Sew Spoiled

Front Facing of the Sutton Blouse Wow! I still can't believe I am a contestant in the Sew Mama Sew, Super Online Sewing Match II . It has been so much fun! Day one, I printed the pattern out and put together the templates. I had a few yards of muslin fabric and made a test run to make sure the fitting would be right.  Back Facing of the Sutton Blouse Day two, I visited a small fabric store around the corner called Sew Happy Fabrics and shared with the owners about the contest. We talked about fabric choices and went with 3 yards of rayon challis, Flower Blossoms. That way I could make two Sutton Blouses , if I made a mistake. This fabric is so soft and moves easily with your body. I can see why women love to wear it.  Side Facing and you can see the side seam. The Sutton Blouse Pattern, created by Kelli at True Bias , is a simple top with only 4 panels to sew together. You might start to wonder, why does the pattern have a difficultly level of intermediate? The reas

I am so excited to announce, I am one of the ten contestants in the Super Online Sewing Match II!!! Welcome to Sew Spoiled if you are new and coming from Sew Mama Sew take a look around and stay as long as you like. You will find sewing tutorials, inspiration and crafty goodness. I made these cute shorts from Amy Butler, Harriet's Kitchen Sugar Fabric. The pattern is McCall's #6361. Once you find your correct fitting with this pattern you can make a skirt, shorts or pants from it. Wow, I had this in my stash forever. I always thought it would make a great wristlet. Now it is a pair of shorts. I love how fabric is so versatile.  I still have not heard what the first challenge will be so I am biting my nails. This contest is the best summer roller coaster out there! Thank you Beth and Kristin from Sew Mama Sew for including me in this challenge.

Today I created this cute little navy skirt. As I was cutting it out, I was thinking of different ways to make this plain navy skirt more exciting. I made peek a boo pockets and trimmed the top of the inside with fun fabric but the outside was plain. Then I remembered a Scallop Hem Tutorial by Coletterie  I had seen, so I decided to give it a try.  I serged the hem edge and flipped the bottom of the skirt up, right sides together. With a cup, I drew the scallop edge. After sewing the drawn scallop edge, I clipped the curves with my pinking shears. Very carefully, I flipped it right side out and ironed the hem. Finally, I used a straight stitch along the top of the scallop hem.  You could also hand stitch.  I should have taken more pictures of the process however I didn't know at the time if it really would work. I love my skirt. It looks great with a denim button down top tucked in or fun graphic tee, so versatile.  I can't wait to make more fun pieces for my wa

Recently, I made a dress from a pattern I will not name here but it was so horrible that at the end of making it I decided to cut off the bodice and make it a skirt. I thought that I could make the pattern better. I read many reviews saying this pattern is not good and still I tried. I attempted to change the parts of the pattern that did not work, like the pockets. But after all of the fixing and trying, I gave up. Has this ever happened to you?? It leaves a bad taste in your mouth. It is really hard to recover from a bad project. It is even harder to start another sewing project. I think this is why sewing can be a challenging hobby for most people. In today's world we can buy most things made from fabric cheaper than we can buy just the fabric it took to make the project. Then you spend your time and effort and if the project doesn't turn out in the end, you feel worse because you could have bought the dress already made, for the amount you spent. Your sewing machine s

I am back, I am sorry for not writing but life has been crazy. Many of you know, I am a teacher too and the months of May and June are always intense. It is the end of the year. There is always a big push to finish. We have testing, EOGs, performances, graduations and don't forget fun days with celebrations. I am sure those of you with kids have been going through the craziness, you might be going through it right now.  I love this time of year because it makes me reflect on what I have accomplished within one year. In all of my 12 years of teaching this one has been my personal best. I received a $3,000 Bright Ideas Grant and bought 12 Orff instruments, 25 guitars and boomwhackers. Our fifth graders recorded "We Wish You Merry Christmas" and we were heard on the radio. Kindergarten through third grade played Orff Instruments, Fourth grade mastered recorder and Fifth grade learned guitar. The 6-8 grade band program doubled in instrumentation and in students. We had a to