Vote for My Coat on Sewer's Choice

Here's the link.  Make sure to click on the "sewer's choice" link at the bottom of the screen.

Fabric Choice

Thank You to everyone who dropped by and left your votes.  It came down to #3 and #4 in the end.  The blue is the best choice, a little thinner than I liked but I can just add a second layer, possibly to make the skirt look tiered, with the gold edge acting as the hem.  I want the dress to be a surprise under the tree for Christmas.

Be sure and check out my other recent posts, I want to start a "Design Your Own Purse Pattern" challenge.

Vintage Tween Fashion

I want to make this dress for my daughter but I can't decide which fabric, help me out.  There are 4 choices, three are quilting cottons, the blue with gold edging is cotton also (I'm guessing) but it is much thinner and has a nicer hand than the other three.  Drop your votes in the comment box with the number of the fabric you're voting for. 
Fabric 1: blue floral print quilting cotton with the background having a slightly blue tint to it

 Fabric 2: white gingham

 Fabric 3: pink quilting cotton with multi-colored flowers...kinda funky

 Fabric 4: turquoise blue with gold trim on one selvage only.

Design Your Own Purse Pattern?

During the spring and summer of this year I began designing my own purse pattern called the "A-Round Town Tote".  Well, I hit a design snag and between that and school and well, life, it got put on the back burner.  I'm needing some motivation to sit down and fix this design flaw so I can bring you guys a cute purse pattern so I figure, why not design your own purse with me?  This is gonna be fun and I will post step by step instructions to complete your own purse pattern.  Don't shy away, if you can trace a plate or square, you're in luck!  Along the way I want to post picutures of your purses!  I need input on the best time to start the challenge, I know the holidays are a busy time for most everybody and I want as many people to have a chance to participate as possible.  Start posting your comments now.

The Faded Stitch is Open on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFadedStitch, the link is posted in the upper right hand corner of my blog too!  I will be posting new items throughout the day today, come check them out.

Phew, That Semester is Over

Didn't think I was gonna make it through that one but, here it is at a close.  It's been a busy 4 months for me so I'll update you on what I have been up to.  First off, I'm only two semesters away from graduating!  Yay! 

Secondly, I wrote a short story that will be published in my university's literary magazine, the Totem.  It should be out sometime in April 2011. 

Thirdly check out the coat I made from some vintage wool I picked up at an estate sale over the summer. The pattern I used was Simplicity 2508 ( a project runway pattern ).  The patttern got sized up one size and some small style changes made before putting it together.  Cutting the wool made me very nervous because there was just barely enough to make the coat and since it was vintage wool, there was no running to the store for more.  I quilted the back panel with silver thread for extra warmth and then added an embroidery that says, "Home is where you are" onto a yoke that I inserted over the back panel.  I have to admit, I'm proud of this one.

Half-way through Another Semester

Fall break is almost over, just a few more hours left.  It was a break I really needed.  A small infection after my surgery had me feeling down for a few days but now it's all cleared up and I am on the mend again.  School has been my air, food and bed lately, aside from the doctor's office.  During the last couple weeks of the summer I changed my major to English.  Finding an acceptable major in school was a struggle for me.  No, I am not interested in teaching at this point in my life unless it is underprivileged students.  So many decisions at this time have had me feeling a bit confused and underwater.  Discovering over the last week that I am a nonconformist helped me explain a few things about myself but still leaves questions.  I am on the job hunt again and this is why these questions about myself are so important right now.  Finding a compatible work place can be as much of a struggle as finding the right major in school.  So many work places now focus on teamwork, teamwork, teamwork.  I am not completely opposed to teamwork but the fact remains that I am most comfortable doing my work on my own.  Another hitch is that I am always questioning policies, procedures and actions.  There are times I want to put my two cents worth in but am not sure how much I can say without losing my job.  I have had some work experiences in the past where I inserted my opinion in the most tactful way possible but got stared at like I sprouted a second head.  I tend to speak out when neccessary and this seems to make me even more of a black sheep.  In short, I can be outspoken with a peppering of blunt honesty.

Feeling Better

I'm feeling better this week, but still not completely recovered.  Keep an eye out for a few more patterns that need new homes to get posted this week.  I have gone back over the previous posts and removed patterns that were sold.  All patterns posted are still looking for a place to go.

It's School Time Again

Fall semester started on Wednesday.  Was I in class?  No.  Why?  I decided to have to have surgery.  A complete hysterectomy to be exact.  I'm that special kid that always tries to juggle all of the hardest things in life all at one time.  It makes for an interesting time.  Being home from the hospital has been the biggest help.  I hate hospital beds.  All of my nurses and docs were superb but I have trouble being cooped up like that.  Signing off for now.

Should I Give Comedy a Try?

After reading a Yahoo headline about some YouTube users making $100,000+ maybe I should.  Is anyone ready for comedy dripping in sarcasm, satire, and cynism?  My humor may be just what what you are looking for.  The down side, I won't be caught on camera.  Yes, I'm camera shy.

War

Polititcs are not my usual commentary fodder, but tonight is special.  U.S. troops pull out of Iraq.  Did you know that according to some research as many as 90% of war verterans will return home with psychological damage, yet the Army says prior to 2005 they made no mistakes in discharging soldiers with supposed "personality disorders".  This discharge nullifies a soldiers claim to medical treatment.  A change in policy after 2007 caused that number of discharges to drop by 75%....hmmm.  

Total loss of life due to the war in Iraq at last count (as stated on MSNBC) is just of 4,400.  That number would populate the town I grew up in almost ten times.

Just food for thought.

My thoughts and condolences go out to all families who have suffered from a war casualty.

Rehoming Vintage Patterns

Hi All

Over the next few days I will be posting photos of some of my vintage patterns that need to be rehomed.  I would love to keep them all, but I am out of room.  For patterns you may be interested in, email me.  I will not be asking astronomical prices for these patterns just enough to cover my time and shipping.  I do have a paypal account you can send money to or you can email a USPS money order for payment.  All of the patterns will be shipped through the U.S. Post Office by first class mail.  If you wish to have a delivery confirmation added it will be an extra $1.85 to cover the fee.  I will check my email daily so be assured if you send a message, I will get it!  Have a GREAT DAY, I hope to hear from you soon!