Paris & Polka Dots!!!!

Peppermint Swirl Dress "Under Construction" !!!!

     I finally got my hands on the "Peppermint Swirl" Dress/Skirt from Candy Castle Patterns.  I have been dying to make this dress and/or skirt for my granddaughter.  I also purchased the Ladies Version of the pattern and will try my hand at making one for myself in African Ankara print fabrics. 

     It's actually quite fun sewing all the flounces together. This could be a fun "mommy & me" project. 
     The layout and cutting of the flounces is what takes the longest. I had to use a counter to keep track of the number of flounces I had cut.  

     I will post the completed project soon. I can't wait to see her twirl in it!

In the meantime, keep swirlin & twirlin! 

Part 1: 1st 4 flounces sewn together 

Part 2: 6 flounces sewn together

                Part 3: 10 Flounces sewn together.  

4 More Flounces to Go!!!!

Part 4: All 14 Flounces sewn together!!

What's left to do:
**Construct the bodice and lining
***Attach the bodice to the Skirt
****Skirt using bias tape

#SwirlOnandTwirlOn

Part 5: Finished Skirt

Part 6: Bias Tape for skirt hem

The skirt called for 10 yards of bias tape so I made my own! 

The Simplicity Bias Tape Maker sure comes in handy!!!

My New Bernina 1008 Mechanical Sewing Machine

Bernina 1008 Mechanical Machine

I absolutely loooove this machine! I'm so in heaven when I sit down to sew on this machine. It sews smooth through the thickest fabric like denim.  I made a denim tote bag on this machine see post here: Denim Tote Bag. 

It also sews the most beautiful gathers with the gathering/shirring foot. 

The presser feet are quite expensive but I found a set of 10 on eBay for $100.00!  That is cheap considering they can cost $25 to $35 or more per foot! I also bought the extension table to go with.  I haven't used my other machines since I got this one last month.  I feel bad lol!! 

The Bernina 1008 is a great machine for beginners as well as advanced sewers.

Now to add the Bernina Artista 200E or the 630E to my collection.  I would also like to grab a Bernina 1130 or 1230!!!

More information on this machine here: BERNINA 1008 

The Sewing Blab with That Black Chic aka Michelle Morris

This image is property of "That Black Chic"

Here is the link:

That Black Chic on the Sewing Blab

Not sure what the "Sewing Blab" is but I am going to check it out tonight @ 7:30 PM EST 4:30 PM my time (Seattle, WA). It sounds like a whole lotta fun for the sewers!

  Stay tuned.......

What to Do with Old Denim-Up-Cycled Denim Tote Bag

Denim Tote Bag!!!!

Front-Wham!!!!

7-For-All-Mankind Jeans Pocket

 Back-Kapow!!!!!

Inside-Bam!!!!!

Machine:

Bernina 1008 with #8 (OS) Jeans Presser Foot

My Bernina 1008 is a mechanical machine and sewed through the thickness of the fabric and cording/belting easily-smooth like butta baby!!!

Link to Machine Review Below:

Bernina 1008 Review

Materials:

Up-Cycled Denim Squares (8X8)

Comic Book Cotton fabric for Lining

White Cotton Cording/Belting for Handles

Gutermann Gold Top Stitch Thread (Upper) and Denim Thread (Bobbin)

Mimi G. #SewItAcademy

Mimi G's Sew It Academy Featured Statement by Me.........

Picture is property of Mimi G. Style

Mimi G has a new and wonderful online sewing academy!  It's a fun place for sewists of all levels to hang out and learn.  She featured my statement on her June 2016 Academy relaunch page!!!  Just read my statement above......... Link to the academy is below......  If you get the chance join the fun!!! 

Mimi G #SewItAcademy Relaunch June 2016

There is a wait-list so hurry up!

New Mimi G. for Simplicity Pre-Fall 2016

GOTTA GET THESE!!!!!!!!

Mimi G Tutorial-Wide Leg Pants

Mimi G Tutorial-Moto Jacket

More tutorials on YouTube.

Celebrate National Sewing Machine Day!!! June 13th, 2016

It's national sewing machine day!!!!........June 13th, 2016.  What are you working on today!? I'm working on another quilt for my baby cousin who will be arriving to the world in approximately 48 hours. 

Will post pictures when finished........

History & Timeline of the sewing machine:

Click this link for interactive timeline:

History of the Sewing Machine

Quick Baby Shower Gift-Baby Quilt & Tulle Tutu Skirt

Hues of Pink......

Completed Quilt Top

Completed Quilt & Tulle Tutu Skirt

Machines Used:

Spiegel 60609 to sew everything together

Vintage 1940s Singer 15-91 (Created gathers in Tulle)

Materials Used:

Pink Polka Sm & Lg Dots-Cotton Fabric

Pre-cut Jelly Roll Pack-Lt Flannel

Backing Fabric- Hot Pink Fleece

Pre-cut Rolls of Pink & White Tulle

2" Wide Polka Dot Ribbon

Vintage Shopping Tips and Vintage Pattern Links

Clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as "antique" clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 20 years before the present day is considered vintage. Retro, short for retrospective, or "vintage style" usually refers to clothing that imitates the style of a previous era. Reproduction, or repro- clothing is a newly made copy of an older garment. Clothing produced more recently is usually are called modern or contemporary fashion. Opinions vary on these definitions.

Most vintage clothing has been previously worn, but a small percentage of pieces have not. These are often old warehouse stock, and more valuable than those that have been worn, especially if they have their original tags. Referred to as dead-stock or new-old-stock (NOS), they nevertheless sometimes have flaws. 

Vintage clothing may be either commercially produced or handmade by individuals.

In the United States, due to changes in clothing sizes, vintage sizes often are smaller than the corresponding contemporary size. For example, a garment from the 1970s labeled as Medium (M) might be similar in size to a 2010s Extra Small (XS). As obesity was relatively uncommon prior to the 1980s, larger sizes were/are typically rare. Vintage sewing patterns offer an option for those who want a historically accurate garment but cannot find one in their size.

I have been having the best-of-luck finding vintage sewing patterns while out thrifting. Sometimes I buy the patterns just for the cover/line art. I also find vintage fabrics as well.I am attempting to learn how to grade patterns up and/or down. There are a few links I found regarding vintage patterns, vintage shopping etc.... 

I enjoy viewing Gertie's Blog to see what she is up to. Gertie is an avid sewer, designer and guru of vintage style and sewing. You can get her books here: Gertie's Books on Amazon

Vintage Shopping Tips

• How to Buy Vintage Clothing
• 5 Tips for Successful Thrift Store Shopping
• The Fashion Era

Purchase Vintage Patterns Here:

• The Blue Gardenia
• Patterns From the Past
• So Vintage Patterns

And of course eBay and Etsy!!!