Total Shoe Redo at Grosgrain!

This website is the same one that hosted the Frock by Friday. This week she is exploring ways you can re-do shoes you think are in need of a makeover! I know she spray painted a pair bright yellow yesterday and today she is doing floral baubles. I think my new Doodle Stitching book could come in handy. It would be cute to embroider some cheap white or pink sneaks. You can check out http://thehandmadedress.blogspot.com/2010/03/sanuks-gone-wild.html for some spiffy Sanuk re-dos. These all look like fun!

New Book-Take a Look!

I was at a friend's house tonight and she had this book. She has already done some of the stitching in it and it is so neat! I might just use my Hancock's gift card on this. I love all the stitches and little patterns and pictures. Can't wait to get it and do some artwork.

It's My Birthday!

Church today and lunch with a sweet lady and friends afterwards. I am at home now with my family on this rainy day and we are going to relax and nap! I did want to put a pic out of my dress. I really didn't want to wear it in all this rain, but I did. It was very comfortable and I had it on for 8 hours. I am going to nap with my sweet hubby now! Enjoy your Sunday.

Grand Champion Girl!

The 4H Fashion Revue for our area was last night and Katy ended up getting "Grand Champion" for her division. She will now get to go on to the rally day and compete again! So fun and she was so ecstatic last night when she found out she won. Great job Katy!

Rippin' out the zipper!

I just don't like the way that invisible zipper isn't "invisible", so I am ripping it out today and I found out I have an invisible zipper foot for my Kenmore. Hopefully it will go in smoothly and I will hem it today and wear it tomorrow to church on my birthday.

I saw the shirt above on http://adventuresindressmaking.blogspot.com/ and I am trying to reproduce it. I think it is so girly and sweet. I am using an old shirt to attach the ruffles to. The blue fabric is a soft rayon that flows beautifully. I am going to put an elastic casing in at the top and then I have a pretty smoky gray satin ribbon I am going to use for the sash and straps. I hope it will fit me, but think it will most likely fit my girls better. I love the color though.

I am glad it is raining today, although Derby go-ers are not. There is no outside work and I can get my cleaning done and sew today!

Finishing the Frock by Friday!

Well it is almost done!  All I have left is the hem and some possible serging to keep some frayed ends in check.  I hate invisible zippers.  I don't have an invisible zipper foot, so mine isn't exactly invisible.  I did sew my sash in to the bodice and it turned out pretty good.  Not so sure about all-in-one facings---they are a tad bit confusing for me.  I did manage to figure it all out and learned some new techniques by doing this dress.  I love the way the dress hangs.  It is a relatively slimming dress, so I think I would make it again.  Maybe next time would go faster.  Not too bad though.  A new dress in a week.
New techniques:
A pattern with no seam allowance-make your own-(I kind of like those already figured in)
All-in-one facing-I think I will like the finished look once I get a better handle on this one
Invisible zipper-so far I haven't met any zipper I really like
Ruffles-this part was fun and I am already working on another ruffle project!

Simplicity 2599

I am also working on View D of this pattern in synthetic! Wow those things are slippery. It is funny how every sewing book basically says "Leave this to the professionals, mam" and scares you to death. I have sort of successfully cut out my pieces and that was pretty difficult. I can see where using a rotary blade would be good. I have sewn the loop closure for the back and managed to get darts in the front. I also have the ruffles ready to pin. So far- So Good. I am planning to use my serger for as much as I can. I reset the tension (yay me) for the synthetic material and it works great. I had more trouble setting my sewing machine. Hopefully it will still resemble a sweet flowing blouse and not a connect the dots activity when I am done!