Christmas projects/clothes for me!

Underway For Christmas:
Bassinet for Maisie-cut, half sewn
Dress for Maisie-half sewn, needs hem and possibly lining
PJs for Leo-fabric chosen, not cut
Handbag for Mum-done
Handbag for Karen-waiting for fabric
Handbag for Bunny-waitin gfor fabric
Knitting bag for Mum- fabric chosen, not cut

Underway For me:
Coat for me- needs buttons/buttonholes
Cardigan- needs embroidery
Three pairs of trousers-need hems
One top-done
One handbag-done
Knit scarf- edge crotcheted and ends in

A jacket for a Christmas Party

Here is a simple jacket I made in a hurry for my husband's "Customer Appreciation Night" for work. I am back in black in this one, but nothing beats black for an evening out- or candle light for making ANYTHING flattering!This was made using the Vogue Chanel style jacket- I will have to look up the number. It is made from some silk from FabricMart Fabrics. The silk was great to work with. It sewed and pressed beautifully.
I changed the neckline to a low V, bound the front edges and added ruched cuffs in silk charmeuse. It closes with a snap and then there are the charmeuse ties to cover it. Very simple and flattering. I didn't get a photo in it though. It was the first time my husband I have gone out together and not taken the baby. She cried and fussed with the sitter and we hurried out the door- no time for pictures.

Some sewing for myself

I have been trying to get away from the red/black colour scheme I have worn for so many years. As I get older, it is not longer flattering on me. I am trying to use brown with blue and or teal. The trouble is that my accessories are all suited to black. It is an expensive and time consuming proposition to move away from that.
I have wanted a new handbag for a while now and have not been able to find one I like. I happened upon some brown leather in my attic, left behind by a friend years ago. I have carried it around for nealy 20 years, so I figure it is mine now (she has long agreed to that, but I still resisted using it in case she wanted it). I had a style in mind, but have never made a purse before, so decided to try one right from the package. Here is the result:

The outer fabic is from Emma One Sock and it is lined with a synthetic suede from Timmel Fabrics.

I had a few problems with the binding on the top edge, but it looks Ok from the outside. I am not usually one to accept that, but this was a first attempt and a real learning experience.

Almost back!

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted at all!
The qualifiers for the World Championships have been going on all over North America so it has been very busy at work. I mean 7 days a week, 12 hours a day for about seven weeks. I think I deserve a holiday!
I have been sewing up a storm, just not for me and mine. The entire time I work I plan my personal sewing. It is kind of like dangling a carrot before the donkey, so I always think of it as my carrot sewing. I should be able to start some next week and am very excited about it.
I should probably clean my house first, but chances are I won't until I have at least cut something out. Where to start? Christmas dress for Maisie? Camo jammies for Leo? Desperately needed winter coat for moi? Four foot tall appliqued nutcracker wall hanging for my sister?
I think I had better start with something simple, like a top for me!

Maisie clothes

I finally got some clothes made for my 18 month old daughter, Maisie. They turned out a bit large, but should fit her this winter. I did not exactly follow the SWAP mentality, but tried to make sure everything would work with something else I made. They will also coordinate with much of her existing wardrobe. The girl isn't really hurting for clothes, but she should have a at least a couple of pieces her Mama made for her.
Brown pants, showing hem detail, and vest
Pink pants, with cargo pockets, brown pants and vest
Pink pants, pink and lime striped top and leggings and purchased lime t-neck.
Vest. This looks a little crooked somehow. I am tired now, so will look it over another time and see if there is a problem.

Completed jackets

Here they are-the silk tweed jacket and the aqua bias jacket.

My son took the photos in our dining room today. I plan to wear one of them to a competition on Saturday, so I really needed to complete at least one. Now that I have a choice I will not be able to make up my mind and will likely wear something else!

Nearly dones

Ruched Aqua top

Silk tweed jacket- just needs braid

I have three nearly done pieces that are starting to get boring.
There is a Chanel inspired silk tweed jacket, and a ruched top and matching skirt in aqua.

Coordinating Fabrics

I'm just trying to figure out how to post pictures. I think I should give up for tonight. Only half of each picture is showing up and they are HUGE!

Ocean linen

This is the Ocean Linen I purchased from Timmel last week. The others are some silks I had, hoping to be able to use them one day. I am still working on the design.

Sewing Room- "Before" Pictures

Works in Progress

Fabric storage shelves. Sorted by colour and fabric type- honestly!

Sewing area with Notions and decorating supplies on shelf behind.

The sewing room in is a constant state of disaster. Every dress requires a mulitude of fabrics and each must be chosen with an eye for colour and texture contrast all while keeping the dancer's physical aspect as well as strengths and weaknesses of style and ability in mind. Every consultation erupts into a disastrous mess by the end.

SWAP

I participated in Timmel's "Sewing with a Plan" SWAP Contest last winter. My goal was to complete the contest, which I was able to do. Since then I have watched other contests and sewn items that corresponded, without actually entering the contest.
I wrote to Julie at Timmel last week asking to enter her latest contest. It is based on adding a detail to the garment that is not in the pattern. I plan on making a jacket with some applique/embroidery to it. This is not really a stretch for me in technique, since this is what I do for work, but doing something that I would actually wear will be a challenge. I like things subtle and dull, but somehow gaudiness takes over any project I plan. I cannot even decorate my Christmas tree without thinking that it needs MORE! More sparkle, more lights, more decorations! Less is not more in Irish dance.

Introduction

My name is MaryPat. I live in Southwestern Ontario with my husband and children. I work from home full time as a costume designer/dressmaker. I used to make most of my own clothes, but gave it up some time ago. I gained a lot of weight with my first pregnancy and, with a surprising lack of effort, managed to keep most of it. However, I found it hard to want to decorate this big old bod and am just starting to get back into sewing for myself.
Having a sewing job provides me with some great equipment that I never need to put away to have dinner on, but it is hard to come back down to my workshop and get anything started, much less finished.
I plan on taking baby steps with this, so even though my professional work is elaborate and detailed, the stuff for me will not be. Not yet, anyway.