And The Ugly!

My tagline for my blog is “Somewhere in Between The Good, The Bad And The Ugly It’s All Swell.”  Well, introducing THE UGLY.

I had some Chartreuse jersey hanging around in my creating room and a lot of it.  After tackling the Sewaholic Renfrew and succeeding, (by my standards), I thought I would try Simplicity 1808.  I sewed just the t-shirt.

Thinking this would be easy peasey, but not the case.  I am still having troubles working with jerseys and knits.  Am I just letting them intimidate me?  Or do I truly lack the skills to sculpt the drapey fabric?  Ugh!  Ugh-LEE!  The neckline on this beauty is stretched and unshapely.  It makes me crazy!  I even had enough jersey to try sewing it again.  So I did, and my second attempt was even worse!

The very sad part of this whole tale is that the t-shirt could have been really cute and I would have worn the heck out of it!  If only…….

My sewing has been a little scattered lately.  I have 3-4 sewing projects that I am working on all at the SAME TIME!!!  Why do I do this to myself?  Is this normal?  Do I even what to be normal? I think not!

I have purchased some ponte de roma fabric from Girl Charlee, to try my hand, again at sewing another Renfrew.  This is considered to be a stable knit, which is recommended by the Renfrew Pattern.  The print on both of these fabrics is larger than they seem.  So it will be interesting to see how much I love these.

Finally the MMM 2012 Challenge continues.  This is how I did this week.

Day 15 MMM 2012

Me-Made Sorbetto.

Day 16 MMM 2012

Me-Made Clovers with a J Crew sweater and a Vera thrifted scarf.

Day 17 MMM 2012

Sorbetto sewn from an Etsy purchase of vintage silk.  There was a lot of contorting with my body when I struggled to take this photo of myself.

And Today..

Day 18 of the MMM 2012 Challenge.

A Me-Made fabric necklace complete with yo-yos and swarovski crystals.

I am off to Michigan for a couple of days to snag my mom and bring her back to California for several days!  Have a great weekend!

Left, Right, Middle and Hope For The Best!

Do you have a beef?  I  do.  Well, maybe beef is a little too harsh for this pet peeve that I have.  I don’t mean to pick on pattern companies, there probably aren’t many other options out there for creating  multi-sized patterns.

I went looking through my patterns to find a good example of what I am going to write about but wouldn’t you know it? I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted.  So let’s just start with this picture, shall we?

 

We have all seen these overlapping lines when we are working with a pattern, and like I said, this is not the extreme of what I wanted to show you.  Sometimes you get a pattern that can have many sizes all merging onto one pattern piece.  There are patterns out there that can have a size 0 to a size 20, where do all those lines end up?  They merge together into one very thick line and THIS is where I say “left, right or center”.  You make the choice.  I find this to be comical when there is an extremely thick line.  It’s just funny and I guess it makes me wonder what the pattern creator was thinking the pattern user was going to do with this thick black line?

I always approach this as if I am at a party and I might have had a little too much tequila (not that this has ever happened). If you are seeing double or triple, you always choose the one in the center, right?  So that’s what I do, that and make a muslin, when I can!

Anyway let’s get on with the MMM 2012.  Here are Days 11, 12, 13 and today, Day 14.

Day 11

A “me-made” reversible belt.

Day 12 and 13.

A yellow “me-made” polka dot ponytail holder and for Day 13, Mother’s Day, another Sorbetto.  I just can’t help it, I love the Sorbetto so!  I used up all my gingham bias tape and then some creating this one.

And today, Day 14.

We are heading into San Francisco to a Giants game.  So I pulled out the polka dot orange headband to honor the Giants’ colors.  This is an evening game and it is sure to be very cold!  I will probably  be wearing a knit cap over this headband!

Happy Sewing!

8 Is Great, 9 Is Fine and Then it’s 10!

Day 8 of the MM-May 2012 Challenge.  Boy, am I tired.  How about you?  Doing this challenge really makes me realize how many things I have sewn/made/crafted.

Tuesday I left the house in a pair of Iris Shorts and a wristlet that I created.  It’s called the Knotty and Nice Wristlet,  (it has a knot on the strap and I was selling them around the holidays and I couldn’t resist a good pun moment).

Here is Tuesday, Day 8 and it is Great!

Can’t you see the tired on my face!  Ugh.  My wonderful husband better get home soon from his trip.  Those 2 boys of ours are running me ragged.

Here in this photo is the Knotty and Nice Wristlet.

The wristlet has a zipper pouch under the flap that has a magnetic closure and rick rack, who can resist?

As for Wednesday I left the house, looking normal, a pony and a headband!  Day 9 is just fine!  No pressure here, I am just living my Wednesday.

Day 10 Big Fat Hen, ugh maybe I am just feeling a little sluggish like a big fat hen!

Oh whoops!  I got confused.

Here I am!  Down here, wearing the pink polka dot blouse that I finished up last night.  It kind of looks like red in the picture, but trust me it’s a bright pink. This is Simplicity 2211, from the Lisette series. (I met Liesl Gibson in Palm Springs for that workshop I attended back in February).

Such an easy to follow pattern and it came together so nicely.  Everything matched up perfectly.  The only change I made was to make the blouse in a size 10 and sew the sleeves in a size 12 to compensate for a larger arm.

Maybe I eat too much spinach, like Popeye?  I am pretty sure you can never over eat on spinach.

I am surely going to sew more of these!

3 more days down, only 21 more to go?

 Piece of cake!

“In Corte Madera, you can put a Bow on something and just call it art.”

I tried something new.  I sewed the Renfrew Top by Sewaholic Patterns.  Created from a knit fabric, this would be my very first time!  I’m blushing.  Tasia, the creator of Renfrew, states that a “stable knit” should be used for this pattern.  If you look up stable knit, Ponte comes up as one of the examples.  So I believe that “Stable Knit”, means limited stretch.  This is not an easy task, finding an attractive knit, that is stable.  Most of the ponte that I have been able to find, comes in solid, ugly colors.  The one that Tasia used for her Renfrew is a lovely black and white stripe.

How cute is Tasia in her black and white striped Renfrew?

That shirt has personality!  I wanted something like that also, that had personality.  I found a striped knit, not an all too stable one, though.  It was on sale, so I thought, I’ll try it.  What the heck?

Here is my first attempt.

I am relatively happy with it.  After I finished and tried it on, I am going to shorten it.  It is a little long for my torso.  Oh yeah, and I had to put a bow on it.  What’s that joke?  ”In Portland, you can Put a Bird On It and just call it art”…….I learned this from my friend Lavender!  I “Put a Bow On It”!

Go here to see what I am talking about.  It’s funny and to the extreme, but this is how I feel sometimes, when I put a bow on it.  Everything is always better with a bow or a little rick rack, eh?

Here is today’s montage for day 7 of MM-May 2012 Challenge.  I also completed my 7th pair of Colette Clovers.  These are my favorite ones to date!

I did some crazy exposure thing with an app I have on my phone, but I am calling it “ART” cuz it has a “BOW” on it!!!

Happy Monday- Put a Bird on It!

Olympic Sporting and A Swell Sunday

It is no secret that I am not a lover of Sundays.  I believe it all started in 3rd Grade when I had an old bat of a teacher, she tied kids to their chairs and taped their mouths when we spoke out of turn or misbehaved.  I was very scared to go to school and on every Sunday I was physically ill.  Amazing what your brain can do to your body, eh?  So, ever since then, I have a kind of sick feeling in my stomach on Sundays.  There must be a way to change this mind-set.  There must!

I will just have to go and sew.  Sewing seems to help me get through some of those tough times.  Sewing and one of my other favorite hobbies, napping!  Aaahhhhhhhh the art of a nap.  I always say that if napping was an Olympic Sport, I would win the Gold!  That’s how practiced I am at it and how good I am!

Day 6 of the MM-May 2012 Challenge.  I hope that these updates don’t drive all of you crazy.  Zoe had a great idea doing this, it motivates you to sew and to wear what you have sewn. I am able to put my sewing errors aside and just wear my garment as it is.  You know what I mean by sewing errors?  They are those pesky things that barricade us from wearing our creations and also put us into an apology frenzy for “its” imperfections.  So thank you Zoe!  You’re the bomb!

Here is Day 6.

I think I will be rethinking those denim shorts in the future.  And as for that weird light on my legs, let’s just say it is my guardian angel.  Maybe she could zap me a nice tan on those gams while she is at it!  Teehee!

I blogged about this particular Sorbetto here.  As for the headband it is me-made as well.  It’s a Gosh Golly Goods headband.

So as I progress further into my Sunday, I am going to make it a Swell Sunday.

How about you?

Everybody Loves a Yo-Yo, Right?

Day 5 of the Me-Made-May 2012 Challenge.  What to wear?  Thank goodness the weather in Marin is starting to change for the better.  It’s sunny today and this gives me the opportunity to wear something that i’ve sewn.  The weather doesn’t really call for a skirt or dress, I am going to throw on a Sorbetto Top (pattern by Colette) it’s a really good basic top and it never disappoints.  I will throw a Kanzashi flower pin/barrette into my ponytail and call it a day.  I started crafting these little blooms a couple of years ago.  They are a fun  little treat to add to a handbag, tote bag, sweater or to your favorite hair-do.  I rather enjoy learning a new little crafty thing to create.  It keeps the mind and hands busy!

I crafted these yo-yo’s into barrettes, displayed here at a local hair salon.

So here is todays MMM.

Hustographer still out-of-town, Will took this picture on his way out the door to volunteer his time building steps on Lady bug Trail in Marin County for Boy Scouts.

On my cutting table?  Another pair of Colette Clover Trousers (6th pair) and my first attempt at sewing a knit.  I am going to use the Sewaholic Pattern Renfrew.  To say that I am a little nervous is an understatement!

What’s on your cutting table?

I would love to know!  Happy Sewing!

Lids that are “Top Hats”

The Kentucky Derby is this weekend and even though I haven’t ever wanted to attend, I love the idea of a beautiful hat.  This event seems to bring out the beauties and well….. some other interesting choices.

I, myself always have a hard time with hats.  I have a small head.  Small head filled with a very large brain, “I’m just sayin’.”  I spend my summers under the protective shade of a hat, but this hat has a draw string and is easily sized to my petite sized noggin.

I ran across this blog site here that had many “interesting” hats.   I didn’t really read the blog so I am not saying I agree or disagree with this person’s opinions about anything.  I just looked at the pictures.  So please, just know that I have no idea what this person has going on, except I think he is a lawyer.  Here are some pictures I snagged from his blog.

How about this crazy lid?  I really think that this hat is wearing her instead of her wearing it! I  would need the assistance of a seeing eye dog if I wore this!

I must say she looks pretty thrilled about it!

This hat Is a little more Kentucky Derby, I would think…..

It is definitely eye-catching!

Here’s a pretty accoutrement.  I love the color!

The next picture is a  gift I received in the post the other day from my lovely friend Lorraine!  It came all the way from Australia!  I have never had the pleasure of meeting her, but somehow she knew the perfect colors for me!

Green, periwinkle blue and yellow.  It’s a beauty!  And the best thing about it, this lid fits my small head!

See?!

 One more thing before I go!  It’s the fourth day of MMMay 2012! Here’s what I am donning today.

My youngest son William snapped this shot this morning.  I’ve sewn my blouse from the Colette Pattern Jasmine and you can review my post here.  The earrings are one of my favorites and I had to share.  They are from J.Crew, but not online in the store only.  The rest of my outfit has been purchased.

Happy Cinco de Mayo Everyone!

Cheers!

Day 3 Of MMMay 2012

I spent Tuesday afternoon and into the evening sewing up today’s look.  Just the blouse, mind you, but I did complete it in time.  Whew!  

This cowl neck blouse is sewn from Burdastyle Pattern 7519.  It’s a quick and easy pattern with only two pieces.  Sewn from a silky synthetic that I purchased on the sale rack it has a nice drape.  I’ve sewn this one before, but in the past I made a much larger size, which ended up being too big for me.  You can view my earlier creation here.  

I sewed the sleeveless version.  I enjoy wearing sleeveless, for the very fact that I can layer a sweater over it.  And living in California with all the micro-climates, it’s a nice option to have.

Here is the picture that I posted on Flickr for the Me-Made-May 2012 group pool page.

 My hustographer is out of town so my son Kenny snapped this photo before our frantic exit to school this morning!  Yes, it is raining outside!

 So now I am going to start my next project, so I am not wearing the “Emperor’s New Clothes”!  That’s not a look I am willing to rock!

Great day to you all!

Ready, Set, Go!

So, the Me-Made-May 2012 is off and going.  Zoe from So Zo… What Do You Know?” set up a Me-Made-May 2012 Flickr Page.   Today I wore my Sencha Blouse (by Colette Patterns) and my Clover Trousers, also by Colette Patterns.  I felt great and am realizing after stopping into my favorite store, Anthropologie, that  I  am sewing my own clothes not only because I can pick and choose fabrics that I look good in, but also because I can customize the fit.  Let’s face it, most things I buy off the rack don’t fit me properly anyway!  So at least this way if there is a fitting issue, I only have myself to blame!

My Husband  photographer (hustographer) took this picture on my way out the door to get all that gray “washed” out of my hair.  Translation:  I went to the salon to have my hair colored red.  Getting older stinks!  And it is very expensive too!  I used this really cool App on my phone to make this grouping of photos, It’s called “PicFrame”.  I am still in the throws of learning Illustrator, so until I do this App is how I am going to get by!

Well I am off to do some more sewing.  I need to have something to wear for tomorrow!

Oh, before I go, hop on over to “So Zo…. What Do You Know?”  Zoe has a coupon code over there for 20% off Simplicity Patterns at Simplicity.com!

Enjoy!

Nice to Meet You Sencha!

I am just bursting with joy after I finished my latest project!  I finally tackled the Sencha Blouse from Colette Patterns.  It really wasn’t a “tackle” it was more of a “roll”.  A roll because, it was easy, breezy and I just rolled with it.  I am thrilled with the results and for the very first time I used my intimidating  buttonhole foot attachment.  This is the one that plugs into the machine and communicates with the machine.  I don’t really understand how it works, so that in part is why it makes me a little nervous.  I feel the same way about airplanes.

And just so you know Sencha is not only a blouse pattern it is also a Japanese green tea.  I had to look it up.

I whipped up a yo-yo out of the same fabric and made a pin/barrette.

Here is the posterior photo.

Oh and I used buttons that I had in my stash.  The pattern calls for 3/4 inch buttons, I had 1/2 inch buttons so I did 7 buttonholes instead of 6.  Unfortunately I only had 6 buttons, so I am going to try to get another one.  If I can’t I will make the top button a “feature” button. There’s always something, huh?

I also finished my second pair of Iris shorts.  These are made of a cotton seersucker/gauze fabric.  They don’t hang as well as my navy blue wool Iris Shorts, but they will do.

At first glance they don’t look too bad, but take a second glance and something is just a little off.

Had I lined up the stripes, these shorts would have been nearly perfect!  Oh well, live and learn!

One more photo.

I even did buttonholes and buttons on this one with a little trim.  (These buttonholes were done with my old buttonhole foot).  Pretty snazzy!

One more thing that I want you to know……

Are you participating?

This came to me through the lovely Lavender from Threadsquare.  It originated from Zoe from “So Zo…What Do You Know?”.  Cute name for a blog!  Anyway, hop on over to her blog and sign up to partake if you would like.  Here’s my pledge.

‘I, (Tracey from Swellsewing.com), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May ’12. I endeavour to wear something made by me each day for the duration of May 2012′.

Today I am wearing a headband that I made.

Not terribly exciting, but it is the first day!

Happy May Day!