tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38177206682382289242024-03-05T04:43:04.009-05:00What's Your StitchA blog about sewing and life in general.Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-67901405408689209992009-02-02T12:20:00.004-05:002009-02-02T13:05:29.357-05:00Fashion Illustration and Thanks to La Sewista!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriyjFf7yQQxKHQ7MJwbGSjKb0FyqoRnMxRENoe9792jBNO-WNVAV9RmefZJ5-rc0hCsYNJv_g-s-QpoeIAlU_ITrj750VJ3qWW2lue7f50wvLSLJOY69ECWq81Q5bYJQB-67qeJiGx-HA/s1600-h/IMG_0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298252165793588210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriyjFf7yQQxKHQ7MJwbGSjKb0FyqoRnMxRENoe9792jBNO-WNVAV9RmefZJ5-rc0hCsYNJv_g-s-QpoeIAlU_ITrj750VJ3qWW2lue7f50wvLSLJOY69ECWq81Q5bYJQB-67qeJiGx-HA/s320/IMG_0001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">First things first - big shout out to <a href="http://lasewist.blogspot.com/2009/02/hong-kong-seams.html">La Sewista</a> for the tutorial she wrote about Hong Kong seams! I don't have a serger so I'm always at a loss as to how to make the insides of my garments look nice. I confess, if it's not lined, I usually just leave the inside seams raw. As my sewing grows I expect I'll need to pay more attention though! Especially if I'm sewing for someone other than myself. So thanks again for such a wonderful post! I think La Sewista's Hong Kong seam technique looks so cool :)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I've always been interested in drawing and especially fashion illustration. When I was little I was always drawing pretty pink dresses with puffy sleeves. So, I bought a few books, some new special drawing pencils and dug out my old sketchbook I had from my motorcycle gang comic drawing phase. I'm not kidding on that one :)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />I haven't done much sewing over the weekend as I have a bit of a cold, but drawing seemed like just the thing to do. The picture to the left is my adaptation of <a href="http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V7521.htm??tab=list/evening_bridal_includes_designer&page=all">Vogue 7521</a>, a dress I'm conside</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ring making for my rehearsal dinner in May. I may not wind up with this exact dress, I'll have to see where the fabric takes me. That reminds me, I need to go to the fabric store.<br /><br /><br />The dress below is <a href="http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8408.htm??tab=list/very_easy_vogue_dresses_br_includes_koko_beall_designer&page=all">Vogue 8408</a> wh</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ich I am nearly done with! I have done a lot of modifications on this dress but it is fitting great. Thanks to my darling bf for the help marking the spots it needed to be taken in at! I tried to imitate the fabric and the brown-thread top stitching in the drawing, but I'm not that talented! So I just did the best I can. The fabric is a very loosely woven wool blend with a slight herringbone pattern in brown, cream and ice blue. I a</span><span style="font-family:arial;">m going to love this dress for a long time!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1thqnbwFJx5j1oHIVf0k_akvHV0CR2bG2py04VI7CIIsxCodZXtDFhKHDMXDHU1gxfhWMBs_BH4fbgEQomwh8DqB5r1U5JuaIqz68AMqqoQBFthqatQ7gVFkPiYF9ZuR0jee5XorDL5w/s1600-h/IMG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298254288490286370" style="WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1thqnbwFJx5j1oHIVf0k_akvHV0CR2bG2py04VI7CIIsxCodZXtDFhKHDMXDHU1gxfhWMBs_BH4fbgEQomwh8DqB5r1U5JuaIqz68AMqqoQBFthqatQ7gVFkPiYF9ZuR0jee5XorDL5w/s320/IMG.jpg" border="0" /></a>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-448688046755476062009-01-22T10:15:00.004-05:002009-01-22T12:08:41.884-05:00Hood Obsession<a href="http://www.slice.ca/Media/Images/Shows/ProjectRunwayCanada/Features/PhotoGalleryBehind/EvanBiddell/Ep11_15.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="http://www.slice.ca/Media/Images/Shows/ProjectRunwayCanada/Features/PhotoGalleryBehind/EvanBiddell/Ep11_15.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>I am in love with hoods right now.</strong> Yes, that warranted the bold typeface. The picture to the left is from designer Biddell, <a href="http://www.slice.ca/Shows/ProjectRunwayCanada/">Project Runway Canada Season 1</a>. I love his use of big floppy hoods! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.christopherraeburn.co.uk/">Christopher Raeburn</a>, from Project Catwalk Season 1 also had a fabulous hood in episode 5, but no luck finding that picture!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">So, I want to make a jacket with a big floppy hood. Not a sporty, fleecie, sweatshirty type of hooded jacket, a <em>nice</em> jacket. Almost like a suit jacket that a really edgy girl would wear (yes, that is my dream). I have a </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">wonderful dark grey wool blend that would be great for this project. I am sure I can find really cool lining for it too. I'm thinking something with a print. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://87.106.220.77/images/repos/1/000/001/705/000001705942"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 159px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="http://87.106.220.77/images/repos/1/000/001/705/000001705942" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">The problem is, I can't find a pattern. I want a front zip and a giant hood but I haven't seen anything like it! I don't mind if the fit is a tad boxy but it can't be too boxy. I think a little bit of a boxy shape looks good with a hood. <a href="http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns/Main_Collection/7751_Blouson_jacket/1270778-1128998-1426187-1651175.html">Burda 7750</a> is /sort of/ what I'm looking for (the beige jacket on the right), although I'm a bit apprehensive that it will turn out looking like outerwear instead of innerwear (is that a word?) I really want a zipper in this jacket, but the diaganol zip from Burda 7750 might be a bit over the top for me. A) It wouldn't hang nicely if I left it open with a shirt underneath and B) I'm making a suit jacket with a hood, I can't take too many more risks than that in one garment! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I've looked for patterns in the big 4, Burda and Hot Patterns but I see nothing. This might be a self-<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/6852/6852.jpg"></a>drafted pattern exercise, or I may modify a patter<a href="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/6852/6852.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/6852/6852.jpg" border="0" /></a>n I already own, like <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=6852">New Look 6852</a>. It really could work. What do you guys think? How difficult would it be to add a zipper to a jacket that is meant to have buttons? One of these days soon I plan to make a muslin out of this jacket and give the hood & zip a whirl. :) Any advice is welcome, wish me luck!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-24752485798568720122009-01-14T08:28:00.006-05:002009-01-16T12:11:07.580-05:00Fitting Issues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFakzSlni_uXy7_93X6bU8OB55Y6zbLu4cIFfe6AD4jetGJ8yGQbn-IHhlGb38TDEzFa177rJl2vEufQP_BAyFWQGAMIsg7BXOMK1IdkAi5XwmTRTgXzIlmd0x_-hibMDYxx50MsUUhLwH/s1600-h/IMG_2191.jpg"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291141414234906930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFakzSlni_uXy7_93X6bU8OB55Y6zbLu4cIFfe6AD4jetGJ8yGQbn-IHhlGb38TDEzFa177rJl2vEufQP_BAyFWQGAMIsg7BXOMK1IdkAi5XwmTRTgXzIlmd0x_-hibMDYxx50MsUUhLwH/s320/IMG_2191.jpgBLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291141414234906930" border="0" /> </a><span style="font-family:arial;">I spent some time reworking my <a href="http://whatsyourstitch.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-grey-coat.html">grey coat </a>this week. I just never was happy with the button closures. As I'm writing this I'm trying to focus on the main thing I didn't like about it, but honestly I have zillions of reasons, which I will list below!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A) I admit, I made the button loops WAY TOO BIG... so the buttons had to be scooted over on the jacket to an awkward place. Rather than being able to throw on my coat and button and make a graceful exit like in the movies, I was forced to bend my arm into a weird position and kind of try to button my coat under my left arm. No good. So this week I decided to take off the button loops and toggle buttons and use standard buttons and button holes. I'm so much more happy with this coat now!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">B) </span><span style="font-family:arial;">The toggle buttons themselves were kind of floppy.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">C) I used simple black cording for the button loops. I think it could have looked much more professional if I would have made custom loops out of the grey wool.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I'm having a bit of a struggle with the fit in some of my garments. This coat fits ok but it does have a weird fold at the upper bust. I wonder if I should have done an FBA on it. I'm not really sure yet how to make things fit exactly perfectly. Why didn't the fit on my Armani knockoff turn out as well as <a href="http://tanysewsandknits.blogspot.com/2008/02/o-meu-casaco-armani-my-armani-coat.html">Tany's coat</a> or <a href="http://www.ericabunker.com/search?q=Armani+Coat+Knocked+Off">Erica B's coat</a>? I need to invest in a good book this weekend. I know how to do an FBA but I wonder if I'm just making things too big in general. I actually make one size smaller than the big 4 suggest on their sizing charts. Still, sometimes things seem to swim a bit. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">I'm nearly finished with my new grey fleece tunic. It is turning out so cute. I took a quick picture last night that shows the keyhole and the neato seaming on the front of the garment. The only things I have left now are to put in the zipper, put in the neckband and figure out what to do with the bottom of the sleeves. I drafted a pattern for sleeves for this tunic, since I was going to be wearing it for warmth. I made them extra long and with a slit on the outer wrist. I might use facing in them so that I can fold them up. That might be pretty cute. Anyway, I should have this shirt done tommorrow!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">The shirt does seem a bit big, even though I scaled it down one size. This pattern is so great and I want to make it again using nice fabric, so I need to figure out the fit :) I'm sending this message out to the great void.... if anyone has fitting tips or recommendations for books, I'm all ears!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9viTNWiiN9U047fMkkYAooPPCXnjMcsDixRPD93aYrcKux1ByE7uo1jYO872cOkl7fywjL0KffIPemDH9z1QIfo0xYgqe5RtzDv0dqA5dpP84KSWwewoSR1WWDn0iLsBHK-1KAR26A9qy/s1600-h/IMG_2195.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291751409661574322" style="WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9viTNWiiN9U047fMkkYAooPPCXnjMcsDixRPD93aYrcKux1ByE7uo1jYO872cOkl7fywjL0KffIPemDH9z1QIfo0xYgqe5RtzDv0dqA5dpP84KSWwewoSR1WWDn0iLsBHK-1KAR26A9qy/s320/IMG_2195.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-80631618528687105492009-01-08T14:37:00.007-05:002009-01-09T15:56:16.893-05:00Black Loungewear Pants<span style="font-family:arial;">Do you remember the post I wrote a fe</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3h6ArgVAfyE4Pmh3kaastYrcSHfK9CExO3HA61Ensa_-f48scLcukOhmTSkRF5-rEYncIAd42IArbWht1YWjJr4Jo0CiDCg-3DWx6i10Hir4kytjnaAwwh6JZhyf9hKD-NyRF1L3v2B6/s1600-h/SalamanderWithGWBush.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289010960860344658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 255px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3h6ArgVAfyE4Pmh3kaastYrcSHfK9CExO3HA61Ensa_-f48scLcukOhmTSkRF5-rEYncIAd42IArbWht1YWjJr4Jo0CiDCg-3DWx6i10Hir4kytjnaAwwh6JZhyf9hKD-NyRF1L3v2B6/s320/SalamanderWithGWBush.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">w days ago about the frog I sewed for my bff growing up? Well on that same day she posted her pictures from</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> Christmas and whaddya know, she made it all the way to the white house holiday party. That's her on the right. I am confident that the frog I made her played a part in making all of this possible :) Congrats Salamander, that's an amazing achievement! I think it would have been fun to go into politics... although I have to say that business can be fairly political sometimes.... but we don't g</span><span style="font-family:arial;">et any cool meetings with the president. Congratulations again!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">In other less fabulou</span><span style="font-family:arial;">s news, I finished sewing my black sweatshirt material loungewear pants last night. What a great pattern. These pants took about 1.5 hours to cut & sew and they are so warm! I'm wearing them now and will wear them constantly this winter around the house. The details are below:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/3640/3640.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/3640/3640.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Inspiration: </span>My favorite <a href="http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=9H-226964&page=1&cgname=OSCLOACTZZZ&rfnbr=4701">loungewear pants</a> from Victoria's Secret<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />Pattern: </span><a href="http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=3640">Simplicity 3640</a> (Out of print! but you can still find it at the stores)<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Fabric Used: </span>1 3/4 yards of black sweatshirt fleece. the pattern only calls for 1 1/2 but I bought extra in order to make the pants long enough. I could have gotten away with 1 1/2 I think.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Notions: </span>2" Wide black elastic<br /><br />These pants have a fit that is fabu. As I mentioned in a previous post, the only alterations I make to them is:<br /><br />1) Decreased the rise by 1". Without the lowered rise the pants fit right at the belly button. I like them to be a bit lower than that. (Don't worry, the 2" elastic in the yolk prevents any undie peek-a-boo in the back)<br /><br />2) Lengthened the pants. I think if I made them according to the pattern they may be around 32" inseam. I need to add a couple of inches to that to avoid looking like a total nerd.<br /><br />If you're looking for cute, easy pants to wear around the house, this is your pattern. I have made them before in ponte knit, they were nice but not as warm as I wanted. I might make them again in a few days with all of my leftover grey fleece from my grey coat double-lining!<br /><br />What's on deck next? Well, I'm continuing my plight to make warm cozy tops/pants to wear around the house while still retaining some sense of style. Don't get me wrong, I like my fleece half-zips as much as the next girl but I REALLY do believe that I can find a more stylish way to use fleece. So. I've been sewing cute tops using fleece even though fleece isn't even close to being one of the recommended fabrics. Does that make all you sewers out there *cringe*? Sometimes it works, sometimes it might not but all in all I'm usually only out about $4 to $6 worth of fleece if it doesn't work out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/2927/2927.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 444px" alt="" src="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/2927/2927.jpg" border="0" /></a>So, as part of this mission I went to the store last night and I found THE BEST PATTERN I'VE EVER SEEN. I planned to purchase <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=2760">Simplicity 2760</a></span><span style="font-family:arial;">, which is a pattern made specifically for fleece (again, trying to use all my leftover grey fleece) but instead returned with this awesome awesome pattern. <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=2927">Simplicity 2927</a> I love the tunic, I love the dress, I love everything about this pattern. It is possible that I love it so much that I might even trace the pattern off, rather than cutting into it. I've even considered making a muslin.... but that's a bit hard to justify considering I'm constructing the tunic using $4/yard fleece that is totally replaceable. I'm making the tunic with pockets. It might even be cute to make it in grey with orange pockets, we'll see! I also might make it with long sleeves, rather than short or 3/4 length sleeves.<br /><br />Anyway, hope all of your sewing projects are going well!<br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-69506914696618408722009-01-06T17:17:00.009-05:002009-01-08T15:55:49.328-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WLQaeAsFOx-CsFCgzNQjrW1mIaPld7YwXfsk7bJYASsW4GRAThlKCRUeNd1r9xeC1ZKtQ4J_jv2wIddLncLOjJhCD105OX0P32_Yyl5SeO6dKjISfnMM3IT5PUAd9s5kCJkgMi3entPZ/s1600-h/IMG_2156.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WLQaeAsFOx-CsFCgzNQjrW1mIaPld7YwXfsk7bJYASsW4GRAThlKCRUeNd1r9xeC1ZKtQ4J_jv2wIddLncLOjJhCD105OX0P32_Yyl5SeO6dKjISfnMM3IT5PUAd9s5kCJkgMi3entPZ/s320/IMG_2156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288321797928094162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span><a href="http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8548.htm??tab=list/whats_new&page=all">Vogue 8548</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Fabric Used: </span>3 yards of brown quilted material. It is part of some sort of designer 'dark collection' but I should have paid more attention. What can I say, I bought the material before I had a blog! I al</span><span style="font-family:arial;">so used 2 yards of cream-colored lining.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Notions: </span></span>Two 1 3/8" brown buttons<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Description: </span>Lined coat has bodice with pri</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ncess seams, A-line skirt and full-length sleeves. Length is mid-thigh.<br /><br />I really do love</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oAYL2UnYVUA5oQNadE_4Wo7gE9glrdr3hBftPE6OkYqIIrkydNdP8JWkWPQOQU6UOMKzCFkoQSrWhkrgBnEV1jp1X0cu3mz8FlIk5d1O_7OAqzOil5RVzIZ0FiXNaxkExfhxjDS0ysy9/s1600-h/IMG_2155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oAYL2UnYVUA5oQNadE_4Wo7gE9glrdr3hBftPE6OkYqIIrkydNdP8JWkWPQOQU6UOMKzCFkoQSrWhkrgBnEV1jp1X0cu3mz8FlIk5d1O_7OAqzOil5RVzIZ0FiXNaxkExfhxjDS0ysy9/s320/IMG_2155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288321793687703954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> this coat, but I had to make some alterations to it. Mostly the alterations we</span><span style="font-family:arial;">re not due to the pattern not fitting, but because I was trying to fit into 1 size smaller than the pattern instructions had indicated</span><span style="font-family:arial;">. Sometimes I fudge the size a bit. I usually go one size smaller than the pattern instructs, but this time I tried two sizes down! I should have known that my shoulders would not fit into a smaller size... and my arm-length is similar to that of a chimpanzee!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">So I had to alter the pattern to make it fit. I left the back the same but I cut out new pieces for the front bodice, front facing, front skirt and front skirt lining. I cut them out in the correct size and then added several inches to make the coat fold over a little better in the front.<br /><br />I also had to add length to the arms, despite the fact that I added an inch to the sleeve when I cut them. They were still a bit too short when I hemmed the sleeves, so I took out the stitches and sewed another 4 or 5" inches to the end of the sleeve. Then I folded the newly sewn piece inside the sleeve, pressed it and then sewed it to the lining. So the very fold of the sleeve has a seam on it, but it doesn't look too much like </span><span style="font-family:arial;">a hack job. I don't think anyone would notice it. I'm sure that's not the best way to lengthen sleeves, but I'll tell you I'd do it again in a heartbeat.<br /><br />Next time I would cut the coat in the correct size! Or maybe even make a muslin first. I wanted to make a muslin but I was out of fabric and eager to get going on the coat. What an ammeter mistake!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Editors Note: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">I should also mention that I completely ignored the instructions for lining this coat. The instructions suggest that you sew the bodice lining in and then sew the skirt lining in and then somehow hand sew the two together at the end. I didn't take the time to try to determine what they were asking me to do. I just sewed all of the lining together as one piece and then sewed it all (bodice and skirt) into the jacket using the standard methods once the entire outer jacket was finished. </span></span><br /><br />I'm dying to </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/3640/3640.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 222px;" src="http://www.simplicity.com/assets/3640/3640.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">get going on my next projects, using the lovely fabric I picked up in South Carolina, but I am in dire need of some warm lounge wear pants for around the house. For around-the-house pants I use Simplicity 3640. I add length to the pants for a 34" inseam and also reduce the rise by 1" so they fit a little lower. I also have some extra grey polar fleece from my wool coat </span><span style="font-family:arial;">project in an earlier post. I'm hoping to make another fleece top out of that, but I haven't determined what pattern to use yet. I plan on sewing tonight <s>instead of</s> after I clean my house.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-82592554638411725072009-01-06T16:19:00.008-05:002009-01-08T17:02:48.035-05:00My First Sewing Project, Ever.<span style="font-family:arial;">Most of the women in my family sew and I grew up watching them sew project after project. It is neat to think that many of the bri</span><span style="font-family:arial;">desmaids dresses from my mom's generation were individually sewn by each of the bridesmaids. I have often wondered if that was just a common thing to sew back in the day because more women were sewers or if that is </span><span style="font-family:arial;">something that is unique to my family. If anyone has any insight into that, I would love to hear it.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />My mom, grandma</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and aunts sewed clothes for themselves, clothes for me, curtains for my room, doll clothes for my Cabbage Patch Kids, etc. I especially like to reminisce about the navy, pink and white eyelet lace balloon shades my mom and aunt made for me when we moved to a new town in Wyoming when I was 15. It was incredibly special to have my new room so beautifully decorated.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I should also mention that my Memaw sews A LOT. I think nearly everything in her closet is sewn by her. She has a fabulous pants pattern that she can whip up in no time flat. She also makes a lot of her own curtains and has made curtains for my mom recently --- as my mom has been working a zillion hours & has grandkids to sew for now! Also, my Memaw can fix ANYTHING. It's great to know a person like that. (Once I got a silk tie in the mail from Thailand and I cut through it with scissors when I openened the envelope. She even fixed that.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Many times as a teenager my mom came through for me when I thought I had "nothing to wear". I would help her cut the material out and sh</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e would sew (sometimes late i</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nto the night) so that I could have something cute for the next day. For Christmas, when I got my first Cabbage Patch doll it meant the world to me that my aunt sewed me a whole collection of doll clothes that included shirts with hearts on them, pants and cute drop-waist dresses. How thoughtful was that? I </span><span style="font-family:arial;">am su</span><span style="font-family:arial;">re there are many times that they sewed for me that I can't even remember.<br /><br />My first sewing p</span><span style="font-family:arial;">r</span><span style="font-family:arial;">oje</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ct was when I was in 3rd grade. It was a self-drafted pattern for a frog that I made out of so</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs85g6mvpHH964GH3nDmYr5l_-cGCNU7VOKyNiPT4czsgezPCY3rgQePj5VDqbc9IYu0Oxgbuns2aeal6XPu7C8Rgn4ggismXVBiWqsrrdt2luMOEX3g8hzvC4t77VX4Nd6k8bBwhS-6V7/s1600-h/IMG_2168.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs85g6mvpHH964GH3nDmYr5l_-cGCNU7VOKyNiPT4czsgezPCY3rgQePj5VDqbc9IYu0Oxgbuns2aeal6XPu7C8Rgn4ggismXVBiWqsrrdt2luMOEX3g8hzvC4t77VX4Nd6k8bBwhS-6V7/s200/IMG_2168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288303685999838386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">me scrap material that m</span><span style="font-family:arial;">y mom had. the top of the f</span><span style="font-family:arial;">rog is dark purple ki</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nd of suede-like material and the bottom is </span><span style="font-family:arial;">off-white muslin. It is completely hand sewn, filled with rice and I used psyche</span><span style="font-family:arial;">delic red and blue buttons for the eyes. I remember that it turned out to be much smaller than I h</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ad anticipated!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I r</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e</span><span style="font-family:arial;">m</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ember ba</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">hing my frog growing u</span><span style="font-family:arial;">p, can you</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGPvKv5xF_U2Io64TrA2uAkkZc3UdDAZgioEmKIWbzUoLBjhUjBUprQghtAB_GewaJe6EtM1ROM4n-k157L6W-gwC_rPRRQFWfV5Z_W1y6f-djeWteWv5KRtYlLN8-Lupv0IF2GSr9Qc7/s1600-h/IMG_2178.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGPvKv5xF_U2Io64TrA2uAkkZc3UdDAZgioEmKIWbzUoLBjhUjBUprQghtAB_GewaJe6EtM1ROM4n-k157L6W-gwC_rPRRQFWfV5Z_W1y6f-djeWteWv5KRtYlLN8-Lupv0IF2GSr9Qc7/s200/IMG_2178.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288305090513497810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> believe it? Somehow this hand-sewn frog filled with rice has made it through multiple situ</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ations where it was lat</span><span style="font-family:arial;">hered w</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ith</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> h</span><span style="font-family:arial;">an</span><span style="font-family:arial;">d</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> soup and washed in the sink. A</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t </span><span style="font-family:arial;">least we know it's clean, I guess. I cringe to </span><span style="font-family:arial;">think of what the rice inside of it looks like at this point. I still love that frog, though.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I still have my frog, Francis around. As you c</span><span style="font-family:arial;">an see from the pix, I have pictu</span><span style="font-family:arial;">res of Francis hanging out on my tea cup when I'm having my morning cup and also pictures of him looking at my computer. Probably watching You've Got Mail or something playing on the macbook.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4-lV1jqraYjimouusasVzjHlrutcgvBf6l2W5UOVLE5hTmT6aXMcyqSsfw4wz5YABDYy4aiiIjnePCsBl0a23t9c1w2kR-91KncS7lDhzR5gTabYZucNDwwERQ5v2KQLI4ODVHQk0bOa/s1600-h/IMG_2177.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4-lV1jqraYjimouusasVzjHlrutcgvBf6l2W5UOVLE5hTmT6aXMcyqSsfw4wz5YABDYy4aiiIjnePCsBl0a23t9c1w2kR-91KncS7lDhzR5gTabYZucNDwwERQ5v2KQLI4ODVHQk0bOa/s200/IMG_2177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288306144158179154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkUPi7dg-3AGao4lFQ6armDi61GErEv5EY3LUPSXBh_O7w9VmSqfaYb-1LidT-OydBvE_wIpzwCZF_d14kZfDvv_iev7uWsmvWn25D2y35UxTRJny3K9o0bD_0AXvhhUtaQDQkf-wePis/s1600-h/IMG_2162.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkUPi7dg-3AGao4lFQ6armDi61GErEv5EY3LUPSXBh_O7w9VmSqfaYb-1LidT-OydBvE_wIpzwCZF_d14kZfDvv_iev7uWsmvWn25D2y35UxTRJny3K9o0bD_0AXvhhUtaQDQkf-wePis/s200/IMG_2162.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288306145965781938" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I also made </span><span style="font-family:arial;">a frog for my BFF growing up, Katie Alexander. She was also known as "Sala</span><span style="font-family:arial;">mander" as the name Al</span><span style="font-family:arial;">exander sounds a bit like Salamander to little ones. Her homemade (couture even?) frog story is one of love, lost love and the ultimate reunion. :) Her frog was a little larger than mine, as I had learned some lessons from the construction of my first frog. It had cupcakes on it as I made it from a summer jumpsuit of mine that no longer fit. I gave it to her at church and the next day she took it to school with her and it was stolen! It was a sad, sad day. Then, at the end of the school year, someone returned it to her by leaving it on her desk. I was glad that she got it back.<br /><br />I'd still make her 100 frogs today. Hopefully no one at work would steal them, though! Oh, the humanity!<br /><br />Anyway, I'd love to hear from anyone who has stories of their family members sewing or stories of their first sewing projects!<br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-32913312209779820232009-01-06T10:43:00.007-05:002009-01-06T12:02:07.399-05:00Sometimes I Knit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzZWVo21KDf_CyWEtZ6Y1vvgJRhetW6ub_RO5vtxX0l067t1Oqc3OUbsPdQ4ireZYuFiO-ppuEqy4si7MYlrPyDjk0Xc_rZaQ96EqsjRsue0nAgpAjUszSDteVpIhCdS_KIyMf9Fiakkq/s1600-h/IMG_2166.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzZWVo21KDf_CyWEtZ6Y1vvgJRhetW6ub_RO5vtxX0l067t1Oqc3OUbsPdQ4ireZYuFiO-ppuEqy4si7MYlrPyDjk0Xc_rZaQ96EqsjRsue0nAgpAjUszSDteVpIhCdS_KIyMf9Fiakkq/s320/IMG_2166.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288207713629124578" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;">I would say that most of those who sew also knit.I only partially fit into that category. At this point I don't have much of a desire to take on any large scale apparel knitting projects, although I do enjoy the lovely posts from <a href="http://tanysewsandknits.blogspot.com/2009/01/kimono-vermelho-red-kimono-sweater.html">Tany</a> (Couture et </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Tricot</span><span style="font-family:arial;">) and <a href="http://missceliespants.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-search-of-knitting-book.html">Cidell</a> (Miss Celie's Pants)</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">with their latest knitting projects.<br /><br />Me? I mostly just knit dishcloths. Isn't that odd? I really like colorful knitted dishcloths, they are really scrubby an</span><span style="font-family:arial;">d yet they don't scratch anything! My favorite knitting pattern is that neato diagonal orange/white dishcloth with the neat edging. That particular pattern is called "Grandma's Favorite" and I've included the directions below. It turns out to be really cute. This is a really great project for beginners or for people in need of dishcloths :)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth<br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:comic sans ms;font-size:85%;" ><b>Materials:</b> Sugar and Cream yarn or any cotton yarn; Size 6 or 7 needles (US)</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><b style="font-family: arial;"><br />Instructions:</b></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Cast on 4 stitches</span><b style="font-family: arial;"><br />Row 1:</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> Knit 4</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><b style="font-family: arial;"><br />Row 2:</b><span style="font-family:arial;"> Knit 2, yarn over, knit across the row. Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches on the needle.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><br />Row 3:</b><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > Knit 1, Knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Repeat Row 3 until you have 4 stitches on the needle. Then bind off!<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I have purch</span><span style="font-family:arial;">a</span><span style="font-family:arial;">sed beige, black, red and white cotton yarn and one of thes</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gAAlLn3au7BN8u9Kc1_KTJFwGUMnA9q6Cs3F3Ucc4vqXE9lgb3Sh6QJeAEhgTrhYIZLJY2rlzJ8jdDnCp3eghIwVnNMqFcSG1Z7I04KluDf-FgGT5M6x8UgCLwIVg8Ibb4brSbiaGlgi/s1600-h/burberry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gAAlLn3au7BN8u9Kc1_KTJFwGUMnA9q6Cs3F3Ucc4vqXE9lgb3Sh6QJeAEhgTrhYIZLJY2rlzJ8jdDnCp3eghIwVnNMqFcSG1Z7I04KluDf-FgGT5M6x8UgCLwIVg8Ibb4brSbiaGlgi/s200/burberry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288220839782575170" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">e days I'm g</span><span style="font-family:arial;">oing to make a pseudo</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Burberry plaid dishcloth. I should do that soon, wouldn't that make</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> a great "just because" gift for friends? I think I would just do full rows of knit and then purl so the dishcloth turns out with no ribbing. It seems like I should knit 5 beige, knit 1 red, knit 5 beige, knit 2 black, knit 2 white, etc etc. I wonder i</span><span style="font-family:arial;">f that would work out. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I wonder how I would keep all the yarn from being a tangled mess.<br /></span> <p style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"> </p><span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Currently I am</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> knitting a ras</span></span><span><span style="font-family:arial;">pberry and charcoal plaid scarf. I am using the same pattern I use for plaid dishcloths but I have upgraded the size 7 knitting needles to size 10.5. The scarf is turning out to be kind of wide though. It should be pretty warm with the nice grey wool. :)</span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06l6qBCex9KBZumqLBBb5bGN-MLD8WDukMWS1StodLUFT0VffmfxKDfBSHPL3D6Qwl9HuOvzxNHN_9pGup4GGxwbpB5bpObawq6PmK1qrmDPKiLv6yeafgEQ9yGlFzx2UzxEoMoPxYGTC/s1600-h/IMG_2092.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06l6qBCex9KBZumqLBBb5bGN-MLD8WDukMWS1StodLUFT0VffmfxKDfBSHPL3D6Qwl9HuOvzxNHN_9pGup4GGxwbpB5bpObawq6PmK1qrmDPKiLv6yeafgEQ9yGlFzx2UzxEoMoPxYGTC/s320/IMG_2092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288206981314417474" border="0" /></a>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-15127446588638147612009-01-02T13:38:00.004-05:002009-01-02T15:34:03.224-05:00Technology Meets Sewing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXVoIp-yEsoTud_YPJVpwXxrjzDp2DLIoifE7dvsZFguQcjsROlHQ429-u-oT7oZwnnY2UscmK7pLASx27mYw58jdHY-a9vZSQXmf_S8OVdsqe04-85HgXLJxC3rJPod1dfZzu0bMzC2I/s1600-h/41BSIERxQDL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXVoIp-yEsoTud_YPJVpwXxrjzDp2DLIoifE7dvsZFguQcjsROlHQ429-u-oT7oZwnnY2UscmK7pLASx27mYw58jdHY-a9vZSQXmf_S8OVdsqe04-85HgXLJxC3rJPod1dfZzu0bMzC2I/s320/41BSIERxQDL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286779170459728738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">For me, technology and sewing go hand in hand. There are two critical devices in my "sewing room". (Who am I kidding? I sew at my kitchen table). The first most critical item is my macbook. I love sewing with my laptop! I place it on the table to the right of my sewing machine and I push it back a little bit so there is space in front of it. I use my laptop while I sew to watch movies, episodes of Sex & The City or whatever I can find that will inspire me. Along with all 5 seasons of Project Runway I have also watched Project Runway Canada, Project Runway Australia and Project Catwalk (think Project Runway UK). I LOVE watching these shows while I sew.<br /><br />Also, if I run into an issue my Macbook is right there ready for me to google around for some advice. Yesterday I had a nice surprise when my mom rang me for a video conference and we had fun chatting at my sewing table while I showed her some of my projects that are underway and she showed me her new piano music. My family lives 1,500 miles away from me, so it was a really fun time.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BDJV7QV5L._SL500_AA280_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 280px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BDJV7QV5L._SL500_AA280_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">She also showed me her new Roomba, which brings me to the 2nd most critical technological device in my sewing room. I LOVE my Roomba. I got it nearly 3 years ago. It is the best ever for cleaning up bits of thread and fabric residue in the area I've been sewing and cutting fabric. It is a total lifesaver. Of course, I have to pick up any real bits of fabric before I get the roomba out, but you would be surprised at how much it can pick up! The best part is that when it starts to run out of battery it's smart enough to go find its docking station and charge itself. I love you Roomba. :) It really does keep the sewing mess down in the house!<br /><br />As an honorable mention, I'd like to say that my Blackberry also accompanies me while I sew. But of course, it is with me WHEREVER I am so I don't know if it counts as "sewing technology".<br /><br />I have often considered moving my sewing to my office or to one of the empty bedrooms upstairs. Right now I actually use my office for work, though. My team at work is located in Chicago and NYC so all of our interaction is over the phone, email, chat, so working from home is an option that I take advantage of once or twice a week. And the bedrooms upstairs just feel so lonely, so I always sew at my kitchen table. Maybe once I am married or have kids I will need to move the sewing elsewhere to free up the table for its real purpose. I'd be curious to hear from all of you who sew. In what room do you sew?<br /><br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-35878550402025504612009-01-02T10:52:00.004-05:002009-01-02T11:44:15.242-05:00Auld Lang Syne<span style="font-family:arial;">Happy new year! 2009 is sure to bring great things. I wish all of you the best in this new year!<br /><br />For me, personally, this new year brings much joy and excitement as 2009 is the year Bryan & I will be getting married. That will surely provide me with some sewing projects! I already know that I'll need to make a veil and a rehearsal dinner dress. We'll also need to make a flower gir</span><span style="font-family:arial;">l dress, although my mom may help out with that one (thanks mom!) We'll see which one of us has more free time when the wedding comes closer. We already have a general idea of what we want to do. I need to hit up the craft stores and see if I can find some silk rose petals for the flower girl dress that don't look too fake. If I can't find nice petals then we may have to reconsider our plans! This weekend I'm dragging Bryan to a bridal event in hopes that we can get a lot of work done for the wedding. Hop</span><span style="font-family:arial;">efully we can get in & out, find a minister, photographer & price flowers all in the same day. That would be great.<br /><br />I downloaded a </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUPlHjFu9T5Bx3iNXVxFLEVqIk62yUlzBMs_L17YDmNd6tGXMvcl73blInExsBJWbeNTs_Hg3swgzqHerHcnfpCeSw-3bI5S2eJFZS09UcuaRTy74vRECRxIxWUnXAdcPDnQ0Sn436jPf/s1600-h/photo2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUPlHjFu9T5Bx3iNXVxFLEVqIk62yUlzBMs_L17YDmNd6tGXMvcl73blInExsBJWbeNTs_Hg3swgzqHerHcnfpCeSw-3bI5S2eJFZS09UcuaRTy74vRECRxIxWUnXAdcPDnQ0Sn436jPf/s320/photo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286731293626086242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne from Amazon.com's fab mp3 download feature. Many of the songs are less than a dollar and they're high quality in mp3 format. I'm a mac fan but I do</span><span style="font-family:arial;">n't like the proprietary audio format and protection that the iTunes store uses. So check this beautiful song out at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_dmusic?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=auld+lang+syne+sex+and+the+city&x=0&y=0">Amazon</a>.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We spent NYE wit</span><span style="font-family:arial;">h our friends, Jen & George at Jen's cousin's house.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> George's brother/sister-in-law Adam & Stephanie also came into town. So that's why the picture of us includes Jen and a guy who sort of looks like Ge</span><span style="font-family:arial;">o</span><span style="font-family:arial;">rge but isn't George. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">:) George was behind the camera for this particular shot!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We were a little late for the party because I was trying to finish up my new brown jacket, that I am SO in love with. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gdq-YVCMkbP3781_HMJayJASN6caR8pSNLYsQlgPNbAT73LWReF5Yf4P8tqfV-nDQAR7lUkGIswBiDabztphGM2G13YQSkAbcBT6qXuxuuqHjWso7A1Xk1vLvGptAbtULnskDwyr-JW2/s1600-h/IMG_2147.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gdq-YVCMkbP3781_HMJayJASN6caR8pSNLYsQlgPNbAT73LWReF5Yf4P8tqfV-nDQAR7lUkGIswBiDabztphGM2G13YQSkAbcBT6qXuxuuqHjWso7A1Xk1vLvGptAbtULnskDwyr-JW2/s320/IMG_2147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286734895398064930" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;">It is my favorite thing right now. I had to make some adjustments to make it fit right but it worked out. I did not, however, finish it in time for the party! That's OK, though, at this point I just need</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">to sew on buttons and snaps. Then I really need to start sewing some more practical items, wa</span><span style="font-family:arial;">rm pants & tops</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> to wear around the house. That's where my wardrobe is really lacking right now.<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Part of the reason I didn't finish th</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e jacket in time is because I sewed the lining sleeve in upside down! It's a novel idea if you're going to a concert or something where you would need your arm in the air for several hours. :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's hard to tell exactly what this jacket is because of the brown quilted facing in the front and the off-white lining. And the fact that only one sleeve is sewn in and it's upside down :) Eventually this will be a funnel-neck </span><span style="font-family: arial;">brown quilted jacket. I will definitely finish it today and then maybe I can get some pix taken & posted.<br /><br />Wishing all of you the best for this new year.</span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-35257065298116341862008-12-29T13:46:00.006-05:002008-12-29T15:20:07.766-05:00My Favorite Fleece Top<span style="font-family:arial;">Has anyone noticed that this is my 3rd POST TODAY?!!! Here's why... I'm new to blogging and I just want to get some content out there so I can feel like my blog is more legit. I am not known for my patience so I decided to post a lot of content all at once. Good thing I've been sewing a bunch lately! Trust me, I am usually not this prolific.... and I usually don't finish like 8 sewing projects in one day unless I've had way to much caffeine :) Here is my last post for today. It's all about my absolute favorite fleece top. I love this top and I plan to make 18 hundred of them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkjywOfwk3P1j54gryfDFbpIbfKqLBGzzSwjk4kYS4q6Y0DqagRp3RFnDRToqMyoEb5Xh4twUAxwNsFeXdSJEKRIteTZtQkMK_bAvgIrnxi0Xsz3dRSYSH954VtZc95Foy8dyu9WsmKa0/s1600-h/Red+Top+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkjywOfwk3P1j54gryfDFbpIbfKqLBGzzSwjk4kYS4q6Y0DqagRp3RFnDRToqMyoEb5Xh4twUAxwNsFeXdSJEKRIteTZtQkMK_bAvgIrnxi0Xsz3dRSYSH954VtZc95Foy8dyu9WsmKa0/s320/Red+Top+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285286361157512594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span><a href="http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M5520.htm?search=5520&page=1">McCall's 5520</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Out of print, but you can still find it at the stores & at McCall online<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fabric: </span>1 3/8 Y</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ards polar fleece<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Description: </span>Pullover tunic, loose fitting through the bust, has neckline variations, dolman sleeves with stitched hems and raised waistline.<br /><br />This top fits so great in the bust and shoulders. The drama from the sleeves makes the waist look skinny too.... although it's not totally showing up in this picture :) But... this was taken right after Christmas and we know what impact the holidays can have on us. Elliptical machine, here I come. This pa</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ttern technically calls for a stretchy knit, but the fleece worked just fine. I have to tug a big to to take the shirt off due to the lack of stretch, but it's not bad at all. Not at all.<br /><br />What do I wish I would have done differently on this pattern? Not much. It is a cinch. (Ooh, that would be a great name for a blog, eh? Sewing Cinch) (-: As I mentioned in my last post, I just got a new rolled hem foot, so that is one improvement that could be made. The narrow hem </span><span style="font-family:arial;">on this shirt is a bit sketchy in places.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAel8W99eQu5sVg29uWJOzdWyB_6SSJq_MfdhjAEpyXymQmME69xAWIrg96qY1IAUidLW4FUHbY1f4m6p5qGsDxhWL1DY1wiU55ytl0xB_G5GHTj1TmQG4sfGTpgUS-WOvj5SVQlVcY4DJ/s1600-h/M5520.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAel8W99eQu5sVg29uWJOzdWyB_6SSJq_MfdhjAEpyXymQmME69xAWIrg96qY1IAUidLW4FUHbY1f4m6p5qGsDxhWL1DY1wiU55ytl0xB_G5GHTj1TmQG4sfGTpgUS-WOvj5SVQlVcY4DJ/s320/M5520.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285308649855380786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This is the technical drawing for the shirt. It is just four pieces. I think it would be really cute and flattering to do the bust/sleeve part in a horizontal stripe and the waist part in a vertical stripe. That would be great. I may try to find some coordinating knits or fleeces to make this shirt again. <br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-75229190767989536732008-12-29T13:26:00.002-05:002008-12-29T13:45:23.322-05:00Red Wrap<span style="font-family: arial;">I love to be cozy around the house. However, I don't like to spend a lot of money on things that I'm just wearing around the house. Isn't that crazy? Why do we spend the bucks on clothes that we will wear around co-workers and strangers but when we're in our own homes around the people we love the most we wear rags? I'm standing up & making a change! I'm on a big kick to make cute clothes that are still warm and comfortable. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span><a href="http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8463.htm?search=8463&page=1">Vogue 8463</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Based On: </span><a href="http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=9H-227229&page=1&cgname=OSCLOALSCRD&rfnbr=5188">Cute Loungewear from Victoria's Secret</a></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fabric Used: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">1 3/4 Yards of knit</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Description: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Wrap cardigan has extended fronts to tie in front or drape over shoulders.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmOEhIieffRkTR6bzeEpnWQHwnVJEBSjm1yNBB1zxP6iZzuBr8WWLx2umtVPiJgCl3mZJPnQupkbDBLiCZABZ1039zWUx1FiQhSgSkHkJ_Ft8f5HqkLx-9sJ1QWZCmxe0idBokxtugGMS/s1600-h/Red+Wrap+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmOEhIieffRkTR6bzeEpnWQHwnVJEBSjm1yNBB1zxP6iZzuBr8WWLx2umtVPiJgCl3mZJPnQupkbDBLiCZABZ1039zWUx1FiQhSgSkHkJ_Ft8f5HqkLx-9sJ1QWZCmxe0idBokxtugGMS/s320/Red+Wrap+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285280404415112930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I really like my new red wrap. It only took a couple of hours to make. When I'm sitting on the couch I like to drape the front of the cardigan over my shoulders like a little blanket. It is SO COZY. I'm tempted to make this top in fleece for added warmth or in cotton cashmere as was used in the Victoria's Secret top.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The picture below is the look it has when it's not draped. Not as cute, but it does has its advantages. For example, when the sides are not draped up, they are much less likely to catch fire while cooking. :)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-39Mun9QX9OPzuleYJXxdEL818dgDwsfuRHmAvqkJpSChjwB1Fk9xqRTQMyqOfJrmOTdm53UiVThuLf4A9wMuTzWGv_q3vRYuOyZNj_6J038pHVjs1kix5h4tj5Qi7yPAnllFlSTqFQBN/s1600-h/Red+Wrap+1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-39Mun9QX9OPzuleYJXxdEL818dgDwsfuRHmAvqkJpSChjwB1Fk9xqRTQMyqOfJrmOTdm53UiVThuLf4A9wMuTzWGv_q3vRYuOyZNj_6J038pHVjs1kix5h4tj5Qi7yPAnllFlSTqFQBN/s320/Red+Wrap+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285280411141977506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Vogue pattern suggests tying the fronts at the waist. I don't know about that, seems kind of odd to tie knit. I am very happy with this top, it was very quick to make and it is so snuggly. What would I change about it? I just bought a new rolled-hem foot and I think that could make my edges better. Other than that, I'm very happy with it. </span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-46487238829400401602008-12-29T12:18:00.008-05:002008-12-29T15:28:08.011-05:00New Grey Coat<span style="font-family:arial;">I finished my grey coat, in time for Christmas. I wore it out with the girls right before vacation too. I love how swingy the bottom is. There are a few things that I'd like to change, but let's start with pointing out the positive :) Ha ha.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Based On:</span> <a href="http://www.instyle.com/instyle/products/details/0,23728,1105122,00.html">Giorgio Armani</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern:</span> <a href="http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8307.htm??tab=list/jackets_coats&page=all">Vogue 8305</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fabric Used: </span>4 3/4 Yards Grey felt, Double-Lined with 3 3/8 Poly Lining and 3 3/8 Grey Fleece<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Notions:</span> 3 Toggle buttons</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Description:</span> Lined, fitted jacket has asymmetrical collar and front closing, princess seams and shoulder pads. Jacket hem falls mid-knee.<br /><br />What did I love about the jacket? THE NOTCH! I love details like this.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjObfP911QdnONHI3LniPa2pvlFBrWUjgSRI6P45lKRTrYpe7ZaNSxr-_pxWaildHQNj9A6JJLkfudS9yzq_LQP3QZLAhVpekkC1jaNjG6C1ashGkF9RTLHRd3Ct9JYkYDZc6zl73lRHaN/s1600-h/Gray+Coat+2+%28Notch%29.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjObfP911QdnONHI3LniPa2pvlFBrWUjgSRI6P45lKRTrYpe7ZaNSxr-_pxWaildHQNj9A6JJLkfudS9yzq_LQP3QZLAhVpekkC1jaNjG6C1ashGkF9RTLHRd3Ct9JYkYDZc6zl73lRHaN/s320/Gray+Coat+2+%28Notch%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285266593759077570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I also like how swingy the coat is at the bottom, and the length of it. I'm tempted to make a black tulle skirt to show out the bottom & give it a little more swing for fancy events. I have worn it with a thick black belt as well, I liked that.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z3OqKP1IQM8CHlaeHc6nt9-ab7hUoEXiFujgjQdUD3v-wiIMNzPIz1UDny_Gw_9TMFeVOyAoOxduT2QB5hebWar21eiSk7hndcc-K2hKIACL4M-UEQT2xf88OfgMSkc2hjL5ncpbJkvE/s1600-h/Grey+Coat+4+-+Buttoning.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z3OqKP1IQM8CHlaeHc6nt9-ab7hUoEXiFujgjQdUD3v-wiIMNzPIz1UDny_Gw_9TMFeVOyAoOxduT2QB5hebWar21eiSk7hndcc-K2hKIACL4M-UEQT2xf88OfgMSkc2hjL5ncpbJkvE/s320/Grey+Coat+4+-+Buttoning.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285266605763281698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The lining was just some red poly I found for $1/yard. It did the trick though! I had to be really careful with my sewing machine as even having the pressure foot too low would kind of snag the fabric. The grey felt wasn't very warm, so I actually double-lined the coat by backing the red lining with some grey fleece. It added a little bulk to the coat but now it is very very warm. Next time I would just like to find some higher quality coating in the first place :) Great news- I just found a new fabric store so hopefully I will have better selection next time. This grey coating is literally the best quality I could find at my store.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx_O-rs08Di2trrdPh8L4R_s4BzGVEmWmve6uyq5_r7C_yRv5AcEer8FJIHiXr5OkIs1TbmGhXqaT0f_Kbm96edSUrAPTu6amKxvxXZr83u3jDlbuX_B2Xukmbpoo0vajnfFwFF4Bd8ac/s1600-h/Gray+Coat+3+-+Lining.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx_O-rs08Di2trrdPh8L4R_s4BzGVEmWmve6uyq5_r7C_yRv5AcEer8FJIHiXr5OkIs1TbmGhXqaT0f_Kbm96edSUrAPTu6amKxvxXZr83u3jDlbuX_B2Xukmbpoo0vajnfFwFF4Bd8ac/s320/Gray+Coat+3+-+Lining.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285266595075156338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Here is the finished product. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z-xm7mTmtmC67k-VvjXg7sYWKdB4dLzZu1o9PnIYdZn9BLoRC875ao2lM9HAqHEs2OOMUQHfNrnWUlSriAnxNZypm0IKwzIizU5159UtijVN0nVkiLxHeh3cTil8wLes0dLt8WeusMit/s1600-h/Grey+Coat+1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Z-xm7mTmtmC67k-VvjXg7sYWKdB4dLzZu1o9PnIYdZn9BLoRC875ao2lM9HAqHEs2OOMUQHfNrnWUlSriAnxNZypm0IKwzIizU5159UtijVN0nVkiLxHeh3cTil8wLes0dLt8WeusMit/s320/Grey+Coat+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285266582541396034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here are the things I would change if I were to remake this coat:<br /><br />1) Higher quality material. This coat is great, but the felt was so thin that I had to reinforce the lining with fleece. Hopefully my new fabric store will have more selection for apparel.<br /><br />2) I would make the collar larger. I don't like that the collars don't touch in the front.<br /><br />3) I would make regular button holes instead of using loops and toggles. I think buttoning the coat is a bit awkward.<br /><br />Overall though, I really do love this coat. It seems to attract compliments and the swing at the bottom would make anyone feel very lady like :)<br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-77114842620202152682008-12-28T23:23:00.005-05:002008-12-28T23:34:06.226-05:00I Heart Home<span style="font-family:arial;">I always love going to South Carolina but there's something about coming home that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I love having the comfort of being in my own home, having all of my stuff where it belongs, etc. Something about driving into the city makes me remember all of the great things in my life that I take for granted too often.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_n9427U_ZMuCLEqLNMwVBPmCyOI_SPEK4rRTDVXyR7nZs-Gm4uyXh7EytevFHFbQi2cqwsjQpawSysMGwoeAjS2eUkrPDZfxYmeSwB538WiCPi7yAU6peR-p063WLnGxIS6M9SFzYn5t/s1600-h/IMG_2118.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_n9427U_ZMuCLEqLNMwVBPmCyOI_SPEK4rRTDVXyR7nZs-Gm4uyXh7EytevFHFbQi2cqwsjQpawSysMGwoeAjS2eUkrPDZfxYmeSwB538WiCPi7yAU6peR-p063WLnGxIS6M9SFzYn5t/s320/IMG_2118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285064303741320834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Oh, and the puppies wer</span><span style="font-family:arial;">e really good in the backseat on the 9 hour drive. They only cried twice, once because they were really thirsty & needed a drink. Another time because they were SO BORED and completely over it. Heh, I couldn't blame them, I was over it at that point too. The rest of the time they slept or chewed on toys, buckled in safely in t</span><span style="font-family:arial;">he back seat. I tried something new this time, which worked out great. I always lay out a beach towel in the backseat because it seems snugglier than the cold leather. Problem is, when the dogs walk around the towel eventually winds up in the floorboard. This time I put a no-slip rug pad under the towel. It didn't move for 18 hours. Sweet. Then I put a couple of more towels back there so the puppies could burrow underneath them. Things like that make them happy, which in turn makes everyone happy because the trip is easier.<br /><br />Bryan was a fabulous chauffeur. We had a great trip together.<br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3817720668238228924.post-47375563052545176332008-12-27T21:44:00.000-05:002008-12-27T22:38:03.080-05:00Super Duper Christmas 2008<span style="font-family:arial;">Yes... this is my first post, ever. I'm really excited about this blog though, I have seen a lot of neato blogs related to sewin</span><span style="font-family:arial;">g and fashion and I'm excited to be in the loop. I plan for most of my posts to be related to my latest sewing projects, whether they be apparel or items for the home. This should be a lot of fun. This first post is just about Christmas this year. I have 4 sewing projects to post but I need Bryan to help me take some pictures. He is currently spending some quality video game time with his brother, Paul. I'm sure most bloggers use a </span><span style="font-family:arial;">tripod or something for their pix.<br /><br />I should mention, thanks to everyone who helped me choose a name for my new blog. I finally settled on What's Your Stitch but close run</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ner-ups were:</span><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;">Itchin' For A Stitichin'</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;">Sew What</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;">You Got The Notion (This was my suggestion, I still love it but evidently people don't immediately think of sewing notions-buttons, zippers, etc...)<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-family:arial;">So, I guess I should get goin' into the real first post. Here we go!<br /><br />The Christmas season is almost over, which is sad. It's time to start looking forward to the new year, though! Bryan & I spent the holidays in South Carolina visiting his parents. It is my 3rd Christmas with them and we always have a</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> good time. His family is fun, Italian and full of personality. O</span><span style="font-family:arial;">h, and</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> they always have really good food! We miss our friends back home though, it's hard to spend a week away, not seeing everyone.<br /><br />So what did you get for Christmas? I posted pix of a few of my favorites below.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My New Livescribe Pen that uploads my notes into my laptop so I can search them at work. It's also great to turn on the record feature and have it play back the audio as you put the pen down on certain words. It remembers what was being recorded as you were writing certain things. VERY COOL for meetings!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://www.livescribe.com/images/gallery/main/BigPromoImage_10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 440px; height: 307px;" src="https://www.livescribe.com/images/gallery/main/BigPromoImage_10.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">My New Watch:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkD5QbstlniVGF-YhUK0ulUc2aKxUtBvxJrlxl5lcowEnh4atvywI8tBk8oQKvvCXjNXr1pAQ0hcT-6xdB8dpSopfQJXcfRZ6dUuw1CeMO2pUmB_-5wcYl49WOOe_U-wiEtaY8yclToyL/s1600-h/IMG_2066.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkD5QbstlniVGF-YhUK0ulUc2aKxUtBvxJrlxl5lcowEnh4atvywI8tBk8oQKvvCXjNXr1pAQ0hcT-6xdB8dpSopfQJXcfRZ6dUuw1CeMO2pUmB_-5wcYl49WOOe_U-wiEtaY8yclToyL/s320/IMG_2066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284676165751421490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Vera Wang Purse:<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaI023uEbB9xLR8e_1Uep2_Nt2zEy7B-OhAt3eCzYwEsjopM3wv-K3GKpDDC3SYQximcWf4MLd2vOHEXiLbMwUbMIMZheV63-8CtGuADncObaSgdgCsp1EsGsXrhMhRjbQHtP45H0WzKQ/s1600-h/IMG_2072.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUaI023uEbB9xLR8e_1Uep2_Nt2zEy7B-OhAt3eCzYwEsjopM3wv-K3GKpDDC3SYQximcWf4MLd2vOHEXiLbMwUbMIMZheV63-8CtGuADncObaSgdgCsp1EsGsXrhMhRjbQHtP45H0WzKQ/s320/IMG_2072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284676412232704786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Nifty Platter:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVccfQC7TfUPVZEt8KqXZA7vjqYs9Il5RbC3ed8woRMANggh2jO6U2SEUCqLgRIfUCqTpxY2E8RjrYUa1yGIhdPf-Y7G4JLtrjCBWl0tsQMkXkY1cXUnEqyiTkOXLqFbrlDriHMOyQBhtC/s1600-h/IMG_2067.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVccfQC7TfUPVZEt8KqXZA7vjqYs9Il5RbC3ed8woRMANggh2jO6U2SEUCqLgRIfUCqTpxY2E8RjrYUa1yGIhdPf-Y7G4JLtrjCBWl0tsQMkXkY1cXUnEqyiTkOXLqFbrlDriHMOyQBhtC/s320/IMG_2067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284676412255793330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">It was a great Christmas. Toby & Newton got along well with Molly, Bryan's mom's dog. Well, they got along most of the time. After midnight they turned into little gremlins a</span><span style="font-family:arial;">nd growled at each other a lot. Overall it was very successful. Tomorrow Bryan, Toby, Newton & I will make the trek back to Ohio. Then the real sewing posts will begin.<br /><br />S</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/20000/cat_img/V8548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 148px;" src="http://img.sewingtoday.com/cat/20000/cat_img/V8548.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">ometimes I draft my own designs but my next sewing project will be Vogue 8548</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> in a chic brown mod quilted material I found. Hopefully I'll have it done by the weekend, so I can start on my next project. I have 5 or 6 sewing projects in queue right now!<br /><br /></span>Heather Deehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13042212135516136335noreply@blogger.com0