Maturing and "Valuable Time"

I have been a busy bee over the last couple of weeks.  Right after my last post, I went to LA to see my cousin.  While I was there I met up with other seamstresses for a fabric district romp with Mimi.  That was the most fun!  I even got my sister to join me (Finally after 20+ years she has decided to take up sewing!).  I fell in love with the garment/fabric district.  The NY trip prepared me for it!




A snippet of one of the many blocks in LA garment/fabric district



BY THE POUND!!!  We found the Michael Levine's outlet store; Can you say Sewing Heaven!!! We found a couple of designer pieces here.  You just have to be willing to dig.  And they'll cut it if you only want part of piece!

 Since then I've been sewing, sewing, sewing.  I've made a couple of dresses, a petticoat for my vintage dresses, started on some pants, etc.   I'll have to post the pictures later (I'm trying to convince the hubby I need a camera with a remote; he's almost convinced).

In the meantime, as most of you may remember, I've been going thru an organization phase.  Well I got my patterns put into Microsoft onenote and got a fabric stash binder completed.  Then I decided it was time to organize the magazines.  I have all of my magazines (Burda and Patrones) in magazine holders.  I have a stash of Burda Mags from about 1998 to current.  Anyway I'm discovering with maturity (SMILE), that I just don't have the patience to thumb thru the magazines to look for a pattern; so I figured why not put the line-drawings for my Burda's in Onenote, and then I can just look thru those from my laptop, iphone, or ipad.  So I've been in the process of scanning those in.  So far I have the scans from the current back to 2009 (and still going):

 

Scanned line drawing (jpeg) for Burda.  The URL for magazine archives is at BURDA



Line drawing in Microsoft OneNote

 So now I can scan thru my Burda mags to see if there is a pattern in Burda that meets my needs, no matter where I am at.  (eventually, I'll add text to the pages so that I can do searches).

NOTE: If any of you are interested in accessing the line-drawings please let me know and I will make them available to others.  Also, if some of you are interested, I found another link for looking at the line drawings and pictures (it seems more organized than the Burda site).  Burda Online Magazines; its in Russian; so I've included the link via Google translator.  It also has line drawings/pix for La Boutique, etc.

When God is on the Other Persons side . . . .

Well, over the past months I have been doing a considerable amount of sewing related traveling. (Yipee!!!!).  But before I get to that let me bring you up to date.

First of all I am officially an empty nester; have been for quite sometime, but I think it just hit me as to what that really means: 

  1.  No more kids in the house and all that intails - no Mom-taxi, greatly reduced noise levels.  

  2.  I can now travel anytime and anywhere I want and only be concerned about me, myself, and I.

  3.  I now have more disposable income, since I don't have to cover the kids expenses

Now as anyone knows that is way-y-y-y too much freedom.  After 20+ years of raising kids why would I think I could handle this.  So my daughter "loved her dad to death", and convinced him he needed a dog.  So you know where this is going right?

This is someone I want you to meet: 

His name is Watson.  My husband decided he wanted a dog.  Now mind you I don't have a  problem with dogs.  Its just that I grew up in the deep south where dogs stayed in the yard, and had their own dog house.  I'm not used to having them underfoot in the house.   Besides, a yard dog is not practical in Colorado.

Anyway my requirement was: 

1. The dog had to come from the local shelter
2. Had to be hypo-allergetic (since I have allergies)
3. Not very big (actually the smaller the better), and a puppy so we could train them
4. Cannot have free roam of my house
5. I was not going to be cleaning behind it :(

What are the chances of finding that in a shelter, right.  Well its amazing what can happen when, as my husband says, "God is on your side".

Behold, meet Watson, a pure-breed miniature schnauzer; from the local shelter.  He was only 3 months when we got, he won't get more than 14 pounds. He came from a home with two  miniature schnauzers that had puppies, and the owner decided it was too much to keep the entire litter of puppies. He has minimal shedding; recommended for folks with allergies.  He doesn't bark inside;  was potty trained very quickly.  He's only had one accident; the one time my husband thought it was cute how Watson, sat and looked out the patio door - I tell folks the dog was potty trained, I had to train my husband to "listen" to the dog).  He has an excellent temperment.  Doesn't go upstairs nor into the carpeted rooms in my house (The family room and dinette area are his domain).  My husband has him in obedience classes; he can sit, laydown, goes in his kennel, etc on command.  

My husband thinks I'm the greatest wife in the world!  I told him he owes me big time for this one (look out fabric, I"m coming to save you from years of isolation in a fabric store).  

And so now we have a dog; it sucks when God is on the other persons side :).  

Vogue 2091, Views A & B

So here is a garment that I just finished making 2 of the views from Vogue 2091.  I've had this pattern for quite sometime, just never sat down and made it.  Now I'm thinking why did I wait so long!

I've made both views A and B in a grey and black cotton jersey.  I love this dress; particularly the view B.
I did have to make alterations, seeing as I am full in the rear.  But that was easy.  I started with a size 14 and then tapered to a size 16 thru the hips.

As a side note, on view B there are side pleats in view B.  I just pinned the pleats in the tissue, did my alteration, and then just unpinned the pleats.  Voila, a dress pattern with the tapering to larger size at hip.

Here are the dresses:

View A

View B

 It is a very easy/quick pattern.  I love sewing knits, they are what I call no-brain sewing.  I prefer view B the most;and will probably remake that in a printed knit.

There are several reviews of this pattern on pattern review, all seemed to like this pattern as much as I do.

The bag. . ..

Well, this is the bag that I was supposed to be making for my PR weekend trip to New York.  But regretfully it didn't get finished until  after I got back (Hey better late than never :) ).

Simplicity 2275 made from denim.

 I wanted something that would be close to my body (sort of like the old saddle-bags).  This bag fits that bill.  It has plenty of storage compartments, 3 zippered and 2 flap pockets on the front.


Zippered pocket inside of bag

Zippered pocket on shoulder strap

Zippered compartment in middle

Pocket on front

For the most part the bag is pretty much done (just got some loose threads, etc to cut off).   It wears very nicely.  Wish I had gotten it done prior to my NY trip; but at least I got it done before the summer jazz series starts up. I've got some top stitch left to do also.  But it looks good, considering this is my first attempt at a bag.

Oh yes, I'm doing all I can to save all those potentially orphaned sewingmachines.  Today I found this little beaut, a white featherweight.  Isn't she pretty?  It works like a champ. 

This machine will join its brother ( back featherweigth ) for sewing travels to classes and my folks.

So this extended weekend I will be sewing up a storm.

Happy Sewing!

I've been keeping busy . . .

I've been working on organizing my fabric stash. I got done with that a couple of weeks ago.  After going thru closets, dresser drawers, and bins.  I used the hanging shelf organizers in the hanger rack; along with the polar notions fabric boards. (To my surprise I had far less fabric than I had expected!  That just means room for more ). I ended up with a nice stash in my closet:

Getting my stash sorted was only half the problem.  Now I needed to catalog the stash.  A while back I was at an estate sale and found  a 3 ring binder called the "Fabric Diary".  It contains pages for recording your fabric, and info on projects you are working on.  I tried to locate the original publisher but looks like they are no longer in business.  I took two of the pages to my local print shop and had copies made.

So now I know what I have,  How much of it, and where its stored.  I'm no longer overwhelmed by my stash.

Once I got the fabric under control, I then started working on my pattern stash.  I had patterns in plastic bins in the closet; in a chest drawer, etc.  Then there were the vintage patterns that my mom keeps sending when she finds some.  So it was definitely time to organize them.

I had been using Pattern File on my computer.  But I don't think this is the way for me to go.  Considering the fact that I now have a decent size vintage collection, and I have to scan them into my computer anyway; it wasn't saving me a lot of work.  So off to sewing.patternreview.com, to find alternatives.  Well, I found exactly what I needed.  I have Microsoft Office one note on my laptop, iphone, and new ipad.  So why not make use of it.    Now I can: 

1. Portability - I can look at my patterns anywhere on my iphone/ipad
2. Ease of entry - For current patterns I just go to the pattern company website and print the pattern to my Onenote application, and if its a vintage pattern I just scan it on my computer. 

Eventually, I'll move my fabric stash organization to OneNote.

If you want information on using OneNote go to On the Road To Sew Wear or to Chantilly Dreams to get detailed instructions on how to set things up.  (Why re-invent the wheels, when both of these sewing buddies have done an excellent job explaining how to use onenote already!).   I have my patterns saved on a sky drive that I can access from my ipad and iphone.  

Now that I've gotten my patterns sorted, I've found that I have multiple copies of some patterns (Augh!  Don't you hate that!).  

I also purchased comic book bags to put my patterns in.  This is especially a big help with storage of some of my vintage patterns. I purchased these in small sizes for the standard pattern sizes and in larger magazine sizes for my Vogue Designer patterns.  It only costs about $7 for a package of 100.  And I used repositionable tape to seal the bags closed. I've got them all neatly organized now by pattern company and number in my pattern cabinet.

Well with all of this organizing, I should be ready for my trip to New York for Pattern Review Weekend.  I can't wait.  This will be my first trip to NY!  Me, NY, and fabric!! - a sewaholics dream!!!!

Sent from my iPad

What's in my Pattern Stash?

I am like every other seamstress: I've got more patterns than I'll ever use!  I keep asking myself why, and to be honest; I can't tell you.  Why do I buy the patterns?  Well let me give you the reasons:

• I think the outfit is "me", and will make it
• I'm going to buy it now so that I can make it later.  Because it'll be out of print when I get ready to make it.
• It's a Vogue designer and its on sale!
• I want to make this for my "future" grandkid; so I'll get the pattern now.
• In my mom's words: "They were going to throw them out at the thrift store, and I told them let me have them so that I can give them to my daughter!" (This is how my vintage pattern stash started!).
• Why Not!

All of the reasons are valid and totally justifiable.  So hence, my pattern stash has grown.  

As I've tried to get my house back in order after the remodel, I've been going thru my stash of patterns.  Since I know I'll probably never make them all; but at least I can share them with you: 

I picked up this pattern at the Houston International Quilt Festival about 2 years ago.  It was still in factory folds.  

I've already got a wool to make it out of.  I've been trying to find some fur to use for the scarf ends.  So whenever I'm at an estate sales I'm on the look out for something that will work.  

I've begun tracing the pattern and making the necessary alterations.  And now that I've taken a tailoring class, and almost got my coat done (An update is coming later), I think I have the confidence to start working on it.

It reminds me of the styles that my Mom used to wear.  I just wish the little pillbox hat came with the pattern.

I got this pattern at an estate sale. I fell in love with the styling of it.  I'm considering the fitted (wiggle) version of the dress with the elbow length sleeves.  I particularly love the draping to the side.

I am going to have to size this pattern up one size.  I use the Resizing Vintage Patterns and How to Resize a Pattern. The first contains a reprint of an article. I found the second one to be extremely beneficial in that it has snapshots of how to resize.

I purchased a rust colored silk-dupioni to make this from.  It will have to be underlined.  I purchased some silk organza for that.

I haven't cut this pattern out yet.  But its on my list of to-dos.

I have this dream of having all (or at least 90%) of my clothing be custom-made by me.  We'll see if that dream becomes a reality.

Well that's it for now.  I'll regularly provide updates of my pattern stash; as I continue to go thru it.  Maybe I'll add some of the fabrics.  As I went thru my fabric, I realized my fabric stash was not as large as I had feared.  (Which is a good thing!).

Happy Sewing!

Susan Khalje: The Couture Dress Class & other Craftsy.com courses

If you weren't aware, craftsy.com is offering Susan Khalje's Courture Dress class online for 1/2 off.  I've taken 3 of the online classes from them already and actually like them.  I never thought I'd say that about online classes. I've had to take them for work related things, and just never liked not being able to interact with the teacher, etc. I think its the video that makes them so like-able for me. I can rewind when I've missed a point; or want to really analyze how something was done. The instructors are quick to respond, and you can interact online with the other students.

So far I've taken:

• Knit Lab course by Stefanie Japel  =>; this is a beginning class in knitting.  I took it and then did the scarf and hat that I talked about in a earlier post.

• Craftsy Block of the Month (FREE) by Amy Gibson =>; Just started this; I'm using scraps in my stash to do this one.  It was a free class, and I can travel at my own pace (I think that's what I really like about these; I'm not waiting for the next session to be posted).
  

• Sew Retro Perfect Bombshell Dress by Gretchen Hirsch =>  If you follow Gretchen's blog you'll  definitely enjoy her class.  If you are thinking of taking the course; I think you can still get the class for 1/2 off:  Gretchen's blog for 1/2 off. 

Enrolled in: 

• Craftsy Knit Lab: Fit Your Knits by Stefanie Japel =>  My next goal is to knit a sweater and then on to a dress (I know I'm ambitious!).

• Craftsy The Couture Dress w/ Susan Khalje =>  Just signed up for.  If you want it for 1/2 off go to Frabjous blog and take it for 1/2 off. 

(NOTE: All images from Craftsy.com website)

As you can tell I really love taking the classes thru this site. They are very professionally done, and you can take them at your own pace.  I'm a visual learner; so having the video makes it so much easier to learn for me.  Plus the fact that I can take these classes when-ever I want, and where-ever I want (I did the knitting class on my iPhone while on a road trip with the husband!!).

Also, most of the times you can find specials on the courses: like 1/2 off, and I even got a buy 1 get 1 free right before the holiday.  If you think you want to try one out; then definitely do the Block of the Month course since its free right now.

Well we've got a snow storm here in Colorado.   They are expecting 12 inches today.  So my husband and I spent the day working from home and shoveling the drive way and cars out from the 11 inches that fell last night.  So now, I'm off to my kitchen to grab something to eat.  Thank God I went to the grocery store on my way home from work yesterday.