The New Wave - Manta Wave Leggings

I'm back with some new new. I've had about 11-13 Named patterns in my email for about a year and change and I hadn't made one YET... until now. I started with something easy just to see what sizing was like. These are the Manta Wave Leggings.

They're wave leggings because they curve below the knee in the front and above the calf in the back. There are only two pattern pieces for this pattern, a top and a bottom. There also isn't side seams. This pattern is REALLY really easy to make up. The pattern instructions for these are only 1 page long (and that's including pictures lol)

Jade is New to Me

My mother is the best cook in our family. (no offense aunties!) Really she is. I may be biased but I don't think that's it. Majority of my friends can vouch for it's deliciousness and she is always called on for recipe advice and cooking tips. Growing up watching her, I realized that she pretty much uses much of the same ingredients on everything lol. Lemon Pepper, Seasoned Salt or Garlic Salt, Parsley Flakes, Pepper, Pepper, Pepper (lol), and PAPRIKA. My mom puts Paprika on EVERYTHING. On meats, I understand her obsession, it gives the meat color. But I'll be making Macaroni&Cheese and if I turn around and look back, she'll be sprinkling paprika on my mac!!! I keep trying to tell her that Paprika doesn't ACTUALLY have flavor but she ignores me and continues to be the best cook I know.

I say that all to say... I made the Jade skirt from Paprika Patterns.

Everyone's Favorite Workhorse - McCall's 7082

I'm feeling so productive these days! Meet another UFO from January that has obviously now transitioned to FO status *hollllaaaa!

I'm calling this piece everyone's favorite workhorse because it's a Black Skirt. Perfect for virtually ANY occasion and it can be mixed and matched with a plethora of different tops and shoes and accessories. I really don't know where you can go wrong with it. ... Which is exactly why I needed one.  While I was going through my patterns, I just wanted something simple. Something with pleats because I love those, and pockets (because, yes.), and something that wasn't going to fly up at any given blow of the wind. That last part was a huge part of it because my rose dress and my mad men dress are pretty impossible to wear outside for too long without me trying to reinvent the Marilyn pose or walk around with my skirt bunched up in my hands -_-. I wanted something basic but not BORING.

I couldn't find a skirt pattern that I was all in with so I ended up taking the skirt from McCalls 7082 (cutting a size 14 at the time but that size is a little big now) and the pockets from Simplicity 1354 and *voila* I have my dream basic skirt pattern.

Ginger Separates and Dares

Hello, hello, hello!

I haven't been participating in The Monthly Stitch monthly challenges like I'm used to doing but today I'm back to jump in for Indie Pattern Month! Week two of the Indie competition is "Separates": basically sewing at least 2 things that go together. Perfect time for me because 1. I wanted to make a pair of high-waisted shorts and 2. Gillian DARED me to make some shorts or cutoffs... well look at them stars aligning again ;-)

*Disclaimer: This is going to be a very long (but informative ;-)) post!

For this outfit I used Closet Case Files patterns; The Nettie bodysuit and The Ginger Jeans. I told you I wasn't done with these here bodysuits lol I have another fabric washed and on the cutting table too.. but I digress.  For the bodysuit, I cut a size 12 in both the bodysuit and the gingers.

Look, Ma! No sleeves! - Simplicty Sew Simple A1738

Well, well, well... It seems that I missed my 2 year Blog anniversary this past Tuesday. Two years already! I feel like I just started learning how to sew yesterday... well not yesterday but maybe the day before yesterday lol. I'm grateful to everyone that follows this here humble blog and I appreciate your support and comments and encouragement and help. The sewing community has been so awesome and I am glad to be apart of it!

Let me go ahead and tell you about this UFO that has been chilling in the UFO basket since JANUARY. Ain't that a shame?? Anyway, it's Simplicity "Sew Simple" A1738. I came across it in blogland when I first started reading sewing blogs and I believe it went OOP because I couldn't find it anywhere but then I ended up copping the last one in a random Wal-Mart around my way.  I liked the idea of an easy cardigan or blazer that I could finish in an hour or so. (idk how an hour turned 5 months lol)

A Testament to Faithfulness

This past weekend I went to Ocean City with 13 other people in a 15 passenger van.

That almost sounds like a recipe for disaster lol but it was the complete opposite. Let me start by saying, a few months ago I began praying to God for friends. Not just any kind of friends, I actually have a good number of friends. I specifically have been asking God for friends that will push me toward Him. Friends I won't feel judged or insecure around. Friends who don't always have other people on their lips. Friends I can have a good time with where I don't leave feeling guilty about anything I've done. Friends who have a heart for Him.

Don't get me wrong, I do have a few friends like that. I guess at this point in our lives, everyone is so busy with their relationships and getting married and having the chirrens that we don't really have time for each other anymore. And at my church there aren't very many people in the 20-30 range. Most of the "young adults" are in their mid-thirties now, and then there is a big gap that goes straight down to the teens. And seeing as I'm not about to just leave my church because there aren't many people my age around me, I decided to pray for some lol.

I'm not going to go through a novel, but long-story short, God answered my prayers. Through a good friend of mine from college, I was introduced to a number of young people in the DMV area that pretty much just hang together lol. Going to different churches and living in different parts of the tri-state area, these people have become each other's family. Well this past weekend, I was invited to their family beach trip to celebrate a few people's birthdays. Just thinking over that entire day has still left me extremely full and thankful. It started something like this:

My friend and I got to the meet up spot (on time; ha!) and were waiting for other people to arrive. While waiting with another early-comer we somehow randomly started talking about different people in the bible and how they are characterized by some people. While talking about it, we just got confused and decided "Let's just read it!". Next thing you know, we have our bible apps open, reading books of scripture trying to get some kind of understanding. By the time a few more people had come, they joined in the discussion and the thing that had us confused in the first place is the EXACT thing that someone else had been studying about and they had answer that we had been looking for! 

I'm not going to recap the entire trip but I just want to say "Thank you" to each and every person that was in that van. I can honestly say that I've never been around so many young people that are down to have bible study at the drop of a hat. We had about 3 of them that day alone lol. People wanting to pray constantly. People able to have serious discussions about the Lord with the ability to learn from and admonish each other without any condemnation. People that know how to turn up to music that has a tight beat but glorifies God at the same time. People that share. People that are patient and slow to anger or offense. People with humble, quiet spirits. People with humble, loud spirits lol. People that make me want to go home and open my bible. People that lovingly check one another. People that excitedly take the attention off of themselves and place it on Jesus for the world to hear. Godly MEN taking control without being asked whether it be to drive 13 other VERY outspoken people or handling a 14 person bill at a restaurant. Men who don't objectify women. Men who pray. Gentlemen. Godly CONFIDENT women who wear their heart for God on their sleeve and let it constantly pour from their lips. Women that inspire me in their bold visions, modesty, and love toward one another. Women who get just as excited as new bride-to-be (a stranger at that) and have it in their spirit to go over and pray for her.

I didn't get home til 4am Sunday morning and I had to be at church, IN the choir stand, at 9am. I thought I was going to be so tired. Most times I get home anything CLOSE to that late and have to be in church early, I either don't go, or my mind is not all there. I can honestly say that I was in church, wide awake and so ready to receive whatever the Spirit wanted to tell me. It's like I never left His presence. (I know He doesn't leave but I know what I'm trying to say lol) 

I'm pretty much saying all of this to say that it is people like YOU all who are going to change this generation. You're already changing the culture ( ;-) ). Thanks for having me and confirming that what I have been asking God for isn't unattainable. Thank you for letting Jesus shine through each and every one of you.

Love, Tasha.

MMMay'15 Week 4 Round Up and Conclusions

Week .5 Roundup / Week 1 Roundup / Week 2 Roundup / Week 3 Roundup

I made it! I have successfully completed my first Me-made-may! I pledged to wear one thing that I have made/refashioned every day in May and I have (with the exception of one very sick day) with no repeats! I'm very proud of myself and realized that I have more me-made clothes than I thought. And this is AFTER giving away a number of items.

I'll talk more about what I learned at the end. This is what I wore the past week:



Day 25

Floral Pants w/ ankle zippers (blogged)
Kwik Sew 3807
RTW top

Day 26

Easter Dress (blogged)
Butterick 6054

Day 27

Detachable Collar (blogged)
Vogue 8900

Day 28

Modified Peplum (blogged)
Two-piece-setacular skirt (blogged)
Vogue 8825

Day 29

Faux Wrap Dress (blogged)
McCalls 6884
RTW button up

Day 30

Refashioned Skirt (blogged)
RTW crop top

Day 31

Purple Tribute Dress (blogged)
McCalls 6752

Conclusion:

It is clear why I don't wear a lot of my earlier makes. They all have SOMETHING that's off about them. Whether it's a zipper insertion, or too small somewhere, too short somewhere, or bust points not right, whatever. Most of my mid july 2014 makes and after I really like and have less problems with. There are a few pieces I plan to give away and I don't feel any regret about them.

I am glad to see that I have pieces that I don't plan on giving up in the foreseeable future too so that was very encouraging.

Holes: PANTS. Even though it's supposed to be spring/summer weather, I had the pieces for that but when it was raining or randomly cold, I didn't have anything that was comfortable for those conditions. So not only do I really need to start getting serious about making pants (and not just saying it) but I also need sweaters and jackets as well.

I'm pretty square away in the dress department but I can't stop won't stop making them lol I love dresses and not having to match stuff lol.

The month of May made me really step up my game in the style department because instead of just waking up and throwing on anything (like I usually do) I had to be intentional and I got a lot of compliments on my outfits. People have been telling me that I've been dressing much nicer and they would be correct. I used to think that my pieces weren't very versatile but I was wrong. If I just put the extra bit of effort into going into my massive closet I can definitely find stuff to go with them. And from now on, I will!

How did your pledge go?!

Talk to you later this week about Indie Pattern Month over at TMS! :-)