Fresh Start

Well hello there!

Welcome to my new blog - Katie Sews It All.  I wanted a fresh start from my other blog and I was never very happy with the name What I'm Making...  This feels more original and personal to me and I hope to make my posting style more personalized and original as well.

I have lots of plans for this new blog - including lots of features of other blogs and shops and sites that I love.  I'm planning on opening a shop in the near future, so there will be lots of talk about that.  I also plan to continue with some Living the Dream posts, where I talk about independent business owners who are living a life I dream about.  I hope you will follow along with me and if you have any questions or comments - please contact me!  I love comments :)  Thanks so much for checking out my new space!

PS - I'm sorry to post without pictures - this won't happen very often, I promise!

Another Change!

Sorry folks!  I have been playing around with blogger and gmail and have changed to another blog address again - last time, I promise! 

Please come follow me here!!!!    http://www.ktsewsitall.blogspot.com/  There are going to be lots of fun posts and cute sewn items coming up :):)

Thanks for reading!!!!!!

PR - Simplicity 2606

Pattern Review - Simplicity 2606

Pattern Description: A Simple Solutions pattern - Misses pull-on pleated skirts and tie belt

Pattern Sizing: 6-14, I made my usual 14 and it fits fine.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were super easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that it had pleats, in addition to the elastic waistline. It made the skirt just a bit fuller and is a great little detail. I also love the pockets!

Fabric Used: A border print cotton in navy/pink/green/white that I purchased at Joann's. It was 50% off, so for 2 yards it was only $10!

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely sew it again and I would recommend it to others for sure.

Conclusion: Easy to sew with great results! I plan on wearing this with a white t-shirt and some sandals for summer :)

Also a Change of Name...

Just a quick note to let you all know - I had changed the web address of the blog, but didn't realize that it wouldn't automatically point you to it.  I hope that if you are following now, you will follow along at the new address too!  It should be up at some point tonight.  :)

http://www.katiesewsitall.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

Change of Plans

Hello there!  Hope you all had a great weekend :)  Mine was busy, even with having Friday off.  But, it was fun/busy.  I spent a lot of time with family this weekend, which was really nice.  I got a lot of sewing in as well, which brings me to the title of this post....

Last week or so, I posted about how I planned on sewing some clothes (and I did make the skirt - I'll post about that next) but I have decided to start change directions and really focusing on making and selling some items.  Because of budget cuts, I'm moving into a different position at work, which includes a bit of a paycut --  which meant no more online fabric shopping or dropping into Joann's during the sale :(  I can't give that stuff up!  So, I thought that I would start sewing some more things to put into my friend's store (I think I've mentioned before that I have sold some things at my friend's mother's hair salon?) and work towards opening up an Etsy shop as well (in the future).  I just hope to make a little bit of money to be able to buy some fabric and patterns. 

Right now I'm using items that I have on hand in order to get some things made up quickly and start making some money (I hope!!).  Then I can buy more.  I'm just hoping to make enough to support my sewing addiction! 

Flickr Favorites :: Week 18

1. Ringo Pie Block for Marit, 2. Picture Color #15: playful, 3. Hoop Travel Bag in 1001 Peeps, 4. Amy Butler Cabo Halter/Melissa Averinos Swoon, 5. Mini Patchwork Mug Rug, 6. dress + bloomers, 7. Simplicity 2177, 8. cell phone pocket, 9. Pleated Bag

Living the Dream - Keykalou

Where I work, we have an expression - that we are all "living the dream."  Well, there are a few lucky women out there who are really living the dream - making a living out of creating, designing and sewing.  It's not as easy as some might think and it takes a lot of work and dedication.  But, I love to follow along with these women through their blogs or their shops and dream about selling my own items, at least to subsidize my income a bit.  Anyway, in order to spotlight some of those women, I'm going to start a Living the Dream series.  If you know of someone I should check out, please comment or send me an email!

Today I'll talk about Keykalou Patterns.  Michelle creates sewing patterns for adorable purses and pouches - I've sewn several of her patterns and I love them all!  I actually made the Basic Wallet and the Pleated Pouches this weekend (I'll have to take pictures and show it here later) and I literally stalked her website until the Strap Clutch was available.  Michelle also writes a blog where she shows sneak peeks of upcoming patterns, as well as tutorials and fabric features.  Her sewing patterns come via PDF files, so it's like immediate gratification.  You can also sell items made from Keykalou Patterns, giving credit back to the designer.  Please check her out!  These are my most recent pattern purchases, from Keykalou...

{Basic Wallet}

{Keychain Clutch}

{Pleated Pouches}

{Strap Clutch}

Flickr Favorites :: Week 17

1. Simplicity 2177, 2. 105.365, 3. Pink Buttons, 4. "Well, Hello There! And Welcome to My Bathroom!", 5. Spring Blossom Green FOR TRADE, 6. Cosmetic pouch, 7. Spring Embroidery Hoop Art, 8. Keyka Lou's Grocery Bag, 9. Trio of vintage owls

PR - Pink Chalk's Mail Sack

Pattern Description: Modern, hands-free styling defines the Mail Sack, a roomy cross-body bag ready for adventure. Two interior pockets keep essentials like cell phone, sunglasses and keys within easy reach.

Pattern Sizing: Large (the large is HUGE - this is the one I made) and Mini

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very clear and easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love this pattern! Everything was explained in a clear manner and all the pieces fit together just right. No dislikes.

Fabric Used: Cotton quilting fabric from Amy Butler's Love fabric line. I bought it with this pattern in mind and I'm so happy with the outcome.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I skipped the zipper pocket and just made the divided patch pockets. I also made a little pocket for a pen.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I probably won't sew this again, as there are so many other patterns I want to try - but I definitely recommend this pattern!

Conclusion: An excellent bag pattern - perfect for hands-free shopping!

Summer Sewing -- Planning

I have a baby shower, a christening and a wedding coming up this summer, so I thought now would be the perfect time to pull out some patterns and get to planning.

Here is my first project - I'm going to cut this tonight.  It's a cute border print fabric that I got from Joann's and I'm going to make it up in this Simplicity Simple Solutions patterns.  I plan on making view B, with the fuller skirt.  This will be for the baby shower - I'll probably pair it with a plain white T or tank top.

For the christening, I'm going to make up this Lisette dress.  I'm not sure what kind of fabric I will use just yet.  I might buy some of the blue print that is used on the cover of the pattern, although the yellow is cute too. 

I think I'm going to use this pattern for the wedding.  It's not until Labor Day weekend, so I'm sure I'll change my mind before then - but for now, this is it.  I want to find some really special fabric to use and I'm going to make view C.  It's an outdoor wedding and I think with the right fabric and accessories, this will be the perfect choice. 

I've also been wanting to make this Cynthia Rowley pattern up for a while.  I have a bright turquoise Interlock from Joann's that I bought with this pattern in mind.  This will make a great summer dress for cookouts or even just running errands.

I also want to make some other tops and maybe some shorts....and these patterns are all subject to change.  But, I can't wait to get started!

This Week

I have been hooked on cross stitch!  I have been working on the Itchin' to be Stitchin' pattern from The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery and I can't wait to order a few more patterns!  Greta has been fascinated with what I'm doing, here she is trying to get involved in the project :)

I finally found something that has long been on my thrifting wishlist - an afghan in those beautiful 70's colors of brown, orange and gold.  My boyfriend and I were driving up to New Hampshire and we saw a sign for a giant yard sale.  Found this beauty for $3!

I made this little Keychain Clutch - super-cute and super-quick!  I ordered a bunch of patterns from Keykalou Patterns and I can't wait to make a few more!

Flickr Favorites

1. growing collection, 2. cell phone pocket, 3. Sping Blossom Corelle/Pyrex Square Earrings, 4. Tofu - Purse, 5. Grocery Totes, 6. Spring Embroidery Hoop Art, 7. pincushion, 8. Pleated Bag, 9. 多肉小组合

PR: Simplicity 2614

Remember when I said I was going to share more pattern reviews?   Well, here is the first one! 

Pattern Description:  Misses Pull Over Tops with Separate Patterns for A,B,C,D Cup Sizes and Bias Skirt: Threads Collection


Pattern Sizing: 6-14, I cut a 14 and it fits perfect.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very easy - I followed them exactly

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the style of this top - it reminds me of a vintage style from the 40's.

Fabric Used:  I used a Swiss Dotted cotton from Joann's

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did not make any alterations. The only thing I did differently was when hemming - I pinked the very edge of the fabric and then turned it once and stitched. I found it to be too narrow if I tried folding it over twice. If I had a narrow hem foot, I would have done it that way, but this worked for me.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I would definitely sew it again and I recommend this to others for sure!

Conclusion:  I love how this pattern came out! I made it once before in a solid and I hated it, so I think it needs a print. This is a nice simple top to whip up for work.

I'm Back!

I took an unplanned blog break for the entire month of May.  I don't know why, but I sort of lost my inspiration to blog, which is strange because I really love sharing my projects here and I love reading blogs and planning on ways to make mine better.  But, June is here, it's a new month and time to start fresh!

I've been sewing (as you can see from the sneak peek pic above) and thrifting, so I have lots to share :)  And, I have lots of projects planned.  I finally bought the sheets I need to begin working on my Dream On quilt and I have a great border print for a skirt that I'm going to cut this weekend - so look for some progress posts as well as some catch up posts!