Projects on the horizon

Hello everyone!

I hope all of you are doing well, and enjoying February, since it will be over soon.  There have been so many things that have happened in my life since the last time I posted, I'm not even going to get into them because it would distract me from my original intention for today--to let you know I'm still here, plugging along!

I tell you though, for some reason, I just can't seem to finish my Burda boys trousers!  Everytime I look at them I get excited that they are so close to being finished, but I still hesitate to "close the deal."  I have even set aside time to finish them, only to get frustrated and leave them on my sewing table.

So...I have to find a way to get unstuck.  I really don't want to go on to a new sewing project, but maybe it might be good to cleanse my palate, and take the pressure off of these pants (why did I want to sew pants)!!

Here are some things I have been thinking about...

This is an OOP pattern that I purchased when I first got into sewing.  I wanted to try my hand at a bag, but wanted it to be something easy.  I have never sewn it before, and I would like to sew one for a special friend of mine who will be moving to another state soon.  She is a wonderful woman, and I thought of making her a bag she could use when she is out and about running errands.

This NL6648 is one of the tops I must sew for 2012!  I have to admit, upon first seeing it, I thought it would be a cute spring/summer top.  However, after seeing this top made in The Sewing-ista's sew-along, I was thoroughly convinced that I HAD to sew it!  And soon!  Here is a photo of her finished top.

Remember this lovely dress I wanted to make last year?  Well, as Easter is rolling around this year again, I would really like to make this dress for my little sweetheart.  After all, it is already cut out and waiting to be sewn, so I have a small head start, right?  I do remember there were just so many steps (40, I think) that I got tired only a few steps into this project.  

Of course, if I finish this dress I'll have to make my son a nice tie to wear.  I'm sure I could find some great resources for a proper boy's tie somewhere online!

                   

These two Cynthia Rowley patterns are also two that I MUST sew this year!  I have been in love with 2443 since it first came out, and I saw a replica of it at Joann's one day.  2593 is a nice basic top with a pretty collar.  It takes me down memory lane, and reminds me of when I tried Simplicity 2892 with botched results.  Hopefully, the results on this top will fare much better!

So I did happen to blow away a whole month of sewing!  

How about you?  How has your year been so far?  Have you gotten a lot of projects under your belt, or have you only just begun?

I'm believing that March is going to be a whole lot better...

Stay sew-filled! 

A great sew-along and more progress photos...

Hello everyone!

In my last post I told you I was still getting some sewing done even though my daughter was out of school sick. Well, on that Friday my daughter and son traded places, and he was the one home sick.  I have still managed to "make" time to sew, but I tell you, I still have a few things left to do in finishing up the Burda boys trouser.

For some reason, I think I am a relatively slow sewer.  I don't know if a lot of you fall in that same category, but I definitely do.  I tend to take my time, and (especially with this particular project) I make silly mistakes that set me back because I need to undo my stitches.  It's ok, I've come to terms with it, but it doesn't make things as exciting for you all to have to wait for me to finish a project, does it?  Well thanks again for hanging in there with me!!

And speaking of all of you, I am always trying to be aware that not everyone is on the same sewing level.  While I am an intermediate beginner, some of you reading may be more advanced, or even still, some of you may be just starting out like I was a little over a year ago.  I clearly remember the beginning of my journey into sewing, and having a passion to sew, but not really the skill set.  I took a few classes that helped, but I really wanted to learn more independently in an easy step-by-step manner.

There is a way to do that!  For anyone interested, I came across this wonderful woman on Facebook who has a great site dedicated to teaching others to sew, and displaying the items she has finished.  You can check out the Sewing-ista here.

She is currently hosting a sew-along for this New Look pattern:

This is a cute top!  The Sewing-ista is making View B, but she encourages you to make a different style if you would like.  However, if you are a total beginner, and you need a little hand holding (I did) I would go with View B.  She has a photo tutorial up with audio included!!  

I will not be doing this sew-along anytime soon, though, because otherwise I will never finish my Burda boy's trouser, but I do like this style of top, and I am filing it in my memory for possible future construction.  Also, I am not affiliated with the Sewing-ista, just an avid follower of hers on Facebook.  I just thought I'd pass along a great resource for anyone wanting a little help.  Here is the photo tutorial link for the New Look pattern.  You'll see on this link that she (Colleen) also has some helpful Youtube videos.

Anyhow, speaking of finishing my Burda boy's trousers, I have some more in-progress photos to show you!

Anything missing here?

Or here?

If you guessed a waistband, then you are right!  I still have to attach the waistband and belt loops.  In fact, my little prince may end up wearing these pants with a belt because they were a little loose around his waist when he put them on.

Other than that, I had to do some hunting for those mysterious rivets I posted about last time.  I went to Joann's and found some, but they were too expensive for my liking.  I tried Hobby Lobby, but no luck there.  And Walmart had one or two options that didn't specifically say they were jeans rivets but I thought would work, except I decided in the end that they were too cheap-looking and I didn't want to put all this hard work into a nice pair of pants to have them look cheap.

So...

I ordered some online through Amazon.com:

They come with a cute star on them, and they have the tool needed to place them (at Joanns you had to purchase it separately) for a reasonable price and no shipping charge.  I really, really, really hope they work out.  I'll find out soon, as they are supposed to be here either today or tomorrow.

Other than that, I am making my way to the finish line!!  I mean, you cannot understand how I want to finish these pants!!  It's been a great project, but it has also been a lengthy one.  I keep reminding myself to be patient so I don't make anymore mistakes and have another setback.  I will definitely be doing a comprehensive review of the Burda boy's trouser when I finish!

Stay sew-filled!

Where there's a will, there's a way...

I hope you are all enjoying your week!

The last time I posted, I shared that I got some sewing done, and showed you progress of my Burda boy's trousers.  Well, I proceeded to sew here and there the whole weekend long, and got all excited to see everything coming together only to have a setback Sunday evening--my daughter got sick!

So Monday, instead of sending two kids to school I only sent one.  However, it has been working out just fine. I am still finding time to sew during my daughter's naptime, and that has helped me gain some progress.  In fact, I only have the following to do:

* attach the waistband

* insert the zipper

* attach the belt loops

* put on the rivets (something I have never done before)

* sew the buttonhole

* hem the pants

It's a lot, but I am handling each part in small pieces.  My husband says that I am a more pleasant person now that I am sewing again.  I am not sure what that means, but I take it that sewing is still something that brings me joy, and it shows.  

So, hang in there, as I hang in there, and I hope to show you some evidence of what I've been doing soon!!

Stay sew-filled!

Burda boy's trouser coming together...

Hey all!

I hope you had a good week!  I did, only because...I got some sewing done!

Yes, I cleared away this entire morning while the kids were at preschool, didn't worry about all the household things that needed to get done (for once), and began trying to figure out how to get these Burda boy's trousers together!!

I must say, I did get stuck a few times, but have worked through each of the issues so far, and I have this to show for it:

I know it is hard to see the details on these pants because they are black, but I will do my best to photograph them when I am finished.  I plan on working on them all this weekend, and hopefully have them complete so my son can wear them to school next week.

I did enjoy my time in my sewing room today, and look forward to more progress!!

Stay sew-filled!