It looks like I missed the boat on the Stylized Floral Knit Jersey - those are the breaks. I'll post what I replace it with as soon as I figure that out!
I must say, Ann at Gorgeous Things is SO quick to respond in letting me know it was sold out. Thank goodness I'm not that high maintenance when it comes to purchasing fabric. The way I figure it, I don't *need* the fabric, I just want it. I can live with wanting something and not being able to get it.
This experience made me realize that I have a terrible habit of waiting until something is almost sold out before I buy it. I lucked out with the coral chain link I purchased earlier in the week...now I realize just how much I lucked out!
Friday, March 30, 2007
new fabric on its way!
Earlier this week I had ordered what I believe to be the last 3 yards of the Coral Chain Link from Gorgeous Things. I expect it to arrive sometime next week.
Today, I just ordered more fabric from Gorgeous Things. I got three yards each of the Stylized Floral Knit Jersey and the Bright Floral Cotton Stretch
The current plan is to make dresses with both fabrics, although the patterns are yet to be determined. Woohoo, I'm so excited!!
Today, I just ordered more fabric from Gorgeous Things. I got three yards each of the Stylized Floral Knit Jersey and the Bright Floral Cotton Stretch
The current plan is to make dresses with both fabrics, although the patterns are yet to be determined. Woohoo, I'm so excited!!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Gorgeous Fabric...
One class down, one more to go and then I'll have time to SEW SEW SEW! OK, so that was a really cheesy rhyme, but what can I say - I'm sleep deprived!
The topic for today's post is:
I just found one of Ann's Gorgeous Fabrics on the Simplicity/NewLook website. I'm sure I'm not the first to see this, but the "Vintage Floral Knit Print" that is part of the "Changes in Latitude" collection is featured on the pattern envelope for New Look 6571. If it's not the same, it's VERY similar!
The New Look Pattern:
Ann's Gorgeous Fabric:
(This link was taken down or moved)
What a co-inky-dink :) Personally, I love just about everything on Ann's site and if I was made of money I would probably buy a little bit of everything...so far the only thing I've been able to justify was the last 3 yards of the coral chain-link (I can't wait for it to arrive!!), but for now I need to finish this last really tough class so I can have some time to sew up the projects in my queue.
The topic for today's post is:
I just found one of Ann's Gorgeous Fabrics on the Simplicity/NewLook website. I'm sure I'm not the first to see this, but the "Vintage Floral Knit Print" that is part of the "Changes in Latitude" collection is featured on the pattern envelope for New Look 6571. If it's not the same, it's VERY similar!
The New Look Pattern:
Ann's Gorgeous Fabric:
(This link was taken down or moved)
What a co-inky-dink :) Personally, I love just about everything on Ann's site and if I was made of money I would probably buy a little bit of everything...so far the only thing I've been able to justify was the last 3 yards of the coral chain-link (I can't wait for it to arrive!!), but for now I need to finish this last really tough class so I can have some time to sew up the projects in my queue.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
re-learning to fit patterns
It has been AGES since I've had to really fit a pattern. I had a nice TNT method that worked well for most patterns (assuming they went up to a size 22). I would make a FBA, add a half inch to the length of the shoulder and an inch to the width of sleeves for two or three-piece sleeve patterns, increase the overall length by an inch and a half and in non one-piece sleeve patterns I would widen the upper arm portion. Some patterns I've never had to modify for size at all (such as my wedding dress, although plenty of other modifications were made). I've lost 50lbs since October and am finding now that I have to make totally different types of alterations. I've been working on the Simplicity 4698 jacket and even though I've made this jacket numerous times, now that I've gone from a RTW 22 to a 14, I decided to make a muslin.
Well, my muslin attempt didn't get too far off the ground because I was having a heck of a time making a decision on the size to start with. I don't really think I'll have to make ANY modifications and I can probably get away with a size 14 or 16, but I traced off the pattern in a 22 to be on the safe side. The only modifications I made to the original sizing was adding overall length to the front and back. I didn't make any width modifications to anything. I don't know what my deal is, but I just can't seem to come to terms with the fact that I'm not as big as I used to be.
I was hoping the muslin would actually be cut out today, but that's not going to happen as I realized I have a paper due in a week that I haven't actually started. Let me tell you, it was so difficult to get away from the cutting table to work on that paper. Fortunately, the paper is almost done and I can hopefully have the muslin cut out and the first fit done before the end of the week.
My re-fitting of this TNT pattern is this:
1. Cut out and sew together the size 22 muslin
2. Make whatever fitting adjustments need to be made to the jacket front and back only (I'm not worry about sleeves right now because I'm still deciding what kind of sleeves I want)
3. Once I get the fit perfected, I'll figure out the sleeves and get them perfected in the same way (I may need to draft a new sleeve altogether)
4. Mark the muslin and re-trace my pattern pieces. This will also help me definitively decide what size to make in the future :)
5. Cut out my stretch twill poppy fabric and make my first summer jacket!
I still have 25-30 more pounds to lose, but I think if I make this jacket just a little bit more snug than usual, I won't have to take it in too much when I get to my goal weight.
Read all posts on this project here.
Well, my muslin attempt didn't get too far off the ground because I was having a heck of a time making a decision on the size to start with. I don't really think I'll have to make ANY modifications and I can probably get away with a size 14 or 16, but I traced off the pattern in a 22 to be on the safe side. The only modifications I made to the original sizing was adding overall length to the front and back. I didn't make any width modifications to anything. I don't know what my deal is, but I just can't seem to come to terms with the fact that I'm not as big as I used to be.
I was hoping the muslin would actually be cut out today, but that's not going to happen as I realized I have a paper due in a week that I haven't actually started. Let me tell you, it was so difficult to get away from the cutting table to work on that paper. Fortunately, the paper is almost done and I can hopefully have the muslin cut out and the first fit done before the end of the week.
My re-fitting of this TNT pattern is this:
1. Cut out and sew together the size 22 muslin
2. Make whatever fitting adjustments need to be made to the jacket front and back only (I'm not worry about sleeves right now because I'm still deciding what kind of sleeves I want)
3. Once I get the fit perfected, I'll figure out the sleeves and get them perfected in the same way (I may need to draft a new sleeve altogether)
4. Mark the muslin and re-trace my pattern pieces. This will also help me definitively decide what size to make in the future :)
5. Cut out my stretch twill poppy fabric and make my first summer jacket!
I still have 25-30 more pounds to lose, but I think if I make this jacket just a little bit more snug than usual, I won't have to take it in too much when I get to my goal weight.
Read all posts on this project here.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
hubby's wedding vest
Since I haven't had much time to make anything lately, I figured I should post about my last couple of projects. Sadly, it's been June since I've really accomplished anything in the sewing room (although that is about to change, as I've got several projects lined up). Anyway, I figured I would start with the SURPRISE vest I made for my husband for our wedding.
Because hubby is an avid hunter, I wanted to make sure there was a little bit of "him" in our wedding (which was decorated with orange, pink and red gerbera daisies). I decided that the best way to allow him to express himself was to make him a tuxedo vest that more closely fit his personality. I envisioned a silk or satin camouflage front lined in safety orange. My first hurdle was the fact that the ONLY camo fabric I could find was a medium-weight twill, fleece or netting. The twill was the winner for obvious reasons. The second hurdle (and most difficult) was to find a suitable good-quality lining fabric. I wanted to avoid the traditional ambiance lining because I wanted something with more body. After an unsuccessful trip to JoAnn's, I stumbled upon a remnant of a great safety-orange satin that had good body to it at Hancock. I decided upon a black dull satin (also from Hancock) for the back of the vest and black dull-satin covered tuxedo buttons for the front.
I used Vogue 8048. I made view C (the black one on the bottom) with some modifications:
My husband is a broad man, and even though he is only 6' tall, he has a longer torso for his height. I took the largest side and extended the width to fit his broad shoulders and the length to fit her long torso. Because this was a surprise that I gave to him at our rehearsal dinner, I needed to make sure he didn't find out so it was somewhat difficult to get the proper measurements. It helped that I made a note of his measurements when he was fitted for his tuxedo. Aside from fitting modifications, I made two other changes: I liked the configuration of buttons on view A (a pair of buttons close together with a wider gap between each pair), only instead of 4 pair, I used 3 pair (view A is higher-cut than view C). I also modified the back ties. I thought it might be more comfortable if there was a tie on each side rather than one in the middle. I used black plastic strap tighteners like the kind that adjust straps on a backpack and camo ribbon for the back ties. If I had it to do all over again, I would have used the twill as the strap, but the ribbon was fun (it was also used to make the camo and black lace garter that held a tiny holster and cap gun). Sadly, the ribbon was also somewhat difficult to sew and it's the only part of the vest that screams Home Ec. class (which is actually funny, because my mother-in-law is a Home Ec. teacher).
Hubby LOVED the vest - so did everyone else for that matter. I still get comments on how great it was that I "let" him wear a camo vest...most people are even more shocked when I tell them that 1-I made it and 2-I made for him as a surprise. They all say what a good wife I am...but really I have a great husband so it was worth the effort - I don't feel it detracted from the theme of the wedding at all, and hubby loved wearing it.
Here are some pictures of the finished project:
Front
Back
Lining
Tie Detail
Hubby looking fab
It got two thumbs up from hubby and the best man
Because hubby is an avid hunter, I wanted to make sure there was a little bit of "him" in our wedding (which was decorated with orange, pink and red gerbera daisies). I decided that the best way to allow him to express himself was to make him a tuxedo vest that more closely fit his personality. I envisioned a silk or satin camouflage front lined in safety orange. My first hurdle was the fact that the ONLY camo fabric I could find was a medium-weight twill, fleece or netting. The twill was the winner for obvious reasons. The second hurdle (and most difficult) was to find a suitable good-quality lining fabric. I wanted to avoid the traditional ambiance lining because I wanted something with more body. After an unsuccessful trip to JoAnn's, I stumbled upon a remnant of a great safety-orange satin that had good body to it at Hancock. I decided upon a black dull satin (also from Hancock) for the back of the vest and black dull-satin covered tuxedo buttons for the front.
I used Vogue 8048. I made view C (the black one on the bottom) with some modifications:
My husband is a broad man, and even though he is only 6' tall, he has a longer torso for his height. I took the largest side and extended the width to fit his broad shoulders and the length to fit her long torso. Because this was a surprise that I gave to him at our rehearsal dinner, I needed to make sure he didn't find out so it was somewhat difficult to get the proper measurements. It helped that I made a note of his measurements when he was fitted for his tuxedo. Aside from fitting modifications, I made two other changes: I liked the configuration of buttons on view A (a pair of buttons close together with a wider gap between each pair), only instead of 4 pair, I used 3 pair (view A is higher-cut than view C). I also modified the back ties. I thought it might be more comfortable if there was a tie on each side rather than one in the middle. I used black plastic strap tighteners like the kind that adjust straps on a backpack and camo ribbon for the back ties. If I had it to do all over again, I would have used the twill as the strap, but the ribbon was fun (it was also used to make the camo and black lace garter that held a tiny holster and cap gun). Sadly, the ribbon was also somewhat difficult to sew and it's the only part of the vest that screams Home Ec. class (which is actually funny, because my mother-in-law is a Home Ec. teacher).
Hubby LOVED the vest - so did everyone else for that matter. I still get comments on how great it was that I "let" him wear a camo vest...most people are even more shocked when I tell them that 1-I made it and 2-I made for him as a surprise. They all say what a good wife I am...but really I have a great husband so it was worth the effort - I don't feel it detracted from the theme of the wedding at all, and hubby loved wearing it.
Here are some pictures of the finished project:
Front
Back
Lining
Tie Detail
Hubby looking fab
It got two thumbs up from hubby and the best man
Friday, March 23, 2007
Chapter 11
I read the other day that Hancock Fabrics has filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection and they are closing nearly 150 stores. In anticipation of the possibility of the Sparks store closing (sadly, the Reno store closed several years ago), I headed down to take advantage of the weekend sale they had going on and to get the scoop on the store closings. I was delighted when I walked up to the front door and a big sign reads "This store is NOT closing!". I was ecstatic, really. I like JoAnn's as much as the next person but my experience with Hancock is just so much more home-town. I will drive 25 miles from my home just to shop there, even though JoAnn is less than half that distance. With the lack of decent fabric shops in Reno, I take what I can get (I'm not counting the myriad of quilting shops, because we have a ton of those...I'm just not a quilter).
Anyway, I am thrilled that my home-town Hancock is safe...at least for now.
Anyway, I am thrilled that my home-town Hancock is safe...at least for now.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Wish List
My husband and I are attempting to save more money each month. It's a somewhat daunting task because I'm a fabric junkie and my husband is a hunting junkie - both somewhat expensive hobbies. I decided it would be a good idea for us to just keep a running list of things that we want and budgeting for them better rather than just going out and buying them. Hubby asked where the fun was in that, but I'm looking to the distant future while he's looking to September when he goes Elk hunting in Idaho.
With that said, I've put together my "Wish List" for all of the items I would love to have but for whatever reason come up with no good "excuses" for why I should spend the money on them.
1. Subscription to Burda WOF
2. A serger
3. 4-5 yards of EVERYTHING at Gorgeous Things
4. Just about anything from Hot Patterns
5. A trip to NYC to go fabric shopping (the fabric-shopping trip to SF is happening this spring!)
My husband likes to think that I would love a new sewing machine. The fact of the matter is, both sewing machines I have were free and they work beautifully. The story behind my sewing machines will be saved for another day. In the meantime, what's on your wish list?
With that said, I've put together my "Wish List" for all of the items I would love to have but for whatever reason come up with no good "excuses" for why I should spend the money on them.
1. Subscription to Burda WOF
2. A serger
3. 4-5 yards of EVERYTHING at Gorgeous Things
4. Just about anything from Hot Patterns
5. A trip to NYC to go fabric shopping (the fabric-shopping trip to SF is happening this spring!)
My husband likes to think that I would love a new sewing machine. The fact of the matter is, both sewing machines I have were free and they work beautifully. The story behind my sewing machines will be saved for another day. In the meantime, what's on your wish list?
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