And for Christmas: The Teresa Maxi Dress
In my mind, I had planned to do some fun and creative things this Christmas. Unfortunately, those dreams had to be shelved as the reality of the stress of teaching made it impossible for me to do anything else other than grade assignments and sleep and maybe eat some days. I don’t know if Mr. AD realized that I was completely strand out and so decided to surprise me with Christmas lunch at Hilton this year. In any event, whatever his reason, I am so grateful that I didn’t have to cook this Christmas. Thanks, hun!
The only Christmas idea to come to fruition was my dress, and even that end result hadn’t even been my original idea. I had envisioned some kind of fitted bodice with a circle skirt. But when the grading for my event planning class was strangely taking up more time than normal to complete, I needed a quick and easy project. That’s when I dug out my beloved Pixel Ink One Piece Kimono Tee Pattern.
When I first joined Burda last year, this was one of the first free patterns that I added to my library and I’m so glad I did. I first made something from this pattern this April for Mr. AD’s birthday – a burnt orange tunic that I love! I’ve already worn it as a dress, a tunic, and a top.
Hook’d: Simple Sarah Clutch
I need a clutch purse… seriously… this just walking around with my keys and my mobile in my hand whenever I go out just ain’t cutting it no more man…
The shameful thing is that I have tons of bag patterns – to sew and to crochet – that I have been eager to try out, but just never found the motivation to sit down and make one. But with Christmas outing obligations, I really needed to get this bag thing sorted out.
I knew I wanted my clutch purse to be elegant and fancy enough to not look homemade. I also didn’t want it to be a large clutch, just big enough to hold the phone, the keys and some cash.
After a week of Pinterest and Ravelry deliberations, I finally selected Sarah’s Clutch, a crochet pattern by Sarah Cooper (sarahsweethearts.blogspot.com).
Sarah’s Clutch by Sarah Cooper
Hook’d: Cabled Bangles
Once a week, I try to check out the recently added crochet patterns on Ravelry, which I’ve come to realize can easily mean 300 or more new patterns to gawk at. Of course, when this sometime full hour activity is over, I’ve added at least 10 new patterns to my favourites and often times, pinned them as well.
And then there are those awesome patterns that you see and just have to try immediately.
Enter the Crochet Cabled Bracelets by A La Sascha (sascha-lovetoknit.blogspot.com) with its 5 beautiful variations.
Crochet Cabled Bracelets by A La Sascha
So I’m missing my graduation tho…
Yeah, so after that not-so-productive birthday sewing challenge, it may not be the best time to talk about my formal sewing training right? Oh well, I needed the reminder that I can actually sew…
Today is graduation day for the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) here in Barbados, and I had no idea that Evening Programmes were included in these activities until I received my graduation notice about 3 weeks ago. Not only did I complete my Basic Ladies’ Tailoring Class successfully, it seems my tutor awarded me the honour of “Most Outstanding Student”. *insert Grammy/ Oscar shocked winner face here*
Since I’m here struggling with acute sinusitis and can’t attend, in honour of my little achievement, I decided to let you guys see the work I did for the class, which started in August 2011 and ended in May 2012. For the basic class, the tutor focuses on sewing basics, with a focus on skirts in the first semester and on shirts and dresses in the second. And please forgive the quality of the photos as I had just gotten my new camera and had no idea about its fancy settings.
Abbey 3.0 Sewing Challenge Wrap Up!
Thank you for waiting. Abbey version 3.0 is installed.
It’s the last day of October… and my sewing challenge is… unfinished… 
I’m going to hazard a guess that 8 items were probably a bit much for me to try to complete this month, what with starting to teach a new class at the BVTB and then feeling positively crappy for about 2 weeks.
I did have some fun though and especially love how my both my Wrap Dress and Ruffle Skirt came out. I like the Maxi Dress and the Leggings too, but there are some adjustments and improvements to incorporate when I make more of each.
The Peplum Top and the Colourblock Top were my biggest disappointments. EPIC FAILS! I am so doing those over until I get the look I was going for.
And time just ran away and left me so I couldn’t get to the Lace Top or the Cardigan. Of course, I still want these items so they will definitely make a future appearance on this blog.
Thanks everyone for your kind words of encouragement throughout the month!
Hi! I'm Abbey!
