Time out for a vacation!

Just returned from a great mini-vacation with the family.  It was nice to take some time away and enjoy each other with no technology in the way.  Sometimes life gets too routine as well.
My husband took our son, Mr. T to his first Brewers game!  He loved it. Meanwhile I took our daughter, Miss K to her first build-a-bear workshop.  She picked up a rainbow rabbit she calls "martha".

That was Sunday.  On Monday we all headed to the Milwaukee County Zoo and even in the terrible heat, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

Alas, we have returned home, completely across the other side of the state.  It was a nice break.  School is starting soon and I'm looking forward to it..... when the kids are gone all day I am more productive with my sewing.  I like to spend time with them when they are home and not be in the sewing room!
I hope you all are enjoying your summer.

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Fabric Friday Winner! ~ July 31st

We have our Fabric Friday Winner!  I really enjoyed reading the comments on the favorite thing that you all have sewed.  They all seem so wonderful and I can tell you all loved what you made.  :-)

The winner for July 31st is.... Andri!
Congrats to Andri; I will be contacting you shortly via email.  As for everyone else, don't get discouraged!  There will be more fabric for you to win on August 10th! Thanks for participating!

AnonymousJuly 27, 2012 8:41 AM

Well, i have just started sewing....(to be precise, since last month:p) so really, not many projects yet. But I am proud of my last one because i embroidered some of the squares (another first) before making a patchwork out of it (again, another first!). It was quite exciting:)

andri_chama(at)yahoo(dot)com

** CLOSED ** Fabric Friday Giveaway! ~ July 27th

Today is Fabric Friday Giveaway!

Every other Friday I hold a giveaway for some fabric!  The type and kind vary but the results are still awesome! Free fabric for YOU!!!

Today's Fabric Friday Giveaway is this wonderful Vintage floral cotton.  It measures 1 yard by 56 inches wide and has been pre-washed. 100% cotton. It is an off white with pink roses and green leaves.  There are white raised dots all over too!  So cute! Nice and lightweight.

Specifics, Rules, etc....
1. Giveaway is open from Friday, July 27th, 2012 to TUESDAY July 31st, 2012 at 9am central time. 
2. Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere in the world
3. Random number generator will determine the winner at that time and will be posted on the blog 

To enter: 
1. You must leave a comment on this post answering the below question.  Thanks and good luck!

I would love for you to follow my blog, but it is not required for this giveaway!

Today's Question is:  What is the one thing you feel you sewed the best over your sewing lifetime?  What one thing are you most proud of sewing/completing?

Shorts for me! ~ New Look 6100

Because the deadline for the Shorts on a Line challenge is tomorrow.... I decided yesterday to get started on the shorts for me I've been wanting to make forever.

I really like this pattern, it is easy to follow and I didn't run into any big problems.  I cut a size 12 because my favorite RTW shorts are size 12.  The material I used is a navy floral and is sort of canvas-y.  It has zero stretch (that was a bit of a mistake).   I cut the shorts out yesterday and put half of them together.  This morning I finished them up.  I'm really happy with how they turned out too!

  Back view folded in half. 

 Belt loops and front pockets

invisible side zipper  

Flat front view 

fabric used

I'm pretty proud of myself!  As I wear them today, I really like them!  I'm thinking some baby blue corduroy ones with navy piping details next. 

no motivation lately... too much heat!

For some reason I've just avoided my sewing room for the last week and a half.  Lack of creative juices I guess.  We have been gone everyday too for random things; top that with the terribly smothering heat and I'm just worn out!
I really need to start my shorts as below.  I'm excited to have them done but just don't want to start!

I've also been preparing for our trip to a Milwaukee Brewer game.  An annual start for my husband and son; my daughter and I choose to shop instead lol!

I went through the kids clothes the other day and was horrified at the amount of tee's each has.  Miss K had 38 t-shirts!  Mr. T took the crown with 48!  I mean really.  I must stop this madness.  I think I have a weakness for clearance or thrifted tees!  On the other hand myself and my husband are in desperate need of clothes.

I'm sure I'll get back into my sewing groove in the next few days; I hope you all are enjoying your sewing adventures and aren't in a funk yourself!

Fabric Friday Winner!

Another Fabric Friday come and gone!  I enjoyed reading all the comments and some really got me laughing.  Thanks to everyone for their participation.

The winner of the fabric this time is......

JustPam!

JustPamJuly 13, 2012 10:17 AM

I am a follower. I don't do fall sewing. Holiday sewing is usually last minute-November/December.

JustPam, I will email you very shortly.  Our next Fabric Friday Giveaway will be held on July 27th, 2012 so make sure to come and participate! 

**CLOSED** Fabric Friday Giveaway! ~ July 13th

Today is Fabric Friday Giveaway!

Every other Friday I hold a giveaway for some fabric!  The type and kind vary but the results are still awesome! Free fabric for YOU!!!

Today's Fabric Friday Giveaway is this wonderful floral cotton.  It measures 1 yard by 42 inches and has been pre-washed. 100% cotton. It is a great weight too, not to light, not too heavy. 

Specifics, Rules, etc....
1. Giveaway is open from Friday, July 13th, 2012 to Monday July 16th, 2012 at 9am central time. 
2. Giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere in the world
3. Random number generator will determine the winner at that time and will be posted on the blog 

To enter: 
1. You must leave a comment on this post answering the below question.  Thanks and good luck!

I would love for you to follow my blog, but it is not required for this giveaway!

Today's Question is:  We are now in the middle of summer, when do you start your fall sewing? And even better yet, when do you start your holiday sewing?

Boys Will Be Boys Shorts ~ Shorts on a Line Challenge

I've finally had the chance to sit down and finish these shorts for Mr. T.  They are the cutest fabric and I hoped for the best; however, I told my husband last night that if I ever see this pattern again it would be too soon.  It was not enjoyable.

Simplicity 5581 ~ Cargo shorts
First of all there are 37 steps for these shorts. Thirty-seven! For Shorts!  That should have been my first clue.  Plus all of the pattern pieces should have been my next clue.  Nonetheless I trudged on because they looked so cute on the pattern front.  I made it through the first steps without problem.  Inserted the lapped zipper with ease and attached the button flap on the back.  It wasn't until the last few steps with the waistband that I started having issues.  These directions are terrible. I actually sought help from patternreview.com to see if anyone else had attempted this.  Low and behold a wonderful gal named Karen6750 had written a great review with pictures of the last few steps.  This helped me out a lot.

I finished these puppies for Mr. T who was thrilled to have them.  They are just an inch too big for him.  He doesn't grow very fast so I think these will be perfect for next summer.  My first pair of shorts for the Shorts On A Line Challenge is now complete.  I'm satisfied, but glad to be moving on!

 Front View

 Slanted pocket on the front

 Zippered fly with a slight view of the button flap underneath

 Button flap from the inside view

Back View

 Mr. T is happy

 Front View while worn

 Side View while worn

Back View while worn

Interested in the fabric? 

It is called "Boys will be Boys"
$5.98 a yard right now!!
Click on the pic below to be taken right to it!

 

Shorts in progress. . .

This certainly has been a busy week!  Monday we were out all day with stuff.  Tuesday and Wednesday we stayed in to get ready for the 4th (which is also my husband's birthday); we had a great time with family and a perfect view for the fireworks.  Thursday and today I also stayed in because it is too darn hot out there!!  We are having most days run a 115 heat index.  Sorry, not the kind of weather I participate in!

I've also been working on my shorts for the Shorts on a Line challenge.  

Here are some pics of what I have done so far.  

Cargo Shorts for Mr. T ~ Pattern: Simplicity 5581

 Only 3 pieces left for these puppies!  The waistband and then the bottom hems.  I'm so excited!

 2 front slanted pockets; 2 side velcro pleated pockets with flaps and 1 back pocket

 I just love this little baseball guy!  

 This pattern called for a zippered fly with button behind it.  (let's just say  it was interesting here)

Cute shorts once I'm done.  Probably the only time I will make them as they are just too time consuming and tedious for shorts.  :-)

Sorry for the funny view.  The facing is folded over into itself and the button holds the flap down.  Not the best way I'm sure but it worked. 

Facing folded to just before flyshield

 When all said and done the button on the left goes into the button hole on the right and each facing looks good when folded over.

Interested in the fabric? 

It is called "Boys will be Boys"
$5.98 a yard right now!!

 

I'm also gearing up to start my shorts for the challenge too with this Navy and flower print. 

New Look 6054 ~ Long Skirt ~ View A

A few weeks back I made this amazing skirt (ok a great skirt out of amazing fabric) and I really liked it...(New Look 6054) except that it was so short!  I wanted to make the skirt in a long version because I love the pattern and the outcome of the skirt.  It is relatively quick to make and soooooo comfortable!

I'd been eyeing this fabric up for a bit - it spoke to me.  I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that sometimes a fabric just calls your name.  So I ordered it.  A cute medium weight Linen blend.  (You may click on the picture and it will take you right to it if you would like).

    Linen Blend Abstract Floral Light Blue on sale for $4.78 a yard!

I purchased 3 yards for $14.34; the pattern called for 2 3/4- 2 1/2 yards.  I wanted to make sure I had enough.  I do have a nice chunk of fabric left over; (maybe a few could be fat eighths) however, I think that the 3 yards is needed.

The pattern is really easy to follow.  You cut the front and back of the skirt out, the waistband, and then a tie.  I used bias tape in navy for the tie on this one.  There is elastic and the tie in the waistband.
I had no issues except that I couldn't sew it fast enough!  It turned out perfect.  I love it!  (I did learn one interesting fact today though.  Do not wear a thong when wearing a linen blend skirt.  The skirt lays against the body nicely, but also lays within the space between my butt cheeks too.  I'm not into showing the world the exact shape of my behind!).

Ignore the weird expression on my face.  I was asking Mr. T to hurry and snap the pic.  It was so darn hot today.  Heat index of more than 100 and lots of humidity.  

We had some wind when we had our picnic on the bluff though.  :-)

I think this is an excellent pattern.  It gives 4 different skirt options.  Short, medium, long and then a long one with a ruffle bottom.  It is definitely going in my favorite pile.