tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94497122024-02-28T13:01:09.569-06:00BoongoggleAudreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-39092386999086276152010-10-22T14:56:00.000-05:002010-10-22T14:56:35.416-05:00This blog has moved.Hi all,<br />
I've done some restructuring. You can now find a new and improved version of this blog at <a href="http://boonisagoodomen.blogspot.com/">http://boonisagoodomen.blogspot.com/</a><br />
See you there,<br />
AudreyAudreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-199032309263099182010-10-21T11:28:00.001-05:002010-10-21T11:31:40.369-05:00My morningWonder why am I so tired (I went to bed at 7). Decide I need to take my B-12 shot. I don’t have any clean syringes. I’ll use an old one that I put in Corey’s diabetic biohazard bin. Get syringe. Put on clean needle. Draw vitamin from vial. Stick into arm. Needle unknowingly slides out of arm fat. Inject contents which then spray all over shirt and bathroom. Stick dirty needle back into vial. Draw more vitamin. Attempt to stick into other arm. Push needle. Won’t go in. Push needle. Won’t go in. Push needle harder. Goes too far (into muscle). Ouch! Pull back out a little. Inject contents. Clean up mess and hope my shirt isn’t stained by the fluorescent pink B-12 liquid. Look guiltily at dog because now there is no time for a walk. Hope that I haven’t contaminated by B-12. Go to work.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8bs2xHMujWFwJ9iGQkoRz1crhSprZIT3yiNdwLQQaw97dhwyq9YXfRVxlla_cMT4C7UBwHWa-AcwV4ZKN8A01cDOfjtNllDMMj4tFiGpM4eAVm9VbjajFBVvB8Hat5j-MNVnAw/s1600/hanging+chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8bs2xHMujWFwJ9iGQkoRz1crhSprZIT3yiNdwLQQaw97dhwyq9YXfRVxlla_cMT4C7UBwHWa-AcwV4ZKN8A01cDOfjtNllDMMj4tFiGpM4eAVm9VbjajFBVvB8Hat5j-MNVnAw/s320/hanging+chair.JPG" border="0" width="320" height="240" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-61075861277991394012010-10-12T15:25:00.002-05:002010-10-13T14:33:36.410-05:00Burda 09-2010-122<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGcks0zRH2ySMStFyxw7b-GZEGw0WiZ2M_crdmp693btIIZbw0Q93oB0kZ_zBXklnxFVevxO8tgVPhSdEt8uAwU_cJgVR7uq-zi6PifZaZrGtNZp1KUMc4dgqCxzRQ-4jKDJwKw/s1600/DSC01440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGcks0zRH2ySMStFyxw7b-GZEGw0WiZ2M_crdmp693btIIZbw0Q93oB0kZ_zBXklnxFVevxO8tgVPhSdEt8uAwU_cJgVR7uq-zi6PifZaZrGtNZp1KUMc4dgqCxzRQ-4jKDJwKw/s640/DSC01440.JPG" border="0" width="376" height="640" /></a></div>Here I am vamping it up in my new dress. It's kind of hard to see the details so I played with the contrast on this photo. Hopefully it helps.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGLPf0m7adfbUMpAlkyUrVqo1FzBAxd6ZoOiN09zDc6Q71HpBnmIYQ5Xh_g2xhqRM7VG9YlTJfz0rwfUxMjQMyXQ0KVAkvNGQ77TuQMow0zr9dnL86p_4RYfG3rqjT9p8uqUHqA/s1600/seamcontrast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGLPf0m7adfbUMpAlkyUrVqo1FzBAxd6ZoOiN09zDc6Q71HpBnmIYQ5Xh_g2xhqRM7VG9YlTJfz0rwfUxMjQMyXQ0KVAkvNGQ77TuQMow0zr9dnL86p_4RYfG3rqjT9p8uqUHqA/s320/seamcontrast.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="165" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Pattern Description: </b><br />The much talked about cover dress from the September issue.<br /><br /><b>Pattern Sizing:</b><br />This came in petite sizes, 17-22, which equal regular Burda sizes 37-42. I made the 22 but with adjustments.<br /><br /><b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b><br />Yes, indeed.<br /><br /><b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b><br />Surprisingly they were. The only part that was confusing was attaching the armbands, but I figured it out. The instructions said to sew the ends of the arm bands together, then clean up the edges. However, the edges of the arm bands are perfectly straight. I finally figured out that they meant to clean up the edges of the dress where they arm bands get attached. There were some extra triangular pieces that needed to be removed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmOba_QzWcX9nWroqNcFdMjYuhiAKwPtuWciOdz56-BUihi4QtJCYZjpcAEy7YY_6IoLvN1e12n6eu3Y13RhLrCmBfxiWNFriOn5ez10HYHfwymJv6hoSMASbuTarwk57KH7bOw/s1600/clean+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmOba_QzWcX9nWroqNcFdMjYuhiAKwPtuWciOdz56-BUihi4QtJCYZjpcAEy7YY_6IoLvN1e12n6eu3Y13RhLrCmBfxiWNFriOn5ez10HYHfwymJv6hoSMASbuTarwk57KH7bOw/s320/clean+up.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="212" /></a></div><br />Once they were removed, you pin the arm bands to the arm holes so that the ends of the arm bands extend past the seam. When stitching and you reach the end of the arm hole, you keep stitching just the arm band. Here is a photo showing how the arm band edges extend past the seam. Then you should probably attach the extending pieces to the dress by hand with invisible stitches, but I didn't. I think it looks okay without.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrm4K-mt6qlW3U5sPUWO0NeRVULzaoAv_PvKTKaaBU_UKvVQelslV4xY_b7oSSyIdPP4BKrN-nah7RqFon-WnzwRQNDRVWimGijkwQzgP43G9sj8g_cx3kmaZgG1MnGt0vR11jw/s1600/armband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrm4K-mt6qlW3U5sPUWO0NeRVULzaoAv_PvKTKaaBU_UKvVQelslV4xY_b7oSSyIdPP4BKrN-nah7RqFon-WnzwRQNDRVWimGijkwQzgP43G9sj8g_cx3kmaZgG1MnGt0vR11jw/s320/armband.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="212" /></a></div><br /><b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b><br />I loved this dress from the moment I saw the preview. As they say on Project Runway, it's sexy without being vulgar.<br /><br />I dislike that Burda made this a petite pattern.<br /><br /><b>Fabric Used:</b><br />Gorgeous teal heather wool jersey from <a href="http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=9823" target="_blank">Gorgeous Fabrics</a>. The fabric is a bit more green than it looks in the swatch. It's more a teal than an aquamarine. It's not too stretchy and sturdy--like a double knit. It was easy to sew.<br /><br /><b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b><br />I should start by saying I made this way harder than I needed to.<br />Burda issued this as a petite pattern. At 5'7" I am not petite. Standard Burda patterns usually fit me perfectly. Burda says that petite patterns are three inches shorter than standard, so I set about to add the three inches back in a way that didn't disrupt the proportions of the dress. There are five seams on the front of the dress. I added a half inch at each seam, plus a half inch at the hem, making up three inches, and then added the length to the back as well.<br /><br />After adding a half inch to the topmost front seam, I pinned together my traced pattern and put it onto my dressform. I then made a mark on the back pattern piece even with the topmost front seam.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphZ6yHqm39yHNW0ESvUuL5dPaOuNxD9nPe9ytUPQp3knDEdWY6mhSt7Gpxw52_vAfrsWSpIi9Ff6kafd3ddJxSJaqLOsJ2YV4KmxI1JlS7ogsliSUwVI8Coh0ABm0rm0fSBpB-g/s1600/mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphZ6yHqm39yHNW0ESvUuL5dPaOuNxD9nPe9ytUPQp3knDEdWY6mhSt7Gpxw52_vAfrsWSpIi9Ff6kafd3ddJxSJaqLOsJ2YV4KmxI1JlS7ogsliSUwVI8Coh0ABm0rm0fSBpB-g/s320/mark.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="212" /></a></div><br />Then I took the pattern off the dress form, cut the pattern at the mark I just made and added 1/2 inch to the pattern at that point.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchRFzKKyK9BTchaKGhEw7SZVtP0D_4JADvXvNn7_NBAoRcgZZC55mYr2ZeaG_YFT4ONuBdyDyUKMuhDv_isV-7G3roNyX6TNCh35jW-2RNGc03zp2zIOjle-j7bYgaP4zznx_Ew/s1600/measure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchRFzKKyK9BTchaKGhEw7SZVtP0D_4JADvXvNn7_NBAoRcgZZC55mYr2ZeaG_YFT4ONuBdyDyUKMuhDv_isV-7G3roNyX6TNCh35jW-2RNGc03zp2zIOjle-j7bYgaP4zznx_Ew/s320/measure.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtSQn9eLx_u6bpwzLe8Ki4Ann5xJvn7-C36EseQrEschfMlGuQx1REoNJ_8buZO_lDxs0aGTtm2lcHGX-qvPS3Ut6KTVZDFTQdo5LNs1yWN5D2yE1DaMHTShg91F_Zcc__ngZxA/s1600/adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtSQn9eLx_u6bpwzLe8Ki4Ann5xJvn7-C36EseQrEschfMlGuQx1REoNJ_8buZO_lDxs0aGTtm2lcHGX-qvPS3Ut6KTVZDFTQdo5LNs1yWN5D2yE1DaMHTShg91F_Zcc__ngZxA/s320/adjusted.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="212" /></a></div><br />Then I repeated this for each of the four other front seams. Here is the back to the pattern with add the additional length added.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT-ddfanc8xZDmx5oBC6b08XwbbZMApbErw3T8S2qVXPJHUrblZQ4qayODMxf56ZEoNI4d3KCbK8g2EPMz-OSE2gnO11woTchz-nKksL4oOHueI2ct5yf7yb9PYkOjqVzy5WA3Q/s1600/tissuefit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKT-ddfanc8xZDmx5oBC6b08XwbbZMApbErw3T8S2qVXPJHUrblZQ4qayODMxf56ZEoNI4d3KCbK8g2EPMz-OSE2gnO11woTchz-nKksL4oOHueI2ct5yf7yb9PYkOjqVzy5WA3Q/s320/tissuefit.jpg" border="0" width="212" height="320" /></a></div><br />I made up a muslin. The placement of the seams across the bust were perfect--one above and one below my...uh...rack. I saw a couple versions of this dress on Burdastyle where both seams were above or across the bust instead of, well, framing it. The waist was a bit too low on the muslin, so I brought it up an inch so the curved seams hit me where they do the model in the magazine.<br /><br />Even though I usually wear Burda size 44 and this was essentially a 42, I needed to make both of the side seam allowances 1.25 inches to get the right fit, so it seems like there is some ease built in.<br /><br />I also widened the arm bands from 4.75 to 5 inches and interfaced them. I didn't want them too floppy. I think they could even be stiffer.<br /><br />Because there is no center back seam, I couldn't really my usual swayback adjustment so there is some fabric pooling at the back, but it's not terrible.<br /><br /><b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b><br />This is pretty distinctive so I probably won't make it again. My advice to those other non-petite ladies who haven't made this yet because of the petite sizing - add a half inch to the seams above and below the bust and leave the rest alone. Be sure to add the length to the back side too.<br /><br /><b>Conclusion: </b><br />Love, love, love this dress. It was actually quite easy to sew. The curved pieces go together easily. I feel like a bad-ass in it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWkL5WiThHSYo9CSV2OLxvtRD8RM8nTGetXOF8qOZ1LPWBk3AskxxNxqxocZEIeFrj40B63K3JW-bMRBKiBFgzSVpVA9Ttqof-8Bhj4X22hcJz9uSl7EP2qHGH9ftTS9uNF8Hww/s1600/DSC01434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWkL5WiThHSYo9CSV2OLxvtRD8RM8nTGetXOF8qOZ1LPWBk3AskxxNxqxocZEIeFrj40B63K3JW-bMRBKiBFgzSVpVA9Ttqof-8Bhj4X22hcJz9uSl7EP2qHGH9ftTS9uNF8Hww/s320/DSC01434.JPG" border="0" width="222" height="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsawNFpP64zdZ4cHsc0SRk1QVPXoaiabTBtaMtfgZh2cobyouv-sfM3KKQjrk6KckfPM0Xo52x9LMD3DNISRSS4xxnUqldyWEiWPQyJGwH2ekdj-DEsKo2n2dmbALAxZmhNFhtQ/s1600/DSC01439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsawNFpP64zdZ4cHsc0SRk1QVPXoaiabTBtaMtfgZh2cobyouv-sfM3KKQjrk6KckfPM0Xo52x9LMD3DNISRSS4xxnUqldyWEiWPQyJGwH2ekdj-DEsKo2n2dmbALAxZmhNFhtQ/s320/DSC01439.JPG" border="0" width="167" height="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GAOq2tpymUZ5RusN7ejrExKEu0_wDjCGxVTDK_p4pQaD_1yJ4LpMw4vs3xzXAwFt2T8Y7NICVyG8KcxZ4ObBNgD_vo4FRhdMIRx9WyKZ3i3qZUhWlL4Xf2J3RfOllJz0pv0yqw/s1600/DSC01432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GAOq2tpymUZ5RusN7ejrExKEu0_wDjCGxVTDK_p4pQaD_1yJ4LpMw4vs3xzXAwFt2T8Y7NICVyG8KcxZ4ObBNgD_vo4FRhdMIRx9WyKZ3i3qZUhWlL4Xf2J3RfOllJz0pv0yqw/s320/DSC01432.JPG" border="0" width="182" height="320" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-36605489945756664642010-10-04T15:42:00.000-05:002010-10-04T15:42:34.323-05:00Trouble Puppet Show (Local Austin)I went and saw the <a href="http://www.troublepuppet.com/">Trouble Puppet </a>Show's production of Frankenstein last night. As Suzy Snakeyes would say...Amazeballs! I would be sending everyone I know to see it, except that it was the closing night of the show.<br />
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The puppets were amazing, the acting outstanding, the accents realistic and the content both dark, smart and funny as hell. They will be doing The Jungle next. From what I hear, it's terribly depressing, which is a bummer (ha!). But they did comedy so very well, I'll still go see how they do tragedy, despite the fact that I don't like my entertainment depressing.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNAppVOuOvsfoDJsRpJ78NkT77cdVxIdhiGzPd7UkPn3ijgnea43KZpcYmAIiLIhXBjEXpg3ZGxv3fZIJzNznCGu9KOBt75KH8coZ9vyHc7-FvcfIf-wLFRWcIyX5DpZB83psZA/s1600/puppet4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNAppVOuOvsfoDJsRpJ78NkT77cdVxIdhiGzPd7UkPn3ijgnea43KZpcYmAIiLIhXBjEXpg3ZGxv3fZIJzNznCGu9KOBt75KH8coZ9vyHc7-FvcfIf-wLFRWcIyX5DpZB83psZA/s320/puppet4.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc7ADX2nfzU7rO41BPW3twe3b3saBTXpeTk0Tl8A0euGprysfHrz3jBn61o9crVR1JMNKfVS57BOzdy0LMixjz1ZbmEuEODWpo16fcfCWsPrzQaBrMB396C1pYpfNwAs-u-uo0Q/s1600/puppet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc7ADX2nfzU7rO41BPW3twe3b3saBTXpeTk0Tl8A0euGprysfHrz3jBn61o9crVR1JMNKfVS57BOzdy0LMixjz1ZbmEuEODWpo16fcfCWsPrzQaBrMB396C1pYpfNwAs-u-uo0Q/s320/puppet2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ixqoMC5eqLnmwb7YDdVlCSFBkx5ujC0qEavCsEpoHRG4vbg1vDDXevc_ylRToCZ4il1s7zYBTDKkmZzNmB_VL2QFZsIPH-VX9fRRD6z96_A2ILLTZjzWVt3eCUXnLMyuSIN-HQ/s1600/puppet3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ixqoMC5eqLnmwb7YDdVlCSFBkx5ujC0qEavCsEpoHRG4vbg1vDDXevc_ylRToCZ4il1s7zYBTDKkmZzNmB_VL2QFZsIPH-VX9fRRD6z96_A2ILLTZjzWVt3eCUXnLMyuSIN-HQ/s320/puppet3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNAppVOuOvsfoDJsRpJ78NkT77cdVxIdhiGzPd7UkPn3ijgnea43KZpcYmAIiLIhXBjEXpg3ZGxv3fZIJzNznCGu9KOBt75KH8coZ9vyHc7-FvcfIf-wLFRWcIyX5DpZB83psZA/s1600/puppet4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">All images from Trouble Puppet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-45604264829422737302010-09-30T16:17:00.000-05:002010-09-30T16:17:10.085-05:00Worst Dog in the World Learns a New SkillThe theory behind the (warranty subsidized) purchase of this refrigerator was that the freezer is down at a level that is only accessed 15% of the time. We didn’t consider that the freezer would be accessible 100% of the time by some members of the family.<br />
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We came home to learn that Roni has now learned how to open up the freezer. This is not a good development. We presume she did it shortly after we left for dinner on Friday. By the time we returned about 4 hours later, the chicken breasts were almost defrosted, a good portion of the ice had melted and she had consumed a bag of frozen hamburger buns.<br />
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We aren’t expert investigators, but we believe that her attempt to ransack the counter drawer proved fruitless and she quickly moved on to a more booty-rich target.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtab0VUm_dc6lfkn80TvG79VsQL2R3OMVjstXsVZbumAoVtJ7iZhUPB5fSyWK5ouRslOidVVfbDfm-91dgC6xrvBeU5h0cZodXlcnkQ1_6-kwq0NJjyUJTET6MJHvxqm588mFPuQ/s1600/open+freezer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtab0VUm_dc6lfkn80TvG79VsQL2R3OMVjstXsVZbumAoVtJ7iZhUPB5fSyWK5ouRslOidVVfbDfm-91dgC6xrvBeU5h0cZodXlcnkQ1_6-kwq0NJjyUJTET6MJHvxqm588mFPuQ/s320/open+freezer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-76868956561054216512010-09-17T10:51:00.001-05:002010-10-12T14:28:34.129-05:00Butterick 5455Updated with photos of the finished dress.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsA80pLoAXHEjaPPzY3hWIu2_QRATbyC4pHvx2BnswNclzUcvXvH08LtUO6tw4i5jdZDBZKhg44ji63retjzllYsvQyoBVseuRoohF1SXo8ljMa5oYqEy7yZE5QB8ik3Q6DUxO6Q/s1600/DSC01422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsA80pLoAXHEjaPPzY3hWIu2_QRATbyC4pHvx2BnswNclzUcvXvH08LtUO6tw4i5jdZDBZKhg44ji63retjzllYsvQyoBVseuRoohF1SXo8ljMa5oYqEy7yZE5QB8ik3Q6DUxO6Q/s320/DSC01422.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYbPg77PhAuw2aYPQp1y98Zl0Ja9BXtZJbDzTqWwH5K28tObaX1vE5MtUIHn5m-fDB4dZEboGtYaOZ8D1hOixGl-KrPzr9qAd8NXoN_gb80KTfapUneB2ZME0vSnE0Kk2Bs4SCw/s1600/DSC01423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYbPg77PhAuw2aYPQp1y98Zl0Ja9BXtZJbDzTqWwH5K28tObaX1vE5MtUIHn5m-fDB4dZEboGtYaOZ8D1hOixGl-KrPzr9qAd8NXoN_gb80KTfapUneB2ZME0vSnE0Kk2Bs4SCw/s320/DSC01423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/B5455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://butterick.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/B5455.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>I made this out of cheery red "European" linen from fabric.com. Not sure what the European part is. It certainly doesn't mean wrinkle-free. ;) I cut my normal size 18 but it ended up being HUGE. The other Butterick pattern I made seemed true to size, so who knows what happened here. I took it in about 3 inches at the back (because I'd already sewn the sides of the dress and lining, and sewn the shirt to the bodice. I was lazy and just removed 1.5" from either side of the back seam). I also shortened the straps by 2" and added an additional set of pleats to the neckline because it was gaping open. This gave it more of a sweetheart neckline, but it doesn't detract from the design. I sewed down all the pleats.<br />
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Now that it fits, I'm pretty pleased with it. It's not quite as form fitting as it is on the model. I would have needed to take in the waist another couple inches for that. It's fitted through the bodice and then there is a little more ease in the waist and hips--enough to hide sins but still show off my shape. It probably would have been better a little tighter, but if I took it in any more from the back, the side seams would have crept around to the back. After wearing it all day yesterday I like it even more. It's flattering and comfortable. If not for the wrinkles (linen--what was I thinking?!?), it would be close to being perfect. On the outside anyway. <br />
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Because I don't have anything even close to red thread for my serger, I did all the possible seams as french seams. In retrospect, the linen is a tad too bulky for that. I also used ivory seam tape for the raw edges. Next time I'll get seam <i>binding</i>, not seam<i> tape</i> for the job. It looks okay, just not a polished as it would have with binding. I also ran out, so used blue seam binding for the edges next to the zipper. So the inside of the dress is neat, but by no means professional looking. But I now see why so many people spend the time to bind their seams. But next time I will buy matching thread for my serger. I would have been happier with the insides if the edges had been serged, then bound, rather than having them french seamed because of the bulk. As my sewing gets better, I am increasingly drawn to wanting to make the insides look professional. If for no other reason than the drycleaner won't know I make my own clothes. Isn't that silly? <br />
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But anyway, I am very happy with this dress. I don't think it says becky home-ecky at all. Although when Corey first saw it he told me I should sew a sunflower on the botttom edge. WTF!?! A sunflower? Hopefully he's on crack. If this dress needs a sunflower, then I'm all wrong about the becky home-ecky. (*sigh*) He means well.<br />
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I was originally going to make the waist panel out of blue linen, but changed my mind. I thought the colorblocking would limit the longevity. I love crazy colors and wild designs when I see RTW clothes, but always play it safe when I sew something. The same is true with my upholstery fabric choices. Why is that?<br />
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Update 9/17. I still need to wash and press and take a photo of the red linen dress. While you are waiting, here is a piece of eye candy. I have always been drawn to red and blue, which is why I was going to put a blue waist panel into the red dress. Red and blue plaids are even better. I love, love, love this dress. It's from <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/C.I.58.49.5">Claire McCardell via the Metropolitan Museum of Art</a> from 1956. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.colettepatterns.com/content/uploads/2010/09/plaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://static.colettepatterns.com/content/uploads/2010/09/plaid.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-4048316742620847752010-09-12T19:34:00.002-05:002010-09-12T20:01:10.027-05:00Organizing and some new toysI did some cleaning and reorganizing in my sewing room. Getting a Kindle (birthday present from Corey) has really helped me let go of some books. This made room for the fabric and sewing supplies that been draped all over the floor, chairs, etc. Here are some before and after photos. The lucite chairs are a future upholstery project. I just need to finish the other two half-completed chairs before I start anymore. ;)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Before </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfXd8hR5A0CRJQRDAK9-gRRL_clsQRtwioJPMt4_vAWyhz5JnzkxtAOhGBEHgSewlHL0zLji5wktPPKcBn1KYrLha4HHfbjaWsmtYj8lb4ZMlQXVvaDwUSwz-YkkJ8WwM6QmiIw/s1600/messy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfXd8hR5A0CRJQRDAK9-gRRL_clsQRtwioJPMt4_vAWyhz5JnzkxtAOhGBEHgSewlHL0zLji5wktPPKcBn1KYrLha4HHfbjaWsmtYj8lb4ZMlQXVvaDwUSwz-YkkJ8WwM6QmiIw/s320/messy1.jpg" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAS7GveTz_QomuvePYJLAZ_8Wd_LtgHZt3sm76g2iEMFf8FGaIUvxdmLbDBaOh1XoTpcloR3mRi5mfdRwoTnAes-bgwf-XV_weLU6NSx4ljSpTje7Xwu1px2Xs5tqwp5D_KdKuw/s1600/DSC01385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSAS7GveTz_QomuvePYJLAZ_8Wd_LtgHZt3sm76g2iEMFf8FGaIUvxdmLbDBaOh1XoTpcloR3mRi5mfdRwoTnAes-bgwf-XV_weLU6NSx4ljSpTje7Xwu1px2Xs5tqwp5D_KdKuw/s320/DSC01385.JPG" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGJecXS7jhO6H3Fr-o-53hSSLNWGLK1fx7BRugsH59970svbwQ6b5ew2i7Cza0_U9yw9E1B1VcjnoiObpA16Ug2ASe4NjqMi6Vv8SYO1bKdzXIQrabi9p9dSkGlVBt91u7GCNwg/s1600/messy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGJecXS7jhO6H3Fr-o-53hSSLNWGLK1fx7BRugsH59970svbwQ6b5ew2i7Cza0_U9yw9E1B1VcjnoiObpA16Ug2ASe4NjqMi6Vv8SYO1bKdzXIQrabi9p9dSkGlVBt91u7GCNwg/s320/messy2.jpg" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">After</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu80dqT5Rp4brPGl41Xdbw7pZWWOhyphenhyphenoRC7_AncjiNnDjiprkSMqUs4xklOONSZZxaGiI_Q5pQ9TzTJdVhD1yPbnKwR1bSBz5WHTEVlfQwD59cdYB9k9HAMFuxtx_NNjnslw2YX5Q/s1600/clean2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu80dqT5Rp4brPGl41Xdbw7pZWWOhyphenhyphenoRC7_AncjiNnDjiprkSMqUs4xklOONSZZxaGiI_Q5pQ9TzTJdVhD1yPbnKwR1bSBz5WHTEVlfQwD59cdYB9k9HAMFuxtx_NNjnslw2YX5Q/s320/clean2.jpg" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9i6s2NFK79-C4-Y0AEPd2zwCizvLpDIR0eJnoDspF5dsbkaT2vLln4DM8SApwk4EOjHe9aHPGmy2vNGIq2_DNPnxF3Lq7wRdzgo5A6jQgAi3Qsq9CYBCIfAzZOH5Xi3yPuLjhQ/s1600/clean3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9i6s2NFK79-C4-Y0AEPd2zwCizvLpDIR0eJnoDspF5dsbkaT2vLln4DM8SApwk4EOjHe9aHPGmy2vNGIq2_DNPnxF3Lq7wRdzgo5A6jQgAi3Qsq9CYBCIfAzZOH5Xi3yPuLjhQ/s320/clean3.jpg" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qNulMQZkxF7azNdphzzKNrAKEylW5mL-hoehfLbZZ2l_C4nHSf9BoKk-bScWbMv9Q7G5gDARXUVgw2-t2jAbMyPEehz3H9l_lNVFM07aE-yJzDDF7Qc_ij_KihFxKtp20P8fbw/s1600/clean4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qNulMQZkxF7azNdphzzKNrAKEylW5mL-hoehfLbZZ2l_C4nHSf9BoKk-bScWbMv9Q7G5gDARXUVgw2-t2jAbMyPEehz3H9l_lNVFM07aE-yJzDDF7Qc_ij_KihFxKtp20P8fbw/s320/clean4.jpg" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here is Roni enjoying the fact that there is actually visible floor space now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp4h4fHp0LQDCGpcJFenI7l8Nudv8spoqtNVx-eNDQPhE1zX7eWF3LxvcrPdY00JMc9MLCIcYM51eCadhqlm70ARXPgnyR58TFYIlz1QN4GIdKxHHDD417-vSRa04paD4a5FJww/s1600/roni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp4h4fHp0LQDCGpcJFenI7l8Nudv8spoqtNVx-eNDQPhE1zX7eWF3LxvcrPdY00JMc9MLCIcYM51eCadhqlm70ARXPgnyR58TFYIlz1QN4GIdKxHHDD417-vSRa04paD4a5FJww/s320/roni.jpg" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tack-it Pattern Marker</span><br /><br />After reading about the tack-it pattern marker in an article about "the magic of vintage sewing tools" on the blog <a href="http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/2010/08/the-magic-of-vintage-sewing-tools/">Casey's Musings</a>, I went out and found one on ebay for $7. I just have to say Best. Invention. Ever. I HATE marking all the notches, dots, triangles and circles on fabric. And trying to get the second layer exactly in the same spot as the first layer is hard. Half the time chalk won't wont work on the fabric and I've had NO luck with tailor's tacks. Well, the Tack-It marks both layers at the same time. It saves time and a bunch of heartache. I lurve it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA0YgMeSFcz9-jgMYRSwtLPVsAmTO3IbIyeMEZsnVg8LZxwGPb57wfOsfqejGpK9SZ7I2MTIVsPxRYLpPHSTKC3yRqO7ckGkLsM3k81lv__h2SMDGA6w6ASV1I1u7AHR6lvi2aA/s1600/DSC01404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoA0YgMeSFcz9-jgMYRSwtLPVsAmTO3IbIyeMEZsnVg8LZxwGPb57wfOsfqejGpK9SZ7I2MTIVsPxRYLpPHSTKC3yRqO7ckGkLsM3k81lv__h2SMDGA6w6ASV1I1u7AHR6lvi2aA/s320/DSC01404.JPG" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlwO9Y82PH3Z3UjQRAfSVT_vommG26rg1bHm_zoJkZmN2HsGbdXG-jWSLPZKZupaxOVvFFmgUSNfXm-rq8q33SSPbthpkX_fiHLJWo-r7kNiY93SmY5OJ5rk4_Fa8b7TJXv3ToQ/s1600/DSC01401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlwO9Y82PH3Z3UjQRAfSVT_vommG26rg1bHm_zoJkZmN2HsGbdXG-jWSLPZKZupaxOVvFFmgUSNfXm-rq8q33SSPbthpkX_fiHLJWo-r7kNiY93SmY5OJ5rk4_Fa8b7TJXv3ToQ/s320/DSC01401.JPG" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><br />I bought a pack of multicolored tracing paper. Just put the tracing paper under the bottom layer, on top of the top layer but below the pattern and push down on the handle. It marks both layers with a smalll circle, and it is actually visible. Apologies for the blurry photo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfmAPPicGSN4fhIVbbbDROoxOpOLBuHZXAaoq0pj4qRV7djP5xlHcYHgyr-WEBI1juP9vqbgY3wj6NtZFgJEopwxWwyitdhDMqvJRZsAH59rz27SwqMBeL3FZGFNY9ytGkOvuwQ/s1600/DSC01398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfmAPPicGSN4fhIVbbbDROoxOpOLBuHZXAaoq0pj4qRV7djP5xlHcYHgyr-WEBI1juP9vqbgY3wj6NtZFgJEopwxWwyitdhDMqvJRZsAH59rz27SwqMBeL3FZGFNY9ytGkOvuwQ/s320/DSC01398.JPG" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zippers Galore</span><br /><br />My local JoAnn never seems to have zippers in colors I need so I have been following some great zipper auctions on ebay. Unfortunately they keep going up to more than I want to pay (over $100 in one case. But it was for 200 22" zippers, all colors). I lucked out and was able to get this lot of 100 new zippers for $9 last week. Lot of colors and sized. No invisible zips but really for pennies apiece, who cares.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QC2uOJzW9l0nWsHT1W6uJ4pCCKe86_xNiBne6hJ1e208n05xFhBgY0X7o1krLqXW1AhyphenhyphenkdDkR3zNDGexAMcb7pq0YjbiQxRYxXysTlxzqFzBo-gs7_7M6QTytUJgBNNAGQ0y_w/s1600/DSC01406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QC2uOJzW9l0nWsHT1W6uJ4pCCKe86_xNiBne6hJ1e208n05xFhBgY0X7o1krLqXW1AhyphenhyphenkdDkR3zNDGexAMcb7pq0YjbiQxRYxXysTlxzqFzBo-gs7_7M6QTytUJgBNNAGQ0y_w/s320/DSC01406.JPG" border="0" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-72099084062221175432010-09-10T12:38:00.003-05:002010-09-12T20:08:24.941-05:00Kwik Sew 3299<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kwiksew.com/catalog/images/3299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://www.kwiksew.com/catalog/images/3299.jpg" border="0" height="242" width="320" /></a></div><br />This was at attempt to find a TNT pattern for t-shirts for Corey. The pattern reviews were promising. One person said that the neck was way too big, but they used a rayon jersey material so I assumed the problem was with the material. Corey wanted to pick the fabric and wanted to see the choices in person, so we went to JoAnn rather than buying a discounted fabric on line. He decided on a rib knit, rather than a thin cotton jersey. His choice was quite a bit thicker than regular t-shirt material, but I kept on, regardless. I made the large according to his measurements, rather than the x-large, his RTW size.<br /><br />On the first attempt the neck stretched out about 3 inches and did not shrink back even when washed. It was also about an inch too wide through the sleeves and the chest/waist and a couple inches too long. I had enough fabric, so I recut the whole thing adding 1.5 inches to the pattern at the front and back of the neck and removing the inch in width and two inches in length. After serging the ribbing to the neckline, I double needle stitched the serged seam allowance to the shirt because the thickness of the fabric was keeping it from laying flat.<br /><br />This time, the front of the neck was good, but there was too much fabric at the back, causing it to stick up and out in an unflattering way. I ripped out the stitching on the back neck edge only, removed about an inch of the 1.5 inches I had added to the pattern at the back neck edge, then re-stiched, serged and double needle stitched it back down. This seems to have solved the problem.<br /><br />However, even though I was careful when I turned and double needle stitched the sleeve hems, they stretched out a bit and ended up looking like Corey was wearing bells on his arms. I am not hopeful that they will shrink back down when washed because the huge neck didn't on the first attempt.<br /><br />I could taper the edge of the sleeves in on the pattern, but I think all this stretching is because of the rib knit. I am hopeful that when I make it out of cotton jersey all will be well. I just hope that the other pattern changes I've made will still work with the cotton jersey. Man, I thought this t-shirt business was going to be easy.<br /><br />Update 9/10. Corey still hasn't washed the shirt to see if the bell sleeves went back to normal size. I'll post pictures as soon as he does.<br /><br />Here are the photos. The sleeves aren't bells anymore but all the seams puckered causing a not very masculine lettuce edge effect. Corey is happy with the (slim) fit though. I'll try this again in cotton jersey and see what happens.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50Uh-WwYMCRZevOKivrpRQe4M-ebRO7Qx5XXmMZthQg9aTusGSxop4RU074koLJdmAbwaPYE4pePUZL1yalweg2f7vGcWjucM-F8Lc6qP_V1_tgVMS4_4oFi8nPs4Kt7vQQ5gUQ/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50Uh-WwYMCRZevOKivrpRQe4M-ebRO7Qx5XXmMZthQg9aTusGSxop4RU074koLJdmAbwaPYE4pePUZL1yalweg2f7vGcWjucM-F8Lc6qP_V1_tgVMS4_4oFi8nPs4Kt7vQQ5gUQ/s320/front.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="189" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsmIZMsrYl7qYAAdpyaR6fhgEY_iWvX2hgI7ddr-tVaZ6PMgqom21dUPxJA_v5Km872Djlgty0IRwJnf_-P75Pm9TOO6MYzntpNYeoU6ZzVVSvn5S02Dma0LbF2DFMbFhWekDgA/s1600/back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsmIZMsrYl7qYAAdpyaR6fhgEY_iWvX2hgI7ddr-tVaZ6PMgqom21dUPxJA_v5Km872Djlgty0IRwJnf_-P75Pm9TOO6MYzntpNYeoU6ZzVVSvn5S02Dma0LbF2DFMbFhWekDgA/s320/back.jpg" border="0" height="320" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0jEzgL6UNqg3_l6cw3dC8u2Tk2Q_g6XRzqJM4OAkbPdTKvS8I8RR2DBv-sqZ7pQOz65AzMWkdKSEqItJvTcZNj1rQ2iyFc-EbRoSJVEDPySicFuuf1Vhpd_k0fNkS6NKgzPxbQ/s1600/arm_pucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0jEzgL6UNqg3_l6cw3dC8u2Tk2Q_g6XRzqJM4OAkbPdTKvS8I8RR2DBv-sqZ7pQOz65AzMWkdKSEqItJvTcZNj1rQ2iyFc-EbRoSJVEDPySicFuuf1Vhpd_k0fNkS6NKgzPxbQ/s320/arm_pucker.jpg" border="0" height="207" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzIr_KeJMrSzJ9Yw7-NczMLJCUpfzgP0db6l8W_WvFATtqPn6LxvBd-CszK4NH63neK9MQBSybmP7N-bWLvDcPhUPfOxaIemtHkTPhdnfoiVSVlsOcFqDSvB3ZiMjj4up9kzjw/s1600/bottom_pucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzIr_KeJMrSzJ9Yw7-NczMLJCUpfzgP0db6l8W_WvFATtqPn6LxvBd-CszK4NH63neK9MQBSybmP7N-bWLvDcPhUPfOxaIemtHkTPhdnfoiVSVlsOcFqDSvB3ZiMjj4up9kzjw/s320/bottom_pucker.jpg" border="0" height="169" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />This last picture taken while chasing him to the next room because he heard cheering from the football game on the tele. Don't tell him there's a picture of his butt on the internet. ;)Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-30169082936876418012010-09-01T15:01:00.000-05:002010-09-01T15:01:21.606-05:00McCalls 6069<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/M6069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/M6069.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br />
<span class="prbig"><b>Pattern Description: </b><br />
Pullover, above mid-knee, semi-fitted straight dresses A, B, C have elastic waist casing, stitched hem and bodice variations; dress A is sleeveless; dress B has three-quarter sleeves; dress C is sleeveless with self sash; dresses A, B, C have optional back strap; optional purchased belt. I made view A. I'm wearing it with "optional purchased belt." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="prbig"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw6aq9eVVzJJZM53e9oSDNy87EoBGptWSp2QA2AITPcUQ7gYgrxh-pQp6XIK8-WpSGmodHu9juR7hcm9C8bKkm2TS4fDgfag8gkCLnTCqf1h6bDBuS91hU1lZw74q5oMH8vlF3g/s1600/frontpocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw6aq9eVVzJJZM53e9oSDNy87EoBGptWSp2QA2AITPcUQ7gYgrxh-pQp6XIK8-WpSGmodHu9juR7hcm9C8bKkm2TS4fDgfag8gkCLnTCqf1h6bDBuS91hU1lZw74q5oMH8vlF3g/s320/frontpocket.jpg" width="142" /></a></span></div><span class="prbig"><br />
<b>Pattern Sizing:</b><br />
14-20, I made the 18.<br />
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<b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b><br />
Yes.<br />
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<b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b><br />
A lot of reviewers have said they are easy to follow. I am a beginning knit sewer. (In fact this is my fourth attempt to sew an ITY knit. The other three were wadders.) I found the instructions somewhat confusing and incomplete. I ended up making the bodice twice. Below are the numbered instructions I felt needed extra description. Normal text is the original. The bolded text is what I added after lessons learned on the first attempt at the bodice.<br />
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1. To make pleats in bodice front, on outside, crease along lines of small circles. Bring creases to lines of large circles; baste. Baste across upper edge. Press.<br />
<b>The pleated areas become the shoulder straps. Be very careful that pleats are identically sized or else the shoulder straps will be different widths.</b><br />
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2. Finish unnotched edge of bodice front self facing. Turn in bodice front self facing along fold line; baste.<br />
<b>Finish armhole edges. It's next to impossible to do it when the shoulders and sides have already been sewn together.</b><br />
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3. <b>(</b>Reinforce bodice back pivoting at triangle, as shown. Clip to triangle.<b>)</b> Finish unnotched edge of bodice back self facing. <b>Skip first part of step 3 until after step 7.</b> <br />
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4.To make pleats in bodice back, on outside, crease along lines of small circles. Bring creases to lines of large circles; baste. Baste across upper edge. Press.<br />
<b>Do NOT Turn in bodice back self facing along fold line or baste like you did after making the pleats on the bodice front.</b><br />
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7. <b>Rotate the pleated areas which stick out to the sides into position as shoulder straps.</b> Pin back strap to bodice back self facing, matching triangle as shown. <b>Be careful that back strap is perpendicular to shoulder strap. When stitching, be careful to hold back out of the way and only stitch strap to the facing.</b> Stitch. Stitch again 1/4" away.<br />
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<b>Now do first part of step 3. </b>Reinforce bodice back pivoting at triangle, as shown. Clip to triangle. <b>If you do this before attaching the strap, it's really hard to be positive you are reinforcing the area directly next o the back strap, where it needs to be reinforced. </b><br />
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8. With right sides together, pin bodice back to bodice front at shoulders; baste. <b>Be sure to keep back facing out of the way.</b><br />
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9. Turn bodice back self facing in along foldline, bringing shoulder edges together. Stitch. Stitch again 1/4" away in seam allowance. Trim close to stitching. Press seam allowance flat. <b>Don't serge shoulders together. It's too bulky (4 layers of fabric).</b><br />
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The rest of the instructions are fine, but if you are new to ITY knits like me, be sure to use a walking foot. ITY knits are slippery! Also, be sure to baste your seams before serging if you have a serger. I just wish there was a walking foot for the serger!<br />
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<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b><br />
It's sexy and comfortable.<br />
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It stretched out so that the back strap was a but long and the armholes a bit big (see side view). I'm sure that was just my fabric though. I've heard it said to let knits hang before cutting. I guess there is something in that. ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="prbig"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNlZrLc1zyvpYFASEbyF29oB6aEf0gxUfXzMlhyphenhyphenpDpDO41-0E0IhG7eJ8NabK0Y6Wjd5zxYAG0FTKoVAk8kttvArWoBiE5a5h_zZuZBU8-Odoo19xxWA2D-T3K_4LLkmvDQUm1Q/s1600/side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNlZrLc1zyvpYFASEbyF29oB6aEf0gxUfXzMlhyphenhyphenpDpDO41-0E0IhG7eJ8NabK0Y6Wjd5zxYAG0FTKoVAk8kttvArWoBiE5a5h_zZuZBU8-Odoo19xxWA2D-T3K_4LLkmvDQUm1Q/s320/side.jpg" width="169" /></a></span></div><span class="prbig"><br />
I put pockets in mine and it did add some bulk to the hip area. If you are concerned about that, I'd leave off the pockets.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="prbig"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfz9IjZoWMEFJ313t-AFr_SGTV4x4TdR0-70lkmdNF108DI5r6ZnG_QYdZw_kl77EIoVZEj7GT7ieNGp5DHwiBsnGqWBIaAq1m013D00ZTjtA7G-hP7iMdQXOjpHwiD7gKyPI3w/s1600/backclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfz9IjZoWMEFJ313t-AFr_SGTV4x4TdR0-70lkmdNF108DI5r6ZnG_QYdZw_kl77EIoVZEj7GT7ieNGp5DHwiBsnGqWBIaAq1m013D00ZTjtA7G-hP7iMdQXOjpHwiD7gKyPI3w/s320/backclose.jpg" width="202" /></a></span></div><span class="prbig"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="prbig"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqJebjOn6rvYmWI0fus1n2iUqSWElEzBaCL6rrAnsaocUAKNp6J8DvOak_a0fI5bBH4xEaYqT6Ka8PsVIkOG6D1ZBDfLwnq3jIKTFkAWFLwT6p59I0qDtjgggep9NjEw9dQaIFA/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqJebjOn6rvYmWI0fus1n2iUqSWElEzBaCL6rrAnsaocUAKNp6J8DvOak_a0fI5bBH4xEaYqT6Ka8PsVIkOG6D1ZBDfLwnq3jIKTFkAWFLwT6p59I0qDtjgggep9NjEw9dQaIFA/s320/front.jpg" width="164" /></a></span></div><span class="prbig"><br />
<b>Fabric Used:</b><br />
ITY knit from Michael Levine's in LA. I really miss living in LA just for the garment district if nothing else. I was there for my HS reunion and convinced my husband (he must love me or something) to spend the one free hour of time we had driving to and from downtown in traffic just so I could spend 20 minutes in the 60,000 sq ft heaven that is Michael Levine's. If only I had more time. I bought 4 ITY knits and a rib knit (3 yards each) and got out of there for $42. So this dress cost me about $6 plus thread and elastic that I already had.<br />
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<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b><br />
I did a double needle stitch on the armholes and the hem with one back thread, one red. I just hemmed it about 5/8". With my fabric stretched out, it ended up the perfect length, but it would have been above the knees if it hadn't stretched. Above the knee seems so scandalous now. How funny. Remember when we were all wearing our skirts Ally McBeal short?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="prbig"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0hsyozTdX0axrmjaWRsE5EyC8-l5d1vuRQofdHFWtsILBDy9rJP8z_JJ9ACjLvdqTXAgHG-ddV-RWQFQK1CHjGQ3a1kUdGTGdiN0UmKzRWWrue87huxf_A0CUHrcv_CnyyF-CQ/s1600/hem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0hsyozTdX0axrmjaWRsE5EyC8-l5d1vuRQofdHFWtsILBDy9rJP8z_JJ9ACjLvdqTXAgHG-ddV-RWQFQK1CHjGQ3a1kUdGTGdiN0UmKzRWWrue87huxf_A0CUHrcv_CnyyF-CQ/s320/hem.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span class="prbig"><br />
<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b><br />
I would definitely recommend it. But if you are a beginning knit sewer, ignore the one hour promise on the cover. Not counting my bodice do-over, I'd say this took me about 6 hours. But I have a great dress. Finally - an ITY success. <br />
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<b>Conclusion: </b><br />
It's definitely not a wadder! I love my dress!</span>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-18246231410307805532010-08-06T11:34:00.012-05:002010-08-16T21:24:16.530-05:00back to the seam ripper and stash explosion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q-RAmtSkkA0xh6DcWXMRJlSdh-oFmHrUWoRSjZFvqjJc8GxnPaE_5mDIysfYgd1IneNcXThyyJ7KJtD6TGOH8orQwMwcqnIkJ5t_tmSFInJm74-XJigbNpUJiJkwnQNMjDG4YA/s1600/DSC01366.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 159px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q-RAmtSkkA0xh6DcWXMRJlSdh-oFmHrUWoRSjZFvqjJc8GxnPaE_5mDIysfYgd1IneNcXThyyJ7KJtD6TGOH8orQwMwcqnIkJ5t_tmSFInJm74-XJigbNpUJiJkwnQNMjDG4YA/s320/DSC01366.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506198920973570834" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Burda 8155</span><br /><br />I was so sure this skirt was going to go together smoothly and easily. I've made it twice before and I got it 80% done in just three hours--everything but the trim and the waistband. But oh, not so, not so.<br /><br />Well the trim went on fine, but the waistband is a mess. The left side of the top of the zipper tape is a bit too far from center. It wasn't noticeable until I sewed on the waist band, but now I can see that it pulls a bit creating a little gap above where the zipper teeth meet and the waist band starts. Also, when I sewed on the piping, I used the 3/8" allowance attached to the piping instead of the pattern recommended 5/8". This means the waistband is 1/4 higher than it should be, enlarging said gap above where the zipper teeth meet. I can't have a peek-a-boo of flesh showing, so I am going to have to remove the whole waistband and start over.<br /><br />But I'm not done with the waistband woes yet. This is the first time I used piping. It went on quite smoothly but I didn't leave enough to wrap to the other side. Instead I cut it even with the edge of the skirt so the unfinished white interior was showing. I tried fray stop, a black sharpie and stitching the ends closed. Still looks like ass. <br /><br />And next, instead of top stitching all the way around the waistband, I just stitched in the ditch to attach the inside of the waistband to the body of the skirt. I thought the top stitching would compete with the piping. Well I managed not to catch about 80% of the inside band. That's not going to be fun to remove those stitches. <br /><br />When I've made this skirt before, I had to add 2" to the length of the waistband because I couldn't ease the body of the skirt to fit it. Well, this time the two inches made the waistband way to big and it flares out when on my body.<br /><br />So basically it's a total waistband do-over. About 3 hours of wasted time. More when you add the time it's going to take me to rip out all the stitching. Rats!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGvIojLQIolOVjIGlsipRbUT3zJ4m2e7Pbv-tQXfkW7_dndTKfJukDQBbQ5ydL_uy-4vMJms-RAUZDAPPluOyp5Cx0Zi0DpPkMIJ0Rf2NhEHMlil-tPJ55HK3acrmQS6AntbGg/s1600/oops.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahGvIojLQIolOVjIGlsipRbUT3zJ4m2e7Pbv-tQXfkW7_dndTKfJukDQBbQ5ydL_uy-4vMJms-RAUZDAPPluOyp5Cx0Zi0DpPkMIJ0Rf2NhEHMlil-tPJ55HK3acrmQS6AntbGg/s320/oops.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506188876222294066" /></a><br />(Yuck!)<br />---<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbNwvGrumtJXkm9EcNXl6vr4rriU022afpJcmEmGwPtq5F2YJ9CtALDtuKP-rbmKaVxYNj1AL_f01CQ8hATOOm-gl5Bgx-tHNAeqPnZxRdYNQHjm8hhrLUz65fWznE292CLVAjQ/s1600/back_button.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbNwvGrumtJXkm9EcNXl6vr4rriU022afpJcmEmGwPtq5F2YJ9CtALDtuKP-rbmKaVxYNj1AL_f01CQ8hATOOm-gl5Bgx-tHNAeqPnZxRdYNQHjm8hhrLUz65fWznE292CLVAjQ/s320/back_button.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506188890959115218" /></a><br />(Better)<br /><br />All done now. I cut the waistband length down to the pattern size and it now fits the way it should. I fixed the zipper tape and redid the piping in the correct location. I looked at the piping section in the Kenneth King Cool Couture book but it didn't give instructions on how to finish the edges. I just did what we do in upholstery class--opened up the stitching and cut the interior cord flush with the edge of the skirt, then wrapped the now flat cover fabric to the inside of the skirt and stitched it down. It's almost hidden by the waistband but not quite. There has to be a better way. I'll google it. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_fJV0mt1oLk0DMMhhGJkryM_-zj8NKhxiaBYLHNTHIZzCqwJpquPQ4uUDezbMv3WAjXSBzsEHyfw4ZqFxKDLL5ZsLPEIWCoNLkn-gEhJFDor6EPTxqRHtyN-Jf9S0b-pUVhlCQ/s1600/front.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_fJV0mt1oLk0DMMhhGJkryM_-zj8NKhxiaBYLHNTHIZzCqwJpquPQ4uUDezbMv3WAjXSBzsEHyfw4ZqFxKDLL5ZsLPEIWCoNLkn-gEhJFDor6EPTxqRHtyN-Jf9S0b-pUVhlCQ/s320/front.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506189808613852498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pqqtEEGKeet-Wh5YqMn9_WBwhQ9moQJ8CWqWNdT1XhbNCyjLfmS3hpJnClSd0jam2sMJdzBpM5FNiTV0kOOqq5nmiMIaEk3NZR8B4lGnHyzOPNJctfda9azmJ5hdzFgE3QvFWw/s1600/back2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pqqtEEGKeet-Wh5YqMn9_WBwhQ9moQJ8CWqWNdT1XhbNCyjLfmS3hpJnClSd0jam2sMJdzBpM5FNiTV0kOOqq5nmiMIaEk3NZR8B4lGnHyzOPNJctfda9azmJ5hdzFgE3QvFWw/s320/back2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506189799777522994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDii2U4MZrT6leo3WvE69qT4CNffNwvSTE4ewx2OnEjkyeBqeXq5s3Dnc1TPCazJy2FdmbDS8twl0aH5V2nEVeXmnrI-E5QCU5LoWG87nbAXEIZqlQvkY9tbYQ1pPCEh0OMICssw/s1600/back_closeup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDii2U4MZrT6leo3WvE69qT4CNffNwvSTE4ewx2OnEjkyeBqeXq5s3Dnc1TPCazJy2FdmbDS8twl0aH5V2nEVeXmnrI-E5QCU5LoWG87nbAXEIZqlQvkY9tbYQ1pPCEh0OMICssw/s320/back_closeup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506188883785124994" /></a><br /><br />This time I followed the instructions and topstitched all the way around the waistband. It doesn't compete with the piping too bad and at least it lays flat and the interior side looks clean. However, fresh off my excellent edge-stitching job I did attaching the ribbon to the hem, I didn't draw a line to follow while top/edge-stitching the waistband. I should have. The stitches are not straight or an even distance from the edge. But you'd have to be standing quite close to me to notice. <br />I now have three versions of this skirt. I think I'm done.<br /><br />---<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6i7TbFGmnUbZxWX8L71OaPkDcHYBYxeCnUsMJc8RIz8tdx5okyVfGs6rCyM0S49wrnPp33x6O5bD_MMmXnRa9cnxadyIFUNQ7Hbw9S96L3IPP5xp1KhyqgGx8LuMO4xXcr2pWQ/s1600/stash2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6i7TbFGmnUbZxWX8L71OaPkDcHYBYxeCnUsMJc8RIz8tdx5okyVfGs6rCyM0S49wrnPp33x6O5bD_MMmXnRa9cnxadyIFUNQ7Hbw9S96L3IPP5xp1KhyqgGx8LuMO4xXcr2pWQ/s320/stash2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506190081649254578" /></a><br /><br />While in L.A. last weekend for my 20th high school reunion, I somehow convinced Corey to drive in traffic, out of the way, to go downtown so I could spend 20 minutes in <a href="http://www.mlfabric.com/">Michael Levine's</a> 60,000 sq foot fabric store. If only I had more time. I bought 4 ITY knits and a rib knit (3 yards each) and got out of there for $42. I got home to see the linen and crepe fabrics I purchased from fabric.com had arrived too. Although the blue crepe doesn't feel or look like any crepe I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure it's a stretch broadcloth labeled as crepe. <br /><br />With the red linen, I plan to make this: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://butterick.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/B5455.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://butterick.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/B5455.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The waistband will be the blue linen. Either that or it will all be red, but piped in blue.<br /><br />And this with one of the ITY knits:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/M6069.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/M6069.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The pink with sheer stripe knit will become a pair of leggings for winter:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.jalie.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/2/9/2920_leggings_stirrup_tights_mini_skirt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 702px; height: 918px;" src="http://www.jalie.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/2/9/2920_leggings_stirrup_tights_mini_skirt.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I planned to use the blue crepe for this:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://butterick.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/B5212.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://butterick.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/B5212.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />But I think it's too stiff. Hopefully once I get my first Burda issue (B-day present from my mother-in-lay) there will be something I can use the crepe, I mean broadcloth for.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-36995532555969544252010-07-29T11:05:00.002-05:002010-07-29T13:00:00.637-05:00Tailored shirt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wVk8gsTwBLxoJA3czjKP7zVXtMPIKy1J6uTyYcl7Us_l2-RPTnEICeAxI22JhcJMQwo1JpGPtejwQH7Xlq1OkIji3jrKtrVgb8Ko36j0vG7DYXADD6CqaisI_nFq7km7F0npRQ/s1600/blouse1a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wVk8gsTwBLxoJA3czjKP7zVXtMPIKy1J6uTyYcl7Us_l2-RPTnEICeAxI22JhcJMQwo1JpGPtejwQH7Xlq1OkIji3jrKtrVgb8Ko36j0vG7DYXADD6CqaisI_nFq7km7F0npRQ/s320/blouse1a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499360297305662626" /></a><br />(super goofy photo courtesy of Corey) (Ugh!)<br /><br />I finished my first successful set-in sleeve shirt last night, other than the one I made in the intermediate sewing class at the <a href="http://www.asfdesigns.com/classes.php">Austin School of Fashion Design</a>. If you are in Austin, I highly recommend ASFD. I learned SO MUCH in that class. Little tips and tricks that I would have never picked up on my own--how to properly mark, sew and press darts, the right way to sew on a button (with a shank) and how to set in sleeves without puckers. And that edges should be serged after the seams have been sewn. I have been serging the edges off all pattern pieces before I sew a single stitch. Apparently this is a big no-no and stretches out the fabric. It also makes the notches hard to see. Most importantly, I think I learned the importance of CAREFULLY tracing and marking each pattern piece, dart, notch, etc. My haphazard ways were causing me a lot of the issues I was having. Taking the class really helped get me past my plateau.<br /><br />I have enjoyed classes at <a href="http://www.stitchlab.biz/">Stitch Lab</a> too, but the classes I took there were more towards the casual home sewer. The ASFD taught how to sew the professional, perfectionist way...for models. I say that because the pattern sizes they had available for the tailored shirt were RTW 0, 2, 4, and 6--you know, model sizes. I don't think I've been a 6 since I hit puberty. ;) I can't wear the shirt I made, so I immediately began making a tailored shirt I could wear. <br /><br />I made a muslin for the first time. I bought the Japanese cotton fabric at <a href="http://www.commonthreadfabric.com/">Common Thread</a> and it wasn't cheap. I didn't want to end up with something I was embarrassed to wear like I did with my Sencha shirt. The muslin fit pretty well. I had made a 2" full arm adjustment to the pattern before I made the muslin. I ended up taking 1/2" back out when I sewed the fashion fabric.<br /><br />Here are photos of the back and side:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCIcpCVBvvGeR8P9hGQjKY87UUZGQ1AJPvBKwUUn9ytmntR99eiHX7HcFTlNEi21C3YmM9Pbjj8GS4HlngyONjS-hvJediS1lJ_M-5BGLRvXV86H5amKtDrpojO127dpuqMM3pQ/s1600/blouse3a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCIcpCVBvvGeR8P9hGQjKY87UUZGQ1AJPvBKwUUn9ytmntR99eiHX7HcFTlNEi21C3YmM9Pbjj8GS4HlngyONjS-hvJediS1lJ_M-5BGLRvXV86H5amKtDrpojO127dpuqMM3pQ/s320/blouse3a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499360308311545074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpoRDJcAEZkYFWEvUe_xTIq5x4m6BtRl0v2sBWs3nBlgaP8dsWWbTzJaeJdIFby5y3wy7Phlm4KH6kEoDDR-Y2MGYDUqTlyNr4izrOYP5fMp5zx46AlB2b_jKj5qME4q-j_N-Hg/s1600/blouse2a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpoRDJcAEZkYFWEvUe_xTIq5x4m6BtRl0v2sBWs3nBlgaP8dsWWbTzJaeJdIFby5y3wy7Phlm4KH6kEoDDR-Y2MGYDUqTlyNr4izrOYP5fMp5zx46AlB2b_jKj5qME4q-j_N-Hg/s320/blouse2a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499360298891211906" /></a><br /><br />The pattern review is <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=53977">here</a>.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-47638470588745058222010-07-11T17:37:00.010-05:002010-07-26T13:52:42.497-05:00Finished Elf Costume<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RYqucodskKzO6HryrmnQifZg3x1_W4gY_1qBrKvYQdM6s8H6zRrBDioAOh3QPTRcko2EDxheIVeJ83d5Ef1ZoXbw5T30NTjXNI1STnwByqb8lkT1v_2GXKfrxcQXGnUKwRhYpA/s1600/jareth20102.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RYqucodskKzO6HryrmnQifZg3x1_W4gY_1qBrKvYQdM6s8H6zRrBDioAOh3QPTRcko2EDxheIVeJ83d5Ef1ZoXbw5T30NTjXNI1STnwByqb8lkT1v_2GXKfrxcQXGnUKwRhYpA/s320/jareth20102.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498289350031266194" /></a><br /><br />Here are Joyce and friends in costume. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkarfsa5CoSPb69HgRnW96nU9RdLvIakiueY_Pfgw1Jcz6iwDXwGqF0AyLgQe1kHb6rVjKQjlb9bL6TQ8z284eEwCd6A6emKE2pq0F61BE4Ska_2-koOhiSX9YN-_0nPqMHL_nw/s1600/jareth20101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkarfsa5CoSPb69HgRnW96nU9RdLvIakiueY_Pfgw1Jcz6iwDXwGqF0AyLgQe1kHb6rVjKQjlb9bL6TQ8z284eEwCd6A6emKE2pq0F61BE4Ska_2-koOhiSX9YN-_0nPqMHL_nw/s320/jareth20101.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498289356758575938" /></a><br /><br />Below is the pattern review with photos. I am pretty proud of this one.<br /><br /><b>Pattern Description: </b><br />Misses Fairy/Butterfly/Elf Costume.<br /><br />This is the dress part of the elf costume I'm made for my sister who will be attending the <a/ href="http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com/">Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball.</a> She asked for a woodland/Lord-of-the-Rings-type elf costume. These are the two pictures she sent as examples.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIGhvTqTDZcP8o9tZFeYx8CN8aUbr-oAI7tppsktfRj-jzJQfWyTKGQfsPx_42jopcOf18de3VmkZ2l1eTfK-NlHs2cYw3onvNiQ9-6UZp84sNaVU3XiOB4ThEjH-dyuGYpI58g/s1600/elf2.jpg" target="_blank" rel='nofollow'>Elf 1</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwb621UPiQrvARwuP6uA62ykQByhXzvX0YO_Jwg3TGO-I8QpLyWVl-ojQXWYbcZFM30sG2nYwrukANWaTeW829fgGR7GzNkWw8t9LCaAqIyS-i36AHzAP-N61GiT3kvAEQN4PLQ/s1600/elf1.jpg" target="_blank" rel='nofollow'>Elf 2</a><br /><br />I've decided to make a combination of the two. <br /><br /><b>Pattern Sizing:</b><br />I made the 14<br /><br /><b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b><br />No, because I made a lot of changes. See below.<br /><br /><b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b><br />Not difficult.<br /><br /><b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b><br />The pattern calls for a dress (they call it a slip), an overdress, a skirt and an overskirt--all out of sheer fabrics, with the edges left raw. Four separate pieces/layers for what it essentially one dress. I got a little overzealous and bought some green silk crinkle chiffon for the overdress, which I made first. I have never sewn with that type of fabric before. It was like trying to sew air. Even though I made french seams for all the seams, it unraveled like crazy. Holes appeared wherever I tried to push elastic through a channel. When it was done it was just a hot mess. Soooooo, I decided rather than have a short sheer slip dress with a long sheer overdress, I would line the slip dress, make it long and do away with the overdress, skirt and overskirt all together.<br /><br />The slip dress is body skimming and cut on the bias. It has a nice shape.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxWAKtJlrF5kz3dAMSSBCqALVS8uP2hVRkm1JIojt65iW89q8CxPkPzz0WqmilRJGdHk6MXkOltGRQPGfjMoNsIEFsHdFWgRkx4UR4w7oKUDmgc5-Ae0Bm0XfyngtsxLUFx0SjQ/s1600/fulldress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxWAKtJlrF5kz3dAMSSBCqALVS8uP2hVRkm1JIojt65iW89q8CxPkPzz0WqmilRJGdHk6MXkOltGRQPGfjMoNsIEFsHdFWgRkx4UR4w7oKUDmgc5-Ae0Bm0XfyngtsxLUFx0SjQ/s320/fulldress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492792522676706418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzoNPMTkc-lE_m9BBJ8bQtI-JJqXsFtQwDmutE1jumkieEyGppiUtWBIQB7dVYHpZ5GbU3ma1mxNfaM9X-bRdMycy7JusNDG1rlfl9p0T8GLCEhfYJTaIEAkt7Bse93e8TG3otQ/s1600/fullback.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzoNPMTkc-lE_m9BBJ8bQtI-JJqXsFtQwDmutE1jumkieEyGppiUtWBIQB7dVYHpZ5GbU3ma1mxNfaM9X-bRdMycy7JusNDG1rlfl9p0T8GLCEhfYJTaIEAkt7Bse93e8TG3otQ/s320/fullback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492792515370198850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I didn't like was that the bodice of the slip dress was really low cut. I mean REALLY low. This dress is for my sis why does not like to show off her cleavage, so this was a problem. The costume does call to add some flower embellishment across the bodice. I choose to add white rose garland from JoAnn's and stitched the rest of the garland at either hip so it will trail and sway when she walks. <br /><br />Here are photos of the bodice without and then with the garland.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VZVBVW61a609okFWHhZ5eBeH4cKGdZxADdui93fWpUyAHyg0uBJsDoR90Pk9ZfyJVekz2P3H4jVpQYS8cEwh-1a2dgjbNcNv5Y1hVTRYl6PWZvzYtheJOyc49d1tK69lXJ5Y_Q/s1600/bustnoflowers2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VZVBVW61a609okFWHhZ5eBeH4cKGdZxADdui93fWpUyAHyg0uBJsDoR90Pk9ZfyJVekz2P3H4jVpQYS8cEwh-1a2dgjbNcNv5Y1hVTRYl6PWZvzYtheJOyc49d1tK69lXJ5Y_Q/s320/bustnoflowers2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492792500828128162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8bp0SAcldReb7HmzcUkJG4qlEEouIi9sl3DU06D5Bsnz3agCzPGa6bfSsUr5HacBkUPK5817Q98GL5rkBboIjTT1iGNzf4dWNQbaqOJEaOODSeJfCWiU0lYz3OX00B7GVkA2sw/s1600/bustdress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8bp0SAcldReb7HmzcUkJG4qlEEouIi9sl3DU06D5Bsnz3agCzPGa6bfSsUr5HacBkUPK5817Q98GL5rkBboIjTT1iGNzf4dWNQbaqOJEaOODSeJfCWiU0lYz3OX00B7GVkA2sw/s320/bustdress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492792509192356706" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I did like the puffy off-the-shoulder sleeves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtmkB88aIqF00uiHGQrdX89dY7h6NQEsby9vWINhVsZsrP7qnkRnzP2UFlVcrwIdwz047JVjcmDvNofm6KgHAvWMXpB-LhaUks1mP5U_eNT1n3YdqoRneQAumYyBR_5xH-resDQ/s1600/closeupdress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtmkB88aIqF00uiHGQrdX89dY7h6NQEsby9vWINhVsZsrP7qnkRnzP2UFlVcrwIdwz047JVjcmDvNofm6KgHAvWMXpB-LhaUks1mP5U_eNT1n3YdqoRneQAumYyBR_5xH-resDQ/s320/closeupdress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492782193684612194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><b>Fabric Used:</b><br />I used a white jacquard leaf print on sheer georgette from FFC lined with nude ambiance lining.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fabricfabric.net/images/swatches/AAA759.600x600_thumb.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 600px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.fabricfabric.net/images/swatches/AAA759.600x600_thumb.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b><br />After the chiffon unravelling debaucle, I finished all the edges of the slip dress.<br /><br />I added 15 inches to the length. There were no instructions for lining other than the bodice, and because I had so much trouble with the crinkle chiffon, I serged the lining directly to the georgette and treated it like a single layer of fabric. It was pretty easy to work with this way although I'm sure someone will tell me that there is a better way to do it. ;)<br /><br />I added some fake ivy from JoAnn's to the corset vest so it would look like the elf in the first photo my sis sent.<br /><br /><b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b><br />I recommend the corset vest for anyone needing a quick Ren. Faire costume. Review is here: <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=52350" target="_blank" rel='nofollow'>Simplicity 2857</a><br /><br />The idea of sewing two dresses and two skirts for one costume seams a bit much, which is probably why I'm the first to review this. If I were to sew it again, I would have to try to redraft the bodice so that it gave a lot more coverage.<br /><br /><b>Conclusion: </b><br />I really like the way it turned out on the mannekin, which just happens to be the same size as my sister. I just hope it gives her enough coverage. But all in all, not too bad. I hope she likes it. Here are photos of the complete costume.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTjay6ac7wVvy7Sy5Eqaphd5NHH0hNwDaylQYBlEsUSFQ41BrWwG1G_ambX5IwwgoYJECloXs5YeC7nHn4Y54sBhOaFZa7oCQ0JXCNpeAs1ZAHLTcTxAO8ddQOCuzBw1eYZntlw/s1600/fullfrontvest.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTjay6ac7wVvy7Sy5Eqaphd5NHH0hNwDaylQYBlEsUSFQ41BrWwG1G_ambX5IwwgoYJECloXs5YeC7nHn4Y54sBhOaFZa7oCQ0JXCNpeAs1ZAHLTcTxAO8ddQOCuzBw1eYZntlw/s320/fullfrontvest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492794201446410562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BDWNHrRFEeNppSwUsLKj34IUel1_uclJzhiW6mG6Lrfg0Wi6SxScBujUTHgZRX6xw7sF5HavuFGj02kBIyTnqVoS2v_H5UdE6pDcLN3KlI4_dhJ92Xna6Fu5A-fD0G2ZGpLhbQ/s1600/frontvest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BDWNHrRFEeNppSwUsLKj34IUel1_uclJzhiW6mG6Lrfg0Wi6SxScBujUTHgZRX6xw7sF5HavuFGj02kBIyTnqVoS2v_H5UdE6pDcLN3KlI4_dhJ92Xna6Fu5A-fD0G2ZGpLhbQ/s320/frontvest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492792530141481106" border="0" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-6525490155074676972010-06-23T14:51:00.007-05:002010-08-16T16:37:52.313-05:00You are such a good dog. Actually you're a rotten, terrible dog.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiCmJZjzat8vMkGfBrerXUxFWmtphsRy46ZzfNtokekZaAKeRZYbZGQqxcThlHe_gFA0OAyl8grz63dY5uqDzElYeUVxY6_KfKjJX7W92rYSMmNFE1RwJi7ekmdeJnZvSOkG1LQ/s1600/with+frisbee_lores.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiCmJZjzat8vMkGfBrerXUxFWmtphsRy46ZzfNtokekZaAKeRZYbZGQqxcThlHe_gFA0OAyl8grz63dY5uqDzElYeUVxY6_KfKjJX7W92rYSMmNFE1RwJi7ekmdeJnZvSOkG1LQ/s320/with+frisbee_lores.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486059504910560594" /></a><br /><br />I have been wondering lately what makes a dog, a good dog. <br />My dog Roni is certainly not good by traditional standards. She is a dumpster diver, counter surfer, scrounger, poop eater, carpet pee-er, bed hog, sloppy drinker, not to mention epileptic, dog aggressive, probably brain damaged and able to leap six-foot fences in a single bound. Yet she is an incredible problem solver, extremely lovable and good for the soul.<br />Every time we leave the house, it has to be bear-bagged. Any trash can left in the open will be overturned. If the bathroom doors are left open, she will do one of two things. Option one: she will open the under-sink cupboards (despite the child locks) and eat and/or spread the soap, shampoo, q-tips, cotton balls, and toilet paper all over the house. How do you punish this? She already washed her own mouth out with soap. Second option: she will lock herself in the room. That requires turning and pushing in the knob simultaneously—without opposable thumbs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx8MVjXpWuZj2dtQELuzNvfKam2pAtlUJbHB2Qi_tuyqJkYY5gfGwtX4krWPiD_afUwRvdm_kQjKPIxs4EOQcjfafmPys6vj3fHiatTimBhSBJQqXecUg7gy8Qi7JRsLretIEAA/s1600/kitchen_trash.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAx8MVjXpWuZj2dtQELuzNvfKam2pAtlUJbHB2Qi_tuyqJkYY5gfGwtX4krWPiD_afUwRvdm_kQjKPIxs4EOQcjfafmPys6vj3fHiatTimBhSBJQqXecUg7gy8Qi7JRsLretIEAA/s320/kitchen_trash.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487893878463502450" /></a><br /><br /> If we so much as leave a backpack out with a granola bar zippered into a pocket, she will get to it and eat it. But she knows she isn’t supposed to be doing these things. If we are in the room, she’s an angel. The only way to catch her in the act would be to pretend to leave and hide somewhere. Even then, if we caught her, what would we do? She already knows she’s being naughty.<br />Several times we have come home to a kitchen with every drawer and cupboard opened, including the dishwasher. Roni will usually be found happily running around the yard with a potholder in her mouth. One Thanksgiving she overturned the gigantic, city-provided trash can to get to the turkey carcass. Now we have to bungee cord it shut.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituYHZWgXc7QLOuSFGm7yhaqCz61OfZFAb9iNSPGTBjQplGiuBPv9qMyGuvzDzIzaoPNo1i5HkaIBZeuchFJ81Vm6I8LMIAimQ_o9uuBB8QiGEn5TP7jjq4sffXjmgnKEhLkBc7g/s1600/coffee_pot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituYHZWgXc7QLOuSFGm7yhaqCz61OfZFAb9iNSPGTBjQplGiuBPv9qMyGuvzDzIzaoPNo1i5HkaIBZeuchFJ81Vm6I8LMIAimQ_o9uuBB8QiGEn5TP7jjq4sffXjmgnKEhLkBc7g/s320/coffee_pot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487893871349932946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ1JrcsArGqYaOLSRsrx4AcCSUg8O2AvN1S0OeY5TrH2ix4H4TCjGw8dUWVGGdD0uHm81ZvldshlpHALFETwRJMdgNtWSQHnwJ042WgACd9X6lq_MbyajpRTFXijBqeCaW3EBjA/s1600/bathroom.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ1JrcsArGqYaOLSRsrx4AcCSUg8O2AvN1S0OeY5TrH2ix4H4TCjGw8dUWVGGdD0uHm81ZvldshlpHALFETwRJMdgNtWSQHnwJ042WgACd9X6lq_MbyajpRTFXijBqeCaW3EBjA/s320/bathroom.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487893827301370082" /></a><br /><br />Before we learned our lesson, or in moments of forgetfulness, she has pulled down from the counter or out of the garbage can and eaten (on separate occasions):<br />• 5 pounds of carne asada.<br />• 7 dozen chocolate Christmas cookies. This required a trip to the vet for induced vomiting. Wag, wiggle, barf, wag, wiggle, barf.<br />• A dozen rib bones. Another trip to the vet. Stomach x-rayed. We decided not to operate. She had white chalky poop for a few days, but luckily no tears or blockage.<br />• 1 bottle of vitamins including part of the glass bottle. Another trip to the vet for induced vomiting.<br />• 3/4 can of ground coffee. This time we induced vomiting at home with peroxide.<br />• 3-5 lbs of raw pork out of the crock pot.<br />• 1 bottle of rancid oil (from the fry daddy). She carried it onto the couch, chewed off the cap and spilled it all over the cushions.<br />• 1 tub of rotten salsa and sour cream. Again she carried it to couch and smeared it all over the couch and rug.<br />• 1 package of scone mix. There’s a story there.<br />• I could go on, but you get the idea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS6w0cVvKJ0CnIzowqRndjRgZcuNvUwbcqUgwDZVLoLL05gU3sTOvymlDb7JPMAauIviaMFqNymUTSZYCTH_MjYS0Y6CZOkW-BXNyo_OS1fE4iphodT7fLr2fkP-wPjt1rCyWkg/s1600/licorice_nightstand.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS6w0cVvKJ0CnIzowqRndjRgZcuNvUwbcqUgwDZVLoLL05gU3sTOvymlDb7JPMAauIviaMFqNymUTSZYCTH_MjYS0Y6CZOkW-BXNyo_OS1fE4iphodT7fLr2fkP-wPjt1rCyWkg/s320/licorice_nightstand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487893884828372882" /></a> (I left a package of red vines in my nightstand drawer)<br /><br />The scone story:<br />Corey and I went to dinner one night and when we got home Roni did not greet us at the door with a toy and a wiggle like she normally does. She came in from the back yard a few minutes later wiggling her butt, her face and paws were covered with an off-white, frothy substance. Roni has epilepsy and when she has a seizure, large amounts of drool and foam come out of her mouth and nose. At first glance, we thought she just had a seizure—except she normally is quite out of sorts and certainly not happy and wiggly when she comes out of a seizure—and this foam looked thicker and gloppier than normal. <br />Corey bent over to get a closer look. "It smells sweet," he said. Then I realized that the bag of raspberry scone mix (just add water) that I had put on top of the microwave and planned to make for breakfast in the morning was gone. Roni had managed to get it down from the microwave, carry it into the back yard, rip the top off and eat more than half the bag of powdered mix before we caught her. What was left of the bag was sitting on the patio. She'd eaten about 6 scones—a week's worth of breakfasts. And she was damn happy about it, covered in the sticky, gloppy, sugary mess. Damn dog! At least she didn't have seizure. <br /><br />It was about that time when I decided to try to keep a running list of all the bad things Roni does. The week after the scone incident she somehow opened the door to the office (haven't figured out how yet), and dragged the box of food I thought was safe into the living room. She tore open the box and ate two or three granola bars, a bag of chips, and three or four containers of powdered soup— the kind you peel back the lid, add hot water, stir and eat. And she didn't eat it neatly, there were wrappers and powered soup all over the couch, the floor, her bed, her paws, her face. At least the granola bars weren't chocolate. A few days later we came home and the 50 lb bag of potting soil we had left on the back patio had been torn open and spread all over the patio. Apparently she had played with it AND eaten it, because the next morning her poop was black as potting soil. Essentially she pooped three dirt clods. After that it was more dumpster diving, plastic eating, getting kicked out of agility class, peeing on the rug, so on and so forth. I'm just a sucker for that sweet face when she curls up next to me and rests her head on my lap. Dumb dog.<br /><br />Then there is the $200 fart story. Roni and I were home alone one night when Corey was out of town for business. Roni began pacing the yard, dry heaving. After several hours I began to get worried that she had the bloat—a condition large-chested dogs are prone to that causes the stomach to twist over on itself. It can be fatal. By this time it was after midnight. I called the emergency vet and explained the symptoms. They told me to bring her in immediately. Across town we went. They poked, prodded, x-rayed, but could not find anything wrong. She had since stopped the dry heaving, so they sent me home with a $200 invoice and told me to watch her. We got home around 2:30 and went to bed. At 3 she woke me up with more pacing and dry heaving. I was about to make another call to the vet when she suddenly stopped pacing and cut the longest, loudest, juiciest fart I have ever heard in my life. It must have gone on a full minute. But then she circled three times, lay down and slept the rest of the night. Yep, it was naught but a case of extreme gassiness.<br /><br />When she first began having seizures we took her to the doggie neurologist for a cat scan to be sure the seizures weren’t caused by a brain tumor. It turned out she is missing a small part of her brain. We blame the missing piece when she does things dogs aren’t supposed to do, like eliminating or defecating on her bed. Thankfully it doesn’t happen too often but it does happen. But she is trainable. We took agility and obedience classes for several years before her dog aggressive tendencies reared their ugly head. She even passed her Canine Good Citizen test. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDLqEaacyNg5rpcaHPozZqJMZjPk0LemFhQIuWJxPrzAmCxcrLM-x9P_NMNMMNzqVMZ_avS2dJoz2us-9a08IFx7a-BqFQVBw-j9sVzSxNUghQRwfPCB5UkiLK6sqARTQ5SVW1w/s1600/roni+pets+corey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDLqEaacyNg5rpcaHPozZqJMZjPk0LemFhQIuWJxPrzAmCxcrLM-x9P_NMNMMNzqVMZ_avS2dJoz2us-9a08IFx7a-BqFQVBw-j9sVzSxNUghQRwfPCB5UkiLK6sqARTQ5SVW1w/s320/roni+pets+corey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486059977377409474" /></a><br /><br />Despite her damaged brain, her problem solving skills are amazing—easily opening doors, drawers, zippers, etc. Perhaps the best example happened when we first adopted her. We tried to keep her in the kitchen when we weren’t at home because she was not yet house trained. I said yet. Ha! She still pees in the house if she doesn’t feel like going out, but I digress. The kitchen had two entrances, one pocket door, which we closed, and one arch way. We put two chairs in the arch way with boxes of books (we had just moved in) under the chairs and on top of the seats. The arch way was thoroughly blocked. We came home to find that Roni had chewed the side off the boxes and used her paws to pull the books out. This created a tunnel under the chairs which she promptly crawled through. Freedom! <br /><br />The thing is, despite the fact that Roni is clearly not the model of canine obedience, she is sweet and gentle and loving. She will patiently allow us to trim her nails, dress her up in funny sweaters when it’s cold, flip her on her back (for belly rubs), take “food” out of her mouth, and essentially do anything to her without complaint. She accepts treats extremely gently (probably because of her boxer underbite), gives kisses freely and is a joy to have around. I couldn’t possibly love her more. Isn’t that truly what makes a good dog?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp0ji2vToCChbujdiYxfCkwYaSdM3F7cmKqZe_HXMRTBELfI4v1sp-eZ9t5jFH_REtwHMprYWZ8PTq0paJj0YVHIzhdrpUJzWLGsbIkFU_KL10QT9CAYOsqMnRv1b_9I3MUnn8A/s1600/MandD+paint+Roni.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp0ji2vToCChbujdiYxfCkwYaSdM3F7cmKqZe_HXMRTBELfI4v1sp-eZ9t5jFH_REtwHMprYWZ8PTq0paJj0YVHIzhdrpUJzWLGsbIkFU_KL10QT9CAYOsqMnRv1b_9I3MUnn8A/s320/MandD+paint+Roni.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486059967762060354" /></a>(My parents painting the brown spots on Roni.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplhIIDFN4EY7cO2VCVvMora-BSaPHp9MHEElRlM4J48AyfQF3jfGiI7-Hy2kp0bb88Mb5kyw3ClXi0C2FFSy5d7CisIhihwZEaUZ2ZMVg_T8iqb1WcIr9kzCKv-IDe7VCTvQM2g/s1600/me+and+roni+sleeping.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplhIIDFN4EY7cO2VCVvMora-BSaPHp9MHEElRlM4J48AyfQF3jfGiI7-Hy2kp0bb88Mb5kyw3ClXi0C2FFSy5d7CisIhihwZEaUZ2ZMVg_T8iqb1WcIr9kzCKv-IDe7VCTvQM2g/s320/me+and+roni+sleeping.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486061305776112338" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRyUUO-yOiW9fayng9u9IMkdDlT9lwgvuVe-QvkHjieyK7Vv-u1AzudWWEyIYXGZ8EFRHDYn5S2LqtPgTrX67jPDvWQ2kHnMh1BBVNm6pjaD_aPjjsf7za0yvgGNRfQc1YP0xmg/s1600/50359385989.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRyUUO-yOiW9fayng9u9IMkdDlT9lwgvuVe-QvkHjieyK7Vv-u1AzudWWEyIYXGZ8EFRHDYn5S2LqtPgTrX67jPDvWQ2kHnMh1BBVNm6pjaD_aPjjsf7za0yvgGNRfQc1YP0xmg/s320/50359385989.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486061295007087266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lPxW-dG0jsAbIJf5fAtcwwMvVIOlDoUPJSSAXY4NyCPCsO0gx_QQvterO1IWhnJ655DKPMXGjbE6ZcO2qAn7RBYMLRYWBARohISZAghRxA7oxabKY39RLkcto_0AAkNa2wU7Sg/s1600/my+family1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lPxW-dG0jsAbIJf5fAtcwwMvVIOlDoUPJSSAXY4NyCPCsO0gx_QQvterO1IWhnJ655DKPMXGjbE6ZcO2qAn7RBYMLRYWBARohISZAghRxA7oxabKY39RLkcto_0AAkNa2wU7Sg/s320/my+family1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486061291837030434" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-28918384144916953382010-06-10T16:29:00.004-05:002010-06-10T16:40:37.946-05:00Elf CostumeHi,<br />Yes, it's been forever. I've been busy. Here is just one of the many things I've been up to. Making this. Sorry the photo is a little blurry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvw7cIkiL2Zsz-sdsn4jpwvFQihb9BIfejosK-4ioRzSeKE5STJ7uEp0tvx83WTd8G291lyr4esjW4hwrV-ePfyGiOGiTwUMRJR3m8Vut__1UTC_NLhd_uWYCt3Rsgmm86NTjpg/s1600/2010-06-10+10.24.04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvw7cIkiL2Zsz-sdsn4jpwvFQihb9BIfejosK-4ioRzSeKE5STJ7uEp0tvx83WTd8G291lyr4esjW4hwrV-ePfyGiOGiTwUMRJR3m8Vut__1UTC_NLhd_uWYCt3Rsgmm86NTjpg/s320/2010-06-10+10.24.04.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481261199620977410" /></a><br /><br /><b>Pattern Description: </b><br />Misses Fairy Costume. View A. <br />My sister will be attending the <a/ href="http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com/">Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade Ball</a> and asked for an elf costume. Not a Christmas elf, but a woodland/Lord-of-the-Rings-type elf. These are the two pictures she sent as examples.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIGhvTqTDZcP8o9tZFeYx8CN8aUbr-oAI7tppsktfRj-jzJQfWyTKGQfsPx_42jopcOf18de3VmkZ2l1eTfK-NlHs2cYw3onvNiQ9-6UZp84sNaVU3XiOB4ThEjH-dyuGYpI58g/s1600/elf2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIGhvTqTDZcP8o9tZFeYx8CN8aUbr-oAI7tppsktfRj-jzJQfWyTKGQfsPx_42jopcOf18de3VmkZ2l1eTfK-NlHs2cYw3onvNiQ9-6UZp84sNaVU3XiOB4ThEjH-dyuGYpI58g/s320/elf2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481260730753407346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwb621UPiQrvARwuP6uA62ykQByhXzvX0YO_Jwg3TGO-I8QpLyWVl-ojQXWYbcZFM30sG2nYwrukANWaTeW829fgGR7GzNkWw8t9LCaAqIyS-i36AHzAP-N61GiT3kvAEQN4PLQ/s1600/elf1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwb621UPiQrvARwuP6uA62ykQByhXzvX0YO_Jwg3TGO-I8QpLyWVl-ojQXWYbcZFM30sG2nYwrukANWaTeW829fgGR7GzNkWw8t9LCaAqIyS-i36AHzAP-N61GiT3kvAEQN4PLQ/s320/elf1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481260724594397282" /></a><br /><br />I've decided to make a combination of the two. This is for the corset/vest part of the costume.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbtW7U5QCQB2JdkpeIl7PLnWZjMhrrihn0sy17ybhg_cWDxjfwlfxwQT6lDqFKuGr7OlEp3lfV_nqhvrigJerGTKDs5kDOII-noE0zsxJ32PXxYHsbh7Y5H00DIDMkLE93qkczg/s1600/simplicity2857.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbtW7U5QCQB2JdkpeIl7PLnWZjMhrrihn0sy17ybhg_cWDxjfwlfxwQT6lDqFKuGr7OlEp3lfV_nqhvrigJerGTKDs5kDOII-noE0zsxJ32PXxYHsbh7Y5H00DIDMkLE93qkczg/s320/simplicity2857.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481262931289947090" /></a><br /><br /><b>Pattern Sizing:</b><br />Size 14<br /><br /><b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b><br />Yes. Yippee!<br /><br /><b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b><br />Except for the sewing the back above the zipper. I still can't figure out what they intended. It sounds like they wanted the lining AND exterior turned to the inside and stitched. But the zipper itself tucks nicely in between the lining and the exterior. Why would they want the seam allowances hanging out where it's visible? I ended up just doing an invisible stitch by hand to close it.<br /><br /><b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b><br />Corset-look without the boning. Easy enough for a relative beginner. The zipper was a little tricky, but that's it. Plus the pointy ends are very elf-like. Also, the lining is meant to be made from the same material as the exterior. Two layers of microsuede is going to get hot. If I'd realized it ahead of time, I would have made the lining out of lining material. Note to self: Read the instructions CAREFULLY before cutting fabric next time.<br /><br /><b>Fabric Used:</b><br />Brown microfiber/microsuede from Fashion Fabrics Club.<br /><br /><b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b><br />I added strings of sparkly beads to hang from the points at the bottom. You can see from the pattern photo that without any weight, the points curl up a bit. Besides, a girl (or girl elf) can never be too sparkly.<br /><br /><b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b><br />If anyone needs something to wear to a renaissance faire, this is perfect and goes together pretty quickly. <br /><br /><b>Conclusion: </b> Done. Now on to the dress part of the costume which will be a modified version of Simplicity 3632.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-45992103644299736332010-01-18T21:22:00.003-06:002010-01-18T21:44:23.110-06:00Hiking Bull Creek<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0pN6xIiONldHz6SG5nB8B7zroq3oSjyQ16stoX0WcXIUMsuJSYFl4j4Z5_RzErCbH1WSNWY6KK97JdvK53U5EdNN2yW-zCkUo3E5NOi9XMJZhbqStzRyDzseRgoGFEO16-SXlw/s1600-h/DSC01143.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0pN6xIiONldHz6SG5nB8B7zroq3oSjyQ16stoX0WcXIUMsuJSYFl4j4Z5_RzErCbH1WSNWY6KK97JdvK53U5EdNN2yW-zCkUo3E5NOi9XMJZhbqStzRyDzseRgoGFEO16-SXlw/s320/DSC01143.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428291542108533570" /></a><br /><br />Corey, Roni and I went hiking at Bull Creek today. We went to the West side of the park this time. Lots of waterfalls. Roni had a little trouble with the rocks in a couple places, but overall a very enjoyable place. We'll be back.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7VITuMIuGSwFaTySbWZQmRSroneQRyYbvu6hXjgUBD5QQbH7rn_g87WI0bqrs7t0rZBpkD6CBy9PXQlK9mrxB3SBHH0gO9aXaw9Ozn765T5s5hyphenhyphen9kL_LbNsiYrpS6hyclX62PA/s1600-h/DSC01152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7VITuMIuGSwFaTySbWZQmRSroneQRyYbvu6hXjgUBD5QQbH7rn_g87WI0bqrs7t0rZBpkD6CBy9PXQlK9mrxB3SBHH0gO9aXaw9Ozn765T5s5hyphenhyphen9kL_LbNsiYrpS6hyclX62PA/s320/DSC01152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428291533269452706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBrd6mKzuvFhlRy4AHy9O93BJRQxz7wrpZXtY77EjtHfyNtnyMSfUIjZZjsnInyMuzznvk4BBOq3kKInQoppsKPrGNUtm1c3WUmWyXTRiNN6zC5qo-BZ8xB_EduxULlxhQIlopg/s1600-h/DSC01153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBrd6mKzuvFhlRy4AHy9O93BJRQxz7wrpZXtY77EjtHfyNtnyMSfUIjZZjsnInyMuzznvk4BBOq3kKInQoppsKPrGNUtm1c3WUmWyXTRiNN6zC5qo-BZ8xB_EduxULlxhQIlopg/s320/DSC01153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428291528092811090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8uTwq-P_BGWhGtDXZsVb8GslHu39mnGDAgbhO2vC4FbWL5OieNt8MC-sHMYOgRrGoqVQF2qgcPT8wzRWTWhkQuSB4jPBbDFzGnI3qipgYarriXjoD2LwG4fL1FBhcJ3NXS0k6A/s1600-h/DSC01154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8uTwq-P_BGWhGtDXZsVb8GslHu39mnGDAgbhO2vC4FbWL5OieNt8MC-sHMYOgRrGoqVQF2qgcPT8wzRWTWhkQuSB4jPBbDFzGnI3qipgYarriXjoD2LwG4fL1FBhcJ3NXS0k6A/s320/DSC01154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428291521085751762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwx-Mtl43gpGFblGbEMQzhtIhJzlbbMW1P6d1N4OttHAnt2X2gdOrv7UH-YLG1NifwPZzwf18Sp4H8VMvAPRX4Y4YxskiJBVYZ_ALd6sl78f1vfBlGVxdiWn2eqk32SCCaPKGqA/s1600-h/DSC01155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwx-Mtl43gpGFblGbEMQzhtIhJzlbbMW1P6d1N4OttHAnt2X2gdOrv7UH-YLG1NifwPZzwf18Sp4H8VMvAPRX4Y4YxskiJBVYZ_ALd6sl78f1vfBlGVxdiWn2eqk32SCCaPKGqA/s320/DSC01155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428288740746922562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNWFLpn9kNQVuDUvgZKTQe3sSM8b1Ld7I0PdzxEXAao1GL8WZbCHaYVcKPCABGH4G6wl01LKD0yEQPkQTOsRSLoMo323CS-E4kl4ci7SAUTLSowqvXRv_mhZTJA8eMb-ixcaMRg/s1600-h/DSC01158.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNWFLpn9kNQVuDUvgZKTQe3sSM8b1Ld7I0PdzxEXAao1GL8WZbCHaYVcKPCABGH4G6wl01LKD0yEQPkQTOsRSLoMo323CS-E4kl4ci7SAUTLSowqvXRv_mhZTJA8eMb-ixcaMRg/s320/DSC01158.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428288730337797234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUITookHcJtPj3yQdJ0GebAAVZv3hKfyM6cP8mWs0xh3B6-Z5XLzpLybwkBzB-IelUxNKGyUlZpazc77LUo-wVvjmhDXe83ndqwC9r1EdWOg7SY7Zr3yKX4_N0tRZk-AtKg-IL3w/s1600-h/DSC01160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUITookHcJtPj3yQdJ0GebAAVZv3hKfyM6cP8mWs0xh3B6-Z5XLzpLybwkBzB-IelUxNKGyUlZpazc77LUo-wVvjmhDXe83ndqwC9r1EdWOg7SY7Zr3yKX4_N0tRZk-AtKg-IL3w/s320/DSC01160.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428288729154931906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHDjrYZheQp4FsScumzeWWdFJzQI6eceg4bo1lNSesl4ba_tULR5YIkVyNWvmALs5jodo6sIQGMEsjf6tfPF8Q-KUv_7pz773jPZat5MhpOmiDbQ06POMlQUIux4kprs7w6lbRg/s1600-h/DSC01163.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHDjrYZheQp4FsScumzeWWdFJzQI6eceg4bo1lNSesl4ba_tULR5YIkVyNWvmALs5jodo6sIQGMEsjf6tfPF8Q-KUv_7pz773jPZat5MhpOmiDbQ06POMlQUIux4kprs7w6lbRg/s320/DSC01163.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428288721056459074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJlJRaIie0kaNdnnTPbpqLdDWkpqo88Ee4QsRzgng_n1w8zBnt1DirD5cSvk1ed_8uZrtzTzQSK-QcmgWXMUEIOtIHPEh3XvHsqnCBYHKkeUvnVMPvbDSYWmvgVy72zfM_VpDsQ/s1600-h/DSC01165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJlJRaIie0kaNdnnTPbpqLdDWkpqo88Ee4QsRzgng_n1w8zBnt1DirD5cSvk1ed_8uZrtzTzQSK-QcmgWXMUEIOtIHPEh3XvHsqnCBYHKkeUvnVMPvbDSYWmvgVy72zfM_VpDsQ/s320/DSC01165.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428288713491705170" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-5149383367840759792010-01-14T19:32:00.000-06:002010-01-14T19:31:10.214-06:00Bedroom Planning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpdXA_9f53wT8GjWmDgXH9sQOaCkZmjTJpxE9sw37YoZ2f1t4Fh8HjEUSbDn6JyfIvkepDsOgEEaL6_rqdRQ-aua8S2jwmXPZHCd4MhgtOam8y3UaA4nJnNY438zeR0gbjcRdIg/s1600-h/DSC01137.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpdXA_9f53wT8GjWmDgXH9sQOaCkZmjTJpxE9sw37YoZ2f1t4Fh8HjEUSbDn6JyfIvkepDsOgEEaL6_rqdRQ-aua8S2jwmXPZHCd4MhgtOam8y3UaA4nJnNY438zeR0gbjcRdIg/s320/DSC01137.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426769528733460258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9cElLWgkkrc8IKAWBRI0sLgZW9UY369z-QRFAdVGuvSoULOm8x3xvyIf_49w7-Chu9_246FGHmjQl_xSfu8ZaWCkBRDks1VyD62vrnamEpb8a3FgQwGnbGk-7JzXrPmWe9nE9A/s1600-h/DSC01136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9cElLWgkkrc8IKAWBRI0sLgZW9UY369z-QRFAdVGuvSoULOm8x3xvyIf_49w7-Chu9_246FGHmjQl_xSfu8ZaWCkBRDks1VyD62vrnamEpb8a3FgQwGnbGk-7JzXrPmWe9nE9A/s320/DSC01136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426769519751690002" /></a><br />Do you think we are a little indecisive? 12 blue samples. Guess which one we chose?<br /><br />Also, I want to add a false thatched roof to the ceiling so it looks like we are in a British Colonial home in the tropics, like in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tropical-Asian-Style-William-Warren/dp/9625931368">Tropical Asian Style</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB8Kz38fQfn5Ga5WORlO0Jac4DHonBciTTERrcbASD-NlT8PIMC2Ib7dkDEMXT2COJtkcOjmuv96aKV8I1c2sPssxKPML5vfCJPyVZ8M49IIjCn7MCvBlh1m-Gi2mLf3lAACH8A/s1600-h/tropical_asain_style1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB8Kz38fQfn5Ga5WORlO0Jac4DHonBciTTERrcbASD-NlT8PIMC2Ib7dkDEMXT2COJtkcOjmuv96aKV8I1c2sPssxKPML5vfCJPyVZ8M49IIjCn7MCvBlh1m-Gi2mLf3lAACH8A/s320/tropical_asain_style1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426732447189544546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3vIFlPiCmRr-4DEHanTEFyZ61meJccZvBNu9_aqD7n4btLkVC17iW3jU6KtoeRd6BW0sf4Iym-4iM2oDfNGdW0UM3waq-WzJzbCFxlkuo4eu3gljAy-c9ps8UmvSW2LqC7wKLQ/s1600-h/tropical_asain_style2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3vIFlPiCmRr-4DEHanTEFyZ61meJccZvBNu9_aqD7n4btLkVC17iW3jU6KtoeRd6BW0sf4Iym-4iM2oDfNGdW0UM3waq-WzJzbCFxlkuo4eu3gljAy-c9ps8UmvSW2LqC7wKLQ/s320/tropical_asain_style2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426732443587410722" /></a><br /><br />Here is a site that shows how to do it. <a href="http://www.calibamboo.com/bamboo-fence-ceiling.html">www.calibamboo.com</a> Check out their gallery of gorgeous ceilings.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9hArctJ_oNkNkV8DV3dL-NfksSz1YHLaJsai2qfcF2_MZIqa-h0fkGmpmAk1rB4rnNq7qPIUyzheWjOxDcPGGHdZUfuJEPJFJVCuvorJhWsz3CaVwrxgfKDbU0V7Us9vgKezwg/s1600-h/ceilings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9hArctJ_oNkNkV8DV3dL-NfksSz1YHLaJsai2qfcF2_MZIqa-h0fkGmpmAk1rB4rnNq7qPIUyzheWjOxDcPGGHdZUfuJEPJFJVCuvorJhWsz3CaVwrxgfKDbU0V7Us9vgKezwg/s320/ceilings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426733989845001618" /></a><br /><br />And here is a source for a lovely mosquito net for the bed to give it that tropical feel. (Besides those damn pesky buggers eat me alive while I'm sleeping. This is beautiful AND functional).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mosquitonets.com/UserFiles/393-Files/image//mncat_cotton-box(1).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 703px; height: 305px;" src="http://www.mosquitonets.com/UserFiles/393-Files/image//mncat_cotton-box(1).jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mosquitonets.com/pictures/393/5/178665-7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 409px;" src="http://www.mosquitonets.com/pictures/393/5/178665-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The plan is to make a new, white duvet cover. I think eyelet is a little too girly for Corey. But I want it to have some kind of embroidery or other interest. I'll post the possible swatches as I find them.<br /><br /><br />As a side note, I really like this buffet/serving table for the dining room 32x18x31. I'll have to go home and measure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/L11950353.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 650px; height: 650px;" src="http://cdn.overstock.com/images/products/L11950353.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />It would go on the side of the table below the mirror. Yes? No?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2ig0D1gXXGAPqazq7hczHXkIc-HTNvxQUPwfUDZyn3voI4D9zd9KkDUYmwfmCQYYIXDGSG1UXL56Hk9DuO-WV1CRTABd9ChLHNmU-oahRC4T-2egPsDk17oonCyUaprlM1UY4Q/s1600-h/DSC01139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2ig0D1gXXGAPqazq7hczHXkIc-HTNvxQUPwfUDZyn3voI4D9zd9KkDUYmwfmCQYYIXDGSG1UXL56Hk9DuO-WV1CRTABd9ChLHNmU-oahRC4T-2egPsDk17oonCyUaprlM1UY4Q/s320/DSC01139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426772099137758258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmTSrh0SpYm4LRyRYK1ABe4-VTBo2zV2E6HC6ZRw5DtgkaZziR9E8OYyROCVOQpGTNiHEW0U34biTaH2_VLtQ1hGYgiqYfCZTpl-sdq4F5j60jtn1LXNNyYAbcQAXbOJnhqpBsQ/s1600-h/DSC01138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmTSrh0SpYm4LRyRYK1ABe4-VTBo2zV2E6HC6ZRw5DtgkaZziR9E8OYyROCVOQpGTNiHEW0U34biTaH2_VLtQ1hGYgiqYfCZTpl-sdq4F5j60jtn1LXNNyYAbcQAXbOJnhqpBsQ/s320/DSC01138.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426772079865133810" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-70706974101603549272010-01-13T16:29:00.003-06:002010-01-13T16:37:26.023-06:00Loft LampI need a lamp for the loft to go on the far side of the orange couch. Maybe on the near side too. I'm thinking an arc lamp, but, oh, which one? Which one?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-K2126.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 476px;" src="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-K2126.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-K9225.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 476px;" src="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-K9225.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-H7343.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 476px;" src="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-H7343.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-H7333.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 476px;" src="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/H5361-H7333.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/K6572.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 476px;" src="http://images.lampsplus.com/images/K6572.fpx?cell=509,476&qlt=75&cvt=jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-31391483980109205112010-01-11T19:51:00.003-06:002010-01-11T19:58:21.891-06:00Another Post PostOr a column post anyway.<br /><br />Here is the front porch post/column with all the dead wood removed and sealed with wood hardener.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLOJ1Ej5FA7isuSElzTc6vzBm5XnTUSkrSouImBV2hzRFNS0cVeFxI0_lgFrjITa488xLvu4PW9rnRVV8iix7H6wokfdEBPbShwQF88CMLABhx0pn-HdMFByq6lzXDxZ1J1dfVQ/s1600-h/DSC01127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLOJ1Ej5FA7isuSElzTc6vzBm5XnTUSkrSouImBV2hzRFNS0cVeFxI0_lgFrjITa488xLvu4PW9rnRVV8iix7H6wokfdEBPbShwQF88CMLABhx0pn-HdMFByq6lzXDxZ1J1dfVQ/s320/DSC01127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425666219957697026" /></a><br /><br />Here was the plan. It didn't quite work out (no room to get the 1x2s behind the plastic sheet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qcxa2_jV4D6KTgZ0vYajwbFcyXhTWzpA2sEvfUuFU0u8kXCQ1ay95NdpyBr-NfKPSIktKMsJTvnEhheb1MVB1UBLAPRN0crA81WV9QsABy49u55inOkBjybeACY68IHfpk397w/s1600-h/DSC01128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qcxa2_jV4D6KTgZ0vYajwbFcyXhTWzpA2sEvfUuFU0u8kXCQ1ay95NdpyBr-NfKPSIktKMsJTvnEhheb1MVB1UBLAPRN0crA81WV9QsABy49u55inOkBjybeACY68IHfpk397w/s320/DSC01128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425666224976442322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHdZxNVfukR0oirJxFuntEot3GuvPFDcZhiowtoYdDIQ4_LDR3GTHqy817ig16zsPzVv7WakK55lEaVFr2hUXl7Zt26jh6m23bqQ9sqEcakx2o3lezQ6MRs6nOx85_RsYN2yFXQ/s1600-h/DSC01130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHdZxNVfukR0oirJxFuntEot3GuvPFDcZhiowtoYdDIQ4_LDR3GTHqy817ig16zsPzVv7WakK55lEaVFr2hUXl7Zt26jh6m23bqQ9sqEcakx2o3lezQ6MRs6nOx85_RsYN2yFXQ/s320/DSC01130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425666213368942706" /></a><br /><br />Instead I added a patch to the plastic so the putty would have something to stick to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogEeP77WSTLdTeR6B8jztDyWEtHbIczTO9JpnnfsuqKXpsNQ-K4KxIxSijz9x1TZDq6mVo3W4h2qKJ-scpDm3Pr3mx_fSt_4amf3INl4OJMY6MdBkmkMFiDU0QS8331BOkDb45Q/s1600-h/DSC01131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogEeP77WSTLdTeR6B8jztDyWEtHbIczTO9JpnnfsuqKXpsNQ-K4KxIxSijz9x1TZDq6mVo3W4h2qKJ-scpDm3Pr3mx_fSt_4amf3INl4OJMY6MdBkmkMFiDU0QS8331BOkDb45Q/s320/DSC01131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425666203105191154" /></a><br />A word for all you would-be wood puttyers: Don't try to use this stuff in cold weather. The 15-60 minutes it was supposed to take to set up turned into 4-5+ hours. The putty slid and sagged down like a fat old man's jowels. Next weekend I'll sand and add another layer.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-79145846671026862272010-01-11T19:47:00.002-06:002010-01-11T19:50:34.249-06:00Ze Bedroom (Before)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj400kusSxZ-W1u86n3aCo8g3rlt0rz8pWX5NE8GPMOasZ3Lxn0k1JyG_Vuy0tKq0hlplHDCz9C1w56O8YoP6ebZB_1bFJm7xz5mCRVgmeNMeTFenbGN9Wi1rNcJSSJH1Uaodh0Pg/s1600-h/DSC01109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj400kusSxZ-W1u86n3aCo8g3rlt0rz8pWX5NE8GPMOasZ3Lxn0k1JyG_Vuy0tKq0hlplHDCz9C1w56O8YoP6ebZB_1bFJm7xz5mCRVgmeNMeTFenbGN9Wi1rNcJSSJH1Uaodh0Pg/s320/DSC01109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425664621719796338" /></a><br />Finally, I remembered to take before pictures. Here is the boring white bedroom ready to be made over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t8oHUyn-eGqgHpfWHcbNItrdprDeY0L9dgBRymA61tGYfcLaW6XpZNoRT8Kzx55vqLldmSJiDFCsUsRd-UGn4Du7dSQZHdHdzdWH3jvOqf27anxtOkJ6F999zWbesP6X3j3_2g/s1600-h/DSC01111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t8oHUyn-eGqgHpfWHcbNItrdprDeY0L9dgBRymA61tGYfcLaW6XpZNoRT8Kzx55vqLldmSJiDFCsUsRd-UGn4Du7dSQZHdHdzdWH3jvOqf27anxtOkJ6F999zWbesP6X3j3_2g/s320/DSC01111.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425664612326527378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q-nR693rQnOmOV9kEvHdSsgeaMuIDruWlZl2bYOUK5OzG4jO3l0PYnLFvlKkVqFkUOBYw8aNb5pNfjUDnfMz8c9D4W45WMBRSnl1UcPMTpKMDz2VQgOQC0JY0nBtnmTNoYlvAg/s1600-h/DSC01112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q-nR693rQnOmOV9kEvHdSsgeaMuIDruWlZl2bYOUK5OzG4jO3l0PYnLFvlKkVqFkUOBYw8aNb5pNfjUDnfMz8c9D4W45WMBRSnl1UcPMTpKMDz2VQgOQC0JY0nBtnmTNoYlvAg/s320/DSC01112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425664601600443922" /></a><br />The ceiling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUKsM43_X8XTIm166rvFquVNVrgQUByrKax_kgVMr7XmsVhwlrTVMmRxX0e0q5YpUGcUlGvHZMv8P6y-Gmofmw4ds2hF520-UR54EC5rd5y-n-yLMOFUsCX-7nMHiNUmTj4oaqw/s1600-h/DSC01113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUKsM43_X8XTIm166rvFquVNVrgQUByrKax_kgVMr7XmsVhwlrTVMmRxX0e0q5YpUGcUlGvHZMv8P6y-Gmofmw4ds2hF520-UR54EC5rd5y-n-yLMOFUsCX-7nMHiNUmTj4oaqw/s320/DSC01113.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425664599129196690" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-79201375058012487552010-01-11T19:20:00.009-06:002010-01-11T20:18:07.170-06:00Ze LoftBefore<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1T9dzzfZEYb1uzJjx3lVm7cgqEwSbVkpYFmpuuaeNxmeuBCUjATyIO7qWhR13_Eq-P0HLwIYHO5JxOgQwYXaQJK9yd96WAs1bJQ8Yy_2CFYAkAlJg7yhrdCKrA7wfJfsOQ3DkQ/s1600-h/loft.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1T9dzzfZEYb1uzJjx3lVm7cgqEwSbVkpYFmpuuaeNxmeuBCUjATyIO7qWhR13_Eq-P0HLwIYHO5JxOgQwYXaQJK9yd96WAs1bJQ8Yy_2CFYAkAlJg7yhrdCKrA7wfJfsOQ3DkQ/s320/loft.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425671717604431746" /></a><br /><br />After<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39p2pUKthUWW5IAM47qBrWgTpqeuf6TIvs8OzVm0KolAhNIVKG_rrzRQPiu9CH0T4XtwDvmppP8mgw1rcCt-N3IzMBa_VkYzlhzIMg63ZG5Ee148M0UOkUXWbCGk2rkjeD6Fqyg/s1600-h/DSC01114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39p2pUKthUWW5IAM47qBrWgTpqeuf6TIvs8OzVm0KolAhNIVKG_rrzRQPiu9CH0T4XtwDvmppP8mgw1rcCt-N3IzMBa_VkYzlhzIMg63ZG5Ee148M0UOkUXWbCGk2rkjeD6Fqyg/s320/DSC01114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425657992539374514" /></a><br /><br />Here is the somewhat finished loft.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcgcJek0BlNloAiPcYDFE56_BPcttb7wT2dBaunuB_fEFxW3F06ewGnN-lJcbi5cZEiDsj40rfCsDzfG_biSX9tnMpb1waq8CbrzqnjV1nbut1pUqxNRJ_bPg7Xt-lM2yl2LSDw/s1600-h/DSC01115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcgcJek0BlNloAiPcYDFE56_BPcttb7wT2dBaunuB_fEFxW3F06ewGnN-lJcbi5cZEiDsj40rfCsDzfG_biSX9tnMpb1waq8CbrzqnjV1nbut1pUqxNRJ_bPg7Xt-lM2yl2LSDw/s320/DSC01115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425657997166987490" /></a><br /><br />My <a href="http://www.rodgerroundy.com/">Rodger Roundy</a> collection.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fMsF35clpbjjKbUUyGu1b_M3RfDlW1hOsbW7T62tLE1hn3u4Wdng9vtd_OsyaQ3kKkdFePRBlvsECd85AGiOeckSO2bdWhtHKzqNw8cuZ57hMCrtXcHB4sDwRWYVusilmRdYDQ/s1600-h/DSC01124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fMsF35clpbjjKbUUyGu1b_M3RfDlW1hOsbW7T62tLE1hn3u4Wdng9vtd_OsyaQ3kKkdFePRBlvsECd85AGiOeckSO2bdWhtHKzqNw8cuZ57hMCrtXcHB4sDwRWYVusilmRdYDQ/s320/DSC01124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425658012303202914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsjDHoS3JQk3gNwm0G7dF9XVd-gETGOXvKOf8Ha6r952ScfDWNQXaklSXF6S3KkbKHmlAfWFcuHjuispNk4_6u-WqpYjRCHv-jgolAf__gcKM5eBtYMHcr2QRDuShVkYz4XEP0w/s1600-h/DSC01119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsjDHoS3JQk3gNwm0G7dF9XVd-gETGOXvKOf8Ha6r952ScfDWNQXaklSXF6S3KkbKHmlAfWFcuHjuispNk4_6u-WqpYjRCHv-jgolAf__gcKM5eBtYMHcr2QRDuShVkYz4XEP0w/s320/DSC01119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425658005231913826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOewf0y-o_lDMIgEAKPyFbj8WdHONH3CGN-Uh75siqy6gNUyQaUuvusjlymQS9q9KTIZy79Xdmk_1o3GooguDR0lrmI20vMnMIXQ2PFa7rvvFXrVO8kGQHCbV_H3FRasgfgfhCQ/s1600-h/DSC01122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOewf0y-o_lDMIgEAKPyFbj8WdHONH3CGN-Uh75siqy6gNUyQaUuvusjlymQS9q9KTIZy79Xdmk_1o3GooguDR0lrmI20vMnMIXQ2PFa7rvvFXrVO8kGQHCbV_H3FRasgfgfhCQ/s320/DSC01122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425660961841571074" /></a><br /><br />I made the curtains with this <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70150915">fabric from Ikea</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRpcW7cNBpjuexeq4hpORlqeYMZaRQGIpLI60BR0S15cPpuzNJ9cf0bqeLWOu0ewTCrqdoD7HPneLLS3frSJ6UzFNaLp6tuzqLJr8iOLUA08As4AkRWdbTXvbbp2g6BU0ArfSXg/s1600-h/DSC01117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRpcW7cNBpjuexeq4hpORlqeYMZaRQGIpLI60BR0S15cPpuzNJ9cf0bqeLWOu0ewTCrqdoD7HPneLLS3frSJ6UzFNaLp6tuzqLJr8iOLUA08As4AkRWdbTXvbbp2g6BU0ArfSXg/s320/DSC01117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425659232138369970" /></a><br /><br />I bought the coffee and side table on the same Ikea visit, but as soon as I got home I saw the following in the CB2 catalog. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.cb2.com/is/image/CB2/unosofalittlebirdpillowSC10?$lg$"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 290px;" src="http://images.cb2.com/is/image/CB2/unosofalittlebirdpillowSC10?$lg$" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I wish I had waited. I normally don't go for CB2. Too cold/hard. But both the tables here have a ton more character than the Ikea ones. I even like th green pouf. Oh well, I'll pin them to the inspiration board for possible future use.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-81707490511130643222010-01-07T00:11:00.006-06:002010-01-11T20:18:30.434-06:00Home ImprovementProjects for the weekend: paint the loft, hang the art that has been unhung since we moved in two years ago, fix the rotten patch on the column on the front porch. <br /><br />Status: Done, done, and uh oh.<br /><br />I never think to take before photos until mid project, so I don't have any before shots of the loft. I can tell you it was the same, boring builder's special, off white/light beige color the entire house was painted with, probably when it was built in 1993. The previous owners must not have liked color very much.<br /><br />Here it is in progress. The perfect shade of dove grey. Ahhhh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgZYy5OjZChdWod4VAiAOKA1pvglMXyf5E4bafz2NJDbMJ6TXVmTDVD16_HAIGMuZJM7cpNX6zRnla0KF8vgl3EpAzXw7m1F3wqd7LEGynrCOnGzTzt3ZtXXRO9vt7nP6BHhXeQ/s1600-h/DSC01102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgZYy5OjZChdWod4VAiAOKA1pvglMXyf5E4bafz2NJDbMJ6TXVmTDVD16_HAIGMuZJM7cpNX6zRnla0KF8vgl3EpAzXw7m1F3wqd7LEGynrCOnGzTzt3ZtXXRO9vt7nP6BHhXeQ/s320/DSC01102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423878071871629618" /></a><br /><br />Here's Roni sitting on the second step on the other side of the barricade, wearing her red and yellow "cozy" as Corey calls it. She tends to swipe her tail in wet paint and "help" paint other things, like furniture and pant legs. So the loft was off-limits for a day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDYub27FsphgILyxu7RFcj9bLZM2TJ5LnY20G4VFtv6DV9wLunEPCb41sdiQw6rMV735N6K_EJGGCinTIGH3RKK74U83fYaYz3PCwghLYJDrOoN78zFHOiFmYExBGbvycV6z5JQ/s1600-h/DSC01104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDYub27FsphgILyxu7RFcj9bLZM2TJ5LnY20G4VFtv6DV9wLunEPCb41sdiQw6rMV735N6K_EJGGCinTIGH3RKK74U83fYaYz3PCwghLYJDrOoN78zFHOiFmYExBGbvycV6z5JQ/s320/DSC01104.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423878062487962290" /></a><br /><br />I'll post the final photos soon. I am still missing a coffee table and curtains. There is the perfect fabric at Ikea to tie everything together (third one down). Maybe they'lll have the right coffee table too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/0094187_PE231915_S3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/0094187_PE231915_S3.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Here's how the column looked when I started. I started to scrape away the dead wood. The putty knife sunk in like it was butter. Stay tuned for what it looked like when all the dead wood was gone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTfz_8SmnvWyDnkcAsyS2rIE8WP6Ofg2b0g5hppIbdcaUIM_x7Fti0QDduA2a6ek0259vrEd6BvXXpmph334vzasOukBMi_FIHLDX3j505AOe3M8u28zTfinCA5lKVLcMxVvxUQ/s1600-h/DSC01106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTfz_8SmnvWyDnkcAsyS2rIE8WP6Ofg2b0g5hppIbdcaUIM_x7Fti0QDduA2a6ek0259vrEd6BvXXpmph334vzasOukBMi_FIHLDX3j505AOe3M8u28zTfinCA5lKVLcMxVvxUQ/s320/DSC01106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423878057870230178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jRiLOSne43yNqMTPbVD3uiRh8FFQaN1cn0GfJRFwLrx6W9HDyHyMWXBMmeu4ah_ocF3lZt9v-11qJ5BCT-ZHGcFhxMY-JTS-iAuwY8l4ukoJ54qrt7o-6hMgd7ab4YPkSRcqow/s1600-h/DSC01107.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jRiLOSne43yNqMTPbVD3uiRh8FFQaN1cn0GfJRFwLrx6W9HDyHyMWXBMmeu4ah_ocF3lZt9v-11qJ5BCT-ZHGcFhxMY-JTS-iAuwY8l4ukoJ54qrt7o-6hMgd7ab4YPkSRcqow/s320/DSC01107.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423878054209925186" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-89778308265688609842010-01-06T23:56:00.006-06:002010-01-07T00:11:41.226-06:002010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37uhwP9RO9E6sTdJQFi7Gm_BbzSwYWqP2XLDgKN_XoBuLysIaUWcCDcPk24FBC6I3juGIdmdM9oUreQWwtsSOeBFKYHFA8rgWiru9w8MaasrUSRg7QKDDGrorwFK7E4hvM_vKWA/s1600-h/DSC01086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37uhwP9RO9E6sTdJQFi7Gm_BbzSwYWqP2XLDgKN_XoBuLysIaUWcCDcPk24FBC6I3juGIdmdM9oUreQWwtsSOeBFKYHFA8rgWiru9w8MaasrUSRg7QKDDGrorwFK7E4hvM_vKWA/s320/DSC01086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423876047035900770" /></a><br />Happy New Year! Here are some photos of Corey, Roni and I "hiking" at Bull Creek on New Year's Day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiwdPNovklMUZxqpR93vNMeJeOS7-7ETW50qQOjdPkEdDd6A2l7FKLURLOgGMvff9l8KftUl0db8qi8G6Dj3o_Hj9yhGa3EZl5DBzsq6tsqBrjHgWGsq9Z7QktsWGh1mgWGlP9w/s1600-h/DSC01087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiwdPNovklMUZxqpR93vNMeJeOS7-7ETW50qQOjdPkEdDd6A2l7FKLURLOgGMvff9l8KftUl0db8qi8G6Dj3o_Hj9yhGa3EZl5DBzsq6tsqBrjHgWGsq9Z7QktsWGh1mgWGlP9w/s320/DSC01087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423875314508389250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi5h0dkGFTzuodzDZ0xDwj9tl3w8QKeqlgwzXWgEkFA3ndis4D7hTNMF6q251VYH5XX3z4ohmvHKnQ8B48CZ5q_wPNhcXK5CKzhuqoR7vZ6JyO5a8DwAUSkp3sOIHBXfT0FUAzw/s1600-h/DSC01081.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi5h0dkGFTzuodzDZ0xDwj9tl3w8QKeqlgwzXWgEkFA3ndis4D7hTNMF6q251VYH5XX3z4ohmvHKnQ8B48CZ5q_wPNhcXK5CKzhuqoR7vZ6JyO5a8DwAUSkp3sOIHBXfT0FUAzw/s320/DSC01081.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423875307588758706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhqScAPVr7A9XMDcSEorMeuch4zLn8itdlEEfvtLqL3FXeGuW0Q22GQxG-A8FnLZMJvkrlVuJvmIDLFzDQmSp4IU7WhKq5HVy3yKhq9FNBpNkaQwcyBeoYac7FXuO9xyk4p2bcw/s1600-h/DSC01083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhqScAPVr7A9XMDcSEorMeuch4zLn8itdlEEfvtLqL3FXeGuW0Q22GQxG-A8FnLZMJvkrlVuJvmIDLFzDQmSp4IU7WhKq5HVy3yKhq9FNBpNkaQwcyBeoYac7FXuO9xyk4p2bcw/s320/DSC01083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423875302924041362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mYq0zyj1rOxPJqJLHSoQQmDecX7bvX_wdC5vYrNyUoDQyNVBrGbzffT0eb3DprlomhHGXY1xqXMNsEbICpIMfNIzCVfldkyrPlNf8TmbdrKbrW6I0sey2T6bmYX7lqDcILgTqg/s1600-h/DSC01092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mYq0zyj1rOxPJqJLHSoQQmDecX7bvX_wdC5vYrNyUoDQyNVBrGbzffT0eb3DprlomhHGXY1xqXMNsEbICpIMfNIzCVfldkyrPlNf8TmbdrKbrW6I0sey2T6bmYX7lqDcILgTqg/s320/DSC01092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423875290647661666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYRwo5DfE4LRMNz7_OHYbHuVpDlWWXs3A0bO9xMxvpbDGzzA0qRw2BySRqY_naiGG1wGQ1PkMsYXPgcrIVpkyrkxFzQtktsShyICCoyxjNeA5CxqV6HM0o5dBubjstgKfCnZgeg/s1600-h/DSC01088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYRwo5DfE4LRMNz7_OHYbHuVpDlWWXs3A0bO9xMxvpbDGzzA0qRw2BySRqY_naiGG1wGQ1PkMsYXPgcrIVpkyrkxFzQtktsShyICCoyxjNeA5CxqV6HM0o5dBubjstgKfCnZgeg/s320/DSC01088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423873738872754082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGj9mli-36NEZvoF1jFOpeWAfzPPtMXB_RGQTIavz3K4UFRTPRW0NEYKxc_iqKWaD-2f-rk_am2fh5jSJu39rKUOjAI6DzobykmgvUSlejIoj_0983YOrXQkY4QLywZMur2Gw9Q/s1600-h/DSC01084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGj9mli-36NEZvoF1jFOpeWAfzPPtMXB_RGQTIavz3K4UFRTPRW0NEYKxc_iqKWaD-2f-rk_am2fh5jSJu39rKUOjAI6DzobykmgvUSlejIoj_0983YOrXQkY4QLywZMur2Gw9Q/s320/DSC01084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423873729395824338" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-6564483639533326792009-12-11T18:26:00.002-06:002009-12-11T18:35:32.993-06:00The Perfect Pencil<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgbqnhq92EG3He3KVs5B0Bw8hCb1_Ql4l8FO2x5rOR4ePaTK4UEieha6ca_2gDr3lqqxGPKmt0fEPpJdTHcUFK-8BNemP_0wAAbc2hRMh58w9FKAEnjaLlxUw442OdJ4dgKME7w/s1600-h/DSC01064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgbqnhq92EG3He3KVs5B0Bw8hCb1_Ql4l8FO2x5rOR4ePaTK4UEieha6ca_2gDr3lqqxGPKmt0fEPpJdTHcUFK-8BNemP_0wAAbc2hRMh58w9FKAEnjaLlxUw442OdJ4dgKME7w/s320/DSC01064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414139896572187346" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here's the review from Pattern Review:<br /><br /><b>Pattern Description: </b><br />Burda Easy fitted pencil skirt with high or standard waist band option, back slit. I made view B with the standard waistband.<br /><br /><b>Pattern Sizing:</b><br />34-46. I sewed a 44.<br /><br /><b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b><br />Yes!<br /><br /><b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b><br />This was my first Burda pattern. Now I see what people mean. Half the instructions are missing, however there are helpful photos. If you have made a skirt before, this should be no problem.<br /><br /><b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b><br />I have been looking for the perfect pencil skirt. After hearing <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/" rel='nofollow'>Gertie</a> rave about this one, I checked out the reviews. All the reviews were glowing. They were right. It's the perfect length, the perfect fit, the perfect pencil skirt. It's a little hard to tell from the photo, but using the hem line provided on the pattern, the skirt ends right at the bottom of my knee without covering any part of my calf. I'm 5'6" (and a half). <br /><br /><b>Fabric Used:</b><br />Cotton twill with a little stretch from Fashion Fabrics Club in a dark blue grey. Not too stiff, not too light. I think I will make everything in twill from now on. It sewed like a dream. I barely needed pins. This is easily the best constructed garment I've made. The seams are perfectly straight. The zipper is perfect. I think it's due to the fabric. Twill evening dresses? Twill underwear? No? Okay, maybe not. But I highly recommend anyone needing an ego boost make something out of twill. <br /><br />zipper:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjkkFLLxDECSah9aJzuwm8zbSV74gY900C50rfJ5w0FD9uPXP96DaPsCNWKjX2MgJsVjZdXZNRL_Dw9QjuLDqhNy8OLG3PD9ARwjoRl_GLihH3WTX-3PZ68xeF3meHWuLTaTcuA/s1600-h/DSC01077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjkkFLLxDECSah9aJzuwm8zbSV74gY900C50rfJ5w0FD9uPXP96DaPsCNWKjX2MgJsVjZdXZNRL_Dw9QjuLDqhNy8OLG3PD9ARwjoRl_GLihH3WTX-3PZ68xeF3meHWuLTaTcuA/s320/DSC01077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414139880547038146" /></a><br /><br /><b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b><br />This is the first time I've sewed a pattern and had it need no alterations at all. It fit perfectly. I have a small waist and big hips and booty. I always need to adjust things to fit my curves. Not this time. Heaven! <br /><br />Because my fabric had some stretch to it, I mad the seams 7/8" instead of 5/8". I plan to make this out of a tweed woven next and I imagine I'll reduce the seams back down for a little more ease. <br /><br />Also, the waistband was about an inch smaller around than the top of the skirt. I didn't want to ease the skirt to fit a waistband that instructions did not have me cut on the bias, especially because the skirt fit when I tried it on before sewing on the waistband. So I re-cut the waistband to be two inches longer - an inch to avoid easing the top of the skirt plus one inch for the extra tab where the button goes. It worked perfectly.<br />waistband tab:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGzEjABPJMgROLnGk1mftK62tBpVR3ZpisiMG3m6m9EXJ4l2KxhQlDNBrcseQugf5PxGWzs2PXuNgMmkDGorGlktS70L1Rrth5NG_QPz8kF8Gr0xPvzERafFGgGTfreGFcGAxVA/s1600-h/DSC01075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGzEjABPJMgROLnGk1mftK62tBpVR3ZpisiMG3m6m9EXJ4l2KxhQlDNBrcseQugf5PxGWzs2PXuNgMmkDGorGlktS70L1Rrth5NG_QPz8kF8Gr0xPvzERafFGgGTfreGFcGAxVA/s320/DSC01075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414139872733556626" /></a><br /><br /><b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b><br />Yes, yes, yes! I plan to make a tweed version right away.<br /><br /><b>Conclusion: </b><br />Truly the perfect pencil skirt.Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-35588931885225540902009-12-08T19:36:00.005-06:002009-12-08T20:43:38.161-06:00Simplicity 2497<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/simplicity/2497/2497.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 795px; height: 1143px;" src="http://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/simplicity/2497/2497.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />So here's the story. I made the dress. I tried it on and asked my husband what he thought. He told me I looked like a clown and began singing circus music. Before I managed to throttle him, he reduced the insult to simply "it's just not flattering." Unfortunately, he was right. I have wide shoulders and wide hips, but a small waist. This style has a paper bag style waist - baggy above and baggy below the midriff band (which was a lot more narrow that I thought it would be). Without anything to highlight my waist, I look like a "refrigerator" (more throttling), "I mean rectangle." says the husband.<br /><br />Then I saw <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=45345">FullertonRegan's version</a> made into a tunic. I pinned mine up and it looked much better, so I cut and hemmed it into a tunic. It's better, but still not all that great. To make it fit better, I think I would have needed to make the shoulder wider, but the front bodice narrower (is there an adjustment for that?). Also, I could have made the midriff band about 4-5 inches wider so you could really see my waist. And finally I would add more room through the hips.<br /><br />Front<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XL78UniEyUjRBJUiG3tewl0C1JN7RVuEC0waw2G0qchaN3B4zu7UVrXGtMGMiDxoZDP5MFMOqwBOHxYN_Ui8Y7Qepr4Krl1gd3e5jU9Fkaah36P-2bjANUbKXKm166-3ZI92wg/s1600-h/DSC01056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XL78UniEyUjRBJUiG3tewl0C1JN7RVuEC0waw2G0qchaN3B4zu7UVrXGtMGMiDxoZDP5MFMOqwBOHxYN_Ui8Y7Qepr4Krl1gd3e5jU9Fkaah36P-2bjANUbKXKm166-3ZI92wg/s320/DSC01056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413044998442994898" /></a><br /><br />Back<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDK8KAOTuDe9jJxTkZRwt-i_WXCMpvzmIbXAFvbQjabSqElcZPIiVEUcfDTXmBncEkj4Po08qYdIGcMzza09owxzokWDR0q4hshh0BGR853aFrlPdVdT0Mujj7NKlrJS3wPwZAg/s1600-h/DSC01059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDK8KAOTuDe9jJxTkZRwt-i_WXCMpvzmIbXAFvbQjabSqElcZPIiVEUcfDTXmBncEkj4Po08qYdIGcMzza09owxzokWDR0q4hshh0BGR853aFrlPdVdT0Mujj7NKlrJS3wPwZAg/s320/DSC01059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413045008951839010" /></a><br /><br />Ruffle detail<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8MgrMrtYc6IgsNhns_mQdwMgjTIKQMyHjPB1RH8qtmUAh2cf-_Mlp29CteIsw9Yz_FUxIBUKIb9Eadn4oGrGfPkA2ycCAutQIl-iOX6lUDwwXV28bE8_VycxQJ-zM3rsEsAQvw/s1600-h/DSC01057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8MgrMrtYc6IgsNhns_mQdwMgjTIKQMyHjPB1RH8qtmUAh2cf-_Mlp29CteIsw9Yz_FUxIBUKIb9Eadn4oGrGfPkA2ycCAutQIl-iOX6lUDwwXV28bE8_VycxQJ-zM3rsEsAQvw/s320/DSC01057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413045017410400818" /></a><br />Zipper<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoI5r-qZSwZSXLWkJOn87NfP6eI4N342a-4wHd9-p9B_NgUMDCd7aceA4iEN-7c51EozOw2KXtdgczySd1Yz_mHrdSvAoSh0F1QhPMSFvL3RDcd48VFcxy6JUZhPHgWV0ZKHlQQ/s1600-h/DSC01058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoI5r-qZSwZSXLWkJOn87NfP6eI4N342a-4wHd9-p9B_NgUMDCd7aceA4iEN-7c51EozOw2KXtdgczySd1Yz_mHrdSvAoSh0F1QhPMSFvL3RDcd48VFcxy6JUZhPHgWV0ZKHlQQ/s320/DSC01058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413045025520944562" /></a><br /><br />On me (with matching clutch bag)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6UF1E1j5Dt6g5HD1pD7WdUZ4UBp1zQM-_eSB7ysrSJfsBLW3FLc6R_YuPtq_8Gfl0bqX2lz-W7ApROPbpxePJYqNkLe-NBz55QGvBB0kfVXbB13GPf4DI_Ii9w4pkIFQY6_lKg/s1600-h/DSC01049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6UF1E1j5Dt6g5HD1pD7WdUZ4UBp1zQM-_eSB7ysrSJfsBLW3FLc6R_YuPtq_8Gfl0bqX2lz-W7ApROPbpxePJYqNkLe-NBz55QGvBB0kfVXbB13GPf4DI_Ii9w4pkIFQY6_lKg/s320/DSC01049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413045029748027474" /></a><br /><br />Back view<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqJJ3ClZcdL-UAwKi9N9SIYXM9i9LrlCWnFcfrskNtGHKEjK4IzL_sftF3fQhLHfmpDdpZJoj3Cq4__yz1grLmG5Eg2WtfV46tvJOKKaZeY076n9ye_171lpGEks7nIuuAXKcDg/s1600-h/DSC01051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqJJ3ClZcdL-UAwKi9N9SIYXM9i9LrlCWnFcfrskNtGHKEjK4IzL_sftF3fQhLHfmpDdpZJoj3Cq4__yz1grLmG5Eg2WtfV46tvJOKKaZeY076n9ye_171lpGEks7nIuuAXKcDg/s320/DSC01051.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413056560719130882" /></a><br /><br />See how it just bags about the midriff band? Unattractive.<br /><br />Anyhow the complete review is on <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/46042">Pattern Review</a> if you are interested. I should add that Corey now says he likes it as a tunic. But he may just be tired of being throttled. ;)Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9449712.post-3322297256863713462009-12-03T20:58:00.004-06:002009-12-03T21:17:05.444-06:00Photos of muslin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9a3q8miSMdHLj1Jp0erZcJI7LT4aX-kzhwPyIuZWCzKAoJDOeJ7PrJtOSMovM1eyIdJiOMDnMqdd_e785fafydSIv3MJAij5GudRo1_Qc2kQLa_uHjPTqQ7Ebjg7DrhP80CW1w/s1600-h/DSC01023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9a3q8miSMdHLj1Jp0erZcJI7LT4aX-kzhwPyIuZWCzKAoJDOeJ7PrJtOSMovM1eyIdJiOMDnMqdd_e785fafydSIv3MJAij5GudRo1_Qc2kQLa_uHjPTqQ7Ebjg7DrhP80CW1w/s320/DSC01023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411210822778577362" /></a><br /><br />Here it is. The facing kept peeking out, so I stitched it down but the neckline puckered. The first time I sewed it in, it laid flat and beautiful, just inside-out. I must have cut it too small this time. Maybe when I make it from the good fabric I'll just line it and do away with the facing altogether. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9FXrt12Bt5g5xi4A-d5XvYOQ9UipAUhz8ZJpqMb2RWc3wt21PXVrKpKdwP9BSZeQPwDrHKIV5I5rr2-b2PWKZkODP5nLizKMDaTnvndTqX-RX2Mw3trtmv3mVT5lcpUjnbBpkw/s1600-h/DSC01020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9FXrt12Bt5g5xi4A-d5XvYOQ9UipAUhz8ZJpqMb2RWc3wt21PXVrKpKdwP9BSZeQPwDrHKIV5I5rr2-b2PWKZkODP5nLizKMDaTnvndTqX-RX2Mw3trtmv3mVT5lcpUjnbBpkw/s320/DSC01020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411210829994963378" /></a><br /><br />Here it is on me. This photo shows the actual color better. Meh. Definitely needs tweaking.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWT3hSjAvPqJOjeFjHgt8DRqgRd-PvQYe_aP_4hnPi-GeyxRrwyUSwUoWbLv-tIeWoNKZMd3qNkuDXjas0lmqHtQUsBq5qWj_rXuR9_dDk5F7sZSCxPedayRof5sOmw5K1V0COA/s1600-h/DSC01047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWT3hSjAvPqJOjeFjHgt8DRqgRd-PvQYe_aP_4hnPi-GeyxRrwyUSwUoWbLv-tIeWoNKZMd3qNkuDXjas0lmqHtQUsBq5qWj_rXuR9_dDk5F7sZSCxPedayRof5sOmw5K1V0COA/s320/DSC01047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411214245334504178" /></a>Audreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15012240873873377252noreply@blogger.com0