Sandy's Sewing Niche

Digitize, Shmizmatize, . . . .

2012-01-28T21:57:00.000-07:00

I know those of us that have embroidery machines and then gone looking for the ultimate digitizing software; only to discover that once you buy the software; you have to upgrade every so often to take advantage of the full capability of your machine.

Well I'm guilty of that also. For years I had been a loyal Viking sewing machine fan; having owned 2 of their embroider machines. The last one being the Viking Designer 1+. I was always faithful and bought their version of embroidery software.

Well a couple of years ago my husband agreed and got me the Bernina 830 machine. I so-o-o-o love it. I don't think I'll ever outgrow this one. I'm still learning new things about it; and I've had it for over 2 years now.

Well needless to say every machine has THEIR version of embroidery software that is better than the competitor. Well I refuse to buy another software that is going to require me to upgrade every year or so to get all the "latest" features. When Viking mentioned they had a new version, the 5D, and what it would cost to upgrade; yet again, I decided I just couldn't do it anymore.

This past fall I attended a sewing seminar by Floriani threads. I figured what the heck, I already use their threads and stabilizer. It was an all day seminar, & you got all kinds of goodies for free. So off I went.

They allow you to install a "demo" version to test drive the software before you buy it. What is really appealing to me is that all the software upgrades are free. So I don't have to purchase the upgrade to get the latest functionality. So right now I'm doing a comparison of Floriani with my Viking software . Both are usable with my Bernina and Viking machines.

So far I've been impressed with it. I'm going thru the tutorials now. If you are thinking about purchasing it, I recommend going to one of their seminars/events and purchase it then. After a seminar they offer a huge-discount, well below the MSRP. (If you're wondering, I'll be keeping my Viking software; if I can avoid having to pay to upgrade everytime though; I'm all for it).

I'll keep you updated on my Floriani travels, as I learn more about it.

The Coat:

Now onto the status of my coat. I got the sleeve welts done. I started attaching the sleeves, i.e. basting them in place. I've got a couple of fit issues with respect to the sleeve and armhole. So I'll be stopping by my instructors shop on Monday to get her guidance on what went wrong (or maybe right, if I'm lucky).

The Alternate Project:
As I work my way thru my coat, I need distractions so that my patience doesn't get the best of me, and it wind up UFO. I'm just ordered some silk organza from Dharma Trading. I'm going to be working on a vintage dress for spring wear, and it will need to be underlined. I figured now would be just as good a time as any to give Dharma Trading a try. I saw pretty good reviews of them on Sewing PR.

I found some amazing cotton border prints that I want to make the dresses from. I'm going thru my patterns trying to choose my first one.

Well, off to finish my Floriani's software training. . . . . . .

What’s a Girl to do . . .

2012-01-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

Well let’s see. . . .
First there is shopping. So after a long day of work, and anticipating spending an entire weekend back at work; to finish up; I decided I needed a little retail pick-me-up. Now mind you, all I had intended to do was just window shop! But as luck would have it, there was a sale at DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse). They’d just marked down their clearance section. So for 80% off (the first time I’ve ever seen that!) I got the following in preparation for the warm weather to come:

Not a single pair cost more than $15. Can you believe it, approximately $500 worth of shoes for approximately $80.00.

Then there was a trip to the fabric store to pick up some VERY UNNECESSARY fabric. (You can never have too much fabric). I haven’t decided what I’m going to make from them yet. But the blue will be a vintage dress with a full skirt; at least that’s what I’m thinking right now.

Second, I did a little knitting. I finished my scarf and hat. Here’s a snapshot of the hat on a stuffed animal. I finished the infinity scarf that goes with it. It’s at work though; since I had to use it on one of my cold days.

Finally is some sewing. There is the coat that I’m still working on. I found an alpaca wool that I am using. I had exactly enough fabric for it (no room for error). So I laid out the pattern pieces, and took pictures of the layout before pinning and cutting it.

I’m in the process of completing the sleeves. I’m doing a totally hand tailored coat.

In between finishing the phases of the coat, I worked on this skirt and top from Burda 4/2011 issue. I’m into the long skirts. I ended up adding about 7 inches to the length of the skirt. The top I added an inch just as extra precaution.

In the sewing arena, I’ve also started teaching one of my friends 7 year old daughter to sew. We just started lessons right before Christmas. So far she’s done a “doll” pillow, and a pillow case for her “road-trip” pillow. Now we are on to our first real project, a lap-size quilt. She is a diabetic, and wears a pump to monitor her insulin. She said she wanted to learn to sew so that she can eventually make clothes that are easy to wear with her pump.

OH yea, and for entertainment my son bought me the Wii Zumba 2 game. Its something for when I get bored with everything else – SMILE. So off to Zumba, I go. . . .

A New Year, A New . . .

2012-01-01T00:18:00.001-07:00

So, what else did I do while the bathroom was being worked on, you ask.

Well, I had to have stitches in my right ring finger. Finally got those out this week. I think God was telling me to take a break from sewing for a couple of weeks.

Sewing wise, I made a couple of things.

I started on my "winter" coat. I took a tailoring class at my LSS (local Sewing Shop), and began tailoring for this jacket (the double breasted version):

I purchased an alpaca wool in a brown. I am doing hand tailoring techniques which are being taught in the class. I'm putting in the sleeves and lining now.

I also decided to try my hand at knitting again. I wanted something that I could easily take with me when I travel (We did a road trip to Nebraska over the break).

I had some Pattons Classic Wool so I decided to make this hat and this scarf. This is a snapshot of the hat in progress, it has now been completed:

The hat is a pattern from ravelry.com: Big Slouchy Hat. The scarf I knitted is the Infinity Trinity Cowl by Debbie Stoller. I've only got about 10 more inches to go and it'll be finished.

I also decided to try some of the classes on the craftsy.com website. I'm doing the Knit Lab class taught by Stefanie Japel class. I didn't think I would be too interested in online classes but these are pretty interesting and definitely convenient. I've even been able to watch them on my iPhone.

Oh yea, I got an iPhone also. I decided to replace my blackberry. I'm not using my phone for so many other things now. I found an application called JKNIT for knitting. I put the instructions for the scarf into this app, and it makes it very easy to keep track of where I'm at in the knitting and its portable. It took a while to figure out how to code the knitting pattern in the application; but it has been worth it.

Also, I've already finished my 1st project for 2012. I did the top and skirt from the 4/2011 Burda.

I'll post the pictures tomorrow.

Here's hoping everyone had a Joyous New Year! Happy sewing!

The bathroom is done (a commercial break).

2011-12-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while; but it doesn't mean I've been sitting idle!

The bathroom is done! So here are my before after pictures:
The tub:

The nook area at opposite end of tub:

The Vanity:

Some of the changes that we made:

Pull up carpeting in bathroom (whoever had that bright idea should be arrested), and replaced it with tile.
Got rid of all of the wood trim on the floor and replaced with tile edging.
Got rid of the decking around the tub, and moved tub closer to the window to increase usable floor space.
Made that little nook area into usable space, by adding a cabinet. Still planning to replace the wood in the cabinet door with glass to match the shower stall.
Re-did the vanity to add more storage space and center the sinks, also put in granite counter top.

This was our first remodel of anything in our house (believe me after 25 years it was long over due!). I know remodeling isn't a spiritual experience, but for me it was. I really had to turn over control to the contractor and God. I also had to stop watching those home remodeling shows where they had a contractor that does a crappy job! I was filled with anxiety, and prayed constantly that God would be in control. I must say God stepped in. My contractor was excellent, and answered all of my questions when I was trying to figure out what and why of what they were doing (Especially when my engineering personality would kick in). I didn't have a nervous breakdown, and am exceptionally pleased with how it turned out. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers! Now I'm in the decorating phase of the new bathroom.

New Project for 2012: HARDWOOD floor in the master bedroom!

Next post : Sewing done while remodeling ( the originally scheduled program - SMILE).

Something Old, Something New - A Bathroom's Story

2011-11-18T04:48:00.001-07:00

Well, this is off topic (kinda, sorta).
Earlier this summer my bathroom flooded it wasn't too bad except for the carpeting. Why do you put carpet in a bathroom. When we bought the house years ago that was all the crave. Well I removed the carpet from all the bathrooms, except the master in front of the tub. Needless to say it was soaked thru, actually so soaked that the plaster fell off the ceiling in the garage.

Well I took this as a sign that it was time to re-do the bathroom. Hey, we've been in this house for 20+ years. I gutted the whole thing. They have gotten the shower almost done. Here it is before:

Here is the shower after the redo:

Tomorrow they measure for the shower door; which will be a frameless glass.

All of the fixtures are in oil-rubbed bronze. The floor is the same tile as the shower. I don't want any wood, etc touching the floor. I've had them remove the baseboard and it is being replaced with tile (something they call "bullnose"). I told the contractor I want my bathroom to be "flood" proof.

I"m replacing the tub with a freestanding claw-foot tub, with an overflow! We had to send the first one back, after I forgot how tall I was, and it got here and wasn't long enough for my legs (Oh the joy of being tall!).

It's really testing my nerves, since I don't like having my bathroom gutted. I don't know how folks do this! There are just way too many choices, when you're choosing tile, grout, bathtub, shelving, etc. Its been 1 1/2 weeks now; and I am filled with anxiety; wondering if it will look like I envisioned. I've been praying to God for a peaceful spirit. For those of you that have done a remodel before, How did you get thru it!

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.

A busy summer . . .

2011-10-25T19:30:00.000-06:00

Ok so I've been helping a friend with his play, and working with the costuming. So this means I've been doing some sewing, and thrifting for some of the characters outfits.

Well while in the mist of craiglisting, thrift shopping, and estate sales; I found this little beauty, A Singer 301 in a beige with the manual and accessories:

So as I was getting in my car, guess what happen! This little beauty followed me home! As I went to get in my car, it had mysteriously gotten into the hatch area, and laid there quietly until I got home. THAT'S MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT!!!

I already have a Singer featherweight, and of course just couldn't resist the short bed big brother 301. I have a long bed 301 in black, that I am going to let my little friend use to learn to sew (OH I forgot to mention that I'm teaching my 7 year old "movie buddy" to sew - I think I'm more excited than she is).

Anyway in the midst of my estate-sale trips, I came upon one where the owner had an addiction like so-o-o-o many of us. Mind you I went on the 2nd weekend of the sale. The owner was a seamstress and a knitter. The basement was stocked floor to ceiling with shelving units filled with cloth. All of the fabric pieces were $1 each. I bought a couple of pieces. The owner also had at least 11 machines that I could see. (My husband was relieved that none of those followed me home). But what amazed me was the amount of yarn. There was a shed in the back yard that was full from top to bottom with nothing but yarn! I was able to snap a photo of one corner of the shed:

Oh yea, my oldest son did a formal wedding ceremony (they eloped in May of this year. The colors were red/gold/black. Ladies, never listen to your son when finding out what color you should wear to the wedding. He told me black, and I discovered with a week to go, that the color should have been red. So what is a seamstress to do? Well, you whip out a red-dress in a week.

I used Vogue Retro Vintage pattern: V2401

I found a bright red silk dupioni to make the dress (Purchased from Denver Fabrics in Denver, CO). I underlined it in a black voile. The dress turned out very nicely for a "last minute" rush job. I got loads of complements on the dress, and I loved how it fit. There were however some changes that I made:

I didn't realize that the dress was actually a wrap dress. That is the front center is just a lapel type of insert and the over skirt wraps from the back. So I had to be very conscious of the wind, and how the over-skirt fell when I sat down. So I added a ribbon w/ a hook/eye so that the sides of the front attached to the inner side seams of the back skirt. It gave me a little extra security that I wouldn't show too much leg when I sat, etc. I used ribbon to put the hooks on to give me some maneuvering room. The ribbon was only about 3 inches in length.
I also, added about 3 inches in the skirt side-seams, to accommodate my hips, and 4 inches of length to the skirt.
I didn't put in the shoulder pads. I don't know why but I have to do a mental adjustment for shoulder pads. (Maybe I'll do it know, since there is no-longer a rush to get it done).

I also did up Vogue pattern 1258:

I used fabric that I had purchased from Vogue fabrics in Chicago when I attended the Sewing PR day.

Here are photo's of the dress with the extensions tied in the front and in the back. I've already worn it,and it is such an easy wear. Very comfortable. Like Erica B stated if you are conscious about your hips then this may not be the dress for you.

I had to do my usual alterations:4 inches to the length, and added about 2 inches at the hip. I could have gotten away without that alteration, but it was a little too snug for my taste. Adding the addition at the hip gave me some "wiggle" room.

I love this dress and have it already to make again. I wore it with black tights and black suede pumps.

Currently I'm taking a tailoring class at my LSS (local sewing shop). I'm making Vogue 1266 out of a Alpaca wool that I bought at the shop. The class meets every other weekend, and we'll work on our jacket/coats till its finished. The 2 weeks between gives us time to finish our "homework" before the next session.

BTW, my mom, sister, and I are headed to the Houston Quilt Festival again. We've decided to make it our annual GIRL bonding trip. Secretly, my mom and I are trying to make sure my sister stays on the sewing band wagon.

It's so nice to be sewing for myself again. I've discovered that those that don't sew, really have no appreciate for what goes into a well fitted, well made garment. Off to my sewing room I go!

Sewing Resumed . . .

2011-08-10T21:46:00.002-06:00

Where there is a will there is a way. My new table finally came last Tuesday. (YEA!) In the meantime I made the Mission Maxi dress that I saw on Erica B’s blog. The dress is a very easy sew. I kept telling my fellow sewing groupies, that sometimes you need a quick fix. And this pattern is definitely mine.
I’ve made this dress initially in a brown knit; which I ended up giving to my daughter because it was a little too smug in the bust line. Then I made it up in a black/white knit for my self a size larger (size 14). The fit is great, and this is one of the most comfortable dresses I’ve ever made. I now have 3 of them.
It took me less than 2 hours to make. I’ve already gotten fabric to make two more. I added 8 inches to the length since I like to wear a 3 inch heel and am already 6 feet tall without the heels. I left it un-hemmed since the fabric doesn’t ravel. Here’s a picture of one. I made this from an Italian knit. I love the fit.

The second one is floor length to wear with sandals. The fabric was rather stretchy, and when I tried to do any top stitching the fabric tended to stretch. So I stitched the facings by hand, and added a 2 inch wide tricot interfacing strip around the bottom, and did a 1” rolled hem by hand. It hangs beautifully.

My daughter likes the dress so much that I’ve made a shorter version for her in a black. She says she wants this to be her LBD (little black dress).

What’s on my sewing stack next? Well this little number:
Is on my plate to do. I found it on etsy.com, and knew it was me. I’ve already decided to do it up in a linen. I’m actually thinking of a black and beige/taupe. I’ve got the dress traced and the pattern altered. I’ll start my muslin this weekend.

When I’m not actually sewing:

2011-07-23T20:22:00.005-06:00

The remote on my Koala table stopped working for some reason. I haven’t had the table for a year yet and this is the 2nd time I’ve had a problem with the lift. Finally my dealer helped to resolve the issue, and I’m getting a replacement table . My sewing machine dealer has always been very professional. Here’s my table all set to go back to the store. I’ll miss my table because it’s waist high and doubles as a cutting table. Now I have to either cutout patterns on the floor or go downstairs to my kitchen counter. I hope to see my replacement table in a couple of weeks. So I’ve been cleaning up my sewing room.

Well, what have I been doing while I wait for my new table? I’ve been shopping of course. One of the things I found was these nifty reference cards for estimating how much fabric when you’re shopping. It’s the “How Much Fabric?” cards.

I purchased these for myself, and a set as gifts for my Mom and sister. I never seem to have the pattern with me when I’m fabric shopping, but this should help with that. If you’d like to get more info on the cards go to Gwyn Hug’s website.
Next I went to an estate sale. I was running errands and it was on my way so I stopped by. It was advertised to have vintage patterns. I was figuring only a handful. But to my surprise there was a Butterick sewing cabinet with 2 drawers full of patterns from the 50’s/60’s. So what did I get:

I ended up with over 30 total! I know that God exists and he must really like me!
In addition to these patterns, I found a new fabric boutique in Denver in the Sante Fe Street Art section. Its called Fabric Bliss. (I didn’t have my camera with me to take a snapshot; but I’ve posted the link here). They've only been in business for about 4 months now.
It’s a nice quaint little shop, and they have some of the most amazing fabrics in stock. I went there to get a copy of the Mission Maxi pattern that Erica B. posted (The dress looks amazing on her and on the pattern envelope). I always try to buy at local shops when I can, and this little shop had the pattern in stock. So I ended up buying the Mission Maxi pattern and Sunny Day dress:

I also found a lovely piece of Anthology fabric that in a black coloring, I’m going to use a black piping and lengthen the dress to a maxi:

I’m off to do some sewing now. I’ve got a smaller table (that my husband wanted me to get rid a year ago) . To be honest I really did get rid of it; I moved it from my sewing room to my daughter’s room (he didn’t say where to get rid of it to and besides she’s not using it since she’s away in college). So off I go to make DO, until my replacement table comes in.
Happy Sewing everyone.

Some Pattern Organization and Some Sewing. . .

2011-07-19T20:00:00.020-06:00

I've finally gotten my cabinet painted, and moved up into my sewing room. I've still got to put my lettering on it; but I think it turned out pretty well. It's when I started to put my patterns into the cabinet that I discovered how many I really had. I have way more than I need and not as many as I thought .

Having the cabinet has helped with my storage situation.I've started putting some of my patterns into the drawers. I knew I had a lot of vintage patterns, enough to fill an entire drawer alone.

I went from 5+ boxes/containers to 3 drawers. (Between you and me, now my husband will never really know how much sewing stuff I have. )

Well now that I've discovered that I have a rather ominous assortment of patterns, I figured it's time to organize them in some type of manner that makes sense etc. So I put them in the file cabinet in order: vintage patterns in one drawer, another with Butterick, Mccall, Simplicity, another with Vogue, and a 3rd for other companies. The bottom drawer has notions like zippers and serger threads.

I also discovered a pattern filing software: PatternFile. Its a relative new software that is internet based. So far I like it. I've got most of my current patterns entered. Its when I started putting my patterns in this tool that I realized, I'm a Pattern Junkie (PJ for short) .

They have a pattern database that is updated monthly, and when you add a new pattern, if it is already in the pattern database, then all of the pattern info is filled in automatically (yardage, line drawings, etc.), otherwise you can add the info for other patterns (such as vintage patterns).

The software is still in its early stages but looks very promising. I'd love to see it be accessible from say a smart phone, and am waiting for them to develop the print option. I'm going to continue to play with it for a month or more, and then I'll add a review.

Now what have I been working on (Sorry for the mannequin, but its dark here now, I'll post pix later of me in the dresses). Well I just finished two dresses:

Mccall 6324

Pattern Sizing: B5(8-10-12-14-16) I cut size 14/16

Fabric: 100% cotton print, and broadcloth

Description: Fitted dress has a self-lined bodice with exposed zipper, no sleeves with peach colored ban around hemline.

Alterations: added approximately 4 inches to overall length, so that dress stops just below knee. Also took in at the waist area, and thru the Bust some.

I started with a size 16 and adjusted it in at the waistline. The dress is a partial "princess seam" style from the bust-line down. I've typically have to do some adjustment in the bust-line. I started out with a size 14 in my muslim which was a perfect fit; but decided to do another in the size 16 and adjust down accordingly. This resulted in me taking in a dart slightly at the armhole to allow for the bust-line fullness. I was concerned going with the 14 would be too tight once I did the dress in the final fabric. (To avoid having a dart in the bodice, I adjusted the yoke pattern for the dart). Since I made the dress in a size 16 for ease thru the bust, I then had to take it up through the waistline.

Once I did that and added additional length the dress was a perfect fit.

To deal put the exposed zipper in, I hand basted to confirm the placement, and then did the top stitching on the zipper. One thing you definitely want to do is pick your zipper first and then match the fabric to that. You need to use a brass type zipper which will really show, and the color selection for these are limited.

Its a nice comfortable summer dress. I'll post pix of me actually wearing it later this week. I'll probably make the dress again; but next time with the short sleeves.

Mccall 5844 OOP (2nd time around)

Pattern Sizing: EE(14-16-18-20) I cut size 14

Fabric: 100% cotton print, and broadcloth

Description: Fitted slightly below mid-knee dress with front and back yoke. Has a front drape and side zipper.

Alterations: added my usual length adjustment. Also took in at the waist area, and thru the bust area.

I just love this dress. The first time I made it was Sept of 2010, almost a year ago. And since I've made it once the 2nd time around was easier. One thing that happened is that I underestimated my yardage on the print. As they say necessity is the mother of invention; so I just used the solid in the yoke for the draping. The fit is amazing! I've found that princess seams are easier for me to adjust the fit because of the multiple seams across the front/backup.

Something Old, Something New

2011-06-25T23:39:00.002-06:00

So a couple of weeks ago a found a pattern cabinet on Craigslist. The seller was a professional seamstress (Her husband added the lock bar as a precautionary measure for their children)

I've got it sitting in my garage. I just stripped all the lock hardware off and will clean it up on tomorrow. I've decided not to put the lock bar back on it; since there is no one here but me and my husband. And I know for a fact that he has no desire to "play" in my pattern cabinet, let alone my sewing room.

The toughest decision is what color to paint it. I've chosen a brown color. I tried to paint a small spot on the back of the cabinet to get a feel for the color, but I really couldn't tell much from it, so I'm going to step out on faith. The color I've chosen is a Rustoleum Hammered in a Brown.

I'm going to create a template, and put something like the word "Patterns" on the drawer where "McCall's" is. (Maybe my Cricut machine will come in handy from my Scrapbooking Supplies). So keep me in your thoughts as I embark on this task. I'll let you know how it goes.

Life Gets In The Way ....Sometimes

2011-06-05T22:51:00.010-06:00

Well I haven't posted in quite some time. If there is one thing that can interfere with my sewing, its Life. But that's a good thing. During my time away:

Spent a week with my son while he recovered from surgery.
My son's fiance' graduated from law-school!
My oldest son got married to a very nice young lady
Helped my youngest son moved to his own apartment.
Finally, finished up the spring semester... (more time to sew)
Did a trip to Las Vegas for daughter's regional tournament... (Is there such a thing as being to old for Las Vegas? Just way too much happening on the strip for me... Can you say Sensory Overload!).
My car, washer, and sewing table lift all decided to take a vacation in the same week!
My parents celebrate their 50th anniversary this year!
My daughter is home for the summer!
Plus other things, way too many to make a complete list.

I did manage to keep sewing on the mind though...

Attended Sewing Review PR. My first time, and won't be my last! Had lots of fun, and met other like minded sew-aholics.
Helped some vintage sewing machines find homes (I won't admit publicly face-to-face that the home was mine). Got a black Singer 301 with case, and a Singer feather-weight.
.

So now that Cassie has gotten her grove back what are my plans for sewing. Well I'm going to try to set a goal for each week.

This week its to learn to use some of the other functions in my serger. Can you believe, I've had my Serger for over 7 years. I used it mainly to finish seams and edge finishing so I just stuck with the basic overlock seams. I've got a Viking 936:

I've used the rolled hem function before, and used woolly nylon thread to finish the edges. But I've always stuck with a 3 or 4 thread overlock stitching to do so. Well my machine does so much more. It does 2,3,4,5, and coverstitch. And I haven't even touched the tip of the ice-berg as far as using its functionality.

A couple of months ago, my local sewing shop decided to no-longer sell viking machines, so all of the attachments were 50-75% off. So what does a good seamstress do? . . . . Well you purchase every single attachment they have that you don't already have. Attachments like:

Bias Tape Foot
Flat Lace Foot
Pin Tuck Foot
Edge Guide
Piping Foot
Gathering Foot
Perl Foot

So as you can see, I have plenty of things to learn with to use with my serger......

Happy Sewing

Finally, The jeans are done (Almost).

2011-01-08T15:18:00.005-07:00

Remember my frustration with the jeans, well I survived it. I had to walk away from them, and talk a breather. Turns out I had done exactly what Kelly had stated in her comment. I had added a 1" seam allowance on my pattern, but forgot and sewed it with the 3/8" that Jalie patterns use. I put those on the shelf for a moment, and started with a new cutting of jeans.

This time I used the correct seam allowance. The jeans fit really good when I got them completed. I had prewashed the fabric 2-3 times before I cut out the denim. Once I got the zipper and legs constructed. I decided to wash them a couple more times (3 more to be exact). Can you beleive they STILL SHRANK some more. Oh the joys of working with denim. The fit isn't bad for the first go around. Just need to do some twees in the side seam at the thigh hip area, and a little adjust ment at the crotch. This is the fit after all of those additional washings.

I went ahead and added the waist band and a hem. So the fit I think is still good after all that shrinkage!. I'm deciding if I want to do some additional fitting, or just adjust on a per jean basis. I don't think I'll ever get a perfect pattern that will work with with every type of denim fabric, since I've now confirmed for myself that denim, has a mind of its own!

I've still got the followings things to finish:

add rivets
add button on front
add back pockets (waiting till I go to sewing group, so I can have someone help with the placement).

Below is a picture of the pocket that I'm going to be putting on them. I just used a decorative stitch from my 830. All of the top stitching is done in black upholstry thread. (I like it better than using actual topstitching thread, it just seems to stand out more).

Now if you're wondering why the picture of the shoe is on here. Well, I'm 6 feet tall. I'm one of those tall women that loves to wear a 3 inch heel most of the time. And since the last couple of jeans I made shrank in length quite a bit after a couple of washings. I decided I'd do my hem marking with my heels on and add a little extra (Hopefully these have been shrunk to the max with all the pre/post washing). So now if they shrink again, they'll be just the right length for flats!

Once I'm done with these, then I'll work on salvaging the first pair. I'll have plenty of motivation as it's supposed to be in the single digits here next week.

What else have I been working on? I decided to join the Vintage 2011 Sew-Along:

The pattern I have chosen to do is a Vintage Mccall Pattern 5483. The pattern I have is sized for a teen/junior, so I've graded up to my size. I'm doing the version with the slim skirt. I had a peice of black in my stash that I am going to use. I may as well try to make a dent in my fabric stach while I'm at it.

I've got the pattern graded up, and the muslin done. Now on to the sewing.....

Happy Sewing!

New Years, and "I don't like making Pants/Jeans"

2011-01-01T23:13:00.004-07:00

OK, is it just me, or do I take this as a sign that I'm not supposed to make pants!

I just tried making Jalie's 968 jeans. Got the muslim all fitted, and even made a pair out of
some heavy twill I had gotten from Joann's just to check the fit. All looked well, so I went ahead and made them from actual Denim. Can you believe, the pants were too big! The actual pants were probably 2 sizes bigger than the fittings I did from Muslim and denim. I rechecked my muslim and my pattern. The fit was fine on the mulim, and the pattern matched the muslim. Not so sure why the final pair is bigger than the fittings.

Maybe its the fabric. My final pair is a denim. Could the difference in fabrics be the culprit? I guess I'll wait a while and retry the pants. In the meantime, I'm hoping a couple of washings will help with the situation. Anything is worth a try.

Oh how I wish could buy them off the rack sometimes.

By the way, HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!

Blogger editor doesn't like me

2010-12-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Is it just me having problems with blogger?

Nothing posts the way that it types in the blogger edit window.

If anyone has any suggestions please pass them on

Why wait till Christmas?

2010-12-17T07:56:00.009-07:00

I think Christmas should be celebrated year round when it comes to sewing. My kids and husband are always asking me what I want for Christmas, and then they append that with "It can't be sewing related, you need something different".

So I decided this year to get my own sewing gifts for Christmas, and since I'm doing it myself; I don't have to wait to Christmas.

So what did I get:

A fabulous fit dressform,

As you can tell I'm still in the process of padding to my size. My instructor with my sewing group is going to help me with the padding to get it to more to my size in the hip area. (I'll have to post the pics once we get it customized, and tell you about my amazing sewing group!).

A Singer 500A! Yes I needed this like I need 6 inch stilleto heels (if you didn't know I'm 6 feet tall).

I just fell in love with this machine earlier this year! It just looked so "space-agey". And me being a tech-geek, and sci-fi groupie, I just couldn't resist it.

I'm so excited! I also have a 401A that I found at a thrift store for $20. Both work excellent. I love the older ones for topstitching, and sewing heavy fabrics.

I've learned to keep one setup with topstitch thread at all times. (It's so great not to have to re-thread my machine just to topstitch).

My story to my husband will be that I rescued a machine from winding up on the streets. His take is "doesn't your other machine do everything that one does". But I feel I'm doing my little bit to make sure all the sewing machines in the world feel loved and wanted (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!).

I got a Koala Treasure Chest Sewing studio with the extended height (YEA!). Its a dream come true for someone 6 feet tall. No more back ache from bending over. My sewing shop offered a very good discount, as they are replacing all of their Koala tables, and I didn't have to deal with the shipping fee they charge. It's made my sewing space look so much bigger.

My best gift was that after attending the quilt show, my sister has now taken sewing lessons, and has joined the American Sewing Guild. Woo Hoo!!! Now me, my mom, and my sister are addicted to sewing. She's even set up her own sewing room! I told her now she can play with the "big dogs".

I'm working on a couple of projects and will post pictures over the next week.

Happy sewing everyone!

And what else did you do at the Quilt Festival

2010-11-08T21:01:00.000-07:00

Glad you asked :)
We went back on Sunday after church for part 2. My mom found several fabrics with scriptures printed on it to use in her quilts.

I found the most amazing booth with vintage fabrics and even patterns. So of course I couldn't leave without getting a couple of them (BTW my sister also got a couple! - she's now determined to learn to sew.)

I also found these really neat fabric mini-bolts to help me organize my fabric stash (Yes, a seamstress can dream of organization; even though it may only be a dream). These are from a company called Polar Notions. It is designed for the quilter, but I've just done some of my other fabrics, and it freed up considerable space. I bought 20 each of the standard size (11" tall) and fat-quarter (5" tall) . The larger ones can hold up to 15 yds of quilt fabric. I hate to admit it, but my stash is to big, so I'll be ordering more
:

Oh and I met the author of the Fashionista Doll book. (I was star-struck again :) ). Needless to say my sister convinced me that she needed another doll to replace the one I made her many years ago. So I purchased the fabric to make one. I'm such a sucker when it comes to my sister!

We've decided to go again next year. Not only was the quilt conference fun, but it was great for just us girls to hang out.

International Quilt Festival!

2010-11-06T17:35:00.000-06:00

All I can say is OH MY GOODNESS! This is more than I could have imagined! Myself, my mom, and sister just did our first day, and it was totally amazing. We didn't get to see all of the quilts because it was just overwhelming. I'll get to see the remainder on tomorrow.

I saw a quilt called "My Wyoming Valley" made by a quilter in Laramie, Wyoming. I had to take a picture to send to my daughter, because she's a U of Wyo cowgirl, and I know she is going to love it! BTW, I met Eleanor Burns! I love her books. I've been working on a quilt from her Underground Railroad Sampler book, and am starting a Sunbonnet Sue quilt in honor of my grandmother from one of her books. My mom and sister were just laughing at me, they called me a "quilt-star" groupie :)

Oh by the way, I didn't come to Houston alone. My former friend "Louise" came with me:

I say my former friend, because my sister has decided to learn to sew, so I bought her with me to meet my sister and see her new home! BTW, while I was here I convinced my sister to join the Houston Sewing Guild!

Oh well, gotta go get my rest, we're up early to see the remainder of the Quilt show on tomorrow.

Hi Ho Hi Ho, It's off to the Houston Quilt Festival I Go!!

2010-10-29T23:43:00.000-06:00

Well, guess what, my sister and I decided we'd take my Mom to the International Quilt Festival in Houston this year! I'm excited.

My mom makes a lot of quilts that she gives to family, and sales at craft shows, etc. She calls it her "funny" money. I thought it would be great to take her to the quilt show, so she can see the artwork that can be done by quilting. I'm hoping we will be able to get into a class (don't know though since I waited late to decide to go).

I'm taking a dressform to give to my sister, and will be bringing back plenty of fabric I'm sure (so I'm taking a empty suit case ! :)

My mom and I tend to "enable" each other when it comes to sewing. My sister is just learning to sew, hopefully she will act as a "neutralizer", but who knows.

So off to the quilt show I go.

Fabric + Pattern = Dress

2010-10-09T00:00:00.001-06:00

So this is the completed dress. The belting was found in my stash, I just had to put a little gold buckle on it. The dress fabric is Liberty Cotton, and lined in swiss batiste. The skirt has a hang loose lining, and instead of hemming the lining, I sewed lace on the bottom (this is one of the techniques used in heirloom sewing – see picture).

The dress is really comfortable to wear. I love how it looks and feels when I wear it.

Happy Sewing everyone!

Next project

2010-10-07T09:49:00.001-06:00

This is my next sewing project, the fitted version. I am in the process of re-sizing it. I have the correct bust 36 size, but evidently since the pattern is sized for teen, the fit thru the chest is snugger than I like. I’ve used this method of alteration: http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/resizepattern.htm, with success.

I’m trying to decide if I want to use a brocade or a light weight denim. I’ve got time, because I’ve got to get the fit done first.

The Patrons dress

2010-10-07T09:22:00.001-06:00

So here is the white outfit I made of the Patrones issue 292, pattern #32. I love the fit of it. I just recently subscribed to the magazine, and can’t wait for the next issue.

Happy Sewing!

What have I been up to? (long post & pic heavy)

2010-09-27T19:01:00.001-06:00

I have been doing a lot of sewing lately.

First I completed 2 pairs of jeans. One pair ended up being capri's because I forgot to add length to them. Sorry for the darkness of the picture. I’ve got to invest in a tripod, etc.

I was in the store one day, and saw this little cutie of an iron. So for only 2 bucks, my gravity steamer now has a "lil" brother. It is an older GE Steam Travel Iron, and is great for pressing. The bulb on the side is used as a water reservoir, and surprisingly lasts for quite sometime between refills. I have it setup next to my machine; sometimes I'm just too lazy to walk to the iron. (Sorry for some reason I couldn't get the above picture, to rotate).

I finished up a white top/skirt duo for a "white attire" party. This is an outfit from the Patrones issue 292. It was made from a white brocade that I got from one of my favorite sewing places: Studio Bernina. I made in less than a week (As usual I procrastinated till the last possible moment).

Here’s Patrones version: (I’ll have to post the pix from my camera later, I can’t find my cable)

I also made this dress from McCalls 5844 (OOP)

This was a fabric I found on clearance, because it had some print alignment problems. I had 6 yards so I was able to “strategically” place the pieces to cut the pattern. I like how it turned out. Here’s a snapshot of the print close up. I’ve gotten lots of compliments on it. Its nice and easy to wear.

My other acquisition, and my best is a new Koala “treasure chest” sewing studio. I so-o love this table. I got the tall version (because I’m 6ft tall). It freed up so much space in my room. I got rid of 2 tables. Here’s a snapshot of it. My local sewing shop was selling the floor models for 40% off so I snatched it up.

Excuse all of the stuff underneath. There’s my portable OTTO light, along with some fabric for a quilt that I’m working on. Speaking of the quilt here’s a snapshot of it “in progress”. It’s a version of the log cabin. This was some fabric I found at the local quilt shop that was going out of business. I only bought 2 yards of each piece. Since I wasn’t trying to co-ordinate the colors etc. I figured I wouldn’t need much. Well I just sort of closed my eyes and started sewing. Now I’m so liking the layout, and the colors together, hopefully I have enough to accomplish a decent size quilt. But isn’t that always how it is when you find out you like a stash fabric, you don’t have enough.

Also, guess what these two items together look like? I’ll have to post the pix tomorrow.

In addition to all of this I’m teaching (Hey, gotta support that sewing habit :)! ). So I’m off to grade some papers.

I’ll post some of my other projects later (after I’ve found my camera cable).

Happy Sewing everyone!

Back down "Memory Lane"....

2010-08-07T08:25:00.000-06:00

I have always loved that song by Minnie Ripperton.

As I was doing one of the many re-organizations of my sewing room, I discovered some pictures that I'd taken of some of my past sewing projects. Boy did it bring back memories, especially since the kids are now gown.

Join me for my trip down sewing memory lane....

Daughter's dedication outfit (Bishop dress and bonnet with smocking), she was about 2 and we did it during Christmas holiday.
Her kindergarten Halloween costume (she wanted to be a princess on a horse), the things we mother's will do.
Denim bishop dress and headband. My daughter had very little hair until she was about 3 years old. Headbands and bonnets were a mainstay of all her wardrobes
Then I made a second denim dress with a matching hat.
Her first Halloween costume (a fish pattern that I found in a parenting magazine). She was only 6 months. I tried to get her brother to dress as a fisherman, and hold a fishing pole with her attached to it, but he wouldn't do it. Of course he regretted that decision when she won best costume.
Casper the friendly ghost costume for my daughter (my boys said she looked more like the Pillsberry Dough boy).

Finally a quilt I did for a co-worker's new baby. That baby should now be about 20 years old!

Oh well the memories that sewing can bring back are good ones. Now I guess I'll have to make more sewing memories for the future.

Vintage Pattern Stash is growing....

2010-07-18T08:35:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally got my Big Bernina back home, after a tuneup. It's running wonderfully. But while it was out I sewed on my vintage machines (working on a pair of jeans). I must say I quite enjoyed sewing on them. Since neither have all the options/settings like my 830 (which I have named "Blessings"), it definitely makes my sewing a no-brainer! Which was refreshing for a change.

I got almost done with the jeans and they were fitting wonderfully, when I discovered a major snafu on my part. I had put the zipper in backwards, i.e. the front of the zipper is facing the inside of the jeans. Not a big deal, right! Just rip it out and put it in correctly. Well I didn't discover this until I was almost finished (the hem and waist band left to do). Well just let me say, I won't be making this mistake again - Laughing to myself!

Well in the midst of the vintage machine sewing, I decided to go thru my vintage patterns, and catalog them. Well I discovered not only do I have a sewing machine problem, but also a vintage pattern problem. I've only cataloged maybe 1/2 of them. If you want to take a look at what I've done so far check them out here.

Just think of all of the potential sewing, and unique clothing I'll have in my wardrobe.

Off to my sewing (lots to do, so little time) ....

A extra vintage pattern if anyone is interested

2010-06-21T20:23:00.000-06:00

Well I've been going thru my vintage pattern "collection" (that word sounds so much better than stash), and came across a pattern that I'd like to find a home for.

If you happen to be looking at this and are interested in it. Place a comment and send me an email with your mailing address.

Back to completing my pattern organizing.....

Pray for me, because.....

2010-06-13T21:34:00.000-06:00

A seamstress can never have too many machines, right?

I remember my grandmother used to sew on a treadle machine. I have fond memories of her sewing and asking her to let me work the peddle for her (as I sat on the floor in front of the machine). I had always wanted to get hers, but when she passed on, it sort of got lost.

Well anyway this weekend I went to a estate sale in search of some vintage patterns, and there it was in the corner. A Singer 66K treadle machine, with all of the attachments. Needless to say my memories took over and I just had to bring it home (with some nudging from my partner in crime, my girlfriend). The machine was in perfect working order. I cleaned it, oiled it, and put a new belt on it. I sewed a couple of scrap pieces of fabric to check on the tension:

This week I put my Bernina in for a tuneup, so I've had to put some of my other machines in to active duty. I'm working on another pair of jeans. I've read on others blogs, how its nice to have multiple machines, with one of them setup for top-stitching.

So I sat up my Singer 99K, which I found about 6 months ago. Again, it was in excellent condition. I just had the sewing mechanic look at it, and make sure all was OK. It came with the standard attachments, and a buttonholer, zigzagger, darning, and hem stitch attachments. Not to mention the case which also had the keys. I had originally bought it as a machine to take to quilt classes, since the 830 is way to heavy too try and lug around. I set it up to do all my seams:

The other machine that I sat up is my Old Domestic machine. I found this many years ago at a garage sale for $25. It too has all of the attachments. I set it up to do all of my topstitching on.

Another pointer I picked up from Two on Two off blog, and used upholstery thread from my topstitching.

Boy did this setup made the topstitching so-o-o much easier. Here is the topstitching on one back pant piece:
And of course, I set up the trustworthy Viking serger to finish the raw edges. In addition to these, I also have a Viking Designer 1, and I have a Elna Supermatic.

Now that I think about I do have a LOT of machines. So pray for me, ask God to make sure another one doesn't try to sneak in my car and follow me home :)

PS I'll tell you about my vintage pattern excursion in the next post.

Graduate school graduate, and a cruise

2010-05-29T16:46:00.000-06:00

The youngest son got his Master's from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. I thought I was done crying but have discovered that as each one leaves home, it becomes more emotional to see the next one leave (Only 5 more years to go before the youngest gets thru Pharmacy school). I assured him that they were tears of JOY! Here he is on that day with the entire family. I feel so blessed. My kids ask me if I'm proud of them. I tell them yes. They have far exceeded my expectations. I was happy that I never had to bail anyone out of jail, and I didn't become a Grandma before my time. So anything beyond that was pure JOY. Sometimes, I just sit and thank God for the blessings he's given my family. I come from a lineage of share-croppers with no more than a 2nd grade education; my parents were the first in their families to go to college. I know my grandparents are in heaven smiling down on my children.

Here also is a picture of my son with his "study buddies" from graduate school. It was my first time meeting them, and they are such an amazing group of young people. They were all fortunate to have each other as friends.
He also has a job comming out of college (which is such a blessing in todays economy). So I'll be heading off with him later in June to get moved in.

Well the family just got back from a cruise to Nassau Bahama. My daughter wanted to do something special for her high school graduation, and considering that the youngest son just graduated with his Master's in Comp. Science we thought why not. This would probably be one of our last chances to do a family vacation. So off we went on a 4 night cruise from Miami, FL to Key West, Nassau, Cocay Bay Bahamas.

It was just nice to be where I didn't have access to cell phones and computers. So it was a VACATION in the true sense. Here we are off the beach in Nassau. I got in the water a little bit, but I'm just to leary of the "lil critters" in the ocean and on the beach. When I saw the Iguana, and the stingray in the water, I was done with the beach.

My only regret is that I didn't get a chance to explore for fabric stores! Believe me, it did cross my mind. Maybe I'll save that for my trip to Ottawa, Canada. But in the meantime I did think sewing :)!

2010-05-09T20:16:00.000-06:00

Here are my jean "muslims". Sorry for the fuzzy pix, I tried to take them myself in a mirror. (I
think its time to invest in a tripod!).

Here is a side view: The rolled him is where I'm going to have them stop for capri's. Since My muslim turned out better than I expected, I figured I'd just keep them. I've already transferred the adjustments to my paper pattern. The other leg, is the length of the pants leg (cut), this should actually be the length with a hem. So I've got to add about 1-2 inches to my finished pattern.
Here is a front view:

I thought I'd practice my topstitching skills on them, and it turned out pretty well, with patience :)

This is a picture of the front:

Here is the back view. I didn't want to go too fancy on the pockets. so they are simple.

I got my waistband in on yesterday. I got the fit down pretty good through the hips and upper leg. However, I've still got to reduce this some more in the waist (In my pictures at the top I put on a belt with them; but I probably still need to take another inch or so out of the waist).

Jeans in the works

2010-05-07T23:12:00.000-06:00

I've joined the "Jeans sew along" on sewing.patternreview.com. My fabric came yesterday. In the meantime, I had some in my stash, that I figured I'd recheck my fit, etc. My pattern is Jalie's stretch denim pants; I so love this pattern.

As usual I had to do my alterations:

sway back adjustment
additional width in thighs
added length at knee, and hemline
take in at waist

This time I decided to try some top-stitching to make them look like ready to wear. The "muslim" versions are turning out great. I'd like to keep them, but I had just enough fabric, such that, if I try to hem them they'll be too short. I'm thinking, maybe I can turn them into capri's.

I'll have to post pictures tomorrow.

Where Oh Where Have I been?

2010-05-02T08:38:00.000-06:00

I know you have been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing. Well let me break it down:

Recovering from "Empty Nest" syndrome - In December, it finally hit me that the dynamics of my family had changed. Everyone was home and then everyone was gone.
I've been doing a lot of scrapbooking as I try to organize my pictures and memories of when the kids were younger. It's been therapeutic.
Looking at going back to school for a advanced degree. I always wanted to go back to school to get a graduate degree, but "life" got in the way. Well now that the kids are all gone, I've got the time (besides it'll help me make this adjustment).
I've had to have two minor surgerical procedures. Nothing serious or life threatning; but a big deal for someone who doesn't like being put to sleep.
Very busy at work! I've also been enjoying it, usually when you are busy you're also stressed; but its been a good stress.
Doing lots of storytelling. If you didn't know I'm a professional storyteller. I specialize in telling American History from the perspective of the African American women that were a part of that history. All my stories are in first person. Well this year I've had an lot of opportunity to share those stories.

Well that's what I've been doing since Dec. of last year! I'm ready to start sewing again, as I discover a new me, and that's a good thing!

Estate Sales, etc

2009-12-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-10-15T21:13:00.000-06:00

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)

2009-09-28T09:40:00.000-06:00

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

2009-09-20T14:09:00.000-06:00

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 MUSLIM, 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:

Took in at the waistline
Added an additional 2 inches at the hip line.
Changed the hemline so that it was straight rather than asymmetrical
Used a serged rolled edge hem on the ruffle on the dress hemline
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?

2009-08-30T01:47:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-25T22:51:00.001-06:00

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

2009-08-12T22:57:00.000-06:00

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

2009-08-06T17:43:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-31T23:10:00.000-06:00

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!

2009-07-30T22:29:00.000-06:00

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?

2009-07-26T18:21:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-26T16:24:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-26T15:24:00.000-06:00

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

2009-07-26T14:19:00.000-06:00

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

2009-06-27T08:20:00.000-06:00

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.....

2009-05-31T22:38:00.000-06:00

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.....

2009-05-10T19:35:00.000-06:00

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

2009-04-30T22:57:00.000-06:00

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".

Guinan's in the house

2009-04-17T15:45:00.000-06:00

A co-worker of mine retired, and is a very BIG Star Trek fan. So for his retirement celebration, we did a "Star Trek" skit written by my manager. I got to be Guinan. Needless to say I couldn't find a pattern so I had to make my outfit. The dress was McCall's 5512:

To make the dress I lengthened it to just past the knee. Also I didn't put lining in it, since this was one of those "only to be worn once" type outfits.

The hat is from Butterick pattern 3664 (OOP). Its View E without the Brim, and a large circular piece added to the top (A popcorn can tin was used as the pattern for the top). I used two layers of cardboard to give stiffen the top and give it shape.

By the way have you seen the news..., There's snow in Colorado and lots of it!

Custom Pattern Weights

2009-04-13T19:52:00.000-06:00

I was looking for something to do, and decided I need some more weights to use for my sewing. I didn't want to pay the outlandish price that I did when I bought the ones from the sewing store. But I didn't want a bunch of metal washers either. So here's what I started with:

List of items:

3/4 inch washers from local hardware store
1 skein of embroidery thread
glue from my scrapbooking supplies (glue used for paper, metal, fabric)
tracing paper (to use for bottoms

Stack two of the washers together. I did this to give it some added weight. I also put a little glue between the two washers to hold them together

Begin wrapping the thread on the washer, make sure that the thread wraps are bumped against each other. Also, have the tail of the thread such that your wrappings are over it

Continue wrapping until the entire washer is covered. Then make a knot in the last loop. Finally place some glue along the side of the washer where the knot is. This will keep the knot from coming apart.

Your completed weights will look like this:
The one in red was done using pearl cotton thread, the other using regularly embroidery thread.

It only costs me 34 cents per washer; so it came to Approximately 70 cents per weights, and $7 to make a set of 10 weights. Plus it was something I could do while I was watching TV with the family.

My Spring dress

2009-04-09T20:16:00.001-06:00

Well I decided to do something in a springy print. This pattern is Vogue 8555. I found a flowerful print at the quilt shop, and decided I wanted to try it out in this pattern:

It's very comfortable. I didn't have to do much alterations; I decided not to put the pockets in the dress. I do think I'll make it a size smaller next time though, I think the pattern ran a little large in the bodice. But I most definitely will be making it again.

Now for my next project:

Vogue 2891 for my daughter's senior prom; I've got 2 weeks to get it done! One alteration I've already got in mind is to bring up the back skirt some, so there isn't as much back out.

Wish me luck!

Free sewing pattern on Sewing Pattern.com

2009-04-08T19:53:00.000-06:00

Well, I was just fishing around on the internet, and came across the following free patterns at sewingpatterns.com. The following patterns were for free (plus some others):

I requested the Mccall and Simplicity pattern. I'm going to print them tomorrow. The website uses what is known as "secure printing". You can only print the files, you can't save the patterns to a disk.

I'll let you know how it goes. By the way I'm prepping for spring, and just finished my first "spring print" dress. What better way to get ready for spring than to mentally prepare. "If you think it, it will come". I'll put pix up tomorrow.

UPDATE: 4/9/2010 - Well I tried to print the McCall pattern, and am not sure this service is worth it. First of all I can only print the pattern from the computer that I originally used when I signed onto the service (which rules out the possibility of me taking the pattern to Kinko's to print it, and believe me Kinko's is not about to let me bring my computer to their shop and get onto their network; nor do I want to do that). I could print it from home, but I have no desire to tape together 45 sheets of 8 1/2 inch paper to make a pattern. However, I did send their support organization an email to see if there is a way to print the patterns from another computer, without having them change my default computer. I was told that I would have to send them an email so that they could reset the account to allow me to print from another machine. This to me is inconvenient. It's better/more-convenient in my perspective to just catch a sell on the pattern at the store. This maybe worth it for patterns that don't have very many pieces &/or contains smaller pieces, say the pattern for the purse. But right now I'm not seeing it being practical for larger patterns like dresses, etc.

Additional update Arielle gave me a heads up on one of the patterns "McCall 5446"; while I was editing the comment for the update above:

"... I just want to point out that there's something funky with the armscyes in the McCalls. The Slapdash Sewist made it and she is not the only one, IIRC, who couldn't lift her arms while wearing the dress!!! Just a heads-up!..."

Thanks for the info Arielle! I was thinking of just picking it up at the store but if I may have these kind of problems with it then I think I'll spend some time on something more productive.

Quilting Lessons, Custom Jeans, Awards, and other tidbits...

2009-03-15T22:49:00.001-06:00

The past couple of weeks have been very hectic for me. Basketball season is over for my daughter, she has officially had her final game as a high school student. That's the bittersweet part of it. However, the good thing is HER TEAM WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP! That makes 3 state championships in a row for her high school team. They were undefeated, and in her 4 years of high school they had over 104 wins and only 4 loses!

Here's a picture from the newspaper website.
Now me and my husband are preparing for the final prom and her high school graduation.

I've been busy with work. I've been working to get a project done, which I'm happy to say is complete, and I got it thru testing, YEAH! Now to hand it off to the next set of folks in the chain.

On the sewing front, I"ve started teaching a quilt class to a group I belong to. I thought I'd end up with only about 4 or 5 interested, but wound up with 13 women signing up. 2 of the women in the group have quilting/sewing experience so they have graciously offered to help me.

Also, I signed up for a pants fitting class at the my Bernina dealership (Studio Bernina). It goes for 8 weeks. At the completion, I will have a "oak tag" pattern that I can use, and also hope to have drafted a "jeans" pants that I can use to make custom jeans with. I typically don't wear pants, primarily because I can't find them to fit (I need a 36 - 37" inseam) plus the fact that I have a curvy figure, which makes it difficult for me to avoid the "gap-oses" at the waistline. I have a difficult time making them because I have to do some serious alterations to the patterns.
When we took my measurements, it was a very eye-opening experience trying to map them to the pattern. It just reconfirmed why I never liked doing pants! But I am looking forward to the aspect of finally having some jeans that are "made to fit" me.

Oh, I was just looking in a quilting magazine, and found a solution for my collection of rotary rulers. In case any of you are interested, it's a metal vertical sorter from Office Max, it's only $3.00, and a very cost effective solution to my ruler storage problem.I received this award from Paco, Thanks Paco! Its so difficult for me to pick nominees, since I love reading all of the blogs I come across. I'm going to nominate every single one that's in my blogs I read list.
'

Marilyn Monroe did not live in Colorado!

2009-03-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well, today I discovered why Marilyn Monroe didn't live in Colorado. Today, I was wearing one of my "vintage" Butterick 5033(see my version of B5033) dresses, you know the kind with the full skirt. I love these style patterns.

Anyway, I decided to go out to get some lunch. I mean it's over 70 degrees in early March, come on, no way was I going to pass up a nice day. As I'm heading to the little
restaurant a not-so-unusual gust of wind came. Up went my dress. Envision Marilyn standing over the steam grate, and her dress billowing up around her legs; now envision me in the middle of a parking lot during the lunch break. I manage to grab the full hem of my skirt, and place my hands and purse in strategic locations!

I now have a totally new found respect for my Mother's generation, and am convinced that they must have worn pantaloons or something under these dresses (Believe me I'll be asking her when I talk to her on the phone!).

My son's quilt top

2009-03-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well here it is, the top for my son's quilt. It's got alternating strips of railway block with solid stripes. The quilt measures 90 x 72. On to the quilting phase I go.....

It's been awhile....

2009-03-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

Well, its been a while since I've posted. I've been working on my to do list for this year. First of all I've gotten my daughter's Basketball scrapbook well on its way. This is her senior year of high school and seems like it's going by quickly these last couple of months. Her team is in the sweet 16 of the high school playoffs. They've won the state championship the past 2 years. So keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I've got a Cricut machine, and just recently bought the SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) software. I'm so excited I just created my first cutout using it for my daughter's scrapbook:

On to my sewing, I've been busy. I've been working on my first block of the Christmas quilt. I'll post it when I am done.

I've also gotten the quilt top done for my son's quilt. I had a bunch of African print scraps that I wanted to use; so I did the rail fence pattern. I'll have to post the picture later since the quilt is queen size (my son is 6'5"), I've got to find a place to hang it up first. But its coming.

Also, I've decided to teach a beginning sewing class (actually quilting) to a group of my lady friends. We start next weekend.

Oh and this is a snapshot of a outfit I did for the Christmas celebration at work. I was supposed to represent the Kwanza Holiday. So I made this skirt set. The skirt is elastic and goes to the floor. The top is Simplicity 2702. I just shortened it to be a top.

Well that's it for now.

I need these, like I need......

2009-01-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, I need these like I need a whole in my head! But I'm really liking these new patterns from Butterick. So here's what's on my list when the next sale happens at JoAnne's or Hancock:

I think this dress is just adorable. I've got some fabric in my stash slated for this.

This reminds me of the dress that Michelle Obama wore; I believe it was on the View. But I'm actually liking the two piece (view B and view D).

In the meantime since my last post I've been busy. I've got a couple of garments done, and have been working on the quilt for my son.

Oh yes, I met the most amazing lady at the quilt shop this month. She and I have made a pact to complete the following "monthly block" quilt:
This is a design by Sue Garmen, called "The Night Before Christmas". What better way to keep the Christmas spirit year round, than to work on a Christmas quilt! So wish me luck on this one. I'm excited. I'm planning to use a lot of those scraps that I just can't seem to throw away. I'm making a vow to myself to each month post the completed block on my blog. Between my quilting partner and my commitment to the blog, I think this should keep me accountable.

I'm also going to be teaching our community ladies group how to sew. We'll be starting at the end of February. I've decided to do a lap-size quilt, just to introduce the women to the basics.

I also got the local scrapbook store to agree to do an intro class for our group. Scrapbooking is another vice for me.

Well, this is it for now.

Something quick to cook

2009-01-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

This is indirectly sewing related. The other day I had decided to sew, but of course that was interrupted by the fact that my family was hungry (how dare they interrupt my sewing and have the audacity to use the excuse of hunger!). Anyway, being the good mother that I am I stopped to fix something to eat. I found this recipe in the Sunday coupon section and decided
it was the perfect time to try it. The recipe was "Spaghetti with Szechuan Peanut Sauce"

12 oz of spaghetti
1 lb boneless chicken breast, cooked
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup sweet chili Thai sauce
4 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp dried red pepper flakes
2 tbsp finely chopped green onions
5 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Cook and drain spaghetti
Cut cooked chicken into cubes
Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir until smooth. Add sauce and chicken to spaghetti and mix until evenly coated. Garnish with additional cilantro if you desire.

The family really liked it. We were all pleasantly surprised that it tasted so good. The longest part of the preparation was cooking the chicken breast. I chose to cut up the chicken breast prior to cooking, this cut down on the cooking time. Ive decided to post the recipe here so that I don't loose it.

Well off to more sewing.....

Pillows and the fabric stash

2009-01-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well as I said earlier its amazing what you find in your stash when you actually can see it. I had 4 pillow forms in my stash, along with some upholstery fabric.

So from these:

I made 4 of these:

My daughter was happy to see them, she said she was tired of lugging bed pillows from upstairs when she wanted to lay on the couch to watch television. Although, I know she got worried after she saw me bring her a 4th one. I assured her that was all the pillows I had in my stash!

Fabrics, Sewing room, and a Gift - (pic heavy)

2009-01-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

This is what my husband surprised me with for Christmas.... I told him in my eyes he can now do no wrong. He and the kids got together and decided that "I deserved it". You know I think I'll keep all of them as my family.

So now I have no excuse for sewing the fabrics I bought.

By the way here's a pic of my family (me, my husband, my youngest son, my oldest son, and my daughter):

So this is my fabric purchase from Denver Fabric. The 1st was a rayon spandex blend, the burgundy is a micro-pleated fabric, then a stretch cotton, and finally a golden silk dupioni.

I've decided to make the micro-pleated fabric into this outfit from BWOF 7/99, item number 101:

Finally my "re-do" of my sewing room; mind you I am still in the process of getting it straightened out. The room is actually a combination sewing/scrapbooking room. See all the scrapbooking supplies on the shelf & my most loved scrapbooking item a Cricut. (My husband has a stack of pics/articles for me to scrap from the kids basketball years).

I finally went thru the bins I had with fabric in them. I discovered "out of site out of mind" means you forget what you have; so this time around I'm placing them in FULL view on hangers in the closet. I'm also giving some to charity.

My pastor gave me boxes of sewing notions, etc that belonged to his mother when she passed away. His wife remembered that I was an avid sewer and thought they should go to a good home, so needless to say I have more notions that I will ever use.

Also in the process of my moving rooms, I located two quilts that I had been working on but forgotten (remember that "out of site, out of mind"). The first is Jacobs Ladder pattern, it was to be a gift for my sister when she was single. I just have the quilting to finish (I was having a hand quilting moment). Now she's married, so I told her that she and her husband will have to cuddle up under a twin size.

This is one I was working on for my niece (rail fence pattern). The yellow print has bluebirds on it. Its a lap size quilt, something for her to use when they travel to her maternal grandmothers house. I was having another hand-quilt moment, but its just a lap-size so won't take long to finish up.

Well I think I've blogged enough for the day. Besides, I've got to give my family some overdue hugs!

The Start of a New Year

2009-01-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well, very Happy New Year to everyone!

This past year has been one of growth, learning, joy, and pain (but aren't they all). My prayer is that the new one will bring much joy to everyone.

How did I spend my New Year's Day? Well I of course went to the fabric store; Denver Fabrics here in Colorado, everything was 30% off and silk dupioni was 50% off (I'll post pictures later).

But most of my day was spent cleaning my sewing room for a new arrival. See my husband decided to surprise me with something that I had been "googling" over for the last month. I pick it up on tomorrow. In preparation, I swapped my sewing room with my youngest son (his room was bigger, and since he's only home on breaks from graduate school I figured why waste all that unused space). I didn't realize how much stuff I had (sewing and non-sewing related). I'm talking super-hero action figures, baseball/basketball cards, clothes that haven't seen the outside of the closet in years (specifically basketball jerseys my boys wore when they were 10!).

We were keeping a lot of "memories" in boxes in the closets. My new motto is "if it hasn't been used in 3 months then consider giving it to someone that will use it".

As you go through the items, you begin to realize just how much your life has changed, and will continue to change. Its a bitter-sweet and sobering moment; But with God's assistance the change is always for the good. Seems like it was just yesterday when we had to move the end tables to the basement because the boys were using them as diving boards!

I've been trying to pull together my Goals for this 2009, so here's a rough-draft:

Continue to acknowledge God for his presence in my life
Exercise at least 30 minutes each day (I've already joined the local 24 hour fitness, and started going every other day since beginning of December)
Run in my first 5k of half-marathon (just keeping it real) by June 2009
Tell all the key people in my life that I love them regularly.
Complete Daughter's Basketball scrapbook
Document everything I sew
Make a custom dress form
Improve my fitting techniques
Complete quilt for my son

Tomorrow, I'll post pics of my "Christmas Gift", fabric purchase, and "cleaned-up" sewing room.

Lots of Love to everyone....

NL 6826 - New TNT pattern.

2008-10-06T18:33:00.000-06:00

Well, I've found me a new TNT Pattern. Its New Look Jumper 6826. I wanted something easy to make that I could wear with a Turtleneck and tights now that the cold weather is approaching. I've made it twice now (both out of a light weight wool). One is a houndstooth print.

This is from my fabric stash. I took about two yards. I had to make the following changes to the pattern:

Added 2 1/2 inches to the overall length.
I made a size 14 but altered it to a larger width at the full hip (specifically in the back); which meant I had to redistribute the pleats.
Added 1/2 inch to length of bodice (yoke) piece.

I made the dress in a solid grey wool the first time I made it. I did it specifically by the pattern, although it was quick; I really didn't like the finishing on the inside. I wanted a lot cleaner finish on the inside, so I sewed the zipper and straps in place before adding the yoke lining. I also used a centered invisible zipper; the pattern called for an overlapped zipper.

Below, a picture of the houndstooth dress, the zippers edges are not exposed as they are in the first version of the dress (the grey). The ends of the dress-straps are sewing with in the facing on the houndstooth version, in contrast to the grey version,where the straps were hand sewn to the bodice. I like the houndstooth version of the dress inside so much better

If you're a beginning sewing, definitely give this pattern a try.

I've been tagged

2008-09-27T00:02:00.000-06:00

I've been tagged by Lisa at The Hemline, my first tag! Here are seven facts about me.

I got married at the age of 19 to a guy I had known for only 3 months before becomming engaged. 27 years and 3 kids later we are still together!
I'm a professional storyteller (in addition to my sewing). I tell historical stories and personal stories. I call them, "Stories of Wisdom, Stories of Truth. I want my stories to make people think and question.
My youngest and only daughter will be heading off to college next year! (The older two are boys ages 25 and 22). This is the moment I've been waiting for, and now that its right around the corner, I tell myself I need to find a new life, and decide what I really want to be when I grow up - SMILE!
Even at the age of 40+, I am still my dad's little girl. That's something you never grow out of. When I go to visit he and I just sit and talk about anything and everything. My parents say I am the female version of my father.
In addition to sewing, I'm an avid scrapbooker. We won't even talk about that hobby! Let's just say I wish I had discovered it when my boys were little. I'm playing catch up on my photos.
When I get down or am going thru a tough moment, I go sit in the park. I admire all the beauty exists in this world. Besides, when you're going "thru" in life, its nothing like watching two squirrels fight over a nut, to put things in perspective.
I grew up very introverted and quiet. Caught a lot of teasing because of my height (6 ft). I was 30 before I was comfortable with my height. I'd always pray that I'd go somewhere and not be the tallest woman in the room. I tell folks God has a sense of humor, he answered my prayers, and made that room my house! My husband and I are the shortest in the house at 6 ft. My children are all 6' 5", 6' 1", and 6".

Well hopefully I haven't bored you with my 7 tidbits.

Paco at Paco Peralta
Krystal at Krustallos
Adrienne at Real Life: Live and Unscripted
artist1lisa at Sew On and Sew On
Allison at AllisonC Sewing Gallery
Leslie at Loohoo Originals
Cidel at Miss Celie's Pants

I've tagged the folks above, as we said when we were children "Tag you're it!"

Tag Rules:

1. Link to your Tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a post on their blog.

My Yoga Mat Tote

2008-09-26T19:26:00.000-06:00

I found a pattern for a yoga mat tote from Meream at http://boredandcrafty.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/yoga-mat-bag-tutorial/

I decided to use the log cabin block quilt pattern to make my cover. It was very simple and quick to make. See my review on http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=32604.

A Vintage kind of day, and other surprises

2008-09-09T21:08:00.000-06:00

Remember the vintage patterns that my Mom gave me back in May. Well I finally did one of them. It is a Butterick 8213. I'm not sure when it was in-print, but the original cost of the pattern was only 50 cents. It was very simple. Sewing instructions back then were written very SPARSELY to say the least. But I love the fit of the dress.

I also got a chance to use some of my fabric stash for it, so that was really great. Sorry for the picture, maybe tomorrow when the sun is out, I'll have my husband take one outside. I find it very difficult to do self portraits.

This weekend I also got the first of the three more boxes of vintage patterns from my Mom, and a box of zippers!

I've signed up for the stash contest on sewing.patternreview.com, so on to the next project.

Organizing my Patterns

2008-09-02T20:19:00.000-06:00

Well, I've been away for a while, but I can say I've been busy.

My daughter decided on a college (she's decided to do pharmacy)
traveled home to see my parents (actually went fabric/pattern shopping crazy with my Mom)
found a store called "dirt cheap" on my trip home, yes that's right - for another post!
started teaching part-time at a local college
bought an adjustable height table for my sewing room to do cutting
got a stash of vintage patterns from my Mom
used some of my sewing stash (& bought replacement fabric - LOL)
organized my patterns

First things first though, the pattern organization. I decided to make an album of all of my patterns with 5x8 index cards, so that I can use when I'm shopping. Here's a picture of my book:
For my newer patterns I have a word template that I use. Then I go to the pattern company's website and cut and past the information that I need, such as a picture, pattern description, yardages, front/back line drawing:
I've left areas to add notes such as fabrics used, alterations made, etc.

For my older patterns, I copy the pattern envelope (front and back) by reducing it to a 5x8 card without borders. (My 4 in 1 printer has a copy function that allows me to reduce).
When I go shopping I just take the card out of my notebook and place in my purse. When I pick out fabric for a particular pattern, I clip a piece of the fabric and pin to the card. It makes it easier to pick out notions etc. since I have the card with the fabric sample attached.

Well needless to say I have discovered that I have a LOT of patterns to say the least. We won't say how many though - SMILE! And they've just increased by another 100 or so because of my Mom's gift of some vintage patterns. I had to send those by UPS, since the planes won't let you carry baggage for free anymore. I'll take pix when they arrive.

Portland, BasketBall, & Sewing

2008-08-07T22:19:00.000-06:00

As I've stated my daughter is a basketball player, and is planning to play ball in college. So we are all spending 4 days in Oregon to visit one of the universities in the area.

We flew into Portland OR on Wednesday morning. We got in at around 10:30 AM. And after getting our rental car headed to find something to eat at a restaurant called "TODAI" located in Pioneer Square in downtown Portland.

Then we headed to the hotel to spend our first night and try to get some overdue sleep (since we left home at 3:30 am that morning.) Well needless to say while my husband and daughter slept, I went off to Fabric Depot in Portland!

Can you believe when I got there, a 30% off of everything sale was going on! I wanted so badly to buy fabrics (but this whole airline thing is really playing havoc with my purchasing ability because I don't like to ship stuff back home, I want to carry it with me. I flew USAir and had to pay $15 for the first bag checked - can you believe it!). Besides, I'm trying to cut down on my stash - Hey at least I can dream. I did however purchase 3 books.

They had an outdoor sale, so off I went. I found quite a few notions, etc. ( 1/8" elastic for my heirloom sewing; bra extenders; self-cover belt kits - been looking for those to make matching belts for my vintage/retro patterns).

On Thursday we headed to the school. We'll be touring some of the campus and meeting with the team on Thurs. and Fri. In the meantime I spotted a little quilting shop I want to check out - picture me with a big SMILE. Maybe I'll get a chance to visit the Mill End store and Josephine's Dry Goods when we head back home on Saturday.

Fabric Stash & Butterick 5216

2008-07-22T19:58:00.000-06:00

(I had to take my own pictures, my photographer decided to go to a Rockies game - SMILE).

Well, here's another one from my fabric stash. This was a border print that I purchased a couple of years ago for about 50 cents a yard. It took 4 yards, because the border was actually crosswise (printed like panels); so it only costs me $2 in fabric. You can't buy a top that cheaply from the store.

I just wanted a quick little top to wear with jeans, and it definitely was quick, took maybe 2 hours to make.

The neckline was plunging to say the least. More, than I needed to show, so I took one of the diamond motifs and placed in the opening.

I'll probably make it again in a solid print and use a piece of lace for the inset (no way am I wearing this top without an inset!)

Next blog, a vintage dress I made from a pattern given to me by my mom!

5 days in Chicago

2008-07-15T23:40:00.001-06:00

Well, I just spent 5 days in Chi-town (Chicago). My daughter's basketball team played in the Nike Tournament there. They managed to place 3rd in their bracket, which was very good.

For those of you that are really into the Girl's basketball, they loss to a team out of Dallas, (that team went on to win the tournament), one of the nations top recruits for 2009 was on the team.

It was so amazing, and I felt truly in my element, nothing but young girls 6 feet tall and over (where were these girls when I was growing up!). BTW, I'm 6 ft, my daughter is 6'1", and my daughter has a teammate that is 6'6".

Here's a couple of pictures:

My daughter's team (in white) during a game

My daughter during a game (in red uniform)

While I was in Chicago, I had to go visit at least one fabric store ( I know I was supposed to be there to support my daughter, but hey I needed a side trip; besides I took my daughter to the Nike store after the tournament). I decided to go to the Vogue Fabrics flagship store in Evanston. Imagine my good luck to arrive right before the ASG (American Sewing Guild) bus tour did. I was lucky that I had my ASG card on me, so I was able to get the discounts that the Conference members got (Yes Sandy, there is a God!). Overwhelming, is an understatement. I wish they had something even close to this in the Colorado area. In talking with some of the women I found out that next years conference is scheduled for Albuquerque NM (my backyard & only a 6 hour drive), so I'm definitely making plans to attend.

Inside Vogue Fabrics in Evanston, IL and the women of ASG

I overheard one of the ladies coming into the store say "My God, I've died and gone to heaven", I knew exactly how she felt. One of the more interesting things that I saw was the dress forms available for rental:
Anyway, needless to say after about an hour of grazing thru the fabrics (I had to be back to meet my daughter for her next game - oh well). I did get to pick up some fabrics. It helps that you can't take a 2nd bag on the planes for free now - sort of helped me keep my spending down. I just couldn't accept the idea of sending my purchases back by mail. I ended up buying 5 pieces of fabric: 1 piece of lawn/voile fabric in a lime&brown with a border, a piece of chiffon, 2 pieces of silk dupionni (burgundy and sage), and 1 piece of cotton lycra in a soft lime green.
The colors don't show up too good in the picture.

Now I'm thinking of reasons to go and visit my sister who lives downtown Chicago, just so I can go to the fabric stores in the area. Next time I'll hit Fisherman.

Hey maybe I can convince my daughter to go to Northwestern for college next year! Oh well, after writing this, I really need to make a confession:

"Hi my name is Sandy, and I have an addiction to anything related to sewing!".

Butterick 5033 and my fabric stash

2008-07-04T14:46:00.000-06:00

Well I went thru my stash, and found a nice piece of fabric to make Butterick 5033 vintage dress from.

It was a very easy dress and I am loving the flowiness of the skirt. The fabric I made it from was in my stash, so not really sure what the content is (purchased before I got wise enough to start recording the fabrics in my stash - SMILE). Its a very lightweight fabric, and the skirt hangs beautifully.

Mom and Vintage Patterns

2008-06-09T19:44:00.000-06:00

My youngest son just graduated from college this weekend, and pretty much my entire family came to witness the graduation and celebrate. Well my mom and dad bought an extra suitcase, and my mom blessed me with a suitcase full of vintage patterns! There were over 30 patterns in the suitcase. A lady gave them to her; she knew that my mom sewed, and told her to do whatever she liked with them. Well needless to say she thought of me, her eldest!

Here's a picture of a few of them.

Most were in my bust size, can you believe it! I don't know where to start. So many fabrics, ideas, patterns, but so little time.

All I could do was hug her over and over again (My Dad couldn't figure out why I was so excited about a "box of old patterns"). I knew God put that woman in my life for a reason, if only to bring me a suitcase full of vintage patterns. I always knew she was the perfect mom, but now she has taken perfection to a whole new level.

Oh well, time for me to stop ranting about my mom and start sewing.

What does LOVE look like 25 years later - A sewing story

2008-06-08T13:15:00.000-06:00

I know for a fact that sewing for anyone is nothing less than an act of love.

When my sister was a little girl, the cabbage-patch dolls had just come out. She of course wanted one but my Mom told here no. Now mind you I am 15 years older than my little sister, and of course she came to her big sister (that's what we are here for!).

Since I couldn't go against my parents wishes, I had to find an alternative. At the time Butterick had just posted a pattern for "soft-sculptured" dolls. So off I went to the fabric store to complete my first doll. I finished her and gave her to my sister. She took that doll with her everywhere she went. This doll was loved beyond love!

Now fast foward to over 25 years later. My sister is now 31 years old and an attorney:

(My Sister)

She no longer carries the doll with her everywhere. If you are wondering what happened to the doll?

Well I recently returned home and my mother had a surprise for me. That little doll that was "homemade" with love was sitting on the bed in one of her rooms. She had on a new dress, and new socks purchased by my Mom. I think she is more beautiful today than she was 25 years ago.

My mom says all she could think of was the love that this little doll reminded her of. Even though her head is a little wobbly now, she's loved more now than she was in her first year.

So if you're wondering what love looks like as it grows old, well words can't describe it, only a picture will do it justice.

Vogue 8491 Completed and On to Vintage

2008-06-02T18:50:00.000-06:00

Well its done! And I'm really pleased with how it turned out. (Forgive me not smiling, but I never liked to take pix - As I learn to use the self-portrait timer on my camera, I now know why my husband and kids are always complaining about how hard it is to get a picture of me smiling)

I'm going to add a little weight at the hem in the back near the bottom of the slit, I think that will make it hang so much better. I could have placed the center back such that the design didn't fall so close to the seam line on both sides. I was so focused on the design direction (nap). There are no regrets on this one and I am loving the fit! I will definitely be making this again!

The pattern was very simple to. Its fully lined. I was given a label with the fabric so of course I had to put that in with my own label:

Also another thing that I have started doing is putting the "eye" portion of a hook & eye set at the top of slit openings that are on a seam. It helps cut down on the stress at the seam.

Now on to my next project, I just bought my first vintage pattern.

I've got a piece of red linen that I think would look really nice in this.

sewing and half.com

2008-05-22T09:07:00.001-06:00

Well recently I had checked out a book from the library on fitting: "Every Sewers Guide To Perfect Fit" and really liked it, but had to return it. So after looking at one of the many blogs I peruse (Cellie's Pants, to be specific), I read about half.com.

Needless to say, off I went, and have just order the following:

They have already shipped. It came to about $6 per book with postage. So guess what I'll be doing over the Memorial day week (in addition to sewing) - I'll be reading about sewing. What a way to spend a weekend

The dress muslim

2008-05-21T22:48:00.000-06:00

I began my work on Vogue 8491. I got the initial paper pattern marked up. I'm doing a muslim. The initial pass was rather loose thru the hips, I had to go back and taper it some:

I've still got some more fine tuning to do, but am pretty pleased with it. I raised the armhole by 1 inch but I'm going to lower it back, and will add a little more ease thru the waist. Well I guess enough sewing on the muslim for the night.

I'm looking forward to the extended weekend so that I can sew.

Skirt pattern alterations done!

2008-04-27T21:37:00.000-06:00

Well as part of this fitting class, I've also fitted a skirt. This method of using a different pattern size for the back piece worked amazingly well for the skirt. I just had to add a dart in the back pattern piece, and take the pattern in at the waist. I also added 2 inches to the length.

The pattern that I altered is:

The fabric I'm using is a piece I purchased from Vogue Fabrics Store in Chicago, IL:

I had a difficult time deciding which side to use the right or wrong side. (I liked the green color on the wrong side). But finally decided to go with the black/white-stripes. Turns out the stripes were on the cross-wise rather than length-wise, but don't like the thought of cross-wise stripes.

I just finished cutting out the skirt, and should have the skirt made by the end of the week. I'm contemplating putting a lining in the skirt (although the pattern doesn't call for one).

I also got a muslim done for the dress in my previous post (Vogue 8491). I ended up grading from a small upper body to the larger lower body back piece. I purchased a piece of designer fabric, Carnet de Mode, to make the dress out of:

Then it's on to my first set of pants done from the pants muslim alterations.

International Magazines Arrived

2008-04-19T15:30:00.000-06:00

Last week I ordered 3 international magazines: Patrones #266, KnipMode - May 2008; Moden Diana, #27. I already have a dress in the Patrones, a top and suit in the KnipMode chosen to make.

Just more things to feed my addition to sewing!
Oh well, its back to my pants muslim for now.

The Pants Muslim Journey - Part 1

2008-04-18T22:34:00.000-06:00

Well we did a first pass of my pants muslim. The muslim was cut to my altered pattern piece; the black lines are the alterations done to the muslim.

For the front piece I wound up with a size 14, and we removed the dart. We also had to bring it in considerably at the waistline.

The next part was the pant back which I ended up with a size 20. We had to add a dart, and
then taper the seam in at the center back to handle the waist:

The fit was totally awesome (sorry I didn't take pix with the muslim on). I'm currently making a new muslim to the new stitching lines. I'm having to add about 3 inches at the back waistline so we can check the fit thru the back when seated. I'll be sure and take pictures then.

2008-04-09T08:56:00.001-06:00

Well I finished the first phase of my fitting class. I decided to do a Muslim of pants first (this is where I have my biggest problem in fitting). The pattern that I am going to use is Butterick 4292. Everyone else in the class is using a Vogue pattern. Turns out the Butterick pattern required less overall alterations; however, I did have to alter the flat pattern in the following areas:

my back pattern piece is 2 sizes larger than the front (sz 14 in the front size 20 in the back)
major alterations in the waistline (which will have to be done in the muslim) to reduce it. I'll probably end up with quite a few darts.
lengthen the leg
add extra height near the back center seam, to avoid what I refer to as the potential "plumbers crack".

I've got the fabric to make my muslim; so, we'll see how the fitting goes next week.

I'm also fitting a shell dress for a piece of designer fabric I purchased. This will be interesting since I have to do so much widening thru the hips/back, and the dress is a single front/back pattern pieces.

Drooling for New Patterns

2008-03-31T21:08:00.000-06:00

Just got thru looking at the new Vogue Patterns. I already have a wish list:

Vogue 1045: I've got the perfect piece of silk dupioni for this one!

This one is so-o-o me: Vogue 8488

I've just got to add these 2 to my vintage collection:

Vogue 1043

Vogue 1044

Now all I need is a sell at JoAnne's or Hancocks fabrics!

My First Fitting class

2008-03-11T22:07:00.000-06:00

Today, I began my first class of fitting. I signed up for a Commercial Pattern fitting class - part I at the Bernina Sewing Studio in Boulder. I think it is going to be great! I learned so much in the first night. Next week I get my measurements done - yikes! I find most of my fitting issues surround my rear. Yes baby got back.

Also, I just started a Simplicity 3673. Had to add two inches thru the rear back. Pictured to the left. I found a black/white houndstooth which will look really nice in it.