I Like BWOF-December Issue

This year, time has slipped by quickly for me. I've been keeping busy and working part-time at my LYS. I've taken over 10k pictures with my DSLR. I have knitted 18 garments plus various accessories. Yes, I've reached a burn out period with knitting. I don't have much to show on the sewing front as I haven't had a real need to sew more clothes for myself. That my change, as I have some news that I will share with you in the next day or two. Now, on to some sewing news.

Sewing Lessons

Today, I will be giving private sewing lessons for a friend of mine and her daughter. I plan on covering the basics of the sewing machine, the different stitches and sewing a perfect straight stitch. Yes, I make the students adjust their machines to produce a beautiful straight stitch. I will also go over the basics of a pattern. More lessons will follow.

BWOF

I received my BWOF yesterday. I am very happy with this issue as I've found some interesting garments that I would love to tackle in early 2010. 2010??? Yes, it's right around the corner.

I absolutely love this coat. It's simple and very classic. I'm in need of a dressy coat. If you look in my closet, I have a lot of casual coats and jackets. When I try on RTW coats at the stores, I typically have problems with the sleeves not fitting correctly and always an issue with the sleeve length. Sounds like I need to sew one for myself.




Another great find is for my DH...a hooded jacket. He would actually wear this and it looks well, comfy.




I love the style of this pants and the pockets. There is a reason. When I'm doing a photo shoot/session, I can't seem to have enough pockets on me. These pants would enable me to carry my wallet, store my lens cap, carry extra battery, remote control, and lens cloth. Okay, not the typical stuff a lady would carry. I would call these my Photog Pants.




For a quick and dressy sewing project, why not a lacy topper? Like some of you, I have a few sheer and lacy fabric that's been sitting in my stash for years. I may end up sewing one of these. This would be pretty over a dark colored camisole and slender pants.




I'm not a cape fan, but I really like this design. If anything, I would get a lot of experience installing zippers.




Stay tuned as I will be back soon to post my really big news.

Double Post Day - My June BWOF Arrived

Wow! Two posts in one day! I must be in a chatty mood. :)

I came home to find my June BWOF sitting on the table. I couldn't contain my excitement and immediately went to the page with all the line drawings. Looks like a very nice issue. I even love some of the accessories.

June BWOF

Here's what I would love to sew:

#102 - knit top

#116 - ruffled dress

This long skirt caught my eye.

#124 - long skirt

I saw a pattern for a knitted fish bag. How cool is that? I do love it when BWOF includes a knitting pattern.

As I was scanning the mag from front to back, I couldn't help but notice the previews for the upcoming July mag. I have a feeling that's going to be a pretty good issue.

Unfortunately, I won't have time to do any tracing or sewing this long weekend as I have to work. Sew, I'll be thinking of you sewing gals and catching up on your sewing blogs. I wonder which one of you will be the first to tackle the #102 - knit top?

Getting Inspired with BWOF

I've been going through my hard copies of BWOF, trying to get inspired to sew again. I also checked out their online site and came across their new designs for next month. January has flown by and I can't believe February is now right around the corner.

Perfect jacket to add to my SWAP

A nice top to try. Love the sleeves.

I'll have to try this one


As I leaf through my current BWOF mags, I hope something jumps out at me. And yes, I should be working on my SWAP. I just need to get motivated. Again.

I wanted to add, that DH spotted a fabric shop while we were in Dominica. Can you believe that? We went into the shop to browse. I did find some really nice rayon prints and batik fabrics. There was no way I could bring a few yards home with me. No space in our luggage or carryon. I have an incredible DH who supports my hobbies and even allowed me to think of sewing for a few minutes while on vacation.

First Sewing Project for This Year

I finally had some time to sew this weekend. DH, who had a few days off, went back to work. We're 90% packed for vacation. I'm finished cleaning what I tried to get done. My sewing room is not where I want it to be. I'm seriously thinking about rearranging the room. That project will have to wait.

Back to my real projects. Here's my first sewing project for 2009. It's a wild knit print from G's. I used my TNT Stretch & Sew pattern #324: French Trim T's. I made the v-neck version without the front gathers and with the elbow length sleeves. This wild pucci floral knit is a leftover from my Jalie crossover knit top project I made a year or two ago. I used a black knit from my stash for the contrast neckline binding. I had forgotten Stretch & Sew's easy binding application. What a joy! I made a size Medium, which is really a nice fit. Not too snug and not too loose. I plan on wearing this on our vacation.


I also managed to finish my 2nd BWOF 12-2008-113 knit tunic.


On the knitting front: I'm finishing a black and white Ascot. I'm using Lion Brand Homespun yarn. For this project, I'm learning to increase and decrease my stitches.

I plan on knitting a simple cardigan or sweater sometime this year. For now, I'm practicing different techniques by knitting scarves. Quick and simple projects.

BWOF 12-2008-113...muslin #2 still WIP

I am inundated with so many non-sewing projects this week. It's not funny. I've been spending a lot of time on my Mac for the last 2 days. I have a church project that I'm working on that involves the 450+ pictures I took earlier this month. I guess I need to learn to take less pictures. I am also cleaning my rooms. DH has put up with my "piles of stuff" long enough. Whew!



I wanted to post my latest project. Still a WIP. Notice the neckline is raised higher than my first muslin. All I did was take in an inch at the top of the shoulders. I figured if I posted this for all to see, I would have to finish this within the next day (my goal). All I need to do is finish the neckline and hem the sleeves and the bottom.

I have a Stretch & Sew knit top already cut out and waiting for me to get it sewn before the end of this year. Yikes! I better get my rear in gear.

My BWOF...Arrived Early

I received a really nice surprise in the mail this afternoon...January's BWOF. It arrived early. I had to take a break from my closet cleaning and peruse the colorful pages and diagrams. So far, only one garment caught my eye.



I do like this v-neck knit top with the gathered sleeves (#106B). I hope to try this pattern out and trace it within the next few days.


On the sewing action front, I finally got back to sewing my 2nd BWOF muslin (12-2008-113). This one is a bit more closer fitting than the first top I made. I took in the top sleeve seam by an inch. This essentially raised the neckline a bit. I tried on the top and I like the overall fit much better. All I need to do is put in the neck facing and hem the sleeves and bottom.

The Apron & Other Things

Well, I can finally post the VA Tech project that I made a few weeks back. Here's the apron I made for my DB#1 for Christmas. The fabric was perfect and unique. The pattern I used was my TNT apron pattern from Kwik Sew 3247. I love this apron as the straps are adjustable...single strap that goes around the neckline and then to the sides of the apron. The last I heard, DB#1 was looking for a place in his kitchen to proudly display his apron.


On the personal sewing front, my BWOF knit top has been bothering me in a nice way. I pin fitted my existing tunic I made. I think I have figured out a way to turn this tunic pattern into a more fitted top, which will result in a raised neckline. I am going to start by taking in the top shoulder area by an inch. Then I will work on the sides and probably take in an inch there as well. I have another knit fabric cut out and ready to sew tomorrow. I will let you know the results.

BWOF and Vogue on Me

Here is my BWOF knit tunic. I made the smallest size 38 which turned out to be quite big on me. I am wearing a black slinky knit tank top that I made last year underneath the tunic. I still have quite a bit of room.

I'm thinking of trimming off my seam allowances that I added to my pattern and giving this top another try. Maybe with a less stretchy knit fabric. What do you BWOF experts think?

Here I am modeling my new TNT V2925 in a size 12. The finished bust was about 34 inches. I am extremely happy with this size. Better fit and not snug at all like the size 10 version.

Both of of my latest sewing adventures are posted on PatternReview.com.

BWOF 12-2008-113...completed

Okay, I've completed my first BWOF garment. I have to say, it was a very rewarding experiment experience. This is the beginning of a new adventure for me.



Here is my knit tunic on SusieQ. I made a size 38. It is quite loose fitting on me. I can actually wear a fitted t-shirt underneath. Looking at the pictures (models) in the magazine, this tunic is meant to be worn over a shirt/garment. That explains the fit.

My neckline appears to be very low in comparison to the line drawing provided below. I'll have to double check the pattern I traced...maybe operator error.



Just as everyone has mentioned, the BWOF instructions are very skimpy. Dawn, thanks for leaving your BWOF comment/suggestion. I ended up following my sewing intuition. I had to read between the missing lines to figure out the sewing instructions and use my own sewing experience to come up with my own sewing steps.

I will back tomorrow to post a picture of me wearing the tunic. A PR will be posted soon after.

Tracing & Cutting & Baking Day

While the bright sunlight was blazing in my sewing room, I spent most of today tracing and cutting out patterns. Of course, my BWOF 12-2008-113 took the longest time. Being my first BWOF attempt, I had to make sure I added the seam allowances to the pattern pieces I traced. I also figured out the roadmap to the pattern sheets. That will have to wait for a separate post on my first BWOF experience. Stay tuned.

I zipped through tracing and cutting out New Look 6735. Another knit top in the works.

In between tracing and cutting, I also spent time backing up all my photos and data onto two separate external drives. I've been taking about 500 photos a month...that's been the average. This coming week, I've been tasked to take some pictures at our church...rehearsals for the Christmas program. This should be fun.

Now, it's time to bake some cookies. I think the last time I baked cookies was over 15 years ago. I used to make wonderful desserts (e.g. cream puffs, cakes, pies, etc) and baking with chocolate was my specialty. I just hope I am not too rusty to bake oatmeal cookies.

** Update **

Well, my oatmeal & raisin cookies came out pretty good and I didn't burn them. I should have left them in the oven for another minute to get a bit more browner. But they are yummy and chewy. I used parchment paper on the cookie sheet before placing the dough on the sheet. I got the recipe from America's Test Kitchen site.

I was a little apprehensive to use their recipe as the directions included: using two cookie sheets with one sheet placed on the lower rack (oven) and the other sheet placed on the middle rack. Bake for 22-25 minutes. About half-way through the baking process, swap the sheets on the two different racks and then turn the cookie sheets halfway. Basically, the lower sheet moves up to the middle rack and the middle sheet moves down to the lower rack. Then take the cookie sheets and turn so that the back cookies are now in the front. You know what? It really worked. All the cookies were evenly baked. I won't doubt any of their recipes again. I do love watching their shows on PBS.

Diving into BWOF and Other Things

Looks like I'll be sewing something from BWOF. I have been looking over the last 7 issues I have (new subscriber) to find a simple top to make. I have decided on 12-2008-113.



Naturally, after seeing the pattern sheets I feel a real challenge to tackle my first BWOF pattern. For those of you who never laid eyes on a BWOF mag, here is one of the pattern sheets from my 11-2008 mag.




On the knitting front: I have finished the two previous posted scarves and now working on another two. I like making two at a time. If I get bored with one color, I can switch to the other scarf. This one will be for a child. I am using Vanna's Choice yarn from Lion Brand. This will be a simple garter stitched scarf.

This one is for me. I am using two yarns, one in black and the other in denim twist color. Wool Ease by Lion Brand. I love the effect so far.

I feel another productive weekend coming on. My Christmas shopping is done...no need to be in the stores or on the Internet.

I might even bake some oatmeal cookies...yum, yum.

Self Indulgence…Burda World of Fashion (BWOF)

After a few years of watching fellow sewers on PR whip up fantastic BWOF garments and outfits, I decided to take the plunge and order my first issue. I was anxiously awaiting my June issue when I received an email that the magazine was delayed another week. Okay, I have plenty of other things to do…like writing on my blog, organizing my room, etc. Finally, it arrived in this week’s mail from SewBaby.com. Poor DH didn’t see me for hours that evening as I was pouring over the magazine (pictures, drawings, and instructions) and understanding the layout of the patterns.

Will I try something from this June issue? You bet! After all, I have a lot of tracing paper to use. Now, I just need to figure out which garment to make.

I have to say I’m in awe of this magazine. I feel like I have reached a new sewing level and territory. I have ordered a 6-month subscription to BWOF.

I will definitely have a future post on BWOF…my findings and personal take on this magazine. First, I need to do a lot of absorbing.