Silverlinings Originals

DIY   - Halter Chain Maxi Dress -   New Look  6122 View C When I first saw this pattern I knew I NEEDED to make it! It was simple enough and just what I needed to satisfy my sewing itch! When I went to the Quilting and Sewing Expo this past April in Massachusetts, I decided to snoop around other local and not so local (bit more of a drive) fabric shops. One store in particular I fell in love with is Sewfisticated Discount Fabric Store in Framingham, MA. The fabric in here is of good qaulity and costs anywhere from $2.99 to $6.99 a yard. This is where I got this beautiful polyester fabric. I took what was left on the bolt. Maybe about 6 yards or so. I knew I was going to make more than one of something, just didn't know what. Sooo....3 months later I figured out what I was going to make with it. I honestly love when patterns are only 5-6 pattern pieces or less. It makes me happier to get to the sewing faster than to be cutting for hours. ...

DIY   - Kid's Romper -  McCall's M7151 View C I have no idea why these pictures came out so fuzzy.  It could be because it was a cloudy day, but I had to post this because it's too darn cute!! I don't normally make too much for my kids because honestly they don't like the patterns that are in the store.  I guess they aren't "Cool Enough" compared to the apparel that is in the store.  The other problem is my daughter DOES NOT like to wear dresses and there seems to be many "Girly Dresses" in the book that turns her off. We were flipping through the pattern book at Joann Fabrics and she came across the romper  in the McCall's pattern book. Now to her this was meant for her because the "Romper Style is In Mom".  She picked out her own fabric as well. We bought about 2 yards of a light weight jersey knit striped fabric.  I know I took a picture of the bolt, but it must have been deleted from my phone at so...

February Budget 'Cuse My French I broke the bloody hell out of the bank!! It has taken me a few extra weeks to get my budget post up for February because I knew I busted the bank wide open...I just wasn't ready to share yet! LOL I couldn't really be mad at myself though.  Even though I have set myself to stay on budget, some things just can't be helped. As every knows sewing IS an EXPENSIVE career or hobby in my case.  It is also an investment.  So with that said I will show you how I busted the month of February, but it was a one time purchase! February 4, 2015 Walmart: Pack of Sharp Sewing Needles = $1.27 February 6, 2015 Joann Fabrics: (7) McCalls Patterns = $13.93 (1) Simplicity Pattern = $3.99 (1) Vogue Pattern = $4.99 3 yd of Knit Fabric = $10.77 3 yd of Knit Fabric = $8.98 (2) Spools of Thread = $4.27 2 ¼  Cheetah Print Fleece = $17.04 February 9, 2015 Walmart: Serger = $190.53 February 13, 2015 Wa...

Girl's Weekend Getaway Bag The Weekend Duffel So I decided to step away from making garments and try my hand at making a bag.  I didn't want to make just any type of hand bag, but some thing that would be useful on my weekend trips.  When it gets warm again this bag will be used regularly!!  I bought the Weekend Duffel class from Craftsy.com over the Christmas Holiday when they were having a sale.  I finally got to dig in. There was a crazy amount of template measurements cut out of poster board.  I used the long bag measurements which were 23¼" x 10¼" x 8¼".  If I was going to make the regular size bag the measurements would be 19¼" x 10 ¼" x 8 ¼". The fabric I used was purchased from Fabric.com .   The main fabric is ( HERE ) ,   The accent fabric is (HERE)   and the lining is (HERE) . I also purchased fusible fleece and interfacing from Joann Fabrics.    I bought all the fabric in 2 yards to leave ...

January Budget I Made It!! At the beginning of this new year I decided that I was going to put myself on a sewing budget. You can read that blog post (HERE) .  I had come to the realization that I was spending a good amount of money on my sewing hobby. I would say half of the time it was being spent on things I needed and the other half of the time it was on things that I didn't really need at the time and my eyes were just too big! In my personal opinion putting myself on the budget and making myself stick to it helped out a lot.  I was surprised at the amount of self control that I have when I put my mind to it. It forced me to work out of my stash and actually look at the notions that I already have and not buy anymore. Here is what I bought for the month of January with the total and money saved staying on a $100 budget. (It helps when you buy on sale!!) January 2, 2015 Joann Fabrics: (2) Spools of 250 yd Thread = $3.28 Vogue P...

DIY --Sweatsuit -- New Look 6142 This project was a long time in the making. I bought pattern in the spring of last year with the thought of making a warm sweatsuit this winter.  I purchased this fabric of course from Joann Fabrics on Black Friday! I was on another blog one day and after reading the blogger say there was no stretch I was a little bummed. I didn't realize even after I bought it was there was no stretch to it, but I still wanted to make this outfit anyway and I wasn't letting that stop me. I have no idea what happened to my borders for the other pics...they just disappeared. The fabric I chose for the top and bottom was a sweatshirt fleece in a hot pink and black.  I love patterns that don't have many pieces to cut! I didn't take many pictures of sewing the sweat jacket. I did have to take up in the sleeve cap and adjust the shoulders.  Because this is unisex there will have to be some adjustments made for a more petit...

New Year Sewing Budget So again, I really didn't plan on having any resolutions because I would have a hard time keeping them.  I know last year a lot of people participated in the Sewing Diet in which they did not buy any unnecessary RTW (ready to wear) clothing and either sewed or upcycled their clothing. That challenge didn't do much for me because I only shop about a few times a year and not for expensive things.  I have some jeans, shirts, sweaters and scrubs that I have been wearing for 6+ years and still look good and in style.  What I did notice last year is that I spent lots of $$$$$$$ on fabric and tools of the trade.  Like any hobby it can get a little pricey just with fabric alone!!  Now in my defense for last year, I spent a lot of money basically for start up.  Having to buy a new reliable sewing machine that can grow with me as I hone my sewing skills can break the bank itself let alone buy all the supplies that you need. (Pa...