What is A Friend?

What defines a Friend?

A Friend is someone other than your family that you share close affection with.  You share kindness, sympathy, empathy, compassion, common interest, common beliefs, loyalty, and fun with them.  They can be in person or online.

I met Cheryl last year through my Blog.  It is nice to talk sewing with someone who has the same interest.  Then I found out that she travels to Florida twice a year from Canada.  I live in Florida!  Cheryl has a place an hour South of me!  OMG! Was this Friendship meant to be?!?

Cheryl and I met up in December for a long Lunch that flew by too fast!  And agreed to meet back up again in March when she returned.  Meanwhile we text back and forth numerous time during the day.  Every day!  Many times!  I always enjoy chitchatting with her and I'm happy she's patient with all my questions regarding sewing and Canadian living.  (Since I've never seen snow!)

Both Cheryl and my families gave us the third degree about meeting up with someone online.  Our kids gave us the worse case scenarios. (I think they watch too much TV drama!)  We met in a public place and realized neither one of us is a serial killer!  I think we're ok.

This year we had plans to visit the Lakeland Original Sewing & Quilt Expo, but it has been postponed until August due to the Corona virus.  Then we thought maybe we could just have Lunch and do a little Thrift shopping.  Nope, no social contact!  In the end, my Dear Friend had to leave early to return so Canada.  I was so sad!

We were able to meet up at a gas station parking lot on her way back North to Canada.  We made sure we stayed an "acceptable social distance" apart even though I wanted to hug her.

Cheryl gifted me a bag of goodies but more than that a package of TOILET PAPER!  Now that is a TRUE FRIEND!  We were down to three rolls of toilet paper and unsure when we could find more.  Friends listen and come through like that!

High priority Toilet Paper & Sewing goodies

I love this knit burnout fabric Cheryl picked up for me.  I'm trying to decide what to sew it up into.  A top?  A dress?  Decisions, decisions!

Burnout Knit Fabric

Sheer knit spots

Fabric

Cheryl told me a friend made her a little pin cushion similar to this and then she made me one!  It's perfect for next to my machine and now I will think of her when I'm sewing.

Handmade pin cushion

I'm excited to read up on lingerie sewing.  Another friend, Brenda, whom I also met through my Blog & email often with, have discussed sewing "unmentionables".  I hope to learn some new techniques and sew up some "unmentionables" soon.

Reading Material

Since we are trying to stay home as much a possible Dear Hubby and I have started some outdoor projects.  Garden beds, vegetable plantings (in case of an apocalypse), getting the pool uncovered & running since Girl M. is now distant learning and just some general Spring outdoor maintenance.

I have my hummingbird feeders out and full.  I only took about 30 minutes for the birds to find the feeders.  No I have little zoomers everywhere!

Dear Hubby went back to work today from his appendectomy surgery and Girl M. is starting her homeschooling.  I'm going to do my best to keep my routine and I don't have a problem with staying home at all.  I could probably to a YouTube tutorial about it!

I do home everyone stays safe and healthy.  Happy Sewing/gardening/quartine!

Until next time...............

Bonnie

Simplicity 8841 Pants & McCall's 7975 Twist Top

A friend asked if I could pick up the Simplicity 8841 pattern at a Hobby Lobby pattern sale and after taking a second look at the pattern I really liked it.  Now I don't usually sew pants but maybe I could give it a shot.

Living in Florida I thought a pair of linen crop pants would be nice.

I had to make a top to go with my "new" pants.  Of course the McCall's 7975 Twist top came to mind.

Simplicity 8841 Linen Crop Pants McCall's 7975 Twist Top

$4.00 Top

Simplicity 8841 Linen Crop Pants McCall's 7975 Twist Top 

Back View

Simplicity 8841 Linen Crop Pants McCall's 7975 Twist Top

Elastic waistband

Back View

These pants are an easy sew & I really like the fit and the length.  These are sure to become a TNT pants pattern.

Until next time..........................

Bonnie

Simplicity 8981 Soft Watermelon Crepe Top

After making Girl M. two of the Simplicity 8981 dresses I thought I needed one too.  Cutting out the last dress piece I realized I was 8" too short on fabric.  I wanted to make this work so I decided to make it into a top.

I purchased this Soft Watermelon crepe fabric from Fabric Mart Fabrics. 

Simplicity 8981

Back View

I made it work and I really like this top.

Until next time..................

Bonnie

Thrift Store Finds

I really should stop by the Thrift Store more often.  I should leave the house once in a while besides picking up groceries.........should but probably won't!  But I did find a few great finds at the Thrift Store. 

I've been wanting a pair of white pants.  I picked up a size 14 in hopes that I could wear them "one day".  After trying them on, they fit!  Lucky me!

White crop pants

Back View

 I also found this purple printed jacket.  I wondered if it's a little too short but Girl M. said it fits.  Wear it!

Purple print jacket

I love polka dots.  This teal colored twist neck ITY knit top was a great find.  I also found a purple one, but I forgot to take a photo.

Teal polka dot top

 This top still had the tags on it.  I like the look of the asymmetrical hem.  It makes my hips look smaller.

Blue floral Asymmetrical Hem Top

Back View

I'm off to sew something new.............

Until next time..............

Bonnie

A Few Alterations

Alterations are NOT my favorite sewing projects.  But when you have items you love sometimes altering is worth it.  

I made this McCall's 6073 maxi dress in June 2019.  I've worn it a few times but I think the weight pulls too much on the skirt and it'snow too big.  But I LOVE this print so it' was one of the chosen ones to be altered.

The dress looks like a nightgown on me now............

McCall 6073 Maxi version

Back View

Bra View

I shortened the maxi version to lower knee length.  It helped take some of the weight off of the bodice and waistband.  I also took in side seams 1-1/2", that's 6" total!  Wow!  I can't wait to wear this dress again.

Please don't mind my Sketchers, they are my daily shoes and I didn't feel like finding heels for a quick photo.

McCall 6073 Altered Version

Back View

McCall's 6073 Altered

This leopard print top is a purchased ready to wear top.  I love this top and decided to keep and alter it to my "new" size.   The top is very comfortable but felt like I was wearing a sack.  

RTW Leopard Print Top

Back View

A little Sack feeling

 After taking in about 5/8" from elbow to hip it fits a little closer and feels so much better.

Altered RTW Leopard Print Top

Back View

I made this sleeveless McCall 7193 top in October and only wore it twice. I liked the panel print and decided to alter it too.  It was a little low under my arms, exposing my bra and too much fabric at the hips.

McCall 7193

Back View

I took the side seams in 1" from underarms to 1-1/2" at the hips.  Finding matching thread was the hardest part of this alteration.  

Altered McCall 7193

Back View

McCall 7193 ITY Knit Top

I don't know why I fuss about altering so much, I always like the end results.

I have a few items I found at the Thrift Shop coming up.

Until next time................

Bonnie

Butterick 5649 Two Denim Skirts

This Butterick 5649 has been a TNT pattern for me for many years.  I either had to alter the skirt I made in December or just re-make another one.  Remake it was!

I really should remake this pattern from the original instead of altering an altered version.  It may make things a little easier.  From my altered version I took in 1" at the side seam allowances.  That's 4" overall!  I also shortened the skirt 2" making it top of the knee length.  I really do love this pattern.

Butterick 5649 White Denim Skirt

Back View

$6.00 White Denim Skirt

Butterick 5649 Blue stretch denim skirt

Back View

I'm off to sew something new!

Until next time..................

Bonnie

Simplicity 8981 Taupe/White Herringbone Print Poly Dress

If one dress is good two is better!  I surprised Girl M. with another version of the Simplicity 8981 dress in a Taupe/White Herringbone print 100% polyester shirting fabric I purchased from Fabric Mart Fabrics way back.

The fabric was great to work with and sewed up very nice.  It has a nice drape and glides over your body when wearing.  I think she'll like the dress.

Simplicity 8981 

Back View

Back Neck View

This is definitely NOT my color!

Me View

Girl M. mentioned to lengthened the sleeves.  I don't care for the length but hopes she will.

Me View #2

All smiles.........Girl M. loves the dress!

Simplicity 8981

Back View

Back Neck

Girl M. approved!

Until next time...................

Bonnie