Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A look back, 2011 sewing projects

Today as a way to say goodbye to 2011, I wanted to look back at some favorite sewing projects. Here are my top ten from 2011. In no particular order.

1. This 50's blouse I sewed this past summer, has made getting dress a snap. I love the square neck/collar. It's so easy to accessorize with jewelry and a belt.

2. Little pink dress you will always remind me of my lack of understand about stabilizer and fabric weight. I did it all wrong, but I still love this dress and feel a bit wiser. I can be found running around antique stores in it.


3. This top makes me happy. I am glad I made three of these. I see more in the future.

4. Casey's swing dress sew-along was just plain fun. This dress took a lot of doing, but I am so glad I got to accomplish it.

5. This 1950's dress with decorative stitching still is not completed! I had an issue with the lining and needed to straighten it out.  Can't wait to wear it again with some different shoes please, yuck!

6. Love this 40's dress.  In the spring, I plan on making it again in a stretch fabric.  I made it up twice. It's a favorite for sure!

7. My 40's Easter dress. I just love a square neckline.  I really want to make this dress in a everyday, causal style fabric in 2012. 

8. Ginger skirt, love was born. I have really enjoyed wearing this skirt a lot. I love the green colored fabric and the shape of this skirt is a friend to the pear shaped gal.

 9. This little skirt has a flared style. I really like the length of this skirt and it's been worn over and over again.

10. This is my favorite skirt and blouse combo. I made them both and enjoy this 70's/80's style.

11. Okay I said ten, but I couldn't leave off the pants. They are wonderful compared to what I have found in the store.

Thanks for sharing this year with me. I am ready for 2012 to start. This coming year I hope to sew more, fit a better garment, and use more fabrics with stretch in them. Of course with you dear readers! I am so thankful to the online community of creative folks!  May you have a wonderful holiday season and may God be with you in the coming year.

Have a wonderful vintage day,

Gina

Sunday, December 18, 2011

pants!











Cold weather has hit our area and it was time to dig through the wardrobe. What I found is that I am lacking bottoms that fit well. So, I am determined to make a good fitting pair of pants. I can honestly say that I have never had a pair of pants that I felt fit well and looked good on me. Anyone else have this problem? According to the standard size charts, you know the ones that predict bust, waist and hips measurements. Well, I have never "fit" into one size. I am a pear shape, carrying most of my weight lower on my body. My thigh circumference is much larger than the norm. For once in my life I want a pair of pants that fit nice at the waist ( no gaps please!), but are also loose in the thigh area. I think I am close with these pants. I did adjust the pattern a lot in the rise, inseam and of course the thigh area. The pattern calls for a side lap zipper, and  I added a vintage button. It felt really good to be sewing again. I feel like I am breathing again. Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts.

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Robbed, tips for being prepared

I know it's been awhile, sorry for my silence. What I am about to share is not a vintage post, please forgive me. I feel the need to express these things in the hope for healing. We were robbed. There I said it. Home doesn't feel the same to me, as I look out my window I feel a bit blue. Among the items taken were most of my fine jewelry, including my wedding ring. These pieces that were stolen were like old friends to me. We spent  years together, some pieces were engraved, they all were very personal, intentionally bought and meaningful.  They were given to me, on our wedding day, for my college graduation, and at the birth of my sons. The feelings I have are hard to work through.  I am doing my best to wipe off every tract of the word "victim" that has embedded into my forehead, for I know that what happens to me is not who I am.  I refuse to live with that word plastered across me in neon lights. I know it will take time to recover. I learned the hard way, the cost was great. I made a list for you. Here are a few tips for hanging onto your stuff and being prepared just in case.

1. Like in real estate, Think LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. Find a good place to put your jewelry and valuables.  It's best not to hide your jewelry inside your bedroom. Most theifs will  look there first.  My stuff was in my dresser drawer, under the bed and in my closet. A better place for these items would be a safe or a hidden compartment within a wall.

2. Keep your business quiet. If you have money hidden somewhere, don't tell anyone! It's takes only one person to leak out information that can cause you to become a target.

3. No matter how long you have done business with a company, their employees can change, so remember to watch them carefully while they are in your home. You may consider a video camera. The police told us that a man just last week had 50,000 dollar of jewelry stolen from him, but he had got it all on tape.

4. Please keep your receipts for any jewelry you buy. This was my BIGGEST mistake. I  am still looking for certain receipts that my insurance requires for proof. The amount of time getting "proof" that I owned anything is turning into days.  Your are busy, so get that stuff in order now. One file in your cabinet can save you a lot of grief.

5. Take pictures and video. I have a lot of pictures of me wearing my jewels, but not one straight on, close up shot of my emerald ring that was stolen. It's good to do this every couple of years for good record keeping. This is also good proof to an insurance company that you really owned a item.

6. Get appraisal and have them on file. Thankfully my wedding ring has an appraisal and hopefully I won't need to fight with the insurance to pay for another one.

7. Insure your things with a replacement policy. I brought a gold chain 8 years ago for 400.00 dollars, that same chain at the store is 2500.00 dollars now. I could never replace anything with 400.00 dollars. Gold prices are skyrocketing.

8. Decide if the real thing is worth it to you. Sometimes it's better to own costume jewelry and not be a target. As I look back, my family could have been hurt because of these few items that I owned. They are my true treasures for sure.

My hope is that you all have a safe Christmas season and that this post was helpful to you! I should be back soon with some vintage pajamas and sewing projects.

Have a wonderful vintage day!

Gina