1920's Kitchen Remodel

As you can see we are almost completely done with our kitchen remodel other than a few finishing touches. We had the cabinets made using our own design.We ordered the copper drawer pulls and cabinet knobs were all from Bellacor.com.  The copper lampshade hanging over the eating bar were found by my daughter in an old shack on some friends farm and they just gave them to us. My husband did the electrical on them. The countertops are a suede finish granite. The farmers sink and faucet set we bought on Amazon.com.

Sewing Machine Shaming!!!

I've had to use pliers to change the needle for a while and sometimes the needle drops into the lower part of the machine to be lost forever.

 I guess it's getting picky in it's old age!

Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight Jacket

                                  

The design of this jacket is extremely useful to throw on to go to the gym as well as wearing with a pair of jeans for a casual fashionable look. Its front pockets are perfect for stashing your keys or phone, while the front zipper allows you to zip up against any possible chills.

Pattern went together easily and quickly. Extremely straight forward, no nonsense instruction that a beginner with some general sewing knowledge could tackle. Zipper insertion usually scares beginners but the separating zipper is easily attached and a great zipper to learn zipper technique. Pattern is the Stand Up Eight Jacket by Mind, Body & Sew. http://www.mindbodyandsew.com/shop/stand-up-eight-jacket-roomy-version

Fabric was bought from Nancy's Notions and is now sold out. It's called ONYX SYMPHONY JACQUARD KNIT FABRIC 

Textured jacquard double knit with raised dimensional designs

Coloration: black

Pattern: abstract arrows

Stretch: 25%

50" wide

94% acetate/6% Lycra double knit

26” Black Activewear Separating Zipper

Model is my daughter Hannah

Photos by Me

Pillowcase TOP Cutting Chart For Girls

There is plenty of information online for making a pillowcase dress but what about a top. You would think it would be easy to find but I couldn't locate anything, so I set out to figure out how to  do the length for a pillowcase top in sizes 3-14 girls.  You can download the pdf chart HERE

RAVEN MAD MADELAINE SHIRT

I had the privilege to test another pattern, the Madelaine Shirt by the designer Parnuuna of BeMyGoth.com sewing patterns. You may remember the bright pink Lucinda skirt that I tested earlier this year. (View here: Pink Happy Thoughts Lucinda Skirt)

The new design is the Madelaine raglan sleeve shirt with beautiful lace on the lower sleeves that is extra long so it can be scrunched around the wrist. The shirt features a tantalizing applique of your choice of Ravens (I reduced my Raven by 25%) and body and upper sleeves of the shirt is made from jersey or knit fabric. (Pattern link at bottom)

Fabrics used :

*Black knit jersey from ChezAmi.com

*Black knit lace from fabric.com

*Stripe knit jersey for raven from Spoonflower.com

Sizes:

 *I used the size 40 for my model.

 *Available in a large range of  Sizes: 34 – 50 (European sizes)

 *Found sizing for my model to be true to measurements given.

Digital Pattern Details: 3 PDFs:

 *A 18 pages Pattern + 1 test page – ready to cut out when assembled.

 *A 31 pages step-by-step picture tutorial to guide you through the whole       process.

  *An 8 pages printable description

The Madelaine t-shirt design is appealing by 16-year-olds in vintage high-tops, to the 20somethings or even the more mature group who wish to look fashion forward. If you're looking for a T-shirt alternative, this knits-only pattern is a fantastic option. It comes in a large range of sizes (34 – 50 European sizes) to suit many figure types. It can be worn with jeans or the complimentary Madelaine skirt, also available at bemygoth.com for free. (pattern link at bottom)

       This pattern features many options such as having two different Raven applique’s to choose from or no applique at all. The separate sleeve pieces could be pieced together to make the sleeve in one fabric instead of the lace and fabric combination. The pointed hem can be changed to a round or straight hemline based on your preference.

     The instructions are very detailed with photos for every step. Trust me there is no guess work with these instructions! Any beginner that is comfortable sewing with knits would be at ease on this pattern. It's easy, fast and you get such a fabulous and professional looking result.

The big pattern companies could take some tips from BeMyGoth designer!

Madelaine Shirt Pattern 

Madelaine Circle Skirt Pattern

Nap Time Blanket and Pillow For Kindergarten

Here is another' long ago creations' that I made for my little boy when he started kindergarten. He is now in the Air Force and is greatly missed at home. This is a little blanket made from all cotton fabric with a race car print mixed with solids red and blue. I made a matching little pillow from the race car cotton. When I made this for my son, I had hoped he would remember that mommy made it for him and that I was kind of there with him during nap time. He always loved taking this to school and then it became his travel blanket over the years till one day I caught him wrapping it around his regular pillow on his bed  when he was just 13. That's my boy!!! haha It's now put away in a safe place so that one day when he is ready for it again, I can give it back to him good as new. Enjoy the project but enjoy who you're making it for more!

Nathan's Toddler Bed Sailboat Quilt

This little quilt was made for my son years ago when he moved into his toddler bed. I used a nautical themed cotton fabric and 12" square sailboat blocks. There is a rope trim around the edges. I had also made window valances that matched the nautical fabric, but do not have a photo of the room. The quilt block pattern is from a Georgia Bonesteel quilting book from the 1980's. All cotton quilting fabric was used with cotton quilt batting. 

Upcycling A Fur Coat into a Hat

Faux Fur Hat Made From Fur Coat

Upcycling A Fur Coat into a Hat

I always love going to costume party's. Last weekend I attended a party that required us to dress up as a character from the old Pink Panther movies. I chose the character Olga, the Russian Spy. She was wearing a long fur coat and fur hat in the movie. Well, first problem, I didn't own a fur coat or hat, so I headed to our local Goodwill and found two fur coats that were the same. One to wear as is and the other to make into a matching hat. (note: not real fur). I used this tutorial by Love To Sew:  http://www.lovetosew.com/hat.htm  Here are photos of the before and after:

Faux Fur Russian Style Hat made for party.

Faux Fur Russian Style Hat made for party.

Coat before the Hack

At the party as Olga the Russian spy

Olga (The Russian Spy

Olga The Russuan Spy

Inspector Clueseau with Olga Russian Spy

2nd coat hacked!

BEFORE BOARDING YOUR FLIGHT DRESS

Second Mind Body and Sew Patterns Dress!!

This weekend was my twin daughters 25th birthday and flew home to celebrate with their parents. On their birthday I have them go thru my fabric and patterns to choose a garment that I will later mail to them. Well, they were having no part of mailing this dress and wanted it before they had to go back to the airport. WHAT!!!  I've made two of these dresses and the second one in about 4 hours. Getting faster with each one I make. haha 

My daughters chose a pattern that I was testing from  SEW ACTIVE PATTERNS ("Face the Sun Wrap Top/Dress Pattern) and some really cool jersey fabric that had purchased from fabric.com (https://www.fabric.com/buy/0302032/laguna-stretch-cotton-jersey-honeycomb-yellow?cm_vc=756b1813-cbc1-43b3-84bd-29889bf8fb7b) and had in my stash. 

Now about this dress. Before you board your flight  4 hour wrap dress. 

The grey, black and yellow hexagon fabric looks like one fabulous maze.  Complete with a surplice style neckline and flattering, tie-wrap waist. Its a formfitting silhouette with quarter-length sleeves that has a flawless look. 

Photos by: Hannah Brasher(daughter) and Model is: Gwendolyn Shearrow(daughter)

Mind, Body & Sew Patterns Knit Wrap Dress/Wrap Top Pattern Review

I TESTED A PATTERN; I LIKED IT!!!

Mind Body & Sew 

             Knit Wrap Dress/Wrap Top Pattern Review

 This style of dress is very appealing to me because of ease of dressing with

a flawless look and the variety of fabrics available in knits. The pattern is not

complicated in it’s design. However, since it does not include line drawings

or photos of steps I would not recommend for a beginner (Designer has added diagrams since reviews and would be appropriate for beginners). If you are an

intermediate sewist, it does come together rather easily.

The instructions are written in a conversational manner. I think it would

make most sewists feel comfortable. Overall the pattern is well written., with

just a few suggested changes for clarification. There were a few times when

attaching the binding was not clear without rereading a few times. This part

could have been addressed a little better so you understood that these

pieces will be showing on the outside of the finished dress/top.

This pattern has no images or diagrams, but since reviews has added diagrams. I do believe that photos can sometimes make a pattern easier to understand although diagrams can do

the trick. The pattern relies heavily on understanding garment construction.

The pattern pieces are labeled and easy to understand.

Like I stated earlier, this is a easy little dress for a Intermediate sewist. It does come

together rather easily, but you have to be ready to take your time and read

the instructions carefully. You also need to be able to sew a very straight

line to attach the binding/trim strip. Just take your time…

The fit seemed a little on the small side but not un-wearable. I made the XS

for my model, U.S. sizes 0-2 and body measurements were at the lowest

part of the measurements on the sizing. My model wore a lace cami under

the dress for modesty but could be worn without. Sizes range from XS (0-2) to XL (16) and can be made into a top as well. 

Overall this dress is fun to sew and will get easier the more often you make

it, as with any pattern! Take your time and sew slowly and precisely. I am

very pleased with the finished dress and am sure you will be too!

Dress/Top pdf pattern can be bought for $9.99 here: Face The Sun Wrap Top/Dress Pattern
My fabric was from fabric.com "Laguna Stretch Cotton Jersey Chevron Yellow here: https://www.fabric.com/buy/0302031/laguna-stretch-cotton-jersey-chevron-yellow

Photos taken by Gwen Brasher-Shearrow (daughter)
Model is Hannah Brasher (daughter)