Seam Ripping

Well, I have been doing a ton of this lately. I spent most of last weekend and the beginning of the week trying to make the Amy Butler Lotus tunic. There is nothing wrong with the pattern, it is actually very well written and easy to understand. The seam ripping was the cause of user error. I have been having issues with making clothes a size too small, so to avoid another outfit that had to be given to my skinny minny friend, I went too big this time. First, I made the size Large. WAY too big! I was smart though, and only basted the main seams together, so there wasn't much ripping and I was prepared to rip anyway. So, I decide to go with the medium, but being afraid to end up with something too small decided to use a 3/8 inch seam allowance instead of the 1/2 inch the pattern calls for. In the middle of this, I completely screwed up the lining and had to undo almost all of it and add the pattern piece I forgot : O I made the ultimate mistake of not trying on as I went (you think I would have learned this lesson by now, but no, I have a hard head) and when I tried on the finished (except for hemming) tunic, the neckline was too wide because of my 3/8 inch seams. It has been sitting on my sewing table since Tuesday, I have to undo at least the two front panel seams and bring them in and I am just too aggravated to deal with it right now!

So, I started a baby gift I was needing to make. I used a pattern that I have made before, so that I wouldn't feel like a complete sewing idiot. Also, a baby romper doesn't have to fit me! This is for the pastor's wife at my Mom's church. She recently gave birth to her 15th child, her 10th boy!!!!! He was over 10lbs at birth, so I made a size medium, my mom said he is really big. She is giving it to her today, I hope she likes it. This was made with the new Ginger Blossom fabric, I really love this line, it makes me happy : ) I paired it with a tan linen that I repurposed from a skirt I had made for myself a couple of years ago that just didn't fit right(do you see a theme here? LOL). I put some machine embroidery and piping across the top. I am really loving the embroidery stitches on my machine. I need to write a post on my sewing machine one day, I absolutely LOVE it! It is a Kenmore 19606, and is a really impressive machine for a reasonable price.





I need to go and make a couple more rompers. My best friend's oldest daughter just had a beautiful baby boy and my "sister's" son just had his first child. I think I may just copy this exact one. This should build my sewing confidence back up again before I try to make anything else for myself LOL

Matching Dishtowels

Here are the matching dishtowels for the Friday Night Apron. I did these a little differently than the first ones I tried. I took the feedsack dishtowels that I bought at Target and cut them in half and trimmed off all the selvage edges. Then I put a binding around the raw edges. This is a 1 inch binding, but I think I will do a 3/4" next time. This one was too big. I just put a rectangle of matching fabric about 2-3 inches up from the bottom. I didn't measure, just eyeballed it LOL I am not sure if I am liking this or not, I am planning on trying something different, just not sure what yet. My SIL loved the gift : )

Long time no blog LOL

I was doing so good for several weeks, but it has been awhile since my last post. I went out of town for a ladies retreat, and when I got back it took me a few weeks to get back in the groove of things. I almost hate taking trips because it is always so hard for me to get back to my regular routine. I am such a creature of habit, that I don't do well when that routine gets messed up. While I was away in Gulf Shores, Alabama for the weekend, my amazing dh took all 7 (yes I said ALL 7!!!) kids tent camping. What a man! I wouldn't have attempted that in a million years, but Chad is super laid back, he and the kids had a great time. They didn't have the camera, so no pictures : ( They only came back with a few cuts and bruises, nothing serious LOL

Since I was in a funk, I havn't gotten much sewing done. However, I did finish this apron for my SIL, Gloria's birthday. I am also making some matching dishtowels, but I am not quite finished with those yet. Will take pictures when I am. This is the Friday Night Apron from Vanilla House Designs. I have made it before for one of my best girlfriends. When my SIL, who is also one of my best friends, saw it she requested one for her birthday : )

Here I am modeling the apron, it is also reversible.



Here is a closeup of the front side pocket





Savannah got these pictures of Ava "helping" me sew last night LOL She always does this, it is cute until she starts pulling on my project and hitting all of the machines buttons LOL She was being pretty good last night, thank goodness. She will also take any scrap fabric she can find and lay it out like she is doing something with it, then she picks it up again and starts all over. She mimics me, it is so cute, I am sure she will be a sewer one day. Her older sisters already enjoy sewing and are getting quite good at it. I will have to share some of their projects soon. All three older girls each have their own sewing machines, but always want to sew on mine. I think it is because my much more expensive machine sews so much more smoothly. I wish less expensive machines weren't so jumpy, it makes it hard for beginning sewers to get good results. However, I can't afford a $700 machine for everyone in the house LOL





Anyway, I seem to be back in the groove with life, so hopefully I will have more posts soon! I have LOTS of projects that I need to get done!