1940's Sewing Projects

 As I mentioned, back in March, I have joined the Spring For Cotton sew-a-long hosted by the lovely and talented (not to mention always inspirational) Rochelle New of the blog Lucky Lucille.  Although I have hit a few bumps in the road, I have finally finished the 2 projects that I had set out to make. 

This is the pattern I purchased from Joann's (at 50% off) and I planned on (and mostly succeeded) in making both view B and D.  I did not realize that both tops had called for a side zipper closure when I was buying my supplies.  You can imagine my surprise (anger and frustration) when I got to that part of the directions.  WHAT?!?!  Oh you have to be kidding me?  So here is my first 'accidental' alteration to the pattern, I did not put zippers into my tops.  Thanks to having boobs that are a few sizes bigger than the rest of my body and sewing patterns being based on boob measurements (among other measurements) my shirts fit wonderfully in the chest area but a bit too big in most other areas.  Thanks to the little bits of extra room, I am able to fit both tops over my head and on without having the opening on the side.  Although I will say, with the lack of stretch in the fabric it is best to get dressed before doing hair and make up.  Putting these on or taking them off can sure mess up a good do and you are risking getting lipstick on the neck.  Oh, first world problems.

The extra room in the body of the tops also means that I'll be wearing both tops with a belt to help it not feel like I'm wearing a potato sack.  But I'm ok with that.  Especially when I found this perfectly matching belt at Value Village for $3.

Just ignore the tea bags I'm holding in my hand in a few of these pics.  I had a little disagreement with my curling iron earlier in the day and burned the crap out of my finger.  Pinterest told me that cool tea bags can help ease the pain.  Thanks Pinterest, it totally helped and it was much easier to do my makeup while holding tea bags as opposed to the giant ice pack I was using at first.  By the way, I am not ambidextrous.  Trying to put my makeup on with my left hand was a learning experience.  Yes, I learned that I AM NOT AMBIDEXTROUS.

 

 Of course Cupcake had to be in a few of the pictures with me.  I think she is the official mascot of She Knits in Pearls.

Another 'accidental' alteration that I made to both tops was the complete omission of all of the details that required me making little ties out of the fabric.  I absolutely hate cutting those tiny little strips of fabric and trying to sew them close enough to the fabric edges so that I can actually turn them right side out, but not too damn close to the edge or the fabric unravels and it's all shot to hell.  Instead, I used matching ribbon on the redish/orange one for the button loops.  On the green one, I didn't do the sleeve/neck bows and for the back closer (that I forgot to take a picture of) I used a hook and eye closure.  BAMN, take that stupid little fabric strips, I don't need you. 

I did learn one very valuable lesson during these sewing projects.  Pay attention to the direction of the fabric.  It's easy to do when the fabric pattern is big, but not so obvious when its a teeny tiny, little birdie pattern.  Case in point, look at my adorable, little, upside down birds.  Yes, the fabric for my whole top is upside down.  Oops!  Rookie mistake, I admit.  At least you can't tell unless you are really close to me and if you are that close to me, the birdies on my shirt are not what you are thinking about.  You didn't even notice until I pointed it out, did you?

I had a blast participating in the sew-a-long.  Considering I usually only sew skirts, this was a wonderful opportunity to break out of my comfort zone and try something new.  You can see more of the amazing creations of the Spring for Cotton Sew-a-long over at the Flickr Group.  Talk about some amazing inspiration for future sewing projects.  There are some seriously talented seamstresses out there.

It's finals week for me, so I need to get back to the studying.  It's been a long semester and I'm super excited that it is almost over and I will have more time for creating and blogging...... Oh, wait, I'm taking summer classes.  DARN IT!!

XOXO,
Cherry

DenaliWood - It's Senior Prom Time

It is spring time again and with it comes my most favorite event of the year, the annual Senior Prom at Denali Center.  Denali Center is the AMAZING assisted living facility that I had the immense pleasure of working for, for almost 4 years.  Although, due to my back, I am no longer able to work there, I still love this place and consider it my home away from home.  I am truly honored to be a part of such a wonderful place, even if I no longer work there. 

This year I was on the prom planning committee and our theme was "Old Hollywood Nights".  I don't know exactly how it happened, but I got talked in to dressing up as Marilyn Monroe.  I think it started off as a joke, and then snow-balled into madness. 

I couldn't show as much skin as Marilyn (this was in a nursing home, after all) but I hope I did her justice.  The residents all got a great kick out of it and that really is all that matters.  I wish I could share some of the pictures of me with the residents.  Those really are the best ones, but given HIPAA laws and privacy issues, I'm sorry that you'll have to get by seeing all the ones of me with the cardboard cut-outs.

I just couldn't resist a little naughtiness with Bogie. 

The evening was filled with some wonderful live music and a dance troop from the local high school.  We also had hockey players from UAF, and a JROTC group all dressed up and ready to dance with the residents.  Oh, it's killing me not to be able to share pictures of all of the dancing.  And anyone who says that you can't dance while in a wheel chair doesn't know, just how much fun it can be. 

All in all it was a wonderful evening filled with some of my favorite people and memories were made that I will carry with me for as long as I live. 

I think spring has finally made its way north to Alaska now.  We actually had rain today, NOT SNOW and we were able to go for our first real motorcycle ride of the year.  Hallelujah!!!  Spring is a rough time of year for me, April in particular.  Which is why it has been a bit quiet around here lately.  A time of year that should be a glorious re-birth as we emerge out of the darkness of winter, usually finds me drowning in uncomfortable, indescribable sadness (not to mention a serious case of writers block).  So, be patient with me, dear readers.  I'll be back in the vintage loving, crazy knitting, blogging swing very soon.

XOXO,
Cherry