Frenchy Bag: Pic & Grade

I'm so proud of Olivia! She got her graded purse back today! Her teacher wrote "very impressive work" on her project evaluation sheet. Olivia scored 98 out of 100 possible points. She lost a point each on cut edges lined up & notches, seams and other markings lined up. I suspect that is because of the one tiny spot on the side seam where the red contrasting band & the main panel don't line up perfectly, but heck I have seen worse in ready made items.

Here's a crop of the fabric so you can see the cute little buttons & dots. The lining is the opposite of the button fabric.

Not bad for a first timer, hey?

Another Sewer in the Family

When Olivia signed up for her classes last winter, she signed up for a clothing class. She has that class this term and just finished her first project. She made Amy Butler's Frenchy bag, and it turned out fabulous. In true Olivia fashion, she chose red, black & white fabrics!

She hasn't gotten it back from grading yet. As soon as she does, I will share a picture.

Project Runway Countdown Begins

I just read the "official" word that Project Runway's fourth season will begin on November 14. I am SO excited, and will be counting the days! :) Here are the names of the 15 designers who will be competing this season:

- Carmen, 37: Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina; Resides in New York
- Chris, 44: Hometown: San Francisco; Resides in New York
- Christian, 21: Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland; Resides in New York
- Elisa, 42: Hometown: El Paso, Texas; Resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Jack, 38: Hometown: Seattle; Resides in New York
- Jillian, 26: Hometown/Resides In: Long Island, New York
- Kevin, 30: Hometown: Fairfield, New Jersey; Resides in New York
- Kit, 26: Hometown/Resides in: Los Angeles
- Marion, 39: Hometown: Tyler, Texas; Resides in Dallas
- Rami, 31: Hometown: Ramallah, Jerusalem; Resides in Los Angeles
- Ricky, 35: Hometown: Escondido, California; Resides in New York
- Simone, 32: Hometown: San Francisco; Resides in Los Angeles
- Steven, 30: Hometown/Resides in: Chicago
- Sweet P, 46: Hometown: Los Angeles: Resides in Glendale, California
- Victorya, 34: Hometown: Winchester, Virginia; Resides in New York

Anyone else as excited about this as I am? Bring it on!

Sewing Success!

I worked on a sewing project most of the day Saturday. It was so much fun to be at the maching again making something wearable. I scrapped the top project for now and worked on a dress. I still have to put in the zipper, hem, and make a couple alterations to the shoulders. The way the instructions in the pattern said to sew them it leaves points. I don't want to walk around with pointed shoulders...lol!!

I chose to make the dress pictured on the left:


Here's my not quite finished version:


In the picture my dress looks like a shapeless kimono. That is because the zipper isn't in and it's just hanging there gaping open in the back. Once it is finished I will have Bob or Olivia take a pic of me wearing it. You will then see it isn't shapeless at all...lol!

My inspiration for the dress: A Dress A Day and Boden. I really want the Boden dress, but I don't wear dresses often enough to justify the $128 price tag. I will settle for my red & black Butterick 4849 that cost me less than $40 for fabric, a zipper, and the pattern.

Also, ignore that "fast" on the pattern. With all the pieces and facings on this dress it is not fast...lol!!

Rekindling My Sewing Passion

Finally! I chose fabric and a pattern for my first clothing project in a LONG time. I spent quite a bit of time on some pattern websites and sewing blogs today. I chose a kimono style shirt from Simplicity 4020. I was inspired to do this by Stacy Sews!

Here it is:

In this fabric:

The fabric is a jersey knit in olive green (a bit lighter than it appears in the scan) with gold flecks. It is SO soft!

When I Grow Up

When I grow up, I would love to be a fashion (or interior) designer! I have LOVED sewing since I was about 6.

I have been watching this season's Project Runway. From what I have seen in the first two episodes I really like the styles of Laura Bennett and Kayne Gillaspie.

The task in last night's episode was to design a dress for Miss USA, Tara Conner, to wear in the Miss Universe pagent. (I believe it airs this Sunday night.) Kayne was the winning designer. Isn't that dress stunning? I think I want one...lol!! Ooooh, Kayne!! hehehe!

Watching Project Runway is stirring up the sewing passion in me again. I have the itch to make myself some new clothing. However, my trips to the local JoAnn's in the last two weeks have left much to be desired in the fabric department. Unless you are looking to do some crafting or make a dress out of polar fleece. I guess I will have to venture out of the immediate area a bit or hit eBay.