Fixing up my grandmother's robe

I have not done many refashions. I am fighting quite the battle in my sewing studio's closet and I have been focusing more on sewing that fabric lump/hump. But since it is cold out, I could really use everything and anything to stay warm. This week, I will give a bonus post and that is this robe!

This is my grandmother's robe. She recently had to move into a group home with supervised care and my family went through her house. I have gotten some fabulous things from her. Soon to be a sewing machine, yeah!! This robe is sooooo old. Very retro and vintage. I have no recollections of her wearing this robe so I am guessing that it is SOOOOOOO old.  Just wow.

It needs some help. But inside it is quilted, which means warm.

Another issue is the lace is stained. And I used all of my restoration tricks to fix and these stains never came out. Interesting. So off goes the lace!

I sewed it all back together b/c the lace was between the robe and the facing. There were some other issues I had to fix- buttons, etc.

Those got all fixed. Now I can wear the robe! It is still groovy and very flower power but I don't care. I feel as if now my grandmother is here with me even though she is thousands of miles away. And taking off the lace changes the feel of the robe.Here's the recap.

Here's to keeping it in the family!
Cheers,
Lauren

Jasper sweatshirt by Paprika patterns

It is cold. Like really cold. Wow. I need to stay warm. Part of my Christmas/birthday present was sweatshirt material. I got several colors at such a great price that I could not pass up. I have red, coral, purple and green. Thought I would change up my sweatshirts since they all tend to be grey and more grey.

I fell for the Jasper pattern a while now and have been wanting to do it. Then one day there was a pattern bundle sale and this was one of them. I grabbed the bundle and could not wait to sew it.


I did not want the dress but the sweater. I also decided to not add fake, non-purpose buttons to the sweatshirt since I just thought it would be a magnet for my long hair and the tangles would suck. I went with my red fabric first.

So the welt pockets, which I have never done before, where like woah... seriously. I was so confused by the instructions. I highly recommend going to the website to see further instruction. I would not have made it through the pockets, which were like step 1 (ok maybe 2 but early in the pattern). I could not have sewn it without those added blog spots. The hood was a bit tricky at one part. So I had a LOT of frustration while sewing this hoodie. Luckily I really like it at the end. But good riddance to you welt pockets! Good riddance!  Here is my hoodie!

The fit is great!

Really happy with the end. And this is really warm too! Something I really need for the winter. Which winter, meh, we are not friends. However, winter you let me sew more!

Cheers,
Lauren

True Bias Hudson Pants

OK I finally got a day with SOME light. Keyword SUM. Wow the weekends have been kind of dark, not a lot of sun and light. It has been rough, yesterday we had some light and we also had some snow! I got a few pictures. It feels like it has been forever since I took photographs. And I just feel goofy. Plain ol' goofy. Sigh.

I did some sewing on my Christmas break. Now finally get some pictures and here come some blog posts! Yay!

First is the True Bias pattern- the hudson pant. They are supposed to be like a pair of sporty, track pants. I purchased it in a pattern parcel, actually pattern parcel #6

This was such a wonderful parcel b/c I have done the Syrah maxi skirt, the bronte top, the Julia cardigan. Today I did the pants and I have actually done the Zsalya dress/top. So 5 out of 6. The only one I have not done is the unlocked bonus dress pattern. Definitely got my money's worth out of this parcel. :)

So I made the pants and I totally messed up on trying to get the pattern to match from the front to back. Oh well. The pattern is for someone who is 5'6" so I added 2 inches to the length. I am glad I did. I screwed up the buttonholes with the ties and I didn't do the tiered sewing of the belt. I left as is. I am overall very happy with the pants. I am really happy I went with black accents to compliment the pattern. The fabric is so soft- I actually purchased it from another person of the Knitfix group.

Without heals..

With heals..

Overall they are great pants. They are comfy and the fit is spot on. Just like the picture. But for some reason I feel like they look like PJ pants. Cute PJs, but PJs. I don't know if I could wear them out yet. The debate is still out. I go back and forth. For right now, I am wearing them chilling in the house being super comfy.

Cheers,
Lauren

Good idea- getting organized with sewing

I have enjoyed my Christmas vacation, the weather has been a little nutty- from warm to cold now. During my few days off, we went through our place and I have been on a purging of things in my life. This recent one was big as we donated 5 very large bags of things to Goodwill. Ahh it felt good and freeing. Besides going through my things, I also reorganized many of my things and essentially reorganizing my life.

As you can notice, the blog was updated. I also finally got all of my pattern that I have sewn on patternreview.com. 59... yes 59! Wow. It took some time but I was focused to get it done. Now, I just need to keep up while I blog. That is doable.

I went through some fabric and cleaned up my room (aka my studio). I cut several patterns and even sewed. I have done 2 sweatshirts, 1 mens shirt, track pants, a tunic, 2 refashions, and another top. A total of 8 things! Yeah! And I have a cape, pjs, and 2 tops cut and just to be sewn. I will work on that as I go. So finally productive- it felt so good to sew. So good.

I have begun to steer away from commercial patterns and gone towards independent pattern makers. Many of them have patterns that are digital. And I forget what I have. Just forget- it is embarrassing. And I don't like it when things go to waste. So I had a great idea to pull it all together- I needed some sort of pattern library. But I don't want anything fancy just functional- her comes microsoft powerpoint. I created a powerpoint presentation that I could print out and also view while on my computer. I printed them out and put them in a cute (pink) sparkly thin binder. I will not loose this binder, because seriously it is pink and full of glitter. Here is what it all looks like!

I have begun to write some notes on them as well. This has been so hopeful because sometimes at the end of the day I am tired and my brain hurts,  I just like to look at the patterns. It brings me some sort of happiness. I think of all the fabric I have and what I can create.

Now for a second I thought, oh I should do this for my paper patterns. and then reality hit and I was like um no. A big fat no. So I won't be that ambitious. I should probably get rid of some but some are vintage and I just can't do it. The struggle is real.

Even though I have sewn a bunch, I need to take after photos. And edit and write. On the last few days of my vacation, I have really dedicated myself to not be in front of a computer, I mean once work starts up I'm in front of a computer. I needed a digital break. But expect some more consistent posts coming up soon. I will stick to one post a week. Bonus will be something like a recipe or something like that. I always try to get a leg up b/c something in life takes my time and I can't sew (like this past November/December writing a review!). But yay for sewing. Boo for reality this morning!

Cheers,
Lauren

2016 New Years Resolutions

Well Happy New Year and howdy to 2016. I am excited to what you will bring! Hopefully it will be good!

Sometimes I wonder why I write down resolutions and put them out there on the web. I really do. What is the purpose? Why do I feel the need to do so? I don't know but I think it makes me want to complete them more. At least that is what I have said in the past. Again, I aim high and if I high 1/3 of my goals, I will be happy b/c I do have work goals as well as personal goals. You only see my personal goals. You will see some repeats again in the list.

So if you have not noticed, but I did give the blog a face lift. I love peacocks and one day at the National Zoo I got some fabulous photos of the peacocks there. They were walking around and I think a feather fight was going on, and we could walk right in the middle of it. It was beautiful and scary at the same time. But I got some fabulous pictures, and hence they have made their way to my blog. And the pink is gone, I just want simple. That is all I want lately, simple, no bells-and-whistles. I have been meaning to update this blog for over a year and one night I got my act together. :) So hello peacocks!

1. Try something new. What- I don't know but I always want to challenge myself and try something new.

2. Complete a craft kit (bonus points if I do more than 1).

3. 200 things for charity! Hey let's see the bar high!

4. 12 Refashions. That is just 1 per month. Seems reasonable.

5. Buy no more fabric. Unless it has peacock feathers on it. Ok that seems like a silly excuse. LOL Or it is for a specific project like a Halloween costume or a special event. I think special occasion is fine. I just really need to get this stash tamed. Like really bad.

6. Finish the beta of T25 and start CIZE beach body workout plan.

7. Finish all of my bellydance DVDs (I know I am laughing to myself).

8. Get rid of more of my things and use up everything I have. What I mean by this is something probably many of us girls experience, we tend to get things on sale and stock up. Well at least I do, I like getting things on sale. What then happens is everything piles up. There are cabinets and drawers full of lotions, creams, body washes, etc, because it takes longer to use things then what my brain thinks. I mean do I really need that much eyeshadow? Especially when it doesn't stay on my face? So I want to spend the beginning portion of this year using up everything and only buy when I am about out. Also, I want to get rid of things I just don't use. Let's see how long it takes!

9. Read more books. Science or not science. Most likely they will be science related because I tend to be drawn to things where I can learn something and apply it to my work. I can't stand romance books, I get so bored and I feel the female leads are weak. It just is not my cup of tea. But I would like to read more! Goal is 5. I got some cool books for Christmas from my boyfriend.

10. Use up all the stuffing and fusible fleece I just purchased. Thinking I would have more time to sew this year I wanted to sew more for charity with making stuffed animals and bibs. That didn't really happen and I have a bag and a huge box (like 10 lbs of stuffing, the box is huge!!!). Sew (ha pun totally intended!) if I sew things for charity I should use these things right up!

11. Take a trip and go somewhere. I feel as if I don't take enough trips. I should try and go somewhere. 

I know many of these things seem pretty similar to what I set the previous years. But my life also revolves around work and sewing. :) We also don't have any kids.

Here's to needing less, giving more, using up what I have, sewing, and getting my sewing stash under control!

Here's to 2016!

Cheers,
Lauren

2015 (in blog) Review

Wow another year has gone by! Just wow! It amazes me. Looking back I feel like I worked a lot and didn't spend a lot of time doing crafts and sewing. I wanted to sew more. That didn't really happen.




I will say that while I did not sew as much as I wanted to, I DID get rid of a lot of things. I did a lot of refashioning last year (see 99 refashion challenge) and I had a lot of clothes. Too much clothes, so I have been on a purge and then purged again. And then during my Christmas break, I purged yet again more things. It is so freeing to not have so much stuff. According to my boyfriend, I can get rid of more. But hey, baby steps.



Let's recap my post from the beginning of this year (and laugh), all of my comments are in RED

 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 ;) Well I think we all know how this turned out... I didn't sew very much and the stash did not decrease- it increased! Sigh... Craftsy had a sale, blah!

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.
Nope! This ended when I needed something for an event and fast. I could have sewed but with little time this did not happen. I opted to purchase some nice things, like sweaters and pants. I just can't make those, and I live really close to Ann Taylor Loft and when they have sales, just wow. So I broke

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. NOPE>>>>>>> Nothing. I don't even want to talk about it. :(

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.
This is almost comical, the answer is no.

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.
Well I got halfway... 150! Wahoo. That is impressive. So impressive, I needed another bolt. I haven't used all of it, but I got another one. Yay! I will award myself 0.5 points.

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.
Um no, I have more. But I will give myself 0.5 because I did sew 12 things for myself.

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. 
Boom! Yes! I have not blogged about it yet but I have sewn 2 things for him now. I have made him 2 simple mens tshirts that actually fit his really broad shoulders. The first one was a muslin. The second one I just finished and it is fabulous. He was so happy. +1 point for me!

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...
well I have sewed the blocks together and began the back. I have not finished it yet b/c I am a big chicken. I big, fat chicken. only 0.5 points to me, at least I got some sort of nerve to finish it. The quilt is HUGE, quite like a beast.

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

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.
Oh yeah, I got rid of more than 1! It was like 3-4, I forget. But I had to since I um, err had more fabric. Sad. But +1 point for me.

8. Get the coverstitcher to work and behave. So far I have not been successful.
Big fat chicken over here. I have no idea why that machine scares me. I tried to find someone to pay for their time and have not been successful.

9. Read another book for fun. But also read 3 science books.
+1 Boom done!

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.
nope, nope, nope, nope.

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.
nope, I actually inherited some cool things.

12. Make it through 1 round of T25.That is 10 weeks of cardio madness.
I have almost finished alpha so 0.5 points to me.

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?
yeah no but in all fairness I am not dancing.



14. Try something new and different. Anything! I may be strong enough for trapeze soon. Thank you aerial yoga!
This girl got on a Segway for a tour and DID NOT HURT HERSELF. It was sort of crazy but then I was a natural on it. I would love one but I have stairs so that will not work! +1 points!

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!!
I have done 4 now. Not even half.




 So let's round up my total.... I have 6.5 points out of 15, actually that was not that depressing. 43.3% completed! Yeah! I am actually surprised that it is that high in # because I was really sort of depressed about everything I did (not) sew.

 I will say that I did support more independent pattern makers and I have more patterns from small businesses and not something I can buy from Hancock Fabrics. I have found they fit better and I don't play the guessing game with the Big 4 pattern makers.

I actually sewed 48 things this year, some for me and some for others. I did 12 refashions  total. Still impressive. If only I didn't take in more things! Sigh.

Look for post next year (har har har) on what my goals will be for 2016.

Have a safe and happy New Years!

Best Wishes,
Lauren

Lion PJs

It has been a really busy November/December. I wrote a review that sucked up pretty much all of my time. It was very reference heavy and I finished in the nick of time. And it was submitted, like right before Christmas submitted. So I worked my normal work schedule and then it was write, write, write. I then have taken time off to decompress and well frankly, clean up my place and spend time with my boyfriend. I have not sewn in forever, my machine has been highly neglected. Now that the end of the year is almost hear, I get slightly dizzy with everything.  But I made it through Christmas, we did simple food and I just sat around and did nothing It was fabulous!

I realize that the past several weeks, this blog has been neglected. Sorry but not sorry. I try to schedule but I also told myself years ago that  I would never put my blog before family or work. This was something to be for fun and also something to showcase the sewing, refashioning, and crafts. Also, a good way to me to document in case (or will) forget. So what I am trying to say is I put my life first and blog behind that.

I finally just painted my fingernails, in getting fancy for New Years (which no idea what we are doing but will just probably involve football) and I have to sit down and not move. Really hard for me to do, but on the brightside- I can sit and write for the blog. :) In more good news, I dusted off my sewing machine and did some sewing! Yeah!!

I actually had this project done for a bit but I never scheduled this post. I have this cute cotton flannel covered with lions that was just enough to make a PJ set. When I got an issue of Simply Sewing magazine and when I saw this pattern that came with this magazine, I knew this was the pattern! It looks pretty simple!

I cut a size small b/c I felt this was going to be big. So this was a unique pattern in the fact I had to add inches in the middle of the shorts leg pattern. I cut a few inches (like maybe 2-3) less then what was recommended since I only had so much fabric. There is no front or back with this shorts pattern. For my non-sewing friends, usually pants and sorts have a rise in the paper pattern in order to cover your bum. So need more bum coverage than others but usually it curves up. This pattern is just straight across-it is a simple easy pattern.

I flew threw sewing the shorts. Ahh. I love easy shorts. Next I did the shirt, pretty easy. Instead of using ribbon, I used bias tape, since I had it on hand. And the little bit I had was enough to make just the right sized straps. That was pure luck!

Super quick sew! Done! I love my new PJs! The top fits just right and doesn't expose too much. It sits weird on the hanger but there is only elastic in the back part of the top. So it does pull.

If you got this issue of the magazine, I would recommend this pattern. This could be easily sewn up in a weekend day. And they are super comfy! :)

Here's to more blog posts soon! :)

Cheers,
Lauren