Quiet book for Olivia

A few years ago I discovered quiet books. Cute handsewn books, mainly for toddlers. They are designed to improve fine motor skills and creativity for children.  I have made a several books for kids or grandkids of my friends and this is the latest. I think I love making these books more than I like sewing my own clothes. They really provide me an opportunity to get my creative juices flowing. 

Olivia's aunt really wanted a book for Olivia to play with while she was at church so I wanted to provide something that would be quiet and still allow Olivia room to explore and be imaginative. 

The letters are removable and allow Olivia to learn to spell her name. 

The basket strips all come open so she can practice her weaving skills.  The bumble bee can fly through the key rings. 

The sun is attached with a snap. And when the door to the Hen Hotel opens....

Peek-a-boo it's a soft hen sitting on her nest. 

The feathers are faux fur and the nest is twine. 

You can't see it, but this page is covered with netting. The idea is to push the buttons to match with the colors, green to the grass, blue to the cloud, and yellow towards the sun on the previous page. 

Garden time! All the veggies are removable, as is the top tomato. 

The cloud moves over the sun and....

Now we have rain! 

The lettuce is removable and all the fruit tree is interchangeable with apples and pears. The bunny comes off and is connected to a ribbon for the bucket of water on the well. So the well moves up and down to draw the water.  There is also a caterpillar that can be moved through the ribbon loops. 

The back of the book holds the soup pot for all of the veggies - Veggie soup time! Add a little salt and pepper, stir, and let it simmer! 

When it just doesn't turn out the way you want....

When I saw this darling pattern, I pictured a very glam selfie in lovely floral print.  The end result isn't so much a glam selfie, but it is still a lovely floral print.  

I cut version B.  The instructions were pretty easy to follow and it didn't take long to stich the pieces together.  However, once I tried on the dress I did not like the way the yoke looked on me.  I forgot to take a photo of the original pattern piece, but the point hit me right at my widest part of my stomach pooch and it was not flattering.  So I got rid of the point.  

And still wasn't happy.  I couldn't decide if it was this pattern in this print, or that the fabric was too thin.  I just knew I didn't like it.  

So I took out the yoke and recut the skirt.  And I voile! It looks about a million times better! 

I opted for a lapped zip instead of a invisible zipper.  I love the way lapped zippers look and I also need to practice the side laps.  You can see where it's not the straightest lap and also where I took some stitches out...shhh, don't tell.  

I added lavender bias tape on the hem, neck facing and sleeves, just to add a little more prettiness. 

Channeling my glam

After my Vogue 8333 never ending blazer, I needed a quick project to help bring the fabric stash down.

And in comes McCall's M7053.

This is my second, er, third time making this shirt.  It's quick, easy, versatile and such a timeless style.  I purchased this fabric last October when I was in NYC for work, it's a stretch rayon from Swan Fabrics.  Swan is one of my fabric shops, they have a great selection and every time I've gone in asking for something, if he doesn't have it, he offers a fabulous alternative. Swan is located at 244 W. 39th st.

This pattern calls for a single layer on the front tie, but my fabric is printed on one side and the underside isn't as attractive.  I doubled the layer to keep it pretty.  Total time to make this was about  2 hours, well maybe 3 - I do get distracted by sparkly things.

The colors in this top will go with several of my blazers, I wore it with Vogue 8333 to see Phantom Threads (have you seen that movie, the fashions...LOVED them!)

At last.....

...I have finally finished Vogue 8333!!! Overall I like this pattern, it fits really well.  Despite the hand stitching lasting what seemed like a lifetime, I enjoyed the process of tailoring. It's on my agenda for sure to make another, and another.  

My muslin fit perfect, and then when I cut the fashion fabric the pattern expanded and I swear it expanded more by the time I added the buttons. Yeah, I'm not sure what happened there. So it's too big, but I am not undoing the lining to take it in now. That will be a summer project, because I need a break from this bad boy.  

The case of the never ending handstitching.

I have completed the pad stitching, but not the hand stitching and I think I have tendinitis.  I've been loading up on the turmeric tea to help with any extra inflammation and claw hand all this hand stitching is causing.  

This past weekend, I took in the seams about 1/4" each, added the facing, stitched the seams to the underlining, added the back stay and finished the hem.  

I drafted the back stay from the pattern.  Measure 8" down from the center back, 3" down from the armhole and connect the dots.  

The directions said to blind stitch the hem, but I didn't see the point since I am adding a lining, so I attached the top and bottom with caste stitching.  

I'm determined to finish this bad boy while it's still cold! Let's say in the next two weeks...ok, well maybe 3, but shooting for 2. :) 

The pad stitching saga has come to an end...

 The pad-stiching has finally come to an end on Vogue 8333.  I would call it bittersweet, but my fingers have been pricked so much I think I have calluses now.  I seriously need to use a thimble next time.  I never understood what thimbles were for until I started pad-stitching.    

Today, I finished the under-collar and collar band. I think my pad-stitching has gotten a bit better - a bit.  Still miles to go in looking neat!  I drew guidelines this go round, and they really helped keeping my stitches somewhat straight and even.  

I decided to use a contrast lining for the under-collar.  I'm not a pop the collar kind of gal, so it doesn't bother me much that you can see the stitches on the bottom.   I pinned the under-collar on my tailor's ham and steamed it like crazy, then let it dry for a few hours.  

The under-collar has a nice roll on it.  I've just pinned it in this photo, I wanted to get the fit right on the body before attaching the collar.  

When I made the muslin, I worried that when I cut the fabric it would be too tight, quite the opposite has happened; it is now about 3 sizes too big.  

When I sewed the pleats and pockets in this fabric they did not give me the blues like the muslin.  Maybe I didn't have enough caffeine when I did the muslin because today, they took no time at all and I did it according to the pattern instead of winging it.   I don't think you can see them in the photo below, I'll get a better pic next time.  

Nicole and padstitching....

I haven't forgotten about Vogue 8333, I swear.  

Not too long after my last post, I was sent to NYC for three weeks for work (I know so horrible), the week before was a rush to prepare.  Then two days after my return, off to Paris I was for a week (again I know so horrible).  The weekend after Thanksgiving I busted out the jacket and finished the muslin, then ripped it apart to cut the fashion fabric - without posting pictures.  I don't think my patience and discipline works for taking these step by step pictures - or should I say lack of patience and discipline. 

So anyhoo....I didn't have enough fabric of what I wanted to use, so on to plan B.  I found some cotton herringbone fabric from Joann's and decided it would be good test fabric for my first attempt at a tailored blazer.  

Here we are all nice and cut out....what you can't see is the silk organza underlining.  Muslin on silk organza, cut. Silk organza on fashion fabric, cut.  Then baste underlining to fashion fabric.  Once the underlining was basted, I marked all of my darts and shapes with thread.  

Then.....

Came the canvas.  This photo shows the extra shoulder support I added to my front canvas.  This ensure the front won't droop once the shoulder pads are in.  I machine stitched the added support to the canvas - the yellow lines are about 1" apart and marked for guide.  Once machine stitched, I hand stitched the canvas to the front using catch stitch - you can see them in this photo.  

Then....

It's pad stitch time on the lapel.  As you can see, I need some serious work on my pad stitching.  First of all, about 90% of my stitches are even pad stitches.  Then by the time I got the kinda hang of it, my pad stitches aren't even.  I also taped the lapel using seam tape.  You can also use twill tape.  I have oodles of the seam tape that I need to get rid off, so I'm using it everywhere.  

So that's where I stand tonight.

I've been checking out tons of other sources on adding canvas to the lapels.  The instructions on the pattern are a bit confusing at times. There are added "couture" instructions which are great because it takes your skills up a notch, but there isn't always a photo and you're left wondering what in the world they are talking about.  

I am determined to finish this blazer while the weather is still cold.