New to me sewing contest on Pattern Review

My family has just returned from an impromptu trip to Walt Disney World. It was a wonderful time away making dreams come true for our kids. With all of the planning needed for a spontaneous trip, I did not get much sewing done for the "New to Me" contest on Pattern Review. It requires that you sew a garment from a company, book, or magazine you have not sewn from before.

When I signed up for the contest it was midway along, but I was optimistic that I could get a project done in time. I originally choose a dress from Sew Serendipity, by Kay Whitt. It is a lovely number that has many contrast panels and is wonderfully cute. As I write this, I have six hours to choose fabric, cut it out and construct whatever I make. Making my first choice dress is not going to happen.  

I stealthily went into my sewing room, careful not to wake the napping kids, to find an alternative. I found this dress one shoulder dress by Burda.

 

This is a fun dress that reminds me of one I pinned last month. Isn't it cute?

I decided to shop my stash for fabric. Unfortunately I didn't have a lovely coral fabric, but I found a print I purchased at an estate sale earlier in the year. Here is B.I.R.A wearing the finished dress. (I will update to a photo of me wearing it tomorrow).

Front

Update: I missed the deadline for the contest by 18 minutes! I forgot about East Coast time and I am in Texas! Oh well. Here is me in my fab and fun new dress.

 

 Here is my review of the pattern:

Pattern Description:
One-shoulder dresses, slightly flared and above the knee for warm and sunny days. View A with smart bow-tie, B with big pockets.

Pattern Sizing:
6-18, I made a 10

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? 
The shape yes, but I added a flounce to the neckline.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. This is my first time sewing a Burda pattern and I found the instructions very easy
to follow. I like that you align numbers rather than notches in this dress.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I liked the one shoulder style and the large pockets. I like that it can be modified easily if you like.  I found the armscye to be too small and needed to be widened about two inches.

Fabric Used: A rayon/poly(?) blend print fabric that I purchased at an estate sale. The vibrant print reminded me of Emilio Pucci and it screamed "mini dress".

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added a flounce to the top angle. I used a dress I saw on Pinterest as the inspiration and I installed an invisible zipper.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will sew this again. And recommend it to others. I have a few other Burda patterns in my stash and I plan to get sewing.

Conclusion: This is a quick and easy dress. Despite this being a "Young" pattern, I think it can be aged up.

Happy Sewing!
Bianca

Chambray Tunic using Vogue 8595

I know it says something about me that I make clothes and end up not wearing them. I, like many creative people, enjoy the process and am always looking toward the next project. I was in my closet last week looking for something to wear and came across a tunic made using view B of Vogue 8595. I think I made it about three years ago and never wore or wrote a review about it before now.
                            

I am pretty sure I made it before becoming pregnant with my son. I could not wear it when pregnant and it does not allow easy nursing access, so I did not wear it before weaning him. 

I used a Ralph Lauren chambray sheet I had in my stash for fabric. I liked that the sheet had white twin needle stitches. I used them on the pockets and around the wrists of the sleeves. I made it before gaining and losing baby weight, so it is bigger than I would make now, but I think the size is still fine. Here are the photos of the completed tunic.

Vogue 8595

Pocket detail (sorry about the wrinkles, I was wearing it most of the day)

Wrist stitches from the sheet.

Photo bomb hugs from my son!

Here is my review of the pattern.
Pattern Description: Easy to sew loose-fitting pullover tunic top has front neckline slit, optional collar and patch pockets, and your choice of sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: 6-8-10-12 (I made a 12 when I made this between kids about 3 years ago. I will make the 8  when I make it again.)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow? This is a Very Easy Vogue pattern and it lived up to its name.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked slanted patch pockets and the over-sized collar.

Fabric Used: A Ralph Lauren chambray sheet. I took advantage of white contrast twin stitches and positioned the wrist and pockets so they would show.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did not make any.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will sew this again. And recommend it to others. 

Conclusion: Quick and easy tunic.
 
Happy Sewing!
Bianca

Celebrating Fifty Years of Wedded Bliss

I first picked up an embroidery needle in fifth grade. I stitched a pencil-drawn hibiscus on a pillowcase using a reverse back-stitch. Even with the simplicity of the drawing and the stitch I was drawn to the art of embroidery. I do not know what has come of that pillowcase, but it did introduce me to a new past-time that still brings me joy.

Since fifth grade, I have  acquired thousands of embroidery patterns from friends, estate sales and resale stores. Some of them are from the 1950's, others were originally offered via mail order in the 1980's, as well as retro and modern books. Lately, I have modified or made my own patterns to communicate a specific message.

In my ETSY store, in addition to my custom dress form instructions, I offer a few custom embroidery items. I was recently commissioned to create a piece for a customer whose parents are celebrating a Golden anniversary. The piece is a wedding car with a rear banner that can be customized with a message and a license plate with the year of marriage. The customer chose to have the banner message say "50 years and Counting" to commemorate the occasion.

I used multiple stitch types including, reverse back-stitch, french knots, split stitch, laced running stitch, and satin stitch. I also used many colors of DCM embroidery floss including metallic floss for the wording (metallic floss requires great time and care to prevent kinks from forming). Here is the completed 8x10 piece prepared for framing in a 11x14 matte.
  

50 years and counting

The brake lights are red french knots!

Although I am looking forward to it, I cannot imagine being married for 50 years. I send my sincere congratulations to the couple.  I feel so privileged to be a part of such a momentous event in this small way. I hope it brings the customer much joy when they see it.

If you would like me to stitch something up for you  please let me contact me here.

Happy Sewing,
Bianca

I would like to take a moment to brag.

Sewing is in my blood and in my family. I grew up watching my mother and great aunt sew. I knew how to sew, but I would only mend buttons or fix an occasional hem. The birth of my daughter over 5 years ago rekindled my love of sewing. I was delighted to make little outfits and have her wear them with pride. When out, we were constantly stopped my strangers who commented on her clothing. This blog was named, in part, for a phrase I was constantly saying as she modeled the clothes: "Thanks, I made them." The rest of the name came from considering the follow-up question, "Can you teach me?".


I began teaching friends in my home, and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching. I was soon encouraged to expand my classes to include more students in a larger space. Last Spring, that is what I did. I had students with some sewing knowledge and others who arrived asking, "What is a bobbin?," and "How do I thread this thing?".  It is always such a thrill to see the looks on their faces when they complete a pair of lounge pants in the first class!

Once the month of classes end, the students go on their way, and I may not know if they continue to use their new skill. Guess what? Some do! Have a look at what my former student, Pop Culture Mom, made for her darling daughters for Go Texan Day:

 

These beautiful girls are adorable in their fringe trimmed Go Texan Day outfits! I am so proud of their mom! She arrived at the lessons with her boxed Hello Kitty sewing machine and a fierce determination to have it not get the best of her! It clearly has not, and I am sure there are many more outfits to which she will say, "Thanks, I made them!"

My next round of lessons will begin in April. The details can be found here. I cannot wait to watch as apprehension fades to pride on my students' faces.

Happy Sewing!
Bianca

Look at theses goodies I won!

The Sew News Amy Butler Beautiful Belle Sew-Along had a giveaway for participating. The winner was chosen by random and I was the fortunate one to win the bounty. Here is what received in the post this week!

 

 

A lovely sewing box filled with notions!

Embroidery Patterns and Floss

To replace the rubber band I currently use :)

 

Two retractable scissor buddies to replace my current solution.

This has worked as a holding place, but it requires that I put it back when I am done... The scissor buddy always keeps the scissors with a clip!

I don't knit, but my cousin wants to learn, so this will be gifted to her.

This looks great as another option for making DIY labels.

Just wow! The quilts in this book are awe inspiring!

There are some fun projects to make in this one! Stay tuned!

The one I am most excited about!

Stencils, stencils, stencils! There are fourteen wonderful designs in this book that can be used alone or combined. The stencils are large scale and made of a durable plastic/paper material. It seems they will hold up to multiple uses.  

This will look lovely on a dress. I do have a stockpile of cotton jersey...

I like this one on pillows or bordering curtains perhaps.

 I am so happy with the bags I completed in this Sew-Along. Winning the giveaway was just the best icing on the cake!

Happy Sewing!