Sew Spoiled

I just received  Kimberly Kight, Lucky Strikes  Dime Store , from Cotton and Steel in Navy from the Fabric Worm . Thank you Fabric Worm for this gorgeous fabric!!  It is a beautiful navy cotton with little tan, coral and pink polka dots all over it. I made a Bettine Dress from Tilly and the Buttons . This was the first time I used a Tilly and Buttons pattern. I love how crystal clear all of the instructions are. If you are new to sewing this would be a great first dress to make. It does not have any zippers or difficult notions to install.  I am constantly looking for dresses I can make and wear to work. One requirement is pockets!!! I love the pockets on the Bettine Dress because they are so large and deep!! It is extremely comfy to wear and move around in. I love to look professional but I want to feel comfortable at the same time. This dress hits on all the requirements for a wonderful work dress.  I think I will be able to extend the wear of this Bettine Dress through fal

I did not win however I wanted to thank everyone for following me and giving me words of encouragement along the way.  Thank you Beth and Kristin for hosting this competition on Sew Mama Sew .  Thank you to the judge's Jenny from Cashmerette , Rachel from House of Pinheiro , Amber and Jaime from Fancy Tiger Crafts , Rochelle New of Lucky Lucille , Novita Estiti of Very Purple Person , and Michelle from ThatBlackChic.com .  Thank you Grainline Studio , Closet Case Files , Noodlehead , Christine Haynes , and True Bias for all of the amazing patterns. Thank you Harts Fabric, Fabric Worm , Fat Quarter Shop , Sew Modern , and Fabric Depot . Thank you all so much!!! I have learned more in the past 2 months than I thought possible. New sewing techniques like customizing a pattern for my size, new zipper installation on a pouch, piping pajamas, and color blocking a dress. I have also learned a lot about taking pictures, modeling my handmade garments, updating my blog, and ne

Last Monday, August 10th, I found out that I made it into Round 5 of the Super Online Sewing Match!!!    I felt excited and thankful to have moved forward into the last challenge. In Round 5 we were asked to create the Cascade Duffle Coat by Grainline Studio . We were also given $100 to spend at Fabric Depot . Teresa Coates at Fabric Depot was wonderful and offered to help all three of us in this round. She and I texted back and fourth until I found what I was looking for. Teresa took pictures of fabric and zippers. It felt like I was in the store with her shopping.  I have to say Fabric Depot  surprised me by sending the fabric next day air!! They are awesome! While I waited for my fabric to arrive, I printed out all of the templates and cut out a size 4. Being vertical challenged, I used the lengthen/shorten line and moved everything up 1.5" on all of the bodice templates.  I decided to make View B which is a longer coat with a hood. I loved the style and look.

When I started to reflect, I realized how much I have grown throughout this competition. I narrowed it down to these three points; goals, confidence and finding my fit.  I have learned that I love to be challenged and given sewing goals to achieve each week. I will try to continue to set goals for myself. Perhaps each week or biweekly sewing up new patterns. I have learned so many new sewing skills by having a set goal or date to complete it by. I have also learned how to go with my "gut feelings". At first, especially in Rounds 1 and 2, I felt hesitant about my fabric choices and adding any extra ideas into each pattern. However by Round 3, I began to feel more confident and free. I ordered my fabric without one worry or second guessing my choice. This competition has definitely given me more confidence. In reflection the last thing I have learned about myself is how to make my wardrobe fit my petite frame better. In the past, I would overlook the lengthen/short

Yeah! I can't believe I made it to Round 5 of the Sew Mama Sew, Super Online Sewing Match ! All of these women are amazing seamstresses! Their sewing technique is impeccable. I enjoy looking at all of the entries to see how they made their garments and totes. I am learning new techniques with each new challenge in the competition. It has been a wonderful experience and now we are here at the last Round. The above picture shows what I have made for the past 4 Rounds; the Sutton Blouse by Kelli at True Bias , the Marianne Dress by Christine Haynes , the Caravan Tote by  Anna Graham from Noodlehead and the Carolyn Pajamas by Heather Lou at Closet Case Files . I have never indulged myself in so much selfish sewing. It has been fantastic spending so much time making myself beautiful garments and the tote is my current favorite.  The pattern we have been asked to sew is the Cascade Duffle Coat by Grainline Studio . I am looking forward to sewing up this coat!! I have made a sp

Wow, We are already on Round 4! The Super Online Sewing Match has been a wonderful experience for me this summer. I have looked forward to each challenge because I have learned many new sewing techniques throughout this adventure. In Round 4 we were asked to make Carolyn Pajamas from Closet Case Files . I usually wear a t-shirt and sweatpants so this addition to my wardrobe was sorely needed. Thank you!!! Straight away, I decided that I was going to use piping! This was a bit of a challenge for me since my only experience with piping was with decorative pillows and handbags. I ordered my fabric from Sew Modern and began to practice piping everything.  Thank you Sew Modern for sending my fabric so quickly to me. A s I was waiting for my fabric to arrive,  I made a muslin of the top and shorts to check fitting. I am a size 6, however, I am 5',1" (if I am standing up straight, with good posture) and this pattern was written for an average height of 5',6". 

I have been on a knit fabric kick! It feels good to wear, looks great and usually a knit project takes less time if the fabric and sewing machine and/or serger behaves. I had a lot of red ponte fabric from my  Marianne Dress  from the SOSM Round 2  so I decided to make another knit dress.    I was looking for a boat neck line t-shirt dress to make and the Mesa pattern fit the bill. I made a size small, 4-6. The fitting was great. However, I am 5'1" and this is where the hem line fell without changing the pattern. If I were taller, I would have lengthen the dress. It must be is super short on a "regular height frame".  The only challenge I had was the neckband needed to be a little shorter, so that it pulled the top of the dress in. I made the red dress first and a stripe shirt second. The neckband in the shirt looks and feels better because I stretch the band a little as I sewed it in. The Mesa Dress pattern is from Colette Sewing Patterns through their new