I actually spent some time working on the dress this morning. I finally cornered JC so as to help me pin the bust darts. Well, let me say, he should keep his day job, since he didn't exactly pin it right. But I was able to recover from it. (Fortunately, he didn't stick me!) The hardest part, once I had my darts in place, was actually sewing them and making the garment look presentable. Part of the problem was that a)the darts should've gone in much earlier in the process, and b)by that same token, it was difficult to sew a straight line on an angle.
I did put the armbands in, and yay! I got them to work this time. So that felt pretty good. I sewed up the remaining seams and had everything done except the hem. Well, first I goofed up near the bottom. I was going to make little slits at the bottom on each side. I did well in seaming one of them, until I realized that I had sewn it upside down, at least thread-wise. The accent thread was on the inside of the garment instead of the outside. DOH! It didn't look bad when I showed it to JC. But then when I put on the dress for JC, it was like a tent. Well, better too much fabric than not enough, right? So, after all my efforts, for it to look decently on me, I have to take it in by at least 1-1 1/2 inches on both sides. This, then messes up the little trim at the bottom, as well as screws up the armholes that took me most of the morning to get in there. Oh, and I have to sew down the bust darts better now that I have a better idea where everything lies.
I think it's the "taking everything in" part that bothers me a little. Part of this is all part of the learning process, but geez, you'd think that with the majority of the population being overweight that the author would've made something in sizes that were at least in the XL category (even if parts of me are actual XXL, I'm sad to say). I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to go about taking in the dress quite yet, in light of the armholes. I'll have to think about it.
In the meantime, this project definitely is screaming out to me that I need a dressform. While JC's intentions are good, I think I'd do better if I could do it myself, but at the same time, I can pin things on myself and be that accurate. Perhaps I'll have to save up for one, and it'll be my birthday present to myself in a few weeks. In the grand scheme of things, they aren't that expensive (much like there are many inexpensive sewing machines too), but picking the right one is the trick. I think I know which one I want, but again, I'll have to see as time goes on...
The other thing that I'm interested in, if money were no object, is getting one of those sewing machines that's also for embroidery. I was looking at the HSN site the other day, and they were showing the one they were featuring, a Singer Futura. Oh man, they had me convinced, and I had all sorts of ideas running through my head on what I'd make with such a machine. But, that's when I have more disposable income, such as from hitting the lottery. (I have a kitchen to redo at this point, and the first part might involve getting a new dishwasher soon. :-S) Ah, one can dream, right? Oh, and a serger too, but I won't get ahead of myself. I don't even have a decent sewing table, after all! And the LCD light on my machine is flaky now.
Well, I have a number of other projects I need to do soon, which will use my Lotte Jansdotter book. My mother wanted an apron for her birthday, and that's coming up soon! So I have to get on the ball with that one. I am also thinking of making his and hers aprons as a little housewarming gift for my brother when he moves next month and hopefully we'll have a chance to visit.
Another project, which may even wait until much later, is making JC a new pair of swim trunks. One pair ripped this week, mostly because they're old, so I was thinking of recycling the lining and making a new pair using those. We'll see.
So, I think I need to get a move-on with these projects!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Sewing fiend!
I know I haven't been on here for a little while, but I have been very busy is my regular life, but did make time-- especially over the 4th of July weekend-- to get some crafty stuff done. It was mostly sewing, which is good, and it was my best attempts at doing some clothing alterations, as well as attempting to make my first functional garment, which is still a work in progress.
Well, I'm sure you'd like some photos too, so even though it's not exciting, here you go!
Drew had at least 4 pairs of jeans that he had ripped huge holes in the left knee. Consistently the left knee too. (Oddly enough, if I have a hole in the knee of my jeans, that's where I get it too. Hmmmm....) They weren't really patchable, and since he's a growing kid where these will be too big for him soon enough, it made more sense to recycle them and make them shorts rather than me going out and buying him some new shorts anyway. I took photos of one pair that I did, but like I said, I did FOUR pairs, which is 8 little pant legs, my friends!
As you can see, the left knee is severely ripped. No turning back now!
And here's after! Shorts!
While I didn't do anything fancy to make them shorts, it still took some thinking. First, I had to make sure that I made relatively even cuts on both so the legs would be even. And even then, once I created the hem, I had to make sure they were the same length. Some weren't completely perfect, but for the most part it was pretty damn close, even if I did use a measuring tape as I made them. One of the tricky parts was that at least 2 of the pairs of jeans were painter's pants style, so they had pockets that were very low down. I actually had to hem into the pocket itself, but it wasn't too bad. I don't think people will really notice that too much. As long as the hem is neat and the thread isn't too noticable (I used gray), I figured it would look fine, and it does. When Drew wore a pair that I had done and I told my sister who does some sewing that I had done that, she seemed fairly impressed.
The other item, as I said, is a work in progress. It's a variation of sorts of the tunic pattern that was in the S.E.W. Workshop book (my "sewing bible"). Essentially, I remade the pattern using this really nice and pricier fabric, made my adaptations/adjustments to the pattern so it'd fit me, and made it longer so it could be a dress instead of just a shirt. I worked on it for most of the 4th of July weekend, but I didn't finish it yet. I have to work in the darts at the chest, but I need JC's help or a dressform for that. Since I don't have the dressform yet, I have to get him at the right moment. He's reliable, as he's helped his mother with sewing projects, and in some respects is a better sewer than I am. Once I have that done, then I can finish out the armholes (made the bands longer this time, so there should be no complications), and hem up the sides and bottom, and I'll be done! The neckline isn't perfect, but I think I still did a pretty good job of it for a beginner. I even used a contrasting thread to finish it, and it looks cool. Perhaps I can finish that this weekend, which would be great. It may end up looking like a mini muumuu on me in the end, but you don't learn until you try, right? Photos will come once it's done.
Oh, and what's this that the Threadbanger report had tried to slip by, that there might be a Threadbanger Sewing Machine made by Janome in the future! Oh what teases they are! If they did, that would be cool. I guess I'll have to stay tuned to see if they provide more details.
Keep sewing!
Well, I'm sure you'd like some photos too, so even though it's not exciting, here you go!
Drew had at least 4 pairs of jeans that he had ripped huge holes in the left knee. Consistently the left knee too. (Oddly enough, if I have a hole in the knee of my jeans, that's where I get it too. Hmmmm....) They weren't really patchable, and since he's a growing kid where these will be too big for him soon enough, it made more sense to recycle them and make them shorts rather than me going out and buying him some new shorts anyway. I took photos of one pair that I did, but like I said, I did FOUR pairs, which is 8 little pant legs, my friends!
As you can see, the left knee is severely ripped. No turning back now!
And here's after! Shorts!
While I didn't do anything fancy to make them shorts, it still took some thinking. First, I had to make sure that I made relatively even cuts on both so the legs would be even. And even then, once I created the hem, I had to make sure they were the same length. Some weren't completely perfect, but for the most part it was pretty damn close, even if I did use a measuring tape as I made them. One of the tricky parts was that at least 2 of the pairs of jeans were painter's pants style, so they had pockets that were very low down. I actually had to hem into the pocket itself, but it wasn't too bad. I don't think people will really notice that too much. As long as the hem is neat and the thread isn't too noticable (I used gray), I figured it would look fine, and it does. When Drew wore a pair that I had done and I told my sister who does some sewing that I had done that, she seemed fairly impressed.
The other item, as I said, is a work in progress. It's a variation of sorts of the tunic pattern that was in the S.E.W. Workshop book (my "sewing bible"). Essentially, I remade the pattern using this really nice and pricier fabric, made my adaptations/adjustments to the pattern so it'd fit me, and made it longer so it could be a dress instead of just a shirt. I worked on it for most of the 4th of July weekend, but I didn't finish it yet. I have to work in the darts at the chest, but I need JC's help or a dressform for that. Since I don't have the dressform yet, I have to get him at the right moment. He's reliable, as he's helped his mother with sewing projects, and in some respects is a better sewer than I am. Once I have that done, then I can finish out the armholes (made the bands longer this time, so there should be no complications), and hem up the sides and bottom, and I'll be done! The neckline isn't perfect, but I think I still did a pretty good job of it for a beginner. I even used a contrasting thread to finish it, and it looks cool. Perhaps I can finish that this weekend, which would be great. It may end up looking like a mini muumuu on me in the end, but you don't learn until you try, right? Photos will come once it's done.
Oh, and what's this that the Threadbanger report had tried to slip by, that there might be a Threadbanger Sewing Machine made by Janome in the future! Oh what teases they are! If they did, that would be cool. I guess I'll have to stay tuned to see if they provide more details.
Keep sewing!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Freestyling in the crib, yo!
While I haven't been doing as much sewing as I'd like, I did manage to get one project in, or rather two since there are two of them. I did it in one night, too, so go me. The other thing is that I did this with no pattern at all. Not that it's all that difficult, but I just came up with the construction in my head, and I was able to, as Tim Gunn would say, "Make it work."
I haven't done too much with home decor anything yet (at sewing, at least), so this was my first attempt at that. We've recently repainted part of our kitchen. As it's a bi-level kitchen and family room that share two common walls, it was tricky picking out a paint color that both my husband and I liked for the common walls. But for the horizontal walls that the rooms didn't share, it was decided that those walls would be different colors in each of the rooms, so as to distinguish the rooms from each other. Yet, the colors that would be used would be coordinating.
I had been eyeing this fabric for a year. It doesn't look like much in these photos, but it's just striped material with the colors that JC and I had discussed all along with coordinating shades. The long walls are a light toasted almond color, and the short walls in the kitchen are a dark terracotta orange-red color. (The short walls in the family room will be-- when painted-- a medium teal/aqua color.) While the EXACT color are not in the fabric, what's there is pretty darn close.
All I wanted was simple valances, just to dress up a plain wall that had the only windows into the room. The back of my house is very dark, so I didn't want major draperies going. Just a little splash of color. And I think I achieved that.
As I said, I didn't use a pattern. I did take some measurements. I did about a 1/4" seam all the way around except the bottom seam, which was 1/2". Then, I folded over the top about 4", sewed that down, then about halfway in that fold, sewed across again. This allowed for me to slip the rods in the bottom half, and leave a little at the top (which was a request of JC, and a good suggestion at that).
So-- voila!
Here's the valance at the window by the kitchen table. You can see some of the red wall next to it.
Here's the one that's over the kitchen sink.
Not too shabby for freestylin' sewing, huh?
I haven't done too much with home decor anything yet (at sewing, at least), so this was my first attempt at that. We've recently repainted part of our kitchen. As it's a bi-level kitchen and family room that share two common walls, it was tricky picking out a paint color that both my husband and I liked for the common walls. But for the horizontal walls that the rooms didn't share, it was decided that those walls would be different colors in each of the rooms, so as to distinguish the rooms from each other. Yet, the colors that would be used would be coordinating.
I had been eyeing this fabric for a year. It doesn't look like much in these photos, but it's just striped material with the colors that JC and I had discussed all along with coordinating shades. The long walls are a light toasted almond color, and the short walls in the kitchen are a dark terracotta orange-red color. (The short walls in the family room will be-- when painted-- a medium teal/aqua color.) While the EXACT color are not in the fabric, what's there is pretty darn close.
All I wanted was simple valances, just to dress up a plain wall that had the only windows into the room. The back of my house is very dark, so I didn't want major draperies going. Just a little splash of color. And I think I achieved that.
As I said, I didn't use a pattern. I did take some measurements. I did about a 1/4" seam all the way around except the bottom seam, which was 1/2". Then, I folded over the top about 4", sewed that down, then about halfway in that fold, sewed across again. This allowed for me to slip the rods in the bottom half, and leave a little at the top (which was a request of JC, and a good suggestion at that).
So-- voila!
Here's the valance at the window by the kitchen table. You can see some of the red wall next to it.
Here's the one that's over the kitchen sink.
Not too shabby for freestylin' sewing, huh?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Got another Sewing Book
Yes, I'm back. While I admit I haven't been sewing much, I am still very much interested in it. I haven't been able to make much time for anything these days, and it also doesn't help that my makeshift sewing room is hotter than hell (since the DH refuses to let the A/C run in that room, even though we have central air), so with the warmer weather, I've been a little more hesitant to go in and work. But like I said, I've just been really busy to get anything done. I'll be happy if I can hem my TKD uniform sometime this week.
Well, since I had a request, as mentioned in my last post, I decided that I would go ahead and buy a book I wanted that actually had a pattern for a reversible chef-style apron. And here's the book:
I've been eyeballing this book for a while, since it had some good looking and seemingly easy projects in the book to do that weren't, well, lame. There are a few patterns included with the book in a side pockets, but otherwise the book is full of directions of how to make said items. They just all look cute without looking too kitsch. You know how some books make knitted, crocheted, and sewing pattern look like grandma's stuff? Well, this is not one of those books. I'm looking forward to doing some patterns from here in the future. I already know I'm doing the apron, but I think, if I can get the right filling and I have enough fabric, I'm going to make a matching oven mitt or potholder as well. I think that would make a nice gift. I may also use the patterns for the tablecloths and napkins, as I suspect I may have bought way too much fabric for my kitchen curtains than needed, and that way I can have something coordinated perfectly. ;-)
So, fear not! I am still getting there. Just wish my sewing machine was as portable as my knitting is! ;-)
Well, since I had a request, as mentioned in my last post, I decided that I would go ahead and buy a book I wanted that actually had a pattern for a reversible chef-style apron. And here's the book:
I've been eyeballing this book for a while, since it had some good looking and seemingly easy projects in the book to do that weren't, well, lame. There are a few patterns included with the book in a side pockets, but otherwise the book is full of directions of how to make said items. They just all look cute without looking too kitsch. You know how some books make knitted, crocheted, and sewing pattern look like grandma's stuff? Well, this is not one of those books. I'm looking forward to doing some patterns from here in the future. I already know I'm doing the apron, but I think, if I can get the right filling and I have enough fabric, I'm going to make a matching oven mitt or potholder as well. I think that would make a nice gift. I may also use the patterns for the tablecloths and napkins, as I suspect I may have bought way too much fabric for my kitchen curtains than needed, and that way I can have something coordinated perfectly. ;-)
So, fear not! I am still getting there. Just wish my sewing machine was as portable as my knitting is! ;-)
Friday, May 30, 2008
I'm taking orders now! (Or it sure seems that way!)
I think I mentioned that after seeing the birthday gift that I had made for my friend, my mother asked if I could make her a chef's apron of the same materials for her birthday, and of course I said yes. Now mind you, I know I'm not a great sewer yet, but I think I've made enough progress that I could manage something like that.
Well, today, the recipient of the birthday tote bag talked to me via instant messaging (she's in DC, I'm in NJ), and she thanked me for the gift, and that she loved it! She didn't realize it was reversible until I told her, which she thought that was really cool, and she planned to take it with her to her beach vacation which starts tomorrow (which was the whole idea). She then asked if I took custom orders, and I told her, "Sure!", so she said that at a later date, she would probably like one made that she can take to work. For her, that's not a problem. I would make that for her. Besides, she works for the Feds, she has connections if I don't comply. ;-) Nah, she's like a sister to me, so naturally I'd be happy to do that, especially since she liked the first and asked so nicely.
So, it was nice to hear a second request for my sewing. You know, I might be onto something here. ;-) First knitting, now sewing...perhaps I'll have a textile empire someday! BWAHAHAHAHAHA! (Yeah, keep dreaming, Windsornot!)
Well, today, the recipient of the birthday tote bag talked to me via instant messaging (she's in DC, I'm in NJ), and she thanked me for the gift, and that she loved it! She didn't realize it was reversible until I told her, which she thought that was really cool, and she planned to take it with her to her beach vacation which starts tomorrow (which was the whole idea). She then asked if I took custom orders, and I told her, "Sure!", so she said that at a later date, she would probably like one made that she can take to work. For her, that's not a problem. I would make that for her. Besides, she works for the Feds, she has connections if I don't comply. ;-) Nah, she's like a sister to me, so naturally I'd be happy to do that, especially since she liked the first and asked so nicely.
So, it was nice to hear a second request for my sewing. You know, I might be onto something here. ;-) First knitting, now sewing...perhaps I'll have a textile empire someday! BWAHAHAHAHAHA! (Yeah, keep dreaming, Windsornot!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)