Monthly Archives: September 2011

Barbarians…

Posted on September 26, 2011 | 6 comments

The Ohio Renaissance Festival was fantastic fun as always!  It was barbarian weekend but I really didn’t feel I wanted to dress all barbarian woman like.  So we went in our Royalty garb.  I thought I would share a few pics from today.  Today’s outfit is also what I am posting for my SSS ’11 garment.** 

 This was one of the most adorable things I saw.  It is a magnetic pig and they sales guy just came up and stuck it on my bodice!


These little girls had the most amazing fairy wings!  This picture does not do them justice.  When the sun hit them they sparkled beyond belief!


Flower garlands for sale.  I love the colors.

 This is Deb.  When I did my internship she was the one who taught me just about everything I know about Renaissance costuming!

Blacksmith doing a demonstration. 

Potter’s work space.  I thought it was kinda cool looking.

 This is my new rennie friend Adi (aka Elnara).  She stopped me to tell me she loved my gown.

She then came back and let me borrow this crown for the day!  I love it and want to purchase it as soon as possible! Her website is here.  Check it out!

 
On a side note,this was the last year for my peacock dress.  It is 5 years old now and well worn.  I am ready for a new noble gown and Eric is ready for a new noble costume as well.  
**I am not posting any other photos for SSS ’11 garments worn this past week as they were all repeats. :(  I figured nobody wanted to see all of the other things again.

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Tagged , , SSS’11

Giveaway winners

Posted on September 25, 2011 | 1 comment
I am a terrible giveaway hostess!  I forgot all about this giveaway this week after I first posted it.  Anyways, the winners are 

Meigan said…

I love giveaways! And I love to win: Simplicity 4589, Sim 4885, Sim 3837. I could actually use some patterns for tops and coordinates (there are too many dresses in my stash!)
and
Joyce in NC said…
Please enter me in the drawing! My choices in order are: 4885, 3837, and 5480
Since they were the only two entries I am giving each of them 2 patterns!  Ladies please email me your shipping information and I will get your patterns out to you!
On a side note, tomorrow Eric and I will be at the Ohio Renaissance Festival in full costume.  Stop by and say hi if you see us there! 

Hopefully there will not be any wardrobe malfunctions!

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Monday Musings and…….a GIVEAWAY

Posted on September 20, 2011 | 2 comments
  • Today is incredibly gloomy.  The forecast called for thunderstorms from noon-6pm.
  • It really did rain that long too. :( 
  • No fun.
  • It is season premiere week and that makes me excited!
  • Really excited for the return of Glee!
  • Horsehair for hems is the most amazing thing since sliced bread right now.
  • I went to Jo-Ann’s on Saturday and Sunday for the patterns sale.
  • Both times I had my Gingher scissors in my purse that I needed to drop off to be sharpened and both times I forgot all about them.
  • I have to go back again to get buttons for Eric’s vest and double fold bias tape.
  • Eric and I are going to be at the Ohio Renaissance Festival this Sunday.
  • I will be wearing my peacock dress.
  • If you see us say hi!
  • It has been awhile since I had a giveaway.
  • I really want to have a giveaway.
  • I also really want to stash bust my patterns.
  • Here’s what’s up for grabs.

First row:
Simplicity 4589 Size RS 14-22
Simplicity 4885 Size RS 14-22
Simplicity 3837 Size RS 14-22
Second row:
Simplicity 3850 Size P5 12-20
McCall’s 5820 Size RR 18W-24W
McCall’s 5480 Size EE 14-20

All patterns are brand new and uncut.  I am giving all 3 of them away to 3 lucky winners.  Each winner will get their choice of which ones.  Entry deadline is Friday, 9/23, at 5:00 PM (EST).  Winners will be announce that evening.

To enter you must:

  1. Be a follower of my blog.
  2. Leave a comment with you top two choices.
  3. Earn a second entry by posting about the giveaway on your blog. (leave a separate comment with the link)

Fine print:  This giveaway is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Simplicity or McCall’s.  They have absolutely no idea who I am.  If your first choice of pattern has already been selected then I will send out your second choice.  In the event that both have been taken I will email you for a different selection.  

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    Tagged ,

    Camera Strap Slipcover

    Posted on September 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

    I am in love with this tutorial I just stumbled across!  It is for a camera strap slipcover.  GENIUS!  It is from Moda Bake Shop.  Sadly, I do not have a SLR camera that requires this kind of strap but when I do I will be making a few of these slipcovers!  This would be a great scrap stash busting project as well.

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    Tagged camera strap slipcover, tutorial

    SSS ’11 Week 3

    Posted on September 18, 2011 | 1 comment
     
    This past week was another filled with tops!  I really do need to focus more on making bottoms.
    9/12, Monday I wore the purple top I made using McCall’s 6120 back in June. I really love this style, which is why I have made two versions of this top and three versions of the McCall’s 5974 dress with the same design features.  I paired the top with my gray knit cardigan to make it more work appropriate.

    9/13, Tuesday I wore the brown and aqua chiffon top I made back in April. It is from the OOP Simplicity 3535. This is only the second time I have worn it.  I actually like it better than I originally did.  While the yoke around the shoulders is still a bit large this picture makes it appear to fit much better than it did the first time around.  I have a white tank top on underneath it and I am not a fan of it as it dulls the colors of the chiffon a bit.  I think that if I get a brown tank it will look much better.

    9/14, Wednesday I wore the blue lightweight cotton top I made for my SWAP last year.  The pattern is Simplicity 3504 from the Project Runway line.  I really like this top and keep thinking I should make another version soon.

    9/15, Thursday I wore my green knit wrap cardigan. The pattern is Simplicity 2603.  I don’t think I ever posted any other pictures or reviews of this pattern other than a brief mention of the sleeveless top I made to go with it.  I really like the look of this top and the pattern is very easy.  That being said there is not enough length on this to wrap it all of the different ways the pattern shows.  If I make it again I will definitely add more length.

    9/16, Friday was a repeat day.  I wore the same white top I wore last week.  It was chilly and I don’t have any other long sleeve shirts that I have made to wear.  I should also put a few of those in my FESA plan.

    9/17, Saturday was also a repeat day.  I wore my Simplicity 2223 jacket that I also wore last week.

    9/18. Sunday was a lazy day.  I have been fighting a terrible headache and scratchy throat all day so I wore pajama pants that I made last December.  I really do not want to get my yearly cold already!  I have been loading up on the Emergen-C vitamin packs all day.  I did however take an hour or so to run to Jo-Ann’s and pick up a few Butterick patterns that are currently on sale for $.99. I got B5956, B4954, B4827, B4377, B5685. I also got the patterns for Katherine’s wedding dress (BP249) and Pippa’s bridesmaid dress (BP250), which are not listed on the Butterick site.  How odd!  Not really sure I will every make the wedding dress but I feel that it must be in my collection. The bridesmaid dress at least has another version with a shorter length that make it more usable for me.

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    Tagged McCall’s 6120, , Simplicity 2603, Simplicity 3504,

    FNSI results

    Posted on September 17, 2011 | 1 comment

    I actually didn’t get much sewing done, but I did get a lot of other projects cut out and some others planned out.

    Here’s a breakdown of it all:

    • I used 1.75yds of a yellow knit to make the cardigan of Simplicity 2262. It ended up as a wadder. The pattern is fine and I will be making it again, but the fabric and both my serger and sewing machine did not get along with it.  I should have known better too.  I had a light blue of the same fabric that I tried to make a top with a few years ago and it also ended up as a wadder.  I should have known better than to try anything in yellow as it is icky looking on me.
    • I used 2 yards to make a Christmas present for my Santa Sack Swap partner Vickie.

    While doing all this I had a few thoughts:

    • My job has taught me so many new techniques that I want to try on my garments like binding cover elastic, cover-stitching my knits and stripping (similar to binding but without the elastic).  
    • The most useful thing I have learned/adapted to is sewing without pinning everything!
    • I am really glad I am getting started on my Christmas sewing this early.
    • It should save me quite a bit of stress this year.
    • I hope!
    • I keep debating what I want to dress up as for Halloween at work and to hand out candy.
    • Alice from Alice in Wonderland or Little Red Riding Hood.
    • Right now I am going with Little Red Riding Hood.
    • I am taking my costume inspiration from the new Red Riding Hood movie.
    • I am not that big of a fan of the movie though.
    • I need to get patterns for this.
    • McCall’s patterns are on sale at Jo-Ann’s for $1.99 until today.
    • Butterick patterns go on sale at Jo-Ann’s for $.99 starting on Sunday.
    • Crap, I have to go to Jo-Ann’s twice now!
    • I need to send invites out for our Halloween Murder Mystery Party.
    • Crap, I need to make a guest list first!
    • I really need to take my machines to get cleaned and oiled.
    • Eric’s birthday is coming up in just over a week.
    • What do I want to make him?
    • Maybe a new vest.
    • Maybe a new dress shirt.
    • Probably a new vest.

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    Posted in Sewing

    Tagged , FNSI, McCall’s, wadder

    FNSI

    Posted on September 16, 2011 | 1 comment

    How could I forget that tonight is the sew-in?  I am actually very excited by this.  I have quite a few projects that I am wanting to make this weekend and this is the perfect way to start!  I have a cardigan jacket cut and ready to go.  I also want to get started on a Renaissance style chemise for a client as well as some pajama pants for Christmas gifts.  There is still time to sign-up yourself!  Check out Heidi’s blog to do so!

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    SSS ’11 round up

    Posted on September 12, 2011 | 2 comments


    Tuesday, 9/6,  wore the newest top I made myself.  I have still not written the review for it, but I used Butterick 5355.  I love this top but I am going to have to make a different belt for it.  The chiffon just does not stay tightly tied very well.

    Wednesday, 9/7,  wore another top that I had never photographed.  This was made using my TNT pattern Simplicity 2603.  This pattern is a quick and easy basic.  It works great under any jacket or cardigan.

      Thursday, 9/8, I wore one of my most favorite tops.  I used Simplicity 3690 in the same white cotton burnout as the top I wore last Saturday.  I even have 1.5 yards of this fabric still in my stash but I figured two tops in it in my current wardrobe is plenty.  If you have not tried this pattern yet I highly recommend it.  It is very unique and not like much of the RTW I have ever seen in my area.

     Friday, 9/9, I wore my favorite garment I have made this year but you wouldn’t know it by that expression I am sporting! Eeps, I look pissed!  Anyways, the jacket is Simplicity 2223.  I have an obsession for military inspired garments with tabs and when I first saw this pattern I knew that I had to make it.

      Saturday, 9/10,  I wore a red top I made using McCall’s 5436.  I made this just over 4 years ago.  Up close it is looking a little rough as it use to have a silver paisley design on it that has since faded.  Yesterday was a very laid back day so I figured I could get by with it. 

     Sunday, 9/11,  today I wore a black sheer top that is very similar in design to the one I wore yesterday but it is a different pattern.  I originally made this to wear for portraits that were taken of my husband and I for our church directory 3 years ago.  I have only worn it a couple of times since since I am not a big fan of the rolled hem I did on it.  The neckline just looks sloppy to me.

    This is only the second week of SSS ’11 and I have realized that I really only make myself tops.  I do have skirts and dresses, but they are not all to casual.  In fact all of the skirts I have made are business attire or dressy.  I do not make myself pants other than for pajamas and I don’t know why not.  I know my style is pretty much jeans and a cute top, but really?  This needs to change!!!  I always admire stylish women who wear skirts and dresses regularly and not just for their jobs. I want to be one of those women.  I am going to have to reevaluate my FESA ’11 plan because I know that I do not have a single skirt or dress in it.

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    Never Forget

    Posted on September 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

    In 2001 a lot of things happened…

    -Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Pearl Harbor, Shrek and the first Lord of the Rings movie hit theaters.
    -A Beautiful Mind won best picture of the year at the Oscar’s.
    -Apple released the very first iPod.
    -Number 1 hits on the Billboard charts included Fallin’ – Alicia Keys, Butterfly – Crazy Town and Bootylicious – Destiny’s Child.
    -Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise split up, as did Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt.
    -The Balitmore Ravens were Superbowl Champions.
    -Kandace Krueger of Texas became Miss USA.
    -The National average of gas was $1.46 a gallon.
    -Bjork stepped out on the Oscar’s red carpet in her swan dress.
    -A gallon of milk cost $3.50.
    -Microsoft released the Xbox and Nintendo released the Gamecube.

    …But the one thing that springs to mind is 9/11.  While we may forget about all the pop culture events we will never forget 9/11.

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    Fall Essentials Sew Along ’11

    Posted on September 10, 2011 | 2 comments

    I think I am going to participate in the Fall Essentials Sew-Along 2011.  There are several different categories.  I will not be making stuff from every category but I will get through most of them.  I also added an additional category.  Here is my plan:
     

    Chic Chemises for Cool Climates
    Blouses, tops, vests, cardigans, and sweaters! These wardrobe essentials can carry you from day to night, not to mention provide necessary layering to keep out the chill.
    1. McCall’s 6401shirt in the blue/creamy/copper plaid
    2. Simplicity 2262 cardigan in a yellow knit
    3. Simplicity 0595 jacket in a blue wool with cream lining and flower button
    4. Simplicity 2369 shirt in brown cotton lycra knit


    Fashionable Foundations for Frosty Weather
    Trousers, skirts, legwarmers and more! Anything that keeps your lower portion fashionably cozy fits perfectly here! The chilly weather necessitates the donning of bifurcated bottoms and sassy skirts!
    1. McCall’s 6403 shorts in brown and aqua plaid
    2. Butterick 5391 wide leg pants in brown and aqua plaid
    3. McCall’s 5142 UFO denim jeans

     

    Fabulous Frocks
    Dresses of all styles; mini, short, or long! Keep yourself warm in your modish designs, layering with tights and boots!
    Nothing for this category but if I have time and want to I may work on a UFO winter party dress I have.

    Underneath It All
    When you’re spending months covered from the neck down, a glamorous underpinning of your choice adds a secret, luxurious touch that chases the cold away!

    I am not making anything from this category yet.

    Tender Tootsies
    Let’s not forget your frosty feet! Socks, slippers and the like are the order of the day. Keep those tootsies warm and dry!
    I am not making anything from this category either.

    Those Cozy Nights
    Is there anything better than snuggling up in a cozy pair of pajamas with a hot drink and a book whilst Jack Frost works his magic outside? I think not! Sleepwear of all types are the way to go here!
    I do want to make a flannel pj set.  I have the pattern for it but I am waiting until the Black Friday sale at Jo-Ann’s to get the fabric.

    Baby It’s Cold Outside
    Coats, hats, and mittens donned to keep the cold at bay, especially when out enjoying the spectacular fall colors!
    1. Butterick 5145 coat in black, white and silver plaid with pink shimmery lining.
    2. Knitted scarf possibly in dark purple yarn but I have not decided yet.
    3. Knitted fingerless gloves in matching yarn as scarf.

    Mens Must Haves
    My additional category is for Eric.  I want to add quite a few pieces to his work wardrobe for fall that will also work year round for him.
    1. Simplicity 2870 vest in black with blue pinstripe
    2. Simplicity 7030 dress shirt in kelly green broadcloth
    3. McCall’s 2447 tie in black Asian brocade
    4. Simplicity 2870 vest in vintage gray wool
    5. Vogue 2836 pants in vintage gray wool

    All in all that is 15 pieces in an 8 week time frame.  The chances of me completing that are pretty darn slim!  I really want these projects to take me all the way until spring as I will be able to wear most of them then too.  I think I am going to get myself started by tackling the most time consuming project first, the new coat.  I just have to get buttons and a light colored cotton for the underlining.  What’s great about my chosen projects is that all the fabrics, with the exception of the pj set and underling for the coat, will be coming from my stash.  That should help me burn through quite a bit of my stash. 

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