Multi- review

Okay so normally I don't review things I buy weather it is clothes or fabric but today I feel the need to gush. bear with me.


I've been running around for the past two weeks trying to finish getting ready for burning man. I've been sewing pants and a fur hooded vest (sans pattern) for my dude and trying to make a jacket for me.. And that brings me to my first review!


a Burda style pattern:   burda style magazine 02-2010 cropped wide lapel jacket
I really do like this jacket.  After an hour or so of cutting and taping the patter pieces (it's a print at home deal) I went on my merry way to make a up sized mock up...

sadly the pattern instructions blow goats.

Maybe I am just spoiled with american patterns having detailed instructions with drawings to show what the company means (much less showing and marking things like darts).. 

I also have a problem with their limited sizing on most of their patterns. I had to up size this one about 8 inches over all to fit me properly. I still haven't started the jacket due to not wanting to waste the cool hot pink fabric I bought for the coat (but I do have a somewhat complete muslin mock up..) I do not like being scared of a pattern! But this one gives me a splitting head ache. I even had to write to both Burda and the amazing Psycho Sue for help (Sue was the more helpful of the two; she rocks (literally), so not such a surprise that she would give better advise).

I'd also like to add that the whole burda website isn't super user friendly. So take what you want from that statement.

Due to pattern fail I've been scrambling for cool clothes to take with me. That brings us to Review #2:

 I found some very nice thing at wet seal in the juniors plus section online. I was happy that their prices weren't bad overall. 

I bought 2 obnoxious skirts and a soft bra type thingy. 

The very nifty teal, yellow and black zebra skirt fits me loosely at a 3x bit is comfortable at the same time so no complaint on sizing what so ever. It has good stretch and length to it despite looking uber short. Personally i'll be wearing cropped leggings under it so doesn't matter how short it is, but just saying. I also Dig the big waistband on it, as you can fold it if you want it to be smaller and it wont look weird.

Second skirt has all the charm of the zebra skirt, this pink leopard with its loose but comfortable fit, and again the large waistband is good for folding to sit lower. This has the added bonus of also being a longer skirt overall. It hits me right at my knee bend,but I am only 5 foot six inches.. However I don't see the length being an issue for those lucky enough to be taller than I am. The pink is a tad brighter in person, and in my case that was a plus!  

Lastly I bought a soft bra type thing.. I was unsure what top size to buy so I got a 2x, originally when I took it from the box I didn't think it would fit. It looked very small indeed. I was amazed by how much it stretched, and it ended up fitting me perfectly!  It has the extra bonus of having small molded cups inside so when I wear it you can't tell if i'm cold or not. woohoo! 

Normally I am weary of buying clothes from places I haven't shopped online before, and I haven't had a lot of luck with the slew of new places that say they carry a 3x, for it really only to be a size 18.. I was thrilled with wet seal and their sizing. The quality of the clothes for the price is darn good! I'm going to see how well they survive burning man, but that isn't normal everyday wear and tear.

And that my dears is my opinion!

till next time, i'll be chained to my sewing machine then off playing on the playa!

Kisses,

Raven

sewing freak!

Aloha!
I've yet again been in a mental lock up, due to tons of moving drama the last 4 weekends in a row.
Now that all that bullshit is over I'm back to my normal plucky self.

I was dog sitting for my parents. I love my dogs so it was a nice visit with my furry siblings. nothing makes me feel better than getting to lay around the house with my two girls.
Kai our smaller mutt dog (although not a small dog by any stretch of the imagination), likes to cuddle up on the couch with me while I read, and she acutely watches TV if it's on. Annie our giant newfoundland is happy just being in the same room on the floor near by, she is a cuddle drool monster. I love her, and lucky for me she had a bath before I came over so she didn't smell like dirty pond water for once. all and all was a good break from my normal routine.

I stayed a day longer than planned so I could go with my other sister (non furry variety) to her tattoo appointment.  She chose to see my tattoo artist this time, and since I consider my tattoo artist a very good friend I'm always willing to go hang out and chat with him. Added bonus of seeing my older sister writhe around in pain for a few hours (i see it as karma for all the years she did mean things to me growing up).


Now that I'm back home I have a pile of sewing projects to work on. My friends cousin came over with a suit jacket that needed to be tailored. So I fit him yesterday and started the markings and taking out the seams. I got distracted by a pitcher of margaritas so i'll be finishing that up today.
My guys ex called me with some stuff she needs mended. So I will have a bag off stuff to do small fixes to as well.
To top off the sewing mess I remembered that I have a dress I never got around to finishing, so that is on the agenda as well. I need to find green seam binding. and a fun contrasting fabric to make it look all spiffy.
Lastly on a trip to the fabric store my guy and i found some super soft tiger fabric, he wants a hoodie with ears for burning man. I have a coupon so I guess i'll go get that asap.

I have a new vintage pattern I want to give a whirl as well. looks like my spiffy sewing machine (thanks mom!) is going to get a work out over the next few days.

A crafty bitches work is never done!

Raven