Sewing Thoughts on a Winter Weekend

Perhaps it's the weather or lack of daylight, but every year at this time, I seem to have angst about my sewing plans for the next year. In theory, I like a plan. In practice, I like the freedom to follow my bliss.

However, I do have a few goals this year in addition to continuing a steady diet of frosting. The first is to do more drafting - specifically a bodice and sleeve. The second is rather vague and summed up by the word "execute", which sounds rather dire. What I mean is that the sewists that I seem to admire most truly execute their projects well, using really good - and practiced -  techniques combined with patient sewing. Whatever they sew, it's always well thought out and neatly accomplished with fewer "oops!" moments than is my norm.

With those goals in mind, here are a few inspirations - some are inspired by patterns or fabrics that I have in stash and others by styles I've seen. I'm sure that some will get sewn and others will fall by the wayside. But right now, this is what is occupying my sewing imagination.

Ewok Fur Cape
OK, I'm pretty sure this will be sewn next, since the fabric (here), lining and pattern are out and waiting to be cut this afternoon. I even bought a button.

V8959 Very Easy Vogue

Jackets
Is it me or has it been an excellent few years for all sorts of jacket and coat patterns? Here are some that are currently fighting for attention in my brain.

BurdaStyle 02/2014 - #114 and 115:

This is a somewhat "French style" jacket that I could potentially get down with. Look at all awesome deets! I would love to sew this with leather shoulders.

Alexander McQueen Kimono Jacket:

This has been on my "to sew" list for some time. I could throw this on with jeans for play or trousers or a skirt for work. What am I waiting for?

Ralph Pink Cocoon Coat:

I've been wanting to try more indies and bought this pattern in the fall. It would be a fabulous transitional coat, don't you think? Or with satin lapels could be perfect for occasions.

Lastly, Burdastyle 09/2012 - #120 Bolero

I actually wear RTW shrugs a lot and I love the pleating at the elbow. What a fun little detail.


Dresses
Some days, I want to drop everything and sew an army of sheath dresses to dominate my entire wardrobe. These two have been on my "to sew" list forever!

I know, every single other sewist has already sewn this!

Other days I want an army of body con but comfy knit dresses. I really enjoyed improving my knit sewing skills this past year.

LtoR: Temperley London, Ralph Lauren, Selena Gomez wearing??,  Emilio Pucci

And then there are days when I think I should morph a trend into my own style. For example, Clio does the shirt dress:

L'Wren Scott

 
Seriously, this L'Wren Scott number is exactly how I would do a shirt dress. And this Marfy pattern would be the perfect jumping off point for it, don't you think? Besides, I've been wanting to try Marfy.


Accessories
Ok, this one is going to sound kinda weird: I want to sew myself a diaper bag. No, I'm not expecting. It's just that I've sewn 6 diaper bags for friends - all of them fun and not diaper bag-ish, and each one better than the last.

Bag Envy!

So, it's about time I made myself a weekender or travel bag. And why not go with a pattern that I really like and can execute well and that really doesn't look like a diaper bag. Right?

OK, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I've also had a couture style cami on my "to sew" list for about a year now. In fact, I've muslined it and am not really sure what it is I'm waiting for. In addition, my last several projects have made me think that separates are the way to go. I could happily sew more trousers, tops and skirts.

And that is my round up at the moment. But I ask: how's a gal to choose with so much inspiration? Actually, what often happens is that I have all these patterns floating in my head until the moment I see the perfect fabric, and that becomes the next project.  How do you decided on your projects?

Wishing you a happy sewing weekend!

SOS: Save the Thimble!

Ladies and gentlemen, the humble sewing thimble is under attack!

OK, OK, not really. I'm referring to the thimble Monopoly token. Hasbro has decided that it's time to modernize Monopoly by giving one of the old tokens the axe and adding a new one. (See here.) It's like when Crayola decided to "pink slip" Raw Umber from the 64 crayon box. Or when M&M  replaced the light brown M&M with blue. Am I being sentimental? I'm usually such a modernist.

Let's save the thimble - it's a symbol of the craft that we all love. Some (non-sewists) might think it is quaint and old fashioned, but those of us who do any hand sewing know better. Facebook and Twitter users can vote for the token that they want to "get out of jail free". The token with the fewest votes will get the ol' heave ho!You can also vote on the new token.

Vote here or at #tokenvote if you tweet.

More Blogger woes: My comment problem seems to be ongoing. So, if you signed up for the Let Them Eat Cake! giveaway but don't see your comment posted, feel free to send me an email - clio[dot] phineas [at] gmail [dot] com - to confirm that you are "in".  (Sarah Mayo, House of Pinheiro, Poppykettle, Kirsty, Amity Originals and Jennifer Churchill - you are all "in" even if your comments can't be seen here for whatever reason). Oh and there is still loads of time to enter!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Addicted to Craftsy: itty-bitty Giraffe Bum

Is anyone else out there finding that Craftsy has become a bit of a... um... habit?

I'm making this critter in daffodil and flamingo pink!

This summer I took Kenneth King's Jean-ius class. Last summer I watched parts of Gertie's Bombshell dress class to learn more about boning and waist stays. And now I'm doing Susan B Anderson's knit giraffe class. I have another knitting class waiting for me, too. And a bunch of Craftsy's free mini-classes waiting to be watched - Know Your Wool, Short Rows, and Modern Buttercream. I didn't really mean for this to happen. But.... mmmmmmmm.... buttercream.

Phin's brother and his wife are expecting a new baby girl in February. Since I already made my SIL a diaper bag for their first child, I decided that it's time to start making stuffed animals, like the ones that were crocheted for me when I was small. I was never a babydoll kind of little girl, but I have a huge menagerie of stuffed animals that have been loved in a very Velveteen Rabbit sort of way.

Chickee, Babar and Bronto - my crochet menagerie

Here's the start of the giraffe. It's knit bum first. 

Giraffe bum

Am I alone in thinking this is silly? Phin is getting tired of me chanting "giraffe bum, giraffe bum, he he he" while I knit.

Before I signed up for the giraffe class, I had already bought the knitting book Itty-Bitty Toys, which has the giraffe pattern in it. 

Even better, there's a whole section on using up remnant sock yarn to make stuffed animals.

I have lots of remnant sock yarn

And now I'm thinking that when I'm done with the giraffe, I need to start making my remnant yarn into a herd of little elephants.

Elefante from Susan B Anderson's blog

Then they can trample my enemies.

I may need to knit some hippos, too. They could help with the trampling.

Anyway, knitters and sewists, what are your thoughts on Craftsy or other on-line classes? Are you as hooked as I am? Or do you do better with more traditional media - books, live classes, etc? I love live classes, but one of the nice things about Craftsy is that you can go back if you miss something. How do you like to learn new sewing and knitting techniques?

And the Winner is...

We do things a bit analog here at Clio & Phineas. Since it was out on the bed waiting to be packed, I had Phin draw a name from my beach hat. Drum roll please, Phin....

The winner of the Threads Magazine issue #135 is

Sophie (Sophiemiri)

Sophie, just send me your address and I'll get this out asap -if not before I head to the airport tomorrow, then as soon as I get back (Labor Day).Shoot me an email at Clio[dot]Phineas[at]gmail[dot]com

Speaking of travel, things are looking a bit more optimistic for my flight. We should be able to get out before Hurricane Irene arrives in the NY area. And if we do, I will be flying first class thanks to a free upgrade! (It really pays to be a frequent flier.) Wish us luck.

$30 of Fabric at Mood for just $15

If you subscribe to Groupon (or even if you don't), check out today's offer:

$15 for $30 worth of fabric at Mood 

If Groupon is new to you, basically how it works is that you are sent an email every day with a limited time offer for (usually) 50% or more off of something. And if enough people sign up for it, the deal is on and you pay for your Groupon. Usually, you have 6 months to a year to use it. Offers are for things like $25 for $50 of food at a local restaurant, half off knitting classes, half off a facial at a certain spa, discounted shopping (like Mood), or a low price for a month of unlimited pilates/yoga/kickboxing/etc at a local studio.  It really runs the gamut. The catch, of course, is that you pay now for a coupon/voucher that you will use later.

Anyway, the offer for Mood expires on Thursday and you have a year to use the Groupon after that. Happy shopping! OH! By the way, I am not affiliated with either Groupon or Mood (I wish!). I just saw the deal, pounced on it, and thought you would like it too!

PS - I am at home now, but headed to Montreal on Wednesday. So, just passing through and a bit mixed up with what time of day it is (London time, daylight savings time... oy vey!)

Mini Project 2: Running My A$$ Off. Literally

 

I know I haven't mentioned running since I posted about my 2011 goals back in January.  But in this case, no news is good news.  I've been quietly going about my training, on the road to the Superhero Relay. I'm sure it's having an impact on my sewing. First, there are the longer workouts, which means less time at home. Then, when I do get home after a weeknight run, all I want to do is sit on the sofa and eat peanut butter out of the jar. Or Nutella. Mmmmm, Nutella... So, there is less weeknight sewing happening.

An additional side effect of all this running is that my body has changed a bit. All my pants and skirts are a bit too big. Apparently, I am running my a$$ off, quite literally. So, my other mini project over the weekend, after a particularly unsuccessful shopping trip, was to begin altering some pants and a skirt. Currently they are all pinned and waiting to be sewn.

Those of you who sew, do you also alter RTW clothing - either when you buy them or if your body changes?  Do you go back and alter garments that you made for yourself? Tasks like taking in a waist or re-hemming can be tedious (booooring!). I'm wondering if this is the kind of chore I should just pay the local seamstress to do.

Alterations and running aside, last night I did motivate myself to finish pad stitching the collar of my Lady Grey. I steamed it before bed and left it to dry around my tailor's ham to help shape it. So, I am looking forward to a productive weekend of sewing. I hope you are too!

Beware the Ides...

After taking the end of last week off, I'm having a hard time pulling myself together this Monday. It doesn't help that it we sprang ahead an hour for daylight savings and it is absolutely dreary out.

Et tu, Shoe-te!

On Thursday night I went through my shoes and bags. All of these are either dated, worn out, have been replaced by something better, or are just not comfy. I'm a bit conflicted about the red pointy ones. They are comfy and not too heavily worn. I just feel like they are a bit dated at this point.

However, this wraps up my wardrobe purge and I am now on to the sewing/buying phase of the project. The trouble is, I spent a whole day shopping on Friday, with only one top and a scratch on the neck from a zipper detail to show for my efforts! I just can't seem to find anything to buy that is nice and feels good. The fabrics are so very cheap right now. (Seriously, I tried on one top that was so flimsy, that I am sure it would have blown apart if I sneezed too hard. And allergy season is on the way.) So, I have a lot of work to do.

I have more show and tell planned for this week. Aside from my ill-fated shopping trip, I was busy sewing over the weekend, but just couldn't pull myself together to photograph things. However, I do have updates for you on my pants muslin, a hobo bag I am working on and a possible project for my newest nephew, Little C. So stay tuned.

Spring Cleaning: Wardrobe Purge

On Thursday evening I executed the first phase of Spring Cleaning my wardrobe: the purge. Here are the results:

If I didn't love it or if I didn't like the fit, it got weeded out. A slew of tops and sweaters, 2 pairs of pants, 3 dresses, and an assortment of belts and scarves will go to Goodwill if they are in good shape or the rag bin if they are not.

I am looking for good homes for a few tops which I like, but never seem to wear (ie: they are really nice, but are just not working for me for whatever reason). Three of them have gone to Dr Kiang already. They are all barely worn, so they can always be added to the Goodwill bag if no one wants them.

Two beloved tops and one fantastic dress have been moved to the alterations pile. They are all in good shape and are just a bit too large at this point. But I think that all of them can be altered easily enough.

After photographing the purge, which accounts for my closet and 2 drawers, I also weeded through my athletic wear. For whatever reason, I seem to do a pretty good job curating my more functional garments (ie: socks, pj's, athletics and underwear) so there isn't much to show. Phineas also added a few polo shirts, helping to fill an enormous garbage bag.

Garbage Bag full of purged clothing,
Oh, and the old running shoes have to go too.

What's left? Well, not a whole lot. I've never been one to have a large wardrobe. But there are still tops and bottoms that are starting to show their age. The problem is that I don't have any replacements for them. Also, there are a few tops that had been buried in the back of the closet or drawers that, now rediscovered, I am hoping to put back into regular rotation. I also have to go through my purses and shoes getting rid of those that look dated or worn, or are not comfy, no matter how cute they might be (see, I am being strict with myself).

I have the next two days off. I plan to purge the shoes and purses, and then it is on to phase two: shopping and sewing replacements (or trying to, at any rate). Sigh. This is hard work!

Unstuck... Except Perhaps the Roof of my Mouth

So, after a few tries, I did complete the 8 minute run session of my 5K training program and am once again progressing nicely with my running. Hurray!

I'm still hungry and definitely peanut butter obsessed. When I was in a bookstore the other day, I couldn't resist picking up Peanut Butter Planet, a cookbook that was in the bargain bin.

A whole cookbook devoted to one of my favorite ingredients!

According to an article that Erato sent me, the humble PB&J is the perfect food for a runner. So, I'm letting my peanut butter instincts run free for now, and for this week's Blue Plate, we revisit Peanut Noodles, but this time with a recipe from my new cookbook.

Just pulse the following in a food processor: 1 garlic clove, 2 tsp minced ginger, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 c peanut butter, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 c water. Simmer this on low while you cook your pasta. The recipe called for soba, but I used whole wheat linguini, which was perfect. Saute 3 c of spinach while your pasta cooks. When the pasta is done, toss everything together. I served this with some sliced grilled chicken and a drizzle of sesame oil.

Again, these noodles were good - and definitely satisfying - but not perfect. Next time, I will reduce the amount of lemon juice (2 tsp max) and add some crushed red pepper flakes for a little zip. Also, I am not sure how much the spinach brought to the party. I think carrots, sprouts and snow peas are probably the better accompaniments.

Peppy and Cheap: Mini Embellishment Project

Most people have one or more specific items which bring out the penny-pincher in them; one thing that they just can't justify spending their hard-earned dollars on. I am incredibly cheap when it comes to tee shirts. Why? no clue. But it bugs me to no end when retailers take a plain tee, stitch a tiny amount of ruffle/ribbon/trim to it or add a few gathers and then jack up the price to $36.

Anyway, my inner Scrooge cackled all the way to the register the other day, as I scored some cute, but plain scoop-neck tees for $5 each at Old Navy. They had a pretty feminine shape that I thought had potential. So, once I got them home, I took the black one:


And $6-worth of trim from Pacific Trimmings:

And made my own flower trimmed tee.

I think I may add a few more flowers to it - it's looking a bit too conservative for me. But I am totally psyched at this $11 effort, all done while sitting in front of the TV.

Twilight

Just in case you didn't realize the depth of my 13-year-old-self's obsession with this series... this is where I will be tonight, wearing my Twilight tee shirt.




In my defense, at least my tee is not from Hot Topic and has no images from the movie on it.

Update at 3pm: Thank you to Terpischory and Polyhymnia who emailed me the link to last night's South Park episode, which was all about the high school vampire phenomenon. I'm still cracking up laughing and even more thankful that I didn't get my tee at Hot Topic.