Finally Sewing For Myself

Way back in June of 2006, I was working on the perfect pants pattern. Alot has happened since then. Seven months ago, I quit smoking (thank you very much!) and then I gained some weight (not gonna say how much). So needless to say, nothing fits. I did some power shopping and bought 3 pair of jeans, 3 pair of capris and some t shirts. Now I am ready to make me some nice pants.

I found a nice pattern in a new size (not gonna tell ya what that is) and got out my tools. I need my Pants for Real People book and fitting video. I have my colored pens, my scotch tape, rulers and pins.

I pin fit the tissue according to the video. Then I tried it on. Ouchhh, be careful of the pins. I did pin toward the floor but I still managed to stick myself numerous times. I made my modifications and tried the tissue on again. (I took pictures of my tissue fit buy OH BABY, that is for my eyes only!) Then I made a couple more adjustments. I now have it pinned to some flannel for pj pants for my muslin fit.

Now I am going to cut out my pj pants and try to sew them up tonight. The pants saga continues. Stay tuned........

Hello Retirement & Thanks Bonnie

Retired life is good! I've been spending time in my sewing room, trying to clear out the old sewing room-my hour a day project-and slowly working on cleaning my house. I already knew there was not much good on tv during the day so I've been listening to my cds as I mark things off my To Do List.

Today I quilted this top. I put the binding on while it was still on the quilt frame. I stitched it down with the sewing machine. I finished a UFO!

I love Quiltville. I have never met Bonnie but I am one of her biggest fans. She has a fabulous website with oodles of free patterns, awesome instructions with great pictures. Thank you so much.


This one is called Strip Twist and is so easy and fast to put together if you follow the directions. (I wonder how I know that!) I have been involved in several 2 1/2" strip swaps over the years and had a box full of strips.

I learned from Bonnie to cut 10 1/2" squares for the scrappy backing--easy to measure. I also cut 5 1/2" rectanges. I looked on her website where she talks about this but I didn't find it. She has so much free information there. Thank you again, Bonnie.

I have made several of Bonnie's quilts. And after a few more UFO finishes, I am going to make the Sister's Choice.

The bottom picture shows the Accu-Guide I use when applying binding with my long arm. First I quilt the row across--on this quilt it is just a loopy meander--then I lay the binding on from the center to both sides. Stitch slowly across from the center, turn the corner just like on the domestic machines, then down the sides. Then I roll the quilt, meander, attach the binding, etc... When I get to the bottom, either I cheat and just do the old fold and tuck like I did today or I take the quilt off and finish the binding the "proper" way. I wanted this quilt done so I finished stitching the binding down with my domestic machine.




Now to mark this one off my list and pick the next one. I think I will work on my Chunky Churndash (another from Quiltville) that I show here and talk about here.

I think I will practice some ruler work on that one. Wish me luck.