Baby Abel

A dear sweet friend had a baby last month and we had a baby shower for her at our church. I made this little outfit but had forgotten to take pictures. I asked her to send me some of the baby in the outfit!! Even better to have the real live model!!

I love how the pacifier matches his outfit!!

Mom says he likes his outfit even though he is making faces LOL

So adorable!!!

I used Ottobre Blue Rain Bodysuit #1 in 4/2015, size 62. And #2 Baggy Bottom sweatpants in 4/2015 also, size 62. Both were out of interlock from my stash. Mama says he's 10# 2oz in this picture and the size 62 looks to fit fairly well with just a bit of growing room!

First Coverstitch Project - denim skirt

I've been wanting a cover stitch machine for a long time! I do so much with knits and with a new grand baby on the way too - I know it will be getting tons of use!! So last weekend while at the Creative Sewing Expo I got one for a fairly decent price. Way off retail. It's a floor model from a local dealer, plus a show special so it was lower even than I had hoped. I came right home and ordered a couple binder attachments from ebay too but they haven't arrived yet.

It's a Babylock BLCS-2..... I'm in love.... I can't wait to see all I can do with the three wonderful machines I have now!!! I looked at updating my serger with one that would cover stitch but decided against that. I wanted a separate machine that I didn't have to switch back and forth on. Besides I actually love my 20 year old serger. It needs a new upper blade but still runs like a champ!

After playing with it for a few days to familiarize myself, I tackled just a simple denim skirt. I was planning on doing one floor length but I'd have to alter a pattern for that. I just went with Simplicity 2184 (size 20) which is my favorite denim skirt in my closet right now. The one in the closet is beginning to show some wear so I thought I'd play around with my new toy and make something that will be needed soon.

Just a simple elastic waist skirt that will be perfect for a work skirt around the farm too.

Here's a close up of my triple cover stitch

The pattern calls for cutting on the bias but I was using fabric from another skirt that I had made that turned out to be a wadder. There was enough fabric to make this one out of that one if I went straight on grain. So that's what I did.

Expect to see more sewing since I've spent the next two years clothing budget on my new "toy" so I'll have to be making most of our clothes again for a while...... LOL

I made a baby outfit recently too but forgot to take a picture before I gave it as a gift. Hopefully the new mom will send me a picture, with baby in the outfit even! When she does..... I'll post it too.

White Tank copied

I managed to trace off my first pattern from RTW this summer. It turned out great!!! I wore it so much - I plan to make many more, especially since last weekend Hubby bought me a coverstitch machine!! Whoohoo!!!

Anyone remember Weekender Wear from back in the late 80's and early 90's? I had two tank tops left from way back then!! They were SO well made and lasted that long!!! I wore them hard too. Well they are since defunct and out of business. I couldn't even find any items on ebay. So I thought it was high time I tried to trace off a pattern and see how I could do.

The neckline is much more modest than they look in the pictures. I also added several inches to the length just to make it more versatile. Can't wait to use my CS to make more!!!

Forest Green Skirt

I have been sewing a bit here and there over the past few months but never get to blogging any of the projects. So in order to get caught up I'm just going to "plunk" a few right in a row here. Hopefully I can make the pictures work.

Here is a Forest Green skirt that I made for myself last spring. I used the "Country Skirt" pattern that I've had in my stash for a long time. It's the same pattern that I used for the black calico skirt that I made a while back.

Here's a close up of the waistband. It turned out okay and it fits but I'm not head over heals in love with the skirt.

Fabric was sportswear that I had in my stash, from my fabric fairy I believe.

Gathered Skirt for All Ages from Purlbee.com

Yes, it's true I have pretty much not sewn anything for almost a year. Daughter #1 got engaged in November as canning season was ending and they set a date of February 8 so we got right to work. We sewed up some table cloths and centerpieces for the wedding but I never took any pictures. When the wedding was done, I tried to find a new routine and rhythm to life and the first week of April my back went out - BAD! Worst it's ever been. I've been to the chiropractor and sat on the couch for weeks trying to heal it.

Today I was finally able to finish up a skirt for Little Miss that I started the week before my back went out. It's the Gathered Skirt for All Ages by Purlbee that I read about on Soulmama's blog. Gave it a try! Love it! So does she! I'm thinking I might even try one for myself but I'm wondering if it will make my butt look big(ger) LOL

For her I sewed the 10-11 year size in width but the 12 year size in length. She's a tall one that one! The fabric is a cotton twill that I had in my stash. It was just on the border of being too heavy weight. I wouldn't go any heavier on the fabric or it will turn out lookin like a big umbrella!

She loves it and it went together quite easily so I'm thinking a few more are in our future.

I have one other item that I began some time this winter that hopefully I'll be able to finish now too. It's a hunter green skirt for myself. I've gotten a few Ottobre mags in the mail these past months and they are so temping. Hoping that I'll be able to sew a bit here and there without hurting. Hoping I never have to give up my sewing. Still wondering how I'll help hubby keep up with the weeding this summer but.....