Shalini's Sewing Space

Make Nine 2018 Conclusion 2018 is coming to a close so I thought I would finish off my #makenine2018 with another make. I tested the Winter Wear Designs Satara Shirtdress and thought it would be the perfect shirtdress for me. What I like about this one in particular is the collar. I dislike the traditional collar on shirts / shirtdresses and jumped when I saw the sample image of this dress. I have previously made McCall 6696 and had thought of using that pattern for my makenine2018 shirtdress this year but the collar is too serious for me. I don't like making them and I don't really like wearing them either.  I'm not sure what this collar is called (just learned it's called split collar) but I love it! Another feature I like is the circle skirt because it is so flattering. So, presenting my latest make - Winter Wear Designs Satara Shirtdress .  I also love that this dress has princess seams and I was able to use the stripes in an interesting way. I  love s...

Mirri Faux Wrap dress by Wardrobe by me I finished another item for my Make Nine 2018 challenge making it 5th item completed. This time it is a black faux wrap dress. It's one of those pieces that show up in a lot of capsule wardrobes because it's such a classy piece. I didn't have any handmade wrap dresses and this is why I had added it to my challenge for this year! Originally I had the Wanda wrap dress pattern in mind which also happens to be by Wardrobe by me but it requires more fabric than what I had available in my stash and I'm trying to be really good about using up stash before buying new. With the size of my stash I should be able to sew for years and years and not need to run to the store but that's not how it works! In this case, Mirri came to the rescue and I was able to puzzle it out of my black rayon spandex yardage.  I love that I did't have to adjust anything other than length in order to make this dress. I just took off 1...

Make Nine Progress - 4 down! I'm not doing so great with the #2018makenine. I started out with this challenge in January and thought I should have no trouble with making NINE items. I mean, I am on track to making at least 100 items this year (currently at 80!). How hard could these 9 items be? Turns out, the issue is having to stick to the vision you had at the beginning of the year and carrying it out in a seasonally appropriate manner. It's either the wrong season, or I don't have perfect fabric or pattern to be making something. Sigh. Let's review for a second what I had originally envisioned to be making - Item #1 - Suede and sherpa vest = DONE I made the Designer Stitch Ilse vest and love it. I wore it earlier this year and look forward to it in the fall and winter! 2. Mustard Straight Skirt - I wanted this one in mustard wool which I already have. The issue I'm having with this item is not having the perfect pattern with lining and facings incl...

It's time to sew Itch to Stitch I am participating in the blog tour again this year. This is a time to sew Itch to Stitch patterns we've been meaning to make for long! I have had my eyes on  Crystal Cove Cami  since it released and the  Angelia Shorts   were on my #makenine2018! It was absolutely the easiest decision to participate in the blog tour and pick these 2 patterns. Itch to Stitch patterns are very well drafted, have precise yet detailed instructions. Kennis Wong is well respected in the industry for putting out top notch patterns. It is an absolute pleasure to sew ITS patterns ! One of the wonderful sponsors D&H fabrics sent me this beautiful  Moonstone in blue  (Atelier Brunette) fabric that I absolutely love! More info on the fabric below -  Before I go on with the construction details, I want to mention that both the Crystal Cove Cami and Angelia Shorts are on a FLASH SALE for 24 hours only! TODA...

This year I am participating in the #2018makenine challenge. Previous post on this here . I picked nine items I have been wanting to make but did not have enough specific plans and kept putting off. I was hoping these were going to be things I would love wearing and that would work with my capsules made last year. It is time to reflect upon how the sewing is going and whether the plans are working out. I have thus far made 3 of the 9 items.  Here is my inspiration collage.  #1 - Sherpa Vest - I used Designer Stitch pattern - Ilse vest  to make this vest. I love the way the material feels. I am new to vest wearing and clearly, I have been missing out! The only thing is the belt is a pain to have to tie without a mirror. I am planning to add a button closure and then I will be able to wear this everywhere.  #2 - Harem pants - I used another Designer Stitch Pattern - Indu pants for these! Previous post on this is here. I love wearing them all the ...

January has almost flown by and I haven't had a chance to sit down and do a review of previous year nor plans for 2018. This has partially been due to a number of pattern tests I involved myself in the beginning of January and partially due to getting overwhelmed at the prospect of doing a big collage or writeup of everything I did in 2017. I'm not going to do a big collage or writeup :-) A lot of what I made is already on this blog or on the FB sewing album. I do know I sewed through 225 yards of fabric and finished 161 of 170 sewing projects started in 2017. Here is just a small sample of what I made in 2017. Goals for 2018 are going to be similar. I want to sew at least 150 yards of fabric and make at least 100 projects. I have also picked up my cross stitching WIPs again and have the urge to x-stitch something this year so I likely will. That might cut into sewing time but that's ok! It's about doing what I like and if I happen to cross stitch more this year, th...

Happy New Year - 2008 We had a nice New Year eve. Had a casual dinner with friends. I had 'Rum in Coke' for a beverage. I'm starting to like it now! 2007 Goals Review It's the beginning of 2008, hence a time for Yearly Goal review. Let's see what Goals I had made- Professional Get on a FileNet Project - Done. I have been working on that project for the last 9 months! Personal Finishing a 5K. - Done in April, 2007. 100 miles by April 1st 2007 - Done! Finishing some scrapbooks - Done Mehul's First Birthday and Mehul's Second Year books. I have even printed off and given the birthday book to both grandparents. Finishing a few items from my 10 Stitching Project Challenge list. - Nothing was finished :( Keep knocking items off my 101 Things In 1001 Days list - We're doing very well here :) Current Progress is 51% finished and 10% in progress. It's a great progress from last year when I was 24% done, 16% in progress. Goals for 2008 Finishing a few items...

And it continues... The absentmindedness continues. Today is a holiday at my company, and I showed up for work :rolleyes. None of my previous employers had MLK Day as a holiday, and generally only the Government Employees get it. I did't bother to check. Imagine my surprise to see a nearly empty parking lot. I did get to the gym at work, and did my 5K. Again. Yay for me! But I still feel stupid. Moving on, I just finished this 2006 Review layout. I LOVE the colors here. So pretty! Year 2006 Credits: Layout Design is Lifted from Erin's Year in Review Yellow Background: Meredith Fenwick Faraway Green Background: Meredith Fenwick Faraway Red Cutout Paper: Michelle Coleman Writter In The Stars Circle Stitchig: Diamante Designs Let Yourself Shine Butterfly: Diamante Designs Let Yourself Shine Flowers: Michelle Coleman Flowers For Mom Buttons: Michelle Coleman Savoir Faire Twisty Tie: Diamante Designs Let Yourself Shine 2006 Alpha: Diamante Designs Felt Alpha Photo Strips: Michelle C...

Looking forward to 2007 In 2007, I wish to focus on growth. Both personal and professional. Professional I have just cleared the certifications that bring me one step closer to where I want to be professionally. For anyone wondering, they are FileNet Enterprise Content Management and Business Process Management Java APIs (Mouthful). I want to be a Content Specialist when I grow up :) I am learning Filenet, and have experience with Documentum (FileNet's Competition, and a leading Enterprise Content Mgmt solution). A resume with both of these is really hard to find. Now, I need to get on a project with FileNet here, and I'm all set. Personal The fun part. I want to be a runner. I want to finish a 5K. I run at lunchtime sometimes, but I need to be more consistant. Currently, I can run 2 miles (3.2K) in 25 minutes, With a total of 5 minutes walking before, in-between, and cool-down. So, I'm joining the 100 miles by April 1st . Found it on ThermalGal's Blog The challenge ...

2006 in Review There were many ups and downs along the way, but overall, it was a good year. Better than 2005 for sure. No one got majorly sick, for which I'm very thankful. I got to spend the first half of the year with Mehul, staying happily at home. That is the highlight of this year in my mind. I didn't know how much I had missed seeing him the last year! In June, I got a good job that pays slightly less than last years contract, but is much closer to home. I'll take that over salary any day. Girish switched his project within his company and came closer to home too. Both of us are home at a reasonable time daily, and have time for family activities (even if it's just sitting in front of TV most days! LOL.) In September, we bought the house of our dreams. Couldn't sell the old place, but it's still working out. Girish turned 31, I turned 30, and Mehul turned 2. We formed new friendships, and continued old ones. Both online, and in real life. I made contacts ...