Vogue 8233

Another dress finished...another non-fitting garment for my collection. Rats! I chose the size for the dress based on the measurements given and its too big on top, mostly fits on the bottom. The disappointment cooked up by something that doesn't fit properly is demoralizing, initially makes me not want to tackle another project.

Somethings I learned from this dress: 1) Don't use crinkle gauze as a bodice lining...it stretches. When the top half of the dress was finished I tried it on (no late stage surprises this time) and it fit nicely. I added the skirt with one ruffle, view , and it stretched the top.
2) I really need a dress form. Thinking back over the last few dresses and tops that I've made I realized I keep making the same sizing mistakes.
3) Using the serger on the long, straight seams is fantastic!

I'm going to wash it tonight, maybe all the handling it got while being sewed stretched it out some. Pictures tomorrow.

To Serge or Not To Serge....that is my question

A while back I bought a serger, a Juno by Janome from Hancock Fabrics. I've played with it a few times and tried using it on a couple projects. My question is when do you use a serger? Are there hard and fast rules? Is(are) there a certain type(s) of fabric that are best? Should you only use it on the long straight stretches or can you use it for all seams? Do you need the different specialty feet? Do you have a favorite book that explains the world of serging to a newbie? I absolutely love the way my serged seams look but for now I think I'll stick to my regular machine.

T-Shirt Memory Blanket

I finished this a few weeks ago....just forgot to get pics of it before Daughter left. She was thrilled when I gave it to her. It's the best feeling in the world to have your child smiling up at you with pure happiness in her adult face because of something you did for her.













DD sent me the pics; the second one is a sock :o). The third pic was taken after we figured out how to lay it out. None of the 'squares' were square. She chose pieces from many of her friends (that's where the sock came from), basic training, her bro, her boyfriend, her BFF and her daddy. She showed everyone that came into the house and explained many of the blocks. It was one of the things she refused to trust the movers with.

July 4th...and 5th

I had a wonderful day yesterday after a rocky start (flight snafu for Daughter's BF). After a leisurely breakfast with my brother, his girlfriend, my mom, both my kids, Daughter's boyfriend and my absolutely wonderful husband we all went boating and kayaking.

Today...not so good. Daughter left today to go to her next duty station. As her best friend put it last night "I'm dying of sadness." It overwhelms me....I hate feeling this way every time she leaves. I miss her terribly already and she's only been gone an hour.

Butterick 5181

Originally I wanted a maxi dress like this one at JCrew. But didn't want to shell out $450 for a sundress, no matter how cute. After looking high and low for a pattern to make my own, settled on Butterick 5181. I've mentioned before that the Hancock Fabrics in my town closed but before it did it sold everything right down to the fixtures. I added several different lengths of fabric to my stash to include an orange plaid seersucker.

I made the maxi with narrow straps, view D...the kids voted to shorten it (they're not fans of the maxi dress). So I shortened it to the knee and it totally changed how I felt about it....I hated it. The skirt seemed very stiff and looked bulky at the waist. Darling Daughter wanted one like it so I lopped off another 6", shortened the straps and tacked the front and gave it to her.

Here's the dress on a hanger...pics of Daughter wearing it coming soon.