Blogging, Crocheting & Sewing

Happy Sunday All,

While sipping a cup of Java and browsing blogs this morning, I found a few posts that really inspired me and thought I'd share them here. 

Sue @ Quilt Sew, Sew Sue, made a lovely top that has such great sleeve detail and used an Ottobre pattern.  I immediately added it to my must have list and then realized Ottobre patterns are like Burda patterns and everything is in metric... umm yeah... that means calculator big time.  Also, means I need to get over the tracing issue.  I really like her top and have viewed several tops with ruffles along the center front of tops.  Even purchased one only to realize it worked against me, and new I wouldn't be sewing one.  However, I want ruffles and Sue's top would fit the bill.

Toya @ Life Happens Be Positive, made a beautiful floral dress using McCalls 6282, must get that pattern. I love everything about that dress, the drape neckline, the use of knit, the floral print, did I say I love that dress.  Also, she posted about Simplicity 2404, which I purchased during Joann's last sale and intially thought of going against the fabric selection and sewing it in a double knit.  However, after seeing Toya's fabric choice for that dress, I dug into my stash and found this embroidered piece... what do you think?

Carolyn @ Diary of A Sewng Fanatic, posted about a stunning inspiration dress.. I am totally gaga over it and looking forward to her version and also wondering how I could incorporate the details of that dress into the B5147 dress pattern.


On the Crochet Front:  I am still crocheting feverishly and working on another simple sweater.  I'm liking the idea of grabbing a pullover sweater and pairing it with pants or skirt, when I 'm not in a suit or dress mood.

(The marking lines is the belt placement and still need to do the sleeves)

I tried the sweater on with the belt, but not sure about it.  What do you think, omit the belt or change the hardware?

Hoping to finish the sweater this weekend to pair with brown pants and these shoes that I purchased @ 9West...

Speaking of shoes.. caught a great sale at 9West on 3 shoes & boots... total $108... couldn't resisit:

The boots would look great with a dress or skirt to show of the buckled strap.  I noticed I have really been on a buckle kick lately.

I think I met my black shoe quota for the year....lol. Need to focus on other colors now.

Oohhh where was I.. oh yeah crocheting.... I stopped at Joann's yesterday looking for yarn to make this garment for warmer weather. I could use a few short-sleeves and tanks in this version in light-weight yarn and found this beautiful color, sapphire blue in Bamboo-silk.  It was a little pricey for me, but with my coupons I ended up spending much less than the original cost and couldn't resist the color. 

On the Sewing Front:

I made another pair of Simplicity 2700 a few weeks ago, using polyester that I'd purchased from Fabric.com about a year ago and had cut since August.  Finally got around to making them and fully lined them since the fabric is so drapey.

 The pants will be paired with my favorite jacket pattern that I made last year, Butterick 5147 which has been cut since August too.  A week or so ago I managed to cut a back stay for the jacket and remarked the pattern & lining pieces.  I ended up buying the pattern again during one of Joann's $.99 sales, because the dress pattern piece is so tattered from repeated use.

Lastest fabric purchase:  Scored some matte jersey and 2 yards of this Mohair knit at Joann's and must sew this fabric before it warms up.... I am thinking a dress, it feels so soft and loving the stretch factor.  Just need to pair it with the perfect dress pattern... any ideas.

 Sheesh I was long winded on this post....Off to do some more crocheting until then.. Enjoy!