New Job - New Tie

My husband just started a new job, the first civilian job after 20 years in the military.  SEW, I thought it would be nice to commemorate this momentous event by making him a neck tie.  I found a lovely Italian silk jacquard in gold with a blue pattern.  I used a pattern from one of the BIG 4 and though it took some playing, I was able to decipher the directions enough to come up with a pretty pleasing result.  The benefit of making your own neck tie is that you can make it any length you want - a big plus for taller guys.  I found these lovely little "P.S. I love you" labels at a quilt shop in Estes Park and have had the most fun sewing them into items I've made for my family.  I thought about saving this tie for Valentine's Day, but instead couldn't wait that long and gave it to him after his first day.  There's not many sewing projects I would tackle for the man in my life, but the neck tie turned out to be a winner!

A Third Item from Butterick 5394. . .

Happy New Year! I have now made three separate items from this same Butterick 5394 pattern.  This last item is a kimono jacket made from an ultrasoft fleece print.  I've had this fabric in my stash for at least 10 years and never knew what I was going to make from it.  I chose this jacket because I wanted to pair it with jeans and a taupe turtleneck sweater.  I went ahead and lined it even though the pattern does not call for a lining.  I thought the slippery-ness of the lining would make it slide on and off when wearing it with sweaters.  Probably not necessary, but I had the lining in my stash too, so it fell into my resolution to use up what I have in my stash before purchasing more fabric.  I even cleaned out my stash and decided that some fabrics no longer interested me and were ready to be given away. I like that I was able to get three totally different looks from this one pattern.  My resolution for the year is to make more of my own clothes, and hopefully to wear at least one handmade item every day.  I better get started!

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!