B+

I am still battling it out with this dress, but we're in negotiations for a treaty. Hopefully you'll have photos soon.

Do you ever feel like no matter how great the outside looks, that the inside of your garment still looks like a school project? What does it take to make a pretty wrong side?

How E Got Her Groove Back

Undergarments are our friends.

There it is, my first dress out of the slump. Burda 7444. I still can't decide if I love it. Is it too hefty bag?

I really love the back. I omitted the center back zipper. It was completely unnecessary with this knit, a beautifully sheen jersey blend from Kashi at Metro.

This pattern was a breeze, and the end result is super-comfy. I'll be sporting this dress with combat boots and fingerless gloves all winter :)

It's good to be back.

By the book

Quote of the day:

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me. This is what you people do!!!!!! "

That was my initial reaction upon flipping through Singer's "The Complete Photo Guide to Sewing" which I never would have purchased if I realized 1/2 of it was taken up with home dec stuff. You see folks, I am a self taught sewist. After reading this book, I don't even think I could call myself "self taught". Because I never bothered to look up any proper methods. I've never even looked at a sewing reference book aside from some Threads magazines- and I always figured their complexly intricate methods were some kind of insider couture practice. It's a good thing the big 4 now assume we are all sew dumb, because I think the pattern instructions are where I've learned most of what I know - aside from bugging Karen.

According to this book, I've not even been pinning my fabric properly! It's a wonder anything I've made is wearable! At least now I know why I keep losing the buttons on my velour jacket :) So much to know, so little brain space left...

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January Review (aka: the one dress I finished)

That's right folks- one. I don't count Boopina's because she did the bulk of it herself.

Simplicity 2724

I finally posted the review, and I keep thinking of little things that I should have mentioned. Like the ruffling on my dress doesn't look quite as ruffly as the pattern pic. That might be the fabric, though, because the muslin (left) was ok.

And I wasn't crazy about the zipper placement. Maybe it was just too long. I don't think it helped the bellishness of the skirt. Then again, after reading the Singer bible, it might have just been my technique ;)

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It's February, and I still owe you a sewing backstory, a jacket with $8 buttons, and some accountability.

But I'm going to go sew lingerie now.

Spread the love :)

I spy...

... cool sleeve details.

Did you notice her sleeves extend into fingerless gloves? How cool is that?

.... a tote (courtesy of Vera Bradley) that I hope to copy. And I want one of those scooters in a bad way, too.

It's hard to find a tote that fits a magazine vertically just right. I couldn't find a pattern matching this bag. If anyone is wise to one, please share ;) This bag is just right, I love the big flap pocket on the front and the subtle curve of the top. I'm going to adapt a plain tote pattern and hope for the best.

.... a dress in the background.

This picture is from my grandmother's house 10 years ago. (Yes, that's a little Boopina.) It's a little teaser to that sewing backstory I still owe you.

.... a Kreativ Blogger award

Thanks to Karen, whose sewing by the seat of her pants has kept me on the edge of my seat this past year. She's like the MacGyver of sewing. Give her two bias strips, some leather scraps and an old hat, and she'll build an explosive piece of fashion!

Rules:

1. Copy the award to your site.

2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.

3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.

4. Link to those on your blog.

5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominate.

I'd like to nominate the following:

Vicki, the Hong Kong Shopper from Australia. Vicki, we have good information that you and Allie got lots of good fabric recently... and curious minds want to know what you are doing with it!

Elaray, at Another Creation. I always love her subtle humor and down-to-earth insight.

Mrs. Hunting Creek, whose wise presence ripples out allover sewing blogland.

The Slapdash Sewist, who had me at hello. She reminds me to be bold.

AllisonC, I totally sweat her closet. I drool every time she posts new fabric.

Cidell, the living legend.

And finally, DEEPIKA, because without her, I don't think I'd be here.

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Rumor has it that I might actually get some Mommy time this weekend. Keep an eye out for that Simplicity dress, it just needs the hem now.