A Summer Dress and Bag Making

Easy and Fast Dress Pattern

 

 

 Decided to turn some pretty poly jersey fabric into a cute light weight summer dress.

 This fabric drapes beautifully giving the gathered skirt a really feminine appeal.  Still to be hemmed and photographed on my body.  I love the fit and it's very comfortable.

Another Make-up Bag

I pieced some fabric leftover from the black and white duvet cover and ironed on some fleece 

for more body.  I think I'll line this with a stiffer poly lining fabric instead of the usual heavy nylon fabric I picked at Value Village for $1.49. 

Floral Brocade 

Here's a Post I Forgot To Post.......lol

Winter Dress

It's still waiting for a hem.......

Pants Pattern

I've made quite a few pants using this pattern, here's a plain charcoal grey model.

Comfy stretch denim shorts from the above pants pattern.  I dropped the waist 1" all around.

I love this pretty knit (another Value Village find). Using this KS pattern but adding a wider neck finish.  Haven't cut this out yet.

Skirt Pattern

I lined the yoke of this skirt to help reduce some of the bulk created by this fairly heavy cotton lycra blend.

 

Some Finished Objects and Some Objects in the Planning Stage

Finished the apron and made a pair of matching pot holders.  I love the gathered skirt so much!  And the big pockets.  I quilted as I went for the pot holders.  So fast and easy!

 

Anyway, the gathered waist on the apron got me thinking about some summer dress sewing.  So I dug up some suitable fabrics from my stash.  Three cottons cotton/blends and a lovely border print rayon.  The rayon will gather so beautifully without a lot of bulk.   

It will become my first  Cambie dress.   I just love the waistline and the sweetheart neckline.

 Then I found some floral sheer fabric I bought two years ago.   And a remnant I think would be the perfect lining.  I just have to decide on a style I like.   I like the shape of both dress patterns shown below.  I'd go knee length though.

Least of last was my funny Valentine dress!!   Made from a couple pieces of fabric found at Value Village last fall.  I bought it with the intent of making my granddaughter a Christmas dress otherwise I wouldn't have had any red fabric on hand - I never wear red!  So it was a fun project and I used up every bit of fabric.  The lace has been in my stash for 30 years........

This and That

Sheesh, I haven't posted in so long!! Went to Cuba, loved the country!! Beautiful sand, beach & people.  Things didn't go so well though...................let us just say I'm single again.   That's ok though. I am used to being on my own.  I have finally lost 6 lbs!!!  No more late night snacks.
Finished my black & white print dress in time for my trip - no pic yet.  It's comfy & cute.  I was happy with it.   Started another dress but did not finish it yet.  Have not got back into sewing yet.
I haven't been doing too much - came back to find out my ei ran out.  So, I`ve  been appling for jobs & looking into retraining. I have lots of experience but nothing on paper.  At my age, you need both!!

My new hair colour - by mistake...but it`s growing on me.

 It`s getting really long. I plan on cutting it and donating it.  But now I`m curious to see how long it will grow!  Definitely need a trim though.  It`s been over a year.

 I`ve been making extremely yummy healthy food lately.  This dish consists of one chicken breast sliced up , fried with onion, garlic & olive oil till almost done.  Then I added snow peas, shredded cabbage & yellow pepper.  I used Chipolte sauce for the seasoning.  Then I stirred in some prepared brown rice & quinoa.  Hmmmm, it was delish!!!! 

 This is where I want to live!!  Lovely pink apartment - just so long as it is in Mexico!!!!

 Another yummy, healthy stir fry.........this time no meat, just veggies.

 I took a pic of my green onions before chopping them up & freezing them (as seen on Pinterest).  I just love this pic!!!!  It speaks to me!  Just wish I still had Picassa to crop, etc. 

 This is my beautiful baby daughter Jo & her handsome prince on St Paddys Day.  I think he may be the one.  How exciting!!  I do still believe in love even though it may never be mine.

 Self bought flowers - they lasted for two weeks!! Gerbana daisies.

 Hair previous to the mistake.................I will get around to finishing the walls soon!  God..I need Picassa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 My new clogs - they seem really narrow - only $50.  I think I will have to get them stretched or wear them bare foot. for the summer.

My old, very comfy clogs from Value Village!!  I need to wear two pairs of socks with them to keep them on my feet. 

Back to normal soon I hope. Oh, I did start an afghan for my Jo.  Will post pic when I have gotten more done on it.

Sewing For My Trip & What I've been busy With

 I measure 40x33x40 - so why did I trace this Kwik Sew in Medium?

 Anyway, I added a half inch to the sides to make up for it.

 I made this dress View B quite a few years ago.  I fit a pattern size 12 then.

  I love the style & that it drapes so beautifully since it's cut on the bias.  And...I added 1" inch to all seams!  We'll see how it fits.  I've worked hard to eat less & work out out more since the second week of January.  Heading way south towards the end of February.  Can hardly wait! 

 Didn't have enough fabric but that's OK - I had plenty of scraps to piece together for the neck & armhole bindings.  I swear I'll post pics of the finished dress.

 At the same time, I made my eldest daughter a new pair of jammie bottoms.

 Here's the scarf I finished knitting recently.  I love the colour . It's much nicer in 'real' life!  Oh yeah... I'm working on my powder room too.

 When the sun shines in January in Vancouver, you go for a walk!  Dyke at Pitt Meadows.

 My new clogs arrived!!  Fabulous sale at Ungleboclog. I love them.

 My vegetarian dinner tonight - it was so good.  I love forgoing meat these days. This dish has pinto beans, brown rice, onions, garlic and spinach...so delish!

 Finished the dolly for my Grand-daughter.  Had to rush at the end, Auntie Jo was flying up to Quesnel to see Adelia. 

My finished crocheted shawl.  Nice and warm when sitting at the computer for hours - on Pinterest!!
Jo, my sweet daughter, has recently discovered this shawl & fallen in love with it! I'm only too happy to share it with her.She wears it as a scarf with the point in front & it looks fabulous on her!

Warm Weather Dress & Tulips On A Winter Day

Decided to make a dress for warmer climates - Hello Mexico!

Last week I began one part of my New Years Plan - to get back in shape.  I belong to Curves, it's a nice workout for the mature women....LOL   So I went 5 days in a row, missed Saturday & worked out at home on Sunday.  I've been watching my food intake & I ended up throwing the rest of my Christmas chocolate into the trash - there wasn't much left at all, but it was very symbolic for me!  Not soon enough though  :(
I had to add an extra 1/2" to the sides of my pattern.  I'm OK with that cause I know I will fit a size 12 this year!  My tummy already feels smaller.  Yeah!!

The fabric is a poly knit, really slippery but very nice drape.

I started sewing it today & aside from the slipperiness, it's going to be a breeze to make.  I dropped the back neckline about 6".  I don't get why a lot of summery dresses have neck hugging backs.  The gathered section in the front will be quite a bit lower too.  I'll see when I get there.

Tulips on a wintery snow day - our first snow this winter!

Pretty but.............Spring's a lot prettier!!  Still making earwarmers, I posted them on Ravelry.  I really need to figure out how to link to other sites this year.   I wish I could share my Pinterst too.  I'm so addicted to that site.