Pattern Review Simplicity 2648

Hi! Well I've been trying to keep some promises and post more projects.  I have not, by any means,  gotten the hang of doing tutorials. I'm great with pictures though!  Keep reading for my pattern review of Simplicity 2648 View C.

Pattern Description: The Amazing Fit collection. Knee length dress with front and back darts.

Pattern sizing: I used size 12. This pattern goes from 6-14 and has slim, average and curvy sizes.

Fabric used: Army green cotton blend.

Did it look like the photo on the pattern envelope once you were done: Yes.

Were instructions easy to follow: Yes

What did I like or dislike? I loved that it had 3 body types- slim, average and curvy. I also liked that everything was done with a basting stitch first to allow for fitting alterations.

Pattern alterations: No.

Would I sew again: Yes in a different fabric.

Would I recommend it to others: Yes! This pattern is great for beginners.

Challenging Pants M7098!

Hi again!
I know pants may be easy for some of you but I hate them and I don't want to hate them! So....I'm getting ready to make these wonderful pants in View F. Wish me luck! I'm going to try to finish tonight. That will be another feat for me.

Back in the sewing saddle

Hi!
I know it's been a while but I'm back in the sewing saddle. I don't know about any of you but I don't like sewing for people.  When I don't have a deadline,  I finish projects a lot faster. My latest project; that I finally decided to wear; was a leopard dress costume with tail attached, ears and paws. Don't mind my face, I didn't feel like going to a halloween party and once I got there,  I realized why.  Back to my costume,  I used Simplicity 2072, view A, which was pretty easy. I bought the fabric from www.fabricmartfabrics.com .  I lost some weight since last halloween 2014 so the costume was a little big around my bust and waist area but I still pulled it off! Go me! Next year I'm going to be more original and probably start my costume around the summer. Maybe a mermaid or one of my favorite childhood cartoon characters. I don't know, give me some ideas! I'm working on some pants now. Wish me luck.

DIY: Off the shoulder little black dress

Hi newbies! So it's been a few weeks and I'm ashamed of myself. I've been so self involved that I havent posted any of my most recent projects like I promised. I do have the off the shoulder dress as promised. I do not have a tutorial but I'm going to try to get that together this weekend using pictures.  I think it will take me too long to do a video and try to edit it afterwards. It'll be like watching a bad bootleg of Pulp Fiction. Don't ask why I picked that movie. Anyway, heres a look at my finished project. Ignore my messy sewing room.
Until this weekend. ...I promise!

Sewing tutorials coming soon!!!

Quick note. I know I've been promising to post a more projects and I will. I'm working on an off the shoulder mini skirt to wear this weekend. I plan on having all eyes on me! So I'll take pics and list materials and directions as I'm sewing it together. I shall return!!!

Sewing coupons

I received great news today! Which put me in a sewing mood.  I received my Joann's coupons too! I lost my sewing mojo for a moment but this made it all better. You better check your mailboxes.

My sewing room

Hi! I've been in a sewing funk. I'm slowly snapping out of it especially since my mother helped me semi-organize my sewing room. View a couple pics below. My mom photo bombed one of them. We only did part of the room. I have a whole other side that I'm not using. I have to draw some inspiration from somewhere on how I can use the whole room as my "Sewing Cave". New creations coming soon. The last picture was taken for my Facebook and Tumblr pages after I put a few fashion pics on the wall.

Why I started my locs.

Have you ever asked yourself, " Why you started dreadlocks?" I did.  I remember I was sick of getting single strand knots and my hair always broke off during my styling sessions. I was not retaining any length at all and I had heat damage. One day I just had enough and I decided I wanted to retain length and have healthy hair. I was tired of having a mini fro with uneven lengths.  I began by researching different ways to start dreadlocks. I knew I didn't want them to be too thick in diameter and I wanted to be able to style my hair in similar styles as my loose natural hair. I researched for 2 months and decided I wanted sisterlocks until I saw the price. The prices started at a minimum of $600 and going as high as $1,000.   It was not that serious for me.  I found videos on YouTube showing me how to interlock my hair and get the small locs I want. Well, it took me 3 days to finish my whole head because I have a big head and thick hair lol.  I was finally done and  I loved it!! October 10, 2014 was my first day and I can't wait until my loc'aversary!  Check out some pics below. I'm loving it. The last pic is from May 2015.

day 1

Ignore the guy in te back.

  

Watch me!

I want to be a positive energy and want to make sure my posts are giving off that positive energy. My next few posts are going to be filled with posts regarding sewing and, if you're interested, loc health. Bear with me as I'm learning how to construct a tutorial video for my sewing projects. Until we meet again.....

Diy throwback Monday

Happy Monday!
This dress is a reminder of how far I've progressed with my sewing. I made this dress almost three years ago when I picked up sewing again. I've noticed a few flaws but I still love it. Specifically the color. Also,  when I made this dress, I was so afraid of patterns. Now I love working with patterns. I learn so much more everyday and I would suggest to any newbie to join a sewing group.  You can pick up so many useful tips to improve you're sewing skills. My next post will involve a mixture of bathing suits and dresses. Thanks for visiting!

Royal blue fail!

I don't like this outfit I made. I'm so disappointed! It was a jumpsuit gone bad and I made a skirt and a semi crop top.  I'm not ready to bare my belly yet. Lesson learned.

Rose Petal Skirt DIY

Ok so,  I've never been good at tutorials and I'm trying to get there. I took a few pics of my first attempt at a rose petal skirt.  I started by making a skirt using some ity knit fabric. Then I pinned each petal one by one in a row.  Once I pinned a row,  I sewed it to my skirt.  It was sooo tedious but I love the finished product!  I have to add a waste band to it. I would definitely try this again but maybe a different color and I'd use silk rose petals.  Here's a list of materials I used:

1) Fabric to make skirt (preferably stretch).
2) Rose petals-I bought mine at Dollar tree but will definitely go to Joann's next time for silk petals.
3) Pins -of course to pin the petals to the skirt.
4) Tons of patience and time!!!!!
The skirt overall took about four hours. If you're thinking about trying it, clear your
morning or afternoon schedule.  Good luck!  Chat with you soon!

5 1/2 months locked!

Ok, so I'm running on empty right now.  I've been working out like crazy and not sleeping well. I'm happy to report that I'm almost 6 months loc'd.  I switch between retwisting and interlocking. I'm starting to interlock again because of my workouts and swimming.  My hair was unraveling from my profuse sweating during my workouts.  I also started using aloe vera gel to retwist but that's neither here nor there now. I've been learning so much about locs through out my journey and from YouTube.  Some of these YouTube gurus were styling their hair so much you can gradually start to see their edges thinning out as they did more videos.  The lesson there my children is, do not over style your hair lol.  Anyway,  I'll check back in when I finish a few sewing projects. Until we meet again.

6 months loc'd!!

Ok so I know it seems like I only post when I'm at work but I'm on a break. I'm six months locked and I'm still loving it.  I'm learning how to basket weave and my next attempt is an updo with basket weave. I cant wait to get to shoulder length!  So I'm still using the emu oil for my edges and I'm seeing a little green but not a significant amount.

Peplum Blazer done!

Check me out! I'm really feeling my skills!!!  I love how this turned out and it only took me two days really.  So stay tuned for the off the shoulder wrap dress I'll be posting soon.  I'll provide a link to the tutorial.  Bye for now! Oh I used New Look 6231.

New Look Blazer!

Hello! So here's my progress on my blazer.  I just have to add a clasp closure to the front and the sleeves.  I'm so stoked!!!  I've been really getting into sewing and I'm loving every minute of it. Next post will be the finished product with the shorts.

Peplum blazer in the works

So I'm about 60% done with the blazer. I'm so excited that I can't stop working on it! I'm under stitching the facing then I'm going to sew on the peplum. I'm so excited and can't wait to see how it's going to come out! I feel that my sewing skills have now exceeded my sewing machine so that is next on my agenda. Next update will be the finished product.

High Waist African Print Shorts

Hi again!
So I've been a busy bee! I made these high waist shorts using African print fabric that I bought at www.aknfabricsandtextiles.com . I received 6 yards for $20! It was a steal!  The shipping was $9.95 though, however, I got it the next day! Score!!!! Not flattering for my butt but I still love these shorts! I'm going to be making a peplum blazer/jacket to go with the shorts. I'm excited! I will be posting my progress on the jacket over the next week or so. Wish me luck!

5 months loc'd!!!!!

Hello! I'm excited because I'm over five months loc'd and I love every moment of it. I'll be six months April 10th so I'm late. My loose natural hair was a tangled mess and I always wore it in a puff. The last four or five months before I decided to loc I wore protective styles. I can't wait to see myself a year from now. Cheers to locs!

Simplicity cut out pants jumpsuit

Happy Spring!
It's been a few weeks but I'm back. I've decided to kick my sewing into high gear and this is my first completed project for Spring 2015.  This was a Cynthia Rowley pattern for Simplicity #1371. I made the pants a little higher because I didn't want to show too much belly. I feel like I need to take the pants in slightly around the butt and thigh. Over all it was pretty simple. I still have to read the directions on the patterns but I'm learning. I omitted the ruffles in the front also. For any of you that are interested in sewing, please visit Mimi G's YouTube channel and check out her blog. It is great for beginners! On her blog you can pay for some of her tutorials, trust me, they're worth the money. I'll come back and post links to some other great YouTubers with great tutorials. Moving on to my next project, which is a peplum blazer with shorts using African print fabric. I know it sounds like it's too much but wait until I post it! Here's a pic of the patterns in using and fabric. I'll post pics as I finish. I'm almost done with the shorts so I'll post a quick entry soon. Bye for now.

Flat twist updo and hair growth remedies to try.

Hi everyone! It's been a snowy rough February in CT but a pretty good month. So I thought I'd post some pics of my latest attempt at an updo. I like it! This can also be done on loose hair. I think that's why I like the style so much. I just flat twisted the side and part of the back and secured it with rubber bands. I left the other side out. You can probably do something with the side like barrel rolls but I decided to leave it out. Lately I've been using lavender oil on my scalp and hairline for the lovely smell and it's  growth and scalp disinfecting qualities. I've only been using it about a little over a week and a half. I'll post some progress pictures in a month or so if I notice any changes. If like to chat really quick and list some oils that are great for hair growth. Whether you're trying to thicken your hair, regrow edges or regrow a bald spot. Here are a few  oils that stimulate growth and can help with problem areas: Emu oil, Jamaican Black castor oil, lavender oil, Rosemary oil, cedarwood oil and a number of others.Click here to read info on benefits of emu oil. I find that diluting these oils with another oil like jojoba oil or almond oil makes for a great daily treatment for your scalp. Please do your research before deciding on what oils you'd like to try. What works for one person's hair may not work for yours. Post comments and pics if you'd like. Thanks for visiting!

No toxicity!

So today I don't really have a post about hair or sewing but I would like to leave some uplifting words. Release yourself from all unhealthy relationships in your life. If something makes you unhappy, let it go. Some of us try to hang around people hoping for the best in someone when all they've ever shown you was their worst. Love yourself enough to let toxic people go. They will only make you  toxic and unhappy. You only have one life and you should spend it with those that love and respect you. That's it. I guess I'm just venting since I've had a huge burden lifted from my shoulders. My burden was an actual person lol.  I'm definitely going to take my own advice. Be happy. Talk to you soon.

Retwist & style

Hello. I retwisted and styled my short locs last night. I also henna dyed using coconut milk but it doesn't really look like it. My edges are still a little thinner than I'd like. I'm using castor oil to see how that pans out. My edges have always been thin since I can remember. Anyway, I thought I'd try to give myself a style that I can wear to work or out. I'm not good with tutorials just yet but as soon as I am I'll post away.

Close up look at my interlocked locs.

Hello! I wanted to show a close up picture of my locs. I don't think my previous posts show much detail. Mine are small but no where near the size of Sisterlocks. I hope you can see some detail. I think I'm going to try retwisting the next time I wash. I'll do another update on my locs in about two months. You will see a few diy posts. I have some exciting things I'd like to share like making your own platform bed, pattern review for a Cynthia Rowley jumpsuit, so stay tuned!

Starter locs month 3!!

Hello! First of all, yes I the took this pic at my desk and second stop being nosey, lol.  All jokes aside, I'm loving how my locs are turning out. The locs in the back have matted first. The locs on my crown are almost there.  I'm excited! I'm not doing another spot check on my locs until February or late March. Tata for now!

Natural Blow Out

Natural hair blow out. Naturals have the best of both worlds! Be sure to deep condition and use a heat protectant before straightening. Send me your natural hair pics and let me know a little bit about your journey.

First loc length check!

Hello!
This is my first documented length check since I've started my locs in October 2014. I'm very pleased by how quickly I can see a difference. The picture on the left is from January 2015 and the picture on the right is from November 2014. I was so worried that I wasn't going to see a difference. There are a couple of tips I'd like to offer:

1. If you're a neat freak about natural hair, locs are not for you. When you have starter locs they do get really frizzy. I don't mind the frizz though.

2. Do your research! I can't stress that enough. There are so many ways to start your locs but you have to choose what the best way will be according to your lifestyle and maybe even your hair texture. I chose to interlock because I like to work out and I wash my hair once or twice a week. You have to do what works for you.

3. Ways to start locs:
Interlocking, back combing, two strand twist, comb coils, towel rubbing, free form and I can't think of the rest. Feel free to comment and add to the list.

4. It's such a myth that you can't wash your hair. A clean scalp stimulates hair growth. Please wash your hair or don't come near me stinky!

5. Moisturizing! I spritz water on my hair in the morning and at night. Then I seal it with an essential oil. I oil my scalp and just rake my oil covered fingers through my locs. My favorite is coconut and castor oil. Remember, water is one of the best and simplest moisturizers. The oil seals in the moisture but 

isn't actually moisturizing. 

6. Wear a satin bonnet or satin scarf at night. It helps to keep your hair moisturized.  I also sleep with a satin pillow case on my pillow. I'm a wild sleeper and sometimes I lose my scarf at night.

7.Be patient! Your hair will grow. Don't keep doing length checks every week.

8. Try not to over twist and over manipulate your hair. It will cause hair breakage and thinning.

9. Love your natural hair, love yourself. Enjoy your hair journey whatever it may be.

Happy New Year!

So I thought with this new year I would try to use as many natural products as I possibly can. I found out how to make my very own body butter for this alligator skin of mine. Very simple and I absolutely love it! All you need is coconut oil, raw shea butter, sweet almond oil and a nice smelling essential oil. I chose Jasmin oil. You melt the coconut oil, Shea butter and almond oil on low. Then, when in liquid form, pour it into a metal bowl. Refrigerate for about two to four hours or however long it takes to become solid. Then remove from the fridge and get your mixer and start mixing it until it gets a whipped texture. Then you add your essential oil to the mixture and put it in a pretty, air tight container. I used mason jars. As long as you have a tightly sealed jar the body butter should last three months minimum. Experiment with different oil scents and get that "spa" feel. Enjoy!