Question about Vogue 1422

Vogue 1422 I love the simple lines, especially for summer

There have been so many changes in our lives over the last year that I have been a bit neglectful about the blog. Now that school is out, I will have a little more time to blog. Oldest Son is getting married this summer, so I will have a dress or two or even three to share. I also need some basics. I've it has been almost a year and a half since I started the ready to wear fast and it keeps getting easier to not buy clothes.


I have a couple of projects in the works. And may do some brief posts on them. I also have some that I have finished, that may also get a brief post.

I am currently cutting out patterns for

Jeggings Joy--Ottobre Designs

The pink lines are the lines for my jeggings.
It looks scary at first, but once you start tracing,
it gets  easier to differentiate the colored lines.

I haven't had a lot of time to sew for myself since we started homeschooling. I'm surprised at how good it feels. I guess when I sew more frequently, I forget just how much I really do enjoy the hunt for the perfect pattern and fabric pairing, the prepping of the pattern and the fabric, and the actual cutting, and piecing and perfecting. It is something a sewist can appreciate. The non-sewist just stares at me like I've finally lost it.

For those who have never traced a pattern from a magazine like Burda or Ottobre, the first glimpse of the pattern is daunting. All the overlapping different colored lines is intimidating. The only way to approach it, is to

This is that awkward post.

You know that awkward communication when you haven't been in touch for a while? You know, the one where you have soooooo much to say, but don't know what to start with or how much to say. Well, this is that post.

It is amazing how quickly the last few months slipped away, but the sewing has been slow. Only a couple garments, some quick little projects for a friend, and a little knitting and crocheting for Christmas gifts.

Remarkably, I have been able to stay on the Ready-to-Wear Fast. I was actually willing to break it at Thanksgiving. I had taken my boys to find something presentable to wear with a houseful of relatives that we just don't see often enough. In fact, I actually looked and looked for something, anything new that I could wear for Thanksgiving. No luck. I couldn't find anything that I thought was worth

Women's Ottobre Autumn/Winter 2014

I've gained weight these last few months. This tends to stop my sewing. I have a couple of projects to blog about, but right now I want to look forward.

Since I will be homeschooling this year, I won't need a huge wardrobe. My clothes will need to be more on the comfortable playing around the house, going on outings, going to church and church activities and of course driving the homeschool bus.--I saw the bumper sticker somewhere and loved it. We just don't do bumper stickers.

I'm not sure if the oversize, long shirt is good for my short body, but the jeggings are on my my list
to be made. In fact, I have aleady bought the fabric. The look on the right is also on my list. I have  been
mentally going through my stash for the fabrics. I have the tights, but I will need to use different boots. 

I had been thinking about making a more comfortable knit based wardrobe for fall. Ottobre Design's Womens' issue

Perfect Pattern Parcel #4--All About Boys!!!!

Who can resist a boy in a vest?

I have started so many blog posts in the last few weeks, but I'm finishing about as many projects as posts. Life has been crazy busy and sometimes just a bit crazy.

Adult Daughter has moved back home after an illness. Unfortunately, when she moved out a few months earlier, we gave Youngest Son back his room. He also had a room makeover. He is still expecting some pillows for his reading corner. The fabric is cut, the stuffing is out, and the machine is still on the shelf. The poor child also requested a new quilt. I reminded him that that can take months or years. He's okay with that.

The finished birthday quilt for my daughter.
It is queen size. The bottom of the picture
shows the zebra print backing.
At the top, you can see Ollie.
He "owns" all quilts in the house.

So much has happened since my last post. Today, I will share the birthday quilt I made for my daughter.

I definitely didn't expect to be away from my blog for so long. I have been working on a quilt for my one and only daughter. It was a UFO (UnFinished Object) that haunted me for over two years. I wanted to finish it for her 24th birthday.

I was afraid I put it down and I didn't want to blog about this quilt, so I told myself that I would not blog until I finished. With all of the family drama wearing me down and the hot Sacramento weather (it is currently 108 degrees at 3:55 in the afternoon), it just took forever.

Repairing Shoes at Home

My favorite sandals before repairing.

Its a nice summer afternoon and you pull out you favorite sandals. You notice that they just don't feel quite right. You take them off and realize that the sole has decided to separate.

Now I know many people who would toss the offending shoe. I, however, am not made of money. I would also like to dispel the myth that our children have created about the money tree. It doesn't exist.

Now the trick I am about to show you can also be used on other shoes. In fact, I frequently use it on my sons' shoes. You know how the shoe is less than a month old and the sole is no longer attached and the kid insists that be needs new shoes? Yeah, I just fix them. I make my kids out grow their shoes.

I know. I'm a mean mom. Guess what. M.O.M. is Mean Old Mom.