Comparing patterns..

After spending a couple of hours trying on clothes and not finding anything that fit well. I came home and pulled out a couple of jean patterns. I have never made a pair of jeans but now is as good a time as any. Here's the jean patterns that I chose:



The first pattern is Silhouette patterns #3300 - Lana's Jean. This pattern has all the sizes the Peggy Sagers offers in her pattern line. I measured my hip as indicated in the pattern. Ugh! I choose a Size 18 based on that measurement. I have traced out the pattern and double-checked that it had been traced correctly. Although, I did note that there were notches missing on one of the patterns pieces.
The second pattern is McCall's 5894. This is a Palmer/Pletsch pattern. Unfortunately, I purchased the wrong size in this pattern but I decided to compare the size 16 to the Silhouette pattern size 18.

Much to my surprise the width of the patterns matched but that was the only thing that matched. The crotch curve is different between the two patterns with the Silhouette pattern having a more scooped curve (ok, this is an adjustment that I have done to other pant patterns in the past). I'm guessing that this would mean that the Silhouettes pattern actually has a little bit less ease that the McCall's but may fit the back a little bit better. As in it would cup the area better.

I will need to dig through the stash to find the denim that is I know is hidden there. Hopefully, I can get a muslin made in the next week or so.

Happy Stitching!

Another week...

Another week has gone by.  I didn't sew this week but I did spent time cleaning.  The wood floors look wondering again.

I spent some time this morning looking at the new patterns at the various companies. It is kinda depressing. I rarely seen anything that I find interesting. I did find two items to share.

 The first one is Butterick 5673.  This is the one I think I will purchase. The lines on this dress should be very flattering.  I'll have to check the neckline but otherwise I really like this dress.

This pattern is McCall's 6433.  I really like the look of the dress.  The neckline is lower than what I would like to wear but I really like the pleats down the side.  This is a maybe on my list.

The other thing that I noticed was the number of poncho patterns.  How many ponchos can a person have?  I also saw a pattern for gauchos (?).  I know I'm telling my age by calling them that put I don't know what they are being called now.  That look is right out of the mid-70's.

I guess that it for today.  I would like to clean some in the sewing room and dining room today.  Of course, laundry is in the works already.  It seems like a very lazy day but it raining.  I also need to put some thought into a dinner of some sort.

Happy Stitching!

Fall is here but I'm not ready!

Fall is officially here.  I'm not ready for the cooler weather at all.  The early morning walks are getting harder to do.  It is getting cool enough that I need a jacket, at least to get started, and it is dark out when I start.  I will admit that I have seen some beautiful mornings.

My plan of not spending as much time on the computer is working fairly well.  I have been sewing.  Not a lot.  I had purchased new comforter, shams, and bed skirt for my room.  However, I never use the bed skirt and this one was really long. So, I took part of it to make a matching body pillow case.  Washing instructions for the bed skirt was dry clean only but you can not have a pillow case that is dry clean only.  So, I took a chance and washed it liked I would wash sheets and it turned out fine.  I still need to decide how I'm going to finish the hem but the serger makes really quick work of this stitching this type of project.  I do prefer french seams but this time it was just serged.

I have also been reviewing a chapter every day for the past week from Basics with Claire Shaffer Couture Techniques Workshop DVD .  I think it is a companion for the Couture Sewing by Claire Shaffer.  This has been a wonderful little DVD.  I have really enjoy seeing her show various techniques and garments from her collection.

Something else that I have been doing is teaching my son to cook.  It has been funny watching him use a knife. OK, I'll admit that it's scary too but he is afraid of the knife and tries to use it with one hand. That makes it a little bit tough to slice and dice.  I will keep working with him.  I have also been working with him on using a peeler.  Again, this has been an experience.  I really should have been working on this sooner because in just a few short years he will be exploring the world by himself and I would like to believe that he will be able to cook for himself.  In looking back on this, I have no memory of my own Mom helping me learn these skills.   I only remember making cookies and such.

Ok, enough rambling.  The dryer is calling.

Happy Stitching!

Is it fall yet?

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I know it's isn't really fall yet but I'm getting ready.  I started looking for new boots early this year.  First pair I found was a wonderful distressful leather boot with the zipper on the outside of the leg.  I was so excited when I received them but the shaft circumference wasn't big enough.  This made me very sad.  Alright, I will admit it. This is my normal issue with boots. Yes, I did measure before ordering.  However, this did not stop me.  It was Zappos to the rescue!  Here's the boot that I ended up with:

I can't complaint about these boots fitting.  They are perfect!  Well, as close to perfect as you can get.  The shaft circumference is not the least bit tight.  In fact, I could probably do something crazy like tuck my pants into the boot if I was so inclined (don't worry, it won't happen).  By the way, they are a very dark brown.

I also found a style website that I didn't know about.  It is Clinton Kelly's StyleRx.  For $2.99, Clinton will provide you with a style guide.  I figured for the price it couldn't hurt.  The information provided isn't really that much different than what Clinton and Stacy also talk about on their show.  It has been amusing to play with style room.  My only advice if you choose to play with this is to provide the most accurate information that you can.  Take the time to take all of your measurements as accurately as possible because you will get style that dummy (it is suppose to represent you).  The only that I can say is that as far as I can tell, you can not change the information on measurements.  Did I learn anything from this?  Maybe.  There wasn't anything that surprised me about the pants and skirts but the tops surprised me a little bit.  It's not that I don't purchase the type of tops that was suggested.  It's more like where are the typical knit tops.  I was told that  I should not wear anything that doesn't have a dart.  That puts most of your knit tops as a NoNo.  If anyone else decides to give it a try, I would love to hear about your experience.

I purchased a Great Copy pattern today.  You do not hear much about this pattern line.  It's your typical independent pattern on heavy white paper.  I was surprised to find that the sizing on the outside is your typical body measurement chart but the gold in this pattern is inside.  Located inside is the finished garment measurements, garment lengths, and finished sleeve lengths.  The only measurement that seems to be missing the sleeve circumference.  Of course, this pattern is for a simple t-shirt style top and it doesn't have any darts.  So, the question is, should I follow the Style Guide that I purchased? or should I go ahead and make it ?   Ok, I'll admit the chances are very slim that I will make anything but I do like to dream. 

I have decided that the real reason I do not get any sewing done is I spend too much time on the computer.  It doesn't matter whether I'm working or doing something for pleasure.  I just spend too much time with technology.  So, I'm going to try to quit work by 5pm and give myself no more than an hour to surf for pleasure.  That should give me a little bit of time to sew, a little bit of time to clean, and a little bit of time to relax.   I will report back in a couple of weeks and let you know whether or not this has helped any.

Well, my technology is mostly over.  I guess today is as good as any day to start turning off the technology.

Happy Stitching!

Lazy Days of Summer

It has certainly been a lazy summer. I haven't sewn anything all summer. Will I remember how? Of course, I will. Oh, I have been lots of mental sewing. There have been several projects planned with patterns, fabric, and notions purchased. Just no sewing.

So, what do you do when you find yourself in this situation. I would love to hear what you do to get yourself over that hump.

Happy Stitching!