Very Easy Vogue Pattern – that’s what the pattern envelope says. For the most part it was an Easy Sew until you arrived at the collar which is along Step 7. I had to send out an SOS to Sew Sister Nola of Aloha for Now and of course she had the answer, well after she laughed at me and said “did you read the instructions?”, well Yes, but it was confusing. Well she explained in terms that I understood and what do you know it worked. She loves me enough to laugh at me then she answered. Gotta love your Sew Sisters.
The bodice also looks good by itself. I plan to make it again just as a top to wear with jeans and boots for a casual Friday look.
I cut view A, being all of 4″11′ tall, longer dresses are not the best looking on me. I didn’t need to make any modifications to the length as it hit just in the right place below my knees. The sleeves were perfect and needed no modifications as well. All and all this was a great sew for me. I love the way this turned out.
Yes this is my fabric stash and I am hoping the Ready to Wear Challenge helps me to get it sewn down.
You must excuse my tired face in the photo, but it was a long day, I had homework to finish, I was hungry, and I wanted to get a picture of me in this dress for the fit before I went to bed. Note to self Next time wait. LOL! I am sure we all have those days when we are tired and still need to get things done and this was definitely one of those days. I’ll be sure to do another photo shoot with a much happier face soon.
My Sewing Space is nothing fancy, but it is where I create my garments. I love the space I have and I am very thankful that it is mine. There is plenty of space for all of my patterns, sewing notions, sewing machines and sergers, fabric, and anything else sewing related.
I realize that my space is taking up all of the Formal and Dining Room Space, but we don’t have visitors much and those that do visit are family and understand that I work on my garments at home. They all respect my craft.
Hopefully at some point I will be able to have my own space with a door where I can close it and know one will know if it is clean or not. Right now it is in the open space and I, myself feel guilty about not having it clean and all put together when I walk through the front door.
My Pattern Storage. This cabinet holds all of my patterns. At last count this (according to my Pinterest Board), there are approximately 600 – 750 Patterns housed here. I have the major patterns, McCalls, New Look, Butterick, Simplicity, Burda, Kwik Sew, and Vogue. I also have a few other brands that include, Cotton and Chalk, and Simply Sewing.
My machines, this the heart of where all my work gets completed. There are 2 Sergers and 3 Sewing Machines that live in this space in front of these 2 large windows that have so much natural light when the sun is shining, which is a lot. My main go to Sewing Machine right now is my Babylock Aria. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this machine. This machine does everything, there are still somethings that I haven’t discovered. I have 2 brother machines that I purchased from Costco. The first brother was purchased when I was into scrapbooking and I wanted to create borders around my scrapbook pages. I couldn’t figure out how to thread it and it sat in the box for about 2 years before I was able to figure it out with the help of YouTube. The second brother machine was an impulse buy because it was such a good price at Costco and I couldn’t pass it up.
I use both of the Sergers equally. One is a Babylock Ovation and the other is a Brother, yep purchased at Costco, don’t sleep on Costco, they have great machines. I keep black thread in one and white thread in the other. When I am sewing they are both on and ready to roll. They make all your garments look as good on the inside as it does on the outside and I love that I have the ability to have that professional look, made by me.My Library – I keep my books on top of this shelf, so I can easily access them when I need to reference a technique or look up a fabric option. I am a bookworm at heart and I love to read. There is a lot of knowledge here on this shelf. In the bins are all of my notions that are not out for display. I keep my extra thread, serger thread, an extra iron, interfacing, some fabric scraps ( I don’t keep all), bias tape, elastic, zippers, buttons, and all other notions. I know I missed some.
Workspace in use. As you can see all my things out on display, when a project is being completed. I typically work one project at a time, unless I am having a cutting party. A cutting party, is when I will cut out multiple patterns, but not the fabric until I am ready to sew them up. This saves me lots of time on the weekends when I actually sew my projects.
My Fabric Stash. Yes this is my stash and not actual store. I have been asked if it was a store. LOL! I thought that was funny. I do shop for fabric faster than I sew, but that’s okay, because I have options. I love my stash.
As I enter 2018, I have committed to no shopping for Ready to Wear clothes for the whole year of 2018. Yes NO SHOPPING for ready to wear clothing for an entire year. I know this sounds crazy considering how much I LOVE to shop, but on the other hand here are a few reasons why I won’t be shopping.
Save Money- I want for nothing, my closet is busting at the seams with store bought clothing.
Improve my sewing skills – I have been sewing for 3.5 years and there are some techniques that I have not mastered yet, that I am so ready to learn.
Make clothes that fit me – I am 4″11 and most maxi dresses or skirts don’t fit me. When I do purchase them I have to alter them, so why not make my own.
How am I going to do this? Well, I have already joined the 2018 Ready To Wear Fasters Challenge being hosted by Sarah Gunn of Goodbye Valentino.
In addition to the Ready to Wear Challenge I belong to several Facebook sewing groups where I am learning from other teachers, sewists, and sewing bloggers. There are a lot of Sew Sisters out there that provide love and support to each other, not just for sewing but in life. This makes a huge difference, when you can communicate with those that have the same passions that you do. So with that said, Happy Sew Year 2018. Let’s get this party started.
2017 has been a great year for me, with my sewing skills. I have improved on some skills, I have said “oh my gosh, what was I thinking” to some garments, and the one thing that I am so proud of is my enrollment in school for Fashion Design.
I am starting at Sacramento City College, taking the basic classes and moving my way up the ladder, well I kind of have no choice but to start at the basic level, because all the classes build off of each other. I have learned so much after one semester and I am actually enjoying what I am learning. Once I have completed all the courses at the Community College level I will go on to Sacramento State University.
Here are few of the garments I completed in 2017, I would have to say that these are my favorites.
Vogue 9253
The Infamous Vogue 9253 I was sure this dress would break the internet. There were so many posts of this beautiful dress on the McCall’s Facebook page and they were all just fabulous.
McCalls 7664
McCall’s 7664
I love this jacket. Quick and easy to make and the bias tape trimming gives it life!!!
McCall’s 7664McCall’s 7531
Simply but classy. This dress is a must-have. Depending on what fabric you use it can be dressy or casual. LOVE this pattern!!!
McCall’s 7531McCall’s 7531Simplicity 8513
Okay, can we talk bodysuits? Bodysuits are making a comeback and this is the first of many for me. The pattern was easy to follow and this stretch velvet fabric- HEAVEN!!!!
This fabric is FIRE!!! This photo does nothing for it. It is a stretch knit that I found at Angels Textiles in Los Angeles, CA. I wish I would have purchased more.
Burda 7065
Modified Burda 7065 using a Mimi G tutorial, what girl doesn’t love a Little Black Dress?
Burda 7065Simplicity 8379
This dress was hot for the summer. I wore at the Mimi G Style Conference in Los Angeles in July, so did a lot of other women, but none of them were the same. This is a go to pattern for sure. 2 pieces and a neckband, quick, easy, and cute!
Simplicity 8379McCall’s 7020My biggest fan and I on our 20th Wedding Anniversary
This guy right here is the BEST Husband ever. He loves me for me, supports all I do and NEVER, EVER complains. He even went pattern hunting for me, more than once. He is patient and even sits at the table at the fabric store while I do my shopping. It helps a lot when you have someone that supports your hobby. I love me some him. He is awesome!!!
My first project – self drafted skirt
One of the very first maxi skirts that I made once I was able to get my machine threaded correctly. One seam up the back, elastic waistband, and a hem. I was so proud of this skirt that I made like 4 more the next week.
My fabric stash
I “borrowed” the bookshelf for my fabric stash. I need to see what I have. Of course this stash has grown even more since this photo was taken. I now have this shelf and 2 large sized rubber mate tubs filled with fabric. Shh, don’t tell.
My work space
This is my workspace. I am the proud owner of 3 Sewing machines (1 Babylock and 2 Brothers, which I purchased at Costco), 2 Sergers (1 Babylock and 1 Brother, also from Costco). Believe it or not I use all the machines, depending on the project. Sometimes I have 3 of them in use, so I don’t have to change the thread.
Simplicity 8045 – modified
I wore this dress for the Mimi g Fashion Show. It was a great experience and I was so nervous, but I can proudly say that I have been in a Fashion Show wearing my own handmade design. That was a huge accomplishment for me.
McCall’s7405
Made this to wear on a date with my husband and the weather turned cold. I have it for next year.
Simplicity 1358
Love this simply pattern. Pink Camo was a hit this summer and yep, I jumped on the bandwagon.
Simplicity 1358Simplicity 8291
This dress was my everything and it didn’t fit. I was in a rush to make it and failed to do the fitting, went to wear it and the bust needed an adjustment. I was so sad. Well at least it looks good on “Brianna”, my dress form. I know for the next time I make it, that I need to make that adjustment.
I am so ready for 2018. I have my planners out and all ready to go. Here’s looking to a Happy Sew Year!!!
This Bodysuit is FIRE!!! Quick and easy and can be worn dressy or casual. My plan is to wear it with jeans and matching boots. YES, I bought boots to match this fabric, who wouldn’t? This Wine/Burgundy color is all over the place. You see it in jackets, shirts, sweaters, jeans, leggings, t-shirts, and boots, of course. LOL!
This was how I spent my Saturday Night. It was the best. I studied this pattern for a week to make sure I could get the snaps and the sleeves to be perfect. The snaps were a struggle, but I got it done. The sleeves, came out FABULOUS. I took a Guided Sew Along with Leslie Bentley over at The Sewcial Place on Facebook to learn the sleeve technique and with that guidance I had no doubt about the sleeves. Leslie, by the way is a great teacher. You should check her out if you haven’t already.
Bishop sleeves are the thing right now and I love them. They add class to any top or dress.
Simplicity 8513 Misses’ Knit Bodysuit
Which view did I make? View B
How many pieces to cut? 5
What size did I cut? Medium
What kind of fabric did I use? Fabric Stretch Velvet
Where did you purchase this fabric? Hobby Lobby
How much was the fabric per yard? Price per yard $4.99
Would I make this Bodysuit again? Yes, Yes, and Yes. I will be searching for fabric soon for the next one.
My Library – I keep my books on top of this shelf, so I can easily access them when I need to reference a technique or look up a fabric option. I am a bookworm at heart and I love to read. There is a lot of knowledge here on this shelf. In the bins are all of my notions that are not out for display. I keep my extra thread, serger thread, an extra iron, interfacing, some fabric scraps ( I don’t keep all), bias tape, elastic, zippers, buttons, and all other notions. I know I missed some. 
The Sew Life: Fashion, Fabrics, and Fun 