A Thousand Dreams

Jalie Tankini

Mimi — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:48:54 +0000

Amy Butler Weekender, progress

Mimi — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:02:10 +0000

Coming along. I LOVE my fabric choices and so far have the front panels and pockets of the bag, including the straps made. See photos.

I, like other bloggers who have documented their bags, made several additions to the pattern. Here is a link to a very helpful blog post, which includes links to several other helpful blogs! I added magnetic snaps on both side pockets, and inside pockets to one side. I added a zipper pouch to the inside of the main compartment of the bag, using a very well done tutorial I found here. I also made the straps a few inches longer, and made a detachable shoulder strap with swivel hooks. I sew loops into the side pockets to attach that.

Got the zipper in last night! It didn’t go as smoothly as I would have liked. Next time I will machine or hand baste in addition to pinning. Not being able to see the seam, I missed it in a few places, meaning the zippers wasn’t securely attached the whole way. I sewed in further, on parts of the seam, and removed the original stitching, but then I ended up making a double row of stitching on both sides. It looks ok, not fantastic. The zipper works perfectly though, and it is in securely. If I look at it later and think I can live with it, it stays. Otherwise, out it comes. I find that sometimes things either look better the next day, or worse. We’ll see – and I will post some pics.

Ready to add the side pockets, then attach the top to the bottom, then sides, and … ta dah. I should be finished this weekend.

UPDATE: the zipper is fine!

Choc-co-late!

Mimi — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:56:28 +0000

Love it! Have you been to Chocolate Covered Katie yet? Katie is a chocolate lover and a purveyer of delicious but decidedly healthy-er desserts – especially chocolate. MY favorite – I’ve made it at least four times so far – is the Chocolate Chocolate Mousse. (pictured – the photo is from Katie’s site.) It’s made with … are you ready for this? Tofu. And chocolate, of course. Chocolate chips ( I use Ghiradelli) and cocoa powder ( use dark!) The tofu stands in for the cream, and makes it smooth, creamy and it is delish.

Jean-ius Jeans

Mimi — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:12:05 +0000

I can’t rave enough about this class on Craftsy.com. The class is called Jean-ius and Kenneth D. King is a great instructor. He teaches you how to copy a pair of jeans that you already have that fit well to make a new pair of the same pattern. I like my jeans for a first attempt. I did learn that the fabric I used was too stretchy. I think it would be important to use a fabric that behaves closely to the originals. I bought the fabric online and didn’t realize how stretchy it was, but then I used it anyway. They’ll work, but I’ll have to wash them probably after every wearing.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

excitement! Amy Butler Weekender Bag

Mimi — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:24:36 +0000

Ok, it’s been so long since I’ve updated. All spring jewelry classes are now finished and a few custom projects done. Earrings and some wire work.

Main Fabric

But I’m still obsessed with my new found love affair with sewing. I’ve purchased no spring clothes, but instead have made a dress, several tops, a skirt and a pair of jeans. I used to sew, years ago, and actually did make many of my own dresses, especially for special events, but I never enjoyed it that much. I was always rushed, and never slowed down to appreciate the process.

I’m so excited right now about my plans to tackle the challenge of the Amy Butler Weekender Bag. In anticipation of my summer travels, I realize I have a carry on suitcase with wheels, but I don’t have a proper and respectable carry on bag. No problem.

Lining and contrast

This is not a cheap bag to make, even with scrimping and planning. Home decor fabrics and the interfacing requirements are expensive. I have been collecting some of the hardware for a while, looking for coupons and waiting for fabrics to go on sale. I ended up spending several entire evenings contemplating different color combinations and styles, thinking I would go for a fun and funky look, but I finally settled for a very conservative and dark print with a coordinating print. I decided that a dark print would be best, being made of cotton. I do plan to add ‘feet’, so that it won’t be directly on the ground when I set it down.. To jazz it up , the handles and strap will be RED. I can’t tell you how many times I settled on other combinations and then changed my mind, but I bought these fabrics from Fabric.com with a 30% off coupon, after I went to bed and woke up with the decision still the same! I’m still happy with my choices and can’t wait to get all my supplies together and get started. In the meantime, I am reading tips and advice from other sewers. I will keep you updated!

The Handles

quick project – Renfew top

Mimi — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:30:05 +0000

With several projects going on, including getting ready for a Pearls ‘n Ribbon class tomorrow night, and working on the muslin of my couture dress, my copied jeans and a custom spring beaded bracelet, I whipped up this top using Sewaholic’s Renfew top. This is a great pattern. It goes together quickly and easily, and I like the fit. You can mix and match any neckline and sleeve lengths. I used the 3/4 sleeve as a transition between winter and summer tops. I used the scoop neck, which is great – wide, which I like, but not too low and revealing. The fabric was a viscose/lycra from Emma One Shoe’s discount designer fabrics (a yard purchased on impulse whilst I was shopping for my couture dress fabric).

The pattern uses a very easy method for finishing off the sleeves and the bottom hem. I used a different neckline finish for a single fold binding, one I wanted to try from Linda Maynard’s Couture Sewing Techniques book that I currently have checked out from the library. It may be one I’ll have to seek out to own.

21 day yoga challenge

Mimi — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:25:00 +0000

I’ve just completed day 5, and I highly recommend Yoga Journal’s 21 day challenge. The videos are posted on their web site, which you do have to join, for free. You do not need to subscribe to their magazine for this.The videos range from 20 mins. to 35 or 40, and are extremely well done. I’ve chosen the ‘not a newbie’ strand to follow; however there is a program for new to yoga as well.

The elusive ‘they’, as in ‘they’ say – say that it takes 21 days for a habit to form. How nice it would be to rise each morning, spend 30 minutes or so with a yoga routine, and then take on the day. Five days down, 17 to go!

Craftsy.com worth checking out

Mimi — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:47:08 +0000

Craftsy.com? Been there? It is kind of a hokey name, and I don’t know how I found it but the two classes I’ve started there are top notch. Wow. You can take a class via video lessons, and watch the at your own pace. Instructors and others in the class will respond to questions and you never lose access to your content. Truly watch at your own pace, and come back and go back to lessons whenever. I have started a class by Kenneth King called Jean-ius - a genius of an idea, really. Take a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly, and draft them – without cutting them apart or otherwise wrecking them – into the perfect pattern for making new jeans. In this class, I have gotten as far as making up a quick muslin to check the fit, and cutting out a pair out of so-so fabric I had on hand to try it out. After I perfect the pattern, I plan to make a pair of drop dead trousers … out of, I don’t know – silk jeans or something? Or an awesome upholstery print, like this perhaps. .

happy st. patty’s

Mimi — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:27:35 +0000

alien and dog always says it better, click here now!

spring batik tunic

Mimi — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:42:49 +0000

Screens on, windows open, and a mosquito!! on me. It was nearly 80 degrees today, and the low tonight is only to be 60! Spring cleaning topped the list, but I did get a start on my Amy Butler Liverpool tunic. It’s cut out, been marked and the darts are in. The fabric is Artisan Batiks: Portofino Sponged Maroon from Fabric.com.