Sewing during Recovery....

I had ear surgery on January 28th.  I had a benign cyst removed called a Cholesteatoma.  I had no idea that I had a growing cyst in ear...the only problem I had was hearing loss.   It was with the coaxing from my husband that the cyst was finally diagnosed.   A year ago, he insisted that I get a hearing test done.  Guess he was tired of me saying, "Pardon me??" every other sentence.  So I finally succumbed to the idea of getting a hearing aid and made the appointment at Costco to get my hearing tested.   It was the Costco dude that determined that something was wrong in my middle ear and that I needed a more thorough check up with a specialist.  

As the months went on and appointments made, I finally got to see the ENT specialist in North Vancouver, B.C. Canada.    An amazing doctor and surgeon....one of the best!!  The surgery was about 4 hours long.  He removed the invasive cyst and a did a bunch of reconstruction of my inner ear.  I am sporting a couple of titanium implants (to replace damaged bones), my ear canal is rebuilt from cartilage taken from my outer ear.   My inner ear is plugged full of organic plant matter which will be removed on March 12.  I joked that I was going to smell like a rotten brussel sprout field...thankfully that's not the case so far!!  LOL

So with recovery, comes reduced activity.  I'm not allowed to do anything strenuous -- no exercise, no running, no heavy lifting.  I am a very active person by nature...so this "laying low" is challenging!!  

But thankfully, I can sew!!  So that's what I've been doing!  I've been having a blast and the sewing bug has kicked in full gear!  

Here is a tunic top for my daughter.  I wanted something fresh and Springy!  

Pattern:  Ottobre Spring 2013

Size 146

Fabric:  Miller Miller "Mod Blooms" by Patty Young

Nex are some denim jeggings.  So sad as these are just too tight!  I should have read the pattern more closely -- fabric should be the super stretch denim, which these are not.  In hindsight I should have gone up a couple of sizes.
Pattern:  Ottobre Fall 2011
Size: 152
Fabric:  Stretch denim

Thankfully I had just enough denim to make a second pair.  I went up a couple of sizes and the fit is spot on!!  Yeah!

With these jeggings I decided to add some fancy stitching to the back pockets.  I just marked and freestyled and stitched using the triple stitch on my machine.  Love how they turned out!

Size: 152 in the waist tapered out to a 164 in the hips

Close-up of back pockets. 

The front with the faux pocket stitching. 

Here is a shot of my daughter just before going to school this morning.  

I also made a top for me!  I've been wanting to make this Jalie top for quite awhile.  After reading a bunch of pattern reviews I knew that I would have to do a broad shoulder adjustment and a bicep adjustment.   So glad I did...the fit is perfect! 

Pattern:  Jalie 2805

Size: U (8)

Broad shoulder adjustment and bicep adjustment

Fabric:  Cotton jersey knit

As always, thank you for reading! 

Until next time, Happy Sewing!!

Ottobre denim skirt

What a crazy week it's been!  Spring is officially here and my to-do lists have gone out of control!  I have so much stuff that I want to do and get done.  The house is in desperate need of painting.  I need to get down and dirty and do a thorough Spring cleaning/purging throughout the whole house.  I have exterior house painting that I wanted to do in the Fall but never got around to it.  <sigh>  I sometimes wish I could duplicate or even triplicate myself.  The real me would sew all the time and the other me's would do everything else!  LOL  Wishful thinking!

Anyhow, in spite of everything else beckoning me, I did sew a bit.  I made my oldest daughter a denim skirt. It's from the Ottobre Spring 2012 issue.  Design #33 called Airmail Express denim skirt.  Hmm...where does Ottobre come up with their names?? LOL    I sewed up the size 170 and modified the waistband by adding 1.5" to it. .  I then added 1/4"  to each seam to accommodate the larger waistband.  

It wasn't hard to sew but just took a lot time.  Mind you I never got more than 5 minutes of uninterrupted time to sew.  It probably would have sewn up quicker if I could have sewn without a million disruptions. :) 

I added octagon decorative snaps to each pocket.  The prongs were not very long so I didn't use them on the skirt front.  The denim was too thick, so I used some heavy-duty snaps that I bought for my KAM snap press.

Each seam is double topstitched (sewing each line individually) with a thick heavy white cotton thread.  It was a bit tedious as I had to change the needle and thread every time I needed to topstitch.

Here is the back of the skirt.  I stitched turquoise bartacks on all the pockets.  

The skirt waistband and the the pockets are all lined with a pretty floral cotton.

Here are a couple of modelling shots. 

All and all I'm happy and Ally is thrilled with her new skirt.  I'm not sure when I'll be back with another sewing post, as I must tackle my to-do list.   Hopefully sooner than later!!  LOL

Until next time, Happy Sewing!!

Ottobre Kehra Tunic

I know I had said I was going to sew up the Oliver + S Jump rope dress, but I ran into a problem.  My older daughter, Miss. Ally was feeling rejected.  I've been sewing mostly for Miss. Jenelle and well, poor Ally was feeling glum.  LOL  

She picked out this fabric and asked for a tunic style top to wear with skinny jeans.  Sewing for a  tween (12 year old -- will be turning 13 years old this year) is challenging and I do feel a bit intimidated by it.  I find sewing for younger kids easier.  Guess it's because they never complain; wear what I make, and I pick fabrics and styles the majority of the time.   

Anyhow, we got hit was another snow storm on Sunday morning.  We hardly ever get snow!  Living in the Pacific Northwest our winters are mostly rain, and then some more rain, mixed in with even more rain!! Anyhow, church was cancelled so I spent the day puttering in my sewing nook.  We have a wonderful wood stove just by my sewing area so I was cozy and in sewing bliss! 

Pattern is Ottobre Spring 2009  #35 the Kehra Tunic.  Size 170.   I used snaps instead of buttons.  The snaps I used are some pearl purplish/grayish ones I had bought eon's ago from fabricland.  I have a KAM  heavy duty snap press which makes putting on snaps a breeze!  Fabric is a fine wale corduroy. 

I have to show you this.  When I was contemplating about starting up a blog I was trying to figure out what I would call it.  I came up with Cheryann Collections.  I then thought, wouldn't it be cool if I got my own Clothing tags made up with my blog name - Cheryann Collections!  I designed and ordered them from Miss. Label.    They were super speedy and awesome to work with.  I love how it looks with my own label and size tag in the garments I make.  Like I said, I get a big 'ol grin whenever I look.  LOL

Here is Miss. Ally doing her runway pose!  

Fit is good + good length = one happy Miss. Ally which then ='s one happy Mother!!  Yeah!

Thanks for stopping by!  

Happy Sewing!

Baby Sleepers

My 12 year old daughter came to me on Tuesday after school and said, "Hey Mom, my class at school is hosting a surprise baby shower for our teacher on Thursday.  Could you sew me two sleepers to give as a gift?"  I had a meeting to attend Tuesday night but I managed to whip these up yesterday (Wednesday).

I had so much fun making these.  There is nothing like sewing up bitty baby clothes.  Seriously makes me (almost) want another wee one.  I said almost!  LOL  

Pattern used is Ottobre Autumn 2005 issue, design #2.  Size 56 (newborn).  I've made this sleeper for my own babies.  I love sleepers with front zippers.  Makes for easy and quick diaper changes. 

I had to make these gender neutral -- though I do think they look very boyish to me.  Fabric is a soft cotton interlock.  Love the farm animal print.  

This sleeper is sewn up in a cozy white velour with green accents.  It's so soft and cuddly.  

I love this embroidery applique from Swak Embroidery.    So cute and stitched out beautifully!

I hope her teacher likes the sleepers. 

Happy Sewing!

A Sweet Valentine outfit for my girl

I made a comfy Valentine knit tunic for my little girl. I love this heart cotton interlock knit.  

I wanted something that was comfy, easy to wear, easy to play in and looked cute.  I came up with this. Simple and sweet.  

I used Ottobre Autumn 2012 design # 28.  A simple long-sleeved t-shirt.  I took off 2" from the bottom and added a 6" ruffle.  I love this style of tunic.  I then made up some simple  cotton/lycra leggings to go with the top.  Again, I used Ottobre Spring 2009 for the leggings pattern. Super quick and simple to make.  

Here is the outfit modeled on one happy little girl!  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Happy Sewing!

Ottobre Rousku Blouse and Jenkka Skirt

I've had this Alexander Henry fabric called "cowgirls and boys" in my stash for quite some time.  I didn't realize how old it was til I read the date stamp on the selvage edge of the fabric.  It read 2002.  Really??  Have I seriously held on to this fabric for 12 odd years???  Guess it was about time to sew it up!!  I'm glad I did because I love how this outfit turned out!

I used the Ottobre Rousku blouse pattern again.  (From the Fall 2010 issue).  I up-sized it  to 140 and added a bit more depth  to the sleeve cap.

I seem a bit placket obessed!  I love the look of plackets.  I was pleased with getting the cute little cowboy centered on the placket here.  Yeah!

I thought a pleated corduory skirt would go perfectly with the blouse.  So I sewed up the Ottobre Jenkka skirt (Winter 2012 issue).  It's such a cute skirt with a narrow waistband and an invisible side zipper.

The photo above is a bit washed out.  The corduroy is much richer in real life.

Below is a picture of the whole outfit.

Thanks for looking,  Happy Sewing!!