It seemed like a good idea at the time

I like the pattern, I like the faux fur fabric, and I like the bronze organza lining.  I just think these things do not go together.  I have more of this faux fur so I may try again with a different pattern.

For the record, Butterick 4931

Simplicity 2756--I'm the designer

This is Simplicity 2756, part of their Project Runway inspired collection of patterns.  I really like this, but then, I really like most peasant tops.  I think the sleeves need to be gathered below the elbows to make it look like the style elements all belong together.  I really love the color and so does Jeff.  I should really wear more blue.

Assorted completed projects

I've been busy since I've had a break from both work and school.  Here are a few recently completed projects.

Butterick 5355

New Look 6816

Simplicity 2804.  My 80s flashback.

Simplicity 2766

Vogue 8378

Baby's first fur coat

I realize this is a controversial choice, since some don't think babies should wear faux fur.  Nevertheless, I think this turned out pretty cute, if a little large.  The pattern is Burda 9780.

Christmas Eve

Here I am with my daughter.  Both of us are wearing bespoke outfits.

Mystery patterns

These patterns are in the printed catalog for McCall's, and at the store (Hancock's is having a sale!) but not on the McCall's web site and not in the PatternReview.com database.  Weird.  Anyway, I picked these up yesterday.

Butterick 5238

I made this on Christmas day, after we came home from dinner with Jeff's family.  I had cut it out the night before, and it went together in a couple of hours.  I love this fabric--I stalked it on eBay for several weeks before buying it.  It's not my usual color choice but I'm glad now that I decided to try something new.

Butterick 5100

More of the burnout velvet.  I love this fabric!  I think I have enough left to make a top for the little girl.

Another bateau neck top

I love it!

Burda World of Fashion, the ubiquitous 2-2009-108

This is a Burda World of Fashion top, the famous bateau from February of 2009.  I had all kinds of issues with the neckline on this one, tried all sorts of fixes but things didn't click for me until I made some other tops using staystitching to stabilize the neckline.  This time I tried it, it worked.  Yay!  I'll be making tons more of these t-shirts, I'm sure!

Two new tops

McCall's 3880, the coverup I wore to the office Xmas party.

Simplicity 3634.  I have a couple of these now.

My new sewing room.

My sewing stuff has been staged at various places around the house: the office, the laundry room, the hall closet, the dining room.  In a fit of pique, today I spent several hours migrating things to Simon's old "home office" and made myself a proper sewing room.

Here's most of my fabric stash.  Did I mention that I have more than 200 yards?  I do.

Patterns, notions, more fabric stash.  Somewhat rickety and dingy ironing board.

My sewing machines, from left to right: Joan, Bob, Heather and the as-yet unnamed White serger.

Another glamor shot of the girls.  Also, a bit more stash on the right on the bookcase, along with a few UFOs and incongruously, a set of World Book encyclopedias.

Gratuitous cute baby photo.  Charlotte got her ears pierced last week, and is rocking the gold studs.

New Look 6569

Here's another New Look.  It's cute.  I've made two of this pattern so far.

New Look 6922

I got this fabric from bestonlinefabrics, an eBay vendor.  I love the selection of knits this vendor carries.  I'm also  enthusiastically embracing stash reduction and this turned out to be a nice, quick way to get rid of 1.5 yards of fabric.  Anyway, I love the colors, even though they are decidedly springlike and not at all Christmassy.

Simplicity 5317

I whipped this up for Charlotte last night to test the pattern and work on stash reduction.  I will definitely make this again.

I was just looking for attachments, I swear

I went to a thrift store looking for attachments for my recently acquired Singer 201, and this girl followed me home:

It's a Singer 401, Slant-O-Matic.  Not sure how it followed me home, but it does come with attachments, desk and manual.  A quick search on the net finds similar models listed on eBay for $300+.  I paid $70 and got all kinds of cool-looking feet and whatnot.

My new baby!

It's a Singer 201, manufactured April 16, 1952, in Elizabeth, NJ.  Right now, this is about the oldest thing in my house.  I think I'll call her Heather.

Simplicity 3582

This winter, Charlotte will be wearing the pelt of some exotic pink animal...

Simplicity 2572

I'm behind of posting stuff I've finished, so here are a few pics of something I made for Ms. C, a lined bolero jacket made from velvet and home decor remnants:

Butterick 5247

Another one of my new creations, this time a cowl neck, dolman sleeve dress in rich, dark burgundy:

Vogue 8597

My latest creation, a Vogue pattern.  Easy, simple, comfy.  Seems like most of the things I make fall into that general category.

Simplicity 2804

I got this awesome animal print from eBay seller bestonlinefabrics.  I love their stuff.

I love this top--it's so comfy and easy to wear.  Easy to sew, too.

Butterick 5398

I finished this one last night.  Do you have any idea how long it takes to pin up a hem by yourself, without a decent full-length mirror?  About 30 minutes in my case.

The $8 special

I got this fabric in the clearance aisle of Jo Ann's during one of their 1/2 red tag specials.  I got three yards for $2.50 each and I have fabric left over.  So this dress cost me less than $8, including the cost of the fabric and pattern.  I'm going to make something cute for the baby with the leftover fabric.

This is Simplicity 2766.

Recent acquisitions

These are recent purchases from bestonlinefabrics on eBay.  Both have a satiny finish.  The first is a knit and the second a burnout satin.  I'm thinking the blue/green fabric would make a gorgeous blouse with shoulder gathers, and the second could be the basis of my graduation dress.

Charlotte's winter poncho.

After some deliberation, I finally made Charlotte's winter jacket.  It is still in the 70s here, so I am ahead of schedule.  I have enough fleece for a heavier jacket, should it become necessary this winter.

I saw, I sewed

Here's my first vintage pattern sewn, See and Sew 6223.  I believe it was printed some time in the mid-70s.  Anyway, I think it turned out pretty well.