My 2014 Sewing Goals

I know we're about to step over the threshold into February and the "Fearless February" challenge I've mentioned in the last 2 posts. But for the record I realized I need to mention my OVERALL sewing plans for the 2014 New Year. I'm all about resolutions! As the old saying goes "If you don't aim for something you'll hit NOTHING everytime". Well I've got some high aims. For ease I'll just list them. Again, I'm happy I get to tackle some of these in my fearless February challenge. So that's automatically a great way of starting the year off right. It's going to be a PHENOMENAL year!!!! I look forward to reviewing my accomplishments at the end of this year!!!!

2014 Sewing Goals

• Sew faster! I plan to switch over to using my Industrial Sewing machine for most of my sewing.  I'm learning how to drive that thing better. It's FAST! But that's exactly what I want. 
• Sew for my Husband-Want to make him some shirts & a jacket.
• Teach myself draping- I've already begun. I plan to make myself at least 10 draped pieces this year!!!
• Sketch more- I just purchased the book 9 Heads & 
• Make coats for the whole family
• Do more Special Occasion sewing- I have at least 2 Prom Gowns lined up and another "Daddy/Daughter Banquet" dress for my daughter.
• Find & enter a Sewing Competition
• Teach more BurdaStyle Webinars---already taught one on yesterday & will teach another one next Thursday.
• Attend a sewing conference or two---I'll be going to the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo in Atlanta and possibly Lakeland, Fl since Mr. Jim (my tailoring instructor) will be teaching there.
• Take a fabric trip out of town--- There's a fabric store in Atlanta I plan to visit next.
• Re-Stock my wardrobe basics---I need more skirts, cardigans & pants---all in neutral colors.
• Of course log my 1000+ hours as required for my 10,000 Sewing hours challenge!!!
• Participate in a sewing related charity or give Pro-Bono lessons
• I'd love to meet up with some fellow bloggers! Hmmmm....let me see who I can contact and what we can arrange:)

Ok, there's a few more but I'll reveal those a bit later. There's LOTS to do this year! Thanks as always for following me on my sewing adventures! Ok, I'm switching gears to my Fearless February sewing........

Lookie what I got!!!

(the NEW Vogue 8850 & Hunter green satin I bought today. Excuse the poor pic)

I was praying REALLY hard to get my hands on this pattern. You may recall from my recent blog post that I wanted to wear this to an upcoming semi-formal dinner party.  I checked at Hancock's this past week during their $3.99 Vogue sale but they hadn't got the patterns in just yet. So I discovered after visiting Jo-Ann's today (to look for some fabric for a client) that the new Vogues were in but they wouldn't be on sale until Wednesday. I checked the pattern drawer and noticed there was only 1 copy of Vogue 8850. So my choice was---buy now or wait until Wednesday and risk it not being there. What do you think I did? Mama didn't raise no fool LOL! I swooped that pattern up SO fast and sucked up paying an extra $10 for it. Then I went to look for fabric. I mentioned that I wanted a rich dark green fabric---maybe a crepe or something with a little sheen. But I was more interested in a dark color. So I ran across the Casa Collection hunter green satin. I grabbed it too and with my 60% off coupon purchased 4.5 yards for only $15 (saving myself $21). What a STEAL huh???!!!

So both pattern and fabric are safely at home. I still have to double check with other party attendees to make sure this dress isn't to fancy for the affair. But it is a semi-formal dinner party so in my mind it works but I just want to be sure.

I'll start working on a muslin later this week.......

My Sewing Progress Report-- VIDEO edition

 I've been wanting to do a video forever so I FINALLY did!!!! This is my first video so go easy on me---I'm all over the place and so is my hair.... LOL! There's lots going on and I wanted to share it with you guys (btw, will show draping results next time). Check it out.  I think there's some weird lag with the video too so sorry if my words and actions don't coincide. I may need to use another video program next time. Any suggestions? Anyhow I hope this is informative and I look forward to doing the next one. And as always, thanks for following along with me and my zany sewing adventures!!! I ALWAYS appreciate your support!

If video isn't working check it out on youtube here.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFFZ9x_F-vs&feature=youtu.be

Spring Time Sewing is in EFFECT!!!!

First of all I wanted to thank all of you for the wonderfully kind comments you left regarding my Gala dress! The event is over and done with and the dress sits on my dress form but your comments still warm my heart:)

Secondly, I'm sure most of you know this already but just in case you don't ......"It's Spring BABY"!!!! Can I get a "What-What"! LOL! Excuse my silliness but Spring is definitely my favorite season. There's just something about it that symbolizes "newness" and "freshness" Everything comes alive from hibernation---including my wardrobe. I've unpacked the warm weather wardrobe and frankly thought I probably wouldn't have to sew much of anything for the season. How WRONG was I. Immediately I started cleaning out the wardrobe and creating a Goodwill pile of some items. You know it's interesting how our tastes can even change from season to season and I'm happy that I have the skills to sew so I can create the wardrobe to my liking.

So I've got my work cut out. You know I'm a planner so I've already outlined my next project for the next few months. Here's what's in the pipeline......

 I'm currently working on this top. I picked up this McCall pattern on Sunday. It's one of the newest patterns and I'm making view c in this lovely red knit with black & brown designs. I made some changes to the pattern and hope it turns out good. I'd like to make a few of them if that's the case.

Also, Easter is just next week and I have two dresses to make. This is the pattern and fabric I'll be using for my dress. I'll be making the dress on the left. Well I know what you're thinking---it is alot of look but I'm going to go with my gut on this. The fabric has a shantung texture and sheen and the colors of this fabric are bold but yet rich (not really seen in this photo). My hubby approves so I'm thinking I'm heading in the right direction.

This is my daughters dress--the one on the left in light blue knit gauze. I think the texture and lightness of the fabric will make it pretty. I plan to accent with a light blue and brown belt. So as you can see me and the "Wee One" will be coordinating so dad will probably wear a blue shirt and khaki's.

Needless to say I'll be sewing all weekend to churn out these 2 dresses in the midst of some client work that I also have to do. But I digress...... there's more....

Here a few pattern I hope to be pulling from to do some sewing between the end of April and June. Some specific projects I've already targeted are....

This lovely number (the long one). I've been salivating over this dress since last year when I bought the pattern. I've had the paisley crinkled chiffon print in my stash for the last 5 years or so and have definitely found a pattern that's worthy of it.

This top (sorry about the sideways pattern pic)

And this halter dress--short version in this colorful knit.

Well that's an overview of some of the sewing I plan to accomplish now and in the near future. How bout' you, are you geared up for Spring Sewing? Have some exciting projects planned?

Boycotting the RTW (Ready to Wear) JEAN!!!!

As of late, I've felt an occasional chill in the air that reflects the changing of the seasons. The official first day of autumn was a couple of days ago and of course I've had to face the reality that Summer's coming to the end and like you all go through the task of choosing my Fall/Winter wardrobe. I've already highlighted some of my sewing projects for the next couple of months HERE. But as usual around this time I get that same knot in my stomach. It's at this time I know I have to answer that AGE OLD question of  "What jeans and I going to wear"? Usually at this time every year I'd be lucky to have 2 pair of nice, well fitting jeans. This year I have NONE since I just wore out my last pair of jeans---the pair of Gap jeans I got from a fancy consignment shop for only $4 (that was an awesome deal!). I have ALWAYS had the hardest time finding jeans that fit and weren't Super expensive.

The reason I have so much trouble is due to the length of my lower half. I have some long legs!!!! Now I don't say that to brag or anything---- I'm simply just stating a fact. I am 5'8", short-waisted, and have a 34" in seam which makes it EXTREMELY difficult to find jeans that I like. You know, jeans with all of the right characteristics --- great fit, color, stretch in addition to them being long enough. I can usually survive the Spring and Summer without problem thanks to capris! Where would I be without them. I even buy pants too short for me and convert them into capris. But I have no way of getting around the issue during the cold weather. And since I know that's impending, I'm determined to break the cycle of panic and head this problem off early.

I've elected to do things differently this year and every year hereafter. I've made a new decision when it comes to finding jeans. I will no longer look for them and spend countless of hours searching for the perfect fit and length. It's OFFICIAL and I'm calling it QUITS!!!!  I've decided to "Boycott the RTW jean ALTOGETHER!!! I'll be making my own from now on.  I love being a Seamstress!!! As most of you know the arrival of such great jean patterns such as Jalie 2908 (which like most of you I also own) have made that a possibility. I've  I also have a couple of other jean patterns as well. In addition to that I've already got jean fabric and corduroy fabric as well.

 Sigh.......(exhales)...you don't know how liberated I feel! I'd always planned to sew my own jeans but for some reason kept holding on to the hope that I would find the jeans I was looking for. But I've gotten tired of even hoping. The last straw was when I bought a pair of "Long" jeans from Old Navy (during their $15 jean sale last month) and they still ended up short!!!! What's the world coming to when a "Long" Jean doesn't fit  long legs!!!!LOL!!! To Old Navy's defense, upon visiting their website, I realized they have "Tall" and "Long" lengths--but I'm still unsure on how they differ.  I guess I should stop complaining though, I could be Daryl Hannah (the actress from the movie Splash--pictured below) who is rumored to have a 40" in seam.

Legs that long pretty require some custom tailored pants for certain!!!

So I wrote this post to EXCLAIM that I'm joining the ranks of all you jean-sewers out there. I will probably be a Jean-Sewer-for-Life, that is until Express begins selling their $50+ jeans for $5. I know, not likely to happen but a Girl can dream right---LOL!!!! Jokes aside, I'll only buy jeans if I find everything I want for a decent price. If not, I'll no longer stress about it, especially since I can sew my own. In boycotting the RTW jean I'm finally ending the years of struggle of finding the right jeans. Now I know I'm not the only one out there. Since You've been sewing, what's the one RTW garment that you've Boycotted (or came close to Boycotting) and Why?