Craftsy Quilt Block of the Month!

During the past two weeks, I was able to get in touch with my really fun crafty side. Sewing isn't all clothes, and you can have some fun making something practical like a quilt to keep you warm at night. If anyone has ever been to the Craftsy.com site, you already know it is this cool place that has just about everything to do with knitting, sewing and crocheting........Classes to take, patterns to download and so much more (for a price). At the end of last year I received and ad for a free quilt block of the month course. For free, I tried the first two months.  I have made several quilts in the past. I am no expert and I learned three easy new techniques to make quilting even more interesting and fun.

Asterick Block

Wonky Pound Sign Block

Chunky Chevron Block

Balkan Block

A Shirtwasiter - I am glad I made it!

When I saw this  light and pretty cotton sateen at the store for $3 a yard, I just had buy it. ( Fast forward 1.5 years later, I am trying to thin my stash out). I wanted to make something special and pretty for this awesome fabric. I like the idea of a shirt dress but many times the buttons gape on the bottom of the dress. Yes, I know wear a slip. It is just the thought of someone being able to see under my dressthat made me uncomfortable. So, I mixed two patterns to make a shirt-waister dress by cutting the top of the shirt-dress and adding a skirt on the bottom of the dress.
I love this dress, I am glad I made it.

Plain ol' White Blouse (Wardrobe Essential)

One of the goals, I have,  for this year is to assess what clothes that I currently have and make items to complete a basic wardrobe. One item I did not have was a white dress blouse. I realized I was making a lot of bright and pretty blouses but..... I didn't have a plain ol' white one. So I got to work, I am so glad for my efforts. I now am the proud owner and make of a white shirt. Now maybe I need a pair of black trousers to match up with the "Plain White Shirt."

Back, Side and Front!

It's been several weeks since my last post, BUT I have been working! :-) Some good results and some not so good results. 3 pairs of pants, a white blouse (wardrobe essential) and a shirtwaister.

3 pairs of pants for my precious daughter (the difficulty for sewing for someone else is: often they can be really choosey. I wanted her to feel great in the pants):

First pair of pants (failed) - Tan pants that zipped up the back. I don't know what I was thinking. A big butt and a zipper in the back, not a good combination.Sadly these pants are still not finished.

Tan pants, Failed project!

Second pair of pants(so so) - Blue dress pants that zipped on the side. I did pretty good. However, due to certain fit issues she wanted belt loops she would never use, UGG!! She is curvy and these blue pants just weren't her thing. I did try to make them extra special by making the waist band facing the same color as a shirt she made for herself thought. I swear, I am going to get her to wear them at least once, once they are hemmed and have belt loops, ugg! On the upside of things, I put an invisible zipper that came out awesome, Yeah!

The Blue So So Pants

The back fits pretty good!

Invisible zipper on the side, Yeah!

Waist band facing to match a shirt, Cool!

 Third pair of pants (success!) - Orange jeans (they zip up the front) , ok so these are the pants she really wanted for over a year. I made them in about 5 hours. She was so pleased. I was determined to have the best fit possible. I made them too big and had to take them in on the sides, not a terrible problem. It is always nice to sew jeans they can be so unique and in any color you desire!

Final result, Success!

Took the pants in on both sides.

Pocket design

I guess the moral of this story is make people what they want, otherwise you'll both be very disappointed.