Category Archives: Being Creative

Fostering creativity through sewing and other hobbies

Being Creative, Everything Else

Hello Summer!

2 Comments

Wow!  It’s already the 3rd week of June!  Where is my summer going?  The last 2 weeks of May were crazy with the end of school.  We had parties and honors assemblies and concerts and more parties.  I’m so proud of both the children.  100_2242

They each had a fabulous school year and did very well.  They both met reading goals and PE goals and had straight As for the entire year!

100_2232My big girl also earned recognition in music, writing, and art! 

June kicked off to a fast and furious start! 

100_2254The kids have swimming practice at 8 each morning and again at 4 each afternoon.  They’ve also attended basketball camp (“That was fun, but basketball is not my sport” –AB) and VBS.

 100_2257

We had 3 summer league swim meets and one COSST meet crammed in the last 3 weeks too!  It has been quite a feat keeping the shop up and running and teaching a few sewing classes with all these other fun things!

And now, it’s already the 3rd week of June!  Things will settle down a bit now, just the 2-a-day swim practices and a few sewing classes left to fill our days until July.  Well, those and a visit from Grandpa, blueberry picking, putting up veggies from the garden, playing in the pool…

Being Creative, Everything Else

May is Here!

Leave a comment

Wow!  It’s May!  Our spring has been so busy, and now summer is just around the corner! 

After a winter and spring full of sewing seersucker and gingham, I’m excited to have a few moments to slow down.  I’ve spent some time catching up on blogs and discovering new favorite places to read!

I’ve decided to join a new blog challenge this month and I wanted to shared it with you:

Book%2BCover%2Bwith%2B31%2BDays[1]

I find myself grumbling-a lot!  Especially at the end of the day when everyone is tired and hungry.  In 2 days, I’ve switched my little reminder bracelet between arms so many times that I keep thinking it will just pop off!  

Do you have a grumbling spirit like me?  Join me for this challenge.

Being Creative, Everything Else

Awesome new sewing book

Leave a comment

I’m so excited!  I added a new book to my sewing library today!

I grabbed my copy at our local Hancocks’ but you can click the picture above to find one on Amazon.  Here’s my review:

by Simplicity
Published in 2011

Some Chapter Headings:

  • Sewing for Today
  • A Buyer’s Guide
  • Universal Basics
  • Patternless Projects

 

I liked:

  • The way the book lays flat beside you when you are working!
  • The pattern chapter–it has lots of great detail about reading pattern envelopes and the markings on your tissue patterns.
  • Tons of great fitting info with diagrams showing you how to tweak your pattern’s fit.
  • LOTS of serger information in several of the chapters.

 

My dislikes:

  • Haven’t found any yet!

 

Conclusion:
Every seamstress needs at least one good resource.  This book is appears to be an excellent, concise and complete resource.

Would I buy it for myself? I did!  I first grabbed it simply because it lays open flat.  Silly, right?  Well, after working with books that close up on me while my hands are on the fabric, I was excited to find a complete resource that would be easy to use.

Would I buy it for a beginner sewer? Absolutely.  This books is written with a conversational tone and has many questions written and answered that a beginner might ask.  I personally think any beginner would benefit from reading the chapters on fabric and patterns before entering the fabric store!

 

****note:  I’m in the Amazon Affiliate Program.  I will be monetarily compensated if you purchase through the links above.    That said, I do truly like this book and my recommendation have nothing to do with this affiliate program.

 

Being Creative, Everything Else

Simplicity 2211: Lisette Skirt and Top

1 Comment

***Edited May 9, 2014:  Two years later, this is still a favorite post on this blog.  These Lisette patterns were so stinking popular!  Simplicity 2211 is the Market top and skirt.  As of today, the pattern was still available only in certain sizes on Simplicity.com.  If you’ve stitched up this top or skirt or both, I’d love to see them.  Just leave the link to your post in the comments.***

Simplicity 2211

 

After blogging about this top back in July, I finally took the time to finish the skirt!  I love these Lisette Patterns.  You can find my pattern review here, but here’s the nitty gritty.

 

 

 

 

I love the instructions in these Lisette patterns.  I followed the instructions by the letter on the shirt, without any difficulty. While I could have put the skirt together with my eyes closed, I followed the instructions to see if it was worth recommending the pattern to my sewing students. It definitely is!

Simplicity 2211 Lisette Skirt Front

The skirt is really cute, but I wish, wish, wish it had pockets! I also prefer an invisible zip to a lapped zipper, but that was an easy fix.

I used cotton poplin from the Lisette line for the top and a white canvas for the skirt.

Simplicity 2211 Lisette Skirt Back

I probably will not make the skirt again, as I have so many other skirt ideas rumbling around in my head. I would definitely recommend the pattern to others, even beginners. I think Lisette’s extra tips are well written, easy to understand, and perfect for novices. If you decide to make the skirt, take advantage of your blind hem foot to help you get the perfect topstitch along your skirt panels.

This is a really cute outfit and will be perfect for the spring (when it actually gets here on the calendar!).

Being Creative, Everything Else

Learning to Sew? You Need a Good Sewing Reference

Leave a comment

For my latest sewing students:

Even with all the great YouTube videos and photo tutorials on the web, I still think you need a great sewing book handy.  I have a few favorites.


I reviewed The New Complete Guide to Sewing here in 2008.  I still LOVE this book and recommend it to all my sewing students.

 

I reviewed Sew U here in 2008.  I would update this review just a bit today.  After using this book for several years, I’d suggest that this book is worth the purchase for 2 reasons:  1)her practical approach to sewing without a fancy studio or lots of tools and 2)inspiration.  If you are planning to take my 1 skirt, 3 ways class, then I highly recommend this book!
What about you ladies that sew all the time?  What books do you recommend to a new seamstress????

 

****note:  I’m in the Amazon Affiliate Program.  I will be monetarily compensated if you purchase through the links above.    That said, I do truly love these books and my recommendations have nothing to do with this affiliate program.
Being Creative, Everything Else

The 4th Week of 2012

1 Comment

January 22:  Sunday School and a blissful day of rest!

January 23:  I taught my first sewing class of 2012.  You can find the rest of the schedule here.

January 24: I really should write stuff down as it happens…

January 25:  After 2 days of rain…

 

January 26:  Honor’s Assemblies

 

January 27: Finished the SS fair project before leaving town for the weekend!

 

January 28:  Another weekend, another swim meet.  My Daddy went with us this time.  Thanks PoPo!