I Love Recycling

Many of you already know I have been working on two projects, the maxi dress (completed!) and the flared skirt. One would think that for the novice sewer this would be enough to keep me busy. Well, I was cleaning out my closet the other week.....finally putting away some winter gear and I ran across this denim dress that I have had forever. I decided it was time to donate it since I've not worn it in over three years. Then I got a bright idea; why not turn the dress into a crop denim jacket. I have been searching for one for a while now and have had no luck. The denim crop jacket is so perfect to have in the spring/summer to place over a beautiful dress when out in the evening.

I love the fact that I can take something that I thought was useless and turn in into something that is now so useful! There is more to recycling than paper and plastic.

before......

after.....

Hello Maxi

I am so excited to announce that I have completed the maxi dress!  This dress was not difficult to sew but took me some time to complete because of being out of town and the holiday.  I had the pleasure of wearing my new dress this weekend and received a number of compliments.  The material is jersey knit and very comfortable.  

Enough talking........I present the Maxi!

Motivation.....

Last week I posted two fabrics that I will be using to complete projects 4 & 5. Well, I started project 4 aka the maxi dress but did not get to far due to me taking a week long trip out of town.  I contemplated taking my sewing machine but decided against it, which turned out to be a good idea because I would not have used it anyway.  

Last week I created a draft post and simply titled it motivation.  The thought behind the post was to share with you a few pieces that I ran across on various websites that motivated me to continue sewing and to enhance my skill level with every project.  I have decide to periodically share pictures of pieces that motivate me to sew.  Now I'm not saying that I will be sewing all of these pieces but don't be surprised when you see a posting of a project that was previously shown as a motivation piece! 

Maxi Dress coming soon!

I know I can make this dress......perfect for an all white party this summer!

I love this dress! Trying to figure out how to attach the straps.....I need to pay BCBG a visit!

So simple but I love it!

As soon as we cover ruffles in class I am trying my hand at this one.....perfect for a wedding I am attending this summer!

(Images via bcbg.com & asos.com )

Fabulous Fabrics......

In preparation for projects 4 & 5 I went on a fabric hunt, I love looking for fabric. The fabric hunt is one of the many things I enjoy about sewing. My hunt usually starts and ends at one fabric store in particular......Gail K. Fabrics. I love how they proclaim "we cater to a more sophisticated sewer." The fabric in this store is simply amazing, definitely the best you will find in Georgia. Miguel went with me once and found a few fabrics he wanted to have tailored for suits; needless to say with the price per yard for the fabric I will not be making those suits....at least not anytime soon. I also visit other stores to search for fabric but I don't usually find anything that shouts....buy me. Although, one of the fabrics below did come from a craft store.

This fabric will be used to sew a Maxi Dress! Spring/summer 09 is the year of the Maxi. I can't wait to start this project!



This fabric will be used to sew a flared skirt; required for my Level 2 project. The name of this fabric is Love Scroll....

Hem me up.......

Due to my new found talent I was asked by my mother-in-law to hem her 2 NEW pair of jeans!  Honestly, I was a little apprehensive because 1) the jeans were new 2) I've never hemmed jeans before 3) they are my mother-in-laws new jeans (I want to stay on her good side)!  To complete this mini project I simply turned the existing hem under, took the appropriate measurement....had to make sure it was even all around, pressed the pant legs and completed a Top-Stitched Hem.  Needless to say my mother-in-law was happy with the outcome and she knew I could do it!  

It's amazing how we sometimes doubt ourselves and once we complete the task at hand we can't believe we doubted in the first place.  It's important to realize that if we are fearless and doubtless concerning the small things in life then we will have no fear when it comes to the more complex things in life!  I'm off my soapbox...... for now!

Before..... 

After.....

I'm on a roll......

While working on project 1 during my sewing classes I decided to take on an at home project. When I was looking through the pattern books at the store I came across this one shoulder strap flared dress...totally cute.  After starting the project I quickly realized that the pattern specifications were not within my skill level.  It actually took me a couple of days to figure out the pockets.  Miguel eventually said I should just sew it without pockets and when the instructor covers that in class then do a project with pockets....LOL!  Well, I didn't take his advice and I pressed forward and eventually prevailed!  Now the zipper on the other hand was a different story.  I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure that thing out.....so I waited until it was time for us to cover that in class and then completed the zipper in the dress...the finished product was near perfect! 

Zipper giving me trouble.....

Zipper Victory!!!

Project 2: Strapless Flared Dress 

Paired with black leather belt & black open toe boot....HOT

(Once I finished the dress I did not like the one strap so I made it strapless...I love the finished product!)

Updates please.....

I started this blog back in March and after the first post I have been MIA for almost two months. Now that I have a few classes under my belt, 5 to be exact, as well a a few projects completed I envision me posting far more often. I am proud to announce that I actually received my Sewing Level 1 badge from my instructor :) and I have moved on to Sewing Level 2. Each level consists of 4 classes and the completion of a project. Enough talking already I'm sure you are eager to see how my first project turned out.......

Project 1 : A-Line Skirt and Sash

Paired with a black tank & strappy high heal