Monday, March 25, 2013

Sew Close



The Mission's Dinner was Friday but alas, I was unable to complete my muumuu in time.  I am having a wee bit of trouble with the yoke.  I have either had to reposition it, cut it down or just flat out re-sew it 7 times now.  Ai yi yi!  I think I might finally have it fitted properly and pinned in the proper place.  I basted it and tried it on and it seems fine.  I even got it sewn in place but then horror or horrors, I had gotten it all bunched up under the presser foot and sewn together so out came the seam rippers once again.  That's when I gave up trying to complete it for the Dinner and went on to plan B for my Hawaiian Luau attire.

I've had the most difficult time just getting the yoke in the proper position.  My fabric looks the same on the wrong side and I think that has a lot to do with my confusion.  I'd get it pinned in place only to realize the shoulder seam would face the wrong way so I would pull out all the pins and re position it.  I even basted it down once only to realize I had positioned it on the wrong side of the dress.  Talk about frustrating!  But it's in the correct position now and basted down and tried on and everything looks right as rain so if I sew it very carefully in place, I might be able to move on to the next step. 

I had always planned on using this as a summer dress so even though I missed the Dinner, I still plan on completing it.  I'll post the finished masterpiece when it's ready.

I was also very pleased to remember as much as I did about sewing clothes.  My 7th grade Home Ec class was quite long ago but I had only forgotten a few items which I had to look up on the internet.  Just like with all new activities I think the more I sew the easier it will be to sew.
This was the dessert I made for the Dessert Auction.  Apart from being a bit lopsided in this picture, I was quite please with how it came out.  I found two of these cake stands at a local thrift and bought both.  I used one to take to the auction and am keeping the other.  My inspiration for this cake can be found here.

I did so enjoy your visit to Prairie Cairn Cottage today, I hope you come back soon.

Audrey     
 
  

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Letting the Cat out of the Bag

 
Last night I walked past the dining table only to discover Mr. Tabby had crawled into one of my work tote bags.  With a picture like this I think I was obliged to label this post as I have.

What I want to let out of the bag however, is that I have been seriously bitten by the sewing bug!  It all began with the Christmas stockings I made for Mr. Tabby and Little Black Brindle.  Then I started a new bed quilt which got interrupted by the pillow cases I made My Ever So Handy Husband for Valentine's Day.  That was followed by a table runner and another quilt (a local Block of the Month).  I've shared with you the stockings and pillow cases which so far are the only completed projects and will post more about the other projects later on.

We are having a Missions Dinner at Church in a few weeks.  The theme this year is a Hawaiian Luau complete with a pig roast.  The participants are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts for men and muumuus for women.  You may be asking yourself what this has to do with this post?  Well, fear not!  The explanation is as follows:  Not owning a muumuu myself I was trying to decided what to do when that pesky sewing bug bit me again! 

Here is the fabric for the muumuu I plan on making for the church dinner and a picture of the dress.  Being the proverbial optimist, I just know this dress is going to go together in a snap.  And since warmer days are just around the corner (and I fell in love with the blue flower fabric) I thought I just might as well make two!  Mind you, I have not successfully sewn an article of clothing for myself since 1971 but I just know this is going to be a piece of cake!
 
 If that were not enough unfinished projects, I also signed up to make some baby blankets for a ministry at Church.  Wouldn't you know it, when I was at the fabric store I found these darling flannels.  I think this will make a good start to the number of blankets I volunteered to make.


So two dresses, three blankets, two quilts and a table runner.  Hmmm...looks like my trusty Elna will be getting a workout soon. 

I think sewing for oneself and for our cottages is the newest resurrected craft.  I certainly have seen a lot of blog posts about sewing projects of all kinds.  Are you starting to sew more for yourself?  I'd love to hear what kind of projects you've got on your sewing table.

Thanks for coming to visit us at Prairie Cairn Cottage.  I hope you come back and bring your sewing machine so you can sew with me.

Audrey