this jacket and plan to make it again!  Okay, some pics:

Jacket on Lulu open

Jacket on Lulu buttoned

A glimpse of the lining

A back view showing the pleat

Some stats:

Fabric:
navy wool tweed blend from the Vera Lavendar collection on fabric.com
light blue polyester lining also from the Vera Lavendar collection

Notions:
4 large blue & gold buttons from M&J Trimmings
4 large covered snaps from Pacific Trimmings

Construction:
The outer shell construction is pretty straightforward.  If you choose to make the jacket, just make sure that you carefully mark the pleat notches on the back jacket pattern piece.  Forming the back pleat is what gives the jacket interest and it's easy to do if you mark the fabric correctly.

The lining is what held me up.  I don't know what it is about me and jacket linings but I always feel like I need to take a deep breathe and set aside alot of time because each one makes me feel inadequate...even though this one inserts fairly easily, I did dance around it awhile before settling down and inserting it.  However, I did not serge finish the ends of the lining fabric which raveled terribly.  I stitched each seam twice - 1/8" between stitching lines and using my pinking shears, pinked each edge.  Then I pressed the seam lines flat.  Although I did serge finish the neckline and the hems of the sleeves and the jacket. 

The only change I made to the pattern was to fold over the fronts of the jackets 1" and attach the lining that way.  The pattern instructs you to make a second front from the fabric and interface it.  I just thought that with the fabric I was using this would make the front very bulky.  If you are using a smooth fabric, this won't be a problem, but no one wants all of that extra fabric on the front of them!

The lining was probably the most time-consuming issue besides all of the hand stitching needed to apply the snaps and the buttons.  Because even though the pattern envelope shows the jacket with buttons and buttonholes, the pattern instructions recommends buttons and snaps.

So three pieces down and eight more to go! *LOL*  I'm going to work on the bottoms next.  I'm making two pairs of pants from my TNT pattern and then I'm going to work on the tops.  With my trip to Moods, I bought the last piece of fabric that I need to make the tops and that will allow me to finish up the rest of the garments in the collection.  However, I have to tell you that I'm aching, I mean aching to work on a dress!  *LOL*  See I have a problem...

...as always, more later!

An Update on Vogue 8623

As you can probably tell by the lack of posts...I did not sew this weekend!  Shortly after watching the Golden Globes, I started to feel ill...and continued to feel that way until yesterday afternoon.  Because of that, today was my first day back at work.  So there has been very little progress on the Vogue 8623 jacket.

However, I did get the collar basted on...and did one more try-on to make sure that I didn't imagine the fact that this pattern was sewn straight from the envelope without one...yes I said not one adjustment to the pattern and it FITS!

So here is how it looks on the hanger now with the collar basted on:

And here it is auditioning the buttons that Elizabeth, Jack and I purchased from M&J last Saturday!

There is still quite a bit of work left to get it ready to face the world...the lining is in pieces on the table...and just go from there with a finishing list, but I am encouraged and hopefully will be working on the jacket this weekend.

Just want to let the winners of the blogaversary gifts know that your prizes haven't gone out yet...due to illness...but I will try to get them out shortly!  Thanks for sending your addresses to me so quickly!

...more later!

My girl did it!

I love Mo'Nique! I love her style, her sass and the fact that she loves her body just the way it is! So I want to give a great big CONGRATULATIONS! for her Golden Globe win for "Best Supporting Actress in a Movie!" If you've seen the movie, Precious, you know she deserved that prize!


...and she looked good too!  Loved, loved, loved her gown!!!

photo courtesy of justjared buzznet.com

More pics here!  Next the SAGs!!!!

Today is a special day...

I woke up this Monday morning, held my grandson, and watched the movie, "The Long Walk Home" with Whoopi Goldberg and Sissy Spacek...and cried.

photo from jhs1968.com

Today is a special day for me...as a black woman born in America from parents who lived in the segregated south, and who now has the first black President as the leader of this great country...the seeds of which where planted back in the 50s when a young black man rose up to lead an extraordinary movement...Martin Luther King, Jr.

I know for some today is just an extra day off from work...or a day that's inconvenienced by the fact that the banks, post offices and government offices are closed.  But for me today is just as special as Christmas or Easter (because of my religious affiliations) as a personal cultural day...because it is steeped in meaning.

I'm sure I've told this story before because whenever I think of Martin Luther King, Jr. this is what comes to mind...my mother and my aunt & uncle getting dressed in their Sunday best to go to the polls and vote for the very first time.  My mother was in her late 20s...my aunt and uncle were older...and it was the very first time they could vote. 

Now I know many people think that we as Black Americans have come a long way in such a short time...and I guess if you look at the fact that Barack Obama is President it seems so...but that was just 45 years ago...not a lifetime or even a generation ago...quite a few of you who read my ramblings weren't even born yet...or were only small children.  This is an event that has clearly taken place in OUR lifetimes.

I ran across this article on The Buzz Log today...it gives such a clear understanding of the meaning and importance of this holiday.  Please take a moment to read it and watch the video clip at the end...and realize that we've come far as a nation but we do have a little further to go.  And then take another moment, a minute of silence if you will, and give thanks that we live in such a wonderful nation that can bring about such momentous change in our society by our people.

Also, if you haven't taken the time yet to give to the Haitian relief efforts, please do so!  There are many places on the web that you can give, but The Red Cross is my organization of choice.

...as always, more later.

And the winner is...

Sorry this post is sooooo late but it was a beautiful day here in New Jersey and after two weeks of bitter cold and blustering winds I decided to take to the streets of NYC this morning with Elizabeth and the very handsome Jack, in search of fabric treasures!

So after getting home a little while ago and puttering around for a minute...I'm just now doing the drawing...so here goes.

The lucky winners are:

Sandra - Winner of the 4 RiRi zippers

Clio - Winner of the MOP buttons

Lover of Words - Winner of the January BWOF

and Melodye - Winner of the 4 yards of trim

If you ladies would kindly contact me at cnorman underscore 98 at yahoo dot com with your snail mail addresses, I will get these out to you on Tuesday! 

Thanks to everyone who left a comment and told me how much you enjoy my blog!  All of those well wishes have meant so much to me!

Like I said earlier, I just got back from NYC and I have things to photograph to share with you later and to put away.  It's a three day holiday weekend here in the States, so I will be sewing all day tomorrow and Monday...

...as always, more later!