Sew Grateful: Chicago Social Sewing

Friends, I've been wanting to participate in the lovely Debi's Sew Grateful event for some time.  While I know it's still a week away, I wanted to share with you this fabulous sewing event I hosted this past weekend.

As you know from this post, I recently hosted a free sewing class in my apartment for anyone who wanted to learn how to sew buttons.  I am so grateful to have learned this incredible skill and I wanted to share my passion with anyone who wanted to learn. The response was astounding: 12 people showed up for an afternoon of food, laughter, and learning.  It was an honor to have them all in my home and be able to teach them something I love so dearly. 

Pictures by my darling friend, Mina, who was trying out her new camera lens.  I will definitely be framing some of these for my sewing room.

Rob making mini cinnamon rolls.

Our delightful spread of food.

My thread and scissors collection.

 Close up of my bobbins.

One of my favorites.

I used my flower bowls to hold the two-hole, four-hole, and shank buttons.

The finished cinnamon rolls.  They didn't last long after this photo was taken!

Homemade tamales from here

Needles!  Get 'em while they're hot!

Practicing threading the needle.

My friends, both old and new, were all so focused and determined.  I could not have taught a more fabulous group.

This is your sampler, mmmkay?

Selecting demonstration buttons.

A back view of my thread holder - possibly one of my favorite things that Mama Grand passed onto me.

Fixing the random thread loops.

What is a sewing event without wine, I ask you?

A close up of the pinking shears - these were much loved by all.

Taking pictures of their handiwork.  Some even took their samplers home to teach their significant others.

Mina's pristine and perfect sampler.  

Inspecting their handiwork - I've never seen such lovely stitching!

My friends were diligent and energetic and open-minded - everything I could ever ask for in a sewing group.  I don't need to tell you how excited I am about teaching them hem stitches and hooks & eyes!

How are you celebrating Sew Grateful Week, friends?  Let me know what you're planning in the comments below!

XOXOXO, Meg

The Sewing Class or How I let My Boyfriend Guest Post

Hello, folks. The Aldi Cook here, writing a guest blog for you numerous fans of Meg the Grand. You may ask yourself why is someone whose blog has nothing to do with sewing writing a guest post here. You would be right to do so. I do not sew. I once reattached a button with duct tape. Yeah, I'm that guy. Megan, however, recently hosted a sewing class which taught, of all things, how to sew buttons. As she was busy teaching the class, I documented the thing for the purpose of putting it on the internets. As her boyfriend, I also have unlimited access to her and can wait until she is drunk to get her to agree to things like this. (Meg here: this sentence sounds totally wrong. TOTALLY WRONG.) Everybody wins. So, without further ado, I present Megan's Sewing Class Wonderment With Unicorns:

The event started with us waiting for everyone to get there. Traffic was awful, so not everyone showed up at the same time. When they did show up, they had food or booze or both. It was a good way to get things started. (Homemade tamales seen below from here: AMAZING.)

There was fruit, chocolate, cheese, sausage, mini cinnamon rolls, tamales, and champagne. Some people got the idea to add some of the fruit to their champagne.(That would be me.  Totally guilty.)

I decided to class up the joint even more. (*sigh*)

Eventually the majority of people coming to the class showed up, so Megan starts to explain how things were going to work, where people should sit, where to get the samplers, needles, threads, and buttons, and all the things that people who have been drinking and socializing will immediately listen to.

Megan missed her calling as a teacher, because everyone falls in line and starts preparing for the class. Between drinking and documenting, I miss most of the instructions. (This is typical Rob behavior. Do not be fooled.)

Luckily I know the teacher, and I am soon set straight. Megan explains that we will be sewing 2 hole, 4 hole, shank, and covered buttons. We will also be sewing snaps. She gives instructions on how to thread a needle, and how to knot the thread. I pick up an already threaded needle because I do not suffer from masochism. (OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO NEEDED TO LEARN...ugh.)

We begin with the 2 hole buttons. I have had a few beers/am an idiot, so I have a few problems, but nothing our teacher doesn't patiently address. 

The girl next to me, let's call her Shelley (because that's her name), is overly competitive and uses my camera to take pictures of her oh-so-perfect button.

She then turns the camera on me to document my continued struggle.

Photo credit: Shelley "I'm Better Than You" Nixon (fact.)

I have another beer. Through inattentiveness/drunkenness/stupidity I have managed to sew a potato chip to my sampler. (Teacher is not pleased. Potato chips do not belong on samplers.  They belong in French Onion dip - FACT.)

Megan is not pleased. I shank my potato chip (I never thought I would ever type that sentence...again). We continue through 4 hole and shank buttons with Megan providing explanations and solutions to the common problems of unexplained knots, running out of thread mid button, etc. Everyone is having a wonderful time. When we get to covered buttons the class is amazed. I am told I cannot use Megan's button kit to create a deli ham covered button. (I mean, seriously?) My dreams of a ham and swiss coat die before they can become a tasty reality. When we are done with the many inappropriate jokes about the male/female parts of the snaps, Shelley's sampler looks much better than mine.

I make a decisive move to eliminate the evidence of my failure.

The class was a huge success. I feel that I can competently sew buttons now. There was much talk about when the next class would be (hems y'all). I must say, Megan is a very good, and let's face it, patient teacher. Thanks to her, I now know how to sew snack foods onto fabric. I can also sew a button, but since I do live with this redheaded seamstress, I will probably allow her to continue the sewing in our relationship.

(There are just no words.  Don't drink and agree to things, Friends - take my advice on this one.)

Have a great night, all!

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, my darling friends!

The oh-so-lovely Christine from What's Up, Cupcake?  asked me to stop by for a little chat.

How could I refuse?  She is a total kindred spirit!  Make sure you check out her fabulous featured spot on the Sew Weekly!!

Links I am loving today:

I am going to make so many of these - a fantastic way to use up scraps!

I think this might be one of my favorite articles that Peter has ever written.

This couch - WOW.

Sally's article on tights is perfect for all Midwesterners who don't want to give up skirts and dresses during winter.

This dress - it's amazing.

I've started embroidering.  I completely blame Donna and Lee for making it look so enticing.

I keep this article near my desk at work - it's been helping with the nail biting resolution.

And finally...

We have a big problem: Vogue Patterns released their 2012 designs, and my wallet looked at me in a panic.

Vogue 1296 was the first thing I saw in my inbox when I got up this morning.  This image prompted me to get out of bed and rush to my computer for a closer look.  That neckline is a beauty!  I'm not much for peplums, but wow, I would totally love to make this and wear it everywhere.

Vogue 1285 is a beauty.  A simple dress with clean, classic lines and this fabulous little addition : "Lining forms attached slip with shoulder and lingerie straps." I would need to make the hem a bit longer, but mock wrap dresses go pretty far in my closet.

I only have one issue with Vogue 1281: You never see a picture of the dress on the model while she is just facing forward and standing still.  You get the best idea of this dress from the detail sketch below the images. With that said, it's a beautiful dress.  The description: "Dress has no side seams, very close-fitting, lined bodice, single-layer, pleated shoulder strap looped through front pleated drape, front wrap skirt cut-in-one with back, raised waist, and invisible back zipper." That sounds complicated ... I like it!

While we already have a mock wrap dress above, the collection does include an actual wrap dress: Vogue 8784. This pattern includes two options for the skirt: an A-line and a semi-fitted pleated skirt.  I don't recall seeing many wrap dress patterns that have included a semi-fitted option, but I am all for this choice - it would definitely add to the corporate wardrobe I have assembled in my closet.

 

Vogue 1282 is a top/skirt combo, with some lovely draping details on the top.  I love the skirt - it seems to emphasize curves and has one scandalous slit.  It's on the maybe list, as there might not be enough occasions to wear this, but I still love the idea of it.

Vogue 1280 is pretty fabulous in terms of construction.  Look at those bands of fabric!  Shoulder straps, insets, AND overlapped seam detail.  Tres chic, y'all. 

I love this blouse, Vogue 8790.  I would make this with all the leftover spandex from my Little Mermaid running costume.  It would be totally amazing and shiny.

Onto the Vintage Vogue patterns:  I found it slightly disappointing that they did not include the artist renderings of the original designs, but that's just me. 

Vogue 8788 is a back wrap dress (my, we have so many different varieties of wrap dresses here - I LOVE IT) and reminds me of the Butterick 4790.  What do you think?

The other Vintage Vogue pattern is Vogue 8789.  It's a lovely dress in this print, and I love the contrast cummerbund, but doesn't it seem a little ... simple (construction wise)? I guess when I see a Vogue pattern, I automatically assume there is going to be some degree of hair pulling, and this looks deceptively easy.  I almost want to try just to confirm my suspicions.

Friends, what are your thoughts on the new Vogue patterns?  Love them, hate them?  Boil 'em, mash 'em, put 'em in a stew?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments!!

XOXOXO, Meg

Sew Weekly Challenge: Make This Look or the "At Last" Blouse

Friends, so far this year I have used the Colette Patterns Taffy and Ceylon. Why quit while I'm ahead?  For this challenge, I finally settled on making a luscious Jasmine blouse (and by finally settled, I mean that this was the third project I had attempted for this challenge.  You'll get to see the failures later this week).

 My "Make This Look" inspiration was none other than fashionista Sarai, whose amazing polka dot Jasmine made me long for a navy blue one of my very own.

The shirt was made with navy polyester from my stash - it has the perfect amount of drape for this pattern, I think. I wore this ensemble to work today - the skirt is from a refashion seen here.  It's always nice to find an outfit that fits corporate America's standards while letting me flex my sewing muscle.

While I really love the look of this blouse, I definitely am having issues with the facings.  They keep popping up even though I've tacked them down in spots.  It makes the shirt sit a little oddly, but I'm hoping with some ironing and washing it will relax a little.  

It's a fabulous, versatile piece - perfect for work or play - and I can see myself making several of these in the future in all colors (and by all colors, I mean various shades of orange).

Friends, I know some of you have tried the Jasmine blouse pattern.  Any further recommendations on making the facings lay flat?  If you would let me know, I would greatly appreciate it!

Have a great day all, and stay warm - it's brisk out there today!

Coke vs Pepsi: The Ultimate Fashion Showdown

Friends, I've been on a real refashioning kick lately.  I finally got the chance to tackle one of my most favorite pieces ever:  Mama Grand's Coca Cola Sweatshirt. 

 No, seriously.  It says Coca-Cola right there.

I absolutely love that it is a mix of cartography and cola, and I've been WAITING for Mama G to say I could have it.  Once it was in my greedy little paws, the ideas began.  Shall I make into a skirt? A hoodie?  When I told Mama G of all my ideas, she gasped.  Obviously she was not a fan of my completely refashioning her shirt.  I decided to stick with it as a sweatshirt but with some alterations.  Both parties were pleased with this idea.

And then this dude walked in.  (No, seriously.  It says Pepsi.  He's owned this for at least twenty years.)

I was all like HELL NO.  We are not going to the grocery all matchy matchy. I am Queen Supreme, zero calories and refreshing flavor.  Rob was all, my sweater is more awesomesauce and I am not clear anymore so that makes me better. " I am Coke Zero." " I am Pepsi One."

(Wasn't the clear stuff nasty?  I mean, really...what was Pepsi thinking?)

Eventually I won, with my new fabulous gathered sleeves and taken-in sides. (No, Rob, I will not gather your sleeves.)  And by winning I mean I didn't have to carry the bag with the milk AND the orange juice.  It's the little things, really.

Friends, please help settle this matter once and for all with your comments! Whoever loses has to make dinner this weekend, so please help this recipe challenged girl out and say that Coke totally beats Pepsi, hands down :)

XOXOXO Have a great night, all!