Super Bargain Huntress... ( 1

OK, here's my recomendations for beginner adult dresses: (drumroll please)



Simplicity

7156 - do "A", no sleeves to sew but has a zipper

7078 - zipper on this one

8071 - loose fit, easy one - zipper, though

7964 - ****I think this would be a good one**** No zipper

9691 - ****ditto the above**** no zipper, no buttons!

8566 - Easy, but has ties

8292 - Specifically a mother/daughter set, has buttons

9262 - cute, easy jumper (w/ zipper)



Butterick:

3379 - front pleats (easy, though) and buttons (just 3-4)

6531 - cute jersey dress

6140 - cute, just zipper and 2 front darts

6931 - no zipper, no nothing - EASY!!!

4440 - just front buttons (I've made this one, it is loose and comfy)



McCall's:

9456 - no zippers



Burda:

3248 - OBSCENELY EASY - just darts



OK, here's recommendations for beginer girl dresses:



Simplicity:

8550 - little girls seperates (cute and easy skirt)

9608 - just zipper

8030 - same

9018 - no zipper! EASY



Butterick:

6490 - zipper with cute easy jacket

6489 - absolutely darling, but more complicated



McCall's:

2590 - zipper

2074 - incredibly easy dress (no zipper)



Burda -

2632 - EASY (just two pieces to the pattern!!!) and cute



OK, so those are the ones I'd say a beginner could tackle and not get frustrated by how long it takes or any wild techniques. I only found one official "mother/daughter" pattern and that was the Simplicity one I mentioned above. You notice I didn't put a single Vogue one on the list? I looked through the most recent catalog and trust me, you don't want to tackle their easy ones as your first project. This was kind of a nice reason to get out of the house and go haunt the fabric store - I got hit on the way home from picking up Jon from work today. No fun - freaked the kids out pretty badly, too.



Jennifer

[houseelf]

Jennifer---



I almost didn't pick that up...you were in an accident? What happened? I hope that you are all o.k..



Kelly

Some teenage boy rear-ended us pretty good. Luckily our minivan just needs the rear bumper replaced - the kid crunched up the front end of his car pretty good. He was a brand-new driver - only had a provisional license. I really think he shouldn't have been driving in rush-hour traffic in the middle of Dallas (and on one of the worst streets!). We're all OK, though - just shook me and Jon up and scared the kids.



Jennifer

I'm leaning towards "obscenely easy"



I'm glad that you guys are ok. Was this new driver insured?...I didn't read this until now because of the SPRINKS things...that was sooooo annoying.



Thanks for the suggestions...you've given me a new weekend project...I'm going to go over to Wal-Mart or JoAnne fabrics and see if they have any of these...I'll fill you in later!





Kris
Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

OK guys--I"ve been away from here for a two weeks now as the frenzy of getting ready to move (and keep up with work--which has gone crazy these last two weeks) sets in, but I CAN'T resist this conversation--

first bargains, then sewing!



I have a whole wardrobe of Goodwill finds that I'm so proud of. I stil have a few things I've actually purchased, but the other cheap wardrobe items in my closet (besides the things I've sewn) are from the clothing exchanges my girlfriends and I have been doing over the last five years.



It works like this: Every season or two some number of my friends (and their friends) clean out our respective closets, make a brunch munch to share and head over to designated hostess's house for a mad trying-on spree. Sometimes we manage to sort things into piles of types of clothing, but mostly we just go through things and try them on, admiring, advising, passing things over to the person this great dress will actually fit...It's the best! Even with some people working full time professsionally, others as students, new moms, and of all sizes, we each always manage to take one or two great finds away at least. We also each usually take away a few okay things and there are always a few things that make the rounds: there was once a rose silk sweater that each of us in turn thought might look great on and one by one, exchange by exchange, we'd return it, mystified, but hopeful it might work out for someone else...



Then everything we don't take goes into bags that go to the Goodwill...(hmm...a bit of a cycle, isn't it?)



Anyway--I sew too and am psyched to hear people talking about it. Jennifer, I'm so impressed at your list of easy patterns. I am so grateful for that 1 semester of sewing I took in 7th grade. My problem is buying fabric I don't use....But believe it when your mil says you're a designer. What you know about fabric, how it falls, what it works with, how a 2 dimensional piece will look in 3-dimensions...that's what artists are! And you can definitely get big bucks for children's clothes.



Kris--I forget if you're in a warm or cold climate, but I also recommend working with polar fleece for some quick easy victories. The edges don't ravel and it has a nice shape to it. Easy to make fun hats, for instance, especially for kids.



Good luck!

Kate

[Meenah]

I still haven't unpacked the new sewing machine (which I do NOT know how to use, but today I stopped at Joanne's Fabrics and bought remnant fabrics ( 6 yards for $4) and three 14 x 14 pillows to cover. I should soon get the courage to unpack the machine and read the book.

Luanne

Well, I'm finishing Finny's quilt today...which required me to pull my machine out and give it a good clean.....I didn't get to go to look for patterns yet...I wonder if there are any freebies online? hmmmmmmm



As to GoodWill...the one here isn't too bad and they sell some really unique jewelry pieces for just a dollar or two....I'm considering starting a collection...also, they have some really neat looking cups/saucers...







Kris
Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

[Meenah]

Kris,

Congratulations on the quilt.

The neat thing about Goodwill, flea markets, etc. is you never know what you will find. Did you ever get a chance to see the television show "Shabby Chic"?

Luanne

[DCJenn]

for the center pieces at our wedding, I went to Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. plus good old eBay and bought as many silverplate suger/creamers, Jefferson Cup, bowls, etc as I could (no more than 5.00 for 2 was the limit) and then the florist made small flower arrangements for the table, which people were welcome to take with them. It was fabulous! (Of course, the reception was in my parent's back yard so it looked really pretty with the bright green grass and my mom's own garden in bloom!)



Jenn