New Look spring patterns!

This week has been a good one for me so far!  I still haven't finished my first project for the year yet, but I'm still working on it!!

I noticed that the New Look spring patterns are out!  YAY!  Considering that I am working on a New Look pattern right now, I was curious to see if there were any other patterns that sparked my interest.  I love how affordable New Look patterns are.  I am a big coupon lady, but even if I don't have a coupon, I don't get too upset by the amount one of these patterns costs.

As a side note, is there anyone that has a hard time shopping without coupons?  I don't mean on sewing stuff, but things in general like grocery items, or even clothing.  I definitely have a hard time shopping if I don't have my coupons in tow.  It pains me to know I could be saving more money.  In fact, I will usually forgo buying anything at all.  Call me crazy, or thrifty, I like to get the best bang for my buck.

Okay, back to the topic at hand.  Here are some of the patterns I noticed that I thought were lovely:

 Sometimes simple is beautiful.  I love this dress because it is simple.  The sleeves and neckline are great, and this is something you could probably dress up or down according to the occasion.  The bag is a little much for me, but I like the dress.

Here is a great jacket.  Looking in my closet I have noticed that I don't have many jackets at all.  I might have one or two that I really love, but why not add one to the mix?  I like all the views on this one except E.

I like this whole outfit!  The tunic top is usually always my favorite, but I also like the interesting V-neckline with the accent on top.  The bit of elastic in the middle just above the waist is also a nice touch.  But most of all, I like the slim-fitting pants with the zipper on the bottom!  

Here is another easy breezy look for spring/summer.  I like the slight gathering on the bottom of the pants.  View A and C are my favorites for the top, though I would probably leave off the pockets.

I fell in love with this style of dress last year on my birthday!  Of course I bought mine instead of sewing it, but I loved it nonetheless!  

So, those are my favs for me, but there are also some adorable patterns for the little ones that I must show you:

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This is such an adorable baby dress!  Even though the sizing isn't for my sweetie, I'm sure it could be tweaked to fit.  Too cute!

I think this dress is cute too, but after looking at the line drawings, I think the reason it works is because the details get lost with the print.  I'm not so sure what the dress would look like in a solid color.  But I do like the bag!  My little one is all about bags right now, and she loves loading them up with whatever she can find!

Now this pattern had me at "hello!"  I love the handkerchief style headband and dress with applique.  Even the neckline is interesting!  Besides that, it is toddler-sized!  I will have to check this one out when I head back to Joanns.

Okay, last but not least (and I'm sorry I am not listing any patterns for little boys),

For this dress, I really like the panels on the bottom half of the dress.  It reminds me of a certain skirt I made last year that looked like petals!  

Overall, I think there are a lot of nice patterns from New Look's spring collection.  There are still more to see if you are interested, just click here.

Stay sew-filled!

New Kwik Sew Patterns

I got this email yesterday about new Kwik Sew patterns, so I headed over to the website to check them out.  Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed in their new stuff.  Not that I use Kwik Sew patterns a lot, but I have found the Kwik Sew book Sewing for Children to be wonderful and I just assumed that some of their designs would be a lot nicer as well.  There are really only a few things that stood out for me:

First is a pair of shorts.  I saw these and thought they are just so cute!

Kwik Sew 3854

I really like the button detail to these shorts, and the way the seaming at the top continues into the pocket construction.  My only dislike is the length.  I couldn't wear shorts that short, and I don't think they would look as good if I added length to them.

Kwik Sew 3849

Now this is more my style.  I like simple tops that have length to them, much like a tunic.  I think I like the one on the left (View A) a little more than the one on the right because of the classic appeal with the pin tucks on the upper top of the shirt.  Lovely!

Well, that is all I liked.  The rest of the collection are all simple pieces that you could really get from any of the Big 4 pattern companies without paying an arm and a leg in the price.  When I saw this pattern, I just had to say "Really, Kwik Sew??"

Kwik Sew 3843

I'm sure someone will be buying this pattern, but it won't be me!  There seems to be a whole geometric theme going on at Kwik Sew, because they had a pattern similar to this last fall/winter.  I guess it did well, since they introduced this one.

Overall, not the best collection I have ever seen, and I don't think I am motivated to buy anything from Kwik Sew just yet. 

What do you think?  Are you a Kwik Sew fan, or what do you think about their collection??

Stay sew-filled!

New Vogue favorites!

By now I am sure that most of you may know that Vogue has released their Early Spring patterns.  After looking over all they have to offer, I found myself gushing over quite a few styles.  In fact, I may give Vogue a try this year!  I have NEVER sewn one of their patterns before, but I think I would do ok once I got going!

Here are some of my favorites:

Vogue 1233

I LUV this dress!!  It reminds me a little of the trench dress I bought from Mccalls new patterns (6279) a couple of weeks ago, except it has more of a classic feel.

Vogue 1228

I'm not exactly sure why I am drawn into this one, but I think it has a lot to do with the neckline and the sleeve style.  This kimono style dress is more fitted in the bodic and loose on the bottom half, which seems like it will match LOVELY with this pear-shaped lady!

Vogue 1225

This style is a winner for me, except for the pockets.  It looks like they get in the way of the beautiful drape of the dress!  I'm sure that is easy enough to adjust.

Vogue 8706

This one is obviously a stunner!  I really like the mock wrap front, and the side gathers.  I wouldn't even know where to wear this to, but I could come up with something!

All of these styles makes me anticipate what else is coming out!  Though I know I should be thinking about what I have on my plate right now, I can't help but get wrapped up in the new pattern releases.  Well, that is all for now.  The snow has cleared up here and life looks like it is getting back to normal.  In fact, my hubby is firing up the grill tonight!  YUM!

Stay sew-filled!

Crazy Lazy Days

Since it's been a while since I have updated you all, I decided that I'd better post something.  This past week has been a little topsy turvy for me in more ways than one!  First, I live in Georgia, and if you watch the news, you may know that there was a pretty bad winter storm in our area.  It snowed like crazy Sunday night, and then rained on top of the snow. Since the temperatures were below freezing, that combination created blocks of ice on the road, making driving anywhere especially dangerous.  So, pretty much from Monday until yesterday, our little world has stood still.  My hubby didn't have to work, and schools have been closed, etc.  All from a little snow, rain, freezing temperatures, and ill preparation from our DOT (dept. of transportation).

Of course the week started with excitement from all the snow, and my son got to go outside to experience it firsthand (my daughter was running a fever so she could not), but being kooked up in the house with two kids, and the inability to get out is wearing me down some.

Not to mention that my daughter, who is 18 months, going on 19 months, has been waking up multiple times during the night when she used to be a sound sleeper.  It turns out she was teething, but long after her teeth are now in, she is still not allowing me to get much sleep.

I say all of this to say...

OK, so I haven't been sewing! LOL!  What can you do?  Life happens sometimes, right?

But I did at least create a muslin of my skirt, and it was a little snug, so I was thinking about decreasing the seam allowance to add a little more ease rather than adjusting the whole pattern.  I know the fabric is a knit, but I don't want to end up with a skintight skirt.

So I don't know when I will finish my first simple skirt (and it is so simple, judging by how quickly the muslin went together) but all things considered, it will get done.

Stay sew-filled!!

Well, as you know, I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday to check out the Simplicity pattern sale going on this week (see here).  I was so elated to be out of the house without kids in tow, that I ended up spending about an hour and a half in the store just perusing patterns and what not.  Imagine my surprise when I ended up only buying 2 patterns!!  Yes, 2 patterns.  And they weren't even anything from the Early Spring Collection (which is now on Simplicity's website, if you are interested).  As you can tell, I am very picky, even if a pattern is only
99 cents!

On a positive note, I did find another skirt pattern to round out the choices for my skirt sewing...

So that's how everything looks so far.  Actually, now that I am looking at all three of them together, it looks a little overwhelming, but I know that they should not be as time-consuming as some of the other things I have sewn.

My other purchase is one for a later date, but one I have been anticipating for a LONG time, ever since I have seen all of the success from other PRs.  It is Simplicity 2700:

Yes, the Amazing Fit bootcut pants are now in my possession.  I figure this pattern will be good to have around when attempting my first pair of pants.  And I know bootcut pants are much more figure-flattering for pear-shaped women such as myself.  I took a peek at the instructions and everything is laid out so well, with such great information, I can tell I will probably like it.  If anything, I hope to get a great pair of pants from this pattern.

Well, that's all.  Just a quick update on how things went yesterday.  I'm still plugging away at my skirt, and hope to have something to show you soon.  I hope everyone else's sewing projects are getting done now that things have slowed down a little after the holidays (for me at least, they may have picked up for some of you).

Stay sew-filled!

Simplicity Patterns on Sale!

Last night I was getting ready for bed and catching up on my blog reading at the same time.  Actually, because of my smartphone, I am able to stay up-to-date when anyone posts a new blog entry and that is a feature I regularly indulge in throughout the day.  So, I was reading Green Apples last night, and the author of the blog, Stitchy Witch (that is what she calls herself), said that she was going to Hobby Lobby to pick up some Simplicity patterns because they were on sale for 99 cents.  WHAT!?!?!?  I had to stop right in my tracks, look up Hobby Lobby's website, and sure enough, yes, Simplicity patterns are on sale.  Have a look for yourself:

Normally I am not this excited about buying patterns, but I am more excited about picking up some of the new Spring line styles than anything else.  I try not to buy more than I can actually sew, as I am already starting to accumulate a lot of pattern envelopes that have yet to be opened.  Anyhow, I plan on stopping by Hobby Lobby this evening and checking this sale out!  I wanted to pass along this info just in case you have a Hobby Lobby near you.  If you need to see if one is in your area, click here.  The sale lasts until Jan. 8th.  Have fun shopping!!

I did make some progress last night on getting my skirt pattern pieces cut out.  There are only two pattern pieces to work with, and an elastic guide, so that is good news.  Today I plan on working on the alterations I need to make to the pattern pieces before I cut my fabric.  Since I am not used to fitting my hips, I am a little nervous.  I think I may wait and make a muslin just to be sure things are fitting properly.  So that is what I am working on right now.  It's going slowly, but it is going...

Stay sew-filled!

On a mission

It is finally 2011!  I remember way back in 1998 when 2010 seemed like some far off futuristic world.  Well, here it is in all it's glory, so I am going to make the best of it!

Speaking of making the best of it, I got to thinking about what I wanted to work on for this year.  I really wanted to have a bunch of goals to aim for, and organize them out line by line, though there were so many things I didn't want to overwhelm myself (which I easily do).  Instead, I want to stay focused on one goal at a time, and see it out to it's completion.

So I was also thinking about how I am lacking in the wardrobe department.  I mean, with a husband and kids I tend to put my needs on the backseat a lot in order to make sure my family has what it needs.  In doing so, I realize that my wardrobe is just getting by.  And I don't like just getting by.  I don't require much to be happy, but I do believe I deserve good things as well!

My mission, then, is to sew my own wardrobe!

For January, I will be sewing skirts.  I want to start off with an easier project, and work my way up to something a little more difficult, but making sure I maintain quality, so that I end up with garments I do wear, and love to wear.  I still plan to purchase ready made items at the store, but the majority of my wardrobe I would like to sew myself.

I have already chosen a theme for this sewing mission, as well as two sewing patterns to begin with (I may add one more later).  Here is a rough draft of my plans:

Yesterday I went to Joanns and purchased fabric for the Simplicity 6735 skirt, so that I can get started this week.  I really didn't see any prints that I liked, so I ended up with a solid royal blue polyester knit.  It is a beautiful color, and it hangs nicely.  It is lightweight, so I'm going to have to figure out what to do about lining it, but I am starting to get excited about this skirt.  If this one turns out well, I would definitely consider making another one in a different fabric.  Besides, navy goes with a lot of colors, right?

So that is what I am up to for January.  I really want to dedicate this entire month to skirts and move on in February, but since I will be taking my time sewing each garment, I'll have to see how things go...

BTW, I did get a glimpse of the new Spring patterns in Simplicity and Mccalls, and I was in heaven!!  I only bought two Mccalls patterns, but I plan on doing some serious buying whenever Simplicity patterns go on sale.  Since I plan to be sewing a wardrobe, I've got to have options right?

Stay sew-filled!