Butterick 5493- In a Woven, oops!

I was drawn this cute polka dot fabric at Joann's a few months ago (who doesn't like a cheery polka dot, right?) First off, I really liked the colors. As someone who works in a corporate environment, I have to dress up for work, and any fabric that has black in it is always a conender for me, since I wear black about 80% of the time. My coworkers and I joke about how much we wear black, but it really does go with everything, and it makes choosing something wear so much easier. I am determined to branch out and get away from so much black, but that is another post for another day. Sorry for digressing. Back to today's post....

I also liked the light blue color in this, since it is something different. The fabric is a poly-silky-something-or-other, and it was suprisingly easy to work with. It held a press well, which is what I usually get frustrated with in a poly. It also has a nice drape, and while it is satiny, it isn't really shiny.

When I first spotted this fabric I thought it would make a cute bow-front blouse, and that was my plan for it until I got to the cutting counter and there was only a yard and an eight on the bolt. Bummer. But I bought it anyway figuring I could find a pattern in my stash that takes only a yard. Enter Butterick 5493, view A: (the brown and white)


So I cut out the pattern, and started sewing (this pattern goes together really quick, only 4 pieces). It wasn't until I got to the instructions where they have you sew the neckband on, streching it as you go, that I realized my mistake. This pattern is for KNITS, and my fabric was a woven. Uh-oh. My first clue (besides reading the fabric suggestions) should have been the pattern layout. If it was made for wovens, it would have been laid out on the bias. At this point, I had much of the construction done, so I decided to continue and seee what happens.

I couldn't use the neckband, so I had to modify the pattern at the neckline. I sewed the ruffle to the front matching the right side of the ruffle to the wrong side of the front. Then i turned it to the outside and topstitched on the front. Then I serged the back neckline edge, and turned it under and stitched it in place. I then sewed the front and back together at the shoulders.

The front was a little low for my liking, and the armholes had a lot of room, so I just took up the shoulder seams about an inch, and that solved the problem.

Here is how I will wear this top to work, with a cardigan (black, of course!) But I will be on the lookout for a cardigan in the pretty light blue color. I will carry a swatch of the fabric in my purse while shopping so I can get the right shade of blue.

The top fits great, even as a woven. I am happy with my top, and can't wait to wear it when the weather get a little warmer. The temp here has been in the single digits most days for the past week. Too cold to wear a light top and cardigan!

Up next, I have a couple one-yard knit pieces i snagged from the remnant bin that I am going to make a couple summer tops with. Can you tell I am wishing for warmer weather? I am sick of winter!

Blessings-
Lisa

First Wadder of 2013- McCalls 6512

I think Kenny Rogers said it best- "You gotta know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away..."

I had such high hopes for this projext. I have seen a few versions of this pattern around blogland and they all turned out great.



I bought this pattern a long time ago, and pulled it out to match it up with a piece of black silky poly of some sort which I bought at Hancock's. The fabric is a very fluid, lightweight, soft, fluid, silky, fluid (did I mention "fluid?) fabric, and I thought it would be perfect for view B. The fact that this fabric is fluid is what made this project fail. This fabric would shimmy and shape-shift just by looking at it. I like that fabric, and may try it again for a different project, but it just didn't work for this one.

I tried and tried to make it work. But once a project crosses the line to where it feel like a chore instead of being enjoyable, well, that is when I decided to give up. The fabric all went in the trash and the pattern got filed away...until I can find a more siutable fabric. I WILL be trying this pattern again. Stay tuned. :)

Up next, I need a quick and easy project to get me over this fail, so I am making an out-of-print Butterick woven tank with a ruffle detail on the front. Only four pattern pieces, easy peasy. Although, I am using another silky fabric....wish me luck with that. :)

Blessings-
Lisa

A Week Late, or 51 Weeks Early?

Embroidered Snowman Quilt/Pillow

                                 

This cute little snowman has been languishing in my craft cupboard, half finished, for over 3 years (or 4, or 5?). I can't remember how long ago I started this project, but the important thing is, I finally finished it, right?

(Excuse the not-so-great picture. I am still learning how to use my new camera)

The pattern is from Crab-apple Hill Studio. The pattern is to make this a pillow, and I made an envelope back so it can be used as a pillow, or can be hung on the wall as a wall quilt. It measures 14 x 15".

Here you can see more detail of the embroidery. I love the colors in this. Two shades or red, three shades of green, and a pretty aqua blue give this piece a vintage look.

                               

I really enjoy embroidery like this, but patterns are not easy to find. Most on the market are "primitive" styles, which just aren't my thing.

I am happy with how this turned out, even if it took me way too long to finish it. Oh well, I can say I am 51 weeks ahead of the game, and I will love pulling this out next year and have a new Christmas quilt to display.

Next up, a blouse I have been working on, that is frustrating me so much, it may end up as a wadder. Stay tuned.....



Blessings-

Lisa

Shared on: Little Becky Homecky Fantabulous Friday Link Party, Naptime Crafters Friday Favs Party, and Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday.

Husbands: do not try this at home

...unless your wife is a sewist.

This is what was under my tree this year, from my darling hubby:



An Oliso Smart Touch iron. I have been wanting one of these bad boys for some time now. My previous iron was a wedding gift to us, over 20 years ago. So while it was a nice enough iron, it had seen better days. And it had developed the habit of spitting up water and built-up gunk.

If you aren't familiar with the Oliso irons, what makes them unique is the itouch feature. When you let go of the handle, little feet emerge from the bottom to lift it off the ironing board. So instead of tipping it up and resting it on the heel of the iron, you simple let go of it, and the feet raise it off the ironing board. Touch the handle again, and the feet raise up, letting you proceed with your ironing.

My new iron works beautifully. It heats up fast, and glides smoothly. I especially like that it has 3 levels of steam. I love my new iron, and used it the first day to make a quilt block. I will post more about that later...

So husbands, if your wife uses an iron for her hobby, or just really loves to iron, this is a great gift. If she only uses it to iron your shirts, maybe something else would be more appropriate. :)

Simplicity 2148- Inspired by Pinterest

Do you Pinterest? Or should I ask, are you as addicted to Pinterest as I am? I love Pinterest, and can spend hours on there discovering new recipes, interesting websites, terrific blogs, more home improvement projects than I could ever have time for, more gardening ideas than I have garden space for, and lots and lots of sewing inspiration. One of my pins was from early this spring, a cute pink cardigan with khaki shorts and a white t or tank underneath. I think this outfit is really cute, looks very comfortable, and I thought "Hey, I can make that!" The cardigan, anyway. I already have khaki shorts and  a white t.

I looked through my pattern stash for a pattern that would work and decided on Simplicity 2148.

I used view C, the purple velvet one.I did have to make a couple changes to make it more like my inspiration. I used the sleeves from a different pattern, because I wanted full length, narrow sleeves. I also left off the pockets and tab closures on the front. The pattern went together very easily, the only other changes I made were in the order of construction. I added the sleeves in flat, the sewed the side seam and sleeve seam as one. Here is my version:

All I am missing is the Coach bag and other accessories. Since I am too cheap  conservative with my money, you won't see me buying a Coach any time soon. But I bet I could find a suitable replacements for the bag and the accessories at Target.

I have already worn this, and I really like it. It is a great layering piece for the office on those days that the A/C is cranked up. Also, for those summer evenings when it gets chilly after the sun goes down.

This weeks goals:

- Blog about the adorable bibs I made for my Godson. they turned out really cute!
- Make another batch of rhubarb sauce
- Help my son get packed for his mission trip (he leaves on Saturday for 10 days! *sniff*)

Have a good week! Blessings-
Lisa

Rhubarb Sauce

Nothing says spring like rhubarb. This mysterious vegetable(?) fruit (?) is a staple in most farmhouse gardens. I remember when I was a kid, my mom and all the aunties and neighbor ladies would always get excited when the rhubarb was ready. I think it was because it was one of the first things harvested in the spring. With it, they would make pies, crisps, bread, muffins. They would kick off the canning season by making jams and sauces to can. It also pairs perfectly with strawberries. I think God planned it perfectly that strawberries and rhubarb are in season at the same time. :)

While I don't live on a farmstead with a huge garden or large patch of rhubarb, I do have generous neighbors that share their bounty with me. In return, I share my rhubarb sauce with them. Here is the recipe I use:

Here's what you need:

Sugar, rhubarb, and cinnamon.

Yep, that's it. Just three ingredients. The process it just as simple. first, chop the rhubarb. Measure 5-6 cups into a large pot, along with a cup of water:

Bring this mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the sugar and cinnamon. If your rhubarb is mostly green instead of red, you can add a few drops of red food coloring. I try to use mostly red, if I can get it, because it makes the prettiest pink color once done. Then let it simmer, uncovered for 10-15 minutes. Once it is done simmering, ladle it into jars, and it is ready to go in the freezer.



The finished product!

There is nothing better in the middle of a Minnesota winter than having some of this sauce over ice cream. Tastes like summer!

I do have a rhubarb plant in my backyard, planted a couple years ago. It is finally big enough that I can harvest a few stalks from it this year. By next year, I may be able to make sauce with my own rhubarb!

Here is my recipe, if anyone wants to give it a try:

Rhubarb Sauce:

5-6 cups rhubarb, chopped
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Bring rhubarb and water to a boil. Add cinnamon and sugar. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes. Ladle into containers and freeze. Makes 3-4 pints.

Enjoy!

Lisa

Why I Haven't Been Sewing...

It’s been over a month since my last post (and I had been doing so good there for a while, SHOOT!) but I have some good excuses as to why.

                                                                                          

1.       My oldest son graduated from High School. To say I am proud of him would be the world’s largest understatement. I have been filled with mixed emotions about it these last few weeks. On one hand, I am sad to see him head off to college, but on the other hand, I am so excited to see where life’s path takes him. Also, everyone who has kids in their 20’s has been reassuring (or is it warning me?) that they all come back at some point.  J I am sure that is true, especially when mom and dad’s house has a nice comfy bed, home cooked meals, and free laundry.

2.       We have been doing home improvements. This is directly related to #1 (above).  We choose this spring to replace the roof, and install new siding and windows. We thought it would be nice to have the house looking it’s tip-top best for the graduation party. And it did, but OH MY it was a lot of work. We hired my nephew-in-law to do the carpentry, but we did all the painting ourselves. (The type of siding we choose needed to be painted. ) It was a struggle to get it done between all the rainy days we have had the last month, but we managed to get it done. Along with cleaning the garage, installing drywall in the garage, cleaning the basement, spring cleaning the house, weeding the flower beds and putting down new mulch, and planning annuals. Whew! It was so much work, but I have to admit the house looks great! We do have some more project we would like to get done this summer, but it is nice to have so many big projects out of the way. This picture shows the color we choose for the house- a barn red. It was a bold choice, but we love how it turned out.

Now that all the excitement is over, we can settle in to our summer routine. On my agenda this week:

-          Make rhubarb sauce

-          Finish sewing my coral “Inspired by Pinterest” cardigan.  (finished this last night, post to come soon!)

-          Make a couple adorable bibs for my Godson from a pattern in Quilter’s World magazine.

-          Paint the front door and back garage door.

I hope everyone is having a good week! Blessings-

Lisa