Sewl Food: Sergers

long winded posting alert....

I was planning on posting pics today of the McCall's jacket but Adrienne got me thinking about those darn resolutions!

Before I make mine every year, (usually on my b-day, which is coming SOON!) I take a moment to reflect on my year.

Last year I did not make any solid resolutions, I just wanted to try and enjoy life and enjoy my family. We had just lost our cousin-nephew-son Ahmad (RIP) in a car accident and I was hurting. I sewed and cried all winter (I'm for real). By spring of this year, my interest in sewing grew immensely and really helped me get back on track and helped me get focused on fun and reaching out to others and I even started a blog, lol!

What a sewlful year it has been! I have learned so much. I am so excited about the people I was able to meet online and in person. I mostly stuck to my "sewing goals." The biggest turning point though was getting a serger. Seriously.

(fond memories: fresh out of the box)

Throughout the year while doing my sewing "studies" I pined away for a serger, but I had never used one or knew what they were really used for & never thought I could afford one. I only knew that the "pros" used them and I just HAD to have one since I wanted to be a "pro".

I scoured the Internet and library until I knew enough to select one based on my preferences and decided on the Viking Huskylock 905.

• Don't listen to the "snobs", do your own research. (what i mean by "snobs" are those who have a "preference" for only top of the line and look down on other brands)

Good Books:
The New Sewing with a Serger (Singer) great book! my personal choice
The Complete Serger Handbook pretty good, if you aren't feeling the singer book check this one out
Serger Secrets: High-Fashion Techniques for Creating Great-Looking Clothes found it at the library - dated fashionwise - but inspiring!
Serge With Confidence great book and companion to the Singer book.

Good Links:
http://www.sewingwithnancytv.com/ go to "techniques" and watch ALL of the serger videos
More serger videos
Selecting a serger
Shopping for a Serger (from Threads)
Also read those reviews on PatternReview.

• Go to a dealer and take a test drive!

After the painstaking purchasing process of finding a comfortable machine, a good dealer/store and making layaway payments I am a proud & satisfied owner of a serger since August 07. Since that short time, I feel like my sewing enthusiasm has increased even more. I've heard seen people say type on PR, "I don't know why I didn't get one sooner!" and I am echoing loudly because the serger is the best sewing-related investment I've ever made. It motivated me to do more than just stitch stuff together.

(stored w/o dustcover)

I previously thought a serger was totally out of my league as a beginner. Boy Girl, was I wrong. I love sewing and I know if I want to maximize my skill level & creativity I have to think like and act like what *I* envision as a pro.

• When you hear folks say sergers aren't for beginners, DON'T LISTEN!!!

I invite new and learning sewing enthusiasts to continue to expand their horizons. Making stuff is fun but, Don't be afraid to try absolutely everything sewing-within your means of course, even if you think you aren't ready. It can only enhance your experience.

(the dream team in formation)

See what followed me home today....

Check out my latest reviews on PR for Simplicity 3744 and 3745

It's a busy time for me. I'm preparing for my graduation ceremony this weekend and a trip to Chicago the following weekend (for the fashion show and retreat from hubby and kiddo)

I'm Expecting.... :)

Hey! Get your mind out of the gutter!! Not that kind!

(although I have been trying to convince hubby to knock me up for the last 6 months )

I put a down payment on a Viking Huskylock 905!!!

I'm too psyched! Can't wait to bring her home once she's born.
you can read about my shopping experience on PR

By the way.....

Here's a dress I started & finished on the Fourth of July.

Review: Butterick 5030

View C, w/ belt from A/D
Size: 14

Pattern Critique: very easy, went together pretty much like the Kwik Sew 3408 wrap dress. I have one of those cut out that I need to finish. Unlike the KwikSew pattern, Butterick 5030 calls for wovens so there are more fabric choices. I used the photos from the instructions, they were pretty easy to follow. The pieces went together naturally.

I wish it were a true wrap. It's actually hooked together across the front & waist w/ hook & eye closures, and a separate belt. If I make it again, I'll refer to the KS directions on making it a real wrap.

Fabric: Sage green poly/linen blend from the stash paired with an embellished sage green poly linen blend for the bodice. purchased at Joann Fabric last year some time.

Modifications: none. fits well

Results: Cool flowy dress, I wanted it for work but it's a bit too dressy.

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