Hooray for Headbands by Heather Bailey

In the few months that I have been sewing, I have been made aware of a wonderful fabric designer Heather Bailey.  She has some of the most beautiful fabrics!  As far as I know, she only makes her designs in quilting cotton, however certain designers, including Heather Bailey, have a nice weight to their quilting cotton that makes it usuable for a variety of projects including garment making.  I was surfing the net the other night looking for a quick headband pattern to make for a co-worker who asked ever so nicely if I would make her one (my sewing is a major topic of conversation at my workplace :) when I stumbled upon Heather Bailey's blog and her adorable Hooray for Headbands tutorial! 

The headband style was exactly what I was looking for, and it looked extremely simple.  I went ahead and printed it out and whipped it up.  It sewed up very quickly and I am super happy with the look of it.  I even made one for myself, and I have an extra laying around the house ready for gift giving.  I will certainly be making more of these and even trying out some of Heather Bailey's other tutorials (I really want to make the sqaure pin cushion). 

If you have spare time laying around and want to whip up some adorable headbands, be sure to check out Heather Bailey's Hooray for Headbands tutorial.  Warning: Be sure to buy enough fabric to make more than one because if you are like me, you will have a hard time giving them away if you don't get to keep one too!

*Excuse the horrible blackberry pictures.  My camera was MIA last night as I was packing some boxes for our move.   

Letters To My Former Self

Today, I was reading a blog, Cleared for Takeoff (it isn't letting me link for some reason), that I am a new follower of and she is joining in on a blog hop over at Raising Madison.  I have never read Raising Madison, but I will definitely be adding her to my reader today!  The blog hop is to write letters to your former self.  I think this is such a fun idea!  Who wouldn't want to be able to go back to their younger self and tell them advice or how things worked out after the fact!  Here we go:

Dear 6 year old Jennifer,
Don't make fun of the little boy in the After-School Program who can't eat chocolate pudding at snacktime because karma is going to get you next year for it. 

Dear 7 year old Jennifer,
I told you not to make fun of that little boy.  Do you feel itchy?  Have hives everywhere?  Swollen feet and hands?  Yep, you are now allergic to chocolate.  Believe me!  The doctors don't take too long to put it together either considering you ate a chocolate donut, chocolate milk at both breakfast and lunch, and a chocolate chip cookie all in one day.  The rest of your life people are going to feel so sorry for you at every birthday party and social gathering where chocolate is involved.  It isn't so bad though.  You really won't miss it at all after a few months!

Dear 9 year old Jennifer,
Pretending you have an imaginary friend in the 4th grade and playing with him at recess is not normal.  You should stop doing that right now!  I know your best friend Shaniqua has joined in on the game and y'all are now making an Imaginary Friends Club that no one but the other kids at recess who have imaginary friends can join in sounds fun, but really you will look back on this in your adult life with a twing of embarrassment.  Plus it isn't an imaginary friend if you are conciously making the decision to pretend it is there because you think it is cool.  It is not cool, and you will laugh at yourself when you are grown up.   

Dear 11 year old Jennifer,
You are starting middle school today.  These next fews years are going to be awful.  I just want to warn you.  You will get through them fine, but all kids have to pay their middle school dues.  A few words of advice.  1. you don't look like a teenager no matter how hard you try, so quit watching Clueless and trying to mimic Alicia Silverstone with her amazing closet.  2. You teacher is not that horrible.  You won't even remember her name when you grow up.  Just do like she says...write everything in cursive NOT print because you think it looks prettier, look intently at the flag when you say the pledge or you will feel her wrath, and listen to her play What a Wonderful World for the millionth time without complaint.  Also, she is going to find out about your parent impending divorce and start to treat you differently than the other kids, which will be very embarrassing, so just mind her from day one.  3. You are also going to read the first book of the amazing Harry Potter series this year and you will be hooked for life.  You are in for a treat because in a few years they are going to make a movie!!!  However, you should take better care of those books because when you are 22 and getting married and trying to save money to live life on your own, you won't really want to replace them.

Dear 12 year old Jennifer,
Your parents are going to get divorced this year.  You are going to move out of your house that you have always lived in.  It may feel a little devestating at the time, but really you will get through it okay.  You and your mom are going to grow closer than you ever have been through this.  Remember that she is the person that loves you more than anything and works really hard so that you can still live the life you had when your dad lived with you.  Take is easy on her too because this is a hard time for her too.

Dear 14 year old Jennifer,
You are in high school girlfriend!  You are super boy crazy, but believe it or not you are going to meet your future husband in these high school hallways!  It doesn't take you long either!  You will meet him in October of Freshman year, and as soon as you meet you will be inseparable.  He takes you out to your first ever date to the Homecoming Dance and you will realize later how huge this is considering the boy doesn't dance!  You think you just want to date him at first because he is a junior and can take you to the prom, but believe me that after about a month you won't care about going to prom anymore because you will be head over heels in love!  Your mom says she won't let you ride in his car until you are 15, but she caves.  She meets him and trusts him, so don't give her too hard of a time on that one.  People are going to say that y'all won't last too!  Don't listen to them!  Y'all are an exception, not the rule! 

Dear 17 year old Jennifer,
That girl you think has been your best friend since middle school...she is two-faced and you shouldn't waste too many tears on her.  She is going to be really mean to you behind your back.  She is going to spread vicious rumors.  She is going to quit calling you and spending the night.  You just need to focus on you this year.  Forget her! She is just jealous of you.  Believe me!  It hurts, but she gets hers next year when she goes to college.  She gains a bunch of weight and her boyfriend breaks up with her...over the phone!  You become super best friends with Ashton this summer, and she won't matter much to you anymore in a few  years.  This experience is hard, but it teaches you a lot of good life lessons.  Head up, you can face this! 

Dear 18 year old Jennifer,
Don't go away for college!  It isn't worth going up there because you are going to move home by the end of the semester.  You are also going to rack up a lot of milage and spend all your money on gas going home every single weekend and sometimes during the week just to see Thomas.  I know you are craving independence, but your mom is really cool when you move home and realizes that you are an adult.  One good thing does come out of it though...Thomas becomes really romantic!  Distance really does make the heart grow fonder!  You are going to get roses every single weekend whether you go there or he comes to see you.  He is going to surprise you and cook you lunch when you come into town...complete with a rose on your chair and a dozen in your arms.  That is going to become one of your favorite memories.  All the girls in your dorm think he is just the sweetest!  On another note, that girl that is your roommate isn't what you think.  She is weird and horrible to live with.  She will bring guys home that are not her boyfriend and asks you if she can borrow your undergarments.  You end up having to buy a lock for your closet so she doesn't "borrow" things.  Request a roommate transfer from the beginning!

That's all I have!  If you would like to join along, head over to Raising Madison to link to your letters!

Early Fall Sewing Patterns

It's that time again! Time for the Big 4 to start putting out their early Fall patterns! I personally have decided that starting in July, I am going to start sewing anything I have set aside for Fall. If you remember my post on Vogue's last pattern offerings for Summer, you will remember that many of their patterns were just down right awful! McCall's are the only ones I have seen out so far, and they seemed to play it safe this season and stick with a lot of basic type patterns. That's no fun! I wanted to poke a little fun! Don't worry, there is still a few funny things in there, but nothing like those epic Vogues!

The Good (AKA What Jennifer Wants To Run to Hancock's And Buy Today!)

M6161 - Some these look 80s but I like the leopard one!  I have the perfect fabric in my stash for it!

M6147 - cute, easy, good for a lot of occasions!

M6146 - I could see this as a good Fall outfit with boots

M6168 - I love the gray belted look and the top left orange one with the real model. 

The Bad (but really they just aren't that bad, just not my style...oh well, maybe Vogue will give us some material in a few weeks!  We can hope! )

M6164 - I don't know why you would want to make your own t-shirt when I saw these exact same shirts in H&M a few weeks ago for $4.95, but whatever.  The 80s really are back in full force!  Ick!  But like I said, really not so bad.

M6166 - 80s and the girl looks like she is channeling an updated Cyndi Lauper!

M6150 - I would seriously laugh if I saw a grown woman wearing this.  It looks cozy, but I think the people of What Not to Wear would throw it in the trash!

M6170 - Yuck!  I wouldn't wear this, but made in the right fabric it might be okay.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!  I was featured on the Cupcake Goddess's blog for my ironing board cover, and I am oh so excited! 

Posting is probably going to be a sparce for the next month as I am moving.  I am not leaving Savannah, don't worry!  We just a making a move to a place that is more us and better for my mom when I move out next summer.

Project Planning

I went on a little bit of a fabric shopping spree this past couple months!  I got some great deals and you gotta love that for all that that fabric in these pictures, I could maybe buy one Lilly dress!  Yay for making my own clothes!  With all this new fabric, it is time to do some serious planning!  This is one of my favorite parts of the process of sewing!  Can y'all tell that I like prints???  :)  I was sitting in the middle of my floor and I thought to myself, "I should really take a picture of this for the blog!"  

Goodnight girls!  I have got to get back to planning and tune into my NJ housewives!  Gotta get my weekly dose of CRAZY!  My fave is Teresa!  I am so worried for her with all this situation about her finances!  I just love her on the show!  Who is your favorite?  

Green Knit Day Dress

McCall's M5425

Pattern Description: Pullover dress has front and back neck casings; dress B has shoulder straps extending from casing, upper and lower center back slits; dress B has contrasting shoulder strap and belt.

Pattern Sizing: I cut the 14 based on my measurements and working with McCall's patterns before. I made view B which is the larger picture with the model.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes! Exactly!

Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't even look at them truthfully!  I have gotten enough experience under my belt that I felt confident forging on without them because I knew there would be some things I wanted to do differently than the pattern suggested.  It is a simple pattern with only 5 pattern pieces.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like how easy and breezy the dress is.  I can just throw it on and run errands, go to work (with a cardigan over the top), wear it to the beach, out with friends for dinner or movies, it's perfect for whatever!  It really is the perfect dress for my lifestyle.  I can wear it to school without looking too dressed up, throw on a cardigan and wear it to work and still look put together for the office (our office is casual with no dress code by the way, and yes I love it!)

Fabric Used: Green and White Printed Stretch Jersey from Denver Fabrics and White Stretch Jersey from Jo-Anns (the white is not nearly as stretchy as the green print, and I think that is a good thing since the straps don't need to stretch too much)

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I used french seams inside to keep the inside neat looking.  I also did the bias binding finish for the armholes.  I love to read Amanda's Adventures in Sewing and she is the one who made me aware of both of these techniques.  Her tutorials are very good!  I am very much like her in that I want my garment to be just as pretty inside as it is on the outside. 

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I don't think I am going to make another for myself any time soon.  One is enough for now.  However, I could see myself in the one with the bow in the front.  Decisions, decisions.  I would definitely recommend this pattern!

Conclusion: Overall, it is a great pattern. Cut, sew, and wear!  Very easy!  I think I whipped it up in 2 nights of sewing and got many compliments when I wore it to work. 

Ironing Board Cover

I just decided to do a little weekend sewing a few weeks back.  I had seen one of my favorite sewing blogs The Cupcake Goddess write about making your own ironing board cover, and since mine was getting dingy and was ugly...I decided to make one too!  All the details for how to make the ironing board cover and what supplies you need are right here on her blog.  It was a very simple fast project I made one Saturday morning while watching The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 on HBO.  Thomas even got in on the project by threading the elastic for me!  I could not be happier with the results. 

The pros of having a 100% cotton ironing board cover vs. the poly blend they come with from the store are talked about on her blog post.  I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with her.  I never really thought about it before, but after getting to know my ironing board and iron very well since December when I started this new hobby, I realize how awful the one that comes on the ironing board is.  My ironing board used to have smoke coming up from the curved top part every single time I ironed, and it really scared me that it would catch on fire or something.  Well, after using my 100% cover, I have not had this problem even once!  That just goes to show how non-breathable those covers are!  If you have a sewing machine, basic sewing skills, and a couple hours to spend making something, I would definitely recommend making one of the Cupcake Goddess' ironing board covers! 

Don't y'all love the fabric since I primarily use my ironing board for sewing projects!

Lemon Lime Day Dress

McCall's M4440

Pattern Description: Fitted dress has self-lined empire bodice, below mid-knee, A-line skirt has back zipper closure and front and back darts, dress B is strapless.

Pattern Sizing:  I cut the 14 based on my measurements and working with McCall's patterns before.  (RTW and Pattern sizing guides are way different, so if you are a new sewer, always measure yourself!  I made this mistake on my first item I ever made by buying the pattern in my normal RTW size and realizing it looked like a size 2 girl could wear it!)  I made view B. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?  Yes!

Don't mind the bad picture of me...it was like 10 at night and I had worked all day!

Were the instructions easy to follow?  Yes!  This was a super simple dress to make and truthfully I barely looked at the instructions.  I did follow the instructions closely for doing the boning in the bodice as I have never done that before.  They explained how to work with boning very well!  I was intimidated with working with boning, but after this dress I am not.  It is simple to work with and makes a dress look so professional!

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that it was a simple style that I could make in a variety of lengths, with straps or without, and with a variety of fabrics.  I like how versatile the pattern is.

Fabric Used: Cotton Sateen Lemon and Lime print from Jo-Anns

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:  Where do I start?  The drafting of this pattern is AWFUL!  I made a muslin before I actually cut into my dress fabric since I had a feeling the strapless bodice might be a problem.  Everyone is a little different in the chest and I wanted to make sure the fit was spot on before constructing.  At the muslin point of production, I found that the top was indeed too large.  I fit it to my body by taking in each side seam 1" and grading it out to the skirt.  The skirt, by the way, is fitted wonderfully right out of the package.  This seemed to fix all the problems.  That is until I got to the point in construction on the actual dress to realize that the top was still too big!  I ended up having to keep taking in the bodice and grading it down to the hips until I got the fit just right.  I believe I ended up taking in the bodice about 2 and 5/8"  on EACH SIDE!  That is 5 and 2/8" smaller than the pattern was drafted to make.  I don't blame this on the pattern by any means.  Everyone is a little different on top and on a strapless dress I think it is really important to make a muslin to figure this out. 

The other alteration I made was to shorten the bodice.  When I did my first fitting with the actual dress, I felt like the top was way too high on my chest.  It was much higher than any of the other strapless dresses I own.  I ended up cutting it lower so that it would fall where my RTW dresses do. 

I also made it with an invisible zipper instead of an exposed one.  I feel it looks more RTW this way. 

I lined it with a white cotton broadcloth from Hancock.  I buy it by the bolt when they put it on sale for 99 cents a yard...$10 for 10 yards and you have linings for all your project for a while!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?  Yes!  It is such a versatile pattern and now that I have worked out the kinks in the fitting, I think it would be a breeze to create another one.  I still would like to make one that is a little shorter with yo-yos on the hem.  I am thinking about making a bright jewel tone with the yo-yos for a little extra.

Conclusion: Overall, it is a great pattern.  Make sure you make a muslin beforehand to get the bodice fit just right!

Life

*I have typed out all my pattern reviews to share with y'all for this week, so be sure to check in on the blog over the next couple days!*

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Have any of y'all seen the Discovery Channel Series Life?  I believe that is aired on Discovery a few months back with Oprah as the narrator.  Thomas and I love nature documentaries!  Well, really any documentaries, but especially nature documentaries.  We are big nerds, what can I say! 

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A few years back, when I had to get my wisdom teeth cut out, Thomas and I watched the entire Planet Earth series on Blu-Ray.  This is a really silly good memory because most people would say that getting your wisdom teeth cut out is not a good time, but I just remember Thomas taking me to the office, waking up in a big lazy boy in the office, Thomas taking me home and getting me set up at home, popping Planet Earth and watching it all day, and then later that day Ashton and her hubby Trey bringing me some homemade Jell-O.  All that happened before the pain meds wore off and I was still feeling good!  haha! 

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Anyway, when I saw this Life series was coming out, I called Thomas ASAP to tell him to buy the Blu-ray!  Thomas and I didn't want the American version with Oprah narrating though, so we got the British version instead.  What does Oprah know about biology?  What does this David Attenborough guy know about biology?  Probably nothing for both of them, but at least we don't know who the David Attenborough is and it doesn't sound weird like it would having Oprah telling me about frogs and stuff!  haha!  Isn't that silly!  In all honesty though, I have seen the name David Attenborough on many a nature documentary and I have an inkling he must have something to do with biology in his everyday life.

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Wait, I just checked wikipedia and it says he is a broadcaster and a naturalist!  Good to know!  Well, the series just came in yesterday, and we are planning to go home right after work today and start watching!  I am really excited!  Come on quitting time!!!

What's Jennifer Sewing?

I know I have been saying I would post some of the things I have been sewing, but truthfully I feel like I just recently got to a point where I am confident enough with my garment construction that I want to share it with y'all.  I still have and wear the early garments I have made, but like any beginner, there are mistakes and I just have been putting off posting them.  Another thing is that some of them are MONTHS old and I just have been lazy about trying them on and getting someone to take pictures of me.  I have a lot of old pieces I never photographed, and some that turned out to be wadders...like my zebra dress that raveled every. single. time. I washed it or wore it!  Despite serged hem allowances and everything!  I think I have a thing or two to learn about working with linen before I try again!  Anyway, I think I am going to just start from here on out with the pattern reviews and posts on my blog.  Not to mention, my new computer is making this whole blogging and posting pictures thing a lot easier!!!!  I have a couple of things I really want to show y'all that I completed in the last couple weeks.  I might go back and photograph some of my fave early projects, but I haven't really decided.  Okay, so now that we are all up to speed on where my head is on these sewing posts, let's talk about what I am currently sewing! 

Right now, I am working on McCall's M5654 view A with the contrast on the bottom (top right picture).  I really like the style of this dress and that is considered an Easy McCall's!  This was one of the first patterns I bought when I got my sewing machine!  I am most excited about the fabric I am using for this project.  There is this cute little fabric store called Fabricka in Downtown Savannah.  It is really small and carries some unique items and fun fashionable cotton fabrics.  I went browsing in there a while back and saw this really pretty floral print with coral, red, purple, chocolate brown, navy, cream, and maybe some other colors too.  Anyway, I was so drawn to it and thought it would be so cute for a easy spring/summer dress.  Enter M5654...which is perfect for the fabric.  Right now, I have the pattern pieces sitting on my desk and the fabric sitting in my dryer.  Maybe I will get the time tonight to cut out all the fabric pieces and start some preliminary stuff.  I will be sure to post it when I get done! 

I hope everyone is having a great week!  Our company picnic is Friday, so we scored a short week here!  Yay! 

China Patterns

Thomas and I are planning to register this weekend!!!  We are only going to register at one store this weekend (Belk or Macy's depending on which one carries the china I like better, Macy's has some patterns Belk doesn't have) because I think it will be better to do it slowly and think about what exactly I want and I am also still trying to decide on the other stores!  Right now I am contemplating Williams Sonoma, Pampered Chef, Kitchenware Outfitters (local to Savannah), Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and Pottery Barn.  I am not going to register at all of the stores obviously, but I am trying to decide which would be best!  If any of y'all have any ideas of other stores that would be good, I would LOVE to hear them! 

Can y'all believe how fast everything is going for the wedding?  I feel like it was just yesterday I was writing a blog post saying how I hate having to wait 2 years for our wedding...and now it is only 1!  Time is moving faster than I realize!  We officially have a reception venue, photographer, and a dress!  It's coming right along!  Next task on the list is getting penciled in with the church!  After talking to one of my wedding planners, Tara, and some of my friends, I decided to go ahead and register!  It is a tad early, but the way I see it is that people keep asking me where I am registered...so apparently people think I should be registered and for the holidays this year instead of asking for gifts from family, I will point them in the direction of my registry! 

The thing I am the most excited to register for is my china!!!!  I cannot tell you how many people have told me what a waste of time registering for fine china is, and I have to disagree.  It is an absolute must, especially to us Southern girls, to register for fine china!  Thomas' grandma is just about in a tizzy asking his Thomas' mom about which china pattern I have chose.  Just about every weekend his mother asks me if I have picked and if so, will I write it down for Grandma so she can get me started on my set.  China is a big deal in Thomas' family.  His grandma, his mother, and his aunt all have the same pattern for everyday dishes.  Every holiday, Thomas' grandma gets them a little something in their pattern.  They have gotten actual place settings, salt and pepper shakers, bakeware, EVERYTHING!  I think it is such a cute tradition. 

The only definite pattern I know I am registering for is Lenox Butler's Pantry.  I love this for my everyday china!  I am breaking tradition and not going with the same china (Portmeirion Botanic Garden older style) as Grandma, MIL, and Aunt, but I am okay with that.  This pattern is much more my style.  I read on Moments With The May's today that Laura has this pattern.  She registered for 4 of each style to mix and match!  I love that idea and told her I would definitely be doing that!  I have been going back and forth trying to decide which of the plates I liked the best!  I have only seen these two styles, but I am going to decide between all the styles in the store.  These two styles are definite though!

Buffet Style

Gourmet Style

For my Fine China, I had it in my head for at least 3 years when I was engaged I would register for Vera Wang's Grosgrain pattern.  I know I have blogged about it before, so some of y'all know about it.  Now, I am not saying I don't love it, but now that it is time to officially choose...I am getting cold feet!  haha!  Do you like my pun?  I really love it, but I am wondering if it is a little plain.  I am currently looking at the following patterns for my registry. 

Wedgewood English Lace

Martha Stewart for Wedgewood French Knot

Vera Wang for Wedgewood Lace

Vera Wang for Wedgewood Grosgrain

Lenox Lace Couture

Waterford Padova

Let's not even get started on glassware, cutlery, crystal, pewter serving pieces and all that!  I think I might have to go to Belk every weekend for the next month to try to decide on all this!  What a fun predicament to be in!!!

Huggies Jean Diapers

Have y'all missed me?  I took a little break from blogging last week because I spent the week at Disney World!  Full post to come once my FMIL posts the pictures on facebook and I can grab them for the blog.  I meant to blog while we were gone, but unfortunately the wi-fi at our resort didn't work very well.  We had a wonderful time and I came back very relaxed, but man oh man is it hard coming back to work after a week off! 

While I was gone, we went to the Florida Mall to shop one day and I saw the absolute funniest advertisement I have seen in a while!  I couldn't find the poster, but I found something WAY better!  The commercial!!!!  Have y'all seen Huggies new jean diapers?  This commercial is very funny and worth the 30 seconds it was to watch it!  Cracks me up every time!  I don't know how I feel about jean diapers, but it certainly makes for good advertising! 

What do y'all think?  Jean Diapers: DO or DON'T?