Sadie Fox

I attempted to make myself a Twinkle Sews Magic Tunic. Wenlan Chia’s version in her book is beautiful.

I happened to have 4 yards of beautiful mustard colored crepe suiting in my stash. It has a wonderful feel and drape. I knew this pattern would be a challenge. What I didn’t know is that I would be completely lost throughout most of the construction of this garment. Before this project I considered myself an advanced beginner or maybe even an intermediate sewer. Now I am not so sure. I don’t blame the designer. Not at all. The instructions are probably well written for an experienced seamstress. However, I need to see step-by-step graphics. I also would prefer pre-printed patterns instead of DIY printing on 8.5″ by 11″ paper. My printer refused to print the entire image on each sheet. It was off by less than a centimeter. But in pattern printing that could make or break the final project once all sheets are taped together! Or, maybe all I needed was a little sewing fairy magic. So, here is a picture of the almost finished project on my new dress form.

The sleeve openings are not finished. I don’t plan to finish them and I don’t plan to wear it. It was a good learning experience and is headed to the scrap pile. Oh well. On to my next project…a Little House on the Prairie birthday dress circa 1971 for Mira.

There has been lots of Valentine’s and Birthday preparations going on around here. For the school Valentines Mira drew one card with a black crayon. I then photocopied it 25 times. She is now in the process of coloring and customizing each card before the big day.

Also, in keeping with the Valentine’s theme we made magical melted crayon hearts for Mira to give away as her birthday gift to her classmates this year. These are all made from broken crayons we had in the house! So it is a no cost gift!

I took inspiration from this incredible mama and turned one of Mira’s drawings of herself into a plushie doll for her to play with. Mira did all the stuffing and chose the fabrics. She also drew a picture of Willow and we are working on a doll for her too. It was so much fun!

Workout 6 in 200 Projects is to get out there and draw. Draw all the time. Draw everything. I have been working on my sketching and I think I have made BIG improvements thanks to Gordon who gave me a little fashion illustration lesson in PV over Christmas. Thank you Gordon!

I used the latest Anthropologie catalog and some vintage sewing pattern pictures as inspiration for my own spring time clothing wish list. The orange Schoolhouse Tunic I have already made. Next is the mustard Twinkle Magic Tunic. I am really looking forward to sewing more for me!

On to Workout 7 - adding secondary research to the mix.

I made myself a new tunic using this pattern:

by Meg of Sew Liberated.

I love tunics. As a nursing mother I feel that a tunic lets me almost wear a dress but with the comfort and modesty of a comfy top. Paired with jeans or leggings, this top is quickly going to become one of my favs.

I used fabric that I purchased on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There is an incredible fabric chain in Mexico called Parisina. The one in PV is massive. There were three stories of fabric. I chose this one based on the color and the dots of course. It is a synthetic poly blend that feels like silk.

My next project is another beautiful tunic/dress from Twinkle Sews. It is the White Magic pattern. I am making mine out of a mustard crepe silk.

Remember this?

Here is the new one being worked on and made up right next to the other. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to get both girls sleeping all night in their room together. Wish me luck!

Mira has a very special friend at school named Koa. She loves him. For his birthday we made him a Super Koa cape.

Have I ever told you about one of my favorite sites called True Up? It is a blog all about FABRIC. One of my favorite things in the whole world. Here is my list of favorite fabrics of 2009. Thank you True Up for a great year of fabric posts!

My favorite digitally printed fabric would have to be this one (Jazzy Jasmine Dolly) I found on Spoonflower. It is a cut-n-sew that turns into a little doll. Sweet!

My favorite trend I have seen has got to be the 30’s reproduction prints that keep popping up.
Auntie Grace Authentics for Marcus Fabrics

My favorite overall designer is always Amy Butler. Her designs just attract me. The colors, the print, the overall feeling make her fabric the first ones I grab when out shopping. It is modern and vintage all at the same time. I always love whatever I create out of her fabric.
Amy Butler Designs - Love

My favorite new designer would be Betz White. Okay, I am not 100% sure she is “new” to fabric design, but her fabrics are rich, luxurious and environmentally friendly. I love the colors and her fabrics are new to me.
Betz White Indian Summer Organic Cotton

Favorite Floral Print
Anna Maria Horner’s Folksy Flannel for Free Spirit Fabrics.

Favorite Geometric Print
Duracord Spring Watermark. Beautiful.

Favorite Print from Japan is this Nani Iro fabric. I used it to make some very luxurious lounge pants for myself. Pockets and all. I love this double gauze. Great stuff.
Nani Iro Fuwari Fuwari

Favorite Organic Print
Repeat Jars

Favorite Holiday Fabric
Amy Barickman: Chloe’s Christmas for Red Rooster Fabrics

Favorite Reproduction Print
Snippets by American Jane for Moda

Favorite Fabric Shop
Fancy Tiger. Period.

I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store. I need to start using up the fabric I already have in order to make room for more!

For Christmas this year I made the girls a puppet theater using Amy Karol’s pattern from Bend the Rules Sewing.

It is a HUGE hit. Thanks to gifts of puppets from both Grandma and Nana we have countless characters for daily shows. So Much Fun!

Preparations are under way at the Metter house. Tree is up and decorated. Stockings hung by the fireplace. Homemade holiday gifts are flying out from under my sewing machine needle daily along with all the other treats and crafts that the girls are helping me with. I should be watching what I eat since I will be wearing a bathing suit in a few weeks, but baking has been on my mind along with the 10 degree weather.

For the second year we have attended my daughter’s holiday festival at her school. This is the second fairy house that she has made. This is by far her favorite activity offered during this magical day.

I got an early Christmas present this year. Meet my new dress form. She needs a name. Any ideas? I am so excited to move forward with my DIY Fashion Design. I guess after the holiday gift making I will have more time to focus on my self imposed studies.

Here is a little peek at a piece of vintage linen that is making it’s way into one of my daughter’s gifts this year. More pics of all the homemade gifts coming soon.

I have been following Sew I Do for some time now. She makes the most beautiful things and is so generous to share tutorials and her creative ideas. She is having a wonderful giveaway. Check it out.