Cool spring dress ( My two-hour dress!)

NORTHERN LIGHTS

This pattern is from Dana Marie Design Co.

(Originally  under  Paw Prints Pattern Co. name)

 I have found a pattern that works decently for me.  I have had this pattern for a long time and finally got around to sewing it up.  It is very basic with just a simple bodice with no darts, no collar with either a v-neckline or a jewel neckline, short or long sleeves, nipped in at the waist comfortably, with gathered skirt.  I made side seam pockets instead of the patch pockets. I have noticed that it is on sale for $5. while supplies last.  It is easy to sew.  The other pattern (below) #1008, Jumpsuit & Jumper
is also for sale for $5.  It is the same but without the appliques. 

In order for me to sew it up in two hours, I had my pattern cut out, thread on the sewing machine and the serger and the ironing board set up.  I notice when I have something I just want to get done, there seems to be no end to interruptions!  All the family was gone and I had two hours.  My only glitch came when I ran out of bobbin thread and didn't notice it until halfway around the waist seam. 

The other step I didn't do was to line the bodice.  My fabric was heavy and I just cut some bias from scraps and sewed it around the neck to finish it. 

I also made a placket for the skirt instead of buttons down the front.  It saves time and not having to sew the buttonholes and buttons on the skirt.

I did not include sewing the buttons  and waist hook on in the two hours.  It was basically machine sewing. 

Actually, it was fun to beat the clock and not get too many interruptions.  It inspired me to get a few more dresses cut out and have ready to sew.

Here is my dress:

Some great sales and ideas for summer

This has been a very busy time of year for us. We are raising some baby chicks in the house and waiting for good weather so we can finish the chicken house and move those chicks out. It seems that spring came after many snow showers and grass is turning green and daffodils are blooming on our high plains hill. Hurray!

It won't be long before school is finished for this year and summer work and activity keeps us busy. In the meantime, I am trying to get ahead in some summer sewing as spring is usually cool for us and we have to use "transitional" clothing of being warm enough but springy and spritely looking.

Our Hancock's had a great sale where I was able to get 52 yards for $52.! I was so thankful that I was able to get some great quality fabric for such a price. These were summer fabrics with a variety of weights and designs in mostly cottons. I try to leave the poly blends out of our clothing and stick with 100% cotton. It wears well and is comfortable. My take on polyester and blends is that it holds the heat in when it is hot as well as keeps one cold when the weather is cold.

I also found some older sewing patterns at a thrift store: 20 for $1. I found a few vest patterns to use for the kids and some shirtwaists for me. Most are unused with a few used but nice. I like those kind of sales.

I also decided to make a couple blouse/skirt combinations for summer. Our local quilt shop had some fabrics on sale and I bought some for skirts and blouses so I am looking forward to sewing them soon.

McCall's 2094 is a favorite blouse pattern with simple lines and not difficult to put together.

I use Vogue 9850 for a skirt pattern. Actually a simple A-line skirt pattern would work with little bulk around the waist. My shape is a rectangular block shape according to the Vogue pattern "FigureFlattery" description and so I aim for a little indentation at the waist. I gather the skirt instead of using pleats. I also like to make pockets in the side seams and use the Palmer/Pletsch method of using the pocket for an opening instead of a zipper. McCall's 2255 is also a good skirt pattern. Butterick 5431, 3134, Simplicity 2314, 2368, and New Look 6054 will work nicely for a slightly A-line skirt.

Some opinions are worth considering

I just happened to see this title on the web front page and thought it well worth reading. The language may be shocking, but what is more shocking is the behavior of parents as mentioned in the article. Read: PARENTS, DON'T DRESS YOUR GIRLS LIKE TRAMPS

Is not this something we have missed by not being salt and light in our country, dear Christian ladies (and husbands)? How much of our life is spent following the world in our apparel and what we put on our children? What are we trying to say? We can deceive ourselves easily by saying there is nothing else to buy, or I don't know how to sew, and I don't buy second hand or out-of-date/style clothing. We are to be in the world, but not of the world. (Gal. 5:13, Tit. 2:12, 1 John 2:15,16, 1 John 5:3, Rom. 12:1,2. ) Our decisions should be made with a view to glorifying God in whatever we do (and wear) Col.3:17.

A few little things sewn..........

I have been looking through the sewing idea books and manuals that I want to use with the girls to teach them how to sew. One of them had placemat purses to sew. I had picked up a couple simple placemats at the thrift store and decided to see how easy they would be for the girls to try.

I checked out several websites that listed instructions for ideas and found them quite simple and easy to put together. Fortunately I had a roll of green webbing that matched the bags and so it was all done within an hour.

I don't know how the pictures turned out blue, but the fabric is forest green and white. I also put in a little long pocket for their pencils and what-nots.

Hat for Cold Weather

Butterick 5111, published in 2007, has a cute beret pattern that is very easy to make out of fleece. It only takes 1/2 yard.



This pattern isn't available anymore, but one could make a beret pattern similar to this by just using a plate for a pattern.

Make one a solid round piece and make the second one the same size except cut out the middle about halfway through. I put a ruler by the pattern pieces for scale.

All that is needed is a band that is the size that goes around your head comfortably.

Fleece doesn't ravel so it doesn't need to be sewn on the serger. Just sew two rows around the outside. Sew the band together and fold in half. Put the band and the edge of the hole together and sew around it twice and the beret is done! An inexpensive, nice, easy, good-looking warm covering!

This is the inside of the one modeled. My serger quit working while I was making this one and two rows of stitching works fine.

This is a very quick-paced project. Layout to finish would take about an hour. I made six out of 1 1/2 yards.

I have decorated some with fleece flowers out of the scraps.

This would make a quick gift or a fun top to match an outfit.

New patterns to try

Late Autumn has been a very busy time for us. Deer hunting and the processing of the meat, family and friends coming and going, and of course, cold weather setting in with fewer trips to the big city, and then the Thanksgiving and Christmas activities add up to little extra time. So, I haven't been able to do as much research and sewing and blogging as I would like.

This is the time of year to bring out the heavy cottons, wools, and corduroys. The layers of tops, sweaters, and jackets are practical. It is easier to take off a layer than to find something to help you get warmer, especially when the weather changes quickly or even if you have to be in some cold buildings. Some friends keep their houses cooler than I am used to and so I tend to wear more layers when visiting. I especially like to wear the cotton leggings and knee socks as well as pantalettes for warmth.

I have found a few patterns to try. I have done some shopping online and am looking forward to some sewing when the snowy weather gets really bad. A lot of the pattern books have such limited styles (and imaginations). They have been putting out a lot of very fitted, short, skimpy looks. There are some that are soft and feminine and several that need the neckline raised (after all--skin has been showing for a long time now and we need new styles and something else to look at!)

I will post the new patterns soon.

I am also working on some quick table runners for Christmas presents and will try to post pictures of them.

What a merry time to sew!

Fantastic and simple bag to make.

I found this neat website while looking for the free Buttercup Bag pattern by Rae. She has a really cute bag pattern free. There are so many fabrics out there to make some wonderful and fun bags. She also carries other patterns of her design and you can buy the Buttercup Bag pattern with some options.