Serger sewing

A couple of days ago Amanda over at SouleMama, my favorite blog, wrote about using her serger. Basically she was saying how scared of it she was but that she was going to attempt to use it more after reading Sew U Home Stretch. I, like Amanda, have resolved to use my serger as well. I got it from Alex's mom a couple of years ago when I had been working with her over the summer for a very short period of time. I was really happy to have gotten it from her as I knew it would come in handy yet it sat in a box for years and I never used it. The instruction booklet was in French and that alone intimidated me. Maybe even more than the 4 spools of thread and corresponding tension dials. Well it turned out that some of the accessories of the machine were missing (it was an old machine that she wasn't using anymore) but I didn't fully realize that until quite recently. After reading that post over at SouleMama and reading my Sew U books I decided to dust off my serger and give it another go. I ordered the right presser foot (I only had the rolled hem one) and once it came in I set it all up. Wow I must say, I feel really stupid not having tried this years ago! I LOVE this machine. I mean it's a bit fussy and likes things to be just so, but once it's all set to go it's really a dream to sew with. And the rolled hem foot, wow I can't say enough about it. I decided to try my hand at something really simple to start off with. A nice summer dress for Ayla. I have to admit that I designed it as I went along. I think that's just the way I work best. I got the fabric and ribbon from Freecycle and the button was from a shirt I had that Ayla tore the button off of the other day. I knew it would be perfect. I finished it with a rolled hem and serged all the seams. It's the most 'complete' thing that I've ever sewn. I just love that I don't have to use my pinking shears anymore unless it's deliberately part of the design. I also got a twin needle for my conventional sewing machine so that I can finish my hems like a cover stitch machine. That has to be my next machine purchase down the line.

Yesterday we went to a park near our house where they throw the Canada Day festivities. It was nice to get out of the house to enjoy the good weather and sunshine.

Happy Canada Day

I've been away. I think I haven't posted since Friday because I was taking a small break. We decided to go camping again this weekend. It was a long weekend due to today being Canada day. Alex had Monday off and so it was our intention to go camping for a couple of days. The weather here has been amazingly hot and so it was going to be perfect. This time we were going to be better prepared. It was still last minute but we knew better now. I even checked the weather network website just to be sure. Triple checked even.

It rained. Yes people our perfectly planned camping trip got rained out again. You see normally we wouldn't mind the rain. We would just wait it out. The problem is that we don't have a lot of time off and so usually we're just going for two nights. And we don't want to have to pack up a wet tent that will need drying off later. So we decided to leave early again. We didn't regret going though.

It was a nice night away and we got to roast some vegan marshmallows I got from Vegan Essentials by Sweet and Sara. They were amazing and roasted perfectly. Alex kept wondering why they even bother to put gelatin in 'regular' marshmallows if the vegan ones are so perfect in taste, texture and form. We also saw about half a dozen shooting stars. It was really amazing. They were moving so slow that it was hard to miss them. Just as I was headed to the tent for bed Alex said he saw a really fast one but unfortunately I missed it. I'm sure there will be many more. We snapped up these pictures the morning before we left. I love camping.

And before I forget, Happy Canada Day! Wishing everyone a spectacular day even if it rains on your parade! =)

More sewing and a bbq dinner

Last night I finished reading my new Sew U book and I have to say that it really is a great resource book for beginner sewers. Actually I would say that it probably has helpful and useful tips for those who have been sewing for a bit longer as well. Tonight I'll try to start and finish the home stretch one. I have to say that's the one I'm really interested in reading up on. I've always wanted to work with knits but it's very tricky with a regular sewing machine. There are so many cute outfits made from knits that you really don't want to try if you don't know what you're doing because that way definitely leads to frustration. I forgot to mention that I picked up the June/July 2008 issue of Threads magazine the other day when we went camping. I've never read a magazine dedicated to sewing so it's really nice to have it around. I only just got around to reading it so I'll keep you posted if there are any projects in it that I'd like to try out.

Last night we decided to fire up the bbq for dinner. We had some veggie kabobs marinating in the fridge that were left over from Monday's dinner and I decided to pair it with the recipe for the veggie McChik'n nuggets from Vegan Dad's blog. I had made the nuggets sometime last week but forgot to take pictures. They turned out really well and had a great texture to them so I figured they're go perfect on the grill. As I suspected they turned out wonderfully and I'm so glad I had thought of it. I made a rice pilaf that we had bought by Zatarain's. I'm not a fan of their brand but it turned out half decent.

Just a quick note, if anyone is interested in sewing stuff up for the summer over at Sew, Mama, Sew! they've designated July as Summer sewing month. Summer sewing projects will be posted to the blog daily that you can whip up if you so desire for the month of July. They'll also be giving away free fabric to four lucky people who post to the blog by Monday. Happy Sewing!

Mail day

Today I was awoken at 8:30am by a wonderfully pleasant ring at my door. It was the mail man bringing my book delivery that I had ordered on chapters last week. I'd been eying the Built by Wendy books and decided to just take the plunge and get them. First up was Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe. A definite must to my now expanding sewing library. It comes with three Simplicity patterns and is chock full of helpful information.

Next up was Sew U Home Stretch: The Built by Wendy Guide to Sewing Knit Fabrics. Also another great sewing book. Especially since it's geared more towards using a serger for sewing knits. I'm sure I've mentioned before that I have a serger practically collecting dust. I really wanted this book so that I'd have a reason to haul it out and make some fabulous things. My serger scares me at the moment.

Later in the morning I finally got my print that I had ordered off the Etsy shop The Black Apple. I just love her work so much and was dying to see my print. Isn't it beautiful? It's currently all framed up and ready to be hung on the wall. I'm not sure where I want to hang it though. I don't want it in any direct sunlight. Not that my house actually gets direct sunlight. Hence the dark pictures sometimes.

This is a little postcard that came with the print. It's so cute I think I'll get a smaller 4x6 frame for it.

I forgot to mention yesterday that before we left to go camping I had received my bamboo yarn that I had ordered online from Knit for Brains. I was looking for a place to buy wool free but luxurious yarns when I stumbled upon this site. I have to say that this bamboo yarn does not disappoint! It has a weighty feel to it but it's extremely soft and silky. I'm not sure what I want to make with it yet. But I know it has to be perfect. I'll probably order some more skeins in different colors. I also want to order some bamboo knitting needles. They're so much better to work with than the metal ones. I keep holding out because I have instructions on how to make my own and I want to give that a shot too. We'll see! So much to do so little time!

For dinner last night I decided to go the Mexican route with some beans and rice and burritos. It turned out lovely and tasted even better. I can't wait to have leftovers for lunch today.

Ayla was being quite pouty and disagreeable this morning as I was trying to take pictures of my new stash. Poor thing I couldn't resist getting some shots in of her.

Camping and summer sewing

I just realized that it's been 4 days since I last posted. Well there was a good reason. We went camping! It was only for one night but that's besides the point. We decided at the last minute and threw everything together and just left. We got to the campsite about an hour later and started setting up, but much to our chagrin it started to rain as we were putting up the tent. Sigh. So we had a really wet night. The next day we woke up sore from having slept on the ground but nice and toasty as we bought some really great sleeping bags. I should mention here that in our haste to leave we didn't really pack for the weather conditions and forgot many little things. We ended up having to go into the nearby town to buy things because of it. We're such newbs! Anyway, when we heard on the car radio that there was a severe thunderstorm watch for our area we decided to cut it short and just head home. Next time we'll be better prepared and stay for longer!

The other day I was busy in my sewing room making one of the many outfits I would like to sew up for this summer. I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart one day last week to look for a pattern for bermuda shorts and anything else I could think of. I came across a cute pattern for some tops and decided to buy it. So this is what came of it.

I have many things to say about this top. It looks really nice in pictures. But it fits kinda wonky. First of all I didn't have any interfacing and so I just used some fabric I had on hand. Well needless to say it made the upper portion too thick for my liking. I ummed and ahhed about it for a long time before just deciding to use it and now I wish I hadn't. Then because my bust size is slightly larger than the size 10 that I usually am on the pattern sizing I decided to up it to the size 12. Big mistake! Well not that big but now it's just too wide in all the wrong places. Argh! And I really liked this fabric too! Oh well! Another excuse for me to go fabric shopping. I really want to find some light weight cotton with nice prints that I can use for my summer tops. Next on my list to sew are those bermuda shorts I originally went shopping for. Also, I mentioned awhile ago about having found a new site called Burda Style. Most of their patterns are for free but you have to print them out at home on numerous sheets of paper that you piece together or you can just go to a copy shop and get them to print it out one one large sheet. I called a copy shop today and found out they do print in larger sizes (not like my Staples!) for a decent price so I'll be headed over there soon to print up the very many patterns I have saved up. I can't wait some of them are really amazing.

Snickerdoodles and leisurely walks

Vegan Dad posted about making snickerdoodles the other day and the recipe was so easy that I decided to whip up a batch yesterday. Holy snickerdoodles! Are these things every addictive. We both followed the recipe posted over at the Have Cake, Will Travel blog. I doubled the recipe because I wanted a little bit more than just seven cookies. With a nice glass of soy milk it was a very nice dessert indeed.

For dinner I just threw together some seitan I had in the freezer with some roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes. Again it was another comforting dinner. I just used store bought bbq sauce thinned out with some soy sauce and water to glaze the seitan. Unfortunately, the pictures of this meal didn't turn out too stellar. A fault of the photographer and not the camera (note to self: must learn how to use digital camera in poor lighting conditions).

Before all this cooking, Ayla and I went out on a leisurely walk yesterday on a new trail beside my house. The trail isn't really new it's just new to us. We got a couple of mosquito bites and ended up taking another route home but it was lovely all the same.

I love fabric

Yesterday I got my Amy Butler fabric in the mail from Pink by Post. I had ordered some fat quarters with the intention of making something fabulous. I had no idea what at the time but as I was drooling over the prints today I realized I haven't even cracked open my In Stitches book yet! I keep eying it saying I want to make something, anything really, but I don't want to use crappy fabric and so I wait. Well wait no longer!

I really wanted to make that patchwork handbag I spoke about a few posts ago. And the summery colors and prints will be perfect for it. Speaking of fabric, I haven't gone fabric shopping since before Christmas. I've been trying to use up what I have and not accumulate a huge overwhelming hoard. But I'm really getting the itch, especially since I want to make some summer clothing and I don't really have the right kind for that. Actually, I've been looking online for a place that sells enviro-friendly fabric that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for shipping to here. So far I've been out of luck but hopefully I'll stumbled upon something soon. I see many companies selling enviro-friendly clothing made of soy, bamboo, hemp, organic cotton etc, but none selling the actual fabric which is a bit of a bummer because I want to see what it's like to sew with them.

On another note, I got some really cute pictures of Ayla today in the sunshine. Here she is wearing her smock dress I made the other day and also sitting on her lap quilt. The dress is a little big on her but I don't mind so much because there's always room for her to grow into it. Gotta love that about kids' clothing!

Also, another dress I found at a thrift store awhile back. I never got around to putting it on her but it fits very nicely now. I love the little embroidered detail on the front flap and the puffy sleeves. It definitely has a vintage look to it which I absolutely love.