[More pics and info posted on my blog: http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/peacock-apron-cathrineholm-pots/]

This apron is a combination of the McCall’s Vintage Apron 3979 and the waistband directions from the apron in In Stitches.

The fabric was one I have had in my stash for sometime.  I loved it and wanted to make it into a skirt, but with just a little over a yard I knew that I was never going to fly.  So I waited for the inspiration to strike and my CathrineHolm pots and their combination of blue, green, and orange finally made me decide that my future fancy kitchen would need a fancy apron to don while making my culinary masterpieces.

More pics and info posted on my blog: http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/peacock-apron-cathrineholm-pots/

[Pattern:]

Pattern: BWOF 02-2009-112

Pattern Description:This shaped jacket with contrasting print is as classy as a fitted jacket and as sporty as a trench coat. The sewing pattern comes in petite/half sizes because this style is particularly suitable for shorter women.

Pattern Sizing: Burda sizes 17-21.  Increased to a 23

Fabric Used: Canary Yellow Stretch Cotton Sateen from Downtown LA

Notions Used: Buttons!

Pattern Alterations: Increased to a 23. Eliminated the buttons and buttonholes for the neck area.  Did not add belt loops.

    * I really love the color.  I am afraid of it much like I am afraid of white but I love it...LOL     Can't wait till it cools down some to wear it.

    * I had just enough of the main fabric to finish this jacket.  I had to use lining fabric underneath the flaps but it worked out well as it would have been pretty bulky otherwise.

    * Love all the details! But Holy Cow is there a lot of topstitching!  That is what kept me from getting this done quicker.  What made it worse is I am quite OCD about my topstitching so it is slow and tedious and will be ripped if it looks crappy.  Thank goodness for the adjustable blindhem foot.

Conclusion:Although I have quite a bit in the bad and ugly categories, I really do like this jacket.  I will not be sewing this again, but I would recommend it.   Now I just need to get a years supply of Scotch Guard!

For more pics, Check out my blog post at Peacock Chic:
http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/peacock-collection-%E2%80%9809-bwof-02-2009-112/

[Pattern:]

Pattern: BWOF 07-2009-118 Dress

Pattern Description:A shirred bust section, a wide hem flounce, a halter-neck strap plaited from cotton tape – this dress of lovely printed batiste is irresistable and you will be too when you wear it!

Pattern Sizing: Burda sizes 34-42.  Increased to a 46 and again in hips to a 50.

Fabric Used: Lightweight cotton and silk from Downtown LA

Notions Used: 1/2″ Bias Tape

Pattern Alterations: Increased to a 46 and again in hips to a 50. Eliminated the bottom hem flounce.  Added 7 more rows of shirring from 9 to 16.  Used elastic thread instead of zigzagging over elastic.

The Good:

Easy to make.  I had never done shirring before with elastic in the bobbin but it was quite easy.  I even wound my bobbin using the machine…shhhh don’t tell.  Actually the key was to skip the tensioning disc and instead go from the spool, through the first step as if to thread the machine and then to the bobbin.  This will give just the slightest tension and the machine will do the rest.  This is hard to explain but I will show a picture if anyone needs it.   The hardest part was braiding the straps, which was not that hard,  but did make my OCD flare up.  I have not braided in years, even then I only braided hair, and now we know just one more reason why I wear my hair o’ natural…LOL!

The Bad:

Not having a size A bra cup required the addition of shirring lines.  The pattern only called for 9 lines but that barely made it to the middle of my bust.  In the end I ended up with 16 lines of shirring but could have probably gotten away with 12-14 lines.  Either way, make sure to compare the front AND back lengths of the shirring to make sure it fits your bust.  Mine was a little too long in the back with the shirring that is why I say 12-14 would have been optimal.

If you want more pictures and details, check out my blog at Peacock Chic:
http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/peacock-collection-09-bwof-07-2009-118

[Pattern:]

Summer is here and I have been itching to make some summer dresses, especially a Maxi Dress.  Enter Burda with the July issue and I was off and running.  With fabric in stash, this pattern was cut and sewn almost immediately upon receipt of the issue.  Although some BWOF devotees did not find the July issue inspirational, I am in LOVE!

Pattern: BWOF 07-2009-116 Maxi Dress

Pattern Description:The perfect dress for your dream vacation. It‘s long, flowing, sun-backed and colorful. Contrasting straps trim the plunging V-neckline, creating a pretty décolléte.

Pattern Sizing: Burda petite/half sizes 17-21.  I made a 23.

Fabric Used: Knit fabric found at M&L in the discount section.

Notions Used: None

Pattern Alterations: I increased the size to a 23 and then again at my hips to a 25. Took in the top portion of the bodice by 1" and took off 5" of length at the bottom. Did not use the suggested zipper in the side seam

Ok, I know that some fashionistas do not like  Maxi's and especially dislike them on petite women.  However, I absolutely love the style and had to have it.   It just feels so comfy to me.  Probably because it is only a step or two away from being a nightgown...LOL!  Anyhoo,  I am hoping the abundance of  skin up top balances out all the fabric on the bottom half.  I tried to get the suggested day wear ankle length for my maxi but after 3 adjustments with the hem, I gave up so it is not quite as short as they suggest.

For more info and pictures, check out my blog posting for this dress at Peacock Chic: http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/peacock-collection-09-bwof-07-2009-116/

I made this a few days ago due to my over abundance of magazine laying around.  They are butterflies cut using Martha Stewart paper bunches then adhered to a paper background using various levels of foam adhesive squares.

If you want to see more pictures, details, and link to the tutorial, you can check out my blog entry:
http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/finished-object-butterfly-collage/

[Pattern:]

So the Amy Butler Christmas crafting continued with her Snow Mum Pillow pattern.  I loved all the wintery white goodness and had to have this pillow.  I mean the flower alone is gorgeous but as a big snuggle pillow it made it a HAVE to have.  I will be making the flower again and making it a lapel pin at some point with this gorgeous fuchsia wool I have hanging around, but that will have to be another post.  For now, enjoy the details of the pillow.

Pattern: Amy Butler Snow Mum Pillow

Fabric Used: Snuggle Flannel from Joann

Notions Used: HeatBond Ultrahold, button from my stash

Pattern Alterations: Used flannel instead of wool felt and used heatbond ultra hold instead of wonderunder. 16″ instead of 18″ pillow.

Some Details:
* Yet ANOTHER FREE pattern from Amy Butler’s website.  She really has been giving away some wonderful patterns this season

* I love the snuggly goodness of the flannel I used.  I thought about using the wool felt but wanted something cheaper and more warm and snuggly which brought flannel to mind

* This pattern is very simple but super elegant when finished.

Check out my blog post for more pictures and details: http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/finished-object-amy-butler-snow-mum-pillow/

[Pattern:]

Last year was all about Christmas crafting for others, this year is about Christmas crafting for the house.  I was all set to get my fix with felted ornaments but when I saw the gorgeous patterns that Amy Butler put up for Christmas on her website for FREE,  I knew I had to make at least one of them.  Although you can’t see it an any of these pictures I have a bit of a Charlie Brown Tree, not very full and obviously fake, but I love it anyway, especially with the addition of Christmas Tree scent :smile: .  What I didn’t love was the fake snow blanket that surrounded it every year.  Now at least the bottom of my tree looks like a million bucks!

Pattern: Amy Butler Tree Skirt

Fabric Used:
     Trim - Michael Miller Pod Ditz

     Inner Fabric - Quilted Fabric from JoAnn’s

     Lining Fabric - New Chick on the Block’s Ever Changing Shapes

Notions Used: 1.5″ covered buttons

Pattern Alterations: Used quilted fabric instead of wool felt, used 1.5″ buttons instead of 2.5″, no interfacing

Check out my blog post for more pictures and details: http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/finished-object-amy-butler-tree-skirt/

[Pattern:]

Flutter sleeves!  I was and still am obsessed with flutter sleeves so when I saw this pattern I had to have it.  All the while I had this gorgeous yellow green fabric that I picked up at M&L that had to find the perfect pattern.  Together they made this really fun top.  Although you can’t really see it in this picture, I wore it with a plum/purple tank underneath.  I was loving this combination!  I truly felt like a peacock with such vibrant colors.

Pattern: New Look 6648, View C

Pattern Description: Easy tops with gathered waistbands - 3 variations

Pattern Sizing: 6-16.  I upsized the pattern to 18 but probably didn’t need to.

Fabric Used: 1 7/8 cheapy t-shirt fabric from M&L

Notions Used: none

Pattern Alterations: None really… except lapping the fronts more than stated in pattern.

The pattern worked up quick without much fuss at all and I love the ruched band at the bottom.  The ruched band alone will require that I make one of each of the other 3 versions with the exception of view B which just doesn’t do it for me.

The necklines on these shirts are for Paul Bunyan shoulders because they are huge so be forewarned that you might want to try and modify it to be a little smaller and less bra revealing.

For more details and pics check out my blog post at:
http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/peacock-collection-08-new-look-6648/

[Pattern:]

Pattern: Moonstitches Owls from her Tutowlrial

Fabric Used: Various Wools and Canvas

Notions Used: buttons…lots and lots of buttons, rice, and polyfill

Pattern Alterations: I made small and big ones!

These little owls are ridiculously cute!  They use so little fabric that all sorts of fabric scraps can be used up.  I found a template online to use for shape and size so I didn’t really have to guess at all

They work up quick and are very easy to do.  The assembly line process is highly recommended if you are making quite a few.  Otherwise it probably takes about 10-15 minutes to make one of these once you get the hang of it.

For more details and pictures check out my blog post:
http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/finished-object-moonstitches-owls-by-peacock-chic/

[Pattern:]

Pattern: Butterick 4347

Pattern Description: Close-fitting top has long sleeves, neckline extending into collar or shawl collar

Pattern Sizing: Size Lrg

Fabric Used: Sophia Double Knit (67 percent Polyester 30 percent Rayon 3 percent Spandex)

Notions Used:None

Pattern Alterations: Petite Alternations

I love the fabric!! The Sophia Double knit is to die for.  It is also pretty expensive.  I was happy to have bought it at 25% off so it wasn’t THAT bad.  I am now on the constant hunt for this fabric on sale.

I also really like the color of the fabric.  I don’t have very many garments with this coloring so it makes me feel refreshed for the fall.

I highly recommend this pattern as it was pretty easy.  Nothing too bad

For more pictures and details, check out my blog post at:
http://peacockchic.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/peacock-collection-butterick-4347/