Gift for my speech therapist!

I made a gift for my speech therapist for our last session.  I sewing them during our 45-minute session. However, I had to hem them and add the back pocket at home.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I used trusty Simplicity 2290, and added the back pocket.

Link: Welt Pocket Tutorial

I came across an outstanding blog tutorial on welt pockets by Thread Theory.  I wanted to share a link so that others could use it.

Sewing Class: Messenger Bag - Simplicity 8028, View D

I took my first sewing class of 2016!  Through this project, I accomplished one of my 2016 sewing goals - inserting a zipper.  We were working on a Simplicity 8028, View D, Messenger Bag.  It was a 3.5 hour class.  This was a neat little project.  It was a very good thing that I took an in-person class at JoAnn's. I don't think I would have gotten the instructions that were included with the pattern.  I really liked the instructor, Terri Tipps.  I have taken 2 classes with her in the past, and she is a true gem. However, it was the first time that I have sewn all year, so I was a little rusty.  First of all, I had a hard time finding the pattern. I checked earlier in the week, but they were all out at Hancock's.  Due to time constraints, I only about 2 hours before class to buy my supplies.  As luck would have it, my local JoAnn's where the class was being held was also out of the pattern.  So, I had to go to Hobby Lobby.  Luckily, they had the pattern, and I bought some fashion (duck) fabric for the outside of the bag.  I had to purchase the interfacing, strap, and hardware for the bag.  I chose not to get interlining because the outer material was very heavy.  I went into class flustered, stressed, and unprepared.  At JoAnn's, the cutting table and checkout lines were horrible, so I spent 20 minutes of class time making purchases.  However, Terri got of all us started. I didn't have time to read the instructions, so I was really relying on Terri (who was, of course, fantastic).  The supply sheet that JoAnn's gave us was inaccurate. So, when I was about to cut my interfacing, I didn't have enough.  So I spent another 15-20 minutes at the cutting table line and checkout line during class time. Suffice it to say, I didn't completely finish my project during class time.  However, but I was about 85% done when the class time ended.  I was able to make my pockets, make my tabs, insert the D-rings into the tabs, insert my zipper, and attach the lining to the bag. One more mishap happened during class: my needle broke as I was attaching my lining to the bag as I was going over the D-ring.  The needle caught me in the thumb.  I didn't want to bleed on my new bag, so I was essentially finished by that point.  Terri pinned my material and strap for me to finish up at home.

Here are some images of my finished project. I made my strap a little bit longer than recommended.

Here is Terri's sample of the messenger bag. It looks very professional!

This was sort of an expensive project, but I bought some extra interfacing for my home studio.  Here is the price breakdown:

2016 Sewing Goals

I'm all about setting goals for a new year.  I just finished my 2016 fitness goals board, and, now, sewing!

FitGirl's 2016 Sewing Goals
Last year, I hardly made anything for myself.  I made alot of presents for others.  Now that my weight is coming down, I want to make a spring/summer wardrobe for myself.

1. Install a zipper
2. Attend a Dressmaking Intensive at Workroom Social in NYC
3. Make a pair of Denim Jeans
4. Make a ladies blazer
5. Make a men's blazer
6. Make a pair of golf shorts
7. Make a circle skirt
8. Design and teach a sewing class at Pate for the patients in recovery

2015 Sewing Year In Review

2015 was an incredible year!!  Here is what I accomplished, sewing-wise:

Accomplishments	Completed Patterns
I made 5 adult pairs and 1 child's pairs of Lazy Pants.  I took a class a JoAnn's for Lazy Pants.  I mixed different patterns, and drafted my own pattern using Tilly's book - Love at First Stitch.	Simplicity 2290 Love at First Stitch: Margot Pajamas
Learned how to add side-seam pockets (referenced Tilly's book)	Love at First Stitch: Clemence' skirt side seam pocket pattern
Made a dog coat for a friend. This was very complicated for me!	Simplicity It's So Easy A1227
Learned how to insert a sleeve	(via the dog coat)
Made a child's jumper for my niece (complete with Frozen character print corduroy and a cotton border).  I learned to how use the automatic button maker on my sewing machine - love it!!	Simplicity 1568
Made 3 skirts as presents	Kwik Sew K3794 Elastic waistband skirt
Made 1 child's skirt as present for my niece	Simplicity 2083
Made 1 half apron as a present for a friend	See & Sew B5411

Note: my phone broke, so no photos OR videos to share with you :-(

It's So Easy - Sleepwear

I have archived my pajama bottoms project for myself.  I abandoned this project lieu of taking the Lazy Pants class at JoAnn's.

Simplicity It's So Easy: 2116
It's So Easy Men's/Misses' Sleepwear
Purpose: I thought I would make pajama bottoms for me and Jay.

Timeline:  
Jan 18, 2015 - I cut the pattern pieces and washed the fabric.
Jan 31, 2015 - I placed the pattern pieces on the fabric.  To my dismay, I didn't enough fabric. Rats!
Feb 1, 2015 - I made a trip to JoAnn's. Lucky for me, snuggle flannel was on sale for $2.79/yd!!  I bought enough to finish my current project and fabric to make 2 more adult pajama pants!  I also bought some fabric to make a skirt.
Feb 3, 2015 - I pinned the pattern pieces to my fabric, and cut the fabric.  I screwed up cutting the crotch.  I will pick up this project in a few days, because I want to make a skirt for my niece for Valentine's Day.

I'm the FIRST Inductee to the Fly Hall of Change!!

Introducing the FLY Hall of Change

FLY HALL OF CHANGE We’re inducting our most inspirational members into the FLY Hall of Change – and you could be next!  Every quarter we’ll honor one rider or pulser who has pushed beyond the burn and positively impacted his or her own life as well as the entire Flywheel community.  We’re thrilled to announce our first inductee, Texas' own, Nia Kelley from Plano.  Watch Nia’s incredible story HERE and see how she’s inspiring us to #NeverCoast.  And, click HERE to learn more about the program and to submit your own story.  You could win a one-year membership among other amazing prizes.