Inspiration from Chadwicks

I love these separates....
Together, they offer so many options.  That's how I feel about my V8541 collection...




Needles Up,
Always Audrey

She Sews and.... She KNITS!

Me Made Monday - Monday, April 15th -  V8541 Pink Skirt & Black RTW sweater

Katie & yarn covered shopping cart courtesy of Marietta Daily Journal

I want to send a very special "Thank You" to Katie & Susan  for inviting me and teaching me how to knit.

July 6th the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art (MCMA) will unveil it's "Yarn Bomb." The goal will be to cover portions of the museum in hand (yarn) crafted material.  As part of this initiative, the museum has hosted Knitting & Crocheting Workshops where you could learn the basics - thereby, being able to contribute to the final project! 

And, I learned how to KNIT!

So, I've always wanted (sidebar - why do I start so many sentences with "so." OMG!) to learn how to knit, but with the two needles it just wasn't something that I could pick up by myself.  I signed up for the workshop and attended last night - Thursday, April 18th.  The very gracious Susan, a MCMA volunteer, taught me how to knit in just under 2 hours.  I've learned the following techniques:

Cast On
Knit Stitch
Purl Stitch
Bind Off

I started with a small multi-colored (mostly, pinks & yellows) cotton ball of yarn and once I finish it - I'll be sure to post a picture of my work before I turn it in.  And, of course - in typical Audrey style - I totally forgot to take any pictures last night during the workshop.

The museum will accept knit/crocheted donations until June 1st.  If you have any finished or nearly finished projects that you would like to donate - the more the merrier....  For more information, here's a link to the Yarn Installation Page on the MCMA website.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Inspiration from St John

This dress reminds me of Simplicity 1609 - View C.... Now, all I need to do is find the right fabric.

 

Simplicity 1609 - the pink dress, View C

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Inspiration from St John

I think the one thing I love the most about St John is that the looks are always so classy & classic....

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Easter Skirt / V8541 for the very last time....

Monday, April 8th - MMM - Purple V8541 Skirt with Black RTW top

Essential Top Sew A Long Update - I haven't finished my shirt.... I wasn't able to spend any time this past weekend sewing like I initially planned.  Hopefully, I'll be able to work on it this weekend to complete the shirt.

V8541 Skirt - Pink & White Plaid Yarn Dyed Rayon Suiting

Of course, I love this pattern - and, it's officially retired now that I've completed this skirt.  I love the fabric - it's super soft against my skin.  Even though, I kept saying that I was going to finish the skirt to wear it to church on Easter Sunday - I didn't finish the hem until that morning.  OMG!  But, it worked out... I didn't take any pictures on Easter, but here a few shots of me wearing it to work.  Thanks, Roxy for snapping my pic!

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Best TV Show: The Great British Sewing Bee

I heard about the best new TV Show - The Great British Sewing Bee through Cidell's post on the show on her blog Miss Celie's Pants

The absolute best part is that this show is based on home sewers competing to see who is the best.  They use patterns (the first challenge was a McCall's skirt)!  I mean, I love watching Project Runway, but - that's so not who I am or what I'm able to do right now. 

And, I so feel (okay, once I get a little faster) that I could totally be on this show!  On the first episode, there were 3 challenges (I want to tell you, but you might want to see it for your self) - and, I was thinking could have done that (again, once I get a little faster)!

When I saw this last night, I said that I would watch the first few minutes - then, bookmark it to view later.... Until, I started watching.  The next thing I knew the show was over.  I really enjoyed watching this program from BBC.  I almost can't wait for Tuesday when the next episode will air.

 If you want more information - just click on the name of the show.... The Great British Sewing Bee  It's a link to the BBC web page.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

Inspiration from Burberry

I first saw a link to this amazing Burberry "Kickback Lace Trench Coat" on Erica B's - D.I.Y. Style.  And, I totally love, love, love this jacket.  It's way beyond my basic skills right now, but this amazing jacket gives me yet another reason to continue learning and striving with my sewing endeavors.

 

What I love about this jacket: color, style, LACE, and, of course, the kick-pleat on the back!

 

 

Needles Up,
Always Audrey

The 2nd Quarter Begins..... Sewing Updates

Today, is Monday, April 1st -- Me Made Monday: I'm wearing V8541 Black Skirt and a RTW top


I haven't done nearly as much as I thought I would at the beginning of the year.  As I'm looking ahead to the next few weeks, I hope that I will be able to get more sewing done.  Needless to say, there's an issue at work and although, it's not my issue --> it is my issue.  So, for the next few weeks, I'll be working Monday - Friday.  That means more time before and after work to get sewing.  And, a chance to get caught up on reading all of my favorite blogs.

The weather made a drastic change last week, so I wasn't able to wear (or, take pictures) of the projects that I have completed.  Hopefully, Atlanta's fickle weather will work with me this week!

Projects in Progress
V8815 Top - Essential Top Sew A Long. I did prepared the pattern, but I still haven't cut the fabric.  I haven't been able to work on this project as I initially planned (issues at work - smh), but I hope to have a completed shirt by the deadline.

Fabric Samples - I need to organize my fabric samples. With the 1 year challenge - I want to be able to plan the different projects that I want to make over the course of the year. So, I don't have a repeat of last year - specifically, all bottoms & no tops. Also, I want to make sure I'm working on projects where the colors work well together (to create a functional wardrobe). OMG!

NL6757 Jumpsuit - I was able to pin up the halter pants on my mom to get an idea of the fit. I may decide to get a different zipper - I was going to use black for me, but I'll try to find a pink zipper that matches the fabric for mommie. I need to read / watch you tube on inserting zippers. 3/31/2013: I really need to finish this so that I can send it to my mom for Mother's Day. Where did the time go?

V8541 Skirt- I want to get this pink skirt (and, hopefully a jacket) finished before the weather changes for good. Once, I make this skirt - I'm retiring this pattern (it starts at size 16, and, now I'm between a 12-14 in bottoms). 3/15: I spent some time with this skirt. Since, it's been a while since it was originally cut (and, re-cut) I ironed the pieces and finished the construction. Now, I just need to finish the hem. I'm planning on wearing it on Easter Sunday (although, I'll wear it before then - haha!), but I may need to buy some shoes (LOL!).  3/31/2013:  I decided to wear a pair of shoes that I have.  And, I finished the hem of the skirt this morning before heading to church.  My plans were to finish it sooner, but, the weather changed last week and I wouldn't have been able to wear it.... So, there went my motivation to get 'er done.

V1250 Dress - I've been able to get this dress fitted to my shape and now I can finally finish it! I've taken out a total of 3 inches from each side and now the dress fits perfectly (well, it's only basted) when I try it on. 3/15/2013 Before I finished this dress, I marked on the pattern pieces the size that should be cut for the waist and below, since I didn't make a FBA. Winning! I'll post a review once I'm able to get some pictures.... OH, yeah!

Brand Spanking New Projects
NL6130 - I want to make the sleeveless peplum top (View C) and the zippered skirt. I have a few different cuts of cotton fabric and now, I just need to decide which colors I want to work with to achieve my desired look. 

V7975 - Jacket using the pink and white fabric. Originally, this is something that I wanted to have completed by now, but my life has gotten in the way.

Projects for Fall / Winter Sewing
Infinity Scarf - I don't have a pattern for this, but I saw a great tutorial.

V1320 (Winter Coat) - I have the pattern, I may have the fabric (I have fabric, but I'm not sure if I want to use it for this jacket) - the biggest thing will be mustering up the courage to do it.

Completed


Color Coding Chart
Black - Project Completed 2nd Quarter 2013
Red - New Project (pattern and/or fabric hasn't been cut)
Purple - Project in Progress that needs more work..... (in example, needs to be hemmed)
Blue - Project in Progress that is very close to completion (wearable) or is completed, but needs to be reviewed.

Needles Up,
Always Audrey