Embroidery 101 - Block 1

So I started actually embroidering the 1st block. I kind of love and kind of hate it. Its very zen if I can get the perfectionist in me to SHUT THE HECK UP!

Ya - equally sized stitches, not so good at that. Here's a shot of the partially finished block. I actually got the butterfly and the right flower outline done, but by then there wasn't enough light to get even a crappy shot from my phone. One day I'll think to bring my camera up into the sewing room.

Embroidery 101: Piecing part 1

Its HOT in here. Whiney hot. Giving up, hot. I managed to get this far. As you can see I'm 2 short. My bobbin just ran out and I'm throwing in the towel for today.

I've got some wonky "squares". I'm blaming the heat. No worries though, they should square out nicely in the end, probably around 18.25 instead of 18.5.

Embroidery 101: Stitch and Quilt Along - Cutting

Phew - I suddenly remember why I choose sewing clothes over quilting. I'm not a fan of taking a gigantic rectangle of fabric, cutting in to a bazillion smaller pieces, just to sew it all back together! LOL

I pushed through though. Tomorrow I'm going have to try and bang out piecing everything. Its suppose to get H-O-T here by Thursday (97+) and we stole the AC that normally goes in my sewing room for our bedroom. If I don't get it pieced tomorrow it might have to get put on hold for a while (at least until the weekend when I can try and get a new unit for this room).

I had 1 major issue cutting the fat quarters...Apparently JoAnn's fat quarters aren't very generous. Or hey, even 18", but who's measuring? Oh, right - me! I needed 18 USABLE inches out of each fat quarter. NOT HAPPENING with the ones I bought. Case in point:

fabric looks really wrinkled but pinkie swear it is flat on the cutting table

If you notice - the fabric does not make 18" and this wasn't even the worst of the lot, just a general idea of what all of them were like. Once I got it on grain (were the people drinking when they cut these?!!) I was left with maybe 17.5" of usable fabric - so it was 2 fat quarters per print for me!!

Well without further ado - here's the fabric cut into pieces.

Itty Bitty Baby Dress

I found this adorable pattern at Made by Rae and just KNEW it would be the perfect baby shower gift for a friend of mine.

The dress is adorably small and ALMOST makes me wish I was having another little one...Almost

The fabric was leftovers from Ally's Easter Dress, which I've yet to document. Have to get on that...

The directions are very clear, although after constructing the entire dress I realized that there is no way to hide the inside waist/skirt seam. If I make another one (and I'm sure I will!) I will cut the lining pieces longer. I think I will also try out sewing the front to the back at 1 side, attach the piping, then close it up to catch the piping ends in the seam.

Embroidery 101: Stitch and Quilt Along

I've decided to join the Stitch and Quilt along over at Clover And Violet. The quilting I've got down - the embroidery? This could be interesting. LOL

I'm not entirely 100% in love with my fabrics, so don't be surprised if they change. I was hoping to pick up the fat quarters at JoAnn's today, but my local one didn't have any single ones (which were supposed to be on sale) - so I grabbed a pack of 5 (bottom of picture) and stole 4 cuts out of my stash. I think some of the fat quarters are a little dark for the brighter colors in my stash. Didn't have time on my lunch break to wait in the gimundo line at the cutting table to get anything else.

McCall's 5498 The Princess Dress

Picture is before I added the elastic to the sleeve ends.

Pattern Description:


MISSES’, CHILDREN’S AND GIRLS’ MERMAID AND PRINCESS COSTUMES: Long dress has semi-fitted lined bodice, contrast peplum with or without button trim; slightly flared or contrast straight skirt, and back zipper closing; costume A has contrast sleeves with elasticized wrist and attached contrast shoulder drape with large button trim; costume B has contrast bodice overlay, armhole ruffles and fish tail; crown has elastic casing, with or without button trim

Pattern Sizing:
3/4 to 7/8. I made the 7/8.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Kind of. I ditched the shoulder drape. Its drafted way too big and completely overtook the dress. If you want it, I would suggest shortening it drastically.

I also fully lined the bodice & skirt and used taffeta & Fairy Dust Organza for the sleeves instead of just organza to add a little bit of warmth while trick or treating.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very. No problems at all.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Like I said, the shoulder drape was ridiculously big. Wish I had taken a picture of it before I ripped it out.

Fabric Used:
Pink and blue taffeta, fairy organza from Fabric.com

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Fully lined. Sleeves are organza over taffeta and added a pearl necklace - which ended up breaking and I had to do an emergency re-beading right before we went out. LOL

Also for the peplum, instead of trying to do a hem on it, I just cut 2 out, sewed right side together and then turned right-side out.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes! My daughter absolutely loved it.

Conclusion:
Great pattern. Carefully measure shoulder drape or ditch it entirely.

Another view with DD wearing it.

PJs - Kwik Sew 2905

Pattern Description:
Boys and Girls pjs have front button closure, extended shoulders, collar and patch pocket. Pants and shorts have elastic waist. View A has full length sleeves and long pants. View B has contrast collar and pocket extension, short sleeves and shorts.
I have made View A

Pattern Sizing:
7-14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy. This was my 1st foray into buttonholes.



What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
At first I wasn't happy with the way they insert the elastic in the casing, but by the end, I was digging it.

Fabric Used:
Little Mermaid flannel from JoAnn's.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Ditched the pocket. Also made a size larger to make sure they fit through the winter.



Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
YES! Have a cute owl flannel set to go.

Conclusion:
DD loves them, although at first she thought the top was a coat. LOL