Knitting Cables, The First Samples ....

The Explorations of Cables has been an interesting class so far.  Here's the first two samples:

Here's what I've learned so far:

1.  Cast on using the long tail cast on method in pattern.
2.  Tighten up the first stitch between a knit and purl.
3.  Tighten up the last stitch on a row.
4.  New techniques in binding off.
5.  How to read a knitting chart.

Don't you think that is a pretty good start?  I can only hope that the rest of the class in this enlightening.

I will admit that the hardest thing is reading a knitting chart especially for creating cables.  Hopefully, I will be able to get the slashes and such, and it will sink in.  Right now, I still have to look at the written description but with practice I should get there. 

Please note, that these samples have not been blocked.  As a point of reference, I'm using Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn.

Happy Stitching!

Bendy Bag....

As part of a gift for a relative, I decided to make a pair of the Bendy Bags by Lazy Girl Designs. 

Here is my effort:

I thought that they turned out fairly well even with the issues that I had.  I am unsure of how long it actually took me to complete these little bags because I worked on them over a couple of days. 

The fabric was a joke on my part.  This particular relative had asked for $1M dollars and one of the bills on the fabric is a $1M bill. 

I did draw out the pattern pieces for this project.  I did cut out the pieces individually.  Next time, I will stack all the fabric and cut out in one swoop.

Things that I found confusing in the directions:

1.  The zipper - The instructions for the zipper application were good.  What a found a bit confusing was that the supply list says that the zipper size is 14" or longer but the directions are written for a 14" zipper only.  Once I realized that the zipper diagram was representing a 1" grid, I figured out how long the second cut on the zipper was suppose to be and where the stitching on the zipper was suppose to be.  I also missed the bit about the zipper casing and had to redo that part. 

I think that was the only part of the instructions that I had any issues with.  Fortunately, all issues were correctable.

I may make these again.  Little bags to organize stuff in are always needed. 

Happy Stitching!

Sewing Pants for Women...Sewing Instructions For Perfect Fit, Part 10

Continuing with the Sewing Pants for Women by Else Tryoler.  Today, will we talk about sewing instructions for perfect fit:

The assumption is made that you have not begun this DIY pant without a pattern.  Of course, commercial pant patterns have their own set of instructions.  Don't toss them out!  You will need them for all the little details that lend style to the pant.  Pockets, belts, slits, and loops are all details that should have detailed how-to's on your instruction sheet.  The first thing to do is read over both these instructions and the pattern instructions.  Note where and when to refer back to the pattern instructions.  Otherwise follow the instructions below:

The Groundwork

Test your pattern in denim:  Make your first pair of pants in an inexpensive cotton material such as denim.  This pair is a trial run, subject to minor re-adjustment and trial-by-wearing.  Do not choose muslin for this purpose.  Using muslin makes fitting trousers more difficult, and, besides, why not have pants worth wearing in public.

Cut your fabric with accuracy:  This is many a slip twixt snip and fit, and what isn't there cannot be added.  By the way, if you would like to achieve that very tapered look in pants, choose a fabric with give.  It is a quality that can be determined by hand-to-hand test ore found with certainty in a stretch fabric.  Don't look for true taper in stiff and hard-finish cloth.  It can't be done.

Choose your zipper location:  This is a matter of personal taste  We assume that you choose your pattern with zipper site in mind.  If not, barring interference with the style of the garment, the decision is now yours to make.  As a general rule, a zipper placed either in front or back is preferable for full and rounded hips.

Do not stay stitch:  If your instructions call for stay stitching, ignore that part.  You will find that these fitting instructions require occasional stretching and easing of the fabric.  Stay stitching will interfere with that because of the inflexibility.

Preliminary pressing:  This is an important step that comes before you sew a stitch, so turn to the pressing section on  future section.

The Actual Sewing

1.  Center back:  Figure 28.  Stitch darts.  Seam back center together (leaving opening for zipper, if desired) stopped at the lower curve about 1-inch short of the leg seams.  Stretch the seam about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, depending on the give of the fabric through the lower curve in back only, when stitching and pressing.  This stretching will not only mold fit right into your pants, it will also prevent split seams at this point of great tension.

2.  Center front:  Figure 29.  Stitch darts. Seam front center down to about 1-inch from leg seam. Leave zipper opening, if necessary.

3.  Leg Seams:  Stitch inner leg seams.  Stitch outer leg seams, leaving an opening for the zipper, if not already provided for.  Press seams open.  See future for pressing.

4.  Curved seams:  Figure 30.  Finish curved (crotch) seams.  Reinforce by stitching again from start to finish of the curve.  Clip the inner curve to 1/4-inch of remaining seam, both front and back.  These clips, should be about 2-inches below the hip-line.  Press front and back seams open from waist to clipping.  Curved seam between the clips is not pressed open, but is trimmed down to 3/8-inch.

5.  The zipper:  In preparing the pants for the first fitting, you may simply baste under one side of the closing and mark the other side with colored thread for an accurate pinned closing or place the zipper.

6.  The waist:  Ease waist on to waistband.  There should be about 1-inch of ease in the waist seam to be eased on to either waistband or facing to prevent any drawing or pulling below the waist.  If you are using a fabric that does not shrink readily, stitch seams or darts slightly deeper at waist.  Do no ease through center back between the seat darts.  Direct the ease evenly to all other areas, or concentrate it more where curves are more pronounced.  Close with buttonhole or hook and eyes.

7. Hems:  Turn up hems.

8.  Pressing:  Press crease in front to just below darts.  Do same in back, stopping at crotch length.  Follow crease markings in both.



Questions:  What do you think of the stretching and easing mentioned?  Do you do either when your making a woven or stretch woven pant?  Does this apply to knits?

Happy Stitching!

Craftsy Got Me Again....

I have purchased many classes over the years from Craftsy.  Somehow, I never finish and sometimes don't start them.  I just want them.  I've been pretty good over the last year or so not purchasing classes.  However, I'm always looking.  You never know when a good class will show up.  Then, Black Friday rolled around and you know there were really good pricing on classes and it included some of the classes that I had in my list of maybes.  Unfortunately, I noticed issues when I selected the classes and requested help. Sadly, I didn't get my Black Friday deals.  I was working with support on the issues and a work around was figured out this past week. 

So, I waited for another deal and you know it came.  I picked two classes:  Explorations in Cables and The Swing Skirt: Techniques & Construction.  I have high hopes for both classes.  I have started samples for the knitting classes and the skirt class I have watched the videos up to the point where I need fabric.  I will share my samples from the knitting class and maybe discuss things that I learned.  So far, it has been really good.  I'm trying to work along with the video which means that I'm slowing working through each lesson.  With any luck, it will be a great learning experience and I will be able to move it forward to my actual knitting.  I'm not sure how much of the The Swing Skirt class I will share.  It may just be glimpses now and then.

What do you think of the Craftsy classes?  Are you good about following through with watching them and doing all the samples?

Happy Stitching!

Fabric Collection is Growing....Again

Oh, yeah, I HAD to purchase more fabric today.  I really needed it.  Here's what I ordered:

How could I resist this cute little placemat panel and of course, the red check for the backing?  I have batting in the stash.  See I'm still doing stash reduction.  LOL

Then, I also purchased fabric for a Craftsy class that I am taking:

This is a cotton jersey.  I hope that the colors are good together when they show up.  This is for a skirt class that I'm taking.  I'm hoping the class is good.  I'm definitely looking forward to it.  With any luck I will get it before the end of the year.

Now, for something I bumped into today at Fabric.com.  Minimum quantity of 2 yards.  What?  When did this start?  I really didn't want 2 yards of each of the jersey fabric.  Hopefully, I will be able to use the extra yardage.

Happy Stitching!