Knitting

I started to knit this little Cardin in the spring and never did finish it. This fall I got it back out of the forever growing unfinished knitting stash and finished it.

The pattern came out of this book..New England Knits

The Cardin is a simple top down construction. I love top down knits because it requires very little seaming.

I got the yarn at Jo-Ann's. The colour of this yarn caught my eye one day when I was in the store picking up a sewing pattern. It turned out to be the perfect colour for fall.

I love how the leaf detail turned out. It was a lot easier to do that I first thought it would be.

I would highly recommend this book it has so many wonderful patterns.

I have still not had any time to sew.

My husband I have become the caregivers for two of our grandchildren. Ally who is just 7 weeks old and Kameron who is 4 years old. So things have been busy around here. It's been  hmmmm a few years since I had to get up for night feeds and let me tell you I'm worn out :) But it's totally worth it because the kids need us right now and so you do what you have to do. I quit my little job at the fabric store so I could be here with the grand kids so no more employee discount on fabric but I have so much of the stuff that I could open my own fabric store lol. Of course I may have to buy some  fabric to make cute dresses and such for the baby.... I'm sure you understand :)

Thanks for stopping by

Checking In

There has been a lot going on in my life in the past few months. Some of it good and some not so good. I have had neither the time nor energy to blog or sew :( but I have been knitting. I'll post some of my knitting projects in some future posts for anyone who is interested.

One of the good things that happened last month was the birth of my granddaughter. 

Allyson Jean Born October 16th

I see a lot of girly sewing going on in my sewing room in the future! I have a whole bunch of patterns picked out for her both sewing and knitting.

Thanks for stopping by sorry it's been so long since my last post.

Fall Plans

Fall Plans by shari2 featuring vintage shoulder bags

French Connection cotton shirt
£57 - cureuk.com

Jason Wu lace top
$1,495 - net-a-porter.com

Trench coat
tally-weijl.com

Wide leg pants
$90 - topshop.com

Rock shoes
kinkyangel.co.uk

Tory burch shoes
$425 - toryburch.com

Vintage shoulder bag
$2,295 - cultstatus.com.au

Fall Sewing

Well, summer is coming to an end and I think it's time to start thinking about some fall sewing. I have started working on a trench coat in an animal printed suede this past week after reading that animal prints are going to be part of the fall trend for this year. Other than that, I'm not sure what else I want to add to my fall wardrobe.
Oh I know that I need some pants and I really want to try this new vogue pants pattern, but I've been working out and following a low glycemic diet in the hopes of losing some weight and getting in better shape. So I don't want to put all the work into getting the fit just right and then in a month or so they don't fit anymore. Oh how i hope this is the case. 

Another problem that I have is that I need to stop buying fabric and patterns and work with what I already have. I work at a fabric store so the temptation to buy more yummy fall fabrics is always there( I must be strong and resist lol). I'm sure my bank account and hubby would thank me :)

So let me ask you this. When your planing what your going to make do you 1) first pick out the pattern you like then go to your stash and see what you've got that would work with that pattern or 2) you pick a fabric that you like first and then decide which pattern would work with it?

Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed by patterns and fabrics and my head starts to spin and all I end up with is a big mess of fabric and patterns on the sewing room floor with no decision made. So, I get to go through the process all over  again a few days later :(

Anyhow, I hope your all having a better time planning your fall sewing. I would love to hear what every one else has planned. Maybe then I could steal some of your ideas lol.
OK, I'm off to make another mess with fabric and patterns but maybe this time I'll actually get something picked out.

Here's A peek at the trench coat

Vogue 1245

top 003, a photo by Shari. on Flickr.

Here is a picture hubby took of me wearing Vogue 1245.

A New Top!

Vogue 1245

Let me just start by saying I love this pattern!

I  picked up this pattern at one of the 3.99 sales So last Weekend I wanted to make something quick and easy for myself and this done the trick. I found two yards of black and white polyester print in my stash. That worked out perfect as the pattern called for 1 7/8 yards.

 It took me about three hours from cutting to finished top! The directions are wonderfully clear and they also tell you how to do french seams (which I had never done before) so not only did I get an instance gratification project but I got to also learn something new :)

I went down one size to a a small  on this top after reading the finished garments measurements and I'm glad I did the fit turned out perfect for me.

 At first I was not sure if I would like this style of  sleeves on me but I love them!

Used my serger to do a rolled hem which give it a nice neat finish on the edges.

The elastic on the waist gives the top some shape so it doesn't look like a tent on me.

This is a great pattern that I plan on making up again. I'm going to try the other view next time.
Thanks for stopping by.

Burdastyle Tunic

This is a top I make up at the beginning of July. Love it! When I get a chance I may just have to make it again.

Here's the review.

Pattern Description:

Dress (or tunic) with yoke and front gathers.

Pattern Sizing:

33-44 I cut out a 42 but I had to take in the yoke so it would fit my shoulders If I make it again I will cut a 38 on the yoke.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes it did!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

This pattern is not hard to figure it's just four pattern pieces so you don't have to rely on the instructions but they where easy enough to follow. The tricky part for me was getting the yoke right

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Love how the yoke looks.

Fabric Used:

Knit fabric that I bought at Jo-anns

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

Taking in the seams on the yoke so it would not fall of my shoulders.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I'm sure I will sew this again. I do recommend it.

Conclusion:

Great easy and casual summer top!

It's has been so HOT here in Kentucky that  I plan on staying in the pool all weekend :)

Hope your all having a great weekend stay cool and happy stitching!

Casual Days

After looking in my wardrobe I saw that I needed a few more casual tops. So I went through my every growing fabric stash and found a few jersey knits. So next was to go through my every growing pattern stash where I picked out Vogue 8518.

Pattern Description:


MISSES' TUNIC: Tunics A, B, C have front and back upper gathers, neck binding, lower elastic casing and raglan sleeve variations. A: sleeves with elastic casing. B: three-quarter length flared sleeves. C: gathered sleeves and sleeve binding

Pattern Sizing:

8-16

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Just like it!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Very easy instructions to follow

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

It's a great casual top. No dislikes here!

Fabric Used:

Jersey

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

First of all I cut out the 12 but it was a little big in the shoulders so I took in the seams a little. So it's more like a size ten on top and 12 in the hip area. After wearing it once I thought it was a little plan so I added a trim around the neckline and I love how it added a pop of colour to the top.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I have make this top twice now. I might sew it again if I found an interesting fabric.

Conclusion:

Great Pattern! Give it a try it's a quick and easy project you can sew up in a few hours.

Hope you have a great day!

My First Blog Award!

Rebecca over at Uglycute designs give me this "One Lovely Blog" Award! Thanks Rebecca! Check out her blog :)

I have to share 7 things about myself and pass along the award to other bloggers. So here it goes:

1) I love to read a good mystery novel.

2) I can leave the house without makeup but never with out hairspray!

3) I was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

4) The TV character  I relate to the most is Monk.

5) I have never taken a sewing class.

6) I love a good thunder storm.

7) I absolutely adore being a Grandma to my two Grand son's. In October we will be welcoming a Grand daughter into out family. (yea I get to sew girlie stuff!)

"One Lovely Blog" recipients:

Lauren and Page 

Christy

Adey

Karen

Tasia

Tea and Crumpets

Twila Jean

Thanks for stopping by

Burda Tunic

I have managed to sew up a few things this past month for myself :) I have plans for more this month I'm feeling like being just a tad selfish, sewing just for me. You know sometimes as women we give and nurture and care for others and we can forget to take time just for us. Sewing is my way of relaxing and focusing on something other than my to do list and the best part of this hobby is that I have a new piece of clothing at the end of a few hours of sewing.

I have been going through some of my old Burdastyle Magazines and decided to actually make something out of the them  instead of them collecting dust on my bookshelf. I was intimidated by them before but my knowledge of how a garment should go together has gotten better and so I'm not so dependent on the instructions . Burda's instructions are OK at best.
Here's the review.

Burda 5-2009-115

Pattern Description:


Tunic 115B

Pattern Sizing:

I cut out the 42 at the hips and graded to 40 on the shoulders.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

I found the instructions for this top OK for Burda. It's a simple top that you can put together without the instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Liked that it is a tunic but it's not to boxy it has some shape to it. I also added a fabric tie to give it a little more shape.

Fabric Used:

A Polyester print that I found on sale for $2.50 a yard.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I left off the back zipper and just cut the back pattern piece on the fold. It fits over my head just fine without the zipper.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

I think I may sew it again in a cotton fabric. I highly recommend it to others it's a easy and quick tunic to sew especially if you leave of the back zipper.

Conclusion:

Thanks for stopping by

Drawstring Pants

Sorry about the silence around here for the past couple of months. I have been sewing quite a bit  lately but it has not been for myself :( So this past weekend I decided that I needed to do a little sewing just for me. Nothing to complicated just some quick basic patterns. So I went though my pattern stash and pick out a basic Capri pant.

Simplicity 7229

Pattern Description:

Misses Drawstring skirts and pants each in three lengths.

Pattern Sizing:

6-12

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Very easy to follow

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

with no zipper or pockets you can make these up on 30 mins

Fabric Used:

Linen blend

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

I made the size twelve without any alterations needed.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes I have already make a few pairs of these to wear this summer.

Conclusion:

Quick to made up with nice results. Perfect pattern for a beginner.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by I hope to have something a little more exciting to show in a future post.

Stitches of the knitted variety

The only sewing I have been doing lately is for my Etsy store that I hope to open soon.
I have managed to get some knitting in while I'm watching shows on  Netflicks.  Here's a couple of tops I knitted this past month.

This is the Lillian Top that's free on Ravelry. Here's the link for this cute summer top. I used Hobby Lobby's I love this cotton.

This top down Hoddie was also knitted in the same yarn. It's a really simple pattern to knit even for a newbie knitter like me. I found the pattern in  knit & Style magazine you can also find a link on Ravelry for this hoddie. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for stopping in.
Shari

A Celebration

c

I got up early this morning phoned my Mum in Northern Ireland and we watched the Royal Wedding together while chatting on the phone:)

Katie's dress was beautiful! A dazzling white satin embroidered dress with long lace sleeves and a train.

Designed by the creative director of the McQueen label, Sarah Burton.


 I know there will be a lot of celebrating going on back home in Belfast today!

Project Planning

Well we are back home in Kentucky after a wonderful trip to Georgia to visit with family. Our oldest grandson done great on the trip. Ten hours in a car is not easy for a 6 year old but he seemed to enjoy the time reading and talking with Nana and Pappy.

He was asking a lot of questions about God and the Bible so when I got home I got on Amazon to look for a kid's Bible and found this wonderful Bible. The Bible is done in a comic form with amazing illustrations by Brazilian artist Sergio Cariello.

On sewing news the only thing I have worked on since I got back is a few aprons for my etsy store.
I've been looking through my closet to see what I'm in need of sewing wise. It seems I'm lacking in casual everyday wear. So I took a look through my patterns and picked out a couple of casual tops to sew and also a few casual skirts for the summer.

I found a couple of things in my Burdastyle mag but to be honest I have not been impressed with the magazine this past year I'm not even sure if I will renew my subscription.
I do not like how many patterns they are now cramming on to the pattern sheets, makes my eyes hurt just looking at it. Any one else out there feel that the Burda magazine is a bit uninspiring in it's designs this past year?
Well it's time to go get my run in before I go to work.
Hope you all have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by
Shari

Stash Building

Hancock Fabrics was having a sale on their cottons this week for one, two and three dollars a yard! so you know I just had to buy some :0

All these wonderful fabrics are going to become aprons.
Hope you all have a great week.
I'm off to pack for our tip to Georgia in the morning to see the in-laws. I'm planning on bringing some knitting with me to give me something to do on the ten hour drive! A few cute baby cardis for gifts.