Simplicity 3961

The above skirt was made from approximately 2 yards of fabric I have had in my stash for at least 2 years.   I used piping to break up the front and back skirt panels since the fabric is so busy.   I inserted a lapped zipper and used snaps at the waistband in lieu of buttons.

The skirt is a little big on me since I have lost some weight and did not take that into consideration.  It can still be worn though so that is all that matters to me.

Take care and God Bless

Francis revisited my way

I swear, both sleeves are the same length :)

Hello.  I've been away for a while due to a very strange mystery illness that had me down pretty good.  After several thousand dollars worth of tests, the doctors could not come up with a diagnosis, and slowly on my own, I started getting better.  Thank you God!  He is the great healer.

Thankfully, I did still manage to work during the 4 months of being ill, and when I was feeling okay, I did a bit of sewing and some knitting.  The above sweater is proof :)

The pattern is Francis Revisited that I found for free on Ravelry.  I did change the pattern a bit.  I knitted it longer, did rib knit on the sleeve edges and bottom, and added a turtle neck to it.  I knit it on size 10 needles and used a wool/mix blend from Berroco.  I bought the yarn a long time ago, and I cannot remember the "name" of it.  I knitted a medium size, and it fits great.  It is a long, tunic length that will look good w/ skinny jeans, straight skirts, and other slacks. 

I love knitting sweaters.  They take me a while, but the end result is worth the time and effort.  I want to knit a pretty lace-weight shawl out of some Kid Silk Haze that I have had for quite some time.  I just need to find a free pattern on Ravelry to utilize.  I am also knitting a basket weave scarf for the guy who does my hair.  It will be a late Christmas present, because I know I will not have it done in time.

Next on the blog docket is a pretty skirt that just needs the snaps placed on it, and the hem done.  I also have two refashions that I did in September that I never got to blog about.

I pray everyone is doing well!

Take care and God Bless.

Merry Christmas!

God's Blessings to Everyone!

My Fabric Fairy Find

Two weeks ago, I entered my name in to win one of several gift certificates to online fabric stores on the Sew Mama Sew website.  Lo and behold, I was one of the winners.  I won a $30.00 certificate to the The Fabric Fairy.  It didn't take me long to place my order.

I got two yards of this lovely bamboo linen.








And, two yards of this pretty gauze knit


I am so excited that I won, and very appreciative of The Fabric Fairy.

Thank you!!

New Simplicity Jacket

This is a cute little jacket that I made about 3 weeks ago.  I used a Simplicity pattern.  The jacket was meant to be unlined, but I added an interlining.  I finished all the inside seams with lace.

I added piping along the front of the jacket and end of the sleeves to make it a bit more professional looking.  I also added a frog closure.  I pondered a moment about adding a black frog closure, but in the end, I thought I would keep the colors matching.  About the piping, this is not only the first time I have used piping with sewing, but I made my own!  Whoop for me!

Top stitching was done around the front, shoulder seams, and the princess seams.  I top stitched this using the triple stitch on my sewing machine.  It looks awesome if I do say so for myself.

The pattern is an easy sew, and by adding a few minor, but professional details, it gives the jacket a WOW factor.

Pictures were taken after I worn it all day, so it is a bit wrinkled.

All fabric was stash, along with the thread and lace.  The only thing I bought for this jacket was the frog closure.

 I have a skirt to post about in the next week or so.  It goes with this jacket nicely :)

Take care and God bless.

Hot Patterns Coal, Iron, and Railroad Company Shirt

This shirt was a long time in the making due to machine issues, the heavy jean fabric, and all the top stitching that I did.  The pattern itself is not difficult one, and the pieces matched together perfectly.  This shirt is made out of my husband's old Levi denim jeans, and I sewed/top stitched all seams with heavy duty thread.  The under collar, cuff and placket lining is made out of  scrap flannel fabric I have had in my stash a long, long time.

The shirt/jacket has actually been done for about a month, and my husband had his first opportunity to wear it this week while going on the ATV to bring our girls in for milking.  He really likes it, and that always makes me happy.

The pictures are not that good because I used my phone camera, but you can get the idea.

I made a size XL, and could have went down a size.  The shirt is roomy on my husband, but again, he likes that since he will be wearing it more for a jacket.  If I was to make a shirt out of normal fabric, I would go down a size.

It is nice to refashion something old into something new.  All these years of saving up jeans has finally paid off :)

Take care and God bless.

Simple Envelope Style Pillow

Long time, no posting.

I had trouble w/ my sewing machine, which finally got resolved at the end of July.  Cause of problem:  An incorrect bobbin case was in the machine...Go figure, but it is fixed, and I am happy with it now.

There has been sewing, but have been lazy about taking pictures, etc. 

Finally, I got the gumption up to snap a shot of a pillow I have made for my mom's birthday in September.

It has yellow and brown ribbon roses all over it.  I made a simple envelope style pillow case and used a ready-made pillow form.  My mom loves pillows, so this will be perfect for her birthday. 

I used about 1/4 yard of fabric for this.

Take care and God Bless!