Recovering From Sandy

I'm posting this from my cellphone ( just got the ability to use that back late last night) since we still have no power. We lost that shortly after I wrote my post on Monday around 4:15 pm. I'm hoping it comes back soon, but PSE&G has it stated that the latest we should be getting power back is Monday, November 5th. I think that's crazy since 2 develops away got there's back yesterday afternoon. Oh well trying to stay positive.

As soon as I can I'll have full reviews up on the skirts and I'll post the chicken pot pie recipe as well.

Carnival of Skirts 1 and 2

Skirt number 1 and 2 are finished.  I was able to get skirt number 1(McCall 6402) finished on Thursday night. 

It should have been completed last weekend but when I went to get a zipper out of my stash on Sunday, I found that I didn't have one.

Off to Joanns I went but when I got back home I got a little busy making a chicken pot pie so that pretty much took up my evening. 

Peeling veggies can sometimes be time consuming, but it was so worth it and everyone loved it. 

I must tell you right now that I enjoyed making this skirt so much.  The pattern is very well put together and I didn't have any problems at all. 

I would just stress to anyone that intends to make this skirt that you take your time as there are quite a few pieces to piece together to make up the skirt front and back. 

Skirt number 2 is Burda Style 08/2012 # 112,  I traced the pattern out Saturday night and was able to sew it up and install the zipper all in one night.  I call this my ebony and ivory lace brocade skirt.

I got a call from Lisette a few weeks ago and during our conversation she proceeded to tell me that there was this brocade fabric she saw at Joanns and she just knew I would love it.  In my head I was like "can't hear you,  laa, laa, laa, laa, laa, not buying fabric, stash is too big, don't need anymore right now.  Of course, when I went to Joanns for the last Vogue sale, for some reason I walked over to the brocades and checked them out.

 

I came home with a yard and a quarter of the fabric with a skirt in mind, and to call Lisette to give her piece of my mind.  When I talked to her, she then mentioned that the fabric would be perfect for this Burda skirt, but I told her I didn't know if I had enough since the pattern call for a little more fabric.

Fast forward to Saturday night.  I laid my pattern pieces out and as Tim Gunn says, made it work.  There is no fabric left over, and I LOVE my skirt.  Oh yeah, let me tell you, this fabric is crazy to work with.  I don't know how other pieces of brocade fabric are, but this fabric was a beast to work with.  It kept shredding because of the loose weave of the fabric I suppose.  I have now learned from Miss Sheila that I should interface the fabric to reinforce it.  For some reason I know that, but I forgot.  Oh well, next time.

We are sitting pretty at home today with Hurricane Sandy approaching very fast.  From the news it looks like we are going to get it pretty hard tonight.  Right now we're just seeing a lot of wind and rain.  My cellphone and Kindle are fully charged just in case we lose power and I'm getting ready to cut out skirt #3.  I hope those of you in the storms range are safe and warm and for everyone else, please have a great week.

Hello, Hello, Hello!!!

Is anyone still there? (knock) (knock)  I know it's been a hot minute but the house of Andrea has been in an uproar due to more health issues and the craziness of everyday life.  Hope you all are well, I'm working on getting things back to normal and I have tons of stuff to blog about that I've made over the last few months.  Lets just say, I got a lot of knitting done, and I was also able to go on vacation with Mr. D to see my father while I left my mother in very good hands.  To start me back up and get my feet moving, I have joined Faye's Carnival of Skirts Sew-a-long.  You can check me and all the other crafty ladies out there to see what we are up to for the next two weeks.  Let me tell you, the list of ladies is impressive.

 My first skirt is going to be. McCall 6402, View B, the color block version.  For the life of me, I can't understand why this skirt is now an OOP since it only came out in the last year, but go figure.

One of the places I visited on vacation was Savannah, GA and while there I got a chance to visit two fabric spots, Fabrika and Hancocks.  The fabric pieces being used for this project are from these two stores. One is a tweed look and the other is a solid black with a little character. 

I purchased a fabric bundle from Fabrika and knew right away that the 2 larger pieces would be used for skirts.  Originally I had planned that the piece I would use for this skirt from the fabric bundle would be the main center pieces on the skirt, but I washed the piece last weekend and realized after washing it that  1) it has wool in it. I'm allergic, I'm hoping the lining will take care of that problem and still allow me to wear it because I really like this fabric. 2) the fabric fluffed up after washing so there is a little less of it now, but I was able to fit the side pieces on there with no problem which might in my case be better with the whole wool thing. We'll see.  Anyway, I'm still deciding on my second skirt.  I'm leaning towards Burda Style 08/2012 # 112, but I'm not sure yet. 

 I haven't traced it out yet and don't have fabric picked out.  One of my other choices might be Vogue 8837. Katherine Tilton skirt.  

It's a great use of double knit, and I could use a few longer skirts for the winter months.  Well that's all for now, I gotta go work on my skirt.

When I'm Looking for Mojo

There are times when I’m sewing that I don’t know what to make next, and it isn’t because the mojo isn’t flowing, but that maybe I have too many ideas running around in my head and I can’t just pick one, or I see something and it makes me want to add another garment to the ever growing list. You know the one that never seems to get smaller. Then of course the list gets revamped and I don't know what to make first.

Thank goodness that time is not now, but when that problem does arise, like after arriving home from PR Weekend, I start re-evaluating/assessing everything. What I’m doing and what I’ve learned. I pulled out some of my sewing books and ordered a few new ones. I started reading and educating myself more on my sewing and my sewing list is getting longer with the plans I’m making. I have talked to a few sewing buddies to see where their heads are at and in the meantime to keep my fingers limber, I made another maxi for my neighbor (don't have any pictures of her in it yet)as a thank you for watching my mom while I was at PR Weekend I have done some alterations on a few pairs of pants for my mother-in-law.  I also made the Rachel Comey skirt from V1247, but that will be another post very soon.

I also got a chance to try out the kimono t-shirt top by Maria Denmark. I don’t know about any of you, but I’m always in search of the perfect t-shirt pattern for a TNT, and this one is making the grade so far. I don’t have any other patterns to compare it to and if the shoe fits as they say, wear it. If you don’t know about this one yet, check it out.  It’s very simple and uses very little fabric (just two pattern pieces). It’s great for those

leftover pieces of 7/8 to 1 yard fabric pieces you may not know what to do with. Here is my first attempt and here is the fabric that I have picked out for the other three, one of which will be a belated birthday gift for a friend.

In other sewing news, I just started working on V8633.  The fabric I chose to use is a piece that I picked up during PR Weekend at Virgo Fabrics, a store that Sheila took me to. There were only 2 yards left of this stretch cotton twill fabric and when I saw it, I had to have it. I am lining it in some cream cotton batiste that I also purchased from Metro Textiles during PR Weekend. In picking this project, it was the fabric that was calling to me first and then I chose a pattern that would best compliment the fabric. You have to do that sometimes because you don’t want the detail to be lost in the fabric. I’ll try to keep you posted on my progress as I go along.

On the knitting front, I am finally finished with a crochet project I started a few months ago.  I was a little slow on it because I designed it as I went, so there was a lot of ripping out and figuring out as I went along.  


















My office manager asked me to make her a sweater based on a knit pattern that she picked out from one of my books that I showed her. The pattern was all messed up, and she wanted a few changes on the look of the garment so I figured why not design it, so I change the design from knit to crochet and then I knit the ruffled collar. I am loved how this sweater turned out and already started another one for myself in red but the length is not as long.  This was a very good experience for me and showed me that my designing skills are still alive and kicking.

A Quickie

          I know a few people have made McCalls 6559 and I guess my version can be added to the mix.  If you want a maxi dress that's quick and easy to make up, this is the pattern to try because it is only two pieces.  I had a gig to go to last night and at the last minute decided to try this baby out because I'm making one up for my neighbor as a thank you for checking in on my mother when I was in New York.  I cut the 14 and that just skims my body.  I like it that way, but I definitely can go down to the 12 for my next version.  These pictures are not the greatest as I left my camera at home and only had the camera on my phone.  I'll have to get better pictures taken when I get a chance.  I think the sew time on this is roughly about an hour depending on your skill level.  Here's my review.

Pattern Description:

Misses' Unlined Jackets and Dresses.  Close fitting unlined jackets in two lengths have front extending into single-layer tie ends.  Very close fitting, pullover dresses.

Pattern Sizing:

14

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes, but I didn't follow them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love tank maxi's and have been wearing them for a while now.  When  this pattern came out, I had to try it.  I'm so glad I did. 

Fabric Used:

A polyester/rayon knit from Spandex House that I purchased last summer.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

None, but I definitely see myself making my next one in a 12.  The 14 just skims my body, and I'd like more of a racerback version for my next one.

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

Yes and YES!!!!  Everyone should have one of these in their wardrobe.

Conclusion:

This dress is only two pieces and depending on your fabric choice, it can be a show stopper.  I wore mine to a singing gig last night and everywhere I turned, I was getting compliments.  It's figure flattering, and can be made up in no time at all. 

Playing Catch Up

Do you ever get to that point where you have so much to talkand write about and then, BAM… don’t know where to start?  Well, that’s where I am right now, and hence,I am at a loss for words, or maybe it’s the fact that I am out ofpractice.  Well shame on me.  I have missed you all sooo much, and I needto rectify that, so here we go.

I thought maybe I should start off slow, and thank you allfor your well wishes.  Mom is hanging inthere, and while we still have major adjustments going on, we are all trying tomanage, to keep it moving.

I did manage to get a weekend away and go to PR Weekend in NewYork.  I had a lovely time catching upwith old friend, and had a chance to finally meet a few new friends, inparticular my roommate, Rachelle of Smoking Needles and I'm Black Martha. 

I'm going to keep my summary of the weekend short, or try too,because I’m sure you are all tired of the reviews so here goes.

Friday started out with my drive to New York with Rachelle and our first stopwas the Simplicity Site tour.  This was atreat for me because I got a chance to see Simplicity 1803 all made up.  I wasn’t sure if I would be making it anytimesoon, but after seeing it on the mannequin, this is definitely one on my listfor this summer.  My favorite part of thetour was seeing all the lovely ladies working away in the sewing area testingand working up patterns.  It must beamazing having a job like that.  As athank you for stopping by Simplicity gave us a free pattern. 

Next up was shopping and I know we had a list of shops to goto, but my favorite overall is Metro Textiles. It was great catching up with Kashi and Patricio.  Let’s just say, I was a happy camper when Ileft there.  Here are my goodies.  I wanted to buy a few pieces of silk one ofwhich has some stretch in it, and I’ve never worked or seen a stretch silkbefore, so that should be interesting.  Ileft a few things behind (double knit, sweater knit and coating fabric) and amweighing my options as to if I want to make a phone call and have themshipped.  (like I need more fabric).  Next up was lunch at Stitch which was verytasty.  From there I stopped at SpandexHouse and purchased one piece of Fabric. I was trying to be good, even though I heard some verbiage from my palsLisette and Robin.  They are bad enablers.  Thank goodness Karen wasn’t there, or else Ireally would have been in trouble.  She’sthe worse of them all when it comes to enabling.  Like that person sitting on your shoulder saying“you know you want it.”  Anyway, I had tostop at Jonathan to get buttonholes in my jacket that I wore on Saturday duringlectures.  If you haven’t been there, sew something up and go visit.  It onlytakes a few minutes, and it’s well worth the wait.  pictures of the buttonholes will be in my next post/review.  I think I was there for 15 to 20 minutes atthe most and that was with three people ahead of me.  They are amazing there, and if you ever wantprofessional looking buttonholes, that is the place to go to.  I really want a buttonholer now after seeingthe one there in action.  I also feltreally good because the guy ahead of me was getting buttons put on a suit andhe said “why would you buy a suit without any buttonholes.”  When I told him I made the jacket, he gave mea weird look like he couldn’t imagine such a thing.  All I kept thinking was, you work for afashion house.  Not all of us can affordthose prices.  Oh well.  I want the quality, but not the expense
.

Friday night I went to the Schiaparelli and Prada Exhibit atthe Met.  It was very interesting andenlightening.  A word of advice, don’tlean in to check out the detail, you might set the alarm off.  =)  Ithink I was more freaked out and security. She just smiled, waved her finger at me, and winked.  Dinner was next with gelato for dessert and adrooling session at the Carolina Herrara Store. The girls had to drag me away, but here are some goodies to wet yourappetite.

Saturday was lecture day with Kenneth King and DianaRupp.  I can never get tired of Kenneth and want to be adopted by him.

  Are thesejeans and jacket not to die for?  I fellon the floor when I found out his jacket which is Fortuny sells for $300 ayard.


Diana was inspirational and I justpurchased her new embroidery book.  I've had her Sew Everything Workshop book since it came out, and it was so nice to finally get it autographed.  Justso you all know, she has a line of patterns that just came out through McCalls,M6560 and M6354.  The embroidery on theblue tunic in 6354 is not originally on the fabric.  Diana embroidered that herself and in herbook, Embroider Everything Workshop, she teaches you how to do that.  If you don’t have either of her books, theyare very well written and her book, Sew Everything Workshop, is a greatrefresher if you haven’t sewn anything in a while, or if you are just startingto learn how to sew, it will get you started.

Saturday night was the climax for PR Weekend with dinner sewing talk and prizes.

On Sunday Rachelle and I met up with Sheila, Alethia andRosie in Brooklyn to check out Sheila’sfavorite shopping spots.  An awesome timewas had by all. For some reason I don't have a picture of all of us.  Oh well, next time.


Overall I had a great time and it was so good seeing my Kyle, Connie, Jacqui, Bonnie, Sherrill, Deepika (thank you!!!), Jeanette(she's above), Sheila, Alethia, Rosie, Elizabeth, Robin, Clio, and Claudine.  If I missed anyone, please forgive me.

I Miss Blogging!!!!

Hey ya’ll

Just a little note to let you all know that I’m still here and kicking.  Life and my mom have kept me pretty busy so I haven’t had time to blog, but I am still crafting and sewing on my down time.  I really need to learn how to juggle/balance it all. 

I have a lot to blog and talk about so please stay tune…….

Happy Crafting.

Happy New Year and Hello 2012!!!

Happy New Year!! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday. Things have been really crazy over here in my world and I don't see them calming down that much any time soon but I'm trying to get a handle on things and maybe 2012 will be a little better. Let's just say I don't have control on everything, but I'm trying. My mother had a heart attack at the end of October and since I am her only child, there is a lot to handle. She is stable now and came home in the beginning of December, but can not be left on her own for long periods of time. We're all managing okay and taking one day at a time.

Anyway, the guys and I played and sang our hearts out New Years Eve and it was a blast. Of course, you know I had to have a new dress for the occasion. I never thought I might make this dress but I love it and want to make it again.

On Friday I knew I wanted to make something but I wasn't sure what. Since sparkle is in, I was thinking sequins and you know that out of the 10+ containers of fabric I own there was nothing there. Don't worry I've put myself on a fabric diet again for 2012 until PR Weekend in New York. Anyway, I stopped at Jomar on my way home from work in the hopes that I could find something there. I found a sparkly wine stretch knit that I was going to go with first but while I was standing in the checkout line I spotted this lace knit on the designer remnant table for $3.99 a yard. There was only two yards but hey, that was all I needed. I also picked up some tricot while I was there for $1.60 a yard.

On the way to my mother's house I stopped by Joanns to pick up a zipper and saw that McCall and Vogue patterns were on sale. I purchased a few patterns and also picked up Vogue 1267 by Tom and Linda Platt. I purchased this pattern before but wasn't sure I'd have time to pull it out so I purchased another copy to play it safe.

Here's my review:




Pattern Description:

Close-fitting, lined dress has decorative shoulder and side darts, lingerie straps and invisible back zipper.

Pattern Sizing:

8-24

I cut a 14 but scaled down to a 12 because of the stretch lace knit.

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

I think so but the lace knit fabric hides the darts so you can't really see them.


Were the instructions easy to follow?

The directions for this pattern are fantastic and very easy to follow. Also, this pattern is seven pieces. You have to cut out each individual piece separately and I have to say this pattern is made so well that you can't make a mistake.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I did not dislike anything about this pattern.

Fabric Used:

Stretch lace knit that I purchased at Jomar.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Because the dress had enough stretch in it, I was able to omit the zipper.



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

I definitely plan on making this dress again. I think that the detail of the darts was lost on this version and I want to make it again in a woven so that the darts can be featured. If you have a wedding or special occasion to go to, don't pass this dress up. I was able to sew it up in about two hours. Cutting and marking time took a little over an hour but it was so worth it.

Conclusion:

This was the last garment I sewed for 2011 and I love it. I got so many compliment New Years Eve on this dress and someone actually wants me to sew for them and she went as far as to give me her phone number and email to stay in contact with her. I'd say that's a win win.

Costume Sewing and McCalls 5954

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments you all left me about the rabbit dress that I made my little friend. I’m very impressed with my NY stash additions as well. So much so that four pieces were washed and are in rotation for upcoming garments. One piece is done and I will blog about it soon so stay tuned. Tiny, in my last post you asked me if I made my labels. The answer to your question is no. I purchase my labels from Namemaker.

I’ve made my final decision on the lace for the skirt project. It will be in the works soon, but I have a few things I need to finish up first. A co-worker asked me to make her daughter’s costume for Halloween. The costume is Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. Picture is courtesy of www.chasing-fireflies.com

I used McCall 5954. I started on this project last weekend and worked on it this past week to deliver it this past Friday. 22 plus hours of work later and that's with a day job that's very demanding. I delivered a finished costume to a very happy mother. This project and I mean project took some planning and shopping for trim, because let me tell you, this project was not a walk in the park and there were a few scary moments. Below is a mini diary of my escapade. I hope you enjoy.

On Thursday (Oct 13th) the Mother tells me oh, my daughter is in a contest next weekend and we have stuff planned for her the following weekend. I think to myself (OH Sh.., she finally brought me the fabric last week and I haven't started this project yet. OMG!!!) Nothing like her telling me at the last minute that I didn't have another week to get this baby done. Hello!!! (Why did I take this project on? Project Runway here I come.)

Thursday night I started cutting fabric and did the markings.

Friday at lunch I started basting the bodice during lunch, so far every things looks pretty good. I also used Wonder Under for the first time. It's webbing that you attach to fabric if you want to make it an applique/iron-on. For those of you that don't know it, it's like stitch witchery or steam a seam, but it comes on a bolt like fabric. I’m not crazy about my client’s fabric choice, but hey, I didn’t buy the fabric. I feel that there should be some crushed velvet in here somewhere, it would make the costume look a little more richer and this kid would be a lot warmer. I’m trying to pace myself on this one because it’s so elaborate, but I also want to get it done. I want to work on my own stuff.

Tuesday ( Oct. 18) When I accepted this job, I knew that it would be time consuming and involved, but I didn’t realize how INVOLVED it would be. I sewed on Saturday morning for about 4 hours before I had to head over to my mother's and did some handwork over there in the middle of doing stuff for her. Sunday I did not sew anything. Took the day off to rest. I did go shopping at Joanns Saturday for a heart charm to make her choker. All I found were 2 fairly large red heart buttons. I think this will do with some Mod Podge and red glitter, the ideas are endless. Sunday I glittered the buttons. They look fantastic. My brain is flying all over the place. In the time it took me to make this costume, I could have made at least 3-4 new pieces of clothing for myself or a new blazer or coat, by now, and don’t let me get started about the sleeves and the painstaking slowness that I had to take to get them attached to the bodice. If you ever have to do sleeves for a 3 ½ year old, attach them flat. I followed the pattern directions and realized afterward that they don’t fit on the sleeve arm of my machine because they’re TOO SMALL/LITTLE. I can say that I was questioning my skills on getting this one done, and so far I haven’t had a problem. I guess I just needed to know that I could do it. Every time I look at this dress, I’m like Wow, I did that, and I’m loving the trim I picked out. It’s really made this costume. (Note to self, run over to Jomar and get some more of that trim, I need to incorporate it into a project for myself. I love it.)

Wednesday (Oct 19) Through trials and tribulations, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. All the hard stuff is done with not too much mishap. Last night I finished sewing the other sleeve on to the bodice and this one went on a bit quicker as I knew what I was doing. I also added the peplum. I have to say, this is some of my best work yet and I’m still amazed that I can do this. I’m still not use to sewing for others and it freaks me out a little bit. I’m always afraid that something will go wrong like getting grease stains on the white portion of the skirt while machine stitching on the hearts. Tide stick and baby wipes are a beautiful thing. I woke up this morning and the stains were gone. I almost had a heart attack just thinking that I might have to start part of this project over.

Thursday (Oct 20) Last night I sewed the back of the skirt on, attached the skirt to the bodice. That was not easy. With all the gathers in that skirt it was crazy trying to attach the skirt to the bodice and peplum Stitching it was not too hard. When I went to serge everything to make it look clean, that was another story. I thought at one point I broke my serger. The dag on fabric was just too thick and bulky. Bias tape is a beautiful thing. It hides things that you just don't want seen and can clean up a garment like nobody's business. I called my knitting students last night because I am going to need tonight to finish up this baby. This morning before I left the house I cut out the striped fabric for the choker a striped piece for the back of the collar, ironed on a piece of interfacing and sewed both pieces before walking out the door. When I talked to the mother earlier in the week, I told her I didn't need the striped fabric. She looked at me and asked, is there anyway you can fit it in anywhere on the costume. I don't want the fabric to go to waste. (Is she freaking crazy? I've been working on this costume till 12:30 every night this week. I'm holding my eyes open with toothpicks here. Oh, and did I tell you, Mr. D. hit a pot hole in the wildlife refuge near our house while riding his bike Tuesday night and flew over the handle bars? I had to clean him up when he made it home.)

Thursday night I installed the zipper to the dress. Did all the hemming and attached snaps to the collar and dress. I was going to add striped fabric to the hem of the dress per her agreement, but now looking at it, it would ruin the dress and since I'm the designer here, it's my show and I don't want this dress to look tacky. Also made ring to match choker. Every queen must have her accessories.

Friday, delivery of dress on schedule, my mini project runway is over and I'm exhausted, but I do have one happy customer/parent.

By the way, major shout outs and thank yous go to my girls Sheila and Cennetta for keeping me on track and sane this past week.