Look What I Won!

Saturday I had the pleasure of attending our ASG's chapter Spring Fling!  I must say that the Fredericksburg group that hosted the event really raised the bar to an unbelievable height!  We had 77 gals attend and had just too much fun.  Well, I don't think you can have too much fun while talking about sewing! We had lunch, a fashion show and a fabric silent auction.  I got caught up in a bidding war over one piece of fabric and won it due to the graciousness of the other bidder.  Then I had a senior moment and left it at the event under my table ! Boo Hoo Thankfully one of the gals from the Frederiscksburg group found it and I will have my fabric back in my hot little hands by Thursday! 

This is my prize and what a treasure trove it is!  Each neighborhood group was asked to make a centerpiece and they we given away as door prizes.  I was so lucky to be picked second and selected this cornucopia of sewing notions.  As a matter of fact, I felt so lucky that I purchased a lottery ticket.  I will let you know if I am a millionairess on Tuesday! ha ha

Happy Sewing,
Michele P

Twin Set Thursday

Well, I guess I missed this weeks
T-shirt Tuesday so I am substuting with Twin Set Thursday!

This is the Hotpatterns Deco Vibe Twinset. I really like the way the back looks on the tank.  I had to tweak the jacket as it was a little too full in the back due to the large pleat.

The white fabric is a cotton blend knit and it was the STREATCHYist fabric I have ever used!  I almost lost my religion as I added the front binding!

The tweak that I made to the back jacket was to sew the pleat at the high waist and lower back and made the hem into a faux peplum.

You may recognize the trim.  It is the same curly knit that I used in my bow T-Shirt.


Close up of the neck



Back Tank

Happy Sewing,
Michele P

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Viva says Happy St. Pat's day - and if you don't give me a treat I will zap you with my laser eyes!

In the spirit of the day, here is my green.  I am so happy to have finished yet another UFO!

This fabric is supposedly Chanel and I have had it in my stash for probably 10 years.  I started this vest last year, and as par usual for me, by the time it was almost completed it was summer and too hot to wear.  I kept with the raw edge theme of last spring and the bow is detachable.

These buttons are hand made by a gal in GA.  I purchased them at an Expo several years and they were the impetus for the blue T underneath.

I love to add a little something to the back, hence the tiny bow and waist band.

Close up of the back.  I like a vest that is cut in a razor back style.  I believe it to be more flattering on narrow shoulders than the standard back.

Shown with large flower in place of the bow.

This is a better representation of the true color of the fabric.

Happy Sewing,
Michele P

T-Shirt Tuesday March 15, 2011

Today's T-Shirt is such a functional piece.  I wear it casually with a jeans jacket or dress it up with a black skirt and the ubiquitous strappy sandal.

                                                           Close up of the flowers

If you are a hand embroiderer, I know you recognize this flower as a spider web rose. 

Here is a video featuring Trudy of Hot Patterns with a demo of how to make them.  The rose tutorial starts in the the 3 of 3 video. I put both in because I think they are great!

     

Now that I look at her video again, I see more Ts that I want to make!

The one thing I do differently than Trudy is I make my roses on a separate piece of fabric, and then apply them to the T.  I think they have more body with the extra fabric and seem to hold up better.

Happy Sewing,

Michele P 

T-Shirt Tuesday

Welcome to another day of T-Shirt Tuesday.  I must say that today's T could be catorized as express as it was so easy and quick to make and yet one of my faves!

The color looks a little washed out - it is really a vibrant olive green.  I wanted some tops that had detail in the middle and not on a shoulder so that I could effortesly wear it with a sweater or jacket.  This one was inspired by an Anthropology T.

This is a better representation of the true color of the T.  First thing I did was cut off the sleeves to a 3/4.  I only had one T so I had to figure out how to embellish with just a small bit of fabric.

Next, I cut the 'cut off sleve' into strips from 3/4" to 1" in width.

Then I laid out the strips along the neck and twisted a few and interwove a few.

Last, I used the longest piece to cover the raw edge on the neck and Viola - quick T.

                                                                  

I pulled these two fabrics out of my stash and plan to make 'something' to match the T.

Happy Sewing,

Michele P 

What I am working on Today

I am vigilantly working on my UFO list.  Today's post is just that, two tops that have been in the closet for quite a while.

This is a twin set that I started last year at a retreat and this is one of the MANY projects I started there.  I really want to get this done to wear Saturday.  Dr. P and I will be celebrating our 28th wedding anniversary and I want to wear it to dinner.  I can't believe that it has been 28 years - I only feel like I am 28 years old so how can I be married that long?  Where does the time go?

Anyway - The fabric of this twin set came from Emma One Sock.  Her fabrics are so great.  The fiber content is a blend of wool and cashmere.  Again, like butter!

These pictures do not do the colour justice! It is such a stunning shade of brown and orange.

Close up of the tank.  I cut out motifs from left over fabric and hand applied them to the neckline using four strands of top stitch thread .  As the fabric is a knit it will not ravel so it was perfect for this type of treatment.

Again, this pic does not show it too well, but the thin trim around the jacket is a leather cord that I zig zaged on with jeans thread.  I am considering taking the beads off the jacket and applying appliques then beading them.  Now you know why it takes me so long to finish anything!  I remake it at least two times before I can finish it!

Happy Sewing,
Michele P

T-Shirt Tuesday



Kate Spade Cap Flower T $125



Today's T was inspired by this Kate Spade T.  I have not had a chance to visit Neiman's to see it up close and in person - so I just guessed at the construction.  I plan to take a road trip this week and may update my technique after.

This is my first version and I am so happy with how it turned out.  This is one of my bargain Ts from my last Target expedition.

Here is a close-up of the flower.  I used fabric from another T to create the flower.  It was a little limp - so after several experiments, I used my no fray spray and it gave the flower the body that it needed to stay and not flop over.



No Fray Spray



I found these jewels in my stash and added them to the neckline.  I think it gave it that little extra that the T needed.

I used a small piece of self fabric to the underside to the jewels to add stability.

I have two more of these 'flower' Ts in the works.  I am also working on a tutorial of how the make and assemble the flower.

Happy Sewing,

Michele P