Thursday, October 26, 2017

Sewing Pants for Women...Preparing the Pattern for Alteration Step 1. Part 2

Continuing with the Sewing Pants for Women by Else Tryoler.  Today, will we start with Step 1 of the seven giant steps to pants perfection:

Preparing the Pattern for Alteration

Your pattern is the blueprint for constructing a fine pair of pants. You will need a ruler, triangle, and pencil.   Prepare your pattern by drawing in the following item (see Figure 4):


(Always measure from the seam lines and not the cutting lines.)

1.  Draw in the seam lines.

2.  Take the vertical waist-to-hip measurement from the measurement chart in Part 1.  On the pattern, measure down that distance on both front and back pieces, establishing points through which you will draw a horizontal line.  This line will be call your hip line and alteration line.

3.  Locate the Crotch Length on your pattern Front by place a triangle on the straight of grain line and matching it to the point of the crotch (see Figure 4).  Draw a line across the top of the triangle to "B" as indicated on the diagram.

4.  Draw in the hem-line.

5.  Locate the knee-line, usually half way between the hem-line and crotch, and carefully draw a horizontal line at this point on Front and Back pattern pieces.

6. Draw a crease-line, both front and back

When you are finished, you should have a workmanlike pattern, drawn in the manner illustrated.




Happy Sewing!


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Organization...Folding Fabric

I have been folding a lot of fabric the last four or five weeks.  In fact, I've found a lot of fabric that I did not remember having. Nothing more fun than finding cute/beautiful fabric that you have completely forgotten about.  However, it has caused a bit of storage problem.  Basically, I am using three ways to store fabric:

1.  Ruler method of folding fabric - In generally, you use a 6" x 24" ruler for this method.  It is very neat and you can store a lot of fabric using this method.  Here's a very quick youtube video on this method of folding.  This method works well with 1/2 yard and larger pieces of fabric.  I have been using it for fashion fabrics, quilting fabrics, and other types of fabric.

2.  Card method for folding fat quarters or pieces smaller than 1/2 yard -  I found the instructions for this fold at Nancy's Notions.  It is a pdf labeled Fat Quarter Poker.  At this point, I am not re-folding purchased bundles that are currently folded.  I have not decided yet how those will be displayed/stored.

3.  Scrap storage - I haven't figured out yet how this is going to work out but I'm going to give it a try so that I have access to fabric pieces that can't be folded using the method in item 2.  This method is described at this Quiltville link - Scrap Saver's System.

When I have finished the fabric organization, I will share pictures from the sewing room.  It may be a while as I still have a lot of fabric still in bags or boxes.

I would love to hear how wool fabrics are being stored to prevent infestations.

Happy Stitching!

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Sewing Pants for Women....The Measurement Chart....Part 1

This series will be from the Sewing Pants for Women by Else Tyroler.  This publication is from the early 60s.  Let's start with The Measurement Chart.

The Measurement Chart

This is the basis for a perfect pair of pants.  It is where fit is begins.  Follow the instructions and note all your findings.  As you proceed through the fitting steps, you will be referring back to the measurement chart.



Now call in a good friend,  get a good measurement tape, and fasten a length of elastic around you waist snugly.  Relaxy while your friend takes your measurements and watch for accuracy.

Now that you've taken all your measurements.  We will get ready for the seven steps to pant perfection in the next post.

Happy Sewing!



Monday, October 16, 2017

A Little Bit of Organization...

Things are getting along well enough that I feel like it is OK to show a couple of pictures.  Don't get me wrong, the new sewing room is still pretty much a disaster and not ready to use by any means but it is slowly getting there. This is the corner behind the door entering the room:


I used an over-the-door hook and a couple of skirt hangers to hang three of my cutting boards.  The larger mat is hanging on a hook that is attached to the door.  I either got this idea from pinterest or a quilting board.  I still need to figure out where to put my largest mat besides on the floor.  That mat is slightly larger than the lower mat that is hanging on the door.  Originally, it was suppose to hang from a skirt hanger but the hanger didn't have enough strength to hold it up.  I'm sure I will figure it out but I will welcome any ideas.


This is a smallish pegboard (2' x 4') that DH painted to matched the wall.  It is hung at the top of the door level to leave a bit of space for pattern paper rolls.  The top portion holds the vintage quilting hoop and my embroider hoops with the lower section holding machine hoops.  There is a little bit of space for other items that hang.  I have some small scissors shown as an example.  I did attempt to put the rotary cutter in there but it didn't work out so well.  I'm sure this idea also came from pinterest.

Well, I'm proud of the little bit of organization that I have accomplished.  I only get to spend about an hour a day in the sewing room because there are so many boxes that still need to be unpacked.  It gets better every day.

Happy Sewing!

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Days are sliding by...

...and I want to sew but my sewing area isn't ready yet.  The new sewing room has been painted and has new flooring.  Here's another glimpse:


Looks a little better than the lavender room with the tan carpeting.  I will not miss any holes or crayon drawings on the walls.

I'm still in disbelieve on the amount of fabric that I have but have slowing been working through the boxes and re-folding the fabric. i have found some really beautiful fabrics hiding in my stash.

 I'm using the ruler method for folding the fabric and it seems to work well for both fashion fabric and quilting fabric.  Although it does seem to work a little bit better with items that are 45" or less in width.

I'm trying really hard to make my space work for me.  Currently, all of my machines have made it into the room.  Some are out on display and some are in the closet.  I'm trying to use the same desk that I have had in my sewing area for years.  In the past, I have two sewing machines and the serger on that desk but for now I'm setting it up with one sewing machine and the serger.  It will definitely feel less crowded with this set-up.  The previous set-up never slowed me down and I can certainly bring out one of the other machines should I decide to do some embroidery work.

Off to fold more fabric.

Happy Sewing!