Well, I need to get a few stockings done this year since I try to make one or two a year for family. This year I needed to make one for the hubby. There's a "stalking" contest going on at Pattern Revolution that I decided to try and enter. Rules are you find a designer and make a stocking that resembles something you like of them. I have been told you may enter as many times as you wish. My first one is and idea from TenderFeetStitches using the Patches Impatient Pants patter. It is a cute pair of shorts with a cuff and the technique of reverse applique. Instead of squares, I reverse appliqued some holly leaves. Turned out kind of cute, I think.

 Terry is very pleased with his new stocking. I hope the details show up. Here is the link to the pattern. https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/78713893/patchs-impatient-pants-shorts-mid-length?ref=shop_home_active
Here is the link to the contest and rules if you want to play along
http://patternrevolution.com/blog/2013/11/22/contest-announcement-stocking-challenge

Well, an earlier post mentioned I was in a sew along and I had a bit if a snag before finishing. My nieces had the nerve to grow. I asked not to but they forgot and did it anyway. Good new is We could use part of the project and make skirts. Next time, I will but a brick on top of their head to keep them shorter. I will have to do this when their mom isn't looking, though. She may have objections.

I forget I have a blog

It's not like I have tons to do but things are going on around me. We are having new siding put on the house and the deck is in need of repair, so that is getting done as well. I am still working on the dresses for the sew-along even though the time is up, but the dresses are turning out cute and I think my nieces will look cute in them. I have a new serger my sweet Hubby got me for our anniversary and I am going to have to re-learn how to use one. First, of course, I need to get the thread. I can't wait! It's a Brother 1034d machine and has good reviews from the ones on the sewing pages I am on on Facebook. This post will be short since I need to get back to the dresses. I will post pics when they are done.

Preparing Bias tape for My First Sew-a-long

First of all I want to wish my Savanna a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today. She 26 today :-D


Well I have decided to join a sew-a-long. I have attempted this in the past but things happen to keep this from happening. I have even gone as far as to have the fabrics and trims prepared before "life" happens. This week is going a bit smoother than most so we will try this again.

I am joining the sew-a-long hosted by Candy Castle Patterns.
https://www.facebook.com/candycastle.patterns.5?hc_location=stream    It's a cute wrap dress and they are going to give an option of making it a swing dress. Very popular for little girls to twirl. The actual name is the "Bubblegum Dress" and it comes in a pdf file, easy to download onto your own printer.

First, I have my fabric washed and pressed and I have chosen the bias binding I will need for the two dresses.

Next, I prepared the bias binding by pre-shrinking it. I always pre-shrink my trims and interfacings. I know that may be over kill but I have had problems in the past with slight shrinkage and my fabric "curls" at the corners and angles. Here is how I do this. Please be patient as I am new to downloading pictures. Thank goodness for Minion for helping me.

First, you will need an empty gallon pitcher, a bowl of hot water (with a splash of white vinegar added) and some skewers of some kind. I used chopsticks. 

Next, and VERY important, coffee to lure Minion out of her room and away from her computer gaming.

Gently bend the cardboard that hold the trim.

Slide your finger through and prepare to remove the cardboard.

Gently remove the cardboard from the bias and set aside.

Slide the bias trim on the skewer.

Gently dip the bias trim in the hot water until completely saturated. I did add a splash of white vinegar to the water to keep the colors true since they are so vibrant. Also helps keeps the colors from bleeding later. 

Gently spread the bias out making sure not to stretch or twist. Do NOT wring or squeeze the extra water out. It will drip dry quick enough since it has a good amount of polyester in it. It's very light weight so there should be no stretching while it dries.

Set the skewer across the top of the pitcher and let dry. You can do several at once if needed but be sure to let there be enough room for air circulation. Mine sits on the counter under the heating/cooling vent. If I were in a huge hurry, I'm sure I could talk Minion into holding a blow dryer over it on low setting but I'm not going to push my luck today ^_^

So far, this is as far as I have gotten. I need to trace the top part of the dress on freezer paper in the two sizes I need for this project. I will keep you posted as I go. 

Whew! This was exhausting! Time to have Minion to get me a Diet Coke! :-) 

Enter a Give-away

Well, today marks the middle of July. Too fast this year is moving! Quite a few changes so far. I should have kept a better update log on all the goings around here. Getting the house a face lift. I am quite excited about that. New Garage door, new siding and going to paint the porch. As far as my sewing has gone, I have been quite negligent. Poor hubby cracked a vertebrae in his upper back when trying to get some boards off the old deck to prepare for the new one.  He is feeling better but he's still a bit stiff and sore. Anyway, with all the goings on around here, my sewing has taken a back seat. This is going to change though since I have a few deadlines to finish. I have baby showers to mail too (since I live too far away) and a few doll outfits to make. I will find a way to post pictures. On a good note, I have been joining a few sewing sites on facebook and have been taking to entering a few of the contests. I have actually won TWO in the past couple of months. So, having written that, there is another one going on from one of my favorite pattern makers. I thought I would share. It's sponsored by Whimsy Couture Sewing and they have some of the cutest patterns for children! Go check them out and you will see what I mean. http://whimsycoutureboutique.blogspot.com/2013/07/giveaway-1x-6-pack-whimsy-couture.html
I have entered so my bit is done ^_^   and now I am off to iron fabric today. I will be cutting tomorrow, and sewing on Wednesday. Have a good one!

Gotta use a camera

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Ok, not much to write here except I have learned I need to get used to using a camera if I plan to craft and blog. People like pictures. Luckily, I took a photography class years (and I do mean YEARS) ago. I learned enough to know I like it. Anywho, a very short blog until next time. I need to fold laundry before I tackle Minion into teaching me this downloading stuff from the camera disc.

Hi there. My name is Helen Moore. I've been sewing for years on and off. I guess my parents figured I was going to take is seriously and got me my first sewing machine at the age of eight. I wore that poor thing out. When I enlisted in the Army and got stationed in Berlin, the first major purchase I made was a Pfaff. A few years later, sold that one and upgraded to another electronic Pfaff. I still have her, but I need to send her to the shop and have the tension fixed. That thing will sew through cement, almost. I currently have a Janome that my daughter got me for my birthday. So far, I'm loving it.

I am fairly new to the internet so I will be making a lot of newbie mistakes. I have railroaded my daughter into helping me out with various jobs. Her new title is "Minion". She thinks this will be easy. Little does she know.....

I guess the main reason I wanted to do a blog is 1. My daughter talked me into it and 2. after a break in sewing, I wanted to start posting things I wanted to make.

I took a few years off crafting to go back to school. (It only took me six years to get a two year degree, going part time) while working full time. Now I want to get back into sewing and I hope I'm not too rusty. I have found the wonderful world of PDF patterns and I have been buying them up left and right. I have been allowed on many wonderful Facebook sewing pages and I'm hopelessly hooked. I have more PDF's than any one person should have. I also have tons of paper patterns and my sweet hubby wonders 'why'.

Occasionally, I will talk of other things that interest me but just to introduce my family. I won't air the laundry, so to speak, but I have a cool family that I like people to know.

Minion: My eldest daughter. Her name is Cathy. Having recently left the U.S. Army, I roped her into moving with me so she can concentrate on finishing school. Newly engaged to a cute guy, she may be leaving us soon and moving to Australia sometime in the next year or so.

Cutie Cakes: This would be my youngest daughter, Savanna. She is not a fan of nicknames so as a horrible mom, I have lots for her. She is currently living in Oklahoma. She recently got out of the U.S. Navy and didn't take the bait to come live with me.

Luv Muffin (and various other nicknames that makes Minion  want to hide forever in the couch cushions): My hubby. His name is Terry. He is my Mr. Wonderful. We will have been married two years this coming July 30th. We got married in 2011. He puts up with my quirks and gets along great with my kids.
He is also and Army veteran. He's an Assistant Pastor at a church in Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga, so I have to keep the topics and language clean.