January Stashbusting & Pattern 'N' Fabric Fast Round-Up

January is over and it is time to gather up the information of the past month and see how well I did!
If you've been following my blog for awhile you know I'm trying to sew through my stash of mostly gifted fabrics. My grandmother, grandma, and Mom gave me their stashes when I started sewing since they had all quit many years prior. So...it's a bit overwhelming.

This year's stashbusting goal is to sew through 100 yards of fabric!
All fabric purchases will be subtracted from the sewn amount so it's not just sewing 100 yards it's getting rid of 100 yards!

As another goal, I made a personal pledge for a pattern 'n' fabric fast. On November 12th 2016 with the follow sewists and stashbusters of Stashbusting Sew-A-Long as my witnesses I said:

• "✋🏼 "I, Jewel McClellan. A dedicated sewist and lover of fabric and patterns. From this moment on will buy no more patterns and/or fabric until 2017. 
• I will restrain from online window shopping and every time I get an urge to do so will sit in front of the fabric shelf or pile the baskets of patterns around myself to be overwhelmed until the said feeling passes."

After a successful month and (about) a half with great expectations I decided to extend it to June of 2017.

I'm confessing to you today...I have broke it. Not with fabric. No! But with a few patterns... I know...I know I said I wouldn't. :( 

I was in the car with (my sister) Tiffany, checking my email and there was a JoAnn's sale email...
I clicked to find when the patterns were going to be on sale. (Bad, bad choice Jewel!) 
Getting to her house I got on the computer and started browsing to see which ones I should get. Again...setting myself up for failure...

I only purchased a single pattern for myself. Simplicity 8248 a 1930s reproduction pattern. Since it came out I've been drooling over it and seeing so many different versions in my head! 
I've also been watching Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries an Australian show that's based in the 1920s (currently on USA Netflix) and love the fashion! 
From a production element, I love how they put Miss Fisher (the leading lady) in rich, true and bright colors as the rest of the cast are in browns and neutrals.

The deal breaker for me was finding this pin on Pinterest! How gorgeous is this dress?? The design elements of the pattern and dress are so very close! I'm pretty sure I can make it! 

I also wanted to get some patterns for TaMera. I know so much more about her personal style then before. Many of the patterns I've previously purchased for her she wouldn't wear. She may "like" them but that doesn't mean she'd like to "wear" them. Big difference. Finding your personal style could possible be the hardest thing about fashion. At least I think so!

Burda 6551

I chose this pattern because TaMera wears a lot of button-ups. (Not necessarily what I'd chose for her to wear but again this about HER style.)

Simplicity 8214

This is a cool little pattern! It's a jumpsuit and dress pattern that can be easily transformed into a coordinating outfit. With a jumpsuit pattern you don't have to worry about your shirt untucking and such.

Burda 6549

One of TaMera's favorite ready-to-wear (RTW) dresses is very similar to this style. I'll just have to raise the neckline for comfort's sake.

These three are for Tiffany and she chose them herself. Tiffany can still wear clothes that she wore 5-7 years ago. (Yes...don't we all wish we could say that!) She's just tried of her closet and for good reason too! She only buys three maybe four new garments a year so she has a reason to be. I hope to start bringing some more custom-made garments into her wardrobe these coming years.

My fabric stashbusting efforts on the other hand were much better. 

0 yards of fabric in and 8 yards out!

Items sewn:

2 Lissette Dress for Hannah (I'll be sharing all four in one blog post soon) - 6 yards
TaMera's Sweater for the Wardrobe Project - 2 yards 

I have a few un-finished projects I'm still working on so February's totals should be a little higher then January's! Here's to hoping anyway. ;)

-'- Jewel

Tiffany's 1960's Shift Dress {Simplicity 1609}

I'm happy to say that one of my projects for my 2016 Make Nine and also the Pattern Review - Pattern Stash Contest is finished! 

I made Tiffany a shift dress using Simplicity 1609 that is a 1960's Jiffy pattern reprint. I think I bought the pattern in early 2014...either way it was one of my first pattern shopping sprees.

The fabric is from the stash and sadly there is still some left. I was hoping that this dress would use it all up...but no. There is still a yard or so to be used up - when I figure out what to make using music note fabric! lol

I omitted the buttons that version A had and also added some tucks to the back for a better fit.

Next time, I'm going to follow my gut and cut the front on the fold. I feel like the center front seam takes away from the dress.

Overall; I'm happy with the result and Tiffany likes it which is the goal.

-'- Jewel

Click here to read my review on Pattern Review

iPhone Photo

Fabric used on this project: 2 3/4 yards (2.5146m)

Fabric used since January 1st, 2016: 2 3/4 yards (2.5146m)

See my 2016 stashbusting pledge HERE

Christmas Wears

Christmas Day we went over to Tiffany & Jeff's! It was so much fun!

For the occasion we dressed all Christmas-y!
 

/ TaMera / earrings: shopko / shirt: $4 4th of july sale - furor moda / skirt: home & closet / brooches: thrifted vintage / shoes: goodwill /

/ Jewel / sweater: old navy / skirt: ross dress for less / leggings: target / bow: forever 21 /

 / Kimberly / jacket: ross dress for less / dress: gifted square dance dress / tights: target / shoes: plato's closet /

Jeff and Tiffany are still one of the cutest couples in my opinion! :)

 

Hope you had a fabulous time celebrating!

-'- Jewel

Jeff and Tiff's Beach Photo Shoot



 

Had a little photo shoot on the beach with two of the cutest people I know! Hope you enjoy these pictures of Tiffany and Jeff.

 

 

What says Valentines Day better than pictures of two people who love each other on the beach?

 

Happy Valentines from me to you! 

 -'- Jewel



Love is in the Air...

 

This weekend we sang in Missouri and the whole family came, including Tiffany's boyfriend Jeff. Before we left on Saturday, Jeff (when Tiffany wasn't around) asked if I had my camera, and to keep it near me at all times this weekend. I must have had a puzzled look on my face because then he mentioned that the engagement ring had come in. He was going to ask Tiffany sometime that weekend!
(That was probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life trying to keep that secret! SO glad he didn't wait too long or I might have burst!)

Saturday evening we checked into our hotel, Mom forgot something in the van. Tiffany & Jeff were going to get it, as well as some pop from the hotel pantry. Jeff quickly told me to get my camera ready. "Oh" I thought "That's going to be romantic!" I envisioned in my mind this nice scene of him on his knee and Tiffany standing there and the "Candlewood Suites" sign in the background. But that's not the way it went down...

I went outside the side door but they were already going into the front door. I put on my best sleuthing mode...by the time I got in to the hotel I thought I had lost them. But there they were right in front of me in the "pantry". I quickly dashed into a hallway and waited. When they started towards the stairs I thought I would make a dash for the elevator...that's where everything went "wrong".

Jeff and Tiff turned around just past the elevator and I was spotted. Tiffany said "Hey Jewel, what are you doing?" *quick think of something* "ummm I was trying to catch you outside because I left my brown bag in the van. Can I have the keys?" It wasn't a lie because I was trying to catch them outside and I did leave my brown bag in the van. Tiffany and I then walked towards each other and she hands me the keys.

While her back was turned, Jeff got down on one knee (that surprised me!) so my face goes into this super smile (I can't hide emotions!)
Tiffany says "Jewel what are you really doing?" *notices the camera*
"Were you taking pictures us or what?"
Me: "No. I'm going to take a picture of you now."
Tiffany says "Oookay?"

After what seemed like an eternity she FINALLY turned around. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Can't wait for the wedding!

-'- Jewel