Hey everyone! I am pretty excited. I am buying a new sewing machine on Tuesday. It is a Janome DC3050 and I am getting it from Sewing Express in Toledo. They were very nice there. My Simplicity Classic is starting to jam up on me. I am currently working on a shirt for my husband and I keep having to rip out seams because the bobbin threads are jamming.

The DC 3050 is computerized and has 50 built-in stitches, automatic button hole capability, built-in needle threader, and speed control. It's pretty nice and got some great reviews at http://sewing.patternreview.com/. Speaking of that website, it is a really great resource for everything sewing and has an enthusiastic posting community.

Another sewing-related project I am working on is altering the jeans that I made a couple of weeks ago. I had to take the whole thing apart because they were too big and I liked the denim too much to throw the whole thing away. I have two other pants patterns to cut out in my search for the perfect pair of pants and am waiting on a couple of fitting books I bought from Amazon. The weather here has turned wintry and it is a perfect opportunity to stay home and sew.

I am also going to be moving my sewing room from its current location in the spare bedroom to the attic, which is finished and is the length of the house. Up there, I will be able to spread out, leaving my cutting table up at all times and even being able to set up my knitting machine and leaving it up. My mom has a Singer knitting machine that she said I could play around with, so I am looking forward to the new space. Also, my cats like to help me sew and there is more room for them to lay not on my sewing. It seems every time I want to use the sewing machine, the cat is sleeping on the sewing machine chair and I don't want to move her.

Well, have a great week and I will post a photo of my new machine after Tuesday. Happy crafting and posting!

I went out and bought the latest Vogue pattern magazine and there are some really great patterns in there.

This is a dress from Anna Sui.

This is a really nice shirt dress that is made out of eyelet. The shirtdress seems to be my new obsession.

One other thing I wantd to mention was that if you are looking for knitting and crochet patterns, then definitely check out the links to the left. Like, for example, this really great bag from the Drops link. It looks like it would knit up pretty quick. I think I may try it before the winter is over.

Here are more projects.

Here is a knit dress from Vogue pattern 8181. It has an empire waist. I have similar green material and will be making another one.

Below is the infamous Prada knock-off. I would like to add a beads to the neckline. The pattern is Simplicity 4072 and it is called a "Duro" dress and the style is from the '70s. I really like it and have material to make a similar dress in Butterick's 4849.



























And here is a skirt that I made from a Burda pattern. Those are horses and the material is suede-like. It is a bit large. I may add belt loops to it.





I was poking around on the site and it is easy to comment. Just click on the comment link and a dialogue box will open up. There is an option to post anonymously. Happy posting!

As promised, here are some photos of the projects I recently completed.

This is the one-skein scarf from the Happy Hooker book. I made it in Patons Classic Merino in Winter White.

This is the kitty hat from the Stitch and Bitch book. I made it in 1814 Wool from Mission Falls. It looks like a kitty head!

Here is a neck warmer I made from the Lion brand website.

Hi Everyone-
Hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! I have been a crafting fool lately. I have finished the blue hat, the winter white scarf, a neck warmer, my knock-off Prada dress, my knit dress, a pair of jeans, and my Burda skirt. I will post photos tomorrow.

In one of my last posts, I was talking about how distasteful I found buying a side of leather and cutting it up for my Prada bag. My mom had a really great idea: Go to thrift stores and buy leather coats, belts, and purses to cut up and use. What a fantastic way to recycle! I haven't actually went yet, but there is a Goodwill and a Salvation Army near my house that I will visit soon.

My next adventure is to fit a pair of jeans and a jacket. I have a book on it and have been avoiding it because it seems hard to me. That is why I have been on a sewing tear; I have been avoiding doing that. I have one more shirt to make for my husband, and then I will move on to the fitting. I will, of course, keep you posted.

A couple people have told me that they are unable to post responses to my blog. I will investigate it and get back to you. I thought that I had enabled Anonymous posting, but Blogger has been updated and maybe it doesn't work? I will find out.

'Til tomorrow then.