The Long Awaited, Much Anticipated Rosie!!

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So you know how I was hopeful Monday that I would have pics of my completed Rosie up? Alas, our best laid plans do not always come to fruition. But better late than never! :) Here she is....

Just Hangin' Around

Do you see what I see? Let's play a game! I spy with my little eye something that is pink...green...or sometimes blue! Did you guess???? If you said owls, you won! Haha remember when I talked about my newest owl fad here??? I did warn you. ;)

Just Posing With the Flowers

This fabric combo (colorful owls/sparkly denim) is probably more teen friendly than sophisticated young adult... (who is calling who sophisticated???) Well good thing I am a fun young adult.... Although I am almost 28, practically pushing 30, so does that mean I am not a young adult anymore??? Ah! Please, let's not think about that anymore than we have too....

Just Posing alone....what a poser!! ;)

Look at how perfect that top stitching looks??? And those curves!! Why they are practically perfect! Let me have my bragging moment, for now...

Just Posing with the Top Down

"Please excuse my slightly wrinkled look! I have just been turned outside in or right side out! And the person sewing me only gave me a 4-inch gap to slip through, instead of the recommended 5-inch," says disgruntled purse.

Just showing off my inside zipper.

Speaking of zippers..... Can I say NIGHTMARE???? Ugh! So yes, the inside zipper looks pretty good right? Well the outside zipper is non-existent!!! You know why??? Because we had a falling out after the third time of ripping out stitches! This should not in anyway reflect negatively on the quality of this lovely pattern! Rather, it is a reflection of my poor choice to use this STRETCH denim fabric, STRETCH being the key word. First, I have never sewn with denim and this was pretty thick stuff! Secondly, the stretching quality is horrible when trying to install a zipper. The rectangular cutout kept stretching and because the fabric was so thick (plus the fleece), it was difficult to get the cut pieces to fold evenly. Let's just say, I learned my lesson about using stretch fabric for purse making. It just doesn't work or I am just that bad. Seriously, though, I always struggle somewhat with keeping a zipper aligned and not having my rectangle look slightly off. Any advice from you zipper pros? How do you keep zippers from moving? Any tricks?

So, you are probably wondering what happened to the outside zipper pocket, since, yes, I had already cut it out. I could have just cut another piece but I was stubborn and had already cut the pocket pieces. So.....I just stitched around the pocket square without the zipper and I attached the pocket pieces the same way it says to with the zipper, except on the remaining part of the raw edges of the cutout pocket edges. That probably sounds confusing, so I will just show you. Just don't laugh.

Just Posing with my Peeking Pocket

Okay, this picture even shows how my rectangle slot is kind of wonky...Stretch fabric people, stretch fabric! But on the bright side, I sort of thought the peeking owls were cute... :) Haha, a lesson well learned.

Despite my zipper trials, I love my first little Rosie! It has character! I can't wait to make my next one! I already have my (non-stretch) fabric choice picked out! The fabric choice will be less thick (because this denim was too thick) and more elegant for a sophisticated young adult....or middle-aged adult...No, I am too young for that! ;)

As to my review of this pattern, let me just say the Rosie Crossbody Bag is wonderful, like every Swoon Sewing Pattern I have tried so far!!! The directions are so clear and I love how the wonderful designer divides the process into sections of the bag, rather than every little step. Sometimes, it can feel so overwhelming to look at 21-30 steps! It is so much more comforting to see instructions broken into....say 9 steps! Much more manageable and psychologically friendlier to look at. :) The accompanying illustrations are also so helpful, especially for those of you that are more visual or for those of you that are doing something for the first time. For me, it was attaching a strap slide. The diagram was so easy to follow! This bag is perfect; smaller than the  Eleanor Slouchy Hobo bag which I showed you a picture of in this post, making it a perfect purse for the times when you just want something smaller to carry all your junk....I mean essentials in. ;) Don't get me wrong; it is still nice and roomy! It also has a different style...more structured, less slouchy. Seriously, every girl needs a different purse to compliment her different styles or moods. I love the magnetic closure and the flap! I was really worried about getting the contrasting flap piece perfectly centered but there was no need to worry! I just followed the directions to a T and it came out perfectly! I highly recommend this little lady!!!

Here is one last pic....forgive my unsophisticated dress.

Well that's a Rosie Wrap! :)

Admittance is the First Step...

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Okay, Okay! I admit it! I am addicted to the Scarf Neck Cardigan ! I have now made three and I even--oops I almost gave away the secret I mentioned in my last post. Close one! ;) haha don't worry it will be revealed soon. Anyways, back to my cardigan addiction. Here is Cardigan #3. :)

Don't you just LOVE the charcoal grey and blue fabric???? This lovely fabric practically forced itself into my arms at Jo-Ann's on Monday. I mean it really wasn't my fault! I blame the color combination and the fact that the red tag clearance was an additional 50% off! It wasn't like I was even intending to buy any fabric.....I was going to get elastic....and I just glanced at the red tag aisle because I was forced to pass it to get my elastic....and then there was that beautiful 50% off sign hanging there....I swear it smirked at me with that I-Just-Dare-You-To-Ignore-Me look! So I really am the innocent victim here. ;) And of course, I was forced to purchase other fabric, as well. What torture!

Moving on.... ;) haha This fabric was a perfect choice for the Scarf Neck Cardigan ! It has a wonderful drape! See how nicely the scarf neck rolls? I just love it. Again, I didn't hem this one. 

Speaking of hemming, I did absolutely NO hemming to this cardigan! No hemming??? How??? What about the sleeves??? Well yesterday as I was cutting out my fabric, an idea started forming. I was thinking about a shirt I had made using a free pattern several months ago. To finish the sleeves and to make them fitted, the pattern called for cuffs. Cuffs are made from a rectangular piece of fabric that you sew together along the short sides of the rectangle to form a circle. You then fold the fabric in half lengthwise, with the right side out. Next, you slide the cuff over the right side of the sleeve, matching seams and raw edges. With the cuff evenly stretched along the sleeve, sew the cuff to the sleeve. Finally, you flip the cuff forward, and there you have it. No hemming necessary! I thought this would be fun to try. So I figured out how wide the sleeves were on the small size and then I figured out how wide my forearm is where the cuff would rest. You want the cuff to be somewhat snug. After measuring everything, I decided to cut out a 9" x 6" rectangle (stretch going lengthwise or with the longest measurement). In my measurements, I accounted for a 1/2 inch seam allowance, so my attached cuffs were 8 inches in circumference and 2 1/2 inches long (remember you fold the cuff in half). Here is a close-up of the cuffs.

I am so pleased with how they turned out! The cuffs could have been a little snugger but I didn't want them too tight. Plus, I can push them up for a more bunched look. So that was my brilliant sewing experiment! Haha and all from being too lazy to hem.

Here is one more pic.

I still can't decide which I like better: the contrasting cream or the more subtle black? I just love them both! And I just realized something! This fabric probably stuck out to me because it subconsciously reminded me of Duke!!! Haha and I love Duke Basketball! :)

Oh I want to mention, the lovely creator of this cardigan has changed her company name from Paco Bean Patterns to Swoon Sewing Patterns. Here is a link to her new Facebook page.  Here is the link to her shop. Be sure and like it! Still all the same lovely patterns, just a new name! And I am sure once you try one of her patterns, you will swoon too! ;)

Oops! I did it again! ;)

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Yes, I did it again! I made another cardigan with the wonderful Paco Bean Scarf Neck Cardigan pattern! This pattern is as amazing the second time around as it was the first!

Here are a couple pics of my new charcoal grey Scarf Neck Cardigan!

For this second cardigan, I did a few things differently. First, I used a knit that was a little thicker. It is probably considered a light to med weight knit. I'm not really sure about all the info, since this fabric was given to me. I love it, though, whatever it is. It is so soft and comfy! It drapes just as nicely as the other knit.

Second, I made this one with the shorter sleeves. I was going to do the long sleeves, but as I started cutting everything out, I quickly realized it would be cutting it close (literally!). So I went with the shorter sleeves. I am so glad I did! I love them!

Thirdly, I did not hem the bottom or scarf neck edge this time. Yes, I was being a little lazy, but hey it looks so good without a hem. And now I have tried it both ways.

Oh and lastly, I made a small this time, instead of a medium. It fits great. This knit is a little stretchier than the other. I think I could have made the other in the small and still been good, though, but when in doubt, it is best to go the safer route. My recommendation if you are in-between sizes or the size you wear depends on the brand, I would go with the bigger size for knits that have minimal stretch and the smaller size for knits that have a greater amount of stretch.

Already plotting my next one....I wonder how many I can make before it is considered excessive??? haha ;)

Paco Bean Cardigan!!!

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So I cannot remember when I first discovered Paco Bean, but I believe I bought my first Paco Bean pattern this summer around the beginning of August. Unfortunately, at the time, I was knee deep in two grad courses. It wasn't until last month that I was able to actually make something from one of the Paco Bean patterns I had accumulated. The first item I made was the Eleanor Slouchy Hobo bag, which I blogged about in this post. I fell in LOVE with this pattern and the final product! I felt like I had made a professional purse (perhaps that is because it LOOKS so professional??)! :) I have gotten many compliments on this lovely bag.

Now this week, once again, I have fallen in LOVE with another Paco Bean pattern: the Scarf Neck Cardigan! This is the newest Paco Bean pattern available and it is a beauty!! Once you make one, you will need to make at least half a dozen more.... :) I think that is reasonable...

Take a look at my little beauty!

Front pic!

Isn't it gorgeous??? I love the way it fits! The scarf neck drapes so perfectly!  I love everything about the dimensions of this pattern. I love all the curves and points, the princess seams, etc.

Side pic of front points...love them! 

Close-up of princess seams...first time making them!

As for the pattern, the instructions are so easy to follow! There are instructions for finishing your seams which a french seam or you can use your serger or you don't have to finish the seams at all. I used my serger to make this one. Seriously, I love my serger when it comes to sewing with knits! I hemmed the sleeves, bottom edge, and the raw edges of the scarf neck using a double-pointed needle. You really don't have to hem anything if you like the raw edged look, and it does make this an even quicker project. All of the pattern pieces fit together perfectly. From the look of the cardigan, it seems like a complicated project, but really that's the cool secret! It isn't! But hey, go ahead and let your admirers be impressed with your sewing skills.

For this cardigan, I used a very light weight knit. It is a light blue Jersey knit with burnout Damask print. I bought this on fabric.com for $2.99 a yard! Pretty good steal! Oh and fyi, this is the medium size of the cardigan.....I think I could maybe get away with the small, which I might try next time. This particular knit wasn't super stretchy. Plus I wanted room to be able to layer over a long sleeve shirt since it is so thin and I live in the cold Northwest.

I have only one warning about this pattern: it is addicting! You will want to make many more, which means you might need to shop for some new knit fabric, which means your husband may let out a long sigh, which means you will need to show him the great prices you can find at Girl Charlee and fabric.com. ;) At least, that is my plan.

So I will admit I now own almost all of the Paco Bean patterns available to date, but unfortunately, grad school is still keeping me busy. I do, however, have a week break coming up and I can't wait to make another Paco Bean bag.....perhaps the Dorothy Day Tripper or the Rosie Crossbody Bag???? Decisions decisions!!! Of course, the easiest solution would be to make them both. :) Stay posted....hopefully you will see one of each in the near future....and another scarf neck cardigan or two or three....or... ;)

One last pic....I just love how it lays...