I am so sewing!

I just have little-to-nothing to show for it.  I was working on the Collette Beignet skirt -



in navy, plain old navy, not navy plaid or tweed or stripe or odd patterned fabric.  Navy.  I got stuck on the buttons, who knew it would be so hard to decide on buttons.

In the meantime, I have become the proud new owner of 2 buttonholers, one Singer and one Greist.  I have a Bernina 830, (the original not the newer one) I inherited it from my grandmother.  She bought it new in 1977. I love it, but have never loved the buttonholes that it makes.  So after a little research, thought, prayer and blind luck (ebay) I bought these.

The Greist will fit on machine as is and it has 9 different cams for buttonholes.   And look what pretty buttonholes-

Oops, need to trim that thread

Never one to satisfied with good enough, I went looking for more options, the Singer has 20 different cams. Everything from keyhole buttonholes to eyelets, WooHoo!

Only problem is that the needle fork on the Singer is too thick and hangs up the machine at the top of the needle stroke.  So I have enlisted my husband with all his toys oops, sorry tools to do a little creative engineering to get it to work.

Back to work on my skirt - Happy Sewing, Suzanne

More daily outfits

So much for good intentions.... Most of what I was wearing was just bleck.  Maybe not that bad, but not good either.  So when DD was home, I shanghaied her into acting as my fashion stylist and we put together some outfits and took pictures.  I have had the pictures awhile, just haven't had time to post them.

I was reading Pam's blog and what she called her foundational five and the post really resonated with me.  You can read the whole thing here.  So I swiped, umm, was inspired by and decided to use her's for the time being.  They will probably evolve a little as I do, but I thought they were a good place to start--

• Do I feel strong, empowered in the total look?
• Do I feel classic, sophisticated in the total look?
• Do I feel like it flatters my body and fits appropriately?
• Do I feel appropriately youthful in the look?
• Does the total look feature my creativity?

As a sewer, I probably should give more attention to some to these questions. Preferably before I cut into the fabric, maybe then I would be happier with the end product.  Although I have to say with most of these outfits, the majority of the answers would be yes-even though DD did most of the styling. The exception to the yes answers would be the sweater in the top picture - that underbust seam does not want to stay put, I felt like I spent the whole day tugging and pulling.  Well, OK then, that's a good place to start.

I actually did sew some of things I'm wearing and will blog more about them later.  You know, after I've pulled out my notes and refreshed my memory.

Just for fun, because it takes little-to-no encouragement to induce silliness -

AND just because he is cute -

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Yes, he is in a birdhouse in a tree - a dogwood tree - in MIL's front yard.

Happy sewing, Suzanne

Daily Outfit...

I have a confession to make, you know in the interest of full disclosure - I wore this outfit to church yesterday.  I do that a lot, the dress codes are very similar and since I don't have it on but a couple hours Sunday, it's really easy on Monday to just reach for the same thing.

I made the skirt and blogged about it here.  Everything else is RTW and Oh, Look! there is a belt, but it came with the jacket.  And because you can't see my shoes, again!

DH and DD agreed that this outfit looked really nice on me.  Of course DD should since she put it together!  DH and DD also agreed that I need to make better friends with my camera!

AND...have you seen

I am going to pre-order at least one, probably two.  DD and I both really like her patterns, several are on my fall sewing list, and since DD lives 3 hours away now, we both need our own copies, right?! Of course, we do. That's my story, sticking to it.

Happy Sewing, Suzanne

More Meh...

Today's outfit for your perusal -



And again I'm not thrilled, it's not bad, it's just not good. 

I made the top, it's from Spring 2008 Burda Plus pattern 404A. It's the second time I've used this pattern and this time I drafted some petal sleeves for it.  Sorry no pictures, but I think they turned out nice. The one thing I don't like about this pattern is the wrinkles that run from the gathering at the neckline to the underarm, even though I went back and looked and it's like that on the model too.  I will work on adjusting that next time.

And again you can't see my feet or shoes so -

So comfortable, stylish??

I'm off now to stalk  peruse some styling blogs for pictures of people who seem to have this down pat.

Happy Sewing, Suzanne

Meh.....

So here is today's outfit -

you can't see them, but I'm wearing black ballet-type Sketchers.  Very comfortable, stylish? maybe.

I actually made this dress a couple of years ago - it's Simplicity 2977

 

I love it on the pattern front, on me - not so much.  I think it needs to come in a little on the side seams - or something. I like wearing it, it's very comfortable.  Looking a little closer, I think I need to make another one.  The knit is starting to look old on this one.

 

The shrug is from the Spring 2011 issue of My Image magazine, pattern M1111.  It looks so cute on the model, so I whipped one up in a test fabric.  I think it looks OK, but I have trouble keeping it up on my shoulders.  DD did not have this issue, so I'm thinking she might end up with this shrug.

 

Anyway.....Happy Sewing, Suzanne 

 



Style Ruts

In an effort to break out of my style rut I have been reading
and


It's been slow going, but so far I have decided that I am a moulded (fluffy) body type and a figure 8 silhouette, possibly leaning toward an O. I should use drapey and medium-drape fabrics, or if using stiff fabrics use patterns that conform to the curves of my body.  That's from the Triumph of Individual Style.

Also, by reading Fashion Makeover, I have been made aware to two style ruts -

1. My use of color in my wardrobe is almost non-existent.  I think this is kind of sad, as I like to consider myself a creative person.  I don't really think the lack of color is a style statement such as some people carry off beautifully, but more of a cop-out or laziness, take your pick.
2. My ability to accessorize sucks, I mean really sucks.  DD has almost despaired of getting me to use and/or wear anything other that basic pocketbooks and shoes.  Scarfs and belts currently do not reside in my wardrobe. 

These are the two big ones I would like to fix.

In an effort to break out of these style ruts and (hopefully!) see items of clothing a little more objectively, I am going to try and take pictures of daily outfits.  That way I can get a realistic idea of what I am currently wearing and where I should change.  This is my intention, but you know what they say about intentions and roads to bad places ;) 

So going to make friends with my camera and tripod now.

Happy Sewing, Suzanne

Something to keep in mind -

If you are afraid to make a mistake, afraid to ruin some fabric, or afraid to waste some time, you won’t ever get really good at this craft. It’s the dues you pay for becoming proficient.
                                                                                                                               - Kenneth D King


AND

“Female fat [as] a moral issue is articulated with words like good and bad. If our culture’s fixation on female fatness or thinness was about sex, it would be private issue between a woman and her lover; if it were about health, between a woman and herself… A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty but one about obedience.”
                                                                                                          ~ Naomi Wolf, The Beauty Myth

AND

How is your self-image and the way you carry yourself informed by your beliefs?

I believe that God created me to be intelligent, creative, beautiful, strong, dignified, powerful, joyful, loving, prayerful, friendly, hospitable, a servant, a teacher, a mother, a wife, a friend, supportive, discerning, wise, diligent and gentle. To walk with my head down would dishonor the one who created all of that. It has everything to do with what I believe. 
                                                                         as seen on over50felling40.blogspot.com

Not all exactly sewing or sewing related, but something for me to keep in mind!

Happy Sewing, Suzanne