Nylorac Creations

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T11:46:00.004-06:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the women who inspire us in our hobbies! My mother was a primary reason I learned to sew and she supported me throughout the learning process! Thank you Mom.

I have noticed several other blog posts about the new Star Trek movie. My boys took me to see it last night. I love the way the new actors resemble the original characters in the original series. The subtleties of the humor and the historical references to earlier content was exciting. How fun!

Personal Update

2009-05-07T08:28:00.005-06:00

I have been eager to get back to blogging and contribute to the sewing community with Nylorac Creations. Here is a glimpse of what I have been up to the past few months. I took the directorship of a nonprofit organization, Quality Life Associates this past summer. Here is a photo from my recent activities. What I love about this position is the variety and rich opportunities to serve people and make friends. If you would like to look at it in more depth see website and blog: http://www.qualitylifeassociates.com/

Office Decoration Sewing

2008-11-03T10:38:00.002-06:00

After taking a long break from blogging--I am back! I will be posting photos of items I created to enhance the decor of my new office! Check back in a couple of days.

Shaped Jacket Success with Butterick 5053

2007-07-19T15:27:00.000-06:00

Double tucks do the trick for providing the needing jacket shaping in the front for B5053 with vertical darts providing some definition in the back. Now I have shaping in both the front and the back of this jacket pattern. I used another pattern I had with double CF tucks to complete this look (Simplicity 3688, the Retro Blouse Pattern).

Actually I really like the overall effect of this pattern. It makes a great casual summer-weight jacket to wear with a fitted tee if you use light-weight but sturdy fabric (in this case quilting fabric). I like the shaping on the sides and the hem of this pattern. This one is great with jeans!

Adding Dart Shaping to Butterick 5053 Jacket

2007-07-14T19:00:00.001-06:00

I overlaid the Camp Shirt Pattern B5047 with the Jacket pattern B5053 to experiment with CF and CB darts to add some shape to this open style jacket with scarf collar (see my earlier post for original shaping of jacket). My initial impression is that the back darts are a definite plus for this jacket. What do you think?

However, the front darts I tried here definitely need more work. The darts create an unattactive "poofy" effect at the lower edge below the dart. Since I don't want to remove the hem to take the dart all the way to the hemline I am going to reshape the dart, narrowing the dart significantly at the lower end. I do like the shaping it provides at the top of the dart. So, by tomorrow afternoon hopefully I will have a photo showing a smoother CF with an improved CF dart here.

This is one reason why we have seam rippers right?

8 Items for Tag

2007-07-09T20:14:00.000-06:00

Duke and Dutchess

Nanflan/SewWest invited fellow bloggers to volunteer to participate in the 8 item tag.

So, here is what I have to contribute.

8 bits of facts to share about me:

1. If you are a member of this sewing community it wouldn't come as any surprise to you that I have a large stash of patterns and fabric. I love the thrill of the hunt and the capture of exciting fabric yardage and just the right pattern. But in my case I have decided that my stash is a completed collection for the time being. I plan to work mostly from what I have collected for the next few years, and just buy coordinating fabrics if needed to match what I already have. I think I could probably create just about any style from the patterns I already have. Sure, I will buy a few, but mostly work with what I already have. I have taken the challenge!

2. In addition to sewing, another hobby I have is music. I have happily collected all the major members of the flute family (with the exception of the base flute). I have the following flutes: piccolo, 3 C flutes, E flat, and alto. I currently don't have a group to play with but plan to look for another group in the next year or so. I have a part-time paid position playing piano every Sunday for one church service. It has really been fun to do and something I have wanted to try for years. The job kind of “fell in my lap.” I had filled in there as a musician at this church a number of times since moving here three years ago. One of the regular musicians they had on staff failed to show up one Sunday and didn't call in. Needless to say, he was fired. They called me and offered me the position. Of course I said, YES!

3. I am a dog lover and always have been. We have two dachshunds, a black-colored miniature long-haired female named Dutchess (8 years) and a short-haired silver dapple male named Duke (9 months)--both dogs are still vying for the alpha role; lots of power plays to see who is the boss.

4. Although I didn't plan to do it earlier in my life, I am currently finishing up a doctorate in Rehabilitation Education, hoping to graduate this coming December if I can just finish the dissertation?! Three years ago our family moved 3 hours away from home (Little Rock, AR at the time) to allow me the opportunity to do this program. Wow! The time has flown by and many days I can't believe I have actually almost finished it. My family has been wonderfully supportive of this endeavor. I couldn't have done it without them. We hope to move to the Pacific NW (Seattle area) this coming January (assuming I can find a job there). My husband and I both grew up there.

5. Since we have two boys, we are all into Boy Scouting. Yes, I have a uniform too. I have filled lots of roles over the years. My older son is an Eagle scout and our 14 year old son is coming up the ranks. We really like scouting since it provides so many great learning opportunities in life skills for guys!

6. I would love to take a couple of trips to Europe sometime in the next decade—something I have never done.

7. My parents are having their 50th wedding anniversary celebration this August and we are going to Seattle for the event. I fashioned a customized banner that will be suspended from the doorway to the event that is quilted, appliqued, and has beading on it. Some of the techniques I learned from reading some of the sewer blogs in this community. Thank you for your input!

8. My older son (19) just bought his first car, and he and my husband are off on a road trip to go pick up the car (a red 1988 cadillac with the square body shape) in Nashville, TN for the next couple of days.

2007-06-02T13:10:00.001-06:00

Butterick Pattern, B5053 by Connie Crawford. This jacket is my wearable muslin version of the Connie Crawford Jacket with Scarf Collar. I used a cotton quilt-type fabric for the jacket body and a polyester medium weight for the collar and cuffs. The blue color in the print is great to wear with jeans, and then I have a RTW top that matches the green in the print. The jacket is lightweight and it kind of feels like wearing a blouse--actually it is a great summer jacket. I do recommend this pattern--it is easy to make after you have conquered any fitting issues.

I made a size XL, size 16, but probably could have used the size L, size 14, because the jacket ran big.

This pattern has nice shaping on the hem with shaped up sides and

side vents, and also has a scooped front hem edge.

Next Time: Lengthen collar to fit neck edge--the neck edge is elongated from cutting 3/4 inch (on the double) off of CF. Add vertical darts in front and back to give the jacket more shape.

Changes I Made to the Pattern:

Shortened sleeves to 3/4 length and changed cuff dimensions to fit this sleeve length. I cut the sleeves on the cross grain to get the vertical dimension with the geometric print.
Removed about 3/4 of an inch off of the entire center front and neck seam. I had already cut out the collar when I decided to remove fabric from the CF. The collar needs to be lengthened in order to fit the "new" CF. I will lengthen the collar for the next version.
Pinched out a 3/8 inch dart off of CB to remove excess fabric in back.
Added a little more fullness to sleeve head; I basted the sleeves and side seams in and then tried the jacket on. The upper sleeve was somewhat tight, so I removed the sleeves and recut them to add 1 inch to the sleeve head. I was able to ease the extra inch into the sleeve without any puckers. Now the sleeve fits like it should.
Since the fabric is so lightweight, I added a strip of soft fusible interfacing to the CF and around the back neck, 1 1/2 inches wide, and top stitched it on the outer edge. The interfacing stabilized the collar with this fabric. I also added interfacing to the inside of the hem to stabilize it as well.
Did you happen to notice the bias binding at the bottom of the collar? This was my solution to cover a construction "mistake." My high school sewing teacher always told us, "You can find a solution for almost any mistake you might make in sewing if you don't panic about it. Stop and brainstorm about some creative options for fixing it." I accidentally scorched the end of the collar with my iron. There was a streak of brown on one end of the collar that was quite noticeable. I was able to cover up this area with the bias binding on the end of the collar. So of course I added the same design element to the other side of the collar. Voila! Fixed.
I used a Hong Kong Finish (bias wrapped seams) to finish all the seams in the jacket. Suprisingly, the wrapped seams helped to further stablize the shape of the jacket, since the body of the jacket is made from lightweight cotton.

Tango Skirt #2 with matching scarf

2007-04-11T08:02:00.000-06:00

Coming up: I have a second Tango Skirt and matching scarf to post later this week

Do you use sewing as a reward for completing other projects that aren't quite as fun?

I have a need to "dive down" for the next few days and work on another section of my dissertation project--rewarding, especially when a section is completed, but it's just not the same as sewing is it!

People who sew are admirers of other kinds of art and beauty. I walk by this building every day on my way into campus. I love the beauty of the restored building and the gardens that surround it.

At one time this building was a dorm for the small group of women that attended the University of Arkansas, beginning in 1874. Ella's Restaurant and Inn is the modern name for the business that now operates there. The Hotel Management Degree program on campus runs the businesses at it is wonderful-great food, nostalgic ambiance, art pieces--the furniture is a mixture of modern and old from a variety of eras. High ceilings, plush carpets, shiny wooden floors. The hallways are adorned with photos of students, teachers, sorority/fraternity functions etc. from 1874 - 1960 when the building was condemned. I enjoy following the fashion epic throughout the years represented by the photos. A lot of weddings and receptions are held in the outer courtyard just in front of where the flowers are in the photograph.

http://www.ellasrestaurant.com/

Happy Easter (See sewing post below this)

2007-04-08T19:34:00.000-06:00

Happy Easter

In the spirit of the Easter season, realizing the true reason we celebrate Easter:

To commemorate Christ's sacrificial death and

resurrection for all of us!

On Summerset Banks blog, Pins and Needles, she expressed a similar statement, and I knew I wanted to do the same.

I have heard it said, in the first century after Christ's death and resurrection there was a formal greeting between people of faith that started with one person saying,

"Jesus Christ is risen," and it was followed by another person replying, "He is risen indeed!"

I had the privilege today at church to provide the piano accompaniment for a male soloist who sang, "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. I don't know if you are like me, but the first time I heard this song playing via car radio, I had to pull over on the side of the road and listen to it--I was so moved by the music and words.

It seems there are many possible applications for how a person might interpret the message of this song.

One year I incorporated some of the song's themes in a Father's Day card for my Dad. As an Easter special music selection, "You Raise Me Up" was used today as an illustration of how the power of spiritual strength is available, and how it can lift a person up in a time of special need.

_________________________________________________________

By Googling I found a website with a free recording of this song if you would like to hear it.
http://ladynwavsone.com/raisemeup.html Website with recording of "You Raise Me Up"

LH Tango Skirt: Easter 2007

2007-04-08T17:43:00.000-06:00

What can you SEW when you are short on time but want something pretty and new? One idea is to make a skirt and purchase a top. I made the Loes Hinse Tango Skirt and paired it with 2 ready-to-wear (RTW) tops for Easter 2007!

The Loes Hinse Tango Skirt with 2 tops
Loes Hinse Tango Skirt with 10 panels: Semi-fitted at the top with flair at the bottom, elastic waist; I lined this skirt with an A-line two-piece pattern. As a number of other people have reported, this is a delightful

pattern. It is easy to sew (not necessarily

fast with a slippery fabric), easy to fit,

and flattering to many body types. The Lining: Spring colors are fun

It was fun to wear this outfit today--I felt very springy and light. I haven't had an outfit with these colors in years. Sometimes it is nice to deviate from your normal color selections and go with something different.

The shoes and necklace below

What's missing?: The jackets! Below is the blue stretch-woven fabric to make a jacket. I also have light pink fabric for another jacket. This will be a Burda World of Fashion Jacket with pink top stitching and pink buttons. Even though the jackets aren't a reality yet, I still have an outfit to wear with just with the tops and skirt!

I bought a DRESS FORM on an Ebay estate sale about a year ago--I am enjoying the ability to view the overall effect of an outfit's appearance and of course to check sizing for garments, and to photograph sewing creations. This dress form is a vintage Sally Stitch dress form, Size C.

What to Change:

When I put this outfit together with the colored tops and the necklace on the dress form, I quickly determined that I liked the effect of the blue top (by itself) better than the pink. I also noticed that the top would look better if shortened by 1.25 inches at the hem. What I didn't notice or discover ahead of wearing it today, is that when I sit down the lining slips out below the hem in the front of the skirt. That is easily fixed though--I will simply shorten the lining slip another couple of inches.

HP Jacket 108 Debut

2007-04-01T23:14:00.000-06:00

Here is my first version of this jacket. The new 2007 Hot Patterns Jacket 108--Debut! (See pattern photo in post just below this one). Loosely fitted jacket with dolman-type sleeves that can be worn with the belt or left open without the belt as desired. On my next version I am going to put a large button/button hole at the same place as the belt position.

Overall, I am very happy with this jacket. My impression is that it is the fabric that makes this jacket effective (a detailed fabric that has appeal just by itself). The fabric "makes the jacket" since there isn't much shaping with the jacket style itself. I was planning to use this pattern to make a light blue Easter jacket but I think I will use another pattern since the blue fabric I have doesn't have any pizazz in and of itself.

Changes I made to the pattern pieces included:

Lengthened jacket 2 inches - I added the 2 inches at the hemline on Front and Back. Partly this is in lieu of doing a FBA. If you do not have this need, the original length of the jacket may be okay for you. Also, I am slightly long waisted so the need for length comes from two issues.
Added a dart in Center Back 5 inches long and 3/8 wide at top to provide some shaping and give the back neck a better fit for me.
I found this pattern to run large. I went down two sizes (according to my measurements on the pattern) and then still needed to take 1 inch side seams and at least that much off of the Center Fronts as well. Of course I transferred the changes to the pattern pieces so that I can make this again without having to do a fitting.

Construction Details:

Understitched all of the facings on the CF and CB and around the hem to allow it to lay flat after reducing the bulk of the seams (the pattern doesn't mention these steps)
Hand basted the facings to the main garment sections before top stitching
Used a regular top stitch initially and then added a number 3 zig zag stitch over the straight stitch with button hole density to increase the visibility of the top stitching. In Burda World of Fashion Winter '07 Plus addition there is a jacket shown with this technique used and I liked the effect.
Lengthening the Jacket and adjusting the CF pieces and side seams to take it in (make it smaller) means you also have to adjust the facings in the same ways in order for them to fit all around the jacket.

HP 108 Jacket Comments

2007-03-26T08:21:00.000-06:00

I am delighted with the way my jacket is turning out! I will have to say though for anyone getting ready to cut this out--this jacket pattern runs VERY large. I went down 2 sizes and still ended up taking 1 inch side seams. I also lengthened the jacket by 2 inches and it came out just where I would like to have it hit on me. Partly this is in lieu of doing a FBA on this pattern. I took a dart in the center back to remove some fullness there and provide some shaping. I will be posting my first version of this jacket this week some time.

My Version of the Duro Dress

2007-03-22T18:23:00.000-06:00

The Duro Dress of 2006: My undergraduate Alma Mater is the
University of Washington Huskies with purple and gold colors.
Since I fashioned this dress in early Fall 2006 during football season,
I decided I will think of this dress as my Husky Alumni dress.

The above photos are of my version of the 2006 Duro Dress. I knew I would only want one dress made in this style--I wanted to make it versatile enough to wear even after the fad was over. I used cordless piping in the purple color to offset the bands of the style design. This was a silky dress-weight polyester with an interesting geometric and floral print. I turned the print in the crosswise direction on the bands to create visual contrast. I combined two patterns to make the dress. Simplicity 4072 (left) for the sleeves (I shortened them to 3-quarter length with cuffs) and the neck bands; The body of the dress and midriff band was from Simplicity 4022 (below). I liked the skirt without the gathers. When I wear the dress I tie the ties into a knot in the back.
I am working on my Easter outfit this week. I have the skirt done (Loes Hinse Tango Skirt), and am going to start on this jacket this weekend. I am using the new Hot Patterns Jacket, 108. Even though it is very simple and no doubt there are many other patterns similar to it out there, I selected this one as a way to support the newest Hot Patterns line aligned with McCalls Patterns. I am hoping that this pattern will become a tried and true pattern (TNT) for me, with multiple versions of it in time. Note: These patterns are available now for a limited time at Hancock Fabrics and online at the HPs website: hotpatterns.com and sewing patterns.com.

SWAP: The Swirl Skirt

2007-02-23T09:33:00.000-06:00

In concert with the current trend of Sewing With A Plan (SWAP), written about in Australian Stitches Magazine, August 2000, and on the Timmel Fabrics website: http://www.timmelfabrics.com/wardrobe.htm--

I started my SWAP about a year ago with the colors black, red, burgandy/wine, and gray (with a touch of leaf green and white). I have fabrics ready-to-go to complete this grouping, but I also found a number of ready-to-wear (RTW) pieces on sale to expedite the success of the project. For those that have put together a SWAP, don't you love being able to quickly put together a coordinated outfit for work, church, or other events? Having a collection that all fits together means you don't have to decide ahead of time what you will wear and make sure it's all presentable. If one is in the wash, another will do! Wow! I have never had this kind of convenience before—it really makes a difference for me. No more standing in the closet and wondering, “Well, what can I wear today?” Regarding the accessories-- shoes, jewelry, and a few scarves—I looked for sales on accessories to go with a SWAP. When this collection is finished, I plan to add additional jewel toned items to expand the colors of the collection. Being a WINTER in skin/hair coloring, jewel tones look best on me.

The only downside to the SWAP plan is not having the same level of flexibility with other wardrobe items. I started a new little musical job, part-time on Sundays, and I find myself mostly wearing my SWAP items to this job. I really do have other clothes, but I just enjoy my SWAP wardrobe.

I have made one Park Bench pattern (see photo above--click on photo for larger image), the #5 Griffith Park Swirl Skirt http://www.parkbenchpatterns.com/5.html. If you are not familiar with this independent pattern company, the patterns are all the same size—designed for women between the sizes of 12 – 18 or so. This particular pattern is a paneled skirt that is similar to other company's patterns. It contains just one pattern piece that is repeated to form the paneled skirt. You can add or subtract panels to increase or decrease the size. This panel skirt has a scalloped or swirled edge at the hem line (not very obvious in the photo). While I probably won't make another skirt from this pattern, I like having this novelty in my SWAP collection as an occasional extra. By using a varigated set of fabrics for the skirt panels, you can experiment with different effects when you slide the panels around your waist, since the skirt fits the same with any placement of the panels. Not pictured here is a dolman sleeved blouse I made that matches the floral print in the skirt.

C Marie (Carolyn) of “Diary of a Sewing Fanatic” blog had a poll recently about what is one of your sewing trademarks. I commented that mine is probably that I frequently make some kind of design change to a pattern. With this swirl skirt, I added red crepe and yellow/white gingham swirl patches to the design of the skirt to allow for more SWAP items to be worn with the skirt.

Special Event Outfit BWOF

2007-02-18T15:04:00.000-06:00

My next outfit up for design is a SPECIAL EVENT item for my parents 50th wedding anniversary celebration this coming August 2007. The colors for the wedding in 1957 were blue and pink. So, all the ladies of the family are wearing some combination thereof.

Burda World of Fashion (BWOF) Plus for January, '07:

Jacket, 401B; Skirt 404A (with flounces and pockets); and Twist Top 403C. (Page 38, BWOF Plus, January '07)

The skirt and jacket will be a pastel blue, and the twist top will be a pastel blue and pink print knit with lycra/spandex . I have different but matching fabrics for the jacket and skirt, both a polyester blend with lycra. If it's a hot day, I can just remove the jacket. I just finished tracing the pattern pieces. I will be making up a muslin of the skirt and twist top next. I know I will need to lengthen the top and do a FBA. I am planning to make slightly longer sleeves on the top as well. This will be my first BWOF pattern to make... Here we go!

Nylorac Creations is Launched: February 15, 2007

2007-02-15T10:05:00.000-06:00

This will consist of: A SEWING related blog with a little music and career-related content about rehabilitation and disability. I have always loved to sew since I took my first Singer Sewing course at age 12. Sewing is a wonderful hobby for me--a way to create unique fashions and other items--and a stress "releaser" too. I plan to post a few photos of garments I made this past year within the next few days.

One of my goals is to lose a few pounds before next summer. I have a special event coming up--my parent's 50th wedding anniversary in July 2007! The way I am going about the "get in shape" challenge is to keep a daily diary of my meals and snacks--a lowered carb diet approach with fewer bread and starches. I like to eat my "bread" allowance at breakfast, and have one fruit as a snack in the afternoon. I am also going to employ the no eating after 7:00 p.m. rule. I also try to walk for about 30 - 45 minutes everyday and I have a few exercises to go with the routine.

I am using the "fit of a dress" that is currently a little too small as my guideline for evidence of results rather than a scale weight. I'd rather go by the size of clothing I can currently wear. When I can easily put on and wear this dress, then I know I am within about 10 pounds of where I want to be. My parents are having their 50th wedding anniversary this summer and I want to look my best for this special event--lots of photos don't you know--lots of fun visiting and catching up with people I haven't seen in awhile (we currently live in a different state).

My next sewing project:

I am working on tracing patterns in Burda World of Fashion magazine--Plus--January 2007. I am planning to make the #404 skirt with small flounce and pockets, the #401 rounded lapels jacket, and the #403 twist top for a coordinated outfit. If you happen to have a copy of this issue, the photos for this outfit are on page 38. I love the red and white combination in the magazine photo, although the 50th wedding anniversary outfit for this summer will be in light blue with a touch of pink (the original wedding colors for my parents). I may decide to make a red and white version some time also. Red is my favorite color! I admire the recent creations of Summerset Bank's red dress, Ann of Gorgeous Things' Tango top, and Erin of Dress A Day's Valentine dress on yesterday's posts.