Who left these for me?

A guardian angel perhaps? Whom ever got rid of these I appreciate it! You are saving my sewing life.


Went used book shopping this weekend and found:

I had been on the Threads website last week researching buttonhole tips. I wrote down the title of this book to see if I could find it one day. It was meant for me to have this book. This will be a huge help because I get a little clumsy in my sewing sometimes. (see Band-aids in pic below. MANDATORY in my sewing area)

Also lookie-loo!! This book shows you how to create heirloom and other decorative looks with "regular old" utility stitches. This is just what I needed to get a little more creative. Now I have made a list of specialty feet to find - THANKS a million for the suggestions and comments!!!

I believe I have all of the basic stitches covered in the book. This will definitely get me ready for a hi-speed computerized machine when I save up for the super big dog it's time.

Also went to see The Color Purple this weekend. If I could find a word worthy to describe it...
Just go see it if you get the chance. It's as moving as the book & movie.

Me, little Sis and Mama

Pocketbooks are for Geeks

Let me rephrase this, books about pockets are for geeks.

Today's read during soccer practice was Just Pockets by Patricia Moyes. What a great book! I learned so much. As the title states it's just about pockets.

It shows straight forward step by step instructions & best practices for:

• patch pockets (awesome instructions!)


• in seam pockets (a weakness for me)


• inset pockets (very new to me)


• hidden pockets (like the welt and coin pocket)

There are some brief mentions of "couture" techniques & embellishments, but this book is from '97 so it's a bit dated. Overall, the meat of the book is the process fo making neat, sturdy, rtw type pockets.

This is a good addition to your reference collection if you like specialized techniques broken down into an easy format or if you just love sewing books!

Sweatshoppin for kiddo II

I spent most of this week's evenings cutting & tracing patterns in preparation for kiddo's school wardrobe. I have the carpal tunnel to prove it. I was able to leave work early today and decided to get to sewing before my hand fell off!

Review: McCall's 5463



yes I've been learning to use my serger!!

Size: L

Pattern Critique: easy, not many pieces. Cutting, stitching & pressing took me about 2 hrs per top.

I loved the styling of this pattern. Most of the Hilary Duff patterns are pretty cute anyway.

Fabric: Kiddo approved 2 way stretch jerseys.

Stripe came from the remnant table at G Street Fabrics. This fabric is so stretchy, that I can fit this top with ease.

Camo came from the remnant table at Hancock's.

Pink high heels came from Fabric.com

Modifications: none, I only did the belt for the black top.

Results: kiddo approved. what more can I say?


Kiddo also got a jolt of creativity this week. She found a pair of too small underwear and decided to cut the waistband off to make a headband. I was pleasantly surprised, she did it all by herself, and it was done well!



I also found a couple of really cool books at library and I MUST share:

Fashion Illustrator: Drawing and Presentation for the Fashion Designer by Bethan Morris - A really cool intro into the world of fashion design. It touches briefly on all of the technical aspects of the creative process. I like it because I am learning where exactly I need to begin in developing my skills - and the skills I want to achieve. Lots of pretty pics to look at too.

The New Creative Artist: A Guide To Developing Your Creative Spirit by Nita Leland - This book got my creative juices flowing. I get so caught up in work, my daily duties, and my mundane environment. In the book I found some really cool activities to wake my right brain up. Plus the author's writing makes me feel warm & fuzzy.

Review: HotPatterns Deco Vibe So Pretty Dress

Size: 12, Glamour Girl

Pattern Critique: I love the styling/design of this dress. but the directions totally SUCK! I tried to read them on 3 separate occasions and became confused & frustrated each time so I gave up on them. They used terms like "bag out" the straps... huh?

The good thing is, there are were only a few pieces so I was able to figure out how to put it together, the bodice mount (what the heck is that?) with the crazy darts is the only piece that i had a headache about.

This was my first "indie" pattern. Let me tell you, there is a HUGE difference in the using this pattern after only using the big 5 (I include KwikSew). Besides the terrible instructions (and customer service--that's another story), the pattern markings (for notches, gathers, pattern positioning, etc) are very ambiguous, there wasn't even a key for them on the pattern sheet and I could barely follow the lines for the dart markings.

Fabric: 2 poly/georgette prints from Joann's clearance 1-2 years ago (I bought LOTS of it) and some cheap Walmart poly-knit on the bodice lining (probably bad choices, but I need to use up my stash)

Modifications: none, except lining which is optional. Didn't do the bias-tape pieces because I couldn't figure it out.

Results: I don't like the way this looks on me (yea I know I have on jeans underneath.) But I am in love with the style of this dress! It screams high fashion. It's just the drape of the bodice that feels awkward. Maybe I didn't gather it enuff.

I would like to try this again maybe I'll do it unlined in matte jersey to see if the fabric drapes better up front. I'll go up a size to 14, although I match the GG-12 measurements almost exactly it fits a bit snug in the waist, it could be because of the bulky lining & seam allowances, I'll do a flat measurement to be sure. I'm thinking that now since I pieced it together, I might be able to decipher the directions.



I haven't sewn the straps down, there was no mark for where to position them!



In other news.....


Got some new books...



Also made the last DVF Knockoff for the Fashion Show. The next dress will be Kimono style that I adapt from a New Look pattern...




I also listened to a heartwarming broadcast about the Gee's Bend Quilters, on the Mark Steiner Show this week. The exhibit is in Baltimore through August, but I wasn't really interested until I heard this broadcast.

It was so touching to hear the story and it was really emotional for me for many reasons. I will be going to see the exhibit next weekend! Listen here.

Sergers & stuff

I haven't been doing much any work on my blouses since Tuesday night. I've lost interest for the moment, so they're sitting in the UFO pile. I had a lot of distractions this week.

I saw baby sis off to SF, so I was a bit emotional this week, but all is well. She moved in w/ dad and starts work Monday! A nice distraction from missing her was some late-late spring cleaning and a new obsession with this baby right-chere:

Viking Huskylock 905

What a beaut eh! I started looking into it on recommendation for a beginner's serger from the Viking dealer at Joann's. I think it's about $500-$600-I wasn't in the mood to hear the actual price at the time.

I have spent the better part of this weekend Googling every site and PRing every thread I can about this machine. I had been previously curious about the White Speedylock, the Singer CG-754 (since I use the CG-550 sewing machine) OR the Brother 1034D (since so many at PR have given it kuddos) but I think I need to go for something a with bit more longevity and serviceability. I can't buy new machines every few years.

I spoke to my seamstress aunt and she says that Viking is the way to go & stay away from the White & Singer sergers. So as of today, I started saving my rainy day coins and am hoping for a side hustle idea & some graduation gifts to come through soon because I am going to dream about that serger until I get my paws on it.

I did a mini project this weekend, a t-shirt revamp. I dug out my unruly tee stash, highly motivated by one of my fave books and wanting to get rid of more stuff. For those who have the book, I made a version of the Elizabeth tee:

& for those who don't have the book - get it! you wont regret. It took me 15 minutes because I didn't take in the sides, I left it loose instead & put ties on the sides to tighten up the bottom. Here's what's in the book: (sorry for the dark pics, they're prolly not much help, but they are 1024x768 when you click em)

Something else that gave me a bit of joy this week. Kiddo has expressed a serious interest in sewing!

This past winter I bought her a $12 mini sewing machine from Walmart and she practiced on it until it died a month later. She made me a cell phone pouch and was really proud of it. She was upset when the mini stitcher crashed (i figured it would) so I told her I would show her how to use a real machine, which would be more fun for her. I was right.

Here she is on my first baby, Brother XL-3010, just practicing control of the foot pedal and fabric (no needle & thread yet)

I had to force (brute force) her off to bed 'cause she was having so much fun! Next we'll work with stitches since she's got the hang of the pedal.

We already went to the fabric store for her first project & she chose KS3410 and a camo print interlock knit. I really tried to talk her into getting a pillow, but she's a mini fashionista, hence the camo print and the fancy pattern. I'm interested in how this is going to turn out... or how long she will actually remain interested since she is my child and all...hee hee

She also has been apparently snooping around in MY stash and found that Burda dress I recently made. She tried to wear it out thinking it was hers because it's "Hot," so I guess I'll be resizing it down for her since I can't wear it. I'll make sure to post it after I finish it.

Next, I read the most awesome fabric stash tip on PR by Nancywin!

This seemed like the most reasonable & manageable way for me to start keeping track of my fabric. Than my previous idea. The card protector package comes with 10 sheets/9 pockets per page. If I ever need more pages than this, it means I have too much fabric. I'm kind of excited to get started, but it's going to take some patience. I'm not in the mood to be patient right now.

My Access database of patterns is also complete. I will share it via email if anyone is interested in using it as a template, email me: (edited to remove email address for now)

peace

I got a phat chain

Had some idle time during kiddo's soccer practice today, so I broke out the crochet hook and another book: Stitch-n-Bitch Crochet: Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller.

I picked it up at the library but I decided to buy it for the patterns. I like this book because it was a bit clearer on how to hold the yarn & hook and also how my chain should look. I also printed out the links I saved earlier and read them over a bit in the last couple of weeks. My chain stitch was looking a lot better today although I only got about 20 minutes in before my hands started freezing and stiffening. (I wish the weather would make up it's mind!!!!)

So there's a game tomorrow and Saturday so my chain stitch will be on point very soon, then I can start moving on!

Road Trippin

I'm on a business trip for the rest of the week and I knew I'd be missing my sewing machine, so I decided that now is the time to introduce myself to the art of crochet. I don't have the interest right now to become expert at it like I want to with sewing, I just want to make myself some cute hats, add crochet details to some of my sewing projects and (maybe) an occasional gift for a loved one.

A couple of weeks ago I purchased Get Your Crochet On by Afya Ibomu because she was such an inspiration (in many ways) when I saw her on the DIY channel not long ago. I like her style, confidence and I admire how she lives off of what she loves to do.

This morning picked up a packet of aluminum needles I had seen (been obsessing over) at Walmart, even though I already had a plastic needle I could have used to practice with. At least I didn't buy any extra yarn......or a magazine...

On the 3 hour drive I used the book to learn the slipknot and chain stitch. It took me about an hour and a half to grasp those concepts and I still need more practice before I try to move on. I have a hard time maintaining a good grip on the yarn and getting the "tension" right on the stitch -it's loose and tight in different places on the chain.

I considered (obsessed over) getting the Dummies book, but decided for now that I'll just compile some free Internet info to study. I also practiced on my left & right hand because I have Carpal Tunnel so maybe that is making it complicated for me as well. (I am left handed)

It works for me to cover the same info stated different ways so here's a list of links for me to study and update to my home bookmarks later...

http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=53
http://crochet.about.com/od/learnbasics/a/beginners.htm
http://www.learntoknit.com/instructions_cr.php3
http://www.crochet.org/lessons/lessonl/lessonl.html