As a Quiet Little Seedling

As I sit here, I feel as if I am ready for 2010 to end, I find many moments to ponder. Oh, there are many happy times, but a few sad and painful too. I feel much like the seedling in Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem 'The Seedling' waiting for the new year.

AS a quiet little seedling
          Lay within its darksome bed,
To itself it fell a-talking,
      And this is what it said:

"I am not so very robust,
          But I'll do the best I can;"
And the seedling from that moment
          Its work of life began.

So it pushed a little leaflet
          Up into the light of day,
To examine the surroundings
          And show the rest the way.

The leaflet liked the prospect,
          So it called its brother, Stem;
Then two other leaflets heard it,
          And quickly followed them.

To be sure, the haste and hurry
          Made the seedling sweat and pant;
But almost before it knew it
          It found itself a plant.

The sunshine poured upon it,
          And the clouds they gave a shower;
And the little plant kept growing
          Till it found itself a flower.

Little folks, be like the seedling,
          Always do the best you can;
Every child must share life's labor
          Just as well as every man.

And the sun and showers will help you
          Through the lonesome, struggling hours,
Till you raise to light and beauty
          Virtue's fair, unfading flowers.

Jammies Sewalong Pattern

I am contemplating using the free pattern at Simplicity, it's part of their Sewing 101. I would be simple and quick to make for the pajama sewalong.

It's a simple pj pant, in Misses', Men's and Teens' sizes.

Basically x-small, small, medium, large and x-large.

How can you beat a pattern that is simple and has only 2 pattern pieces!

Not sure about sewing a top as of yet.

Now if I could only find the fabric before Thursday.

Jammies Sewalong

Ann of Gorgeous Things is hosting a pajama sew along on Thanksgiving weekend. Sounds like fun!!



Genie's Skirt

Here I go again, I have become captivated by Genie's Skirt at Anthropologie.ue. It is so cute, and in gray corduroy - my oh so favorite color this fall!!

Genie's Skirt

"Pilcro's cord fit-and-flare skirt rises like a dream from a flowing hemline into a contouring pencil frame."

Could you just see this looking pretty with a classic cardigan sweater set, lovely tights and retro heels?!!! Corduroy in a flirty ruffle-y feminine 8 gore fitted skirt!! And how did they get the corduroy to cooperate and create that flirty ruffle?

Why do I do this to myself? Find something there is no pattern exactly like it and feel as I have to make it. (feeling a little down about having to draft or alter a pattern - yet again)

Ok lets see - the Genie skirt is an 8 gore fitted pencil skirt with ruffle/flounce attached hem, 21 inches long, the front hem is slightly higher than the back hemline, traditional waistband, side zipper, back yoke and topstitching details.

The contenders are...

New Look 6433

View C

This pattern is in my stash, but I have never sewn it. I like the hemline, although it goes up in the back also that would need altered. The length is much longer than 21 inches (21" is a bit to short for me anyway) but it could be shortened to hit at the knee. I would need to create the 8 gores and remove the darts, add the yoke and then add a waist band.

Simplicity 3881

View A

I have sewn view 'A' a few times and it fits and flatters my figure. The skirt it's self is a slight A-line and the ruffle does not have the oomph the Genie does. The hemline would need altered lifting the front up a bit, create 8 gores removing the darts, add the yoke and waist band.

After work I may pull out my Burda mags and see if there are any close patterns. BUT if you know of one that might work please oh please let me know!!!

My Son's Vest'ed Interest 2

Sorry for the sad pictures and all the wrinkles but I had to grab a shot when I could and that happened to be after he had wore it all night long. (and he has the bottom button undone - this what I get after a late night and a "come on mom hurry up I am tired")

Here's a review on Simplicity 2870

Pattern Description: Project Runway Men's lined vest. Vest with front darts, 6 front buttons, various optional pockets and back tab or back buckle .
Pattern Sizing:
AA has sizes 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and BB has sizes 44, 46, 48, 50, 52. I made a size 44 for my son.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, it was exactly what he wanted.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Somewhat, I did not use the pocket instructions. Nothing that stood out as incorrect, but the welt pocket was just to fiddley - so I use a tutorial online at Burda Style One Piece Welt Pocket
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like the various options and styles that make this men's vest versatile.
Fabric Used:
Crepe backed satin from fabric.com and some fancy silver buttons and poly gray lining from JoAnn's.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
No real alterations other than the one piece welt pocket (which is awesome by the way!) I did line the satin with poly fusible interfacing - but would use woven fusible instead next time.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, but not sure when it all depends on if my son asks for another one.
Conclusion:
Great vest with many style options.