Silverlinings Originals

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...

Clothing Labels Just Arrived!! When I was in elementary school I remember my teachers always saying, "Don't forget to put your name on your work so I know who it belongs too!"  I even have to remind my children when they do their homework to put their name on their work as well.  Now I get to put my name on My Work!!! A few weeks before Christmas I was searching for clothing labels that I was able to customize and wouldn't break the bank.  I really was doing my homework!! I was looking for a small quantity to start with just in case I wasn't satisfied. One of my Instagram  followers had shown a picture of herself sewing in her labels and I was curious where they came from.  She told me about this website Labelsandribbon.com . I believe the basic starting price for 50 labels is $21.00 US.  If you add a graphic it brings it to $24.00 US and if you add the border it takes it to $27.00 US before taxes.  This was plenty affordable to me to s...

DIY --Empire Waist Dress-- Butterick B5917 This fabric I picked up at Paron Fabrics in NYC.  I go there now about once a month but I think this one was bought in September.  It is soo soft!! It has a good stretch to it too.  I can't remember for the life of me what it is made out of. I'm sure it is some type of knit blend.  I need to remind myself sometimes to take a picture of the bolt or at least the tag just so I can remember what the fabric is!! This is the first time I have had to really shorten the length of the bottom.  It was way past my knees! I like it short, but not too short!  Unless....... Darts!! I hate them!  I was so determined to make sure it matched the other side and that if the chalk started to disappear on me I could still find the positioning.  I have to do some internet searching though!!! There has to be a better / easier way to do darts and have them come out almost perfect! Why are shoulder se...

CHRISTMAS PAJAMAS Few weeks ago I made my first set of pajamas for my daughter and son ( HERE ). It was a big hit with them!! They don't want to wear anything else to bed but what I mad them.  Come to find out my younger sister wanted a pair as well. I used the See & Sew B4322 again for my son and daughter and used the McCall's M6251 for my sister because she is a teenager. Off to Joann Fabrics I went.  It was such a hard decision with all the fleece fabric to choose from.  I knew that I wanted Anti-Pill fleece and I needed to find something that would fit the personality of each child.  After a lot of up and downs through the aisles I settled on these fabrics. My mother came up with the good idea of putting there nick names that she uses on the back of their pajamas. I purchased from Joann's Soft Iron-On Letters   (Similar Here)   I wanted them to have the same kind of softness that the pajama fleece has. FOR MY SISTER MIKAYLAH ...

DIY- Cowl Neck Tunic View A - McCall's M6612 I have an obsession with trying to find long shirts or tunics to wear with leggings. My backside has to be covered at all times!! I am totally out of my comfort zone if its not.  When I saw this pattern I couldn't resist. It's stylish and can be worn with tights and leggings.  I do have a short attention span at times so it looked quick enough for me to do in a day or two with stopping to go to work and taking care of kids. I'm sad I didn't take a pic of the fabric like I normally do for my other posts.  I believe I purchased this fabric at Joann Fabrics.  It was an impulse purchase that I had no idea what I was going to make with it.  You cant tell by the picture, but it has a very faint amount of sparkle to it.  It's a light weight jersey knit. I will tell you, to only have to cut out three pattern pieces made my day and gave me my sewing fix. LOL The pattern was pretty easy to follow. I think...