Gifts and Freebies/Sew News June/July Issue

The new June/July issue of Sew News is out and I have copies to give away...THREE COPIES!!!

This is a fun issue as it is all about summer. It has been such a cold May here in Chicago, so I am truly ready for summer and excited about doing a little summer sewing.

In this issue you'll find some great free patterns, like the big satchel below. You can download the pattern HERE.

Get all the instructions to draft this swingy fringed vest. Fun over shorts, skirts, jeans and more!

Download the pattern for this sweet blouse. You can find the pattern HERE.

And if you would like to make something special for Dad, there's a fun and easy apron pattern that you can download HERE. This is a great pattern for someone who is just learning to sew.

Remember to download the patterns by July 31st, as after that date, you'll have to purchase them!!!

In the June/July issue, you'll also find the new sew along piece, a lovely swimsuit from Papercut Patterns, the Soma  Swimsuit. I have a great behind the scenes story to share about how the suit came together. Look for that in another post :)

In this issue, you'll also find a great article from Joi Mahon on pattern transfer techniques, an article on needles where you'll learn everything there is to know about needles, and much more. This is an issue packed with great content.

If you would like an opportunity win a copy of this great issue, just leave a message on this post. I'll announce the winners next Thursday, May 26, 2016. 

Good Luck!

Rhonda

The Winner Of The Bias Cut Blueprints Book From Fashion In Harmony

My sincere apology for not getting this posted yesterday as I had promised. I had the last procedure done on my back yesterday morning and it threw me for more of a loop than I thought it would. After sleeping most of the afternoon and over 9 hours last night, I am back to myself and feeling no pain today, so I am a very happy girl!

So without further delay.....

The winner of the Bias Cut Blueprints book from Fashion In Harmony is...

Zippi Kit!!!!!

Congratulations! 

Please email me at sewbussted@yahoo.com with your mailing address. I will need to hear form you by Saturday, May 21, 2016. If I do not hear from you, I will draw a new name.  

Thanks again to all of you who made the sew along so successful. And a big thank you to Julianne Bramson for a great pattern and for hosting the book giveaway.

If by chance you are making a Magic Bias Dress, I would love to see your creation. The link-up has been extended to June 1, 2016. I would love to see what you've made and I would also enjoy showing off your creation in a follow up post, so stop by THIS post and show us your magic!

If by chance you missed the sew along posts on the Sew News blog, you can find them HERE.

Happy Sewing!

Sunday Night Reflections

Everyone has oceans to fly...

if they have the heart to do it.

Is is reckless?

Maybe.

But what do dreams know of boundaries?

Amelia Earhart 

Finishing The Magic Bias Dress

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

It's shaping up to be a very busy week. I had to laugh a little yesterday as I was out at the airport, covered in grease. You may remember that I had a tire blow out on me while landing two weeks ago. The best part of the incident is that everyone is amazed by how well I handled it all and the decisions I made. Makes me feel rather good :) The mechanic could not believe that there was no damage to the airplane, the wheel is fine, the cover that goes over the wheel is fine. Great news. Now we are in the process of taking the airplane apart and doing the yearly maintenance check that has to be done. So here I was, covered in grease, by no means a fashion plate! But it keeps life interesting :) I should have taken a few pictures. I'll be back out there in a few days after the parts arrive, so I will share a little of the experience and get pictures.

So from one extreme to another....

The final post for the Magic Bias Dress is up and I am LOVING my new dress!!! I have a meeting to attend today and I would like to wear it, but it's 50 degrees here in Chicago. Better days are coming :) You can find the post HERE on the Sew News blog.

If you do decide to make the dress, by all means consider a border print tie-dye pattern. I think the effect is so pretty.

In the post, we go over the finishing details of the dress, the sleeve, creating the French Piping, and hemming. 

The French Piping method for finishing a seam is so lovely and I can see doing this a lot in the future on necklines and armholes. 

The Sew News post does not include the color clocked dress, or the tunic. I will be doing a follow up post when I announce the winner of the Bias Cut Blueprints book next Tuesday and I will include both of those pieces.

I've really enjoyed creating the dresses and doing the sew along posts. I hope I've been able to take a little of the fear out of creating a bias cut garment. Be sure to check out the Fashion In Harmony website for other patterns and inspiration. 

Remember too that I have a link up going on THIS post, so if you do make the Magic Bias Dress, be sure to share your pictures. The link up will be extended until the end of May, so get your dresses made, I would love to see them!   

Bias Cut Blueprints Giveaway/The Perfect Way To End a Sew Along!

This is a first!!! A giveaway at the end of a sew along!

Julianne Bramson, the designer of The Magic Bias Dress and Fashion In Harmony Patterns, would like to say a special thank you for making the Magic Bias Dress sew along such a success, so she is giving away one of her books, Bias Cut Blueprints. 

The book is a fabulous workbook for anyone who enjoys bias cut patterns and would like to take a stab at drafting a few of their own.

The book begins with an explanation of the bias garment, how to take measurements, how to calculate yardage, and many other very useful bits of information.

From there you are taken into the project section. Constructing bias tubes is discussed and very clear layouts are given so there is no guess work. 

The projects begin with very simple shapes.

Once you have mastered the simple projects, you can advance into the more complicated.

There is even a section devoted to combining techniques and designs.

 

You will also find templates for necklines and armholes, so as I said, there is no guess work with this book. Every aspect of creating a beautiful bias garment has been thought of.

Due to postage costs, this giveaway is only available to U.S. residents. So sorry, but there will be other giveaways in the very near future that will be open to all.

So if you would like a chance to win the book;

1. Leave a message on this blog.
2. You must be a follower of this blog.
3. You must have a U.S. mailing address.

I will announce the winner next Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Good Luck!!!
Rhonda  

Sunday Night Reflections

Mother's Day is about the women who care for their own families 

AND

 the women who care for the lost, the abandoned, the lonely, the broken, and the needy children and adults in this world. 

Mother's Day is about the women who reflect God's love in what they do everyday, tasks that are challenging, sometimes glorious, but mostly mundane.

                                                                                                     Author Unknown

Something Sweet On A Special Day

Whether you are a mother or not, a little something sweet, I think, is most appropriate on this day :) It may not be healthy in the traditional sense of healthy, but something sweet, something special, can nourish the soul and that's important too!  

As I've shared before, I really enjoy the blog Dust Jacket Attic. Although I think she has changed the name to just Dust Jacket, but regardless, she finds some of the most beautiful pictures and the posts are always inspiring.

This past week, she posted a picture of a piece of Tres Leches Cake for her Weekend Edit post. One look and I had to make the cake, and since it's Mother's Day, I thought it might be a nice surprise for my mother too!   

This recipe has quite the chain. I saw it on Dust Jacket. She found it on AverieCooks, and I think she originally found the original version on The Pioneer Woman. AverieCooks adapted the recipe. I have not tried the Pioneer Woman's recipe, but I think I like AverieCook's version a little better. I took the recipe one step further and added 1/4 cup of rum to the milk mixture. YUMMMMM!!! Really gave it a special touch. My cake is below. Look closely and you can see the milk mixture oozing out from the bottom of the cake. This is a super moist cake.

Just a few pointers if you decide to make the cake...and BTW, you should :) Unless you can't tolerate milk products or have other health issues.

Be sure to get a nice peak on your egg whites. 

Gently fold the egg whites into the cake batter. You want to retain the volume, but yet have the two mixed well.

Once the egg whites have been combined with the batter, you will have a batter that has a spongy consistency and it will also be super light. 

Wire whisk the milk mixture together and if you like, add the rum at this point.  

Once the cake has baked, slowly pour the milk mixture over the cake and give it time to absorb the liquid along the way. 

Be sure to allow the cake to cool for at least a few hours before covering the cake. It's best to let the cake sit overnight in the refrigerator before adding the whipped cream frosting.

Just in case you missed it, you can find the recipe I used HERE.

However you are spending this day, I hope you are able to add a little something that makes you smile.

Happy Mother's Day!
Rhonda