Thanksgiving is when? Then lets have a giveaway!

My concept of time is off. This past Friday, when I was taking my kids to school, I ran into a friend of mine, whom was also dropping off her kids, and she said, "I can't wait for the break! I'm having such a hard time getting my kids out the door." I nodded my head as though I knew what she was talking about, when in fact, I had no clue. I then ran into another friend and noticed she was carrying a crock-pot full of corn. When I asked her what it was for, she looked at me strangely and said, "It's for the class party." "Really?" I responded, "What party?" "Thanksgiving!" she said.

Then it all made sense! The other mom saying she could hardly wait for the break. The stressed out look on some of the other parent's faces (knowing that they were going to be home for a week with their kids). And all of the food that the moms were taking to class... except for me. Our school district gives the entire week off for Thanksgiving and I had completely forgotten about it. For some reason, I just felt like it was still the beginning of November and not the week before Thanksgiving. Crazy! I hope I get a calendar this Christmas ;)

So Thanksgiving is this Wednesday and... just joking, I know it's Thursday. Yes, this Thursday is Thanksgiving and I just so happen to have some pretty cute tights to wear...

They're called Pinwheel tights from Anthro.

Any big plans for the day after Thanksgiving? I've never done that 3am shopping mania stuff. However, this year my sister, mom, and I will go to Jo-Ann's around 6am to buy stuff for crafting. Then, we plan on crafting all day long afterward. I'm really looking forward to that. Hopefully, I'll have some fun crafts and tutes to share with you after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Being as I won't have time to blog this week (kids home and all), lets have a giveaway! To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me what your day after Thanksgiving plans are or what you are thankful for. Two winners will randomly be selected on Monday November 30th. The Winners will each win 1 yard of the fabric of their choice from Phatfabric.com. The giveaway will close November 29th, 2009. International friends are welcome to enter.

So, to all of my American friends, thank you and be sure to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! And to all of my International friends, I am thankful for you too! =)

Cheers,

Jamie

One quick note: The Japanese fabric sale will come to close this Saturday.

Sewing on the edge of reason

If danger is your middle name and you enjoy things like medieval torture techniques, UFC fights, and crossword puzzles, have I got the sewing pattern for you!

Above are the pattern pieces for John Galliano's Pirate Jacket. And here is the link to the pattern pdf. Through a series of links, I came across this pattern. As you can imagine, I was very excited to get a glimpse into the mind of such a uniquely gifted designer. That glimpse... scared me! However, after giving myself a pep talk and checking out the gallery of other sewers that conquered the beast, I just may give it shot.... Oh who am I kidding, I'm totally not. Seriously, where's the front bodice? But if some brave reader out there should decide to embark on the journey and live to tell... you're my hero!

Rock on!

Jamie

New Echino Fall 09 collection

You may have noticed that things have been a little quiet here in Prettydittyville. That's because the party is happening at Phatfabric! This month is like Japanese fabric celebration month for the Phatfabric shop. For the last week, the shop has been having a Japanese fabric sale, which is still going on. On top of that, there's this...

the new Echino Fall 09 collection! The fabric world just wouldn't be the same without the bright happy colors of Echino. Seriously, how pretty is the bottom left fabric aptly named Bird Song. Bird Song runs railroad, which means parallel to the selvedges.

OK - here's a question for anyone who knows the answer - Is it selvedge or selvage? I have seen both spellings in sewing books. Being as I write patterns and have a fabric shop, I should make sure I get it right. Lets take a vote! I vote for selvedge, because that's how I've spelled it in past patterns and the current sewing pattern that I am working on. Now that I think about it, I don't want to go back through the patten and change all of the "selvedge" spellings. There! It's settled! Selvedge wins! Thanks for playing.

Anyways, where were we? Oh yes, railroad - yes, I always like making aprons out of this type of fabric, because though you are working with only one fabric, it looks like a few perfectly matched fabrics when sewn together. Plus, you can already see what part of the fabric should be the skirt, waistband, and bodice. It's just too perfect. I'm also anxious to make a jacket and a skirt or two from the Do-it-yourself clothes book with the new Echino fabric.
Here is a link to the new pretties.

Happy creating!

Jamie

The comic book apron

I made this retro comic book themed apron for my sister. Being as she is a hair stylist, she is always in need of new aprons. My thinking was why not give her clients something to read while sitting in her chair. Yes, there are magazines available, but here's another option. Now myself and my sister's other clients, can read comic strips.

Usually, I like to trim the bottom of aprons with tulle or a ruffle, but this time I trimmed it with black jumbo rick rack. I also trimmed the waistband with rick rack. If I'm going to make a Pretty Ditty apron with 1 fabric print rather than 2 or 3 different fabrics, I like to separate the waistband by adding some sort of trim. The fabric is by Alexander Henry fabrics and it's called Home Sewing is Easy.

Cheers,

Jamie

Japanese Fabric sale

Just a quick a note to say that I'm having a 20% off ALL Japanese Import fabric sale. Here's the link to the sale at Phat Fabric. And, one more note to let you know about Phat Fabric's new mailing list. The mailing list is for Phat Fabric sales and fabric news such as new fabric in stock. This will be the quickest way to get the 411 on all the new stuff happening at Phat Fabric. Here is the link to sign up for the mailing list (no spamming involved).
Lastly, have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Jamie

Green skirt makeover

The other day I was in the mood for something new to wear. Shopping wasn't an option, so I looked through my closet for a victim. I came upon a looong Da-Nang skirt. About a year or so ago, I went through a long skirt phase. Since I am no longer in this phase, this skirt was perfect for a makeover. Here's the before and after shot...

I know the before shot is pretty pathetic - no ironing and all, but hey, it's a before shot. Who cares!

Also, I have to mention the blouse, because I believe it's the 4th time I have worn this blouse on my blog. Now you know why I was in the mood for something new =) Actually, I would still wear that blouse even if I bought a new one. It's my go to blouse when nothing else works.

As for the skirt, I cut it, then hemmed it. That be it! I also cut off some of the dangle stuff on the belt loops. They looked a little too gunslinger-ish for me.

I'm looking forward to wearing this skirt with thick tights and boots. However, being as it's been in the 80's/90's here, I don't know when that day will come. I've been in shorts and flip flops since May! I shouldn't complain should I? Some of you may be in shivering cold weather right now- sitting at your computer with little mitts, a cup of hot cocoa, and tights on- wanting to scream at every Southern Californian blogger that complains about the heat. Well, I'm jealous of you for getting to wear tights. So that makes us even =)

Here's the side view...

I love all of the little thread work on the side. I kept the scrap fabric to make a scarf or a headband/wrap. My sister wore the cutest bright yellow knitted head wrap the other day. It buttoned behind her head and was extremely comfortable to wear (i tried it on). Maybe, I'll have to take the scrap fabric and give it a try.

***
A quick note about the book review I wrote on Monday. Be sure to read the comments, because I answered a few good questions in regards to the book that some of you may be wondering about as well.

Cheers,

Jamie

A new favorite book of mine

I have read through this book from cover to cover as though it were a best selling novel. I love it! Now, before I tell you why I love this book so much, I must say that I bought it with my own money. (Actually I bought it twice. I'll explain later.) No one payed me to do this review (unfortunately). =)

My favorite type of sewing/craft books are the kind of books that don't come with patterns, but instead teaches you how to draft your own pattern. That is how Design-It-Yourself Clothes is written. Cal Patch is the writer/designer and she gives the reader plenty of information on how to draft skirts, shirts, jackets, pants, and dresses with out overwhelming the reader with too much information. Cal's practical and direct writing is unbelievably beneficial for learning the basic concepts of pattern making. I feel the reader becomes equipped with the knowledge to make clothes that are tailored to their own body. Furthermore, once you understand the basic pattern making concept, you can add different design elements to basic patterns. The book also covers the slash and spread technique (adding fullness or flare to a garment), and the rub off technique (making a pattern from a finished garment).

Here are some of my favorites that I intend to make soon...

Hello cute little jacket! Wouldn't you look delightful with a Peter Pan Collar? Yes you would.

And then there's you sweet, unassuming, knit tee, that fits so perfectly. Come to Mama!

Oh my! You can not be ignored simple and sexy dress. What's that? Plaid with tights? Well why not!

So that's what I think about this book. As for buying it twice, (sigh) I did a stupid thing the other day. In a effort to de-clutter, I decided to recycle the magazines I hadn't read in the last 2 months. Well, guess what else accidentally got thrown into that pile? Yes! And it was trash day, which means the recycles went out too. I would have gone dumpster diving for it had it not been trash day. I did contemplate driving to the site where they dump the recycles, but instead decided to fill out a Borders Books online survey in order to receive a 15% off coupon. The discount provided a band aid effect that made me feel a little better about buying the book again. I do love this book! So much so, that I'd buy it a third time if I had too.
Let's hope not.

Cheers,
Jamie