Adventures in Vintage Resales... fka adventures in baby-sewing

DH said to step away & let my brain resolve it on its own, which I think I did. Instead I folded the innermost fold first (this will be the outer fold), then refolded on the next fold line to enclose the raw edge, pressed and stitched. This may not be right per the photo and instructions, but I could not resolve it any other way since it is an extended facing and has no separate placket. Otherwise, you were fighting with raw edges at center front and on the top edge. Hopefully it doesn't look too homemade that way. So, I have the bodice assembled, collar and bias tape attached and one center front stitched down, with the other side to go, topstitch the collar at the neckline and add sleeves. Believe it or not, I think the fit out of the envelope was not too far off. I reduced the side and lower front darts since I am not as large in the bust and needed more at the waist. I did adjust from a 16 to an 18 between the side darts and waist. I also used 1/2" seam there ...

I am working on B5315, shirtdress from this spring's line. So far, so good, except I think the instructions about the front facings may be wrong. It tells you to fold on the outer foldline to the right side, then fold on the remaining to the other side, then baste, but that leaves an exposed raw edge. Or, (lightbulb moment), do I have the foldlines reversed??? Please help if you can while I check that possibility out!!!

I have listed some Mary Kay items I need to clear out on ebay. My items are under ceecees_mom. I used to be a consultant, have some excess items and need to clear them out. The starting bids are great prices and will be shipped by USPS. I may be listing some other items soon.

I have not been well lately, reflux, sore, tired, etc., but still plugging away at some things. I finished two tops for my daughter, one with Simplicity 4568 and one with Jalie Criss Cross, both size 8. Both are tshirt knits. The camo is the Jalie, which was a real pain to finish to get all pieces held in the sides. The green is the Simplicity, made from a shirt I never used, and has a twisted neckline, compliments of Christina's blog, Assorted Notions. I could have done a better job, but she likes it, and for my girl to wear it without complaint, that is a compliment. Her friend wants a Jalie top now. Yeah, right. I may do a PR later, but I cannot keep up right now. There has been so much stress on me since December, I just can't stay with anything. Then I have had muscle spasms in my neck, thinking it is from the stress. With my DH's work being slow, I am getting really worried. I can't go to work with all these kids. In a rural area like this, the pay is...

www.alittlefabricstore.com is the link for our local store, Seams Like Home, run by a local family. I have been in there before and thought it was great. She is still limited on inventory as she just opened several months ago, but has some good pieces, some notions, and other items. It beats having to run in for more blue marker or small notions. It is more quilting, but I do like giving our money to a local independent when possible. Check them out!

In response to Ann's Gorgeous Things posting: 1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes 2. Did you marry someone from your high school? No 3. Did you car pool to school? Yes, for a time. 4. What kind of car did you have? I didn't until I went to college, a 78 Grand Prix 5. What kind of car do you have now? 2004 Dodge Caravan 6. It's Friday night...where are you then? Either home studying or out with friends. 7. It's Friday night...where are you now? Home putting kids to bed, then late dinner and DVD. 8. What kind of job did you have in high school? Retail at Lerner's. 9. What kind of job do you do now? I am a stay-at-home mom. 10. Were you a party animal? Not in high school. 11. Were you considered a flirt? A little in high school. 12. Were you in the band, orchestra, or choir? Choir 13. Were you a nerd? Oh yes. 14. Did you get suspended or expelled? Hell no, if I had, I would not be here today (!) 15. Can you sing the fight song? Not anymore. 16. Who was/were y...

Well, actually, went to church earlier. But spent the rest of the day home. I worked on a ufo wall hanging that will be quilted. Barely worked on it... My oldest went to the grandparent's for the night. I am currently making buttercream icing, no butter extract since my supply went bad, yuck. Only vanilla. I have to make a cake for the Catholic Daughters to take to the local nursing home for the birthdays. After the anniversary cake I made and decorated in November, I have had 4 orders since then. This will be a simple half-sheet since it is for seniors. I have been planning the decorating, though. That will be tomorrow. I also plan to list tomorrow the list of things about HS that Ann of Gorgeous Things listed. But that will be tomorrow... Goodnight.

Well, Mike has been ok for a fewe days now, I am still working on the baby's jumper, slow since I just don't feel energetic these days. I am not sick, just not totally over the crud I had a few weeks ago, still coughing somewhat. Kids are fine, now, too. The jumper should be finished today, just hemming and small details. For Valentines Day, the kids and I are making brownies for dessert, so that's coming up in a few hours. We may go for a drive into town for a frappucino, kids and all. I have several items cut out on my tables, but no desire to work on them much. Hopefully, I will be better soon.

Now, Mike had a stomach bug today. He looked terrible and felt bad, so he has been on the couch most of the day. I worked on another NL jumper for the baby, in a pink/green patchwork printed cotton. She needs it for church this Sunday. We are sitting up front as the first communicants are sitting up front this weekend as it is first reconciliation that day. So, they will all be dressed nicer than usual. I am also thinking ahead about a dress for me, which I have no idea if it will come to fruition before Sunday. I am also keeping on the radar Easter dresses and the oldest's first communion dress. I have a lot to work on and trying to finish UFO's or reuse them as something else (baby rompers, etc., if it's cotton) if I have no hope of finishing them. I have to go & do baths now before two of them start a war.

Well, Youngest Son insisted he was not sick, but he was. He was better by morning (see, no germ wants to live in him!) and went back to preschool today as the others were already sick, so they already have it. Oldest Son stayed home to rest, but is ready to go back tomorrow. Of course the Oldest Daughter is ok and the baby is seeming ok so far. Let the germ move on... On the sewing front, I assembled a knit shirt for the oldest daughter from a shirt I hated. It is together and I am basting the binding on the collar, using a tutorial mentioned by Christina of Assorted Notions, a twisted look. If you are interested, it is in her archives, last May or April, can't remember which. BTW, if you want to recycle a shirt for a daughter, that is usually easy enough with a basic tshirt or empire waisted tshirt, like S4568. I cut off the side seams on my shirt, cut the bodice f/b starting under the neckline, then the lower bodice pieces, preserving the RTW hem. For the short little s...

OK, we had 2 home yesterday that went to the doctor, previously mentioned. The oldest son came home early so as not wear himself out at school. The oldest daughter is still at school, she had a bladder infection and already had antibiotics 2x so she felt better. Now the younger son, the tank who never gets sick, has 102 degrees. Mike went to pick him up from preschool. He gets sick maybe once a year. He eats dirt, plays in dirt, sand, rocks, etc. He usually has the immunity of concrete. I guess too many sick kids around him here and at school so one nasty little bug finally made its way in and zapped him. On top of that the toilet overflowed so I am trying to clean that up. Luckily it was clean, but still not a fun thing to clean up, as if cleaning is fun! More later...

The oldest son got sick with the crud I had and was coughing and sputtering all day yesterday. He gets sick from me since I have to carry him so much to change, bathe, etc. (he's the one with CP). Carry him to the wheelchair, high chair, bed, bath, etc... For 27 lbs, but no real body support, he is so heavy! Anyway, I got the bright idea to take a Thomas the Tank Engine flannel remnant and use the Simplicity pants pattern to make him PJ pants. Easy peasy ones, that I embellished with bias binding casing for the waist in navy, and binding for the hem, but covering both right and wrong sides to be an edging. They fit perfectly and he was in 7th heaven. In fact, I am working on them at 7:30 last night, he refused to bathe until they were done. More than once, he would look over at me and say, "I'm waiting..." or tell the others "Leave Mommy alone so she can finish my pajama pants". Yeah, he's a barrel of monkeys all by himself. His brain damage d...

Well, I am NOT a football fan, so hopefully it means I can spend some time sewing. Mike, of course, would not miss a minute. The kids will probably be on the other TV. He went to church alone as my oldest still feels bad, I am home with the bunch. Right now, I am picking up around here since my Mom & Dad will probably stop by. It has been over 2 weeks, since she had her surgery in that time. Seems they took the cancerous area out of the colon and she is fine, needing to recheck in 3 months. I think she'll be by to see the little ones. On the sewing front, for '09, I have finished one PJ pants for the baby, 1 pair of school pants for one son, about finished one for the oldest, but I think they will be capris as there is nothing left to hem. She grew alot when I wasn't looking! I have some other items laid out to cut today, so maybe me & my machines will get to work together! I also received a response from Lory (The Diary of L) & Carolyn (Diary of a Sew...