Lets Get this Party Started

This will be my first "Over The Top" top. I'm participating in Faye's Over the Top Challenge. This is McCalls 6124, view A.


I attempted to make a blouse using this fabric and it was an epic fail, I cut a generous size 12 and it was way to small. I even tried to gift it to a tiny co-worker and it didn't fit her, I can't remember the pattern but it's noted in my database so I won't make that mistake again. This blouse was pretty quick and easy and best of all it fits. I still have to add the buttons/button holes.


I organized my crochet and knitting mags, they were driving me crazy stacked on my dresser. A co-worker shared this with me so I thought I would share. It's very simple but I didn't think of it until she showed me.


I got the magazine sleeves from Staples and the binders were free from work. Now they're all labeled and put away. I also got a dolly for my many bins of fabric, it makes it so much easier to just roll them out of my storage closet.


Here's the khaki version of McCalls 5523, view B again. Came out great, I even got the zipper on the left side, in the black I inserted it on the right side.

I lined it with this sunny yellow.

Which matched the RTW blouse I wore with it, too bad nobody knew but me.

I also added 1 inch elastic to the back which helps the waistband to lay flat.


I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Off to a good Start

My weekend got off to a great start with a delicious chocolate muffin and fresh strawberries. Why does chocolate and strawberries go together so well, yum. I've been trying to perfect this recipe for years and I think I finally got it, it's a hybrid of several that I've tried which were all lacking but with a few changes I made it my own. If you're interested I will post the recipe.

My GS will turn 8 on Tuesday so we started celebrating with a trip to the circus.

I wasn't too excited about going but we had a really good time.

Even with all the over prices extra's.

On my needles and my nerves, the pattern is coming along fine but I'm having the darnest time trying to find a coordinating print fabric for a skirt, I may have to resort to online and request a few swatches to make sure it matches. I took the yarn to 3 different fabric stores with no luck.


I love the coral with the off-white and really want some type of print for the skirt. I almost let my subscription to Vogue lapse but the last few issues have had some great patterns.

Also on my needles, the double V cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2010 issue, I did let this subscription laspe because the patterns were full of errors and extremely aggravating to a novice but I'm determined to make this sweater and I finally got my swatch right.


I think it will be lovely with this navy/white pique for Spring/Summer.

I also cut out another skirt, McCalls 5523, view D again. This time out of some khaki fabric that I thought was ruined by this terrible crease mark but with some creative folding I was able to get the skirt cut out. I am lining this one, the black one is great but I should know better, I hate having to find a slip.

I'm off to book my reservation for PR Chicago weekend in May. Let me know if you're going to attend I'm looking forward to meeting everyone. I will be arriving late on Friday so will join the festivities on Saturday, I will be staying with friends.

Basic Black

I didn't have a black skirt so I fixed that wardrobe gap with McCalls 5523, which has been done to death on PatternReview and now I know why, it's a great pattern. Quick, easy and a lot of different options. I made view B with the twill remnant from the capris I made last summer.

Of course black is impossible to photograph so you'll just have to take my word for it when I say it came out great.



Part of my bring on Spring theme, I purchased these two pique pieces from Hancock.



And a few patterns that fit the theme.

A few infant patterns to make and sell over the summer. We'll see how that goes.

I promise this will be the last time you have to look at my socks, at least now there is a pair.


I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Maybe When I Retire

I will have an Etsy shop. A co-worker said how his wife was busting their budget by buying stuff on Etsy for their newborn daughter, when he showed me what it was I couldn't believe what they were selling for, so in an effort to save him some money and maybe make a little myself, I whipped up several pairs of these "fancy pants".


I would much rather have spent that time making something for myself but it made them happy. The hair bands are nothing more than a huge flower clipped to a store bought band.



We've had 6 babies born in as many months, 3 girls, 3 boys so there's definitely a market for them but I don't know that I will make anymore. I do enjoy making little girls clothes I may make a few sun dresses and sell them over the summer.


I know you guys are tired of seeing my one sock but I wanted to share my .99 sock blockers. Please forgive me but I don't remember where I saw them.


Gotta love Hobby Lobby.

I received the book I won from Faye at Faye's Sewing Adventures, bloggers are awesome. You should check out her blog she's having some great giveaways. Thanks Faye.

Didn't have a lot of sewing time this past weekend, we went to see Rango on Sunday. My GS and DD were disappointed that it wasn't in 3D but I enjoyed it. Just a note, there were several small children that were freaked out by the animals in the movie so you may not want to take weeones to see it.

Hopefully my semi-unselfish sewing will bring good vibes my way and I will get something accomplished this weekend.