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Schey Fleming D.I.Y. Style & Fashion



http://scherykafleming.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Smooches and Smoothies!

Scheryka

Out With The Old ~ In With The New

          Hi, everyone, all of my Kool Aid drinkers! It's been a while since I have been able to blog about anything. I have a second full-time job now. My first job? Raising my kids. My second? Well, I'm a full-time medical professional where the team I work with provides medical care for a special population that has been such a pandemic across the nation. I love helping the homeless and sheltered receive health care that they would not be able to afford in their current situation.

          Along with raising the kiddos and fearlessly providing healthcare for the homeless, and a whole lot of other issues that are a story in themselves, I'm trying to recover from a car accident. I was hit from behind at a stand still. All I could hear were the tires of a car trying hard to stop. Without knowing I would be the recipient of the impact. I was pushed into the car that was in front of me. Like I've told everyone, I'll tell you, my sewing groupies, Jesus was standing at the point of impact and He absorbed the hit for me. Not only was it me in the car, but my five-year-old and one-year-old. They were not hurt what. so. ever. That is what truly mattered to me. My children being ok. Me - on the other hand, I thought I was fine, that is, until the next morning when I awoke to a sore neck. So, yeah, I had some damage done that I am recuperating from.
         
          Now, don't get me wrong, I have been sewing, but not nearly as much as I would like to. Let alone being able to blog about my journey. I am in the process of stepping up my skills and trying to perfect my finished garments. I am also going to do (try) some new things (to me), maybe not to some of you all. Since I know that there is no way possible for me to get an item from it's flat fabric stage to its wearable garment stage as fast as I'd like, I'll goal myself to at least an item every week or two.
        
          The purpose of this post is to close out this portion of my blogging and moving to better things. One area I do need to work on is bust and butt adjustments. So, let's hit girls! And guys, if you're out there.

Smooches and Smoothies.

Scheryka

Vogue 8576

Devine details? Well that’s what Vogue think of this pattern. I did, too, when I first bought it. I was drawn to the triangular shapes and the cap sleeves, and those two little points at the front neckline.

This pattern has 30 pieces TIMES 2. Well, I’ll be honest. I didn’t line mine so it’s just 30 pieces. And I don’t even know if the skirt portion is lined. I wanted to dive in this project and jump right back out because I really just wasn’t ready to tackle a pattern with so many pieces.

The pattern calls for a zipper and it’s been omitted because I used a knit and since my serger is still broken and I can’t really sew my knits like I want to.

I cut the cute little points off because I didn’t line the dress, therefore I didn’t interface that part because I didn’t want it to be just hanging in the inside. I made the hem line a slight hi-lo. I really liked it too.

Honestly, I lost interest in this dress when I couldn’t get the goddets to set right in the skirt. I wasn’t going to waste my fabric and time cutting for nothing. So, this wadder will be an errand-to-the-store-dress-because-I-need-to-buy-cleaning-supplies-for-the-house.. And then I might just clean the house in it.

Here are the photos I have taken so far:

                                    

                                            

Horrific Goddet! Ironing won’t even begin to set it better! Yuk! Just Ugh!

Sadly, I will finish the neckline, sleeve hem and call it a wrap. Maybe I’ll sleep in it. I have no plans to sew this one again. That’s what happens when you dive in and jump out. Sorry.

Until later.

I cheated

It doesn’t matter cheating is cheating. Yes, I cheated. I bought fabric. I bought patterns. And I was not suppose to. But it feels so good. It wasn’t much but it felt so good.

Four fabrics:

This one is going to be an infinity scarf for the 4 going on 5 year old. It will be just in time for her 5th birthday. She’s one that no matter what Momma makes, she likes it and actually wears it. So, I don’t mind making items for her.

When I saw this fabric I immediately thought of Erica Bunker's Chain Print Dress. I bought it and when I got home I looked up the dress. Her fabric is blue and the print is more dense. Mine is black with less of a print. I would love to make a Spring dress with it but I am also thinking of a blouse maybe. What do you think?

Third, I didn’t even know this fabric had a stretch to it until I got home. I was immediately drawn to the Black and White and then the flowers. I must like this combination because it’s kind of a repeat of this outfit that I made in 2013. It’s a poly of some sorts with mild stretch.

Last, this choice was chosen by Ann, the nine year old. She had to have this fabric and she had to have it made up into yoga pants. So, of course she had to choose her pattern too, S2484. Lucky that they were on sale for $1.99.

The other patterns are:

   

  M6839

and   M6902. There are a few lot more I want to purchase. But I’ll have to wait until the next sale at the local Hancock or Joanne’s. But for now. I’ll try and work these down.

2014 Happy New Year!

 

 

 

     2014 is going to be a great year! I claim this in Jesus' name! The last two years of my life has been much chaos, disappointment after disappointment. I have been in such a place where I didn't know if I was coming or going. I have had my ups and a even more downs. I've been in a place where I had to make tough decisions and most depended on life or death. Some were good. Most turned out to be bad. All this started June of 2012. I found myself in a world wind of confusion and a discombobulated life. If you weren't part of my 'inner circle', of which I keep very small, you wouldn't have known the wiser. I cried almost everyday. Every night. Trying to hide it from my children who didn't need to be involved in things. Sadly, though, they were. I was talked about by a person who hurt me to the core of my being. My name was slandered by this said person. I was treated like the scum of the Earth by this very said person. I went from having a paid-up home, a ride that was just what I needed, a marriage, a life that was not perfect but was livable and I enjoyed it. I was put into a position where I had to finally stand up, dry my tears, hold my head up, and move on. I am not totally there but mentally, I am much better. I am thinking clearer. I am living more for God (and I thought I was before? Honey, I ain't seen nothing yet!). I am FAR from perfect but I can only work to being better. In a previous post I mentioned I landed a job, the start of my career (I know it), and that is just the tip of the ice berg. This was in November 2013. Today is January 1, 2014 and it will only get better from here!

    

Happy New Year 2014!

 

     Since starting my job, my sewing time had dwindled. I miss sewing so much! I do have a few projects that were left to parish. However, I have gotten into the swing of things and found to make time between times. I am currently working on V8576:

in a deep green knit already being put together.

NL6035:

in a gray suiting left over from a pair of trousers made earlier in 2013. This one was left with the fabric cut out.  

M6076:

in a chambray-like fabric. I love this

and S2508:

in white corduroy. I have yet to decide on the lining. I want to use a stretch sateen because my fashion fabric is stretch corduroy. I hope to finish it well before the spring! So I'd better get to it, huh?

 

     Sew, let the 'good times role'!

Smooches, peeps!

Zebra Stripes for Santa Baby

     I haven’t sewn in over a month and how do I start back? I sew a Christmas stocking for the baby of the house. I got tired of looking for something different only to find the same old unexcited basic flat - just let me get to the point - ugly - Christmas stockings! So, what’s a sewist to do? What she should have done in the first instance. Sew It! So, I did. And this is what turned out.

I love it! And as Zyan gets older, I am sure she will too.

I simply traced one of the other kids stockings, added seam allowance, and sew. Quick and easy. Only 15 minutes to sew up. Even longer to clean the mess because (lesson learned) I didn’t mark and sew from the back of this furry animal. Just a little of the mess?

Here it is before it was stuffed with goodies for Christmas.

That is all. I want to squeeze some sew time in. Before the laid back days are all to gone and then back to the 9 to 5. Hopefully I’ll churn something out before the 31st.

Until later. Smooches and smoothies for all!

~~~Scheryka

Vested Suit with S3911

     A VERY LATE POST. SEWN AND WRITTEN THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER.

     I made this skirt a while ago and never reviewed it. It’s just a skirt with no bells nor whistles. What I do like is the wide contoured waistband.

     The vest is almost made up in this shot. I just wanted to show the skirt. It has a front split and a side zipper.

     I cut the vest in the 16 because that is what’s been cut since I bought the pattern. I never made it up. So I cut the fabric out in the 16, forgetting to grade down. The 14 would have been better.

     I made the view without the collar. I left the lining out and instead used biased binding for the edges and hems. Everything else was left as is.

    

     I have some meaningless photos because I was playing with the camera on my phone. Oh well, they all came out the same. Nothing spectacular. At least I know what I want for Christmas this year. (sneaky grin) So, here are two more meaningless photos.

                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     A photo of the side splits:

     A pocket:

     I don’t know the fabric content as usual. It was stash. But it could pass for a twill, kind of denim -ish if you may. I actually started to make a pair of pants out of it but decided I wanted a skirt and then made a vest out of the rest.

The next few are just photos if worn with a sapphire blue blouse. I love this color and wish I can find some denim in this color for a pair of jeans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Another 1 and 1/4  yards to add to the 2013 Style Your Stash. Smooches Readers! Stay focused!

~~~ Scheryka~~~

Multiflexibility Skirt

Skirt in question?

Simplicity 2344 with Khaliah Ali.

First off - PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SEAMS - ask me how I know this.

     Second piece to add to the wardrobe for the new career move. I made the skirt E in size 14. According to the corresponding measurements, I should have made the 16 with the 30 inch waist. HOWEVER, even with making the 14 it was too big. I took in 1/4 inch on each side seam. I don’t know what’s up with all that. It’s still a tad loose than what I’d like it to be.

     I used a stretch fabric. It feels like it want to be a sateen but then again it doesn’t. Maybe a stretch broadcloth. Yeah that’s what it feels like. But not the thin cheesy kind. It’s quite substantial. It was in the stash for a while because I didn’t know what I wanted to sew with it. I love the color and the print and wish I could find more of it. The pattern is only two pieces and uses twill tape for the waist facing. I used a metallic -ish ribbon that is the color of the ‘tan’ in the skirt and top. It’s from the stash too.

 

     The skirt has a left-knee side slit and the zipper is on the left-side seam. How in the world did I get my zipper on the left-side slit seam is beyond me AND get this. The skirt fits so much better turned around back wards. So what do I end up with? My slit ends up on the back-right area right along with my zipper. Oh, well. I like it. And guess what? I am going to make a black one just. like. it. Ok Maybe the zip and slit will be on the left-back though. All grins here.

     That’s all for this one. I guess I need to stop and take the time to do a more thorough review because by the time I get to the posting I am so ready to move to the next sewing project and I’ve probably forgotten what I need to type up.

     I used 1 and a 1/4 yard of the fashion fabric and I’ll that to the 2013 Style the Stash over here with the other stash busters.

Until the next post,

~~~ Scheryka ~~~

Breaking the Ice with Just a Small Roar

     This top really doesn’t need a post dedicated to it because it is so simple. I only made it because I’ve wanted a leopard print top like this for a while and just never took the little time to make it up. But there’s a time for everything and I guess now was the time for the top.

    

     I used only one yard of fabric. It’s a leopard print woven with a tad bit of stretch from the stash. It’s very confortable. I made the 14 based on my bust measurements.

     I used a short length of lingerie, or panty elastic, at the gathered part mid-bust just to see what works. It does and it yields a bit of give when putting the top over my big ole head.

     I used two small folds to finish the neckline. I used some Wright’s lace for the armhole and bottom hem. I love this stuff. It just might become a staple in place of facings and fabric bias in future garments. It was in the stash so I decided to use it.

     Here it is on Aloe. She’s such a good lady.

                        

Excuse the wrinkles. I’m in no mood to ironing for photos.

     There’s nothing really to brag about with this top. It’s a top that I’ve put off for a while and don’t really know why. It’s a wild thing print. It can be changed with many items in the wardrobe which makes it a staple and very versatile. I plan on wearing it with burgundy, orange, etc....

Until later,

Scheryka

You Have Not Because You Ask Not

*****This post is not about sewing. It is about something near and dear to me right now. Just a story of what I feel I need to share. I pray it helps someone to keep their head in the game and don’t give up.*****

     There were many different "things I wanted to be when I grew up" but I have always had the passion to work in the medical field. When I was young, it didn't matter where as long as it was medical. Within the last 10 years, it still didn’t matter as long as I was helping to make a difference in other’s health.

     Fast forward to 2006- mid 2008. I decided to go back to school to get some education under my belt. No joke and I am a jokester at times. My career advisor asked me why did I want to become a Medical Assistant. My reply: “Because I want to wear scrubs. I think they are cool.” No joke. I said that. I graduated with my AAS in Medical Assisting and landed my first job as a Medical Assistant with the pediatric facility I'd completed my intern. I worked there for a year before another twist in life came along. Right before I returned back to the Upstate, SC, in November 2008, I had decided to pursue my career for Healthcare Management. In order to do that I had to have the education. I enrolled in Excelsior University, later I’d transferred to Park University, so that I can obtain my BS in Healthcare Management.

     Well into classes I found out that most positions would require me to also have my RN to work as a case manager. Oh, no! I was not going to start over. Not again. Not me! Hmph with a lot of attitude. I entertained the thought of getting my RN. I quickly washed away to the back of my mind because , frankly, I was NOT going to do any more schooling than I’d already done. I mean really, even though I’d had my VA benefits, I still had college loans to be repaid. And soon. I’d done some research on positions that did not require me to obtain or already have my RN. That journey was unsuccessful.

     Still going to college working towards my BS, I’d put in for several other positions. I mean literally - HUNDREDS - of jobs. Some I knew dag on well I didn’t qualify for. I put in for jobs in other states; even in other countries! Let’s see here. I put in at all three local hospital systems in Greenville. From Account Specialist to Patient Transporter to Environmental Services. I’d put in with public school system. I thought since I had worked for them previously, it’ll be easy peasy to get back in the system. NOT! I’d put in for Cafeteria Worker (which I am more than well qualified to work). I put in for After School Worker, Office Personnel, ISS Aide (the position I held when working with them previously), Special Education Aide: I even put in to be a custodian.

     The DMV. Just about every temp agency. Non-profit organizations. The local newspaper, work at home gigs, community and technical colleges, daycares, WalMart, Bi-Lo, Fed Ex, car dealerships and the list could go on on and on. I’d have interviews but landed no job. I even tried finding acting jobs. No joke.

     I started to entertain the fact that I wanted a job where I could wear some really cute clothes like a skirt and nice top and a pair of sick boots. Or maybe jeans on Friday with a dress blouse and wedges. A job where I had meetings with the big dogs or I was a big dog. I had made scrubs for my scrub love and now I had started planning my dressy; casual dress; dress down position I had mentally charged in my head.

     One day I told God what I wanted. It wasn’t clearly thought out or written down; it sord of just rolled off my tongue and out of my mouth. I was like, “Lord, you know I have a passion to help people.” I believe my passion for it grew stronger when sickness and ailments hit close to home. My own family. My Dad was alcoholic. How could he be helped? My Mom has high blood pressure. How can she manage this and still not have to donate her heart to help pay for it? Still even closer - I and my three younger sisters suffer from bad headaches and migraines. If that doesn’t do it, then my husband has epilepsy and sarcoidosis. My oldest son suffered from asthma when he was younger. My youngest son also have epilepsy and a heart murmur. My oldest daughter has an irregular-regular heart beat. The middle daughter has nothing but a case of being a kid. Thank goodness for that. The baby has a list of things that right now I care not to name.

     I told God, I was unsure. I knew I was unsure but I let him know the desires of my heart. I wanted to be in the medical field. I wanted to be able to help those who maybe didn’t have the monetary means to help themselves. I wanted to help the homeless. The poverished. I wanted to be able to make decisions on who to call for what situation. I wanted to help someone manage their failed attempts a weight loss. I wanted to be able to help the young pregnant mother find resources to help her and unborn baby flourish. I wanted to be able to help the man I see coming from under the interstate bridge asking for money, food, or a job obtain healthcare and place to live. I wanted to be able to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in another person’s life. Oh, yeah, I wanted to have the option to wear my scrubs if I felt like it or my business office attire. If I felt like it.

     Let me tell you. When God has His hands on your life it’s no, NO, stopping you! I went to the Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day affair that is nationally known. I actually took my husband there so that he can have his prostate screening done. It was free so why not? I was supposed to get my breast exam done but I spent my time networking for a job instead and by the time I went they were closed.

     Anyhow, I went to just about every station looking at the literature and getting information from car seat safety to weight loss to abuse. And at every station I asked the representative, “Do you know if your company is hiring?” Every single one gave me the website and possibly a name that I could speak to about landing a job. The very fist station was with New Horizon Family Health Services. A federally sponsored medical center that has grown to become almost, almost, as effective as the local hospitals. This was the only company I simply emailed my resume to. The others, I’d made a profile and log in information, filled an application, and left my resume to be thrown in the field of technology to no longer be heard of again. 

     Glory behold, it wasn’t a week when my cell phone rang and a lady named Grace asked to speak to me. It was concerning my resume that was submitted. Ok, now before she actually told me the company, my mind automatically went into over drive trying to figure out Which. Company. This. Could. Be. because I promise just about every company in the Greenville and the surrounding area had a copy. Grace told me she was with New Horizon and she wanted me to meet with a head nurse for the facility. Sure. No problem. Just tell me when and where and I’m there.

     We met. She’d given me the spill about the company’s history. She asked the infamous interview question, “So, tell me about yourself.” As long as I have known, since high school that is, this is my time to shine! My time to show and make the interviewer believe why I will be the right person for this position. I did a good job. And my known strategy has been for every interview I’ve been on was to refer to the position as if I already have it. Now granted, it has worked but not with all employers.

     I thought I’d went in there for a Medical Assistant position at their Greenville location. Somewhere the conversation changed to me possibly working in Greer office since I live closer to that location. The interviewer started talking to me like I has already gotten the “You’re hired” statement. Or “Welcome aboard!” She told me my position would be like a traveling Medical Assistant servicing the 13 counties of the upstate where I would possibly also double as a driver. That’s a plus because being a traveling nurse was once a thought I’d fancied. Although I didn’t want to actually do the driving. But since I’d had experience moving military vehicles that was another asset. She recommended me to have a second interview with the program manager at the second location.

     I got a call a few days later from human resources saying that I am to have a phone interview with the program manager. I waited anxiously until d-day. The call was 40 minutes long. Within this phone call I went from being interviewed as a traveling medical assistant to actually being interviewed for a Medical Support Assistant. Ok! Now what exactly am I supposed to be hired as again? Lol

     A week later, I’d gotten a call saying that the Program Manager wanted to meet face to face before I actually started to work. I’d got to get the quick start run down of the job description, meet the rest of the staff, and tour the facility and the mobile unit. I was shown where my office (which I’d be sharing with another person) would be and my desk with it’s manuals and forms that are necessary in order to complete my tasks. I’ve never had an office before. Whow! I mean seriously, my longest job I’ve held was raising kids and next to that was being a enlisted soldier in the military. Who have you known to have their own office in these two fields?

     Again, I’d gotten yet another job title. This time it was Referral Coordinator that will still do the jobs of the two previously mentioned job titles. Ok, this is starting to sound like I will be the gopher of the facility. Am I to work front or back office? Drive or sit? What in the hell am I supposed to be doing? Lol

     So, before I left I found out that in a nutshell my job title is Case Manager. I will be working in the front administration and back clinical office. I will be a back up driver to a regular driver they are in the process of interviewing. I will be the Referral Coordinator. I can wear scrubs if I choose. Or I can wear business casual if I prefer. What in the world did I just get myself into?

     JUST. WHAT. ASKED. GOD. FOR! I am about to walk into my dream career! God had opened the doors that NO MAN can close. In 20/20 hind site, he has closed doors that no man can open! I am going to walk into my blessing and I thank God for being God alone! When He shifts your atmosphere don’t be afraid to go there. Even though it may not be exactly what you want or asked for it to be, if it’s God’s Will you will be more than exceedingly blessed to be in the position He has authored for you to be.

     In the past two years things got so rough there were times when I wanted to give in and give up. But my faith in God and the faces of my five kids wouldn’t let me. When I tell you I wanted to lay down a just die, it is the truth. But I held out and held on. And God came, not when I wanted him too, but right on time.

     In the words of many gospel song artists, “Speak into the atmosphere” and when God start “shifting the atmosphere” in your favor “Go get your blessing” because “What God has for you it is for you.”

     So, now I have to put my other talent to into overdrive because I need a few trousers and blouses for the office and I would love to have some chic new scrubs to wear when ever I chose to wear on what day I choose to wear it.

To God be the Glory!

~Scheryka

Baby Blue Pique....

...’pearls’ and flowers. I had 2 yards of this baby blue pique in the stash for a while. It was originally meant to be a sheath dress for myself but I never got around to making it. It was claimed by Ann for a top that she’s wanted for about a year now. So I made her the top and she was able to model and wear it tonight.

McCall’s 4554 Easy Endless options OOP

I made View C but it’s not shown on the envelope front. This could easily be a go to top for Ann. It can be dolled up or down. The model on the envelope is wearing her top with vertical ruffles down the front and versions A and D are plain. I added some crocheted roses to the front of Ann’s top with some ‘pearls’ to simulate a pinned brooch and necklace.

Cut in the envelope size 10 for fit and 12 for length. It fits pretty well, being that I made it in a woven fabric instead of stretch like the patterns calls for.

There was no need to read the instructions since it’s just a basic top. Since my serger is still sick, I zigzagged the ends, done a small double turn at the neckline and a wider, probably and inch, at the bottom and sleeve hems.

The back is nice and simple. It’s a blank canvas to do what you want to it.

                                 

This is how she plans to wear her new shirt to school in the morning. I love Oxford shoes!

I also made the pants in the pattern but of another fabric and that’s going to be a post all in itself. And let’s just say there was a lesson to be learned by the rising sewist.

Until later. Be wonderfully blessed!

~~Scheryka and Ann

                                  

Disney’s Hannah Montana Simplicity 2380

SOCKS!

This is one of the easiest patterns that I have sewn for the Ann. Nii put her request in already. Unfortunately it’s starting to get cold so I need to change gears. If it wasn’t a shame I’d make a whole slew of them but there are so many other patterns that I have in the stash and I really want to get to them at least once. I won’t put this one up just yet because my oldest wants a few for the next school season, too. She also wants the bolero which I may make for this beautiful fall weather.

It’s a girls’ jumpsuit that is in short and pant length. There is also a dress version and a bolero as a topper. It comes in sizes 7 to 16. I cut the 10. The fabric is from the stash, it’s a pindot shirting in royal and white and a red plaid shirting, both from Fabric.com.

The only thing I’d done differently was left off the tie string and put only the elastic waist. For some reason my girls tend to sit on the strings and tear them off. So why put them on, right?

The pattern comes with patch pockets. I would add in-seam pockets for Ann next time and keep the patch pockets for Nii.

It’s a good pattern to teach beginners with as well. Nothing hard. Just some basics that’ll be used in future projects. It’s also great because there are no zippers nor button holes. View C, however, does call for three buttons. They’re only for decoration, though.

Silly Shots

SOCKS!

I made the outfit and review in July but am just now getting around being able to post it. It is also part of the 2013 Style the Stash Sew a Long.

Until next time, Smooches!

~~~Scheryka