Handworks Crochet and then Some!

Oh, how I love spring!!!!! But its been such a crazy busy time with The Bald Mans new business, cooking ALL the time, putting the embroidery machine to use, sewing, crocheting and more sewing Now the BIG project I talked about before has been done for about 2 weeks... Its all started with a Roberto Cavalli dress I saw in WWD last fall. Inspiration!!! YES!!!! I found a similar pattern V8636, then splurged on Pfaffs Magnificent Floral embroidery CD. I made the dress (fitting nightmare in the bust!!!) then embroidered all the applique flower petals, leaves, vines and buds on organza.... Put them all together on the side skirt of the dress.... and then hand beaded the empire waistline... also later I went back and hand beaded the trim all the way around the very plunged neckline! The ends of the sash have hand beaded fringe with tiny crosses. I also sparingly scattered swarovski 2mm amethyst crystals to the flower. I just love it... its better than I had imagined in my head.... I'v...

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 ...

Here are some pics of projects I completed ... hmmmmm .... a little while ago! First... Bald Man's Italian Tweed Linen Blazer... which was supposed to be a whole suit but I didn't have enough fabric for the pants.... he's still pouting about it too! Its not that it was hard... but very time consuming .... for some reason it looks like theres a spot on this pic.... I admit I prayed while making this collar.... oh! and the pockets... ok the whole thing! I am very happy with the way it turned out all except the sleeve vents... I'll get'em done better next time! lol !!!!! if there is a next time! My Bald Man ofcourse is super happy with it! and loves it!!! The following bags were made from New Look 6574 which I have used countless times for bags! Here's my thrift store suede patch skirt... now a cute handbag! Embellished with part of an old chain belt and some buttons taken off an old blazer. The inside has a zipper pocket and two open pockets, lined with ...

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...

The Bald Man's blazer is being worked on this week! I did the darts and front sides and I finished the pockets today. Below is a pick of the bottom welt pocket with flap. There are two of these on the bottom of the jacket. And here is the breast pocket.... They were not as hard to make as I thought they would be... I mean I can make a welt pocket and have a few times... but anytime I have to make one or any version of one I freak out... put it off... finally make it... and think... 'hmmmm, that wasn't really hard' Every time!!!! lol!!!! I am taking my own sweet time with this blazer though. If I hurry with a project like this I know it will stress me out! In crochet land I finished the most beautiful shell top that I've yet to wear! And I'm crocheting a pair of socks!!!!! I finished this one this morning!!! Now for the other one! Isn't it cute? And an one going project that will likely take all year... a "Scrap-ghan" made from left overs! Our...

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... ~1 Peter 1:3 Praise and Thanks to God for our savior Jesus Christ! I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter!