Handworks Crochet and then Some!

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...

This is my new favorite dress... Vogue 1020... made from more fabulous fabric I got down in Panama! I shorten the dress quite a bit for a throw back mini look. The gathers at the side are so flattering! No problems with this pattern at all! I made this dress and 2 tops from this pattern (one lace long sleeve and one knit short sleeve) all in one day. I want many more of these dresses! I need more of these dresses or I will wear this one out! I crocheted the little scarf... its hairpin lace crochet. Worked up in about 45min. to an hour And the little leg warmers!!! I crocheted them up quick a couple of months ago. I need some in black too... I really have been sewing alot... just not posting alot! I guess because alot of the things I've been sewing for myself have been basics. I've been crocheting ALOT too.... the things I just finished a shell top and I'm now working on an afghan and a pair of socks AND working on a bridesmaid dress for a client. *Suit Update* The blaz...

The Bad news is... my favorite restaurant, The Orangery is closing next week.... the good new is we went out to eat there and had a Fabulous Night!!!!! The Orangery is an amazing french restaurant that has been in business like 30 years here in K-town. I'm very sad to see it go. It is pricey... but worth every penny! I mean... Lobster Crepes... mmmmm.... yes! worth every penny.. and every calorie! Now the Bald Man will have to figure out how to make them! For the occasion I whipped up this lace dress. The Orangery is a pretty fancy place so I knew I could get away with a floor length dress. I didn't use a pattern... just my dress form. I made the shrug last year. ************************************************************************************* Crocheting.... finally finished this up last week! The pattern is from last months Crochet! Magazine . Very easy to make topper! Fashion remake! I really wish I had a before pic of the boring light colored jeans and faded red sweat...

Below is Burda 8116. A super easy tank top with a wrap topper. The pants are from BWOF. This was such an easy pattern!!! I made the below tank and topper in an hour... seriously! Ofcourse I must say having a cover stitch machine greatly speeds up sewing knits. In fact the day after I made these... I made 2 more tanks, another topper.... and the below view from the same pattern... a simple mock wrap top. The jeans were made last year from a pattern I copied from rtw. Anyways for those of you looking for a quick project... gotta get this pattern! Below here is NL 6429. It was easy too.... I actually made this last fall and never got to wear it... I wore it last night to Latino night at the Fairbanks.... good times! I wouldn't mind making another dress like this in some less 'fancy' fabric. Another shirt for my Bald Man... this was his B-day present... made once again using that wonderful Islander pattern. I embroidered a cross on the pocket... Some crosses on the sleeve... A...

Nancy finally made it over here to try on and pick up her costume. Its hard to believe this used to be a prom dress!!! She happily posed for some pics for my blog!! I am very happy with the way it turned out! And so is she... which is what really matters... I made everything but the belt and veil... which she already owned. Ofcourse its easy to make a bellydance costume look good when I'm putting it on a body like hers!!! You go Nancy! I wish I could be disciplined enough to workout like Nancy... but thats not gonna happen is it ;) Not likely!lol!

I LOVE this pattern! I made the vest, shirt and the shorts (much to cold to show those!) I had no problems with this really... FBA on the top and the vest. I used the corset like closures instead of buttons.. I normally do not like baggy loose fitting tops but this is really flattering with the vest! Here's the top with out the vest... still cute... but not as cute! I did make a mistake and use a interfacing that was to heavy for the collar... I should have use a lite fusible instead of med. I want more and more of the vests!!! and will defiantly make another shirt in a darker fabric. What I'm being paid to sew..... a Madonna costume tutu!!! Making tutu's is fun... I hope the lady having me make this will send me a pic of the entire outfit when her and her buddies go out! In the Crochet world..... From March Crochet! magazine.... Took about a week to crochet... I love open work tops like this... always have! Now I can make my own! I have to say this about crocheting.....

I have been so busy with my crochet and sewing projects lately! But last weekend my niece came over for the weekend and instead of staying on the Internet or texting like she does most of the time we did some projects together. Using OOP McCall 5489 we made a skirt... instead of making the matchy match jacket we just distressed out a brand new Gap jacket mom got from a yard sale last year ($1!) and she crocheted a small draw string bag! Here's the jacket... it was a heavy jacket.. she thought it was to heavy. We took off the bottom band which made it alot lighter! Then she run a seam ripper in between the double top stitched seams. I put it in the washer, with water and white towel, added about a cup of bleach.. let it set for 5 minutes.... she loves the jacket! I liked it to... I'll be going to goodwill for jean jackets to destroy ... Here's the skirt. She's only made quilts and pj pants... I think... so making a skirt was different for her. She did great! Jus...

Here's my dress!!! and here's my review on patternreview.com I don't post to many reviews on PR but I thought since I changed some things on this dress someone might get so helpful ideals from it. Pattern description : From the magazine:A simple, slim jersey dress in dark boardroom blue will become a fashion focal-point thanks to witty sleeve flounces. Pattern sizing: I made a 38, added an extra inch to the bust and took an inch off the waist 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? I didn't look at them... What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?Nothing to dislike at all! Fabric Used: A poly/knit I bought in Panama City, Panama.The lace I used in the sleeve panel is a stretch lace from Jo ann's Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I added darts at the waist back to give more shape to the dress.I used a different fabric for the sleeve ...

BWOF 106 from issue 1/09. A nice basic top with cute details of a panel and and sleeve flounce. I made the usual size 38 and took it in an inch at the waist and added an inch at the bust. It still pulls a tiny bit I can see in this pic at the bust... but it doesn't feel like its pulling at all while I'm wearing it. The fabric I used is a cheap knit so I consider this a wearable muslin. I have the dress version of this pattern all cut out and ready to sew with some awesome fabric I bought down in Panama. Hopefully to be done by Sunday so I have a new dress for church! I love patterns with small details like this one. If there are to many details on a top it usually looks like to much on me. Now... something that I was very amused by Monday night.... The Bald Man said he would take me yarn shopping. Even though I am still working on my hat/scarf combo (should be done soon!) I wanted to start a cute little jacket also... I like having 2 projects going at once! Anyways... I needed...

Here is the top I made from the book One Piece wearables. This book is so cool! This top was made up in less than an hour! I also made the bolero I'm wearing.. and the pants! I love it when everything I have on.. I made. Last night an old friend called us!! Omar, my former boss when I worked at Mirage Restaurant, was in town!!! We had a great time seeing him. He's crazy! Here's a pic taken Wed. night. The Bald Man is rocking the hideous blazer I made him!!!! Which by the way.. is very popular! A guy last night told us that if he had a blazer like that he would NEVER wear anything else! Whats wrong with people! LOL! Its terrible! ahhh... but he loves it and he's the one who buys the machines! I am working on a big Christmas project for my Bald Man... so I can't post anything about it.. but I want to so bad!

This OOP Mccalls Pattern uses 2 afghans to make a coat... and I just happened to have 2 afghans I was getting ready to throw in the 'go to Goodwill' box. I'm so glad I didn't! I got the pattern at Goodwill for a dollar, the afghans for $10 a piece about 2 yrs ago.. so I feel like I got a heck of a deal with this coat... Plus its just so cute... and warm! The pattern was SO easy! I serged each piece after I cut it out so it wouldn't fray. The hardest part was sewing these 2 thick layers together. I used a denim needle after I broke a regular one and had no more problems. I also added a loop and large button for a closure on the front. Next time a find a cute afghan I would like to make the skirt in the pattern too... wouldn't that be awesome for a winter skirt!