Me (20 pounds lighter) Made

     I haven't posted in a very long time.  As the school year comes to a close, I hope to have some time to sew.  Starting each morning with the frustrating task of finding something to wear has motivated me to get busy.  I need a new wardrobe thanks to Weight Watchers.  It is an exciting place to be yet a bit overwhelming.  So many fabrics, so many choices!  The practical side of me says, "Just alter the clothes you have."  Hopefully, the impractical side will get motivated to sew go crazy and tear into my stash the day I say farewell to my kiddos.
     This morning, while trying to get ready for church, I came across this dress that I made about two years ago from Vogue 8351.  I was never able to wear it because it was too tight.  Rushing to get something made, I didn't bother to fit the pattern correctly because it was stretchy.  My bumps and bulges didn't look so great in the cotton Spandex, so I put it in the back of my closet and forgot about it until this morning.

     Sorry about the quality of the pictures.  I couldn't find my camera, so D took these with our Ipad. He is not a natural photographer, however, I appreciate his willingness to help.  With the wind blowing in my face, I don't look very excited, but I love this dress.  It is incredibly comfortable and the print from JoAnn Fabrics is really me.  I love geometric patterns.  

     I will definitely make this again now that I don't have to carry around the spare tire.  The short-sleeved version will be great to wear this summer hemmed just above the knee.  I really enjoy working with knits.

     This pattern was very easy.  I made it before I bought my coverstitch machine, so the hem will be even simpler.  I will probably make an adjustment to the front neckline.  The front bodice is self lined because it is made from one folded piece.  It shows more cleavage than I care to reveal when the cowl is not laying just right.  

Pumpkin Contest

     Life has changed a bit this year. Second grade is a new adventure that requires time that I would have spent sewing.  Amidst the chaos in my life last year, I was transplanted to a new school.  I have to say that we often learn important lessons when we are forced to stretch and grow.  As lucky as I was to be a part of that fantastic school last year, I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to return to my family colleagues and to watch my students grow up.   I am no longer teaching the tiny ones, but am happy to be back home. 
     One of my favorite activities has always been our pumpkin contest.  The kids love it because the teachers all design a pumkin and enter it anonymously.  The students spend a great deal of time trying to match teachers to pumpkins and then vote for their favorite.  I was in the top three this year. 





Maybe I went a little commercial to get votes, but my nieces and nephews are going to enjoy their gift pumpkins at our post-Halloween party today. Yes, I said gifts.  This is not the same pumpkin.  I made one for the contest and then another because they don't all live in the same house.

My students loved that fact that their teacher, who doesn't know anything about video games, made this for them. It was great fun. I used a plastic pumpkin from Michael's, so it would last another year or two.  A gloss, acrylic paint covered the pumpkin beautifully.  Finally, I molded the beak and eyes from a package of Crayola Model Magic.  It was easy to roll the flat pieces out between two sheets of wax paper.

     Well, I'm not sewing, but at least I had a chance to create something.  Once I get the hang of being a second-grade teacher, I might find some time to make something from cloth.
Hope your Halloween was an enjoyable one.

When do you blog?

As I prepare for work each morning, my mind is overflowing with fresh ideas.  I feel optimistic about publishing my thoughts and pictures in a post that evening as I walk out the door to face the day.  The confidence in my blog return and the time of my return home each evening becomes bit less sure as the day progresses.  Finally, I drag myself away from my classroom realizing that I have ceased to accomplish anything worthwhile in the last hour because I can no longer focus.  I drive home with an empty stomach and a strong desire to wear pajamas. 
What happened to all of those great thoughts from the morning.  I can't remember exactly what I wanted to say and what I remember sounds a bit weak now.  Maybe I should wait until tomorrow when I feel fresh again.  I'll just look at her blog to see what she is up to.  Wow, I love that.  It gives me an idea.  I could do something similar and change it to work with this great piece in my stash.  I can't wait to get started.  I'll just look at a few more blogs to inspire me.

So many of us experience this desire to create and communicate with the blogging world.  I wonder how the people I follow and admire balance it all.  So many of you get so much accomplished.  Do you blog at night after a full day?  Or do you get up early to ensure quiet time to write before you inspiration fades?  I would love to hear about it! 

American Sewing Expo in Novi

I feel very fortunate to live in the area that hosts a huge event like the American Sewing Expo.  It was an incredible experience!  I met some of the people who inspire and educate me through blogs, online classes, and TV shows. 

I could listen to Gretchen Hirsch for hours.  She is well informed and looks at sewing in a refreshing way.  She is open and creative without the rigidity that some of us older sewers experience in our methods.  I attended two of the seminars she hosted: Intro to Retro Dressmaking and How to Write as Successful Blog.  My simpler blog design is a direct result of the latter.  She suggested that readers enjoy personal connections--hence the picture of my sweet companion, Darby.  He lays on the pins by my feet while I sew.

Angela Wolf is just as inspirational.  I am so excited to see a new generation of sewist carrying this passion for creating and machines that make amazing clothes.  I bought her T-shirt pattern and used a piece of fabric that wouldn't work with the pattern purchased for it.  She is brilliant in her armhole construction.  I usually find that my shirt ride up whenever I pull the map down in my classroom, but today it didn't happen.  Please excuse the picture.  My photography skill still leave a lot to be desired.

The spots had to be carefully placed, but I was happy with the end result.  The neckline is one of my favorites.

I love the ruching on the side and sleeve.  I am not laying down in the top photo--just too lazy to go back and rotate the picture.

 

I don't have any pictures of Susan Khalje, but her Couture Hand Sewing seminar was great.  It was two hours long with interactive demonstrations.  I was pleased to remember using many of the techniques in the past, however, seeing the garments she had made took the stitches to a new level for me. 

I stayed for Friday and Saturday evening after the seminars and the venders were finished to see the two fashion shows.  Each served a different purpose.  The talent was unbelievable in bothl

If you have never attended an event like the "Sewing Expo," treat yourself.  I hope to go every year.  I spent two full days and didn't begin to experience all that was offered.

 

 

Pleasant Surprises

I once walked back to my classroom from making copies and found a box full of fabrics.  What fun! It had all sorts of fabrics including a vintage cotton I felt was perfect for an apron.  It took me almost a year to find the pattern I wanted to use, but I knew when I saw it that Butterick 6567 was perfect.

The bias tape is part of the pattern.  I couldn't find the color I need in pre-made bias. I had the perfect color in my stash bringing the cost of this beautiful apron to $1.99 for the cost of the pattern.

For the longest time, I didn't know where the box of fabric came from.  Recently, I mentioned the apron and fabric to my art teacher, friend Laura.  Thunk! (That is me hitting myself in the head.)  Of course the fabric fairy was the lady who receives all of the best donations.  She was cleaning out the overflow.  Thanks Laura for one of the most pleasant surprises ever!

Gertie's Book is Coming Soon!

Yesterday, I told you about a book I am reading.  Well, I will soon have Gretchen Hirsch's new book on my bedside table because it is available for pre-order here at Amazon!

 I didn't hesitate.  I love her Craftsy class.  She is so pleasant to listen to!  I actually met her once at the Sewing Expo in Novi, Michigan.  She was very sweet, and her vintage clothing made me want to go straight home to sew.  Check out her blog if you haven't yet.  You'll see these green clogs and much more of her unique taste and ideas.

Pyjama Reveal!

Here they are:

Very comfy, and the adjustments I made are perfect.  I shortened the waist by two inches.  I wanted them to fall just below my navel.  I think this was the best choice to break through my slump.  I love them!  I have already begun cutting out a top to go with them.

And this is the current read on my nightstand.  It is definitely a page turner.