Hills Sewing Journey

9/2010 Burda Magazine

2011-10-19T16:56:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have this issue of Burda magazine? I need this dress in my life RIGHT NOW & I'm willing to pay for it.

I need this

2011-10-17T10:36:00.000-05:00

I think I may need this book.

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/101600/patternmaking-for-a-perfect-fit-by-steffani-lincecum/9780823026661/

Return to blogging...

2011-07-06T15:45:00.000-05:00

Although I have been MIA from blogging for what seems like forever, that doesn't mean that I havent been ~~stalking~~ reading my favorite blogs. I have a few completed projects that I need to have photographed. Procrastination :/ (I'm a work in progress).

While I was browsing my fav local Joanns, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that the new Fall McCalls were out and actually IN STOCK **as this never happens**. Here are a few of my favs and right now they are looking much better than the Simplicity pre fall collection.

I love how in mid summer they start putting out the fall patterns. It's a conspiracy, I'm convinced. They are abusing my compulsive pattern shopping issue.

Peace

Hills

Check out my new blog

2010-11-09T08:02:00.002-06:00

Please check out and follow my new blog which explores my journey in creating & fashion shows. Thanks Hills

nikolandjoi.blogspot.com

Serenity prayer

2010-07-19T08:07:00.002-05:00

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen.

Patternmaking book update

2010-07-06T20:41:00.000-05:00

Ok, so last week I asked you guys for help w/ deciding on the best, least expensive patternmaking books. I bought the book Make Your Own Dress Patterns by Adele P Margolis and eventhough the styles remind me of a late 60's, early 70's movie... I actually love that era. While I've only skimmed through the book, it has tons of different styles and info on how to alter your basic block into those styles. The one issue I have with this book is that it's not detailed enough about creating your basic block. Luckily I had Make Your Own Patterns by Rene Bergh. This book is very detailed w/ regards to creating your block patterns. This works great for me now as I am working on a very super exciting project. More to come on that later. Thanks to everyone for the comments about the book. I plan on taking a patternmaking class this Fall so I will have the Helen Armstrong book then.

Peace Hills

Patternmaking books, HELP!!!

2010-06-30T14:56:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have this book? If you do, what are your thoughts because I'm thinking of purchasing it. I need an inexpensive patternmaking how to book. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Peace Hills

M6112 question

2010-06-14T20:31:00.000-05:00

While sewing McCalls 6112, I had an issue,"how do I stabilize the neck area?" It just kept stretching as I was sewing. The pattern directions said to sew it as 5/8 narrow hem. When I wore it, by the end of the day it was showing a little shoulder on one side. Does anyone have any remedies to this type of issue. How do you keep necklines on knits from stretching?

Peace Hills

McCalls 6112

2010-06-07T19:59:00.001-05:00

McCall 6112

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE this dress. Did I say how much I love it? It was so simple to sew up, even I didn't need the directions, he he. And I am super excited about the results. Today was the 1st day I revealed my natural hair @ work so I made this baby up real quick because I needed something simple and casual and a lil bit sexy. And I think I accomplished all those things. I made version B, shortened about 2" and WALA...

lOVE IT

PEACE HILLS

Designer

2010-05-30T07:59:00.002-05:00

I might be a little late, but I think Rachel Roy is my new favorite designer. I love the simplicity & the edge of her collections. Here are a few of my favs from different collections.

I love Flowers

2010-05-24T22:09:00.000-05:00

I love flowers. They are so pretty. Over the last year I have become slightly obsessed with floral fabrics. I have purchased at least 3 yards each of 6 different floral print fabrics. They have to be large prints though, I dont like the tiny flowers. I have no idea how I am going to use these prints, but gotta a little inspiration when I checked out Gertie's Blog and saw this beauty:

V1117 is perfect and I also found this Threads article on how to make a fabric covered belt. So I can't wait to work on this.
Now I just have to figure out which fabric I should choose?

Comments

2010-05-24T16:21:00.002-05:00

I am not sure, but I think my "comments" section has been out of order. Please try to post a comment & if it does not work email me. I would appreciate the help. Thanks.

Peace. Hills

Simplicity 2398 & 8th Grade Prom

2010-05-23T14:30:00.002-05:00

Simplicity 2398

Friday my niece attended her 8th grade prom and I was asked to make the dress for her. This dress came together very easily actually. I was slightly intimidated by it because the dress had foundation built in the bodice which was needed. I made version B with straps and she loved it. I used a satin tafetta fabric that I found at Hancocks.

Do any of you remember your 8th grade prom? I remember mine & it was definitely not as fancy as theirs. These kids rented limos...???? Really for 8th grade, I just found that to be kind of funny. Anywaysssss, check out the pics of her in the dress.

Peace Hills

Going Natural

2010-05-13T21:35:00.002-05:00

Happy bday 2 Me, Vegas & Simplicity 2406

2010-03-29T20:53:00.002-05:00

"Go shawty its your birthday!" Hey, so today is the big 30! and damn 30 looks good. I have had such an awesome day. I stepped into work this morning @ 730 and realized that my coworkers had done this to my desk:

This just really made my day! I have great coworkers!

I also just recently got back from Vegas, which was awesome. The girls and I had a blast.

Vegas is fun, but it's just one of those cities that you stay a few days and come right back. So needless to say, that I was glad to be back home when I got home. I also made Simplicity 2406, which turned out awesome. I made it in the majestic teal linen blend fabric that I got from JoAnns.

I love draping...

2010-03-01T20:29:00.000-06:00

Ok, so for those of you who don't know, I am currently taking a draping course and also an alterations course @ my local community college. My draping class has completely put a stop to any possible sewing plans that I may have. Both classes are 1xweek & 5 hours long. So you already know that when I get home I am EXHAUSTED. Also not to mention that I have the most INTENSE teacher. We stand in the front of the class for about 1 1/2- 2 hours while she demonstrates whatever we're are working on that day. @ first I wasnt so much into the way she taught, but now as we enter into our 5th week.... I LOVE IT. I love her method of teaching and all that I have learned in such a short time. So I'm very excited about that.

& Another thing I am so very very excited about.... IM GOING TO VEGAS!!!! I am extremely excited about this trip. Because my friend & I are turning 30 this month, 6 of my close friends are flying out in 3 weeks. Needless to say, I have alot of sewing to do. I will update w/pics before I leave. Gotta go, I have tons of work to do.

Peace. Hills

Fretting Over Fabric – Major Sewing Realizations

2010-02-01T22:30:00.000-06:00

I decided to trek on down to High Fashion Fabrics downtown. They have a ridiculously huge fabric selection, especially compared to the chain stores like JoAnns & Hancocks, but it was during my “fabric shopping” that I had an epiphany of sorts….

I have a major issue when it comes to fabric selection. I wandered aimlessly through the store from aisle to aisle looking @ & touching each bolt of fabric finding fabrics that suit my taste & budget... just to come out of the store w/ NOTHING!!!

I guess I'm just really weird like that. Even w/ my stash @ home, I pull out patterns match them w/ fabric and make a firm decision in my head that this will go together... Only to several days later rearrange the fabric / pattern w/ something else. It's like a strange game of musical chairs only w/ fabric and patterns....

How can I work through this dilema? Thats all.

Peace. Hills

I've been sewing....... really.

2010-01-22T22:02:00.001-06:00

I have taken a serious vacay from blogging. Not that I havent been following my favs & adding to new blogs to follow, I've just been too lazy to post on my own. First of all I made S2603. I love it & got a lot of great feedback when I posted picks on my Facebook page. I found this great houndstooth sweater knit at the "wonderful" High Fashion Fabrics here in Houston, TX. And on top of all that excitement it was marked 70% off. I got 4yds for like $10 or less. AWESOME!!!! I love when I get deals like that. Well here goes...

Before I added sleeves. I couldnt decide if I should've added them or not. I think I'm gonna remake it sleeveless.

With the sleeves pinned on...

Finally on me, I'm working on photographing my work better. I think I need a new camera...

Oh! and by the way please excuse my sewing room. I share w/ my daughters and their toyroom & it's ALWAYS a mess!!!!!

Post more later.

Peace. Hills

Sewing for others isn't so bad!

2009-12-27T15:08:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had Happy Holidays. Family Friends & Food is what it's all about. We celebrated here w/my family briefly then journied to Brenham w/my husband's family. We had a great time. The girls' were "super" excited about all of their gifts. But now about sewing. I have really fallen off when it comes to blogging. I have been sssooooooo busy over the last month & a half. Two of my friends graduated & another turned 30 & once ur friends realize that ur sewing skills are pretty good... they want u to make something for them and so I did. Hopefully I can spend these next few weeks sewing something for myself. Eventhough they are already compiling a list of things for me to sew for them. It feels really good though for my work to be appreciated. But check out the pics. Peace.

I would LLLLOOOOVVVVEEEE to have this!!!

2009-12-16T08:19:00.000-06:00

The 8 O Clock Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

I must work better under pressure???

2009-10-25T10:08:00.004-05:00

Well Thursday I found out that we would be attending a 70's party for a relative's 40th bday on Saturday. I had the perfect material, but I just had to find the perfect pattern. And I found that in McCalls 5621 . This is the fastest I have ever completed any project. The dress from the wedding took me like a month (due to several fabric & pattern changes). But here are some pics of me in the dress & also my husband in his outfit.

I love this dress & although it worked perfectly for a 70's party, it can totally be paired with different shoes (& minus the "fro") & be wearable.

Peace. Hills

2009-10-22T15:31:00.005-05:00

I'm still here. I've just been catching up on some much needed rest since we made it back from DC. We went up for my favorite cousin's wedding, which was beautiful; and also a much needed time away from my babies. It was great!!! I finished my dress which was M5845. I used a "summer" tweed that I found @ Joanns. It was very easy to make, even 4 a "super" beginner like myself. Here are pictures of it on my 'manni' & on me.

Peace. Hills

Sidetracked

2009-09-23T08:30:00.001-05:00

On my last post I was working on a honey yellow dress for a wedding in DC... Well scratch that! One of my Best friends celebrated her 30th bday this past weekend and I have been wanting to make one those dresses with the thick elastic waistbands... I think they are so cute. So here goes my attempt @ that.

Day One

2009-09-14T21:24:00.000-05:00

I have been pondering the idea of creating a blog every since I stumbled across the BLOGGING REVOLUTION totally by accident. I had heard of it, but was completely ignorant to what it really was & just how huge it is. I have found myself @ work checking my favorite blogs for new updates, which is probably very inappropriate for work, but whatever I cant help myself. There is so much info, and it's awesome to see so many others out there who share the same interest in fashion, sewing, etc.

Disclaimer***
I am not a skilled seamstress; I am not familiar w/ alot of technical sewing terms (I still have to pull out my book for definitions). Just thought Id put that out there. LOL.

Now on to what I am working. I will be attending a wedding in DC in October. It is my goal to actually complete a project. I have started & nearly completed several other projects. But I vowe to complete this one. I will upload pics of my progress tomorrow. It is a sheath dress w/ sweetheart neckline & a fitted skirt in a honey yellow.

I am so excited about this blogging journey. I will post more tomorrow.

Peace