Our Dear Friend Gwen

Before I get into the challenge reveal, I really must mention how much our dear friend Gwen will be missed by our group. She was a very talented and creative sewer and generous blogger. 
Gwen wanted to make sure her stash would go where it would be put to good use, so her husband packed  it up and brought it over to Carol's. Carol and Marge did a great job organizing it all. We were all able to take away something of Gwen's stash of book, fabric and patterns. I'm sure we will all have moments in the future when we use something that had been Gwen's and will remember her fondly.

The September-October 2013 Challenge: Plaids or Stripes

This challenge was issued by Brenda. Simply put, it was to use plaid or striped fabric and match the pattern or utilize the pattern as a design element. Here's what we came up with:


Brenda:
This was her challenge and she did not disappoint. She made this vest which features a magnetic snap closure:

She did a fine job matching her plaid!

She also made this camisole:

She gets extra points!

Sue B: 

Sue didn't finish yet, but she's off to a good start with this skirt:

Look at that match job!

She tried to get extra credit by bringing in a dress she made in college.
Its nice, but it doesn't count!!

Katherine:

I made this cape for my daughter ( read more about it at my blog Room for Sewing):

Those stripes are exactly 45 degrees!

Kathy:

Kathy made this nice blouse with a bias button placket:

High marks for matching

She also made this bag with a nicely matched pocket and side seams:

Marge:

Well, Marge got her fabric cut out. That's something, right? 

But then she got some bad news about
the pattern she's using*

Jan:

Jan made this bag. And now she knows why Brenda said not to use printed vs. woven plaids. She made it work though.

You can barely see that diagonal seam!

Carol: 

Carol has her fabric.

Carol also tried to divert with a garment she made years ago, but we can give her a pass since she's been busy with Gwen's stash.

Nice work!

As always, a great challenge!

October Show and Tell

*Brenda brought in this great coat she made. It turned out great, but she thought the pattern was really terrible. It happens to be the same pattern Marge is using for her plaid : Barb Callahan's Fleece Swing Coat.

The yardage chart on the back of the envelope is wrong, so Brenda was short on fabric. She pieced the sleeves with slot seams:

Doesn't that look great!

She's also been busy beading:

The jacket collar

Bead embroidery

Beaded button

That's it for this month. Thanks again Carol and Marge! See you in December.