Handworks Crochet and then Some!

I love this summer fabric my mom got me at a sale somewhere!... huge tropical flowers, gold fish.. perfect summery jersey fabric! I made this by draping on my dress form. Its actually 2 pieces. The top is separate from the dress. Back view... I also used this beautiful red/orange netting to accent the dress. Below...This fabric was left over from a bellydance costume I made a client. Again made by draping. Darts give it just enough shape... I didn't want a super tight look. I LOVE to experiment with draping!! Its so fun and makes me feel extra creative.. I also made the necklace I'm wearing... its braided fabric strips, beaded with black and clear crystal beads and a silver cross... and I need a close up of it! Backyard Bounties!!!! Check out my Purple Bell Pepper!!!! Its my first pepper of the season. Scallop squash.. I have so much (anyone know any good recipes???)... MORE zucchini! and MORE cucumbers!.. My 2 little blue berry bushes even gave up a bowl of berries! There w...

Here is my "Panama Dress" from fabric I bought in... yes Panama! Its actually a skirt and top but it does look like a dress. No pattern, all draped. The skirt is made up of 4 separate long triangle panels that are that are rounded at the bottom. There's ALOT of movement in the skirt. The top is a fitted band around the waist and the top bust part is only attached in the back and at the sides so the bust part makes a pretty drape and I could get the waist part super tight and fitted. I hand knit the belt out of some beautiful copper yarn I got up in Philly and attached it to the skirt. The purse is some fabric I got at the sewing expo last year and is covered in tiny black poodles. It draws up at the top and through a little black crocheted doily I made that I covered in crystals. The pattern for the purse is called Circle Purse and I can't remember the designer!!! Someone asked me where I bought this dress when I wore it out last Tues. and yes I beamed when I said ...

Let me introduce you to my lovely TacSew blind stitch machine.... He makes completely invisible hems!!!!! I've even used a different color thread than what I was hemming and you can't see the tiny hem at all! Its amazing! I've actually had this baby for about 2 months now. I used it on my skirt in the last post, Bald Mans slacks and blazer! Its crazy fast! I admit to really wanting this machine after reading this article by the Sewing Divas .. How could you not want it after that! Plus I always hated the blind hem stitching a regular machine does.... I researched out what kind I wanted... and TacSew had the best reviews... and what do you know... the exact machine I wanted my machine dealer carried!!! YES! Its not complicated to thread... not complicated to adjust... and if I did have any problems my machine dealer knows all about this machine.. so I would have help. The hardest thing about it is getting used to how fast it is. Its much faster than my serger or my co...

Yes! I finally got to wear one of my spring/summer outfits!!!! I have had this finished for 2 weeks now but it kept turning off to cool in the evening to wear it. This is how it was made: I used no pattern. The top is a very simple chiffon top I draped but I did use french seams! Thank goodness there were few seams lol! The skirt was draped also.Its a lightweight slightly crinkled cotton. I added the sheer cut outs down the left side for some detail to an otherwise pretty boring skirt. I got the ideal from a Threads magazine. The skirt has an elastic waist band put on with the serger, turned under and blindstitched so you can't tell the elastic is there at all. The front of the top shows alittle of the stomach... but I wanted the back to show alot! Kinda like... its a little sexy without being out there sexy!!! From the left shoulder there are 3 long bias strips of chiffon hanging. I wore this dancing last Saturday and it moved beautifully! I seriously have like $8 dollars in...

Hey are the Bald Man's new slacks I made last week!!! He loves them and they fit him perfect! I was stressed for nothing! The pattern I used is Burda 8272 The problem now is I have to start on his suit!!!! I bought an Italian linen blend on the Asheville trip for him.... yes I'm scared of the suit and stressing. I will be using this pattern for the slacks and a Kwik Sew pattern for the Blazer. All dressed up for Chatt-town clubbin'! This top is Burda 8219 In the pic on the pattern the 'peek-a-boo' hole doesn't look that big on the model... on me.... well... seeing as how I'm alot bigger than the model.... Next time I will make the version with the tie to take away for so much cleavage... sexy top though! Here's my next draping project... its at the pinned stage I've not actually sewed anything yet.. I hand knit the copper belt for the skirt, the fabric is from Panama. I am loving mid drift baring tops for...

Before we left for Panama I made several new outfits... that I haven't worn yet! But last night we went to dinner with some friends at our favorite local nightspot so I decided to try wearing my 1st ever draped dress! The style is completely not me... I had to add the lace cape because I cut the neck way to low!!! I also never wear cotton unless its jeans... or stretch cotton! So I was a little uncomfortable in it. It felt all stiff and proper... As for the whole draping process... I have the book "The Art of Draping" that helped me through... I got a good fit! So I do consider the dress a success.. even if I don't like the fabric I used.... or this style on me! So all in all, not bad for a first draping project! I really enjoyed sewing up something that didn't require a pattern of any kind. Draping is fun and I want to try a knit dress or shirt using this technique soon! Now I'll probably cut up this dress for a purse! lol!