I've Moved!

Did you miss moving day?!
 I have switched to Wordpress and have a pretty new site for you to see! It's the same old me...just in a new space.

If you are not redirected to the new site...well I'm super sorry about that! Here is the link:

http://creatinginthegap.ca/

Head on over for a looksy...and be sure to change your bookmark. Or follow me on  

Bloglovin

Time For a Makeover

Hey Everyone!

Things may seem quiet around here, but all is well and I'm still sewing lots.  I'll be back next week. With a spiffed up new blog! I thought it was time for some new digs....

Eeeek!

Put A Pom Pom On It... A Fur One

With the longer winter nights, I have found myself sitting in front of the TV more than usual...but my family with tell you that I am terrible at sitting still for an entire movie or TV show. So I thought I would start some knitting again....a small project of course...

I found this hat pattern in a Bernat pattern booklet. I have made this hat for my daughters using a lighter yarn that was super cute. This time around I used Loops & Threads Charisma in red. I love the color and thought that the fur pom pom in a brown that matched closely to my hair color would be fun.

This pattern is knit on straight needles and I treated myself to a  new pair of Knit Picks needles...have any of you used these?! I love them! 

 The pattern looks complicated to (at least to my untrained knitters eye) but it really isn't. I made this hat in two evenings...pretty good for me. I think that my best knitting really does come is small projects and if I can add a cool pom pom...even better!

Ignorance Is Bliss

Happy New Year everyone! Christmas is now all packed away and like everyone else, I'm looking forward to a new year. I love new beginnings and goals....fitness goals, financial goals, personal growth etc... but when it comes to my sewing, this year I am going to ignore my thoughts about resolutions and goals. yikes!  Yup. Let's just wait and see what happens and where my wardrobes needs and more importantly, where creativity leads. I just want to keep sewing fun and enjoyable!

Here's to blissful ignorance of sewing goals in 2016!

Butterick 6244 has been pretty popular these days. Eryn from Sew Style Me made an awesome sleeveless version in orange, I love the classic camel color of Lori's of Girls In The Garden, and Frivolous At Last's Lori's plaid version is GORGEOUS! I made this red one back in early November and have worn it so much, I think I wore it for every Christmas shopping excursion I went on. It just seems to be a perfect addition to my wardrobe.

This pattern is a really good staple to have in your collection. The style is a loose one, so of course fit issues are minimal and it is a simple make....although...I did have some trouble with the darts but once I figured that out, I was fine. I couldn't find a good explanation for this at the time but after looking for help on sewingpatternreview.com...to share with you and found a sewalong for this coat through Lori. Thanks Lori!! Go read about the front darts before you start...save yourself the trouble.

For my coat, I used a lightweight basket weave coating. When choosing a fabric for this pattern be sure that either both sides are the same or the wrong side is nice because it will show.

So, now I'm off to catch up on my favorite blogs... I have missed you all!

Let's have fun with our sewing this year!

Cheeky Checks

Hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas! We had a gorgeous green one....these pictures look as though they were taken on a lovely fall or spring day but they were in fact, taken just yesterday. It was such a beautiful and warm Boxing Day! Ahh...but that was yesterday...today I'm snuggled up by the fire watching the snow fall. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon either. 

I have had a black and white checked skirt on my list to make for quite some time now but really wanted it to be in made in a gorgeous taffeta. Yeah...couldn't find that. Not one to shy away from the drapery department...I snapped up this tabling. Yes, another tablecloth garment! My last one was super fun but has its limits to where it can be worn.

To make this skirt, I dug out my trusted McCalls 6706. This pattern is quick to make and always lets the fabric be the star. I widened the waistband like I always do and put a pocket in one side. This pattern doesn't have pockets but I always add at least one. 

I love this skirt paired with the black lace top and a pop of red in my favorite pumps. This will likely be the last time I can wear it with bare legs until spring but tights and a fitted sweater will look great too. 

I believe that a fabric's use shouldn't be limited to its label....a Christmas tablecloth jumpsuit may be a little over the top but I think there are lots of chic possibilities hidden in the drapery department. 

Do you shop the drapery section for your apparel sewing?

Merry Christmas All The Way

Every year our family has a Christmas party... a themed Christmas party. It all started with the ugly sweaters...but of course we couldn't leave it at that. We have had Redneck, Hawaiian Christmas, 80's...and so it goes on. 

This year's theme was "Fancy Pants", which left dressing open to one's own interpretation. Some dressed fancy...and wore their best fancy clothes and then some of us took it to another place and wore "fancy" pants. Obviously, that's where I took it....

There are lots of great...as in pretty... Christmas prints out there and I could have gone with one of those but where would the fun be in that?! The day before the party I bought this bordered tablecloth fabric and set out to make McCalls 6083. Pockets and all....yes I did...why?...you ask? Because I can. One of the best things about sewing your own clothes is...you can make ANYTHING you want. 

Initially, I set out to make just the pant portion of this jumpsuit but then decided to go all the way and make the entire jumpsuit. No reason to hold back. I had made this pattern before so I knew that I had to only lengthen the bodice and I added some length to the leg. I found my last one a tad too short with my heels. 

The only attention I paid to pattern placement and matching was the border...I do realize that I have some unfortunate holly leaf placement going on...lol. No one else noticed....and believe me...if they did, they would have told me! They are that kind of family.

It was a great party...I love you...my crazy fun family. (I'm tearing up as I write this...) Each of you is so special to me. I feel unbelievably blessed to share this life with you all. Thank you for the fun, the love, the shared tears, and the laughter. Oh.....the laughs!!! 

I love each and every one of you, with all my heart.

Wildly Neutral

Well, here I am again in another coat. 

But this time it is one made from the most luxurious butter soft faux suede I have ever laid my hands on. Seriously, the softest. I am pretty sure that real suede wouldn't be as nice and it is the same on both sides too! People! Do you understand that this makes the possibilities endless, endless I tell you!

One of those possibilities is fringe. 

(Cutting my own fringe still won't leave my brain. Fringe bag, fringe added to boots, fringe skirt, fringe...fringe..fringe ...fringe!!!)

 I found it at Fabricville and it comes in so many gorgeous colors that it was difficult to choose one. I went back and forth between the navy and the berry colors...many times. Now you are asking...." So why are you wearing a camel colored coat?" I couldn't choose so I went the complete opposite to what would be my typical move. Life calls for that sometimes. It was a decidedly good move... I think.

When it came to a pattern, I chose Vogue 9069. I have been eyeing up the relaxed, oversized coats that are on trend right now and wondered if  I could pull it off myself. I decided to go for it, seeing as I had already gone out on a limb and chose the camel color.

Now, you are probably thinking that I completely copied the model garment...well, yes I did but not intentionally. In the store, I flipped through the pattern books and landed on this one but the picture on the envelope is not the same as the model online and if she is in the book...well I didn't see her in her fuzzy camel bathrobe. If I did, I would have changed my mind. Guaranteed.   

This pattern is a Very Easy Vogue and it is easy.... if your sewing machine cooperates with you! Mine didn't. It was skipping stitches like crazy when I was trying to topstitch. I knew that my machine was long overdue for a tune up so off the repair shop it went. The next morning, the shop called and Andre, (aka sewing machine guru) told me that my problem with stitching this fabric was the needle I was using! WHAT!? That's it!? I needed a larger denim needle with this fabric because the fabric is spongy and closes in on the needle before the thread has a chance to catch. Problem solved. New needle paired with the walking foot and I was back in business. 

Note to self... replenish needle stash.

I love the look of the hood but in truth, I will likely never wear it up. If you have seen the model picture, you know why. It's just not a good look when the fabric drapes like this one does.

For the lining, I thought I would really step all the way out of my comfort zone and chose an animal print satin polyester. I NEVER wear animal print. Like. EVER. What is happening to me?

Well, you know what? I love it.

All said and done, I am really loving this coat and look forward to finding different ways to style it for everyday looks. I not sure that I am finished with this fabric and may head back to Fabricville for more. Black Friday's sale would be a good reason to make another fabric purchase...right? 

**disclaimer** Fabricville gifted the fabric and pattern of my choosing for this coat..wasn't that nice?! All opinions are my own...I have many. And there are no affiliate links in this post.

Dress Coat

If you come to my house for a visit, I will always ask if I can take your coat but then I'll just turn around and hang it on the banister...wanna know why? My front closet is full...embarrassingly full of my coats. No one else's...just mine. There is no possible way I could fit yours in there. I know that I could purge the collection but then how could I call it an obsession...?  I have mentioned my coat obsession way back in year one of my blogging journey....some things never change!

Cause here I have gone and made another one. A good one if I do say so myself.... I love this fabric! 

For this coat, I  used Burda 6772.  I love the design of this coat but like many others...found the instructions lacking. I was also lacking some much needed sleep at the time so that didn't help but I did manage to get through it.

I'm not a fan of a CB seam but wanted to ensure a good fit so I did my best to print match. I'm pleased with the result.

I opted to used self fabric covered buttons and large snaps. Bound button holes would have been ideal but I desperately wanted this coat to turn out and the possibility of me messing them up was highly likely at the time. Sometimes you just have to play it safe.

I chose a black Kasha lining. I think I have mentioned my love for this lining before when I used it  in my McCalls 6656 coat. This flannel backed lining adds warmth without bulk, perfect for a dress coat.

 

Me Made IRL... so I thought that I would start sharing some pictures of how I style and wear my me mades in real life. Jeans, heels, tunic and a little sparkle.

Lumberjack Chic

I don't want to bore you with another one of the capes I have made but....I think that this might be my favorite! I love the pop of white this plaid has. The fabric has a brushed side, that I chose to be the right side. It is just the perfect weight to wear for the mild fall we are having.

I thought I should show what the cape looks like when not worn so you have a better idea how to put one together. I cut a 70 cm by 140 cm rectangle and folded it in half. (The fold is worn down one arm.) Then I inserted a 50 cm separating coiled zipper starting from the edge, leaving a neck opening close to the fold. I topstitched the two opposite sides and frayed the edges. Easy peasy!