What I wore today-2-9-2011

Today was back to being cold again or colder than the previous two days.  So I decided to wear pants, sweater and my new McCall's jacket.  The pattern calls for snaps to be sewn to the collar so you can have it stand up.  That is just too much collar at my neck and I kept thinking that the wool would cause me to scratch at my neck.

So I place the snaps differently resulting in the collar laying differently.  One side overlays the other.

Here is a side and back view.



I can tell from my DH's reaction that he is not sure that he likes the style.  He kept saying it is so short and I kept confirming he was right. That was the intent and the design.  As I always remind him, I am the one wearing it, not him.  I do like the mid length version as well and see that as a possibility in the future.

As to wear ability, the jacket was warm enough for my office without being to hot or heavy.  It hung well all day and I was not constantly fiddling with it.  So that passes my wear ability test.

So now I am going to start working on my next jacket project.  I think I have decided to make the KS jacket next.  I need to order zippers as the local JoAnn's is undergoing renovation with hardly anything left in stock; and our newest Supersized Walmart does not have a very good sewing section, actually it is a joke and very disappointing section.  So online sources here I come.



Kwik Sew Top update-1/5/11

I took these two photos with my Black Berry camera before leaving to go to work.  The cowl neck collar and sleeves are now attached; this leaves sleeve and top hem to do.  I have sewn a little each morning before work instead of playing around at computer.

Laying the top on the cutting table is not the best way to view this top.  I did not want to put on AlmaMarie as her shoulders are too wide and did not want to stretch this out doing that.



Right side of top with sleeve and cowl neck attached.



Another view of front



My last 2010 Project

I completed the KS 3790 pattern this AM.  Since most of the work was done yesterday, I am making this my last sewing project for 2010.  I only had to hem it this AM and used my coverstitch machine.  It worked perfectly, first time used in months.

I have very mixed feelings about the top and for now will wear it at home.  The issue is the front neckline which even though understitched continues to flip over to the front.  I am going to try to sew a coin or washer inside a little pouch and attach to the center of the front facing to see if that helps.  This is an issue with most everyone who sewed this top and reviewed on Pattern Review.

The drape of the fabric has it drooping more at the gathered side seam.  Plus the added width from my FBA added more droop.  I ended up taking a deeper side seam on the opposite side which helped.

Here are a few shots of the completed 3790 top.

Front view

Side view

View of the misbehaving front neckline

New Year's Eve Sewing

I started sewing on the KS top this AM.  After DH got up, sewing was put aside until later this evening.  I have just about completed the KS top.  I have mixed feelings about it but I am pleased with how the FBA came out as it worked well.  The dislike is how the front neckline is flipping over.  Obviously this is an issue that others have had as noted in the reviews on PR.  Again I am reading the reviews after the fact.

One person's solution was using a binding instead of the facings.  She then cover-stitched the bindings.  I may give this a try with the next top.    I think I will postpone making another one for now.    I have a KS top I made earlier with cowl neck that I really like the fit.  I want to make a long sleeve version of that.

I am on a kick to make several tops/blouses.  I also have some skirts in mind as well.  I also need to make some jackets.  I toyed with the idea of participating in the a jacket a month sew along mentioned on Sewing Guild.  However I know how my life and work schedule goes and I don't think I will be successful.

I am not sure that I achieved all the sewing goals I set for myself for this year.  No matter I am so happy that I love to sew.  I continue to learn more about sewing and continue to work on fitting.  I truly have enjoyed reading other sewists' blogs, always inspiring and also very helpful.  Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Sewing Tidbits for 12-29-2010

First it is a balmy 39 degrees at 11:15 AM. High today expected to be in the id 40’s. I know this is much warmer than those of you in the northern regions are experiencing, and even FL is getting hit with colder weather.


I completed my Butterick cardigan. I want to thank all of you who gave me your thoughts on which side of fabric to use. I decided to use the wrong side and got, I think, a very nice contrast.

I did a review at PR this AM. For some reason it would not let me post this photo in the photo gallery.
Here is a side view of me trying on the completed jacket last night.

I really need a silver or grayish belt to wear as option with this cardigan as well.

Today I have been working on performing (it felt like a major performance) a FBA on a one piece front pattern, KS 3790.  Couple this with side gathers and the straight of grain going one way with the center front at an angle until you sew and gather the left side. I had to really think through this process. Here is what I did:

1. Made sure the pattern was laying on cutting table on straight of grain.
2. Folded pattern in half to line up the underarm seams and measured two inches down to give a reference point for bust point.
3. I then drew two horizontal lines after holding pattern up to make sure bust points were lining up and in the right place. 
4. I then drew two lines parallel to straight of grain line and angled each line into the right and left armholes. I then drew drew line from side to bust point. This is the Palmer/Pletsch method for FBA. I tackled the right side of the pattern first

I eliminated the resulting dart which then added width to right front and side. I then reduced some of that width.

Next I tackled the left side. Again eliminating the dart that was formed and split the addition into two areas creating more gathering at the left side.

Here is the overall look of the pattern. I had to adjust the center portion between the two lines I drew to makesure they matched the adjusted lengths.

And there is where I stopped for the moment. I am babysitting two cats for my neighbor so took a much needed break to go feed them. My plan is to sew this afternoon. I am using some fabric from stash that I am not totally in love with so if this is becomes a wadder then I won’t be too disappointed.

Here is my parting shot showing the fabric I will be using. It is from Fabric.com and have had it for sometime now, perhaps two years! Which reminds me-- I decided to sign up for the fabric stash contest on PR. I wish I could count the cardigan I just made. Contest starts Jan. 1. If this pattern works out, then I have another fabric piece that I want to make up into this top and it too came from Fabric.com. I will wait until January 1 to start on it.