I'm in Jacket and Lining Land!!

It is always still amazing to me when I purchase a piece a fabric, bring it home and then cut all these cool and different rectangular or oval shapes out. After doing that, I, take a needle and thread or the faster version (machine) and put everything together. End result, a nice garment to wear outside of the house. How cool is that? Sometimes I take that skill for granted, by not remember how cool it is, and then I get reminded by one of my awesome neighbors. Like yesterday, I was in the house and my neighbor Danielle stopped over for like a hot minute. I was working on my Simplicity 4256 jacket. I tried it on and then walked over to her house. I was like, "what do you think?" She then looked at me as if I had 2 heads and said "wasn't that in pieces a minute ago? That's crazy, but I love it. I think it's so cool that you can do that." Well ladies and gents, I think it's cool that we all have this skill/talent whether it be sewing, knitting or crochet. It's even cooler when you walk outside and know that no one else is going to look like you, because you put your own spin on things.

I finally cut the lining out for my Simplicity jacket over the weekend and I marked it up on Monday during lunch at my favorite hangout spot. The Bellvue Food Court. I ate a quick lunch and got busy with my thread and chalks. I had a ball. Yesterday while waiting for my mother, she had a doctor's appointment, I basted my pieces together to check the fit. I can happily say that everything is going well so far. Last night I pretty much sewed the jacket together except for the sleeves. I also pinned the trim (it's a faux leather with cool roping around it) on that I'm going to use. I wasn't sure about putting the trim around the collar area, so I tried it out and then took it off. I thought it was a little too much. I do intend to put it on the bottom of the sleeves though. I hope it give it a nice added touch.
This will be the first jacket that I've ever done with a lining. I'm feeling a little apprehensive about it. That's probably why I've taken so long in making this jacket. This is also the first pattern that I'm working with that has the different bra cup pieces to pick from for your cup size. I have to tell you, I like it, and the fit is nicer.

I did finish hemming the Vera Wang skirt this past weekend. I don't have any pictures yet as I'm waiting till this jacket is complete. I want to wear it with it.

I have been working on some knitting designs and I'm nearing the end on 2 sweaters that I have been working on for quite some time. Hopefully soon I'll show some pictures.
Today I ordered these lovely items from Mary Jo's Cloth Store. Point Presser and Clapper $16.49


Ham Holder $13.49

I don't know how good they are, but the price was right for me. I also purchased a seam roll at JoAnns. They were 50% off if anyone is looking for one.

If anyone is a Christian Siriano fan from his Project Runway days, check him out on Bravo. He has a new how that came on called Christian Siriano, Having a moment. Thanks Victoria for the link. The show is great!!

New Projects and a Review

One of my favorite things right now is the Chalk Cartridge Set put out by Dritz. I've wanted a chalk pencil like this for quite some time. I saw a similar one in a Threads magazine a few years ago, and said to myself I want that. Well, when I was in JoAnns a couple of weeks ago and saw this baby in the Quilting Section, I grabbed it. I tried it out on my outfit this past weekend, and it's a keeper. I'll be adding this to my wonderful collection of chalks (Love Them) that I got from Greenberg & Hammer. What are some of your favorite tools to work with?

As promised, here's a picture of me in the Valentines outfit from this past weekend. You can read my PR review here.

I've been trying to get in the mood for Spring. With that in mind, and today also being Ash Wednesday, I'm thinking about Easter and what I'll be wearing. Normally I pick out a pattern first and work from there. This time I picked the fabric first. I settled on this recent Vera Wang purchase of 2 yards. I'm hoping it's okay for Spring as the colors are a little Fall-ish.

At first I thought about making a skirt with a matching blazer. I settled on Simplicity 4256 for the blazer. It was either yesterday or maybe the day before that I figured with 2 yards, I could make a dress, so I'm now deciding between Simplicity 2658 View B and the dress from Vogue 8491. I'm leaning toward the Simplicity dress, but my decision isn't final yet. What do you think?

The other project I want to start is pants. I've decided to go with a Burda Pattern. The two that I'm looking at are 4-2009-188 and 11-2009-124. I know I'll probably make both, I'm just undecided as to which pair to make first. I'll probably go with 4-2009-118 first because I keep looking at the picture and I also want to make 4-2009-116 from the same issue and I think they'd go well together.