Pinterest Inspired:

Simplicity 5259 and Butterick 5354

 

I have longed for this outfit since I saw it on the NEW social network- www.pinterest.com I am in love with this site. It’s the new FaceBook in my opinion. I have made both patterns before. I don’t have a photo or review of the skirt because it was before my blogging and Pattern Review days. I think I gave the skirt away. I’ll have to check on that.

View F...the pink one.

The top is found here. This one is in the trash because I already knew I wouldn’t keep it long. It was a ‘muslin’ per se.

The fabric for the top is a polyester jersey knit in cream from Fashion Fabrics and it’s been the stash for a while. The lace is a mystery with equal stretch as the knit and I don’t know where I bought it from.

 

For the skirt, I used a twill. It is a medium weight in celery green, I’d say. I love the feel of it. It was acquired during a swap with my sister-in-law about four or five years ago. I was going to make a jacket from the rest but thought it would be too much of that same color. I like it but I am not in love with it. I found a final resting place for it with my sister, Evoni. She would find something to make of it.

 

Both pieces are very easy to put together.

However, I complicated things with the lace on the top and I was going to line the skirt but then I didn’t have enough lining fabric so that got nixed. It still came out good.

 

I made the skirt in size 16 because that is how big I was when first made it. After fit and cut downs, I think I ended with a size 12. I am a 9/10 in ready to wear. I just had a baby girl, too. So, hopefully, I loose a little more weight. I know will since I am nursing.

I tried to do one of those cute pot shots...LOL

Here’s a better one.

Here is my Pinspiration piece:

Here is my version that I wore to church today:

I used what I had on hand. Nothing purchased. Boots and bag, of course. The color is more like the inspiration not the light turquoise looking color.

Excuse the face, it was sunny.

Message for today (Missionary’s Day): John 4:35 “It’s Harvest Time”

Jewelry - Not a good shot.

I know you may be saying, “Hey, that top doesn’t look like that pattern!” No, it doesn’t. I pinned out the tucks on the pattern then cut the fabric in the finished pin out. I only have lace in the front because that’s all I had enough for.

 

Ok, I admit. This looks nothing like my inspiration. But I like it a lot.

 

Well, that is all for this SOTD (Sass of the day). Yeah, I make up my own.

 

Until later. Peace, ya’ll.

Butterick 5054 Back to School Backpack

     There are several back packs or book bags to choose from. They range in all sizes and prices.

Like this Teton for $15.91    

Or this Tie-dye for $39.15    

Or take this one…     for $89.95.

Awe man, things can get high. I saw a few for a hundred bucks. There is no way I am paying over $20 for a second graders back pack. This is the one my daughter wanted:

This one was on sale for $25.00 from Avon. And since I liked it myself maybe I could spend the extra $5. But, it was sold out. My daughter came up with the bright idea of reminding me that I promised to make her a tote bag and since I haven’t done it yet, how about a book bag instead? (This child really needs to be a government contractor because she can cut some deals!) So, of course I had to succumb to the implied point that I was going to make this book bag or she would not be happy.

Into the stash, and I love my stash. I buy patterns that I might need one day or will sew up eventually. I first ran into this pattern: Butterick 5505

But I quickly changed my mind. I thought it was too grown for her. So, we settled on this one:

   

I cut the pattern out Monday, worked on it almost all day Tuesday and finished it Wednesday. I must say it’s pretty cute.

PATTERN DESCRIPTION: Young adult backpacks and MP3 player covers. I made the backpack E.

PATTERN SIZING: One size. But there is a pattern for a small MP3 player and (an implied) regular or larger sized MP3 player.

DID IT LOOK LIKE THE PHOTO/DRAWING ON THE PATTERN ENVELOPE ONCE YOU WERE DONE SEWING IT? Yes, it actually does.

WHERE THE INSTRUCTIONS EASY TO FOLLOW? Absolutely! Even though there are 45 steps to this bag, they are very easy to understand and if (which is highly unlikely) that you get confused, the photo steps are useful too.

WHAT DID YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE OR DISLIKE ABOUT THE PATTERN? I like that it was just what I needed just when I needed it. (But that was my doing. lol) Really, though it’s a basic book bag pattern that, if tweaked the right way, you can really make it yours. I dislike that it does not include the basic adjustable straps that is found on the usual bags. But like I said – it’s basic. I did use a few hair beads for a bit of decoration. Not from stash but I didn’t have to buy them either.

FABRIC USED: Everything came from the stash. I used an upholstery remnant I got for $1.75 from Hancock Fabrics a while back. There wasn’t a description but I am led to believe it is a type of twill. For the lining, I used a cotton with a slight stretch (because the fashion fabric had a slight stretch too) that was left over from a previous project I had done.

          

PATTERN ALTERATIONS OR ANY DESIGN CHANGES YOU MADE: I didn’t interface the bad as the directions called. (I was low on interfacing and in the process of trying to de-stash. So, I saved my good interfacing for a project I hope to have finished before the end of summer.) I did not add the second covered pocket to other side of the bag. Also, I left off the elastic that goes into the top of the open pocket. (My daughter takes forever to put in and take out her water bottle with those elastic pockets. I am glad it fits way in and actually stays put. And for a personal touch, I embroidered her name on the bag because I am tired of the stick pins, bobby pins, paper clips, staplers, and etc…, the teachers put on the kids bags for ID. I just made their job easier while preventing my daughter from being stuck! SMH.  

                   

WOULD YOU SEW AGAIN? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO OTHERS? Yes, I hope to sew it again, but I know how that goes. It may never get sewn and if it does it will be a while. Yes, I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a basic backpack pattern. But beware of the possibilities and the fact that you will need to do your own adjustable straps.

CONCLUSION: Good back pack pattern. I want to do another view eventually. They are so cute and one can not have too many bags.      

And how about a bag for $4.75?

Fabric: $1.75, Zippers: $3.00, Thread, Beads…all from the stash.

New Love - Re-Usies

So, this is my new found love. I am tired of having to buy new plastics bags for lunches, snacks, baby minister meals. Yes, baby minister meals. I bet you are wondering what I'm talking about. Well, let me explain that part. If you are a member or have ever been to a black Baptist Sunday church service then you know what I am talking about. If not...well, this is when all the singing has been sang, the prayers has been prayed and the monies has all been taken up and counted. Now, it's time for the bread. Yeah, the sermon. The Minister preaches and this may take an hour or more of, sometimes...ok more times than not, of hooplin and hollering and you really may not know what the message is supposed to be about because this is all you here. Now, this is where the Re-Usies come in. Your baby or toddler just refuses to go to sleep from the base in the speakers that are bouncing off the walls. So, you pull out this pack full of Cheerios and start to (almost stuffing) feed the cereal to the child so he or she will shut-up. That is baby minister meal.

Totally washable and dishwasher safe. There is a sandwich bag and the snack pack that is just big enough to hold...get this you calorie freaks...your 100 Calorie snacks. Yes, I said it! You can wash and reuse instead of buying more and more bags and spending more and more money. Also, is a bag I was playing around with is

trimmed in red. It has no closure so I'll keep that one for my sun flower seed hulls. (My sisters have me running my blood pressure through the roof. Not really but I better stop before I do.)  

The sandwich and snack set is for sale. Please visit http://www.scherykasews41.etsy.com/. There will be more to come. Until later...and if more time permits....

Schey

Teacher Appreciation Week 2010

So it is the end of the school year and FUNDS R TIGHT! Not being able to participate in giving the teachers their end of year gifts does not have to suck after all. As long as you can sew, the sky is the limit. This is the list that was provided by the school that was "totally optional".

(Some of the letter has been deleted to keep information - private information.)

To: Parents of Students in Mrs. _________ K Class

From: _____________ (Room Parent)

Hi All - The end of the year is approaching quickly! I hope that this has been a good year for all of you and your children.

As I am sure that you are aware, Staff Appreciation week is May 17-21.

(Details provided in the ______________). Participation is fully voluntary and optional.

Mon - homemade cards / also cafeteria appreciation

Tues – donating classroom supplies *wish list below / also office admin. day

Wed – bring in a single flower to be added to a vase in the classroom / also engineering/plant management day

Thurs – wear your class t-shirt / also related arts day

Fri - Teacher’s special treat day (favorite candy, small gift or gift card) **favorites listed below / also resource/guidance/ instructional coach day

In addition:

* We need 2 volunteers for lunch relief on Monday May 17 and Friday May 21. If those days don't work for you, another day would be great too.

* If anyone would like to send in a vase (or 2) let me know (for Wed., the flower day), please let me know.

End of the Year Teacher gift - If you would like to put in money toward a gift for the teachers let me know. I was thinking that a monogrammed market basket might be a really neat gift for each of them. Any additional money could go into gift certificates for them. Please let me know your thoughts and/or to make arrangements for money collection.

*CLASS SUPPLY Wish List:

Paper (colored copy, white copy, construction); Brads; Staples; Hole punch (4); Green Ball Point Pens (6); Small Paper Plates; Books with tapes; Big Book Dictionary

Mrs. ______________ replied, "I could go on forever...we have no funds coming in..."

**Mrs. _____________ FAVORITES - FOOD: Seafood, bread, cheese, hot tea COLORS: Peach, coral, cinnamon RESTAURANTS: Panara, Cracker Barrel, All Seafood restaurants HOBBIES: Gardening, landscaping, anything outdoors, reading – all books (not too much murder...)

**Mrs. ______________ FAVORITES - FOOD: Greek and Italian, coffee, tea, chocolate, nuts COLORS: Green & aqua RESTAURANTS: Panara, Olive Garden/ Olympian HOBBIES: Gardening, hiking, walking, travel, reading

THANK YOU!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of sewing and being creative. This saves a lot of money. All you who sew for yourselves, you know what I'm saying. We did participate in the homemade cards because luckily I have this kit that is pretty nifty.

I like it a lot. All you need is the card stock paper. I have even used regular paper with it. Just don't rub as hard.

OK, for the supplies list, I sent in a set of 8 dry erase markers that I got for $3.00 a piece. I am doing this for two kids, so that mean I purchased two of them. Nothing else was done. I did, however, make these very special totes for the kids teachers.

The older child is in 5th grade and has one teacher. This was the tote sent to his teacher.

 

Yes, I know the contrast is upside down. But guess what, it was super too late to fix that when I saw it. You see...I was done. When I put the bag up for the picture...ummm why is that upside down? Easy, Schey, you didn't pay attention to detail. Duh.

My kinder kid has 2 teachers. So, I couldn't send in one bag and have them toss for it. Even though it did cross my mind. (snickering). I made two separate totes for her teachers. They look like this. 

                                                                                                               

Pattern Review 2010 Bag Challenge Final Phase

OK! We have all waited for this finale to come. I know I have! From having to sew, resew, rip, rerip, curse, recurse, I think all is well.
This was the first bag I saw and just was not, could not, and did not pay $59.00 for it. I thought oh well, out of site out of mind. Then I saw the Vogue 8642 bag. But I couldn't afford the pattern either and I missed the Hancock sale. Sew, I decided to do what any seamster would do...SEW IT MYSELF! Ha ha.
With no further ado, I present to you my new bag:

Front.

Front.

Back. The color is way off in this shot. It is burgandy not red nor fuscha.

You can read a review I done for this bag on Pattern Review.

Thank you for you time and I hope to see you again for the next project.

Bag Challenge Phase 1

Bag Challenge Phase 2

Bag Challenge Phase 3

Schey

Pattern Review 2010 Bag Challenge Phase 3

I have had a hiatus from sewing because of classes (Healthcare Management), colds, camera needed batteries, needed to find some more chain... you name it, I had it, needed it, or was short of it. Anyhow, here is another phase of this gorgeous bag construction.

This shows the chain put on the hardware that was sought and bought from a bag from the Goodwill.

It was mandatory to have some sort of organization. Sew, I remember seeing this organization strip commercial and decided to knock it too. I muxt admit, I could have done a bit better, but with time restraints and other things that was not feasable. But this strip measured 24" by 4" before construction .

I serged the longer ends and folded down 1" from the top...pinned....

Then I turned the bottom portion into the top portion...pinnd and then sewed a 3/8 seam allowance. On both sides, people.

Next, I made little sections of varying sizes to accomodate my needy things. There is a space big enough for a few cards and my DL. A space for a couple of pens, a tube of lipsyick, ...

A pack of napkins, a tube of hand lotion or cream...

This is the org strip turned with the items on the inside...

Now the items are turned with the items on the outside.

A view with the org strip inside the bag.

Well, you are going to have to read the next blog to see the Standing Ovation for the knocked off

bag that I sew fell in love with.

Bag Challenge Phase 1

Bag Challenge Phase 2

Bag Challenge Final Phase

Until later,

Schey