OMG, IM alive

Hey, mostly posting to link a wow pic to a friend....no knitting to see here, but it is getting cooler, so Ill prolly pick it back up.


Run, Rage, Run!

OMG! they are out to get you

Catchup

Wow, I suck at blogging. At least there's a lot to write about. Let's see, I made a dress for the fourth of July. It's the 2.0 version of that little Fiji dress from my last post.

I've worn it quite a bit.
Then I reconstructed a pair of jeans using a tutorial I found on Craftster.

Then I made a little wrap dress out of very cute quilters cotton. I can't seem to find a picture of the fabric anywhere so there's no I'll just have to wait until the camera gets new batteries.

I tried making a pretty fifties vintage dress, but I bought the wrong size pattern. It was too big! Fortunately I only cut out the lining. I was able to put a waistband on the skirt and wear it. To make it more interesting I sewed random swirly patterns on it with Chzimi thread. It shrinks when you steam it. That thread was so slippery. It made my machine spastic. I love the effect on the skirt though.

My latest project is Simplicity 4074, a knit wrap dress. I am using a heavy grey knit fabric. The only thing left to do is to hem it and tack the front facings and cuffs into place. I even bought some pretty black pumps to go with it. I can't wait for it to cool off so I can wear it.




My next major project will be a military style jacket made with royal blue embroidered silk. I'm using Simplicity 4129 view B The main change I am making is that I am actually cutting out tabs for the front instead of putting lace on the jacket simulating flaps, and I am putting cuffs on the sleeves. I am also using some contrast piping in the tabs and in the princess seams. I need to buy a few more things for it so I can't really start it for a couple more weeks. Maybe my next project will be a petticoat. I want one to go under my white skirt and another , either dress or skirt and jacket. I found a whole bolt of taupe netting at the thrift store.

Oh well, that's about it. I hope this post isn't too rambling. Hopefully I won't take so long to post next time.

fun in the sun

I finished my sun dress yesturday. It turned out pretty well. I learned how to make slash pockets and shirring with elastic. I also edged something with double fold bias tape for the first time.

Next time I will reverse the angle of the pockets (it was a WTF moment). I did have to do a bit of last minute fitting including shortening the neckline and putting in darts from the armholes to the bust.

Anyway, he's a strangely unflattering picture. I had to use the timer and photography is not my strength.

Drafting!

Erin of Dress a day and I seem to have similar taste. She found these ultra cute shirred dresses made from men's shirting. They're kind of expensive and they don't come in my size, but they look really easy to make.


I've drafted a pattern for it. It's 2 pieces plus pockets. There's a tutorial out there on how to make shirring out of skinny elastic. I'm going to use that instead of using elastic thread. The instructions for the pockets I found in an old BH&G sewing book. The only big change I made was making the skirt an A-line.

I want to buy some nice shirting for it, but for now I'm making it out of some nice fabric my grandma gave me. At least if it isn't right I'm not out alot of money.

Sew fun

Long time, no see. I haven't been knitting much, but I did sew a dress. It's Mc Call's 5137 with a few small mods. I made it in a an 8 instead of the reccamended 16. I don't need 12 inches of ease! It's supposed to be a dress, not a tent. Since I did make it so much smaller, I had to install a zipper in the side. Finally, I made the bottom band of the dress skinnier. It fits like a dream and took 3 days to make. I even bit the bullet and handstitched the facings and hem. On to the pics...

Blue Moon. you saw me standing alone

I've started the left front of sunrise. So far so good. My only worry is running out of yarn. I hope Big Lots has another ball hiding somewhere. I'll go back and check next time I'm near.

My sleeve has a growth! :P

Lil'uns party was a hit. We couldn't have asked for a nicer day. The kids thought the treasure hunt was the coolest thing and the cake was great. I ended up making real french buttercream for it. What's the recipie you ask...well here it is:

French Buttercream
12 oz sugar
4 egg yolks
8 oz butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla

1.Wet sugar in a heavy saucepan, taking care not to get any sugar on the sides of the pan. Put sugar over a med-high heat and bring to 240 degrees (115C).
2.Meanwhile beat egg yolks on med speed until very light and fluffy.
3.when the sugar reaches 240, pour it slowly into the egg mixture while the mixer is at a low speed. Take care to pour the sugar between the wall of the bowl and the whisk.
4.Mix at high speed until the mixture is room temperature.
5.Add butter one small piece at a time until all is mixed.
6 Add vanilla
* you may substitue 2-4 TBL of shortning for butter to make the icing more stable in warm weather.*
This icing will last 3-4 days at room temperature or 2 weeks in the fridge.

Livin' on Spongecake

My nose works again, YAY! I also have the back of Sunrise done. I'm on the third increase of the left sleeve, although not much moe will get done anytime before Monday or so. I have too much other stuff to do. I've also promised myself that next week will be a sewing week.

The weather here is heaven. I wore a camisole, swishy cotton skirt and sandles today (oh joy :D). Hubby's going to think I've gone loopy; my toenails are painted. It's been years. I even put a flower in my hair today. Lil'un picked it for me out of the front yard. We have daffodills popping up everywhere.

The only thing left to buy for the party is ice cream. We decided at the last minute to hold it at the local park. I need to stake things out there tomorrow.