tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90507061026285437732024-02-21T08:43:51.007-05:00west 38thweekend dressmakerwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-91667195776765740302014-10-05T19:54:00.001-04:002014-10-05T19:55:45.156-04:00Sunday evening muslin<p>This is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DKG50Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005DKG50Q&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20&linkId=EQ35IJLXXNM3YA6H">Butterick B5490, Suzy Chin pleat front dress</a>, made up as a muslin. I was semi-careful with the bodice pleats, but the skirt pleats are pretty much randomly just basted in place at the seamline where the skirt attaches to the bodice. I cut a straight 10, but had to use 3/8th inch seam allowances on the waist piece, and it's still a smidge tight there.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/15429992196" title="muslin by wck, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15429992196_331a11158f.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="muslin"></a>
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<p>The reviews I read of this pattern on Pattern Review all mentioned the bodice pouffiness, and indeed- that's going on here. I think I'll be fiddling with trying to fold out a bit of the extra at the upper chest, but that's going to be a little weird to do with the pleats.
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/15449912581" title="P1180322 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15449912581_f900b66110.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="P1180322"></a>
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Also, I'm less of a fan of the waistband piece as made up, although it does look nice in the pattern picture. It might be that it's just the light scrap cotton I used for the waistband in this muslin, and that's it's still a little too tight.</p>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/15266361440" title="Butterick 5490 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3932/15266361440_b97e866787.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Butterick 5490"></a>
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wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-3974471284295794712014-09-29T09:41:00.000-04:002014-09-29T09:41:08.726-04:00FrozenLast weekend, I made up a Frozen Anna winter travel dress outfit for my niece. Here are a few in-progress shots from Instagram...
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I took the bodice shape & the cape from a Snow White costume, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NBXQ9E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004NBXQ9E&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20&linkId=OQ2EAQ5CPH3CSGXJ">Simplicity 2817</a>. It had the pointed bodice shape that Anna's travel dress has, and the cape's wrap around shape worked pretty nicely as well.
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The blue "shirt" under the top is improvised, as is the skirt's lavender band at the bottom (I thought for a minute about doing the scallop, and decided it wasn't going to happen), and the hood. The bodice is all cotton, and the skirt is a cotton/poly broadcloth. The cape is wool inside, from a leftover remnant I had, and poly crepe on the outside. The pink tulips are felt, and the gold trim is a 3" knit band.
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Here's the dress in action, at her Halloween parade at her horseback riding therapy school.
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I also made her sister a kimono costume, to avoid the "why does she have a costume and I don't"'s ;)
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wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-16554275210065039362014-09-11T15:35:00.000-04:002014-09-11T15:35:03.942-04:00Work clothes<a href="http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com">Caroline</a> posted a while ago about sewing bloggers who post "work clothes" and how rare they can be. So this is my little addition to that genre, which started with a black elastic waist skirt. I know, you can see nothing in this photo other than that I'm wearing something vaguely skirt shaped in black.
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I had a meltdown the night before my first day as a law clerk intern this summer in D.C. - I've only ever worked as a software developer (blue jeans every day), but law in D.C. is a pretty formal field, even though my dress code was going to be business casual. I used Simplicity 2211, which has now become my go-to skirt pattern, as you can really fine tune the fit with all those seams.
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This one was made out of a mystery black material in my stash, which has an almost faille like texture to it. No idea when or where I bought it. I zig-zagged in an elastic waist, wore it to work the next day, and have worn it several times a week since then. It's a workhorse.
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I also ended up making two versions of Cynthia Rowley's dress pattern, S 2281. The pink dress was the first real outfit I made on my new serger! I really like this pattern, but then I'm very partial to raglan sleeve styles.
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I used the lining bodice front pattern piece as the outer bodice front for this one, because I wanted to try it without the neck gathering.
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I love the pleating on the sleeves, although it's hard to get a good photo of. Basically you pin in two tucks, then top stitch to hold the tucks in place.
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So, there you go- a smidge of business casual work appropriate sewing.
wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-64328699731506528552014-04-13T12:34:00.000-04:002014-04-13T12:34:24.637-04:00G Street prints<p>Other than a few <a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/product/scout-woven-tee">Scout tops</a> and <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/shop/sb322-tonic-t-shirt/">tonic tees</a>, there hasn't been much sewing here recently. I did, however, manage to sneak in a trip to G Street fabrics yesterday to use my amazon local voucher. Here's what I bought- the first is a really nice poly knit with a really pretty print. I'm planning to make it into my favorite twist front pattern, maybe with cap sleeves.</p><br clear=all>
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<p>Next are two rayon woven prints. They're very lightweight, so I'm planning to make them both into Scout tops.
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<p>It's finally warm here, so I've also got two tomato plants started on my balcony. We face north, but hopefully there will be enough sun to get something from them this summer.
</p><br clear=all>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-82687321731207874182014-03-13T10:30:00.000-04:002014-03-13T11:39:39.229-04:00Garment Construction Guides<p>Do you ever refer to sewing books that show you how the order of construction for garments like coats and dresses? Several sewing blogs which I follow have featured a new sewing book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INWMAMI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00INWMAMI&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20">The Complete Photo Guide to Clothing Construction</a>, over the last week or so.</p><br clear="all">
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<p>It looks like a pretty good sewing guide, offering to lead the reader through how to best sew a variety of garments. Super helpful when you're faced with the usual cryptic BurdaStyle magazine instructions, or non-existent Marfy pattern ones. There are a few blogs doing a blog tour for the book, with a giveaways, apparently- details are <a href="http://www.christinehaynes.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-blog-tour-continues.html">on the author's blog</a>.
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<p>I took a look at it, but so far have decided to pass- mostly because I already own several books that cover this exact topic. I have Gertie's book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584799919/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1584799919&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20">Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing:: A Modern Guide to Couture-Style Sewing Using Basic Vintage Techniques</a>, which has the advantage of not just being a wonderful garment construction reference, but having patterns to go with it. (Um, not that I've yet made any of the patterns up. But I have plans!) Gertie's book has really great illustrated step-by-step directions are very clear, so I've turned to it a number of times. I also own the aptly named <a href="http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B007W5JLPQ/wendyk-20">Illustrated Guide to Garment Construction</a>, subtitled the "Complete Course on Making Clothing for Fit and Fashion" -and it is pretty darn complete. The illustrations are mostly hand drawn, instead of photographs, but I think that allows them to be clearer at getting across what you need to do in each step. It's broken out into various garment types, such as dress shirts or pants, and the techniques you need to construct the garment are in each section. I've mostly used it as a quick reference when, for instance, I can't remember how I last dealt a coat hem that has a facing and a turned up hem.
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Another great reference by the same author is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007W5JTGM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007W5JTGM&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20">Tailoring book</a> by the same author. Also has nicely drawn illustrations, but it's focused on just 4 garments: a men's tailored jacket and pants, and a woman's tailored jacket and pants. Again, I refer to it some times, although honestly it's not my favorite tailoring book of all time (and I haven't yet ever made a fully hand tailored jacket or coat- although again I have plans to do so someday!).
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One of my favorite references is pretty old, but also not very expensive. I think my copy was about $3.00 or so -<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O7UC70/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000O7UC70&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20">New Vogue Sewing Book</a> from the 1960s. It has directions on making a skirt and jacket at the back of it, and an incredible wealth of techniques for pockets, collars, sleeves, etc.
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584799919/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1584799919&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ivlYDWSeL._SL160_.jpg" ></a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wendyk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1584799919" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007W5JLPQ/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007W5JLPQ&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VZ0JfxtjL._SL160_.jpg" ></a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wendyk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007W5JLPQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O7UC70/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000O7UC70&linkCode=as2&tag=wendyk-20"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cgLuUyl2L._SL160_.gif" ></a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=wendyk-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000O7UC70" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />
</p><br clear="all">wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-67587748712442625262014-03-10T15:30:00.000-04:002014-03-10T15:30:02.792-04:00Blueberry smoothie<p>When going through my fabric collection over winter break I found some old Dena Tea Garden cotton prints I'd forgotten about, and made up one of them into a new pillow for our bed.</p><br clear=all>
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<p>The navy and white reminded me of my favorite smoothie recipe, which I've been having for lunch a lot recently since it's so thick and awesome. I hesitate to call this a "recipe" - more of a serving suggestion, I think.</p><br clear=all>
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<p><b>Blueberry avocado smoothie</b> </p><br clear=all>
<ul><li>Half an avocado</li>
<li>About a cup of frozen blueberries</li>
<li>About a cup of coconut water (you can certainly use regular water as well; I've also done this with cold green tea)</li>
</ul>
<p>That's it. Blend, enjoy. I made this a lot with bananas instead of avocado, but I've decided that the avocado is my favorite because it comes out a little thicker. Also note that I don't really like sweet smoothies- the blueberries are enough sugar for my tastes. But you could definitely add in honey if you like a sweeter smoothie flavor.</p><br clear=all>
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<p>As you may have seen, Ann at Gorgeous Fabrics has declared March 22 to be "cut into that fabric day!" for those of us who have fabrics we are scared to actually use. I've got many fabrics that fall into this category, so I'm currently thinking about which one I'll sacrifice to the cause. <p></p><br clear=all>
<p><div align="center"><a href="http://blog.gorgeousfabrics.com/2014/03/08/march-22nd-is-international-cut-into-that-fabric-day/" title="International Cut Into That Fabric Day"><img src="http://www.gorgeousthings.com/images/CutIntoThatFabricDay.jpg" alt="International Cut Into That Fabric Day" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-9396757100695017992014-02-02T15:33:00.000-05:002014-02-02T15:33:45.655-05:00SBCC Flyfront cardigan<p>This is a post of not many words, because school has replaced my brain with mush. I've had my eye on the Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick fly front cardigan pattern, <a href="http://www.sbccpatterns.com/shop/sb314/">SB314</a>, for a while. I finally decided that my desire to make the cardigan exceeded my distaste for print-and-tape patterns by a large enough margin that I would go for it.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW3MvtII-QowoEUz8zBE5fUD6hgXMk8_MmNwXJ26F5YDTMNlQKTuCqJeHNpjkix15voD8Y-Y1Dnsy5ad85u7cU5IWieO_ymdeW3fBNa5v_zcmw55r-gipXLB4wMb6uOsa9N4d-CCSjxTW/s1600/P1040794.RW2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsW3MvtII-QowoEUz8zBE5fUD6hgXMk8_MmNwXJ26F5YDTMNlQKTuCqJeHNpjkix15voD8Y-Y1Dnsy5ad85u7cU5IWieO_ymdeW3fBNa5v_zcmw55r-gipXLB4wMb6uOsa9N4d-CCSjxTW/s400/P1040794.RW2" /></a></div>
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<p>The pattern is only 16 sheets, so that's not too bad. One thing to note, since I only saw this on <a href="stitchesandseams.blogspot.com/2013/12/sbcc-tonic-tee.html">Debbie's post about the Tonic Tee</a> and not anywhere in the SBCC directions is that the pages should not overlap when you tape together these patterns. Unfortunately, as she also notes, home printers don't really print to the edge of the page, so you end up with fairly wide gaps. If you have curved rulers, just pull them out and connect the lines, or guesstimate as you cut out the patterns.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf9Gp1JuVTExitHlwiT3Euy_MyP98yPotlKlF-ikuJTwXShagYqNyrpcjDBiwZVAOnQ8yEb9W9iktVkKISdOBjag0Za9rC2uDi9WJrKiABeHXUzteJU0wfcUQ55sv6pu4ptow9VeP8qJ4/s1600/P1040789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf9Gp1JuVTExitHlwiT3Euy_MyP98yPotlKlF-ikuJTwXShagYqNyrpcjDBiwZVAOnQ8yEb9W9iktVkKISdOBjag0Za9rC2uDi9WJrKiABeHXUzteJU0wfcUQ55sv6pu4ptow9VeP8qJ4/s400/P1040789.JPG" /></a></div></p>
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<p>Sewing this was pretty straightforward, although I'm not a huge fan of the construction. The very front panels are doubled; on my knit (it's a t-shirt weight rayon jersey) that means it just slightly tugs forward. The hem is odd, since the front panel is already "hemmed" by sewing together the panel pieces. I'm thinking about just doing some kind of binding or narrow hem around the edges of the next one. I will probably make this again, since I wear open front cardigans constantly. My law school uniform is pretty much dressy Tee or scoop neck top, fly front cardigan or collared cardigan (I have an Eileen Fisher one that I *love* to pieces and by now has gotten into reasonable-price-per-wear category), jeans or black trousers, grey leather sneakers or boots. I am boring, yes.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsK6m4hfkkCBvKdzivpoqzmWUI5HJeYAn-o3KKZ9afH5UMPM01dBo8F9EaYqcOFjcXpxO7GChNitDL6HksBZzxgIHhM-RGLYuGgGZuK0WilM6quZCam5eTgqSogD0xQta_jpciMCl18nVV/s1600/P1040791.RW2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsK6m4hfkkCBvKdzivpoqzmWUI5HJeYAn-o3KKZ9afH5UMPM01dBo8F9EaYqcOFjcXpxO7GChNitDL6HksBZzxgIHhM-RGLYuGgGZuK0WilM6quZCam5eTgqSogD0xQta_jpciMCl18nVV/s400/P1040791.RW2" /></a></div>
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<br clear=all><p>No fabulous pictures of this, sadly, just a few mirror shots. A little bit on sizing, though. I went with a size medium because I really don't have a petite length torso and I was concerned about the arms being too tight. (Awesomeness: for the first time in my life I can do multiple real pushups in a row thanks to taking up weight training! Not awesomeness: my upper arms have never been skinny, and they are way worse now- I have a bunch of beloved woven shirts and dress jackets that my arms will not fit into. Lame.) The medium fits pretty well, in as much as a fly front cardigan has to "fit" but I do think that the shoulder is a bit long. Not terrible, though.</p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXJ5LazntQg3wPdIgEsBMpnao-FKfCUvTYGvlUViTiAe2UqAb97Gm1kvePNh0TJ7hWhx1SWwCUyA2odiQ_pQzF-6YKfRv_0uunv84rJdWv_KY3aaNmZ1a1C1fOZuzY8vUOLnWMQdASklU/s1600/P1040788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXJ5LazntQg3wPdIgEsBMpnao-FKfCUvTYGvlUViTiAe2UqAb97Gm1kvePNh0TJ7hWhx1SWwCUyA2odiQ_pQzF-6YKfRv_0uunv84rJdWv_KY3aaNmZ1a1C1fOZuzY8vUOLnWMQdASklU/s400/P1040788.JPG" /></a></div>
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wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-38140850656427876242014-01-17T16:30:00.000-05:002014-01-17T16:30:12.307-05:00An experiment<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQlm9NYyWmt5fCYYp4cVJxsIcPqF7QYyPGEEzmg1HMaeGn_jIyUID8JFm3ITNCJSAFi32pGvZkQxzvDKWvoxcLv9pobzmYbm2DkGTzgSR9PTTnQlP_8SVNjrTv5hoPS7Jv5sJ53j-A_SQ/s1600/IMGP0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQlm9NYyWmt5fCYYp4cVJxsIcPqF7QYyPGEEzmg1HMaeGn_jIyUID8JFm3ITNCJSAFi32pGvZkQxzvDKWvoxcLv9pobzmYbm2DkGTzgSR9PTTnQlP_8SVNjrTv5hoPS7Jv5sJ53j-A_SQ/s640/IMGP0257.JPG" /></a></div>
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<p>
I've been kind of fascinated by Alabama Chanin style reverse applique for years, but never motivated myself to actually do any until recently. In law school, you have assigned seats... as in, where ever you sit the first day of class, you are sitting there all through the term, so that the professors know where to find you when they cold call you. That means of course that to get a decent seat, you have to get to the first class pretty early. I wasn't really looking forward to sitting around in a classroom for an extra hour, but then I realized that it might be an ideal time to try some handwork. So the night before, I cut out two raglan tshirt fronts, and free form sketched some leaves on one. (Note: this is not the correct way to do this. You should print a stencil from the <a href="http://www.alabamachanin.com/resources">Alabama Chanin resources page</a> and use fabric paint to apply it to your jersey.) I just used a gel highlighter to sketch a handful of leaves around the piece. Please don't ask me how I know that gel highlighter writes on jersey and doesn't rub off, it's traumatic.
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So, I packed a little ziploc bag with a needle, some silk Gutermann thread, and my tshirt fronts, and went to town. This is not neat, carefully sized hand sewing, unfortunately. But it came out ok enough that I decided to cut and sew up the rest of the tshirt. It's pretty comfy. I haven't tried washing it yet, but I'm hopefully the delicate cycle will be OK. I did make pretty good knots as I finished each leaf. The pattern is the same raglan t-shirt I made a few weeks ago, with a band again added on the bottom to make it long enough.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt1tsFprnQTMVfij1d7d9L3dw15JZRv5_NwU4ft5m92gVLnJb15BZYrS4OWBDOwGlAbx9fUe0uUJ9tNi1NJvdI3044xS2n7RwYni2kzsfxQOYkHItqin-_zz8wesIFE3HEei6MRgi-WdB/s1600/P1040781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt1tsFprnQTMVfij1d7d9L3dw15JZRv5_NwU4ft5m92gVLnJb15BZYrS4OWBDOwGlAbx9fUe0uUJ9tNi1NJvdI3044xS2n7RwYni2kzsfxQOYkHItqin-_zz8wesIFE3HEei6MRgi-WdB/s640/P1040781.JPG" /></a></div>
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Here's a "real life" picture for you..... my sewing room, in its super messy state. Unfortunately, not enough light here to really see the leaves on the shirt.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLyS2sbOfEUn2anm0nI3wwFmW5_HH0xB03-AWeYurhNZvm-_l0tljZLwx7rB2Dey-ByUjH1x7V9Pjnk7zG7UCqGKFDK-ehilU0eMSZtAAHTp5JO72kGwqH-42hGRO2Oj4kgnRAFEsQI24/s1600/P1040787.RW2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLyS2sbOfEUn2anm0nI3wwFmW5_HH0xB03-AWeYurhNZvm-_l0tljZLwx7rB2Dey-ByUjH1x7V9Pjnk7zG7UCqGKFDK-ehilU0eMSZtAAHTp5JO72kGwqH-42hGRO2Oj4kgnRAFEsQI24/s640/P1040787.RW2" /></a></div>
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Finally, I've been getting lots of wear from my peacoat, but I've discovered that I really need to add some length to the upper bodice (an adjustment I almost always make on patterns, and likely should have just done on this one). Here's the peacoat, with the skirt I made the other day...
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbRMmLfix1jN86xwdTPnDsZbGTk1welfAhUyZCRN8lK8SSBO8tp66LSv8lupkQIM4fepatXuuvCQh7rm9A5WZdXS0-tX96w_dCGcjY6N5fD6m0box45YxlhqjidMEyFf8gmsI4k18Hkow/s1600/P1040768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbRMmLfix1jN86xwdTPnDsZbGTk1welfAhUyZCRN8lK8SSBO8tp66LSv8lupkQIM4fepatXuuvCQh7rm9A5WZdXS0-tX96w_dCGcjY6N5fD6m0box45YxlhqjidMEyFf8gmsI4k18Hkow/s640/P1040768.JPG" /></a></div>
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And here is a closer view, you can see the folding that should go away with a bit more upper bodice length.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyHBbmhtrtDILIqJzpZ058EXVxPol28GS5PsZifu3dOUg7bIgABt8XhsFsDVvcHHap8tKz7eBVBxIwXjMpM5nbP95I-LnI4rhtrn7u4fUHvVVjihITLIWg8SJOY7OrG50UzsS4GK11A2z/s1600/P1040770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyHBbmhtrtDILIqJzpZ058EXVxPol28GS5PsZifu3dOUg7bIgABt8XhsFsDVvcHHap8tKz7eBVBxIwXjMpM5nbP95I-LnI4rhtrn7u4fUHvVVjihITLIWg8SJOY7OrG50UzsS4GK11A2z/s640/P1040770.JPG" /></a></div>
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<br clear=all>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-86100504489738225292014-01-05T16:12:00.000-05:002014-01-05T16:12:15.931-05:00Ottobre wrap top<p>A new t-shirt! This is from Ottobre 5/2011, I mostly followed the pattern but made a few changes to with the slouchy layering piece look I wanted. I have lots of warm sweaters and thick tops, but only 1 t-shirt weight layering piece right now, and I kept finding I was too cold or too warm, so I made this to pull on over a tank top or light t-shirt.</p><br clear=all>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytR_77moE0A6aOPlI2VJqotBDXK06V7IrlozwBLGapPyntvujS2qvm8Sx-06B8oyQ8zhmLlP0VXZl24TJcW77u6kb7QugNZuqaV6AUqO9pUpOljuB4t3LCwjHc2BOOdWVSRylnYLEg2Rm/s1600/P1040760.RW2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytR_77moE0A6aOPlI2VJqotBDXK06V7IrlozwBLGapPyntvujS2qvm8Sx-06B8oyQ8zhmLlP0VXZl24TJcW77u6kb7QugNZuqaV6AUqO9pUpOljuB4t3LCwjHc2BOOdWVSRylnYLEg2Rm/s640/P1040760.RW2" /></a></div></p><br clear=all>
<p>The fabric is a really soft rayon jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics. It's super stretchy and just a little transparent if you hold it up to light. The color is a nice dark charcoal, so it was unfortunately kind of hard to photograph. I had to overexpose this picture so that you could see anything:</p><br clear=all>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuTz_pXtQypR5CBI2q11F8D_XyJef-zfqSsSO2hwwBPtycuwgrgCYGy6TNUsa4agWzd84WLdigCJRXPk-Kjcz-YClpIZlj4HX13pBjJll-r9cBbIOsgt14Lj1gZofQtJAc1oLqICm7shM/s1600/IMGP0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuTz_pXtQypR5CBI2q11F8D_XyJef-zfqSsSO2hwwBPtycuwgrgCYGy6TNUsa4agWzd84WLdigCJRXPk-Kjcz-YClpIZlj4HX13pBjJll-r9cBbIOsgt14Lj1gZofQtJAc1oLqICm7shM/s640/IMGP0246.JPG" /></a></div></p><br clear=all>
<p>I didn't stitch the wrap closed since I plan to wear it with a tank underneath (I have a violet colored tank top on in that picture above, but of course the over exposure totally lost that color). The sleeves are unhemmed for now because they feel warmer all pooled up at the ends of my wrists. I should probably shorten them, but for now I like the longer length. Since I used such a soft jersey it doesn't really have the structure of the Ottobre version. I do like the pleats at the high neckline, though, and the other design details that you can't really see in my version. Putting this together was interesting- those are some oddly shaped pattern pieces. I managed to sort it out between pinning, checking the directions, pinning again, trying to match notches, until it went together. The front has pieces that extend around the back of the neck so then attaching the back piece is a bit weird. Once you have it lined up it's easy to sew, it's just that it feels counterintuitive when you've got it pinned together.</p><br clear=all>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11783143234/" title="wrap top by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/11783143234_7786c9b43d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="wrap top"></a></p><br clear=all>
<p>This is probably going into the to-make-again pile. I like the style lines and it went together really quickly.</p><br clear=all>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-9448407530478606592014-01-03T20:26:00.000-05:002014-01-03T20:31:36.154-05:00Two skirts<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11741716765/" title="Patterns by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/11741716765_6d6cdc58af.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Patterns"></a></p><br clear=all>
<p>I made up two skirts in the last two days, although neither one really goes terribly well with all the tops I've been making. The first one is an old favorite pattern & this iteration is a direct replacement for one that pretty much fell apart. Simplicity 4044, bias cut a-line skirt. I had a black version of this which I made in 2007 that was done in with too much pilling on the fabric and the waist was just shot. I tossed it a while ago and was feeling its absence, so here it is again. No idea what the fabric is; it feels like a poly blend, and I assume I bought it at JoAnns at some point. This isn't a great picture, but you can see how it has a nice flare. The panels are cut on a slight bias, so it hangs nicely even in a cheap fabric like this; the skirt is hemmed by hand since I didn't think anything else would work well.</p><br clear=all>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5F-OBjiem5fX0bQ4SdeE0_u7v3qw1K16k9qF2ydjdiANfSEypjbwQ_jNAgwEfiPG3RoiJgmY1vu26yyjxLgm2MQ3oKJI9po9C76a6elQ-36AsrGJYGi4vO50FPAwgS47_xJCOQJEjxw4/s1600/P1040745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5F-OBjiem5fX0bQ4SdeE0_u7v3qw1K16k9qF2ydjdiANfSEypjbwQ_jNAgwEfiPG3RoiJgmY1vu26yyjxLgm2MQ3oKJI9po9C76a6elQ-36AsrGJYGi4vO50FPAwgS47_xJCOQJEjxw4/s640/P1040745.JPG" /></a></div></p><br clear=all>
<p>Next is a Lisette pattern, Simplicity 2211, view B. </p><br clear=all>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11742370823/" title="2211 simplicity by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/11742370823_bec24c20c9_o.jpg" width="179" height="119" alt="2211 simplicity"></a> </p><br clear=all>
<p>I've made the shirt before, but never the skirt. It's a great piece and goes together really well, and of course all the seams give you a lot of opportunity for adjusting fit as you go, which is why I just skipped the muslin stage. Sadly I made it out of a patterned stretch cotton so you can't see the panels or the tabs! They are there, really. This fabric is from Paron's if I'm remembering correctly.</p><br clear=all>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJviS6EpN4xVIV-MiMlOlNQyFzZpzkK5SY5bnfHDrG7pgi9-1Rnfr6A7mtHrwIZCZ0BrgNlH8iR2JUFrjaECvijjrC_DzgcnJ2Lh5LLkoYBR1ZDmWQ1S49Kxfp19Etw6uRC8Tvwb0LWKQI/s1600/P1040742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJviS6EpN4xVIV-MiMlOlNQyFzZpzkK5SY5bnfHDrG7pgi9-1Rnfr6A7mtHrwIZCZ0BrgNlH8iR2JUFrjaECvijjrC_DzgcnJ2Lh5LLkoYBR1ZDmWQ1S49Kxfp19Etw6uRC8Tvwb0LWKQI/s640/P1040742.JPG" /></a></div></p><br clear=all>
<p>Here's a closeup of one of the tabs. This is like Where's Waldo, unfortunately, but if you squint you can see a tab. The skirt is lined with navy blue ambiance which I still detest sewing with but still love wearing. I thought about skipping a lining, since I have plenty of slips, but often with lower waisted skirts I find that the skirt slides down and the slip rides up my waist and I get bunched slip just under my waist, which just feels and looks weird. The skirts lined in ambiance are the ones I reach for most often in my closet, so that was clearly the best choice, no matter what I thought about sewing a multi-paneled skirt from it. It came out ok in the end- not too fun, but not the worst. Both the lining & the skirt are hemmed with my coverstitch. I so love that machine!!</p><br clear=all>
<p>I've been trying to concentrate on making things I'll really wear often. Having paused in sewing for a while I had a chance to notice what I really wear and what just sits in my closet, and I sent to Goodwill everything that I honestly wasn't ever putting on. That left me with only a few things, but they're ones that I wear just as more or more than really nice pieces I've bought. I kind of feel like I'm at a point where I finally have decent enough technique that I can reliably make clothes that are well constructed and finished. What I need to work on is choosing fabrics and patterns that fit what I like to wear, instead of being sucked into making something that just doesn't work. More boring wardrobe classics in cuts that fit me, fewer flashy dresses that I never put on, or something like that. </p><br clear=all>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ydyIRHeDXRETCIvdy59KT66xrRwFh5ZG1MereXK1LIxtQW9jqGoC8FtH_KDQs3yzIqVEQWUjchjSfzQsWfJDtUCi59LWf-AMH8kplAdbBM54OjLHtyWy5Mtu67EOVtV9F6l4Pp3BSCdQ/s1600/P1040743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ydyIRHeDXRETCIvdy59KT66xrRwFh5ZG1MereXK1LIxtQW9jqGoC8FtH_KDQs3yzIqVEQWUjchjSfzQsWfJDtUCi59LWf-AMH8kplAdbBM54OjLHtyWy5Mtu67EOVtV9F6l4Pp3BSCdQ/s400/P1040743.JPG" /></a></div></p><br clear=all>
<p>One last picture- the pretty bird fabric I used as a facing for the black skirt.</p><br clear=all>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRZKZFywakXZHs3CG5WE63tKdMa9KorynARevTwGaaABvQ5gC2GY5X-If_awbO1MwsSm-W9zzxuAYGtR7pmi5k-Oc2edCTgd0dJXin3XD4cL5750gSI1Dzf1MtaICUoyX807AWPZQ5gOi/s1600/P1040748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRZKZFywakXZHs3CG5WE63tKdMa9KorynARevTwGaaABvQ5gC2GY5X-If_awbO1MwsSm-W9zzxuAYGtR7pmi5k-Oc2edCTgd0dJXin3XD4cL5750gSI1Dzf1MtaICUoyX807AWPZQ5gOi/s640/P1040748.JPG" /></a></div></p><br clear=all>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-24896185499633748562013-12-31T17:35:00.000-05:002013-12-31T17:35:07.816-05:00Now with buttons
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11670452766/" title="buttonholes by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/11670452766_5a8f9d2d68.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="buttonholes"></a></p>
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<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11669952044/" title="Ottobre Peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/11669952044_db1e00876d.jpg" width="311" height="500" alt="Ottobre Peacoat"></a> </p>
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<p>They are done! I decided to use the four step buttonhole instead of the should-be-magic-but-doesn't-always-work one-button-press buttonholes on my sewing machine. I basted out the top & bottom lines so that I could see where to hit the next step button, and it went pretty well. Then I wore the coat out on a nice blustery 2 mile walk to Trader Joes. I was nice and warm wearing it, & only a few very strong gusts got through in the arms a little bit. I wasn't sure how it would work with the buttons only in the top, but it was fine. Partly because it's double breasted, so even if the wind blew the bottom part of the coat open a bit, I was still warm. And the on seam pockets are in just the right spot and a good size.
Also, Uta mentioned that she liked the lines but wanted a longer version. This pattern comes in two lengths- I made the shorter version, but the pattern pieces have a full length version as well. So you wouldn't even need to draft any extra length, it's already available.
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11669601725/" title="Ottobre Peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/11669601725_6357d4b389.jpg" width="261" height="500" alt="Ottobre Peacoat"></a> </p>
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<p>And finally, one more under the wire. I think with this top I've sewn more the last 2 weeks than the entire rest of the year combined. This is a wool doubleknit from <a href="http://emmaonesock.com/">Emma One Sock</a> made into a cardigan from the latest Ottobre. Other than the facing, this is a lovely shaped cardigan. I left out the front and back tucks because this is such a beefy knit and they seemed like they wouldn't work well. I've never sewn with a wool doubleknit before, but this was so marvelous. It's really warm and not at all itchy! Then I shortened the sleeves because I prefer just-past-the-elbow length. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11675682734/" title="Ottobre cardigan by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/11675682734_1261fff1ea.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre cardigan"></a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11675560163/" title="Ottobre cardigan by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/11675560163_b5db11d58a.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre cardigan"></a></p>
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<p>So about this facing- the part that attaches to the front edge of the bodice is perfect and went on smoothly. But the outer edge, which is to be hand stitched down, has something ridiculous going on. You have to ease stitch it, and it has waves and waves of extra fabric. What?!? I understand it needs to fit the shell where you fold it in, but this was overload. I managed to steam and ease and get it in there, but it was stupid and annoying. In all likelihood this is a cutting or directions reading mistake on my part, because I can't see how a magazine that put out such a nicely drafted peacoat pattern also made this facing piece.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11675558483/" title="Ottobre cardigan by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/11675558483_dc3967d8c5.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre cardigan"></a></p>
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<p>Here's a not so great picture on me:
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11676104326/" title="Ottobre cardigan by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/11676104326_88a5c226ed.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre cardigan"></a></p>
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<p>And finally, coverstitched sleeve hems because I still adore my CS machine:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11675316235/" title="Ottobre cardigan by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/11675316235_f4f640bdcf.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre cardigan"></a></p>
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wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-87478096230519313642013-12-30T18:55:00.001-05:002013-12-30T19:22:47.932-05:00Peacoat, sans buttons<p>Would you like to know what seemed like a GREAT idea three days ago? Making a princess seamed peacoat (with on-seam pockets!!) from the Winter 2010 Ottobre magazine. I forgot that coatmaking takes days and days and days. Here's the page in the magazine showing the line drawing. Looks cute and straightforward, no?</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11634207824/" title="Ottobre peacoat! by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/11634207824_4579c3a03b.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Ottobre peacoat!"></a></p>
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<p>Here's where we were the other evening... a completed shell. The outer fabric is a spongy, tweedy brown wool that I've had in my stash for so long that I have no idea where I'd bought it. I underlined it with flannel and used fusible horsehair interfacing on the bodice and a tricot interfacing on the collar. The collar and lapels, of course, gave me fits. Then I put the sleeves into the wrong sides. And a bunch of other catastrophes which I've already tried wiping from my mind.</p>
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<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11634599216/" title="Peacoat in progress guts by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/11634599216_0335f1aa3f.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Peacoat in progress guts"></a></p>
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<p>The lining is a hot pink flannel backed satin from JoAnns. I'm a big believer in flashy, crazy lining fabrics. It's also got a really simple patch pocket to hold my cellphone, and piping between the lining and facing (not sewn in terribly well, you can see in a few spots the white from the piping). The pockets are made from flannel scraps, navy blue with fishes. </p>
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<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11657000296/" title="Ottobre peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/11657000296_48a67665e4.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre peacoat"></a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11657245066/" title="IMAG0683 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/11657245066_cafc2bb51c.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="IMAG0683"></a></p>
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<p>Then there is the little ribbon as a hanging loop, which was in the Ottobre directions. I don't think that this ribbon could really support the weight of the coat for long, but I think it looks cute anyway. </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11656225805/" title="Ottobre peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/11656225805_696ddaa9cf.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre peacoat"></a> </p>
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<p>Buttons. Not attached yet. I am working myself up the courage to make the buttonholes and desperately missing Jonathan Embroidery in NYC- I haven't sewn a buttonhole in a winter coat in YEARS.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11656478293/" title="Ottobre peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/11656478293_8ca5a02421.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre peacoat"></a> </p>
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<p>Dressform pictures:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11656584854/" title="Ottobre peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/11656584854_3bf536df2f.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre peacoat"></a> </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11656584614/" title="Ottobre peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/11656584614_d781d591d1.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Ottobre peacoat"></a> </p>
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<p>And finally, you can thank <a href="http://sewingontheedge.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-have-been-thinking.html">Barbara's post on sewing v. fashion bloggers</a> for the bathroom selfie of the coat: </p>
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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11657001036/" title="Ottobre peacoat by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/11657001036_29f2a8e001.jpg" width="384" height="500" alt="Ottobre peacoat"></a> </p>
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<p>Super styled high fashion! Um, or not. But it does fit pretty well. My ultimate goal in making this was to try out the pattern with an eye to making up that awesome navy blue wool/cashmere fabric I bought before Christmas. Also, I felt kind of guilty that I have a bunch of Ottobre magazines but I'd never sewn anything for myself from them- only a few kids items. The fit for this was pretty nice, really. This is a straight 38 with no alterations. I think I might take the shoulder in a tiny next time, but I'm otherwise really satisfied with how well it fits.</p>
<br clear="all">wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-60608717645162651002013-12-27T12:40:00.000-05:002013-12-27T12:40:08.897-05:00Twist twist<p>Today has been "wow, why did it take me so long to buy a coverstitch machine?" day. I woke up really early today and felt like sewing something simple. The Jalie twist front top has long been one of my favorite patterns, but all the shirts I'd made from it in the past have by now fallen apart- I didn't use very good quality knits with them, so they kind of bagged out, and I was never happy with the unfinished hems. So I made two new ones.<p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11587261955/player/2445396858" height="500" width="334" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p><iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11588053376/player/f5713715d3" height="500" width="334" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>This one is from an <a href="http://www.emmaonesock.com">Emma One Sock</a> knit. It went together so quickly, thanks to coverstitching the neckline, sleeves and hem that I decided to do another one.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11588054246/player/07df1dcfac" height="500" width="334" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>This is a poly knit from <a href="http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com/">Gorgeous Fabrics</a> that I've had in my stash for ages. I had to figure out how to use the differential feed on the CS machine to get the hems to come out nicely, but once I'd figured out how to do that, it also went together smoothly. Given that those went so well, I decided to get ambitious and trace off a raglan sleeve tshirt from an old BWOF magazine (November 2005!).</p>
<p>I hadn't traced anything in ages, but thankfully it went quickly- only 4 pattern pieces. I really like that the raglan sleeve is in two pieces, because it allows some nice shaping over the shoulder.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11587267805/player/4cf8b27f3e" height="334" width="500" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>Not a great picture of it on me, but here you go.... this knit is also from Emma One Sock.</p>
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<iframe src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11587580874/player/ea8efaa4df" height="500" width="346" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe></p>
wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-21613072255181558302013-12-18T18:30:00.001-05:002013-12-18T18:30:24.850-05:00Bloglovin<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/1955134/?claim=zvcemy7f6be">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-76518366633308106492013-12-18T13:16:00.001-05:002013-12-18T13:16:43.332-05:00Christmas sewing<p> My last final of the term was Monday, so that means... sewing can commence again! I tried doing some sewing during the term, but it was hard to get momentum going for anything. Instead it was mostly quick stuff and mending.</p>
<p> I re-sized a pair of Ann Taylor Loft grey skinny jeans so that they didn't gape at the waist. This just involved taking the waistband off at the back, ripping out the center back seam, and then re-sewing everything at a bit of an angle. Then I did the same thing to a pair of black cotton sateen pants. </p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11438074305/" title="jeans refashion by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/11438074305_85db17c40c.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="jeans refashion"></a></p>
<p> Then I made a Scout tee, which has been in very heavy rotation in my wardrobe for the last few months. I need to get more voile to make a few more of these, since the sewing-effort-to-amount-of-wear ratio is so good on this. It's also the first thing I ever made with my new coverstitch machine, which was part of why it went together so easily.</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11438074885/" title="Scout tee by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/11438074885_1bddd66099.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Scout tee"></a></p>
<p> Finally, I went to the fabric store a few blocks from our new place for the first time yesterday, as a "hooray you survived" treat. They mostly carry home dec fabrics but I found two fabulous pieces to buy anyway. The first is an incredible navy blue wool with cashmere piece, just ever so slightly heavier than suiting. I bought 3 yards of it, but I think I might end up just making a cropped jacket with short or bracelet length sleeves. It's so, so, so soft and lovely, though, that I want to wait until I have a really great pattern.</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11437918085/" title="Navy wool cashmere by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/11437918085_25d74cddc6.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Navy wool cashmere"></a></p>
<p> The other is hard to photograph, but it's an ever-so-slightly glazed metallic linen. LOVE. I'm not sure what to do with this one- it's 60 inches wide, and I bought 2 yards... maybe a dress? Jacket? It's drapey for linen, but a bit too stiff to make a Scout tee from, unfortunately. I'm definitely open to suggestions here.</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11438075525/" title="gold linen by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/11438075525_6f6afd88e0.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="gold linen"></a></p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11438117224/" title="gold linen by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/11438117224_82447aa53c.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="gold linen"></a></p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11438149996/" title="gold linen by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7382/11438149996_88b56ec488.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="gold linen"></a></p>
<p> Finally.... I'm starting on Christmas present sewing. PJs for my mom! I got to use my new coverstitch machine with these, and it went really well.</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11438089843/" title="Flannel PJs by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3814/11438089843_b290839694.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Flannel PJs"></a></p>
<p>I had some questions about what I'm in school again for. The boy and I decided that I should use his GI Bill, since he was sent to grad school already by the military. So I'm using it for law school, with the idea that I'll go back to the tech industry and work on privacy issues. We'll see.</p>
<p> And, finally- my current sewing setup! I managed to get my two machines, cutting table, and tabletop ironing board all positioned near the window.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/11437921125/" title="Sewing room setup by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/11437921125_0749699349.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Sewing room setup"></a>
</p>
wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-57974931382169988822013-09-23T07:47:00.000-04:002013-09-23T07:47:49.957-04:00Mermaids<p>Hello blog! I just finished my <a href="http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/gallery.php?gal_id=152">Mendocino by Heather Ross</a> quilt... or as I think of it, my mermaids quilt.</p>
<p>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9884631015/" title="Quilt is done! by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/9884631015_b4fb053cb9.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Quilt is done!"></a></center>
</p>
<p>This one is twin sized, and although I did use a lot of my Mendocino fabric, it also has several other Heather Ross fabric scraps and some other fabric bits and pieces as well. It's free motion quilted, and the backing is an old blue sheet I bought from Target years ago. </p>
<p><center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9895050864/" title="Mendocino quilt by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9895050864_d6fdf426f7.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Mendocino quilt"></a>
<br>It's a little hard to get a picture of a large quilt in an apartment, so here is my jury-rigged quilt hanging setup that will sort of show what it looks like...
</center></p>
<p><center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9895021935/" title="mermaid quilt by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/9895021935_2f5d7bbae7.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="mermaid quilt"></a>
</center></p>
<p><center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9884426083/" title="Quilt by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/9884426083_1d6cb2629c.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Quilt"></a>
<br>Fishies!
</center></p>
<p><center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9884321364/" title="Quilt by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9884321364_fa16245ed0.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Quilt"></a>
<br>Lobsters!
</center></p>
<p><center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9883910575/" title="Quilt with yoga! by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/9883910575_8b5c90a26e.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Quilt with yoga!"></a>
<br>Girl doing yoga!
</center></p>
<p><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9895112873/" title="IMAG0585 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/9895112873_3b35eac365.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="IMAG0585"></a></center></p>
<p><center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/9884006883/" title="Quilt by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/9884006883_50038b496c.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Quilt"></a>
<br>Here's another view, draped over our deck chairs....
</center></p>
<p>It's been far too long since I've been on west 38th, but the last year has been a bit crazy. My husband got orders to D.C., and in short order we decided we didn't want to do the long distance thing, so I applied to grad school, we found a place in Virginia, I quit my job, and now I'm a fulltime student! It's nice to see him every night at dinner, as his previous tour had him out on his ship for long stretches of time.</p>
<p>On the sewing front, I now have more than 1 sewing machine- I bought a little Brother coverstitch machine, which I've been greatly enjoying. I'd always hemmed knits with a twin needle in my sewing machine, which was often an exercise in frustration and never turned out very well. As I've been wearing some knit tops and dresses that I've previously hemmed with a twin needle, I've been ripping out the hems (which come right out, which tells me that they were on the verge of falling out...) and re-doing them on the coverstitch. I should have definitely broken down and picked one up ages ago! Now I'm re-thinking the fact that I don't own a serger...</p>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-55625841020966715322012-10-31T13:16:00.001-04:002012-10-31T13:16:18.397-04:00Hurricanes & Halloween<p>I couldn't let Halloween go by without a little bit of sewing - Kate requested a "snow princess dress" and Ana wanted to be a 1940s nurse.</p>
<p>Ana has a book with a nurse in it who wears a blue & white striped dress, white apron, and an old fashioned nurse cap. I didn't find any blue & white striped material I liked, but I did remember that I had this blue & white checked silk/cotton fabric. I thought I would use that material & just make it a simple, nice dress that could be re-worn for parties and things.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/8141924506/" title="Halloween Costumes by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8141924506_18e51b08a9.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Halloween Costumes"></a></p>
<p>Kate's outfit was, of course, just going to be a Halloween costume so I bought some icky poly costume stuff at JoAnns, swore at it nonstop while I was cutting and sewing, and muddled my way through. It's OK, she loves how it came out.
</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/8141896547/" title="Halloween Costumes by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8141896547_1660cf2aa9.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Halloween Costumes"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/8141929404/" title="Halloween Costumes by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8141929404_9c288540f0.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Halloween Costumes"></a></p>
<p>I hope everyone survived Hurricane Sandy OK. I dropped my sailor off at his ship on Saturday night & haven't seen him since. I've gotten a few text messages so I know that he is OK, just very very very busy. We lost power for a little over 30 hours; I was prepared for that so I came through OK.</p>
<p>Our town had some flooding, but nothing like towns nearby. If you don't yet have power back, I hope it comes back soon!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/8134729041/" title="Hurricane Sandy early morning in Jersey City by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8134729041_a0bdee226a.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Hurricane Sandy early morning in Jersey City"></a></p>
wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-42948302955831999682012-07-30T13:35:00.000-04:002012-07-30T13:35:14.039-04:00Butterick 5333<p>This project was a lesson in why I like to make muslins.
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://butterick.mccall.com/b5333-products-9446.php?page_id=154">Butterick 5333</a> has one view that is very similar to a White House Black Market dress that Michelle Obama wore on TV during the 2008 campaign. It was my favorite of all her awesome outfits.</p>
<p>Here is my first muslin - this is with no pattern alterations at all.<p>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7676319916/" title="IMGP8682 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7676319916_f7cb5bb109.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMGP8682"></a>
</center>
<br>
<p>Let's see: too tight in the hips, I need more upper bodice length, gaping at the neckline... and probably other smaller issues. I went back and cut apart the paper pattern to fix those problems and stitched it up. Considering how badly the muslin fit, this may have been a brave move, but I felt that I had gotten close enough to fudge with fit in the final garment stage.</p>
<p>It's still a WIP, but as the USCG Change of Command ceremony which I plan to wear the finished dress for is Wednesday, I suppose I'll be sweating away the evening hours tonight finishing it up!</p>
<p>First, here's a comedy photo. I didn't pay any attention to pattern placement on the facing which of course guaranteed the <i>best</i> possible motif placement. Thank goodness this is inside.</p>
<center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7676314486/" title="dress insides by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7676314486_e397b75f9d.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="dress insides"></a></center>
<br>
<p>The midriff is lined in silk shantung (more wedding dress leftovers...) and the skirt is lined in silk habotai (ditto). The top facing is the fashion fabric, which is a 100% cotton that I think I bought at Mood last summer.</p>
<center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7676318342/" title="IMGP8689 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7676318342_9e448ee494.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="IMGP8689"></a></center><br>
<center>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7676323302/" title="butterick 5333 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7676323302_affe39a750.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="butterick 5333"></a></center><br>
<p>The back zipper is a metal one from Pacific Trim. I am newly a metal zipper snob.</p>
<p>I still need to hem it and stitch down some navy blue ribbons on the midriff panel, although I may be lazy and skip that step. We'll see how much energy I end up with on tracking down some blue ribbon in my stash. (;</p>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-6210932383603029752012-07-15T15:18:00.000-04:002012-07-15T15:18:56.592-04:00box bags<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7575900426/" title="Viking by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7575900426_fa637dfcd4.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Viking"></a></center><br>
<p>A little bit of sewing- I've been making up a new set of box bags. These are for my trip to Portland, Oregon tomorrow; I've stored my pile of electronics chargers in one and socks and PJs in the other.</p>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7575910070/" title="Untitled by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7575910070_b54abe5e3f.jpg" width="282" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a></center><br>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7575850016/" title="Box bag by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7575850016_043a82e525.jpg" width="500" height="282" alt="Box bag"></a></center><br>
<p>I <i>love</i> this little swiss forest print. unfortunately given the layout I had put the houses horizontally on the bag, but that's OK as it's just going to live in my suitcase.</p>
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7575856210/" title="box bag by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7575856210_1da4b9b44b.jpg" width="500" height="282" alt="box bag"></a></center><br>
I did also sew up a new dress, although it's waiting for a hem and some trim to be added. When I get back I'll post the dress and the muslin; it was a little tricky to alter and I'm still not completely satisfied with the bodice fit.wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-62023346271217209802012-06-16T18:47:00.000-04:002012-06-16T18:47:15.593-04:00Vogue 1072This weekend is the <a href="http://www.dreamlandorchestra.com/calendar.php">Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island</a>. It's great fun, with the idea to dress up like it's the 1920s, listen to jazz and picnic. You can see pictures from past years (and by now probably also this year) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1138378@N21/pool/">on flickr</a>. This week <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/15/arts/design/living-in-the-past-is-a-full-time-gig.html">there's also an article in the NYT about the guy who founded the
concert</a>.
<br>
Since I've finally had time to sit down and sew, so I wanted to make up an outfit to wear to the party. Most folks dress up in flapper gear- fringe, glitter, lots of lace and so on, but I was thinking more in terms of what would a "normal" woman of the 1920s wear to a picnic. I ended up choosing a pattern that is a 1940s Vogue re-issue but felt vaguely 1920s-ish to me with the longer skirt and dropped hemline on the blouse. <a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1072-products-9192.php?page_id=1177">Vogue 1072</a> has a top with two sleeve lengths, pleats at the neckline, and a button front.
<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7382348488/" title="IMGP8571 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7234/7382348488_a9f198483c.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="IMGP8571"></a>
<br>
For this outfit I chose a silk/cotton from Mood, as that's one of my favorite fabrics to sew with. I wanted something light enough that I wouldn't wilt too badly if the day ended up being 95F. Thankfully it stayed mostly in the upper 70s, perfect temperatures!
<br>
It was accessorized with a little straw hat that had a sort-of cloche shape to it and my favorite ecco sandals. And of course there's a pocket in the skirt to hold my cellphone!
<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7382299326/" title="Untitled by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7382299326_12ede2da46.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="Untitled"></a>
<br>
The skirt pattern from V1072 is a yoked straight skirt, which I decided to pass on and instead use different pattern. In the end I went with a skirt that is cut more on the bias since I wanted a little bit of a flare to the shape. It was lined in a plain cotton voile. The voile kept the outer skirt from wrinkling too badly while I sat on our picnic blanket. It felt important to me to wear a longer skirt that fell below my knee- if you look at photos from the 1920s, it was still pretty uncommon for women to wear above-knee-length dresses. Of course most of the folks at the party had on super short skirts- cute, but they didn't feel as vintage as the longer dresses.
<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7382418360/" title="Skirt lining by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7382418360_2bf8e4b715.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Skirt lining"></a>
<br>
The blouse was unlined, but came through the day OK, even though I did drop a bit of chocolate ice cream on the front. Ooops. Here is the inside of the blouse after a day of wear:
<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7382418824/" title="Shirt innards by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7382418824_457e51f3aa.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Shirt innards"></a>
<br>
The blouse and skirt both have a hand stitched hem:
<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7382419492/" title="shirt hem by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7244/7382419492_ebfd4b0f29.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="shirt hem"></a>
<br>
It was great fun checking out all the outfits that people were wearing; there were folks in perfect 1920s get up to people in sort of retro inspired outfits to just nice modern dresses.
<br>
I went with two friends and we had a nice time walking around the island after we'd had enough Jazz Age partying.
<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7382293092/" title="Jazz Age Lawn Party by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7382293092_3e92e0281e.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="Jazz Age Lawn Party"></a>
<br>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-35163475325899961112012-04-22T12:11:00.000-04:002012-04-22T12:11:29.798-04:00pacific northwest<p>Hello forlorn sewing blog.</p>
<p>I've been 3000ish miles away from my sewing machine recently...</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7102530875/" title="tulips by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7102530875_1e3a99eaa7.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="tulips"></a>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7102533691/" title="crab by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/7102533691_bb45a93c17.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="crab"></a>
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6956463496/" title="fish by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/6956463496_e42e57651e.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="fish"></a>
</p>
<p>Do these fish look familiar to you? How about the tulips? ;) </p>
<p>
Yup, I've been been in Seattle for a while for work. This is actually pretty thrilling for me, as Seattle has always been "home" so have the chance to be out here, even if I'm in an office most of the time, is fabulous. I managed to slip away yesterday for a walk to Pike Place Market when the sun came out. The Cascades were off one horizon, the Olympics were stretched across the other, Rainier was out, and it warmed up into the 60s. Sigh... perfection.
</p>
<p>I've been getting my sewing fix in reading everyone's sewing blogs and looking at patterns. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and enjoys a bit of spring sunshine, whereever you are! </p>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-32480156914562506222012-03-21T20:49:00.000-04:002012-03-21T20:49:46.657-04:00I am a lucky lady<p>I was browsing sewing blogs yesterday when I came across <a href="http://www.coletterie.com/peeks-in-the-studio/organize-your-tools-the-ikea-way">this fabulous sewing notions rail on the Coletterie blog</a>. If you haven't seen it, click on over and take a gander- what a neat way to organize your rulers and sewing shears and other notions!</p>
<p>I clicked the "email this post" link in google reader and shot it off to the sailor with a note "some day this summer will you help me hang up a rail like this for my rulers?" and put it out of my mind. Well. Apparently the sailor was on his ship still when he got the mail, and showed it to some of his crew. They told him that he was just a newly wed so perhaps he didn't recognize that this could be see as operational orders for him to follow. </p>
<p>So.... this was all unbeknownst to me until I came home, very tired, from work today and stepped into the office. Oh my. Have a look at what was waiting for me:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7004464203/" title="sewing notions organization by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7104/7004464203_faec4cf738.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="sewing notions organization"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/7004466039/" title="sewing notions organization by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7004466039_7fdbb48e62.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="sewing notions organization"></a></p>
<p>
Hooray! Isn't that the sweetest surprise? It certainly made my week! I spent a while puttering around and hanging up more quilting rulers and french curves on it and moving seam rippers around in the cups. Very cool! And I can second Sarai's recommendation, this pot rail makes quite the wonderful sewing notions organizer. :o)
</p>
<p>
I have done a bit of sewing recently, I just don't have great pictures yet. Perhaps I should hang my camera up on one of these hooks...</p>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-58346168491137393872012-03-06T20:30:00.000-05:002012-03-06T20:30:46.564-05:00A raincoatThis is me, about to head out on an <i>exciting</i> trip to Target with the sailor. In my finished <a href="http://sewaholic.net/join-the-minoru-sew-along-january-16th-2012/">Minoru Jacket!</a>
<br>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6814330670/" title="hood by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6814330670_e8407b68eb.jpg" width="352" height="500" alt="hood"></a>
<br>
Yes, at long last I've wrestled the heavy canvas into a suprisingly water resistant jacket. Not super water proof, because it's only cotton and I didn't tape the seams, but it works well enough to run to the train in a rain shower. The canvas is from BJs and it's been lightly treated to be water resistant - water will bead up on it and run off pretty easily.
<br>
I apologize for the crazy photos... my sailor does many things well (ship handling, dealing with my mother, making me laugh, making tasty scrambled eggs) but taking fabulous fashion photographs of finished garments is maybe a smidge outside his skill set. ;)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6814330156/" title="minoru4 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6814330156_dc002b594f.jpg" width="255" height="500" alt="minoru4"></a>
<br>
I did not shorten the arms here, having had a disaster in the past with too-short arms on a coat. I wanted to wait and see what they would really look like. So... next time, I will fold about an inch and a half out of the upper arm, where you can see it bunching up on me.
<br>
You can see here how "poufy" the collar is with a thick canvas hood stuffed inside.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6814329698/" title="minoru3 by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6814329698_350f721e44.jpg" width="265" height="500" alt="minoru3"></a>
<br>
I did a little tweak to the inner pockets and made one a zip pocket... modeled on one of my favorite parkas. The inside zip is great for holding a metrocard and some cash and is easy to access.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6814329324/" title="minoru by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6814329324_8099f9f832.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="minoru"></a>
<br>
I lined it in cotton solely because this print reminds me of clouds and I loved the idea of a cloudy lining to a rain coat.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6960442909/" title="lining by wck, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6960442909_f5682d5406.jpg" width="334" height="500" alt="lining"></a><br>
I will definitely be making another one, probably with a lighter material. Several years ago I bought some thin silvery blue poly rain coat material in Paron's Annex, so I might use that, underlined with something a bit beefier like flannel. I think this coat really needs a material with a little bit of body. In addition, next time I will shorten the sleeves and add some inseam pockets.
<br>
The part that I was most freaked out about, sewing the elastic waist, turned out to be the easiest. It was a little tricky to thread the elastic through with just a safety pin attached to pull on. But the casing came out straight - the lines I marked with a chalk pencil did not, as I'd feared, entirely rub off during construction. Yay!
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The sewing was a pretty long process, and I did goof up a lot in other spots. If you look you'll see that one of the plackets is not straight and nicely squared off at the bottom (ooops), and the top stiching was a little wonky in places. However, overall the coat came out pretty nicely.wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-50204008997981396232012-02-26T08:10:00.001-05:002012-02-26T08:10:10.942-05:00Pink and Red<p>Do you know how excited I get when I hear that a coworker is having a baby girl? :o) I love making little crib quilts and it's always fantastic to have an excuse to whip up a girly pink tiny quilt. Here's one I made last week to welcome a new girl. It's very simple, just a charm pack with a few extras mixed in, and a crib size piece of batting. It went together very quickly since it's so small.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6785177620/" title="pink quilt by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="pink quilt" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6785177620_05fa0ce0d6.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<p>Here's a closeup of some of the pretty prints in this charm pack.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6785178350/" title="pink quilt by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="pink quilt " height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6785178350_d774533328.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<p>I also recently stumbled over some University of Alabama quilting cotton on fabric.com and almost had a heart attack from excitement. My dad went there and is quite possibly the biggest Crimson Tide fan on the face of the earth. So I had to buy two prints, and I made him up a little sofa cushion and a little grocery bag. I can't wait to give them to him.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6931275195/" title="alabama pillow by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="alabama pillow" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6931275195_a50cf84f50.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6931274137/" title="alabama bag by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="alabama bag" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6931274137_7b78c5865a.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<p>And finally... I am at last catching up on the <a href="http://sewaholic.net/join-the-minoru-sew-along-january-16th-2012/">Minoru Sew Along</a>!</p>
<p>My fabric is a very very heavy water resistant outwear cotton from BJ's. It's definitely one of the most expensive fabrics I've ever bought, but I really wanted something that would keep some rain out without being a nylon or poly. The fabric is very stiff- pretty much a canvas- and it's been a bear to sew. My top stitching and gathering could be better, but this is as good as I can get with my machine, which is just not cut out to sew really heavyweight fabrics.</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6931272309/" title="zipper by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="zipper" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6931272309_7b62b833c4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<p>The zippers are metal ones from Pacific Trim. Hey, if I'm using $25/yard outwear fabric, I'm not tossing in cheap plastic zippers; I'm going for the theory that using good fabric and notions here will make it come out nicely. Wish me luck. ;)</p>
<p>Here's the shell so far on my dressform</p>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6931273273/" title="minoru shell by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="minoru shell" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6931273273_07286aaa87.jpg" width="334" /></a>
<p>So far I like it, but we'll see how it comes out in the end!</p>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9050706102628543773.post-70191921873058146112012-02-15T15:42:00.001-05:002012-02-15T15:42:21.586-05:00Bags<p>I didn't realize it had been a whole month since I'd updated west 38th. Oh my. I do have a smidgen of sewing to show off, although it was for an online swap instead of for me. But it was fun, especially this little kitty cat zipper bag!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6882672375/" title="Cats by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="Cats" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6882672375_fbd7387f94.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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This is the L2 bag from Sewing workshop - lined with laminated cotton so that it's a good grocery shopping bag. The print is by Sandi Henderson - one of my favorites from her latest line. I have some extra of this fabric to maybe make pillows from.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6882597953/" title="Keys by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="Keys" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6882597953_ed02f4a739.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<p>I still love this bag pattern, because it holds a lot of stuff. I haul around way too much nerd nonsense all the time. Here's a pile of all the stuff that was in my purse today - this is minus the lunch bag and lots of random papers I had crammed into my bag.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6882671609/" title="in my bag by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="in my bag" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6882671609_dfbb51b882.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<p>
I haven't done much other sewing, but I have been doing a bit of bread baking! We got a fantastic wedding present from one of my aunts who is a very accomplished cook - a cloche for making crusty breads in. It's the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004S1D5/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wendyk-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004S1D5">Sassafras La Cloche</a>, and it works REALLY well. Sad that it took me months to get it out and use it, but -wow! It was worth getting it out. I've been working on the master recipe whole wheat bread from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312545525/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wendyk-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312545525">Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day</a>, which is the whole wheat & gluten free bread book by the famous <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312362919/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wendyk-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312362919">Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day</a> folks.</p>
<p>
Here's my third ever loaf of whole wheat bread...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wck/6882599819/" title="Bread by wck, on Flickr"><img alt="Bread" height="334" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6882599819_d6e7ee3b57.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<p>
You can see that the cloche really does give it a super nice crust. Mmmm. </p>
<p>Happy sewing :o) </p>wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02325131782150858859noreply@blogger.com1