Double-Eye Machine Needle...

I recently received the June/July 2019 issue of Threads.  Unfortunately, I'm generally luke warm about receiving this magazine anymore.  It just haven't sparked much interest in the last couple of years.   However, this issue has a couple of interesting articles.  The first on being "The Double-Eye Machine Needle".  This caught my attention because I hadn't seen nor heard of this type of needle before.  It's just a little two-page article but it is stuffed full of information.  Here's the Schmetz version:

I found the Schmetz double needle at Create For Less (affiliate link).  There is a $10 minimum at this site but I'm sure I can find something else that is needed in my sewing room like a tape measure. 

There were two things in the article that really had my attention.  The first one was the single-thread basting ability.  Who doesn't like to baste to check the fit on garments?  The second one was for top stitching.  Many top stitching threads don't come in a lot of colors.  However, using this needle you can easily use two strands of thread at once.  This would make you top stitching stand out a bit more than with regular thread.  Using decorative stitches with the needle could be interesting also but that would be after playing with the other two options.

Remember slow down, take your time, or your machine may not grab both thread.  In the 80s and 90s, I owned a sewing machine that had a special needle that would do a long basting stitch.  It was a useful stitch. 

So, I'm intrigued by this needle.  I will be ordering something very soon.  I'll show my samples.  I want to play with the top stitching both a single stitch and a triple stitch, and the basting stitch.

Have you used this needle type?  Did it work out well for you?  If not, what were the issues?

Happy Stitching!

Summer Buttericks...

The summer Butterick patterns have been released.  Here's the patterns that I found interesting:

This is Butterick 6684.  It's a tie-neck blouse.  It seems that it would work best in a drapey fabric.  I really like views A and C.  I'm not sure about the ruffles on the blouses for myself.

This is Butterick 6680.  It is a dress with interesting seaming and side gathers.

Hope you're inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Linen Shirt and Pants

Warm weather is fast approaching.  Are you ready?  After experiencing my first Arkansas summer in more than 25 years last summer, I'm wanting to have a closet full of clothing that will help keep me cool and comfortable.  Here's another pick for summer:

This is Eileen Fisher Button-Down Short-Sleeve Organic Linen Shirt and Min-Stripe Drawstring Straight-Line Organic Linen Crop Pants.  Price tag:  Shirt - $158.00, Pants - $178.00.  If you want a closer look, these can be found at Neiman Marcus.

Doesn't this look like it was be cool and comfy?  Linen clothing what's not to love except for the wrinkles. Let's see what patterns we can find for this silhouette:

For the pants:

This is McCall's 7364.  View D or View E would work for the inspiration photo.  Main difference is that the pant has side pockets and doesn't have elastic.  Both are easy to remedy.

For the shirt:

This is Simplicity 8837.  View D would work for the inspiration photo.  The only thing I'm a little concerned with here is the collar.  I'm sure it can be modified.


Hope you are inspired to create something beautiful.

Happy Stitching!

Summer Vogues...

The summer Vogue Patterns have been released.  As always, it it interesting to the new patterns.  Here's the patterns that I found to be interesting:

This is Vogue 9369.  A dress pattern by Claire Shaeffer.  This dress is probably a little outside my comfort zone but I do love a dress with interesting seaming.  I doubt that you will be able to see the interesting seaming with a print but a stripe may show it off well.

This is Vogue 9370.  This tunic/dress has an interesting collar along with the asymmetrical closure.  I might consider adding this to the collection for tunic.

 This is Vogue 1629.  It is two different and interesting blouse patterns.  I really like both of them.  I also think that each is distinct enough that only one of each would be in the wardrobe at any given time.    I really do think I will purchase this pattern.

This is Vogue 1622.  This is a unisex top pattern.   The short sleeve top has interesting seaming.  The long sleeve shirt appears to a be standard shirt pattern.   I think I will be purchasing the pattern also.

What do you think of this release of patterns?

Happy Stitching!

The Factory Dress...

I've had my eye on The Factory dress pattern by Merchant and Mills forever (this is an affiliate link but it's the best price I found) .  Here's the front cover:

I thought this would be a great dress for the long, hot summer that is coming.  I did read through the many reviews on line and the biggest complaint was generous sizing.   I'm okay with that I think.  Loose fitting would indicate that it would be cool to wear.  It could also indicate that it is not flattering but do you really care when it's a 100 degrees outside and the air conditioning just can't cool well enough?  I don't.

So, knowing that there could be some darting issues I started with a bodice muslin to see if added length was needed:  Here's the results:

Sorry, no photo with the muslin on. There was too much belly showing.  Amazingly, the fit wasn't too bad.  I need to add about 3-inches in length for the dart.  I will shortening the dart length by about 1/2-inch.  The neck opening will be raised by an inch.   I will add 1/2-inch for rounded back.

I dug around in the fabric stash and found a navy fineline twill.  I think it is a cotton blend.

Here are the final results:

After making the dress, I decided to add a bit of embellishment.  I did a simple running stitch using navy Pearl Cotton in size 8.   I like the way it turned out.  Here's a close up of the embellishment on the collar:

Conclusion:

This is a very easy item to sew.  I did not have the same issues that others seemed to have with this pattern.  Maybe my fabric was more forgiving.  It does have a roomy fit.  Perfect for summer.

I do think that there will be a second dress.

Happy Stitching!