My sew-along for Japan T-Shirt - what a gratifying project!

Happy Sunday! Thanks for stopping by...

I'm *so* excited! I got my T-shirt project finished up for the sew-along for Japan with Living With Punks (see the info on the left)

I'm super happy with how it turned out. Although I've sewn for *many* years, this is the first time I have appliqued anything onto clothing, and I quite enjoyed it! I plan to make a couple more of these shirts before the mailing deadline in May.

This project is *very* close to my heart. I lived in Japan for 3.5 years, and my youngest son was born there. Watching the devastation on the news, seeing the faces of people in such deep pain, children and families left with nothing...their entire lives washed away before them in seconds. How could I not help? I searched the internet looking for something tangible to *do*, and found my answer on Living With Punks blog :) It's been deeply gratifying to make something with my hands, and help from my heart.

Here are a few pictures of the shirt coming together.

The little girls have faces!

One little girl sewn on in place and ready to play...the second one is a few minutes behind joining the party ;)

A close up of the first little girl

Both little girls in place! Now, to add some *heart* to the project...

The shirt is all complete...made with *lots* of love and positive energy and will soon be making it's way to a child in need in Japan.

Sew Along For Japan - with 'Living With Punks'

I *LOVE* finding new blogs to read..especially when they are inspirational, fun and have something to do with sewing :)  I was super-excited to find all of those things on Living With Punks. They have had a Sew Along For Japan this past week, to make T Shirts for Japanese children affected by the devastation of the recent earthquake. The T shirts were created by Pink Fig Design and are really cute!

Mine still has a little left to do (it's been another busy week...) and my plan is to have it finished and linked up on the blog by tomorrow afternoon :)

Here is a picture I snapped earlier (with my phone) - I love how it is coming together!  I have to sew the buttons on for the eyes and make the eyelashes...but you can see the idea.

I'm LOVING being able to create AND help someone else...what an awesome feeling!

I plan to make a couple more before the deadline of May 25th - there is also a boys design too...so, see the link on the left, click through and take a peek...

Big Love ~
Kirsty xx

Little Girls Dress Project - Apparel Construction Class

Hello ~ I've put the kettle on for a cup of tea....thanks for visiting!

Well, a couple of tomorrows passed before I was able to upload the pictures of my dress project, but I'm super-happy to be able to share them today. As I sit and write this in my little 'creation station' nook, it's a rainy, cold day here in (sunny) San Diego. Uploading the pictures of the dress that I took on Tuesday made me smile, as I remembered the sunshine streaming through the same window I'm watching the rain from right now. You can see the sun peeking through the blinds onto the dress in the pictures.

So..the purpose of this project in our class was to utilize as many of the techniques we have learned (or refined) as possible. All of the students used the same size/design sloper (pattern) and we made it 'our own' by adding detail. I chose to add Broderie Anglaise lace to the sleeves for a girly touch :)

I was really excited to find I got 50/50 when this was graded! We used many different techniques in the construction including serging, machine gathers, facings and collars, Hong Kong seams, adding elastic in the sleeves, ties on the sides, using some hand-sewing on facings, and adding a machine blind hem and a whole array of other cool things. I really enjoyed making this dress, and I am looking forward to starting the project for my final, which will be revealed on another blog post ;)

It's hard to get a picture that shows the whole dress well...

Here is the inside construction of the dress:

A Hong Kong seam on the shoulder:

A close-up of the front of the dress: 

A close-up of the back of the dress, inside and out: 

A close up of the sleeve and a side-tie: 

Thanks for stopping by and sharing a cuppa with me ~ xx

A break from homework ~ AKA Sewing just for fun!

I am currently in college (for the first time in my life..at 40 years old!)..I'm enrolled in the Fashion Program of my local college..it *ROCKS* and I *LOVE* it..the classes are awesome, my Professors are the *BEST* and I am totally blessed and very grateful to be immersed in something I enjoy soooo much!

I've had alot of homework recently (between Apparel Construction class and Pattern Making class) and I'm up to date and getting excellent grades...so..I decided tonight that I will sew 'just for fun' as I don't have another project due this week for class, and I'm eager to play with my new serger a little more.

I have four cute flannel fabrics to make PJ pants for my two youngest kiddos...Emily is turning 10, and JJ just turned 7 two weeks ago. There will be two pairs for each of them..I will leave it up to you to decide which fabric belongs to who ;)

I will post pictures tomorrow when they are all finished!

And...we're off!

So, I figured after all the times I have said "I really want to get my blog started" that it was probably time to stop 'saying' and start 'doing' :)

Today - March 13, 2011 marks the first official post on my blog. I plan to blog about my adventures in sewing, designing, being in college (for the first time) at 40 years old, photography and many other cool things in my daily (very blessed) life.

I'll start with a little info about me...my name is Kirsty, I'm originally from England and currently living in Sunny San Diego, California. I am a full-time Mum to my amazing kids (who will frequently pop up in photos, no doubt!) and am blessed with a sweet guy who loves me :)

I'm going to put the kettle on and make some tea...I'm hoping you will join me, and 'come in for a cuppa'

Big Love,
Kirsty xx