Brown Wool Skirt finally finished....

It took a snowy day where I couldn't get out to finish my skirt. I know this took more than a month. I'm not sure why the hemming slowed me down but it did. Here's the pattern that I made:

This time I made View D with the double pleats in the front.  Here's the finished skirt:

I put an invisible zipper in this version of the skirt.  Here’s a link to the best tutorial that I have found on putting in an invisible zipper - http://thesewingdivas.wordpress.com/2006/11/08/sewing-invisible-zipper/ . There are no puckers when you follow her directions.

I changed the waist from having a facing to having a waistband.  I don’t know if I did it correctly but it seems to work.  I removed the 5/8” seam allowance on both the skirt and the lining.  Then followed the tutorials over Katrina Kay Creations for both the lining and the waistband.  Here's the link:   

http://katrinakaycreations.com/sewing-tutorials/    .   The name of the tutorials are:   How to Sew Your Skirt Lining to your zipper by machine  and How to Sew a Waistband that will not round or wrinkle.

 Here's a peek at how the invisible zipper turned out:

I will definitely be using both the zipper technique and the waistband technique again.  The skirt actually turned out a little bit big.  There were other mistakes with this skirt along the way.  `I haven't decided yet if I will actually wear it.  I would not consider this a failure as the techniques that I learned long the way were definitely worth learning.  I love knowing how to sew the zipper opening in the lining by machine.  

I can tell looking at the picture that the skirt needs to spend a little more time being pressed.  I will also need to find a different top.  The sweater I have on in the picture definitely isn't the right one.  

I did mention that the hemming slowed me down on this skirt.  I ended up stitching both the skirt and the lining hems on the machine.  The skirt hem is done using the blind hem stitch which took a little bit of fiddling with the adjustable blind hem foot that I have.  For Viking owns, that is the clear "D" foot.   the lining was just a down hem stitched down.  Nothing fancy there.  Do you like sewing your skirt hems by hand or machine?  Any particular reason.

Overall, I would say that this is a very nice pattern. It seemed to have been well drafted and went together well.  I will definitely consisted revisiting this pattern for one or two summer skirts.  

Ok, I have one more wintery item left.  It will be another experience.  If it works out, I will have another top to wear over the next few weeks. If it doesn't, it is just one less piece of fabric in the stash.

Happy Stitching

New Placemats

Today was the monthly sewing/crafting meeting with one of my friends.  She has been learning free motion quilting.  Although I have no desire to do free motion quilting, I certainly don't mind picking out projects that will allow practicing to occur.  It was my turn to pick out a project and I wanted/needed new placemats.  With that in mind,  I selected the Framed Seasons quilt as you go placemats.  Here's a picture of the pattern project:

With this project we were able to practice free motion quilting (I chose to outline quilt) the center section, quilt as you go, stitching evenly, and topstitching.  This was a fairly quick project.  We started getting everything together at 9 am and by 11:30 am we had both made two placemats.  At this point, I ran out of matching thread which required a trip to JoAnn's for another spool of thread.  I also realized that I needed a new blade for my rotary cutter but unfortunately the needed size wasn't available. Here's a picture of my finished project:

This project made me realized that I definitely need more practice with topstitching.  Why does topstitching seem so difficult?  I was using the foot on my machine to help with keeping the stitches straight.  My friend was using a specialty foot for topstitching.  I'm not sure that she had an easier time of doing the topstitching.   I would love to hear your favorite tips on the topstitching technique.

The next meeting we will be making lampshades.  I have decided not to make my own lampshades but I will be helping to create the lampshades for my friend.

Happy Sewing!

New Shoes for Spring & Summer

It's that time of year again.  This time last year, I had no desire for new shoes and I didn't order anything.  Having a broken foot, I didn't know what type of shoe I would want or need.  I will say that I have not been looking at heels anymore.  So, sad.  However, I still want some cute shoes even if the heels are much lower.  So far, I have found two pair:

These are from Aerosoles.  Love the color and hope that I will have many items to wear with them.  I have wore them around the house and they seem comfortable.  However, it really takes an all day wearing to know if they will be good.

I just ordered this pair from Zappos.  They are from Lucky brand.  The color is called Brindle and I'm really hoping that I like them when the show up.  Funny, I had 4 pairs of shoes in my cart and 3 pair were all very similar style.  This pair being one of the three.

Ok before I order anything else, I really need to look over the current shoe wardrobe.  I know I cleared out some items earlier in the year but I really need to look everything over.  I know I kept a few of the items with heels and I'm really not sure that I should have.  It doesn't mean that I don't want to wear them anymore because I loved to wear heels. It just means I need to be more realistic with my shoes.  I know there is a problem with my ankle and the lower heels are better for it.

Happy Sewing!

More Sewing Library books and sewing mistakes

I have continued to add to the sewing library in the past couple of weeks. I added the kindle app to my laptop with the help of my husband.

 I purchased How Patterns Work: The Fundamental Principles of Pattern Making and Sewing in Fashion Design. I like the instant gratification of getting the book minutes after purchasing but I’m still undecided about whether or not like reading the book on the laptop. I’ll review the book at a later date as I’ve only made it to Chapter 11 out of 52 chapters so far. At this point, I haven’t seen any new material.

Next, I purchased Couture Sewing: The Couture Cardigan Jacket, Sewing secrets from a Chanel Collector. I have glanced at this book. It is going to take more than a glance. I’m looking forward to viewing the DVD. 

The last item that I purchased was Seams Unlikely: The Inspiring True Life Story of Nancy Zieman by Nancy Zieman with Marjorie L Russell. I can hardly wait to read this. Nancy has been in the business and on TV for many years. I know I started watching her series in the mid 1980s. I even have some of those early shows still on tape.

I realized this week that I made a mistake when I cut out my brown wool skirt. I’m in the process of figuring out how to correct the mistake. What was the mistake? I forgot to add the needed width to the waist. Yes, this means that I will need to add fabric to the sides on the front. What I don’t know is how obvious this will be. I guess I will find out. It will be a disappoint if it doesn’t work out but it is OK. Sewing is always a learning process no matter how long you have been sewing. Fitting is another learned process.

Last year, I purchased a class on Making Cheese at Craftsy.  My husband and I made goat cheese several times.  We decided it was time to move to the next cheese - Mozzarella.  This was definitely a little more work than the goat cheese.  I wouldn't call our attempt a complete failure as we did end up with curls that tasted like mozzarella but we were never able to get the curds to stretch.  However, it melts just fine.  With the leftovers, we made some ricotta.  Oh my goodness but homemade ricotta is very good.  A gallon of milk does not make much mozzarella or ricotta.  We found a local farm with jersey cows and we are hoping to get some fresh milk to try the mozzarella again.  Has anyone made fresh yogurt?

Happy Stitching (Crafting or Whatever)

Adding to the Sewing Library and UFO completion

I purchased “Patternmaking For Menswear” by Gareth Kershaw this month.

I bought it specifically to see if I could draft something for my son.  The book contains a few patterns of interest – Henley shirt, hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants, shorts, jean jacket, and a single-breasted jacket.  There are other interesting items that I think I can adapt to the wanted style.  Of course, this book is just for drafting.  There is no information for fitting or sewing instruction.  But one book can’t really provide all the information.  Fitting is really only accomplished via experience. 

My son is tall and very thin which makes it very hard to find clothes.  I measured him recently to see what size shirt he wears.  It was a 14 with 36 sleeves.  That isn’t exactly a common size to locate.  I did find some 14 ½ x 35/36 online.  SML sizing just doesn’t work well due to length.  I know I can’t be the only one in the situation.  I would love to hear where you’re locating clothes.  Oh, yeah, pants are 30x36 which I can’t find anywhere.  I told him to wear a belt and bought 32x36.  I hate that he is in the situation where everything is so completely oversized.  I have purchased a couple of patterns from Silhouettes for him.  A shirt pattern which is too big but Peggy explained how to reduce the size and a jean pattern. I have yet to get the courage to try anything.  I also wonder if he will have the patience for me to fit anything.  My goal for spring is a couple of shirts with the close fit the young guys seem to like that are long enough to stay tucked in.   

I did a little bit of sewing last night.  I finished one UFO and cut out the lining for the brown wool skirt.  Maybe I will finish it tonight.  Here's the UFO:

Can you tell I'm thinking of spring? Actually, I started these last spring and got all the pressing for the hems completed and never finished the hems.  Now, they are all done and ready for spring.

Happy Sewing!