One More Piece of Organization . . .

Well, if you've been reading my posts I've been all about organizing my sewing room.  I've got my patterns, and magazines done.  Now onto the last item my stash.  I have a fabric stash notebook, but I needed a better way to organize the new additions to my stash.

My biggest problem has been that when I buy new fabrics, I don't have a way to track the specifics of the fabric.  Then, as Oprah would say, I had an A-Ha moment.  I'm carrying all of this technology with me, why not make use of it.

When I decide to purchase a piece of fabric; as it is being, cut I take a quick snapshot of the end of the bolt with the fabric description, and of the fabric on the table.  (If its a bolt that doesn't have the information on the end of the bolt then I just turn my recorder on my smart phone and record the information so I can write it down later).

When I get home I just add the picture and bolt information to my fabric entry in Microsoft One-note:

An I-Phone, I-Pad, and Microsoft Office One-note have awaken the desire to become more organized with my sewing time.  The more time I save by organizing, means more time to sew!!!!

Now I'll have access to my patterns, magazines, and stash from anywhere by computer, phone, or ipad.  Yipee!!!!!

Happy Sewing. . . .

By the Pound

Well I finally made a skirt from one of the "by the pound" pieces. It was a designer fabric. The fabric was a light weight sheer chiffon. It was over 8 yards of the fabric and cost me about $7.

I used 3 widths of the fabric, and a light weight brown to underline it. For the waistline I just did 2 rows of elastic: 


I did a one inch deep double roll hem (to add a little weight at the bottom). Talk about taking forever - approximately 180 inches of hemline!

I have a wide elastic belt with metal buckle that I paired up with it:


The skirt is light and airy. I wanted to run around outside and let it just blow in the wind.

I found a black cowl neck top at TJ-MAXX, which worked out nicely:

 BTW, guess what my sister saw at Marshall's in Texas!  A designer dress made from the fabric that I purchased at Michael Levin Fabric Store. 

I think I like the skirt version better.

Happy Sewing . . . .

Hidden Fabric Haven

As you may have realized, I'm a vintage pattern junkie. I love the dresses with the full skirts. I love them because that means I only have to fit the top and not the bottom of the dress :).

Well I decided I needed to make a petticoat slip to go with my dresses (rather than lining of each dress). So my sewing group leader recommended that I go to a little store known as Allyn's Bridal shop.



It's actual name is Allyn's Millinary and Bridal Supply. Its located at 2306 East 6th Avenue, Denver, CO. This store has been here for at least as long as I've been in the Denver area. I've never really gone in; primarily because I just assumed it specialized in bridal related wear only.

Boy was I wrong! I went in to get some light weight tulle to make my petticoat. But when I went in I saw all types of supplies for hat making and bridal wear. There was ribbon in all styles and widths. I purchased some of the extra wide gross-grain. I saw lace which made me have flash backs to the smocking and heirloom sewing I used to do for my daughter! I've already made a mental note; that the first grandkid will have a smocked outfit from G-ma.

There were also some of the most beautiful fabrics you could imagine! The store was stocked from floor to ceiling in all types of silks, laces, knits, etc. Each time you turned into one room there was another room just around the corner filled with fabric. I never knew this place existed in Denver.






Pictured are two of the many rooms of fabric. I will definitely be heading back here. I spotted this piece of silk fabric, that I have got to go back and get; now that I know what I want to make out of it :).



So if you are in the Denver area go by and check it out.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Baltimore and husbands (picture heavy)

Well, finally I'm updating you on what I did in Baltimore (besides getting a chance to visit relatives). Of course on my second day there I had to do the rounds of fabric stores! At first my husband kept trying to send a relative with me, but I finally convinced him that unless they were into fabrics and sewing, then it would just make the trip miserable for myself and them. All I had to do was remind him of the times he's tried to go with me on an all day excursion! Thank GOD for portable navigation systems! You can't get lost with one of those things, even if you tried to.

My first stop was Blanks. It is a quaint little shop, but most of the fabrics I saw were more geared towards home interior (but hey that hasn't stopped me from using a piece of silk I loved for a dress; I'm terrified I'll walk into some one's house and see a matching curtain or pillow).I didn't get anything from there; mainly because I didn't have home decor items on my list of to-do. My husband was very pleased with my decision; His biggest fear was that I would end up having to ship some stuff back home.

Then I immediately went to G-Street fabric in Rockville, MD. Of course the table that caught my eye was the $2.98 table. I got some awesome finds, once I was willing to dig. One piece I'm sure is a silk/wool blend. I've already got the patterns picked for each of the pieces (All of the fabrics are dark, so not sure the fabrics will show up well)

Vogue 1123 From what I and the fabric clerk could tell, this appears to be a silk/wool blend in a navy blue tone.

Vogue 1121

This fabric is a brown tone, sort of a herringbone with some spandex.

Vogue 8594

This a a brown tweed.

Vogue 2457 (OOP)

(This is two pieces a smoke gray cotton w/ spandex for the top, and a black wool for the dress).

I also found two pieces of wool in a black tweed and solid at $13.00/yd to make this Vogue ensemble from.

Vogue 8605

(I also purchased all of the trimmings, so all I have to do is start working on them.)

I was tempted to go to one of the other locations also, but had promised my husband I'd be back at a reasonable time.

Then on the way home, I stopped by a little Quilt shop in Glen Burnie, MD. Turns out it is going out of business (another victim of the economy). If only I had known they were there on all of my other visits. They are a Bernina shop, so all of their Bernina items were 40% off.

I found two pieces of fabric a Kona Print, and Hoffman; which I had to get.
Along with 3 differential feed feet for the Bernina 830: 1/4" piecing foot, clear foot, and open-toe embroidery foot.

By then it was time to go home (I'd been gone since 9am and it was now approaching 3pm).

When I got back, my husband was surprised that I only had the few items that I did (Although this may seem like a good size bounty to others, my husband has seen me do SO-o-o-o much more damage!).

I didn't get a chance to check out "A Fabric Place', but its on the list for next time.

Well that Saturday my husband decided to take me downtown, and guess what we walked upon: Gus Woolen shop! I got a chance to just browse through it. My husband kept encouraging me to go in and get some fabrics, but I decided that it was not good to be greedy. So we made a deal that next time we go to Baltimore, GUS WOOLEN HERE I COME!

Then we walked towards the Hippodrome theatre. As we were walking I spotted a hatmakers shop. Too bad they weren't open. I was so excited I had to take a picture of the shop window. This is also a MUST go in, and check out when we go back.

We'll be heading back to Baltimore in February, 2010 for a wedding; so I think I'll get there a day or so early! I gotta have time to go fabric shopping again, and add to my stash.

I must say my husband was extremely accommodating, and encouraging when it came to me wanting to go to the fabric stores, etc. You know it was one of the moments where you look and go, "who replaced my husband!". I guess it would be sort of a "Stepford Husbands" moment. Usually when I mention fabric or sewing in a sentence he and the kids would cringe, and literally run to other parts of the house. The empty nesting is pulling us closer, and we're learning new things about ourselves. "I think I've found my new potential boyfriend", but I call him my husband!

Well I'll be back to Baltimore in February, and maybe I'll get a chance to hook up with some of you in that area to do some Fabric shopping or just have lunch.

In the meantime "Happy Sewing!"

Look out Baltimore, Here I Come - so where are the fabric stores?

Well, I'm heading to Baltimore soon to visit, and of course will be hitting up G-Street fabric store in Rockville. But I was wondering if any of you in "sewing" blog-land, could recommend some other stores in the area.

Hey a girl's gotta feed her addition!

Pillows and the fabric stash

Well as I said earlier its amazing what you find in your stash when you actually can see it. I had 4 pillow forms in my stash, along with some upholstery fabric.


So from these:





I made 4 of these:

My daughter was happy to see them, she said she was tired of lugging bed pillows from upstairs when she wanted to lay on the couch to watch television. Although, I know she got worried after she saw me bring her a 4th one. I assured her that was all the pillows I had in my stash!

Fabrics, Sewing room, and a Gift - (pic heavy)

This is what my husband surprised me with for Christmas.... I told him in my eyes he can now do no wrong. He and the kids got together and decided that "I deserved it". You know I think I'll keep all of them as my family.

So now I have no excuse for sewing the fabrics I bought.

By the way here's a pic of my family (me, my husband, my youngest son, my oldest son, and my daughter):


So this is my fabric purchase from Denver Fabric. The 1st was a rayon spandex blend, the burgundy is a micro-pleated fabric, then a stretch cotton, and finally a golden silk dupioni.


I've decided to make the micro-pleated fabric into this outfit from BWOF 7/99, item number 101:

Finally my "re-do" of my sewing room; mind you I am still in the process of getting it straightened out. The room is actually a combination sewing/scrapbooking room. See all the scrapbooking supplies on the shelf & my most loved scrapbooking item a Cricut. (My husband has a stack of pics/articles for me to scrap from the kids basketball years).


I finally went thru the bins I had with fabric in them. I discovered "out of site out of mind" means you forget what you have; so this time around I'm placing them in FULL view on hangers in the closet. I'm also giving some to charity.


My pastor gave me boxes of sewing notions, etc that belonged to his mother when she passed away. His wife remembered that I was an avid sewer and thought they should go to a good home, so needless to say I have more notions that I will ever use.

Also in the process of my moving rooms, I located two quilts that I had been working on but forgotten (remember that "out of site, out of mind"). The first is Jacobs Ladder pattern, it was to be a gift for my sister when she was single. I just have the quilting to finish (I was having a hand quilting moment). Now she's married, so I told her that she and her husband will have to cuddle up under a twin size.


This is one I was working on for my niece (rail fence pattern). The yellow print has bluebirds on it. Its a lap size quilt, something for her to use when they travel to her maternal grandmothers house. I was having another hand-quilt moment, but its just a lap-size so won't take long to finish up.


Well I think I've blogged enough for the day. Besides, I've got to give my family some overdue hugs!

NL 6826 - New TNT pattern.

Well, I've found me a new TNT Pattern. Its New Look Jumper 6826. I wanted something easy to make that I could wear with a Turtleneck and tights now that the cold weather is approaching. I've made it twice now (both out of a light weight wool). One is a houndstooth print.

This is from my fabric stash. I took about two yards. I had to make the following changes to the pattern:

1. Added 2 1/2 inches to the overall length.
2. I made a size 14 but altered it to a larger width at the full hip (specifically in the back); which meant I had to redistribute the pleats.
3. Added 1/2 inch to length of bodice (yoke) piece.

I made the dress in a solid grey wool the first time I made it. I did it specifically by the pattern, although it was quick; I really didn't like the finishing on the inside. I wanted a lot cleaner finish on the inside, so I sewed the zipper and straps in place before adding the yoke lining. I also used a centered invisible zipper; the pattern called for an overlapped zipper.

Below, a picture of the houndstooth dress, the zippers edges are not exposed as they are in the first version of the dress (the grey). The ends of the dress-straps are sewing with in the facing on the houndstooth version, in contrast to the grey version,where the straps were hand sewn to the bodice. I like the houndstooth version of the dress inside so much better

If you're a beginning sewing, definitely give this pattern a try.

Fabric Stash & Butterick 5216

(I had to take my own pictures, my photographer decided to go to a Rockies game - SMILE).

Well, here's another one from my fabric stash. This was a border print that I purchased a couple of years ago for about 50 cents a yard. It took 4 yards, because the border was actually crosswise (printed like panels); so it only costs me $2 in fabric. You can't buy a top that cheaply from the store.

I just wanted a quick little top to wear with jeans, and it definitely was quick, took maybe 2 hours to make.

The neckline was plunging to say the least. More, than I needed to show, so I took one of the diamond motifs and placed in the opening.

I'll probably make it again in a solid print and use a piece of lace for the inset (no way am I wearing this top without an inset!)

Next blog, a vintage dress I made from a pattern given to me by my mom!

5 days in Chicago

Well, I just spent 5 days in Chi-town (Chicago). My daughter's basketball team played in the Nike Tournament there. They managed to place 3rd in their bracket, which was very good.

For those of you that are really into the Girl's basketball, they loss to a team out of Dallas, (that team went on to win the tournament), one of the nations top recruits for 2009 was on the team.

It was so amazing, and I felt truly in my element, nothing but young girls 6 feet tall and over (where were these girls when I was growing up!). BTW, I'm 6 ft, my daughter is 6'1", and my daughter has a teammate that is 6'6".

Here's a couple of pictures:

My daughter's team (in white) during a game

My daughter during a game (in red uniform)

While I was in Chicago, I had to go visit at least one fabric store ( I know I was supposed to be there to support my daughter, but hey I needed a side trip; besides I took my daughter to the Nike store after the tournament). I decided to go to the Vogue Fabrics flagship store in Evanston. Imagine my good luck to arrive right before the ASG (American Sewing Guild) bus tour did. I was lucky that I had my ASG card on me, so I was able to get the discounts that the Conference members got (Yes Sandy, there is a God!). Overwhelming, is an understatement. I wish they had something even close to this in the Colorado area. In talking with some of the women I found out that next years conference is scheduled for Albuquerque NM (my backyard & only a 6 hour drive), so I'm definitely making plans to attend.

Inside Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, IL and the women of ASG

I overheard one of the ladies coming into the store say "My God, I've died and gone to heaven", I knew exactly how she felt. One of the more interesting things that I saw was the dress forms available for rental:
Anyway, needless to say after about an hour of grazing thru the fabrics (I had to be back to meet my daughter for her next game - oh well). I did get to pick up some fabrics. It helps that you can't take a 2nd bag on the planes for free now - sort of helped me keep my spending down. I just couldn't accept the idea of sending my purchases back by mail. I ended up buying 5 pieces of fabric: 1 piece of lawn/voile fabric in a lime&brown with a border, a piece of chiffon, 2 pieces of silk dupionni (burgundy and sage), and 1 piece of cotton lycra in a soft lime green.
The colors don't show up too good in the picture.

Now I'm thinking of reasons to go and visit my sister who lives downtown Chicago, just so I can go to the fabric stores in the area. Next time I'll hit Fisherman.

Hey maybe I can convince my daughter to go to Northwestern for college next year! Oh well, after writing this, I really need to make a confession:

"Hi my name is Sandy, and I have an addiction to anything related to sewing!".