Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Loot! And gratitude!

Thanks again to everyone who left comments and suggestions on my skirt yesterday. I really do appreciate the input!

I spent most of yesterday working on a muslin for the Lisette Market Blouse (the short sleeved one).  After I cut out the fabric, I serged all the way around each piece.  Way fun!  I don't know if that's the approved way to do things, but I think it's pretty darn cool to have all the seams finished before I even start to sew the blouse! And while I had the serger going, I serged the hem of the skirt too.  So now I'll just have to do a little gathering and press it back, then sew it down.  Fingers crossed!

No more fraying!

muslin - I changed all my threads to white

So even though my birthday isn't until Sunday, I've managed to acquire some loot! Last Saturday, I received a package from my mom.  I was going to save it to open on my birthday, but I really needed a pick-me-up on Monday, so I tore in.  Look what she sent me:


Fitting and Pattern Alteration - it looks like this is going to be an invaluable resource.  I was really blown away.  My mom is the best (for a whole lot of reasons)! Thanks,  Mom!

Then yesterday while I was serging away, my mail lady rang my bell.  She had two treats for me.  First up was the giveaway I won last week from Melizza at Pincushion Treats - two goodies!  First off, an adorable pincushion that she made herself:


I love it that she roams around London (one of my favorite cities in the world!) looking for sweet little bits and bobs to make her pincushions.  I feel honored to own this treasure!  And as if this wasn't enough, she also included a belt buckle she picked up at Liberty of London!


I have big plans for this little buckle, which I'll elaborate on another time.  Thanks, Melizza!

The other treat I got in the mail yesterday was a handmade card and some goodies from my lovely friend Andrea at Stitch Parade:


If you read Andrea's blog, then you know she made her own undies after taking a class a few weeks ago.  She sent me some of the very same stretch lace she used!

the loopy black one

and yellow - my favorite color!

So now of course, I'm going to have to try my hand at making undies too!  Thanks again, Andrea - I'm so touched by your gift!

A little later in the afternoon, I was taking the garbage out and I heard the UPS truck.  The rest of my "serger bundle" arrived.  After flipping through the books, I'm glad I got them:


They have lots of tips and creative ideas for using the machine.  Which, by the way, I've decided to name Sergio.  My sewing machine is a Kenmore, and it never had a name before, but now that I've named the serger, I'm going to call the sewing machine Ken.

Ken and Sergio.  I loves them.


10 comments:

  1. Happy early birthday!
    I don't know if it's correct form to serge before you stitch but I love to do just that - especially with fray crazy fabrics, I suppose it could add unnecessary thread build up but on many pieces it's just fine.
    I've been interested in that pattern alteration book - I saw it on someone else's blog (don't remember exactly who) a few weeks back and added it to my amazon wishlist. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it after you've had a chance to read it.

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    1. Also, I adore Malia's pincushions! I've been wanting to order one ever since she posted about her shop. I love your choice.

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  2. I love a fun mail day! The pincushion and buckle are so cute and the books look totally useful - I'm sure you'll put Ken & Sergio to work on the techniques you'll learn from them. As for serging, like Lizz I serge all seams before I sew. Not sure it's "right" but it works for me.

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  3. Hooray loot!! Your serged fabric looks so neat and tidy! It's amazing!

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  4. The pincushion is adorable! I love the names of your machines. Happy early birthday!

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  5. Well, happy early birthday! It looks like you are well on your way to a wonderful celebration with all your goodies!

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  6. I happy early birthday! Yay for pressies! Again, so glad that tea pot arrived okay. I was having horrible thoughts about it getting squashed under a huge TV or something.

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    1. I used it yesterday afternoon while I was sewing, and it made me smile :-)

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  7. Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone!

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  8. Well, gal, you deserved the bestest birthday ever, don't ya know.

    Each of your surprizes this week are wonderful.

    Guess you truly love your serger, am I right?

    You THREE books are going to change your life.!.!.

    Happy Birthday, Gail.

    hugs
    Gerry

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