Miss A and I are gearing up for the annual pilgrimage to Textile Fabrics...with any luck, we'll be there sometime shortly after lunch (planning a stop at JoAnn's on the way through Cool Springs).
I have a *short* list of things I'm looking for...but if the remnant room has been recently restocked, I could be in trouble.
I'll report, with photos, tomorrow evening.
ETA: I just realized I didn't mention that we are going tomorrow (Friday)... *egg on face*
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Tote Bag Project
We're starting the high-school girl's ministries class this year, and I've taken that on as well as the junior high class until we can expand the teacher roster. It's not too strenuous, as we currently only have one girl in the high school class.
But having an extremely small class presents the opportunity to do some things that are difficult in a class of, say, twelve. Case in point: the project for our unit on 'Personal Appearance'. As units are completed, girls in this level earn enameled lapel pins. Unlike all the other classes, which have sashes or, in the junior high class, a necklace, to display the unit awards, there is no specified location for these pins.
So, we decided a tote bag would be a good 'display board' for the pins, and I came up with a very basic lined tote bag with a front pocket; the emblem (a graphic-style rose) of the class will be applique'd on the pocket.
My one student does not have a functional sewing machine at her house, so I've hauled my old seriously-in-need-of-maintenance Kenmore in and we're doing a First Project.
There's not enough time in our Sunday morning class to work on it, so we've done two Saturday work days, while The Flute Player has dance/human video practice. On the first day, she cut out the bag and the lining, put some Peltex in the lining for support on the bottom, fused the interfacing on the straps, traced the logo onto paper-backed fusible web and fused the appropriate parts onto the the fabric.
This past Saturday, she attached the lining to the top edge of the pocket and then applique'd the pieces to the pocket, after doing about 4 paisley-shaped practice applique's to get the hang of it...
I'd hoped two sessions would be enough, but I didn't figure on the learning curve. So I need to schedule another work day to hopefully sew the bag together. I'll post a photo of it when she's done.
Crossing my fingers that my bag-drafting works... ;)
But having an extremely small class presents the opportunity to do some things that are difficult in a class of, say, twelve. Case in point: the project for our unit on 'Personal Appearance'. As units are completed, girls in this level earn enameled lapel pins. Unlike all the other classes, which have sashes or, in the junior high class, a necklace, to display the unit awards, there is no specified location for these pins.
So, we decided a tote bag would be a good 'display board' for the pins, and I came up with a very basic lined tote bag with a front pocket; the emblem (a graphic-style rose) of the class will be applique'd on the pocket.
My one student does not have a functional sewing machine at her house, so I've hauled my old seriously-in-need-of-maintenance Kenmore in and we're doing a First Project.
There's not enough time in our Sunday morning class to work on it, so we've done two Saturday work days, while The Flute Player has dance/human video practice. On the first day, she cut out the bag and the lining, put some Peltex in the lining for support on the bottom, fused the interfacing on the straps, traced the logo onto paper-backed fusible web and fused the appropriate parts onto the the fabric.
This past Saturday, she attached the lining to the top edge of the pocket and then applique'd the pieces to the pocket, after doing about 4 paisley-shaped practice applique's to get the hang of it...
I'd hoped two sessions would be enough, but I didn't figure on the learning curve. So I need to schedule another work day to hopefully sew the bag together. I'll post a photo of it when she's done.
Crossing my fingers that my bag-drafting works... ;)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Honors Dress, Chapter 2...Thinking Out Loud
Three years ago, I made a White Eyelet dress for the Flute Player's Honor Stars Ceremony. Now, she's completed all the requirements to graduate from the Friends Club (middle school girls) and, guess what, she needs another white dress. She'll be participating in a ceremony at the state level, so we have to meet specific restrictions about the dress... dressy but not formal, no strapless or spaghetti straps, no low necklines, no miniskirts, etc. And white.
My hope was her dressy pink dress from last winter would still fit close enough that I could just make some minor adjustments and use that pattern; she put it on early this week and it is not just a little too small, it is WAY too small. I'd be starting from scratch on that one...although it does have up to size 14 in the envelope, and the pink dress was basically a 10 with a bunch of length added. So, maybe we could make a 14 work with a slight FBA and a bunch of length added...
The Princess scoffed at us, saying, 'There's white dresses on sale at the mall! Just go find her one!' So, Thursday we did a little snoop shopping and we found three dresses that fit the requirements and were on sale for $50 for her to try on. Not one really worked for one reason or another. The one she liked best was apparently sold out of anything smaller than a size 5, which was too big, not to mention the cut out in the back would've presented a problem with her underpinnings (and she noted that the thread holding the back button was pulling out). The second one was cute, but needed a belt and the black one that came with the dress really wouldn't work for the honors ceremony. It fit well through the hips but was a wee bit too big in the bust to my eye, but close enough. She didn't like the belt and felt it was too short (it was above her knee). The third dress was a knit lace peasant-style dress...needed a couple of teeny darts in the neckline to fit perfect, but it looked like a nightgown to me. It *definitely* was overpriced at $50...the other two dresses had several details, such as tucks and welt pockets; that one was just a pull-over dress made from stretch lace and matte jersey. $15, maybe, $50....no way.
But she came away with at least some idea of what she wanted...or didn't want. She wanted a dress similar to the first, which had a border eyelet skirt.
No border eyelet to be had at Hancock's. Bummer.
Then she decided she wanted a tea-length dress, similar to her masqureade dress...which, unfortunately, is strapless. After a couple of days of discussion, I decided I'd just try to morph the pink dress pattern and the purple dress pattern and see if I could come up with something akin to what she had in mind.
Then, in that 'I'm almost but not quite awake' moment this morning, I remembered that I had Vogue 7845 somewhere about. I found it in a stack of 'outgrown patterns', as the envelope I have contains sizes 7 - 10. But view C...the one with the puffy sleeves and the little bows...is just dead on what she wants.
Now I've got to decide if I want to try and grade the 10 up to fit, or if I should just go get the 12-14-16 envelope. Vogue patterns won't be on sale until June 30... a little late for me.
I'm thinking the 10 bucks for the pattern at the regular discount would be worth it. All I'd need to do was a small FBA and add a bit of length above the waist and I think she'd be good.
Or, maybe I could just grade the size 10 sleeve up and put it onto the Simplicity dress....hm....
Decisions, decisions, decisions....
My hope was her dressy pink dress from last winter would still fit close enough that I could just make some minor adjustments and use that pattern; she put it on early this week and it is not just a little too small, it is WAY too small. I'd be starting from scratch on that one...although it does have up to size 14 in the envelope, and the pink dress was basically a 10 with a bunch of length added. So, maybe we could make a 14 work with a slight FBA and a bunch of length added...
The Princess scoffed at us, saying, 'There's white dresses on sale at the mall! Just go find her one!' So, Thursday we did a little snoop shopping and we found three dresses that fit the requirements and were on sale for $50 for her to try on. Not one really worked for one reason or another. The one she liked best was apparently sold out of anything smaller than a size 5, which was too big, not to mention the cut out in the back would've presented a problem with her underpinnings (and she noted that the thread holding the back button was pulling out). The second one was cute, but needed a belt and the black one that came with the dress really wouldn't work for the honors ceremony. It fit well through the hips but was a wee bit too big in the bust to my eye, but close enough. She didn't like the belt and felt it was too short (it was above her knee). The third dress was a knit lace peasant-style dress...needed a couple of teeny darts in the neckline to fit perfect, but it looked like a nightgown to me. It *definitely* was overpriced at $50...the other two dresses had several details, such as tucks and welt pockets; that one was just a pull-over dress made from stretch lace and matte jersey. $15, maybe, $50....no way.
But she came away with at least some idea of what she wanted...or didn't want. She wanted a dress similar to the first, which had a border eyelet skirt.
No border eyelet to be had at Hancock's. Bummer.
Then she decided she wanted a tea-length dress, similar to her masqureade dress...which, unfortunately, is strapless. After a couple of days of discussion, I decided I'd just try to morph the pink dress pattern and the purple dress pattern and see if I could come up with something akin to what she had in mind.
Then, in that 'I'm almost but not quite awake' moment this morning, I remembered that I had Vogue 7845 somewhere about. I found it in a stack of 'outgrown patterns', as the envelope I have contains sizes 7 - 10. But view C...the one with the puffy sleeves and the little bows...is just dead on what she wants.
Now I've got to decide if I want to try and grade the 10 up to fit, or if I should just go get the 12-14-16 envelope. Vogue patterns won't be on sale until June 30... a little late for me.
I'm thinking the 10 bucks for the pattern at the regular discount would be worth it. All I'd need to do was a small FBA and add a bit of length above the waist and I think she'd be good.
Or, maybe I could just grade the size 10 sleeve up and put it onto the Simplicity dress....hm....
Decisions, decisions, decisions....
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Addin' B&W
I haven't had time to do so much as change thread on the sewing machine of late, so of course I had to buy some fabric when I stumbled across a sale!
From Gorgeous Fabrics; all cotton/lycra blends. I think the zebra print is going to be a jacket (it's twill); the rest will likely be shirts of some sort.
I've been watching for some black and white striped shirting for ever so long; I snagged some when I saw it...now, I'm not sure I'll remember what shirt pattern I had that I *knew* would be killer in a stripe like that...
Hoping to get SOMETHING done in the sewing room tomorrow!!
Monday, June 07, 2010
Surprise Garment the Second
I went to work today wearing my Earth Mother Skirt and thought several times today how much I've enjoyed it. The photo at the linked blog post is pretty pitiful...another one of those 'throw it on when it's finished at 10 PM and take the picture' deals, I'm afraid.
I didn't make it with the intentions of wearing it a lot. I'd been wanting a bias tiered skirt for a while...The Princess had one that we bought on sale a few years back (I thought I had posted about it, but a quick browse through the archives didn't turn up anything about it) and I'd looked at it to see how it was done. She had tiers in various colors, separated by ribbons and/or lace, but it didn't look that difficult. It *did* look like it'd use a huge amount of fabric.
Then, back in '07, I had the Great Stash Surging trip to Sir's fabrics and decided I was gonna go on a fabric moratorium and make parity by the end of the year or bust.
So I was particularly keen to make those projects that I'd been putting off because they used large amounts of fabric...and I had nearly a whole bolt of nice cotton plaid fabric that I'd planned to use to make matching family outfits back when my older kids were still young enough to wear whatever I provided for them.
That's been a while ago and by '07 there was no way that fabric was gonna serve its original purpose. So a bias tiered skirt (actually two...I made one for the Flute Player, too) looked like a good way to approach parity.
My intention was just to have a skirt that I could wear on summer road trips. And, to be honest, this has been a fabulous summer road-trip skirt. But one day last summer, when I wasn't going anywhere but to the office, I put it on with a white cotton shell sweater and felt so feminine and comfy all day that it's become a summer staple.
Now I'm beginning to think I need to make a couple more of these...this could go from 'summer road trip skirt' to 'summer lifestyle skirt' really easily!
I didn't make it with the intentions of wearing it a lot. I'd been wanting a bias tiered skirt for a while...The Princess had one that we bought on sale a few years back (I thought I had posted about it, but a quick browse through the archives didn't turn up anything about it) and I'd looked at it to see how it was done. She had tiers in various colors, separated by ribbons and/or lace, but it didn't look that difficult. It *did* look like it'd use a huge amount of fabric.
Then, back in '07, I had the Great Stash Surging trip to Sir's fabrics and decided I was gonna go on a fabric moratorium and make parity by the end of the year or bust.
So I was particularly keen to make those projects that I'd been putting off because they used large amounts of fabric...and I had nearly a whole bolt of nice cotton plaid fabric that I'd planned to use to make matching family outfits back when my older kids were still young enough to wear whatever I provided for them.
That's been a while ago and by '07 there was no way that fabric was gonna serve its original purpose. So a bias tiered skirt (actually two...I made one for the Flute Player, too) looked like a good way to approach parity.
My intention was just to have a skirt that I could wear on summer road trips. And, to be honest, this has been a fabulous summer road-trip skirt. But one day last summer, when I wasn't going anywhere but to the office, I put it on with a white cotton shell sweater and felt so feminine and comfy all day that it's become a summer staple.
Now I'm beginning to think I need to make a couple more of these...this could go from 'summer road trip skirt' to 'summer lifestyle skirt' really easily!
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Choir Sundays 2010 #19
June Choir Colors: Purple and/or lavender and/or black w/blue jeans.
Once again, the Cold Water Creek bootcuts, this time matched with Christine Jonson's Base Wear 2 sleeveless t-neck, in a marvelous cotton/lycra print I got eons ago from Emma Onesock and my Vogue 8305 cardi-wrap, made up in rayon/lycra jersey from Gorgeous Things.
I think this is going to be the last of the Choir Sundays posts for a while; for quite some time I've felt like I'm pretty much posting the same things over and over again; I think I need to give it a break, at least until I can talk about something other than my two pairs of dressy jeans that I keep alternating!
It's cool to see how the clothes someone makes actually get used in the wardrobe, but since I'm just recycling the same wardrobe pieces week end and week out it is losing the luster.
Plus, we're doing services on Saturday AND Sunday now...I could easily do two outfits a weekend. But, if they're just variations on the same ol' same ol' I don't think there's much purpose in that.
I met my original challenge...to go a year wearing at least one garment that I made every Sunday... long ago. Plus, back when I started doing Choir Sundays, I was a stay-home mom and Sunday church was about the only chance I got to wear something other than just bum-around-the-house wear. But now I'm working, so I get to dress for work, too.
Maybe one of these days I'll do a variation on the 'Me Made May' posts I so enjoyed on other blogs and talk about what I wear to work...that will have some more variety!
Anyway, Choir Sundays has had a long and enjoyable run, but I really feel like it's time to retire that now. I'll still be wearing my creations in choir, but I think now I'll just limit my posts to days when I wear a new garment/combo.
If I ever get a chance to spend some quality time in the sewing room making new things... ;)
Thanks to everyone who has followed the weekly adventure, and especially thanks to folks who have commented and encouraged me along the way!
Friday, June 04, 2010
Jalie Pants, Iteration 2
Well, I'm getting closer. I wish the photos had turned out better; the settings were off somehow, and the back view was totally unusable; apparently I pulled the back cattywampus when I tucked in the top and my Sweet Baboo did not instruct me to fix it before he took the photos; there are many ugly wrinkles that I have not seen in the mirror. I intend to have the pictures retaken sometime when I put the pants on in the morning, instead of at the tail end of a long day.
I ultimately cut off most of the hip shaping; I've decided these pants are drafted for a figure type that has pretty pronounced curves. That did eliminate the side wrinkling that I had on the first pair
I need to go back over my alterations, though; the front dips more than in the first pair. I think I miscalculated how much I needed to remove after graining up the front seam; it's rather loose in the front. A bit more altering there would help.
Looking at the side view, it looks like the knee shaping hits just a hair below my actual knee; I'll shorted above the knee and lengthen below to see if I can make it look a little better proportioned from the side.
The pockets feel pretty good on this pair; at least I think I have that right!
Also, the first pair is quite snug and needs the stretch to be wearable; I've added enough ease in this pair that I think I could make them from non-stretch fabric and they'd work. However, that makes them a bit less flattering, for all that I feel they fit better.
This is not really the holy grail of pants fitting yet, but I do think I'm getting close.
The real objective is to get this pattern fitted well so I can just morph the changes onto the Jalie jeans pattern. ;)
BTW, this *was* garment 11 from the Gorgeous Fabrics Challenge. I'm kinda embarrassed that it took a month to get 'em done, but I did have to stop and make the graduation mantles for HMC...and I did have to take the back apart so I could remove some gappage from the back waist.
I've got one more item left to make in the challenge; I've got lots of plans but I think I'm going to pick a quick one. Life is squeezing out the sewing time right now....
I ultimately cut off most of the hip shaping; I've decided these pants are drafted for a figure type that has pretty pronounced curves. That did eliminate the side wrinkling that I had on the first pair
I need to go back over my alterations, though; the front dips more than in the first pair. I think I miscalculated how much I needed to remove after graining up the front seam; it's rather loose in the front. A bit more altering there would help.
Looking at the side view, it looks like the knee shaping hits just a hair below my actual knee; I'll shorted above the knee and lengthen below to see if I can make it look a little better proportioned from the side.
The pockets feel pretty good on this pair; at least I think I have that right!
Also, the first pair is quite snug and needs the stretch to be wearable; I've added enough ease in this pair that I think I could make them from non-stretch fabric and they'd work. However, that makes them a bit less flattering, for all that I feel they fit better.
This is not really the holy grail of pants fitting yet, but I do think I'm getting close.
The real objective is to get this pattern fitted well so I can just morph the changes onto the Jalie jeans pattern. ;)
BTW, this *was* garment 11 from the Gorgeous Fabrics Challenge. I'm kinda embarrassed that it took a month to get 'em done, but I did have to stop and make the graduation mantles for HMC...and I did have to take the back apart so I could remove some gappage from the back waist.
I've got one more item left to make in the challenge; I've got lots of plans but I think I'm going to pick a quick one. Life is squeezing out the sewing time right now....
Monday, May 31, 2010
Mantles 2010
It's the reverse this year...black on white instead of white on black. But they look cool anyway, doncha think? Many thanks to my friend the Embroidery Queen for donating the embroidery!
I meant to get a photo of the kids wearing them, but, well, I forgot my camera... :rolleyes:
But I checked and found that I *did* put that fabric in the stash when I originally purchased it, so that means I get to count it as 'Fabric Out'. :-)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Choir Sundays 2010 #18
May Choir Colors: Turquoise, white and/or black w/blue jeans
The Jeans are from Coldwater Creek; I've got on a turquoise silk/lycra charmeuse shell top modified from Loes' Hinse's City Dress, and a white poly/cotton twill Vogue 8045 jacket.
I finished the HMC mantles yesterday and turned them over to the staff last night; if you're curious, you can see the whole grad service online tonight, starting at 6 PM Central, at therockfamily.tv. The Artist will be participating as an alumni tonight...the young man who was going to play Jesus had a bad sprain/fractured ankle and is walking in a boot so he's playing the part of the understudy.
I think I'll be much relieved to see him playing Jesus instead of the enemy... ;)
The Jeans are from Coldwater Creek; I've got on a turquoise silk/lycra charmeuse shell top modified from Loes' Hinse's City Dress, and a white poly/cotton twill Vogue 8045 jacket.
I finished the HMC mantles yesterday and turned them over to the staff last night; if you're curious, you can see the whole grad service online tonight, starting at 6 PM Central, at therockfamily.tv. The Artist will be participating as an alumni tonight...the young man who was going to play Jesus had a bad sprain/fractured ankle and is walking in a boot so he's playing the part of the understudy.
I think I'll be much relieved to see him playing Jesus instead of the enemy... ;)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Being a "Little Bitter'...
As in, resigning myself to the notion that the only way anything is going to get done in my house is to do it a little bit at at time. Gone are the days when I send the family off to work and school and have the entire day to work on a project...whether it be as sewing project or a home project.
I'm really just now beginning to get my head around that...and it's been over a year since I went back to work.
But, having said that, I am working bit by bit on some things.
-The HMC mantles are done to the handsewing. Obviously, that has priority for today, since the graduation service is tomorrow night.
- I marked my striped 'Gorgeous Fabrics project' Jalie pants as finished and hung them in the closet, but, when I put them on earlier in the week to wear them, I realized that there really is too much gappage going on at the back waist. So I put them back in the sewing room; gonna do an adjustment on that as soon as the mantles are done.
- I bought bodacious amounts of interfacing from the online sales last week, so now I'm well stocked and should be able to start working on some much-needed jackets.
But...
- I need to Cease All Sewing for a time to get my sewing nook cleaned out. It really has gotten to the stage that I can barely move in there. But doing it a Little Bit At A Time...yeesh.
- We recently had some work done on the house that involved the attic; unfortunately it involved the portion of the attic in which my Stash was neatly organized. Things got pulled out, shifted around, and put back willy-nilly; now I know where NOTHING is. Any available time this weekend will likely be spent In The Attic....since that needs to be in order before I can relocate the stacks of fabric clogging up my sewing nook to their appointed place in the attic.
Did I mention we've got out of town company in two weeks? Maybe I'd better work on the 'I've been sorely neglecting housework' situation a bit, too.
I'll blog when I can. ;-)
I'm really just now beginning to get my head around that...and it's been over a year since I went back to work.
But, having said that, I am working bit by bit on some things.
-The HMC mantles are done to the handsewing. Obviously, that has priority for today, since the graduation service is tomorrow night.
- I marked my striped 'Gorgeous Fabrics project' Jalie pants as finished and hung them in the closet, but, when I put them on earlier in the week to wear them, I realized that there really is too much gappage going on at the back waist. So I put them back in the sewing room; gonna do an adjustment on that as soon as the mantles are done.
- I bought bodacious amounts of interfacing from the online sales last week, so now I'm well stocked and should be able to start working on some much-needed jackets.
But...
- I need to Cease All Sewing for a time to get my sewing nook cleaned out. It really has gotten to the stage that I can barely move in there. But doing it a Little Bit At A Time...yeesh.
- We recently had some work done on the house that involved the attic; unfortunately it involved the portion of the attic in which my Stash was neatly organized. Things got pulled out, shifted around, and put back willy-nilly; now I know where NOTHING is. Any available time this weekend will likely be spent In The Attic....since that needs to be in order before I can relocate the stacks of fabric clogging up my sewing nook to their appointed place in the attic.
Did I mention we've got out of town company in two weeks? Maybe I'd better work on the 'I've been sorely neglecting housework' situation a bit, too.
I'll blog when I can. ;-)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Choir Sundays 2010 #17
Wow...it's been a long day. This evening was our annual girl's ministry's Father Daughter banquet; choir was eons ago!But, anyway...
May's colors are turquoise, black and white w/blue jeasn.
I wore the Lee bootcuts again, with a New Look 6407 shirt, made from turquoise cotton/lycra broadcloth from Hancock's. The scarf is a really pretty printed silk oblong from Talbot's and, while it doesn't match the shirt absolutely perfectly, does a good enough job of camouflaging the alterations boo-boo I made that rendered the neckline too low.
Whew. Y'all, ah'm tahrd! G'night!
May's colors are turquoise, black and white w/blue jeasn.
I wore the Lee bootcuts again, with a New Look 6407 shirt, made from turquoise cotton/lycra broadcloth from Hancock's. The scarf is a really pretty printed silk oblong from Talbot's and, while it doesn't match the shirt absolutely perfectly, does a good enough job of camouflaging the alterations boo-boo I made that rendered the neckline too low.
Whew. Y'all, ah'm tahrd! G'night!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I think I just passed myself...
Y'all, it has been wild. Haven't had time to change the thread on the machines, let alone sit down and sew something, much less write about it.
But I just had to share...the Flute Player auditioned for the drama magnet today, doing a monologue from Anne of Green Gables, and she did well enough that she has been provisionally accepted, providing her end-of-term grades are good enough.
That's kind of a big 'if'; she dropped the ball badly in math class early in the term. While she's pulled it together lately, that was a deep hole and there aren't many graded papers available to help pull it out. We'll see...
However, despite the fact that she'll be joining The Actor, I'll keep referring to her as The Flute Player. I expect she'll keep playing around with it... ;)
But I just had to share...the Flute Player auditioned for the drama magnet today, doing a monologue from Anne of Green Gables, and she did well enough that she has been provisionally accepted, providing her end-of-term grades are good enough.
That's kind of a big 'if'; she dropped the ball badly in math class early in the term. While she's pulled it together lately, that was a deep hole and there aren't many graded papers available to help pull it out. We'll see...
However, despite the fact that she'll be joining The Actor, I'll keep referring to her as The Flute Player. I expect she'll keep playing around with it... ;)
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Choir Sundays 2010 # 16
Wow, has this been a long day...
My apologies for the poor photo, we were rather rushed today.
May's choir colors: turquoise/black/white w/blue jeans
The Lee bootcuts, with my black rayon/lycra jersey Jalie 965 tank top playing the role of a cami, under the Burda May 2009 #103A top, in black/white/grey/turquoise poly lycra jersey.
And, just for the record, all the mantle pieces are with my embroidery queen friend Miss A getting lettered. So hopefully I'll get my stripey trousers finished before the mantles come back...
My apologies for the poor photo, we were rather rushed today.
May's choir colors: turquoise/black/white w/blue jeans
The Lee bootcuts, with my black rayon/lycra jersey Jalie 965 tank top playing the role of a cami, under the Burda May 2009 #103A top, in black/white/grey/turquoise poly lycra jersey.
And, just for the record, all the mantle pieces are with my embroidery queen friend Miss A getting lettered. So hopefully I'll get my stripey trousers finished before the mantles come back...
Friday, May 14, 2010
Another Mom Job
The Flute Player has been in the junior high drama class this year, and I've been rather fortunate in that their costumes were all mostly scrounged and borrowed. But now they're working on a puppetry unit and, well, someone had to do a little sewing.
It was funny the way she didn't ask me outright to help, just brought the stuff home.
But there was not much time, we had after school activities going on (i.e., the Last Band Concert), and I could do it tons faster than she could.
So, instead of working on the last remaining Gorgeous Fabrics garments, or even working on the HMC mantles, my sewing this week (what little I actually had) was...felt puppets.
The rather bedraggled red one was the prototype. It is from her Valentine's party from either preschool or kindergarten...can't remember which... I made those little red puppets for at least 3 of my kid's preschool Valentine's parties but, wouldn't you know, we couldn't find the pattern I used. So she pulled out her old puppet...I guess there are some benefits to being a packrat.
So I had her trace the puppet onto paper, and we had a new pattern. She wanted some good shears to cut them out, but I couldn't stand to see her take an hour or more to do something I could do in an instant w/the rotary cutter. So instead of giving her scissors, I took her to the cutting table and whacked them out two sets at a time. In about 10 minutes.
She was impressed.
Wednesday night after church she still had homework to do, so I went out to the sewing machine and had them all zig zagged in about 15 minutes.
I don't know what they're going to do for faces, but I know she has some colored felt that they are going to cut into paper-doll type clothes and apply with a dot of sticky velcro.
I think they're supposed to perform it for their class sometime in the next few days; I'm hoping it all holds up!
Oh, well, I had to change the thread in the machine to do the next step on the mantles anyway.
It was funny the way she didn't ask me outright to help, just brought the stuff home.
But there was not much time, we had after school activities going on (i.e., the Last Band Concert), and I could do it tons faster than she could.
So, instead of working on the last remaining Gorgeous Fabrics garments, or even working on the HMC mantles, my sewing this week (what little I actually had) was...felt puppets.
The rather bedraggled red one was the prototype. It is from her Valentine's party from either preschool or kindergarten...can't remember which... I made those little red puppets for at least 3 of my kid's preschool Valentine's parties but, wouldn't you know, we couldn't find the pattern I used. So she pulled out her old puppet...I guess there are some benefits to being a packrat.
So I had her trace the puppet onto paper, and we had a new pattern. She wanted some good shears to cut them out, but I couldn't stand to see her take an hour or more to do something I could do in an instant w/the rotary cutter. So instead of giving her scissors, I took her to the cutting table and whacked them out two sets at a time. In about 10 minutes.
She was impressed.
Wednesday night after church she still had homework to do, so I went out to the sewing machine and had them all zig zagged in about 15 minutes.
I don't know what they're going to do for faces, but I know she has some colored felt that they are going to cut into paper-doll type clothes and apply with a dot of sticky velcro.
I think they're supposed to perform it for their class sometime in the next few days; I'm hoping it all holds up!
Oh, well, I had to change the thread in the machine to do the next step on the mantles anyway.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Choir Sundays 2010 #15
May choir colors: Turquoise, white and/or black w/blue jeans.
I finally pulled out my spring/summer jackets; this is the jacket from Vogue 8045 in a white poly/cotton twill from Hancock's, worn over the scoopneck Simplicity 4076 in a poly/cotton? jersey from the Vogue Fabrics booth at the Atlanta Expo(...two? Three? years ago...) worn over my test version of the Jalie 965 Tank top, from a poly/rayon?/lycra jersey from the cheap table at Wal-Mart.
The jeans are my Regular Lee Bootcuts, which means they're really about 3" too long and I should wear high heels. I wore the lowest shoes I could get away with...not ready to subject the low back to standing through worship (twice...) in heels.
The shorter jeans have disappeared into the black hole of the laundry; I'm beginning to think they got put into someone else's basket...I'll have to make inquiries amongst the children to see if someone has my jeans in his/her closet....
Happy Mother's Day to everyone who's raised kids, mentored kids, taught kids, rocked kids, loved kids or prayed for kids! Great is your reward in heaven... ;)
It also happens to be The Actor's 17th birthday; he was born on Mother's Day, 1993. Time flies... (and yes, he chose a cherry cheesecake instead of a baked cake for his birthday. We tried candles last year...they won't stand up on cherry pie filling!!!)
Thursday, May 06, 2010
You Don't Know Anyone Who Sews...
(Picture Obi-wan waving his hand and quoting the title...)
Carolyn's post made me chuckle today...and remember a conversation from last week.
My cell phone rang while I was checking out at Publix. I dug around in my purse, pulled it out, and had the following conversation with a friend, P.
P. Hi, Lisa, say, do you know (lady)?
Me. No, I haven't met her yet.
P. Her and her husband are the ones who have that (such-and-such a product).
Me. Nope. Don't know them.
P. Well, she wanted to know if I knew anyone who sews...
Me. P, you don't!!! You don't know anyone!!!
P. You were the only one I could think of...she needs someone to make a wedding dress.
Me. (trying to pay the grocery tab while stifling hysterical laughter) Absolutely you do not know anyone!!! I don't do that!
P. Well, Ok, I just thought I'd ask...
A wedding dress. I suppose I should be flattered, but...sigh.
I *might* make wedding dresses for my daughters. But unless I go into business doing it, that'd be IT.
On another note, my 12 weeks were up; Ann has already posted on Facebook about being Officially Done with chemo (Yay for Ann!!!). So, she got done w/chemo before I finished my 12 garments. I hit turbulence with the striped pants; the waistband is pinned on at the moment, so they are close to done. The 12th garment has been in the queue since the Great Stash-Busting Chop of 2007...the fuschia jersey Donna Karan Vogue wrap top.
But it's heading into graduation season, and I need to take a break from garment sewing to work on the mantles for the Masters' Commission students who will be graduating at the end of the month. They have to be cut out, interfaced, and partially sewn so I can hand them over to my embroidery queen friend, Miss A, to letter, and she needs them this weekend so she'll have time to get them embroidered and back to me to finish before the grad.
So, I got 10 garments made in 12 weeks...not too shabby...and I'll finish the others up in pretty short order.
When I'm done, I'll post a photo collage of the lot of them. ;)
Carolyn's post made me chuckle today...and remember a conversation from last week.
My cell phone rang while I was checking out at Publix. I dug around in my purse, pulled it out, and had the following conversation with a friend, P.
P. Hi, Lisa, say, do you know (lady)?
Me. No, I haven't met her yet.
P. Her and her husband are the ones who have that (such-and-such a product).
Me. Nope. Don't know them.
P. Well, she wanted to know if I knew anyone who sews...
Me. P, you don't!!! You don't know anyone!!!
P. You were the only one I could think of...she needs someone to make a wedding dress.
Me. (trying to pay the grocery tab while stifling hysterical laughter) Absolutely you do not know anyone!!! I don't do that!
P. Well, Ok, I just thought I'd ask...
A wedding dress. I suppose I should be flattered, but...sigh.
I *might* make wedding dresses for my daughters. But unless I go into business doing it, that'd be IT.
On another note, my 12 weeks were up; Ann has already posted on Facebook about being Officially Done with chemo (Yay for Ann!!!). So, she got done w/chemo before I finished my 12 garments. I hit turbulence with the striped pants; the waistband is pinned on at the moment, so they are close to done. The 12th garment has been in the queue since the Great Stash-Busting Chop of 2007...the fuschia jersey Donna Karan Vogue wrap top.
But it's heading into graduation season, and I need to take a break from garment sewing to work on the mantles for the Masters' Commission students who will be graduating at the end of the month. They have to be cut out, interfaced, and partially sewn so I can hand them over to my embroidery queen friend, Miss A, to letter, and she needs them this weekend so she'll have time to get them embroidered and back to me to finish before the grad.
So, I got 10 garments made in 12 weeks...not too shabby...and I'll finish the others up in pretty short order.
When I'm done, I'll post a photo collage of the lot of them. ;)
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Choir Sundays 2010 #14
May Choir Colors: Black,white and turquoise.
Today happened to be our 11th anniversary, so instead of blue jeans we're just a tad dressier w/black pants.
I've got on Loes Hinse's Bistro jacket, made in a black poly herringbone weave suiting; my favorite black wool gab Loes Hinse Oxford Pants and a silk/lycra charmeuse shell made from the bodice of Loes Hinse's City Dress
I'll post a 12 weeks update tomorrow; I didn't quite make 12 garments in 12 weeks...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Distractions!
So, how am I supposed to do the million things I need to do today? Sure wish I could squeeze about 6 more hours in the day...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Mediocre Picture of Mediocre Pants
The Flute Player played photographer for me this afternoon and this is the best photo of what she took (i.e., *all* of the pants are actually in the picture). Because of the stripes, you can see the ripples at the hip where the pattern (Jalie's 2909 'Classic Trousers') curves higher than I do.
There are some other issues with this pair that I won't go to the trouble of pointing out. I tucked in my top so the problems would be visible specifically for the sewing blog; I won't EVER wear these pants with a tucked-in top.
But they're wearable, and, with a layered black-on-red-on-black look, it worked.
I'll review them when I get the next iteration sewn up. ;)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Slipped again
Once upon a time, I decided I would declare one week out of every three months to be my 'home focus week' -- I'd stay off the internet, not schedule any appointments or volunteer activities and work on some project that needed attention at home.
Then I got a part-time job, and, while I still manage to stay off the internet, the 'stay home and accomplish things' part of the plan sort of went away.
And I did a BUNCH of running around town last week...I put about 110 miles on the car on Thursday and never left town.
And I didn't get much sewing done, either.
I've been working on a test garment of Jalie 2909 (the 'Classic Trousers') from a poly-lycra blend suiting I nabbed off the cheap table at Wal-mart. I got them to the point that all they needed was a trouser hook and the legs hemmed and determined that I needed to:
1) move the hip curve down about 2". The sideseam ripples a bit above the fullest part of my hips.
2) Add a pinch of ease to the whole garment. To my mind, in woven 'classic' pants, stretch in the fabric should be for ease of movement, not for fitting. These are pretty snug.
3) scoop the back crotch a bit
4) angle the back seam of the waistband in a bit and, after a bit of deliberation
5) put the center front seam on grain.
I'd also drafted pockets for the pants, but they were too deep and the opening was too long.
I pulled the pattern out and worked it over to accomplish those five things, plus I overhauled my pocket draft. Then I pulled out some black-and-white stripe printed cotton/lycra I got from Ann...last spring?...and cut out another pair (I still need pocket linings and interfacing).
Then I finished up the first pair. I'd give the fit about a C+ on that pair, given the items mentioned above. I like the color combo on the fabric, though, so I think I'll just make sure I pair 'em up with a top that's long enough to cover the too-high-hip-curve ripples and wear 'em for a while. With a longer top on, they really don't look *too* bad.
I'll do a full review w/photos when I get the second pair made.
So, while I didn't *finish* a Gorgeous Things garment, I made some progress on one.
Oh, and I decided I'd use the rest of the black and white stripe to make another McCall's 5191 jacket.
But I won't wear the pants and the jacket together. Just so you know. ;)
Then I got a part-time job, and, while I still manage to stay off the internet, the 'stay home and accomplish things' part of the plan sort of went away.
And I did a BUNCH of running around town last week...I put about 110 miles on the car on Thursday and never left town.
And I didn't get much sewing done, either.
I've been working on a test garment of Jalie 2909 (the 'Classic Trousers') from a poly-lycra blend suiting I nabbed off the cheap table at Wal-mart. I got them to the point that all they needed was a trouser hook and the legs hemmed and determined that I needed to:
1) move the hip curve down about 2". The sideseam ripples a bit above the fullest part of my hips.
2) Add a pinch of ease to the whole garment. To my mind, in woven 'classic' pants, stretch in the fabric should be for ease of movement, not for fitting. These are pretty snug.
3) scoop the back crotch a bit
4) angle the back seam of the waistband in a bit and, after a bit of deliberation
5) put the center front seam on grain.
I'd also drafted pockets for the pants, but they were too deep and the opening was too long.
I pulled the pattern out and worked it over to accomplish those five things, plus I overhauled my pocket draft. Then I pulled out some black-and-white stripe printed cotton/lycra I got from Ann...last spring?...and cut out another pair (I still need pocket linings and interfacing).
Then I finished up the first pair. I'd give the fit about a C+ on that pair, given the items mentioned above. I like the color combo on the fabric, though, so I think I'll just make sure I pair 'em up with a top that's long enough to cover the too-high-hip-curve ripples and wear 'em for a while. With a longer top on, they really don't look *too* bad.
I'll do a full review w/photos when I get the second pair made.
So, while I didn't *finish* a Gorgeous Things garment, I made some progress on one.
Oh, and I decided I'd use the rest of the black and white stripe to make another McCall's 5191 jacket.
But I won't wear the pants and the jacket together. Just so you know. ;)
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