Handworks Crochet and then Some!

Been way to busy to post lately! I barely even check my emails!!!! The garden was in full producing swing a couple of weeks ago and is now starting to play out... and its very sad..... cause I love days when I gather this much food from our little backyard homestead! I'm especially proud of the cantaloupe! On the sewing side of things I've been doing mostly embroidery stuff, remaking clothes from thrift stores and such. But I did make this blue camo handbag/tote... and its my new favorite bag! Its made from a vintage McCalls 7270... The complete outside has pockets all around it.... and so does the inside!!! So many pockets! I can carry everything in here! Its actually a reversible bag but I used puppy fabric inside so I probably won't reverse it... maybe if I'm feeling silly. I used large grommets and glamour rings to hardware it up! I adore it.... and must make another one! Like I said before I've been doing tons of embroidery and refashions! These were high wa...

I always read about ladies who make all these clothes then don't wear them... thats sad! I think I get alot of wear out of things I make... really everyday I have on something I've made... alot of days everything I have on I made.. including jewelry and handbag! *Please excuse some of my pics are blurry... we have a new camera and Bald Man isn't used to how fast it snaps a pic and I don't notice its blurred until I load it! * Here I am, Sunday,...On my way to church in a new dress!.... this is NL6774 I'm in love with this maxi dress. Its SO comfortable! This pattern was super easy to make... seems like alot of stuff I've been making has been easy... I need to step it up a bit. Summer sewing is always easier to me. I do need to get ready to start my fall wardrobe though... Anyways! The top is a lite weight knit I got from Miami... the bottom is a colorful heavy stretch lace I got from the ATL sewing expo last year. Its lined with a stretch knit nude fabric I bou...

Well, it worked! My little vintage pattern worked for my poodle raincoat!!! yay!!! It was super easy! The pattern had this little belt thing that went around the body and buttoned.. I changed that. Which cut some bulk out of the front of the coat and made it easier to button!! Look at the cute.. easy pockets!!! I do plan to make this in another fabric because I love hooded coats!!! This should keep me dry during the rainy season of Panama! Since we're traveling this weekend we thought we should go out for a bit last night... check out my Bald Man 25 lbs lighter!! I'm so proud of him!! And check out my cute felted bolero to the right! One old Goodwill sweater+ some fancy yarns+ a felting machine=a very cute, unique accessory! I love felting stuff!!

LONG POST! What I worked on yesterday... lets see I'll start with this.... I am embroidering my Bald Man a shirt.... he's lost 25 lbs now (yay! Raw!) and alot of his clothes are not fitting! This shirt was plain and I'm trying to make it Fab... so far he's loving it! He needs nice, one of a kind stuff to wear too! One of the many wonderful things about having an embroidery machine is while its working and doing its thing... you can be making other things... more things!!! I love multi-tasking.... You can't really tell to the left but this is an outfit for Rach... she wanted a wrap skirt and shirt out of the left over fabric from her costume... she didn't have enough for a shirt but I had this light wt. brown stretch in my stash... then coordinated the decorative stitch on top and bottom... now she has an 'outfit'! I'll post a pic of her in it soon! Also while the embroidery machine was busy I cut out my next "me" project.... now ...

A visit to Goodwill a couple of weeks scored me these OOP patterns here to the left for .20 cents! The vogue pattern is what I've been working on... This has consumed my sewing time... I have never made a "suit" type outfit. This isn't really a suit.. but its about as "suit" as your going to see me in! With my adjustments and embellishments I'm actually making it more cocktail style. The top is slightly structured and semi fitted. The skirt is a calf length with a large flare ... which I have lengthened to the floor, making it a mermaid style skirt . I also added a slit up the side to the lower part of the thigh. It will have lace embroidery going up the slit and on a side back skirt panel. I also plan to place some small gunmetal gray crystals along the embroidery. I have added rows of top stitching to the collar with matching blue/grey embroidery thread. I am making this for the formal dinner I have to attend with the Bald Man at one of the boat deal...

Ok.... I'm making this top from a vintage simplicity pattern (could the collar BE any bigger? I love it!) I'm using the vintage fabric Mom got me at the flea market last week... I can't decide if I should leave it like it is or add this ribbon down the front??? I can usually decide things pretty easy when it comes to design and embellishment... But I'm lost on this! I like it the way it is.... but then ... oh I don't know!! Please help! What do y'all think???

I'll start with what I got in the mail from ebay... 6 back issue Threads magazines and the Kwik Sew pattern for a mans jean jacket... cause of course the Bald Man wants a distressed jean jacket!! Then... my Grand Mother sent me this shoe box full of vintage patterns that was from her pattern stash! And... yep they are my size! Now, let me say thanks to my Mom for being on the lookout for fabulous sewing goodies for me when she hits the flea markets. She hit the jackpot this weekend!!! She got me these 2 Magic fit "kits" to the right. I have no ideal how to use them! They have french curves in them.. dart templates, pattern paper and instruction books... They are so neat!! To the left is a huge amount of back issue Machine Embroidery, Sews News and many other sewing magazines. Now the magazines came for her stash... but she got all those cool vintage patterns you see at the flea market!! There are a few my size.. the others I would have to size up 1 or 2 sizes. These...

Here are the vintage patterns I have found/ordered for the retro jumpsuit I want to make... Aren't they all so cute???? I love'em!!!! I have been working on The Bald Man another shirt... its the same style as the last one. Here's the embroidery on the back shoulder of the shirt. I also but a design on the front shoulder... Its looking good! I am so glad I can make the Bald Man some nice , unique clothes... he's such a big guy its really hard for him to find nice shirts! For me I'm working on BWOF top 126 from issue 7-01... its a very darling top that has little ties up the front instead of buttons. I made it last year... so its not a challenge but I'm doing it "up" a bit! Its almost done! I also have BWOF Bustier 129 from issue 5-03. I have also made it before... but it came out much to small in the bust. Its so hot though I have to try it again... with the bust larger!!! Much!!!!! It also ties up the front for closures. Also have out to make BWOF 105...

I admit it! I love jumpsuits from the 60's and 70's.... so when I saw Pattern review was having a Vintage pattern sewing contest I started looking for jumpsuit patterns!!! I have an excuse to make one now. The search is on! This pattern to the right is Simplicity 9674 There are so many cute ones I can't decide which one to buy.... plus I've never sewn from a vintage pattern before so it will be a challenge for me too! This will be fun!!! Hers is BWOF Top 111 from issue Nov. 07. Sorry the pic is kinda blurry to the right... its the Bald Mans fault! I made up this little shrug to go with it. Love the print of this fabric! I got it in ATL at the sewing expo. And here is the other BWOF top I worked on last week. From issue 11/99 Top 134. I LOVE this top and plan to make it again soon. I have alot of nice stretch lace fabrics and this top and shawl/cape are perfect for them. There were darts in the back but I added them in the front also. Love it!!!