Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The Art of Being a Lady

I can't take credit for this.  During my daily blog browsing I came across this and I wanted to share because I find this to be so profound.  I may not agree with every single point being made, buts with social media being the regulator of all things fashionable and trendy I think we have lost the art of being Ladies.  When I say we I don't mean any of you beautiful blogging Diva's that's here in our blogging community.  Every day when I am on Facebook or Instagram, I see so many woman that are willing to dress as scantily as possible for their 15 seconds of Internet fame.  No more are the days of the prim and proper. 



Photo Credit:  itgirlallure.com; Blogger:  Sheila



Happy Sewing!



Client Sewing: Fold Over Clutches for Bridal Party

A good of mine got married this past weekend.  She wanted to give her bridal party a unique gift, something they could use long after the wedding festivities had past.  So she asked me to make fold over clutches for each of the ladies.  She asked them their favorite color not divulging why.

I decided to add the brooches, I have hundreds of them.  I buy them all the time from flea markets, antique shops and yard sales.  They are not expensive just little nic nacs I pick up when I see them.  I thought for this occasion it would add a little flair.




Happy Sewing

Thursday, June 12, 2014

McCalls 6751: Easy Peasy Cris Cross Back Tank


Just a quick easy peasy criss cross (is criss cross a word?) tank top.  It was really easy to make.  From cut to finish about an hour and a half.  I ran out of bias tape about two inches from the beginning.  I also lowered the neckline about an inch and used a 3/8 seam allowance instead of a 5/8 which the pattern called for.  This was a cotton remnant that I found at at FabricWarehouse in Atlanta when I was there in April.

I plan to make it again in a black more flowy fabric to go with Jeans.




Happy Sewing!

Monday, June 9, 2014

McCalls 6968 - Tie Waist Pants

These are very fun pants.  Hubby and I met up with friends Saturday night at Downtown Disney for drinks.  I wanted something quick and easy to walk around on a hot and muggy night, so I searched through my stash, and thought these pants would be fun.  I got quite a few compliments on them.  Though the are a little large.  I did a review below, because though these were simple to make they have a lot of ease and playroom.  I mean a lot.





Pattern Description: Misses' Tops, Skirts, Shorts and Pants (View F).

Pattern Sizing: 6 - 14 (I cut a 14).

Did it look like the pattern photo/drawing on the pattern envelope? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

Why did you choose this pattern? Working on my summer wardrobe.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that it was super easy I didn't need the instructions at all.

Fabric used? Cotton rayon jersey blend I think, from Moodfabrics.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made. This pattern runs extremely big, I cut a 14 my usual cut of this pattern for pants, the ease measurements put me at a size 6 in these particular pants, but I measured the pattern itself and thought I'd better stick with my regular size 14. They are huge, but I kind of like the fit.

Would you sew this again? Yes, a size or two smaller.

Would you recommend it to others? Yes, highly recommended.

Happy Sewing!


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Vogue 8080 OOP - Trippy Hippy Halter Top

Summer is shaping up nicely.  Another quick top to add to my summer wardrobe.  I am so tired of hearing my husband and son ask me do I have any fun clothes.  Whenever we go anywhere they say I look like I am going to work.  LOL.

So here's to you Stefan and BJ, my Trippy Hippy Halter top, View "B":






Didn't make any modifications, though I should have gone up a size, it a little snug across the bodice, and I wanted more of a loose fit, but I still like it.  I also did not add the elastic casing to the hip/waist area.  Not sure if I will or not, verdict still out.  

Happy Sewing!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Red Linen Hoodie: Kwik Sew 2848

I so love my little Red Linen Hoodie.  This was so cute from the moment I thought it up in my head.  Yes, the pattern enveloped helped since it had a picture of a red hoodie on its cover, but I just knew this is just what I needed in my wardrobe.





Please disregard my KW2848,  it should be KS2848 not sure what the heck I was thinking.  Happy Sewing.

Not Sewing Related but I Need to Share: Mammogram

Good morning ladies and Gents.  Happy Monday morning and start of June.  

The reason for my post is to first let all of you know that I have met some of the most wonderful people since  I restarted my sewing and blogging journey.  I am so very excited each day to get on the internet and check out what my many sewist friends have created and or working on, sharing, and even their everyday life events.  This year was suppose to be my breakout year, where I sew more, blog more, learn more, and of course, share more.  I think I got off this year with a bang.  

Recently I was sidelined, shocked and scared to death.  You see I consider myself a pretty strong person.  I have served our country in the military, I'm a biker chic (or was).  I've several surgeries and have bragged about how I suffer through recovery without pain medicine.  I have had other experiences that I thought made me a warrior so to speak.  Until, after my recent routine mammogram and a lump was discovered in my right breast.  I know there are many women out there that go for the yearly mammogram and have to go back for a followup ultrasound but for some strange and unknown reason, I thought that shouldn't happen to me.  I don't have a history of breast cancer in my family.  I didn't feel any lumps in my breast when I last performed my self (hardly ever), breast exam.  My Dr. didn't discover anything when she performed my breast exam at my physical. So why would I have to have what is now called a "Fine Needle Aspiration", fancy name for a biopsy.  I was scared out of my mine, though I tried to hide it from everyone.  

The reason I think I was shocked and scared to death is because I did not take the need to have a mammogram serious for the reasons mentioned above.  I have been given a script every year since I turned 41 by my doctor to have a routine mammogram, and every year I say I am going to and I never do.  So I am kicking myself in the butt, for not being proactive with my health and wellness.  The result of my biopsy yielded an benign cyst.  God is so very good to me.  I will never take my health and wellness for granted again, ever.  Every six months, I will have to go for a checkup, and you can best believe I will be there putting my little tatta's in that machine and they can squeeze as much as they want too.  

I just wanted to get this out, and I appreciate all that took the time to read it.  Please don't be like me and put yourself through needless worry and stress.  Have that mammogram and enjoy your life to the fullest. 

Happy Monday!
IT'S MELANIE DARLING // BLOG DESIGN BY CHIC PIXELS