The Snugglie is done

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


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

Am I developing a Sewing Machine obsession?

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

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

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

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



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



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

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

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

BWOF 07/1999 - #101

Picture from BWOF 7/1999 #101


My version of pattern

Pattern Description:
micro-pleated top and skirt

Pattern Sizing:
Done in Burda size 42

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?
very easy

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

Fabric Used:
micro-pleated from stash

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

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

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

Vogue 7377 - OUT OF PRINT

PATTERN ENVELOPE


Front of outfit


Back of outfit


Fabric: Stretch Denim

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No Complaints on this one.

Mccall 5844

Front View of Dress

With Front Ruffle Extended

Fabric: Cotton [See other projects in this fabric]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Sewing . . .