Howdy peeps!  I took part in my first sewing swap organized by Kestrel of Kestrel Makes and I'm here to show off what I got.  I was really excited about this swap I mean cuz come on who doesn't like receiving fun surprises in the mail.  Sure beats bills!  I was paired with the lovely Rose of Strange Notions.  She's a UK gal and I thought that it was pretty cool receiving a package that said Royal Mail.  Made me feel all fancy and important.  I wonder if the mailman thinks I'm royalty now...yeah probably more like a royal pain in the ass cuz I'm always having packages delivered that won't fit my mailbox so he has to get out and hand deliver them....sorry guy I have a slight fabric...shoe...purse...ok shopping obsession!

Rose and I exchanged emails on what our sewing goals/tastes were.  I think it's a good thing limits were placed on the amount to spend because I had so much stuff I wanted to send.  I found it really challenging to narrow it down.  Rose mentioned in her cute little ladybird (I find it so weird saying ladybird because I've only ever known them to be called ladybugs.  I like ladybird much better) card that she was going by the keywords bold, fun and floral.  I think she touched all bases quite well.

100% cotton fabric

Designed by Lucie Summers for Moda Fabrics 

Second word - FUN

                     

What's more fun than Robot buttons?

   
Provence rose printed ribbon

"A Pavlova is a meringue cake with a light, delicate, crisp crust and a soft sweet marshmallow center."

 I'll take two please!  I had no clue Pavlova was a cake until I did a Google search for the pattern and all these pictures of cake popped up instead.  It then dawned on me what an idiot I am.  I was wondering how they came up with such a fun name for their pattern.  Twirling around the house saying Pavlova 100 different ways had become a way for me to entertain Vito.  Why can't I think up any cool words?!  And now after finishing my Pavlova wrap top I see how the cake and top relate.   I am just a big ol' pile of sweet marshmallow goo when you unwrap me. bahaha!

I downloaded the top only from Craftsy.   The pattern purchased from Steph's Etsy site comes with a circle skirt as well.  My fabric is from Joann's, a pink polka dot reversible knit.  The other side is striped.  This is a fairly quick make and the best part, I made absolutely no alterations or fit adjustments! That's a first!  I did learn a couple of new techniques, the lapped neck seam and using steam a seam to finish the edges. Oh steam a seam where have you been all my life??

   Fabric:    Reversible knit - Joann Fabric $5/yd

   Notions: Steam a Seam (optional but I def recommend) $3 for small box

   Alterations:  zip, zero, zilch!

   Likes: Quick, easy, comfy to wear

   Dislikes: It is short in the front. You'll need to wear a tank underneath or wear with high waisted

                        pants or skirts...or you can just let it all hang out like me.

   Wear/Make again: Yes!

   Time to make: approx 3 hours

   Total cost: Guessing here....$20

So wait it's not over yet..I have a complete outfit to show ya'll!  I also made a skirt using another Simplicity Amazing fit pattern.  I have to say this skirt's fit came out more amazing the first time than did my red hotpants.  Learning from that I cut a size smaller than what I did with the pants. Fit turned out a lot better.

   Fabric:    Khaki cotton sateen. Purchased with my winning gift card from Mood

   Notions:  Zipper, bias tape, trim for bottom hem...all from my stash

   Alterations:  None other than slightly tapering in at the sides starting from the top of the pockets.
                                I thought it looked a little wide on me towards the bottom...Do you think?

   Likes:     I love the front pockets. It was also a quick make.

   Dislikes: I think the instructions were missing a few steps when it came to attaching the yoke.
                         I wish I would of lengthened it about an inch.

   Wear/Make again: Yes

   Time to make: approx 5 hours

   Total cost: 99 CENTS!!

I like my skirts to hit right above my knees so I was only able to fold up the bottom hem 1/4 inch and finished with some fancy trim from my stash.  I also used my newly found steam a seam to help me accomplished this.  Oh yeah and I finished the yoke edges with some bias tape from my stash as well.

One thing that really bums me out about this skirt is that after I washed and dried it the yoke got all wrinkley.  I don't know why this happened. I used a woven interfacing like I always do.  I guess the cotton sateen and interface just don't jive.  Anyone ever have this problem?  It's not so noticeable after I iron the crap out of it.  I can always wear a belt to try and cover it up or just wear a shirt over it...no fun.

Before you leave be sure to take a look at my Bobbin List page. Often, like right after finishing this outfit, I become quite confused at what I want to make next. A lot of times I have plans but see other things along the way that I end up going and buying fabric and patterns for. I've managed to accumulate so much that I've forgotten what fabric I paired with what pattern or I don't know what to make next. I decided to photograph all my fabric and pair it with a pattern and put it in order of importance (not that it's not all #1 important!).  As I complete I will delete it from the list and add it to My Makes page which also needs a huge overhaul. I'm hoping this list keeps me on track. I will continue to update it and add to often so keep checking back.  I've got a lot more fabric to photograph and pair up with patterns.
If you think this is a good idea and would be helpful well then why not make your own "Bobbin List"?!. 

Peace out! xoxo

Let's see here, last time I went swimming....yeah that'd be about 4 years ago.  Do I see a sunny beach or sparkling pool in my near future?? Likely not but is that gonna stop me from making the kick ass Bombshell Swimsuit by miss Heather Lou of Closet Case Files??  Hellz no!!  I'm totally in love! I've always adored these 1950's style silhouettes and they are so hard to find RTW without costing a fortune.  It's a modest suit yet can still be sexy and cover your whole ass to boot.  The best of both worlds.  Gone are the days of me frolicking around in a two piece bikini.  I'm over it.  The older I get the more I wanna cover.  For me this swimsuit just affirms the saying less is more. 

I'm totally digging the blue version...halter neck, gathered bust (always a good look for us tiny boobied gals).. and can we just sit and adore the the backside for awhile??... A centre back seam with all that ruching, ~swooon~!!  

I just recently started following Closet Case Files (yes I have been living under a rock).  I have to say Heather Lou really knocked it out of the park with her first ever pattern!  Like some of you I'm rather intimidated when it comes to even thinking about trying to attempt a swimsuit.  I still snatched up this pattern in exactly 2.7 seconds of discovering it.  That's how good it is.  What's even gooder?? Heather Lou is hosting a sewalong starting on the 17th.  The last two hours of my workday were spent secretly clicking back and forth between various browsers consisting of work (spreadsheets, boo!) and fun (swimsuit fabric, yay!).  This suit has endless possibilities...

Oh shit I can't decide, is one of each too much for a person who's feet rarely skim the water?  Maybe I'll just move to Florida to have an excuse to make one in every color.  I'm so excited about this pattern I can barely stand it.  Anyone else feeling my excitement?