Sewing Plans for the New Year

The Christmas hoopla is pretty much over. Yes, there is undecorating left to do, but I don't have the heart to take everything down until New Year's weekend, so it's going to stay up a few more days. In the meantime, I received my January Burda Style right before Christmas, and I've finally had a chance to sit down and give it a good look.

This year I'd like to make at least one item out of every issue. I planned to do it last year, and I think I got as far as March before I got an issue that just didn't excite me. Here's hoping this year I can make it all the way through 12 issues.

At first I wasn't thrilled with the January issue and I was afraid my plan was doomed to fail before it even got started. But then I took a closer look and there are a few things in this issue that I just might make.

First is top #116:
It's a simple wrap top with a long sash that can be tied in a bow. The magazine calls for stretch crepe chiffon, but I'm wondering if it would work using some mesh knit I have stashed away.

Next up is my favorite, bustier and panties #127:

I love these high waisted panties. They're so retro in dotted tulle over satin. I don't know if I'll actually make these, but I like them.

Then there's jacket #106:

I love the ruffle. The magazine calls for brushed mohair. I'm not sure about that. The photo looks like it's a woven fabric and the ruffles have unfinished edges. I can just imagine this thing ravelling all to pieces. Maybe if I could find a suitable substitute, I might give this a try.

Lastly is dress #125:

I do not need a stretch suede bustier dress, however, I like the section seaming in the skirt. It might be worthwhile to just make the bottom half.

So, not my favorite issue of all time, but then I don't expect every issue to be overflowing with things I just have to make. It's not like I'd have time to make more than a piece or two from each magazine anyway.

Anybody else out there planning to make something from this issue? Got any big sewing plans for after the first of the year?

It's Not Just This Year

Every year at Christmas time, I get busy and don't seem to accomplish much in the way of sewing or stitching. Here's an example of a piece I made 10 years ago... and it's not finished yet.
This is "Grace." It's one of the angel patterns by Just Nan. It came out in 2001 and it just happened to have the Princess's middle name, so of course I had to stitch it up for her.

It's a gorgeous design, stitched on cream linen in rose and taupe shades of DMC floss, and embellished with tiny gold and pearl beads.

I planned to finish it up into an ornament for the Princess's first Christmas. It's fixed to an oval piece of foam core board, just waiting for a backing and some decorative edging to be complete.

The face, the hands, and the floral panel on the front of the skirt are all stitched over one. The halo and the front of the dress are embellished with seed beads. The wings, the cuffs and the hem of the dress feature delicate eyelet stitches.

I loved the way it turned out and decided to tackle another one. This time I chose Nan's Angel Stocking:

This is as far as I got:

I still love the design and maybe if I get a few minutes, I can get back to work on it this year.

The cool thing about this one is that you can stitch the stocking and substitute any one of Nan's many angel designs.

I don't expect to complete this one this year. Maybe if I work on it a little each Christmas, I'll get it done by the time the Princess has kids of her own.

I Got Nuthin'

I got nuthin' in the way of sewing, that is. I haven't touched a needle, a pair of scissors, not even a piece of tracing paper all week. I haven't even picked up that poor little cross stitch ornament. There has been so much drama going on around here with the kids, that there just hasn't been a moment to spare on sewing or crafty projects. I'm lucky I found the time yesterday to do my nails.

Since I don't have any sewing related stuff to share, I thought I'd show my "Christmas" mani. This is kind of a departure for me. Usually I don't go for very light colors on my nails. And it doesn't get any lighter than white, right? I also don't like VNL (visible nail line.) But somehow, this mani has both and it doesn't bother me at all. Must be the Christmasiness of it.



I started with 3 coats of Orly Winter Wonderland, a frosty, shimmery white, with a sort of "lumpy" visual texture to it- like clumps of snow. I can't really think of a better word than that. The formula itself is great- no lumps or clumps. It flows right onto the nail and dries quickly. It is sheer, though, as I suspected it would be, hence the 3 coats. I just picked this up at Sally Beauty last week and it had a "New" collar on the bottle, but it looks like it may have been around since last Christmas.



After the 3 coats of Winter Wonderland, I added one coat of China Glaze Party Hearty, also from last year.

Party Hearty is a clear polish with large round red glitter, medium green glitter, and small silver glitter. It is very Christmasy. The silver glitter blends right into the white background and you can't really see the glitter itself, but the sparkle is definitely there.

Like a lot of glitter polishes, Party Hearty was finicky to apply. The glitter wanted to clump a little bit and cling to the brush, but with a little bit of patience and careful placement, I was able to get decent coverage.

After Party Hearty dried, I finished up with one coat of Revlon Quick Dry Topcoat. Even though my nails are white, and I can see VNL at certain angles, I'm still quite tickled with this. The red and green glitter against the sparkly white is eye catching and very Christmasy without being over the top. It makes me think of candy canes without being literal. I hope it lasts a few days. I might have to do this mani again for the big day next weekend.

Now that my nails are done, I'd love to sew. I do have a couple of UFOs that need attention, but I might take a look around and see if I can find an easy "instant gratification" sewing project instead. Or maybe I'll just try to finish the cross stitch ornament.

Happy Holiday Sewing!

A Little Bit of Christmas Stitching

There's been no sewing lately.

There's been a lot of cleaning going on. And a lot of decorating. And finally, a tiny bit of stitching:


It's not quite done yet.



Maybe I'll get this finished in time for Christmas.