Sown Brooklyn

January 20, 2012

Buttoned Up Gal Friday

Sew Weekly Challegne 2 :: Buttoned Up

The Facts

Fabric: Cotton/Lycra Blend Shirting :: about 2 yards @ $1.95 a yard (this fabric was not very wide)
100% Wool Suiting :: about a yard @ $6.49 a yard (this one was very wide)
Patterns: Simplicity 3117 (1959), $6 from Etsy
Simplicity 1688 (1956), Free(!!) from the Sew Weekly NYC Meet-up Pattern Swap!
Year: The 1950′s in Twenty12
Notions: Buttons, lace, velvet ribbon, hook and eye, interfacing
Time to complete: FOREVER!! It’s possible that the alternate universe me is STILL unpicking and restitching this damn skirt. I worked on it almost non stop for 2 days. The shirt was worked in pieces over 4 days.
First worn: To take these pics on 1.15.11
Wear again?: Hell yes! After it warms up and I stop hating the skirt for all the work it was ;p
Total Price: About $20 including notions and minus the 15% off I got on the fabric. That smug feeling of accomplishment is priceless!!

This skirt was a labor of…LABOR! A simple wrap skirt seems so easy, right? Had I been working with a more agreeable fabric, it would have been. I started this skirt on Friday thinking it would be done in a snap. I was heady with the success of my shirt, particularly the buttonholes, so I may not have been thinking clearly.

This baby has TWELVE darts!

Wtf was I thinking?!? I hate making darts! The waistband was a disaster the first time I applied it (per the instructions), the machine hem looked dreadful. Waistband off, hem unpicked. Waist band reattached, hem hand stitched.

Then the wool was too sticky to work with my buttonhole attachment. Of course I was nearly at the end of the line by then, so there was nothing for it but to work the buttonholes by hand (!!!!) which, thanks to the forgiving nature of this wool, turned out rather nice!

All of the work was SOOOO worth it, though!! One of my hopes for taking part in this challenge was to produce better quality sewing. I would have NEVER taken this much time to work out the small details if I was making this to post to my blog only. In fact, I am sure that this would have ended up in the UFO pile once I realized the buttonholes were a non starter.

I tried making this shirt before, but it was too big and the rayon I chose was not a great choice for my first try at making a proper shirt. This time, I folded out about an inch of width in the front and 3/4 of an inch in the back and chose a more stable fabric to work with. Result!

Those pleats should have been “soft” pleats, but I like the look of them stitched down. My machine could not handle the interfacing on the cuffs with the buttonhole attachment on, so I tacked them together. I hadn’t tackled the skirt’s hand stitched buttonholes yet, and doing so here didn’t occur to me. I may go back and add them. I think I would like wearing cufflinks. You can see more pics here.

Ta ta for now, peeps. I’m touching up the old lipstick before I throw on my cardi. I’m headed to happy hour with the other ladies in the typing pool! )

7 Comments

Filed under Sewing, The Sew Weekly, Vintage Pattern

Tagged as sewing, wool, the sew weekly, vintage, vintage pattern, 1950's patterns, simplicity, buttons, gal friday

January 27, 2012

Librarian Hat On

Friends, I have already broken my “no personal reading when assigned reading is to be done” rule. I don’t know why I bother trying to limit myself. I love books and reading too much to ever stick to it.

Instead of trying to catch up on sleep last night, I was reading. I found this on a trip to the library with the kiddies. My oldest son loves the Mouse and Mole series and the branch had the rest of the books available. I will have to buy these for him, as he is already dreading taking them back.

Anyway, we were waiting for someone to finish in the restroom, which is right by the YA section. I picked up The 39 Clues Book One: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan* who also wrote the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. This book was right near it. The title and unique cover drew me in. I’m so glad I checked it out.

A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A feisty orphan is taken in by a household of mysterious ladies in this intriguing, engaging novel.

Maud Flynn is known at the orphanage for her impertinence, so when the charming Miss Hyacinth and her sister choose Maud to take home with them, the girl is as baffled as anyone. As the mystery gradually unfolds, Maud’s intelligence and daring join forces with her compassion and conscience to help her find her way in this lively, atmospheric gothic tale.

Maud will win you over! Don’t read a more thorough description of the book as it will spoil the plot entirely! If you have a soft spot for YA books and orphans who are lovable despite being sarcastic and plain, just trust me and read this book.

* I really respect and admire Mr. Riordan for both his rapid output and the vast amount of research that must go into creating them. From reading his personal blog, he also seems like an incredibly kind person.

1 Comment

Filed under Books, reading

Tagged as librarian, books, reading, The Drowned Maiden's Hair, Mouse and Mole

January 26, 2012

Fallen off the wagon. HARD!

I really wanted to work with the stash for my future sewing projects. But it just couldn’t happen. Or, rather, I was too tempted by these fabrics to stick with the program.

Row 1
Stretch Rayon Blend Jersey Knit Stripe Grey :: Rayon Blend Suiting Navy :: Wool/Cashmere Blend Melton Suiting Midnight

Row 2
Wool Blend Suiting Darkest Navy :: Navy Stretch Cotton Sateen :: Stretch Rayon Blend Jersey Navy

Row 3
100% Crepe Wool Suting Teal :: Stretch Charmeuse Satin Navy :: I Heart Linen Blend Cute Bots Pink

Row 4
I Heart Linen Blend Cute Bots Blue :: Celebrate Seuss Allover Yellow :: Michael Miller Children at Play Balloon Aqua

Lots of blue!! I like a nice dark navy more than black. And I love suiting fabrics, wool and things with stretch. There is one fabric (a navy and green herringbone) that was missing from the box. I order from Fabric.com a LOT and this has never happened before. I contacted them today, they had more and have sent it off already.

Of course, I selected each item with a plan, let’s see if they meet their destiny. The Cute Bots Linen blend is for something springy for the kids and the Seuss fabric is for new pj bottoms. I haven’t made them any in a while. The first pairs I made are comically split down the legs and worn at the knees.

The balloon fabric is for me ;o) Check out this version of Colette patterns Macaroon and you’ll be ordering this for yourself, too.

The melton cash/wool blend will hopefully become a jacket (maybe two, it’s very wide). I ordered these two patterns from etsy that would look great in it.

The various suiting fabrics and the stretch sateen should work with any number of patterns I already own. There are a few I would really like to tackle (Macaroon, Advance 3372, Vogue 412, Simplicity 7796 ) and the rayon blends are always welcome in my sewing room. They are too thin for dresses, I believe. This is always a possibility when ordering online, but I will use them nonetheless. The teal crepe is a circle skirt in my minds eye and the satin’s a lovely full sleeved blouse.

For now, like all new fabric purchases, they are laid out and fawned over like newborn babes, lol. Speaking of babes, I have a sicky poo one, a headache and I didn’t get much sleep last night as he was up and down every hour or so. Fingers crossed for tonight people.

1 Comment

Filed under fabric shopping, pattern shopping, Sewing

Tagged as etsy shopping, fabric.com, new fabric, simplicity pattterns

January 25, 2012

Some Entertainment Enhancements

Hey. So, last night totally fucking sucked. I won’t go into too much detail, but I will say that

an olive oil pre-wash hair treatment
+
washing machine full of uniform shirts
+
clogged up kitchen sink
=
ONE DREADFUL EVENING

That’s what I get for trying to avoid my assigned reading….

By the time things were all worked out (with one more mishap, my blow-dryer comb does not fit the new dryer…..) it was too late to try to sleep, so I just stayed awake until it was time to get the kids up for school. I haven’t pulled an all-nighter since the twins were newborns. They will be 5(!!!!) on Monday.

I consoled myself by playing Words with Friends on my new iPhone! Guys, this is major news. I am of the opinion that one doesn’t need a new phone until the other one is broken. And that you should take the free one that’s being offered in that event. Mine was affordable with the contract renewal (I waited until I was upgrade eligible AND my phone was half broken) so I feel good about my decision to wait. One of my friends was so shocked that I didn’t get whatever bullshit phone AT&T was offering this was her comment of my Facebo*k page:
OMG you’re the reason for the snow. U have a new phone phone and threw off the universe.

LMAO!

Today was seen through a sleep deprived haze. I passed out on the couch at some point. I did manage to answer the door for the UPS man who was bringing me some goodies.

A case, so I don’t break the damn phone now that I’ve given in and bought it.

A case for my Nook (finally) so I can stop stuffing it in whatever empty knitting project bag I can find. It props up! So I can knit and read!

Something new to sew to. I LOVE this movie. Oh, Heath-y! We miss you!

A replacement for the one my sister lost. This is one of the few movies I can tolerate this woman in. Though, it was absolutely ludicrous to try to pass her off as Italian….

Another sister replacement….John Hannah’s voice/accent is one of my favorites.

Another replacement. I love this movie SO MUCH that I’ve worn out the first copy. The DVD simply lost the will to play, lol.

This one is a replacement, too. I consider it the benchmark for a winning romantic comedy. I have absolutely no idea where the first one got to. It could only be in the wrong case or something. How do you lose a DVD in your own house?? Weird.

I am off to iron clothes for tomorrow and read at least one chapter in my textbook. If I’m very lucky, I will fall asleep while reading it thus winning over my strange insomnia! Friend me on instagram and Words with Frinds! I’m NettieBK on both.

1 Comment

Filed under me ramblings

Tagged as 10 things I hate about you, bridget jones' diary, Four weddings and a funeral, movies, Sliding doors, the wedding planner

January 23, 2012

Pay no attention

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

to the woman behind the curtain. I’m trying this bloglovin business again.

Back to the Grind

Well, this break has been really very nice. But, it is over. School resumes tomorrow. I have been content to have no responsibility (outside of my family duties, obviosuly) other than to sew, knit and re-watch the same movies and TV shows.

Last term really kicked my ass. I do not look forward to returning to writing papers and commenting on discussion boards. As much as I am looking forward to working in a library in some capacity, I find the schoolwork as dreadfully boring as I was warned it would be.

I’ve also realized that the intense sewing from last week wore me out. Coupled with some real trouble sleeping and a lack of desire to copy any design that I actually had the fabric for and you have no Sew Weekly challenge sewing from me this week. Which is cool. There are many contributors, so I will not be missed.

Anyway. To cheer myself up I scanned all of my patterns and uploaded them to Flickr today. You know, I had been commenting around the sewing blog world that I didn’t really have that many patterns. WRONG! Lol what a joke. They are not all great, and many will certainly never be made, but I do own them. Click-y the pic for the slideshow.

I will be drowning my (first world) sorrows in the last pages of my last non-school book for a while, as my hubs watches endless Giants game highlights on ESPN ;o)

1 Comment

Filed under Sewing, pattern shopping, Grad School, Vintage Pattern

Tagged as library shool, graduate school, vintage pattern, sewing patterns

January 18, 2012

Censorship

is the suppression of speech or other public communication which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient to the general body of people as determined by a government, media outlet, or other controlling body.

Right…because they can be trusted to decide for the rest of us…

Yarning

I’ve had no real inclination to knit lately. Sewing has officially taken over in 2012. I did commit myself to a yarn related obligation, though. Every year my knitting group, which thanks to the hubby’s schedule I miss most of the time , has a gift exchange complete with a Karaoke party. The parties are always awesome! And I have gotten some great gifts that I get a lot of use out of.

I’m always so stumped about what to make. Last year I made this. This ball of yarn has already become something

(in two nights!! WooooHooooo) but I’m plagued with doubt about the recipient loving it. I think I have enough yarn left to make a coordinating project….

Shit! Writing this post has also reminded me (AGAIN) that I have not completed my Pay-it-Forward projects!! DOH! I suck. Must remedy that. And I have just the thing!! My sister went to this awesome place and brought me back TONS of fabric sample scraps. The perfect stuff for quick small projects. And the best thing to keep me awake until bedtime.

3 Comments

Filed under knitting, swaps

January 15, 2012

Garbage Picker!

I’ve finally done what I’ve been threatening to do for months. I’ve brought home garbage! Almost everyday I see something on the street that I think I should have a new home. I usually don’t take it because it’s too big to carry or my wish not to try the patience of my long-suffering husband, lol.

He had to endure several back-to-back phone calls last week as I decided whether or not to take the drawers from a dresser out in front of our building. He listened, even though he would rather not have someone’s “garbage” in the house.

But, I absolutely could not leave this!!

I was just thinking of posting to Freecycle to see if anyone had one of these to give away! This was out in front of a senior’s building I pass when I walk home after dropping off the kids at school. There is always great stuff out front.

I don’t see anything that indicates what brand this is. I do know that it is MASSIVE and HEAVY. And that the owner may be a southern lady as there was a Carolina Trailways tag attached to the handle. I wish it still had the date on it.

I love this thing! The inside is pretty clean, with only a few age spots.

I’ve already scrubbed it (and then the entire bathroom immediately following) and plan to make something out of it soon!

Here are some of the suitcase ideas I’ve gathered on Pinterest

Source: recyclart.org via Wanett on Pinterest

Source: crafterholic.blogspot.com via Wanett on Pinterest

Source: craftgawker.com via Wanett on Pinterest

4 Comments

Filed under Found Objects

Tagged as dumpster diver, Found, garbage picker, hard shell suitcase, home DIY ideas

January 12, 2012

Family Treasures

I went thrifting in my grandma’s cupboards!! Look at all the goodies I scored!

These are my mother’s parents. My grandma is about 5’4″ (maybe shorter) and my grandfather is about 6’2″.

My grandfather loved to tell people how tiny my grandma’s waist was when this picture was taken. None of her daughters were able to wear this dress at their wedding. I’m not sure if she still has it or not. When she showed him the other copy of this picture yesterday, I’m not sure he remembered it was him…

Part of the photo stuck to the frame when I removed it to scan it. I cleaned up the frame and glass today, but I need to research the best way to tackle it. I think it could look even better with the right cleansing method.

I ended up searching her place as a result of sitting around thinking about how to achieve some of the home decor looks I’ve been saving on Pinterest. I suddenly remembered that I had my grandma keep some things she was going to get rid of because I was certain that they were worth something. We had been watching a lot of The Antiques Roadshow, lol! She reluctantly kept them and then I forgot all about it until a few days ago. These are some of my favorites.

My great-grandmother worked as a housekeeper for many Jewish families in East New York/Brownsville, Brooklyn when she was young. Though my grandma can’t be sure where all of these pieces are from, she suspects many of them were given to her mother by families that she had worked for.

My grandma is a serious pack-rat, so her place is filled with items that belonged to her mom and other relatives that she hasn’t touched in…perhaps twenty years. She was also an accomplished seamstress who made all of her own and most of her children’s clothing when they were small. So there is a treasure trove of sewing patterns and vintage fabric somewhere in that apartment. I’m on a mission to find those goodies to use them and display them and make sure that my children have some for their own to look back and retell their stories when they’re my age.

You can see more treasures here!

4 Comments

Filed under Family, me ramblings, Thrifting

Tagged as antiques, family treasures, vintage