Facebook Giveaway: Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing

Hi Friends. I have another copy of Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing to giveaway! This time it's a Facebook giveaway. So to enter, go to my Facebook page and leave a comment letting me know what you love about the idea of a copy of this book for your very own! (You have to "Like" my Facebook page to leave a comment...).  This giveaway will also close Thursday, 9/20. Good luck! Two chances to win!

Review: Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing (Giveaway)

Do you follow Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing? Undoubtedly you've heard of it. Well now there is a book! I received a copy I've been able to thumb through and there's one to giveaway to you too!

There is plenty to love about this book. Similar to her blog, it is chock-full of sewing techniques. I will definitely be curling up with this book to learn better approaches to hand sewing, buttonholes (I love bound buttonholes!) and other tailoring techniques. For instance, she includes three different methods for securing darts so that the points lay as flat as possible--who knew?!  I feel like I can construct most things but I love the idea of the inside of a garment being every bit as beautiful as the outside. That's the difference in quality clothing--don't you think?

Another thing to love: the book comes with printed patterns for a wardrobe of vintage-inspired clothing including:

• The Pencil Skirt
• The Portrait Blouse
• The Sultry Sheath
• The Scalloped-Waist Skirt
• The Bow-Tied Blouse
• The Sweetheart Sundress
• The Wiggle Dress
• The Shirtwaist Dress
• The Suit Jacket
• The Coat Dress

Aren't you inspired already? I have really been wanting to do some sewing for myself and I'm not sure I can go another season without a pencil skirt! Gertie's version looks especially flattering with its high curved waistband. It would be great in a classic grey. Or a print.

And how great is this wiggle dress? I love the short-sleeved version. Wouldn't it be fun in this bold butterfly print? I bought the fabric this summer not quite sure what I would do with it, but a dress for myself would be pretty fabulous.

Each of Gertie's designs come with full instructions, which reference her techniques section. So smart! And they each include some variations, which means more possibilities, but also more confidence as she walks you through how to make alterations to the original patterns.

Oh, and the book itself it beautiful to look at. I love the photos of Gertie modeling her designs. It also includes great instructional photos and illustrations, as well as beautiful vintage-inspired illustrations throughout.

Would you like a book?

**To enter (just one entry each this time) leave me a comment and let me know what appeals to you most about Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing. All the skills you could acquire? A particular pattern? What would you sew? **

Giveaway closes Thursday the 20th and then I'll pick a random winner! Good luck!

Party: Coral Chevron Dot Birthday for Tess

Seems like we just celebrated Tess's first birthday, but here we are: she is two already! And quite the advanced two at that. I think she is trying to keep up with her sisters so our days involve a lot of acrobatics!

To celebrate, we had family over for a summer evening dinner, which I set up with a Chevron Dot theme. This was the feminine version of the theme I put together for a baby boy shower last year and it was so much fun to indulge a new palette of coral, pink, orange, grey, yellow and white.

Along with some new colors, I added a few new ideas, such as the yarn pom pom bouquets on the dining tables and felted wool bead bracelets as party favors.

I redid the chevron paper-covered mini composition books as party favors too because I think they are too cute and work for any guest! Found coordinating mechanical pencils at Target. I love lining trays and wrapping vessels with the chevron patterned paper. It's such an easy way to add some extra color.

Speaking of color, that is really the point of large vases filled with gumballs though my nephews and nieces enjoyed filling their cheeks with them too.

Tess wore a wool bead necklace to match the polka dot bunting I stitched on her Dirndl Skirt apron. It turned out to be a great and practical party outfit. The apron stayed tied (because it is integrated), the necklace was comfortable and fun for her to wear, and I didn't mind if she stained the basic white t-shirt! I love this super-full skirt on her short little legs!

For dinner we served a romaine salad with yellow and red cherry tomatoes, feta and a lemon-garlic dressing; chicken tenderloins marinated in coconut milk, peanut butter and jalapeno; couscous; grilled asparagus; peaches, raspberries and blueberries; Izze sodas (mostly because they are so fun to look at!), and water.

Oh, and of course: birthday cake! I wasn't sure what kind I was making until a day or two before, but I fell back to one of my favorite lemon buttermilk cake recipes but made the buttercream frosting vanilla flavored. I had been thinking about some ways to use the Chevron Dot theme on the cake but decided to let those go instead of trying to learn some new skills. So I piped dots of sorts using a pastry tube with no tip.

It was a perfect evening despite a summer storm, which drove us indoors. The storm was a nice little finale for our celebration. There is nothing better than a party with family and friends and a good reason to celebrate! I think it's important to enjoy these high points, store them up, so I tried to soak it all up.

Happy birthday to Tess!

(If you are interested in some party printables with this theme you can find them here in my Etsy shop. I've included materials for a baby shower or a birthday with multiple versions of the edit-able invitation.)

Craft: Yarn Pom Pom Bouquets (Tutorial)

I've been thinking about different tabletop ideas for Tess's birthday party. I was going to make a felt polka dot bunting to run down the middle of the tables (as I did for the "boy" version of this Chevron Dot party theme) but then I thought of three dimensional dots instead: pom-poms. So I've been making yarn pom poms for party bouquets. I was so happy to find yarn in colors that coordinate with the invitation!

These bouquets are a bit of a nod to the tissue variety I made for my Fiesta party a couple years ago. Pretty simple, and fun, and inexpensive.

Audrey and Scarlett wanted in on this action an they made a couple pom poms too. I was impressed! They did a great job. Audrey now wants a pom pom making party! I will have to make them with the girls again. It's a great way to keep them busy.

If you'd like a bit of a how-to click for more details.

Craft: Wool Bead Jewelry (Tutorial)

I love wool beads--felted balls of wool. They are so tactile, fun to hold, a bit squishy, and I've found them in great colors. They aren't too difficult to make either, but I haven't tried that...

Instead I ordered a bunch from this Etsy shop, bought some stretchy cord, and made some jewelry. Want to make some too? Click to view the tutorial. It's as easy as you'd imagine.