Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa: Serial Vacationer

As most of you already know, I love vacations.  I love to travel and see new and exciting cities, people and things.  This past weekend I spend 4 fabulous days at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida.  My cousin in love who invited, myself and a couple of friends, spent the weekend laying by the beach and pool.   This will definitely go down on my list of the best vacations I have had thus far.

I would totally recommend that you visit Sandestin Resorts as they have several properties.  The amenities were amazing.  Here are some pictures of my awesome vacation weekend:

Sandestin Resorts:

Back to Sewing!  Have a great one.

$3.00 Dress Form Maker Over

My good friend found this this dress form at a yard sale for $3.00 dollars. Actually she talked the seller down from $5.00 dollars. She's good at that. I have never been the one to haggle at a yard sale. I figure it’s a yard sale and they put a price on what they feel its worth. Who am I to dispute their worth of their item? 

I was so grateful as to have it because I really had nothing to display my garments on at the time. The form is ragged and looks as if it has had some really rough days. From my understanding, this dress form has sat in a garage for a number of years. It has a size 11 printed on it, but it must be a size 11 junior because it is definitely not a size 11 Women/Misses. 

After using the form for more than a year, I just couldn't take it anymore. So without further ado, here is the new and improved Darla Darling:

I used a very stretchy flesh colored knit. Not even sure the exact type. I cut two pieces large enough to cover the back and front and pinned them together encasing the form. I placed the pins as close as possible to the form itself and cut as close to the pins as I could. Then I removed the fabric and serged them together at the sides. Walla! That was it. 

Happy Sewing!

Yoga Skirt!

Though I am not a fan of skirts.  I am finding that I am wearing them more and more.  I like simplicity though, especially during the very hot summers here in Florida.   I have often eyed the Yoga type skirts and decided to make one, very simple, no pattern.  I often search the web for an idea, once it's in my head I can normally whip something up to my liking.

Here is the Yoga Skirt made of a T-Shirt type knit for a client per her request.  I plan to make one for myself really soon.

Happy Sewing!

The Tube Top! Florida Summer Essential

I know for most summer is coming to a close, but not for us Floridians.  I am still sewing summer tops and shorts. 

I love Tube Tops.  Its really hard to find one in my size.   I wanted to make something simple that I could take on my upcoming mini vacation.  I am very self-conscious about the size of my breast as I feel they hugenormous (yes I made that up).   So I am very careful as to watch what I wear to keep them under control.   I have always love the simpleness of tube tops.  They can be dressed up or down, worn with sweaters, jackets, and blazers.  

Here is my tube top.  I think it came out lovely, and will soon be making a few more. 

Happy Sewing!

I've Been Busy! Short Sets

I have not done any sewing for myself in a couple of weeks.  I have been sewing for everyone else except me.  I have a mini vacation coming up next week and wanted to make myself a couple of things, but it does not look like that will happen.  Here is my latest work for others:

Yes I know my dress from is a little hideous.  I plan to do something about that shortly.  She was a garage sale find, and she's perfect for display.  

Happy Sewing

Sewing for Others: McCalls 6700

My co-worker/friend, asked me to make her a dress to wear to a family Hawaiian party.  She gave m a picture of what she was looking for.  When she showed me the picture I immediately knew what pattern I had in my stash to meet her needs.  She doesn't like to show off a lot and doesn't wear maxi's often, but I convinced her she would look really cute it in.  And she loved the finished product.   

When she purchased her fabric, we both looked at it and said, that it may bee to much of a good thing to make the complete dress the same fabric.  I had a little rayon jersey so we decided to break it up a little and the black.  Though there is only a smidget of black in the skirt fabric, it really flows well I think and she agreed. 

She wouldn't let me get a picture of her face, but I love the way the dress turned out, and so does she.

Happy Sewing!

Casual Friday - Denim Shirt Dress - Look of the Day - Simplicity 2894

I actually made this dress some time ago,  here: Denim Shirt Dress.  I am just now wearing it and I got so many compliments, and I was so please with how it came out I had to share it again.  I decided to not wear a belt and instead just wear it loosey goosey.  I paired it with my favorite Franco Sarto blue wedges.  So here goes:

Happy Sewing!

Walking Shorts - Simplicity 1887

Summer for me is winding down.  I accomplished a lot that I set out to accomplish, though I didn't finish any of the Pattern Review Sew A Longs that I entered into.  I am sad about that I just feel like I taken on more than I should have.  But I just kept chugging along, because I know the more I sew the more I learn, the more I learn, the better I become.  

Here are my walking shorts, Simplicity 1887 Tie Front Shorts that I made for a Facebook Page Sewing Group in am in called "Sew Divas". The group has a competition every month called the Project Runway Competition.  At the beginning of every month the Group which has about 400 members pick a pattern and everyone make something from the pattern if it has more than garment.  You have to submit your pictures of the garment you made by midnight of the last day of the month.  And guess what, I won July's Project Runway with the submission of my walking short.  So without further ado here goes:

The details of the shorts are not visible in the picture, they are little tiny silver dots.  The fabric is a Cotton/Linen blend.  I added to inches to the pants to cover my thigh action.  I don't like to show a lot of thigh. I also extended the ties about 6 inches (drama), they were a little short and looked quite wonky.  

I absolutely love how they turned out and can't wait to make another pair.  I think I should have them in every color, but I would love to have a soft beige linen pair really soon. 

Happy Sewing!

Uh Oh Uh Oh - Stop - It's Hammer Time

I've been wanting a pair of Hammer Pants, Drop Crouch Pants, Harem Pants, whatever they are called anymore.  I see so many cute outfits and I thought, hey I can pull that off.  They are comfortable, and a quick fix, dress up or dress down.  I used some Rayon Challis from Joann's and whipped these babies up quickly this weekend.

I have made them in the pass using two pieces a front and a back piece, but never really got the desired look.  I found this pattern one day and saw that there is actually 4 pieces like the traditional pant pattern and I knew this would work far better.

The pattern I used is Kwik Sew 3701.  I made a couple of modifications in the crouch area, a little to low for me.

I am also wearing my Vince Camuto Wiver Platform Sandals that I Love and fit like a glove: 

Together I think they make for a snazzy outfit. 

Happy Sewing!