That’s a wrap – Goodbye 2018

I can’t believe it is almost the end of 2018. Where did the time go? I thought my biggest challenge would be sticking to the Ready to Wear Challenge, hosted by Goodbye Valentino. Well it wasn’t, my biggest challenge was blog writing. I feel as though I have hit a wall, when it comes to coming up with content to write. I have been doing some research and looked at a few online blog content websites to help me out. I think I got it now.

I am a member of a local blogging community here in Sacramento, Ca, called the Blog Bloc. The Blog Bloc holds monthly mixers and events related to blogging. Although I was unable to attend all the events in 2018, busy training for Marathons, I did catch one that has helped me with my blog writing. The November Mixer: Content Planning Workshop with Melissa Camilleri was awesome. Lots of ideas on where to get blog topics, monthly planning, and so much more. So with that said, I will be incorporating all the things I have learned into my blog posts starting January 2019. Including a monthly schedule of photos on location. That part makes me excited.

A lot has happened in 2018, a lot of SEWING!!! I was so proud of all the finished projects that I was able to accomplish. How did I get so many done? I made time. Sewing has become like my second job, but in a fun way. I do love my day job too.

Some projects were hard to finish and lay in the Unfinished Object (UFO) basket, I do plan on going back to those projects in the summer, as most of them are summer garments.

Here is my collection from 2018. (Lots of pictures)

I was also the proud 3rd place winner of the Fabric Mart photo challenge this summer. You can read the blog post here. I love a good Instagram challenge, it keeps me on my toes and more often than enough it makes me remember what I want to do for my next project. My prize for winning the challenge was 2 patterns of my choice, which I still have on my to do list.

The last few projects I have on my sewing table right now are PJ’s and a coat. I am working slowly on the coat with it being my first fully lined coat, I want to be sure to go at my own pace. No need to rush it and have to take it apart.

I am making several pairs of PJ’s and lounge wear tops for the next month or so. One can never have too many PJ’s. I have them all cut out and ready to sew. Hopefully I will get them done in the next few days or so.

Bye for now, time to go Sew Something!!!

Simplicity 8790 Hoodie Tunic

Misses’ Knit Dresses and Tunic View C

Simplicity 8790

This was an easy make all except for the hood, for some reason, I couldn’t get it to line up. I pinned it about 3 times, seems to be that I am having issues with the neckbands, collars, and hoods lately. I may need to revisit some of my books for some tips, especially when sewing with knits, you can never learn to much with sewing even when you think you know it all. 

I used a knit fabric that I found on a day trip to San Francisco, CA with my husband. Day trip, who am I kidding? I went there just to visit the fabric store. The Store is called The Fabric Outlet. It the closest fabric store to me that has a variety of fabrics other than Joann or Hobby Lobby. I could take a weekend trip to the Fashion District in Los Angeles, CA, but I have enough fabric for a while. Thinking of going on a fabric fast (NO purchasing of fabric for 2019) with a twist. The twist would be that I could purchase fabric only after all of other fabric is gone. I plan on sewing a lot more in 2019, so it may be possible to use all of what I have and if I do, my plan would be to purchase only what I need for the next projects. 

I choose to sew View C for the purpose of the hood and the front pocket, not so sure I like the hood on my head. I have never worn anything on my head. No hats, no wigs, no nothing. I am considering some wigs just to mix things up, who knows I may become someone else in the process. LOL!!!!

I should re-evaluated and measured the pocket from top to bottom, so it could have been the correct place like a hoodie should be. More than likely I am going to take this one apart and move the pocket up. Lord knows, nothing ever fits me, at 4’11” everything has to be altered to fit me, one of the main reasons I sew for myself. 

Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit Dresses and Tunics

Pattern Sizing: xs-xl

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes, it was exactly what I had visioned in my head once it was all done.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes the instructions were very easy to follow. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the whole project until it came time to attach the hood, this is an issue I have with hoods, collars, and neckbands when sewing with knits. It was nothing with the pattern or the instructions. 

Fabric Used: Cotton Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn’t make any alterations, although I should have measured the placement of the pocket before attaching. It is a little low for someone of my height. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes I am going to put it on my list to sew again in a little bit heavier knit to wear on colder days. This one is fine, but definitely needs a long t-shirt and leggings under it for cold days. 

Conclusion: It is a great project and a great addition to my wardrobe of Me Made Garments. 

Bye for now, Time to go Sew Something!!!