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.

More Padding...

...that is on SusieQ, my dress form. That is what I was working on this afternoon. A work in progress. Still have to add more padding to the waistline and hips. I've been using polyester batting to fill in the areas under the bust.

When I pulled off the undergarments, I accidently turned one of the side knobs and thus one side of the bust was smaller. I couldn't turn the knob up and I can't find my instructions. The knob can go down easily, but not up. So, if any of you have a TwinFit dress form...how do I turn the small knob at the side of the bust up another size?


When I get back from vacation, I will retake my measurements and make the necessary adjustments on SusieQ. I hope to lose some weight after all the snorkeling.

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.

More Knitting Projects

I finally finished my 2nd pair of fingerless gloves. The first glove only took a day to finish and the matching second glove took over a week to complete. That's what I get for having too many hobbies. Good thing I forced coaxed myself to finish. I would have hated walking around with one glove on. For the cuff, I used Moda Dea 'Vision' in Princess color. I love the striping it created. For the body of the glove, I used Lion Brand 'Wool Ease Worsted Weight' in Dark Rose Heather. The two colors worked well together. I used size 9 knitting needles.


Here's a practice cable scarf. I actually finished this right before Christmas. I wanted to show off the edging of the scarf. Basically, I slipped the first stitch off (left needle to the right needle) at the beginning of each row and proceeded with the patterned stitches. Slipping the first stitch gives the edge a really clean finish. Also, I noticed the scarf didn't curl towards the wrong side. The scarf is actually not that red, but more rose color. I wanted to show the details of the scarf/stitches and ended up bouncing my flash.


Here's another cable scarf sample in the works. I'm using Lion Brand 'Wool Ease Thick & Quick' yarn in Wheat color and size 15 needles. For this scarf I'm reversing the cable. Try something different. Working with this thicker yarn is just wonderful. Makes the knitting go faster, but also the scarf has a nice body to it.


So far, I've managed to finish all my knitting projects that I started. I think I'm starting to prefer knitting over crochet. Now, I would not have made that comment a few months ago...when I was still trying to figure out the knit and purl stitches.

What Did I Get?

I was doing my daily blog reading and came across Ann's posting at Gorgeous Things. So, here I am listing what I received: Photoshop CS4 book, Contemporary Christian Easy Guitar book, music stand, really nice red/black/gray knit top, a fabulous/perfect red scarf, Joann's gift card, Best Buy gift card (perhaps Project Runway #4 DVD?), a purse, and of course a really cool Beagle ornament.

Thanks to Shannon's post over at Hungry Zombie Couture, I've been watching some really cute...Beagle Puppies here! They are the cutest and of course I'm biased because DH and I used to have a beagle. So to appease me, DH got me a beagle ornament (see pic above). I have to admit, I don't have to worry about shots or clean up. lol!

Right now, I should be cleaning my sewing room...what am I doing? Beagle puppy watching. They are just so doggone cute!

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.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve (afternoon) and I was trying to avoid venturing out today, but my guitar needed tuning. Traffic was a mess and it took me awhile to get into the parking lot. Anna at Music & Arts was kind enough to show me how to tune my guitar. Because the strings are so new, they will get out of tune for awhile. So, I will continue to pick and play and tune. I was grateful for learning something new today.

We're staying home for Christmas, warm and toasty in our house. It will be so nice to stay in our jammies and watch movies.

I have no sewing projects in the works. No new patterns traced out yet. Just a lot of yarn staring back at me.

For those of you who visit my blog, I wish you and your family and loved ones...

Another Vogue 2925...Semi-Formal knit top completed

Can you stand to see another knit top from Vogue? Since I was on a roll with this top, I decided to make another using a fancy slinky knit that reminds me of lace. It only took an hour to whip up this fancy schmancy top. I bought this at G-Street Fabrics over the summer and I had a "V-8" moment. I already had this exact fabric in my stash...thanks to EmmaOneSock. If I remember right, this was a Chico's knit.

I plan on wearing this top to a fancy gala next summer. This puts the pressure off of wondering what to make at the last minute. Now, all I need to do is make one more formal something and I have 7 more months to figure that one out.

I love how a plan comes halfway together.