Estate Sales, etc

Well I know I haven't posted in a while, other things have just had me consummed; mainly work. It's not that I haven't been sewing, just haven't had the time to blog. So yesterday, I took the day off (mental health, aka vacation), and decicded to just take it easy since we were going to see my daughter's college team play basketball. So I decided since I was up anyway, I'd go to an estate sale that I had gotten an email on.

I usually go if there is sewing related items on the list. The last time I went, I ended up with some amazing sewing books (one by Singer (c 1972) and one by Coats & Clark (c. 1967)). These two books are two of the best sewing books I have ever purchased! Although the diagrams aren't in wonderful color, the drawings are just amazing. Everything is explained in detail from hand tailoring, laying out and cutting, fitting, etc. These two books have become my sewing bibles.

Well on yesterday at the estate sale I walked upon a box of patterns. When I got a chance to look at the patterns, I had over 30 vintage patterns, all in my size! Take a look at what I had in the box:
American Designer #1199

Butterick 9796, Simplicity 2461, McCalls 3130, Simplicity 1236

Butterick 5934, Vogue 9974, Simplicity 4813, Mccall 5760

Simplicity 5309

Simplicity 4556, Simplicity 1721, Simplicity 3598, Simplicity 1537


McCall 4108, McCall 8454, Advance 6726, Advance 2917

McCall 4172, Advance 2753, Advance 2732, McCall 9765

Vogue 5089, Advance 2837, Butterick 9796, Advance 9315

All of the patterns are in tact, except for the Butterick 9796 (missing the bodice pieces). I've posted to the pattern rescue site. I am very excited to say the least. I also have about 10 men's patterns that I haven'had a chance to go thru yet. I already know which ones I'm going to make. Some of the envelopes were barely in-tact so I made photo-copies of the envelope, and placed the pattern, along with the original envelope, in a 5x8 envelope, and taped the photocopy on it.

BTW, I finally completed my other vintage dress. It turned out wonderfully. Before I go to church on tomorrow I'll have to have to take a picture of me in it. And I'm hoping to catch up on my blogging....

Happy sewing!

Just wanted to share...

I have been working on a vintage dress for the past month made from silk dupionni. I underlined the entire dress, and have finally gotten to the point where I'm ready to make a custom belt to go with it. I found a 3" wide buckle, but then discovered that 3" wide belt backing is no longer readily available. The only place I found that had it, required me to buy 100 yards. I mean I do want to make at least 3 belts, but believe me 100 yards is WAY-Y-Y too much.

Well I finally decided to send an e-mail to a couple of sewing suppliers. Well guess what, G-Street fabrics called me directly and came to the rescue. One of the ladies in customer service called me and told me I could accomplish what I need using buckram or "lamp shade" material. She's sending me samples of each! She also gave me instructions on using either, and recommendations on the the best to use for a fabric belt from silk duppioni. I should get the samples by Monday.

She even gave me her direct phone number, so that if I had any questions at all I could call her. Now, HOW COOL IS THAT! I always go there when we go to visit relatives in Baltimore, and now they've just cinched me as a mail-order customer, also. I can't wait to get the dress completed (belt and all) and post the pix.

So if you have any questions about a hard to find sewing item, then I highly recommend sending a e-mail to G-STREET!

Baltimore and husbands (picture heavy)

Well, finally I'm updating you on what I did in Baltimore (besides getting a chance to visit relatives). Of course on my second day there I had to do the rounds of fabric stores! At first my husband kept trying to send a relative with me, but I finally convinced him that unless they were into fabrics and sewing, then it would just make the trip miserable for myself and them. All I had to do was remind him of the times he's tried to go with me on an all day excursion! Thank GOD for portable navigation systems! You can't get lost with one of those things, even if you tried to.

My first stop was Blanks. It is a quaint little shop, but most of the fabrics I saw were more geared towards home interior (but hey that hasn't stopped me from using a piece of silk I loved for a dress; I'm terrified I'll walk into some one's house and see a matching curtain or pillow).I didn't get anything from there; mainly because I didn't have home decor items on my list of to-do. My husband was very pleased with my decision; His biggest fear was that I would end up having to ship some stuff back home.

Then I immediately went to G-Street fabric in Rockville, MD. Of course the table that caught my eye was the $2.98 table. I got some awesome finds, once I was willing to dig. One piece I'm sure is a silk/wool blend. I've already got the patterns picked for each of the pieces (All of the fabrics are dark, so not sure the fabrics will show up well)

Vogue 1123 From what I and the fabric clerk could tell, this appears to be a silk/wool blend in a navy blue tone.

Vogue 1121

This fabric is a brown tone, sort of a herringbone with some spandex.

Vogue 8594

This a a brown tweed.

Vogue 2457 (OOP)

(This is two pieces a smoke gray cotton w/ spandex for the top, and a black wool for the dress).

I also found two pieces of wool in a black tweed and solid at $13.00/yd to make this Vogue ensemble from.

Vogue 8605

(I also purchased all of the trimmings, so all I have to do is start working on them.)

I was tempted to go to one of the other locations also, but had promised my husband I'd be back at a reasonable time.

Then on the way home, I stopped by a little Quilt shop in Glen Burnie, MD. Turns out it is going out of business (another victim of the economy). If only I had known they were there on all of my other visits. They are a Bernina shop, so all of their Bernina items were 40% off.

I found two pieces of fabric a Kona Print, and Hoffman; which I had to get.
Along with 3 differential feed feet for the Bernina 830: 1/4" piecing foot, clear foot, and open-toe embroidery foot.

By then it was time to go home (I'd been gone since 9am and it was now approaching 3pm).

When I got back, my husband was surprised that I only had the few items that I did (Although this may seem like a good size bounty to others, my husband has seen me do SO-o-o-o much more damage!).

I didn't get a chance to check out "A Fabric Place', but its on the list for next time.

Well that Saturday my husband decided to take me downtown, and guess what we walked upon: Gus Woolen shop! I got a chance to just browse through it. My husband kept encouraging me to go in and get some fabrics, but I decided that it was not good to be greedy. So we made a deal that next time we go to Baltimore, GUS WOOLEN HERE I COME!

Then we walked towards the Hippodrome theatre. As we were walking I spotted a hatmakers shop. Too bad they weren't open. I was so excited I had to take a picture of the shop window. This is also a MUST go in, and check out when we go back.

We'll be heading back to Baltimore in February, 2010 for a wedding; so I think I'll get there a day or so early! I gotta have time to go fabric shopping again, and add to my stash.

I must say my husband was extremely accommodating, and encouraging when it came to me wanting to go to the fabric stores, etc. You know it was one of the moments where you look and go, "who replaced my husband!". I guess it would be sort of a "Stepford Husbands" moment. Usually when I mention fabric or sewing in a sentence he and the kids would cringe, and literally run to other parts of the house. The empty nesting is pulling us closer, and we're learning new things about ourselves. "I think I've found my new potential boyfriend", but I call him my husband!

Well I'll be back to Baltimore in February, and maybe I'll get a chance to hook up with some of you in that area to do some Fabric shopping or just have lunch.

In the meantime "Happy Sewing!"

The dress that almost made it to Baltimore

Well, we completed our trip to Baltimore. I got a chance to go to G-Street; all I can say is I think they need to open a store in Denver! I got plenty of bounty from there, which I'll talk about later.

Prior to leaving though I was working on a dress that I was hoping to take with me but didn't get done in time, so I finished it up when I got back. (I only had the facings on the neckline and arms to complete).

There are quite a few things I learned but the most important is to ALWAYS DO A MUSLIN, no matter how simple the dress may seem. Just luckily I had enough fabric to make the dress twice!

I made the dress view starting with a size 14. The changes that I did to the pattern were:

1. Took in at the waistline
2. Added an additional 2 inches at the hip line.
3. Changed the hemline so that it was straight rather than asymmetrical
4. Used a serged rolled edge hem on the ruffle on the dress hemline
5. Removed the zipper all together and just had a slit opening, since the dress ties at the neckline. (The dress had a tie opening for the first 8 inches then a zipper which extended to the hip)

I used a fabric from my stash that was a Georgette, and a solid red Georgette for the lining. This was probably the most difficult and time consuming portion of making the dress. Since it was sliding I ended up cutting it on top of a layer tissue paper. (Another reason why I didn't want to deal with a zipper in this dress).
The pattern was only 5 pieces: front, back, bias trim for neck & armhole, ties for dress back, and ruffle on hem. At first I figured that this shouldn't be that big a deal as far as the fit so why do a muslin (famous last words as always!). Well I forgot that I am a woman with some stuff in my trunk so the first version was too snug through the hip line. Thank GOD I had bought 6 yards of this fabric when I originally purchased it. So now I got to do it over, but this time I did up a quick muslin.
Dress on my old dress form (time for an updated form, but that's a different posting at a later time):
The completed dress on me (Sorry, my official photographer is off to college, and my replacement photographer is watching a football game - SMILE - so in the meantime I'm doing my photos.)
So here is the fabric that I will make the 2nd go around of the dress in:

Look out Baltimore, Here I Come - so where are the fabric stores?

Well, I'm heading to Baltimore soon to visit, and of course will be hitting up G-Street fabric store in Rockville. But I was wondering if any of you in "sewing" blog-land, could recommend some other stores in the area.

Hey a girl's gotta feed her addition!

Empty Nest

Well, I dropped my daughter off at college. I am now an "empty nester".






It's strange not to have any kids in the house. Actually, it is way to QUIET! I never thought I'd say that, but it is. So now I'm trying to get a new schedule for my day, one not centered around kids.


In the mean time, the first thing I did when I got home was started digging up the yard. I have rocks along my driveway, and grass was peeking thru, so I decided now was as good a time as any to replace the lining underneath them. My husband thought I'd lost my mind; but I told him it was way too quiet in the house, and I wasn't ready to go inside yet. So each weekend I'll be working on a section of the driveway until the entire thing has been done.

After it got to hot to dig up rocks, I came inside and started sewing. I got my muslin done for my vintage dress (I'll have to include pics later). Then I decided to do something quick and easy. I came across the purse organizer, and decide it would be quick and simple. I had some upholstery fabric that a friend gave me, so I decided to use it. The fabric was reversible.





It was very quick and simple project. It took a total of maybe 30 minutes to do, and has been a real plus in making my purse look a lot nicer on the inside.



Organizer on its side, like it would be in my purse.


After I got all of that done, I decided to clean my sewing room. Its amazing how much bigger it looks when its clean!

I also started back on my pants. I figure since it'll be fall here soon, I'm getting in the right frame of mind for pants.

My First Patrones Pattern and My Next Sewing Adventure

Well I just completed my first Patrones pattern. It was a high waisted skirt from the Patrones Extra issue #272.

I had a black/white cotton print from my stash, that I used. It turned out nicely. I also decided to put some boning in the upper waist, to keep with the waist shaped, and standing tall. It was very strange making a pattern and not being able to read the instructions. It has got me thinking of

learning Spanish. (That's one thing I regret is that I required to learn another language in high school, oh well this is something for my future retirement - learn Spanish; At least all my kids took 4 years of a foreign language in high school).

The skirt actually has princess seams so it was very easy to fit. I decided to try the "sway back" adjustment just for the heck of it on the skirt, and it turned out very nicely.

Well, as to my next sewing project. It's a vintage pattern that I got from my mom. I'm going to make it up in a green Silk Dupioni (I'll have to underline it):

The pattern was a size too small, so I had to do some pattern grading. This was is my first attempt at it. I used some instructions I found at:

Sensibilty - Resize a Pattern

Burda - Grade a bodice pattern to a larger size

It actually wasn't too bad, and actually turned out good on the first go round:

Now on to getting the skirt part fitted. I typically have to add 4-6 inches to get the length right.

The Snuggle - Continued

I had a question about the snugglie, and some of the things I learned from the first go round.


The pattern I used was found at Snugglie. The first time I made the snugglie, I made the armholes too big. So the 2nd time around, I made a template for the armholes. I then measured the circumference of my armhole template and made sure that my sleeve pieces were only 1 inch wider than the measurement of my template. ( I allowed for 1/2 seam allowance on my sleeves).


The other thing I did was to put a serged rolled hem all around the edges using wooly nylon thread. My daughter wanted a "finished" edging on her snugglie. I did it in the same color as the polar fleece that I used. (If you zoom in on the picture you can see it).


That's all there was to it. It was very simple, the longest portion was doing the serging the edges

The Snugglie is done

Well, I have now finished two snugglies. One for my daughter and one for her future roomie.

I also put the Wyoming team logo on the snugglie. So she'll be pleasently surprised when she see's the logo on it. It's the first time I've used the embroidery function on the Bernina, and I was very pleased with it.

I wanted to give you an idea of the snugglie on someone; so I tried to model it. But its difficult to take a picture of yourself in a blanket; but here it is:

Maybe when she gets back I can get her to actually model it for me, and take some pix.

Meanwhile I spent a good chunk of my time cleaning my sewing room. When I get to a point where I can't find stuff, I figure its God telling me to cleanup. So I listened to God. It'll only last till I start the next project, but at least it was in order for a brief moment.

Yes, Mom's can be a bad influence :) - in a good way!

Well, when I get stressed out, tired, or just need a break I sew. It used to be for the kids, but now that the last one is leaving home, I am sewing mostly for myself.


Anyway, I was talking to my Mom about how it's hitting me that my daughter is leaving, and how I find my self looking at older model sewing machines, and was thinking she could give me insight.


Well what did I do that for, she told me how she was walking thru a thrift store and saw two machines, and she had to pray that they NOT follow her home. She already has 4 machines. She said its so sad that she can only use one at a time :).


So while we were talking I decided to walk thru the thrift store. What did I spot, not a sewing machine, but patterns! I ended up leaving with 3 Advance patterns, 1 Knit-n-Stretch (half slip), an apron pattern, etc. I left with 10 patterns all total, all vintage. Not bad at 49 cents a piece.


I told her she was such a bad influence on me, but in a good way! All I can say is what would I do without my MOM, and her influence on me!

Am I developing a Sewing Machine obsession?

Although I haven't posted in a while, I've still been busy sewing. I've posted 3 of the outfits I've worked on during my blog-absence.

I've been just sewing non-stop over the last couple of weeks. I think its my way of dealing with my daughter's departure for college in the next couple of weeks.

Well I had to take one of my machines to the "doctor" on yesterday. The reverse on my Viking Designer 1 had stopped working, and the light would only come on intermittently. I'm happy to say that the tech said the key pad just needs to be replaced (Whew! I thought for sure it would be the system board). I should have it back on Monday.

I've gotten so used to having 2 machines, that I am really missing the D1. So I went to the basement and bought up a machine that I had about 6 years ago at a garage sale. My plan was to use it for quilting. I did for a while, then.... Well it was out of sight, out of mind, until my other had to go to the shop. It's an old domestic #153 machine. Boy is this thing a WORKHORSE! I'll be using this for the topstitching on the jeans I'm working on.



I had gotten the orignal manuals with it, and it has every foot you could imagine with it (4 hemmer feet, ruffler/gathering, zipper, darning, etc). I tried out the ruffler foot, and let's just say I won't be buying a ruffler foot for the Bernina or Viking. Now I've just got to find a permanent place for it, when my D1 is back.



Now I'm finding myself wanting one of the Singer Featherweights, my excuse has been I could take it to sewing classes, etc. I find myself looking at craigslist, newspaper ads, etc searching for older machines. I'm hoping this is just a phase I'm going thru. I keep telling myself that I don't need another machine.

I also started up a little quilting class/group. I ended up with about 13 women in it (much to my surprise!). We just did a little wall hanging (~42x42). We meet again middle of August for everyone to see each other's hanging. We're trying to decide when we'll do another class.

Maybe this is just another symptom of me dealing with my daughter leaving. I'm going to go play with the Domestic for a little bit, and see what "new" things I can do with it. And I've got a dress to finish up.

BWOF 07/1999 - #101

Picture from BWOF 7/1999 #101


My version of pattern

Pattern Description:
micro-pleated top and skirt

Pattern Sizing:
Done in Burda size 42

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
very easy

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Only contains to pattern pieces: top front and top back, skirt is
given in measurements

Fabric Used:
micro-pleated from stash

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
Had to alter top to make larger (it ran small), added additional
at bottom of top, to accomodate for hips (but could have added more)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
yes

Conclusion:
Very simple pattern, great for a beginner. Done totally on the serger. Does require you to use a press on stabilizer at upper portion of top. So that you can keep the neckline and armholes from stretching while sewing.

Vogue 7377 - OUT OF PRINT

PATTERN ENVELOPE


Front of outfit


Back of outfit


Fabric: Stretch Denim

Pattern Description:
Semi fitted unlined jacket has front yoke, flaps, front princess seams, collar, long two-piece sleeve with contrast, button cuff and button front closures. Close fitting top has front princess seams, invisible side zipper
and back eyelet, cording closure. (Also has pants and skirt)

NOTE: did not use the skirt from the pattern but one from BWOF magaine (will post review of that seperately)

Pattern Sizing:
size 14,16,18 (made in size 14)

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
This is definitely an advanced pattern. For non-advanced sewers, recommend reading thru the instructions prior to beginning construction

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
All I can say is that I REALLY like this pattern and the fit of it. Can't wait to make it again!

Fabric Used:
Used a stretch denim fabric from my stash, and a grey cotton for lining and underside of cuffs

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I chose not to put buttons/snaps on the jacket, I think this made it look less casual. Also did all of the topstitching in matching thread.
I chose not to use the skirt from the pattern, but one from one of my
old BWOF mags (will post review seperately). I wanted a very straight/fitted skirt, that was very long. This one fit the bill.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, (just looking for the right fabric ) If you should have
this pattern, it is well worth the time and effort.

Conclusion:
I was really pleased with the outcome of this suit. I love the fit. Very
happy that I decided not to use the pattern skirt from the pattern; but a different one.

The top does have a side zipper, so I'm not tightening/loosening the cording in the back. I just adjust it if I feel it needs to be loosened, etc.; Most of the time the cording is never untied, so I've knotted it into a bow.

No Complaints on this one.

Mccall 5844

Front View of Dress

With Front Ruffle Extended

Fabric: Cotton [See other projects in this fabric]

Pattern Description:
Mccall 5844:
Fitted, slightly flared dresses A, B, below mid-knee or above ankle length, have front and back yoke, princess seams, front drape and side zipper; contrast or self-fabric yoke embellished with jewel stones or beads as desired.
Pattern Sizing:
14-16-18-20; cut pattern out in size 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
yes, very easy. Note if you are not used to working with corners, then take special care to include the ruffle in the front correctly. Otherwise very simple to make

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Nothing

Fabric Used:
A African Print fabric that was in my stash.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
Had to add my usual lenthening of 4-5 inches. Also, had to take in at waist area.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes pattern is very easy to make, and I will be doing again (when I find the right print. Also, if you are going to make, ensure that your fabric doesn't have a noticeable wrong side. The fabric I used looks the same on the wrong and right side. The center front ruffle can be seen from both sides (depending on how the wind is blowing )

Conclusion:
Very easy dress to make, Took me longer to actually cut it out than sew it. The fabric I used had a design, such that it alternated directions for each row of the design printed on the lengthwise grain. Therefore had to cut each piece in single layers to ensure pattern of fabric flowed in the dress

Well everyone, its been busy but fun time over the last couple of weeks. Work has been very busy, I've been working through lunch, but I'm not complaining. I've also worked a couple of weekends. I'm learning new things in the process, and enjoying what I'm doing.

To relax/unwind I come home and sew. I've finished a Burda skirt set from my BWOF archives, my first pair of custom jeans (which fit like a glove!), a Mccall Dress pattern, the snugglie for my daughter's future-college roommate. I'll have to post pictures later this weekend.

I also am going to a sewing studio each week. My sewing machine dealer (who I just love!) has a special class room with just about every make/model of Bernina in it. (She has an 830 set up there, so I get to sew on it rather than lugging mine back and forth). About 10 of us meet each Wednesday, and sew for about 4 hours. We don't have to bring machines, just our garments and sewing supplies. The owner is also a professional seamstress/tailor and is there to assist us and answer questions. She helped me draft my jeans pattern, custom fitted jeans a first for me.

Well anyway I was browsing thru blogs and found these lovely instructions for a "maxi dress". It s very simple to make, and is on my list of "to sew": Goddess Dress.

Happy Sewing . . .

My Word.....

I saw this on Gorgeous Things Blogs, and thought I'd give it a try. I think it describes me pretty well.

Your Word is "Peace"

You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of. Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you. While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life. You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

What's Your Word?

Daddy, you created a monster.....

Happy Mother's Day to everyone! Today, my family took me out to eat. It was to a restaurant called "Rodizio's Grill", the perfect place for a meat and potatoes person like me.

Anyway for Mother's day, my gift was a new camera. Well that's where it started. As I took pictures through-out out the meal, my daughter politely looked at my husband, and said the words: "I know you meant well but you do know you did this, you created a monster by buying her a camera". Then she looked at my son and told him, "You better be glad you don't live at home any more, she's going to be all up in my face with that thing for the next couple of weeks". She is so right! Don't you just love your kids - : )!

Here's a carnation, the dessert, 2 of the 3 kids, and the husband. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!

The Dress is Done

Well, prom is over and I get the dress done just in time. I started with a size 10. Need less to say I ended up adding about 4 inches to the overall length, and had to adjust the bodice. She really loved the dress, and said she wants another one for college (In case she has a formal to go to).

This is a front view of the dress. She is so much taller than all of her friends, that when she takes pictures with them she has a tendency to slump over to their height. (I remember doing the same thing when I was her age.)

Here is a picture of the back of the dress:

I can't believe it by the end of the month my youngest will graduate from high school! I must admit I will definitely miss having her around. My husband and I are working on finding a new way of life, now that there will be no more kids in the house.

Now I'll have tons of time to sew. My daughter has already given me a project. Snugglies for her and her college roomate with the college logo embroidered on them. If anyone is interested, I found a pattern at SNUGGLIE.

I know she's growing up because she even went out and bought the fleece for it, and cut it out for me. She said she would have sewn it, but didn't know how to turn on or setup the sewing machine. Before she would have never done that, she always said "why do I need to sew when I can tell you". Oh well, "TIMES, THEY ARE A CHANGING".