The Denim Skirt

Fabric: Medium weight cotton denim in Dusk from fabric.com (purchased 1 yd for &7.98 and used about 3/4's of it): $5.98

Notions purchased: Jeans Thread (2 spools) $3.58 (50% off); Jeans Needles (purchased 5, used 3): $2.99

Stash Items: Light weight interfacing, cotton fabric used for the facing, 7 in. zipper

Pattern: McCall's 3341

Total Cost: $12.55

I love my new skirt! I have been wanting a simple denim skirt for a while and finally ordered some denim from fabric.com and made this one up. It was a lot of fun to work on this skirt - I inserted my first zipper in a garment! Came out pretty good too :) The side seams were serged and I serged the edges of the back seam, which is where the zipper went in. I used some cotton fabric I had on hand for the facing and serged the edge of that as well. I have had this pattern in my stash for probably 9 years. I think it was one of my first pattern purchases! It was so comfortable to wear, I know I'll get a ton of use out of this one!

Liberty Love

Here is my finished top! Made using Simplicity 2599 (here is my pattern review) and fabric from a Liberty of London for Target scarf. I showed this to my parents after I had made it and they were shocked that it came from a scarf :) I got the idea for this top from seeing the pattern made up here and the fabric used here. I love the internet sewing world, there is so much inspiration out there! Anyway, I love everything about this top, it's easily my favorite thing I have ever sewn. I am hooked on garment sewing! Next up I am working on a batch of card cases to sell at my friend's mom's hair salon. Then I have to make some key chains as well. I'm planning on squeezing in another top and a denim skirt in between!

Sleeveless Top

Just wanted to show off this top that I made several months ago using Simplicity pattern 2599. There was supposed to be a ruffle around the neck, but I didn't like it with the quilting cotton I used (Amy Butler's Coriander) so I left it off. It had been hanging in my closet for a while and I pulled it out and sewed on a button for the back closure and wore it on one of the first hot days we had here. It's such a comfortable top and I feel really good in it. I'm actually using this pattern again right now, I'm making the view with the 3 small ruffles at the neck out of the Liberty of London for Target scarf I got. I saw the scarf made up as a top on another blog (I can't find the link right now, I'll add it when I find it) ~Edit: here is the link~ and just had to run out and get myself one! I plan to work on it this weekend, hopefully I'll post it soon!

Vintage Lounging

I've had this vintage nightdress pattern in my stash for probably 2 years now and I have always wanted to make it out of a vintage sheet. I finally got my hands on a pretty yellow one that I bought from this etsy seller and got to it. This is a size large (it's pretty big on me) and the pieces were already cut out which was a nice surprise :)

It was so simple, 2 pieces plus bias tape for the arm and neck facings. Even though it's big on me, it's so soft and comfortable, perfect for throwing on after a shower and lounging around!

Long Time No Post - but Still Sewing!

Oh wow...last post published in February! I have really been neglecting this little blog, but I have been sewing. I just finished this top last weekend and I love it! The fabric is from Joann's, it's Swiss dotted cotton and it was a dream to sew with it. I have another print, I just haven't decided what pattern to pair it with. The pattern here is Simplicity 3887. It went together fairly simply, I had a little trouble attaching the neckband, but it all worked out in the end.

I also made this clutch, using a tutorial found here. This was another simple project with great results! I adore this fabric, it's called California Dreamin. The inside has 2 card pockets plus a divider pocket which makes it a perfect wallet. I can even slide my phone in it. :)

In other sewing news - I made a tote bag, almost exactly like one I made myself, for my boyfriend's mother and she loved it. I love giving something handmade and the recepient loves the present :) I finally bought a Colette Pattern - the Sencha blouse - and it arrived today. Hmmm maybe that is what I will use my dotted cotton for.... I love this pattern and I had to get it when I saw there was a 30% off sale! I also won a giveaway during Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day. Thanks to Wiener Dog Tricks for my fabric and notions! Happy Sewing - I'll be back soon with another project I made and forgot to photograph!

Not in Love

Well, I am just not in love with the idea of making the Folklore Bag. First, I'm already starting to think about spring fabrics and colors so sewing with corduroy is just not inspiring me. Plus I haven't really loved any of the ones I have seen made up. I'm heading to Florida at the end of the week so I'm hoping to pick up some fabric there to make a spring bag. I love the canvas fabrics at Joann's so I think I'll look there. And I have a million patterns for bags that I have either made and loved or really want to make, so I'll choose from one of them.

I got an order from fabric.com - 2 pretty blue knits. Since I dragged out my serger and practiced on it, I think it's time to try a top or two. I also reorganized my fabric and sewing closet and found the blue poplin I bought at Mood Fabrics in NYC. So now I have 3 blue tops planned. I've been reading some blogs where the authors are working on their personal style and I love that idea. I always like to change my look or update a bit during the transition from winter to spring. I don't have time to add the links or photos right now, but in my next post I'll show you my fabrics and patterns that I plan to use and link to the blogs I just mentioned. And hopefully I'll have some things to show off once I'm back from Florida! :)

Sneak Peek for a Sew Along

I feel like I have jump-started my creative motivation again and to keep it up I'm going to participate in a Sew Along. This one is hosted by AfricanKelli and FinnyKnits and it is using patterns from the book One Yard Wonders, which I got for Christmas. I missed the January Sew Along, but February's looks good. It's the Folklore Bag -- a cute little tote, check out the picture below. I'm making it up in some gray corduroy that I have had for at least 2 years. I bought a bunch of it planning to make a skirt, but it's been sitting in the stash and I thought it would be perfect for this bag. I'm using some bright pink Amy Butler for the lining. There is also a recipe to make for roasted cauliflower which I can't wait to try as well :) Unfortunately, I ran out of interfacing so I have to postpone work on this bag til I get some. You know I'm running to Joann's ASAP! :)