Liebster Blog Award! I was nominated!!

Have you ever had one of those exhausting and satisfying weeks that you has you on top of the world?

Then, you open your email to find that you are being recognized for something that you love to do?

Then you know how honored I am to have been nominated by Vicki at Yellow Submarine Time. 


While I may have been left

Mystery Project Revealed

My inspiration.

I teased this the other day and really feel bad that I didn't respond to the comments. I am horrible with secrets and wanted to share this because it is another one of those things that I can't believe I created.

There are actually two "banners" that are mirror images of each other. I am calling them banners because there is only a top--no batting or back. The borders are a mess. I didn't do them the same and considered them temporary. One has mitered corners that are only pinned.

The purpose of these banners was part of the decor for a

New Domain Name & I Won A Drawing!

A few weeks ago, I bought my domain name: MrsToadSews.com. My lack of tech competence kept me from having it work for the last few weeks. Luckily, the customer service at 1and1.com called me and set me up with their tech department and got everything working!

Like I tell my kids: I like nice people.

I am still with blogger and don't have any plans to change at this point. So, MrsToadSews.blogspot.com still works, but it will redirect you to MrsToadSews.com. If you subscribe, I am attempting to do all of the address changes. 

Now for more exciting news!

Mystery Project

Any ideas on what I made?

I am horrible at secrets. It isn't that I can't keep them. It's that I don't like to have secrets.

I feel weird having a secret that has been taking up so much of my sewing time this week.

That and I'm done and I can't post my newest finished project.

So I am giving a hint.

Saturday, I will post the finished project and the process.

Getting the Safari Jacket Back on Track--Vogue 8732

Vogue 8732--Remember This?

Why do we put a project aside and let them become the dreaded UFO--UnFinished Object? I've been thinking about it because I have a few of these. I really want to finish my Safari jacket and am afraid if I don't get to it soon, it will fall into the permanent UFO pile.

I've been working on a few unplanned projects this month and have finished the most urgent. So when I finished putting the binding on a project that I will reveal this weekend, I grabbed my box with the jacket, pattern instructions and supplies.

Now, I don't know about you, but when I try to pick up a UFO, I have a really hard time

Vogue Summer 2014

Vogue Summer 2014 New Patterns

My Grandma Sam, who was my main sewing teacher and cheerleader, was a McCall's loyalist. Occasionally, she would have a Vogue pattern. When I was first learning to read, I called it a "vague pattern." Grandma Sam and my mom laughed and said, "It's Vogue, but Vogue is vague," and they continued laughing.

Vague Vogue is one of my favorites of the Big 4 (if we count Kwik Sew, New Look and Burda it would be Big 7). The vagueness is not as much of an issue as it once was for me. I like the styles, and with the internet, I can turn to one of many fantastic sewists who have most likely tackled these issues.

Isn't the internet awesome? You can learn to do practically anything as long as you have internet access!

7 blankets sewn for The Red Island Project.

7 blankets for the Madagascar newborns

About a week ago I told you about The Red Island Project, in this post. So far, I have sewn  blankets for the newborns that they will be helping bring into the world in Madagascar. I have more fabric, but this is what I could do with the thread that I have. I will be getting more serger thread tomorrow.

I have a couple patterns and plan to make clothes for the newborns that The Red Island Project will give to the new moms.

I encourage you to visit The Red Island Project.

If you are interested in supporting their mission, there is information on their site.

If you are interested in making blankets, clothes, or hats for the newborns. Please email me and we can figure it out.

Continuing the Sloper--Vogue 1004 & First Fitting

Vogue 1004--Front & Back Bodice with markings.
The red wax tracings are difficult to see on the pink & white
gingham in the photo, but are visible in person.

I left off in the middle of cutting out the sloper. Before cutting, there were measuring and calculating to determine the necessary adjustments to the various lengths and the waist and hip circumferences.

Because I want the grain and cross grains of the fabric to be be evident, I am using gingham. To avoid distorting and shifting the grain, I cut each piece individually. It is important to flip the pattern piece for one of the two pieces or two right or two left could be cut.

Vogue 1004--Front Bodice
Make all relevant information--bust point, amount added or subtracted
at the adjustment lines and seam lines--basically EVERYTHING.
I also recorded right and left, date and for whom,

I marked each pattern piece using wax tracing paper. I marked the grainline, the seam limes, the length adjustment lines, dartlines, and all relevant information--including the pattern number, size, date and that it is for me. I may need this if I make another or if I need to compare.

I used the wax markings to make thread tracings of the stitching lines in a contrasting color. I used navy, because I had an old cheap navy thread that I don't want to use to sew, but just cannot throw away without a little guilt. I think I bought it in the 1990's at a drug store. It has a printed price of 59¢.

I was tracing the darts, but I wasn't sure and stopped part way. So some of my darts are marked and some are not. The nice thing about thread tracing the lines is that it is easier to line up to baste or sew because you can feel where the seam line is. It is also visible from each side.

Having the seam lines thread traced made it easier to find the seam lines since the seam allowances are different on the front and back. The front is left unstitched and has a 5/8 inch allowance, which seems narrow after having 1 inch allowances.

The darts are sewn first. With the bodice, sleeves and skirt; there are 18 darts. Nothing like a little practice sewing darts! Normally, I wouldn't iron my stitching when making a muslin, but I did. I ironed them because the direction told me to and I am doing my best to follow directions on this. The darts are ironed down or toward the center. The bodice is sewn together at the shoulders, side seams and then the back. The skirt is side seams and back. Then the skirt and the bodice are sewing together matching seams. The sleeves don't go on before the first fitting.

Getting into this was easy. Pinning shut, was not. Remember, there is minimal ease and without extra ease, it was awkward to pin myself in. I will not be able to make fitting adjustments without help, so this is as far as I am today. This is actually the middle of page 6 of 12. There is a lot more to go!

If you have any fitting suggestions, please share.

Front
A lot of loose fabric above the
bust line.
Neckline is too big.
The bust line is a little low.
Loose fabric under the bust.
The waist is a little snug, but horizontal
The hip line is horizontal and
in the right spot.
The photo has pulling under the skirt
waist darts, but I didn't notice anything.
Hem is even

Back
Loose fabric above bust line.
Lovely bra band lines.
Waist is snug, but even.
Lovely swayback lines between waist and hip.
Hem is even.

Right
Above the bust needs some removal of fabric
loose fabric under bust is apparent
Definite sway back adjustment needed
A little tummy stress (where are my spanx!)
The skirt side seam is vertical and straight.
Hem is straight.

Right with arms raised
Not much different, but the bodice seam is
a little wavy.
The extra fabric under the bust is more apparent.

I just had to dance!
I had enough self-critiquing
for the day.

I am going to spend some time observing the photos and enlisting help on my fitting issues
 I am open to any constructive fitting advise.

Starting Vogue 1004 Bodice & Skirt Sloper

Vogue 1004-Sloper/Fitting Shell

Anyone who has been sewing clothing for any length of time has had fitting issues. It might be the making the wrong size pattern or needing to adjust length and not knowing where to start.

I have had Vogue 1004, the bodice & skirt sloper, for years. I have wanted to make it, but have always had something more fun or more important. Well, Vanessa at Sew Filled to the Brim, is making doing the same sloper for herself and has encouraged me to do it. (I think she was chanting "Do It! Do It!") Since I am so easily influenced, I'm already working on it.

The sloper has 12 pages of instructions and uses 5 pattern pieces. The sewing should be easy, but the point is to use it to fit and adjust patterns.

Vogue 1004--The 3 bodice pattern pieces

The whole process starts with taking accurate measurements. Some are difficult/impossible to do alone. I managed most, and had Mr. Toad help with a couple of the harder ones. Then transferring these to a chart to make adjustments to the standard size measurements. Using some 4th-5th grade math, you subtract to find the difference between the standard pattern size and your own.

Using the differences in the chart, the length changes are made on the pattern. You know those adjustment lie on the upper bodice, lower bodice, upper back, lower back, upper sleeve, lower sleeve and between the waist and hip? Yep, those are where you will make length adjustments by folding or cutting and adding additional paper. If any of the lengths cross darts or seam lines, these will need to be redrawn.

Adding 1/2 inch to the length of the bodice. I used the
grainline to keep the bodice straight.

After getting these length adjustments, we only adjust the waist and hip for the circumference differences. With these, divide the differences by 4 and use these to adjust in or out on the pattern. You will need to redraw new lines based on the new numbers. On the skirt, you will need to use a hip curve to adjust the line between the hip and the waist. If you changed the waist, you will need to redraw the line from the hip to the hem. It is best to use a hip curve.

Since I had to add to my waist and subtract from my hips, I actually ended up with more of a straight line. I am going to make a creative/executive decision and will be adding 1 inch to the waist by removing 1/8 inch from each side of 4 waist darts and not adding 1/4 to each of the side seams. I may regret it, but that is what I'm doing.

Getting ready to cut the length adjusted sleeve.
I was tempted to use this gingham for a blouse!

I am now at the cutting out part. I am using gingham because the checks will let me know if my design lines are horizontal or vertical. Because I really want my fabric to be on grain, I am cutting one piece at a time instead of the usual double. I am being careful to true my grain and make sure that the grainlines and the horizontal lines, bust, waist, hip, sleeve cap, etc. Remember to have one face down and one face up when doing this. After cutting, I will be marking ALL lines with tracing paper. I will then trace on the sewing machine with thread on all of the sewing lines before assembling with basting stitches.

Since I'm done for the day, I will be resting to get going and hopefully finish tomorrow.

Miss Bossy Patterns Made Me Do It--Simplicity 1696 Amazing Fit Pants

Simplicity 1696-Amazing Fit Pants
These may be my new favorite pants!

Well, I went through my pattern stash and picked out 4 patterns for you to pick one for me to sew for the month of March. This was the Miss Bossy Patterns Challenge from The Monthly Stitch. I had my favorite and the one that I dreaded. Mr. Toad liked the one I liked the least. The one I liked, came in first by two votes. The one he liked came in second. Hmmm. Maybe he really does know where my blog is....

Simplicity 1696 is one of the Amazing fit patterns. It provides specific direction on how to customize the fit to your body. Isn't that the whole reason that we sew? I was looking forward to it, but also anxious because I have been having trouble fitting because losing weight messes with how I see myself and how my clothes have been fitting.

These are the best welt pockets I have ever made. They are
actually faux pockets, but I like them. I never use my
 back pockets anyway.

I've had this navy blue linen in my stash. There was more than enough for a pair pants and maybe a dress. So, I kept stalling on getting started. I read the directions several times. I had trouble deciding which size to cut. I used to be a 16. Then a 14. I was having trouble deciding if I am really a 12. Since the side seams are 1 inch, I decided that should work. Normally, I cut the waist a size or two larger, but it seemed like this would be safe.

My pocket got stuck in my
waistband seam. I had to rip out the
section of stitching, smooth the
pocket down and restitch. 

There are three versions of the front and back of the pants--slim, average, and curvy. The crotch curve measurement is used to determine which of these three you will use. I am average. I started to think I was wasting time on a special pattern.

I didn't make a muslin because the adjustments were to be done at the very end. I also overlooked where it suggested to make one.

I decided to follow the directions. I usually glance at them and do my own thing until I get stuck. This was an exercise itself. The directions were pretty good until I got to the zipper fly. I was stumped and took more than one break after trying to figure them out and coming back again. I finally went sentence by sentence. It went together, but not enough of an overlap for my taste. I ripped it out and created a larger overlap. Oh, and I did it my way.

This is the fitting. The
belt carriers are hanging
and front is pinned.

The fly opens on the left. Most of my pants, especially jeans, open on the right. If you want a right opening fly, make sure to check this before cutting out your fabric and starting the fly. I have made notes for myself.

In addition to the fly directions, another issue I had was the order of assembly. The directions say to sew part of the front crotch together, then sew the front pockets. Personally, I think this puts a lot of stress unnecessarily. I have put notes on my pattern to change the order.

The back pocket welt was making me anxious. I always get nervous, but I was going to take it one step at a time. Well, this was seriously easy. Fold the welt in half, baste, sew onto back, then slip stitch or top stitch. I slip stitched. It is the best pocket welt I have ever made. No gaping. No sagging. No real pocket.

This is the fitting. I've
been wearing saggy
pants so long, I thought
these were okay.

One thing that I really like is that the curved waistband is in four sections and attached to each section of the pants before assembling the fronts and backs. This made fitting more accurate, in my opinion.

While most of the seams are the regular 5/8", the side seams are 1". The back inseam goes from 5/8" and increases to 1" as it goes up. This leaves the edges off, but I just lined up the 5/8" to the pressure foot.

Once the fronts and backs were all assembled, I tried them on. Well, I was AMAZED. They fit pretty well. I thought I would just need to finish the waistband and hem them. I set them aside for a while.

A little color on the inside!
About time, I found a use for those fancy
built in stitches.

I decided to try them on again. I realized that I've been wearing clothes that don't fit for quite a while, so I decided to adjust. Well, I ended up taking in more than a quarter inch on the inseams, crotch and the outseams. I probably could have gone down to a 10!

Are those fitting wrinkles or standing funny wrinkles?

Now, I decided to have some fun. The I used red from my stash for the pockets and now decided to make some bias tape to finish the facing for the waistband. After attaching the facing, I decided to understitch with one of the gazillion fancy stitches that are on my very expensive machine. So, I used some red thread and had some fun!


I finished up with a button and button hole. I let Youngest Son choose a button, made a buttonhole and used the machine to sew on a button. I finally added a 1 1/2" blind hem after cutting off 1 1/2".

I really like the way these pants feel. I like linen. They feel light and summery. Today was light and summery. Mr. Toad doesn't like the wrinkles. I have tried to explain that they are elegant wrinkles. It's linen. I guess I won't be making anything in linen for him.

Some things to remember about this pattern:

• Attach the fronts after assembling the front pockets.
• The zipper fly opens to the left. 
• The zipper fly does not leave much opening if made using the instructions, at least the way I followed them.
• The really cool pocket welts are faux. 
• It is easy to fit after assembling. The side seams, the inseam and the crotch seam are basted with 1 inch seam allowances to for easy fitting.

Save Up to 50% on All Craftsy Classes! 

Don't miss out on Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale! Get ALL online classes at up to 50% off for a limited time only. You won't see hundreds of classes with prices this low again soon. Hurry, offer expires March 17 at midnight MT.

Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale

 **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Using your Sewing for Good-The Red Island Project Needs Help

The Red Island Project

In looking for an organization to give receiving blankets that I was planning to make and give, a friend of mine referred me to The Red Island Project.

The Red Island Project works with women in Madagascar to provide a safe and educational environment in pregnancy, birth, and beyond. One of the most tangible ways their help can be seen is that they present each woman with a layette for her newborn. This consists of an outfit, a receiving blanket and a hat.

I know you are wondering how can you help. 

Can you make one, two, or more sets or even partial sets for The Red Island Project to present to the women when they take their babies home?

The outfits are dress, pants and pajamas. 

Please let me know what you can help with and I will contact you on how to get the items to The Red Island Project.

Getting Started on Miss Bossy Patterns-- Simplicity 1696 Amazing Fit Pants

I started the Amazing Fit pants as assigned by Miss Bossy Patterns. (Did you hear that in the US, we are supposed to stop using the word "bossy?") I am using a navy linen.

While I only have it cut out, I can give some information that makes this pattern different. I actually have marked, interfaced the four waist band pieces and fly, and over-locked the edges of the seams on the front and back pieces. I also stay stitched under the zipper and the front edge at the waist. Unfortunately, I didn't read the instructions well and made one small mistake.

I was going to make a muslin, but the fitting instructions led me to believe that it isn't necessary, then I re-read them again and found that it is suggested. Well, I have extra fabric, so I'm not going to make a muslin.

The first is that there are three versions of the front and back: slim, average and curvy. I was disappointed to be average in this. I have no idea why, but average seems like a waste of a "special" pattern.

The second that I noticed was that some of the seams are one inch, but not all. I noticed this after stay stitching the front under the zipper. I was a very tiny smidgen over 5/8 inch with the stay stitch, thinking that I didn't want to go the full 1 inch. Luckily, I can leave the stitching (I already clipped to the stitching). The seam will still be less than 3/4 inch, so I'm not losing much.

Finally, the fitting adjustments seem to be after the majority of the construction is done. I have vowed to follow the directions in this project because there are some requests for details.

I am going a little slower this week because I am dealing with a rheumatoid flare. It is affected my hands, wrists, feet and ankles. And my energy. Hopefully, I will get make in the swing of things and get some work done after a day or two more of rest.

Machine Embroidery & Kwik Sew 3773 Again

Kwik Sew 3773

Fabric shopping with my boys is always an adventure. Recently, Youngest Son and I went to Joann's to find some fabric for a pullover hoody like his brother's quick fleece hoody. Being brothers, they want the same things...only different.

Middle Son likes to be invisible. He chooses dark and very non-flashy, like his grey Ethan shirt. Well, Youngest Son is a little flashier. He wanted some safety orange fleece for his pull-over. I was concerned about my eye sight sewing such a bright color, but knew it would be a quick sew and decided to go for it.

What mom wouldn't want their very active, often wandering nine year-old boy not to wear safety orange? I bought a yard and a half. I was using Kwik Sew 3773 again and it didn't give the yardage for just the top, only for top and pants. I was guessing on the yardage.

Stitched design. The shiny layer is water soluble stabilizer
that is placed on top of fabric before basting and stitching.
The rectangle of stitches are the basting stitches and will be
removed. The water soluble stablizer pulls right off.

I decided that the safety orange (don't get it confused with orange, this color is brighter than the road workers washed out-in comparison--orange) might need some toning down, so I asked Youngest Son if I could add some embroidery. Of course, he had to object to every suggested design. He wanted the face of a wolf. Luckily, I bought this in a set from Embroidery Library a few years ago and have used and others from the set many times.

The back of the embroidery. The stabilizer has been
cut away. I'm leaving the short threads because, I
will be covering with an iron-on layer.

While he was at school, I spent less than 30 minutes tracing the pattern and cutting the fabric. It took me about the same to choose the embroidery threads and hoop the fabric. I used a cut away and hooped the fleece and stablizer in my smallest hoop, 120x120mm. Unfortunately, where I thought I wanted the design didn't fit into the hoop well. So, I unhooped the fleece and placed it on top of the stablizer, which I did hoop. Because fleece can hide stitches, I placed a some water soluble stablizer on top before basting. Using the basting function on the the embroidery machine, I basted the cut away stablizer, fleece and water soluble stablizer together and started stitching the design.

One of the best parts of machine embroidery is that the machine runs by itself and it should not be left alone. I often use the time to do a little clean up. I put away the pattern. I cleaned and rethreaded the serger. I loaded the dishwasher. Then I needed to stop the machine to pick up the boys and run some errands. Time sure flies.

After cloud cover stitch has been ironed in place.
It is now soft, hides stitches and just looks better inside.

When we returned, I finished stitching the design, but wanted to wait to do the actual sewing. I was going to wait until the next day, but Youngest Son is very insistent. I waited until they had left and worked for less than an hour before he returned. I only had the sleeve hem and hood to sew on when he got home. He was so excited that he watched over my shoulder until I finished. I had no choice but to finish.

This project was the perfect time for me to use my new labels. I wasn't sure about using it, but like I said, Youngest Son is insistent. I ordered my labels from NamesLabelsandTapes.com. I recently became an affiliate for them and wanted to know their product before recommending them.

I had always wanted to use labels. Especially for jammies and tops for the boys. They have a hard time telling front from back. I have an embroidery machine and thought about making my own, but never got around to it. But when I saw NamesLabelsandTapes.com, I figured I would give it a try. After all, I am making a lot of clothes with the Ready To Wear Fast with GoodByeValentino.com

I love them. How fun to put my label in the clothes I make! I know. I'm a geek.

Some of the 100 labels from NamesLabelsandTapes.com

Well the ordering process was easy. Well, except for choosing what I wanted, how I wanted, what size, how many lines, what colors, how I wanted to attach.... I really was fun. I went basic and had it kid and Mr. Toad approved. After all, it will be in their clothing too.


What do you think? Do you use a label? Would you use a label?

Win a Craftsy Class

Craftsy contacted me last week and asked if I would like to host a contest to give away one of their classes. I didn't have to think about that very long! 

They just contacted me to let me know that I get to host a give away!

I love all of the Craftsy classes I have taken and I want my readers to experience how great it is to learn at home and watch anytime. Then, you can return whenever you want to review the class.... Your classes do not expire.

Have you ever wanted to take a Craftsy class? 
 
How about winning a Craftsy class?

I know, there are so many. How will you choose?

Well, I have my favorites, but that might make it more difficult to choose.

You have until March 15 to enter.

Enter to win a Craftsy class!

Which class do you want to win? Please let me know.

Being Volunteered to Sew & Drafting a Sloper vs Vogue 1004

Here are the 10 neckerchiefs. I have Post-Its covering the
patch. I don't feel comfortable putting everything online.

One of the dangers of sewing is that family member sometimes volunteer your time and abilities, not realizing that there are different types of sewing. I spent two days doing something that should be easy, but of course I made it more difficult.

Mr. Toad recently volunteered me to do some sewing for our son's scout troop. I was to make neckerchiefs for new scouts. This shouldn't be a big deal.

Compass 

The plan was to to make a template and mark the pressing lines. Since I have more than 10 yards of manila tag board--it is just like manila folders, but in a 4 foot wide roll--I thought this would be a very simple task. Ha! I was using Middle Son's neckerchief to make the template. I realized rather quickly that it wasn't symmetrical. 

Warning--I am going to use math speak, but for those who are not sure, I will try to explain. Please don't be insulted if you do understand. I am often surprised at how much I forget when I am not using what I have previously learned.

I once was a math teacher so I was getting frustrated. This should have been a simple isosceles triangle--90°/45°/45°. Unfortunately, it looked like it was more of an 87°-ish and the other two were not equal. I found this out by using a protractor--the half circle with the little lines with numbers. So, out came the compass--the pointy thing that opens and has a place for a pencil.

Protractor

I began getting seriously geeky and my husband was telling me that this really didn't need to be so difficult. I was frustrated because this should have worked out easily. So, Mr. Toad took away my math tools and took out neckerchiefs he had from when he was a scout. He has a lot. He is an Eagle Scout and is part of our son's troop and was part of our Adult Son's troop.

These had the same errors! What should have been a right (90°) angle, was about 85° on all of them. To make things worse the other angles which should have been 45° each (90+45+45=180--all the angles in a triangle always add up to 180°) These angles were off by more than 5° from each other. I decide to do it my way.

So, I constructed a triangle the old fashioned way and made adjustments. Ugh. It ended up being 85°/47.5°/47.5° on the tag board. The tag board had all kinds of erasers and marks. I made lines to mark how far to turn the fabric while pressing. I also added a hole so that I could hang it on a wire hanger (there is a use for those things!) in my sewing closet.

This is the tag board template--well
a corner of it. The lines are for
turning and pressing the fabric.
The hole is to hang it for storage.

Once I had the template, I needed the fabric. I waited for Joann's to have a sale on their poly blend broadcloth and then bought 10 yards. I was using the same as what had previously been used. I normally would not have used this fabric, but having a non-bleeding non-ironing fabric for pre-teen and teen boys. I also had a 20% off on top of the sale price--yippee! I spent less than 20 dollars to make 25 plus neckerchiefs. 

Basically, the hardest work was making the template. I now just need to layout the fabric, plop the template down and use the rotary cutter to cut. I do use a big ruler and add as much as I can to make them as big as possible while still having the fabric folded selvedge edge to selvedge edge. Because they aren't 90° there is a slight sliver of waste between. 

After cutting, just press, turn, press, stitch, press, add a patch. I really am annoyed at the fact that these are not 90°. It would be so much easier. I think that the shorter legs/sides would have turned and stitched a little easier if they had been on a true bias instead of a skewed bias. Oh, well. I need to deal with it and move on.

I cut 12 today, but 2 had the ends cut off. I may be able to save them, but I would rather wait and see if they are needed. I will make more as needed, in quantities of at lease a half dozen.

Moving On....

Vanessa over at Sew Filled To The Brim inspired me to make a sloper. She is using Vogue 1004 to draft her sloper. Since I have had the same Vogue sloper hiding in the back of one of my pattern boxes, I decided, with her egging me on, to also make one. But, since I have been wondering what the difference was between a commercial sloper pattern and one made from only one's measurements, I am also going to use either How to Make Sewing Patterns by Donald H. McHunn or  Patternmaking for Fashion Design (5th Edition) by Helen Joseph-Armstrong.

If you have a preference or experience with either of these two books, please let me know in comments. I am open to using either.

Please excuse this very heavy affiliate link posting, but I wanted to show clarity without worrying about copyright issues and to make Amazon feel like I'm trying and not cancel my affiliation. 

And The Winner Is....

Is it really March? Mrs. Toad Sews has been around now for two full months. I need to thank those of you who have been following me for a day or the full two months or just stopping by for a quick look for making The Monthly Stitch's Miss Bossy Pattern Challenge a possibility. I had no idea if there would be so many votes.

Now for the winning pattern...

Simplicity 1696--Amazing Fit Jean
The Winner!

With 21 of the 61 votes, Simplicity 1696 Amazing Fit Jean will be the pattern for my Miss Bossy Pattern Challenge. Yippee! It is the one that I secretly wanted to win. But, I actually still want to sew the others and have the fabric bought, washed and waiting. I'm hoping to get to this within the next few weeks and not last minute like my February Pants Challenge.

Looking back at February's Goals

I successfully completed my Little White Dress and entered it into the Pattern Review Contest. I came no where near winning, but that was not the goal. I learned and practiced many new techniques and actually finished a large project that I might have set down and and disappointed myself, had I not had the contest. That is what the contest is for me. Incentive. Inspiration. 

Middle Son's New Ethan Button Down

I started and finished Middle Son's dress shirt using a pattern from a new to me pattern company. And I loved the shirt. I want to make another...and another...and another....

I participated in The Monthly Stitch's February Pants Challenge using the Named Jamie Jean, which I will be using to enter into the Pattern Review New to Me Pattern Contest. Don't worry, it is not a winning entry. I had originally planned to make a pair of dress pants for Mr. Toad, but that had to on hold for some pressing unplanned projects.

In addition to Mr. Toad's unfinished dress pants, I didn't finish the safari jacket that I planned to enter into the Inspired by the Movies Contest. There was a lot more hand work, that slowed me down. I plan to pick it up again around Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

I also fell behind in the Marfy Free Pattern Sew Along with A Challenging Sew. I wanted to wait for the jacket before sewing the skirt. Luckily, Leisa is postponing the jacket until May. I think she was reading my mind on needing a break from so much hand sewing.

Award Ribbons

I also didn't get to the gift for a friend's daughter. I didn't get a chance to measure her and it just drifted off into the land of good intentions.

The unplanned projects were a set of fleece hoody and pants, a pair of long johns, and some machine embroidered award ribbons that I had to design, digitize a design, embroider and sew.

I really don't think that I did too bad. I did a lot in a very short month. Yes, two or three days are a lot.

Looking Forward to March

March has new goals and some unfinished older goals. Some based on need. Some based on wants.

1. 6-8 Neckerchiefs for scout troop (before March 4)
2. Badge sash for 2-3 boys in scout troop (before March 4)
3. Miss Bossy Patterns Challenge--Simplicity 1696 Amazing Fit Jeans
4. Pattern Review Fitted Blouse Challenge
5. Finish the Safari Jacket
6. Make Youngest Son a safety orange fleece hoody
7. Make Youngest Son his own Ethan Button Down Shirt
8. Make Youngest Son a pair of shorts
9. Make Middle Son a pair of shorts
10. Maybe...finish Mr. Toad's dress pants, but with a less expensive poly blend gaberdine