A Bunch of Little Things

Well, before I head out to Thailand for 3 weeks here are some wonderful things. My sewing has ceased and projects have been put on pause so I can prepare to leave, and then actually leave. It's going to be wonderful!
This book >>>>http://www.japanesesewingbooks.com/2014/06/24/book-review-clean-and-natural/
I think I might look into this after One Piece is the Best. I find a lot of things I like at Japanese Sewing Books, which is where I found One Piece. But then again, maybe I should look into some dresses with more structure, step up the challenge.

The Sewing Boutique - I found a sewing store in Vicksburg! It mainly focuses on quilting and children's clothing, but there was plenty of sewing supplies to marvel at (and for good prices) and classes offered. I did buy some thread and mother of pearl buttons.
http://www.thesewingboutiqueshop.com/

I made a dish-towel apron for one of my dad's co-workers. I'll also be making one for my dad (in a different pattern when I get back. Another project in the works is a laptop bag for my sister.

The Thailand project was completed, and my handmade closet is packed and ready to go! This includes the peacock feather dress (with a black waist tie), the black floral dress, the green fan dress with slits, the Zinnia pants, the label dress, and the butterfly dress. Of course I have some other items to finish out a week, but there will be a good bit of washing. I've even packed my little sewing bag (pins, needles, some thread, measuring tape, etc.) into my suitcase.
Although I'm going for career exploration, I did find this post that piqued my attention. >>Seamstress Erin's Chiang Mai fabric shopping It looks promising!

pc:SeamstressErin












I also spent a large chunk of this afternoon organizing my sewing area, and have collected a scrap stash. It's inevitable.
I'll be updating when I get back! (maybe before if I have lengthy access to a computer)


Happy Sewing!

Cross Stitch Storage Bag for Mom

Now that I have completed all the items going to Thailand (which is happening in less than a week!), I'm moving on to some bags. I currently I have more scraps from making clothing than I know what to do with, so I opened up the offer to family members. First up is my mother, the avid cross-stitcher, for whom I made a bag for her cross stitch materials and projects!

 The bag is something of a combination of two styles out of the Simple Bags book (look in the right column of my blog under "on the sewing table" -- I should be making a master list of the books and patterns I use soon), a jewelry pouch and an embroidery bag. To fit her materials in I made it a little bit bigger than the example. The fabric was from my Label Dress (Dress "m") out of One Piece is the Best (also in the column>>). I lined in cream cotton and put in some iron on interfacing.This post could be considered part-tutorial part-experience example.

 The embroidery bag.

The jewelry pouch.

Because my scraps were not long enough, but plenty wide, I cut them in half and stitched them to mirror each other, so that when folded they would both be right side up.

Lining was cut by tracing size of the outside fabric, both on fold.

I then cut pockets (three total). My mom needed a pouch for glasses, so I used a method similar to the back of a pillow case, making two pockets overlap, open ends together. I used my own glasses for scale.

Pin and sew the pockets to lining and interfacing. Keep in mind that the bag will fold together when done.

Cut handles and button loop.

Fold long, raw edges of handles to the center, then fold in half and iron. Sew over long edges.

Pin loop and handles to the outside with raw edges in the same direction.

Place lining over that, right sides together. Sew together around edges leaving an open spot to turn it right side out.

Turn it right side out. I went ahead and topstitched where it was open, close to the edge, and on both sides to make it even. I also stitched under the handles.

The inside: two large pockets and one for glass or smaller things.

Found this cute tutorial for origami dresses and hope to make them for room decor!

Happy Sewing!

Kamikaze Butterflies

Yesterday evening I finished this up, and it had been quite the unexpected trial. I messed up on pocket interiors with french seams. The original sleeves were way too small (I tried to adjust them and failed miserably), and I eventually took them out completely. I did the topstitching on the facing along the neckline multiple times, and still couldn't get a nice, straight seam along the intended-to-be-square neckline (no pictures of that stuff). I even cut the top of the dress out upside down (hence the name Kamikaze Butterflies, as they "flew" downward), and had to recut. (Where was my head? Obviously not on my shoulders.) Oh well. I suppose we all have those days. 

The fabric, though, is why I pushed on to some sort of finished, and I rather like it. The pockets were higher than I thought they would fall, but they will be handy. There are some small darts on the bust to give a little shape.

The front. (Notice the new shoes :))

The back.

 Pockets!

It was inevitable while making this to not be reminded of A Bug's Life...

Happy Sewing!

Dress "m"

Another dress has been made. It was very easy, and took just over 3 hours. This one does actually have a tent vibe about it, and it looks alright left as is, but I put a little belt around the waist to satisfy myself. The only details were the front and back yokes, sleeve binding, and some tucks(which I did not do because it would have made the sleeves too tight. I plan on making one of these again when I get back from Thailand. There's only one piece of clothing left to go for Thailand, and its currently a work in progress (it has butterflies on it !).
Also, did you know that Agatha Christie wrote a mystery that takes place in Egypt in 2000 BC? It's titled Death Comes as the End.  I listened to the audio book, and am now reading the actual book because I loved it so much.
I also bought some shoes this past weekend to go with these lovely dresses during their debut in Thailand. I found them at Cathy Jean at the Birmingham Galleria for only $20 (Thanks to my mom for spotting them.)>>Cathy Jean Sandals Link. They're ridiculously comfortable.
 So. Here it is.

 

The cathy jean shoes, if you didn't click the link.

 The front (with the handy-dandy belt)

The back.

 The sleeve binding.

front yoke

 a la tent.

















The book's example, which is, of course, adorable.

 

P.S. I finished Atlas Shrugged!! A personal accomplishment.

Happy Sewing!