FYI

Just wanted to let you guys know that, yes I am alive.  I haven't been sewing much because I lost my mojo a little.  My husband's grandmother passed away at the beginning of this month and we have all been a little sad here.  It wasn't unexpected, but it's sad none the less. 

Anyways, I picked myself up the other day and I made a muslin for the Peony and I was surprised that I got the bodice to fit so quickly.  The back bodice only took one muslin fitting to get it right; the front bodice only took two muslin fittings.  I am glad I did that second fitting though because one of the changes I made did something weird and I had to make a two inch (!!) FBA on my bodice!  It was the first time I ever made a FBA, so that was an interesting learning experience.  I have a normal sized bust, so I never have to make a FBA.

My final Peony is so close to being finished.  I really like how it's turning out and I can't wait to show you guys!  As long as nothing going horribly awry, expect to see pictures this weekend.  Next up, the halloween costume for the little one.  She chose a very sophisticated costume this year, so I think everyone will be surprised...

Anyways, the demon-living-in-the-other-room-of-our-two-bedroom-apartment and I are going for a bike ride.  I hear demons like parks this time of year.

**sorry for a picture-less post!**

Pattern Pyramid Giveaway

Ok, I was planning on doing a video for this and letting my daughter pick the number.  However, it is very difficult to get a time of day to film when a) an area of the house is clean (what?) b) my daughter isn't throwing a fit and/or being difficult.  So, I am too excited to wait any longer and I did a random number generator!  It kicked out the number 15 which is Trisha from Made by Trisha!

This is exciting stuff!  Once I get your address, Trisha, I will send the patterns out to you!

On a side note, I might still be doing the video with my daughter, obviously not with this giveaway, because she is currently sewing (yes, sewing) a couple dresses for her American Girl doll.  I think it would be fun to see a video pattern review with her.  Anyways, happy sewing!  I am currently swimming in piles of muslin!

Colette Launch Party

Yes, I am posting this really late!  But, I attended the colette fall patterns launch party last weekend!  It was pretty amazing.  When I first found out about it, I was sad, because I kinda sorta had a wedding to go to that day.  So, I asked my husband if I could go to the launch party in L.A. and he was really confused.  He asked me what was so important about travelling that distance.  There was a slight pause and I said, "I don't understand the question..."

Which is most definitely true.  I still don't understand why he can't see the awesomeness of it.  So, anyways, he ended up telling me that I should stay home and not go to the wedding.  I live in Alameda which is right outside of Oakland, so it was technically more economical for me to stay and go to the one in Oakland.  Which, I got really lucky, because Erin posted on her blog that she wanted to do a blogger meet up before the party, so I decided to go to that!  It was pretty awesome to meet her.  Not only is she really sweet, it also turns out that we grew up in the same town, I graduated with her sister, and we knew some of the same people!  Crazy!  Anyways, I also met Sarai while I was at the meetup and she was really sweet as well!  I'm not going to lie, I was nervous about going and talking to people who are legally able to drive.  I don't know if you guys know this but, I am super, super shy.

Once at the party I got to meet two other stay at home moms and we had an interesting conversation about babies and birth stories.  It was kind of cool to talk to moms and have the oldest kid.  Anyways, I also got to meet Meg from Made by Meg.  I had seen her earlier, but I have a bad memory for faces and it wasn't until after I saw her name tag when it finally clicked.  And, what do you know, she is also sweet!  It was a lot of fun talking with everyone and I had a blast!

Anyways, if you give me ANY reason to make a dress, I will make one!  So, I decided to make the Colette Crepe dress and wear it to the party.  I had seen this fabric at my favorite fabric store in San Francisco, fabric outlet.  I bought like 4 yards and the person at the cutting table kept asking me if I was sure I wanted that much.  I was a little worried that it would be a little too sweet with the hearts and the style of the dress.  So, instead of toning it down, I chose the sweetheart neckline and I plan on putting lace at the hem.  I guess I like sweet, cutesy clothes!  Also, I swear the next thing I make will NOT be blue!  I didn't realize that I make so many blue clothes.  I guess that it's a good thing I blog.

Anyways!  I didn't make too many adjustments when I cut out my muslin, but after I tried it on, I followed Gertie's sewalong to pinch/tuck the excess fabric out of the bodice.  It was super easy.  The muslin took like an hour (including cutting) and the dress took maybe 2-3 hours to sew up (not including the cutting).  However, the hem took FOREVER!  I was really not liking the copious amount of fabric on the skirt and thought it might overwhelm me.  But, I actually really like the amount of fabric in the skirt.  But, when I laid out the skirt on my queen sized bed, the skirt seriously went from one end to the other!  I watched Jaws while I was pressing up the hem and it took half the movie to press the hem up and then took about 10 minutes to sew the hem!

Anyways, I LOVE this dress!  It was super easy to put together and it required minimal fitting.  It did take a lot of fabric, but it is worth it!  I love this dress and I will most definitely make it again!

I bet you guys thought I forgot about the Pattern Pyramid Giveawy!  Nope!  I just have a surprise for you guys!  I will *hopefully* (technology Gods willing) be posting that tomorrow or Monday!