Pinking Shears

Besides the sewing machine- the one thing I really wanted from my mom's sewing stash was her pinking shears.  I thought they were the coolest.  I begged and begged, but she hardly let me touch them- let alone possess them.

So here I am 30 years later and I am finally the proud owner of my very own pair of pinking shears!  Why did I break down and buy them?  Well it has to do with this terrible taffeta I am working with.  While I love the sheen and look of the fabric- I hate working with it.  It runs easily and is very unforgiving.  I think I mentioned in my last post that I have resorted to using a fine ballpoint needle to sew it with.  It still runs, but to the seam allowance only, so far anyway. 

I only paid about $14 total for the fabric, so I guess there is my first clue that it might not be high quality.  The funny thing is- I wasn't looking to save money- I just liked the color and the polka dots.  Now I wish I had gone with the silk duiponi I was eyeing (the problem there was I couldn't decide on a color.)

Oh- I digress- back to the pinking shears.  The reason for the pinking shears is that after a little research, I deducted that the best way to finish the seams and to help stop any unraveling- is to use pinking shears.  My serger is out of whack and frankly I am scared to let it touch the taffeta.  I would use french seams, but since the fabric is so unforgiving- I was afraid of making a big mistake with the combination of princess seams sewn with french seams.  I am sure that it IS doable?  I just don't trust myself to that one.

cute- but somewhat unwieldy

So pinking shears it is!  They are very cute and they cost me about $22.  I have a feeling I will go back eventually and spring for some nicer ones.  Either that or order some Ghingers. Speaking of which- I am still waiting on my spring loaded Ghingers I ordered last month.  That- and the boning I need for the dress.  It supposed to be here this week.  I tried finding some last week- but to no avail.  I then emailed Yoshimi from Yoshimi The Flying Squirrel.  Not only is she a talented and prolific seamstress, but very sweet and helpful as well.  She has armed me with a translation for boning to show the salespeople.  And she also suggested a couple of stores in Nippori.  I may be taking a trip to Tokyo this weekend!

Wish me luck.  I have less than two weeks now.  The good news is, I have several back-up (RTW) dresses on hand.

Thoughts

Happy Tuesday!  Well I thought I was done with the dress I was altering for my girlfriend.  She tried it on and the zipper is stuck, stuck.  She had to take it off over her head.  It was the lining.  So my thought it- should I have sewed given more room for the lining- it is flush against the zipper teeth.  Or should I used some fusing to stick the lining to the zipper tape to keep it from getting caught in the zipper?  I REALLY don't want to take the zipper out, I really don't.  I still have to get the dang thing unstuck too, erggg.

I have the taffeta cut out for my dress- Vogue 7848.  I did some test runs on a piece of scrap fabric and found that that even with a fine tipped needle- it makes little 'runs' to the edge.  So I switched to a ball point.  I would have never thought to do that and felt like I was breaking some sort of rule to use a ball point on woven.  But I did a little research and it looks like it is a good alternative.  I probably could use a finer tip needle (I forget what the numbers are- I have to look them up every time)- but I would have to order them and I don't want to wait.  However- I still need that boning I ordered from Joann's.  It is funny- I made a small order- should be here quickly.  But it is taking longer than the dress form I ordered!

On another note- I am thinking about discontinuing this blog.  My dream for this blog just isn't coming to fruition and I think I may be putting too much energy into something that is just not going to happen.  I think I might just post pictures of my projects on my other blog, and leave it at that.  The reason I didn't do that in the first place was because I was afraid of boring people with my babbling about sewing.  But I think I can just leave it to posting a few pics and then moving on.  If I become more prolific and develop a sort of following from there- than maybe I will try again with a sewing only blog.  But this really isn't happening for me.  I think I will leave this up for a couple more months- than maybe go "off-air" after that.  Somethings are just not meant to be, and this hasn't felt very organic to me, if you know what I mean.

Cherry Limeade Coat completed

I couple of weeks ago I blogged about the coat I started for Sissy.  I have since named it the 'cherry limeade' coat- due to the color and pattern- and the fact that I drank a million cherry limeades from Sonic when I was preggo with Sissy.

Well I finished it (the coat) last week.  I just realized that it is really the first coat, with lining to boot, that I have ever made.  Everything was fairly easy except for the hem.  I don't know why exactly- but the hem really kicked my behind!  It is a Simplicity pattern from Threads that I used. 

 I was really surprised that it didn't have better directions for the hem, and also for the princess seams on the coat lining and facing.  I couldn't find buttons that I liked so I bought a covered button kit and made my own to match.  This is my second time making the covered buttons- if I had known how easy they are- I would have been making them long before now!

I am not sure if I like the coat?  It may be TOO loud?  She hasn't worn it yet- it is really a coat to wear with a dress and boots- like the picture on the pattern envelope.  The important part is that SHE loves it.  I know I say this all of the time- but the smile on her face when I make her something makes it all worth it.  She is so proud to wear my creations.

not sewn on yet- just laying out the buttons to see how they would look.  I almost did them in the polka dot- I am tempted to make some just to see- it's easy to change buttons after all...

I swear the hem is even!  I think maybe the front facing needs to lose some of the interfacing, it is too stiff at the bottom and doesn't hang quite right.  Any suggestions?

my favorite part- the lining!  you can see the dark green bias tape I used for the hem as well- not entirely happy with it.

I am on a polka dot kick apparently.  The dress I am now working on (the purple taffeta), has black polka dots.  Today Jaime and I hit up Yuzawaya and we found some super cute satin for the girls' Halloween costumes- Sissy's is orange with black polka dots and her BFF's is purple with black polka dots.  I am making skirts to go with their kitty ears and tails... 

I just realized I forgot the tulle!  That is reason enough to go back to Yuzawaya.  If you ever visit Japan- you MUST hit up Yuzawaya.  They have EVERYTHING.  Everything.  I found out there is a really big one about an hour from me- it is on  my list as a future weekend excursion.

It is a great start to my weekend! 

Cheers!

Japanese fabric love

I know- it is silly.  I have been here over a year and only just recently bought fabric!  I was intimidated by the whole language barrier.  Last week I FINALLY got brave and grabbed a couple of bolts and took them to the cutting table.  I was at my favorite store- Yuzawaya.  If you have read my other posts you know I absolutely love that store!!  And I am not sure if it is just that I hadn't noticed before- but the fabric selection has become plain heavenly!


My intention was to buy some black satin to make a quick bag to take the Navy Ball with me.  So I found the sale section and picked up a beautiful black brocade- just beautiful.  I also picked up the cutest cotton border print with lovely little geishas on it.


I handed the brocade bolt over first and informed the man I wanted two meters.  He then proceeded to ask if I was sure- after all the price was about $30 a meter.  OOPS!  I must have been looking at a different tag.  Smart man, he knew I didn't want to pay that much!  I was mighty embarassed as I couldn't explain to him what had happened due to the language barrier and all.  gah


Yuzawaya has 5 floors of loveliness.  So I travelled upstairs and proceeded to find  another  lovely pattern book to my collection.  Have I overused the word "lovely"?


On my way back down I checked to see if the same man was still working the cutting tables.  He was not.  So I found another black satin with a dragon design (this one only $11/meter), and had two meters cut by the nice lady that had taken the man's place.


I ended up not having the time to make a bag.  I think deep down I knew that would be the case.  I was just using it as an excuse for fabric acquisition.  Whatever works, right?  I am still deeply disturbed at how much money I have spent at Fabric.com, and how little I have to show for it (meaning finished projects, not the overflowing closet of fabric.)


Why can't I be more prolific at this whole sewing thing?  Of course I do have a busy life!  While in Japan I am trying to monopolize on the fact that I don't work full time- and use that extra time for sewing.


I did finish the cherry limeade coat (pictures to follow in my next post), and now I am working on altering a friend's dress.  After that I need to get moving on my own dress for the Khaki Ball next month.  Hubby is actually excited that I am making it.  I feel now that I can't let him down!


On top of that, I really want to make Sissy a quick new costume as well.  She found some kitty ears and matching tail the other day.  The kitty ears have an orange satin witches hat attached to them.  How cute would it be if i made a quick little skirt made from black and orange sating to match?  She could wear it with black tights and a black top.  Easy peasy right?  I think tomorrow may be another Yuzawaya day.  I will be more careful about checking prices this time...


Don't you just love this print??  It is a cotton woven with little bits of a sort of swiss dot texture to it.  I am sure there is a name for it- I am not that well schooled in textiles apparently...

I found another pattern book as well.  I LOVE these patterns!  And in it I found the perfect dress for the geisha girl fabric:

front cover, I swear these pattern books could double as coffee table books...

back cover- this little girl is just too cute

I think this will suit the geisha girl fabric perfectly, don't you?

all the patterns included in the book- love love love...

So- I need to learn how to get by without sleep or how to add more hours into my day.  Any ideas?

Shopping on Arab Street in Singapore

Back in August, I had the extreme pleasure to visit Singapore while my Hubby was in port there.  Being the fabric-phile that I am- I did some research beforehand on where to buy some fabric. 

Hubby and I found Kampong Glam after an hour of walking in the wrong direction.  Kampong Glam- also known as Arab Street- is home to the beautiful Sultan Mosque.  I did not go inside the Mosque myself- I wasn't sure of the etiquette and rules so I was happy to just take pictures from the outside.  I have never heard the call to prayer before, it was a truly unique experience for me.

Arab Street is the home to numerous, and I mean NUMEROUS, fabric stores.  I could kick myself for not getting a picture of how they display the fabric.  To entice the customer they will drape the fabric over a mannequin or dress form.  There were so many stores and so many fabrics to choose from- I was literally overwhelmed.  I knew I would bore Hubby to death if I decided to shop all of the stores- so I decided to go back on my own- after the ship had pulled back out.

So after Hubby left for the big blue ocean again, I consoled my breaking heart by buying some beautiful silk fabric...

I bought 3 meters, it has such a lovely drape- I am scared to cut it!

I should have bought 3 meters, but only got 2.  I love the colors- the picture doesn't do justice.

Shopping the stores was a blast.  The salespeople are crazy!  They know their trade very well and could get you to buy your own shoes if you let them.  The saleslady I bought the silk from kept trying to get me to buy more 'meterage' (is that the right term?  I am used to saying "yardage").  I should have listened to her when it came to the border print- but I should be ok.  I plan on making a skirt with it.

I also bought another border print cotton.  I have to find where I stashed it so I can take a picture.  It is an Indian like print.

They also sell rugs, jewelry, baskets, and pashminas up and down the street.  The rugs were beautiful- but they wouldn't fit into my suitcase! ha ha

Entrance to Arab Street

bolts and bolts of fabric- too many to choose from!!

I bought an Indian-print skirt here.  The couple who own the store were so sweet!

Sultan Mosque

Courtyard behind the Mosque.  There were a bunch of shops selling beautiful silk garments and a lot of "boutique" fashions- including a lot of recycled/re-fashioned clothing.  I had already bought too much by the time I found this area.  Maybe next year??

I hope to go again next year- and I will be sure to bring an empty suitcase with me- "just in case".

Looking at the next project...

I am so close to finishing Sissy's coat, but the hem kicking my butt!  The lining fits beautifully in the coat- but I just can't give it a decent hemming!  As it has been unseasonably warm, I have not been too inspired to finish the darned thing.  I have already taken the hem out at least 3 times and have shortened it a bit as well.  My goal is to finish it by next week.  I just need to swallow a big dose of patience and work it out!  Then all that will be left are the sleeves and the buttons/buttonholes.  I think I am going to do covered buttons.

I mentioned in my last post I have another project in the works.  It is a cute little party dress, I really hope the fabric is as cute as it looks online...

Iridescent Flocked taffeta from Fabric.com

Vogue V7848

I am going to make View C- though I may omit the ribbon if I can't find something I like.  I may shorten it a bit as well, but not too much.  While I wait on the fabric, I will work on the muslin.  And guess what?  I actually HAVE real unbleached muslin in my stash!  I thought I only had a small piece, but it turns out I have about 3 yards worth.  I can't even tell you how long I have had it- it probably came from Woolworths or Newburys (anyone remember those stores?)

Note to self- don't look at your order history for Fabric.com.  I can't believe I have spent that MUCH money!  *faints*

Rolling hems and Barbie wedding gowns

I faced my fears this week.  I love to sew obviously, but I do get intimidated by certain fabrics.  One of them is chiffon.  I have a big formal event coming up- like I mentioned in a previous post.  I would have liked to make my dress, but I knew I did not have the time or the resources.  So I ordered this beautiful dress from Nordstrom, crossing my fingers that it would get here on time and actually fit!


JS Boutique chiffon dress from Nordie's

Isn't is pretty?  I was not disappointed when it arrived.  It fit beautifully and it drapes so very nicely.  Of course it was 3 inches too long.  I think they are all made super long, hemming it was unevitable.  I almost sent it back.  In fact, I even boxed it up.  I was too scared to cut the dress and then attempt to give it a decent hemming.  The dress cost $178.  To me, that is beaucoup money and frankly I am surprised at myself for spending that money!

Seing that I am in Japan- there is no way I can find a dress in my price range to wear to the Navy Ball.  Long evening gowns are a rare sight in Japan- and the ones that can be found are very expensive.  In fact, did you know that Japanese brides do not buy their wedding gowns?  They almost always rent their dresses.  The rent two- one for the ceremony and one for the reception.  And- get this- there is a line of Barbie wedding gowns!  Seriously- Barbie- like the fashion doll.  I know this because my daughter had an audition for the fashion show last year (she didn't get the job though.)  They had black and white striped dresses, so different than what I normally think of as a wedding gown.  Here's a little clip from one of the fashion shows...

Isn't that wild?   Back to the subject on hand- my dress.  I decided to put on my big girl panties and go ahead and shorten it.  For the chiffon, since I didn't want to mark the cutting lines with chalk and I didn't trust my eyes to cut evenly, I used my see through rulers and my rotary cutter.  I felt like I was breaking some kind of rule using a rotary cutter on chiffon, but honestly it was the best method for me.  It did snag the fabric once or twice, but nothing I couldn't fix.  For the china silk lining I used my good ol' tailors chalk.  I order it online from Sew True.  Those friendly folks are so kind to mail to FPO's (military post office boxes.)

After trying on my dress, I realized that even when I hemmed it, it would still be too long.  So I took another inch off.  I then did a little reading in my Reader's Digest Guide to Sewing.  It's funny- it was my text book from when I took clothing construction in college (in 1993)- but I never really looked at it until this past year.  I am not sure why, but it took me that long to realize what valuable information that book has!

It wasn't so hard to do the hemming, only at the corners of the front and back panels did I have a little trouble.  My thread was too light as well (times like these I miss having a Joann's nearby).  But you know what?  It turned out just fine!  I can't wait to wear it this weekend.  I'll be sure to post pictures.  I would like to say I made the whole dress- but for now I am content to say I hemmed it. ;)

 

rollin' with the hem, or sewing a rolled hem- ha ha

You know, I think I am going to buy a rolled hem foot for my machine now...

Did I mention I found some stinkin' cute shoes to wear with the dress?  My daughter got to model them for everyone to see:




ok- you can't see the shoes very well- but I love the way she turned her feet in here- she was having fun!



you can see the rose detail a little better here

there go the toes again!

Yesterday I ordered polka-dot taffeta for the event I am going to next month.  I'll post the pattern and fabric swatch next time...

Coat for Sissy- in progress

My latest project is a long dress coat for Sissy.  I found this super cute green 21 whale corduroy at Fabric.com and a red polka dot for the lining.  The pattern is OOP Simplicity 3978.  I have had this pattern for a few years now, and I am glad it goes up to a size 8.  I have been wanting to make the coat for some time now.  But now I am afraid that maybe I was a little too adventurous with the colors?  It is going to be very long, down the calves, so all that green?  And it is kelly green, nice and bright.  I think I have decided to go ahead and continue with this length.  But before I finish it up I will decide if it needs to be shortened.  Sissy likes the length and is excited for the finished product. 

I want to make the other coat eventually as well- but maybe a more conservative color/print this time?

what I have so far...

you can see how long it is here, the mat underneath is a yard long

polka dot lining pieces

Of course, if it doesn't cool down here in Japan, she won't wear the coat for some time.  Last night at 9pm it was still 80 degrees out, it had been over 90 earlier in the day.  I have not checked the temp this morning, but I can see that it is nice and hot out already.  I am dreading driving my car today, as the AC doesn't work!  It makes me sweat just thinking about it...

Downside to letting people know you sew...

I know many people have talked and blogged about it, but I experienced it first hand today for the first time.  I stupidly raised my hand at the last wives' meeting (Navy wives here on base), when someone asked if anyone sews.  I ended up hemming someones dress.  That was not that big of a deal- and frankly the hem was straighter after I was done with it.

But.  Someone in our community friended me on Facebook.  You have to understand I live in a fishbowl.  It's a small community I live in and eventually you meet EVERYONE, seriously- at least once.  I am terrible with names, so I assumed I had met her before.  Plus, she knows everyone I know.  Well.  I was at a dinner last weekend and I saw her.  I still was not able to really place where I had actually met her.  She never said anything to me and nor I to her, the whole night.  I did smile at her a couple of times though.

The next night some of the ladies from the dinner posted pictures of us on good ole Facebook.  This person I wasn't sure I knew, then comments that she didn't realize that was me at the dinner.  What?  You mean we haven't actually MET before?  OK- well she is on the board of the wives' group- she was just adding everyone that belonged, right?

Today I found out her TRUE intentions of getting to know me.  She started chatting with me online about her dress she bought for Navy Ball and how it doesn't FIT her.  She was so obvious!  She is preggo, so she can't find anything to wear.  Because of the dress fiasco- she decided not to go.  I started to feel bad.  Then I remembered, this will be my FIRST time going, and I have been married to my sailor over 14 years.  The one time I did get Hubby to agree to go- I had a newborn and realized there was no way I wanted to try to find a dress to fit my post-partum figure.

I still feel a little bad- but I didn't give in.  I made no indication that I knew she wanted me to offer to tailor her dress (which I am not sure is even possible as I haven't seen it.)  And she didn't have enough nerve to come out and ask me.  If she were a close personal friend, I would look into it.  But hey, I am a busy lady!  I have projects of my OWN I want to do!  In fact, if I had time- I would make my own dress for the Navy Ball.

By the way, I ordered my RTW dress from Nordie's.  I hope it fits!

Meet My Twin!

She got here earlier than I thought!  I am so excited!  I bought my first dress form.  Joanns had a sale (she was $99)- so I went for it.  It is the Singer dressform #150.  Reading the reviews over the past year (I have been looking at it forever)- I knew it might not be the most sturdy contraption and there was a chance it might need to be returned...

arrived in one piece!

It is not as pretty as a custom made model (which I would love to have some day though my weight fluctuates a lot so I am not sure it would be worth the expense).  To be honest- I was a little horrified at how MUCH I had to open her up to make her my size. I ordered the small size, and I am at the large end of that small (I wear a 10 in RTW).  And then- looking at her- I thought- am I really that big around the waist? *gasp*  That shock has worn off and now I think she is pretty fine looking. *wink*

here she is- before I had kids...

A little plug for Joanns- I had held off ordering because I thought they would only ship parcel post to FPOs (military PO boxes).  That would mean it would take about 5 to 7 weeks, or more.  Instead of going by airplane- it would be on the "slow boat" to China  Japan.  But it only took about 2 weeks instead, maybe less.  Needless to say, I was over the top thrilled when the guy at the post office brought out my big box!!

One of the things I had read about the Singer dressforms is that they are hard to make the adjustments on.  Reading the directions that come with, I can totally get that.  But I figured it out.  If you have to make "large" adjustments [ie. more than 2 or 3 inches], then it is easier to start off small on ALL of the dials, and then go back and gradually increase them.  So I started at the bust, then the waist and then the hips- each time little by little. 

I made a dress for my Singapore trip (actually- I made two)- I didn't take it with me though.  I thought it was a 70s pattern- just looked and it says 1981- close enough.  It is Simplicity 9898...


 I made this dress back in high school out of red Kona cotton, I wish I had kept it.  I forgot and failed to notice when I was cutting out the pieces this time around, how LOW it is in the back!  I am not a fan of backless dresses- mainly because I high those unsightly back rolls.  I will still wear it- but I will have to wear a jacket or sweater to cover the back.  Otherwise- I love the dress, and especially the fabric and print.  I just love Amy Butler.



do you see what I did wrong?



do you see it now

Technically- I didn't have enough yardage for this pattern.  But I was determined to make it work!  Unfortunately, I cut the bodice pieces upside down!  So not only was I short on yardage, but the pattern only goes one way!  I looked up the fabric on Fabric.com's website to be sure I had the leaves pointing the right way.  For some reason I still cut the bodice pieces wrong.  Seeing that I had NO fabric left, I couldn't make new pieces.  In fact, I had to piece-meal the waistband and tie.  This is what happens when I stay up late sewing.



backside- very low back

 I have been so very busy lately and frankly I should be in bed instead of blogging.  I have another dress I made to display for you as well- though I will have to iron it first, lol.

I love her!  My sewing space in my living room, so she is standing next to my sewing table.  It takes some getting used to.  I keep seeing her out of the corner of my eye and I have to do a double take because I think there is someone standing there. LOL!!

my own little "revolution"

There's a wonderful little blog I like to read called Plays with Needles.  Susan Elliot is one ubertalented lady armed with loads of creativity.  I saw this project she did with her neices called Pants Pants Revolution.  I was smitten.  I planned and I plotted, and saved some of Sissy's jeans that got too short for her.

So just before school started I got Sissy together with her BFF (who brought her own pair of too short jeans)- and we had our little "Pants Pants Revolution."  The girls had a ball picking out the fabrics and decorating their jeans with fabric markers.  I love that sissy's BFF drew a "wardrobe", as in the wardrobe from the Narnia books.

I followed Susan's tutorial by taking out the seam to make sewing on the fabric appliques easier.  I have to say with well washed jeans that was the easiest part.  I had fun using my machines different stitches (it is still pretty new to me) to sew on the different pieces the girls picked out.  One thing I would do different is cut out a bunch of pieces beforehand, as that took up a lot of time and I wasn't able to finish in the daylight hours.  (Note to self- don't start a project such as this when the next day starts before 5:30 am for a tour.)  I think I got maybe two hours sleep?

 I had SOOO much fun.  I am going to make my own eventually- maybe with some nicer fabrics.  The girls' pants have that 70s bellbottom vibe going, they love it!

Thank you Susan for the inspiration!

The big mess, AKA loads of fun!

laying the pieces out...

Butterflies cut from recycled fabric.

end result- taken with my iPhone very late into the night

The serger has gotta go...

My serger is ancient.  It was a "big" purchase for me on Ebay about 11 years back.  Wow, time just speeds on by, doesn't it?  It is a New Home, three thread serger.  I believe New Home is now Janome.  I think that the serger probably needs a good servicing- but being in Japan makes that hard to figure out.  Honestly- I really need/want a new modern 4 thread model.  Problem is- I just bought a new machine.  Hubby is out to sea, but I am sure he would notice a new "toy" when he gets home! ha ha

For the time being- I think I need to figure out how to get my current serger working right.  The problem is that the stitches unravel like crazy- something is wrong with how it is threaded or something?

On a side note- I am working more with knits now.  I was scared of it before- didn't realize I wasn't using the correct kind of stitch (stretch stitch).  What a difference that little bit of knowledge has made for me.

I'm back!

I said I was taking a hiatus, which is what I did.  But I did start back to sewing about a month ago.  I  moved my machine to the living room and out of the hot kitchen.  It is amazing what a difference that has made!  I also obtained a lovely bamboo table (for free!) for my machine.  My kids  love that I am in the living room with them and I love to be able to watch TV.  Is that weird?  I love to watch TV and movies while I work on my projects.  I don't know if other people are like that?  It makes it all more enjoyable.  When I get stuck or frustrated at a mistake I made, it seems easier to deal with if I am watching something good.  Of course- I think at times I get distracted by what I am watching and therefore will make mistakes.  My new machine makes this all possible as well.  It is so quiet!  My old Singer made it impossible to hear anything and everyone complained. 

I am in love with my Janome.  I tried out the buttonhole stitches last night.  Beautiful!  Usually I would have to make at least 5 or 6 practices before I got the buttonhole "just right".  But this time I only practiced a few because I was basically learning how it works on this machine.  I didn't even make any adjustments on the stitch length or width.  I love the fact that it lets me make a "double buttonhole".  Once it is done with the first buttonhole, I simply depress the foot and then push down again- my Janome made another one right on top- a beautiful and strong buttonhole.  For someone who doesn't sew I am sure that would sound pretty weird, but I was so thrilled!

I need pictures of my projects, I know.  I have actually sewed for myself, and I need good pictures.  But- I do have a picture or two of the apron I made for my good friend Jaime.  I followed the pattern from Amy Butler's In Stitches book.

http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Butlers-Stitches-Stylish-Projects/dp/0811851591/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_3

finished product

towel band, I have never seen one on a an apron before

border print

inside of the waist band

all wrapped up and ready to go!

 There isn't an actual pattern in the book for the apron- since the pieces are all rectangles.  It is a simple and elegant design.  I am not sure, however, if a beginner would have an easy time with the instructions.  I think more pictures are needed- and they need to go directly with the text.  But I was happy with the end result.  I would like to make more projects out of the book.  I thought of challenging myself to do them all.  But- nah!  I have so many other things I want to make I would just end up frustrated and not wanting to pick up my scissors. 

Honestly, I am a little intimidated by the bags in the book.  I have a particular bag I have been working on, and I have royally screwed it up.  I think that was part of the reason for my hiatus- besides the fact that my Hubby was getting ready to deploy.  I was just too frustrated.  I am, or at least was, the queen of UFOs.  So now I find myself sticking through something I actually hate- just because I hate leaving unfinished projects.  I am working on that fine balance between making myself crazy because I don't want to move to a new project, and between giving up at the first time the seam ripper is needed.

I HAVE made a small challenge to myself.  My challenge is to keep up the sewing by doing at least a little sewing every day.  It can be something big like working on a project, or something small like sewing on a button.  I just want to keep up the momentum.  My perfectionism really gets in my way and makes me procrastinate when I could be sewing.  I will try to blog more regularly as well.  I know this is silly, but I still don't like the name.  I am going to have to enlist some help for a better name.  I have procrastinated blogging as well- just because I don't have the "perfect name".  Dumb, I know!

Keep sewing!

A little sewing hiatus

As we have a ton of things going on in our household- I have had to put my sewing projects on hold.  It makes me sad- but right now my goal is to spend quality time with the family whenever we are able.  Hopefully by the end of the month I will be back at it.

But I do want to announce that I have a new baby- I bought a new sewing machine!  It is a Janome and my first computerized machine.  It was a little strange to sew on at first- but now I am in total and complete love.  The stitches are just beautiful.  Truly- it is like going from a base model economy car to a sports car with all the bells and whistles.  Even my kids were entranced.  And it is so quiet!  I can bring my machine into the living room again without bothering anyone's TV shows. lol

Here she is- the ThreadBanger TB30.  Isn't she gorgeous??

I bought it at Fabric.com

I just realized they raised the price of this baby!  Now I am very glad I did not wait and snatched it up right away.  I think my Hubby was a little miffed with me that I bought it so quickly after discussing it- but wait till he hears I saved about $200.

When I do get back to sewing I plan on making a few things for the kids.  I scoped out the thrift store and found some "like-new" and probably never worn, twill pants that I plan on recycling to make shorts/capris for Sissy.  I never thought of doing that before, but here it is sometimes hard to find what I am looking for.  And!  It is cheaper than buying fabric! 

I like the trend of recycling.  It reminds me of my grandmother.  She grew up during the Great Depression and had to learn to use everything and not waste.  Clothes that were too small were handed down or made into new clothes.  Or- if that couldn't be done she used the good pieces for quilting.  She would show me the quilts she or my great-grandma made and point out the different fabrics used- "that one came from a dress I made your Mamma when she was your age"- or "This is from a shirt grandpa used to wear."  I loved to look at her quilts.  She finally gave me one after Brother was born.  My great grandmother made it.  It is a red, white and blue Dresdon Plate pattern.  This was after my younger cousin had visited and asked if she could have one of the quilts- only to be turned down.  I felt a little guilty about that- but only a little. 

My grandma got me started on my first scrap basket- which I used to make Barbie and doll clothes.  I don't hold onto many scraps anymore just for the sake of not having the room.  But I do continue the tradition of hoarding fabric that she started me on.  I like to say that it is all being part of the "Sisterhood" of fellow seamstresses.

Hopefully by the end of the month I will have a new project to share.  Until then...

My First Muslin

I have to confess I have never made a muslin.  This comes from the fact that I was impatient and didn't want to waste spend precious time making a muslin.  I have been perusing many sewing blogs in the past few months.  It made me realize that maybe making a muslin is not so bad after all.
A few weeks ago (after promising myself last year I would not buy anymore patterns)- I was lured in by Vogue patterns with their $3.99 sale to purchase one or two (or 5).  My favorite was this cute little dress by Anna Sui-

Vogue V1153

I realized that it would be a good idea to make a muslin first.  I had a feeling it was going to be a bit short and frankly it has been a while since I have made anything with a lining.  So not only was the muslin going to be for fitting purposes- but to also practice my skills.  Eventually I would like to make a few coats/jackets with beautiful linings- so here was an opportunity to "train".

The result?  The dress was fairly simple to make after all- once I was able to wrap my brain around how to sew in the lining- the directions weren't so clear on a couple of things.  The bodice seemed to fit perfectly- I was pleased.  After attaching the skirt I did note that I would definitely need to add about 4 inches- too short for me- if a wind were to suddenly pick up it would be all over in the short skirt.  It all looked a little bulky- however.  I thought the tie would help.  It didn't.  It is so bulky around the middle!  It makes me look like I have absolutely no waist what-so-ever.  There a couple of factors here I realize.  One- the fabric I used is just a woven cotton and perhaps a little too stiff.  the suggested farbrics are charmeuse, crepe de chine and broadcloth.  I would think the broadcloth would ne too stiff as well.  The charmeuse is better suited- but I really just wanted a cool cotton for the summer.  If DID try the charmeuse- would the dress have a better drape?

The other factor- the model in the picture is most likely a size 0 in RTW- I am more of a 10.  Therefore- the dress is probably better suited to an anorexic-thin model- not a normal average everyday figure.  So if I did try the charmeuse, would it be worth it?  Or did I just pick the wrong sort of dress for my figure?

(I made everything but the ruffle above the lower skirt.  I love how playful the skirt looks.)

(I love the neckline and shoulder seams- it is very flattering.)

  

(The back is kind of blah and not very flattering at all.  There is an opening at the back of the neck that would look cute if I were to sew the button and loop in however.)

 I am going to hold off making the actual dress for now- until I figure out a solution. I thought of making it with and empire waist (they usually flatter me) and making the skirt longer- but right now that seems like too much work for something that may or may not work.

I am pumped to sew more however- it's all I can think about now!