Free Sewing Patterns

Leko is offering free sewing patterns through the end of September. I can't remember where I originally saw this, but I had to share.  The only downsides are that the sizes available for free are only Burda sizes 42-44 and there are not very many English instructions. I definitely found some that I liked so I downloaded them onto my computer. I recommend checking them out. :)

New Vogue Patterns

The McCall pattern company has updated their websites for Butterick, Vogue, and McCall.  I got the word from KID MD.  :)  I was just on the McCall's website yesterday, too... I guess it happened overnight. 

Well, they've added a couple of new designers to the Vogue patterns... Rebecca Taylor and Rachel Comey.  I'm soooo excited about Rebecca Taylor because I LOVE her designs!  Best of all, they have a pattern for a suit that I've been waiting to make!!!  I even bought fabric for it last year and was trying to figure out which patterns would come close, but now I don't have to worry.  It's V1169.

From the Vogue pattern website

Here's the suit for sale from Nordstrom for $365.00 last year.  (The picture was saved from the Nordstrom website.)  I just love it!

I didn't get to browse too much on the websites, but so far I like the changes.  It looks fancier.  :)  Until next time... happy creating!

Some New Toys

I recently received some new sewing "toys".  For Christmas I received sewing books (and a scanner that's not pictured) from my husband.

(Hmm... I still don't know how to rotate these pictures on blogger.)

I'm very excited about these books.  I already know I'll get valuable information from these based on others' reviews.  :)  I started reading the Shirtmaking and the Tailoring books.  Next up are Gingher scissors!!  I bought these when they were on sale at Joann.  One is pinking shears and the other is dressmaker's shears.

The pinking shears are my first pair and I love them!  The dressmaker's shears are super nice, too!  They're not as comfortable to cut with for long periods of time, but boy do they make some clean cuts.  Then, I recently bought some Colette patterns from The Common Thread, a local independent fabric shop.  I love this shop!!  If you're in the Austin area, I definitely recommend it.  The store has a great selection of fabric and the owner, Jeanie, is super nice and very personable.  She personally emailed me when she got the Lady Grey pattern in and saved it for me!

I've heard great things about Colette patterns and I can't wait to try one out.  I will definitely be starting with the Sencha blouse since it's rated beginner.

Pattern Sales

Hancock Fabrics and Joann's were having some major pattern sales last Memorial Day weekend. =) Here are the ones that I picked up...

Some of these patterns (especially the Vogue ones) are too advanced for me. But I still wanted to pick it up while it was on sale and maybe one of these days I'll be able to sew it. I have quite a pattern stash for a beginning sewer... =P

After I finish my top, I want to work on another dress, Vogue 8470. I'm a little nervous about it because it looks complicated, but the cover says it's easy... I sure hope so. I bought black cotton fabric from Joann's to test the pattern for fitting and construction... I'll work on that before I do my final piece in view A with Amy Butler/Lotus/Tree Peony-Pink fabric. I haven't decided which view to do the black dress in but I don't think I want it in the same view. I'm leaning towards view F (minus the bottom "flounce".)

So many projects, so little time. I want to wear the above dress for a wedding in about 5 weeks... I hope I can finish!! I still haven't finished my mom's socks that I was supposed to knit her for her birthday in March! (I of course bought her present in the meantime that she absolutely loved.)

Vogue Knitting Spring 2008

I received my Vogue Knitting Spring 2008 magazine in the mail the other day. I love looking through these magazines... I'm such a pattern horde!  Here are some of the patterns I like from the issue...