McCall 7381 Everything's Coming Up Roses

After Hurricane Irma I was ready to get back to my sewing room.  I want things back to normal.  No more yard work, no more generators, no more hot, sticky nights trying to sleep and most of all no more Weather Channel.  Don't get me wrong, I am very lucky we were all ok and that there was no major damage at home but having a "normal" day is GREAT!

After the storm with no power I cut out fabric for the McCall 7381 dress.  I didn't get back to sew it up until after we got power when I realized that this wasn't the pattern I wanted to use.  OOPS!  But I went ahead and sewed it up since I had on the black version while I was sewing this one...... Karma?

McCall 7381

McCall 7381

The dress when together great, then my sewing machine died!  Something with the bobbin casing kept jumping out of the part that holds it.  What's a girl to do?  I have always owned Brother Sewing Machines and I really didn't want to go to another brand since I had a lot of bobbins and feet that work with my Brother.  I didn't waste anytime and ordered another Brother online.  I don't need anything fancy, no embroidery, I don't need 200+ stitches since I use the same 5 ALL the time, the only thing I really wanted was an extension table so that this one will fit flush down into my sewing table.  Dear Hubby bought my last machine over 10 years ago and it's been a great machine.

McCall 7381

But I did finish the McCall 7381 on Girl M's cheap $49 Brother machine.  It sewed it up beautifully.  I was done in about an hour, even though it took me three hours since I was on the phone with my Mother most of time.

The dress fit great and the fabric was "free" given to me by the lady from our Church.  It's a texture cotton.  Thin, but cool for summer.  I love how the shape of the fabric makes me look like I have a waist!

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

Bonnie

Butterick 6838 Nightgown

For my Momma's birthday I just had to make her a nightgown.  She's mentioned a few times that the ones she buys don't fit her right.  Either the yoke is too tight or the armholes aren't right.  Since we both wear the same type of nightgown I thought I would just sew her my version and see if she likes it, if she doesn't I'll wear it!

Butterick 6838

Yoke Front

Yoke Back

Armhole

Butterick 6838 Nightgown

I used a sheet that I had in my sheet stash.  The feel is lovely, soft, yet a little crisp.  It sewed and ironed up beautifully.  I wanted to give her sleeves but I didn't have an inch of fabric left over!  If she likes the fit of this I will make her another one.  I may even make me one of flannel for the winter.  I made the XL without any pattern adjustments.  There is plenty of ease in this pattern.

I also bought her an Ancestry DNA kit for her birthday.  She's mentioned it a few times and I think it would be neat to find out what she's made up of.

Happy Birthday Momma!

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

Bonnie

Plaid Fall Handkerchief Hem Skirt

Fall Sewing:

I have had this plaid fabric as long as I can remember and I have been wanting to make a skirt or jacket with it.  I decided that a handkerchief hem skirt would be a nice change.  Maybe some fringe........

Fall Plaid Handkerchief Hem Skirt

The fabric is so soft and buttery and was very easy to work with.  Since I am not a fan of woven fabrics I just went with it.  I used my half circle skirt pattern and squared the fabric at the hem.  Serged the seams together, added a invisible zipper to one side and fringed the bottom and I was done.

Fringe

The only problem I have is WHAT to wear with it!  I tried brown for a top and I wasn't impressed.  White didn't do it either.  I'm thinking a black fitted top/blouse with my black boots.

It's tough to match the rust color so I will probable stay away from that.  Maybe an Ivory colored top?

$4.20 Fall Plaid Skirt

When is it going to get cooler here is Florida so I can wear my "NEW" Fall clothes?

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

Bonnie

Brown ITY Knit Circle Skirt

Just a fall wardrobe basic.  A brown ITY Knit Circle skirt to add to my skirt collection.  I made this up to test another pattern out and ended up really liking the fit of the skirt.  It's a keeper for Fall.

Brown ITY Knit Circle Skirt

I have a few sweaters/cardigans in my closet that match perfect with this skirt.  I don't have to make any tops to go with it!

Sweater wardrobe

Another sweater

I made this tank and cardigan last year and never really wore it.  I think it's a flashy choice.

Tank & Cardigan

I don't know what to sew up next........but I've been painting counter tops  & cabinets in the kitchen in between sewing up skirts!

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

Bonnie

Good News!

I am proud to announce that Dear Hubby has been promoted to Captain!

Captain P. with Sheriff F.

I am so happy for him!

This has been a 27 year journey for him.

He's going to be a great Captain.  He's a born leader.

I know it's not sewing related but it kinda is.  Starting today Dear Hubby will be working Monday-Friday 8-5.  No more shift work, no more working nights, no more working weekends or holidays.  I will be home alone ALL day, just me & my sewing machine & fabric..........I'm trying to look at all the positives here!

I had hoped to have a family photo of him at his promotion ceremony but I haven't received the picture from the photographer yet and I'm too excited for him to wait a few days to tell everyone!

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

Bonnie

Daisy Print ITY Knit Circle Skirt

I do love a circle skirt.  The only trouble I have is that with my size sometimes the hem will get all wonky.  Higher at the sides and longer in the front & back.  I just decided to ditch my pattern and draft a new one.  Thank you Pinterest!

After a Math class, lots of pencils, papers and scissors, I have a TNT Circle Skirt Pattern!

The fit is good, the length is good and the hem line is an A+!

Daisy Print ITY Knit Skirt

Wardrobe Builder

Possibilities!

I finished the kitchen cabinet doors and re-installed them!  Half of the kitchen is finished!

My next project is the counter tops on the sink side.  My motto is:  If I paint, I can sew!  I'll update with pictures soon.

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

Bonnie

McCall 7254 Navy Ponte Knit Jacket

I had just enough of the navy ponte knit fabric to sew up the McCall 7254 Jacket with short sleeves. I have forgotten how much I love this pattern.  I did have to reduce from the underarm to the waist a 1/2" at the seam allowances.  I don't know what I love more: the fabric or the pattern.  But it's a match made in heaven!

McCall 7254 Navy Ponte Knit Jacket

Back View

Wardrobe Basic

With Tan skirt

Basics

Classy

I'm thinking of sewing up a half circle skirt next.  I need to work on my pattern though.  The self drafted pattern I have has a few issues that need to be re-worked.

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

Bonnie

Home Sweet Home

I was able to get home yesterday after Hurricane Irma.  The 15 mile drive was like being on a sightseeing tour.  Lots of trees and power lines down along the road and debris in peoples yards and on the road.  The 40 acres around our home has over 12 huge trees down.  They all fell in the same direction!

The best part of coming home was being able to see Dear Hubby for a little while before he returned back to work.  He's exhausted both mentally and physically.  Hopefully he will be off work this weekend.  Working 7 days straight 12 hours shifts, sleeping on the office floor takes a toll on a body.

Our home is here, in tact, just in need of some yard cleanup.  Something for Girl M & I to do during the evenings.  There is no school yet.  Maybe next week school will resume.  We are expected to be without power for 7 to 14 days. Dear Hubby has us a generator, it will run most of the house.  No A/C or stove and refrigerator but we have fans, TV and lights.  We're camping in 95 degree temperatures!

The best part is that I was able to clean the pool up and it's very refreshing!  I spent most of the afternoon yesterday in there.  I volunteered to clean it!

Thank you to all my sewing friends for prayers and words of encouragement.  I am one blessed girl!

I will have post coming of items I sewed before the storm.  I'm a little behind on getting them up and posted.  But I hope that I will be sewing soon since I have a little power.

It's great to be home & I'm feeling blessed

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

Bonnie

Hurricane Irma Update 1

I do have a funny story to tell.  While evacuating to our oldest son's house for the hurricane, Dear Hubby followed me over (in his unmarked police SUV).  Traffic was light, not too bad, but I noticed on a few 4-lane roads that the traffic was lined up behind me where most of the time traffic just zooms by like you are sitting still.  I mentioned to my DIL about how nice the drive was, no crazy drivers and that everyone was going the speed limit.  She looked at me like I had lost my mind!  Then she let me know it was because I was being followed by a police car!  I guess I'm a unicorn & rainbows type of person and I was impressed that people were driving so well.

I saw people lined up for miles at gas stations, two men fighting at a gas pump and people leaving their cars alongside of the road out of gas.  Dear Hubby had a few crazy stories from work.  25 Chihuahuas  running around a gas station.  People looking for a loose dog in the Sheriff's office while he was sleeping, someone calling 911 because the local pizza place didn't answer their phone......

Staying with my son and DIL is better than staying at the Hilton Hotel.  The accommodations are excellent, the food delicious, the bed is so comfortable but the company is the best of all.  I love spending time with both of them and I am so blessed that they opened their home to me & Girl M.  So far we've not lost power and the rain is just a nuisance while walking the dogs.  I feel more like I'm on vacation but I miss Dear Hubby!

I know that tonight will be long.  Hurricane Irma has made landfall 250 miles south of us and we are still in the direct path.  We've prepared for the worse, hope for the best and will just ride it out tonight.

Thank you all for your kind comments and your prayers, Today is a much better day mentally than yesterday for me.  Leaving my home was hard.  Even more so since I'm a hermit homebody!

I hope to be able to update soon with good news and an uneventful night.

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

Bonnie

Hurricane Irma

I am writing this in advance of the oncoming hurricane Irma.  I have lived 38 years in Florida and this will be my first full on hurricane.  We've had bad weather from previous storms but nothing direct.  I have prayed that Irma shifts more east since we live 60 miles inland from the West cost of Florida.   My Mother and Brother both live about 60 miles inland from the East coast of Florida and I do not wish this storm on them either.  But it doesn't look like either of us are going to get a break this time.

We live 12 miles ESE of the green dot :(

Since we live in a mobile home, I will be staying with our oldest son and his wife.  Dear Hubby has to work  during the storm so it will just be the kids and myself.  I really dread leaving my home.  I dread trying to get back home after the storm and I dread what is probably going to be destroyed.  I spent most of the day Friday just walking around the house looking at my home and praying it will all be here when I get back.

I worry most about Dear Hubby since we won't be together.  Days like this make me look forward to him retiring.  I know that us being in a safe place will be one less thing for him to worry about and we will be able to see him by next Friday hopefully.  Communication will be limited if there is major damage but we will do the best we can.

I've tried to sew this past week but I keep getting distracted by hurricane preparations.  I cooked a few meals ahead of time and froze them so that we can just re-heat them on the grill.  I did go to the grocery store this week too.  I didn't buy water but I did have to buy toothpaste (there wasn't anyone in that isle!)  I got gas early this week and since I didn't plan on going anywhere except to take Boy F to the oral surgeon to have his wisdom teeth removed, I'll be good on gas.  I have froze every container that would hold water and bleached all of our ice chest.  Tied down all of our outside furniture and cleaned our yard.  I have also watched The Weather Channel non-stop in hopes that Irma's path will change.

I hope when I get back I don't have major before & after photos to share.  Maybe a little limb down here and there.  Maybe a funny thing found in our yard from a neighbor but I really pray that there is nothing major.

Prayers for ALL of Florida and I'll post as soon as I'm back home & safe.

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

Bonnie

Ponte Knit Straight Skirt

A Gal can never have enough skirts.  I wanted a straight style skirt.  Nothing fancy, just elastic waist, knee length & Ponte knit.

I used my TNT pattern.  I have a white one already and I do wear it often so I thought why not a tan one and a navy one and maybe even a black one.

Tan Ponte Knit Straight Skirt

Wardrobe basic

Navy Ponte Knit Straight Skirt

Denim & Tan

Wardrobe Builder

Very Casual

I've worn the navy skirt twice already and I have to say I LOVE it!!!!

Two more skirts added to my wardrobe.  I hope to keep my sewing mojo going!

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

Bonnie

White ITY Knit Drape Neck Top

On my list of sewing for Fall, I needed a white top.  Believe it or not, I do not have one white top in my closet!  I thought a simple drape neck top would work great.  I used my TNT pattern I've sewn up many times before.

White ITY Knit Drape Neck Top

 I thought the new top would look good with this cardigan I made a few months ago.......but it doesn't look so good.  Maybe with another type cardigan.

I like it better under this coral sweater knit cardigan I made.

$3.60 Drape Neck Top!

Another item checked off my Fall sewing list.  I hope I keep my sewing mojo going!

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

Bonnie