Danvillegirl Sewing Diary

I am not good with resolutions so normally don't make any. There is a thread going on at Artisans Square about sewing resolutions. I posted some goals there. So thought I would post them here with some additions.
Make at least two items from BWOF patterns.Update information regarding my patterns and fabrics in Stitch and Stash Program. Started it last year and then has been hit and miss.Reacquaint myself with Pattern Master Boutique and buy the upgrade. Sew up some of my fabric in my collection before buying more.Refrain from buying so many patterns just because they are on sale for $.99 to $4.99; I am a patternaholic also. This one is going to be tough as I just saw two patterns posted on Flickr that I am already coveting. Re-measure and record new measurements to help with selecting the right size pattern for sewing, particularly for skirts and pants.Do something sewing related at least 3 days out of 7 each week.Make a pair of pants with fly front zipper.

I went into work this AM as I agreed to change my schedule to attend a meeting. One of the meeting participants called in ill so I worked a half day and took the other half off as vacation.

DH and I went to eat a late lunch. When we returned I started working on my skirt. I attached the lining and attached the skirt facing. I just read an article in the December Sew News by Linda Lee on using facings and attaching them in a way that it looks like a bias binding at the waistline. I almost decided to do that with this skirt but decided to postpone that for another day and another version.

I attached the lining to the zipper by hand sewing. All that is left to do is hem the skirt and the lining and attach a hook and eye above the zipper. Yeah!!!!

Tomorrow will be another sewing day. I am already thinking about my next two or three projects. I want to make another jacket, different style that I will also wear with this skirt. I have several knit fabrics that will go with this skir…

I have been working on cataloging patterns using Stitch and Stash software. This is an ongoing challenge. Thought I would show you a few photos of two Vintage patterns that I have not posted about here.

Vintage Vogue 6758
Vintage Vogue 6487

Now I remember why I purchased Pattern Master Boutique and why I might should reacquaint myself with it. I say this because Dang! if I know what skirt size pattern to use anymore. Skirts made earlier this year ranged in size from 14-18 depending on style.

Vogue patterns use to run small on me; so went with Size 16/18 for my current skirt project. I added to all pieces at the waist line due to finished pattern measurement and difference in mine. As I sewed each front and side front along with back and side back pieces, I sewed the same pieces for the lining fabric as well.

I then sewed the side seams of the lining to use it for any fitting adjustments. I thought when I looked at it that it looked a little large but I have surprised myself before and found the fit to be perfect or snug. Let me say this was huge! Thus I began the re-fitting process.

I took 3/4 inch side seams, this helped but still large. I then decided that the front pieces needed to be taken in as the back was looking oka…

Today was shopping day for household items as well as groceries. The only sewing done was late afternoon and I continued to work on my black skirt. I sewed the back and side back pieces this afternoon. I am making Vogue 7937, View B with the back slits and tabs on the front. I have to tell you I am really liking the fabric I am working with. It is a black wool gabardine I purchased from Fabric Mart about three years ago. It is such a pleasure to work with this fabric. It sews up well and though it ravels some, not excessively.

Shot of front piece with tabs attached.










The skirt does not have a lining. I cut one using the fabric pieces and reducing their length. This is a black lining I purchased earlier this year from Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd, VA. about 45 minute drive from my home. They have the best assortment of colors from which to choose.

Sewing this skirt has taken me away somewhat from completing the jacket, and I really needed a small break. I did purchase shoulder pads today …

Vogue7975 in progress
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl Bowing here at the front. You can click on the title under the photo to be taken to flickr where you can read my additional comments.

Vogue7975sideview copy
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl Concerns about fit. Puckering here. Even when pulled together at front as if worn closed, I get some of this. Probably due to various reasons. Shoulder pads help pull this out so will be using them.

Trim on V7975
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl Another view of the yarn pinned to the front to see how this will look.

Trim at neck
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl As promised, here is the trim pinned to the neckline. There is a glimmer of gold/copper in the trim as one of the yarns I am using has this color in it. I am using black and white eyelash yarn, a black/white/gray yarn, black and a white plain yarn. There are a total of seven yarns woven together using the Diva Cordmaker.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Our day was very uneventful, as we planned. We visited family on Christmas Eve as DH had to work today so he wanted a restful Christmas day. I spent a little time sewing yesterday afternoon but mainly we "grazed" all day and had oyster stew for Christmas dinner.

Today I had a fantastic sewing day. I had the house to myself and I had no intentions to go anywhere but to feed the neighbor's cats and go to CURVES. I spent almost 2.5 hours sewing on my jacket with no real time consuming interuptions. It was bliss!!! Yesterday I quilted the sleeves of the jackets. Today I sewed them together, attached to the jacket and then stitched a bias strip around the armsyce to give a more polished looked to the sleeve seams.

I need to attach shoulder pads. I am comtemplating using removeable shoulder pads but this jacket really needs shoulder pads. The last thing needed to complete the jacket is the trim. I made the trim for this jacket and…

Not much sewing going on today. I spent most of the day cooking. We are visiting family and friends tomorrow so decided to cook my Christmas meal today so we will have leftovers tomorrow night when we return from Danville. Christmas day will be leftovers and oyster stew for dinner.

I did work on the jacket sleeves last night. I sewed one side of the upper sleeve to the under sleeve. The other sleeve is pinned and ready to sew. I will then sew the sleeve linings in the same manner. The lining will be attached to fabric sleeve by stitching at hem line and turning up. Then I will quilt it. I still have trim to complete. The end is in sight.

Laura said...
Thanks for this video. Does the lining fabric just stay unfinished around the zipper, then?
No not really. I hand stitched the lining to the zipper. As one of the final steps in the dress completion. You could, I think, topstitch the pressed in seam allowance for the lining and let it hang loose. You could attach the lining fabric to the zipper by machine only I have yet to get one to lay correctly. I scanned in a portion of the instructions from the Vogue pattern that addresses attaching the lining to the zipper that may help answer your question.











Carolyn wrote--That was very kewl! My question about the insertion is that you are now inserting the zipper into a finished garment with all of that fabric...my pet peeve. I love flat insertions of anything whenever possible because I seem to have more control over the process. But that was a very interesting take on inserting a lining into a sleeveless garment and I have bookmarked this entry for when I'm feeling more advent…