Simplicity 2767

Congratulations to Sewing Sanity, the winner of the Signature Styles book giveaway!  Random.org picked comment number 37, and it was her! Thanks to everyone who commented...I hope you've enjoyed our recent book reviews and giveaways as much as I have. 

I'm sad that it's been a while since I've contributed regularly to this blog...sewing is becoming more and more of a luxury with two little ones, and blogging about the sewing I do get a chance to do is even more difficult...I'll share a couple pictures from Easter and then I've got to run!

Marie's Easter dress is Simplicity 2767  It was slightly more difficult then your average pattern with the curved yoke and bubble skirt, but I felt like the unique design elements made it worth it.  My only regret was that I used cheap material and the dress doesn't feel as nice as I was expecting...it wrinkles badly and has a slightly rough, cheap texture. Oh well, I guess that's what happens when you order from fabric.com and can't touch and feel before you buy.


I think this skirt is the only thing I've sewn for myself recently...random piece of fabric from Mom's stash...no pattern...just a simple gathered skirt attached to a curved waistband/yoke with an invisible zipper on the side. It sort of has a retro, vintage look to it that I like.  I love simple skirts in the summer!

Until next time...
Jessica

 

Signature Styles Book Review and Giveaway!

Since Mom and I started this blog (over 5 years ago!) there has been a huge online explosion of sewing blogs and crafty inspiration.  I've definitely made the rounds on the internet reading various sewing and craft blogs, and over the years I've cheered as some of my favorite craft bloggers have grown in their styles and made careers for themselves with published books, patterns, and fabric lines. The amount of inspiration and creativity out there is amazing....and sometimes dizzying!

 

Signature Styles by Jenny Doh takes 20 such amazingly talented women and gives the reader a glimpse into their creative stories as they've forged their own styles and created a handmade career for themselves.  Each chapter is basically a tour of her studio and life, and features lots of cool tibits about the essence of that crafter's personal style, techniques she's known for, and how she got to the place she is at now.  I especially love how this book blends fashion and crafting, showing how each artist creates her personal style with her crafts and by the way she dresses.

 

 There are lots of gorgeous photos to drool over...

At the end of each chapter is an exclusive project from that particular crafter....lots of fun accessory items, bags, clothing, and even an adorable pair of baby pants!

 If you've ever wanted a peek into a fellow crafter's life and find out what inspires and drives them to create, then this is the book for you!  Lark Crafts has graciously offered me a copy of Signature Styles to review and one to give away.  Leave a comment and share who or what inspires you to create and craft...this can be something personal from your own life or just a link to another craft blog that you love!

I'll draw a winner next Tuesday...one week from today.

Cheers!

Jessica

Signature Styles Book Review and Giveaway Coming Soon!

oooh, we have another book review and giveaway coming soon...can't wait to share with you!!

Check back sometime at the end of next week... for Signature Styles

Blessings,
Jessica

Happy Mother's Day!

So thankful for my Mom...thankful we are friends and sewing buddies.  

Love you, Mom!  

"No girl can ever truly appreciate her mother until she has children of her own and find herself loving, planning, sacrificing for them.  Then she can understand how her mother felt and will be grateful and humble and appreciative in proportion."  

Mary Brooks Picken from Vintage Notions

Simplicity 2692 Revisited

Recently I made a dress for Ellen from the same pattern I had used for the bridesmaid dress I sewed this past January. Ellen picked out the gauze fabric at Hancock's and persuaded me to make this dress for Easter. The dress went together quickly this second time around, and we were both excited and pleased about the finished garment. As much as Ellen likes this dress, I can guarantee that it will be worn a lot this summer. :)

You can read a full review of the dress here.

Ruth

(Sorry about the fuzzy pictures. I don't yet know how to use the new lens on my camera.)

Simple Skirt Finished! and Giveaway Winner Announced!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the book giveaway. The winner of Purses, Bags, & More book is AndreaK who said, "Happy Birthday and I hope you are able to get some sewing in today. Thanks for the giveaway-purses are so fun!" Andrea, I do not see your email address on your site, so please email your mailing address to me. (sewchicblog at gmail dot com)

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I had a wonderful birthday, and I even found time in my sewing room for a few hours. I finished a skirt for myself. The fabric came from Jessica as did the ready-to-wear brown top that matches perfectly. The pattern is McCall's 3830: a simple but classic skirt with front and back darts, faced waistband, and zipper closure.

Ruth

Birthday Giveaway

Today is my birthday, and to celebrate I am giving away a copy of the book mentioned in my previous post. If you're interested in Purses, Bags, & More, leave a comment here to be entered in the giveaway. The drawing will take place in one week on April 9th; the winner will be chosen randomly.

Today I plan to spend some time in my sewing room. It's been too long since I've sewn, and I do miss it. The busy-ness of life has a way of pushing out the things I enjoy most, like sewing. I'll let you know if I accomplish anything today. :)

Happy sewing,
Ruth