by Sherri Sylvester | Nov 9, 2015
I’m not a big fan of darts. The clothing kind – not the throwing kind! Their construction can seem finicky. And lining up the dart legs drives the perfectionist in me crazy!
Enter stage left, the Citronille Jackie coat and the Pleated Pencil skirt. They have 6 to 8 darts each. #aaaaarrrrgggggh I figured there must be a better way than “fold in half to match dart legs” and came up with a needle & thread hand-basting option that makes my detail-oriented heart super-happy!
If you’ve been here long, you know that hand sewing of any kind is low on my priority list. So, if I propose doing it, the technique must be either: 1) Amazing or 2) Really, really quick. This technique fills both categories! (If I can say so myself?)
Speed up your sewing! Find out how to get perfectly matched dart legs the easy way in this Crafty blog post.
Thanks for checking it out! What do you think of this technique? Will you use it on your next project?
by Sherri Sylvester | Nov 2, 2015
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This year, due to a general time crunch this month, I almost bought our costumes. I say almost, because I actually took the girls (for the first time ever) to look at the costume aisle. And then I regretted it… too many flimsy costumes labeled $20 and $30! Granted, if you buy a $50 one it may last a while, but for a one-time use costume, I have a hard time justifying the cost. I’d rather spend more on fabric to make a quality costume!
Now, I know how this sounds. And I know a lot of you buy costumes. (Namely some of my good friends.) So hang in there! I’m not stuck up, or a super mom – trust me! Purchased costumes are amazing, fast and glittery and generally look way more pulled together than my versions. But since my job is to sew, I am going to sew my kids’ Halloween costumes! (And hope they don’t hate them.)
This year I accidentally leaned heavily on a few of my favorite bloggers for costume help. While trudging through the masses of online “easy”, “quick” and “handmade” costume tutorials I came to a list featured on the DIY Network that I thought would work. My kids picked their favorites and I was so pleased to see that they were written by two bloggers that I follow regularly! Simple Simon and Company wrote the Black Cat tutorial, and Jess Abbott from the Sewing Rabbit wrote instructions for the Garden Fairy.
I won’t elaborate too much on the construction of them, due to the time crunch I mentioned earlier, and the fact that I have now clogged this post with way too many photos! Suffice it to say they were fast and now they are finished! One night’s work last Tuesday, since (procrastinating as usual, of course) the girls needed them on Wednesday for their Ballet class party. I was also fortunate that this Halloween they wore them 3 times, and I know they will live in the dress-up box for years to come. The amortization on them is worth it alone!
If you would like to see more handmade costumes, you can also find Cinderella, Pirate Princess and Izzy (Jake & the Neverland Pirates), Princess Leia and Little Red Riding Hood.
What do you think?How do you feel about premade costumes… hate ’em or love ’em?!
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 29, 2015
Wow everyone! Quick post today to say Thank YOU so much for your amazing responses to the last post. It is really moving to hear your experiences and how you feel. I’m so privileged to be part of the conversation. Any more insights into how you cope with having a “real job” would be wonderful! Thank you!
I’d also like to introduce to you Andrea and Heather today. I met them at BlissDom and they have just launched a fun new Canadian site I think you’ll like. is all about expressing YOUR creative side – recipes, home decor, sewing projects and more. Plus, right now you can enter to win a $100 gift card for Michael’s or Bed Bath and Beyond! #needallthethings
As an aside, these ladies are amazing, I had so much fun hanging out with them! Their creativity will to take them far.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I wanted to introduce you all to their site because I think they do good work!
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 26, 2015
I just realized that I have a real job.
This may not seem like a revelation to you, but for me it’s life changing! Being home all day with out a “proper employer” has wreaked havoc on my brain. It’s been almost two years since I left my part-time, one day a week job. And about 8 years since my last full-time workplace. I fell prey to the notion that money matters most, and you are only worth the amount you can make.
Let’s start at the beginning… I’ve been working at home since my oldest was born. Graphic design projects here and there, , blogging and being a mom. For some reason, this has never been enough to make me feel like my “job” mattered. I’ve had countless discussions with my husband about this topic. Usually ending in tears. It has been a really big struggle for me. I’m a do-er, figuring if I try hard enough I’ll “prove” it’s a real thing. Trouble is, I was trying to prove it to everyone around me when I didn’t believe it myself.
But that all changed this past weekend.
I recently spent 3 days at BlissDom, a social media conference. I was by myself, with my own hotel room – and it felt very weird and amazing all at the same time. In the process of meeting tons of amazing new people (scary for me as an introvert!) and enjoying amazing evening parties, I learned about social media, writing and how to take better care of this blog. I also learned that I was not alone. It was really, really life-changing meeting lots of other people with the same “real job” as me!
Bloggers “get” bloggers.
Just like electricians get electricians and quilters get quilters. (And all of their acronyms!) It was so nice to be able to talk about things that matter to what I do everyday. There are jokes that only we get. Information that only we know how to use. It made me feel connected, like my work really matters. We went on excursions that began with an explanation of which hashtags we should use when posting our photos. We hash-tagged things to win prizes and to keep track of the weekend. (#BlissDomCA) I learned that Twitter is better than email. And that the Blue Mountain Conference Centre chefs make amazing pasta!
It was also really helpful that lots (dare I say most) of the other people at the conference had kids. The struggle to take good care of your home and kids, plus running a business is so real! Being a mom (or dad) full-time has a bad rep – though I am happy to see many more people talking about it in a more positive light. I am hopeful that the next generation will have a more realistic, positive view of staying home to take care of your family.
Moving forward…
I don’t want to just to tell you about my Blissdom experience, but also to hope that it helps any of you that feel the way I did. I’m hopeful you don’t, of course! But if you do, please know that you have an amazing job doing whatever it is you do! You are amazing. Put your heart into your work, but don’t forget to take time for yourself. The kids/dishes/cleaning can wait… (though I’m still working on that one!) Everyone around you will be better off for it and you will come back with renewed energy. Find people around you that do what you do – talk to them, go out for coffee! Talk about things that only you both “get”.
What do you think… What is your real job? What do you do to take care of yourself?
P.S. I’m not fixed yet. I’m writing this as a reminder to myself as well. I know when I publish this that I will have no more excuses and that helps too. Let’s work on it together! You with me?! #workinprogress
by Sherri Sylvester | Oct 21, 2015
Many times I scroll through an online fabric shop‘s stock and see licensed fabrics – Princesses, Avengers, even Dr Who – and I scroll right past.
It happens every time. Not sure why? Maybe it’s the cartoon-y look, or the overabundance of princess gear everywhere? If my kids are with me they immediately notice, “Mommy, go back! Up there! I think I saw – insert character here -.“
Last month, an email from The Fabric Society showed up in my inbox. They asked if I’d like to work with them. I clicked over to their site and sat scrolling through their huge stock of licensed fabrics – sitting, for once, with no other option. I realized the reason I don’t use licensed fabrics is not immediately clear to me. I realized it’s not all about me, I may not generally use licensed fabrics, but my kids LOVE them!
Going forward, there will be more stopping and less scrolling.
Since I love making my kids happy I changed my mind. I wrote back to The Fabric Society saying, “… I’m sure one or both of my girls (or even my husband!) would love to have something made with your fabrics.” #truth And that is how my youngest ended up with a My Little Pony and Marvel Immortals reversible skirt – with pockets. (Pockets are super important!)
“It’s not all about what I think, I may not generally use licensed fabrics, but my kids LOVE them!”
The perfect pattern to use for these (non-sleepwear) fabrics is the Potato Chip Skirt from Tie Dye Diva Patterns. I bought this pattern last year, I think, and have made it twice already. It comes with or without the all-important pockets and you can make it unlined, lined or reversible. I love that it will last you a long, long time because it comes in sizes 12-18 months through 13/14!
The instructions are well thought out and easy to follow. The finished skirt looks professional and so cute! I love the a-line shape and the fact that the elastic back does not need fasteners for dressing. I can see using it a lot more – maybe making a denim one with back pockets or adding front patch or inseam pockets to a linen version. Honestly, I’m pretty sure there isn’t anything I didn’t like about this pattern. I followed all the instructions exactly each time. The only thing I changes was to lower the front rise by 1″ – which seems to fit my kids better with most patterns.
“Honestly, I’m not sure if there is anything I didn’t like about this pattern.”
When I sat down to look through fabric options with my kids, it took 45 minutes for them to decide on their favorites! We linked and saved and scrolled back, over and over (and over) again. After much (much) debate, my youngest chose My Little Pony and Avengers. My oldest has some Cinderella and Star Wars fabric waiting in my to-do box as well! The girls didn’t want to leave my husband out, so they chose something for him too – not sure what for yet, but I’ve added it to the stash. It will likely turn into another pair of pajama pants.
Join the conversation! Do you sew with licensed fabrics? Why or Why not?
One day soon I will post about the other two skirts. For now, I’m still recovering from my weekend away at BlissDom – a social media and blogging conference. It was amazing and I’m hoping to write and tell you about it later on this week.
Follow #alongforthreadride!
Disclaimer: The Fabric Society provided the fabric for this skirt at no charge in exchange for a mention in this post. My opinions are my own and I will not support or write about anything I do not love or believe in. Thanks for reading! (Privacy Policy)
