Happy New Year from Maggie & Me!

 

I wanted to squeeze in one last post to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Maggie is wearing one of the few RTW cocktail dresses left in my closet...which is okay...she doesn't get to go to the party, anyway. I'm wearing V1314 which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE:

This gunmetal gray is totally not my color but it beat boring black and it has a cool snakeskin pattern on it when you look closely. What I love about this pattern? The ruching on the side:

I used my ruffler attachment set at every 6th stitch with a wide pleat and it was perfect. Looks great from the front:

And not bad from the back! Full Pattern Review here.

Thanks to all who've followed and supported my sewing adventures this year. It has been wonderful getting to know you virtually and, I believe, a time will come when we really will get to meet!

Workout, anyone?

 

 

For any of you out there that work out on a regular basis, you know how hard it is to find cute workout clothes that don't seem like just smaller sized men's garments. Even lululemon's offerings aren't very feminine. Not to mention how expensive good workout clothes are...

 

So....

 

I thought how cute it would be to add something "girlie" to my workout repertoire...and since I just finished making Macphee Sewing Workshop's "Looking Good" jacket, I thought it would be the perfect little topper (yes, Pauline, topper equates to cardi...) to add some spice to my workout wardrobe. I left off the second layer of ruffles on this prototype version:

 

 

To make it more "workout friendly", I added pockets and drafted a pattern piece so that it curved along the lines of the lower front where the ruffle attaches:

 

 

 

Then, I took some of the detail elements I like from my favorite jackets, like a sleeve pocket for my phone/tunes:

And a little inside "porthole" for my cord if I want my phone in my front pocket:

Here is a close-up of that detail which is just a piece of stabilized grosgrain ribbon (orange, of course!) with a buttonhole:

And voila, a cute workout jacket that is a little bit different from the Nike and lululemon stuff I usually see around my club! Thanks for visiting...if interested, here is my Pattern Review.

Sassy Little Topper

I fell in love with this little jacket the first time I saw it. It is designed by Linda MacPhee in Canada and called the Looking Good Jacket/Vest. Wow...does it have design potential. I can see myself making a few more of these. It is sized for a knit and of course I didn't notice that until my reversible woven was cut out. Luckily, the small medium fits me just fine and my heavy cotton fabric has a bit of spandex in it. It will be cute in a sweater knit and I want to try it that way.

 

It's cute belted, too:

Check out my complete review here for more info on this great little pattern. Give yourself a girly lift and treat yourself to some ruffles!

Official Acceptance Speech

I just returned from a trip and found this surprise in my inbox. My adorable friend from down under, Anne, who pens Cherry Pix: Sewing Pix, nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger/One Lovely Blog award. I feel like I've won an Oscar!

 

I love being an inspiration to others and there are SO many of you out there that are an inspiration to me. Isn't that what it's all about? Inspiring, encouraging, motivating and supporting each other? How incredibly blessed we are to have an instant gratification venue like the internet to connect with our sewing buddies around the world.

In keeping with tradition I will pass this honor on to several of my favorite bloggers that are an inspiration to me. Here are the rules:

 

1. Thank the person who nominated you
2. Add The One Lovely Blog Award / The Very Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.
3. Share 7 things about yourself.
4. Pass the award on to 10 nominees (or a few less if you are short on time)
5. Include this set of rules.
6. Inform your nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

 

So, here are 7 things about me that you would have no way of knowing:

 

1. I used to sing professionally. (Don't be too impressed...lol Mostly weddings and funerals.)

2. Dr. Drew's show occasionally calls me to ask questions on air. (Proves how dysfunctional I really am.)

3. I have a secret crush on Charles Krauthammer. (He is SO smart.)

4. I am the youngest of 4 girls.

5. My dad used to take us on survival training camp-outs as kids. (Poor guy really wanted boys.)

6. I've testified in front of a Grand Jury (I guess I didn't do too well, the poor sap went to Club Fed.)

7. I hate watermelon. (I know, I know...it's so un-American.)

 

And now...the envelopes please! I would like to pass the love on to the following blogs:

 

As I Sew It Okay, any woman that owns a tractor, loves it, and names it Fergie is a winner in my book. Teri has a laid back style and I love to see her casual creations.

 

Aventuras de Costuras In my next life I want to come back as Merche. She has such radiant natural beauty and her personality sounds just adorable. Take a look at her blog and see the casual elegance she pulls together with her creations.

 

Claire Sews Claire. What can I possibly say about the woman that invented the SA Curve? Okay, to imagine it is one thing. But to actually follow through with the design and manufacturing of it and then market it? I'm just saying...she is my heroine. (Is the kind you shoot spelled differently?) She is right down the road from me out west and one of these days we're going to meet!

 

Ilove2sew! How cute is Sue Parrot? She is always such a great supporter on PR and her projects are always so artistic and creative. Check her out if you haven't already done so...

 

Now Sewing Martha and I bonded recently over a story she chronicled on her blog. My only regret is that I did not know her when I lived in Atlanta. But we know each other now! Check out her beautiful shirts...her detail is unbelievable.

 

P's Thrifty Sewing Blog Pauline is truly my sewing sister. We were fortunate to meet when she was in Houston and spent a fabulous evening together. Hopefully, more to come soon. This girl has a lot on her plate. She is getting married next year and not only is she making her dress and all the bridesmaids dresses, I believe she has signed on to make the men's suits and possibly all of the uniforms of the wait staff. I've never seen anyone like her!

 

Simple Inspirations Do you know Myra? I know many of you do from PR. She is always an inspiration...just check out the gorgeous lace peplum she recently created!

 

Congratulations to all of my other blogging buds that have already joined the esteemed alumus of this coveted award...enjoy!

 

 

A Cowl to Covet

Sometimes the jury can be out for me on whether a cowl sits comfortably and doesn't feel like it needs to be fiddled with or constantly adjusted. Not so with Vogue 1197. This is the deepest cowl I've found and the weight of it creates the perfect drape. Combine this pattern with a nice, heavy knit and it is a joy to wear. I found this beautiful houndstooth Ponte at Gorgeous Fabrics.

 

I love this pattern and I think it could easily be passed by because the pattern envelope does not do it justice. To fully appreciate it have a look at the line drawing:

I love EVERYTHING about this tunic. Especially the cowl:

And the sleeves:

My Pattern Review and some other close up pics and comments are here. Thanks for stopping by!