Quilted purse

Worked on a quilted purse for a belated Christmas gift over the weekend.  The pattern is Simplicity 2551, but the instructions call for purchased pre-quilted fabric, which I did not have, so I made my own.  I simply layered a piece of muslin, cotton batting and my printed fabric cut larger than my pattern piece and machine quilted in a square pattern with copper metallic thread.  I don't think the quilting really stands out in the photos, but it blended in nicely with the metallic in the prints.  Once I quilted it, I pinned my pattern piece to the quilted fabric and cut everything out.  Everything I used was from my stash, so I didn't have to buy anything but the tassle I attached to the zipper pull.  Overall, I really like the purse, although next time I will definitely use a darker zipper, but off white was what I had so that's what I used.  This pattern did not call for lining the purse, but I really prefer a lined purse, so I lined with one of the same cotton prints and used some leftover hand dyed silk bias for the binding the edges.  Overall, I'm very pleased.  I really like fast quick projects and even more so when I can use up some of my stash.  And, after I finished I even cleaned out 2 drawers and one cabinet in my sewing room!  Impressed?  I am!

Butterick 5394

I used this Butterick Pattern not only as inspiration for this wrap, but also as the pattern for the top (shown in red on the pattern envelope.  Mine was made out of interlock jersey knit and I loved the blue color.  I love the way it turned out, although the neck did seem to stretch a bit, so next time I would probably use a lightweight interfacing that was not called for on the pattern. 

I love to wear it with either a turtleneck sweater underneath or a crisp white dress shirt.  I'm very pleased overall, but wish I had gone ahead and made 2 buttonholes instead of the one.  Was trying to rush my way through it!  ^&%$!!!!!!!!!!

The wrap was inspired by the gray wrap on the pattern envelope, but since I was using a reversible wool/cotton knit, I did not want to follow the pattern directions as they called for a seam across the back and I preferred to have one piece that would truly be reversible.  I decided to use a hand dyed silk bias binding to finish the edges, and simply stitched just as you would a quilt binding.  The binding was generously donated to me and I wanted to use it for something unique and this seemed to fit the bill.  I LOVE the blue and yellow tints that show up in the green binding.  If you've never tried dyeing silk, you MUST try it.  I will include instructions on that in another post. 

Normally I wouldn't wear this wrap with a belt, but instead criss-crossed under my arms.  It's like wearing a warm cozy blanket around your shoulders.  I love it, it was fast and fun to make and would make a great gift.  One side is a brown jersey wool and the green side is an ultra soft cotton jersey knit.  And basically it's a giant T shaped piece of fabric so no pattern is needed.  Another option would be to just make the shawl part of it and add a nice embroidered fabric for the piece along the back.  You could attach it with buttons and then be able to interchange fabric pieces.  Just an idea!

I really should blog more!

I've really been doing a very poor job of keeping my blog up to date.  I'm sorry.  I've been working on many small projects that I will try to photograph and get up soon.  Today I finished most of my shopping, got them all wrapped and Christmas cards signed, addressed, stamped and ready to go.  I'm so proud of myself!  I'm very jealous of my blogging friends on the east coast though.  Although I could do without the snow, it would be really nice to be snowed in and do nothing but work on sewing projects. Aahh well, I am going to do a better job of posting interesting information on sewing related things in the weeks ahead.  Don't give up on me yet! Merry Christmas!

Sewing Projects - To Do List

Spent an enormous amount of money on fabric today to start some fall sewing projects. Here's what I'm planning:

The first is a ruffled blouse out of a white wavy textured silk.

The wrap dress is out of a maroon colored Bill Blass rayon/viscose knit. It is really heavy and will make a great fall/winter weight dress.

The cowl neck blouse is out of a lightweight pink cotton jersey knit.

The highwaist skirt is out of a black wool crepe to go with the jacket I have already made (picture below).

The short sleeve jacket is out of a white Ellen Tracy cotton jacquard.

And a corduroy jacket is in plum with an irridescent lining (not pictured). I will post pictures as soon as I start. It's a lovely corduroy though, the softest I have ever felt.

This is the jacket that got me started on all of this and for which I am making the black wool crepe skirt. The black fabric is a laser cut cotton and the underlining is a blue stretch linen. It was fun to make and the laser cut fabric does not really "chenille" like I was afraid it would after I washed it.

Here's my favorite fabric right now, but I don't know what to make out of it, so please send me your thoughts. ( I have 2 yards and it's 60" wide) It's a handpainted silk organza with silver metallic embroidery. It's divine, but I'm almost afraid to cut into it!

Planning on staying pretty busy! Wish me luck!

Presents in July!

I'm copying this directly from roadyjane.blogspot.com.

Here's how it works. The first five people to leave a comment on this post will get something from me. But in return, you have to do the same thing on your blog and make something for five other people.

The details are as follows, and if you want to play, copy the following onto your blog and leave me a post:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you.It's easy, right? I mean, you can do just about anything.
I'm not opposed to shipping overseas.

I just LOVE presents!

Summer Reading

Just picked up the new book The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. My all time favorite book is The Shadow of the Wind by this same author. If you've never read it, you should! When I read that he has this new book out, I knew I had to get it. For once, I can't wait to sit out at baseball pratice for 2 hours so I can start reading! I'll let you know how I like it . . .

Long Time No Blog

Wow! It's been a long time since I've last blogged. I've been busy! My husband retired from the Navy and my son graduated from high school - sniffle, sniffle! I was crazy busy planning these events but I did make some cool stuff - several tops and a dress.

This is a horrible picture of me in particular so I'm leaving it small - but the dress was from BWOF and my daughter's dress was a made from an embroidered cotton - pattern # to following since I can't seem to find it now!

For the graduation I made a top from a very pretty purple colored silk twill. I loved the color and the pattern is Simplicity #0508. Hard to tell in this picture, but it's a simple pullover top.

I've also recently made a sheer tunic from a previous BWOF that l like very much too! It's a lime green print with purple acorns and white branches - picture to follow!

And the most exciting news of all is that I got an iPhone for Mother's Day! Now normally I return whatever expensive gift they give me, but not this time! Darling husband was probably hoping I would, but nope, not this time. I LOVE THIS PHONE! It's amazing. I can read all the wonderful blogs I follow and check out pattern review any time I want - even when I'm waiting in the carpool line or sitting out at a baseball practice. I instantly get my e-mails, have my shopping list, calendar, and can even search recipes all while waiting on someone to finish something. My geographical location is recognized by the phone and then it tells me what restaurants, movie theaters, and gas stations are available. It can even tell me the healthiest options at the restaurant I chose and when I'm done, it figures out the tip! It tells me how fast I take my walks, how many calories I've burned and how far I've gone. The kids and I are going geocaching all with my phone! AND, it's an iPod too! Who's the cool techno mom, um that would be ME! I can even BLOG from my PHONE! I'll try that later!

Time to figure out my next project and hopefully document it a little easier as I go. Happy sewing!