tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12110327019194628352024-03-13T22:37:27.829-04:00Hot Mess, More or LessA sewing blog of good intentions limited by chronic procrastinationThe Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-62111836067962622182014-09-21T20:29:00.001-04:002014-09-21T23:16:28.012-04:00I've been on a roll, babyI'm not really sure what it is but something about this new house has got my sewing mojo on like whoa. In the last few weeks, I've turned out two of <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-11682-misses-knit-tops.aspx">these</a> tops (but only one picture):<br />
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Another <a href="http://www.sewaholicpatterns.com/belcarra-blouse/">Belcarra</a> blouse:</div>
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One shirt and one little dress for pinky neither of which I have a picture of. And this:</div>
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Or as I like to call it, my most favoritest thing I've seen since pinky's Christmas dress. It's probably my most favoritest thing I've seen for myself since . . . well I'm not really sure but look at that skirt!</div>
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I die. It all started probably about two years ago. I went into Joann's and came across the most wonderful stupendous summer fabric of all summer fabrics. It's a linen rayon blend that practically sparkles in the like. Not Edward Cullen sparkle because no but cool, gleamy magic sparkle. This stuff is like butter. No, not butter. More like heavy cream flowing over my hands and now over my hips in luscious, sweeping folds of deliciousness. I knew I wanted to live in such glory so I bought two yards even though I had no idea what to do with it.</div>
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Within a few months, Burda Patterns went on sale at Joanns which like, never happens. They were $2.49 for heaven's sake. Since they are rarely on sale, I didn't have a running list. I just sat down and browsed the catalog. Then suddenly, right before my wondering eyes, what should appear but <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-8510-burda-style-skirt.aspx">Burda 7069</a>. </div>
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The heavens opened up and smiled down upon me, showing me just exactly how my magic gleaming fabric should be used. The line drawing and such suggested chiffon or some other light and filmy beast but I would not be dissuaded. My linen-rayon blend had spoken to me.</div>
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And then I told it to shut up for two years.</div>
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A few weeks ago, I happened to see a beautiful swishy skirt featured on <a href="http://www.coutureschmiede.com/2014/07/me-made-monday-godet-skirt.html">Frabjous Couture's blog</a> that renewed my burning need to make that fabric wearable. So I went out to the shed and looked in every single box until I found it. Of course it was in the box at the front of the shed, not the ones way in the back that threatened to swallow me whole and of course I looked in the box at the front last. But no matter. I found it and I now have this gorgeous skirt to call my own.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71TQr0gf0JI/VB9kGSO1QGI/AAAAAAAABjU/jubc-LuEIjc/s1600/think%2Bit%2Bover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71TQr0gf0JI/VB9kGSO1QGI/AAAAAAAABjU/jubc-LuEIjc/s1600/think%2Bit%2Bover.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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But it's well worth the weight I think. I lined it with a soft white cotton batiste and closed it up with an invisible zipper. Then I let it hang in the closet for a few hours, as you ought with something sporting bias panels. Of course I let it to the last minute and had to put in a simple hem this morning. It's only turned up the once and sewn down with a long stitch. Later, I'll let it out and allow the skirt to hang overnight as is proper. The lining is merely serged. At some point in the future, I'd like to add some peekaboo lace to the lining just as an extra touch.</div>
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Construction is pretty straight forward. This bad boy has five pieces. You sew the yoke together, then the skirt pieces together. Then attach the skirt to the yoke and put in a zipper. Really, not even Burda could write too scarce a directive for this one. The yoke seems are merely pressed open while the skirt seams were finished with the serger. The size 14 fit right out of the envelope. The skirt was a little long but that's easily solved.</div>
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I love this thing so much that I have two more versions cut. I picked version B, the pencil skirt for both as I thought the design elements could really be highlighted. The first was my test muslin in a brown Wal-mart a bit heavier than chambray fabric. I basted it together rather quickly just to check the fit at the waist then promptly took it apart. I should, however, have it done by next Sunday I think. The second version is made from a leftover length from this skirt that no longer fits me. I have a pile of navy blue piping just waiting. The lines of this skirt disappear into the linen-rayon and would into the hydrangea print of the blue fabric as well but the piping will great magic of them. At least that is my hope.</div>
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The blouse is also Me Made but I not only can't find what I did with my copy of the pattern, not a single pattern piece oddly enough, but I can't find it on any of the Big 4 sites. I'm guessing it's gone out of print sometime between when I bought it which really couldn't have been more than two years ago and when I finally sewed it up. It's been sitting in the unfinished pile for an eternity for want of a bias binding about the neck and the right buttons. It's made of Swiss Dot, which if you've been paying attention here for a while, you may have noticed my love affair with the stuff.</div>
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If you're wondering what else I have planned, new skirts need new tops, do they not? I've been bogged down in FBA and muslin hell. You really should be shocked. I dislike doing FBAs and as a self professed lazy heifer, you know I don't do many muslins. But along with sewing mojo, the seamstress fairy has dusted me with fit dust. After all, if you're going to be brave and start cutting into your silk hoard, you want to be damned sure the resulting garment will actually get worn. Am I right?</div>
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Check out my adorable shoes!! I've worn them all summer. They were a leeeetle small when the arrived but either they've stretched or I love them too much to care because they feel fine now. I bought them from Rue La La which means you can't go over and buy them now that it's been a few months. But Amazon has them <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Splendid-Atlanta-Womens-Sandal/dp/B00HJ2685I">here</a>. I'd recommend ordering them half a size up and they have yellow??? I WANT YELLOW! They only had coral and navy on Rue La La! Yes, that's coral. Amazon has the right of it.</div>
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-8931607431284988242014-09-02T18:16:00.000-04:002014-09-02T18:16:18.781-04:00I sewed something!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No really, this is epic. Epic in so many ways. Epic because I'm a procrastinator, epic because of the recent move, epic because this dress gave me first from the beginning.</div>
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It all started with <a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5781-products-22953.php?page_id=147">this pattern</a>.</div>
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It's a beautiful pattern, wouldn't you agree? The lines, the piping, the breeze nature of it all. I was in love. Somehow though, I got the impression that it was for knits. So I'm sitting there, knit fabric in hand, looking at Sewing Pattern Review when it finally occurs to me that this is totally for wovens.</div>
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Because stupid is a thing that sewing sometimes makes you feel.</div>
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Then I had a magic moment. A few months ago on a whim, whim in this instance referring to those incessant emails I signed up for that lure me in with the promise of wonderful fabric, I bought two coordinating fabrics from Mood. When it arrived, I swear the heavens opened up and wrapped me in their loving Italian cotton embrace. There are really no words for the glorious feel of this stuff. One half of the pair is a smooth, cool lipstick red cotton sateen and the other half is some kind of woven miracle that words cannot express. I'm sure there's a fancier name but Mood listed it merely as Italian cotton. So in adequate, let me tell you. It's patterned in black and white and on the flipside, also black and white but the pattern is reversed.</div>
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MAGIC, YO!</div>
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So looking at this pattern, I had an epiphany.</div>
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I could use the red cotton sateen to make this dress, create piping from the 5/8th yard of houndstooth that's been sitting in my stash since some company messed up my order and it would coordinate beautifully with a chic cropped Italian brocade jacket in a reversible black and white pattern.</div>
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It would heaven. But heaven, in the sewing world, is often ruined by a terrible fit or a terrible pattern so I decided to do a wearable muslin. And then, I became oddly invested in the turn out of this wearable muslin. I had some pretty pink pique sitting around and fixated on the idea of the gorgeous resulting dress. Then I became invested in acquiring (but not making) the perfect piping to coordinate and then determined not to buy more. I can't explain it. I just painted myself into a sewing corner.</div>
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Finally, I threw caution to the wind, cut out the bodice pieces despite being in the middle of a move, and then well, I moved.</div>
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And there is sat.</div>
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And sat.</div>
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Just waiting, I suppose to be the first garment I sewed in my new house.</div>
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Ta da!!!</div>
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I don't know where my camera charger is. Can you tell? This might be the worst picture I've taken in a long time.</div>
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Also on the list of whatevers, the waist is hella uneven along the zipper line, the bodice is too long, the waist is a bit too small, and we aren't going to discuss the zipper I put in three times before having to replace the zipper altogether. Did I mention my iron died after I got the bodice together but before I put on the skirt?</div>
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Oh and let's not forget that my dog rolled all over the rest of the yardage after I cut out the bodice but before I cut out the skirt. I'm not even sure what the dog did to it and quite frankly, I don't care. I do care about the tomato seeds my son scattered on it. Maybe they will come out in the wash.</div>
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But it's finished. My sewing and thus, my blogging mojo are back in business.</div>
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PARTY UP, YO!</div>
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Now I just need to find my damned camera charger so I can get on that <a href="http://hotmessmoreorless.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-birthday-is-coming.html">sew along thing</a>. I didn't forget, I promise. But I won't be mad if the rest of you did. I'll be remaking this dress in the aforementioned sateen and when I do, I'll post a proper review. If you decide to make up it before then, you should probably leave the bodice as is. I lengthened it because that's what I do but it's a multi cup size one and thus my usual way of getting out of an FBA was unnecessary.</div>
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Well, dude, that's a lot of gifs and a lot of words for nothing more exciting than two pictures of an ill fitting dress. The first pic, btw, is of the bodice folded up. The second is of the bodice as is. And here's two pics of the piping which turned out beaaaaaaaaaaautifully in an otherwise meh dress.</div>
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Before I show you the second pic, I should mention the other first that comes along with this dress. This is the first time I've used all three of my machines on one dress. I used my reliable SE-350 on the piping, the bodice seams, and the majority of the skirt seems. The waist was attached using the serger and the skirt seams were finished with the same. Then I whipped out my gorgeous coverstitch machine to hem up the skirt.<br />
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So there you have it.</div>
The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-6716101924795589682014-07-07T11:10:00.000-04:002014-07-07T11:10:36.738-04:00Updates for those of you who still love me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally found a place to live!</justify><br />
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Now I just have to move all of my crap, including my children,</div>
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my impressive fabric stash,</div>
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And my growing makeup collection.</div>
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Because the only thing worse than searching for a new place to live is actually packing everything up and hauling it there.</div>
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I know what you're thinking.</div>
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<justify>Why, yes. Yes, you are. Because everyone knows moving sucks. But never fear, I have good news.</justify><br />
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<justify>Since I live in the South and the South hates school children, my kids will be forced to trudge to school in 90 degree temps the first week of August. And this means the second week of August, we shall resume our Sew Along or rather begin our sew along, I suppose if I'm being honest.</justify><br />
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So thanks keep scoping out fabric and thanks for your patience. In the meantime, despite all the moving,<br />
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<justify><br /></justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-24586174872735773492014-06-17T10:58:00.001-04:002014-06-17T11:46:20.365-04:00Mary Poppins Bag: Helpful Stuff and Things Part 2<justify><br />
I won't bore you with the details but suffice to say the move is sudden and unexpected and while we know we are moving, we still don't know where. Summer is not the time to be looking for a rental, FYI. So long story short, I've been packing and I've somehow lost sight of five yards of gray velveteen. The same gray velveteen, if you were wondering, that I intended to use for my bag, the same velveteen I need to photograph so you can see.<br />
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</div><div>Seems like a good reason as any to discuss fabric choices, though this post will be lacking pics thanks to the absconding of the velvet. Maybe it's hiding from my scissors.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So fabric choices.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Have you given thought to what you're making your bag from? The sample on the Sew Fearless site looks to be made of quilting cotton and a velveteen. Quilting cotton is a perfectly acceptable choice and you'll get decent results from it. But don't limit yourself to one small section of the fabric world. Personally, that $30 dollars worth of hardware alone calls for something a wee bit more elevated than a mere quilting cotton.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Be bold! Be brave and consider . . . corduroy, denim, suede, or even leather! Lucky for you, <a href="http://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/Leather-Genuine/?sort=price">Fabric Mart</a> has a leather sale going on right now. <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/">Mood</a> had a great selection of heavier weight fabrics as well. I'm also pretty partial to Fabric.com's <a href="https://www.fabric.com/SearchResults2.aspx?Source=Header&SearchText=premier+prints&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e">Premier Prints</a>. They come in all sorts of colors and, if you guessed by the name, prints. <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/um-308/premier-prints-gotcha-twill-blue">Nautical</a>, <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/ur-358/premier-prints-paisley-chocolate">paisley</a>, <a href="https://www.fabric.com/SearchResults2.aspx?Source=Header&SearchText=premier+prints+chevron&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e">chevrons</a> of all colors and sizes, and all sorts.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1saxhclKA4/U6BVkr7obeI/AAAAAAAABhI/YTGVhal57qI/s1600/navy+suede+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1saxhclKA4/U6BVkr7obeI/AAAAAAAABhI/YTGVhal57qI/s1600/navy+suede+bag.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Do you like blue? Navy isn't my favorite color but I'm not sure you'd know it from my wardrobe. I own a ton of blue. It looks good on me, coordinates with quite a bit, and is a year round color. For all of these reasons I support a navy lambskin purse or I would if Fabric Mart hadn't just sold out. Instead, I'll support a <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/navy-solid-faux-suede-hp7790.html">navy suede</a> purse thanks to Mood Fabrics. Perhaps with <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/cashmere-solid-faux-suede-hp8713.html">beige</a> textured pockets and a <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/famous-designer-vivid-viola-cotton-sateen-304288.html">vivid purple</a> lining that will make you smile each time you dig in there for that pen you could have sworn you put in there.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>Or maybe you favor something more eye catching. Perhaps a <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/mustard-solid-faux-suede-hp7783.html">bright yellow</a> purse with <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/home-fabrics/cotton/sateen/black-floral-prints-hc8960.html">black</a> trim and a fun, <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/ec-402/metro-living-leopard-black">animal print lining</a>.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tir-vkdNq6Q/U6BVizU0FfI/AAAAAAAABhA/FS64gv7lYqY/s1600/Tula+Pink+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tir-vkdNq6Q/U6BVizU0FfI/AAAAAAAABhA/FS64gv7lYqY/s1600/Tula+Pink+bag.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Don't forget the prints! This fun <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0270463/salt-water-octo-garden-aqua">octopus print</a> by Tula Pink would look lovely with denim in both <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0319153/stretch-marlow-denim-ivory">ivory</a> and <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0266301/premier-stretch-denim-true-blue">dark blue</a>.</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nt-JT3N6LUA/U6BViRkqVjI/AAAAAAAABhE/6-Wu_EkpdTE/s1600/Baroque+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nt-JT3N6LUA/U6BViRkqVjI/AAAAAAAABhE/6-Wu_EkpdTE/s1600/Baroque+bag.jpg" height="166" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div><div>Do you have a love for all things Elizabethan or Baroque? Look at this amazing <a href="http://www.moodfabrics.com/siyah-black-classical-faux-leather-vinyl-hp21529.html">embossed leather</a>. If I wasn't sitting on four yards of soft rose faux leather, this one would call my name. I'm not even sure what I'd pair with it. I'm simply in awe of it's mere existence. I think I'd use the same fabric for the pockets and trim to best show off the beautiful print. And then perhaps this pretty <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/uo-847/premier-prints-madison-twill-bella-storm?cm_vc=756b1813-cbc1-43b3-84bd-29889bf8fb7b">pink and gray damask</a> for the lining.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So many decisions! There is no end to the different combinations you can come up with. Just remember when selecting your fabrics that you want something sturdy that will hold up to a decent amount of wear. You don't want much stretch in these fabrics if at all but if you do fall in love with something a wee bit delicate, soft, or stretchy, remember that there are a ton of interfacing and interlining options to help beef up your choice. A muslin backing, a heavy weight interfacing, all of those things can turn a less than stable fabric into something that will hold up for ages.</div><div><br />
</div><div>So what about you? Do you have your fabrics yet? Have some ideas bouncing around? If I didn't mention it already, make sure you check out the home decor section of your favorite brick and mortar or fabric site. If they fabric can hold up to your butt rubbing on it for the next five years, it will stay strong while you drop it in the grass, fling it into the backseat, or shove things you totally meant to throw away in there until you can find a garbage can.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Next time we meet, we'll discuss interfacing. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you again for sticking with me through all of the delays. You guys are the best.</div><div><br />
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</div></justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-83413603053806023722014-06-10T23:56:00.002-04:002014-06-10T23:56:42.008-04:00Mary Poppins Bag Sewalong: Helpful Stuff and Things Part 1<div>
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<justify>By now, you should have purchased your hardware and your pattern. But what about the other stuff, you might be wondering. What do all of these things in this pattern actually mean???</justify><br />
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Well allow me to unveil the mystery!</justify><br />
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<justify>Before we do that, let's talk business.<br />
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First off, I'd like to thank Ms Sew Fearless for the cottage industry license printed in her pattern. At the risk of blowing up people's spots and making enemies, let me just say that I think it's odd for pattern designers to behave as if they have the right to tell you what to do with a product you've made. I understand that confusion has arisen from the fact that even Joann's prints on the selvage that you can't use their fabric for stuff you intend to tell and uhm, no ma'am. Personally, I would prefer not to sell finished products created from someone's pattern only because I don't want to plant seeds of bad will in the sewing community. But it's a rather simple fact that if you make something, you can sell it. So kudos for that acknowledgement.<br />
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<justify>Secondly, this, as most of you know, is my first sewalong and I did not create this pattern. So you'll understand when I say that as much as I want to make this experience as simple as possible for all of you who are so kind as to sew along with me, I don't want to be giving away all of Ms Sew Fearless's secrets. My goal here to give you enough info and pictures to help you out but not so many that you don't need the pattern or her wonderful instructions. So I'll do my best and if you're still confused, leave me a comment and I'll help the best I can.</justify><br />
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<justify>So sewing terms and techniques you'll need.</justify><br />
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<justify>1. Basting: I think most sewists know this one. Long stitches that are easy to take out. They keep things in place, test placement, and otherwise ensure you are happy with what you're doing before you do it permanently and make yourself cry. My machine has a basting setting because I'm a lazy heifer who enjoys button pushing but if yours does not, just set your stitch length long as hell and you'll be ready to go. You could also do it by hand but </justify><br />
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<justify>2. Topstitch: Just what it says. You stitch on top of your seam or to the right of it or whatever so make it look all pretty and professional. If you look at the seams on your jeans, many of them are topstitched. According to the pattern, you can just use regular thread but topstitching thread which is a bit thicker, looks fabulous, imo. I'd planned to use some but I didn't find it in a color I liked, so regular thread it is.</justify><br />
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<justify>3. Whipstitching: I hate whipstitching. Probably because it's a sewn my hand stitch and why do I have a sewing machine if I'm going to sew by hand? (Please remember I said this when it's time to sew up that Chanel-esque Marfy suit so you can point and laugh appropriately.) Despite the smack talk I do about whipstitching, it is really easy and it's pretty quick to boot. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9kGyZDWZcA">Here</a> are some down and dirty examples so you can tell me to stop being such a damned baby.</justify><br />
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<justify>4. Understitching: This one is sewn on the edge of your seam on the side that will be hidden close to the line of stitching you just did to make everything stay on its side the way you wish small children would on a road trip. It's also better explained<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRtA6_2QiPE"> via video</a> so just go there instead of looking at me like that.</justify><br />
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<justify>Good! It's a pretty heavy post but I think you can do it. Are you ready to discuss the list of stuff you must acquire?</justify><br />
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<justify>If you are an avid sewist, even a beginner one, you'll likely have the following things on hand. If you're a procrastinator, a horrible housekeeper, and a general loser of stuff, you may not know where all of these things are. Here's a list so you can spend the next 24 hours locating things you couldn't find six months ago yet no longer need because you replaced them and not being able to find the things on this list and having to replace those . . . you know, so you can find them in six months while looking for those knitting needles you could have sworn you bought.</justify><br />
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<justify>Oh is that just me?</justify><br />
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<justify>The list then.</justify><br />
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<ul>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>pins</li>
<li>marking pens of some sort. I prefer my trusty double sided fabric of which I have several due to the process I described above.</li>
<li>seam ripper (yes, the seam ripper. Don't worry, I have no idea how often you use the thing and you'll have no idea how many times I use the thing.)</li>
<li>ruler (yes, you do need one. Some of the pieces are given by measurement and not a piece in the pattern. Do not let this scare you. Math is not completely frightening unless letters are involved. Some of you may be giggling over this, you smart math people. I'm wishing extra passes with the seam ripper on both your houses.)</li>
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<li>An iron. Oh, you don't iron? Yes, you do. Trust me, you do. If you don't, there's no point in continuing. Now if you're one of those dreadful, I don't iron people, I totally get you. I used to be there. But let me say this as gently as I can. Nothing you sew will ever look quit as nice as it could, no matter how carefully you try if you continue to hide from your iron. I pinky promise I will allow you to take short cuts where you can, I often do myself. But you can't skip ironing, okay? You just can't. If you do, I don't want to hear about it. </li>
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<li>Sewing gauge and/or measuring tape. Did I mention there's quite a bit of measuring? Because there's quite a bit of measuring. Be brave, be strong! You can do it!</li>
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So there, you're good, right?<br />
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Alrighty then.<br />
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Next up: The Materials List! I will try to post that tomorrow but it might not be until I get home from church. It's probably not a good sign that I'm starting this off with an apology but I thank you for sticking with me. We shall have bags, I swear it!<br />
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Let's do this.<br />
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<br />The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-4414567808584178412014-06-02T07:15:00.000-04:002014-06-02T07:15:14.127-04:00The Mary Poppins Bag: <justify><br /></justify>
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<a href="http://www.gay3ty.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ronaldo-funny-handbag-meme-305x337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gay3ty.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ronaldo-funny-handbag-meme-305x337.jpg" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
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<justify><br />** Quick note **<br />
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Turns out I'm moving. I'm not sure when but it's only a local move so maybe I'll get lucky and keep both my hair or my sanity. This also means it's possible the sewalong could get held up at certain parts but I will try my best to keep up as I can. I hope you'll have patience with me or at least be creative if you want to leave cranky comments to convey your abject disappointment in my overall uselessness. I'm particularly fond of gifs if you've noticed so feel free to express yourself accordingly.</justify><br />
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<justify>Now that we've finished that part, let's get to the business.</justify><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph from The June Bride</td></tr>
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First things first, this thing is a beast. My hardware arrived in the mail from <a href="http://www.thejunebride.com/product/complete-hardware-kit-mommy-poppins-bag-pattern-sewfearless">The June Bride</a> and it was only then that I realized I could probably fit a toddler in this thing. It just so happens I have a toddler so this isn't exactly a bad thing. Strollers are rather unwieldy, don't you think? Of course hanging a toddler from your clavicle isn't exactly comfortable, but I digress. I'm just not good picturing things even when provided dimensions. I had to see it in my hand first and once I did, as you can see, a toddler.<br />
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If you aren't interested in carrying around a toddler, you can resize this bag to suit your purposes. You'll just need to scare up a smaller frame. Etsy carries <a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=tubular%20purse%20frame&ship_to=US&ref=auto1">quite a few</a>, even some larger ones if you have some preteens in need of handcrafted transportation. The pattern provides directions for changing the size of your bag. They seem easy enough to follow if you're willing to do the math. I hate math but I'm willing to do the math for you if you leave me a comment letting me know what size you're constructing. Otherwise, I'm going to assume you're cool with having extra room for Lindor chocolate and the occasional hard to resist bit of fabric from the remnant bin at Joann's. Just make sure you take the chocolate out of the bag before you leave it in the hot Georgia heat and go getting smooth yumminess all over your handmade creation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a.gifb.in/032011/1301328331_giant-rabbit-in-bag.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://a.gifb.in/032011/1301328331_giant-rabbit-in-bag.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbit sized?</td></tr>
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Secondly, the wallet pattern isn't included. Now maybe you read better than I do and already knew that. But I was apparently blinded by the cute pockets and irresistible shape and didn't notice. I want a wallet though so after we've turned out this magnificent bag (don't worry, it will be fabulous) I'll see about finding a pattern and continuing our little sewalong.<br />
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Tomorrow we shall discuss what you need to be all ready for my birthday. In the meantime, if you haven't ordered your hardware, please do so now. You're looking for a tubular bag frame, six d rings, and two 1 1/4in swivel clips. The ones from June Bride are a really great weight, consistent in look and feel nice in your hand. Admittedly I don't know much about d rings and swivel clips though so you may very well find something that works at your local craft store or via an online seller.<br />
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I'm getting more excited the closer we get to sew time. My bag is going to be rose faux leather and gray velveteen. I need to some help to pick a lining. I've sworn to use my stash for this but I'm dumbstruck with indecision. Regardless, I'm already convinced of my bag's awesomeness. I will keep the secret of life in its little depths and we shall never be parted from each other.<br />
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<br />The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-51537808643009174652014-05-28T13:40:00.002-04:002014-05-28T13:50:09.517-04:00Maya Angelou: Phenomenal Woman and an Elegant Lady of Color<justify><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZXU1pFGBFw/U4Yc__TsYEI/AAAAAAAABdg/Dxro3fXQ7EQ/s1600/Maya+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZXU1pFGBFw/U4Yc__TsYEI/AAAAAAAABdg/Dxro3fXQ7EQ/s1600/Maya+1.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been a while since I featured an ELoC on here and the death of Maya Angelou seemed like the perfect time to bring back something close to my heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I confess I'm not much for poetry. But Maya Angelou's poem Phenomenal Woman struck a chord with me from the moment I first saw it. The words came into my life at a time when I was most unsure of myself, of my looks, of my appeal. They stuck to my soul like glue, forever solidifying all of the positive affirmations my mother ever put in my head. Here was a woman writing exactly what my mother had been telling me all my life in such an elegant, memorably way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Maybe moms know what they are talking about after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div>I have to confess though, I do talk real loud and as a mother, I shout more than I should.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"'Cause I'm a woman</div><div><br />
</div><div>Phenomenally.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Phenomenal woman,</div><div><br />
</div><div>That's me."</div><div><br />
</div><div>Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014</div><div><br />
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</div></justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-62849054755129062982014-05-25T12:32:00.001-04:002014-05-25T12:32:17.658-04:00My Love Affair with Swiss Dot Continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mJDpcMoiM4/U4E-s9nc-0I/AAAAAAAABc0/6BfzYTj0axg/s1600/belcarra+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mJDpcMoiM4/U4E-s9nc-0I/AAAAAAAABc0/6BfzYTj0axg/s1600/belcarra+back.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></a></div>
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<justify>When it comes to summer fabrics, there are few things better than Swiss dot. It's light and airy, breezy, and soft and it's not meant to be ironed. You could iron it to smooth things out but like linen, it will laugh in your face an hour later. This makes it the perfect fabric for a tween's special occasion dress and for the newest release by Sewaholic Patterns, the Belcarra blouse.</justify><br />
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<b>Pattern Description: </b>Tasia from Sewaholic.net described it as "a simple pullover top with subtle waist shaping and raglan sleeves." Sounds about right to me.<span style="color: #5a5353; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">.</span><br />
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<b>Pattern Sizing:</b> Available in sizes 0-16. Based on the sizing chart, I cut an 8.<br />
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<b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? </b>Yes indeed.<br />
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<b>Were the instructions easy to follow? </b>I kind of ignored them. It's a rather straight forward top that's easily made up by anyone with a bit of sewing skill.<br />
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<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? </b>I loved it! I'd like to wow you with effusive and detailed praise but again, it's a really simple, straight forward design that's explained decently. It's not exactly genius and there aren't any unique details. It's just a nice wardrobe piece.<br />
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<b>Fabric Used: </b>Swiss dot from Hancock's, same as my daughter's confirmation dress. The sleeves are made from the same fabric but in a melon color. There were scraps leftover from a blouse I've had in progress since the fall.<br />
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<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: </b>I didn't bother with the sleeve bands because I was feeling lazy. I have yet to finish the sleeves either. But as they are cut on the bias, they won't fray. So I might leave it.<br />
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<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? </b>Definitely. I have a number of them on my mind. I'd love to make an heirloom version. I'm trying to decide if I can turn the two piece raglan sleeve into one piece so I can insert lace there. I'd also be curious to see how it would turn out in a knit.<br />
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<b>Conclusion: </b>If you're looking for a simple top that will get a lot of use in your wardrobe in addition to being a quick sew that takes up very little fabric, you should really give this a try. Give it several tries as I can think of tons of variations. And look ma! No darts!<br />
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</justify><justify>Btw, you know you are a sewing blogger when you select an outfit for your children's commencement ceremony based solely on the fact that you need pics of your newest creation to post.</justify><br />
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</justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-22648465344989012312014-05-16T21:28:00.001-04:002014-05-16T21:40:38.673-04:00My Birthday is Coming!<justify><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/9bbfd5ea7b2acf5cb70c6776f844c654/tumblr_mny12fAZiF1rmlbczo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/9bbfd5ea7b2acf5cb70c6776f844c654/tumblr_mny12fAZiF1rmlbczo1_500.gif" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little brother had pants like this. <br />
I would imagine he wouldn't want me telling the internet that.<br />
I would also imagine he doesn't read my blog.<br />
So I'm probably safe.</td></tr>
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<justify>The only thing I like better than birthdays is my birthday. I mean what's not to like? People gush and tell you happy birthday. Your facebook gets flooded with people swearing you're awesome. (hint: I am.) You get to eat your weight in cake and ice cream, wheedle your way into eating wherever you like, and generally are worshipped and adored for the day, even if you have to do it yourself.</justify><br />
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<justify>Okay, so you have to be a year older. Big woo, guys. For real. It's no biggie. You were born. You aged. You survived. Own those years and own your cake.</justify><br />
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<justify>But enough about fabulous, wonderful, attention seeking me, let's talk about what I want for my birthday.</justify><br />
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<justify>I want a purse.</justify><br />
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Are you old if you call it a purse? I'm supposed to say handbag now I think. Or maybe even just bag. Hey, it could be worse. I could be calling it a pocketbook.<br />
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I don't just want any old purse/bag/pocketbook/carrier of more stuff that can reasonably fit. I want the <a href="http://sewfearless.com/2013/10/07/matching-bag-set/">Mary Poppins bag</a> complete with wallet.<br />
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Isn't it the cutest thing? Chim-chimney, chim-chimney, chim-chim-cheree!<br />
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The obvious solution here is to sew one.<br />
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And to celebrate my birthday, I'm hosting a sew along. My very first sew along.<br />
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I'm so afraid.<br />
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Would you like to join me? I can't promise you'll be able to fit a Tiffany lamp in that bad boy. But I do promise some handholding. There will be more information to come but I can tell you right now that we will begin June 9th aka the very best day of the year and the day I will be eating my weight in cake and ice cream as mentioned earlier. To get a jump start, you can read more about the pattern at <a href="http://sewfearless.com/patterns-and-tutorials/the-mommy-poppins-bag-pattern/">Sew Fearless</a> including a supply list which we will cover in greater detail next week.<br />
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Looks like 2014 is going to be a year of challenges whether I like it or not.The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-68789245491483437512014-05-13T14:26:00.000-04:002014-05-13T14:26:36.064-04:00Annoyances and a Poll<justify></justify><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n63pt-UAudA/U3JTgeFYGFI/AAAAAAAABbM/AFxZrLBqYjo/s1600/Silk+Motorcycle+Jacket+main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n63pt-UAudA/U3JTgeFYGFI/AAAAAAAABbM/AFxZrLBqYjo/s1600/Silk+Motorcycle+Jacket+main.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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There are times when I love <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/">BurdaStyle</a>. A website offering instance gratification pattern acquisition combined with an active community of knowledgeable members is a good thing.<br />
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Other times, I think they are drunk.<br />
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Today, I think they're drunk.<br />
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A few weeks ago, <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/vote-on-the-pattern-for-our-first-interactive-sew-along">they put up a poll</a> asking which of four patterns the community might like to do as a sewalong. Immediately, my eye was drawn to this gorgeous muted periwinkle motorcycle sewn up in a beautifully textured raw silk. Be still my damned heart. Look at that thing.<br />
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The other options were interesting enough but it was the moto jacket that spoke to me. I've never sewn a moto jacket before so the idea of a sewalong is just the thing to get a little procrastinist motivated. (It's a word now. Deal with it.) So I voted and I hoped and I prayed. And wonder of wonders, the sewing world agreed with me.<br />
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I eagerly awaited further details on when the sewalong would begin as I perused the internet for the perfect buttons and zippers to suit a posh shimmery linen that just so happened to fall into my lap.<br />
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Then came the post.<br />
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Then came the disappointment.<br />
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Then came the eye twitching.<br />
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Apparently, I am hella spoiled by the blogging world because when I hear sewalong, I hear free. When Burda hears sewalong, they hear Kah CHING!<br />
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I'm still making this damned jacket, people. I'm just not paying $19.99 to do so. Oh pattern included? No. <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/silk-motorcycle-jacket-032012?utm_source=BurdaStyle&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=bsasblog050914-jckt">The pattern is $5.99</a>. Oh you're going to teach me to work with silk? Yeah, I already know how to do that, bud. Mostly because a slew of bloggers taught me, for free actually. Imagine that.<br />
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Boo on you, BurdaStyle. Booo on yooooooooou!<br />
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Or maybe I'm spoiled. IDK.<br />
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Anyway, moving on to the poll section of this post. (I promise not to charge you when the results come in. Isn't that nice of me?)<br />
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What shall I sew next? I just made Pinky a slew of new things the last few weeks and I managed to sew up my first version of Sewaholic's newest pattern, <a href="http://www.sewaholicpatterns.com/belcarra-blouse/">The Belcarra blouse</a> (blog post to come soon) so I'd like to take advantage of my sewing mojo while it's still flowing. Mostly because I should be cleaning. I'm always more successful at things when I'm supposed to be doing something else.<br />
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Shall I dive into the Motorcycle jacket? (Wait until you see this linen. You will die.)<br />
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Perhaps I should get it popping on the Caroline Doll project but starting on pinky's chemise, though I'd rather wait until the linen for my chemise arrives so I can do them both together.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecdcostume.printinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/1800-shift-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ecdcostume.printinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/1800-shift-1.jpg" height="320" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shift sewn by <a href="http://ecdcostume.printinsights.com/2011/01/19/shifts/">ECDCostume</a></td></tr>
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Or should I stop being such a fraidy cat and bring my serger into submission via the very lovely <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-8500-burda-style-dress.aspx">Burda 7059</a>? I have a rayon slub knit in a navy print that's begging to be worn to church on Sunday.<br />
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What say you?<br />
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-15519274058721531482014-05-13T12:58:00.001-04:002014-05-13T13:05:30.118-04:00A Slight Change of Plans<justify><br />
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A long, long time ago, when the world was new, I promised my daughter I would make her a regency era outfit to be worn for tea at the <a href="http://www.davenporthousemuseum.org/">Davenport House</a>, a local museum preserved in 1820's style. They host teas in March and May each year and my goal was to have us go in proper attire from the skin out.</div>
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Well it's May now and I've gotten as far as a mob cap, two muslins for stays, and a bodice for a little dress pinky has since outgrown. Yay for procrastination!</div>
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Now I could wait another year for the Davenport House opportunity to come around once again but it just so happens that my daughter has been pestering me to buy her another American Girl doll. And it just so happens that doll is the lovely 1812 historical doll, <a href="http://www.americangirl.com/play/historical-character/caroline/">Caroline Abbot</a>. It also so happens that pinky's birthday is rolling around much sooner than the next Davenport tea cycle and that the American Girl store in Atlanta hosts an afternoon tea of their very own.</div>
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Do you see where I'm going with this?</div>
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Clearly we need to go in full regency regalia, don't you think?</div>
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So let's revisit the <a href="http://hotmessmoreorless.blogspot.com/search?q=Davenport">Davenport idea</a>, shall we? Originally, the idea was to create a look that fit the 1820 aesthetic. However, Caroline story is centered around the War of 1812. During war, supplies would be a bit harder to come by as would be the latest fashions. I would say reasonably, we should adjust our time frame back to 1810, if not a touch earlier. However, I'm not sure I want to go strictly historically accurate for this. I'm quite in love with <a href="http://hotmessmoreorless.blogspot.com/2013/01/i-dream-of-aqua.html">the look of 1823</a> specifically and I don't want to change. My justification is that since we aren't visiting a location defined by a time frame, I'm just going to pull a Cartman here and keep things pretty much the same.</div>
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For a refresher, here's the painting that inspired pinky's dress. It's the pale yellow one one the left with the purple sash and bonnet.</div>
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I recently located the perfect yellow tone on tone fabric at Fabric.com. It's a lovely dotted swiss in a light goldenrod woven with tone on tone stripes and just a wee bit of metallic thread. The rest of the fabric will come from my stash. Lovely soft cotton organza for the fichu and cap, pima cotton for the chemise and petticoat, along with a silk batiste sash, a straw bonnet, and miles of ribbon, lace trim, and other fripperies.</div>
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It's a surprise so don't tell her!</div>
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And wish me luck! Not because this is difficult. I'm rather confident it can all be managed. But you know I have a procrastination problem.</div>
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-10780342010992897342014-05-11T18:23:00.000-04:002014-05-11T20:50:47.194-04:00I Sew Because My Mom Loves Me<justify>
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"Ever since I could remember I have been in love with . . ."</div>
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That's what most people will tell you about their hobby or interest. That they've loved something so very long that they cannot recall just when they fell. It's just always been.</div>
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I love a great many things but one of my longest, enduring, widespread loves comes from my mama. Not directly, I suppose when one thinks of it. My mom doesn't sew. She reads Star Trek books, not regency era romances. She prefers tee shirts and jeans to dresses and lace. She likes a good action movie better than a period drama with corsets and crinolines. However, once upon a time, in a land far far away called Brooklyn, my mama gifted me with a set of books that sparked a lifelong connection between fabric, history, and fashion.</div>
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I'm not sure what it was that resonated the most when I devoured my copy of Samantha Saves the Day. But what I do remember was that in the back of that book, there were pictures of elegantly ladies dressed in frothy white from head to toe. </div>
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They frolicked in the woods, flitted about country cabins, lazed indolently in little rowboats, their fingers trailing in the cool water. </div>
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I wanted that life. I wanted those dresses. I wanted that doll.</div>
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A few years ago, when American Girl discontinued Samantha, my mother bought me one. It was quickly snatched up by my daughter. So when it came time to design something special for pinky's confirmation, it seemed only fitting my daughter should get the dress too. It also provided the perfect opportunity to finally launch myself back into the <a href="http://thedreamstress.com/the-historical-sew-fortnightly/">Historical Sew Fortnightly</a> challenge I managed to neglect once again. Since I've already done one blog post on the topic <a href="http://hotmessmoreorless.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-girl-in-white.html">here</a>, let's just skip right to the challenge details, shall we?</div>
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The Challenge: #9: Black and White</div>
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Fabric: Swiss dot from Hancocks and a variety of laces</div>
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Pattern: Sense and Sensibility's Girls 1914 Dress</div>
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Year: 1914</div>
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Notions: Swiss laces from <a href="http://store.marthapullen.com/">Martha Pullen Company</a>, 50 wt DMC broder thread from <a href="http://farmhousefabrics.com/">Farmhouse Fabrics</a>, Kam Snaps from <a href="http://ilikebigbuttons.com/">I Like Big Buttons</a></div>
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How historically accurate is it? While the use of the sewing machine had become widespread a number of years before, I'm pretty sure this type of work was still done by hand for a very long time. So I suppose I lose points for that. I also lose points for running out of time and sticking some snaps on there instead of a proper line of buttons. However the lines, construction, design elements, and use of all cotton fabrics make this a very good historical feel that would not be that far out of place should pinky be magically transported to a cabin in the Adirondacks just prior to the Battle of the Ardennes. I'm going to give it a 75% accuracy rating.</div>
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Hours to complete: Uhm maybe 30 I think. I kind of squeezed it all into one week.</div>
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First worn: Three Sundays ago</div>
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Total cost: Do I really have to cop to it? I don't want to be divorced! The swiss dot was about $20. Thanks to a warehouse sale at MPC, the laces probably cost about $30. Throw in the pattern, the half a bottle of Best Press I blew through, and thread, I'm going to estimate about $75.</div>
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I'll admit I'm a wee bit sad that this dress is finished. I really enjoy heirloom sewing and being the mother of a tween girl pretty much insures my days of heirloom sewing for this particular little miss are drawing to a close. I expect it will be a good while before I see a need to create this exact brand of pretty. But just as my mama passed some of her interests down to me, I look forward to seeing what kind of things my daughter pics up from me.<br />
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Mothering is full of the sweet, the nostalgic, and the wondrous.<br />
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So forgive me for being a sap and allow me a moment to thank my mom for planting seeds and encouraging them to bloom. There isn't a thing on this blog I would be doing without her. There are a lot of things however, that I'd be doing without her and none of them good so you should probably all be grateful.<br />
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Edwardian photographs were found at <a href="http://my-little-time-machine.tumblr.com/">My Little Time Machine</a>.<br />
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-41726922329308419892014-05-10T12:00:00.000-04:002014-05-10T12:00:00.611-04:00A Premature Announcement<justify> </justify><br />
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If you've been reading this blog for a while, you might notice I have a teensy problem with follow through. I start out with the best of intentions but the reality is I have sewing ADD. Projects catch my attention, I plan them out, and then once it's fully formed and I own enough to get started, my addled brain moves on like a regal tang that has realized that the tops of jellyfish are bouncy.<br />
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So I'm a little reluctant to go blathering here and yet I'm entirely too excited about this project to keep my mouth shut. I suppose my hope is that putting it out there to the universe, or at least the blogging world will keep my attention from straying.</div>
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You see, I discovered <a href="http://www.marfy.it/our-patterns/">Marfy patterns</a> a few years ago. They are an entirely too lovely line of patterns all the way from Italy. The lines are elegant, gorgeous, the styling unlike anything you'll find here in the states, and entirely devoid of seam allowances or even directions. That's right. These patterns have no directions. They are a puzzle to anyone but the most experienced of sewists. That's seamstress grade knowledge right there and I am completely lacking in such things.<br />
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I bought one right then because I'm a sucker. Despite it being a rather easy little A line skirt, it's been sitting in my stash ever since. Probably because it is an A line skirt. I mean how boring when you think about it. But I don't want to think about it. I want to think about all of the gorgeous patterns offered on the Marfy site and I want to dream about the day I will be brave experienced enough to give one of these bad boys a try.<br />
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And will you look at that, I just happened to stumble upon <a href="http://achallengingsew.typepad.com/my-blog/">A Challenging Sew</a>, a blog that's in the process of doing a Marfy sewalong. And not just any sewalong but a Marfy sewalong featuring three very free, very beautiful, perfectly coordinating patterns with all of the proper handholding one might need to throw together a perfectly coordinating Marfy suit.<br />
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<a href="http://achallengingsew.typepad.com/my-blog/2013/12/a-january-marfy-sew-along-and-some-thoughts-on-3201.html">See for yourself!</a></div>
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Le.Sigh.</div>
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I can do this, right? </div>
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You'll make me do this, yes?</div>
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Oh goodie!<br />
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I mean, do you die?</div>
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I die. I truly, truly die.</div>
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So when to start? Everyone knows if you don't set a start date, you have no hope. Or maybe procrastinators know this. Of course a date doesn't mean you will accomplish anything but it does up your chances. Or so I've heard. That's a lot of sentences that start with O, isn't it?</div>
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YES, I'M STALLING.<br />
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Okay. I can do this. </div>
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I, The Hot Mess, more or less, (hopefully less in this case) do so solemnly swear to embark on the wondrous journey that will be the Marfy Free Pattern Challenge. I will muslin up, use my stash, and sew one carefully crafted three piece suit with Italian flair sometime in the near future to start September 1st if not sooner. I will not allow myself to be discouraged by the fact that this arbitrarily chosen start date is also the anniversary of the beginning of WWII. Bad juju is not real. The gloriousness of Marfy Patterns is. Other people have done it as evidenced by this blog. And so can I.</div>
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I CAN DO IT!</div>
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I'm in so much trouble.</div>
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-82158582763924038832014-05-09T09:23:00.001-04:002014-05-09T09:26:52.841-04:00Peas Porridge Hot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During my recent sewing frenzy, I neglected my poor unfortunate garden. The peas are in desperate need of trellising, the beans in need of mulching, and I better find poles for my pole beans to climb less they wrap their graceful grasping tentacles around my onions. I'm a wee bit ashamed of myself for letting things get out of hand, but that's how we <strike>lazy people</strike> procrastinators roll.</div>
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Not all is gloom and doom, however. Things are happening out there, albeit rather slowly, as gardens tend to do. I went out there the other day to inspect my little babies and wonder of wonders, there are green, nearly edible things cropping up out there.</div>
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First up, the tomatoes. Really, I have no idea what kind they are. Grape? Cherry? Who knows? I think gophers stole the plant identification tag. We have gophers in Georgia, don't we?</div>
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If you squint really hard, you might see the baby squash at the base of, oh who am I kidding? I think that's the wrong picture of the wrong squash plant. You'll just have to trust me when I say that out there in the wilderness of The Hot Mess garden, there's a plant with some baby budding squash out there.</div>
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Is that a future ear of corn? I feel all verklempt, almost like the first time I saw an ultrasound pic of my baby. That's not weird at all.</div>
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I still only have enough peas to eat them by the hand straight off the vine. This is no great loss as far as my youngest is concerned. I think raw peas straight out of the garden might be right up there with salt water taffy and starburst on the list of things pudding likes to eat. See for yourself.</div>
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</justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-25649632070890639622014-05-05T12:51:00.000-04:002014-05-05T12:51:21.550-04:00A Girl in White<br />
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<b><a href="http://sensibility.com/blog/patterns/girls-1914-dress/">Girls' 1914 Dress</a> by Sense and Sensibility Patterns</b></div>
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<b>Pattern Description:</b> Girls' dress based on shapes and styles of the late Edwardian Era. Dress features a slightly raised waist with gathers, back closure, and has options for short puffed sleeves, capped sleeves, and long sleeves.<br />
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<b>Pattern Sizing:</b> Pattern includes sizes 1-10<br />
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<b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?</b> Aside from my changes, yes.<br />
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<b>Were the instructions easy to follow?</b> Yes, they were. But I adapted the pattern to use heirloom techniques so I didn't follow them strictly.<br />
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<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?</b> I liked the wide range of sizes available and the thick paper used for printing the pattern. Also, it's quite rare to find patterns like this. If you want to sew historically accurate-ish clothing for children, your primary option is to use the patterns of the era. If they aren't laid out and crisscrossed all over each other crammed into a dusty old text, they still come with the expectation that you've been sewing since you were short and can turn out a gown like Ma Ingalls before Laura's wedding. So it's nice to have historical patterns for the modern sewist.<br />
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<b>Fabric Used:</b> Swiss dot from <a href="http://hancockfabrics.com/swiss-dot">Hancock's</a> for the main body. The laces came from <a href="http://store.marthapullen.com/c-4-laces-trims">Martha Pullen Company</a>, most acquired during their recent warehouse sale. I ran out of time to make buttonholes so I used <a href="http://store.marthapullen.com/3-8-lace-tape">lace tape</a> from Martha Pullen Company to stabilize the edges and used Kam Snaps to close it available <a href="http://www.kamsnaps.com/sampler-packs-c75/">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:</b> In addition to using heirloom techniques, I created a square neckline with mitered lace trim. I cut the cap sleeve pattern but lengthened it. I also cut a full skirt instead of one tapered toward the waist as the pattern indicated. I'd planned to taper the waist but I was headed for the homestretch and got ahead of myself. By the time it was attached, yeah, that bad boy was not going to be pulled out.<br />
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As mentioned above, I used snaps instead of buttons, again, an issue of time restraint as well as error. The pattern runs small, imo. I measured her first and chose a size based on those measurements but the fit was still rather close even without the slip. It's my fault for not doing a muslin but procrastinators do what they must. Snaps it was.<br />
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<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?</b> I would sew it again if asked but I can't see a need for this kind of dress for pinky. But I'd definitely recommend it to others looking for a similar style with the caveat to either make a muslin or make it a size larger than the pattern indicates, perhaps even two if you want room to grow.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUDxjxpEDm0/U2e59UF3jxI/AAAAAAAABV0/9JU5Z_jn0sc/s1600/In+the+peas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUDxjxpEDm0/U2e59UF3jxI/AAAAAAAABV0/9JU5Z_jn0sc/s1600/In+the+peas.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<b>Conclusion:</b> I love this dress. Can I just say what a prideful, shameful person I am? I'm supposed to be focusing on a big spiritual day for my daughter, when she affirms her faith and becomes a member of the church. All I could think though, was DAMN THAT LACE HEM LOOKS GOOD!<br />
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It's a good thing Jesus loves me.<br />
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<justify> </justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-14354576427963472802014-05-04T22:38:00.002-04:002014-05-04T22:45:29.652-04:00Fresh Growing Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"If you look at it the right way, you can see the whole world is a garden."</div>
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Frances Hodgson Burnett</div>
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</justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-13438523112353409032014-05-01T23:57:00.001-04:002014-05-01T23:57:58.196-04:00Why I'm not doing Me Made May '14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Because I don't wanna, that's why?</div>
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Okay, so that's not true. I would love to do <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2014/04/me-made-may14-sign-up-here.html">MMM</a>. But when I thought about my wardrobe I realized, meh, there's not a whole lot in there I want to wear every day. I have quite a few things I like to wear to church but generally, I wear it already. Sot it's not really a challenge to continue on business as usual.</div>
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Instead, I've decided to give myself a companion challenge. Instead of making an "I shall endeavor to wear" challenge, I will make myself a "prepare for Self Stitched September" challenge.</div>
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I, Hot Mess, shall endeavor to make an unspecified amount of casual wear between now and the end of summer in hopes of having enough handmade creations to spend a month wearing at least three handmade garments a week for all of September.</div>
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How does that sound?</div>
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Btw, please ignore my rather prominent behind and focus on that gorgeously albeit wrinkly blouse. Yes, yes, I made that. Turns out I blogged about <a href="http://hotmessmoreorless.blogspot.com/2013/02/i-cant-find-my-stupid-grocery-list.html">how I was going to make it</a> but not that I actually succeeded. So now is as good a time as any.</div>
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<b>Pattern Description: </b><a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-6159-learn-to-sew-misses-dresses.aspx">Simplicity 2147</a> is a tunic/dress pattern with sleeves and yoke in one.<br />
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<b>Pattern Sizing: </b>Size 12 US/34 Bust<br />
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<b>Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? </b>Yes<br />
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<b>Were the instructions easy to follow? </b>As far as I remember<br />
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<b>What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? </b>I liked that the sleeves and yoke were all in one pattern piece. Not only does it make it a quick sew, but it's a rather convenient feature if you want to add some heirloom sewing techniques.<br />
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<b>Fabric Used: </b>A touch of Swiss dot from Hancock's and a pima cotton batiste that I'm sure I bought at my local quilt shop but may have bought from Farmhouse. You can find a similar one here. The laces are a mix, some from Farmhouse, some from Martha Pullen Company.<br />
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<b>Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: </b>I opted to go with lace insertion to somewhat mimic the style of Pinky's Easter dress last year. This involves piecing strips of lace together until you have a length that fits the pattern piece you'd like to use. You cut your pattern piece out and then you carry on.<br />
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<b>Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? </b>Oh yes. I lost the pattern pieces to an entirely too inquisitive dog so I bought a new one. I think my next one shall be worked into my personal challenge. It did come out short though. I really wish I could remember if that was my fault. I'll be sure to let you guys know when I make it again. I planned to wear it as a dress that Easter morning but I ended up tucking it into a pair of pants as seen above. Speaking of tucks, it's too long for a tunic as well so I plan to put a few tucks into the hem so I can wear it with jeans.<br />
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<b>Conclusion: </b>A ridiculously easy pattern with simple shapes, very few pieces and a ton of opportunities for customization. Maybe one day I'll make an embroidered version with bright flowers across the yoke. For now, a plaid version beckons. Are you scared?<br />
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So any Me Made Mayers out there? Are you tsking your head in shame?<br />
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<br />The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-79992366787908598332014-04-30T23:06:00.001-04:002014-04-30T23:06:43.276-04:00Look at all of the pretty green!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The warm weather is still taking it's sweet time but I'm not complaining. For starters, our AC unit needs a tune up, and secondly, the peas and the lettuce like it a bit cooler. We've also had quite a bit of raining which has resulted in all of this gorgeousness cropping up every where.</div>
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All of my tomato plants have blossoms. As does one of my squash plants and my tomatillo. The peppers like hale and hearty, the lettuce is growing more quickly than I imagined.</div>
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My only loss was that of two broccoli plants. They were wee little things without even enough for one serving so I let them go thinking they would grow bigger. Instead, they became spindly, woody, and eventually, blew up into a bush of pale yellow flowers. I'm sure I'm not the only one who referred to them as trees as a kid. Well guess what? Those aren't baby leaves. They are little flower buds. I was committing floricide in my mouth.</div>
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The horror!!</div>
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Anyway, we've pulled it. Nothing to see or eat there but hopefully, space for a watermelon plant.</div>
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In the meantime, let us remember poor broccoli, who did such a wonderful job growing nice and strong but unfortunately, suffered at the hands of a gardening newbie who let him go past his prime.</div>
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I'm sorry, mr Broccoli. I'm sure you'd have been tasty had I picked you when I supposed to. Instead, you've shrank away into a woody stem.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RIP, my brassica friend</td></tr>
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</justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-58891250953887125592014-04-28T21:30:00.001-04:002014-04-28T21:30:16.872-04:00The Audrey Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every year on Palm Sunday, our church does an Easter egg hunt. Since we weren't going to be in town for Easter this year, I decided this would be the perfect occasion to make Pinky a dress for spring. Unfortunately, you won't be getting an Easter egg hunt shots as it's difficult to coordinate an event and take pictures at the same time. It's one of the drawbacks of being so involved with a church ministry.</div>
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I do, however, have pictures from Sunday when Pinky decided to wear the dress for her first youth class appearance since her confirmation. (More on that to come, btw. I outdid the hell out of myself and I'm pleased as punch. As a bonus, it fits in with the Historic Sewing Fortnightly. Score!)</div>
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So let's talk about the details, shall we? To start, it's the Audrey pattern from <a href="http://www.peekaboopatternshop.com/">Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop</a>, a company that makes PDF patterns for children. Now I won't lie. I have beef with the majority of PDF pattern companies. We'll just say I'm generally not a fan. However, the offering for patterns in pinky's size are rather slim from the Big 4 and can be rather expensive from other companies. I also didn't relish the idea of tracing out an Ottobre pattern given the time constraints I gave myself so the pdf would have to do. They are quick to download, easy to print out, and since the pattern that caught my eye had limited pieces it went together nicely.</div>
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So without further ado, here's my review of The Audrey Dress by Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop.</div>
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Pattern Description: Audrey is a faux crossover bodice pattern with a full skirt and bias tape binding.</div>
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Pattern Sizing: It comes in sizes 3 months - 12 years and I cut the 10 for Pinky.</div>
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Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Pretty much</div>
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Were the instructions easy to follow? They would have been if I used them. But I really wasn't thrilled with the way the dress was meant to be worn and changed it.</div>
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What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I didn't like the lack of real closures. This is considered one of the bonuses of these types of patterns, that you can assemble them with no zippers, no buttonholes to make, no plackets to fuss with. It has a small opening in the back that closes with one button But quite frankly, I don't think that suits a dress that's meant to have a defined waist and a full skirt.</div>
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Fabric Used: aqua batiste from a local quilting shop and white eyelet from Joann's. The ribbon at the waist is also from Joanns. I believe it's made by Offray.</div>
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Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I omitted the bias binding. The ready made stuff sold in the big box stores is stiff and the color selection is limited. I decided instead to treat the batiste as a lining and used traditional methods to attach it. I also turned it into a real wrap dress and I added snaps to fasten it at the waist. I messed up my snap placement which has turned it into an adjustable waist should my child decide to grow out instead of her usual out.</div>
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Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?: I'm not sure I'd sewing again and I'd only recommend it to a newbie sewist I couldn't convince to give Oliver and S a try.</div>
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Conclusion: This dress was a sweet project that sewed up quickly. But I found myself wishing I'd stop being such a wuss about pattern drafting. A couple lines with a ruler and I could have taken the pattern for one of the traditional bodice dress patterns I own and come up with the same result.</div>
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Suffice to say, this pattern hasn't converted me to the world of pdfs. I'll use them because they're convenient but there are easily obtained and explained patterns that result in a much better fit.</div>
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Would you like to see a bonus shot of the baby?</div>
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He's not much of a baby anymore, is he?<br />
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</justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-20068434079497542322014-04-10T01:01:00.003-04:002014-04-10T01:01:55.049-04:00The Burdens of My Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's the season of Lent, a time to let go of our frustrations and focus on the good things God has done for us. Focus on your children, your health, the roof over your head and not the one and only corner of the online sewing community that has really worked to piss you off royally in this last three months.</div>
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Where do begin, where to begin? You see, I don't enjoy ranting and raving on my blog. I admit that it's one of my favorite pastimes and I excel in it, no really I do, but the internet is a cautionary tale in online rantings. You never know what will go viral. One day you're posting about organza vs organdy, and the next . . .</div>
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However, going on my third busted attempt to buy some damned fabric on FB and I'm really failing at my Lenten promise to give up yelling. This is actually my third blog post on the subject. The other two were just rambly as hell and made me look every bit as looney tunes as the people I'm dealing with.</div>
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What I'm struggling with here is how to explain the process of buying custom printed fabric via Facebook and you know what? I give up. I really, truly do because the hard truth here is despite the fact that these fabrics would make baby Jesus in the actual manger want to trade his swaddling clothes for brightly printed hipster foxes and mustaches, it should not take lines of text to explain how to order. If it does, you're doing it wrong.</div>
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And I was doing it wrong.</div>
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I'm still mad though. We'll talk about it later.</div>
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</justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-63191724593987515872014-04-08T09:49:00.001-04:002014-04-08T09:51:50.750-04:00When you find something perfect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</justify>The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-52066461838360364772014-04-06T15:52:00.000-04:002014-04-06T15:52:18.655-04:00Spring, Spring, Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The garden has been planted. Light and airy fabrics in all sorts of pastel shades have been floating through my doors. The windows are open. The days are warmer. And now, there's a beautiful spring wreath on my door.<div>
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And a pretty floral arrangement on my bathroom sink.<br />
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I'm just going to pretend that spring isn't the time of year that ruins my sense of smell and causes my eyes to leak death and destruction.</div>
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Instead, we'll focus on the positive.</div>
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GAME OF THRONES RETURNS TONIGHT!</div>
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-14000098297818507962014-03-16T18:43:00.001-04:002014-03-16T18:44:59.299-04:00Wearing O'The (Olive) GreenOf course I procrastinated again and have to cram in all of my St Pat's sewing into the next 12 hours. Smart cookie, I am. In my defense, I'm only putting together a simple tee for pinky and a circle skirt for myself. This means the sewing machine will decide it doesn't like me just before I hit the hem of my skirt and my serger will eat up my heart print fabric faster than a true Irisher tucks into a proper shepherd's pie.<br />
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Wish me luck!</div>
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In the meantime, here's my Sunday green.</div>
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The skirt is handmade by moi. The pattern has a rather deceptive name, <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/skirt-with-front-pleats-012011">Skirt with Front Pleats</a>. There are actually no pleats involved, just two ovals cleverly split before attaching it to a yoked waist, giving it these lovely soft folds. I made it from a poly charmeuse acquired from <a href="http://fabric.com/">Fabric.com</a>. The waistband is lightly interfaced and the bottom is finished with a simple rolled hem. It floats nicely around your legs as you walk but mind you, you'll want to be careful on breezy days, lest you give the whole world a nice view of your spanx. </div>
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I just realized that even though I've lived in this house more than six months, this is the first OOTD I've taken here. I really have to work on the positioning. Having my son stand on the stoop and take the pic results in me looking shorter and wider than I actually am. But my dog loves me just the way I am.</div>
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Actually, she just loves my lip gloss. Every time I wear it, she tries in vain to eat my face.</div>
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-86950422337338241052014-03-07T16:06:00.000-05:002014-03-07T22:40:46.588-05:00Spring is taking its sweet time springing!<justify>
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It's cold and wet here. Not cold or wet enough compared to other places. Just cold and wet enough for me to whine. I live in the South, okay? If I'm not going to see snow, then I deserve to be warm.</div>
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But enough about what an ungrateful little wretch I am, let's talk about what I've been up to lately.</div>
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Yeaaaaaaaaaaaah boy! I've been growing stuff. Look at my pretty violas! Rumor has it these bad boys will shrivel up and run away the minute it gets good and warm, all the more reason I should stop pouting. It's going to get hot soon enough and I'll be crying over their demise. But I couldn't help myself. I just love violas, all fluttering in the breeze. Aside from those, the flowers can wait. It's gardening season, my people! Kind of early for my region, yes but look, you have to get out there while the getting is good or you'll be sweating like a pig before you can get a row in.</div>
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Some of you may remember that I moved last year, which is why I had a break from gardening. New place, new ground. My backyard is sizable enough that I could do some good but was also nice and grassy. That left me a few options. I could do a straight raised bed, but that's a ton of dirt I would have to buy. I could dig it out myself with shovels and such but you people ought to know by now I'm too lazy for that. Or, I could find a tiller. Lucky for me and everyone else who isn't try to spend that kind of scratch, Home Depot will let you rent one. For a measly $40, I could dig out my garden in less than 24 hours. And dig out I did.</div>
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I filled it with a couple tide me over plants. Things like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. There is really very little hope I'll be harvesting anything off those plants because they like the cold and this state likes to roast you to death as early as April. But who cares? Plants for everyone!</div>
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So admittedly, I'm feeling a little salty about the broccoli. In this picture right above, you can see one spindly looking broccoli plant at the left rear. The stubby little thing right in front of it? Another broccoli plant. I had nine of them planted in that little space and some creature of some sort ate them to death. It's amazing how gardening can turn you from this animal lover into something that hunts them to the death and ain't even sorry. Just let me find out what kind of furry beast has been eating up on my stuff and see what happens. JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS!</div>
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I also threw out some peas, carrots, and other assorted stuff. My grand plan was to wait until some of them were nice and established, then go out there and mulch. LIKE A BOSS!</div>
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Instead, the skies opened up</div>
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And so for the last week, I've felt like this</div>
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Please, sir, can I have some sunshine? Maybe a little warmth?</div>
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I have gladiolus to plant, strawberry columns to make, green things to mulch.</div>
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Enough piteous begging. Lord knows I probably can't be heard over the weeping and gnashing of teeth coming out of the rest of the country. </div>
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Let's look at the rest of my garden, shall we? Feel free to ignore the neighbor's ugly old shed and the unsightly bag that used to house my gardening soil. Before Noah's Flood hit, I was using that bad boy to rest my lazy bum whilst I mulched. I got really far in my efforts, can't you tell?</div>
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Rain, rain, go away. Mama's got some squirrels to slay.</div>
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1211032701919462835.post-42221538186909122932014-02-15T23:11:00.001-05:002014-02-15T23:11:53.887-05:00A little Irish charmI'm not a good housekeeper. It's 65% of the reason I refer to myself as a hot mess. Oddly enough, what makes me feel better about my domestic ineptitude is holiday themed decor. I have a tiny house so not much room for decoration but I do like to make a little something happen. I've already mentioned my wreath making adventures but I also have a tiny corner of the tiny bathroom sink I like to spruce up a bit. It makes me feel just a teensy bit less like I suck.<div>
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I also live in Savannah, Ga, home of the second largest St Patrick's day parade in the nation. Now I have no idea why we love St Pat's so much. Apparently, a ton of Irish settled here back in the day but a ton of Irish settled in other places too. In any case, hotels sell out way in advance, college student break into the green beer right after the last class the weeknight before, and local school kids actually have the day off. So it's kind of a big deal.</div>
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I usually sew something for some of the kids and I'll probably continue that tradition this year. I'm actually eyeing some green striped knits over at <a href="http://www.girlcharlee.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=green&x=0&y=0">Girl Charlee</a> as I type. </div>
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But for now, I will content myself with pride over my new wreath. So prideful I'm going to show you this picture even though it was taken in the dark and thus, looks like crap. But for the last few weeks, I've put off blog posts for one reason or another. I figured I'd better post while I'm ahead. </div>
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Hopefully, I'll be back in short order to share some St Pat's picnic planning or maybe even show off something I've sewn. Or maybe Halloween decorations. </div>
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Ha!</div>
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Thanks to everyone who still follows. I really do appreciate you all and as always, feel free to comment, even if you just want to talk smack about the photo editing/abusing job I did on that wreath.</div>
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The Hot Messhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06458792434988109773noreply@blogger.com0