Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Fall/Winter 2017 Pattern Haul


GIRL!!! When McCall’s and Simplicity released their latest patterns I just knew I would be at the closest JoAnn’s store counting down the days until they arrive. I live in a small town and we have one JoAnns and what seems like a million sewist. So  I knew I had to be first in line.

The day came and patterns went on sale. I made sure I had a list and checked it twice, (low Key Christmas my world) and ran to the store. I was able to find some of the new Simplicity Patterns but McCall’s (which I really wanted) was just out of my grasp.

The weekend came and decided to try my luck. I called the JoAnns in the next town over and they had them. I drove 40 minutes and got every pattern I wanted from the McCalls Fall/Winter 2017.

Disclaimer: I own more patterns that I will ever sew in my life time but you can never have to many!

When buying patterns I tend to buy both sizes. I don't know why and most of the time I don't sew for other people (outside of skirts) but its something that I do. Plus, maybe one day I may need it.



So here is my haul. Even though  I know I wont sew everything before the end of the year here are a few things  I hope to make.


I am currently working on Mimi G Sew Sew Def Lexi Pattern but in addition I plan on making the following before the year is over.


McCalls7688- View E for Christmas

                                             



Simplicity 2061- View A to finish the look for my bomber jacket.

                                     



McCalls 7698 View B- Part of ThatsSewMonica and FeeSewCrafty November Sew-A-Long

                                         


Did you partake in the latest sale! What pattern would you like to see me make!?!






Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Seamstress Tag!!!!

Hey Everyone!
Surprise Surprise!!! You may have noticed that we have a new layout to the blog as well as a new logo. I've spent countless hours trying to produce a product that best describes me, so why not "pink" up the place. Let me know what you think about the rebrand, whether it is good or bad. I am very excited and I have so much in store but here is where my head is...
I can’t talk about the goals I have for this blog. It seems as though the more I talk about it, the less likely they are willing to happen. So I am just going to go for it. Just write, publish, repeat. I won’t say how often I want to post and what exactly I will post about. I will just get it done, and in a year from now all goals will be accomplished and we can toast to the good life. 
As part of the rebrand I decided to reintroduce myself with  the Seamstress Tag. I even brought a friend along to tag so we can learn more about her and her amazing blog. 
So here we go!
1.) Who are you?
Hi! I’m Kris!!! I’m a wife, a mom, a sister, daughter, and friend. I’m a Sewist and Owner of Jada Olivia. A clothing line specializing in African/Ankara skirts. I am silly, sweet, petty, educated and in my own way FIERCE! I have decided to make the 3rd quarter of 2017 my best yet and so far I am soaring. 
2) When & why did you start sewing?
I started sewing about five years ago. When I started a new management position and I found myself always catching colds and getting sick. My boss asked me if I took vitamins and that my stress level could be that factor why I keep getting sick. At that time, I didn’t want to start taking something so I picked up a hobby. I enrolled in sewing classes at my local community college and for 12 weeks I went to school one day a week and learned to sew. One of best decisions I have ever made.
3) What is your favorite or proudest make?
My proudest makes is my first jumper, McCall’s 6083. It was my first wearable piece and I wore it so much I lost it. LOL. And my dress for my entry into Pretty Girls Sew Rippin' Ain’t Easy sewing completion. I made McCall’s 6953, and the rules of the competition is to take the pattern and make it your own. I took a simple dress and put a zipper down the front and modified the back to show my whole back. I worked really hard and even took off work to get it done. I photographed the dress out our local park and that photo is now at my moms house and you would think it was a professional shot. 
4) What is your most disastrous make?
My current bathing suit. I put two patterns together and the top did not work out. I didn’t buy enough fabric and I do not want to give up, so I’m going to order more fabric and try it again. 
5) Where is your favorite place to go fabric shopping?
I currently live in a small town so all we have is Jo-Anns. I’m originally from South Florida so I always enjoyed going down to the fabric district downtown. In a few weeks you will  hear about my online fabric shopping trip :)
6) What is your most used pattern?
I have never used the same pattern twice. I always want to create something new and expand my craft.
7) Your most dreaded sewing task is…
Bias tape- I learned how to make my own in school but I think there was some type of disconnect in my brain. So I haven’t used it since. I do have a 2018 goal to accomplish this task. 
8) And your favorite sewing task?
Right now I don’t have a favorite. I just sew. Since I have a skirt line I can make them with my eyes closed but I just enjoy the process. 
9) What is your favorite ‘sewing entertainment’?
When I first started sewing, I would get anxiety so I listened to a calming station on Pandora. But now I watch the Hallmark channel movies while I sew or whatever book I’m listening to at the time. 
10) Printed or PDF?
I just purchased my first PDF pattern so I will have to say "Printed." 
11) What sewing machine do you use? I currently have a Brother SE425. I got it as a gift from my husband for my birthday. 
12) Do you have any other hobbies? I listen to book and I love to read. Besides sewing, I do a lot of DIY and crafts. I also collect shot glasses from all the cites I travel to. 
I’m tagging Allysee Jolie. Allyse has an amazing blog and YouTube channel and is such a talented seamstress. I look forward to working with her on so many other things but go on down to her blog at www.allysejolie.com
Well I hope you enjoyed getting to know more about me. Make sure you subscribe to my mailing list to learn more about upcoming projects and future giveaways.
See you soon. 

Sunday, January 29, 2017

The Confessions of a Procrastinating Craftaholic!!!!

Last year I was so excited about all the endless possibilities 2016 had to offer. I became a stay at home mom and I created a vision board full of pieces I wanted to make, social media genres I wanted to break into to, and places I wanted to travel to. It is now 2017 and I have yet to keep up with my blog, I am way to scary to think about "Going Live" much less become active on Periscope, and those pieces I was excited about making, mostly went undone.

With that being said... I did manage to start my business Jada Olivia! I make custom African skirts for the every day woman. I started at a local Sip and Shop and was pleased with my success. I think year to date I have sewn about 100 skirts, made amazing connections, and met some pretty amazing people. (I'm an extroverted introvert.)  I have also gone back to my obsession. I am a healthcare regulation buff and to supplement my income (I like to shop) I decided to go back into the work force. With that decision my baby took a back burner.

So now we are in 2017, I haven't sewn in the last quarter, except for a select few and I am starting to have that "I am not living to my potential" feeling. I look back at where I failed and decided to keep with my 2016 goals and just emphasize on those I was able to keep and put more work into those I did not even attempt. I may have to limit my time on Facebook (I see everything lol) and use those minutes to get my goals done., but I am ready for the challenge. I also noticed since I started my business, I haven't sewn anything for myself and with a couple trips I have planned this year I want to be able to say I made that and wear it well. I also want to expand my business. When clients ask me to make things I always shy away and say no. Not because I cannot, I actually took sewing classes and I'm pretty talented, but because fear is real and fear of failure is debilitating

I cannot say that 2016 was all a bust. I did manage to purchase home, travel, and make multiple woman feel beautiful. I stepped out on faith with our relocation and I must say this is the happiest I have been in a while. My children are flourishing and my marriage is pretty amazing....

So lets see what 2017 has for me... Join my journey and catch me live in the next few weeks!!!

New Year Blessings


© Sew Me Kris B. Made with love by The Dutch Lady Designs.