In the Sewing Room & Other Things

I'm taking a break from my knitting. Actually, I've come to a lull where I need to figure out my next knitting projects and line them up.

I'm back in my sewing room and I must say it feels great. My cutting table is extended and natural bright sunlight has filled my room. I'm taking advantage of this time as the weather for the next few days will be cloudy. I'm modifying a few patterns, cutting some fabric, and re-designing some T-shirts. Progress.

I did take a short break and head outside to take some photos of bulbs and early perennials that are blooming. For the month of April, I plan on posting a series of "How To Take Pictures" over at my 2BPhotog blog. Basic photography skills that I use. Check it out later this week.

I've also been working on "downsizing" our household expenses. Removing long distance monthly fees, canceling the newspaper, removing our 2nd phone line, etc. Small things that add up.

I'm so thankful to have my sewing sisters (all of you), my hobbies, my health and time to enjoy the weather and hear the birds sing. For once, I'm enjoying Spring!

My Sewing Sisters...I Need Some Fitting Help

I finally found my Loes Hinse sweater set pattern late last night. It was tucked between two BWOF mags. Like that really made a lot of sense for safe keeping. Maybe that was my newly designated "to read" pile and I forgot. Who knows. Glad I found it.

I was able to find my first muslin for this LH sleeveless v-neck top that I sewed back in 2005. I have provided pictures below. As you can see, the front doesn't fit that well. So, my question to you lovely sewing sisters...do I need to do a full bust adjustment (FBA) or something else?

Poor fitting LH sleeveless top - side view


Another view showing the front seam

It may be hard to see, but there's a front seam under the v-neck. I had sewn another muslin that's a little bit larger and still had the same problem with the front pulled up.

My backside looks fine, no wrinkles or pulling. I just have a problem with the front. Would you believe this is the first pattern that doesn't fit?

I'm retracing the top so I have something to work with. In the meantime, I could really use your help in figuring this out.

You Know...That Special Safe Place

I was visiting Shannon's blog and saw her post for the Loes Hinse Sweater Set. I had made the sleeveless V-neck top before (2005), but it didn't fit me in the front. The front rode up my tummy and it was not a very good look for me. At that time, I didn't know what it needed nor did I know how to do pattern adjustments. I had just started to sew garments that year.

I remembered the sleeveless top sewed up beautifully and the V-neck was easy. I wanted to sew this top (view B, below) in the two leftover sweater knit fabrics that I used for my KwikSew cardigans. Well...

I had this pattern out and now it's disappeared. I probably had the intention of putting it in my special safe place, but it never got there. So, now I have to waste some valuable sewing time and hopefully not turn my sewing room upside down to find it.


Loes Hinse Sweater Set line drawing

I have an idea of what I need to do to get this top to fit. Wish me luck that I find this pattern before the weekend is over and I can post my results. That is, my alteration results. LOL!

Before I Can Get to My Sewing...

I need to clean out my sewing room...again. I did organize and put away my yarn stash (current projects) once before, but they have managed to spill out (bags) on my floor. At least I have a path to get into my room. I have books, mags, sewing patterns, and knitted garments sitting on my cutting table. I have future re-designed t-shirts stacked on my sewing machine table. Pants that need hemming. I have bins of fabric that need to be move out and into the basement or some safe place where prying eyes can't get at them.

I guess this is the appropriate time for some Spring cleaning which I started this morning.

I need to use my time more wisely and get rid of stuff I no longer need as they take up a lot of valuable space that I need to get back. Did I tell you that I'm a "pile-y person"? My DH has given me that nickname as my piles of stuff are everywhere. It's gotten out of hand. I have a problem. So, I will spend the rest of this week getting rid of my piles, let go of stuff, and get organized.

I have a lot of ideas for fabrics and patterns swarming in my head right now. I need to get back to pulling together my SWAP, which got buried and demoted in my list of many things to do.

I am thankful that I weaned myself off of pattern and fabric purchases late last year. I no longer get excited about pattern or fabric sales.

I'm still excited about sewing, more so than ever.

I have been working at my LYS, part-time and in training. I'm having fun and enjoy watching others spin and knit. I'm also learning a few knitting tricks. I have met some cool local knitting friends in the last few days.

I better get back to my piles of stuff and the garbage bag. :)

Before I go, I wanted to say a big thank you to those of you who left happy thoughts as I was celebrating my first blog-anniversary. Thank you. :)

Happy One Year Anniversary...My 2BSewing Blog

I'm an introvert, but can be a chatty person once you get to know me. I started my blog a year ago not knowing who my readers would be. I wanted to share my sewing experiences. A place to post my many pictures of my sewing adventures and then some.

My fellow bloggers and sewists...thank you for stopping by through the year. I did not think I would keep up with the many posts every month. You, my readers, have left many wonderful comments. I've enjoyed making new friends. I've also enjoyed visiting your blogs to see what you are up to.

So, as I start a new chapter in my life, I am happy to be begin the week by celebrating my one year blog anniversary. I am truly blessed to have a wonderful hobby (one that DH supports wholeheartedly) and to share my sewing experiences with you.

Some Good News & Some Bad News

I was laid off from my job today. Yes, it's a sad day. So, I will allow myself to go through the emotions. I will pick myself up and move on. Change is good. As my dear friend, Laurie, reminded me...this may be a blessing in disguise. I have to agree with her.

Now, I can truly understand why I have a pattern, fabric, and notions stash. It's for times like these, that my sewing will calm my nerves. I can go shopping in my stash and whip up some creative garments. Feel like I've accomplished something. Feel good about myself.

I did find a part-time job at my LYS (local yarn shop). This is a great opportunity to expand my knitting experience and to teach others how to knit. I've already had the opportunity to share my sewing experiences as well.

I believe when one door closes, another one opens up. :)

(Note: for those of you who are reading this post and related to me, please keep this information to yourself. I don't need my mother checking her blood pressure every hour. LOL!)


On the sewing front, I've been busy. I went ahead and sewed up two more cardigans and posted an updated review on PR.

Two new lightweight sweater knit cardigans


I'm doing fine. My faith in God and my hobbies will help me get through this difficult time. Prayers are always welcomed.

Another One?

Yes, I made another KS2759 cardigan. Yes, this print looks exactly like my brown and blue version from my previous post. The biggest difference is the weight of the knit fabric. This is a lightweight sweater knit with a contrast binding. This is the perfect weight for the warmer weather that's right around the corner.

Black and white floral sweater knit cardigan

This cardigan sews quickly with a serger and sleeves are sewn flat.

I've already posted an update to my review on PR.

I just noticed that streaks of my white hair is showing more and more. Now, I know that's not the result of my hobbies. LOL!

I'm planning on having a fun weekend. My DB is in town and we're heading somewhere to take lots of pictures.

Happy Sewing!

I'm Back with KS2759!

And let me tell you, it feels great to be sewing again. Here I am modeling my latest creation from KS2759. If you recall, I had this sweater knit fabric along with the black and white that had the same floral print. This heavier brown/blue knit fabric worked out well with this pattern. It's more like a jacket. Love the weight and feels comfortable to wear.

It didn't take me long to finish this over a few evenings. I normally like to use a contrast binding, but couldn't find anything in my stash to complement this fabric. So, I cut the binding from the same fabric and well...I could get used to doing this.



The different views

Since I don't have any plain brown or blue fabric in my stash to sew a top, I've decided to knit a sleeveless shell to wear under this jacket. I've already picked out my yarn.

Patons Shetland Chunky Tweed in Sea Ice color

I will be posting my jacket review on PR later this week.

Wow! What a Weekend & Some Sewing Too!

I've been nominated!

Linda of Danvillegirl Sewing Diary has nominated for this very nice Sisterhood award. Thank you Linda. :)

Here are the rules for posting this award:
- Place the award logo on your blog
- Nominate 10 other blogs which show "Attitude and/or Gratitude"
- Link to the nominee on your blog post
- Comment on their blog that you have nominated them
- Share the love and link to the person who nominated you

Here are my nominees:

Tricia (aka Clio) of Clio & Phineas. She is a true sewist at heart. She is not shy to tackle new sewing projects. She just completed her first pants and jacket. She has an eye for cute fabrics and does a great job matching a pattern to some great looking fabric.

Sherril of Sherril's Sewing Saga. She's very creative. I enjoy following her sewing adventures and pattern alterations at her blog.

Evie at Pendle Stitches. She's a sewist as well as a knitter. Check out her latest sweater creation.


I tried to get motivated to work on my sewing projects, but still haven't made it to my sewing machine. Of course, it doesn't help to have stacks of patterns on top of my machine and all around my sewing table.

It's also nice outside, a balmy 79 degrees. Hopefully, I'll get some sewing done this evening.


Update:

Looky! Looky! Does this look like some sewing got done??? It sure does! Oh how I love my SM. Even after 2 months of no sewing, my SM and I became one again.

Shoulder seams sewn and binding attached

Spending Some Time in My Sewing Room

For some odd reason, I was having a hard time getting motivated to do some work in my sewing room. I laid out my black and white floral sweater knit fabric and cut out the pieces to make my KS cardigan. I wanted to use a black knit for the contrast binding around the front and back neckline. Well, the two pieces of black fabric I had were too short to cut out. So, I put that cardigan pieces aside...still trying to figure out in the back of my mind how I was going to resolve this slight issue.

I went ahead and decided to make the brown and blue floral sweater knit into the same KS cardigan. Yes, I will end up with two cardigans that have the same floral knit pattern. At least they are two different colors. After all, this is my TNT cardigan pattern and I'll wear this with my jeans around the house. I cut out all the pieces only to find that I had placed the sleeve going in the opposite direction of my front and back. Good grief! After slapping my silly forehead, I decided to make do with what I cut out. I think the fabric is busy enough that no one will notice. And if I don't say anything, no one will notice, right? So, for those of you reading this, Ctl-Alt-Del your brain and we'll pretend everything is hunky dory.

Oh, wow. I just had a light bulb go off my head. I think I solved my black binding problem. I'll just cut two strips and join the two pieces and place that seam at the back of the neck. Problem solved. Too bad I couldn't have solved this a few hours ago.

I'm glad I forced myself to cut out the cardigans. Now, I have something ready to sew when the mood hits me. Lets hope it hits me big time.