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

Thanksgiving Day, should be interesting at mom's house. I am thankful though, for my husband of 18 years, we have spent 23 holidays as a couple, even though some apart when he was in the service. He is always there for me, the kids, through thick and thin. I am also thankful for the kids, those here and in heaven, even though they can try the patience of a saint, and I am no saint! Also, thanks to you guys who read this blog and give encouragement and help!

I am making small items for our church's upcoming craft sale. So far, I am concentrating on little girl hair clips, children's apron/smocks, decorated onesies. It is December 6th, so I have a little time but not much. If I get that far, I may try twirly skirts and diaper covers to match the onesies. I must be crazy, I have Christmas dress fabric ready to go, other things in the works, but no, I decided to have a table and try to sell some things. I may list them in the etsy shop as well. Like I said, I am a bit crazy... Not really.

Completed NL top, hemmed and finished off. Serged the raw edges, steam a seam fused them then stitched on sewing machine. This top is a little shorter than I would have liked, but will be ok with dress slacks to wear out. Next time, I would lengthen it about an inch or two. I consider this on its way to a TNT.

OK, Yesterday I muslined the bodice of the Simplicity mentioned before, pretty nice fit. I still plan on the Sophia Rayon Double Knit. I also muslined in a cheap CHEAP Joann poly knit, NL 6901. I worked out most issues by doing a half-way FBA, adding to the sides and flattening the shoulder. Enough to feel comfortable making it in this Rayon Jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics I just got on Thursday, no stashing this one. It is a beautiful print, hand, drape. I also stayed the back neck and shoulders with fusible stay tape from Fabric.com. There are no instructions for finishing the facings off, I added bias tape to the front cowl facing and serged the back facing. I know knits should not ravel, but still... I hate when patterns ask you to gather and set-in a sleeve on knits. If you want an easier way, use Threads magazine's suggestion on doing it flat construction. I know many of you bloggers do that already but for the beginners, it works great. I tried it for the first time ...

I recently bought this at Hancocks on the 1.99 or whatever it was sale. I wasn't sure but have seen blogs mentioning it. Had a few minutes today to muslin the bodice. The princess seams were spot on the right spots, A standard 18 fit the bodice with the exception of a hollow area on the upper bust. I have a double knit picked out, double knit not being listed on the pattern, but it only has 20% stretch across the grain, I think it will add some ease for breathing, moving, etc. and not be too flexible. http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-knit-fabric-double-knit-fabric-sophia-double-knit-stretch-fabric-sophia-stretch-double-knit-wine.aspx Now that high neckline has to go, I will probably scoop it out a bit or add a soft v-neck. Having a tummy to also worry about, debating on the flared or slim skirt. What do ya'll think? Also, should double knit be acceptable?

it is huge. I used a 14, that has the best measurements for me, but I could have gone down 2 sizes, I think. I want to make it again trying that. As you can see, I bias tape finished the facings, topstitched them down and finished the seams. Even the added shoulder pads are covered. I love the finished product, but it is really big. I may see if I can find a loving home for it. At least it's not a wadder.

I did not get to town until Friday, I went to Walmart in the next town over on Thursday, no matching thread. I went to Hancocks on Friday, perfect color match, but I think the newer threads from C&C are thinner. Oh well, just for 2 inches of topstitching at the bottom of the jacket. Still need to finish, but I had no time over the weekend. We had to see a baby rabbit my parents found in the open field. It was a tiny furball! Sunday was chaos with the rain and the kids not being able to go outside. Today, I have utilized my energy with basic household cleaning, which was desperately needed. I may get to work on it now, since I am more caught up, but I never totally caught up! Now on to the dishes and another load of laundry, then to the jacket.

I have almost finished HP Geisha Girl Jacket, adding the elastic to the sleeves. After so many disappointments lately with fit, I went with something that is not really fitted, relaxed fit, actually. I picked a sportwear twill-like animal print I got last year at Hancocks that has a mild stretch. So far, so good, but ran out of thread so I only got to topstitch the front/neck facings. The bottom hem will be handstitched. I even finished the facings with bias tape. I have been sporadically working on it since I cut it out on Saturday, and was not home Sunday, so three days is pretty good progress for me. Halloween came off well. We had a puppy dog, Spiderman, a cowboy and SpongeBob, I made the puppy hat and decorated the shirt and made SpongeBob.