Sewing Fair A No Go

If I didn't have my Tree Planting that Saturday, this is where I would be!

Vogue Sale!

Last week Vogue Patterns had a $4.99 sale. I took advantage of it and ordered 6 patterns. They came in the mail today. Yay! I love getting fun things in the mail, even when you know it's coming.

One of the patterns I really, really, really love. I love it so much that it will be my wedding dress if and when that day comes. Can you guess which one? I have a lot of design ideas for it. More to come on that dress...

Waiting for summer

After living in San Francisco for 6+ years now I know by now that we do not get a summer. "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco," Mark Twain. In San Francisco we get an "Indian Summer." We have nice weather in September/October. As I sit here it is practically raining outside. It has been very cold and gloomy around here lately. A Planting Leader told me over the weekend that the month of July was the coldest July we have had in 40 years. Yay! I am not complaining because I also wouldn't want to live in 85-100 weather, but it would be nice if we had some sunny days.

Last week I drove up to Chico where is it very warm. It was truly nice to feel some heat on my bones. I made a video of me driving up enjoying the sun. It felt like I was driving to summer. In three hours there's a 30 degree difference. If you notice in the video I am wearing the 60's top I made. I can't wear it in San Francisco yet. :)

I haven't sewed anything lately. But I do have big plans for upcoming projects.

Last year at this time I was training for the Breast Cancer 3 day. I was also, helping other women in San Francisco to train as well as raising $3,000. This year I wanted to volunteer at the event, but I have a planting that weekend and can't. I've decided I want to do a 10k race instead. At the gym I have been getting more and more energy and running for longer. I am taking advantage of this wave of energy. That's why I hope it warms up so that I can run in Golden Gate Park and around my neighborhood.

My running shoes looked like this last week, now they look like this. :)

I am ready and waiting for summer!

60's or 70's Recycle

Remember yesterday when I said that I would work on this project, well I started it yesterday and finished it today. My Mom gave me this shirt a long long time ago because I loved it! It is hers from the the 60's or 70's. Who knows? And really who cares? It's way before my time. Well it was very large and not very stylish, but I kept it around and it went from apartment to apartment with me.

First off I want to say that anyone could make this:
1 large button down shirt (Men's or Women's), 1 yard at most 1" elastic, & thread
You can go to http://www.craftstylish.com/item/64305/mens-shirt-makeover to see complete instructions.

I made three changes. I made the straps cross in the back. I think it makes it sexier. I added a fabric flower from the same fabric with a button in the middle. Lastly I added a little belt. I think all of these additions make it cuter. :)

First cut off the top of the shirt.

Cut approximately 2 inches from each side.

Then sew the sides together.

Then make a casing at the top and put the elastic in.

Then make two straps and the belt.

And wallah!!!!!! A cute updated recycled summer top! I hope my Mom thinks I gave it justice :)

P.S. The colorful Love painting was created by Svetlana and I think it goes great with my new shirt!

Beignet finished! What's next??

I finished the Collette Pattern: Beignet skirt last Friday. It felt so good to finish a project. I think it turned out just like I wanted! I haven't had time to do a photo shoot with it yet, but I will.


I used a Amy Butler cotton fabric and I lined the skirt with a blue/purple thin fabric. There is no zipper. It has 12 buttons down the front that fit the two sides together. I individually covered all of the buttons with the same fabric I was using. I bought a button making kit and it was so easy to make these. I will probably be making all my buttons this way.
The skirt also ties at the top with a belt and belt loops. Which is good cause the skirt is a little big, but very comfortable.

I am so excited to be sewing again!

What's up next?

My Mom's 60's shirt re-design and Bed Pocket

No Sally Sew

Sew Sally Sew is more like No Sally Sew these days. You probally noticed that I have taken a hiatis from writing on my blog and sewing. I really really miss it, but I have been busy. Let's see it's been more than a month since my last post and that was about a dress I couldn't finish for a wedding in San Diego :( What has happened since then: I went to Chico, studying for Arborist exam, feel in love, Bayview Tree planting, went to San Diego again with my lover, My brother got engaged, studying for arborist exam, Santa Cruz, and more studying. Did I mention more studying for the arborist exam. Doesn't leave much time for creation does it!
I finally took the ISA Arborist exam yesterday. I now have the use of my free time back to sew and craft. This week my goals are:

• finish the Beignet skirt (I promise I will)
• make a picnic set for myself
• get rid of tons of old clothes and take them to goodwill

I will be writing on my blog regularly again so stay tuned because I will post the finished skirt next week.

I changed the look of my blog. Do you like it?

Rock & Roll is Dead

Let me begin by saying that I am having a really crappy/emotional day and probably shouldn't be writing my blog, but I am laying in bed and figure it's a good use of time.

I leave for San Diego tomorrow and the dress I am making is in shambles. First I haven't had any time, 2nd I'm in love and can't focus and 3rd the pattern is really hard. I mean really hard. So many french seams and things I have forgot or have no idea how to do. This has happened before and I usually have pulled through. I am sad to report that I am not a rock star and rock and roll is dead for me. Meaning I am not going to pull an all nighter to finish it.

As a designer I look at it and it makes me a little sick to my stomach because I see my vision and how perfect it would be for this event. But now there is nothing I can do about it. I realize that I should probably take some more sewing classes to better my skills and get back in the sewing game! I may even deconstruct the part of the dress I made and start over again. I still love the pattern/fabric! It still could be a rockin dress :)

My friend Svetlana who makes jewelry and is a Groupie made me the RockEm earrings that I will wear to the wedding, but I still have no idea what I will wear with them.

This is the first large project where I feel defeated, but as I finish writing I am feeling happy and letting go and I know that it's okay that I am not able to accomplish everything.

Next week I am going to go back to finishing the skirt. That will make me feel better. Stay tuned!