Maxi Dress

I thought Mimi’s maxi dress was so cute! So I was especially excited when she posted a tutorial video of how to make one. This was my first project I made without a pattern, but it was surprisingly easy! Mimi’s directions were very easy to follow and pretty mistake-proof as well. My boyfriend found it pretty entertaining that I was pausing the video and going back and forth between my machine and the computer LOL! I made wider straps since most of my bras have wider straps for better support. Also, instead of using braided elastic, I used elastic thread which was soooo much easier for me. I could not get the braided elastic to work with me to save my life! I was so frustrated because I put holes in the fabric from doing the braided elastic over and over again. The first dress which was my “muslin”, fits perfect in the bust but was a little too big in the back and waist. After making a few adjustments, I made the pink one but forgot about the seam allowances! Which brings to advice #1: If you are tired, stop sewing or you can make a mistake. LOL! I got the fabric from G Street Fabrics at the $2.97/yd clearance table a few months ago. They had so many colors! By the way, they’re moving to a bigger location in Rockville. I can’t wait to wear my maxi dress! Thanks Mimi!

It's been a long time!

Hey Guys!!! I’ve been MIA for a while now and it’s been crazy these past few months but that’s for another blog ;-). Even though I haven’t done much sewing activity on my end, I still follow all of you talented bloggers on a regular basis. I realised that I love DIY stuff no matter what it is. So, I decided to dedicate the next few posts to a few of my favorite bloggers that have given advice, recipes,and tutorials over the past few months. DISCLAIMER: Please excuse the bad pics!

Ok, so I’ve been wanting a new sewing machine for a long time now. After searching extensively, I was tossed up between the Singer 7466 or the Brother CS6000I. I really wanted the Brother, because I currently own one but I’ve heard great reviews about Singer. Erica B. had a great post about sewing machines for beginners and lo and behold the machine I wanted was there!

Out with the old!

In with new!

I absolutely love my machine! It comes with everything and it's so quiet. I know my neighbors appreciate that because I usually sew at night. I highly recommend this machine!

Kreativ Blogger Award **GASP**

Wow! I was so shocked when I checked the comments that I was nominated by Aminat for the Kreativ Blogger Award. I'm truly at a lost for words. All of you ladies have been so nice by welcoming me in your circle. I wanna grow up to be just like you guys! :-)Thank you so much! I must say that there are a lot of blogs that I view daily that are truly inspiring.

The rules of accepting this award are:

1. Copy the award to your site.

2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.

4. Link to those on your blog.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.

I'm sure that the bloggers I'm listing have been nominated hundreds of times but they are well deserving.

http://adrienneslittleworld.typepad.com/

http://www.ericabunker.com/

http://myraida.blogspot.com/

http://missceliespants.wordpress.com/

http://www.thatssewlive.com/

http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/

http://kims-kouture.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Aminat!

Crocheting while sick

Hey Guys! I have not been feeling well lately and been getting only 4-5 hours of sleep a night for about several months now. It's starting to get to me now because I've been basically staying in the house on my off days to try to catch up on sleep. If I'm tired, I don't wanna sew and since I'm always tired, it feels like I'm never gonna finish this coat. Have you guys ever been in a sewing rut or started a garment and felt like it took FOREVER to finish?

Since I got my new computer, I've been catching up on my favorite bloggers and crafty websites and came across a cute crochet hat on Threadbanger. I use to crochet a looooong time ago when I was about 8 or 9 but I've completely forgot. So I figured now is good time to start learning again since I can create something out of my insomnia instead of watching infomercials and reruns all night. So I bought a learn-how-to-crochet book and got started! I decided on this regatta rolled brim hat that is basically a "sc" stitch all around. I had to do a chain of 78 stitches because my head is so big! LOL!! Initially, I thought "78 stitches can't be right" because I only knew one way to make a hat which was starting from the top. So, I took it upon myself to dismiss the beginning of the directions and start a chain of 10. Well 4 hours later, I realized that my hat was looking like ReRun's from Whats Happening! So I had to take it loose! I was so pissed at myself. Luckily, I only used a half a skein of yarn for this project. ***Paging all knitters*** If you guys could recommend some good crochet reference books, I would surely appreciate it. :-)

The book is titled Chicks with Sticks How to Crochet

It was difficult for me to find the next chain because the yarn was so thick. I can't even tell where there are errors.

I would definitely make this hat again in a solid color. With some more practice, I think it can look just like the illustration.

Winter Coat Update

Hope everyone had a Happy Holiday!! I know, I know.....I've been gone for a while, but I've made a little progress on my coat. I finally had to bury my old computer that was 5 years old. It got to the point where I couldn't even work from home because it was so slow!! We had our good times and bad times. I just got my new computer last week and still trying to get comfortable with it (Windows Vista). I'm excited again since I can post on my blog. Although my computer was out, I was still able to view all of my fellow bloggers and their creations from work. Thank you guys for leaving words of encouragement on my blog while I was out of commission. Also, I'm looking for a new template for my blog so if you guys know of any free template websites, please let me know. Now, back to the coat.

I've completed the shell of the coat, but still working on the lining. So far, I'm not loving it, but maybe after the lining is in, buttons are on, and a good pressing, I'll feel better about this piece. I welcome all suggestions and constructive criticism for this coat. Ok, so here goes........

Excuse the strings and the crookedness(?). I tried to pin the coat closed so you guys can get an idea.

I loved the standup collar in the version I'm making but I think it's too high. When I tried it on, it reminds me of Count Dracula!!

I Need a Coat!!

This weekend I've decided to get all of my coats and jackets out of storage to get ready for the cold months. Well, what do ya know!! I can't fit any of my coats. I usually go to Target(Tarjay) to get my coats. Target clothes are generally very stylish for the fraction of the cost. So as I was heading to Target, I came to the realization that maybe I can make my own. I made a beeline to G Street Fabrics an went back to the $2.97/yd trusty clearance table and Voila! I found a wool that I feel I can use for my first coat.

This wool is very plain to me, so I decided to use this graphic print fabric for the lining. I've had this fabric for a while now and didn't know what to do with it.

Hancock is having a sale on McCalls, Butterick, and Vogue Patterns this week, so I bought 2 patterns: V8438 and B5145. The Vogue pattern is my favorite out of the two, but I decided to do B5145 since it looks a little easier. Wish me luck!!!

Fast and Easy! B5247

At least thats what the pattern says. After pulling out my fall/winter wardrobe, I realized that I don't fit any of my "transition" clothes anymore. My transition clothes is what takes me into the next season without looking too crazy (D.C. weather can get kinda iffy). I picked up this pattern and gave it a whirl since I don't own any tunics and I guess it helped that it said 1 Hour Express!LOL!

It actually came out kinda cute. It took me more like 2 hours from start to finish (sunday night football), but I'm sure the more experienced sewers out there would've finished it in under an hour. If I make this again, I will make the short-sleeved version a little longer. I still have the hemming to do on the blue/green version, but wanted to post tonight since I'll be working long hours this week. I would definitely recommend this for a beginner since it's only 4 pieces and doesnt have any pattern markings(darts,etc.). I actually found this easier to make than my pajamas.