A Cape With A Shape/Cape Super Express

It's 0 degrees in Chicago!!! Just in case you think that's an "O", it's not, it's zero :) Now, I really don't mind the cold, in fact I rather enjoy it. But as I drank my first cup of tea this morning and watched the morning news, I had to laugh a bit about the idea of zero degrees. Zero implies nothing, like a size 0, how can one be a size 0? Do they not exist? Does a temperature reading of zero mean that the thermometer has given up, there's no longer a temperature? Of course I'm not being serious, just laughing a little about the frigid weather :)

As I type out this post, I'm looking out at the river, steam rising off of the water. There are a few blocks where the water doesn't freeze due to the warm water from the filtration plant being pumped back into the river. So on cold days, the steam rising up off of the water makes for a rather beautiful sight, especially when it gets super cold and the ice crystals from the water begin to freeze in the trees. For me it's a reminder that there's always beauty if we just choose to look for it.  

Well, enough about the weather!

The new post for the Islander Sewing System Cape Super Express sew along is up on the Sew News blog, and you can find it HERE.

I decided to use a piece of denim for this cape. You can see the shape of the cape better in the denim than you can in the faux fur and velvet that I used for the other cape. It really is a pretty shape. Although it's a cape that's roomy and loose fitting, it does have shape. There are darts in the front that accent the bust, and there are darts in the back neckline that help to give the cape fit across the back. I think the pattern has been well designed. 

If you look closely at the hood below, you'll see quite a bit of  top stitching. I was determined to use the fabric that I had, but I was a little short. So the hood was cut into a number of pieces and then stitched back together. To tie it all together, I will be top stitching the cape as well. It's a little tricky, but doable. Below you also see the lining that I will be using for my cape. I always enjoy using something a little fun!

This post is basic construction. In our next post, I will show you the method I used to attach the lining to the cape at the arm slots. It's a different method than what is used in the pattern instructions, so you can see my method, and the method in the pattern, and then determine which you would like to use.

If you have not purchased a pattern, but would like to do so, you can find it HERE at Shop Sew It All.

Have a wonderful day, and if you are pretty much anywhere in the U.S. today, bundle up and stay warm!!!
Rhonda

Sew News Magazine Winners

A very Happy Monday to you all :)
My apologies for not posting the winners of the Dec./Jan. issue of Sew News magazine on Saturday as I had promised. My cold took more of a toll on me than I had expected. But, I am much better now and today is my birthday, so it couldn't be a better day to give away a little gift!

The winners are....

Ginger 
S

Congratulations ladies!!! 

Please send your mailing info by Wednesday, December 14, 2016 so I can get your magazines off to you. My email address is sewbussted@yahoo.com. 

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

A Lovely Gift

Just a quick Friday check in :) I'm FINALLY beginning to get over my cold. This one has really been a bugger! But...I look at it this way, get it over now, build up my resistance, and the winter will now be mine!!! We're expecting 8" of snow over the weekend, so come the first of the week, Gracie and I will be heading out for a good tromp through the snow :)

I received the loveliest gift this week from my sister-in-law. Her daughter is friends with Heather of Design Roots, a lovely blog BTW. My sister-in-law saw this on Heather's blog one day, thought of me, and had her do one especially for me! The calligraphy was done on a lovely piece of paper and it's about 5" x 7", so once I decide how I want to frame it, it will make a lovely piece to tuck into my studio.  

As I scrolled through Heather's blog, I thought I would share a little as it might be something you too would enjoy.

She sells these wonderful little pouches. When I saw them, my first thought was, "wouldn't it be fun to make up a pouch and then add the calligraphy?!" 

If you have never done any calligraphy work, you can purchase a guide kit that comes with everything you need to get started.



On the blog, you'll find lots of inspiration, and even a few little goodies, like the recipe for the Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins,

  
With a free printable of the recipe card that you can find HERE. What a thoughtful gift a batch of muffins with an attached recipe card would be.

Calligraphy is something I have always thought would be fun to do. So check out Heather's site. You just might find a new passion :)

Happy Friday!
Rhonda 

The Sew Along Begins With Another Surprise!

The sew along for the Islander Sewing Systems Cape Super Express has officially begun, Woo Hoo!!!, and you can find it HERE on the Sew News blog. If you have not purchased a pattern, you can find it HERE at Shop Sew It All. 

Now for some added fun!

I have 2 Sew News magazines to give away. 

In this new issue, you'll find the instructions to make this beautiful little clutch. The pattern is a free downloadable pattern, and can be found HERE. 

I love this organizer that can also be used to house an E-Reader. You can download the free pattern HERE. Just remember that the patterns will only be free until January 31, 2017, so be sure to download the pattern now!   

You'll also find a wonderful article from Joi Mahon on learning how to fit knits and knit patterns.

There's a great article on working with neoprene. The article not only covers how to work with the fabric, but you can also make this on trend jacket for free! You can find the pattern HERE. 

And finally, you'll find my article on the Cape Super Express from Islander Sewing Systems. 

If you would like to win 1 of the 2 copies, just leave a message on this post. I'll draw the winning names on Saturday, December 10, 2016. 

Good Luck!

And The Winners Are!!!/Cape Super Express Pattern Giveaway

The first full week of December is upon us. I had planned to decorate my house for the holidays over the weekend, but I came down with a nasty cold. I'm still a little congested, and my voice is basically gone, but I am feeling better. I have a special party coming up, so of course I want a new dress. I think I will venture out today and see if I can find something special, fabric wise. It's a super simple design, but I think it will be pretty. So stay tuned to see what I make :)  

Now for the day at hand...

I'm very excited about getting started on the Super Express Cape sew along. The first post will be up tomorrow on the Sew News blog. To kick off the sew along, Janet Pray, the designer behind Islander Sewing Systems Patterns has very generously made 3 patterns available to 3 lucky winners.

And the winners are...

Angela The Creative Diva

Mary Ellen

Vicki

Congratulations ladies!!! Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing information so I can pass it along to Janet. I will need to hear from you no later than Wednesday, December 7, 2016. If I don't hear from you by that date, I will draw a new name. 

Have a wonderful week!

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections