Weekender Sunshine Top

This is one of my most favorite patterns: the neckline, the gathers, the drape - makes a beautiful top. I always feel that this wide neckband needs embellishment.  In the past, I've painted it or used a different fabric.  This version I used hot fix (plastic) studs/beads.  These were pocket designs I got in downtown LA in a package of about 40 for $4 for the entire package. 

These "studs" are on tacky clear paper, which I cut out to the shapes I needed, placed on the neckband, covered with a press cloth, and put a hot iron on top to melt the glue.  The heat of the iron melts the glue on the bottom side of the stud and they adhere to the garment.

I did the back band first; and noticed that the weight of the studs and the constant ironing stretched the neckband a bit.  But I continued on to the front, and then washed and dryed the top and the neckband shrunk back into place.

I purposely left some empty spots on the front because I thought I liked it better that way; but, looking at this photo, I'm thinking I should fill in the spots.  But think I'll wear it first and see. 

New Look 6621

A few weeks ago when I was in Arizona visiting my parents, my sister and I took my mom shopping.  She recently lost some weight and needed to update her wardrobe.  While we were shopping, I noticed several blouses that had knit in the back.  I love white shirts, but I love the comfort of tees... so I thought, hey, why not a blouse with a knit back! 

So, I pulled one of my favorite blouses... New Look 6621

then dug through my stash for some white fabric and knit.  I found some dotted swiss leftover from a blouse a few years back, and some white knit that I recently purchases from FIDM.  I used the knit for the back.  I doubled, folding it on the cross-grain and using the fold as the hem.

pinning it on the CB seam so it made a sort of hinge so after I cut out the first side, I could flip the pattern over and cut out the second side.

I pinned in the dart.

I also used knit for the sleeve band

and used some vintage glass buttons

I also adjusted the front band so that it doesn't curve open at the bottom.  I just kept the curve along the blouse front, and straigthened out the center front

I think I liked the curved band better.  But the blouse turned out nice... comfortable too!

Teen Neighborhood Group

Sunday was the ASG Teen Neighborhood Group sewing day and we did aprons.  The technique of the month was hems, so I thought doing an apron with lots of hems would be good.  It was, and the teens were pretty tired of doing hems by the end of the meeting. The sides of the apron and ties were 1/4" hems, and the bottom was a 1" hand sewn hem.  There's a total of about 15 girls, and usually about 6-10 show up at a time.  The group on Sunday was some of the hardcore sew'rs.  Ah, I love to see them create!

We hold our meetings in a local quilt shop that generously donates the space.  Next year, I'm thinking of starting a second group for the girls that have been with me for two years and doing some more advance techniques. 

My camera is fixed, but my battery and memory card is still at my sister's.  As soon as I get it back, I'll be back to posting photos of current projects.

Where'd I go?   I'm in Arizona at my parents.  You know the drill, walking the dog, eating, shopping, Costco, walking the dog, Home Town Buffet, repeat.   I head home tomorrow.  I drove this time.  Well, I didn't drive much, my nephew drove most of the way and he did a great job.  He drove my sister and I here... can you imagine, it was like Driving Miss Daisies.... he was getting "instructions" from two of us.  poor kid!

This weekend my sister in law had her retirment ceremony and was given the flag wall hanging I made.  My brother in law gave it to her and I understand she loved it.   I'm glad it's done; enjoyed working on it and putting it together; and now need to start on my great niece #2 baby quilt.  She's due April 22nd, so I guess I better hurry up.  I'm hoping to be home early enough tomorrow so I can get it cut out.  I'll work on the quilt in between my clothing projects.

Here's the finished flag - front and back.

I should have gotten a better picture, this one is crooked, but my camera is broken, it turns off after about 2 seconds, so my pictures have been sort of hurried. I thought is was the battery, so bought a new one, but that didn't fix it.   I'm sending it in to Canon, and will be without one for a few weeks....  so postings may be few.