Missoni Flame Stitch Sweater Vest

Girl M. wanted a long vest.  She liked this Missoni look flame-stitch sweater fabric I had in my stash for a while.

Missoni-look flame-stitch sweater vest

Would you look at those matching flame-stitches at the sides.  Who did that??? This gal! 

Side View

Back View

 I just winged a pattern.  Something simple with a 1/2" turned back seam along the armcyce and along the front and around the neck.  I stitched a 1" bottom hem.  The fabric sewed up beautifully and I used a regular 3.0 straight stitch.

Missoni-look flame-stitch sweater vest

Fabric Close-up

$5.70 Vest

I sewed this sweater vest before January so I am not counting this towards my fabric stash use.  I also have one other item that won't be counted.

I finally had enough of my closet being so packed that my clothes were starting to get wrinkled and I went through my closet.  It's one of the hardest task for me because I make 95% of my clothes.  There were quiet a few items that were way too big, and many that the coloring just didn't look good on me.  Overall I purged almost 1/3 of my clothes & 1/2 of my shoes.

Before

After

I did keep this denim shirt.  When I first bought the shirt over a year ago it was snug on me.  Now it's almost too big but the biggest problem I had with the shirt was the length.  I ended up removing 5" from the hem length.  The shirt is now PERFECT!  I love the fit from the knit panels on the sides.

Sorry for the wonky shirt on my dress form, I was in a hurry because Dear Hubby had a steak on the table for dinner!

Denim shirt Fix

Back view

Side knit panel

Wardrobe staple

I can't wait to wear this shirt more often.  I think I may want a black and white striped skirt and maybe some type of floral skirt............I'm heading over to Pinterest!

I have an interest in some projects and think I may need a heavy-duty sewing machine.  Now my Brother machine is fine for garment sewing but I think I may need something stronger for sewing vinyl and leather.  I've always wanted and industrial walking foot machine but it's out of my budget.  I'm thinking of buying a  Necchi 3250fa (never used) from Craigslist for $100 but I also saw the new Singer 4432 or Brother ST321HD for about $200. 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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

Bonnie

Vogue 8959 Gray Wool Cape

This may have been the most expensive item I've ever sewn.  But sooooo worth it!  I can not believe I bought this pattern for $15.00 from the Vogue website in November, bought the fabric the same week, and sewed it up within a month!  Now that is progress!

Vogue 8959

I cut out a size XL and did not make a muslin.  The cape sewed up very easily and the directions are pretty simple.  I started out wanting View C, the long version but after realizing that it would drag the ground, I cut off 6" of the pattern.  The cape comes to mid/lower calf length and I like it.

This fabric has a luxurious, soft hand.  I love both the feel and the color.

Vogue 8959 Gray Wool Cape

I purchased some polyester/nylon lining and when I received it I did not like it at all.  I thought that this polyester charmeuse felt more luxurious like the gray fabric and made a better match.

Charmeuse lining

Back View

Arm slits

Arm Slits

I purchased the fabric from Fabric Mart Fabrics from a Flash Sale ad back in November.  I was NOT disappointed at all.  The fabric was beautiful.  The only thing was that it's very  H-E-A-V-Y!!  That's not a bad thing but the completed cape weighs in at 4.9lbs!

4yds @$6.99 = $27.96

4yds @ $3.50 = $14.00

Buttons were purchased at Hobby Lobby for $3.97 for the pair.  The total for the cape including the pattern purchase was $57.94.  I think that is the most expensive items I've ever sewn.  But I LOVE it!

Vogue 8959 Gray Wool Cape

I need to start some strength training in preparing to wear my wonderful, heavy, wool cape.........

UPDATE:

It was  finally cold enough for me to wear the cape for Christmas Sunday Service at Church.  I received so many compliments on the cape and it was very warm.

Chilly Sunday Church Service

I sewed this cape before January so I am not counting this towards my fabric stash use.  I also have another item that won't be counted.

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

Bonnie

Happy 2019 & How Much Fabric Is Too Much?

Happy 2019!  365 Days of possibilities & New Adventures!

On a more somber note:

Hello, my name is Bonnie & I have a fabric stash problem.......

 Fabric is one of my Loves! The possibilities of something yet made.  An idea of what can be is what I think when I see fabric.  I love to feel fabric and to fold it nice and neat.  One of my terrible habits is buying fabric....lots and lots of fabric.

This year I plan to use up over half of my fabric without buying more.  Last year I spent almost $3,000.00 on fabric........that's a lot of money.......WOW!  I did sew numerous items last year.

Fabric	$2952.82	73%
Magazine	$32.95	1%	Threads
Notions	$694.02	17%	Dress form, tracing velum, zippers, interfacings
Others	$207.97	5%	DVD’s, Classes, lightbulbs
Patterns	$149.34	4%
Total	$4037.10

I snuck in the sewing room on Christmas afternoon and counted my fabric stash yardage.  Talk about an eye opener...........I estimate I have about 1,790 yards of fabric!  That's over a MILE long!

Knit Fabrics

Woven Fabrics

 This is my messy fabric area.  I just ignore it!

Sweater Knits, Faux Leathers & Suedes

That's a lot of fabric......................

75 yards of sweater knits...........I've only sewn one sweater knit top this year!

278.5 yards of ITY Knit and 227 yards of jersey knit fabric.  Can you tell it's my favorite?

295.5 yards of mixed woven fabrics

91 yards of Chiffon..........I hate sewing Chiffon fabric???

41 yards of Denim/Twill fabric

109 yards of Suiting fabric

So for 2019  I'm going to stay strong with my resolution for not buying ANY fabric,  I'm going to unsubscribe to all fabric store e-mails, not even a peak!, give quarterly updates on my stash busting, and be content to use what ALL I have in my shelves.  I think saying all this out-loud will keep me  accountable and give me strength. I even told Dear Hubby I wasn't going to buy any fabric!  Pray for me!

Of course I would like to save more money this year, and I'm hoping that not buying fabric will motivate me to put more money into our Christmas fund.

My other resolution to continue for 2019 is to loose 40 lbs more.  That will have me under 200 lbs.  My weight loss has slowed down but since I have changed my way of eating I am feeling so much better.  I am very strict with my diet and try to eliminate ALL flour, rice, potatoes, and sugar.  Even through ALL the holidays I have yet to knowingly cheat.  But honestly there is sugar is E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!  I have to say no to all my "old" favorite foods but me feeling better is soooo worth it!


I bought this shirting fabric from FabricMartFabrics over the holidays. (My last fabric purchase, I promise!)  It's very nice and it has some selvage to selvage stretch.  I washed it as I usually do in cold water and medium heat to dry. But it came out so wrinkled.

Washed & Dried Wrinkled pile

 I tried ironing it and you can not even tell.  I'm not sure what to do with it!

After ironing

If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them.

Happy 2019!

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

Bonnie

Christmas Blessings 2018

I have to brag on my Dear Hubby for a minute.  I went Christmas shopping with him the Wednesday before Christmas.  I tried hard not to look at things in fear that he would think it was something I wanted.  But when we went into Belks looking for our Daughter-In-Law a glass  bowl for her Kitchen-aide mixer, we walked by the handbag department and this beautiful Micheal Kors purse made me stop and look at itself!   Dear Hubby bought me a Micheal Kors purse last year for Christmas that I carry it every day and I didn't need another purse.

Micheal Kors $358

 So Dear Hubby snuck away from work on Christmas eve and went back to Belks for the purse.  After seeing the price tag and almost having a heart attack......He knew I would kill him if he spent $358 on a purse!

So he bought me one he thought I would like and I LOVE it even more.  I didn't have one in a light color and it was PERFECT!  Better than that, he picked me out a wallet that was not only RFID but had a portable power pack for charging my cell phone.  He's the best!

b.o.c $45.00

b.o.c. wallet $20.00

b.o.c. power pack wallet

My Momma drove over for Christmas Eve and we had a very nice time with ALL the kids here.  I didn't remember to take any pictures while everyone was here but I did take a few photos of some of the wonderful presents I received.

Girl M & Boy AJ gave me a shadowbox sign that I've hung in the dining room.  It's perfect!

Blessed & Grateful

My Momma gifted me a nightgown and robe set from Vermont Country Store that's so pretty. It's an  Elieen West Midnight Sonata set in mint green cotton, perfect for summertime.  She also gave me a Pioneer Woman lazy susan and a Olfa 60" rotary cutter and extra blades.

Eileen West Midnight Sonata Nightgown & Robe

Pioneer Woman lazy susan

Olfa rotary cutter with extra blades

Boy T & our DIL gave me the best apron and an essential oil necklace.  Boy F. gave me Bath & Body Works candles.

My favorite scents

Perfect saying apron

Essential Oil necklace

My sweet niece gave Dear Hubby & myself a coffee cup  with our initials and a dish towel that I LOVE the saying.

Dear Hubby received two thin blue line gifts.  Our oldest Son and DIL gave him this mirrored one.  Dear Hubby has already taken it to his office to show it off.  He was so proud.

Thin blue line framed work

Dear Hubby's boss gave him this wooden thin blue line artwork.  A very touching and considerate gift.

Wooden thin blue line artwork

The stars are bullet casings.  A piece of art.

Bullet casings

Sparky the Fat Cat got a cozy house for Christmas.  He did go in a sleep most of the day on Christmas but hasn't looked at it since.

Sparky the Fat Cat

Bojangles was gifted treats from Boy T & Girl K and our grand-dogs.  He laid there staring at the container most of the afternoon.  He knew it was for him.

Bojangles's treats

 Santa Paws brought Bojangles a little something in his stocking.  While I was in the Kitchen making cinnamon rolls this is what he did until the kids got up.  He knew the stocking was for him.  He's so smart!

Guarding his stocking

I am truly Blessed and spoiled!

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

Bonnie

Islander Sewing System #232 Hangin' Out Shirt Christmas Gifts

I made Girl M's boyfriend two shirts for a Christmas gift.  Fabric mart had some cotton fabrics on sale and I thought of him when I saw them.  I'm not sure what he's going to think of the Math fabric but it cracks me up.

Mathematical Print Fabric

$11.00 Shirt

Short sleeve Front View

Back View

Since it's always so hot here in Florida I usually make short sleeve shirts but I had enough fabric to make a long sleeve version in the horse print.  I'm amazed how easy sewing sleeve plackets and cuffs on is and wonder why I don't do it more often.

Poplin Horse Print

Long Sleeve Front View

Back View

$7.50 Shirt

Both shirts sewed up easily and I do hope he likes them.  (I'll update later on)

While sewing I saw a pin in the bottom of my coffee cup!  OMG I'm trying to kill myself!  See how dangerous sewing and drinking can be.  I think I'll start putting a lid on my coffee cup from now on.

Drinking coffee & sewing is dangerous!

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

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

Bonnie