Considering sewing . . . . in 2012.

Dear Readers,

Well, in the spirit of the "New Year,"  I've compiled some sewing "to-do" lists for the New Years (in addition to starting Tony Horton's exercise program, P90X2), and for some reaons, I'm eager to get this post out in the blogosphere!

This year, I'm considering sewing:

(1)   A few pairs of bikini and boy short panties.  Status as of April 2012:  Fail, so far.

(2)   A bathing suit.  Status: Cancelled, for now, I just bought custom suits from North Shore Swimsuits (well, sorta custom).

(3)   A messenger bag and perhaps, a saddle bag or panniers.  Status:  Completed but not perfect.

(4)   Doggie clothing (rain coat and/or fleece).  Status:  Bought sale rain coats/need to make fleece.
(5)   J. Stern's Khaki pants pattern - Cut out pattern have not sewn.

(6)   Hot Patterns Moto Jacket - No work completed yet.

(7)   Sailor Playsuit from Wearing History - No work completed yet.

I am conflicted about this pattern (I myself am a retired Commander) - I am not going to make it as literal, I don't believe - perhaps a change of fabric will make a difference.

(8)    A shirt for Jonathan.  Update:  He wants a vest.
(9)    An outdoorsy clothing item for Jonathan.  Update:  He wants a jacket.
(10)  Maybe some bike shorts for Jonathan Status:  On hold, his knees are bothering him.
(11)  A cashmere jersey top from some luxurious cashmere silk I saw at Mood
(12)  A swim parka (for the drive home after swimming)
(13)  A corset
(14) A Decades of Style dress

or

(15) Perhaps try a modern quilt (I've quilted before but now as a garment sewer - it's very hard to go back).   Completed April 9th.

What a hefty list!  I am the type of person that always takes too much food at buffets too.

Why not shoot for the moon?  Even if I only make it to the top of the hills, it's upward and in the right direction.

I'd love to hear what everyone else is planning this year!

Please, do tell!

A year in review . . . .2011

Dear readers!

The customary 2011 year in review (I did forget to do this last year):

I've attended the ASG conference (and joined American Sewing Guild)  in LA - and met some more bloggers and sewers in the sewing community (online and off).

I've completed two slopers - one top and one skirt (at Sew-La). I have them hanging in my sewing room:

And one of two tops:

And, finished a fitted pair of jeans this year (Jennifer Stern's Jeans pattern and class (Jennifer's Webpage).  I count those as my notable accomplishments.

Specifically, I sewed the following (fitted) garments:

(1) 3 skirts
(2) 2 tops
(3) 1 pair jeans
(4) 1 knit top (not fitted, unfortunately)
(5) 1 pair shorts
(6) 1 pair of shorts for Jonathan
(6) 1 sew-along Burda pair of pants
(7) 2 dresses
and a bunch of doggie bags, and other home dec projects!
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Total:  12 garments!

That's not too shabby considering  I  traveled last year, and we were minus one attorney - hopefully, I'll be a bit more productive this year.

I really look forward to posting my garments - it keeps me motivated and I do love to see what everyone else is posting as well.  I read my Google Reader every morning - so even if I'm not posting I'm reading blogs.   I think I also receive a certain satisfaction from this blog - so I'm keeping at it - although I am very very slow at posting during certain parts of the year.
Every blog opens me to someone else's ideas about sewing, and life  - it does allow me to feel more engaged with the sewing community.  I also have quite a few bicycling and quilting blogs I follow.

What about you?   I'm dying to see the End of Year counts!

Sew-jo is back (again!)

Yes, finally my sew-jo is back!  Here's what I've been up to:

1)  I bought some fabric at Gorgeous Fabrics (wonderful to purchase from!):

2)  Some new Hot Patterns:

I also acquired a used pattern but cannot find it in the Hot Patterns catalog.

3)  I am making another pair of jeans in red denim, purchased from Mood:

4)  And, I'm attempting a satchel, from a green pepper pattern:

5) And, holiday presents for co-workers (with dogs):

And, finally, taking some pictures, mountain biking and attending an environmental law conference in Yosemite late October:

Happy Holidays!

Hopefully I'll have more fun projects ahead!

Finally - Review Colette Violet #1015

Dear readers,

I apologize for the delay in blogging - I've had some family medical problems, coupled with an extremely busy work schedule involving five weeks of travel this fall!  Again, no excuses -  I finished this blouse early November, and I am just now getting around to blogging it.

Here is the creation, I darkened the hue to magnify the colors. . .

 First, I used my sloper to modify the pattern - which is very well executed.  The pattern directions are a dream.  The collar method was a bit different than I've used before for peter pan collars.  I made a mistake.

Yep.  As you can see below - the shirt contains no dart at the bustline.  My sloper is based on a princess seam.  I rotated the dart and added length at the bottom; unfortunately I measured incorrectly and the front was 1" shorter or more than the back.  So I took out the dart, leading to the blousey front as you see below!

Other than this - a wonderful pattern.  I must have been tired when I cut this.  I used Japanese linen blend fabric, and I will post a review on Pattern Review.

By the way, I went out to make some Home Dec. (yuck!) projects and found that holiday fabric was extremely scarce - I must have missed the rush!

Hope all is well and I hope to sew quite a bit more over the Holidays.  I have bought some amazing fabric on my travels and online and I'll tell you all about it!  In the meantime, I've been amazed by all of your creations!

Happy Holidays!