Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Busy Little Life

So, as the title suggests, it has indeed been a busy little life lately.   I have been trying to get lots of little sewing projects done in between the have-to's of this life, so here goes!:
 
It's still pretty chilly in the mornings and late evenings here in NorCal, so I decided to make the Desmond Jacket from Shwin Designs.  (LOVE THEM!The patterns are so easy to follow and the results are always perfect!) I used a bottom-weight solid red for the coat and the cutest little superhero/comic book style quilters cotton for the lining. And... I AM IN LOVE!!  I secretly wake up hoping for cooler weather so that I can make him wear it!  Not that it takes much convincing, he loves it too! (which is the most important part)
And here's a peak at the lining:
 
After that, I figured I had better get something going for my daughter... she can be the jealous type, especially when it comes to clothes!  My inspiration came from the Emerald challenge of the Sew-Vivor competition over at FamilyEverAfter blog.  (check it out... it's AWESOME!) The entry is from Jen of A Jennuine Life :
GORGE!  Right?  I love it.  So I decided to do a last-minute sew-along with some clearance fabric I found at my local Beverly's.  Unfortunately, due to a miss-calculation, I had a "make it work" moment. (LOVE YOU, TIM GUNN!) 
Do you see what happened?  I THOUGHT I measured the correct length for a natural waist bodice, but when I had the bodice constructed and went to place the sash... OOPS! It was about 3-4" too short!  The sash would have to go across the bust and arm holes!  YIKES!  So, like I said, bodice fully constructed with button loops and buttons, so we just make it work.  I cut the sash in pieces and just sewed it to the front and back folding it into the inside at the arm holes.
I still think it's pretty darn cute. 
And Shelby likes it too, so that's a plus!
 
My next adventures in sewingland are taking me back to knits.  I love em. Can't help it.  Found some AWESOME knits on Girl Charlee.com , so I will be doing some hoodies and tshirts for Drake and this little cutie has caught my eye for Shelbs:
And I am truly terrible at sketching, but this has been dancing around in my head, so I had to get it out onto paper... at least until I figure out what fabrics I want to make it out of!  (Again, excuse the AWFUL drawings... Sadly, I DO NOT draw.) 
(I drew the "front" on the right first, then the "back".  I did the strip work WAY too perfect in the "front" drawing.)
 
So, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO!?


14 comments:

  1. I was just looking at the superhero fabric that you have on the inside of the jacket. :)

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  2. I'm in love with your jacket!!! I've been crazily searching online for a free pattern on one because I am planning to make one for my G. but I just can't find any =( The dress turned out cute, even though you had a little problem.

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    1. Yeah, finding a free pattern for a jacket is hard. If you can manage to squeeze it into your budget, the Desmond Jacket that I did here is an amazing pattern, super easy with great results! Thanks for stopping by!

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    2. I've challenged myself NOT to buy any fabric or any sewing supplies, that's my only problem. ahahah since I have so many already. Thanks for your suggestion though, I appreciate it, but I have started to draft my own pattern, and hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to turn it into a PDF pattern tp have it free on my blog =D

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    3. I found one, just in case anyone is looking too, over at Heather's blog: http://www.feathersflights.com/2012/10/little-boy-suit-jacket-pattern-and.html
      and I wasn't even looking anymore. =)

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  3. Excellent job on both. I love the super hero lining. It's so Clark Kent!

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    1. Thanks, Farrah! I love the lining so much I almost wish I had done it as the outside of the jacket, or made it reversible. But I do love a hidden, secret lining! You're right, very Clark Kent!

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  4. I love the bottom fabric on your dress its really pretty! And good for you for finding a solution to your 'problem'. The blazer is absolutely gorgeous!!

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  5. I love the Desmond jacket and this version is awesome! The color is great. You should definitely try the ruffle cardigan. It's a great easy knit pattern and the results will be stunning :)

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    1. Thanks! I did do a version of the cardi, but my daughter stole it to wear before I could get pics! Will hopefully post some too!!!

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    2. High praise indeed, liZ! Thanks!

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