Patricia Underwood Hat V8440

Test driving Patricia Underwood hats. I started with view A of V8440. This is my wearable muslin originally made to wear on the return trip from the March Spa weekend. More details later.

McCalls 5466

I made this dress to wear to the 31st Anniversary dinner of my Pastor. On Saturday night I finished this dress and sash. Sunday morning I was hit with some kind of stomach virus. Need I say more? BTW- this pattern has been reviewed many times and is highly recommended by fellow sewists. Anyway here is my review.

Pattern Description: MISSES' DRESSES, BELT AND SASH: Fitted or semi-fitted (bodice) dress with straight or A-line skirt has long or short self-faced sleeves and back zipper closure; dress A has purchased belt; dress B has belt; dress C has contrast sash.

Pattern Sizing: 4- 18. I sewed size 12/14 with alterations. I made view B with the sash.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes. There was nothing confusing about them. But I didn't follow them completely. I skipped the neck facing and lined it completely.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I like to style of the dress. It put me in the mind of the recently popular tulip shaped dresses and skirts. I also thought this would be a easy dress to make since I didn't have a lot of time to make it after finishing Ms. PB's suit.

Fabric Used: polyester satin and lining from Vogue fabric. I found to pieces of this fabric in the remnant room at the Roosevelt Rd store. Each was under thirteen dollars.

The second piece was for the jacket from V8232.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
Alterations:
- FBA- I had to add horizontal darts
- broad and sway back alterations
Design changes:
- Eliminated the pockets by aligning the pocket pattern with the front skirt - Added two inches to the length of the skirt
- Fully lined the dress




Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes and Yes. I plan to make the other views.

Conclusion: I like to pattern. There are a lot of style options for this pattern; you can dress it up or down.

Health Watch - Protecting Your Lungs

Do you sew once a week? Do you sew every day? Do you spend endless hours in your sewing nook or studio? Are you constantly cutting fabric? Is your sewing area well ventilated? Or is the area closed in with little to no fresh air circulating? If you answered yes to at least four of these questions you may need to purchase an air purifier.

Over the years there have been numerous studies conducted on the effect of over exposure to textile fibers. Many factory workers developed byssinosis, "chronic lung disease." Recently, I read a post on..., I think Donna of SewandSo recommended the purchase of an air purifier for the sewing room. Last month I purchase a Holmes air purifier from Walmart ($40.00)to help eliminate dust from my sewing area. Holmes has a complete line of air purifiers to accommodate any size room. I think it's worth the investment.

Just thought I would share this with fellow sewing bloggers.

Happy Sewing!

Excellence Award

Updated 4/10/08: In accepting my award I must nominate ten people. Hear are my other nominees, which aren't in any particular order. I enjoy equally enjoy reading their blogs:

Christina
Mimi
Alethia
007gurl
Tracey
Lisa
Sappmama
Angelia

Karen, Robin, and Jackie nominated me for the Excellence Award. This is such an honor. Personally, I think there are many sewists/bloggers who should be named for this award. Thank you ladies.

Since joining PatternReview and creating my own sewing blog, my strive for "excellence" has increased and I have become more focused. In my mind I considered myself an advanced sewer to some degree. But lately I have found myself trying to live up to that rating. So now I’m setting skill goals and achieving more these days. So many bloggers and PR members have rated themselves as intermediate whom I feel have surpass that rate long ago. I love the cyberspace-creative community; it is a source of inspiration and a greater source encouragement. Each member of the community has something special to offer and I'm grateful to be a partaker and contributor.

Its fun, and I deeply appreciate the comradery among my fellow blogger sewist friends.

I want to pass along this award to a few sewists who, in my opinion, are worthy of such an award. The two outstanding sewists Erica B. and Marji.

Thanks again, Karen and Robin

Spring - Fashion Trends 2008

I'm still trying to write reviews..., Gosh..., How do you do it? Work, sew, blog, reviews..., But in the meantime there are a few fashion trends to be noted.

An Anoraks jacket is on my list of "must make". Marie Claire featured this jacket in their February 2008 issue. Oprah Winfrey is also pictured on a recent issue of "O" magazine sporting an anorak.





McCall's 5635 fits the bill.


Also featured in Maire Claire..., Shirtdresses. They seem to be all the rage. I have a few pattern options in my collection. Vogue recently published the sassy shirtdress (V1048) this season and several fashionistas have added it to their list of dresses to make this spring.

Michelle Obama - I Like Her Style

Ms. Michelle Obama has been named "It Girl" by Vogue Magazine editor Alexandra Kotur. Michelle is definitely a fashionista. The potential first lady is bold and beautiful. style watchers and trend sitters are impressed with her style.

Michelle Obama doing it in style!

Barack's Rock