Back off Vacation!

Okay alright, I actually came back over a month ago but have had so much going on that I took an extended vacation from the blog. I may be taking a bit of a hiatus from blogging about sewing and crafting because everything will be soon put in boxes to be moved overseas! We found out that Kev's next assignment is in The Netherlands, we are very excited to be moving and closer to some of my family that lives in Europe.

Now onto the sewing. :)

(okay according to the order of uploads I have not blogged about these yet sorry if any are a repeat.)

Nice summer top using the sewmamasew spring ruffle top tute, only I am lazy lazy seamstress and gathered the front and back instead of the pleats.

A retro mini dress using the same pattern. My orange fabric wasn't quite wide enough so I added the flower panel to make it work. I mean to add a style element.

Reversible skirt with comfy waistband.

The reverse. Notice anything? Look close. Yup those are suppose to be dandelion puffs but they are growing upside down. At least I cut both pieces upside down!


Uncut cord trousers from a Woman's Ottobre. Not sure which one off the top of my head, will look it up and add later. Oh but these actually fit and I had to very little modifying, just take in about an inch in the center back seam.

The waistband. I felt quite clever using the cotton for the waist facing, it really cuts down on the bulkiness of the waistband and adds a little extra cute. The pockets are lined with the same fabric.

Newest knitting:

Beanpole beanie in dream in color classy midnight derby. I so enjoyed making this hat! The bobbles are really fun and surprisingly easy.


Rani cuff (from knitty.com) in leftover dream in color smooshy in chinatown apple. This is my first beaded knitted item, I need to make the second cuff but it requires stringing 300 some beads, which is best done without little helpers.

That is all I have pictures of for now! Hope everyone enjoyed summer, I know we did and we are definitely enjoying somewhat cooler weather ans starting on fall crafting and sewing.

Love Annmarie

Stash interview

Over on sewmamasew a stash interview was posted so I thought I would answer a few questions.

• What do you usually sew? all sorts of things, whatever strikes my fancy really. clothes for the boys and myself, handbags, stuff for the house.
  
• When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don’t have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?) with no project in mind, 2 yards for knits, anywhere from 1/2 yard to a yard of wovens, but am rethinking prints for the boys, might need more as they are getting bigger.
  
• Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need? err both? i tend to look for something I need but get distracted by pretty fabric.
  
• Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you’re ready to use it? YES! Everything gets prewashed the second it comes into the house. nothing worse than having a project ruined due to color running (turquoise based dyes take the longest to rinse out so turquoise and red are the worst offends here) or shrinkage. I didn't prewash stuff in college cause I was broke and ended up with items that didn't work out. Plus, I like folding fabric.
  
• Do you iron it? mheh sometimes. depends on my mood. and wrinkliness.
  
• How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.) color/intended project for quilters cotton. subject matter for knits (i am a geek I reorganized so all the land based animals and water based animals were all together.) by color for solids.
  
• Do you have any special folding techniques? yup just started ruler folding and it's so great! I can actually see what all of the prints are.
  
• How do you store your fabric? On shelves in the closet, 2 bookcases and 2 rubbermaids for the wool and velours. Drawers for scraps and fat quarters
  
• What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash? buy boring coordinates and don't worry about having a rainbow of color if there is a color you don't like (not much pink for me!)
  
• When do you say enough is enough? that's tough. when i spend more time picking fabric up off the floor cause the boys were 'sewing' than actually sewing
  
• What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects? lined pants for the boys. skirts for me.
  
• Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let’s see it!

its from an oop line amy butler charm.

• What’s your definition of the perfect stash? when i have enough to sew but not too much that I can't move around!

quilter's cottons and a few solid knits

Knits for the boys

there is more in the closet but it is impossible to take a decent pic of!

Annmarie

Psst...

...Go check out sewmamasew! :D
Annmarie