Stop staring and start sewing!

The Ogden Cami by True Bias - a perfect pattern that goes the distance

I have a mad crush on this camisole pattern for awhile now and I'm just getting started. The Ogden Cami from True Bias is a wonderful, uncomplicated pattern and I'm finding it to be very versatile. It's only 10.00 and I downloaded the pdf, printed my pattern, and got sewing right away (I just store all the instructions and pieces in a large zip lock bag). I've made it with the narrow straps it comes with (you'll want a good turning tool) and a slightly wider strap just to give it more substance at the top. I lengthened it into a dress with side slits (so comfortable and breezy), and I've tried a few different types of fabric. So far I haven't made anything I don't like. I wear them all! The only real drawback for me was finding a good strapless bra but I lucked out and found a great one at Target for only 15.00 so I'm set.

My latest version is this black and white gingham fabric (from Walmart!) with slightly widened straps and I absolutely love it.

It's a fun cotton fabric with a bit of a crinkle to it and I think it will be great for casual wear and to dress up a fancier outfit too. I'm going to get a denim jacket this fall because I think it will look terrific with this top.

I love white jeans but this top is going to look great with any color pants and accessories. It's a winner!

I tried it with Bari J.'s gorgeous Budquette rayon fabric and the process was a little trickier (rayon is so "wiggly") but the results are fantastic and oh so comfortable.

One thing that really helped is to use spray starch on the straps before sewing (seriously, it was great and kept the fabric in line). I added about an inch to the length because I didn't want it to look too boxy. This one is so pretty and perfect for our weather here in Arizona.

I made this one a couple of years ago and it's a nice midweight linen. It's a perfect grab and go top because it looks good (and feels good) with everything. I get my linens at Fabrics-Store and they've never let me down (plus they have great sales so get on their mailing list).

This linen dress might be my favorite dress. It's a midweight linen so it's light enough to not be dragging downward but heavy enough to get by without a slip. I widened the straps a bit but still wear a strapless bra with it.

I got this great bohemian fabric in Portland at Bolt without a project in mind. It turned out to be great for the Ogden Cami.

And check out this glorious border print! It's Roads to Flowerhouse (in my store Fabritopia now!) by Bari J. and I've gotten more compliments on this top than all the others. And it only took one yard of fabric because I laid the pattern pieces out at the border edges and it was perfect. I used a different fabric for the facing so I didn't have to cut into any more of this beautiful print.

I've got a few more ideas for this great pattern and my closet is filling up with all these great colors and fabrics. I'm even going to make a few out of some very wispy lightweight solid linen to wear under my sheer blouses. This pattern goes the distance!

 

I made my fastest bed skirt ever!

My hubby graciously gave up his office so we could have a guest room instead. He's been carrying his laptop around the house and working where ever he sat and we both realized that he really didn't need a whole room to himself. Especially since he wants to be out where our family is sitting.

I'm going to cover the whole process of re-doing the room but right now I just want to show off the new bed skirt.

This cotton gingham is one of my favorite staples and it's available at Walmart for under 4.00 a yard! I just cut it into 8 strips 14 3/4" long (x width of fabric) and sewed them together making a very very long piece of fabric. I didn't bother with serging my seams or anything fancy since nobody will ever see the underside of the bed skirt. I just pressed the seams open which made the next step so much easier.

I used this 3/16" rolled hem foot on my Juki 2010Q and had all 336 inches hemmed in just a few minutes! If I had done this the usual way it would have taken hours to double fold and iron and hem all of this. Seriously, tools are everything!

Then, since there was so much ground to cover, I decided to try the gathering method where you sew a zigzag stitch over a thread and then pull the thread. It worked like a charm. I used a very thick utility thread for pulling so it wouldn't break. It was perfect. I can't recommend this method for garment sewing because it's kind of loosey goosey and hard to distribute the gathers evenly, but for something big like this it was ideal.

For the base fabric I just bought a 4.00 twin flat sheet at Walmart and actually snipped and ripped it so I'd get nice straight lines (60 X 80). I moved my furniture to have room to work and it didn't take long to have everything gathered and pinned in place (lots of pins just to be safe!).

I rounded the corners slightly since that's the shape of the corners on the bed frame.

Pretty good for a days work. We are stashing my hubby's outdoors and boy scout supplies under there, which gives me room in the closet for guest supplies like blankets and towels. I'm happy.

Poppy is happy. Perplexed, but happy.

My daughter's quilt is happy (the fabric was a wedding gift from Bari J.). I'll be sad when my daughter takes it back. I'll just keep quiet about it so she forgets.