Meet your new snuggle buddy: The Quillow....

Good day, good people! I have missed chatting with you, but things have been very busy personally and professionally for me over the last couple of months...
One thing I love about cold weather, is all the opportunities to create warm and inviting environments. Enter: The Quillow :-) As the name suggests, it is a quilt, of various throw sized dimensions, that folds into a pillow when not in use. I wish I could say that this idea was all mine, but around 1988, I bought a pattern that outlined this concept, but was only available in what I call the adult size...over the years, it has become necessary to create  a child and youth sized version. I give them as gifts all year round. With all the different colors, patterns, prints and now licensed character fabrics available, you can give something that is as unique as the receiver.
 If you'd like to know of the sizes and info on how to make your own, leave  an email address and I'll pass it along.
The pics below show how I use mine, and how to fold it. Starting with the pillow pocket face down, lay the blanket out flat. Fold one outside edge into the center, then the other. They should be folded in so that they are inside the frame of the pocket. Now, starting from the end opposite the pocket, make equal folds about the size of the pocket down the length of the quillow ending on top of the pocket. Turn it over, being careful not to undo your folds,so that now the pocket is facing up.  Reach inside the pocket toward the corner and grab all the layers. While holding the open edge of the pocket pull the layers toward you, essentially turning the pocket inside out. Smooth out the remaining corner until it takes on the shape of the pillow. Enjoy

Mini Wardrobe Contest Update

Good day good people! Well, it is done! I accomplished what I set out to do! Four garments in four weeks! The challenge was to create four pieces that when worn together or separately made four complete outfits. The pattern line-up is as follows:
Dress: Vogue 8923 view A
Skirt: Simplicity 2343 view D
Top: Butterick 3199 view C
Shrug: Vogue 8142 view B
Judging doesn't officially start until the 4th, but I am just as happy as a clam to have completed my looks and got them submitted within the allotted time frame. I enjoyed the challenge and seeing what the other contestants made. I'll be sure to let you know who the winner is. Not sure if voting will be opened to the public, but if you want to check on that and see some of the other mini-wardrobes visit www.patternreview.com. Thanks for stopping by.

Fashion Fights Cancer...Looking good for a worthy cause;)

Good day, good people! I just had to show these pics of two beautiful gowns made by CeleJe Fashion House for Mark England  in support of a wonderful event. Last night the event Fashion Fights Cancer was held at the Detroit Opera House. This charity fundraiser was held in honor of a dear friend and colleague Mark England who is battling this horrible disease. Other designers in the show included The House of Cedi; Franklin Rowe Int'l and jewelry designer, Carolyn Ferrari.
The red dress was inspired by the image from the book: VOGUE The Covers, and the black printed dress was a mixed media design from Mark England himself. If you would like info on the specific methods I used to create either gown, please leave contact info and I will be pleased to share. Please excuse the random items in the shots as these were taken behind the scenes prior to show time.
Cancer is a terrible disease! If you or someone you know is suffering or more importantly is a survivor, please take any opportunity to support the search for a cure. Thanks for stopping by;)

OOTD

Good day good people!(and soon to be good night)...
Just wanted to quickly share the dress I made today to wear to bible study this evening! As I was mentally dressing myself for this evening while at work today, I was thinking that I wanted something that was more transitional than season specific. Vogue 8278 immediately came to mind. I made the dress with a few minor adjustments. I added sleeves to the dress, omitted the split at the back seam, narrowed the dress bottom to give it a closer fit at the hem and omitted the facings at the neckline and used my cover stitch machine for that and all the other hems. When I say this dress is a NO BRAINER, I mean it! At 5:30 pm today this dress was 2 yards of material. By 7:15 pm I was dressed and on my way to bible study. The simple style makes it the perfect backdrop for just about any print, shoe or accessory you want. If you own this pattern, hooray! You too can look fabulous in less than 2 hours! It is OOP, but I'd be willing to bet that you could find one on Ebay. Do you have a go to pattern that you can make in a short amount of time? Maybe you can tell me about it. Thanks for stopping by....

Introducing Mr.& Mrs. Eddie Freeman;-)

Good day, good people!
I finally received the pictures from Eddie and Terrie's wedding. Yay! Ed is my old boss. I'm so happy for him! He's a great guy, and wouldn't you know it? He found himself a great girl! Okay, here are the goods: The dress is Simplicity pattern 1881. The bride choose an imported linen. I realized that this dress was sized for knits only AFTER the material was purchased! I made a muslin for the top and worked out my sizing issues...whew! She choose an opulently beautiful clear crystal trim to accent the neckline. I feel this dress was spot on for her beach wedding. This dress would make well in just about any material and flatter just about any figure! I loved the hi lo hemline and the keyhole in the bodice. I did install a bustle that pulled the sweep train up in a snap, three to be exact! Ed asked me to make his bride a dress only 8 days before the wedding and I think it turned out well. My bride was happy, my groom was happy...my work here is done! Thanks for stopping by....

Mini Wardrobe Contest Update.....

Good day good people.

I know that I'm a few days late with the pattern/material selections, but it has been a very busy week!
So, here they are! My looks that I intend to sew for the contest. I won't reveal the exact views as I want to leave some element of surprise. I hope that you all will check back once the contest is over to see how I styled (i.e. me wearing the garments and other accessories to complete the look) all of the pieces together.

this jacket will have a pencil skirt as a companion

Thanks to those who made suggestions for what the 4th look should be. Diamondancer, I liked your suggestion of a shift dress, so I'm going with that. The picture of the dress front on Stella (my mannequin) is my interpretation of that.....I hope you like it and thanks to all for visiting.

sorry that it is upside down :(

Mini Wardrobe Contest

Good day, good people!
 I've gone and done it now! Today I entered a sewing contest! The Website patternreview.com is sponsoring the contest. I need to make four garments that when worn separately or together create four complete looks. The contest is open from September 1st - 30th. I think I have narrowed my choices down and plan to sew like crazy over the next few days! This is my first time ever entering a sewing contest and to be totally honest, I'm PUMPED! I think I want to include some fun pieces as I have a couple of boss faux fur pieces in my stash! Let me do this: I will open myself to you all. What do you want to see me make for the contest? No garment is off limits! I will start on my other three pieces and wait until next Wednesday to see what say you! This ought to be a blast ;) Thanks for stopping by.
Kendra

OOTD

Good day Good people;-)
Here is my OOTD. For this dress I used Vogue pattern 2481. I stepped outside the box and used a printed chiffon, instead of the more structured materials suggested on the pattern envelope as I did want it to have a very casual easiness. I lined the dress with an interlock knit. Overall, I think it was a success. I got a few compliments when I wore it out last night. There is a zipper on the right side (I guess that they figured that the pleating on the left side would make inserting the zipper difficult). I wore my yellow Luchiny sandals that I L-O-V-E and a pair of teardrop earrings and my omega necklace. I have a natural colored wristlet that I carry when I go out. Have you ever completely ignored the suggested material and forged your own way? How did it turn out? Let's talk about it. Thanks for stopping by;)

OOTD

Good day, good people! Here is my OOTD! It was really from yesterday, but I waited to late to post it-lol. I LOVE this pants pattern. It is an OOP Burda, pattern #2989. These pants tie in the front and back creating a wrap effect. There are no side seams. I have made these pants in all material types. This particular pair is made from a blended knit print. I paired them with a knit tank, bejeweled flats and minimal jewelry. I think they work in almost every casual setting. Thanks for stopping by;-)

Just for laughs...

It's the responsible thing to do:)

Fashionable Farewell to Summer White (at least in the Mid-West)

Hello and welcome to Your Little Miss Sew It All's (YLMSIA's) first blog! Since I'm new to this, I'll try to keep it short and sweet. As the title suggests, I wanted to share my latest creation that is soon to be retired. We Mid-westerners typically shelf our white clothes after Labor Day. So here it is, a two piece ensemble by Donna Karan. OOP Vogue pattern 2540. I made top B and skirt C. The top and skirt yoke are made from a poly/spandex knit. The remainder of the skirt is made from a textured georgette.
I cut out and made both pieces in an afternoon. The construction was very straight forward and is rated as EASY. I slightly disagree as I did think that some experience sewing with knits and sheer materials would be helpful. I was aided tremendously by my serger, which I used on the majority of the seams as well as for the rolled hem on the skirt.

Overall, I think this is easy-chic! The skirt yoke is SHORT (I'm talking right under the cheeks!) Boy shorts underneath gave me the coverage (and the confidence-lol!) that I needed.

I wore this to an outdoor concert by the river. It was perfect! Nice breeze (boy shorts!), good jazz (Naijee) and great company(had the hubby in tow).

So, into the closet she will go, behind some other favorite pieces, but not to worry, there are more summers coming and other opportunities to be fabulous! What about you? What smashing garment that you made, are currently making or are planning to make is going to shut your summer down? Thanks for viewing..."I said sew".

Kendra

On A Mission to Transition

Yes, it's true. I'm on a mission. A mission to transition from summer to fall. In my sewing room I have a wish box. Contained therein are patterns and possible fabric choices for new garments I'd like to make for myself. I'm very excited because I will have a three day weekend from work with the coming of Labor Day and I plan to make some wishes come true!

My particular objective is to make garments to extend the season of some pieces that I have already completed. I'm considering a cropped jacket in a faux suede, a three-quarter length wrap coat in a light boucle knit and a pair of biker-esque jean like pants. I plan to post pictures of the patterns and materials that make the final cut and then the finished garments. I have posted two of the dresses that I want to wear a little longer just to give you a little sneak peek! Now, I know that I'm not alone in this, am I? How do you make your transition? Thanks for viewing  "I said sew".

Kendra