Little Rough Around The Edges... {Simplicity 1196}

It was cold this morning when we took these photos. I'm surprised you can't see my goosebumps in the pictures! (Promise, I didn't use airbrush lol) I wanted to get the photos taken so I could work on finishing the skirt that was also on my sewing desk. (The skirt is finished, photographed and waiting to be written up! Yay) 

This dress was supposed to be a changing season type dress rather then a sun dress, It wasn't supposed to be sleeveless but the long sleeves with the pattern came out tiny!
(The pattern did give arm measurements)
Since, I'm trying to use the stash fabric I didn't have enough to make bigger sleeves.

The image that I had in my head (for the dress) was really cute and I still wish it would worked out.
...I'll have to keep it in mind for another time.

The pattern is Simplicity 1196 and the fabric is all from my Grandmother.

I'm glad that I actually stuck it through on this dress...even after the mountain of problems.
I named this post "Little Rough Around the Edges" because frankly it is.
Up close and on the inside you can see the "roughness". lol

It didn't come out at all like I planned...but it's still alright!
I might not wear until the spring though. haha

 For my next project, I really want to sew a pair of Moji Pants from Seamwork Magazine. They would be great for work pants! :)

I'll also be joining in on the Japanese Knot Bag sew-a-long (here) you should join, too! It's going to be a ton of fun!

Smiles!

-'- Jewel

Fabric busted on this project: 3 1/8 yards (2.8575 m)

Fabric busted since March 1st, 2015: 63 1/8 yards. (57.7215 m)

See Jewel's pledge and get more information on the 2015 Stashbusting Sewalong HERE

We would love to hear from you! Say a quick "hello" in the comments!

Our YouTube Journey: The Bar Will NOT Be Lowered

Our first official video on YouTube was TaMera's "How To Knit A Dishcloth" video and without realizing it we had set the bar for what we wanted our videos to be. 

What I mean by that is:

• The Quality

The lighting was pretty natural and consistent throughout the entire video.

The camera focused on what TaMera's hands were doing so you could see exactly what was going on. 

Her hands rarely went out of the screen.

• Easy to Understand

TaMera spoke clearly and explained exactly what her hands were doing.

• Editing

The editing was smooth and well done for our first ever how-to video.

This is not a pat on the back, but a explanation of why after hours and hours of work and two uploads we trashed a three part knitting video.

You may have noticed that last week we posted part one in "How To Knit A Flat Hat" and yesterday for a brief time part two was up on YouTube as well. 

While part two was uploading to our channel, TaMera and I talked about how they didn't reach the bar that we wanted and felt like they were our first knitting videos rather than our second and third. They didn't feel thought out, the background was distracting, the audio was bad and overall it was not what we wanted. 

Together we decided to ditch them and start anew on a different video. Neither of us have any remorse for our decision but we are disappointed in ourselves for not noticing it sooner so we could have been using our time on a project we were happy with.

In a platform of so many different voices we want to keep ours consistent, well done and something we can be proud of.

With that in mind we are heading into this new video with a new sense of purpose!

We are amazed that "How To Knit A Dishcloth" is at over 4,000 views and thankful for your lovely comments on it as well! They are an encouragement to us and we are challenged to keep making high-quality videos because of them!

-'- Happy Knitting,

Jewel & TaMera

With The Leaves I'll Fall {Simplicity 2249}

Here is TaMera's blouse; it was finished in time for the fall festival she was volunteering at!

Let's talk about the seams... which are french seams and I have fallen in love with them! I wish I had known about the sooner! But, like my Mom mentioned "You are still learning and you can't learn everything at once." ...That's true. Very true!

Anyway, they are amazing! I love how clean the inside of the tunic looks. The only seam that isn't a french seam is the zipper seam...because can you even do a french zipper seam? I don't know...lol

If you want to try french seams (which you should because they are incredible!) cotton is a great fabric to start on! It's forgiving and doesn't do a lot of moving around. 

...maybe I'll try doing a tutorial on them... hmmm, something to think about... :)

The pattern is Simplicity 2249 that Grandmother gave us. The tunic is version D with version A length sleeves.

The fabric was left over from about 14 years ago and there was just enough for the tunic!

From the stash:

-Fabric

-Zipper

-Thread

-Bias Binding (For neckline and sleeves)

I couldn't help but share all of these adorable pictures from the shoot! :)

-'- Jewel

Fabric busted on this project: 2 3/8 yards (2.1717 m)

Fabric busted since March 1st, 2015: 60 yards. (54.864 m)

See Jewel's pledge and get more information on the 2015 Stashbusting Sewalong HERE

We would love to hear from you! Say a quick "hello" in the comments!

Iowa Sheep & Wool Festival

In the beginning of June we went to the Iowa Sheep & Wool Festival! Here's a few snapshots for your enjoyment!

-'- Jewel

Northern Flicker Woodpecker

Back in June, this little bird came to visit us!

Northern Flicker Woodpeckers frequently feed on the ground. 

I'm pretty sure this one is a yellow-shafted flicker because "They are yellow under the tail and underwings and have yellow shafts on their primaries. They have a grey cap, a beige face and a red bar at the nape of their neck." (Source)

-'- Jewel

September Stashbusting Overview

September was a fun month! 

I participated in my first sew-a-long using fabric from the stash!

The Subtracting...

From the stash:

4 5/8 yards - Sew-A-Long Skirt & Sew-A-Long Blouse

1 3/8 yards - Sew-A-Long Shorts

2 yards - Sew-A-Long Bag: The Cargo Duffle Bag

8 yards out this month...not as impressive as August. But I am not complaining as I learned a lot of new techniques this month! Oh, and all that quilting on the bag...took, what felt like, FOREVER! lol 

Onto the addition...

Added to the stash: 

- Unmeasured Fabric from My Grandmother

- 1 Full Vintage Sheet with Daises from the B & B (3-4 yards)

The sheet was so adorable I couldn't leave there for someone to use as a plain ol' sheet. (Haha) 

I'm thinking a crop top & high waisted skirt combo or something along those lines! 

- 8 yards Art Gallery Fabric Elements won on Instagram (Pictured)

Well, this was not intentional. 

I reposted the photo thinking there wasn't a chance in the world I'd win and so the other sewists that follow me would know about the giveaway. (Seriously. Not joking.) And I was speechless when they commented that I had won!

Because the out matched perfectly with the fabric I won... I know more was added than I sewed. 

I'm still amazed at the almost 58 yards I've sewn since joining the 2015 Stashbusting Group in March!

My new goal is to make it to 100 yards by the end of the year!

Is that doable? I'm hoping so!

-'- Jewel