Sunday, December 26, 2010

Happy Holidays and a Modification to Holiday Giveaway 4




photo by Thom Andrewz


Hi everyone, I'm back from our trip to Santa Fe. We had a lovely weekend getaway; even though Santa Fe is only an hour away, it's very different from Albuquerque! We stayed at the historic La Fonda hotel, which occupies a city block between the Plaza and Cathedral. More on that later, we're still settling in and unpacking.

I did notice an error when reviewing the Holiday Giveaway 4 post. I don't know why I decided to cut off entries on December 27, then not draw until January 3! It makes no sense, did I confuse everyone? So here's what I'm going to do--I'm extending the cutoff until January 2, 2011 which is next Sunday. Then I'll draw on January 3, as previously stated. Hope that's ok with everyone! So go to the post and make a comment!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Winner for Holiday Giveaway 3

... is Joyce in NC! To claim your prize, please email your name and address to me at feralito at msn dot com. I will be out of pocket from December 23-26; if I don't get your address in time I'll mail your prize after Christmas. Joyce, thank you for your address. The package when out in the mail on 12/20 and you should have your prize by the end of the week.

Thanks to everybody for entering! One more change to win!  Holiday Giveaway 4 has been posted, with an extended deadline due to the holiday.

Holiday Giveaway 4

This week's giveaway features Threads Magazine. I always look forward to receiving the newest copy of Threads in my mailbox--it's the best sewing magazine!
  • Issue 141 is from March 2009, featuring articles on creating a reversible evening coat, the golden rule of proportions, and French draping techniques. 
  • Issue 145 is from November 2009, with articles on creating a hidden support for a strapless dress, blind stitches, and 5 essential sewing skills.
Also included is another set of professionally covered buttons from Silverado in shades of blue, green and black.

The rules have been slightly amended due to the holiday. Hopefully this works for everyone and makes it a little easier to participate.
Leave a comment on this post by 12/27/10, next Monday  Sunday January 2, 2011. As usual, I'll accept Anonymous responses, but please leave your name somewhere in your comment so I know who you are and can acknowledge you! One entry per person. I'll randomly draw the winner on Monday, 1/3/11, and post it on the blog.
This will be the last of the holiday giveaways. I hope they were as fun for you as they were for me!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Last Day to Enter Holiday Giveaway 3


It's Saturday, so make a comment on Holiday Giveaway 3 if you've been thinking of entering. Today is the last day to enter!

The rules:

Leave a comment on the Holiday Giveaway 3 post by 12/18/10, today. I'll accept Anonymous responses, but please leave your name somewhere in your comment. One entry per person. I'll randomly draw the winner on Sunday, 12/19/10, and post it on the blog.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Playing with Dolls

I loved playing with Barbies as a child. I think I got my first one when I was around two years old--there are several old snapshots of me in family albums with me toddling around clutching a blond ponytailed Barbie in her black and white striped maillot. Yes, that iconic one. I had a lot of other dolls too, but Barbie and her friends were always my favorites. Like many sewists, Barbie was an early muse and a inspiration to start sewing. Chatty Cathy didn't have a chance even with the ability to speak.

In the early 2000s, my ASG chapter ran several fundraisers featuring the raffle of a doll with a complete wardrobe made by members. After some American Girl fundraisers, we decided to have one featuring the Gene doll in 2001. Gene is a collectible fashion doll whose narrative was that of a movie star of the 1940s and 1950s. As a result, lots of glamorous vintage-inspired gowns,  ensembles, and costumes! Eventually, other dolls were added to the line before it was retired this year.

I remember making an outfit for our fundraiser on 9/11--making it helped me stay calm during that horrible day. It was based on this pattern:


I always had fond feelings towards Gene for so many reasons. She was pretty, detailed, a bit larger than Barbie, and what a backstory! Long story short, I've been wanting one for quite a while. I recently bid on a used Gene on eBay and brought her home. She came with the teal "Destiny" ensemble--the gown, earrings, gloves (which I can't get on her), stockings (!) and shoes.


I also bid on an outfit so I could see how the clothes were made--and face it, so I could play with her. I'm not one of those people who'll keep something unused in the box for collector value. No point in that.


This outfit is incomplete so I was able to pick it up for a semi-reasonable price. The ensemble is called "Gene's Day Off," or something like that. I guess even a movie star can't wear gowns all the time.

I realize this is totally frivolous and silly, but I have a long history with fashion dolls and their little wardrobes so they occupy a soft spot in my heart.  I'm sure I'll have fun dressing and wardrobing Miss Gene. I have several patterns from back when we did the fundraiser so I'm ready to go.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Well, There's Green Thread in Both Machines...

So I did another set of pillowcases. Here they are, folded, after completion.


I made these from some quilting cotton I got from Ann Silva's last year. The print is gorgeous but large scale, difficult to use for clothing.

These are the standard pillowcases I always make to protect our bed pillows from cat hair. I posted a tutorial about making them here.  A simple and fast project, especially after making so many, and a good way to use those exuberant prints that are so pretty but "too much" for clothes.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Kwik Sew 2948 Cardigan and Shell: Pictures


I made a shell to go with the cardigan since I still had plenty of fabric left over. The fit of the shell took some tweaking, but was super easy to make. The cardigan could probably use a tiny set of shoulder pads, but overall I'm pretty happy with it. I originally started this project in February of this year, so it's nice to have a UFO completed!

ETA: I looked at this picture again and thought I should mention that I usually don't button the cardigan in twin sets like this. So, it looks better as I actually wear it than in the photo, but I wanted to show off my buttonholes! I've been wearing the set all afternoon. It's comfortable and requires a minimum of fidgeting--always pluses in my opinion. 

Monday, December 13, 2010

TSW Now Shirt: Photos and More


Today I got a chance to wear the new TSW Now Shirt. And here it is!

I also got word through Facebook that the fabric I won from Club BMV is on its way. Didn't they do a nice job of bundling it for shipping?

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Holiday Giveaway 3

 

This giveaway is for the pursemakers among you, consisting of Vogue 8590 designed by Marcy Tilton and Amy Butler's Madison Bag pattern. The Amy Butler pattern has been partially cut but appears to be complete. The Vogue has not been cut. This week's prize also includes a set of leopard print buttons. They were professionally covered for Silverado, a local manufacturer here in Albuquerque.

Only one winner this week!

The rules:
Leave a comment on this post by 12/18/10, next Saturday. I'll accept Anonymous responses, but please leave your name somewhere in your comment. Otherwise, it's too difficult to identify who's who. One entry per person. I'll randomly draw the winner on Sunday, 12/19/10, and post it on the blog.

This Week's Winner Is...

Dilliander, from Australia!  I'll send you the following items once I know where to send them.


To claim your prize, please email your name and address to me at feralito at msn dot com. I've received the address; the package was mailed on 12/13/10. Thanks Sandra (aka Dilliander)!

Thanks to everybody for entering. I'll post the next giveaway later today.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Holiday Giveaway 2: Last Call for Entries

Today is the last day to enter Holiday Giveaway 2 for the Textile Studios patterns. Be sure to go to that post and make your comment so you have a chance at this prize. Tomorrow, I'll choose the winner out of all entries submitted by today, December 11.

A recap of the rules:
Leave a comment on the Holiday Giveaway 2  post by 12/11/10 (today). I'll accept Anonymous responses, but please leave your name somewhere in your comment. Otherwise, it's too difficult to identify who's who. One entry per person. I'll randomly draw the winner on Sunday, 12/12/10, and post it on the blog.
Only one winner this time.  Good luck!!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

TSW Now Shirt and Kwik Sew Cardigan: Done at Last!

A partially frustrating day yesterday--I pulled out the Christmas decorations and discovered that the "pre-lit" Christmas tree would not light. And on top of that, I ended up with several scratches on my hands and forearms from wrestling with the stupid thing. Ultimately, I decided there would be no tree this year. In the future, yes, but not in 2010. DH isn't a big "tree" person, and I don't feel like spending the money on it because I'm still not working. As a result, the old tree is in its box on the curb waiting for today's charity pickup. The house still looks festive for the season with the remaining decorations, so no worries there.

DH came home exhausted from work and decided to go to bed early, giving me the opportunity to work on the Now Shirt and Kwik Sew cardigan. I had made the buttonholes over the weekend--thanks for your encouragement for helping me to power through!! Many samples later, I used the automatic buttonholer on the BabyLock Audrey. It worked surprisingly well for both garments, considering that it's  a relatively inexpensive little machine and the fabrics were so different.  Last night, I cut open the buttonholes and attached the buttons--there are 5 on the cardigan and 5 on the shirt, so a lot of button sewing! Well, that's one of the reasons we have TV, right?

Photos later--

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Holiday Giveaway 2


This week's prize is a selection of 2 Textile Studios patterns designed by Loes Hinse and a set of holiday snowman buttons. The patterns are:
  • Shawl Collar Jacket, an easy fitting jacket in two lengths with drop shoulder and shoulder pads. Optional dart for shaping. Sizes XS-XXL, uncut and factory folds. Copyright 1997.
  • Basic Top, an easy fitting, slimming silhouette with 2 bodice lengths and 3 sleeve lengths. Sizes 34" to 44" bust, uncut and factory folds. Copyright 1998.
This is a package deal, so only one winner this week!

The rules:
Leave a comment on this post by 12/11/10, next Saturday. I'll accept Anonymous responses, but please leave your name somewhere in your comment. Otherwise, it's too difficult to identify who's who. One entry per person. I'll randomly draw the winner on Sunday, 12/12/10, and post it on the blog.
 Thanks for playing!

Holiday Giveaway 1: We Have Winners!

I made a list of responses this morning, assigned a number to each, then used Random.org to determine the winners. The first winner is Izzie, of Love 2 Sew 4 Fun. The second winner is Sewing Daisy.

Since neither stated a preference, I'm awarding Prize A with the Spring Street Shirt to Izzie

 

and Prize B with the Era Jacket to Sewing Daisy.

 

Ladies, please email me with your name and address so I can put your prizes in the mail. My addy is feralito at msn dot com.  Sewing Daisy, I mailed your package on 12/10/10. Izzie, I'm planning to mail yours on 12/13/10. Thanks to both of you for sending your addresses!

This week's giveaway will be posted later today, so check back to see what you could win next Sunday!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Holiday Giveaway 1: the Deadline Approaches

Don't forget, today is the deadline to enter the 1st Holiday Giveaway!

Here's a re-cap of the rules:
If you want to play, leave a comment on the Holiday Giveaway 1 post by 12/4/10 (today!). Be sure to write "Sewing Giveaway 1" somewhere in your comment*, and let me know if you have a preference for the Spring Street Shirt or the Era Jacket. The first person selected will get their choice if it's noted. The Sandra Betzina pattern and the buttons are in both prizes. One entry per person. I'll randomly draw the 2 winners on Sunday and post their names on the blog.
Remember, there are 2 winners for this Giveaway so the odds are good. I'll post the winners tomorrow, also the 2nd Holiday Giveaway.
*dropping this requirement because (duh), all comments appear under the Holiday Giveaway 1 comment feed anyway. So it's kind of obvious. Sorry about any confusion.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Button, Button

I now have two projects at the buttonhole stage: the Now Shirt and the Kwik Sew cardigan. And yet, both are just stalled.

What gives with me? I know how to make buttonholes. I have two good sewing machines with buttonholers.

I think I'll set up one of the machines and at least make some samples. Perhaps that'll kick-start this phase of both projects. Sigh.