Sunday, March 30, 2008
Another Burda skirt
Better view of knit fabric
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Decision made
I decided to make View A of this Kwik Sew pattern 2759. I went through more of my pattern collection and when I saw the lacy tank top with short sleeve cardigan, the light bulb clicked on!
As noted in a previous post, I needed stretch lining for the tank top so I visited EOS website and found two Ivory knit linings. I ordered a couple of yards of both for this and future needs. They should arrive early next week. I don't plan to line the cardigan as I don't see a real necessity to do so for this garment.
This afternoon I traced the front and back pieces of the tank top pattern, made a FBA, raised the underarms, made the swayback adjustment as well as forward shoulder adjustment. I also increased the length by one inch using the shorten/lengthen line on the pattern. I then traced the front and back pieces of the cardigan and will make appropriate adjustments for this garment tomorrow.
I also plan to cut out the Burda skirt pattern again in a RPL fabric that I purchased from Deepika of Pattern Review about a year or more ago. The fabric has been washed and was put back in my fabric collection as whatever project I thought I was going to use it for did not materialize. Heck, I cannot remember even what I was going to use it for!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Change of plans
I have several thoughts on what pattern to use. I pulled out several that I have made previously since I have the fit down pat for these. Here are the ones I am thinking about.
Textile Studio Santa Monica Tee in 3/4 sleeves.
Simplicity 3759
TS Monaco Shell
I have also a couple of KS patterns I am thinking about that again I have perfected the fit.
It is truly good to be thinking about sewing and actually sewing again. I need some new spring clothes; so I am motivated. I am working hard to find some periods of time to sew during the week and of course on the weekend.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Photos of skirt
Monday, March 24, 2008
Burda skirt
I had a long weekend with Good Friday holiday and today a vacation day. I have just about completed the skirt. Man, I really have issues fitting skirts. I think it stems from the fact that in the past, say five years ago, many skirts I made that were fitted were were too tight. I was always adjusting the fit. Being over 50, my weight changed, it seems over night. So I made larger skirts that fit better.
I have toned up over the past year to 18 months from regular exercise. Good for me!!!! So that tried and true size does not work anymore. I still have a thicker waist than I want but hips and tummy are less. So fitting is still an issue. I added some width to each pattern piece and ended up taking up all the addition and then some. That is still better than not having enough fabric to go around!!!!
After making numerous fitting adjustments, my skirt is complete except for the hem. I took some photos along the way and will post those later. I am off to get a manicure, long overdue!!!!
Later!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wearing jacket with Voguedress
I was able to wear my dress and jacket to work this past Thursday. The weather turned cool again and thus this was perfect weight. Both dress and jacket are wool with linings. My trusty Gorillapod enabled me to take this photo before I left for work. I still have that strange look on my face whether I am holding the camera or not. There are some other views of the jacket and dress on Flickr.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Project Peepway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrnzYF0SMvM
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Testing from Word 2007
I am trying to post using Word 2007. Previous version of Word would not function correctly so we will see how this goes.
Staying Motivated to Sew
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Traveling
My jacket is still in the almost complete stage. I have not had time to sew a buttonhole. How sad is that!?! I have the perfect button from my collection. I actually had purchased buttons when I bought the fabric. But I just like the look of the one I am going to use and that button has been around for awhile. It has appropriately aged for this project.
I also had to buy a wire tool cutter. The chain that I also need to sew in needs to be cut. I know that I had one of these before but not when I need it. I need to make sure that it does not leave a rough edge when removing the link. I have never used a chain before so this is new to me. But I can tell the difference it makes with the hems in this jacket. I purchased it for the Chanel jacket that I have yet to finish. I lost some interest in that project a while back. Now that the weather will start getting warmer, that jacket needs to be finished.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Almost complete
Almost but not quite
I like the unique collar of this jacket but it is heavy! The fabric I used was a wool blend, somewhat like a boucle. The gathered collar is a lot of fabric and is stitched to lining and undercollar so there is some weight to this. I am sure this will keep me warm with the sleeveless dress. My concern is will it be too warm!
I completed the sleeves yesterday. Let me tell you that there is a lot of width at the bottom of the sleeves and to gather that onto a cuff was a bit trying. It really was more fabric to gather than necessary. If I make this again, using this sleeve look, I will narrow the width of the sleeves at the bottom. It was very difficult to gather this fabric plus lining and at some point I really just compressed fabric together to make it fit.
Even with that fiddly sleeve I really like the look of the sleeve. I know you need photos to clearly see what it looks like, I promise I will post soon. I think the bias sleeve and the gathered cuff look great!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Some more photos
I took some photos using my new camera pod. Still getting the hang of it.
Here is one shot of the jacket. The front plaids do line up but do not look like they do in this photo.
You can go here and here to see other views.
To finish, I need to sew lining unit to jacket, then attach the cuff to sleeves; then buttonholes and buttons. The finish line is in sight.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Progress today with jacket
Yesterday I spent considerable time fiddling with the gathered collar. I have it pinned to the jacket and you can see that here.
Today I sewed the sleeves and inserted them into the jacket. I then sewed all the lining pieces together and inserted the sleeves. You can see the lining unit here.
Because I cut the jacket sleeves on the bias and I just got through reading
It felt good to be sewing and creative again.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Sewing today-March 1
Getting the gathers to look similar on both sides takes a little time and depending on the fabric you choose I believe this could become difficult for a brocade fabric. Once this was done, you then attach the under collar fabric piece by stitching the outer edges. After doing this I trimmed these seams before understitching.
Next, you baste the inner edges of upper collar, lining and under collar together. I used a zigzag stitch just along the edges. With the gathers and fabric thickness, I thought the zigzag would aid in flatting that edge. You then baste collar to jacket. I decided to just pin the collar to the jacket. You will be attaching a facing to this area. I did not want to baste or stitch this area anymore as it has already been stitched twice. With the looser weave of this fabric and because I cut the upper collar on the bias, I just did not want to keep stitching in this area for fear of stretching. Perhaps all the stitching so far as helped stabilize this area.
I am taking a break and getting ready to prepare dinner.
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