Sewing Jots and Tittles 7.23.13

It's that time again! Time to give you a sneak peak of the neurological activity that's happening between my two ears! Here you go.......my Sewing Jots and Tittles for this week......

Sewing, Fashions, and Such

I love washing/drying new fabric. I love the cool colors I see when cleaning out the dryer lint screen! See how much cooler the bright lint ball on the left looks over the basic lint ball on the right. Ok, I feel some of you judging me now! LOL!!!! I promise I do get out and socialize with other people! LOL!

I LOVE bold jewelry pieces!!! This bold necklace might have a bit much for some but just my style!

 Do you even have to ask why I'd want one of these jump drives? You know you want one too! LOL!

 Who knew Nancy's notions has a sewing advice hotline? Interesting!

 Yay!!! There's Fold Over Elastic (FOE) at Jo-Ann's! The price for 1 yard is atrocious. I can get mine for $1/yd elsewhere!!! Can you say highway robbery!!!!

 Cute, cute Simplicity dress!!! I have my wedding anniversary coming up. This is a contender outfit!

 The cutest buttons! I'd love to put them on something for my daughter! Perhaps a coat...

 Never knew you could buy sheeting????

Love this fabric! Awesome color combo!

Non-Sewing

 Was having a pity party last week (it's ok, I'm all better now). Wish I had seen this. It would've definitely given me a good laugh! Just when you think no one cares....there's always collectors! LOL!!!!

Had a beautiful evening at the beach. These were strange beams of light considering the sun was setting in the very opposite direction.

 It's hard to see but this was taken after a quick rain. You know it's HOT where you live when there's literally steam coming off the pavement after the rain!!!! LOL!!!

 Woo-Hoo! I scored big on this pure vanilla extract at closeout price. BTW, it's Madagascar pure vanilla extract. I don't know how that impacts the taste but I can't wait to find out!

Got some gluten free items on closeout too! Those biscuits are the best gf one's I've ever had.  But at that price I rarely bought them. 

 Nothing like finding a bottle of vodka in the bathroom at the LIBRARY?!?!?! People have got to do better! LOL!!!

Saw a McDonald's in Florida with a fireplace surrounded by a cute little booth. Kinda romantic. Where was this when I was dating my Hubby in college. A romantic environment and for cheap---- a college couple's dream! LOL!

LOL! Thought this was too cute!!!

My Sewing Book Watch List

I live for books! And I'm an advent sewing book collector. I feel that if you can learn just one thing from a sewing book it can improve your sewing tremendously! That's why I'm an avid yet selective collector. A couple of weeks ago I went to the local Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) bookstore to check out their sewing book collection. I love to see/preview the textbooks for the fashion design students. I saw a few things that struck my fancy and will be keeping an eye out for them ---likely buying them within the year. Here they are.....

  I actually purchased this one already. I had an earlier version. The newest book has more details and larger photos. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE DK books! Who doesn't. There's so much details and clear pics. You can go to Amazon.com to preview the book.

This will definitely be my next sewing book purchase---just waiting for a good price (I RARELY pay full price for books). I LOVE this book! It's another DK book. It would make such a great coffee table book. It 's so neat how fashion has changed through the years. This book really encapsulates the changes throughout history and goes into great detail showing shoes and accessories too!!! I LOVE it!!! See sample page below......

This had alot of neat information/advice! I never went to fashion school but doesn't mean I can't learned from those that did;)

I Love the show and learn alot from each designer and the good/bad decisions they make for each challenge. This has bio's on the designers and challenge info.

 A gorgeous picture book of historically relevant gowns! Again, it's neat to assess formal styles of the past and present!

Well that's some of the books on my Book Watch List. What about you, do you have any sewing books on your watch list. What are they? Do share:)

Operation: "Stock my Summer Wardrobe" Plans....

My goal for July is to stock up on my Summer wardrobe. As I mentioned before my closet has been a bit bare. And my overall goal is to sew pieces that will be interchangeable. I don't want to have to labor and stress over getting dressed. I like to keep it cute and simple. Ok, I've already done some of my sewing so here's the remainder of my sewing goals. I'll get through as much as I can. Here it is plain and simple........

What I'm currently working on.......

Other patterns I plan to use. For the record I'm not showing my fabric choices. Gotta keep some element of surprise (wink)! I can't possibly sew all of this up in 2 weeks but I always like to give myself lots of choices. And if you know me well, my plans are subject to change as my creativity determines!!!

Well this is it! I'm off to get a good night's rest. Gotta do some deep cleaning in the house and jump back on my sewing machine. How are your Summer sewing plans coming along???

Vogue 1306---The Canary Rebecca Taylor Top

I've been swamped lately and still haven't blogged about my "Operation: Stock my Summer Wardrobe" plans (it really will be my next post, promise!!!), but I have been sewing. Here's a top that's been cut out for some time that I finally finished up. I really love it! I'm all about the bright colors!!!! Today I went to a birthday party in which all of the attendants were asked to dress "colorful". So I paired this bright yellow top with bright red capris. Sorry for the poor pics, my camerman (The Hubby) wasn't available so I had to use my cell phone. Here's the review.......

Vogue 1306

Time to Sew:

About 3 hours

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

A 3, not bad at all.

Pattern Description:

Pullover top with neck band, placket, and lower hemline in the front.

(FYI, the bunching in the back of the shirt is due to my protruding capri pockets)

Pattern Sizing:

I cut the size XS

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, for the most part. My front gathers weren't as full as on the pattern envelope but that may be due to the lightweight knit I used. 

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Loved the overall design!

Fabric Used:

Really thin, bright yellow knit---I believe it was rayon.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

None. I stabilized the shoulder seams with clear elastic as I always do.
Update 7/14/13---I just realized that I didn't roll up and tack the sleeve. I just left it hanging straight.

What would you do differently next time?:

Nothing.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes, it was an easy sew.

Wardrobe Versatility:

It can go with almost anything---skirt, pants, capris, shorts, etc.

Conclusion:

Cute little top!

McCall 5853- The Salmon Tiered Flounce Top

Happy Sunday everyone!!!! My sewing mojo as of late has been INSANE!!! As mentioned a couple of posts ago my goal for July is to crank out my Summer wardrobe. I'm in such desperate need for clothes. Well I haven't even laid out my plans to you guys just yet (that will be the next post) but I've already gotten started with them. I'm definitely building up some serious momentum. Well I got the unction last night to make up this top to wear to church today and add to my Summer wardrobe. It's McCall's 5853 and it's SUPER cute! I LOVE it! It turned out just as I'd hoped. I love wearing solids that have interesting and fun design details. The tiered flounces absolutely won me over!!! I paired it with sky blue capris, NineWest brown sandals, chunky bracelet, silver necklace and colorful nails (courtesy of Essie Mint candy apple polish---I'm so obsessed LOL!)  Well here's my review....

(Full View)

McCall's 5853

Time to Sew:

About 3 hours

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

A 2---it was super easy!!!!

(Side View)

Pattern Description:

Top with tiered flounces and unfinished edges.

Pattern Sizing:

I cut the size 10

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!

(Back View)

Were the instructions easy to follow?

YES!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Nothing to dislike at all!

Fabric Used:

A salmon colored lightweight, moderate stretch knit.

(Upclose shots)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

1. I only used binding on the neckline. The armholes didn't need it since it had 2 layers of fabric. Instead I serged the armhole edges, turned under and sewed down.

2. I had to take out 1.25" length off out of back middle flounce---beginning at center and tapering to sides. I'm really shortwaisted in back so that alteration was necessary so all the flounces would look equally spaced in the back.

What would you do differently next time?:

Nothing, I'd sew it up with my same alterations.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

YES, I'd love to have it in another solid color. It's too easy of a sew and the results are SO cute!

Wardrobe Versatility:

You can pair it with shorts or even a short, fitted skirt. My favorite pairing is with capris.

Conclusion:

SUPER cute top and excellent wardrobe builder!!!

The "Paint Splatter" tank (NewLook 6120) & Book Giveaway Winner

Happy 4th of July!!!!! Hope you're having a great day celebrating. Our celebration this year was pretty laid back and consisted of heading into town to see the awesome annual firework show. I felt like being a little cute so I finished up my NewLook 6102 tank top that I started working on months ago and just didn't get around to finishing. It's nice to have it finally done and I think it turned out cute. I paired it with a black tank top, my black "shimmery leggings" I made HERE, black flip flops, bright turquoise earrings and a white studded bracelet---the perfect outfit to catch a fireworks show.

But before I go into my review let me reveal the winner of the 1st ed Fitting and Pattern Alteration book from this POST. Drum Roll please............

Out of 29 comments, the random generated number is 15. That means TONI wins the prize!!!! Congratulations Toni!!!! Please email me at tenthousandsewinghours@yahoo.com so I can get your address and send you your book!!!!

NewLook 6102 

 Time to Sew:

A couple of hours

Sewing Ease (scale 1 easy to 10 difficult):

It's a 2, super easy.

Pattern Description:

Tank top with elasticized gathers under bust and on back with uneven hem.

Pattern Sizing:

I cut the size 10

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

For the most part. I completely screwed up the elastic under the bust. Must've not marked incorrectly. My fabric was forgiving and since it's a really stretchy knit I didn't really need the contour under the bust.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Loved the style and uneven hem.

Fabric Used:

I believe it's a rayon lycra blend. I LOVE the paint splash print!!! It's really cool.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Again, I made a mistake with the elastic under the bust. I didn't really need it anyway. If I make this again and use a similar fabric that has a 2 way stretch then I'll skip this step all together. Oh yeah, I did use fold over elastic around the neckline instead of making binding as recommended. And as always I use clear elastic to stabilize the shoulder seams. I also didn't hem it which is usually the case when I make tops like these in 2 way stretch fabrics that don't unravel.

What would you do differently next time?:

Just mentioned it above.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I think I will. I have lots of leggings and tops like these work great with them.

Wardrobe Versatility:

Great with skirts or pants!

Conclusion:

Cute top! Makes me wonder why I waited so long to finish it up!!!

Why my Waistbands Won't See the Light of Day!

I snicker at this blog post. It's actually a true admission of sorts. I'm roughly 5"9 and am about 75% legs and 25% torso. Since I'm SO short-waisted I NEVER wear styles that show my waistband. That means when the ultra cute and trendy sailor pants came out. Did I wear them?

The answer is a big fat NO!

When the all the beautiful high-waisted skirts hit the fashion scene did I wear them?

Another big fat no! My upper body is so small that that the waistband would've been sitting right under "the girl's" LOL!!!!

Well it is what it is. I'm not complaining or anything. Seriously I'm not. I love my body just the way it is. But we all know if you wear the wrong clothes for your figure type you can totally look like a hot mess. So for the sake of creating the illusion of a longer torso all of my waistbands have to be hidden by long shirts or belts or I just wear clothes without distinguishing it at all. Or my favorite trick is to opt for the empire waistline. Now there's a high waistline that looks good on me! LOL!!! You see it's no big deal.

I have to admit that there is a bit of a blessing in all of this. Since my waistband is never visible I'm beginning to care alot less of what it looks like. I mean I'm not so determined to make clothes with interfaced waistbands as I used to be.  I'm beginning to like and appreciate the ease of the elastic waistband for some of my clothes (denim capris, trousers excluded). Especially for Summer-type-everyday-looks. They're both comfortable and quick to sew up. Now don't judge me yet. I know that alot of you think the elastic waistband is reserved for folks who may be in their "golden years" (and even some of them won't wear them LOL!). But heck, my argument is if no can see my waistband why should it matter?

I've found some really cute Summer patterns with elasticized waistbands. I'm hoping to incorporate a few of these into my July sewing. Here's just a handful......

(I LOVE the 2 pants at the bottom!!!)

I'll DEFINITELY be making at least 2 of the 4 patterns this month. I'm really loving the looks and am so glad I'm becoming more open to making clothes with an elastic waistband. So I'm curious, where do you weigh in on the whole elastic waistband issue? Yea or Nay? Is your answer influenced by your body type or just your personal preference? Do share!!!