One Year Challenge

A few days ago a comment was left on an Instagram post about my shoe collection. What struck me as I read the comment was that when I was growing up, I never had more than 1 pair of shoes. At one point all the girls were getting these gorgeous patent leather shoes that were cut low into the toe area. I so wanted a pair. When my cousin who is quite a bit older than me came out dressed for her prom, she took my breath away. The dress was so pretty, but what I focused on was the shoes. They had the sweetest cutouts on the sides. Years later, I told my cousin how I loved every detail of her prom outfit, but the shoes!!!, and I went on to describe them. She was shocked as she had forgotten the details. I dreamed that I would one day have lovely shoes. When I read that comment, a dream that I had forgotten about came back to me, and I realized that the dream came true. 

I'm still behind with catching up on my 1 Year Challenge here on the blog, but I'm working on it :)

 August 3rd...

I made this outfit last year. It was part of a challenge that Becky of Trial Balloons and I did. I used antique kimono pieces to create the top. It's a favorite for sure! I used the free Chelsea Linen Raglan Tee pattern from fabrics-store.com for the top. The pants were made with the free pajama pant pattern from Martha Stewart.   

In the video you'll see that I added pockets to the back of the pants.

I somehow managed to delete the video I did for this outfit. The pants are from Paprika Patterns. The tee is from Pattern Union and it's the Molly Tee that I have made many, many times :) The tee really offers itself to using scraps as I did with the flower print on the back.

The next day I was out flying. I found myself in Superior, WI of all places. I can now say that I have seen Lake Superior. They had this enormous float plane on display. Of course I HAD to take a picture!!! I'm wearing the self-drafted pants that I had worn a week or so before. 

                  

Just to give you an idea of how enormous this plane really is. What a thrill it would be to climb into something like this and be behind the controls!!! 

This dress is from Islander Sewing. I used the Easy V Express Top to create the dress.  

It's a swishy, fun dress to wear :) 

Next up is a piece that I did for a Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post. The fabric is from Africa and it comes printed in a large rectangle. To create the top, I cut out the center medallion, and then sewed up the sides leaving openings for my arms, and added an elastic at the waist. Soooo simple!

Another piece I did for a Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post. I called it a Skulotte as it's really a cross between a skirt and a culotte. I paired it with a top I made using an out of print Vogue pattern, and a sash I made to go with a different skirt. 

The next day was Sunday, and it was hot, so we got out on the boat. I did this swimsuit for a Sew News article and sew along. It's the Soma Swimsuit from Papercut Patterns.

I paired it with a cover up I made for a Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post. 

This dress began life like....... 

This! I bought it at a resale shop because I really liked the fabric. But, it was not something I would wear as it was. So, I turned it upside down, cut the ruffle off, and opened the sides. Now I love it!!!

Yet again, a piece I did for a Fabulous Free Pattern Friday post. I called it the Magic Rectangle Dress as it's just 2 long rectangles.

The magic is in the 5 rows of  shirring that give fit over the bust.  

So, that will do it for my little dog and pony show ;)

I'm so grateful to be reminded of something that was so dear to my heart as a child. I think that all too often we can get caught up in our day to day living, and we just overlook dreams that have come to pass in our lives. Yes, a reminder is a gift too.

Rhonda

The Suit That Made Me Cry

A late Wednesday check in. Hope you've had a lovely day. I found out that I have to get a urine sample from my dog first thing tomorrow morning. I made the comment to the vet that it will make for a great start to the day. He said, "look at it this way, the day can only get better!" Let's hope :)

So, the suit that made me cry and want to throw my sewing machine off the side of a mountain is now complete...and I love it!

My final post for the Papercut Patterns Soma Swimsuit is up on the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE.

I took A LOT of liberties with the pattern. With all of the sew alongs that I've done for Sew News, I always try and think about the sewist who doesn't have a store near by, and if they do, maybe one that's rather lacking in supplies. The pattern calls for the bodice of the swimsuit to be finished with foldover elastic. I used foldover elastic for the suit that I made for the magazine, but one issue is what if you can't find elastic that will match your fabric, like in the case of the metallic fabric that I used for this suit. 

The pattern also calls for a special ring for the straps. Here again, this may not be readily available and if you don't want to order your supplies, what can you do? I used a ring I found at the hardware store for the first suit that I made and for this suit, I was especially lucky and found this great hook that perfectly matched my fabric. I was ready to give up, but while I was in line at my chain fabric store, I just happened to notice these little flashlights with the hook attached. Score!!! 

I look at it this way, it's a swimsuit, so why not take a few liberties?!!

Pictures of me in the suit are coming up this Friday, along with a coverup. You may....or may not!!! want to pop back for that :) Actually, I REALLY like the suit and it looks fabulous on. Can't wait to actually jump in the water.

Be sure to pop over to Papercut Patterns as they have a number of new patterns up on their site that really look like winners.
I especially like the Bowline Sweater. 

With whatever project you are working on, just remember, just because the pattern recommends a certain product, it doesn't mean that you can't think outside the box and come up with an alternative. Sometimes the alternative is a whole lot more fun! 

The Papercut Patterns Soma Swimsuit Sew Along/Adding Bra Cups

This week's sew along post for the Papercut Patterns Soma Swimsuit primarily covers adding bra cups. In my opinion, a suit just looks better with bra cups, but then, that is my opinion :) 

We also go over the super simple method of lining the bottom of the suit. You are going to love this step as the bottoms are sewn together and lined all at the same time! 

As you'll see in the post, the first trick to setting in the bra cup is to make sure that the cup does not flatten out while pinning it in to the lining.

After the cup is pinned in, it's just a matter of a simple zigzag stitch around the edge of the cup. You can see the entire post HERE.

Adding cups to the suit is one of those steps that gives your garment a polished look. Again, in my opinion :)

The final post will be all about elastic. There's quite a bit of elastic in the Soma Swimsuit! We'll go over setting in the elastic around the leg opening and how to get that smooth look in the front and the cupping that is needed in the back.

Happy Swimming!

Rhonda

A Suit and a Story/A Story of Tears and Triumph

I am so far behind!!! Crazy me, I managed to slice my finger open on Monday evening while chopping vegetables. Maybe the vegetarian thing isn't working for me ;) Just wasn't paying attention, moved my finger in front of the knife, down the knife went, and a great big cut for me. I was so aggravated with myself. One of those things you just can't believe that you did. The bleeding has finally stopped, so I am back in business :)

If you are following the Papercut Patterns Soma Swimsuit sew along that I am doing for Sew News, this week's post is up. And even if you aren't following the sew along, pop over as this week's post includes the story behind putting the suit together. It was a Tim Gunn, "make it work" moment for sure. You can find the post HERE. 

Has a sewing endeavor ever brought you to tears? Share your story in the comment section. I would love to hear what happened and if there was a solution. 

Creative Swimsuit Cover-ups/Soma Swimsuit Sew Along Begins

My first sew along post for the Soma Swimsuit from Papercut Patterns is up on the Sew News blog and you can find it HERE. I took a few liberties with the pattern, but it all worked out great in the end. So if you are thinking that you might like to make a suit this summer, be sure to check out the posts.

Have you ever found yourself at a hotel wanting to go to the pool and yet you have nothing to throw over your suit? I have! Even as a child, I was uncomfortable walking to the pool in nothing but my suit. I've borrowed a t-shirt from my husband, wrapped a towel around me, used the bathrobe provided by the hotel. They all do the job, but none provide the lovely, well put together look that I strive for. So since we are talking swimsuits over the next few weeks with the Soma Swimsuit sew along, I thought we would also talk about some fun cover-ups. 

I've done a number of Fabulous Free Pattern Friday pieces that are perfect for cover-ups.

The Magic Jacket
This piece is nothing but a big rectangle, and the pattern works well with border prints. You can find the instructions HERE.

The Flutter Top

This is made with 2 simple rectangles. The tie adds a little interest around the waistline and gives it a little more shape. Make it a little longer and it will take you from the pool to drinks at the bar, or a casual dinner. You can find the instructions HERE. 

The Easy Breezy Top

If you have a fun border print that would coordinate with your suit, this piece would be fun. The open sleeves help keep you cool and add interest. You can find the instructions HERE. 

Caught In A Wave

Wear it with or without a belt, either way you'll look super cute. You can find the tutorial HERE.

The Magic Rectangle Dress

Whether you take it a step further and do the ruching on the shoulders, or just leave it plain, the Magic Rectangle Dress is easy to slip on and will always look cute over any suit. See the tutorial HERE.

Hope that helps to get your creative ideas flowing!

Rhonda

Monday Morning Fun,We Have a Winner!!!

Well, I could have used a swimsuit yesterday afternoon. I had a few errands to run, so I was out for a while. When I arrived back home, I parked the car and as I was walking back to the house, I got a whiff of something rather foul. Living on the river, you just never know what you might encounter, but rather than look for whatever it was, I decided to go in and get my dinner started. 

My dog Gracie came running up to greet me as she always does and OH MY GOODNESS did she ever smell. Whatever I smelled outside, she had rolled in it!!! Of course my husband was just sitting there oblivious to it all. I asked, "didn't you smell her???" My thought was, how could you not? He said that he did, but he thought it was outside. I told him to scoop her  up and take her down to the walk-in shower where I could quickly bathe her. Whatever it was that she rolled in was so strong that it made me choke while trying to wash it off. In the end, the dog was clean and I and my dress were soaking wet. 

Once finished, I looked at my husband and said, "I really hope that I out live all of you as this house will otherwise be a stinking free for all!!!" He hung his head and said, "we are all happy to have you." At least it's nice to be appreciated :)

Now to the task at hand, the announcement of the Papercut Soma Swimsuit Pattern!

And the winner is...

Congratulations Angie!!!

Please email me with your mailing info as I also have a magazine to send out to you. The pattern will be a PDF pattern that will be sent directly to you from Katie of Papercut Patterns.

For those of you who did not win, if you would like to make up the suit, you can find the pattern HERE on the Sew News site. You can also purchase the pattern directly from Papercut. You'll find the PDF version HERE, and the beautifully packaged version HERE. Although the packaged version is a little more, they ship for FREE worldwide!!! The experience of the packaged version is well worth the few extra dollars. 

I'm really looking forward to the sew along. 

Happy Swimming!!!

Rhonda

The Soma Swimsuit From Papercut Patterns/Your Chance To Win A Copy!

The Sew News Sew Along for the Papercut Soma Swimsuit will begin next week!!! If you've never made a swimsuit, you should really join in as making a swimsuit is such a fun thing to do and a great way to kick off summer!

This is a suit that can be made out of basically, scraps of fabric. Next week I'll share the story behind putting this suit together. It was  a true "make it work" situation. Funny now, not so funny at the time. But I think that what I went through to put the suit together will give you lots of ideas and you'll see that fabric and materials can literally be found ANYWHERE!!!

In the picture grouping below, I included a picture of the bra cups that I added to the suit. Most of us enjoy a little extra support. This is not included in the instructions for the suit, but I think the cups are a welcome addition. Super easy to do and I'll be sure to walk you step by step through the process. 

The pattern offers lots of options, of course, the full suit that you see above. There's a bikini version that you see below. Although the top is basically a shortened version of the one piece suit, a separate pattern is included.   

You can also use the bottom pattern from the one piece version and make a suit with a little more coverage than the bikini. Another option is offered for the top as well. So you can really mix and match the pattern and come up with lots of options. 

Below are a few ideas that I pulled off of the Papercut site. Note that the one piece suit is trimmed in fold-over elastic. The one piece below is trimmed in a basic white fold-over and I think that it accents the suit beautifully. 

If you would like to venture into the wonderful world of making swimsuits, and would like a chance to win a pattern, just leave a message on this post. I will announce the winner next Monday, June 6, 2016. The pattern that you receive will be a PDF version.  

Just a little warning note, once you make your first swimsuit, you'll be making more!!!

Good Luck!
Rhonda