Simplicity 2497

I threw this together in one afternoon. Literally, just buzzed it together on my serger! It was my first jersey knit garment, and I learned a few things. Since the fabric is stretchy, I should have started with a smaller waistband. When the dress ended up being a foot (literally) too big through the waist, I should have taken apart the waistband and shortened it, then regathered and reattached the top and bottom. Instead, I just took it in on both sides, which made the top and skirt much less full than they are supposed to be. Thankfully, it still fits and still lays right on my body. This dress feels like wearing pajamas!

Simplicity 2359

I finished this dress awhile ago, during a full day Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family. It was great, 12 hours of HP, 12 hours of sewing (though not all on this dress)! Here is the result:

It fits well, it went together well, and I love this summer sundress!

Fall Garden Plan

We have big garden plans. I'm hoping to complete some of them before the end of September. Here is what I want to do:

This will involve a day in which we take everything out of the garden, split and divide as necessary, till the soil, add new soil, compost, plant food, and then rearrange everything into their new homes. My peonies need more sun, my hydrangea needs less sun, I don't care if the day lillies get enough sun, and so everything will be moving. We're hoping to re-edge the garden and straighten it which will give me more planting space, and also a higher edge so that it can be a little more raised than it is. Hopfully this will allow the soil to hold more water and nutrients and less run off into the lawn.

In front we'll eventually have retaining wall, but for now we'll raise the bed that sits under our crab apple and move some irises and day lillies there. I hope they get enough sun to not die, although I don't care too much if they actually bloom there or not. Anything will look better than a dried out pile of mulch, yuck!

Sigh, I can't wait for next spring to see how my re-arranged plants do in their shiny new flower beds!

Blooms!

I figured this spring that if even one of my flowers started from seed actually bloomed, I will have had a successful summer. Although my garden still needs a major overhaul this fall, I did actually get some things to bloom!

And finally, my little garden friend the squirrel. I'd like to break off the base since I'm not 90 years old, and just have the squirrel.



Bernina Update

My Bernina is half dead. Let's observe a moment of silence.












From here on out, it will only make a straight stitch, no zig zags, no blind stitching, etc. It's only going to limp me along until I save money, turn 30 and invest in this:

From the same time period, Bernina's 830 model is a few steps up from where I was. This machine has all metal gears, more power, and a few more stitch options. I'll have to treat myself this winter when I hit the big 3-0. This machine will surely take away a bit of the sting of old age...

Pattern Addiction

So, I may have a pattern problem. A full blown addiction? Maybe. Here are today's finds:

The first one is a skirt (McCalls M5591) that I already have fabric for, its to knock off Kate Spade's $325 Lilith skirt:

The next is McCalls M5525, to copy a coat that I found on Pinterest. It says it's from H & M, but I don't like the fabric on their version. I want it warmer, so I'll make my own.

Next is Simplicity 2273, some bibs for a friend's baby:

And then there's the pattern I've been sale-hunting for all summer, finally found at Hancock Fabrics, Simplicity 2178:

And one that I've been unsure of for awhile, so I just went for it before it goes out of print, Simplicity 2497:

Last is Simplicity 2053, I just love the long sleeves and the side rouching. I'm planning to make the view on the top right. I think this will make a great winter dress!

Sewing Hiatus

My beloved Bernina is on the fritz. The other day as I was sewing, it decided to start making a horrid, angry grinding noise. I've tried oiling it, to no avail. I'm taking it to the Bernina doctor tomorrow, hopefully it's an inexpensive diagnosis!

Pattern Extravaganza!

JoAnn's had a great pattern sale a few weeks back, and I stocked up! Here's what's in my sewing bin, waiting to be made:

McCalls 5433, I want to make the long view out of white eyelet, as soon as I can find a "grown up" eyelet.

McCalls 6361, I have some navy twill for these, and I'll line the pockets and waistband out of multi-print cotton.

McCalls 6309, This will be for my friend Nicole's baby, as soon as we figure out if he's a boy or girl (I'm guessing boy).

McCalls 6173, I made these in black, and now I want to make navy with hot pink zippers on the outside!

Vogue 1030, I have been drooling over this pattern for at LEAST 3 years. I don't know where I'll wear it but I had to snap it up incase it goes out of print.

Vogue 2979, Kate Middleton inspired. I'd like this in black, and tea length with a fab crinoline. Maybe for Andy's cousin's wedding this fall!

 Vogue 8633, I want to make the full skirt, short sleeved version for my brother's wedding.