The shirt on me

How do you take a picture of yourself?  And what do you do with the arm that is in the way.   It was a lot harder than I thought.  Here is my best one taken in front of the mirror on the coat closet.  I guess it is time to look for the little remote that came with the camera.  

One question... Does the shirt look too long, still?  I have shortened it by an inch, but it looks too long in the picture.    
Here is the shoulder detail I adore.  I used cotton-lycra from here.  It took exactly a yard.  
And Kai who also wanted his picture on my blog page.    

Burda World of Fashion 01-2009 #125

A few weeks back, Alison, Kim, and I decided to try sewing something for ourselves.  I love sewing for our children, but hardly have the motivation to sew for myself.  My children look great in whatever I make, but that is not always the case with me.  Last time I tried was four years ago when I was very pregnant with Kai.  I made a kimono style wrap maternity top.  The light blue shirting fabric I chose made it look like scrubs, and no matter how I changed the way I tied the sashing around the waist, I looked like I already belonged in the hospital.  I threw it away.  The challenge and the support we can give to each other gave me hope that I might get out of the fear of disappointment.     

After I talked patterns and fabric with Alison for a while, I decided to try this polo shirt from Burda magazine first.  It looks like my favorite Old Navy shirt, and I would love to own a pattern of something like that.       

The shirt came out really cute, just like the picture in the magazine.  The gathering around the neckline is my favorite part.  The detailed instructions were easy to follow since it was the featured "Sewing Course".  The only things I would have done differently is the sizing.  I made 40, but ended up having to take in more than an inch total off the sides, an inch off the sleeve length, and another inch off the length.  I am sure I could have avoided all that by making size 38.      

Talk about inspiration

Moonstitches posted her first batch of pictures from the Tokyo International Great Quilt Festival.  My inspiration reservoir is full.  I can't wait for the next batch.    

First ever improvisational square

I decided to joined Jacquie and participate in Project Improv.  You can read about it here if you are interested, but basically, we each make a 12.5" log cabin-ish square and mail it to Jacquie.  The collected squares will be made into quilts and be donated.  There is one catch.  We can't use patterns.  Jacquie is encouraging us to get out of our comfort zone and experiment with improvisational piecing.  

If you know me personally, you know that "improvisation" is not my forte.  I am a "plan every detail" and "match the corners perfectly" kind of person.  This square took me far out of my regular style.               

Pink shirt finished

I am a new woman.  I crossed out many things off my list that I had been meaning to do for a while.  Making dental appointments for the whole family, making hair cut appointment for myself, requesting a form from the doctor so we can get reimbursed by our insurance, etc.

The shirt turned out great to put the cherry on top of my day.  I added the fake pockets for fun.  I am writing everything down directly on the pattern, so I don't miss anything next time.

To answer Dawn's question,  I really did take a whole day off.  My sewing desk is in the basement with the TV and all the toys.  I usually sew while Scott watches TV, but not yesterday.  I curled up with him and watched American Idol.          

Life is not all about sewing

A variation of the stripe shirt.  A little gathered collar and sleeves to add. Should be a quick and easy project, I thought.    

The initial sewing of the shirt went well.  After putting the kids to bed, Scott and I listened to an inspiring talk from education week on BYU TV, while I sewed and he worked.   

Next morning Asha tried it on before school.

Problem 1: collar too tall and flops to the front

problem 2: neckline of the bodice stretched out, making the gathered collar look not-so-gathered

After three more tries at picking, gathering and re-setting the collar throughout the day, I came up with what you see on the photo.  Asha was already in bed, but she got up and tried it on.  It was very close, but even with a key whole in the back, her head didn't go through.  Arrrrrrhhhhhh!  

Asha heard me sigh and said, "It is OK, Mom.  There are so many more important things than that shirt or sewing.  I love you."  

I decided to take a day off.  Whatever I will do next will involve taking the collar off, yet again, and I can't face it today.  

In the meantime, I am taking care of "the more important things"...

laundry.

Teaching Asha how to crochet

This one is for you, Adrianne.  Scott has spent countless hours plowing snow during Christmas break.  There was a big picture of him on the four wheeler in Pullman-Moscow daily news.  I am standing on the front deck, and what you see is only about a fourth of our driveway.  

 

I taught Asha how to crochet.  She started asking when she was four, and I kept telling her, "not yet".  I wanted to wait as long as I could, until she had the patience to stick to it.  I finally gave in this year after many, many "please".  So far, so good.  She has really enjoyed it.     

I was in forth grade when the grandma of my best friend, Yoko, gave me scrap yarn and taught me how.  My mom taught me how to knit the following year.  I was the happiest girl in town. 

Finally, almost long enough for Ruthie's scarf.  You can tell an angle helped her progress sometimes while Asha was in school.   

Ruthie gets a leotard

I knew this was coming.  Why wouldn't you want a leotard for your doll when you love gymnastics more than life itself? 

When Asha asked me,  I groaned and told her it is not as easy as she thinks.  I only have patterns for historic clothes. She got a twinkle in her eye, sat at the desk for a minute, and came up with this.   

I thought it was really cute.  

 

We got cotton lycra fabric from my stash and went to work.  We really did cut out two pieces that resembled Asha's pattern, and then came up with the leotard after lots of fittings and adjusting took place.  

If you make one, put velcro down the back center for easy changing.  

Scott and I made this bulletin board for our kitchen.  Sorry the picture is sideways.  I must have grabbed the original one instead.  

I have material to make two more, one for kids' artwork, and the other for organizing sewing ideas. 

If you are interested in making your own, you can find the tutorial here.  The guys at Home Depot had no idea what press board was, so we ended up with fiber board.  Make sure and have them cut it to the size you want.  It would be a pain to do at home.  

  

The all-cotton, linen-like fabric I used was purchased at Walmart.  I buy a lot at once and use it for the pencil rolls too.  

Blouse for Asha

We got another foot of snow over-night.  The kids' prayers got answered, again.  School got cancelled and they spent the morning in the back yard, sledding, climbing the tree, picking pine-cones, and building forts.  

Now the kids are all tired out, watching their favorite shows, Myth Busters and Good Eats.

Another try at the blouse.  I just love this pattern.  Asha is growing, and I am wondering what it would take to get Alison to trace the next size, 130, for me.  

Paired with the corduroy skirt I have made before.  Pardon the wrinkles.  I had to take the pics while the model was still "in the zone".  

Details of the bib and collar.  I have not laundered the blouse yet.  If you see pencil marks, you know why.       

Floral fabric was given to me by Alison. 

White fabric from Scott's old Brooks Brothers wrinkle free shirt.    

Notice our neighbor's deck.  That is how much snow you would have if you have not been shoveling.  I have shoveled a foot of snow off our deck three times.  

Here comes BIG trouble.

Quinn climbed on the dining table for the first time last night.  

 

Ruthie gets a new dress

I made another dress while Rose Bowl was on.    

I used Josefina's camisa pattern for the bodice, the skirt pattern for the skirt, and then added a waist band.  

Scott's sister, Karine helped me fix a few sizing mistakes I made.  Thank goodness for experienced seamstresses.     

 

Asha says she "super-duper LOVES it".