April Burda World of Fashion

The April issue was in my mailbox today when I got home from work. I was delighted to get it so early. I don't usually look at the previews on line so I tore off the plastic and opened it with great expectation. BIG let down!

What is going on with BWOF? The cover doesn't say World of Fashion anymore. And, this issue...OMG...it's a crafts magazine. Maybe they dropped World of Fashion because it's becoming something other than fashion. And there is not one cute new fashion design in this issue. Excuse me...what's with the jumpsuits? Ugly!!!

Sorry, but I do not plan to sew a reindeer or elephant or bottle holder!

And if I want to make a quilt I will buy a quilt magazine.

Oh, and on the page with the measurements, they have changed the drawings to the ones they use in the European versions. They are different.

There are 3 issues left on my subscription and if this keeps up I will not be renewing it!

End of rant!

I Have a New Toy!

My primary sewing machine is a Pfaff 1471 that I bought in May 1985. Yeph, it is about to turn 24 years old. When I had it in for service in September, the technician said it is in good condition and unless the circuit board goes out should give me much more sewing enjoyment. Here is a picture of my favorite sewing machine!

I know the two shades of brown aren't exactly today's style. But she was gorgeous in her younger days! And she sews anything!

I have been looking for a vintage mechanical machine to compliment the Pfaff and I found it on Ebay. I got a 3/4 size Kenmore 1040 that was in great condition. What a cutie it is! It came earlier this week but I was in corporate training all week so didn't get to check it out and clean and oil it until today. It was surprisingly clean for a machine made in the early 1970s so now I feel comfortable sewing with it. The inside is in great shape and looks like it has a relatively new belt. It has all the feet...everything that came with it originally except that the instruction book is a photocopy. There is some yellowing on the plastic on the front but that is to be expected on a machine that is over 35 years old. Here is a picture.

Once again, we have a two tone color scheme but this time it is 2 shades of green! It weighs about 15 pounds so it will be great to take with me when I want to sew away from home.

I am very happy with this addition to me sewing room and plan to put her to work tomorrow! I do like my new toy.

No Photos

Well, as you can see, I haven't posted any pictures. I got no pictures on the school program and my camera died just before Christmas so I didn't get any pictures of the gifts I made. I now have a new inexpensive camera so I hope to post some pictures soon. I haven't been doing any sewing lately so I have nothing to take pictures of at this point. I hope to change that.

Holiday Sewing

I've been doing a lot of sewing the last couple of weeks. First, my brother's 9 year old daughter needed a rag doll costume for her school Christmas program which was today. I asked them to take pictures. So, I hope I will have one to post.

I have also made personalized pillowcase for most of my great nieces and nephews for Christmas. Then I went to Walmart and bought some inexpensive pillows to put in them. They turned out really cute. I usually buy educational toys that they open, throw on the floor and go on to open the next gift. They all do sleep-overs to grandma's house or church (for the older ones) so I thought, down the road, they would enjoy them. I made nap mats for two of the younger ones. Also, did a couple of nightshirts for adults. Will post pictures this weekend (I hope).

I work for a hotel and tomorrow is the family Christmas party for the hourly employees and their families. The managers are required to work the event. Santa will be there and we are taking the kids pictures with Santa. Then they can decorate a frame for their picture. My job is to put the year on the frame with a glitter pen. Not really the way I wanted to spend my Saturday but it's that giving back thing!

Today, eight of us girls at work had a spa afternoon paid for by the hotel. What fun! We had lunch at the spa and then we got our choice of 2 treatments. I got a manicure and pedicure. After our treatments, we all met back in the Relaxation Library and just chilled and visited for an hour. Great bonding experience. Maybe we should have gone to the spa AFTER the employee party!!!

About me

Because I have enjoyed blogs by others interested in sewing, I thought I would start one of my own.

Here is some info on me. In 2007 I moved back to where I grew up after spending over 30 years in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Have to admit that I miss the craziness of the big city. The pace of life here is so laid back in comparison. I think that part of what makes for a happy life is being content where you are. So, although I miss my friends, job and church in big "D", I am happy. Moving was the right thing to do at this point in my life.

I am divorced with no children so being close to family has become important to me. To support my fabric and sewing machine addiction I work as a Guest Relations Manager in the hospitality industry.

So far, this doesn't have anything to do with sewing, does it?

Well here goes...I made my first garment at age 8. It was a simple gathered skirt. I had bugged my mom until she let me use her machine, a Pfaff 130 that I still have. She just sat back and watched, giving advise only when solicited. When it was finished, it didn't look too bad on the outside but on the inside...oy! I remember I wore it with pride!

My skills did improve and I made most of my clothes when I was in high school and college.

Fast forward...sewed off and on my entire adult life. Less so after my divorce when I had a job that required traveling a great deal of the time. I did a little quilting back in those days. But now I am back to garment sewing and having fun with it. However, fitting is a much bigger challenge than it used to be!

I love to take a flat, formless piece of fabric and see it evolve into a three dimensional garment.

I have several nieces who want to learn to sew. So, lessons have begun. I am so glad. At one point it looked like sewing might become a lost art in a few generations. I credit shows like Project Runway with generating a renewed interest in garment sewing.

More later...

The name of the blog!

Why the name? Well, that's where I sew.

I live in a house built in 1953. At some point in it's history, the detached garage was turned into a little guest house. It has a small bathroom and that's where my washer and dryer are. It's a great place for a sewing studio. You can close and lock the door and leave the mess behind. No need to put the sewing machine away.

That's also where the ironing board and the Rowenta steam generator are. But I also keep an iron and ironing board in the main house so that I don't have to trek out back in the morning to iron something to wear to work. Once I get it a little better organized I will post pictures. Unfortunately, part of the space currently serves as storage for items that need to be purged. But that part is hidden behind curtains.

In my last house, my sewing machine was set up in a closet...not great for fostering creativity after a long day at work.

The house out back is...it's the perfect place. I love it!