My Grey Period

Grey Days of Winter

I am not sure why, but I have been so drawn to grey fabric lately that I believe I am in a grey period!  Picasso had his blue period and now my grey!

This is a jacket that I really enjoy wearing.  The fabric is a medium weight wool and was such a pleasure to work with.  This is a prime example of what could have been a wader!  After I cut out the sleeves, I realized that I used my coat sleeve rather than my jacket sleeve.  I was at a retreat and was too lazy to re-cut the sleeves so I pondered and pondered and in the middle of the night it came to me - make a horizontal tuck down the middle of the sleeve and it will take up the excess fabric.  Yeah - from wader to wearable! 

 

After I made the tuck down the sleeve - I needed to echo that detail on the rest of the jacket so it would look intentional.  I added tucks the back and epaulets with tucks to the shoulder.





The zipper is a fantastic find from Pacific Trims , unfortunately they do not have them online - only in the store.  I did not want to cut the zipper so I used the entire length and wrapped it around the neck.

To finish off the jacket, I felted a large piece and it came out beyond my expectations!  I made a 'corsage' of the felted fabric and pinned it to the jacket rather than sewing it on.  I added a few beads and the jacket is complete!

Happy Sewing

Michele P

Merry Christmas from Viva

From time to time I will be introducing members of my immediate and extended family.  Meet Viva.  She is our 12.5 year young Rat Terrier.  She is so spoiled and loved by the entire family.  I am sure you will be seeing her again in many of my postings.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Michele P

Fabric From A Friend

Now that I have successfully passed my mandatory lesson on camera photo upload to the computer imposed by Dr. P (aka my husband) I am now free to post at will.  Therefore, I hope to post several times a week.  Now with that said here is today's post.

 

When my dear friend, Jane (of Lucky sew and sew ) and her husband Mr. Lucky decided to become snow birds she divested herself of her wool fabric.  I was one of the very luck recipients of some of her divine pieces.  This Sweater jacket is fashioned out of one of them.

The fabric is a lightweight wool sweater, very rare these days.  I have embraced the raw edge craze and all the edges of this sweater jacket are raw.  I added a bias cut strip for the fronts and sleeve hem.  The collar is double, with wrong sides together.  I had some vintage mink trim and added it to the tie and it turned out to be the fabulous finishing touch.



Close up of front trim



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 Happy Sewing

Michele P

 

My New Toy

I don't know about you - but I LOVE new sewing gadgets.  I have had this one for a while - but just got it out to play.  I bought it with the purpose in mind to add a Hong Kong finish to all my jackets.  You see I live in this imaginary sewing world in which I complete everything to perfection just a Coco would!

In reality I rarely complete anything like Coco and give into that little voice in my head that screams just get it done before the season changes again.

The machine comes with one 1" binder.  Others can be purchased separately. I will keep you posted on my progress and what I really do with it!

Sweat Shirts Funky Style

I am not a true fan of the embroidered sweat shirt except for the ones that are of the funky genre.  I don't usually (note I say usually - because I have been known to run to the grocery store and sewing retreats) wear them out of the house.


Front




I purchased these snowmen and women designs from an online site when I first got my embroidery machine.  I think I was under my typical misguided assumption that if I did not purchase EVERY design I liked immediately - there would be no more!  So that is essentially what I did!  These few are just a sampling of my many snow people!




 

 

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This jacket was easy to put together.  The time consuming part is the embroidery.  To construct, simply cut down the front, add a zipper, some bling, and you have a funky jacket.

Michele P



















Quick Gift #5

Custom Pattern Weights

Of all of the gifts so far, this is the fastest!  

Purchase washers from the hardware store.  I found these at Lowes and I think a box of 20 were about $3.00.

Cut bias strips of light weight cotton - I tried heavier weight fabric and it just doesn't want to wrap. Fold strip as above and start wrapping around weight. Make sure that as you wrap, you cover the raw edge of the strip with the fold edge.

When you have finished wrapping the entire washer, fold raw edge under and either hand sew down or use my favorite product, fabric tac and glue the edge down .  That is all there is to it!  Make six or eight in matching fabrics and place in a decorative box.  Your sewing friends will love them and sew will you!
Happy Sewing
Michele P



 

Easy Gift #4

Corset Apron





 

corset



This is such a fun and quick pattern to make.  I made this for my ASG neighborhood group holiday party.  We bring a handmade gift for the gift exchange.  We always have so much fun and this year was no exception.  One of our members hosts the party, and (you know who you are) has such a beautiful house and was so gracious.

This is a You can make this pattern.  I just love this sight.  I have purchased many patterns from them.  They are all e-books that are available instantly!  You have to love instant gratification.  One reason this apron was so quick to make is the fabric choice.  The front - or base fabric - is Amy Butler home dec weight and the lining and corset is thin quilting cotton.  The only thing I did differently from the pattern is the ruffle.  I had some silk organza that was just the right color but not quite enough to cut on the bias to prevent fraying.  So I  used a three thread serger hem and walla - quick gift.

Happy Sewing

Michele P

Quick Qifts #3

Quick Gift #3

The Fashionable Dishwasher

I just love these Gloves!  They are easy peasy to make!  I purchased the gloves from Giant. They have the 'cuff' already attached.  I added the jewel ring, ribbon tied into bow and glued the flower on top with fabric tac glue. 

You can purchase this glue in any craft store.  It was developed for the bridal industry as they used it to glue on pearls and trim. It is water proof and dries clear and flexible.  Love it! 

Quick Gift #2

Cake Pin Cushion

with Femo Clay Pins

I saw this darling pin cushion post on DIY Dish.  This was their first post and it is phenomenal.  I have been an ardent viewer since I saw the first episode!
This was soooooooo quick to make.  This is a gift for a sewing friend that loves VA Tech.  I used the two colors of VA tech fabric from my stash and made the pins out of femo clay.  So easy and quick and she loved it!

Quick Holiday Gifts

Over the next week I will be showing you 10 quick gifts to make for holiday giving.  These were given as gifts for girlfriends, hostesses, and teachers; just to name a few.

These are what I call gratitude boxes

 I purchased the box from Michael's in the $1 bin.  First I covered the top with pretty paper, then added decorations that I thought were appropriate for the recipient.  This is a box I gave to a sewing girlfriend.  As you can see there is a vintage spool of thread, bird and the little tag (came from the scrapbooking section of AC Moore) that says "girls just wanna to have fun!".



Before you give the box, have friends, family, students, etc, write on a piece of paper something the like, love, admire and so on about the person.  Place all of these  pieces of paper in the box and wallah you have a priceless gift that will keep on giving for years to come. 

I was given one of these, and when I need a little spiritual lift, I read what my friends said about me and I instantly feel better!

Happy gift giving,

Michele P