Question to my neighbor: “What do you do for fun? When do you have time for yourself?” After a long pause and a sigh she answers: “I don’t know. Never.” This really struck a chord in me. Because it is in my nature to be a helper, I thought- What can I do? What can I offer to my new neighbor […]
Lol, I can’t help but laugh at this title as I’ve totally been MIA on the blog-verse (is that a word?). You should know me by now that I always have the best intentions…😉 Where have I been? Well, MOVING! The Viking and I purchased a new home so now I have my own sewing room! The last sewing room […]
When I took the Knitting hat class there were amigurumi kits on the shelf. Since I crochet, my friend asked me about them. She said they are all the rage. I gave the kits the side eye. “If I’m going to make a toy, I’m going to SEW it!”, I proclaimed. I figured sewing would be much faster. Crochet will […]
Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful and Happy Easter. 🙂 I just returned from Colonial Williamsburg, VA with my knitting friend for Spring Break. Four days filled with food, shopping, exploring, spa time, knitting and crocheting. Unfortunately it rained almost the entire trip but we still had a good time. It’s always nice to have a change of scenery. […]
Why is it that whenever you start something new, it becomes a domino effect of stuff? Not only do you need the tools to do it, but you also need the materials and a holding cell to wrangle it all. This could be anything- Camping…need the tent, sleeping bag, etc., Baking…need the pans, utensils, mixer,.even Makeup…need every shade of red […]
Last month, my friend- a knitter- asked me if I wanted to take a “Knit Your First Hat” class with her. The opportunity to hang out and “speak the same language” motivated me to become a knitter too. As per usual, I learned off of YouTube. By the time the class came around I was ready. Youtube is awesome! Now […]
Boy am I glad it’s 2024. Sharing with you my completed crochet shawl. This shawl has special meaning to me since I started it last year during the darkness of Winter. I knew it’d take awhile to complete (possibly spilling into the new year) so I chose happy colorful colors. I am calling this my “Hope” shawl. The Hope that […]
Hi folks! I took a little break from blogging during the holidays. Christmas season has been tough for me lately, so I just wanted to sit in my little corner and craft. I’m sure y’all know how it goes. But I’m back now and want to share with you what I’ve been up to! (A lot!) Fair warning that this’ll […]
This past February I started crocheting a scarf. I worked on it for 2 weeks and eventually it fell into UFO status. Once Springtime rolled around the motivation to make a scarf dwindled. Recently we took a trip to Lancaster, PA. Remembering how portable crochet projects are, I dug out the scarf to start crocheting again. Oh how easy it […]
Last Fall I taught myself how to crochet. It was because I thought Pia might be cold from wearing sleeveless dresses, haha! Yes I realize she’s a doll but I didn’t want to take on a huge time-consuming project. This lavender sweater was my first true “big” project, completed last November. Why am I blogging about it now? Well, because […]
Keeping in line with tradition, Pia chose her Halloween costume this year. I wanted to make another Princess costume since most of the pieces are already cut out, but to my surprise she chose Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice…beetle—- I used Simplicity 9567 a unisex pattern which includes a suit and tie. I remember now why I prefer making dresses- only one piece […]
Remember when I said I wanted to put myself out there more?? Well being in a Fashion Show is pretty much the pinnacle of putting yourself out there. All these eyeballs looking at you on stage…looking at my sewing….yeah, that’s putting yourself out there alright! A few weeks ago the Original Sewing and Quilt show stopped in our area. My […]
I’m pretty sure when Fifty Cent sang his famous song “In Da Club” he didn’t mean the Sewing Club. Well in this case you CAN find me in da club. American Sewing Guild, that is. One of my personal goals for my new birthday year is to put myself out there a little more. Sewing has been a solitary “sport” […]
OK, so the Guns n’ Roses concert was a blast and my “Axl” mullet skirt was a hit! Believe it or not, this was the first time I’ve ever sewn something for an event. Most of the things I sew are just for the heck of it type of things, or for a contest. But I really enjoyed the experience […]
What jungle am I talking about? I’m talking about the Jungle of Looks Axl Rose from Guns n’ Roses has been wearing over the years. This man is the epitome of “I wear whatever I want”. During the height of Guns n’ Roses popularity in the 90’s, Axl frequently sported the plaid look. He either wore a plaid shirt or […]
Presenting the Ginger Jeans by Closet Core. The fruit of my labor at sewing camp… and my first time sewing jeans. To Recap: I sewed a size 6, view B- the high waist skinny leg. Since we were on a deadline, I don’t have specific numerical adjustments. I took in a little at the center back and shaved off some […]
Believe it or not, I have never been to camp. Lots of kids go to summer camp but I always stayed home (and played with the Barbies). Blame it on the shyness. Well, now that I’m a big girl I think I could handle myself with other people, LOL. Last week, Make it Sew hosted a 4 day Jeans Sewing […]
August is my birthday month and I decided to kick off my new year by doing things that make me happy. And that…my friend, is SEWING! I just returned from a fantastic trip in Lexington, VA for Jeans Sewing Camp with Make it Sew. I took a class here last year. But before I get into that, let’s talk about […]
Let’s continue on with more Lilla Pulister aka faux Lilly Pulitzer! 😉 I had some Disney fabric leftover from the Clara legging so how about a skort? The Loulouxe pattern is little more complex since it has shorts underneath. But nothing we can’t handle! I sewed the pattern as is from the envelope as a wearable muslin. What I am finding […]
Last February when I visited Disneyworld a Lilly Pulitzer/Disney display caught my eye. I normally just look at move on since the brand is $$. But the Mickey and Minnie prints were so cute! I purchased the $50 hat and wore it the rest of my stay, justifying cost per use. Upon arriving at home I still had that magical Disney feeling […]
Back to School season is around the corner but we are still in summer mode. New batik summer dress. The pattern: Simplicity 8146. I can’t get over all the cute matchy-matchy on this one! Misses’, child and doll- this pattern has it all. Instructions: For the doll they want you to use the same construction method as the child/miss. Ok […]
With sewing there is always a new pattern to sew or a new technique to try. It’s never ending. I had this grand plan on starting a new quilt for myself, until somehow the Stand N’ Stow bag pattern by Atkinson Designs snuck into my queue. A friend has been raving about this bag. She said it only took her […]
In true fashion, Pia got in on the action. Always thinking I’m sewing for her, she started selecting the mini blocks. And putting them on her the bed. She even tried to select a blanket for her own doll. Really?? LOL To be fair, I did say last year I’d make her bed sheets to cover her upgraded mattress. But […]
Ok so let’s state the obvious: I haven’t been blogging. But actually this is for good reasons! The Activewear kick I was on the last few months was so great in that I wore that stuff RIGHT AWAY! Like directly into wardrobe rotation…didn’t even get a chance to get proper pictures. This never happens. Everything I’ve sewn has been worn […]
Well, the day has come. It’s time to reenter the world of human clothing. *gasp* Sorry Pia, you have enough clothes! Now that I have a bit of serger knowledge, I’ve decided to explore the world of activewear. YES, activewear! I once said I’d never sew workout clothes because I love shopping at Athleta. Their clothes are of good quality […]
I’m starting to get really excited about sewing again. It’s almost the same feeling I had when I learning how to sew nearly three years ago. Lately sewing has been on the brain so much it’s been keeping me up at night. The itch to sew (human sized) garments is coming back. My Pinterest boards are exploding with ideas and […]
March is here and I’m feeling revived and renewed. I do love the month of March, mainly because everything is GREEN! Over the years green has become one of my favorite colors. Naturally, shamrock print would catch my eye at Joann’s. Lucky Pia will get a new dress for St. Patrick’s Day. I don’t always draw out what’s in my […]
Presenting my first finished project of 2023…in March. Yes, March! Yes we are 3 months in already but this has been a really tough year in my personal life so it’s kept me away. I sometimes forget that sewing is a stress reliever and that I should create more things. Pia has been wearing her sunshine yellow PJs for almost […]
Whether it be the sparkly tiaras, wands or tutus, I consider myself a girly girl and have always loved princess anything. As a child I read a lot of fairy tales and watched Disney movies. Naturally, sewing something magical would be on my radar. After perusing doll patterns on Ebay, I purchased Simplicity 1581. Squealing with excitement, I asked Pia which […]
As I mentioned in previous posts, I wanted to backlog a few projects. This is the Elvira quilt, completed last August. The Viking and I saw this quilt on display at a LQS while on vacation this past summer. He loved it so much and asked me to make it for him. Well, his wish was granted! The quilt kit […]
I have to chuckle at the title of this post because it’s true. 2022 was the hardest Test in my personal life so inevitably it affected my Sewing goals. I had a great start to 2022 in garment sewing, including creating a personal sloper- and then suddenly Sewing took a different direction. Let’s quickly review my 2022 goals and if I made […]
All nine Christmas quilts are finally documented here on my blog! It will be fun to look back on these projects. I’m glad I can finally catch up and write again. 🙂 Final Thoughts: Even if the recipient doesn’t know a thing about sewing they DO KNOW that it takes time to make one. And that’s really what you’re giving. […]
Well here we are! The last installment of the Christmas Quilt Adventure. Quilt #8: Hawaii Quilt Construction Photos: Pattern: Button Box Book: Quilts in a Jiffy Changes: Added additional row on side and bottom and enlarged the border. Used 2.5″ binding strips. Size: Oversized throw 56″ x 72″ Completion Time: 10 days. This is the longest as November was super […]
Let’s keep it going, shall we?! Quilt #4: Nine Patch Sailboat Pattern: Nine Patch Book: 3 Yard Quilt Favorites Changes: Added an additional row on the side and bottom. Used 2.5″ binding strips Size: Oversized throw 53″ x 71″ Completion Time: 3 days Notes: I used EQ8 to preview before it was sewn. This is the second time I’ve sewn […]
So now may I present the fruit of my labor! Quilt #1. Red white and blue! Pattern: Hopscotch Book: 3 Yard Quilt Favorites Changes: Added a 5″ border, used 2.5″ binding strips and pieced the back with the leftovers! Size: Oversized throw at 54″ x 78″ Completion Time: 6 days Notes: This was the first time I pieced a backing. […]
Hi, hello- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Lol, we might as well throw in Happy Halloween and Happy Thanksgiving. I’m like a ghost that appears and reappears! Where have I been? Well for the past three months I’ve been deep into Elf Mode, sewing Christmas quilts for family. It was hard to keep it all a secret. That combined […]
What to say about this dress? It was an unplanned project. But I am finding that these unplanned projects that sneak into your queue are quite liberating. I didn’t take a lot of construction photos of this one either. I just let Pia guide me in what she wanted. After the Apple dress she wanted something that was less “cutesy”. […]
October is here and with it comes the drop in temperature. Pia is cold. Therefore, I am starting to teach myself how to crochet. I decided to make her a wrap. Yes, I could have just sewn one. But something about weaving the fabric itself was calling out to me. It has that cozy homemade feel. That and the fact […]
Pia’s been asking me for a new Fall dress to go with the changing season. Because Pinterest always seems to read my mind, an apple dress showed up on my feed. Reminiscent of my own favorite dress of my youth, I knew this was it. Pia saw the pic, loved it and put me to work. I don’t have an exact […]
As promised, here is my Through the Window Again Quilt. I am slowly catching up on my August “Show and Tell” makes on the blog so hang tight! A lot of the quilts I’ve made the past few months have been kits, but I personally hand selected the fabric on this one. I was drawn to the floral print. Hot […]
August came and went, wowza. My lack of updates has been due to more unexpected circumstances which kept me away from writing. But I didn’t stop sewing! I have one quilt that I haven’t shared yet (needs pics) and one currently at the longarmer. So I am a little behind, please bear with me. I have, however, have gone into […]
Another 3 yard quilt is done! This quilt is different in that I started with Fabric Cafe’s “Dancing Geese” pattern but ended up with a completely different design. Wait, what?! Allow me to explain. After creating my half square triangles I played with the layout. This is what the Dancing Geese pattern is supposed to look like: And these are […]
Hi folks! It’s been a long time. Long story short: We went on summer vacation to Ireland and caught COVID. Lesson Learned: COVID doesn’t care where you are…it’ll find you. (We’re better now.) Bah! But we did have a fun couple of days before we realized something wasn’t right. Like seeing this Downpatrick Head. And climb the Croagh Patrick- Ireland’s […]
Hello! I’m currently on summer travels, taking a break from blogging. Some quick snapshots over on my Instagram though- @rosiesewstoo Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. 🙂
Last month it occurred to me that Pia might be tired of standing in the corner. I purchased a bed so she can lay down and close her eyes for awhile. After researching, I found the Ikea Duktig doll bed. It’s a pretty good value, nicer than some other doll beds I had seen and is a lot wider so […]
The Nine Patch pattern comes from Fabric Cafe’s book “3 Yard Quilt Favorites” by Donna Robertson. I am loving these books. LOVING. Their concept is to have one focus fabric, one light colored fabric and one dark. That’s it! The instructions are so easy to understand and they also give you instructions on how to enlarge the quilt to twin, […]
Since the weather has been so spectacular, I’ve been trying to take advantage and spend more time outdoors before it gets uncomfortably hot. It is no secret that I love fashion, clothing and antiques, so I am sharing some things I found inspirational over the past week. Over the weekend we spent the day in Washington, D.C. I feel very […]
Every now and then I will stumble upon fabric that instantly “talks” to me. Last week this happened at Joann’s with this Disney The Little Mermaid print. As soon as my eyes saw it amongst the rest of the Disney prints, I “saw” the completed dress in my mind with ruffles and contrasting lavender details. I purchased it on impulse […]
My Tea Time quilt I started last fall is officially out of UFO status! This post is well overdue. Due to the holiday hustle bustle it fell into the “unfinished object” world. Here we are 6 months later revisiting this colorful creation. There are so many great things about this quilt. The main one is that it’s a free pattern […]
“Hello Quilting my old friend…I’ve come to sew with you again…” (Sung to the tune of “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel) I know, so cheesy, lol. Taking a break from garment sewing and back in the Quilting World. My latest project is the Nine Patch quilt from Fabric Cafe’s book “3 Yard Favorites” 2nd Edition. I really like […]
Well I’m getting back into the swing of things which is a good sign. I am staying positive. I can’t allow myself to stay in a long term grief state. There is just so much more life to live! Pia’s been lifting my spirits. What is it about this doll?! She makes me smile. Every time I look up and […]
May is here. I have been absent. Since it is extremely personal and this is a sewing blog, I will refrain from writing about it. Just know that the month of April contained not only the highest joys of my life, but also my deepest lows. Pia the doll has been with me since the very beginning. I bought her before […]
It’s been gray and raining all week. It’s making me blue and I’ve been longing for the sun. Pia’s been lifting my spirits though by her blank stare. Honestly I don’t know if I sew for her out of love or out of fear, LOL. I’m not as afraid of her as when I first got her but sometimes it […]
The Sewing Bee contest is currently in full swing on Pattern Review. What is the Sewing Bee contest? Similar to Project Runway, the Sewing Bee is a sewing competition with 4 rounds. There is a theme. You don’t know the theme until DAY OF and then you have a whole week to execute your vision. There are judges who decide […]
Woo hoo! My Kermes dress is complete! I’m really glad I decided to focus more attention on self-drafting because this dress is my favorite one yet. I like it so much I want to make another version. I’m really pleased with the successful draping and also the last minute decision to install boning. Kermes has a lot of heft and […]
Lili’s hair was a matted mess after I took her out of the box. I fixed it…and it was a strange soothing feeling doing so. Feelings of being a kid flooded my entire being and the trance-like urge to make her new clothes set in. I made Simplicity 1484 View A without the belt. The first thing I noticed is that […]
Since I’ve been practicing darts on the quarter scale it had me thinking. How about I try sewing on a smaller scale? It’d be a good way to practice ideas and techniques without wasting fabric. Plus then I can use up scraps! I did some research and all the half scale body forms were about $100+, which is out of […]
Lol, the title of this post seems so sinister, doesn’t it?! Well that’s what I did! Manipulate the darts. The bodice sloper class is still fresh on my mind so I was eager to play and experiment with dart manipulation. Other than the SBA I did on the Monet Dress, I haven’t really done much with darts. I’ve mostly been […]
Hi hello! I am back from a mini getaway/sewing weekend in Lexington, Virginia. I had so much fun! So nice to get away since it seems like it’s been forever since we’ve been able to travel. Continuing on my quest to learn pattern drafting, I took a 3 day bodice block/sloper class at Make it Sew in historic Lexington, VA. […]
One really awesome thing about sewing is that you can build upon existing skills. Over the holidays I was lucky enough to score three Gertie books secondhand for the price of one, patterns included! I’ve been absorbing so much info that I am so curious by her techniques. In true form, I went down the rabbit hole of garment construction […]
A big goal of 2022 is to continue to learn draping and patternmaking. Surely I own a princess seamed bodice somewhere in my pattern hoard, but I am finding that draping is much faster than flat pattern adjustments from a commercial pattern. Mandy the Mannequin is my twin, so I don’t have to do any SBAs, shorten the bodice length, […]
Well my January project is finally done….in February! Lol I put my holiday reading into practice on this dress, with lots of “firsts” in couture techniques. Committed to using stash fabric, I used stash brocade, which was a win…until it wasn’t. The dress is a “Monet.” Now this certainly isn’t a dig on Monet, just that the dress looks much different […]
..All we need is just a little patience…” Ok so maybe Axl Rose wasn’t exactly singing about my Simplicity 1873 dress but the same idea of just “letting things be” applies, LOL Yes. PATIENCE! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- sewing is a major test of patience. I really thought this dress would be a quick one. […]
The title of this post is a bit tongue in cheek- does anyone really have FUN with FITTING?! Maybe those who fit the pattern right out of the envelope, or if your last name is Palmer or Pletsch.😉 For me fitting is the most time consuming part of garment sewing and I believe it’s the biggest hurdle for most. There’s an […]
So what’s my first project of 2022?? We are going designer. Cynthia Rowley’s Simplicity 1873. I really like her designs and have been collecting quite a few. I am pairing this up with brocade from the fabric stash. I am excited to have a fancy new frock but am a little nervous to sew the brocade. I read that brocade […]
Hi, hello and Happy New Year 2022!!! Here we are again, a new year and another fresh start. In 2021 mid-year when I lost my sewjo, I started to reevaluate the type of garments I sewed. It kinda bothered me I wasn’t wearing any of them. I convinced myself I was sewing for a “fantasy self” and that I should […]
And now….(drumroll please) time for the 2021 round up! I’m a big Excel nerd so here we go! For those who don’t like numbers feel free to just look at the pie chart, lol. 2021 Sewing by Category Quantity # of unfinished UFO Grand Total Accessory 45 45 Craft 22 22 Garment 12 2 14 Charity 4 4 Home […]
Santa’s Workshop is officially CLOSED for the season! I tricked my family into thinking I purchased the Easy Does It Bags. My Uncle was shocked when he learned I sewed all his gifts. He loved his Naval Academy so much he tossed his current toiletry bag right into the trash and moved all his stuff in right away! I do […]
A very Merry Christmas to you! This will be a quick post since I’ve been battling a pretty bad cold the past week or so. Luckily the covid test was negative. I’ve been offline resting, reading and recovering. Finally feeling well enough to jump on here so the worst of it is over! (Thank goodness!) I’ll be back soon with […]
Y’all. I’m so impressed with this bag. It stands up on its own, the raw edges are bound and the directions were easy to follow. This could be the be all end all for me as far as bag/pouches go! I’ve been intimidated by ByAnnie bags since the directions have a lot of steps and it can be overwhelming. But […]
Can’t believe December is already here. Santa’s Workshop is open! Time for holiday sewing! Combing through my pattern hoard I came across Simplicity 8035: various ornaments with options for stuffed animals- star, gingerbread man and yeti. They all look so smiley and cute; I couldn’t resist sewing them. They are made of felt, embroidery thread and stuffing. That’s it! Pretty […]
Continuing with our contest tradition, The Viking and I had quality bonding time while taking pictures of the Celebration Dress. We shot “on location” in rural PA during our Thanksgiving weekend visit to my in-laws. It was about 34 degrees with a blustery frigid wind but that didn’t stop us from having a fun time. The Celebration Dress is so […]
My inspiration for the Anniversary Contest comes from the Dolce & Gabanna Summer 2021 Runway, first seen in the Inspiring Fashion Forum on PatternReview. I wrote about this back in December and since I’ve been into quilting lately I knew this designer dress would be perfect for a Barginista Fashionista challenge. My Celebration Dress is my favorite thing I’ve made […]
Hi everyone! Just popping in to give a quick update on all my projects so far. Halloween quilt: I was finally able to take home the Halloween quilt top from my (former) workplace where it was on display. I had hoped it would be put on the longarm at work but I will need to finish this one at home. […]
This month of November Pattern Review is hosting a Anniversary Contest to celebrate the website turning 20 this year. Wow, 20 years of helping other sewists make better decisions in pattern purchases, fabrics, sewing machines etc. I have said this before, but this website (Sewing Pattern Review Online Sewing Community) has been such an amazing and helpful resource in my […]
With my newfound quilting kick I went down the rabbit hole of YouTube, books etc. It’s pretty much the next step in becoming an addict, along with chatting on Pattern Review with other fellow quilters. And I’m sure it doesn’t help I am surrounded by the latest and greatest fabrics and sewing machines at work. A few weeks ago the […]
Now that I’ve sewn an actual quilt, what are my thoughts? 1. Quilting can get pricy. Ok, so technically my quilt materials were covered by my employer but high quality quilting cotton costs over $11/yard. There is a “3 yard quilt” movement out there where you can squeeze one out in little yardage, aka “economy quilt” but that doesn’t include […]
After 16.5 hours, the Halloween quilt is FINALLY done! Well, the quilt top at least. The entire thing took about 9 days total, with me tinkering with it about 2 hours a day. I find that I cannot sew anymore than that, otherwise I go cross-eyed and the lines become wonky. But wowza! This quilt was quite a JOB but […]
During my time off from sewing, I began to reevaluate the handmade clothes I sewed and actually wore. So much time and work goes into sewing clothes and I realized that I wasn’t wearing the majority of what I had made. In fact, the most worn item I’ve sewn is the blue dress from last year and that gosh darn […]
Pattern Review is hosting a mini wardrobe contest this month. This contest holds a special place in my heart since I participated last year and won 2nd place! I had only been sewing for 4 months at the time and learned so much in that contest period. This time around though it’s only 5 garments- 3 tops and 2 bottoms […]
Over the summer I took a sashiko class. What is sashiko? It’s a Japanese sewing technique where you create designs in the fabric using little stitches. It was used as visible mending, but you can create designs into the fabric, similar to embroidery. The class was for a zipped lined pouch. We were given fabric options and used a glue […]
As soon as I learned of the Baptismal Ministry, I knew I wanted to volunteer. What better way to use my sewing skills for the good of others?! Besides, it’ll be for a baby so it wouldn’t be as daunting as sewing an entire dress with fittings, etc. etc. With a renewed spirit, I was anxious to roll up my […]
Hi, hello everyone! Please excuse my absence for the past few months. After being 100000% about sewing month after month I ran out of steam. I took a little step back and started taking more in person classes with the hope of reigniting that flame. I started to sew smaller projects (ones that didn’t require fitting) and started to really […]
Can we be done with this thing yet? Lol, just kidding. I find it so amusing and ironic I’ve sewn this pattern so many times, especially since I rated it so low on PR and complained about it in my last couple of posts. But guess what, my MIL (Mother-in-Law) loved my blue top so much, she requested one for […]
Since I had already traced out my pattern beforehand I was ready to go with the top once I got to class. There was only one other student there. She brought in a beautiful crepe de chine. Compared to my navy woven, her top turned out so floaty and feminine. It’s pretty neat how different the same top could look […]
*This blog post is a long time coming- I apologize in the delay! For some reason I was unable to get any good pics of this Wiksten pattern over the last couple of weeks. After working on small projects it’s time to sew garments again! I really like having a break where I don’t have to worry about fitting. Small […]
I’ve been taking classes at 2 different shops, dividing my time (and money! lol) between the two. Both owners are super nice and there really is a big difference between a mom and pop store vs. a big box store. Not only is the fabric quality superior but also you just get better customer service and advice from the employees […]
Two weeks ago I attended an Open Sew session at a local shop. Open Sew is when you can go to their classroom, park it at a table and work on whatever you want for a few hours. Due to covid restrictions there is a limited number of people in the room so you have to pre-register. There were 2 […]
Continuing my Pattern Bingo on this Kwik Sew pattern! 2 out of the 5 views have been made, let’s go for 1 more with the tote bag! Making a bag has always on my list of “to make”. I had some leftover pre-quilted fabric so I decided to sew View A of Kwik Sew 4288. I found the instructions to […]
After a contest I like to slow it down and work on smaller projects. It’s like running. You can’t run 10 miles everyday and not expect your body to feel worn out or burned out. You have to pull back and take a day off or just run or walk 2-3 miles instead just to keep the legs moving. I’m […]
Last week I attended my first garment sewing class at a local shop. We made the Adrienne Blouse by Friday Pattern Company. The class happened to fall during Sewing Bee Round 2, so I was all out of sorts. There was only one other student. Boy was she a hoot! We had an entire 6 foot table to ourselves and she […]
“One day you’re in…the next day you’re out.” – Heidi Klum The results for Sewing Bee Round 2 were just released. I did NOT move forward. It was really tough competition! There were SO many great entries and the creativity was through the roof. Sadly this is not an episode of Project Runway when everyone is immune. Half of us […]
When the contest theme was announced my mind ran wild with pattern possibilities. I even started tracing some of them out. This all changed once I went to Goodwill. My intention was to pick up blue jeans for a specific idea but I was immediately drawn to the brightly colored teal, cobalt and coral denim. I couldn’t pass those up. […]
Woo hoo! I passed Round 1! Yay! So excited to make my goal and that I didn’t get stung by the Sewing Bee. But now my new goal is to PASS Round 2. There was a lot of speculation on what the theme would be for Round 2. We all guessed darts, tucks, gathers, collars or sleeves. Some kind of […]
For this the contest I knew I wanted to show my roll tabs in action so I planned some goofy shots around the house- one at the kitchen sink, a few in the bathroom and of course me modeling my new pajamas. It actually worked out pretty well since the lighting was easy for those other locations. Often times we […]
Alright! Well here we go- Simplicity 8803 PJs were the choice for the Sewing Bee Contest Round 1. I love matching top and bottom pjs so I had picked up this pattern early on when I was learning how to make pj pants. I had intended to make a matching top but was putting off the button thing, mentally thinking […]
Round 1 of the Sewing Bee Contest has begun! We have 7 days to create pajamas that are unique to us. A top and bottom set. 7 days to sew, review and photograph. I love pajamas so I’m happy to hear this as the first challenge. But not any kind of pjs will work here… we have to create something […]
Last Fall when I was competing in the contests on PatternReview I heard about The Sewing Bee contest. I was encouraged by another member to look into it. This contest is one that is supposed to challenge you to the limits! It is an elimination contest like Project Runway. They give you theme- a technique, or idea and you’re supposed […]
My plan for the terno top is to use Simplicity 1693. It is the perfect base and has side darts, giving it some shape. Obviously the Filipinana butterfly sleeves are not something you would find in the Big Four patterns. This top is unique in that I am basically taking ideas, patterns and inspiration from all over the internet. (Read […]
When I was a kid my parents would take us to local Filipino cultural events. It usually started with a Church service then afterwards there would be a huge party complete with lots of food and a Tinikling folk dance performance. The dance is like double dutch jump rope, where the dancers are in the middle trying not to get […]
How much time do I spend sewing? The answer: A LOT. It’s part of my daily routine. I’m a firm believer in practice makes perfect and if you dedicate a lot of time to something it’ll eventually become second nature. The more time you spend the better you’ll get! The thing with sewing though is that there’s always something to […]
We are experiencing a winter wonderland here in Virginia. It falls so slowly and gives me a peaceful feeling. Even though we are in the dead of winter- what some may call “Blanduary”, I am dreaming of warm weather and have already started sewing Spring/Summer clothing. The peeps over at McCalls must have heard our cry for something new and […]
Woo hoo! The peplum top is finally done!! This top took longer than most projects because of 1. Life and 2. it had more pieces. There are 8 pieces in the bra top alone! The entire ordeal took about 9 days, including creating the muslin. (See blog post: McCalls 7752 Mock-Up) It didn’t help that I couldn’t figure out the […]
I attended a quilting class yesterday! My first real class on sewing. Kinda funny my first class on sewing is on quilting not garment sewing. The class was held at a quaint shop nearby. I had never been there before or knew it existed! I learned of this shop through a google search. It was like being in a candy […]
I really like white during the summertime. It’s so fresh looking! I am making my new corset top in white cotton because it reminds me of my old top, lol. I feel like I’m making new versions of old clothes- but hey, as they say Fashion repeats itself!😉 I chose an 100% cotton eyelet from Joanns. It had good reviews […]
In my 20’s I owned a beautiful white corset top by Marciano. I remember when I purchased this in Miami. It had adjustable bra straps, side zip, pleats all around, lace trim and I LOVED it. I used to wear it with a sequined/beaded strap bra, showing of course-that was the look back then! (Thank you Carrie Bradshaw, lol) I […]
What is it about me and purple??! Everything I’ve been sewing lately and attracted to has been PURPLE. I don’t know why…it’s not even my favorite color! According to color-meaning.com, the color purple “enlightens, inspires, uplifts and encourages”. Maybe I am subconsciously attracted to it because I do feel uplifted when I see the completed garment. These pants were a […]
Woo hoo! Competed View B of Simplicity 8926. I am very happy with how it turned out! The shade of purple is beautiful. Reminds me of the Filipino ube ice cream color. Made of purple yams. It’s screaming summer ! Simplicity 8926 top has 5 pieces. A front, back, front/back neckband, sleeve band and sleeves. Interfacing is used for the […]
Spring is in the air…well, not really. Who are we kidding, it’s 32 degrees outside!!! Correction: Spring is in my mind! The past few days I’ve been flipping through my pattern binder book for my next project, looking for possibilities and writing down any pattern numbers. They say you either sew based off of a pattern or based off of […]
Yesterday I was all ready to reveal my next Wardrobe Collection and execution plans. I had the blog post draft and everything! I had planned this collection last November after the LBD contest. I was so hyped I created another Wardrobe Collection for fun. The puzzle of “will this go together” was something I very much enjoyed. But the timing […]
Oh Kwik Sew how do I love thee? Except you did me WRONG this time. How could you?! Kwik Sew 180 is so stinkin cute with its chair and matching ottoman. It reminds me of a chair I’d see in an Anthropologie or a Free People store. Kinda boho looking with its mismatched fabrics. I thought I’d make one as […]
Can you believe it’s the last day of 2020?! 2020 was so full of hope in the beginning- the ringing in of the “Roaring Twenties”. We were all so excited about what was ahead. I kicked off this year by visiting family in California and digging for gems in a gem mine. Then February came and I ran the Disney […]
2020 Items sewn (6 months): 32 face masks 9 large hotpads 5 small potholders 5 shirts 4 pajama pants 4 dresses 3 toppers (cardigan/jacket) 2 handwarmers 2 scrunchies 1 lounge pant 1 apron (still in muslin state) ….and a partridge in a pear tree! 68 total items. 68! That breaks down to about 2.5 pieces a week. Wowza. It is […]
I knew I wanted to make my mom a garment for Christmas. After sewing all the small home decor projects I wanted to jump back into an easy sew. I chose Kwik Sew 4199 because it only had 3 pieces- a fronts, a back and a sleeve. It had a little more pizazz compared to a regular straight hemmed cardigan […]
Success! Despite the fact that our big Christmas celebration with extended family was cancelled due to covid concerns, my DIY hotpads and handwarmers were a hit! I heard from everyone via text. They loved the larger sized hot pads and my little brother thought the handwarmers were really cool. He immediately recognized his upcycled pj pants, lol. I also faked […]
Took a few days to be offline to spend time with family during the holidays. Wishing you all a wonderful, safe, healthy and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! May you all be filled with joy and peace today.
We celebrated Christmas early with the Viking’s family over the weekend. When it came time for presents, I watched in anticipation as they opened their DIY gifts. Their eyes lit up in delight at the large hotpad and were particularly appreciative of the size. You can never have too many potholders! I was expecting this. Something else happened that I […]
Bah! So I am still working on assembly line sewing. I still have a handful to do and I’m kinda dreading making that bias tape for the potholders. I am debating folding down the edges just so this project can be over. I think after a certain time I get bored of things and need something new. That’s partially the […]
When I was a child I would give crafty gifts all the time. Drawings, handmade ornaments, birthday cards..all kinds of things. Ask my aunt- she still hangs the yarn wreath ornament I made when I was on 5 on her Christmas tree every year. When you’re a kid nobody thinks twice of it. But as an adult all the sudden […]
I was perusing YT getting ideas for homemade Christmas gifts and came across a large hot pad DIY. Looked pretty simple so I went to Joanns for quilting cotton. I chose an avocado toast print for the more “subdued” family members and a bold peppers print for everyone else. The peppers remind me of my late grandfather’s garden. Sewing the […]
When my little brother found out I was learning how to sew, his eyes got big and said, “I have some fabric you might be able to use.” I was confused. Turns out he had cut the pant legs off his pajama pants to make shorts. (I guess he runs hot at night). He hands me the plaid flannel and […]
WOW!!! My deep plum dress won first place in the PR Little Basic Dress contest!!! Gosh. I feel so honored that it got so many votes! I’m speechless. The sheath dress silhouette had so much versatility and I really enjoyed putting all the looks together. It makes me smile to think that half of them I modeled using a RTW […]
Somehow I have acquired almost 200 patterns. When I say acquired I mean I went a little crazy. I admit it. The first step is to admit you have a problem. I do. It’s hard to resist a sale! Joanns and Hobby Lobby run sales so frequently- Butterick, McCalls and Kwik Sew go down to $1.99. Vogue to $6.99. They […]
I have officially been sewing for 6 months today! I know it sounds cheesy that I’m keeping track, but I like to see my progress and reflect on it. I’m like that about life in general, so it’s natural that I would be doing this for my new hobby. When I started making masks back in June, I never thought […]
December 11, 2020: I just pulled together this blog in 2 days, trying to recap everything that has happened in the past six months! I just really wanted to document this experience and share my sewing journey since it has been so incredibly fulfilling in so many ways. After the Little Basic Dress contest ended I fell very ill for […]
November 31st arrived, the final day of the contest. I had finished the dress the day before but by 3pm I was POOPED. The Viking asked me if I wanted to take pictures and I just couldn’t muster the energy. We decided to take the pics early before he left for work the next day. I didn’t go all out […]
Simplicity 1314 is a Cynthia Rowley pattern I found at Fabric Hut, a fabric store in Norfolk, VA. They had out of print patterns there and I picked it up. The girl on the front was wearing this dress with a faux-leather panel and I was completely intrigued by it. I thought about making this version for the contest but […]
I was so high off my placing in the Wardrobe Contest that I decided to join the Little Basic Dress contest last minute. The contest ran from November 1-31. Wardrobe Contest ended the 15th, and I joined the LBD contest on the 17th, 2 days later. The whole thing I pulled together in a ridiculous amount of time. I am, […]
After I submitted my entry I anxiously waited for a week for the results. Did I really have a chance?! I finally revealed to my friends that I had been learning how to sew since June and showed them what I had created. I don’t know why I felt so secretive about it but I guess sometimes you just want […]
I was chugging along with full speed ahead for a good month. Come October I made some changes to the plan. Like life things don’t always go as planned. Changes- Replace face mask accessory with polka dot/stripe scarf, headband, belt combo – I didn’t even bother talking about this because it was just such a simple piece. A piece of […]
And here we are! The final piece from the Wardrobe Contest. My floral ponte jacket. My absolute favorite thing I’ve sewn so far. My piece de resistance. I had mentioned that this jacket was one I had envisioned since July, even before I started sewing clothes. The fabric swatch from Mood was part of the first swatch packet I ordered […]
This pattern is from Tilly’s Stretch! Book, which is all about sewing knits. I’ve been using this book as a resource since she gives tips on how to sew them. This is the only pattern I’ve sewn so far and I find the sizing to be accurate. As part of my wardrobe contest plan, I was originally going to sew […]
My mom asked me why I was making another blue dress. The answer is that it matched, lol. Simplicity 8557 is a great pattern. It has so many options in it- a top, duster, capri pants and a dress. It’s labeled “Easy” and boy was it! It’s only 3 pieces- front, back and sleeve. It also uses bias tape. For […]
After doing my paper doll exercise in finding “holes” in the wardrobe plan, I decided that I would use the 1 yard rayon crepe remnant I had from my Butterick 6677 dress. Even though that fabric was kind of hard to sew, I thought it had the right amount of drape. Besides, what was I going to do with that […]
This was another quick sew Kwik Sew pattern that lived up to its name. This tunic has raglan sleeves and no finished waist measurements so it was pretty easy to fit. I sewed this in size XS using Ralph Lauren matte jersey from Mood in the color Pink Dahlia. With 95% polyester, 5% spandex it had a really nice drape. […]
I had ordered some nylon/spandex navy blue compression fabric from Mood, with the hopes of creating actual leggings. What I liked about this fabric is that is so blue it’s almost black and it was very stretchy. I sewed Simplicity 8212 in a size S based on my body measurements. I was feeling pretty good about this pattern because I […]
When I saw the black and white reversible fabric at Joanns, I knew immediately it was going to be a drapey cardigan. One side is black and white stripes and the other side is black and white polka dots. It was just fun. I also knew I wanted to take advantage of that reversible fabric so I could wear it […]
I was so excited about creating this wardrobe collection I couldn’t sleep. Seriously. I woke up early in the mornings thinking about it. “Could I really do this?!”, I asked The Viking. He said I could do it. (He’s always right.) I find that when you’re scared of doing something, it sometimes means it’s good for you. You learn so […]
Here we are getting into the truly exciting part of my sewing journey thus far! In early September I was perusing the sewing forums on PR and saw that they would host a Wardrobe Contest, running 2 months from Sept 15-Nov 15. The first place winner would receive $100 gift certificate from Fabric Mart. The 2nd place would receive a […]
*Since I am recapping the last 6 months I am giving highlights here and there about my patterns and will refer you to the reviews on PR for the time being. Once we get caught up to present day I will be able to give more thoughts in the moment on sewing that particular pattern.* In September I decided I […]
When I was a little girl I used to cry if I had to wear pants. I just always wanted to wear a dress, preferably pink, and it BETTER have some kind of frilly lace or tutu, otherwise run the risk of a meltdown, lol. When I got older I still enjoyed wearing this style (sans meltdown) and loved Carrie […]
…..TRY, TRY AGAIN. I did. I sewed Simplicity 1563, a unisex pattern with lots of sleepwear options. I decided to go for pajama pants again. I sewed a size XS and they fit way better. But I messed up on fabric, AGAIN. The fabric I chose was a lighterweight cotton from Joanns. I was happy with the end result but […]
Upon receiving Tilly’s Dressmaking Love at First Stitch book I was completely engulfed with the idea of making clothing. Bored from the apron I decided to work on a new project: Pajama pants. (Sadly the apron still remains in my closet in muslin state.) Tilly’s book has the patterns printed on both sides so I got some practice tracing the […]
In September I felt the need to proclaim my newfound love for sewing so I posted this on a sewing forum. To my surprise someone asked if I was a professional writer, LOL. That gave me a good laugh but it did spin my gears into possibly starting a blog. Reasons Why I Think Being a Beginner is Fun: 1. […]
My mother lives about 4 hours away so I sent her a pic of me wearing my new mask, not thinking anything of it. Well guess what, she put in an order for 5. FIVE?!!! I thought that was a lot but she justified it saying that QVC sells them in 5 packs, lol. Her birthday was in June so […]
This past May The Viking and I sold our country home of 3 years and moved back into the city. I saw this as a new chapter in life and was pondering the idea of learning how to sew. I was reluctant to start as it seemed like an expensive hobby and the whole “what if” scenario of another thing […]
Hello! Welcome to my new blog Rosie Sews Too. Here I will discuss my new sewing hobby, share reviews and thoughts on fashion. I may go off topic a bit every now and then. Not really sure what direction this will lead but I am happy to share my sewing journey with you! Why Rosie Sews Too?! Well, funny story. […]
