Just Sew It

I have to finish one quilt by the end of March as it is a gift for my good friend Joanne. It’s her 41st birthday and she is the best friend that I’ve had in many many years. I also have to quilt the first “Turning Twenty… Again” quilt that I’m making for my family. In April, May and June, I’d like to do some fashion sewing. Fabricland had a sale on their Burda, Butterick and Vogue patterns. I only picked up a couple of Burdas and one Butterick.

Burda 8633:

Burda 8090:

Butterick 4974:

I really should go through my pattern stash and sew something up that I haven’t touched.

On another note, I picked up some crochet and size 8 knitting needles. I found a website that has free online videos. Sort of a prelude to her dvd that you can purchase. I tried knitting and I tried crocheting. I’m having some troubles but I’ll get it.

I should be able to speak German since my dad was brought up German but I never learned as a child except for the odd word here and there. My mom is Ukrainian so we spoke only English at home. I’d like to learn how to speak German and Italian. But German would really come in handy right now. Burda has decided to only print their Easy Fashion Spring issue in German only. They have a free download for an empire top and have included instructions in a number of languages except English. But, I think I will still down load this top anyway and wing it. If not, I can always ask someone on Patternreview.com to help. There are a few German girls on there.

It’s okay. She is just getting her first annual checkup and it’s free too. Handing over my sewing machine to the shop clerk was like handing over my daughter to her caregiver when she was 13 months old. Please don’t drop my precious were my thoughts as she carried to the back. It’s depressing to look over at my sewing desk only to see an empty spot. I need to bring my serger in too but I’ll do that after precious is home safe.

I’ve been making a quilt for myself (and my family) called “Turning twenty… again”. Wonderful, easy and fun pattern. It is made up of all fat quarters and so it wastes very little fabric. I saw this pattern in a magazine (which I have now lost) and it was displayed in a store out of Saskatchwan, Canada. I loved the pattern and the colours. Different shades of denim blue, golds, and orange. It looks very sharp. I just bought some fabric for the backing and the binding but since my lovely machine is in the shop my quilt is at a stand still. I could sew it with my Hobby but it does not have the walking foot to do the quilting. But, I think I’ll just stitch up the backing so I can pin the three layers together.

March’s edition of Burda World of Fashion has some nice pieces. I was attracted to a couple and just might purchase myself a copy.

Now just have to find some cute fabric for these tops. I have a Burda pattern for some capris that I would like to sew. Burda pants fit so well on me.

Some days I feel like Wonder Woman with juggling of keeping the house in order, spending time with the kids, operating my day home, and spending my time doing my favorite passion…. sewing. Oh and can’t forget the husband and two cats!

I finished the two choli tops but I still have to put hook and eyes on one of the tops. I’ll have to do this during the day since she is coming around 5 p.m. to pick them up. I am going to be soooo glad to see the back of that lady’s head. She is a nice lady but sewing her tops has not been enjoyable. Until I have more extensive experience with sewing without an commercial pattern, I will not attempt to copy any rtw garments for anyone. No pattern, me no sew.

Anyways, back to Wonder woman…. Linda Carter looks great in her costume. She was a skinny girl. Poor thing she probably had to starve herself to fit into it. She recently starred as a principal in Sky High which is a movie about teenagers with super powers. Pretty cute movie.

The last two evenings I have been working feverishly to finish two Choli tops and it has been hell. Nothing is working very good. I have had serger problems, fitting problems, and fabric problems. I will never make any garment for anyone unless I have a commercial pattern. I copied a blouse she had made previously by someone else. Also, one of the tops is made out of lining fabric. I was leary of that fabric when she presented it to me. I have put lining into clothing before but to make a top out of it?!!! That process did not copy the original very well. I have spent so much time on this that it is not worth my time to sew for people. I feel so bad that this has not turned out very well. The sleeve is tight under the armpit and there is nothing I can do to take it out. I should have taken this to my dh’s aunt. She is a seamstress for a living and does wonderful work. Argggggggggggggggggh!! What a nightmare!!!!! I just want to see these tops go out the door as soon as possible. I want to sew for fun!!