Vacation here I come!

Well, not really, but I'm READY for a vacation. I know the Weekender Travel Bag by Amy Butler has been reviewed to death, but I just had to add mine to the list.

I ADORE this bag. It was tedious and time consuming work, but well worth all the cursing.

As other reviewers have pointed out, the bag is large but I couldn't get everything I'd need for a weekend into it. It would be perfect to carry essential items on a plane (jammies,meds,change of undies) when you have checked baggage. In a pinch I could get two days clothes in there if the only shoes I brought were the ones on my feet. But we know that's NOT going to happen.



I did make one tiny little mistake. BWAAAAAAA...I knew something was wrong when I was sewing over those darn handles. Oh well, that's what they make rippers for. I highly recommend a surgical steel ripper. Cuts thread like buttah. In a pinch it can be use for self defense. ;)

I added a cool little label. Hubby and I have been known as Mr and Ms Jekyl for years, so I had these lables printed up. Added a contrast border and I think it looks great! And yes, I know the famous Doctor's name had two l's. Here's a shot of the label and a detail of the piping I made from the lining fabric.



Here is the side view to give you some idea of the depth of the bag.

This is the inside pocket I added for shoes. It was hard to get a shot of this once the bag was finished. I simply added width to the top of the pocket panel, added a piece of elastic the width of the finished pocket panel top, sewed a vertical seam for two shoes then sewed the lining as instructed.

My intention was to match the fabric design as much as possible. I managed to do this pretty well on the bag face, but the top was a little more difficult because of the zipper. I didn't read ahead or I would have realized that the seam allowance for the zipper is 1 inch instead of the half inch I calculated for. Thus, my circles at the zipper are squeezed together and slightly off center. Oh well......

I made a cute little cosmetics bag to match the travel bag using the scrap fabrics. I added two pockets on each side with velcro closure for longer items like lipstick, pencils or mascara. The interior can hold other cosmetics.
A few complaints:

1. I would have liked for the pattern to have included the few pieces that you are to measure and cut. When I buy a pattern I want all the pieces included. Even though it was easy enough, I shouldn't have to do any drafting.

2. I had to remove some length from the bottom Peltex pieces as other reviewers mentioned.
3. If you are going to write revised directions, just revise the entire directions instead of including "inserts" that need to be added. For Example:

"In step 6, replace 6A with the revised instructions below." and "Please delete step 4D on the instruction page. Then change the step letters on E, F and G to D, E and F respectively."

It was confusing for my tired little brain. I would think from a technical writing perspective, editing the original instructions would have been far easier than the "delete this, add that, change this word" approach that was used. {shurgs}

Just go through and delete/mark the changes before you begin. Well worth using the updated instructions as it make bag assembly much easier. I didn't break even one needle on this project. ;)
The completed set! I just love this project. No fitting and nothing makes my butt look big.

Zero 8

If you happen to be a fan of barbershop quartet, this performance will delight you. I sang in a women's group (Sweet Adelines) several years ago, so I have a fondness for this style of singing. The reason this group was brought to my attention is that the conductor is the brother of a friend of my sister-in-law. (HA)

The choreography is a little over the top as is common in barbershop quartet so you may want to close your eyes while you listen.

Muslins are your friend

Or....What in the hell was I thinking?

From Burda World of Fashion 04-2009: Plain and simple sheath dress especially for petite ladies, this sleek sheath in Jackie Onassis style is perfect. Why? Because the clean lines flatteringly show off a slim figure.



A what? A slim figure you said? Bwaaaaaaaa I forgot I don't have one anymore! And I shamefully admit that I really do look this bad most days.


This is just wrong on me. In more ways than one. It makes me look 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. I'm so glad I made a muslin, although I lost an entire afternoon tracing it, cutting and sewing up this crap. I really think this design is more suited for someone willowy and tall. Back to the pattern catalog, but first:

Get haircut. Check
See cosmetic surgeon. Check
Lose weight. Check
Exercise. Check

Pretty Lingerie

Here is my project of the last few days. The bra is Kwik Sew 3300. I've had this pattern for a few years but just got around to trying it. It's a pretty good fit right out of the envelope. All of the components don't match exactly (waist elastic is different than leg elastic), but I used items I had on hand to test the pattern. The final products is pretty nice looking if I do say so myself. Does anybody know what causes the bra to sit very low on the rib cage? The underwires sit well below my bust. It's as if there isn't enough room at the bottom of the cups.


This picture shows the back band and how I used a bit of foam cut from an old worn out bra to pad the hook closure. My RTW Calvin Klein bras have this feature and it is most comfortable. It's not the most elegant looking from the inside, but the outside look just fine. I just threw this on after the fact because the hooks were digging into my back. Next time I can incorporate this feature in a more esthetically pleasing way.

The panties were self drafted using instructions from Sewing Lingerie That Fits Let me tell you that they really do fit! Karen Morris tells you how to draft a pair of custom panties that will fit better than anything you can buy in the store. If you have this book give it a try! It might take a test pair or two but the final result is wonderful. As you can see my leg elastic is pretty loose. I don't like the elastic to hug too close to the body. Just enough to keep it in place and not cause unnecessary VPL.



As far as the Valentino inspired suit, I haven't made any progress. Still don't have dye, fabric or pattern. It's been so warm here that it's very hard for me to be enthusiastic about sewing a suit! I intend to work on this throughout the summer, but it may not be completed until closer to fall when I'll actually be able to wear it. Just trying to be realistic as I know how fickle I can be when it comes to planning sewing projects. Sheesh!

Chantilly Lace And A Pretty Face

Ok so it's not chantilly lace. It sure is pretty though. If you look at the Valintino suit I'm thinking of copying you can see that there is a similar feeling to the laces I've ordered. Especially the first one.

I had though that I would piece the two laces to achieve a similar look as the couture suit. I still might do that, but I'll decide that later after I get a decent muslin. I've been working on a muslin of a Vogue jacket pattern that I've had for eons, but it's so NOT working. I found this New Look pattern that I'll pick up over the weekend and begin fresh with the muslin.


As you can see the lace is ivory as is the fashion fabric I'm ordering. I guess I'll need to dye the fabric and lace to avoid looking like I'm having a late in life second wedding. Exactly what color I haven't decided, but I'm a novice so any advice is appreciated. I was thinking Acid dye for the silk and Procion for the rayon laces?

Dharma Trading

Getting similar colors from the two different dyes could be tricky, although the original garment has lace and fabric of slightly different hues. That might be more interesting.




I think I'll move on to a quick project for Saturday and Sunday and start fresh with the jacket muslin next week.

New Addition to my Home

Isn't she sweet? Her name is Maggie and this picture was taken last week on her first day with us. I do belive she has grown quite a bit in just one week. We are working on house breaking her and general dog obedience, but alas she is a pup and these things take time.

For those of you who have had a pup you'll know that they can be a full time job. I've had no time to sew or even think about sewing. Today I'm going to try to get my sewing room cleaned up. Tomorrow I'd like to show you the lace I got for my suit. Beautiful! I've found some tropical weight wool that I'm in love with and I think that's going to be the foundation fabric I use. I may wait until next week to order it as I've exceeded my budget lately with dogs and dog supplies.

The first muslin of the jacket has been completed. Need to make some changes and try again. Until then, I'm off to walk the dog.

The silk blouse has been finished for a while now but I just got around to getting a picture of me actually in it. It's very comfortable to wear and the silk feels wonderful next to my skin, but I think I picked another dud style-wise. Probably not the best choice for a shorty and I think it sort of emphasizes my rapidly disappearing waist. The sleeves fall just at the waist too, which visually thickens my middle. (did you notice I'm standing sideways? Full frontal looks worse. LOL) So, it's done and it's not a wadder. That's about all I have on this one.


Here's what's next:

Valentino Haute Couture - Spring 2009


I'm in lurve with this suit. Some might find it a little matronly, but to me it's just a gorgeous classic. I've ordered some lace that cost a small fortune and now I'm looking for the fabric. Several ladies on PR have suggested a wool/silk blend and I'm still looking for that, but I've got two swatches on the way for consideration One a silk Duchesse Satin and an italian tropical weight wool.

Things I'm thinking about:

1. How am I going to get a jacket that isn't too boxy looking without darts or
seaming. See boxy looking blouse above.

2. Apparently this collar is cut straight and steamed into shape. Can I do that?
Maybe, if my fabric has some wool in it. Not sure about silk though.


3. I'm certain that dyeing fabric or lace is going to be part of this project.
I've dyed junk before but not fabric that cost as much as this lace. Can you
say fear?

4. What kind of closure does this jacket have? So far I'm thinking covered snaps.

5. What fabric should I use to support the lace/silk/wool piecing? Organza?


Any and all ideas or suggestions will be appreciated! Off to work on the muslin jacket.