tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31913735127382773612024-02-06T22:46:13.648-05:00Sew Damned CreativeA space where I share my solitary hobbies: cooking, crafting, and sewing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-72401719759485357802017-08-12T01:19:00.001-04:002017-08-12T01:19:40.551-04:00Fall Favorites - Big 4 2017 EditionIt's that time of year... the big 4 pattern companies have released their Fall pattern collections. Or, in the case of McCall's, their "Early Fall" collection. Quite a number of patterns have been released but below are my personal favorites.<br />
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I define my style as a little vintage vixen, a little glam, with a splash of edgy to keep it interesting. With that in mind I can totally see me wearing these items to death!<br />
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Without further ado...<br />
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McCall's 2017 Early Fall Collection Favorites<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MrLrznoQN8Ol0N7BBOVfhE0B1-loP5bkfeGVTyNfYfZYtfdXpuNkA7dauaWNm0Vt4_AzY-iMKMaJ021nay2AEtdqKM_NIOKSGtcKR2zOB5_5SvzwsNy-Vtl0vSXESOjxJ7PtAR4JWMU/s1600/M7631_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MrLrznoQN8Ol0N7BBOVfhE0B1-loP5bkfeGVTyNfYfZYtfdXpuNkA7dauaWNm0Vt4_AzY-iMKMaJ021nay2AEtdqKM_NIOKSGtcKR2zOB5_5SvzwsNy-Vtl0vSXESOjxJ7PtAR4JWMU/s400/M7631_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M7631 Skirt in 4 views</td></tr>
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This "Learn to Sew For Fun" pattern is a great wardrobe staple! View B would be my go-to for work in all seasons. Should be a super fast sew, too! I love that about pencil skirts!<br />
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Yep, that's it for McCall's Early Fall release. I was very underwhelmed by their offerings this time around.<br />
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Next up...<br />
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Butterick 2017 Fall Collection Favorites<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZx1FzQb-RZQIeU1eJLno-f_rJYe0MZ7chvcnTMQgVBl3gq3p1hFlHbqZc2DyEH54zyD9iR380UQfrSfsuNzi-SmpWziBP2zvE6ytxvhWbwuR_Elkp9hnMYizK-uMzpFhkg7VjJ1XM_E/s1600/B6497_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZx1FzQb-RZQIeU1eJLno-f_rJYe0MZ7chvcnTMQgVBl3gq3p1hFlHbqZc2DyEH54zyD9iR380UQfrSfsuNzi-SmpWziBP2zvE6ytxvhWbwuR_Elkp9hnMYizK-uMzpFhkg7VjJ1XM_E/s400/B6497_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6497 Princess Coats in 4 views</td></tr>
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I just LOVE a classic princess coat! Especially one with a fur collar! So classic! View C would be my go-to for days I wear skirts and dresses in the fall/winter. I can totally see this in a gorgeous tweed with a reclaimed vintage fur collar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4oVf7d4hzBL7tdwsAzvld1_ri8KX012iZuRTIG9oVMVerwcerujnycl9mdOc2Ipp6GXXJvF07b6tBV0phjqjez4Nw45OROamz3fC3dATmEH89kHTCBxJcShgE0lbxqhpUYgSW1mub1k/s1600/B6493_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4oVf7d4hzBL7tdwsAzvld1_ri8KX012iZuRTIG9oVMVerwcerujnycl9mdOc2Ipp6GXXJvF07b6tBV0phjqjez4Nw45OROamz3fC3dATmEH89kHTCBxJcShgE0lbxqhpUYgSW1mub1k/s400/B6493_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6493 Lisette designed faux wrap skirt and blazer</td></tr>
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This outfit is SUPER CUTE! Love the little layered look to the hem of the skirt front! The blazer is cute but I feel the split in the sleeves is kind of over-doing it with this skirt. I could totally see wearing it with trousers, though. I'm almost thinking this skirt needs to be done in satin for date night!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XppcT7KsIm8bmLNmKAg-K9KS4jv_nsjQBoFggz1fofyPnBNo0mOQ-pfgskv1RDfMC8yTU1vitfkLwXJg80Ia7hfMbm0dOy2iBPvqZY_8yhD5SoQJgXQooCeyZ-v7FAKhtLMa1_bv-6U/s1600/B6496_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XppcT7KsIm8bmLNmKAg-K9KS4jv_nsjQBoFggz1fofyPnBNo0mOQ-pfgskv1RDfMC8yTU1vitfkLwXJg80Ia7hfMbm0dOy2iBPvqZY_8yhD5SoQJgXQooCeyZ-v7FAKhtLMa1_bv-6U/s400/B6496_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6496 Pieced Jacket in 4 views</td></tr>
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I really love View C in this! I can see so many potential combinations to wear with my wardrobe colors of Black, White, Gray, Cobalt, and Red.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs5iRK9f2ssaLCACu7oSAEXqEPB9vsSe_XkJvMU3u6uaLznmwFXjIy-FvYCHoXE5ZNWohXj576tfI8taDemS-k0jwpA_pSGTC8Hx5cY_Q1pxHbC5m2V8Taik46EjdK2g9dmrN2xCTIWY/s1600/B6476_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhs5iRK9f2ssaLCACu7oSAEXqEPB9vsSe_XkJvMU3u6uaLznmwFXjIy-FvYCHoXE5ZNWohXj576tfI8taDemS-k0jwpA_pSGTC8Hx5cY_Q1pxHbC5m2V8Taik46EjdK2g9dmrN2xCTIWY/s400/B6476_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B6476 Unlined Jacket in 2 views</td></tr>
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I seriously adore View B. That oversized collar just screams GLAM! Done in the right fabric this simple jacket could be a stunner for transitional weather.<br />
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Not bad, Butterick! A good selection of items I want to buy this season!<br />
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Now onto...<br />
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Vogue Fall Collection Favorites<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsVRF3kkIs-zJQyeXqBp_fv7JDQKfluXdBmwLlrPzKkaU-FBuNhyphenhyphenMK40MJ-NIY69QaYZ91yb6F8fGrpgBUGuT8NU0GPPDnt_I2-7Jb2ZzEQHg1QaTnHdrgzKmNQep4flyFVIB3P0u9Kw/s1600/V1555_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsVRF3kkIs-zJQyeXqBp_fv7JDQKfluXdBmwLlrPzKkaU-FBuNhyphenhyphenMK40MJ-NIY69QaYZ91yb6F8fGrpgBUGuT8NU0GPPDnt_I2-7Jb2ZzEQHg1QaTnHdrgzKmNQep4flyFVIB3P0u9Kw/s400/V1555_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V1555 Tom and Linda Platt Designer color blocked sheath dress</td></tr>
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As I am very busty I don't usually go for boatneck necklines but I have found through experimentation I can do it with either a horizontal color block or, in this dress' case, visual interest that draws the eye away from the bust. This dress is a knockout! I could see wearing it for work or even out on the town with my husband. It deserves great fabric, too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gPbfwljwMJ1_WQ_UHhfcEIAvMZZQ6zk8075BUVFzIucsFADDwYYZd16EqGp84PwXKUGVm5Kt7SXKW8iUzXvtlQtrANGHQOUbHTt4qwku3VS0k-yu0uNyDkUwPeh-QKvXNwl1nRYqsIY/s1600/V1562_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gPbfwljwMJ1_WQ_UHhfcEIAvMZZQ6zk8075BUVFzIucsFADDwYYZd16EqGp84PwXKUGVm5Kt7SXKW8iUzXvtlQtrANGHQOUbHTt4qwku3VS0k-yu0uNyDkUwPeh-QKvXNwl1nRYqsIY/s400/V1562_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V1562 Lialia Designer classic coat</td></tr>
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This is such a timeless piece! Great design lines and when done in wool would be a great piece that will last for ages and never go out of style! The back detail is very nice, too. Makes it a bit more tailored to the body.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuSyYIqG6Zn0YcpO-Ec4CiURkw2EYlFxxaB8vEC50QnjBGKXxtkRTrwR-QbJjL5JNt-e3ydKE6tIBUajTYTXSJtFvD4eDCY3KmVFrTga6aT-fjCpBU1UWdKkAKdP2qSx1LjVkcYa1kC0/s1600/V9267_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuSyYIqG6Zn0YcpO-Ec4CiURkw2EYlFxxaB8vEC50QnjBGKXxtkRTrwR-QbJjL5JNt-e3ydKE6tIBUajTYTXSJtFvD4eDCY3KmVFrTga6aT-fjCpBU1UWdKkAKdP2qSx1LjVkcYa1kC0/s400/V9267_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V9267 "Easy Options" Dress in 6 views</td></tr>
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This dress is the BEST OF FALL 2017!! Seriously, the design lines on this dress are nothing short of AWESOME! It is flattering to nearly every body shape, and it can be made for all seasons. This is a perfect example of a TNT (Tried N True) pattern right here, folks! I am especially loving View F for fall done in wool and leather. I would wear it to death!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYOOR3CN7tJIAMJQjMFEhbLaZA7_rLLbR5mITeyYYPW9giC_10VnIZhfIoeTqdVNSeV9YL9nHRTMQhyphenhyphen1VksrA4q1QkHrNwEajbPHyWJwbrqHAvgLkSwKZu56qhu0LDePA88JB67n6IT0/s1600/V9276_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1164" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYOOR3CN7tJIAMJQjMFEhbLaZA7_rLLbR5mITeyYYPW9giC_10VnIZhfIoeTqdVNSeV9YL9nHRTMQhyphenhyphen1VksrA4q1QkHrNwEajbPHyWJwbrqHAvgLkSwKZu56qhu0LDePA88JB67n6IT0/s400/V9276_a.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">V9276 Tafa Designer Topper/Wrap/Crop Jackets</td></tr>
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I don't own a single thing like this but these are stunning! I especially love View A and View C. Best thing about them, besides how incredibly pretty they are, is they are reversible!! Love versatility in clothing!<br />
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And finally...<br />
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Simplicity Fall Collection Favorites<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISUHQheO_t3K6wsl0HGNHXlxwy5e7sAQmmwKpdo7EdhKAm9NGFT-2opu8A9KCdtRRM8ELo2FXcA1oNyAjllGpMAYajYE-DVZ8HD57ejy89bJN5lanR_Ua9xvdiyaIaarfiv66Sfl0RHw/s1600/simplicity-1940s-vintage-plus-size-pattern-8461-envelope-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISUHQheO_t3K6wsl0HGNHXlxwy5e7sAQmmwKpdo7EdhKAm9NGFT-2opu8A9KCdtRRM8ELo2FXcA1oNyAjllGpMAYajYE-DVZ8HD57ejy89bJN5lanR_Ua9xvdiyaIaarfiv66Sfl0RHw/s400/simplicity-1940s-vintage-plus-size-pattern-8461-envelope-front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8461 Vintage Reproduction 1940s suit with blouse</td></tr>
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This one is an honorable mention for me. It is gorgeous! Seriously, the epitome of "lady like" as only the 1940s could do for women's fashion. I would have absolutely nowhere to wear this so I likely won't buy it, but it's worth mentioning simply because it is a gorgeous pattern!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIX9-H4wB6HuKGB67lb8DQ8m33Ouu84dZP5SqI3zg3s6WehtswUYo2P_aYbnVRUNQ8ZxG-6SZiKn7fz9VL9C-lEjOsBPvprKjyfmUQO3jRgdf9Vt5vngD4jZ4ABiH0I0RtQ2X7s7jYws/s1600/simplicity-1940s-vintage-separates-pattern-8462-envelope-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIX9-H4wB6HuKGB67lb8DQ8m33Ouu84dZP5SqI3zg3s6WehtswUYo2P_aYbnVRUNQ8ZxG-6SZiKn7fz9VL9C-lEjOsBPvprKjyfmUQO3jRgdf9Vt5vngD4jZ4ABiH0I0RtQ2X7s7jYws/s400/simplicity-1940s-vintage-separates-pattern-8462-envelope-front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8462 Vintage Reproduction 1940s suit with blouse</td></tr>
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I just love the jacket in this pattern. I can totally see pairing this with my jeans and a print top. Such a classic look!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiInyI9cK8qT8VvV5CzXDAgbm6n2CdspYA4oWyGeSNM8J3kmrfpZJHKzfbs2v3fTo_AcSCZI04M-WCrchbEgDl9U-YPvnndOtt9akC7M-Q8b-jTcXl9J-i1-UtKonH-773Dq0VLy6dr4w/s1600/simplicity-1950s-vintage-sheath-dress-jacket-pattern-8460-envelope-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiInyI9cK8qT8VvV5CzXDAgbm6n2CdspYA4oWyGeSNM8J3kmrfpZJHKzfbs2v3fTo_AcSCZI04M-WCrchbEgDl9U-YPvnndOtt9akC7M-Q8b-jTcXl9J-i1-UtKonH-773Dq0VLy6dr4w/s400/simplicity-1950s-vintage-sheath-dress-jacket-pattern-8460-envelope-front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8460 1950s Vintage Reproduction Dress and Jacket or Topper</td></tr>
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O... M... G!!! Shut up and take my money!! This is everything I love! I'd have to shorten the hem a bit as I look best when hemlines hit just below my knee, but otherwise this is perfection! Simplicity picked a great pattern to reproduce when they chose this one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcSJ8PHRMDru5q897q8lHxVQaXFKWWaqcLC3hMi-VyAjofjoWUE4SCNJttmzK93MrSgniji4LvymbZ9-fPtSnQyLZRRjwsz3WsWXDdld-U4khhQkO36vVIv0TI6NpgpxKXsGzefSyisc/s1600/simplicity-1950s-vintage-suit-sportswear-pattern-8464-envelope-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcSJ8PHRMDru5q897q8lHxVQaXFKWWaqcLC3hMi-VyAjofjoWUE4SCNJttmzK93MrSgniji4LvymbZ9-fPtSnQyLZRRjwsz3WsWXDdld-U4khhQkO36vVIv0TI6NpgpxKXsGzefSyisc/s400/simplicity-1950s-vintage-suit-sportswear-pattern-8464-envelope-front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8464 1950s Vintage Reproduction Skirt and Jacket in 2 views</td></tr>
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This is so freaking pretty! Just a simple, classic look that can be easily glam or trendy depending on your fabric choices and accessories. Great basics. Again, I'd have to shorten the hemline, but it's a keeper!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB-g_3NxU7KZ5KGhsFSexQ3D_RAlgIL31LbMpksdA6jGJzX9p06Kchx1KRhQnzPfUBJ9JgHfcb2p8EOpRpo9l__NF0hLIRAClVP1magnpXQTbKBylIeSyfqLy7ARGgvYi-O_sBTCOwQ8/s1600/simplicity-1950s-vintage-top-simple-to-make-pattern-8452-envelope-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="502" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB-g_3NxU7KZ5KGhsFSexQ3D_RAlgIL31LbMpksdA6jGJzX9p06Kchx1KRhQnzPfUBJ9JgHfcb2p8EOpRpo9l__NF0hLIRAClVP1magnpXQTbKBylIeSyfqLy7ARGgvYi-O_sBTCOwQ8/s400/simplicity-1950s-vintage-top-simple-to-make-pattern-8452-envelope-front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8452 1950s Vintage Reproduction Blouse</td></tr>
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Literally the only blouse/top I liked out of all of the Big 4 releases this season. Shapeless and horribly unflattering for my figure seems to be the trend they are following in tops right now. Ugh. Hate when that happens! With this pattern, though, it's one I have had my eye on for a number of years. It's been around on Etsy and even as a downloadable pattern on some vintage pattern sites. It is such a neat idea for the top and the end result is a flattering garment with just a few seams! As with most wrap tops I'll probably have to use my trusty safety pins, but it's worth it to have something that is this incredibly flattering for a busty figure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5227 1960s Vintage Reproduction Accessories</td></tr>
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I never have the need to wear a dickie, but the collar/cuffs, and the turban are super cute! I can see making them.<br />
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Overall Simplicity has knocked it out of the park this season with their vintage reproduction patterns! I'm so happy they are focusing on leaner silhouettes this season. I hope the trend continues for Spring 2018.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8451 Mimi G Designer Dress and Coat</td></tr>
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The only modern pattern I liked from Simplicity this season. The dress is a little short for my taste, but that's an easy fix. Otherwise it's a knockout! The coat is a classic that could be worn with everything. I especially love it in that plaid. Maybe if I find a plaid wool in colors I wear I will make it.<br />
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So, those are my favorites from the Fall 2017 collections of the Big 4 pattern companies. My overall impressions are:<br />
-Vogue was a huge let-down. There were a LOT of really unflattering for anybody clothes offered this season. Quite a few patterns resembled tents. No thanks, I'll pass. I really expect more from Vogue. I'm sure quite a few folks are glad that a reproduction of the First Lady's blue inauguration dress is now available to sew. For myself, I hate the dress. It is very austere and a bit on the dowdy side. I'm just not a fan of the funnel neck neckline at all. It only works if you are built like a toothpick or a size Negative 2 runway model. <br />
-McCall's was a let-down, too. Too many designs I would never wear this season.Of course McCall's is always hit or miss for me.<br />
-Butterick was on par for what I expect from them. <br />
-Simplicity's modern patterns were just kind of boring to me. It felt like the same stuff redone over and over again for the most part. The cosplay style costumes are about 10 years out of date. Very disappointing. Their vintage reproductions made my jaw hit the floor, though. Very impressed with those!<br />
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What are your favorite patterns this season from the Big 4? Let's discuss.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-889130588361606902017-07-22T00:55:00.000-04:002017-08-12T01:19:30.592-04:00Is this thing live?Wow... I guess I can say since it's been over 3 years I had completely forgotten about this blog! I intend to correct that.<br />
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A lot has happened over the past 3 years. I changed jobs a couple times. I am now working in my dream job and loving it to pieces! I always thought enjoying work was a myth until now. More on that later...<br />
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We also bought our first home!!! Last summer we found our dream home, and after 20 or so years of renting finally took the plunge and became homeowners. We LOVE this house. Like, really, y'all can bury me in it. I never want to leave it! More on that later, too...<br />
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I haven't sewn in over 2 years. It's sad, I know! Life kind of got in the way. I lost my sewing space when my daughter decided she didn't want to share a room with her little sister anymore. Then we moved into our new home and I couldn't decide what room needed to be my sewing room. I now have that figured out and over the next 3 months I plan to set it up. It's going to be a complete re-do. Stripping out carpet, installing flooring, repainting, decorating, the whole shebang. I plan to post as I go along.<br />
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Family issues also arose. My mother was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. That's been a roller-coaster as it is an aggressive form. Now she is in a facility that is taking great care of her, so the situation has stabilized. She is pretty much in late stages now; so, it's just a matter of time before it's over.<br />
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Phew.. so, yeah, the blog took a back burner until it was no longer on my radar. Life got CRAZY! I have to say, now that the dust is settling, I love where I am now. I'm happy, my family is happy, and we are doing well. It's time to get creative again and share with all of you.<br />
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If you are looking forward to what I have to share post a comment. I'd love to hear from you!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-62934373772787359902014-03-15T21:25:00.000-04:002014-03-15T21:25:55.204-04:00Just like a pill...Well, more like a capsule... as in capsule wardrobe.<br />
<br />
I
got the job I interviewed for in January! I'll be a Community Health
Nurse working in Infectious Diseases. Part of the time I'll be in the
clinic or out in the community doing vaccinations. I'll need a couple
sets of scrubs for that work. However, most of the time I'll be at a
desk and I'll need to dress business casual. The blessing and curse of
losing 50 pounds is that I have almost NOTHING to wear that is
business casual. I start my new job on April 2, so I have just over 2
weeks to get a wardrobe together for work. I want to stay as true as
possible to the RTW fast I'm participating in, so I figured a smaller
capsule wardrobe was my best option.<br /><br />I browsed Pinterest,
Youtube, and blogs around the net for inspiration. I pinned the
wardrobes that inspired me most <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/relynndare/capsule-wardrobe-ideas/" target="_blank">here</a>. First step seems to be picking the
colors of the capsule. Here's my color plan:<br />
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My neutral will be espresso brown, a very dark brown that easily takes the place of black. My secondary color is a warm khaki/sand color. My accent colors will be olive green and paprika, a spicy orange shade.<br />
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Next step is selecting the garments for the capsule based on needs. The general rule seems to be that every outter layer goes with every other piece. As I need nearly everything, here's my list:<br /><br />2 Suits - Cropped blazer, trousers, pencil skirt in espresso and khaki<br />
1 button down blouse in khaki<br />
1 dress in a print that has all colors<br />
4 blouses - 1 in espresso, 1 in olive, 1 in paprika, 1 in a print of all colors<br />
2 cardigans - 1 in espresso and 1 in paprika <br />Scrubs - 2 scrub tops in a print of any of the colors and 1 pair scrub pants in espresso<br />
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What I have so far:<br />1 pencil skirt in espresso<br />
1 blouse in espresso<br />
1 blouse in olive<br />
1 cardigan in espresso <br />
<br />
What I need to make:<br />2 cropped blazers in espresso and khaki<br />2 trousers in espresso and khaki<br />
1 pencil skirt in khaki<br />
1 button down blouse in khaki<br />
1 dress in a print of all colors<br />
2 blouses in paprika and in a print of all colors<br />
<br />What I need to buy:<br />1 cardigan in paprika<br />
Scrubs<br /><br />I already have LOADS of accessories that will work with this color plan. I also already have shoes that will work. My plan for the next two weeks is to at least get my espresso suit finished. The skirt I made for my interview will be part of the complete suit. I have lots more of the same fabric to make a blazer and trousers. I also have a few garments that will work to tide me over until I can get the entire capsule complete, I just need to alter them to fit as they are a bit too big now.<br /><br />I'll be picking my blazer and trouser pattern tonight so I can prep for muslin making tomorrow. Wish me luck!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-65912148710106693932014-01-14T13:37:00.000-05:002014-01-14T13:37:28.259-05:00She's got legs, she knows how to use them!I just made you think of a ZZ Top song! Ha!<br />
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Well, I finished my first garment for the 2014 Ready-To-Wear Fast and I LOVE it!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outfit Details<br />
Blazer: Target (Purchased 2013)<br />
Tank: Target (Purchased 2011)<br />
Skirt: DIY<br />
Purse: Vintage from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Reneesance" target="_blank">Reneesance </a>(Purchased 2011)<br />
Shoes: Chinese Laundry (Purchase 2010)<br />
Necklace: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/vickiorion" target="_blank">Orion Designs</a> (Purchased 2008)</td></tr>
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I have a job interview tomorrow and had NOTHING to wear that didn't make me look like a little girl playing dress up in her mother's clothes. Seriously, it was a major problem. I really try to look impeccable for interviews. It's my past career life in business and my perfectionist tendencies combined. I had the tank and blazer already. The blazer is a smidgen big but it's totally appropriate. The tank is actually a spanx style tank but because I've lost weight it isn't OMG SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF ME tight anymore.<br />
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Originally I wanted to make a ponte knit wiggle dress for the interview, but the fabric I have on hand didn't go well with the blazer. The blazer was a must in my mind so I developed a Plan B. I pulled out Butterick's B5249 and started making a muslin of View A. Shockingly the muslin fit almost perfectly with no alterations! I couldn't believe it. It was meant to be! I have a variety of mid-weight stretch cottons in my stash and decided on my darkest brown stretch sateen. I figured it matched my shoes perfectly, contrasted the tan tank and cream/gold tweed blazer nicely, and I was pleased to see it perfectly matched my handbag when I shot my photos. Yeah, totally meant to be!<br />
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On to the pattern/construction details:<br />
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<b>Pattern Used:</b> Butterick B5249, View A (OOP, Available on ebay) - An unlined, high waist, princess seamed pencil skirt with belt, flounce, shirring and pocket options.<br />
<b>Size Cut:</b> 16 for the back, 18 for the front<br />
<b>Alterations/Changes to Pattern:</b> I took in front princess seams by 1/4 inch to give me 1 inch less in the front total. Also, I trimmed down the hip curve to suit my shape better as I have lower curves on my hips than the pattern was designed for. I made a 3 inch hem instead of a 2 inch one as the pattern stated because I wanted the bottom of the skirt to hit me mid-knee. I omitted the belt and carriers, but may add the carriers later. I have a leopard print belt that would look amazing with this skirt!<br />
<b>Instructions:</b> Didn't use them. It's a pencil skirt with princess seams... A newbie could do it!<br />
<b>Fabric: </b>Dark Brown Stretch Cotton Sateen from FabricMart (I think) purchased a few years ago. I have yards of this stuff left to make slacks and maybe even a jacket. <br />
<b>Does it look like the pattern envelope?</b> Yes, except I skipped the belt/carriers.<br />
<b>Will this be made again?</b> ABSOLUTELY! This is now my TNT pattern for
pencil skirts. The fit is AMAZING! I'll probably work with adding a
lining and maybe a vent in future versions. This pattern is insanely
versatile. It's a shame it's OOP!<br />
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Construction Details:<br />
I SUCK at sewing zippers with a machine, so I decided to try handpicking the zipper for this skirt as my first time ever trying that technique. It's not perfect, but for a first time ever I'm seriously pleased! Next time I make this pattern I will use an invisible zip with the same technique. I'm seriously out of practice with hand sewing but I thoroughly enjoyed working on the zip while watching Downton Abbey and Sherlock (watching the episodes before Season 3 airs on the 19th).<br />
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I used a Hong Kong finish with all the seams and bound the raw edge of the facing. The facing is understitched and I hand tacked it down to the seam allowances on the skirt to keep it in place. I ran out of the darker bias tape so had to improvise by using a shade off, but I don't care, it still looks freaking awesome to me on the inside.<br />
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I did a blind hem with my machine. It turned out perfect!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr476oNRqDFO5vpcem2XuRPDhIWlXtLEbGqEcrm1BNiFKrdOMd_Ut7dYR4weKrHqq7Om7oKgHFaYPd4vCs26xkx3XxskuZHzcR8JVilhR16vcF45fEDoZ5qDsS35gPWyo3kueyW9GZ830/s1600/B5249_inside_hem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr476oNRqDFO5vpcem2XuRPDhIWlXtLEbGqEcrm1BNiFKrdOMd_Ut7dYR4weKrHqq7Om7oKgHFaYPd4vCs26xkx3XxskuZHzcR8JVilhR16vcF45fEDoZ5qDsS35gPWyo3kueyW9GZ830/s1600/B5249_inside_hem.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I love how clean this skirt looks on the inside! It looks amazing now matter which way you see it! I did spend a good bit of time and put in a lot of work on it, but the end result is so worth it! I have a skirt that will really last. I know this will be a staple in my wardrobe for a long time! Such a classic skirt!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-20348535394372143552014-01-03T13:32:00.002-05:002014-01-03T13:32:44.097-05:00The whimsical seamstress actually has a plan!I tend to sew based on whim and rarely finish anything. Sad, but true. I get a rush of inspiration, get through fitting and then realize "Ugh, I hate it!" Rinse and repeat... that was most of my 2013 sewing experience. I realize now that I desperately need a plan in order to accomplish anything. Otherwise I'll just do what I did last year and end 2014 with nothing to wear, again! I am NOT going to let that happen!<br /><br />Today Patti, one of the other RTW Fasters, posted a brilliant blog post about figuring out what you love to wear and what you need in your wardrobe. Using those ideas (<a href="http://yourfriendlyhomeeconomist.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/closet-reveals-real-issues/" target="_blank">found here</a>) I came up with a plan in 3 minutes. Seriously, 3 MINUTES! I can't believe how fast it was! The idea is to evaluate what you spend your time doing that requires clothing (um, pretty much everything but bathing, folks) and specify what clothing you need for those activities. Here's what I came up with:<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Weddings/Birthday Dinners - Cocktail Dress</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plays/Date Night - Cocktail Dress, Skirt/Blouse or
Slacks/Blouse</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sleeping - Pajamas and Robe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Working Out - Leggings, T-Shirt, Sports Bra, Hoodie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interviews - Dress and Jacket/Blazer</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doctor Appointments - Dress, Skirt/Blouse or Slacks/Blouse</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lounging at Home - Knit Top or Sweater and Pants or Jeans</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cleaning House - T-shirt/Leggings/Apron</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Entertaining at Home - Dress, Skirt/Blouse or Slacks/Blouse</div>
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Errands - Dress, Skirt/Blouse, or Slacks/Blouse</div>
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Seasonal Changes - Winter Coat, Dress Coat, Jacket<br /><br />With that information I can definitely see what I need to have in my wardrobe! Some of them I have already, but not many. Based on what I already have, I need to make the following during the RTW Fast. I will need to buy new bras, sport bras, panties, hosiery and the like, but no actual garments! If I have time I want to try to make my own bras and panties. However, I can't go out in public with just those so I need to focus on my garments first. </div>
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<br />1 Cocktail Dress</div>
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2 Dresses</div>
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2 Skirts</div>
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2 Slacks</div>
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3 Blouses</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 Knit Tops</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 Pajamas</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 Pants for lounging or Jeans</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Dress Coat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Robe </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I need to sew 20 items! Whew! The cocktail dress is already well in progress and I'm about to start one of the 2 dresses because I will need it very soon. Once I get those done I will be planning when to make the rest of my wardrobe. I want to focus on basics that I can dress up or down as I need to and that can be mixed and matched to give me a variety of outfits. <br /><br />I also have commissions coming up... A dress for my niece for Easter, a wedding gown for a friend, and flower girl dresses for my own girls to be in my friend's wedding. The wedding is actually in May 2015 so I'll be starting those around November. I'm going to try to get one more garment done in January to make 3 for the month and get as many done as I can in February so that March and April can be focused on the Easter dress I need to make. Then I'll have May through October to focus on everything else left for my wardrobe. Wish me luck, y'all! My sewing machine is going to be going into overdrive!<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-44577511309162166142014-01-01T18:15:00.001-05:002014-01-01T19:10:10.848-05:00I lost weight, now I'm fasting!Sounds kind of backwards, right? Well, actually, it's not. Over 2013 I didn't sew much because from July through the end of the year I focused on losing more weight. On January 2, 2011 I weighed my heaviest.. 200 lbs! I was depressed, in pain, and overall just miserable at that size. In 2012 I had lost 20 pounds to go from 200 lbs to 180 lbs. I decided in July 2013 it was time to get serious and get the body I want to have. I started drinking <a href="http://www.shakeology.com/relynnjohnson" target="_blank">Shakeology</a> daily and working out with <a href="http://www.beachbodycoach.com/RELYNNJOHNSON" target="_blank">Beachbody</a> programs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AvkAMlYV_7R4mb4RxM_BWS7zduChO_tCdyGEmTWG7_W2x73OxoV25J0eyfJZh5_CID6qE8ANDQNQd0psH8xzGiW9F3AsZ8EoQq4WUwqn45sk7KOjHLE9a2gh25G2qnnckFhyphenhyphenWvFANcE/s1600/ThenNow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AvkAMlYV_7R4mb4RxM_BWS7zduChO_tCdyGEmTWG7_W2x73OxoV25J0eyfJZh5_CID6qE8ANDQNQd0psH8xzGiW9F3AsZ8EoQq4WUwqn45sk7KOjHLE9a2gh25G2qnnckFhyphenhyphenWvFANcE/s1600/ThenNow.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L- Me at my heaviest, 200 lbs<br />
R- Me today! 156.2 lbs</td></tr>
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I've gone from 180 lbs to 156 lbs in 6 months! I didn't workout as regularly as I should, but I steadily improved my habits and have been exercising more regularly for the past month or so. In 2014 I am taking myself to the next level. I'm working out consistently so I can reach my goal of 130 lbs. I want to be lean, strong, and healthy!<br />
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The best and worst part of losing almost 25 pounds this year is that none of my clothes (undergarments included) fits! Absolutely NOTHING! I saw a couple weeks ago Sarah and Goodbye Valentino was going to have another Ready To Wear Fast. I thought that would be the perfect inspiration for me to make my wardrobe of perfectly fitting clothes that I love to wear! I'm totally Fasting with her!<br />
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<a href="http://goodbyevalentino.com/2014-rtw-fasters/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://goodbyevalentino.com/2014-rtw-fasters/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMowfWYWiI5G2ZziZVnqDZnKC4trdRZeVHPUMfcwxRy-0iuzX3A7gsHlm9NCKMqqyVB19JE0zS5mkbg_cxmhmVxrZdCSwCHbANHJbIoMwT05ryd-2EY4Xj-FbcA5OrduWNsV_yw5_dJXA/s1600/rtw-fast-badge.jpeg" height="320" width="307" /></a></div>
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My goal is to complete at least one garment a month, but I'm shooting for getting 2-3 done per month. I have some commissions coming up that I will have to make time for so that's why my goal is just 1 per month. I will be posting my plans soon. I've been sketching ideas like crazy. It's so much fun brainstorming when I need EVERYTHING!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-62827622192964151012013-06-13T12:37:00.001-04:002013-06-13T13:50:26.700-04:00Summer Wardrobe PlansHey everybody! I'm getting ready to send out the patterns to the giveaway winners but I got distracted by seeing summer sewing plans on other blogs. Typical ADD kicking in for me. lol The weather here in Maryland has been increasingly summer-like and I'm realizing that my wardrobe is not well suited for the weather. I need to make a plan for things I need to carry me through the next 3 months or so.<br />
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Here's what I'm starting with in my wardrobe already:<br />
Lots of tops and tanks<br />
4 cotton cardigans <br />
3 cotton shorts that don't fit well<br />
1 cotton blend capri pants that are a little snug<br />
2 bathing suits that don't fit <br />
Lots of skirts<br />
Lots of dresses<br />
2 bras that fit perfectly <br />
1 pair of sandals<br />
1 pair of flats<br />
1 pair of sneakers that need replaced <br />
2 pairs of dress shoes <br />
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So, considering the above I already see the plan I need to make. I will be attempting to make some bottoms as I love shorts and capris in summer. It gets pretty hot here, especially in late June through July. Less is more, for sure, during that time of year. Also, the pool at my mother in-law's is open and I haven't gone swimming yet because my suit doesn't fit! That's just a crime! I need to make a bathing suit right NOW! I also need some shoes. After I broke my foot last August I haven't been able to wear shoes with flexible soles unless I can put carbon fiber plates under the insoles. I need to figure out what exactly I want and go from there with figuring out what I can find that in to work for my feet. I also need to buy a couple more bras. I finally found one that fits me like it was custom made for me: the <a href="http://www.panache-lingerie.com/us/superbra-by-panache/collection/21540685/Plunge-Bra/" target="_blank">Panache Tango II Plunge.</a> I figure buying one a month until I have enough would be good considering my budget. <br />
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My tentative sewing plans:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Agz7gC7msk9gIY2ndvxcQx7EKZzc7UUPY57-pzs8wennlUJBeSadeIrj9XC71Q7kT-v__k7uQtQT0y5EDosOibpKpUGzc2zudhMbIso_F7SsNZYA1Is76a-BgUGaQjAJ0pbh-37HZ4o/s1600/Simplicity3435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Agz7gC7msk9gIY2ndvxcQx7EKZzc7UUPY57-pzs8wennlUJBeSadeIrj9XC71Q7kT-v__k7uQtQT0y5EDosOibpKpUGzc2zudhMbIso_F7SsNZYA1Is76a-BgUGaQjAJ0pbh-37HZ4o/s1600/Simplicity3435.jpg" height="640" width="460" /></a></div>
For the shorts and capris I will probably use Simplicity 3435 from the early 1960s. If I use the pattern I will be using views 1 and 3. I have some stretch cotton twill in navy and olive. The navy I have enough for the capris and maybe shorts. The olive I have enough for shorts. I'd like to get some khaki stretch poplin for the bottoms as well. The pair of capris I have are the perfect length for me. I'll be using them with the pattern to make sure the ones I make hit me where I like on my legs.<br />
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I have some olive print ITY that is perfect for bathing suits in my stash. Have you seen the AMAZING <a href="http://closetcasefiles.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-bombshell-swimsuit-is-here.html" target="_blank">Bombshell Bathing Suit</a> pattern by Closet Case Files? The blue version is so 1950s glam! My jaw hit the floor when I saw it. It's exactly what I've been wanting to make for myself! I bought it right then and there. I also placed an order with <a href="http://www.sewsassy.com/LycraProducts/SwimwearAndCostumeProducts.html" target="_blank">Sew Sassy</a> for lining, elastic and poly laminate foam to make my own cups for support (I just can't find any big enough for my girls). Closet Case Files is also hosting a sewalong. I'll be participating.<br />
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<a href="http://closetcasefiles.blogspot.ca/p/bombshell-swimsuit-sewalong.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Xaw2ZKN234FpwRuCQTShyphenhyphenxpaOZcX3CvTMFhkkytOYbJ9yY7EdodQEAVW5Jo4NqAB1CP5Pz99msweJuv1R_-gqU-WRqxaYf7zaZ-VVQ6doXM6mSaaDjB0wb4ZWjpcRfJC1-PrlJ9yN8c/s1600/sewalong+button.png" /></a></div>
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If the olive suit turns out well I plan to make a leopard one and maybe a gold or copper lamé one.<br />
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So, that's what I think I'll be sewing for summer. Right now on the table I have my Gatsby inspired robe to finish. It just needs the sleeves hemmed and a closure added. I want to do the lingerie I planned to go with it (vintage styled knickers and a bralette or cami) but the satin I bought is a nightmare to sew and I'm not sure I'm up for dealing with it right now. Luckily I have a lacy slip that will match the robe already.<br />
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Other plans for the summer include hopefully going to the beach for a weekend with all the kiddos (step-kids, too) and I want to teach my almost 9 year old daughter to sew. I want to start with hand stitches with her then get her a very basic machine to learn on after she gets the hand stuff down. I also want to try to fix my serger. I think one of my loopers is bent. I got the serger for free so I don't want to spend anything taking it to a shop. I figure I like to tinker and figure out how things work so I'll try to fix it. It's already not working right so what do I have to lose? lol My job is going well. In mid-July I will be switching from day shift to night shift. I've never worked nights before, so it should be interesting. Hopefully I can adapt to it ok. <br />
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Do you have any sewing or crafty plans for summer? Or maybe winter if you are in the other hemisphere? Leave me a comment and let me know what you plan to make.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-34559904779802201122013-06-09T15:07:00.001-04:002013-06-09T15:07:10.658-04:00100 Facebook Fans Giveaway Winners!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First, thank you everyone who entered! I appreciate your interest and support so much! I opted to draw based on who was interested in what pattern, in order to make sure everyone had a chance to get what they wanted most. If a person who won the first was interested in both they were immediately removed from the second pattern's list of potential winners. All entries were assigned a number based on the order they were received. Without any further delay let's get to announcing the winners.<br /><br />The following people were interested in the first pattern (their entry number is in parenthesis) :<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz-6NHODfTBWWFBb-5jv5LlgRlYFP2YZNvJvwNu6GESVBTtkzqzeYwk70rVmXtbKiQuaVDDbYqcYF3UVPFmoia9gNNRJDr1OvEGqnYhY1WpvQAfezc8_AVyn8NG7sHF3UMtZ_i2bLt7k/s1600/2471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Simplicity 2741" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz-6NHODfTBWWFBb-5jv5LlgRlYFP2YZNvJvwNu6GESVBTtkzqzeYwk70rVmXtbKiQuaVDDbYqcYF3UVPFmoia9gNNRJDr1OvEGqnYhY1WpvQAfezc8_AVyn8NG7sHF3UMtZ_i2bLt7k/s1600/2471.jpg" height="400" title="" width="308" /></a></div>
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<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Alethia (1, 5)<br />
Kimberly (2, 3, 4)<br />
Ruth (6)<br />
Allison (7)<br />
Rochelle (8)<br />
Jacqueline (9)<br />
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And the number drawn was:<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXkNp01OHUYeSmrFQ7fGzHc3y-N8KzHBkQ63rUnWCmtRi7SSLznwh1VIcU1mnTVrlMrO75RvZp_QnLNRlzFWLe8lZ_Dguvt4fRvkp-QEQYEUqBaMkO-e1TeDyhDDSoJu3w42ft-SE9gQ/s1600/DrawingPattern1.jpg" /> </div>
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Congratulations <b>Rochelle New</b>!! </div>
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The following people were interested in the second pattern:</div>
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<img alt="Simplicity 2538" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gz6pKUA-MZJQvTDTj6VPTMxIhPa4mQ2pmbhz1Ehtnk67BZ4kQfdDXdr9gimL3BrhW8WSw6R6TTz_pZcPAQcrbPu4d8xfjsOZgt_iNw_rXbql8fE1xXKtoCapbMWV5G83RYlloyWd-uU/s1600/2538.jpg" height="400" title="" width="293" /></div>
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<br />
Alethia (1, 5)<br />
Kimberly (2, 3, 4)<br />
Beccie (6)<br />
Ruth (7)<br />
Allison (8)<br />
Angela (9, 10, 11)<br />
Pamela (12, 13, 14)<br />
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Jacqueline (15)<br />
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And the number drawn was:<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CotZvJIFioRTo5ISa7NHJJhfVPVVA6JlVQlS6kJVBFrby6WHGjD3sa434A5PrTQkDwF2o2Lhqd5JkW0qE4S3mBBCE5mE7rNB7QydmzTxDzz6jI964gXYYB7gGomTOJei4ew1diWqSGg/s1600/DrawingPattern2.jpg" /> </div>
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Congratulations <b>Kimberly Olson</b>!!</div>
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Winners, you have 48 hours to contact me by facebook message through the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SewDamnedCreative" target="_blank">Sew Damned Creative page</a>. If a winner does not contact me in that time I will select a new winner for the unclaimed pattern on Wednesday, June 12, 2013.</div>
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Thank you everyone for your participation and congrats again to the winners! Stay tuned to my blog and my facebook page because I plan to host another giveaway (to be announced soon). </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-89669954017314320092013-06-01T17:46:00.000-04:002013-06-08T00:11:10.590-04:00CLOSED: 100 Facebook Fans Giveaway!If you follow my Facebook page you'll know that I said from the very beginning that once I reached the 100 likes milestone that I would host a vintage pattern giveaway. In the wee hours of this morning my page reached, and surpassed, the 100 likes mark! I'm so excited! To celebrate that I want to offer two readers a vintage dress pattern in thanks for their interest and support. <br />
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The first pattern is a 1940's Simplicity pattern, numbered 2741, for a scooped neck shirtwaist dress in either evening/ankle length or tea length with short or 3/4 sleeves and detachable cuffs/collar. It is size 14, bust 32 inches, and is partially cut (very neatly). The envelope is in sad shape, but the pattern is in great condition. No instructions are included (sorry, they are just missing and were when I purchased the pattern) but it is a simple dress to put together from what I can tell. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Simplicity 2741" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuboQn2SoAaL0Oo4shfjONdjI58llOHbE8QRrT9aOEdBVGfCBopHKaBeYhkoosAhIRwpeq601bF6oOMXlsC5krFO_TX1n1f4_imxU1wYgzCv1r31ww_3nJVSnA6UZnPvUDDFVCSCzuGAc/s1600/2471.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="494" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern 1</td></tr>
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The second pattern in this giveaway is another Simplicity pattern, but this one is from 1958, numbered 2538. It is the perfect Marilyn Monroe halter style dress! It is a size 16, bust is 36 inches, and has skirt length variations and an optional cummerbund. The pattern is partially cut and in great shape. The envelope has some tears but is still intact.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Simplicity 2538" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguocwPLW4faXPqURsJk4OKTvLXTMYE0_RvPxtIKC13LyJOG_yWmJOVd8mseXnPrNSGoghqPqq4IFk_e7uB6SUd_1U9rfbYv7bfjGkJehKVzgMY2BaX22AdxOk6ibGp6T-5MI2yihQfbHY/s1600/2538.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="470" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern 2</td></tr>
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Official giveaway rules:<br />
<ol>
<li>Giveaway is open internationally. </li>
<li>Must like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SewDamnedCreative" target="_blank">Sew Damn Creative on Facebook</a> and leave a comment on this post letting me know you have done so.</li>
<li>For an extra entry, tweet this post and comment with a link to your tweet.</li>
<li>For an extra entry, pin this post on Pinterest and comment with a link to your pin.</li>
<li>You can combine your links and like comments into one, but I must have the links for extra entries to give you credit. </li>
<li>Giveaway will be closed on Friday, June 7, 2013 at Midnight EST. </li>
<li>Winners will be announced by no later than Sunday, June 9, 2013. Announcement will be done via blog post and on the Facebook page.</li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-36200351373042022712013-05-25T13:34:00.000-04:002013-05-25T13:34:50.892-04:00Life at 35<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been around a month since my last post and that was NOT how I had planned things. My husband had to have emergency eye surgery for a detached retina and helping him, along with picking up the slack while he healed, literally took up almost all of my free time for the past 4 weeks. He has been doing everything just like he is supposed to, and it has helped him recover as quickly as possible. I'm so immensely proud of him! I also home school the girls. Oh, and I started my job this week, so free time was certainly at a premium. <br /><br />Yesterday was my 35th birthday. Normally for my birthday I host a Tiki Party. With everything that's been going on (Hubby's eye and me starting my job) I decided not to do that this year. Instead I opted for going out with Hubby and close friends for dinner and drinks at National Harbor. I made that decision 2 weeks ago. A week ago I decided I would make myself a dress for the occasion. I scoured my stash and found some rayon challis yardage that I had bought probably 15+ years ago for a dress that never got made, some white cotton broadcloth, and <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6277-products-13580.php?page_id=108" target="_blank">McCall's M6277</a>. I also found a zipper that was right for the pattern and I already had thread that matched the rayon perfectly. What?! I can make a nearly free dress?! Yeah, I was all over that!<br /><br />Here's what I ended up with:</div>
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<img alt="McCall's M6277" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IVIvxcEAAarkLbfiYfnDpjikHoo3nmbKfMLz4748WaLT4jTU_lidB47zWRqt1dAsjguswu_Ygi3_IqJNnVBcNsOmaz6H6e6dkFWnZ1VHeABEFJqlBhC-qx5ijPPx17QPZi853uo-ML4/s1600/_MG_4317.JPG" title="" /></div>
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I love it! It is so incredibly comfortable! It's lined (except those awesome flutter sleeves) with the cotton. It's a good thing, too! Normally the end of May is around the mid 80's (Fahrenheit) but yesterday might have hit 60 degrees! And it was in the LOW 50's by the time we got to National Harbor. I had to buy a jacket after work yesterday! I got <a href="http://www.target.com/p/mossimo-women-s-tweed-cropped-jacket-assorted-colors/-/A-14278008#prodSlot=medium_1_18" target="_blank">this one</a> on clearance for $19.98 at Target. An XL fit me almost perfectly. Just need to shorten the sleeves a smidgeon. <br /><br />It was gloomy and cloudy and threatening rain all day and well into the night. What a yuck day, but I still made sure I had a wonderful time in spite of Mother Nature. We had dinner at <a href="http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/" target="_blank">McCormick & Schmick's</a> (it was delicious and I completely overstuffed myself) and then went to <a href="http://www.harringtonspubandkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Harrington's Pub & Kitchen</a> for drinks and music. It was a great time and I had simply the best company!<br /><br />I consider myself a strong intermediate seamstress and decided to follow instructions to the letter on this pattern (I almost never do that). The pattern for the dress is rated as Easy. I'd say that is mostly true. Key word is "mostly," though. The lining instructions are a little wonky, and as I'm not extensively experienced in lining, I got a bit confused. I had to unpick the lining at the start of the process but I was able to figure it out. I think the instructions need better pictures of the armhole attachment of the lining for it to be a truly easy/novice friendly pattern. I also had an issue with the neckline (View C's V-neck) completely stretching out of shape in the rayon. There was nothing noted in the pattern instructions about stay-stitching the neckline for that view and it really should be corrected to add that. Otherwise you end up with what I got... a very strangely gaping neckline if you use rayon challis as suggested on the pattern. I ended up purchasing some gold-tone and purple enameled clip earrings and using them as dress clips to convert the neckline from V to a sweetheart style. Worked great as a fix. <br /><br />I had to make some adjustments, of course. It's a princess seamed dress so it was super easy to do. I had to narrow the back and shoulders a little. I had to add more to the bust. I cut it at an 18 for the shoulders and bust and tapered to a 20 for the waist and hips. I had to alter the hip curve a bit. It was high on the pattern compared to where my hips curve most. Otherwise the waist and hip were perfect. I liked it having some ease and ended up not inserting the zipper because I could slide it over my head without any problem. The belt/sash cinches it just fine. I also shortened it just about an inch or so. It's a great, comfy, spring and summer dress. I'm so glad I made it! The simply best part of the dress is those sleeves. They flow when I walk and swish when I turn. AMAZING! I will probably make a version without the flutter sleeves as a basic, though, with the zipper and a little more fitted. I'll make sure I stay-stitch that V neckline, though. <br /><br />I sometimes get asked "Do you feel any older?" on my birthday. You know, I literally felt AWESOME. I really believe I improve with age. I'm proud to be 35. I've earned every fine line and gray hair I'm developing. I've had an amazing life and it just keeps getting better. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-19669112884637393342013-04-21T20:44:00.000-04:002013-04-21T23:28:02.572-04:00Mad Men Challenge 2 Complete!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LMTwFZiKYCmmf3dfajsR0B_O68RYdyD_MUxLg3nI9NdoIE4XT2-5JotP0AF-xYSenUWdEND2LH5CDJol6Fg-9esEZQKniuFRaPzjSI10tXRAnBshAy65giVrwuMaT61ELNOHLVa2e7A/s1600/InspirationRelynn.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="204" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration: Megan's Orange A-line Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Phew... I
did it! The deadline for the <a href="http://www.juliabobbin.com/" target="_blank">JuliaBobbin's</a> challenge was extended until tomorrow and I
got two dresses made with just hours to spare. Best part is the girls
love their new dresses!</div>
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<img alt="Simplicity 4927" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbnuNJW53nsBIJFpzVFz8u1Bc21lOQ0JWFWRuRkf9H0edJ_OSNRUPe54g_zuR146suF6TPlHW3c-Dwil3L4D1Xe1M-ZRSR1wOhQSpXXpFjWbbMhTuZPYV9AzshRqyTmoXzrr_7oC8rgw/s1600/EvieAbbieSimplicity4927.JPG" height="640" title="" width="456" /></div>
<br />
Both dresses were made with <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-6705-its-so-easy-child-dress-and-bag.aspx" target="_blank">Simplicity 4927</a>. It's a simple A-line dress sized from Girls' 3-8. The shape and neckline really hearkens to the mid-late 1960s Mod fashion.<br />
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<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-6705-its-so-easy-child-dress-and-bag.aspx" target="_blank"><img alt="Simplicity 4927" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0Np__0_y7FhyVwgY-vT0zg0Y0BQjz3u6MJ6oFhFhThws5f0udNt-kuW9kIaj4nMH-XoNzwcpmHTZnTm274y93murLIpVDVCZbPq88UkNhInBTTdktbuP3MqcrC2JCtdRl_EDBidcUvw/s1600/Simplicity4927.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<br />
For Abbie's dress I had to cut a size 4 for the bust/shoulder area, a size 6 for the waist, and a size 5 for the hip. I cut it to a size 6 length. Her dress was made with quilting cotton yardage I purchased from my friend Angie. She runs <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sewlutions?fref=ts" target="_blank">Sew-lutions</a> on Facebook and two Etsy shops: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric4you" target="_blank">Fabric4U</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/patterns4you" target="_blank">Patterns4U</a>. She is offering a discount in both of her shops to my readers. As a Sew Damned Creative reader you are entitled to 10% off of $10 or more purchases (S/H not included) in both of her shops. Use code <b>SDCREADER</b> when you buy from her on Etsy.<br />
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<img alt="Simplicity 4927" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKAW8lwEQwpqoHQIi-2EFabdcj9D4GSAngqJMYlLD5okyer1H0edRlNcHCfVkt8Lr2ojh2tEO1atXRYgJGVw2ZdDiEG2O98c3JJPvf7e2NoYSf53FB1eygvklNnMPZ0PcboWB5VXbM9o/s1600/AbbieSimplicity4927.JPG" height="640" title="" width="429" /> </div>
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Evie's dress was cut to a size 5 in the bust/shoulder area, a size 7 in the waist, and a size 6 in the hip. I cut it to a size 7 length. Her dress is made with cotton yardage I purchased at <a href="http://www.hancockfabrics.com/" target="_blank">Hancock Fabrics</a> last year. </div>
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<img alt="Simplicity 4927" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbjFuCiqr8C8zm5aGgSabQien_nLEq2nNI9f7nWd7TA_n3O6kVb0k_PDnlVwPkJHJKkE5c18MXpSHr18eCYQeYDwcQPdrUfUPALmhMu3D8JdNFpUzDCrbypR2XTrvb6QaUtoY7DIFosM/s1600/EvieSimplicity4927.JPG" height="640" title="" width="433" /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKAW8lwEQwpqoHQIi-2EFabdcj9D4GSAngqJMYlLD5okyer1H0edRlNcHCfVkt8Lr2ojh2tEO1atXRYgJGVw2ZdDiEG2O98c3JJPvf7e2NoYSf53FB1eygvklNnMPZ0PcboWB5VXbM9o/s1600/AbbieSimplicity4927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> <br />
It feels good to get this challenge done. It almost didn't happen. Next up I have to alter a bridesmaid gown into something more prom appropriate for a client before the end of the month. In May I'm going to be making some 1920s inspired lingerie for myself for the Great Gatsby Sewing Challenge. I'll also be making a 1950s cotton wrap skirt to wear with my bathing suit for the Accessory Inspiration contest at Pattern Review. I'm going to enter that into the natural fiber contest, too, as it will be made in all cotton.<br />
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<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-6705-its-so-easy-child-dress-and-bag.aspx" target="_blank"><img alt="simplicity 4927" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDoGgk5yt30hg_QZk8B6YWhBCEbBryNBK248jwu0FzMET2_mhJLMUfC1oSHcGWyRJKDAmjCtlCTSvZUgdqMV9Sq2M5gzuQs216BUKg0mbzHJQX5PFAwJsBeg8JdpthxZpeojZ3HUbMrM/s1600/Simplicity4927.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Simplicity 4927" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-6705-its-so-easy-child-dress-and-bag.aspx" target="_blank">Simplicity 4927</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Very workable to look similar to mid-late 60's! And I can totally make two of these in the 6 days I have left. I'm going to have the girls pick out their preferred fabric in the morning. I have enough of both fabrics to make two dresses of each in case the girls want the same fabric.<br /><br />Changing my mind with 6 days left?! Maybe I am a little mad.<br /><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-88097944757598029512013-04-02T16:06:00.000-04:002013-04-02T16:06:00.305-04:00I Must Be Mad! <div style="text-align: left;">
I totally distracted myself last week with making the slip to go with my Sew
for Victory dress. That derailment made me feel awesome when it was
finished, though, so totally worth it! Now it's time to get back to work on my Joan inspired dress
for the Mad Men Challenge #2 (see button on right).</div>
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<img alt="Mad Men Season 5 Cast Photo, Joan Green Dress" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjRE168-x0YLcAGHiesegrElIpWNTVzPfVHTSDtSZavOtDNF5eL34K7lA2tm_4o1ySCiSGZIPWcVPmNQFmTsXR_VEl9tN2KCCElyPrtAxrcR6HbHr02cbHTv-MIjCVLHE-g_I_duEaAk/s1600/joandress.jpg" height="300" title="Mad Men Season 5 Cast Photo" width="400" /></div>
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Last week I got a package from Amazon that had these two books in it:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Fit For Real People, Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesGR7BPyiwvLI9P2GUFIFGJbH3ruNEobjDWaU5Y98ezJAWstaHXFlbz1xFozP0nVi2aT0v-zRXx3bZkaOmIq99aOP0PQpQPIsED71NSfnXv3hp9-3_WUvMmoxASgLVyZcKuW4AG7XCpE/s1600/562801_340713912694912_1703143274_n.jpg" height="260" title="Books" width="400" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I
really wish I had bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Real-People-Clothes-Pattern/dp/0935278656/ref=reader_auth_dp" target="_blank">Fit for Real People </a>(FFRP) when I first started
sewing in 2010. It would have saved me so many headaches and heartaches
over failed fitting attempts. I inhaled the entire book that same
evening it arrived and thumbed through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584799919/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing</a>. I'm looking forward to trying out the projects and techniques in
Gertie's book at some point but I knew I could apply things from FFRP to my Mad Men dress right now! </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After doing 4 muslins of <a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m2401-products-702.php?page_id=108" target="_blank">McCall's 2401</a> (View C) I've totally lost my mind and decided to start over. I'm incorporating the
techniques in FFRP with the pattern tissue. The changes I had made to the back
already were spot on with what they say to do. </div>
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<img alt="McCall's 2401" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnN9jZrP2Z38EIuGnDNF6ETURZfdbhQGxqxuPqXpzvc3DeOvzPxqQQZ3yEzvun73eXFPOHVmMleaUpVatSMPjvhMMkd1CN0GK-7d0Z6razpDWNP4jypurMOV-wMwltL_IQtHtejDskueY/s1600/IMG_4175.JPG" title="Tissue Fit Back" /></div>
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My front, though, oh
wow... did I ever have it overly complicated! I changed my wing-it
approach to their Y Full Bust Adjustment and now I have a pattern tissue
that fits my bust beautifully! It took 20 minutes, not 4 muslins, too! </div>
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<img alt="McCall's 2401" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWakU_5n5XXNzvC1gLOQF-TBV1xuaV2w77f7fiI_a7eMpKL8lvOVy5MkJsuZbbYXa1yOnkMigQaIXVxJ4TajdY3FhD1MgwOZReQw3c9YrMZAGYkc8IH2NP1bQj0juXP7LTiKy3UcgIjY/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" title="Tissue Fit Front" /></div>
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<a name='more'></a>I have a plus sized, petite (just
barely) and muscular body. I am technically pear shaped but I am almost
an hourglass. My large bust and defined waist help make me look more
hourglass than pear. I have a lot more front and back projection than width. Here's the fit challenges I'm dealing with on this
pattern/project (<b>bold</b> means it's done):</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol>
<li>Very Full Bust - This has been addressed
with a Y FBA from FFRP. I still need to reposition the side dart as it's a little high.</li>
<li><b>Slightly Low Bust </b>- Lowered the neckline by 1.75 inches because I prefer a bit more skin showing (but not too much). Proportionately it should make my neckline look like Joan's does on her. </li>
<li><b>Swayback</b> - This has been addressed with a 0.75 inch swayback adjustment to the pattern.</li>
<li><b>Slightly Narrow/Sloping Shoulders</b> - It seems the FBA brought the shoulder in just a smidgen on the pivot and it's right where it should be for me. Yay! Also, the changes I made to the center back fixed this.</li>
<li><b>Slightly Narrow Back</b> - I took in the center back 0.25 - 0.5 inch to accommodate this.</li>
<li><b>Prominent Abdomen</b> - I'm going to tinker with the front vertical dart for this. I might omit it altogether. I'm going to leave this to the fabric stage (either muslin or fashion fabric) because the tissue just won't lay like the fabric does and I'm very particular about how this part of me is fitted.</li>
<li>Defined Waist - The back changes work well for this but the front will need either the vertical dart or fabric taken out of the side seam, or possibly both. I'm leaning towards the latter as the FBA added width to the hip area that I didn't need and I'd like it nipped in a little under my bust.</li>
<li>Slightly Large Upper Arms - Going to use FFRP's tips on enlarging a fitted sleeve.</li>
</ol>
Halfway done with the fit process! I know I'll get the bust done today, and maybe the sleeve and waist issues, too.<br /> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have the following steps to do for my dress (<b>bold</b> means finished) by April 19, 2013:<ol>
<li><b>purchase pattern, fabric, and supplies </b></li>
<li>tissue fit the pattern - in process</li>
<li>make a muslin (might skip this if I feel all brave)</li>
<li>make dress</li>
<li>make lining</li>
<li>attach facings to lining</li>
<li>attach facings and lining to dress</li>
<li>look awesome in my wiggle dress</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have 17 days (including today)! No pressure, right?!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-49463710721645196692013-03-31T00:55:00.001-04:002013-03-31T00:55:52.652-04:00Victorious! Sew for Victory Sew AlongI decided a few weeks ago that I would join the Sew for Victory Sew Along hosted by Rochelle at Lucky Lucille (check out the button on the right). It's a 1940's themed sew along and I just love that era. I used a 1948 Simplicity pattern to make my dress. Here it is all finished!<br />
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<img alt="Simplicty 2486 " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzuZpFpeEkpCz9DTG5i06aWkQDf3E4bD_vBhJnzpv7lKXeOGNC-ZYVMn7uw1lDCmv7IENWwLnMI_O86b4Lj5L-WuFbPi-q0CdnQMpSv7jEgrw9BJzwwxTg1anO-GiA6dS3E3QCMoXl9A/s1600/IMG_4166.JPG" title="Simplicty 2486 Front" /></div>
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<img alt="Simplicty 2486 " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAtorFBavfhvmGI12g0JjVJBYpvO9Tq8B9y_z8WMgGpxOSjd1cqnX6fYXzgXM0sarN_GTHxlhKWgCYxOi5-8c6zhvtgYAMAOh6_aCzU7OG_scOz3uBdpCMD1nE2bv5jQAcQ2M5RuWYD8/s1600/IMG_4163.JPG" title="Simplicty 2486 Back" /></div>
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<img alt="Simplicty 2486 " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzePOWgfuIoNDkqKBqw0BFJHcaC77Z-NUHvK_XP_xTevoi61Ze1f-1ltoexG2NNBNTIqEQrHSz1deb-9nSoOqTPv7dt3nh5tMqaFKNDossSX2YZqOCG9gPU1n4M0ADIW5_L7psbATOlg/s1600/IMG_4165.JPG" title="Simplicty 2486 Side" /></div>
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I also needed a slip under the dress because the fabric was semi-sheer. My only (modern) full slip was way too short so I ended up making one from a 1940's Advance pattern. Here it is:<br />
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<img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb8GXfi6aRjX_lsX1C_8ufFdyO9S1uzey0h9q22z_Iseh5YiF_g1QkxM7oxvHf3qBKgVQut-dunb1jVN52VA-2qv_gW50dBxFMeKRgSMEW5Yf5HkBHdibgmjScrGQ_5cb32wYQO3gZTA/s1600/IMG_4173.JPG" title="Advance 6333 Side" /></div>
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<img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH8BvyzbI8dACyxUdo2kYBoVvOa9bEQi6sw4GfyyjA0flpE0s6IfQpRsekytJ8u26VB0XhJwCmATyyCz3mzWWUqESsUEoiGl7R5cBbyxhMglwdz8y_CNNJ2yxYKnWuCzs89yG2ULXYXk/s1600/IMG_4167.JPG" title="Advance 6333 Front" /></div>
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<img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZacJLduQOhx73gdKfKCosiSFWQ3SUCERhRwT7TvWU1At7e2W0s8lA7Vp8hlJD30UQ2WQHgGhFN2khvZ5viPaTO4_tPuzv3WKF6vhYYM39V4flBL12sN5SMZ6lumUoykLS8n10Pq_H2MM/s1600/IMG_4169.JPG" title="Advance 6333 Back" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>My inspiration:</b></b> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Wedding Day 1938 Aaron Nester Wavie Nester" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5yMoSTcBpuYDn61HbFOhrN6LKw1J0HbFz1Bey9tY_-xE1lZLuIar9ilv7Q-GmMxMp-g9YVwsLAILhrH97xk3pPq-t200w-GNs_pp9h4nVrGrqh6ZyeaSKYjJhnXQW0Pbc-8HNLVhMfE/s1600/GrandpaGrandmaWedding1938.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grandparents Wedding Day 1938" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My paternal grandparents on their wedding day. June, 1938</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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My paternal grandmother, a woman who I
often considered to be a mother more than a grandmother, was one that
would never waste anything. She was born in 1920 and remembered the
Great Depression. She spent her days in the
1940s keeping up a farmhouse and raising 4 of her 5 kids (the 5th came
in the next decade). One of those 4 children was my father, who was born
in 1946, so he was one of the first of the Baby Boom generation. I can
imagine her wearing comfortable, simple, but kind of pretty house
dresses. She'd have her wedding ring on and pretty much no other
jewelry. Baubles were reserved for when she left the house. She'd have
on her perfume but not have makeup on in the house. If she was going
shopping she would never leave without her lipstick on. That's pretty
much all she ever wore. She never fussed with all that other stuff.
She'd use her Oil of Olay moisturizer and maybe a little blush, but
she'd wear vibrant lip color. Usually some sort of coral or red. She was
a natural beauty and really didn't need a lot of makeup to look
stunning. During that time she had very dark hair, nearly black, and
crystal blue eyes.<b><br /><br /><b>A little tidbit:</b> </b>Grandma's baby brother
died in WWII. He was an Army Private that was in the group who stormed
Normandy Beach. He barely made it to land before he was hit and killed
by the Germans. Grandma had his Army picture hanging in her living room
and when I was a little girl I asked her when Daddy had been in the
Army. My dad looked a lot like her baby brother. She told me who it was in the picture
and his story. I hope I never forget that memory.<b> </b><br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Pattern Reviews<br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b> Dress</b></div>
<br />
<b>Pattern: </b>Simplicity 2486 (1948)<br />
<b>Size:</b> 40 (40 Bust/43 Hip) with alterations<br />
<b>Fabric: </b>I can't remember the fabric content of this, but I think it's a poly/rayon blend. Lightweight but slightly stiff drape. Almost sheer.<br />
<b>Does it look like the picture:</b> Yes! Identical with the exception of the change I made to the hem and the bodice.<br />
<b>Were the instructions easy to follow: </b>Yes! This pattern was awesome! It was a printed pattern that was marked clearly and the instructions were very good.<br />
<b>Comments: </b> <br />
I did a smaller than called for hem (1.5 inches instead of 3) to make the dress ballerina length. I haven't worn this length of dress in a very, very long time. I forgot how much I liked to have a dress that length. It feels so feminine to wear. <br />
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I tried the dress without shoulder pads but it really does need them to look best so I put them in. <br />
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I had to add a little to the front to accommodate my prominent upper belly. I added width to the front skirt panels (front and front side) and I didn't do the gathering on the lower part of the bodice to make sure the waist was roomy enough. I also had to do a small swayback adjustment. <br />
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The front bodice is a tiny bit long so I will adjust for that the next time I use this pattern. I would fix it on this one but a belt hides it and I don't feel like unpicking the zipper after I had such a time getting that sucker in the first time.<br />
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My lapped zipper is not the best, but it's better than others I've done so far. Practice is making me improve. <br />
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<b>Will I use make it again:</b> More than likely. This makes a great house dress. I could easily add scalloped patch pockets to the skirt portion. The pattern also comes with variations for a simpler, narrow V neckline and straight edged sleeves, which I would use if I were using a more prominent print.<br />
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<b>Slip</b></div>
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<b>Pattern: </b>Advance 6333 (1953)<br />
<b>Size:</b> 18 (36 Bust/39 Hip) Resized<br />
<b>Fabric: </b>Cotton poplin with 2% spandex<br />
<b>Does it look like the picture:</b> No. I made some design changes that changed the look a little bit.<br />
<b>Were the instructions easy to follow: </b>I didn't use them.<br />
<b>Comments: </b> <br />
I resized this pattern partially. The back was perfect as sized in the original pattern. I gave a little room in the waist of the back, as it was originally designed for a girdled waist. I did a swayback adjustment and had to narrow the top of the bodice back for my narrow shoulders/back. I had to add about 3 inches to the front skirt and I completely redrafted the bodice. I made it have a similar shape, but it has a center seam instead of a surplice front, and it has darts at the bottom instead of gathers to reduce fullness. I doubled the straps instead of folding in half and stitching as I wanted them wide enough to cover my bra straps. I bound the bodice and straps in contrasting bias binding that I made from scrap crepe fabric. I had to shorten the straps considerably, and I gave it a 1.5 inch hem so it would be just shorter than my dress. I made it rather fitted but since my fabric had a little stretch I didn't need a zipper.<br /><br />
<b>Will I use make it again:</b> Maybe. This would make a great nightgown or a nice dress in the right fabric and a little more ease added.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-31801531023766478682013-03-24T19:21:00.001-04:002013-03-24T23:22:38.055-04:00Advance 6333 Throwing Darts at GathersSo, after a really good sleep I came back to my progress on Advance 6333 and realized that I was just not loving the cup of the bodice. I am very busty and my bust is fullest at the bottom. Adding lots of gathered fabric where my bust is fullest really wasn't looking good. I decided to pinch out those gathers into darts. I added a side dart and three under bust darts. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0V7kchLefwqWBTev90myM967FTHdLikRoN3brzr6ygBYAa3Zpjykdbt-pXSIlSnrR_5t-zdf-rY5nYv0Ema8LZB1R6WUbt34DTiQpZbUveoKwVv3idmV9nAvNnAzdbrtDfQGG5TkvG0/s1600/IMG_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0V7kchLefwqWBTev90myM967FTHdLikRoN3brzr6ygBYAa3Zpjykdbt-pXSIlSnrR_5t-zdf-rY5nYv0Ema8LZB1R6WUbt34DTiQpZbUveoKwVv3idmV9nAvNnAzdbrtDfQGG5TkvG0/s1600/IMG_4140.JPG" title="Advance 6333 bodice front darts" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Darts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIv-mtnWurglDARi3c42lyvNhF0KrLr1D_Ro0jPmHYiPuJBbn3o3sNI7hKS6yvUFU0kj7j-TIThvbMvNWU7eiorAQbL-4GHLgeeiGJDGnlgfnXcbfhGeEEqUdfryN90G9yP0FpZOxskk/s1600/IMG_4136.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Advance 6333 bodice front gathers" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Gathers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhFDPvtMxR0RKbXrTMU2Syfx2qt778OQUShyHlWIN_ImjXB-Y6XR68ueU4z1lycymTpAc4ctFFf1TvCxuNihrcu0aApGo8OkQYKhb9cXA8TvyKqnznF-UAudXHJyb8a2n5M113gK0ikI/s1600/IMG_4141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhFDPvtMxR0RKbXrTMU2Syfx2qt778OQUShyHlWIN_ImjXB-Y6XR68ueU4z1lycymTpAc4ctFFf1TvCxuNihrcu0aApGo8OkQYKhb9cXA8TvyKqnznF-UAudXHJyb8a2n5M113gK0ikI/s1600/IMG_4141.JPG" title="Advance 6333 bodice side darts" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Darts<br />
Look at that profile! Hotness!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP-Zh-r4bc4NZRO5j2qJLErRDT8UrUL9-B115y7mo40W3JOhHxzLPBFt6k7fc3lRZJp12TXCtvEsI7UrZXAfNI9STdWyjFz0rqsrEmed0TZEy62bf_8Y1qbArDEGRrPCG4op6imRQZXg/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP-Zh-r4bc4NZRO5j2qJLErRDT8UrUL9-B115y7mo40W3JOhHxzLPBFt6k7fc3lRZJp12TXCtvEsI7UrZXAfNI9STdWyjFz0rqsrEmed0TZEy62bf_8Y1qbArDEGRrPCG4op6imRQZXg/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" title="Advance 6333 bodice side gathers" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Gathers</td></tr>
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Looks so much better on me! Heck, it looks much better on Mathilda, too! Making this sort of design change really affects the finished slip. It is going to be much more fitted now, so I'll need to add a zipper to the side to get in and out of it. I'll need to redraw the cup to incorporate my changes and to give more length to the bottom side to compensate for the dart. Also, I have decided to use bias binding instead of self fabric like the
pattern calls for. Just easier that way and I want to add a little
contrast. If I have enough of my binding left over I'll just use it for my straps. If not I'll just use the sky blue cotton.<br />
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I also got the back worked on today and had to make a slight adjustment to the top because I have narrow shoulders. I also need to move the attachment point for the straps over about 1/2 inch towards the center. The back really did almost fit perfectly right from the pattern. <br />
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I cut out the skirt pieces and have basted together the back of the skirt. I'm sure I'll need to add probably 2 inches to the back and maybe more for the front. I hope to have the entire bodice finished tomorrow and then get started on skirt fitting.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-50633053160377343252013-03-24T01:35:00.000-04:002013-03-24T01:35:32.236-04:00Sidetracked Sewing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After making 4 muslins to work out the fit on my Mad Men dress (yes, 4!!) I really needed to just step away from that project. I'm still not totally happy with the fit and I'm going to start from scratch with tissue fitting. I've recently gotten the book Fit for Real People and I now have a sewing bible! I'm going to incorporate the techniques from that book in my restart. In the meantime I've been impatiently waiting for a sunny day that doesn't feel like winter to photograph my Sew for Victory dress outside. So far one of those hasn't really happened. I realized when I completed the dress that I really need to wear a full slip with it as it is made of slightly sheer fabric. I came across this pattern on eBay and I won it. It's perfect for the dress!</div>
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<br /><img alt="Advance 6333" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM2fmm8olsU9t4gt7pCOf9yg2S4T4OdiAUtSpnNE8s9yZThTAR63cQi-xl-kk-LALlOv6jB3p_cYBHacj5nvBcYkAQAzzGS5f22KRueHRdfsZ6SWO9z6TpcxF5mnQ_0iiU3cREkZ8y0I/s1600/Advance6333.jpg" height="400" title="Advance 6333" width="262" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It's in mint condition! I got it for $12. I feel like I got a great deal! I'm making it in a sky blue cotton poplin that has 2% spandex for a little stretch. I got like 10 y<span style="font-size: small;">ards of it on sale a couple years ago and I use it as muslin for <span style="font-size: small;">slightly stretchy projects. <br /></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm really not the size of the pattern, so I'm going to be making some adjustments. So far I have almost finished the bust. I ended up cutting the piece as is, then cut it into quarters and spread it over me. I filled in the gaps with scraps of the fabric and then cut a new, re-sized piece. I'm so proud of myself for not sticking my<span style="font-size: small;"> breast with a pin when I was doing that! </span>I need to add about a half inch of length from the side seam tapered to the center of the bust. Here's Mathilda modeling what I've done so far:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSb0KyJe9dEzrOVZ8X1gxvWX8EuCy9dvMQshwSQhzovGiewIYFpUqw5hEm_cxeHeYFz3b_DEjgj3CSIFobYbRc0gYDFNxnGQO8LdIKOW0vnQHr3w_uKVLr1Pe6KlgDXFv4ZR91hrryTI/s1600/IMG_4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Advance 6333 FBA" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSb0KyJe9dEzrOVZ8X1gxvWX8EuCy9dvMQshwSQhzovGiewIYFpUqw5hEm_cxeHeYFz3b_DEjgj3CSIFobYbRc0gYDFNxnGQO8LdIKOW0vnQHr3w_uKVLr1Pe6KlgDXFv4ZR91hrryTI/s1600/IMG_4136.JPG" height="400" title="Advance 6333 FBA" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zlLfGQtXtUeT8gqN3nzBtlVwXHa32SwmGn8bH3R2-wBOBubmwH67n78rtDHt1fgqbpTatBKsdD-RmtniFGOH8tJqbvoQRXebUjOzpz4PIQehLOxadey44iNvpB_JJoGkTwOR-ZkHy4k/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Advance 6333 FBA" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zlLfGQtXtUeT8gqN3nzBtlVwXHa32SwmGn8bH3R2-wBOBubmwH67n78rtDHt1fgqbpTatBKsdD-RmtniFGOH8tJqbvoQRXebUjOzpz4PIQehLOxadey44iNvpB_JJoGkTwOR-ZkHy4k/s1600/IMG_4138.JPG" height="400" title="Advance 6333 FBA Side" width="266" /> </a></div>
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When I finish the bust I'll be tweaking the back just a bit. It almost fits perfectly as is. I think it will need a little shifting of the center, so it will need to be a little narrower. I hope to get the fit worked out of the entire slip later today. The skirt is all princess seamed panels. Super easy to fix! It will be an easy sew once the fit is taken care of. Crossing fingers that I can get it done and the Victory dress photographed this week. The deadline for that sew along is April 1, 2013. I'm technically done, but I want a modeled photo for the deadline.<br /><br />So, that's how I'm distracting myself from the little mess the Mad Men dress is. </div>
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<img alt="paleo salmon, paleo salad" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh183UReUwtiQe7uGuqgSeOjN8cXUwdjDaofeFClX9JBq7lIpQdZ-kcctzobCHhiAJ12jPInAkzQ9Xwk4Gn_NpQ-ossTypTV-0SuKqpADxPSovOkDETujKE0YcD1EhfeXUR408BAVAPg2s/s1600/SalmonandSalad.jpg" title="Honey Dill Salmon and Spinach Salad" /> </div>
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The glaze is a mixture of butter, Dijon mustard, honey and dill weed. The salad is a basic spinach salad drizzled with an Italian vinaigrette. It was delicious! </div>
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If you would like to make it yourself, here's the recipes for the salmon and the salad.</div>
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<b><b>Honey Dill Salmon<br /> </b></b></div>
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<b>2 Servings</b></div>
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<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2 Wild Salmon Fillets (frozen works just fine)</li>
<li>2 Tablespoons Butter, melted</li>
<li>2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard</li>
<li>2 Teaspoons Raw Local Honey</li>
<li>1/2 - 1 Teaspoon Dill Weed (I go with 1 Teaspoon because I love Dill.)</li>
</ul>
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<b>Directions:</b></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Preheat broiler on your oven for at least 5 minutes.</li>
<li>Line a broiler pan or baking pan with heavy duty foil.</li>
<li>Place salmon fillets skin side up on foil lined pan.</li>
<li>Mix together melted butter, Dijon mustard, honey and dill weed. <br />Set aside glaze.</li>
<li>Broil fillets, skin side up, for 3-5 minutes (5-7 minutes if frozen).</li>
<li>Flip fillets so the skin side is down and broil for 2-4 minutes (3-5 minutes if frozen), <br />or until cooked through and fish flakes easily with a fork.</li>
<li>Spoon glaze onto fillets and broil for another 3-5 minutes, <br />or until the glaze starts to brown slightly.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/sdcrecipes/honey-dill-salmon?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">Print This Recipe </a></div>
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<b><b>Basic Spinach Salad<br /> </b></b></div>
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<b>1-2 Servings</b></div>
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<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 cup Baby Spinach</li>
<li>1 medium Tomato</li>
<li>1 stalk Celery</li>
<li>3 Baby Carrots</li>
<li>1/2 medium Haas Avocado</li>
<li>1 tablespoon Vinaigrette Dressing <br />(I make my own with EVOO, white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning and garlic)</li>
<li>Salt and Pepper to taste</li>
</ul>
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<b>Directions:</b></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Rinse all veggies and dry well.</li>
<li>Coarsely chop baby carrots.</li>
<li>Cut celery into 1 - 1.5 inch pieces.</li>
<li>Cut tomato into wedges.</li>
<li>Remove pit from avocado, scoop avocado flesh from peel with a spoon, <br />then cut into 1/2 inch chunks.</li>
<li>Combine all veggies on a plate or in a bowl.</li>
<li>Drizzle with vinaigrette and add salt and pepper if you like.</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/sdcrecipes/basic-salad?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">Print This Recipe</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-54803787115610048082013-03-17T22:02:00.000-04:002013-03-17T22:02:17.751-04:00Mad Men Challenge 2 - I'm In!I've been bit by the sew along bug in the best sort of way. I've just finished a 1940s style dress for the Sew for Victory sew along (post to come as soon as there is a sunny day for photos). Now that is out of the way I'm on to my dress for the Mad Men Challenge 2 hosted by Julia Bobbin. I hated that I missed out on the first one. I was thrilled that she decided to do it again! For my dress I'm going to recreate this amazing number that Joan (Christina Hendricks) is modelling in this Season 5 cast photo:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Mad Men Season 5 Cast Photo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2P53Wt3mG4y6v6mCPdu8f7x5l3sIeivXyRTOQmrLwktEVs0vHUMhyKgKKWWtTDs_g3Yqg1j4_uZv00g8tJIYhw2C2H4UQk_PCninv2T1oCGRBmcLKOhJ5M1mJz1uU11jIMSW7unnWYHk/s1600/joandress.jpg" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image belongs to AMC.</td></tr>
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The actual dress she is wearing is emerald green and it looks like a jacquard fabric.I hunted and hunted at my local Hancock's but couldn't find an emerald or even an olive green fabric that I felt would justify a cocktail dress. However, I did come across some really pretty chocolate poly shantung.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskyne0VKvDzsHQj9nzTefBaoG5l9pH6VcOWpuAxzUDs41P0_Qso3MHyNoK3LF4bzFFHKcLANv3ulGx721zuIJ7hd4u4vIf6ZhLJZL3_QfvtyECDVaS-oIK67Fbo0_1eDZj0dRzljJTFU/s1600/MMDressFabric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="poly shantung cotton broadcloth" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskyne0VKvDzsHQj9nzTefBaoG5l9pH6VcOWpuAxzUDs41P0_Qso3MHyNoK3LF4bzFFHKcLANv3ulGx721zuIJ7hd4u4vIf6ZhLJZL3_QfvtyECDVaS-oIK67Fbo0_1eDZj0dRzljJTFU/s1600/MMDressFabric.JPG" title="" /></a></div>
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I wish it were silk, but my local store had no silk at all. I was not impressed. Next time I'll go to JoAnn's that's further down the road. I picked a cotton broadcloth in orange for lining. I prefer to have natural fibers against my skin.<br /><br />I'm using McCall's 2401, View C with longer (3/4 length) sleeves. I got it on sale for $0.99 when I got my fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m2401-products-702.php?page_id=108" target="_blank"><img alt="McCall's 2401" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zNuPUx5wpVgKd_Z7_DkCJKIXbHMpG9VmZvu4YJg-FjmWmIqYM41W_3znsJgtFUCU3v3kce9atBMTjPYzAyI7wPAHSnLrKuNckk_05jz4UzoETT5hZy6xoYfJ5f39aX6Mav944GViO6E/s1600/McCalls2401.jpg" height="640" title="" width="489" /></a> </div>
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I cut it to a sort of size 18 but I've had to alter it to death to fit me. It has 3 pattern pieces since I'm not using the facings the pattern comes with due to lining it and I've had to make adjustments for being shortwaisted, and having a very full bust, narrow shoulders, and a swayback. I have to say, though, that the neckline is laying perfectly on me. I'm so happy about that. I tend to shy away from square necks because they gap with my narrow shoulders and full bust. I'm working on my 3rd muslin now, but here's the second one on Mathilda:</div>
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<img alt="McCall's 2401" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BzF3CJV7abCWvHb6rG8aeyBU1HkSGUfkbzrz98w1zwTVaFtMbaHIXK1NHyRi48md8-g1bsRPLiGUS5MuzImNhyEAO80G9PtYzA3uzY-_5qE3xCEI_yFGll3hhs9IfWzKf3aGdBO4S-U/s1600/MMDressMuslin2.JPG" title="" /> </div>
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It looks a whole lot better on me than it does on Mathilda. She's too rigid to really pull off a wiggle dress. I'm hoping to be done with tweaking after the 3rd one, but I might need a 4th for fine tuning. Then I'll have to work on the sleeves. Luckily I have just over a month before the deadline. It's going to be, hopefully, an amazing cocktail dress when I'm done. I want the fit to be impeccable.<br /><br />I'm loving the process of working out my fitting issues with this pattern. I think it will be a TNT by the time I'm done. Are you doing this challenge? Leave me a comment with a link to your posts about it.</div>
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<a href="http://www.juliabobbin.com/2013/01/mad-men-dress-challenge-2-you-in.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Julia Bobbin, Mad Men Dress Challenge 2" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhARCimvDIrZwU02namlV4mr_XF6f1pPvGB392xYHjxk0G2y0aJkeMG_cvzhSKL0nc6EI69NEKGqZAGPitdmA7sAF6KF9CfDi57LYg0iB2gqRUSZ5qlLfhjFh2phTqqFPFZPIX1m-D2FFkC/s200/mmc27.png" title="" width="200" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-81848817536880657572013-03-16T22:07:00.000-04:002013-03-16T22:07:07.455-04:00Missing in Action and How to Track MeI apologize for not posting in a week. I spent the past two weeks sick. First I had a cold and a sinus infection sneaked in right at the tail end of it. Had to cancel the pot luck last weekend because I had a fever of 102 and ended up going to Patient First. The antibiotics are doing their job really well and I'm feeling almost completely normal now. Nothing beats better living through chemistry sometimes. <br /><br />I also found out this week that Google's blog reader service is going away this summer. Bah! Just when I got one follower! What a shame. I do have my blog over at bloglovin. I really do love that service for keeping up with blogs I follow. I'd be honored if you'd go follow me there. You can do so by clicking <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4804457" target="_blank">this link</a>. Also, the b♥ icon over on the right of the page links to my blog at bloglovin. <br /><br />I'll be back tomorrow with a sewing post. And probably on Monday with a St. Patty's Day craft post. The kids and I made really cute stuff for tomorrow in homeschool this week. <br /><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-76166739947213937132013-03-07T13:48:00.000-05:002013-03-07T15:25:37.439-05:00Correcting False StartsThis is a slightly personal (and long) post. I won't be doing these often but I wanted to actually share something I had sewn that I wore today for a special reason. I had a meeting (kind of an informal interview) for a job today! I wore a skirt I had drafted a pattern for myself:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gE9EqWPCRwxrI4IgANaD_0GHkreezXT7UxLHHq2c3kWvGpuJBGVawDiSwSOgAk0v9IrM337CQzuD452DEQWjJlrQ1mI6vKft77d0tfYFxxFfKuZ06TzEj07qFLiTrcxLBblquDGSY2U/s1600/IMG_4094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gE9EqWPCRwxrI4IgANaD_0GHkreezXT7UxLHHq2c3kWvGpuJBGVawDiSwSOgAk0v9IrM337CQzuD452DEQWjJlrQ1mI6vKft77d0tfYFxxFfKuZ06TzEj07qFLiTrcxLBblquDGSY2U/s1600/IMG_4094.JPG" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outfit Details: Top - Talbots, Skirt - Made by Me, Shoes - Dansko Harlow, Tights/Belt/Scarf/Earrings - Target</td></tr>
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On top of being a domestic goddess I am also a registered nurse. I am a kind of new nurse, too. How I became a nurse is one heck of a story. I had wanted to be a nurse since I was 3 years old. See:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rXdjAhKp7YuRRi-nn8hD2DJPsOHPYSoCGiZFid7cZsDIWcbrWyJrc-4UoymIU_AOt_8vLDNzRvdaiugAaJslzQY_FdY7UNnRuU9_Ax5IE2CVYnP1mpyXIQYfBg7J4Ln2SJqyCYUIYRU/s1600/Dr.Relynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rXdjAhKp7YuRRi-nn8hD2DJPsOHPYSoCGiZFid7cZsDIWcbrWyJrc-4UoymIU_AOt_8vLDNzRvdaiugAaJslzQY_FdY7UNnRuU9_Ax5IE2CVYnP1mpyXIQYfBg7J4Ln2SJqyCYUIYRU/s1600/Dr.Relynn.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Yep, that's me on my 3rd birthday taking good care of my doll. Three years later I ended
up being hospitalized overnight for croup. Basically it's
a respiratory issue that creates a barking cough due to swelling around the vocal chords. It caused me to cough so much I could barely
breathe. Scary stuff for a little kid. The nurse that took care of
me that night was one of the kindest, friendliest people I have ever
met in my life. She made me feel less afraid of what was going on with me. I knew for sure, then and there, that I wanted to be
able to do that for others when I grew up. Over the years I sometimes thought maybe I would rather be a doctor, but I kept coming back to
nursing. <br />
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After high school I started nursing school but ended up dropping out. False start #1. Due to personal reasons I was not ready for college right out of high school. I worked for a year, moved, and went back to school for business to get myself from waiting tables into secretarial work. I temped for years and ended up in a great engineering firm. I'd pretty much given up on becoming a nurse by then. As luck would have it I became a mom and after I was home with my babies for a couple years I had the opportunity to go back to college. I jumped on it! Thirty years after the picture above I actually became a nurse!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHEpClV4-nvYyVH6kVv8wtR333vMeSiXB5WLxTSn6TX7-QG7BKlYywJDktWOfNH-xmeo6ksAgHOlsKVyaIJre5YXAAKrNtF3l-vCW-8XNkxBUTOg4DRdEPpUX9bpfyN3ogN8UC7S8VfI/s1600/IMG_2564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHEpClV4-nvYyVH6kVv8wtR333vMeSiXB5WLxTSn6TX7-QG7BKlYywJDktWOfNH-xmeo6ksAgHOlsKVyaIJre5YXAAKrNtF3l-vCW-8XNkxBUTOg4DRdEPpUX9bpfyN3ogN8UC7S8VfI/s1600/IMG_2564.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
That's me hugging my mom at my college graduation and we are both crying tears of joy. It had been a LONG time coming! Well, graduating was just the first hurdle to being what I am today. I also had to pass a license exam called the NCLEX. I was so nervous the first time that I failed. Yep. I failed it. Just barely. Literally if I had gotten one or two more questions right I would have passed and I had maxed out the number of questions on the exam. Just barely failing really sucked. I kicked myself for being so scared because I knew that is what made me fail. I threw myself a pity party for a few months while I waited to be able to take it again. When I took it again I only got the minimum number of questions and I passed it with flying colors. So 6 months after graduation I was finally a licensed registered nurse! Then I had to go about getting a job... <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I had a really hard time finding work. I had no medical experience since I didn't work while in college as a CNA or anything. If I could do it again I might consider doing that, but maybe not. Nursing school was hard enough with a husband and kids. Having a job would have stressed me out too much I think. I had been in touch with the HR manager of the local hospice since I graduated in January, 2011 and I'd applied to be a substitute school nurse once I was licensed, but like any state or federal position that process took FOREVER. The hospice thing turned into an opportunity in February, 2012 but a month in I was so incredibly sad and depressed I had to leave. I loved the job, really, but the grief of the loved ones of my patients was too much for me to bear. I brought that home with me and it was making me and my family miserable. False start #2.<br />
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I totally sewed cute scrubs for that job! I was the brightest hospice nurse in the place. Ha! The tops had 6 pockets! Loved that! And they were 100% cotton! So comfy! And the pants generally fit, they were just a little too wide in the legs. They had pockets, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oQ0Px6pMMlL9DwJytYM4msbZF0rCWBhUwKYn-zj4ekLy0OcfH_7J346Q-XAh8dfUrrBvZMimu5YRItYIHjfVmay2dhTbwxf_E6Pmm4gyK671PpLP8QiXtAGt8ivZfmpVJASYBb7_s5Q/s1600/IMG_3714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oQ0Px6pMMlL9DwJytYM4msbZF0rCWBhUwKYn-zj4ekLy0OcfH_7J346Q-XAh8dfUrrBvZMimu5YRItYIHjfVmay2dhTbwxf_E6Pmm4gyK671PpLP8QiXtAGt8ivZfmpVJASYBb7_s5Q/s1600/IMG_3714.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrsVsGcND2zlL0yWoKMSDpOwK4xttsomG-G6rnSw2t1HUfNwab83Pk-k3PC4wKcTwhDNmpcXC7luu-iWVvSTWP711dn_PeCFIhiVYPyJ-3u9DiZ6mHnKIDWMj85cRH4Qcbe22D6UWua8/s1600/IMG_3712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrsVsGcND2zlL0yWoKMSDpOwK4xttsomG-G6rnSw2t1HUfNwab83Pk-k3PC4wKcTwhDNmpcXC7luu-iWVvSTWP711dn_PeCFIhiVYPyJ-3u9DiZ6mHnKIDWMj85cRH4Qcbe22D6UWua8/s1600/IMG_3712.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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The substitute school teacher gig was finally coming through right around the time I left hospice. The timing was rather serendipitous. I interviewed, it went well, and I was due to come in to sign paperwork to start as soon as they got it drawn up. That was supposed to take a week and it took a month! Ugh! Well, during that month another opportunity came up. A brand spanking new New Grad RN ICU Internship at my local hospital. I loved my ICU clinical rotations in college. Every time I walked into an ICU I felt like I had come home. So, I interviewed, that went well, and I was picked to be one of 6 new grad RN's to be in the program. I was so happy! I had to tell the county that I wasn't going to do substitute school nursing, though, which I was kind of happy about. I really didn't want to be a school nurse at all, I just needed some kind of experience. <br />
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I started the internship in April 2012 and finished it in early August 2012. It was 16 weeks of crazy. Classroom instruction, check offs, and working with a preceptor. It was a lot to learn and do, but I loved it. I was so happy to be done, though, and kind of on my own. The nurses are all a team there so really I was never fully alone. They had my back anytime I needed them. I was on my own for about a month when I had the worst luck ever! On August 31, 2012 I fell at the grocery store (totally not the store's fault) because I was wearing really cute, but impractical shoes that were not stable on my feet. I ended up having incomplete fractures of my mid-foot bones. I couldn't bear weight so I couldn't work! Well, 3 weeks of not working and my boss (who I loved working for) had to terminate me. I wasn't covered by FMLA because I had been employed only 5 months. My boss did tell me that she wanted me back as soon as I was ready to work again. False start #3. <br />
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Five and a half long months of constant pain and not being able to do basic things passed. Basic things like grocery shopping because my foot would have so much pain after that I couldn't walk for the next two days. Every time it rained or snowed I couldn't walk due to pain. I went completely bonkers. I am way too active to be that debilitated and still cope. I went through 3 specialists before I found the one for me. He's a hand and foot surgeon at Georgetown. He's AMAZING! Well, he got me all checked over, had me get a new MRI and diagnosed me with mid-foot arthritis due to the injury in August. Chronic condition. Just great. So now what do I do? Will I ever work again? I actually asked him those things. He suggested I try carbon fiber foot plates in my shoes to make them more rigid. I've been using them for a week and a half now and I haven't had pain in my injury site for 5 days! I wear the plates in shoes under the insoles. Now I own shoes that have removable insoles to accommodate the plates.<br />
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So, with the right equipment I can function pretty close to normal again. Things are looking up! I emailed my former boss and requested to meet with her. She accepted gladly (a very good sign) and today I went to see her for a few minutes. We talked and she still wants me back, even almost 6 months later! She has to check out the budget to see what she can do to get me back. I'm very happy! I should hear something in a week or two. More than likely I'll have to do telemetry, and wait for an ICU opening, but I'm totally fine with that. I had to float and do telemetry nursing during my internship and when I was on my own before. I'm crossing my fingers that this can be a real start and not another false start.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-13865040825930881792013-03-06T13:50:00.003-05:002013-03-06T13:52:18.396-05:00Recipe: Corn PuddingThis coming Saturday I'll be hosting a potluck. Cooking for a crowd is something I love to do. I will be covering the entrees for this event, however, when I'm going somewhere else and have to bring food one of my family recipes is often requested. That recipe is my family's version of corn pudding. The recipe
is one my mother made when I was a child, and she still does for social functions. This is a custard style corn pudding, and it is
really sweet. It's not meant to be healthy. It's meant to be
jaw-dropping delicious. It is deceptively simple to make. I hope you
will give it a try and that you enjoy it. <br />
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Note: This recipe is easily
halved to make a more reasonable family dinner size in case you are not
cooking for a huge crowd.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-454" data-mce-src="http://relynndare.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/223556_1836511084275_1585432515_31753519_4235402_n.jpg?w=224" src="http://relynndare.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/223556_1836511084275_1585432515_31753519_4235402_n.jpg?w=224" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="CornPudding" width="224" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo is of a half batch prepared.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><b>Corn Pudding<br /> </b></b></div>
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<b>8-12 Servings</b></div>
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<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>½ cup butter (margarine will affect this dish's consistency, please use the real thing)</li>
<li>1 cup sugar</li>
<li>2 cans (14.5 oz.) cream style corn (I prefer Del Monte Brand)</li>
<li>2 cans (12 oz.) evaporated milk</li>
<li>Enough water to make 4 cups of milk</li>
<li>6 Tablespoons Cornstarch</li>
<li>4 eggs</li>
<li>2 Teaspoons Vanilla (You can use imitation if you do not have pure vanilla.)</li>
</ul>
<b>Directions:</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Preheat oven to 400 degrees.</li>
<li>Place stick of butter in a 9”x13” baking dish and melt in preheated oven.</li>
<li>Mix evaporated milk, water and corn starch until the cornstarch is dissolved.</li>
<li>Mix all other ingredients together in a bowl.</li>
<li>Add milk mixture to bowl and blend well.</li>
<li>Pour mixture into melted butter in baking dish.</li>
<li>Bake for 40 minutes.<br /><br /><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/sdcrecipes/corn-pudding?tmpl=%2Fsystem%2Fapp%2Ftemplates%2Fprint%2F&showPrintDialog=1" target="_blank">Printable Recipe</a></li>
</ol>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-45329415284169814622013-03-03T18:37:00.001-05:002013-03-03T18:37:04.645-05:00Welcoming Spring: Craft 2-fer (Part 2)In my fervor to decorate for spring I wanted to make a wreath for the door that would work with the oval glass inset's proportions. Here is what I came up with. <br />
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<img alt="spring wreath" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vc4TygGYxl-dhOnfOiZ-MldpL5Mht4DmEEzrNAcdIMIaop_pqa9aZ9QeFM1PuhTOJZYFTGcv28ddPxvcW0BgjjnGGvAfaMOzPSE39tWgEdRaE1k5YCeXCKEn0pglg7f_atJdw8Z4k98/s1600/wreathclose.jpg" title="" /></div>
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I took a grapevine wreath that I got at a thrift store for $2 I think, and wrapped it in sheer green ribbon purchased at Dollar Tree for $1. I didn't glue the ribbon as I wanted the option to easily remove it if I wanted, so I just tied it to secure it once it was wrapped around the wreath. I then took Dollar Tree flowers and put them in by wedging them into the wreath, under the ribbon. They are nice and secure and totally removable so I can customize it anytime. The flowers probably cost me $3 total for the three colors. I had some vintage (or possibly antique) lace that I wove around the wreath. It was just long enough to wrap as you see and I tucked the ends in behind the peach flowers. The lace was a remnant from a top I made a few years ago. Grand total for this wreath is $6! It's so cheerful and perfect for spring. Oh, the hanger I got at Dollar Tree, too, for $1 around Christmas.<br />
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Here's how it looks from outside:</div>
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<img alt="spring wreath" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vM8pZu92Bed0SZyLbi3HeF1VhWofk3Sh0MIs4Dr6EW7LC0HAi8MHp-lK9Rc-H2YdbgPzcv6DN1Odn5yTmOnm71Wt54IVKpqDzMEptYAysygu78mL7Kv8qPIs1iGRM8FCGo7k4utqZ38/s1600/wreathopendoor.jpg" title="" /></div>
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And how it looks when people come up to the door: </div>
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<img alt="spring wreath" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ceKZyvoxU8iGZFlNiJuSg4XdolAfsQEtV87VfjON9RV9GNIgFaILMiqnfe1ZhSv49SQ-BCLOzJvgAspek5EcVkx1YPyZSWj8xfAUp8m1Oc7zFPJWKajbBWEYT03n8fLOwU6aWXr_WIg/s1600/wreathcloseddoor.jpg" title="" /></div>
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I actually had all of these supplies on hand because I made my first spring wreath with them last year. Here is that one:<br />
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<img alt="spring wreath" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF__Ri0J5xoqeYOKVdcuiJPo3vfrOw6l2SU5xZSfKh2ApRyh6SvRlraQySA4tXZw2MS6wVbDVoE7bxl3y1tNDaqa_RKCbp-nf2vgLBzjE9O7SvewA1sZMjPY6medu9Nljud9jOElkBnxA/s1600/OldSpringWreath.jpg" height="320" title="" width="246" /></div>
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<br />
At the time we were living in another home and it had a very boring and very white front door. It was begging for a ridiculous amount of color.<br />
<br />
I need to make another wreath for our other entrance that gets used a lot. With any luck I can get to that soon. <br />
<br />
I hope you enjoyed the Spring Decor 2-fer! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-90895812376586347232013-03-03T00:38:00.001-05:002013-03-03T00:38:16.883-05:00Welcoming Spring: Craft 2-Fer (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
In meteorological terms, February 28th was the last day of winter,
according to my local news. I was hit with a little spring fever that
day, appropriately enough it seems. I took down all the winter decorations and
started putting out the spring items. I set out one of my favorite DIY decor items, these lovely hurricanes:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://relynndare.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/img_2800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-381" data-mce-src="http://relynndare.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/img_2800.jpg" src="http://relynndare.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/img_2800.jpg" title="IMG_2800" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I made them 2 years ago and I've used them every spring since. My inspiration to make them was a tutorial at <a data-mce-href="http://www.decorchick.com/decorating/dollar-store-hurricanes/" href="http://www.decorchick.com/decorating/dollar-store-hurricanes/" target="_blank">Decor Chick</a>. <br />
<br />
Here's what I used for all 3. All purchased items were bought at Dollar Tree 2 years ago.<br />
<br />
Vases - $3<br />
Candlesticks - $3<br />
Gorilla Glue - $0 - had this on hand<br />
Mini River Rocks - $1<br />
Jumbo River Rocks - $1<br />
Faux Moss Covered Rocks - $2 (used 3 per hurricane)<br />
Artificial Baby's Breath - $1<br />
Ivory Satin Ribbon -$0 - had this on hand<br />
Total for 3: $11 <br />
<br />
These look like something from a housewares store that would sell for a LOT more. They are so pretty! If you try these out for yourself please let me know. I'd love to hear how they turned out for you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-68330030589372035222013-02-27T00:00:00.000-05:002013-02-27T00:00:06.344-05:00Recipe Review: Slow-Cooked Pork RoastYesterday morning I wanted something easy to fix for dinner that would use whatever I had on hand. It's almost grocery day so it's getting slim around here. I looked in the freezer and saw I had a 2 pound boneless pork loin blade roast. I decided I would use that and went about finding some recipe that would let me mix it with the things in the pantry and fridge. After a Google search I came across <a href="http://paleodietlifestyle.com/" target="_blank">Paleo Diet Lifestyle's</a> <a href="http://paleodietlifestyle.com/slow-cooked-pork-roast/" target="_blank">Slow-Cooked Pork Roast</a>. After a quick scan of the ingredients I knew I could make it work.<br />
<br />
I went about thawing the roast and prepping the ingredients. I ran into some snags and had to adjust. Here's what I changed:<br />
<ul>
<li>I didn't have any fresh garlic, so I had to sub garlic powder. </li>
<li>I didn't have any ground coriander and subbed an equal amount of ground cumin (which actually doubled the cumin in the recipe). </li>
<li>I didn't have any cider vinegar on hand so I subbed with a mix of white wine vinegar and pure apple juice (3 parts vinegar/1 part juice). </li>
<li>I didn't have any stock on hand so I used water as the recipe suggested. </li>
<li>I didn't have any canned tomatoes, so I <b>peeled*</b> 4 Tesoro tomatoes and crushed them by hand when the recipe called for it. I added 1/4 cup of water with the tomatoes to make up for the lacking juice that comes in the canned versions. </li>
<li>My roast was smaller than the recipe stated so I cooked it for 7 hours instead of 8.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The result:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRedsBd8pfHl1QpQSzSNIm0MHIU0-kX-DjavQ0dNVAximo0dtleqsdC2l3vgmBS3js56YxZRQ991_9zfSXKF7Ir_sBhaLzstCJKMdlJxYeaFWbDI13AM76JIGEC-O10AmJ33MwYfdHioU/s1600/PaleoDietLifestylePorkRoastReview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRedsBd8pfHl1QpQSzSNIm0MHIU0-kX-DjavQ0dNVAximo0dtleqsdC2l3vgmBS3js56YxZRQ991_9zfSXKF7Ir_sBhaLzstCJKMdlJxYeaFWbDI13AM76JIGEC-O10AmJ33MwYfdHioU/s1600/PaleoDietLifestylePorkRoastReview.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's definitely a <b>RAVE</b>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It turned out absolutely delicious! It was tender, perfectly done, juicy, and flavorful. The entire family enjoyed it. Even my "Eww... it's meat. I don't want to eat it!" little girls ate it well and gave no complaints, which is saying a lot. This is a recipe that will stay in rotation in my menus. Next time I will try it to the letter to see if it changes much.<br />
<br />
<b>*Technique Tidbit -</b> Peeling tomatoes is super simple when you do it right.<br /><br />Bring a pot of water (enough to just cover the tomatoes) to a roiling boil. While the water is heating score the bottom with a knife in a X, or cross, pattern. Prepare a bowl of ice water and set aside. Put the tomatoes, one at a time, into the pot of boiling water. Leave in pot for <b>20 seconds</b>.<b> DO NOT LET THEM BOIL LONGER THAN THIS!</b> Remove the tomatoes and immediately place in the bowl of ice water. Let them rest, covered in ice water, until they cool. Score the skin with your knife around the equator of each tomato. Peel. The top and bottom half ends will peel in one piece! <br />
<br />
I hope you enjoyed this review and technique information. I will be back on Sunday with a craft post. See you then!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03747567953202968069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3191373512738277361.post-55820107205079983942013-02-24T00:00:00.000-05:002013-02-24T00:03:13.182-05:00Sew Disorganized!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh my goodness... I
can't believe I'm going to do this, but here is what a mess my sewing space
was:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC7MVUi-77UT2X_MtwGAnZC1mYw7L0Fe3nQviPSyZYG81EL_A1-hQl62qVN8MRP97MTp-3gJSzpFSWzpTBelZ-6f31Uicw4zn6qnBm6vh4soX-wUSM2Mmmh0UIUCClUpsQwGBIk-Jdlk/s1600/SewingAreaAwful.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaC7MVUi-77UT2X_MtwGAnZC1mYw7L0Fe3nQviPSyZYG81EL_A1-hQl62qVN8MRP97MTp-3gJSzpFSWzpTBelZ-6f31Uicw4zn6qnBm6vh4soX-wUSM2Mmmh0UIUCClUpsQwGBIk-Jdlk/s1600/SewingAreaAwful.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The boxes are from
when we moved in back in July. They never got unpacked, just rifled through.
Piles of stuff are because I haven't worked out storage of scraps and such yet.
Ridiculous, right?! Well, for the past few days I've been brainstorming,
planning and trying to motivate myself to get this mess under control.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have to take baby
steps to get anything done, otherwise I get deer in the headlights stunned by
the overwhelming job ahead of me and freeze. I basically procrastinate and do
nothing. So, on Wednesday night I gathered my equipment, which was 2 laundry
baskets (I should have brought 4) and a trash bag (I should have brought 2),
and went to work. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My first step in
tackling this mess was to take care of the first thing in my way. The HUGE box
on the left. Well, it took me an hour and 40 minutes, but I got it emptied and
basically sorted based on keep and toss criteria. I called it a night
after taking care of that HUGE box. I felt a great sense of triumph. It had
been a thorn in my side since BEFORE we moved in July. Yep. It's been full of
stuff for probably a year. I'll do my walk of shame for that when I'm not too
busy reveling in beating that sucker.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over the next three
days I really got down to business with this mess. I finished sorting the rest based on keep/toss criteria and then I sorted the keep stuff into fabric,
patterns, and other. The fabric yardage and scraps are mostly put away,
patterns are in boxes waiting to be put in their permanent homes, and the other
stuff is all put away in bins that I need to label. My big accomplishment from
this: I can get to my machine again! Yay! See for yourself:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcjleRM5re-T6onML60TP-YByOjQjsjhgCPk9YsuVeDk5alrEZlj6kMmmQyhRBfgx-GXrAXbdysVjShwsd_X1tLeBF_3K9SCEfmKHqjutIrOgmS4AFtSX7MZJ8_OnY-XzEmFN7uS2vpg/s1600/SewingAreaClean.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcjleRM5re-T6onML60TP-YByOjQjsjhgCPk9YsuVeDk5alrEZlj6kMmmQyhRBfgx-GXrAXbdysVjShwsd_X1tLeBF_3K9SCEfmKHqjutIrOgmS4AFtSX7MZJ8_OnY-XzEmFN7uS2vpg/s1600/SewingAreaClean.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am so proud of myself! I was overwhelmed by the space and all my
stuff for a long, long time. It feels so good to get that handled.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now that I can
actually do some sewing in the space again I have some goals to accomplish:</span></div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finish the dress I was
commissioned to make. (Top priority)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Get new shelves and
put my fabric on them in some semblance of order.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Organize my patterns.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sew some AG things for the girls
to use up scraps.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Schedule regular mending time.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Assess the basket of WIPs under my sewing table to see what needs to be finished and what needs to be scrapped. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sew some awesome clothes for my family and me. </span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those goals will
probably be a general outline of upcoming sewing posts. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In two weeks I should have something sewn to show off and
discuss. </span>I'll see you
again this Wednesday with a recipe review post and next Sunday I'll have a craft to show you. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For now I'm going to enjoy a glass of wine in celebration of taking
this step towards getting my sewing area as good as it can get.</span></div>
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