An eclectic blog of many things! If you are interested in sewing and fiber arts, creative and crafty living, healthy cooking and life in the Lone Star State of Texas, read on and enjoy!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Migh-TEA crazy!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 7903 Blouse
Vogue 7903 - aka "the blouse that took forever to sew!" I love the FINAL result, but jeepers - a little on the time-consuming side!
The styling is so cute - the notched cuffs, the notched collar, the nice long back darts. A definite step above your average short-sleeved camp shirt blouse.
But -- the front darts-side and center. What a PITA! This pattern runs large under the armholes, yet a little tighter near the waistline/hip. I had to move the side bust dart up 1" and remove the center dart of the three vertical front darts altogether.
I already knew to automatically add 3 inches to the front and back length. It was definitely needed, and I was still able to keep a 3/4" hem allowance.
The short sleeves themselves ran long. I pinched out and stitched a 1/4" tuck, which was covered by the foldback cuff, in order to shorten it 1/2 inch and bring to a less dowdy and awkward length. The pattern drawing shows it a little shorter than reality - it hit the top of a rather long-distanced reach to the crook of my elbow, for goodness sakes. The look on my daughter's face and her voice - "it looks...(pause)...okaaay" had me running back to the sewing room to tuck it up.
Are these not the perfect "beachy" buttons? Style #87224, 3/4"...and affordable, too - $1.20 for the card of 3.
I whipped up a trial run this morning of Sandra Betzina's Vogue 7903 and am excited about pursuing it further in a nicer fabric. There's something to be said about a pattern from 2004 which is still in the current catalog!
I need a blouse/top to wear with my Burda WOF May 2009 Skirt #104. Love the skirt, but not the tops/blouses I currently have in my closet. I'm hoping a blouse from this pattern will be a perfect fashion match.
Whack Job - Burda 7925
Newly discovered treasure - People Style Watch
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Netflix Stars - Sunshine Cleaning
Netflix Stars - Duplicity
2 out of 5 stars. I didn't like it! I don't particularly care for Clive Owen, so that may have been a factor, besides the jumping around and the smug "aren't we so clever" pretentious asides. It was also confusing to follow -- you really had to pay 100% full attention to the movie, and sometimes I don't like to be forced to watch that hard. Thumbs down. I only gave it a 2 because it was nice to see Julia Roberts again.
Friday, August 28, 2009
A few months ago's Costco Find!
Here are the good-for-you stats: 1 cup has 140 calories, 1 g fat, 6 g fiber (1 g soluble, 5 g insoluble), 7 g sugar, 5 g protein, 45 g carb, 0 sodium (!), 180 g potassium, 8% iron.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Southern Living -- is Amazon's "Magazine Steal of the Week"
Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales
Vogue - $3.99
McCall's - $1.99
BIGIF notions
50% off Red Tag fabrics
September 6/12 - Simplicity $1.99
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Burda WOF - May, 2009 - Skirt #104
The directions were pretty basic and easy to follow, especially for a BWOF. A newly-minted beginner may want to get a few skirts under their belt or have Sandra Betzina's books next to the sewing machine for construction techniques. For instance, the things we do automatically -- interfacing the waistband, stay-taping the pocket edges, and using Sandra's great fly front zipper application.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Netflix Stars - Gran Torino
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Star Bars
Description: Chocolate Cookie Sandwich With White Chocolate Chip Center
Ingredients:
1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
1 cup C&H Pure Cane Golden Brown Sugar, packed
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 (12 oz.) white chocolate pieces
Makes 2 dozen
Netflix Stars - Rendition
Friday, August 14, 2009
Go "Gown Crazy" !
Debuts tonight, August 14, on TLC.
Remember Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie, from Season 3 of Project Runway and the gorgeous gowns he created? Tonight is the Pilot episode of his show on TLC.
GOWN CRAZY
Gown Crazy stars Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie, the top 5 finisher of Project Runway 3. In the pilot episode, Kayne tries to fulfill his dream to be the #1 gown designer in the United States but time, resources and the Oklahoma weather stand in his way.
Update: Oh, I loved it! Kayne comes across great. And the gowns? - Wow! His sewing magic? Wow again! Even though he has so many things on his plate, I hope it gets picked up for a series or at least another follow-up special. Try to catch the repeats - I know I want to see it again!
Here's a link to an interview with the SheKnows website.
Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales
BIGIF all Thread
50% off all rotary cutting blades
Simplicity patterns - 5/$5
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Gutermann's Thread Tins
Bringing Home The Birkin
Sunday, August 09, 2009
New Sandra Betzina Patterns
Netflix Stars - Man on Fire
Sewing For Teens?
Netflix Stars - Run FatBoy Run
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Hitchin' a Ride!
The Texas Extension Education Association of Fort Bend County is organizing a bus trip to the George R. Brown Convention Center from the AMC Theater-First Colony Mall in Sugar Land on Thursday, October 15. Avoid the traffic, gas guzzling, parking craziness and mob scene at the ticket windows!
Bus boarding begins at 8:45 AM, departing at 9:00 AM. Return trip boards at 3:45 PM, departing at 4:00 PM.
Cost including Quilt Show ticket is $35. Call Rose at 281/545-8763 to RSVP and get info where to mail your check or money order to hold your place. Deadline is October 1.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue 1017 - View B - times 2!
I turned right around and made it not once but twice. And I have a third version in black linen awaiting cut out! I can't believe this great pattern is already OOP, out-of-print. You can still order it online, and you may luck out and find it still tucked away in the pattern drawers.
Like most of the recent Today's Fit patterns, this pattern runs a little short. Great if you are petite; if you are slightly or greatly taller than average or long-waisted, be ready to add to the length. I added 2 1/2" in the length, 1/2 inch of that was following Sandra's suggestion of adding 1/2" above the armscye helps get those princess seams and darts in perfect alignment. I also added 2" to the bottom for a 1" hem to get the perfect length for me. I cut the largest size for the tie belt so it would be long enough to tie in a bow instead of just knotted.
Second time around, I used a lighter weight cotton and tried the ruffle. While I had my doubts - others gave their thumbs up to this one. I think if you want to do the ruffle, make sure your fabric is thin enough so it will fall closer to the body. I'm still on the fence if I will use the ruffle with the black linen. I'm leaning towards not, but I'll gather a scrap and see how it behaves first.
What else did I like about this pattern? The back pleat was a nice touch and because it is seamed at the upper and lower back, it stays in place nicely. I liked the front and back princess seams - that subtle curving and fit makes this even more flattering. The collar and plackets are easy to do -- Sandra's instructions are wonderful throughout.
If/when it ever cools off around here, I am definitely looking forward to sewing View A's longer sleeved version. (I loved Sharon's/Adventures in the Sewing Studio's in gray with pink topstitching.)
I give this pattern 5 stars. If you have it in your stash or come across it, buy it and sew it!