the odd denim shirt, refashion #97

So counting down the last refashions that I completed last year and finally blogging. I found this denim shirt but while wearing it- it just sort of hung oddly

turns out this shirt has pockets! Pockets!!! What!? No matter how much I ironed these pockets they stuck out

Meh This can be an easy fix

Turned the shirt out and I basically sewed out each pockets.

Those pockets sort of look like elephant ears to me. I did nothing else to the shirt and it completely changed how the top lays. Perfect for pairing with some of my crazy pants Like my snowflake leggins I made previously.  

Love my crazy pants, but this top is so functional. But seriously Gap why put pockets in a button down?
Here's the recap!

Cheers,
Lauren

Over the moon thermal PJs (Jan MGAM)

I saw these cute PJ pattern in the recent Sew News Magazine and I just purchased thermal fabric.

I thought this was adorable and something I could wear right now as the temperature has gotten cold fast. I got this somewhat earthy/southwestern feeling thermal fabric on clearance at Hancock Fabrics, but had no plan for sewing until I saw this pattern. Ding! And for the January MGAM theme is new, so for me I am new to thermal fabric and new to actually sewing a pattern out of a magazine.


Now I have never used a pattern from a sewing magazine yet. I downloaded it and followed the instructions to print and cut. It was easy to follow the directions. If you have done any sewing you catch on fast. I did try on the pants (I cut a small based on their measurements provided) and took in more on the legs. Super quick sew. Done!

Totally warm and cozy for the winter that is among us here in D.C. I would totally make myself another pair. Actually, I may make a pair of matching shorts.After wearing them for several hours, much to the dismay of my boyfriend, the fabric stretches as you wear it so I could have made a size less. As you can see in the pictures, even with a double needle the hem was wavy. I never have this issue with any other fabric but this one. And I even tried to steam it out with my iron. Yeah didn't work out so well. But it is managable and hey I get to stay warm! :)

Cheers,
Lauren

Orange Sherbert Mimosas! (Gluten Free Friday)

We tried this on New Years. I wanted something different to drink and saw it on Pinterest somewhere. Thought I would try it out!

All you need is orange sherbert, your champagne of choice, and an ice cream scoop. I started first with scooping in solid scoop of the orange sherbert into the glass.

 then poured the champagne on top. I gave it a mix and let it sit so the sherbert melt some. The more it melts the creamier the drink gets. Then enjoy! I highly enjoyed this- really refreshing and a nice take on a mimosa.

I have more gluten free trials on the way. Fridays will be Gluten Free Fridays. And it will be every other Friday as my blogging is not as much as it used to be, I need to pace myself!

Cheers and Happy New Years!

Best,
Lauren

Part 1 of 2015 Charity Goals!

Now I know I have mentioned that I have been in a blogging rut- the cold doesn't inspire me to click away but I will say that I have been sewing some. It has been wonderful. I know that my 2015 goals have been lofty (see here for my resolutions) and I had some time to just clear my head and think over the holidays. Last year I sewed a lot of clothing for myself, between the 99 refashions and sewing in general. It put a strain on my creativity sometimes b/c I was solely focused on numbers. And I didn't work on many other projects, some of which have just been sitting here. I thought, let me change this up. Last year it was all about me and increasing my wardrobe, how about I start this year out by sewing for others and other projects. I hypothesized that this would increase my probably of finishing projects that I need to finish. It would also give me a nudge to make a leap into something I may not be comfortable doing. Also, maybe this would help me move some of my lumps, I mean fabric stash.

Resolution #4 is to sew through some of my scraps and make things for charity. My goal is 300.
First project was bibs. I love bibs, they are easy to make and I can use a lot of fabric. I had planned (sigh yup last year was too ambitious) to make more for charity, as I have done in the past, and brought an entire bolt of fusible fleece on sale.  So I had everything on hand. I just started grabbing scraps of fabric and sorted to sizes that would work for my bib pattern. I also found pre-cut bibs that I never sewed so I had a good start. I cut and cut and cut and cut. OMG fabric was everywhere. I killed a rotary cutter blade. I usually cut multiple layers of fabric at once to maximize my time.

Then I attached to the fusible fleece. I worked out how I could maximize my usage of fusible fleece, I really didn't waste much! I did it in batches. I cut my heart out. Then fused and fused and fused. My poor iron looked rough afterward. Then I cut out the bib individually. Then I paired front and backs. Sew. Sew. Sew.

Fact, I timed myself and my average time to sew a bib is 1:30. Yeah I know this pattern so well that I could do it with my eyes closed, I promise you!! Then excess fabric was removed and corners and round seams were clipped. I then turned them all right side out (great and easy to do while watching a movie!). Iron again (after cleaning my iron!!) and seal with a piece of stitch witchery. Add snaps. The snaps my boyfriend and I did on Saturday. We just hammered away and banged on fingers. Our poor thumbs!

So drumroll please..... The final count is 120!!! Yes 120! I am super excited!

I have quite a variety of fabrics. Some are refashions, that if you follow my blog you may recognize. Same with fabrics-some you will probably recognize.

These made me laugh- they were clearance iron-ons. Also the refashions, which were a total of 19.

One of my favorite set of bibs were these Indian paisley fabric. You may recognize the fabric from this refashion (and yes I know I ironed on the middle fabric to the fleece on backwards so the colors are dull but the pattern is there).

I loved this skirt to dress refashion, I had leftover fabric and I really like those bibs!!

The bibs have a home they are traveling to and are given to a charity. The box I got was the perfect size. I love many of these were upcycled from other projects and the fabric isn't getting tossed into the dumpster. Also, a great way to start the year with my goals! 120 is awesome! I had no idea it was going to be this big! It is not quite half but almost!!!

Now since I knocked out this project relatively "fast", my next question is what next? I have actually sewn something for myself for MGAM and that will post soon (haven't had any darn light for pictures!). My options are my t-shirt quilt that I already started and didn't finish, my latch hook, or another charity sew. Currently I am leaning toward the quilt. Then do the latch hook as I might need a sewing and cutting fabric break. As for my next charity sewing project it won't be bibs again, it will be something else. My ideas are stuffed animals- teddy bears (because I got a free pattern) and maybe smaller animals; then I also realized I have everything for dolls- like rag dolls, this would be a great stash buster as I would use the flesh colored fabric and fabric scraps for dresses, and an added bonus would be the yarn I could use up for hair. My other ideas (the previous ones are a higher priority) based on the fabric I have would be knit hats with some of the knit fabric I have-I just need to use it first- it would work for both babies and adults; fun quilts with other scraps, walker caddies, really the sky is the limit. Let's see. Baby steps.

So expect to see a little less "me" stuff and more posts on things for others. Yes I will continue to MGAM (make a garment a month for myself) and refashion. I just don't want the pressure of hitting numbers. Actually, it is a bit refreshing not having that looming number above my head.

Cheers,
Lauren

Christmas Stockings DIY

Yes I am somehwat backlogged on blogging. Yes I have not had a lot of time to blog but I also find myself uninspired to write and blog (and crop photos, etc.). I just can't get myself to type, I am in some sort of rut! And I just keep misplacing my camera. I did however in my few days off go through and clean up/organize my sewing and craft things.
This vacation for MLK has given me some time to blog. The cold weather is also keeping my in doors.

I had green velvet in my fabric stash. I had no idea what to do with it. No idea. The only thing that came to mind was Christmas stockings. The dark green velvet just seemed so classic and traditional Christmas decor. I needed a pattern. I got one of my stockings I had on hand and traced it. 

I added seam allowance.

Cut my pattern and also began cutting the velvet.

I am missing the remaining photos, but I can explain. I used green polyester for the backing. I sewed together and hemmed the top. I then sewed on a couple layers of various laces and used green tape for the hangs. Done!

Unfortunately, this photo is not the best because I was in a hurry and packing up Christmas decor and had already bunched up. But this was a quick shot of them.

I know there are 3, no I am not expecting, I just had enough for 3 so I went for it. Maybe it is wishful thinking. LOL. Not bad for quickly throwing it together! :)

More blogs coming. I am just slow.

Cheers,
Lauren

Peacock Feather Tree Topper

So I have been a royal slacker when it comes to blog posts. And some of my finished stuff does not have end pictures as it has not been sunny at all so that doesn't make for good pictures. So I am a little behind. That and this past weekend since it was not sunny out, I took on a big project- blog post to come.

I put up my tree and I thought it needed some bling. And I wanted a topper for it. I had a huge amount of peacock feathers. One day. months back, I came up with an idea on what I wanted to do.

Here is what I basically did
- took small and large peacock feather based on their eye size
- cut down and even out
- cut circle of card board and use as a base
- hot glue large ones first around circle
- next hot glue small ones
- glue the center and iridescent beads in the center to cover everything up
- I attached wire to the back so I could twist it on a branch.

Done! It made one heck of a mess!!! Feather pieces everywhere.

Here are a few more closeups, with and without flash.

I just loved staring at it. Too pretty. I just love peacocks.

Cheers,
Lauren

2015 New Years Resolutions!

Alright! Here we go- another year! 2014 was a hard year, a lot of loss and change. Such is life and to dwell on it is truly not worth the energy.

For this year, I want to continue to get rid and use the stuff I have. Also a LOT of sewing. I really want to get this fabric stash of mine down. Also this is a blog about sewing ;)

1. Continue the RTW Fast
I enjoyed it so much this year that I want to continue. And well frankly, I just don't spend that much time shopping anymore. It is not that hard of a stretch.

2. Make 1 thing from each sewing book. I am bringing this back from last year. And if I don't use them, it is time to part.

1. Burda Style Sewing Handbook
2. Thrifty Style
3. 49 Sensational Skirts
4. Generation T
5. Custom Couture
6. Pattern Magic 
7. Pattern Magic 2
8. Pattern Magic Stretch Fabric
9. Drape Drape 1
10. Drape Drape 2
11. Drape Drape 3
12. Little Green Dresses

3. Pattern Review.com, again bringing this back from last year. I really should get my reviews online.

4. Sew through my scraps, make for charity. Goal for charity is 300!!!!! Yes, setting those sights high. But in all honesty, a quick sew bib, counts as 1. I am aiming for bibs, dolls, dresses, shoes, and maybe stuffed animals. And really, that adds up fast. Bibs themselves add up fast. And I purchased a bolt of fusible fleece last year in hoping I would have more spare time but I did not.

5. Sew through my fabric.  Get it down to 1 suitcase. For reals! I have been saying this for a long time but then I got that Groupon to G Street Fabrics and discovered their discount wall. OMG it is heaven. But I got cool fabric. I was doing so well until that groupon and an insane fabric sale at Hancock Fabrics. Who can pass up wool that cost normall $27/yard for 2.97? Seriously!!!!! also decided to not put a number on it but I will still keep track. And I am still a member of MGAM (make a garment a month). So minimally I should make 12 things for myself. That is easy and less stressful.

6. Sew something for my boyfriend. I have always wanted to try out a men's pattern. It is worth a try. He is always whining complaining talking about how I never try sewing for him. 

7. That darn T-shirt quilt of mine!!!! It is no longer an option... it is a must! Bonus if I sew one of my quilt patterns I purchased with a gift card I was given...

8. Finish 1 craft kit, most likely the irises latch hook. 

7. Get rid of 1 the bling/sewing stuff boxes. I have boxes of hem tape, hem lace, bias tape, piping. Not to mention all those beads and sequins.

8. Get the coverstitcher to work and behave. So far I have not been successful.

9. Read another book for fun. But also read 3 science books.

10. Sewing goals: shorts, pants, coat, pintucking, shirring, circle attachment, try and use all of my sewing feet. I am still putting together this list.

11. Get my Refashions down to 1 bag. I decided last minute to stop putting numbers to my sewing and just roll with it- the biggest thing I need to do  again with everything I have in my current stash- doable.

12. Make it through 1 round of T25.That is 10 weeks of cardio madness.

13. Finish going through all of my bellydance DVDs. I am sort of embarrassed I didn't finish this last year. Where did the time go?

14. Try something new and different. Anything! I may be strong enough for trapeze soon. Thank you aerial yoga!

15. Complete my sewing videos I purchased on craftsy. Again, it is going with the theme of using what I have. (Just finished 1 of them- wow totally fabulous!!). There is a total of 18! Eek!!

This should keep be busy, besides work. This is all fun busy ;)

Happy New Years to you and yours!

Cheers,
Lauren