FIT 2 STITCH ...

Do you have the opportunity with your local PBS station to see the new Fit 2 Stitch sewing show with Peggy Sagers?  I haven’t seen it on the local station in my area.  However, I ordered the series and finally found the opportunity to sit down and watch it, twice.  These DVDs are stuffed full of information.  Here’s the list of topics:

1.   Bodice and Darts

2.   Skirts for all Ages

3.   The Sleeve

4.   Great Fit

5.   The French Curve

6.   Proportions

7.   Pants

8.   Jeans

9.   Yoga Pants

10. Sewing Styles

11.  Silk Blouses

12.  One Pattern

13.  Sewing Tips

Nice list of topics, don’t you think?  I've enjoyed each of the shows, especially the shows on fitting.  It seems as you age that it’s harder to fit or maybe I didn't notice as much when I was younger.  RTW is very frustrating.  Many times, sewing for yourself is very frustrating.  Anyone else feel like that? I think that it is so much easier to fit someone other than myself.  Yet, I keep trying.

It has been announced that there will be a second season of Fit 2 Stitch.  I have already ordered the second season DVDs and the pattern that goes along with it.  It won’t be available till the fall but it will be something to look forward to in the fall.  If you’re interested in this series, contact your local PBS station and request the show.  Of course, you can just purchase the series like I have done.  It can be found at fit2stitch.com.

Happy Sewing!

Sewing Magazines

What kind of sewing related magazines do you get?  There was a time where I had 7 or 8 sewing magazine subscriptions.  I slowly have let go of my subscriptions till I have two left - Threads and Inspirations.  I have complete sets of both magazines but sadly I'm losing interest in both.  Does anyone share this problem with either one of these magazines?  I'll admit that the Inspirations magazine is just terribly expensive and that is part of the reason that I will not be resubscribing.  Threads, I have more time to consider.  While I'm considering the my current subscriptions, I receive an invitation for a free Burda Style US addition.  I received it the other day.  Here's the cover:

Isn't the dress on the cover cute?  There are a few interesting styles in this issue  I don't think that this will be a magazine that I subscribe to but I may get another issue just to see.  I do hope that I try a couple of the patterns.  If I do find the time, I will share my findings.

It does show that a little over half of the patterns are downloadable.  I did check one of the downloadable patterns and they are for sale not free with the purchase of the magazine.  I wonder how that will go over with the people who purchased a subscription.  Not to say that getting 20 patterns in the issue isn't bad but I seem to remember Burda magazine having 40 or so patterns.

Happy Stitching!

Couture Sewing - The Couture Cardigan Jacket

I have finally finished up reading The Couture Cardigan Jacket and watching the DVD by Claire Shaeffer. 

I read the book first and then watched the DVD and walked through the book with it.  I took my time reading through the book because I really wanted to understand the techniques shown. The examples shown throughout the book are beautiful.  They really make you want to duplicate the look on your own. 

The book really does not discuss fit.  Before starting, you should already have made a muslin and made all necessary changes. 

Chapters:

1.  Getting Started  - information is provided on materials and trims, and cutting and marking.
2.  Constructing the Jacket - quilting, stabilizing and shaping, and order of construction.
3.  Buttonholes - information on hand worked buttonholes and how to finish the buttonholes.
4.  Assembling the Sleeves - information on how to put a three piece sleeve together.
5.  Finishing the Edges - information on how to finish the hems and applying the trim.
6.  Setting the Sleeves - information on how to hand set a sleeve.
7.  Patch Pocket Techniques
8.  Finishing Details - information on finishing the buttonholes on the inside, sewing on a button, adding shape to the jacket back, and adding the chain.
9. Characteristics of the Couture Cardigan Jacket - What makes it different? How the copies and knockoffs are different.

The DVD run time is about 1 1/2 hours.

After reading this book and watching the DVD, I'm convinced that I could (and may) duplicate this look, hand stitching and all.  The only thing that I find a little bit daunting is the hand worked buttonholes.  In watching the DVD, you can see how comfortable Claire Shaeffer is with the hand work.  It is second nature to her.  I wonder how long it takes to be that comfortable.  She even made the hand worked buttonholes look easy. 

Is this a must have book for the sewing library?  If you like books that contain a lot of how-to and give examples, I would say "Yes".  If you have any intentions of making this type of garment, I would say "Yes".  I'm glad that it is now part of my sewing library. 

I'm now looking forward to the skirt book which will also be part of my sewing library.

Happy Stitching!

Seams Unlikely...

...is a good book to read.

It is a little bit rambling but it is interesting to see how she started and where she is now.  I loved watching her show when she first started with PBS in the 80s.  I still have some of those shows on tape.  It was encouraging to know that others enjoyed sewing.

I will say that I don't usually read this type of book and it took me about a month to finish it.   If you're interested in this sewing industry legend, this is a good book to read. As far as I can tell, she is still going strong.

Happy Stitching!

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!

Where have I been....?

Well, I have been busy the last couple of weeks. I've been working, visiting friends in other cities, sewing (not everyday but almost), reading, and gardening. I have been trying to sew 15-30 minutes every day that I'm at home. Amazingly, I have been able to do this. It has made the cutting out of all the little pieces for the placemats take a long time. Also, I always have multiples projects going at the same time. Don't want to get bored. As for the reading, I received the new "Making Trousers for Men & Women" by David Page Coffin. It is a GOOD read. Really, it makes me want to make a nice pair of pants. Maybe I will.

The garden has finally started producing a lot. There has been tomatoes (8 to 10 varieties), beans (3 varieties), broccoli, corn, cantaloupe, hot banana peppers (other varieties aren't ready to pick yet), tomatillos, and squash (yellow and zucchini). Seeing this list makes it sound like I have a huge garden but I don't. Today, we cleared out the lettuce bed, and the cantaloupe beds. All three beds have been replants with lettuce, broccoli, kohlrabi, and spinach. I have another bed that currently has broccoli, kohlrabi, and chard which is almost ready to clear and replant.

No sewing done today because I canned tomatoes and hot banana peppers. I also ran a little boy to his math class.

School starts next week so I should have a little more time to sew.

Happy Sewing!