Baby Quilt

It has been quite a while since my last project.  Recently, motivation for a new project came with the announcement that another grandchild is on her way!  I like to give the grandkids a quilt when they are born.  So, there is the project.


for this quilt, I will be using extra material that was purchased for other project.  Lots of extra is always purchased during planned projects just for this reason!  Since the new addition is a girl this quilt will be butterflies and pink satin!

Since the arrival date is coming up quick, this will be a simple and basic style consisting of 12 18X18" squares.  The squares will have a 2" satin strips between them.

Center area will be surrounded by a 4" border of pink satin. The final dimensions will be 66" X 86".  All the pieces for the top are cut and ready for assembling.  Each piece was cut to provide a 1/2" sewing margin.

The first row:

Blouse with open back

To create this blouse, I followed McCall's pattern M7570

.  This was the pattern number I found it under (and also the number found on instructions) but the outer envelope displays M0533

  It is a very easy pattern to follow.  The difficulty is working with the material.  Following the advice of the pattern, I used a two way stretch knit fabric.  It was very challenging to pin this material.  While measuring and preparing to hem the neckline, sleeves, and bottom of the shirt, I resorted to using scotch tape rather than pins.  This prevented having to move the material.

The machines used for this project included a Serger and a conventional sewing machine.  The Serger trims the seam allowance while sewing and thereby saving time.

Here are pictures of the final product.

Fall Tree Quilt

The newest sewing adventure is a quilt project.  This quilt is inspired by a mural that I painted on the bedroom wall in 2013.  Both sides of the room has painting so the bed is framed by tree branches and flying birds.

The quilt uses scrap material for the leaves.  The tree trunk and branches are created using a curvy stitch.   Interfacing is used to stiffen the tree trunk.  This will also prevent the fabric from bunching up when the is washed.

After the trunk and branches were finished, the process of adding the leaves began.  As mentioned earlier, the leaves were made from scrap material.  The blanket stitch was used to add the leaves.  Below is a picture of the completed center section of the quilt.  

New maxi dress

This dress was created from the simplicity 2219 pattern.  It was very easy and quick to make.  As is the case with most commercial patterns, I chose to make a smaller size than the pattern indicated for my measurements. 

Nikk's Wedding Gown

Sewing has provided a lifetime of projects.  I remember as a little girl making clothing for my dolls. Experience and family has provided several opportunities to make apparel for family members.  Nikki has previously enjoyed two prom gowns that were guaranteed to be one of a kind.   Now, I have been granted a life time wish...to make Nikki's wedding gown.

 My goal is to document my project and provide pictures for those who are interested.

The pattern:

Nikki likes the style of the dress shown in the Vogue 2788 pattern but also wants long sleeves.  So we will be adding long loose sleeves with a row of buttons to tie in with the design of the back of the dress.

Model:

Nikki's twin (Mary Jane) arrived today!  She hasn't quite been sculpted to Nikki's measurements. This will really help while making the gown since we have quite a few miles between us.

Fabric:

The shopping for material has started.  The body of the dress is using Ivory Ribbon Taffeta fabric.  The sleeves and veil will be made from a Crystal Organza fabric.  The lining is ivory satin.  TheSample squares are on their way....pictures to follow... 

      

Shopping

     First we checked out the the Fabric Barn Outlet in Long Beach.  This was an amazing experience.  Isles and isles of fabric.  Unfortunately, they didn't have the chosen fabric.  The hubby was awesome and volunteered to take me to the Fabric District in Los Angeles. At this point, it was evident how useful it was to have the sample material.  We walked in, showed the sample and were quickly moving on.  Just about the time that my confidence was failing, we walked into California New Star on S. Wall St., showed the sample and were quickly directed to the main fabric hanging on the wall!  My heart soared!  Within an hour, we were on our way with a savings and more than the required amount of fabric.

The above two photos were taken at the same time but with different cameras and angles.  Neither of them do the fabric justice.  In the top photo, the center fabric will become the lining and the organza on the right has a crystal shine to it.  That will make both the sleeves and the veil.

First Fitting Trip.

After a couple of conversations with Nikki regarding measurements and a difference of 10" between the measurement I took and her measurement, I opted for a trip to ensure accuracy.  In hine sight it was a great choice.  I had assembled the outter fabric for both the skirt and the bodice.  It turned out that Nikki's bodice size is about 4 sizes smaller than her skirt size!  The bodice was a complete redo....better now than right before wedding day!  Phew!!!  Disaster averted

Here are some pictures to show the progress....

Testing the pattern size

Alterations

The skirt before first fitting and adding of lining.

Hemmed and lined

Hemmed and lined.

Bodice lined...not attached to skirt yet.

I am currently working on the custom sleeves. Once the sleeves are created, they will be attached to the bodice and then the bodice will finally be attached to the skirt. Then there will, of course, be more pictures!!!

The buttons have arrived, but unfortunately their coloring is very different than the dress.  I am in the process of ordering  custom buttons from Vogue Fabrics.  These buttons will be created with the material used for the lining.

July 19th.
The dress is pretty much done...I have a the back buttons to finish and we may add to the back but that depends on how the dress fits.  Nikki will get to try on the completed dress next week and work with a friend to decide if there are any additional alterations she would like.  But for now this is what it looks like.