A blog about my adventures in sewing & crafting

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Pattern Emporium Meet You There Dress

 Sewing during the holidays can get hectic but I like having an outlet for stress. Sewing makes me sit and think and plan. Keeping my mind busy, helping make the day feel normal and helps me feel in control.  

I love the simple style of the Pattern Emporium Meet You There Dress. I used a 100% rayon challis fabric that is light and airy.  The dress is a dream to wear.


I made the version with high neck and elbow length sleeves with elastic. I added pockets, which I love! And made the skirt with 2 long and 1 short tiers.


Christmas with Dear Hubby’s Mom

Family photo Christmas 2022

Christmas 2021 with our Niece & “new” Nephew

Church selfie
 I have a Dear Friend who sent me a beautiful, thoughtful gift for Christmas. A carved sewing machine ornament! It was a wonderful surprise. Thank you Cheryl!

Christmas ornament 

Friday, December 17, 2021

Love is in the Air!

 Boy AJ finally popped the question! Girl M said "YES"!



It's hard to get one over on Girl M.  she's very observant.  Boy AJ took her fishing after work and had a friend who usually tags along with them take the pictures/video.  Little did they know that there was a Christmas boat parade happening at the same time!  Pretty memorable moment!

Girl M. Said Yes!

Proposal at John's Pass Christmas Boat Parade

She'll be in planning mode now!

Engagement ring

Congratulations!

She's thinking of a Fall wedding.  Thank goodness I have plenty of time!


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

Bonnie

Friday, December 10, 2021

Love Notions Olympia Gown with Designer Stitch Brenda Petal Sleeves

 I could have made 10 different gowns to wear to my Niece's wedding.  But I stayed on track and made a dress and stuck with it.

I wanted to wear a velvet fabric since the wedding was so close to the holidays.  Then Fabric Mart Fabrics had a stretch velvet knit fabric with embroidered flowers.  OMG it was perfect! Deciding on a pattern was harder but I thought the Love Notions Olympia dress with the Designer Stitch Brenda petal sleeves would work nicely together.

Embroidered Knit Velvet



Olympia Dress & Brenda Petal Sleeves

Selfie before we left for the wedding.  2-1/2 drive, Dress was very comfortable.

Selfie with my wedding date!

It was so nice to see the girls get all dressed up.  

My girls (minus Girl M who was a bridesmaid)


Our Niece had a coffee bar for us.  It was so sweet to think of us on HER special day.

I love this photo!


The dress was like wearing a "buffet" dress.  It was very comfortable and forgiving.  I may shorten it to wear it to Church closer to Christmas.

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

Bonnie


Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Our Niece's Wedding

 Our Niece, who recently lost her Dad, got married this week in St. Augustine.  I might be a bit biased but it was the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to.  Such a sweet ceremony & we were so happy to see her smile.

Our Niece the beautiful Bride

In Memory of her Dad

Girl M. on the far left

Bride with her Bridesmaids

Our new Nephew in Law with his dog Hans

I think this is my favorite photo!

Red Velvet wedding cake

St. Augustine, Fl

My guys!

My Girls (Missing Girl M)

Dear Hubby, Nephews & Sons

Boy F & Lady K

She had a coffee bar for us!

A magical day!

Thank you for letting me share this special moment with you.  

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

Bonnie


Monday, December 6, 2021

Love Notions La Bella Donna Brown Velvet Knit Top

 I had this fabric planned out for the George + Ginger Janis top but I was 1/2 yard short.  But I made it work for the Love Notions La Bella Donna Top with the short sleeves and sleeve bands.  

Girl M. loves this top but it was truly a work of love with lots of tears in the mix.  This top has simple lines and 4 seams.  But I think this fabric was made by Satan himself.  It curled, shed & did not want to be sewn on any of my machines.  But I made it work and I'm even happier it's done and out of here!


Love Notions La Bella Donna Brown Velvet Knit Top

Sleeve band

Back View

All my Christmas shopping is done and now I can sit back, relax and enjoy the holidays!  Well........we'll see about that!

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

Bonnie

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Love Notions Animal Print French Terry Knit Breckenridge Henley

This Animal print French Terry Knit fabric I purchased from Fabric Mart Fabrics was so soft and cuddly.  I had to make Girl M. a top!   

I thought the Love Notions Breckenridge Henley would be a good match.  Since the fabric only had about 20% stretch, I made her the size Large bodice with the sleeves & cuff in the 2XL.  Perfect!

Animal Print French Terry Knit

Love Notions Breckenridge Henley

Button placket

Back view

Warm & cozy top

Girl M. is half way through her LPN nursing school!  

Our Niece is getting married on Monday in historic Saint Augustine, FL.  We are so excited!  Girl M is a bridesmaid and Dear Hubby & I get to dress up!  

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

Bonnie


Wednesday, December 1, 2021

George + Ginger Janis Top Red Velvet Knit

 I had such high hopes for this pattern.  An easy sew, simple lines & current.  I knew Girl M. would love this style.  



Janis Top


I tried the top on before giving it to Girl M. and almost couldn't get out of it!  The sleeves were so tight.  Thinking since her arms are smaller than mine it would be ok but.............Nope!

Simple lines

She did like the style once we got it adjusted.  She liked the length too.  (Way too short for my liking on me!)

Back View

Sleeve detail

Acting silly!

I don't know about this pattern company, might have to find another top or dress and will make a muslin.

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

Bonnie

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Friday, November 19, 2021

Designer Stitch Brenda Dress Gray Plaid Sleeveless

 It's wonderful when you find a pattern that fits you perfect and is easy to sew up.  The Designer Stitch Brenda dress has quickly become one of my most favorite dress patterns.  Simple quick and so pretty!

This version is sleeveless since I only had 1-1/2 yards of the plaid double knit fabric from Fabric Mart Fabrics and I liked the longer skirt version.  I'm thinking a red cardigan may be in the works to wear with this dress.

Designer Stitch Brenda Dress

Gray Plaid Double Knit

Back View

With an Amazon Stretch Belt

I'm wanting to work on the Designer Stitch Dita Dress or the Pattern Emporium Meet Me There Dress.  We'll have to see which one comes up next!

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

Bonnie

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Designer Stitch Brenda Dress-Jacquard Floral Double Knit with Mesh Knit Sleeves

I made another version of the Designer Stitch Brenda dress.  This version had the v-neck, A-line skirt & pleated cuff 3/4 sleeve. I did like the round neckline better on the previous version but overall the dress is ok.  My favorite part are the sleeves.


Designer Stitch Brenda Dress

I used another double knit floral jacquard fabric from my stash for this dress.  I wanted a sheer sleeve and used the dress fabric for the cuff.  The fabric is a little heavy but will make a nice cool weather dress for Church.

Designer Stitch Brenda dress

Double knit jacquard fabric close-up
V-neck, A-line skirt version


Back View

Mesh knit sleeves

The dress just needed something and another stretch belt from Amazon was the answer.

Brenda Dress with Belt

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

Bonnie