Back to school skirt

School was starting and I needed another skirt. I had New Look 6843 cut out from last summer. The fabric was a shirting from JoAnn's. It looks white, but it a light/pale green. I made this pattern before two times. What I learned from the last two skirts, was to underline!!! Now, I must tell you that the underlining idea did come from me. Carolyn of Diary of a Sewing Fanatic has passed on her sewing wisdom, and underlining is one of them! Wow the underlining makes such a difference. The skirt does not wrinkle and if hangs beautifully.

Now the skirt does not look like much by its self, until you see it with the blouse.




The blouse was on the clearance rack at Dress Barn. I could not pass it by. It has ruffles down the front. My shoulders look great with the neck treatment.

See the ruffles!!

The back it very cute! It is a great little top for the summer!

What is on my cutting table now? Another NL skirt.

It is Sunday evening and I am getting ready for the week ahead. I am going to make a sewing plan for this week. I will write down at least one sewing task to complete each day.

What about you? Do you plan out your sewing for the week?

Legacy of Sewing

This weekend our family will celebrate my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. My Mom wanted DD to make a picture board to have on display at the party. As we went through the pictures my Mom pointed out the outfits she made for both of us. Now I remembered most of the clothes she made me when I was older, but I had forgotten the capes and dresses she made when I was little. I thought those who enjoy the vintage designs would enjoy seeing what she created.

We lived in a small two bedroom row home. My mom had her machine set up in a corner of the dinning room. From her sewing nook, she could watch TV and still be part of the family discussions. Every Christmas, she would make outfits for me. I looked forward to seeing what creations she had planned. Some of the clothes she made were sewn on a beautiful treadle machine that she had up-dated with a motor. Her next machine was a Singer. She still has both those machines. Both still work. What a joy it has been to reminisce.

Where did her love of sewing come from? Her mother sewed, crocheted and knitted. I still have sweaters that my Grandmother made. My Mother still has all her mother's knitting needles along with knitting and crocheting instruction booklets. Priceless. Just priceless.

So the legacy marches on. My daughter has already crocheted baby gifts and clothes. Just this summer, she hinted at an interest in sewing her clothes.

Simplicity blouse

This is the latest sewing project. This blouse gave me some trouble. First the back is cut on the bias and when I made a muslin, the back had ripples everywhere. So I searched blogs to see if anyone had made this pattern and had the same issues. After some searching, I found someone had cut the back and front piece on the straight of grain instead of bias. That is what I did.

There are still some fitting issues, but it is wearable. I have received compliments, so I will continue to wear it. Also, I have a purple sweater that looks great with it. If anyone has any advice for this pattern, please let me know.

The fabric was from JoAnn's. It is a poly silky fabric that I starched before sewing to help ease some of the issues of sewing slinky fabric. Some reviewers did not use the facings,but I liked the results using them. I will not make this again which is a shame, because I like the style. I just could not get the fit I wanted.

Beach time

Well, I have been absent for awhile. There are a few reasons. First, our camera broke. Second, lacrosse season started, school year finished (means grades/report cards/meetings/pack up room). Third, we have been at the beach.

While at the beach my man decided it was time to get a new camera!!! Yea!! So, I will have pictures of sewing and family activities.

I Won

I won a giveaway on Lori's blog. She made potholders out of lovely fabric. I really needed potholders, so I was really excited.

It just made my Saturday!! Thank you Lori!!!

February projects

Well it has been a while since I have posted. Holidays and school report cards took to much of my time and energy. I have a few other thoughts I want to share, but that is for next time.


The following are my next projects. I am sewing with a purpose. The skirt is a tan poly wool like (is that even a type of fabric?). I will line it (something new to accomplish).


The blouse has been one of my stumbling blocks. I made two muslins. The back is on the bias. I had gaping fabric that I thought was from a sway back issue. I tried to fix the sway back problem using Sandra B.'s suggestions in "Power Sewing". It did help some. Then I saw My Fabrication. She kept the back on the straight of grain and put the front two pieces on the bias. Well I am going to give it a try. If anyone has made the "Threads" blouse, please send me your thoughts.

The S285O top will be made out the knit shown. All three pieces will work together.The skirt and blouse are cut out. The knit top is still on the cutting table.

Final Thoughts

Well lacrosse season starts for DS. As I am sure you have seen on the news, we were hit with two BIG snow storms in Maryland. There is no place to practice outside and our indoor field house is waiting to be cleared by engineers. It appears that while our girls were practicing basketball, the hoops were getting very easy to dunk-- the ceiling started to sag!!!! I have not taught school since Feb. 4th. We are expecting more snow this week!!!

Ski Bag Anyone?

I know many of you are familiar with this fabric. It is outwear fabric from JoAnn's. I believe that is was popular last winter.





The skis are my DS' Christmas present. He is going skiing after Christmas for four days. He is quite excited about these skis. He also got the poles and boots. Well, he wanted to keep the skis covered while traveling. This is where the above fabric comes into play.

DS asked me to make a bag for the really cool skis. So I remembered the outerwear fabric. I went to JoAnn's hoping to use my coupon, because the fabric was not on sale. I took all the fabric on the bolt. It was over 3yds. I was blessed. It was on sale and I got it for $6.00. I did not get to use my coupon, but it was a much better deal.

I measured and planned the pattern. It was 78 inches long and 26in. wide.

I sewed a casing at the top. I re-purposed nylon rope and stoppers from an old Land's End coat I had in my closet.

As you can see the bag works. DS loves it. I am sure he will be the only skier with this type of bag!!! I still have enough fabric to make a vest for myself.