Stash Buster of Epic Proportions! Planning

I have been blessed with an OPPORTUNITY!

Years ago I worked for a great organization called Downtown Kingston! (exclamation mark included) working as the bookkeeper and secretary to several boards as a part of a great team of people.  When I left to manage my ex husband's business, and work as a controller at a Harley dealership, I kept going back to assist Downtown Kingston! with their events and festivals.

Over the years (10 years!?), one of my favorite recurring gigs has been the Nighttime Santa Parade.  I Guided Sparks, Brownies, Guides in the parade, I marshaled, I drove dignitaries, I waved to kids, I loved it.  I like people a lot, and this event is no ego for me, just a chance to see the faces of thousands of people having a great time.  It worked well as a single Mom, too: DS the Elder often came along for the ride, and got to meet some pretty awesome dignitaries!

So last year, I was assigned to chauffeur Mrs Claus to the event, and to drive one of the dignitary vehicles (the dignitaries usually walk, so I end up just driving an SUV at the start of the parade).  Mrs Claus had something go wrong, and couldn't make the parade - but my gig continued.

Then, in the Spring, I stopped in to drop off something to the office, and mentioned that I would be willing to stand-in for Mrs Claus if it ever happened again.  TA-DAH!  I got an email last month - they needed an understudy!  and this week? I am not just a bridesmaid this time!  Hello, Santa!

So up an'at'er!  I have a few weeks to make a costume (and of course I am not just whipping up a furry smock).

I have two donations to my stash that started the project:

1. my SIL gave me some home dec fabric last winter - a red upholstery with dahlias in chenille
2. my BFF's mom handed me some boxes when she was downsizing - and included was several meters of red satin backed crepe.

On the right above you can see the PUL I bought (a disappointing colour match, but such an investment, so I am using it).

So first, the Skirt.  I pulled out my A line block and added 1.5" to all seam allowances, and lengthened by 10", and lengthened the curved waistband by 6" on either end (my fudge factor) - I wasn't sure what I would need and Mainely Dad said it once and it stuck with me: cut your waistbands long - you can always shorten.
The upholstery was not an easy sew (and I am only half-way through hand stitching the canvas backed waistband), but I added the zippers, darts and shaping I think it needed:

That WAISTBAND!

So what's next?
Jacket:  M7254 View C in white "Reptile Fur" (what?   it was on the hallowe'en clearance table)
ValGal's version on Pattern Review was a lock for this pattern:

Cape: Sewaholic Cypres Cape in red PUL from SimplifiFabric

I will also need a muff for my hands and I hope to make this Die Nähanleitung zum Knöpfchen-Loop Autumn: (Katrin's is so beautiful)

So those are my essentials - All fur-trimmed, of course.

Catch-up - Where have I been AND Stash Busters #39-46 (of 48)

I have had VERY busy days since my last (published) post on September 4 - A massive project in my paying job has been tying me up - and in all my non-paying roles adjusting to the new back to school hours, 7 weeks of CrossFit training, and one heck of a lot of MRIs, Mammograms, Ultrasounds and other unpleasant appointments.

I have found myself holding back on sewing my intended projects - hoping 7 weeks of CrossFit would mean new measurements (nope, it didn't have the intended measurements impact - but I AM much fitter)  - and knowing that I was going to have some significant changes in my measurements over the coming months (I have been identified with Cowden's Syndrome and will be having a double mastectomy and other procedures soon).  - Isn't that the craziest parenthetical announcement ever?  I am trying to compartmentalize and that Pandora's () has slammed back shut again.

SO - what have I been sewing?  STUFF:  Non. Stop. Keeping. Sane, Sewing.

I had to do a little alteration on this raincoat to get it back from the Extended-to-4T to a 2T

Stash Buster #39:

I made another M7093, but changed the neckline to the one from View A of 7251.  I originally planned on making 7251, but  I was short the necessary yardage for pattern placement/matching.  My friend Nicole from Sartorial Sewing gifted me this wonderful woven and I have worn the top about 8 times (in 8 weeks).

Stash Busters #40 and 41 are a Hallowe'en costume, so pictures and post later.

Stash Buster #42:

This is the Shwin Designs Johnny B Good Hoodie - cute as hell and reviewed here.

 Stash Buster #43:

I followed this tutorial from The Crazy Tailor to make a doll carrier (here is a pin for you)

Stash Buster #44 was a wadder organza skirt.

 Stash Buster #45 wasn't - I made another Julia Cardigan:

and #46 - my entry to the PR Sweater Knit Sewing Contest:

A Nancy Zieman Santa Fe Top - here's my review

So - #47 is almost 1/2 way (a Plantain T with blousy arms).

Next,  I am onto the massive Mrs Claus project (Due November 21) - and that's a whole blog post on its own.

So - the most pleasant of all the appointments in the last month was the routine mammogram -
The Ontario Breast Screening Program is awesome.
The appointment was 25 mins start to finish - and I was only 5 minutes in the exam room.

Go. 

Playing with PUL - A Babyville Boutique Project: Modify my favourite bib pattern

This is the finished project:

This is where I started:

This is my favorite bib shape.  It's from Kooshies / Kushies

Kushies' Website

Sadly, my baby is outgrowing my favorite bib.  We go through a dozen (or more) bibs a day with my little spitter, and I need more belly and spit retention (a.k.a. a pocket) on the bib.

DS#2 has a wicked cold right now, so forgive any unwiped elements:

I love how the bib covers the shoulders!  It is PUL backed, and has a terrycloth front (for excellent absorbancy). It has two snaps (I'm not a fan of tie-backs, but I get they are more economical - when I replicate this I am going to spring for snaps).

I have big plans to make a raincoat for my beautiful 18mos niece this week - but this is my first time working with PUL so I want to play with the product first - and so (sew) - a BIB!  Here's how it went:

Fabric: Babyville Boutique  Dinos "RawR"

1. This is a sketch of the existing bib - since I plan to lengthen the bib I left the bottom untrimmed:
   
   
2. Here is the extension piece overlayed.  The extension will also be the template for the pocket so it is a separate piece.
   

   
3. I cut out the bib using both pieces (as one).  I found the PUL easy to cut with the rotary blade.
4. On the fold, I cut the pocket front using the extension pattern as a new piece. (The candle was a handy pattern weight).
   
5. Here's the pocket piece folded in half.
    
   
   
   
   
6. Next I ironed the pocket piece - PUL sides together.  I read that this would bond the flap as one.
   I set the iron to the low Cotton setting.
   
   
   
   I turned off the Steam.
   
   
   
   
   I pressed by blocking sections (not moving the iron back and forth).
   
   
   
   It bonded perfectly!  And baby slept right through.
   
   
   
   

   nb: fold is like a knife!
   
   

   
   
   
7. Next, I connected the pieces and basted the pocket on.  here are the particulars:
   
   70 or 80 (10/12) ballpoint needle
   
   
   Polyester thread
   
   
   Thread and bobbin same
   
   
8. I used the Fold Over Elastic (FOE) from Babyville Boutique:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. I zig-zagged the FOE around the edge:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. I lapped the ends.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The extended zigzag worked well on the corner:
11. I applied a snap matching the pattern marking - I only needed the larger size from the pattern.
    
    
    
    I used the Babyville Boutique snap tool and snaps (the snaps are plastic and size 20, 60 sets per kit) 
    
    
    Using the awl enclosed with the tool set, I pierced the bib strap in the appropriate spot on each side 
    
    
     The tool works by compressing the pieces together, male side and female side are done separately
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
12. The bib is complete:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

I LOVE the bib - I have washed it several times using the machine, I have hung it to dry each time, rather than put it through  the dryer, and it doesn't show any wear.  It dries overnight easily.
1 load had hook and eye tape (a.k.a.: Velcro) in the mix and the FOE is fuzzy where the hook and eye tape adhered, so I caution against mixing the FOE and hook and eye tape.