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.

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

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

A Couple of Stash Starts

Sitting back wondering what might be a few things I want to start on for the Style Your Stash Sew A Long and I came up with two items that need to be done soon. McCall’s 6700 is for my son’s high school graduation ceremony in a poly blend knit that’s been in the stash since forever ago. I know why I’ve never cut into it. I wanted that perfect pattern that would make great use of the design. What better way than a maxi that is labeled one the Fashion Star patterns? It has yielded some very delightful results for those who have sewn it before me.

This one would HAVE to be finished by the 5th. That’s G-Day! Yay! Oh, and by the way, he’s chosen the great USC Gamecocks as his college home for the fall!

I am a Roll Tide fan, but since my son has chosen USC, I can adapt and overcome! But my attire would still be Red, Black, and White! Hey, win win!

My choice second in line is McCall’s 6653 so that I can finish my Pinterest Inspired look. It will be my outfit to my husband’s graduation. Yeap, I have two graduates at once. Yay. winning!

I can’t seem to get a better shot. The color is actually very close to the color on the model. I’ll be doing view A.

Both fabrics and patterns are stash so, I’m really stash busting, huh?

A couple of other ideas I want to sew up are:

Vogue 8711 and

Butterick 5884. I just can’t choose which fabric to use. Both fabric is airy and flows just right for this pattern. I am leaning more towards the blue. I am just wondering how would the stripes actually turn out since the pattern does says *not suitable for obvious diagonals*. I believe I would have to place a few pieces in order for the stripes to stay horizontal. I don’t know, but maybe I’ll find out soon enough. What do you all think?

Scheryka

2013 Style Your Stash Sew A Long

     I am happy to be a part of a group of sewists who are willing to sew up some the stash. It's the 2013 Style the Stash Sew A Long. For me, that mean I have some work ahead of me. I took the time to take some pictures of my stash. Oh my goodness, I got faint at heart trying to maneuver things around just to get to boxes, stacks, and bins. I knew I had a stash, but really? Really, Scheryka?
     I wish I could keep my stash organized, but as much as I go rummaging through it to find several pieces for several planned patterns and never get around to sewing them, then putting them back, but never back to their respective places...that'll never happen. At least not in the near future.
  
       Here are two 35 Gals totes                          A 35- and 30- Gal                   Two 15- Gals


They are in no organized manner, just folded or rolled and put into the buckets. I'll be glad when I can get a real (read: dedicated) sewing room so that I can hang my sewing room fabric at the windows. I bought it about three, could be four, years ago from one of my favorite online shops.

 

Five medium fabric shipping boxes of mixed medium:

 

                                                 

The upper left is a box of fleece and boucle.

Several pieces of fleece and a couple of packaged fleece.


Some pieces I laid on the table
                                                                       and a stack in a chair.

About two years ago our deep freezer that we had for eons of years went dead on us. Before my husband could toss it to the land field I already had plans for it!

Hey, I saved the land field of this big eye sore of scrap and gas from taking it there. There is NO telling what's in here. Anything from children prints to winter fabric for me, lace and pleather too.

Last but not least because I am just about sure I have fabric stashed in other places that I've forgotten about, what's on the floor in the dining room because I was churning out ideas to be sewn and the floor has become their temporary resting place.

 

Until, the next post, Smooches and Be Blessed beyond capacity!

Scheryka

 

Horrible Results–B5608

This top has been made for some time now and worn but I just didn’t feel all that thrilled to review it. I said I would when I saw Claverie post her review. So, here it is:
Pattern Description:
From the website back of pattern: MISSES' TOP: Pullover, hip length tops A, B, C, D. A, B: over-the-shoulder bias cut drape is stitched in front and back darts. B: elasticized at lower edge. C, D: pleated at front neckline, darted in back, with or without gathered cap sleeves. I am reviewing version A.

Pattern Sizing:
The size cominations are: Combinations: BB(8-10-12-14), FF(16-18-20-22) Mine is cut on the 10 but I meant to cut the 12.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes... it did. But not on me. Not even on Aloe. But it can be a decent top once modified.
    

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The arm hole and facing part were NOT easy. The pictures were half helpful but when I referenced them to the written instructions I made myself even more confused! What I did was pinned it the way it was supposed to look then sewed it in bits and pieces from there.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the neck line of this top. Now that I am done with it I still like the lines but it just doesn't work. The confusing construction of the facing slash bodice slash shoulders slash etc...

Fabric Used:
I used a polyester knit with "wicking capabilities". I believe my fabric choice and the fact that I cut a size smaller are the contributing factors to my discontentment with this pattern - which is why I will yield the right to redo it and just pass this one to my Mom.
   
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I added... I believe, 2 or 3 inches to the hem. I made the hem 1 inch too.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I plan to sew it again to make right my sizing and fabric mistakes. I recommend it only if you make mind that a tight knit may NOT be your best choice.

Conclusion:                                                                                      I think the color is the only thing going for this top. I wore the top several times to see if I can get used to it. I did to a point but realized I could not go on being this unhappy. I'm passing it along....
So, therefore you will only see one photo of me in it. I took several and they were all ill-fitted. I was trying to get used to it. That never happened.
Before leaving for Chili’s:
Note where the bust are and where the point stops. Yes, I really need to do the 12...or a good bra!
One more picture - after Chili’s.
Until later, Schey.

The Sewing Hut

I have been trying to get my sewing area together for a while now. Every time I try, there’s always something that gets in the way.

The Georgia Aquarium came at one point.

There was a snowstorm. We had LOTS of fun!

We put up our front porch, too.

Beautiful weather came along and I wanted to enjoy that – NOT CLEAN!

But, I finally tackled the sewing hut. You see why it’s called the hut.

Yeap, the hut. with everything pulled out except a few items that had nothing to do with sewing and the fabric stand you saw in the first picture.

The boys got new bed sets and did not need their old dressers, so I acquired this one. It’s my new pattern desk/file. Whatever you want to call it. 

Can you see the sewing table below? Along with my roll-away caddy that holds miscellaneous items.

I started pulling everything out so I could see where I was going with thing.

Trying to break down and see how much fabric do I really own!? So far, I counted 10 Avon boxes full, 9 boxes from online orders, 9 buckets of various sizes (The turquoise is one of two of the bigger buckets.)

By now, it was starting to get dark and time to finish dinner. So I had to stuff things back inside that were not sorted. I have some of the fabric bins and boxes inside. The dresser now holds my ‘to-do’ or ‘you’re next’ projects. The shelf above it holds fleece, flannel, and sewing books.  

Everything else stuffed back in for tomorrow.

Until tomorrow, Schey.