Checking back in

Hello everyone!

I know I "disappeared" for about a month, and I am sorry.  My daughter is almost 2 1/2 years old now, and has been having difficulty sleeping at night, after sleeping wonderfully for over a year.  Needless to say, I have been the one suffering.  I was so excited to have three mornings a week of free-time to sew, I didn't account for little things like this that would throw off the whole dynamic.  Now I find myself sleeping on my free-time just so I can function when I pick the kids up!

So things have not been as ideal as I hoped, but I am working on it.  The last place I left off, I had been working on boys' trouser pants for my son.  They are still a UFO, but I am determined to finish them so that I can break this bad habit I started of abandoning sewing projects.

Overall, everything else has been going well.  My son will be turning 5 next month, and he is learning so much at preschool!  He is starting to spell simple words, write his name, and develop his fine motor skills by cutting paper.  My daughter is a bubbly, joyous, fun-loving 2 1/2 year old who is potty-training, and learning to make friends.  She loves to give hugs and kisses, but she also loves to assert her independence!

Here is a picture of them with some homemade Playdough we made recently:

I never knew making playdough could be so much fun, and the kids played with it for an hour!

In other news, do you remember this outfit I made for my friend's first baby boy?

Well, I finally got to see her son in the outfit!!!!  Besides my own children, I have never seen something I have sewn on another person before (let alone a little person).  I was moved to tears!  He just looked so precious!  The colors fit him perfectly, and everyone in our bible study group kept commenting that they thought he was wearing "Carters."  Now that has to be one of the best compliments I've ever received!

I wish I could show you all a picture, but you'll have to trust me that he looked as wonderful as I described.

Lastly, I must say that God is so good!  The reason I say this is because sleep deprivation has a way of making you crazy.  I was going crazy too, because I didn't know when I would ever blog, only because I didn't know when I would get back to sewing.  Well, while away, I continued to receive a few comments from all of you, and even some more followers!!!  So, through you, I was reminded why I love to blog, love to sew, and will continue to hang in there through this transitional time, knowing that you are all hanging in there with me!  Thanks!

Stay sew-filled!

Entrenched in Burda

Good afternoon all!

I hope you are doing better than I am!

Now why did I think I could "whip up" a pair of pants just as quickly as I thought up the idea to sew them?  And why did I think I could tackle a new sewing magazine and there would be smooth sailing?  Sometimes I am an optimist!  Or an idealist?

So you can tell that I am still entrenched in Burda over here.  There are a lot of details to sewing these pants, so I decided to add a trusty resource to my sewing to room to help me when I ran into a snag:

It's a very thorough resource, and I like that it seems like they thought of most everything sewing related and threw it all in here.  This new edition features Simplicity sewing patterns as well.  So, for example, if you are reading the instructions for a fitted blouse, you can use a specific Simplicity pattern, and almost have your own one-on-one lesson.

Alas, there are no Burda patterns included in this book, but I am slowly but surely finding my way with my son's trousers.

That's all for now!  I hope you are having sewing success!

Stay sew-filled!

Hideaway in my sewing room

It's another great week in September!  I finished off some shopping at Joann's on Friday, just as I said in my last post, and I was pleased to get the Burda pattern I mentioned, plus this additional one:

Now all I need to do is find some nice fabrics for my new finds.  I admit that fabric is one thing I don't purchase a lot because I am so darn picky!  I want that perfect find for my pattern, and if I am not convinced that the outcome will be beautiful, I wait until I see something else.  Similarly, I am the same way with clothes shopping.  I can see a lot of nice things, but I will wait until I have the perfect thing for me.  The downside is I do a lot of waiting when I can be more creative with nice pieces I see.  You know, like those bloggers that turn ordinary garments into something extraordinary by the accessories they add or the way in which they wear them.  I need a little more of that talent. = )

Anyhow, I didn't get to trace out the Burda trouser pattern as I hoped on Friday.  I was so excited about being out at Joann's without any little ones that I spent most of my time there, and had to remind myself to go and pick up my kids!  

Nevertheless, today I am dedicating my time to being in my sewing room.  I'm going to relax, bring some munchies, and enjoy the process!

Stay sew-filled!

  

Moving along

Good Friday morning!

Boy do I have plans for today!  I have to make a trip to Joann's, and then I will be working on Burda 146A boys trousers.  I decided to sew a size 110 cm after taking all of my son's sizes.  He seemed to be a little below some of the sizing for chest and waist, but average on hips and length.  So I think the pants will end up fitting him just fine and I won't have to adjust them too much.

The fabric I am using is a black cotton twill.  It will be my first time sewing with this type of fabric, and I like the thought of using it for these trousers because they will be easy to dress up or down.  My son is the kind of boy that likes to dress up for church, and when he does he goes all the way with suit, tie, dress pants, and dress shoes.  It is a bit much sometimes, so these pants will allow him to still get dressed up without adding all the extras.

My only hesitation in getting started is figuring out the crazy road map of Burda pattern sheets.  I am wondering if they are like Ottobre, or if they are much different.  I imagine it will be much simpler to trace than I think it is, or so I hope!  Speaking of tracing paper, I need to grab some of that too..

Hopefully you are all ready for the weekend!  Have a great one, and I'll see you on Monday!

Stay sew-filled!

And I haven't even unfolded it yet!