a little sewing on the side

June 30 - It's New Years Eve!

2008-06-29T17:33:00.003-04:00

Oh what a lot of work! And I mean that literally. I work in a software support role and my employer is on a fiscal year, ending June 30. I've been working all weekend- running jobs, correcting errors and trouble-shooting configuration issues. I have had my cell phone or my laptop attached to me all weekend except for the fun Saturday morning at the patternreview.com get together.

Well, that answers a question, though: How do you do it? Doesn't blogging take a lot of time? Yes and no. If I am already online working, it is very easy for me to handle more than one thing at a time. After I submit a job to run, it can take hours to complete. So, I juggle other tasks. Most of them are other work-related tasks, but hey, a little blogging on the side fits in, too!

For today I am FINISHED. (The year won't be completely closed til mid August so.... summer is my busy time) Oh, and the really good thing about my job is that everybody is happy how hard I worked all weekend and I will get some flex time. And you know I'll get some sewing in!

So here is my capsule - can you feel the heat? It must have been about 101% humidity and 101 degrees (fahrenheit, of course!) My jacket is from Vogue 8044- the pattern I fitted during the Timmel SWAP. I love it! This is now a TNT for me.
My white eyelette top is from a self-drafted shirt pattern. First I cut out everything except the front panel. Then I experiemented on large pieces of fabric with tucks until I had some I liked. Then I cut the front panel out sewn-tucked (is that a word?) fabric. I tried it on and marked the neckline and cut it to suit me- not too low! I am not a Hello Cleavage Girl. Wrong generation for that style! It also gapped out in the front, so I added the gathers before I sewed the bias binding on. I have to say, I LOVE hand-sewing, so I do it as often as I can. I find it makes things easier - it give me ultimate control over the finish.
I am so pleased with the help I get from Bernina My Label. It is not like it just spits out perfectly fitting clothes, but it sure does get me close.
And I just bought Fit For Real People. Wow. Yes, I am REALLY late to the party! I know lots of people use this book and love it- why did it take me so long to get my own copy? It is amazing. I really think I will be sewing more patterns now. I tested it out last week and I made the simple top from Vogue 8044. It worked! It fit great. I did not like the top, but that was due to a poor fabric choice.
So, I bought a bunch of Vogue patterns last Thursday during the one day BMVmembers sale. They were, like $5.49 each! OK, enough work. WALK AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!!

Meet-Up in Baltimore!

2008-06-28T21:09:00.003-04:00

Vicki, Shannon and Keely, and all of you out there, wow it would be so fun to meet! I met lots of people today for the first time and it was just as much fun as you can imagine. When you read someone's blog and their contributions to discussion forums, you really do know them. And you just pick right up with conversation as if you talk to them all the time. That's how it was for me anyway. We had a wonderful time and there wasn't nearly enough time to chat with everyone. What a fun group!

Summer Sewing- the June Capsule Contest

2008-06-27T19:35:00.002-04:00

I have finished my capsule! Yay. There is a 4th garment, a pair of pants that is not included in this photo. Shown here are my Vogue 8044 jacket made with embroidered cotton from Gorgeous Fabrics, TNT navy blue pants with fabric from EmmaOneSock and a cotton eyelet sleeveless top using fabric from A Fabric Place in Baltimore (where a bunch of us are meeting on Saturday! I am really looking forward to meeting other sewers for fabruc shopping and lunch, yes I WILL take my camera!) The accessory was a purchased laptop bag.
And since I mentioned it in my last post, here is a little pictogram on how I attach elastic to pants. I insert the invisible zipper first and leave about 3/8" at the top edge where I will attach seam binding. Cut a piece of elastic about 2 inches shorter than the waist of the garment. Attach each end to the back side of the zipper:
Yes, it will hang like a big ole loop until you attach the binding. I had leftover bias tape from my plaid bermuda shorts, so I used that. I attached the seam binding like normal, then folded it over to cover the elastic. The elastic is still hanging loose - do not catch the elastic in the seam as you sew. Half way through, you need to stop and yank the elastic through so the gathering is out of your way. I feel my way with my fingers. As long as I can feel the edge of the elastic, I sew just to the left of it.

Voila- simple clean finish for simple, hard-wearing pants. It doesn't show well, but this is a very nice beefy blend of linen and rayon. I have enough left to make a skirt, which is underway.

I REALLY really hope I don't buy a lot of fabric tomorrow. I am doing so well in sewing down what I have. I have plenty, I really do. Now if some magic bunny wants to fix my internet I will be very happy. I am waiting for Comcast to make things right!

Happy Sewing and See You in Baltimore!

June Capsule Contest

2008-06-20T11:48:00.002-04:00

Unlike the Timmel SWAP contest, where I planned everything in advance, I am making it up as I go along for the June Capsule.
I figure 4 pieces that coordinate shouldn't be that hard to figure out. But, of course, it is! After sewing my own clothes for the last year I have come to appreciate that the designer has the hardest job. Or, rather, my skills are the lowest in that area.
The designer comes up with a whole look and that's why you can go into a department store and head over to the Jones New York section and walk out with some coordinating separates. And that's why being a fashion designer is a real profession, that you can study in college and earn a good living.

I guess I never quite understood that! I always thought Fashion Designer meant Weird Clothes I Don't Understand. As much as I love sewing, I was never one to pore over Vogue magazine or follow fashion week.

Anyway, here is my accessory- it is the 7905 Technofile laptop tote from LeSportSac. I don't think I can sew anything as good as what LeSportSac can sell me, so I am going with them.
It is very lightweight, it has a shoulder strap AND handles (I need both) and I can carry everything I need for work. I've had LeSportSac bags before and they wear like iron and they are washable.

Based on the photos, this print will be cute with my navy base color for my summer sewing.

In other sewing news, I sewed a French seam on the silk drapery last night and WOW that was the hardest French seam ever! That silk unravels even with very careful handling and whiskers come through on the right side. And it was just a simple straight seam. But handling so much fabric is what gets you on these Home Dec. projects. To be serious about it, I'd need huge cutting and pressing tables. With enough space I think it would be OK.

It will be worth it when I see the French Seam later on and pat myself on the back. Sewing is full of these little private pats on the back!!

In Real Life, that is. On the internet, we also pat each other on the back!!

Sewing Machine as a Household Appliance

2008-06-19T08:12:00.003-04:00

That's what my sewing machine is these days; a household appliance. As opposed to the miracle toy that joins fabrics at my behest, when the spirit moves me.
I am sewing curtains, altering store-bought clothes and otherwise underutilizing my toy.
Work is busy. Well, this too shall pass.

Meanwhile, here is a shot of curtains I made using 50/50 cotton/linen from Michael's Fabrics. The shirring is done using specific header tape, which I recycled from some IKEA curtains given to me during my last craigslist shopping bonanza.
All whining aside, I am glad I made them and I like them.
But I can't wait to get back to fun garment sewing!

summer sewing projects

2008-06-07T12:09:00.003-04:00

I took 2 Personal Sewing days. On Friday I sewed these knee-length cuffed shorts. I've been seeing these around this year and I like them a lot; so cool and comfortable. I used a shirting I bought at Michaels and this piece is one of the 4 I selected for my June Capsule.
I came up with a variation on the elastic waist I love so much. This time I cut a piece of bias tape for the facing. The elastic is 3/4" non-roll cut to 2-3 inches shorter than my waist measurement. I improvised as I went so it's hard to give a detailed description of how I did it - but I like the way it is a casing, as opposed to stretching and stitching. I'll definitely try this again, and perfect the technique, at which time I can post instructions if anyone is interested.
And on Thursday I sewed this lightweight jacket and I LOVE IT! This is now a TNT pattern for me. I developed it using Bernina My Label and the Vogue pattern I used for my Timmel SWAP. The last version was just a little to big, so I did an SBA on the front piece- I just did the reverse of a full bust adjustment and removed volume vertically and horizontally along the bust darts.
All it needs are the buttons to be sewn on.

Here is a picture of the cuffed shorts on. This is my kind of sewing- I got up early, made them and then wore them all day. Sweet!
So, my 2 days off were delightful! DH came up and we explored the new neighborhood- we are walking distance from a library, a grocerty store and a Starbucks (I WILL be getting T-Mobile access!!)

And, back at the ranch (in Rockville) my drapery fabric arrived! I had to drape it immediately and I just love it. So that's my weekend sewing. The traverse rod is up, so all I need to do is figure out how the heck to make draperies... How hard can it be? ... please don't tell me, I already know it's not as easy as it looks...

Happy weekend and Happy Sewing!

I know, Home Dec is so boring, but...

2008-06-03T14:57:00.002-04:00

But I am kinda excited about this fabric for the house in Rockville. I figured out a plan that won't use too much fabric.....and I decided on the stripe (to emphasize height) instead of the plaid. And hey, that's one less task if I don't have to worry about matching the plaid.

Thank you ..... mwahhhhahhhh haah haa

2008-06-03T10:50:00.002-04:00

Thank you Karen and Marji for your feedback.
I calculated the bare minimum yardage I need to get the look and I placed my order today.
There will be a GORGEOUS silk stripe on this wall. The room needs it! I need it!
If I am going to sew long straight lines and wrangle all that fabric, I am going to love what I sew.
Happy Face.

Home Decorating Energy is Running High!!

2008-05-31T13:42:00.002-04:00

I have nekked windows. My desire to clothe my nekked windows is intense.
Here is the living room with French doors and bamboo shades. My plan is to install a traverse rod just below the molding. The draperies will have pinch pleats at the top and they will open in the center. Most of the time, the draperies will hang all the way open on each side of the door /windows, leaving them completely free for normal use.

But when we want to watch a movie in the living room, we can close the draperies and eliminate glare on the TV screen. Plus, I just want to lighten up this space a bit.

Now here are swatches of my choices. The multi-colored piece is a gorgeous silk plaid (you can't see the entire plaid on this swatch). This fabric would have be unbelievably perfect and designer-like. And it cost a whopping $45.95/yard. Yes. Still, I coveted it and went back to G Street during their Memorial Day sale (coupon clutched in my sweaty hand). Thank God it was gone! I really cannot spend that kind of money on draperies! I mean, I can, but I shouldn't!
All of the solid swatches came from Michael's Fabrics, where they are currently having a blowout sale. Can you believe how perfect all of these colors are?? Seriously, each one would work beautifully. They have been thumb-tacked in the living room and each one looks nice.

I have chosen the 2nd from the left- it has a lovely drape to it. And since they work so well together, I think I will grab a few yards of the one on the far left.

Our cats have destroyed the sofa I lovingly selected when we bought this house. Errgh. So there are slipcovers in the future. Washable neutral slipcovers. Oh well. That's why they have sewing machines, eh?

Look at that!! When did these cats do that damage? I guess they jump up there as soon as we leave the house and go wild.

OK, it is SATURDAY, one of the better days in the week, IMHO. The kids are coming over to eat fish caught by DH. Oh yeah, he da man.... he da fishing man! (The tall handsome one is my DH)

Cutting /Work Table Progress

2008-05-30T11:43:00.002-04:00

I love craigslist! I met a really nice young woman, working on her PhD at Hopkins, who sold me most of her worldly possessions. She is leaving the States tonight for a month in Germany, then on to her homeland, Greece.

Here is the twin mattress added to the bed- and if you look closely, you can see the cutting mat that arrived from Atlantic Thread and Supply. They rock! That was a fast delivery.

After lugging this up to the condo, DH and I celebrated with amay-zing ice cream at Sylvan Beach.

And - The Great Coat Sew-Along: I found my fabric last weekend at G Street's Memorial Day sale. It is at the dry cleaner now, to be pre-steamed and I'll post pics soon. I am off to A Fabric Place to see the Zegnas on sale. Do you get emails from Michael's Fabrics? They are selling it off cheap, so I must stock up!

I looked at Home Dec fabrics at G Street last weekend and they were still just too expensive. Then it hit me- use Michael's fabrics!!! The price is right and I am sure I can find neutrals that will work!!

I am not affiliated with any of these vendors, just a familiar face to them!!!

Happy Friday Everybody!

Cutting /Work Table

2008-05-25T09:46:00.003-04:00

I am on my way to a new cutting table. Just the thought of it is making me giddy.

I was inspired by Elaray's cutting table. I just took her concept a step further - I will prop my work surface on top of the headboard & footboard of this bed:

I bought this from craigslist. I'll put a mattress on it - covered in a tailored slipcover. Then I can use it as seating, too. Our new condo will really sorta be a sewing studio.
So exciting!

Two Hour Pants

2008-05-24T09:01:00.002-04:00

Here are the pants I made one night after work. I had pre-washed the fabric (twice, in warm water AND through the dryer!) to prevent unpleasant future laundering experiences. This particular navy blue cotton came from EmmaOneSock, so it is luxuriously stable, soft and strong. Michael's is a good source for these sorts of fabrics, too.
There are two pattern pieces and they go together in a snap. First I sew the center seams on the front and on the back. I always serge them down to about 3/8". I do this to make sure the right side of the fabric has been established. On basic solid colors, it is so easy to mix it up. No- it it not generally noticeable, but, it will always bother me if I get it wrong. The downside of being a perfectionist!
Then I serge all the edges, then insert the invisible zipper to the side seam. It's only another few minutes to stitch up the rest of the seams. Then, I just try them on to determine the size and placement of darts. It's nice to get something of a close fit, from a vanity perspective.
And finally, I stitch 3/4" non-roll elastic to the waist seam, pulling just a little as I go. I pre-wash the elastic when I buy it to avoid future laundering surprises there, too.

On these pants, I turned the waist band (such as it is) over and did the ole stitch-n-the-ditch on the darts and seams.

Turn up the hem, machine stitch and wear 'em!

Now, these pants will not earn you any awards for fine sewing. In fact, my dear stepson asked me one day, "How come you never put pockets on your pants?" and the answer was, well.... that would take 20 minutes I don't have!!

But I will. I truly intend to sew pockets and other neat features. As soon as I have just a little more time!

When I say I do "a little sewing on the side", I kinda mean it!

HAPPY SEWING, friends!

Let there be light!

2008-05-22T12:20:00.002-04:00

I was up early this morning, so I tidied up and snapped photos of my new sewing nook. It is really pleasant!I love the built-ins. They are circa 1953 and still function well. There were some nasty brass drawer pulls which I replaced yesterday with a more mid-century brushed aluminum style.

Now for window treatments...
IKEA has some really cute fabrics that I have my eye on. And lighting. I need better lighting for evening sewing. All in all, things are working!

Thanks everyone for your lovely posts about Laura's graduation. It has been a wonderful time for our family!

Free Fabric if you are local to Rockville MD

2008-05-17T16:47:00.002-04:00

I cleaned out my fabric closet and filled THREE bags of fabric.
If you are local to Rockville and you want it, email me.
Many pieces are small leftovers from projects, some are several yards and suitable for garment sewing. Some stuff is from old Home Dec projects.
Almost everything is fine wool, silk, cotton, rayon, etc. I buy good stuff!
You come pick up.
Thanks and Happy Sewing!

Enough about me!!

2008-05-10T17:49:00.003-04:00

What you do think about my daughter? I raised her. I read books to her and gave her money.

Now she is a college graduate!! Yay!

Laura's housemates and BFF's are in these shots. Just in case you are curious (and who isn't?!) I included a pic of my former husband, with me and Laura. He has been a great support to her. Laura and I really appreciate him and his wife (yes, we are all on friendly terms). It has been a great ride- congratulations to my dear, dear daughter! I am so proud of you!

Womens LIberation, Good Idea /Bad Idea?

2008-05-07T09:09:00.002-04:00

Yes, I think it was a good idea.

I am now living in the new condo during the week. I am navigating a neighborhood that was my home for many years, yet it feels a bit unfamiliar. Old muscles of independence are getting some exercise. I like taking care of myself!!

But really, how is it?

Um, a little lonely!!
Yeah, I miss the companionship of the hubster in the evening.

BUT- I can work a 12 hour day (like I needed to do on Monday) and have a little time at night for some small act of self-pampering. My new commute is anywhere from 5-8 minutes. :O

And, you know what? I get satisfaction from my job. I really do. Sure, if I could afford it, I would stop working. I would be a home-maker and I'd love it.
But we are educating a few kids and we need the income & benefits from my job.
And I am not sorry. It is hard to measure job satisfaction, but I can tell you it does nourish me.

Next week, I will have my sewing machines with me and you know what that means!
Fortunately, DH is coming up to B-more for a date tonight. Best of both worlds.

Feeling pretty blessed at the moment.
Happy Sewing to those who HAVE a sewing machine.
:)

Womens Liberation- YES, a good idea.

Memo to the Boss

2008-05-06T14:28:00.001-04:00

I hope this shows up well - I enjoyed this article from 1943:

Satellite Home/Office Success

2008-05-04T09:17:00.003-04:00

We did it! We closed on the new condo on Friday, May 2. We brought along the bare necessities (including a coffee press) and we camped out there over the weekend. Wow, I feel as refreshed as if I took a vacation. Since I grew up in Baltimore, I know the area well. But my, things have changed! We enjoyed exploring our new neighborhood.

Now I am really psyched for some nesting activity, in both homes. I really feel blessed. Granted I work my butt off, to pay for all this wonderfulness, but I can't help but feel very, very blessed.

My next sewing projects are likely to be home decorating. Thank goodness for the Juki industrial- it will be such a pleasure to tackle draperies, slipcovers, etc.

My favorite website lately is Apartment Therapy. Check it out if you like to see good examples of interior design for small spaces.
I have also discovered CraigsList. What a great way to acquire necessary items and dispose of those that aren't working any more.

Does your cat snore? Both of our cats do! Puppy is really sawing the logs at the moment.
And Pepper will be our Baltimore cat. She needs to go on a diet and it's not happening til she stops stealing Puppy's food!

Happy Sewing!

Casual Work Wardrobe- Finished!

2008-04-29T14:30:00.003-04:00

Finished, but not quite complete.
I sewed a coat, 4 tops and 4 bottoms; all in dark brown and blue.
And I have no energy at all for a photo shoot, so I am calling it a day on this thing.

There was also a requirement to sew an accessory, and that is the incomplete part. I just can't think of an accessory that I really want to sew.

Breaky-break time!
I am a little tired of sewing, but we all know that won't last long!

Happy Sewing!

Proud Mama

2008-04-29T10:16:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending my daughter's presentation of her "SMP" (St. Mary's Project). Seniors at St. Mary's College are required to produce a piece that represents their level of mastery over their major area of study. Laura wrote a long paper in German that included translations and the cultural significance of some specific examples of popular culture.

Her presentation was entertaining and informative and I am incredibly proud of her growth over the last 4 years. Plus, I wore my latest sewing creations. (always a bonus in my little world :)

Happy Sewing, and Happy Milestones to all of us celebrating them!!

Relaxing Sunday Morning ....

2008-04-27T10:14:00.002-04:00

The Timmel SWAP Contest results are available for viewing, just click here. I was pretty frazzled at the end, but that feeling gave way to great satisfaction. I enjoyed the comradery of sewing & chatting about it for six months with friends at Stitchers Guild. Julie Timmel puts on one heck of a sewing party! And generous, too. I got a pattern as reward for participating. I picked the Jalie City Coat (you can see Heather's version on the contest link).

And so, I continue to sew. I also entered the patternreview Wardrobe Contest and I finished one of my tops yesterday. I am not sure if I will make the deadline of April 30. I still need to finish the denim pants and a tote. I'll keep sewing a little on the side and who knows, maybe I'll make it!

The last step of the knit top was to sew buttons and by that time, I knew that fabric was not going to be happy about buttonholes. It is a super cozy rayon knit- very sweatery. It was hard to sew even a straight line, forget buttonholes. So I sewed a large snap at the top and I really like it that way. Fortunately, I bought a coordinating fabric at the same time (love EmmaOneSock for that feature on her website!) So I have a shell to sew next. And after that, I'll start sewing a summer capsule in the blues stacked on my pressing /cutting table.
The first thought upon waking this morning was that I had de-railed my Wardrobe Plan! The cardigan was supposed to be a top (and the buttons allowed me to sneak it in as such). Now it cannot be worn solo!
Sooo.....
My thought is to relax and enjoy another cup of tea on this lovely, gray & drizzly Sunday morning.

And to my DH, thank you for your support over the last six months. I could not have sewn all these garments without you being such a domestic delight! May we have many more Downtown Dates!

Fun Weekend - Floral Cotton Tunic Out & About

2008-04-19T21:13:00.002-04:00

I finished my floral tunic. Wow that gauze-y fabric was hard to work with. And the Pfaff 1475 was certainly up to the task. I love the Pfaff IDT and I used the hemmer foot on the sleeve hems and the bodice hem, and obviously on the ruffles. The busy print is busier with 6 ruffles in the front. The idea was to increase volume on the upper chest area to balance my pear proportions. It was not comfortable worn over a knit tank top. The cotton clung to it, so I wore a silky cami which helped the top flow.
With only minimal encouragement from the photographer, I am willing to make a spectacle of myself.

We were on our way to a non-baby shower. Our friends adopted a baby from Kazakhstan, but the guys refused to call it baby shower. But there was a baby, there were gifts & cake and food. He is sooooo cute! Here are the hubster and myself and my stepcat, Puppy.

Puppy always has that look on her face, like hey- let's have some tuna fish.

Navy & Chocolate Print Cotton Tunic

2008-04-16T20:23:00.003-04:00

I went into the Pfaff dealer on my way home from work last night, to buy a pintuck foot. I am making yet another tunic and I thought I'd add a little interest to the front by adding a "bib" sort of affair with pintucks. Those pintucks didn't work well on this loosely woven cotton fabric, but my new roll hemmer foot worked really well on these strips of fabric:
Um, the roll hemmer foot came with a machine!
Yippee!!! I had an unexpected acquisition: a Pfaff Creative 1475 CD machine. I couldn't leave without satisfying my curiosity about what this machine could do. Once I sewed on this baby I had to have it. It is pretty old, but it looks brand new. It is all metal - it was made in Germany so it must be 15 years old or so.
It has eleventy gazillion decorative stitches and some embroidery functionality. It's really easy to understand.

The idea is that I will apply ruffles on the front of the bodice. This will be a very cool shirt for a hot summer day. It's a little sheer and I'll wear it over a tank top or a camisole.
With any luck I will finish this and another top & pants for the patternreview SWAP.

If I get too busy to finish this SWAP, oh well. I sure feel good having completed the Timmel SWAP and I have worn a SWAP outfit every day this week. It keeps me smiling on the inside.

Happy Sewing !!

Red Silk Tunic Finished

2008-04-13T11:26:00.003-04:00

Here is a photo of the finished red silk tunic. made from red charmeuse from Gorgeous Fabrics. The pants are the black RPL from Timmel Fabrics. I submitted my SWAP photos to Julie today. I took pictures as I went along, and posted them in my blog as I sewed each piece.

Whew,

I am really glad to be finished!

Having ambitious plans with a deadline is a double-edged sword. I got a lot done but now I am kinda tired of all the work involved!

I am not as keen on deadlines at the moment!! I will still sew the rest of my pieces for the pattern review contest, but if I don't finish by April 30, no problemo!

Doesn't this look like a party top for the holidays? I bet I will wear it a lot in 6 months from now.

It it time for light pretty summer clothes now.

Peace returns to the Sewing Nook

2008-04-12T20:04:00.003-04:00

Here is the part of my sewing nook that will go to the new condo. Today I cleaned up the space. I am a real neatnik and I just don't feel right til everything is put back into place.
The white tuxedo shirt is drying as I type. Tomorrow I'll shoot pics and send them to Julie and call it finished.
I was feeling a little subdued this morning; perhaps a little overwhelmed. I mean, we REALLY have a lot going on!
Remember I said my job would get easier? Nope- a highly productive co-worker has left for a new position and her duties were transferred to me. All the stuff I did was transferred to someone else. So I am back climbing the learning mountain again. (This is not a complaint- I am so lucky that I enjoy my work and I much prefer being challenged!)

Well, through thick and thin, I just sew my way through it. It soothes me and I love sharing it with the rest of you!

MaryBeth, thanks for adding me to your blogroll! I love your blog!
Lauralo, thanks for the tip using starch spray on silk. I will definitely give that a go.
LisaB, I don't know the answer to your question about armscyes, but I will soon. I plan to compare my BML bodice with burda. There are more burda tops I want to sew.

So the Juki industrial ... that baby will get lent out to Cidell for a while til we move the whole shebang up to Baltimore. I can't bear to store it! So she has agreed to babysit it for me. She lives in a neighborhood where we'll be following sales. Who knows where exactly we'll land, but we know we'll have the condo to fall back on.

I was so tired of the commute! I mean, just exhausted by it and hated to drive anywhere at all on weekends.
So we think this will work well for us. I'll be in Baltimore during the week and in Rockville on weekends. For the price of the condo, I could have bought a loaded Lexus, but that's really not my style!!