Estate Sale Finds

Well, after all this time I finally got Dan to stop at estate sales. He still doesn't look for the signs but he will stop so I can check out the deals. Well, I found some incredible deals at a weekend sale. Vintage Vogue patterns (always love vintage patterns), beautiful old buttons, and gloves, lots of them. What wonderful finds! Here's a few: The Father Christmas doll pattern is incredible. Never cut, excellent condition.

Redesigning Leftovers and Sloppy ChicKs

OK, I guess folks who know me know I am a bit of a tightwad. Oh alright, I am a lot of a tightwad. It is a challenge to me to save a few dollars every day. It is just too easy to blow a few bucks on nothing. I eat a lot of chicken, so much I should have tail feathers (I keep checking but I don't). I can make 3 meals out of one chicken and do just that most of the time. I love rotiserrie chicken and even have a rotiserrie to make my own. I strip the meat after we have supper and save the bones for soup or chicken and dumplings. With the meat I make a lunch called Sloppy Chicks. It is like Sloppy Joes without the beef and a little less greasy. Sloppy Chicks 2 cups shredded or chopped cooked chicken 1 onion, diced 2 tb vegetable oil 1/4 cup barbecue sauce Heat the oil in a 10 inch skillet over a medium flame. Add onion and saute until the onion is clear and starting to brown. Add chicken and heat thoroughly. Mix in barbeque sauce. Cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Serve on buns. Serves 4

Sewing Pattern Giveaway

The month of September is National Sewing Month and to celebrate, the GoofingOff shops of Etsy and Artfire are having a free pattern giveaway. I am offering three patterns to three winners during the month of September. The patterns are in the following categories: Plus Size, Vintage, and Current fashions. All patterns in the giveaway are uncut, complete, with original factory folds. Just add a comment to the blog so I can let you know if you are a winner! Good luck and Happy Sewing!

Sewing for the Home

When looking for patterns to sew, I often think of clothing patterns. With every seasonal change there are new patterns and styles that come off the runways and having a guide is almost a necessity for me as I try to make fashionable clothes. Yet there are patterns available to guide a person through home decorating that make the curtain or bedspread project a success. I often forget about these patterns and dive into a project head first with great intentions only to be disappointed by my project that doesn't come out quite right. Here are two fantastic patterns from my Artfire shop for home decor sewing. Imagine having a storage ottoman in your living room to stash the afghan when company comes? Extra seating with storage, perfect for an apartment or small house. The window treatments could spruce up a kitchen quick. Shades and valances don't take a lot of fabric or time to make, yet the effect goes far. Happy Sewing! http://www.GoofingOff.etsy.com http://www.artfire.com/users/GoofingOff

Bridal Gowns and Other Fancy Dresses

Today I sold a bridal gown pattern to a young woman new to sewing who asked me a few questions about sewing a gown. I don't sew as much as I used to. Most of the time I would sew my own scrub tops (not the pants, too easy to buy them), tank tops, and skirts but not dresses. I just don't wear them much. Every so often though I would find the need to wear something fancy. After going to the store to see how much the dresses cost I would come home determined to make one myself. Along the way I have learned a few things I think I need to share. 1)Choose your fabrics carefully and according to the suggestions on the pattern. Some fabrics flow and lay better than others according to the cut of the pattern (or visa-versa). 2)Follow your instructions to the letter. I find I do good the first time I make something and not as good the second because I don't follow the instructions as well. My fault. 3) Measure twice, cut once. Applies to wood, glass, metal, and fabric. 4) Double check the layout instructions especially if the fabric is printed on one side or has a finish on one side. If it is cut wrong you won't be able to reverse it. (Don't ask how I found that one out. Had to go back to the store to get more fabric to fix that one. What a mess.) 5) Get help on the final touches like the hem, maybe a tailor or someone with a little experience. If you spend that much time making a beautiful dress, don't skimp on the final touches. They make a big difference. I am so excited for her. I can't wait to see how her dress comes out. I bet she'll look like a fairy tale princess.

Plus Sizes for Women of Ample Proportions

Today's average woman in the U.S. is of ample proportions and not pencil thin. It is important to me to provide sewing patterns that will help them not just make beautiful clothes, but make beautiful clothes that fit. Whether a woman is going to work, shopping, a night out with the girls, church, or a party, looking good boosts confidence and self-esteem. Here are some beautiful patterns for the woman of ample proportions, the real woman, who enjoys life and wants to be a part of life while looking her best. With beautiful fabrics and the right trim, these patterns can make a women look, and feel great!

New Listings on Artfire

Beautiful clothes start with well-made patterns and McCall's makes some great patterns. The styles are timeless, sophisticated, and can go from fun time to polished; the look is up to you. Here are some I just listed in my GoofingOff Artfire shop. McCall's 2029 Two Hour Skirt Cute skirt in two lengths. Good with lightweight fabrics such as cotton and cotton blends, challis, chambray, and linen. The skirt is either A-line or bias, with zipper closure. McCall's 8750 Sophisticated Suit and Wardrobe What a beautiful suit! With the right fabric it would look great at an afternoon wedding. Polished enough to go to the office and make a statement. Includes a lined jacket, top, pants, and skirt. Fabrics: cotton, cotton blends, linen, crepe, faille, garbadine, shantung. Sizes 8-12. McCall's 8907 Wardrobe Builder Lined Jacket, dress, pants, and skirt, sizes 14-18. The big picture is casual but the smaller ones show how versatile and sophisticated this pattern really is. Fabrics: Cotton, cotton blends, gabardine, wool crepe, lightweight wool and wool blends, linen blends. McCall's 8789 Vacation Wardrobe Builder Got a holiday vacation planned? Maybe a cruise? Here's a pattern that will help you look polished yet casual. Shirt/Jacket, top, dress, and pants. Sizes 8-12. Fabrics: Cotton and cotton blends, pique, rayon and rayon blends, lightweight linen, lightweight crepe. Dress is suitable for border prints. Easy Stitch n Save 3480 by McCall's Dress in two lengths. This is my bargain special. Cute dress, easy to whip up. Why not? Fabrics: Rayon and Rayon blends, lightweight crepe, soft linen, cotton interlock, cotton and cotton blends, soft faille.

Self Stitched September

Making your own or thrifting is a way of life for many of us. I have a hard time spending my hard earned bucks on poorly made clothes from China and would just as soon buy at my local thift shop, that is, if I can't make them myself. I know there are alot of people who feel the way I do. So here's the pledge. Try it, even for a few days. 'I, Eileen, sign up as a participant of Self-Stitched-September. I endeavour to wear at least ONE handmade item of clothing every day for the duration of September 2010. I will abstain from buying clothes for the entire month and rely soley on thrifted items I already own to complete my outfits.' Copy and paste the pledge and just put your name where mine is. Show off what you do!

Vintage Toddler's Patterns

Nothing seems to give me goose bumps like vintage toddler sewing patterns. When my daughter was little and I was waiting for acceptance to school I would sew her clothes. I wasn't the best seamstress but I loved the thought of going to the store, letting her pick out the fabric for the pattern, finding the right buttons, and then creating something just for her. Every step of the outfit made me feel close to her and I miss that now that she is grown with children of her own. Nostalgic yes, but good stuff that makes me feel good and brings back good memories. It's all good. Here's a new listing in the Etsy shop. Kwik Sew 698 T-Shirts for toddlers with envelope shoulders designed by Kerstin Martensson. The package includes the appliques for the shirts. The pattern is uncut, complete, and in very good condition. Cute and fun for boys and girls ages 1-3.