IT'S IN THE BAG

Got a little side tracked the past week or so but I'm ready to go again.  One of the things I failed to mention in my introduction is I adore speciality, self-help and sewing books.  I subscribe to Threads and Vogue Patterns magazines and I enjoy just leafing through them after reading.  I never discard the magazines and I refer back to them often.

Last week I ordered "The Dressmaker's Handbook of COUTURE Sewing Techniques

 and "Carry Me"  Both books are extraordinary and I am sure I'll use them often.  The Dressmaker's Handbook is very visually appealing with exquisite current (2010) designs.  The instructions are clear and this is a purchase  that I know I will not experience buyer's remorse as I have with so many other things.

The "Carry Me" book is a book of really nice bags to create.


 I was struck by the attractive cover and right away I knew I wanted to make the bag shown on the cover.  I searched my stash and found two pre-quilted pieces and headed out to Hancock Fabrics to find a suitable lining.  I decided to look in the home dec section and out jumps a black and white piece that was almost identical to the photo.  Luckily, there was a 50% off President's Day sale because this stuff was a pricey $24.99 per yard.  I needed 5/8 of a yard so I got away with the perfect fabric at a reasonable price.

And here's my rendition:

My fabric is a jacquard woven diagionaly, so this makes it slightly different.

The lining is a medium weight twill.  The ziipper insert was a new experience, however it worked out well.  I had to re-read the instructions a few times.

TA DAAAH!

This is really a continuation of A RED DRESS FOR HER AND A RED SHIRT FOR ME.  With some sweet words I got Ms Thing, Brianna, to try on the completed ensemble and take a picture.

A RED DRESS FOR HER AND A RED SHIRT FOR ME

Well here we are already in a new month.   February is short and spring will be here before we know it. However, with all the cold weather spring seems a long way off. I'm enjoying winter this year. This has been a really cold one for us. I've worn a coat more this year that I have in many, many years.

I managed to complete the red dress for Bree to wear with the black and white houndstooth jacket. I used Vogue V1218.

Although this pattern is classified as easy I found the directions slightly confusing.  I followed the directions as written but did not like the unfinished edges at the top.  I surged over the raw edge and liked it much better.  I cut the dress on a size 8 based on the finished garment as indicated on the pattern tissue.  Bree is very thin and relatively slight in stature and actually wears a size 0 and sometimes a 3.  The top of the bodice was too long and had to be shortened.  I had to add two additional pleats, one on each side to make it fit.  So here is my version in red:

And this is what the finished outfit looks like.

When she can fit me in between high school classes and homework projects, etc., high school dance team practice and basketball games, and regular dance school recital and competition practice;  I'll get her to try it on and take photos for this blog.  This may actually take a while.

Since the machines were already threaded with red I decided to make a top for myself.  I've had this heavyweight cotton knit fabric in my stash for at least five years.  I found it on the value table at Hancock fabrics and purchased it all.  So I have about 4 yards of it.  I made the dogs sweaters for the holidays.  I guess I was waiting for the perfect pattern for it and Marcy Tilton came up with the perfect design.

Just perfect for my red and gray knit.

The sleeves were long on me.  I'm 5'2".  Instead of making an additional adjustment to the sleeve length I rolled them up and liked it even better.  This was a very well thought out design.  If you're tall you might want to lengthen it because it hit just right on me.  I love the flair and curve at the hem.

I haven't thought about what my next project will be, but I'm sure there will be something completed by the end of next week.  Additionally I want to show you the coat and dress I made for Trinity for Christmas.  I haven't taken a photo of it yet so as soon as I can get her mom to bring it over I'll get it done.

Until next time.. Thanks for reading and I would love to hear from you.