tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78783974542127320622011-08-07T16:07:27.561-05:00<i>In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.</i> <p>~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</p>Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.comBlogger251100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-82272370339302774312011-07-10T17:06:00.000-05:002011-07-10T17:06:22.492-05:00

Okay, I realize we are well into July, but I still need to post the final pictures from June and give some thoughts on the experience. First, what I wore: Monday - Simplicity 2690 blue tunic dress, sewn 2010. I wore this earlier in the month, but didn't get a picture of it. So a slight cheat of the rules. Tuesday - New Look 6811 denim drawstring pants, again; worn with RTW purple t-shirt, again

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-2859782954651108842011-06-26T15:15:00.000-05:002011-06-26T15:15:32.431-05:00

We actually had rain this week. Several inches of glorious rain. The temperatures were not much cooler, however, and we're back to hot and humid conditions once again. As promised, this week I wore items that have been sewn in the last year. I realized, after I made that challenge, that I only had a few things that I could wear. I modified my requirements and included some garments that I

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-76212011226779622472011-06-19T15:48:00.001-05:002011-06-26T14:24:28.781-05:00

The weather continued to be hot this week, but since I spent a week in skirts, I thought I'd give pants a go. This week's outfit selection might seem a bit repetitive because I have only made four pairs of pants/shorts: white linen pants - OOP Butterick 4077 gray linen-look pants - OOP Butterick 4077 denim drawstring pants - New Look 6811 khaki linen-look city shorts - OOP Simplicity 4366  Monday

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-90065070663272750332011-06-12T20:15:00.001-05:002011-06-20T12:29:36.038-05:00

I unofficially participated in Me-Made-May 2010, but this year I'm doing it for real.  Basically, the challenge is to wear the garments that we create. I wear what I make all the time, but for the month of June I am joining others in a challenge to wear at least one handmade garment each day. As a bonus challenge for myself, I will try to not repeat an outfit. I find that I get into a rut

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-18094100951256750892011-05-11T00:00:00.002-05:002011-05-11T00:00:03.906-05:00

Last year I scored a copy of this lovely vintage pattern on Ebay in a size 16: It is Butterick 6872; ca. early to mid 1950s; One Piece Dress: Shoulder Spanning Yoke. Gay and casual - interesting details: shoulder-spanning yoke that ends in a simulated tab, deep hem band. Collar and yoke cut-in-one. (A) Yoke and hem band cut crosswise for stripes. (B) Contrast yoke and band. (C) One

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-65786046749496467862011-05-08T16:28:00.000-05:002011-05-08T16:28:04.421-05:00

As much as I love my children, it is nice to have some time to just be by myself, so as a Mother's Day treat I am having a lovely afternoon alone at Barnes & Noble. I have perused a fashion magazine, drank a mocha frappuccino and browsed the new books. I gave the blog a new look for spring/summer and am now doing some writing. So how am I doing on my goals for the year? I have been sewing. I am

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-46760496120082112912011-02-25T00:00:00.003-06:002011-02-25T00:00:03.655-06:00

My January project was a simple a-line skirt with lining in a plaid print fabric from the bargain bin at Hobby Lobby. It went together quickly, but needed the hem to be marked and stitched.  That's it...just a hem...but about the time I finished stitching it I was three months pregnant with my last baby and knew it wouldn't fit for a while. So I put it aside and it hung in my closet for the next

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-41728771135291029952011-02-23T00:31:00.001-06:002011-05-08T15:14:48.103-05:00

I have a whole long post in the works about my spring wardrobe plans, but it is very late and I need to get to sleep. So I'm just posting the inspiration board for now. I don't know what to call it. Any thoughts?

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-14243136856390867092011-02-21T00:00:00.008-06:002011-02-21T00:00:08.026-06:00

I had been wanting to make something for my good friend Amy, especially when she announced in December that she was moving. She had admired an open-work scarf that I had and wanted something similar. I had purchased the scarf, but knew that I could find a pattern that would be similar. I remembered a pattern at Knitting Daily by Kathleen Cubley that would work. Kathleen calls it the "Vacation

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-35629935941216868512011-02-17T17:07:00.000-06:002011-02-17T17:07:03.655-06:00

I realize that is has been some time since I last posted.  Life always seems to keep me very busy in the fall and winter months. This year was no exception between moving to a new house and other outside engagements, I have not made much time to sew and work on projects. With the sunny days returning and the house getting in order, I am finally setting down some goals for sewing this year: 1.

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-67088597949676324522010-08-08T16:59:00.001-05:002010-08-15T16:23:54.166-05:00

For my summer wardrobe I wanted three skirts. I prefer skirts to shorts because they are cooler in the hot weather and are more flattering on me. The skirts I have made in the past have been at or just below the knee. This summer I wanted to explore some other lengths. First up is a Boden inspired skirt:  I started with some fabulous black and white floral fabric that I bought from Gorgeous

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-55021730993585571912010-07-20T23:53:00.000-05:002010-07-20T23:53:12.659-05:00

(For those of you just tuning in, the previous posts concerning these pj's are here (preview), here (fitting) and here (construction).) This lovely vintage pattern became...      ...these lovely vintage-inspired pajamas. I am very pleased with these pajamas. I have been wanting some "real" pajamas for quite some time.  My usual pajamas are t-shirts, tanks, and yoga pants. That type of knit

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-53199260555472289442010-07-15T21:26:00.000-05:002010-07-15T21:26:15.690-05:00

When I found time to work on this project, it went together very easily.   Several times in the construction the instructions say to cut out a facing piece or bias strips of a certain length. In modern patterns, these pieces would be included so you wouldn't have to be scrounging around through the scraps for a large enough piece. This is why reading through the instructions before you cut and

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-13476409553660998142010-07-08T20:45:00.000-05:002010-07-15T21:27:23.060-05:00

The vintage pajamas that I have been working on for months (or more appropriately, NOT working on) are finished! Besides not scheduling time to actually work on the sewing, what took so long? Two words: alteration frustration. The reason I do not consider myself an advanced sewist is in part because of my limited fitting abilities. Granted, I am getting much better about using the appropriate

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-399802862926426632010-07-06T21:44:00.001-05:002010-08-31T21:10:50.373-05:00

I have not given up on writing this blog. I find that I write more for quality than for quantity and given my limited time for writing, the posts I've been working on and wanting to work on are taking longer to write than I first thought. I am also making changes to the blog. Though all of the things I have been writing about are interesting to me, I realize that my readership may not be so

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-22277977154895284252010-05-24T15:17:00.001-05:002010-05-24T15:20:44.147-05:00

Pattern Review is having another wardrobe contest! This time, the wardrobe is for 10 pieces: 4 tops, 4 bottoms, a topper (such as a jacket) and a bonus item. The added challenge is to include something "on trend." The contest runs from June 1 - August 31. My original plan for this contest was to sew pieces for the cooler weather ahead. But after posting my "Must Haves" for Summer I realized that

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-67770608948624645862010-05-17T21:22:00.000-05:002010-05-17T21:23:45.013-05:00

My dear friend, Linda, reminds me now and again to turn to a good book when life becomes too much. Charlotte Mason, my home education philosopher of choice, also espouses the importance of reading for mothers - part of what she calls "mother culture." Books are there to inspire, to educate, to uplift and encourage! As a very domestic person who loves being at home, cooking, sewing, taking care of

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-90355046690969817262010-05-11T10:18:00.001-05:002010-05-11T10:20:20.289-05:00

I've been a bad Mommy this week. No amount of dark chocolate could get me through the day without lashing out at my poor children. It was mostly hormonal, but my short-temper is a character flaw that I really, REALLY, need to work on. (Seriously, Holy Spirit, if you are reading this, I need help!) So often I get caught up in the small details of the days that I forget to just enjoy the children,

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-12943515661105830442010-05-05T23:51:00.000-05:002010-05-08T16:03:58.522-05:00

I've not done any sewing in the last week. My pajamas are all cut out but I haven't made the time to sew them yet. I want to finish them by Mother's Day. Yikes! I have three days! I was hoping that watching The Pajama Game with Doris Day would give me motivation for sewing my 1950's pajamas. I'd never seen it before. It took me back to my costume shop sewing days. There were a few good songs,

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-50994105763570893862010-05-01T17:35:00.002-05:002010-05-01T22:33:49.615-05:00

It's rainy and the husband is busy grading final exams. So instead of enjoying an afternoon to myself sitting at the coffee shop with a nice mocha frappe, I'm writing this in my living room with the toddler sleeping on my lap listening to the dishwasher run and the dryer spin and the boy munch an apple. I will envelop myself in a cone of silence and try to get rid of some of the virtual post-it

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-8228080956730195862010-04-18T16:05:00.001-05:002010-07-15T21:27:23.061-05:00

My next sewing project is working with a vintage pattern. Part of the fun of working with a vintage pattern is learning about the pattern's past. Who owned it and what was she like? Did she make the pattern? Why not? What was life like at that time? Many people collect vintage patterns for the cover art or because of the designer. Come along with me as I peruse this pattern for the first time.

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-78795237183072593502010-04-16T00:57:00.000-05:002010-04-18T16:07:25.477-05:00

I love using things up. It shows that progress is being made. The empty spools above are evidence of the frantic sewing that has taken place over the last few weeks. I finished the Mini-Wardrobe Contest! (See pictures to the left.) Four garments in four weeks. I made an Easter outfit for my oldest daughter. I cut out a dress for the younger daughter. I ignored the housework and the children and

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-8301871308755085032010-03-26T21:38:00.000-05:002010-03-26T21:39:00.004-05:00

I love new patterns. It gives me a little thrill each time I see something new that I want to make. With all the variety of things that I could make or buy, how do I decide? Of course I try to think of what styles would be most flattering on me and practical for my lifestyle, but I also try to focus on those patterns and things that make me gasp a bit when I first see them. A quick inhale of

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-39416852745731411542010-03-20T22:09:00.000-05:002010-03-20T22:09:45.498-05:00

photo by Verago I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o'er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten thousand saw I at a glance,Tossing their heads in

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878397454212732062.post-57352598755017195662010-03-15T21:51:00.004-05:002010-03-15T23:15:05.511-05:00

In addition to my cooking exploits, I am also an avid seamstress. I make many of my own clothes and try to make a few things for each of the children throughout the year. I learned to sew as a teenager and it has been a lifelong passion. I love the possibilities that are available to me as a seamstress. I can see something in a store or magazine and then make it myself (usually). I enjoy finding

Aquarijennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07631969386514910335noreply@blogger.com1