Next project

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

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)

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"....

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....

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

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.....

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.