Sewing Tidbits

Well it's back to work today. Yesterday I was able to basically finish the Kwik Sew top. I still need to hem the sleeves as I had to take deeper seams as they were still too large. I need to remove the previous stitching so the seam will lay flat at the hem.

I took some pictures of my recent fabric purchases.The top three photos are fabrics from Fabric Mart. Top photo is a Crimson red twill fabric; the second photo is a black diamond quilted double knit, this is from March swatch mailer. The third photo is a novelty weave Jacquard.The last photo is red and gray blouse weight crepe from Mood.

The final photos are of the Kwik Sew top.

Back

Front

New Fabric Additions

Here are photos of the two fabrics I acquired from Les Fabrique at 50% off recently.

The first one is a linen/rayon border print fabric.  This is a heavier weight linen blend and my first thought that this would become a dress.

The other piece is a blue poly suede.  The backing on this one is a woven, non-satiny knit as some other faux suede pieces I have acquired.  The blue is much prettier "live" than showing in this photo.  This almost looks like velvet; not that look at all in person.

Most Recent Fabric Purchases

I have been on a fabric diet of late.  I keep seeing so many fabrics in my sewing room stash just waiting for my attention that I have forced stopped myself from clicking on the cart purchase at various fabric sites.

I really liked the look of this pattern as soon as it became available, so of course I purchased it.  I thought about using some double knit fabric but I have not found the color combo I wanted in double knit, so decided to acquire some crepe fabric and took advantage of a sale at Fashion Fabrics.  Here are the fabrics I acquired because I could not make up my mind as to the combo I wanted besides wanting to use a cream color for the top piece.

Cream, pale green, lavender

Cream, pale pink, lavender

Cream, pale green, light rust

I am not sure what combo I will use.  This will be my next project.

Gorgeous Fabrics 2-2012

Gorgeous Fabrics 2-2012, a photo by Danvillegirl on Flickr.

This is my recent purchase from Gorgeous Fabrics. Purchased during their 5 year anniversary. All are woven fabrics, some with some stretch. The bottom left is a double knit.

I am really liking the bright colors for spring/summer. Tangerine will become a jacket. For others current plan is skirts or dresses, except top right will be a blouse/top.

Click on photo to get more specifics about the fabric.

Fabrics from Waechter’s

I wanted to share with you my recent fabric purchases from my trip to Asheville and Waechter’s Fine Fabrics.

I had so many choices to make; their selection was great but I was on a budget so I had to leave some of my fabric wants behind.

I loved the fit of the Vogue 8750 skirt pattern that I decided to purchase a dark navy blue cotton bottom-weight fabric to make another skirt. 

I love the feel and weight of this fabric.

Displayed near by was some 100% rayon fabric.  One particularly caught my eye was a navy blue background with shoes printed all over.  I want to make a blouse/top to wear with the navy blue skirt to be.

This photo does not do this fabric justice.  The blue background is much darker than it appears here.

The fabric below is another rayon of crème, gray and blue.  Again to made into a top/blouse.

The final piece was a gray textured knit.  I am thinking cowl neck knit top for this one. 

Skirts

Vogue 8750 is complete including the hand work--yeah!!  I am ready to begin sewing my next skirt which is a Simplicity Project Runway skirt and is now OOP.  I have had several plans to make this skirt but seemed to always put it aside as another pattern become my focal point.

I think I posted previously that I am using a striped fabric with the stripes running vertical and the band at the bottom edge will run horizontal.  I read through the instructions last night and glad that I did.   I would not have pleated the fabric the way the instructions have you do it.  I think that the instructions are probably better than if I had done it the way I was thinking.  There are pockets and side zipper involved and can see where it would be better to sew those first than doing the pleating first.  I will share more about that later.

I have another business trip coming up next week; I will be traveling to Asheville, NC.  Waechters' Fine Fabrics is located there and has been several years since I visited their shop.  They are in a new location since I was there last so looking forward to seeing the new shop and all the goodies. My plan is to go there first before checking into the hotel!!!!  I have my priority in clear focus.

I will try to take some photo shots of the completed skirt and the Simplicity work in progress.  More later.

New Fabrics

Last week at our ASG meeting, our speaker was the owner of Les Fabriques in Charlottesville, VA.  She presented Christmas in July.  She shared with us many gift ideas that one can sew up for Christmas gifts for friends and family.    In addition she showed several garments made from apparel fabric that she sales in addition to quilting fabric.  When she presents to our chapter, she always brings fabrics, embroidery packages as well as some notions.  I for one can not resist not buying up some of her apparel fabric.

Here is what I purchased:

Embroidered ombre silk organza

Two cotton fabrics-for blouse and skirt.  The floral print fabric is unique to me as it looks like it has raised areas somewhat like a jacquard, but it is just the print of the fabric.  I really want to make this one up soon to wear for the remainder of this summer.



Is this the right jacket?

My plans were to make the jacket that is included in this pattern.  I am not sure that I really like this jacket; I do like that it is loose and not so fitted particularly when the weather gets warmer. The fabric I am going to use is this one from Sawyer Brook, a silk rayon woven. 



I fell in love with this fabric the first time I saw it on the website.  I acquired this piece in January/February during one of their sales.  It is perfect with the fabric used in recently as well as another piece or two I have in collection to sew this spring/summer.

I am just not sure if this is the right jacket for me.  Sometimes I think I look lost in this types of jackets-that is those with drop or no shoulders.  Yet another jacket I am drawn to is similar.  Decisions, decisions.

More later.



Gorgeous Fabrics

Here are my recent purchases from Gorgeous Fabrics that I have not shown you yet.  Both are cotton stretch fabrics.

They will be used to make a McCall's dress that has contrasting fabric.  When that will happen to be determined.

New Fabrics

I mentioned in a previous post that I had purchased two fabric pieces from Sawyer Brook that arrived recently.  Today the fabric I ordered from Denver Fabrics came.  So without further ado, here are some shots of the new fabrics:

Green mid-tone silk rayon fabric from Sawyer Brook, I think it was called Avocado. 

This is the second piece from Sawyer Brook.  It is a cotton with raised circle designs woven in the fabric; I suppose a jacquard.  I think this will be a summer sheath style dress.

Today’s newest additions:

This is from Denver Fabrics, a knit geometric and stripe design.  I am thinking a Jalie knit top with tie.

This is an animal type print in olive green and white.  Also from Denver Fabrics.  Probably will become a knit dress.

I fell in love with the colors and not really sure what this will be but it is a lovely stretch lace fabric.  It is really a lovely fabric in real life, more so than seen on Denver Fabrics website.

Now off to fix dinner and hopefully find time to cut out the KS jacket.  I made some additional fit adjustments to the pattern this afternoon and I think it is a go now!

Sewing related purchases

I was in Richmond for the past three days.  Sometimes while there on business, I get an opportunity to visit Hancock's, not this time.  It was mostly all work and no play.  I was happy when I arrived home this evening to find two boxes were waiting for me.  One was from Sawyer Brooks; I ordered two fabric pieces from their current sale.  Both pieces are for spring/summer garments.  The other box was from Birch Street Clothing; I ordered two rolls of Swedish Tracing Paper and you get the third one free.  I use this paper a lot.  They are so prompt in sending.  I have another order from Denver Fabrics that I am not sure when it will arrive.  I really have not received any response from them as to the status of my order. 

I got an email regarding my zipper order.  Some are not currently available and are on back order.  The key separating zipper is on its way to me and hopefully the others will follow soon.  I have to say I am envious of those of you who live in or near a large city with sewing notion sources near by.

I am so anticipating doing some sewing this weekend.  Later.

New fabrics

I bought two new pieces of fabric recently from EOS.  Let me say that this site always offers quality fabric and great customer service. 

One of the pieces I purchased was an Italian denim jacquard fabric.  After placing my order, Linda P, the owner emailed me to say that she did not think she was going to have enough fabric to fill my order but she was going to check with her supplier to see if they had more.  I was truly appreciative of her doing this without my having to ask if she would/could!  That to me is top of line service.

I was even more delighted that she found more and immediately completed my order and shipped. 

Both fabric pieces arrived the middle of last week.  Without further ado here are photos of the new fabrics:

When I first saw fabric on the site my idea was a jacket, now that I have it in my possession I think I want to do something different-dress or skirt.  Not sure but the fabric is nicer than I imagined.

The second fabric is an ikat cotton fabric.  I recently got a catalog from Chico’s that had a ikat jacket in blue, which was the inspiration for buying this fabric.  I am going to have to modify one of my jacket patterns to get the look of the Chico’s jacket.

What I wore yesterday

I finally got around to wearing my new Simplicity skirt.  I really like the fit of the skirt and it wore very well.  The only thing I want to do is adjust the hook and eye closure.  I always seem to have a hard time determining the best placement for sewing those on.  Anywho--here is a shot or two of me wearing the skirt.  The black knit top is from a Sandra Betzina pattern and I have just about worn this top to death, great knit.  The jacket is a purchased sweater knit cropped jacket with horizontal ridges which of course does not show well in the photos. 

Having taking the pictures before heading off to work yesterday, I realized I needed to wear a necklace and add a pearl necklace to the look.    Wish I had thought of it before taking the photos.

This next one gives a close up of the pockets, which I just love!

I order two pieces of fabric from EOS which arrived yesterday.  I want to take a couple of shots to post.  Both pieces are better than my expectations.  Later

Fabric purchase during my travels

Monday I traveled to Richmond, VA for business.  I arrived about 1.5 hours earlier than my meeting, so after lunch I popped in to Hancock's I was able to purchase two KS patterns.  I also had two fabric pieces jump into my cart and assisted a fellow sewist/shopper about a piece of fabric for a dress she was making.

I bought 3 yards of black double knit.  I had acquired a yard recently from Fabric.com but I did not like the look of this double knit.  It was rather thin and had a shine to it that did not go well with the fabric I was going to use it with.  I will use it with something else later.  I also found a faux snake/reptile skin fabric that I knew I wanted to make into a jacket or vest.

This looks better in real time than I could capture with my camera.  This next photo shows the wrong side.  It is a woven.

The sewing mojo is back in full swing, my problem is lack of time to sew with so many others things going on right now.  I am taking the week after Christmas off and plan to get a few items sewn.

Fabrics, dress and skirts

This is the boucle fabric I purchased earlier this month from Fabrics.com.  The predominately black boucle also has white and pale blue which does not show up well in the photo.

I tried on the dress one more time before cutting out and starting sewing on my skirt.  Here is a shot of it; still needs to be hemmed and the center front bodice tacked together.  I tried it with a thin, chain belt which helps give me more of a waistline but the photo is very blurry. 

I cut out the Vogue skirt and started sewing it.  Off now to resume sewing for today, in between, pre-Thanksgiving day cooking. 

Your either in or your out!

It's out!  I am putting aside the Lutterloh top.  I am frustrated with myself over the "rookie" error I made.  So I decided to move on to some other projects.  I also am waiting for the mailman to deliver my Vogue replacement pattern, so that dress project is on hold.

This is now in!  I have a beautiful navy blue fabric from EOS, it is RPL (rayon,poly,Lycra).  I made another skirt from the same type of material a year ago and I love the fit, feel and wear of that skirt.  I think this will be the same.  I am using a Simplicity skirt pattern purchased within the past month or two.  I cut out the pattern pieces and will pin fit them later.

I also have this lovely fabric (above) acquired from Fabric Mart earlier this year.  I had always planned to use it to make another Collette pattern-the Sencha blouse which stays sold out on her website.  I made this blouse several months ago from some leftover fabric I had in my stash.  As many people have mentioned the blouse is rather full through the upper chest/shoulder/neckline area; mine was also.  The bust, waist and hip fit well.  So I decided to go down two sizes in that upper area.  This fabric is darker looking than shown in this photo.

So the blues are in and looking forward to making these soon.

Fall is approaching

This AM before work, I was reading a few pattern reviews and a few blogs.  I noticed Carolyn of Diary of Sewing Fanatic's blog heading-It's Here.  I immediately knew she was referencing the September Vogue, having been an avid follower of her blog for quite some time now. I was right, it was to let us all know that the magazine had hit the stands and she had a copy.   So at lunch, I headed to B&N and got a copy.  I decided to get Harper's Bazaar as well.  I will start my review this evening.

It has been raining a lot this week and today the temps were in the mid 70's, such a change from the 90's.  The rainy, overcast skies led me to think more about the coming fall months.  Tonight at dinner with DH, we discussed shoes and such.  This led to his commenting that I should be thinking about sewing fall clothing.  I told him that the dress on Alma Marie (dress form) was my last summer dress, and in fact that I had been thinking and planning on some fall sewing.  Now an hour later, I have decided that his comments are also to be interpreted as support to purchase some new fall fabrics that I have seen on line or swatches that have come in the mail through Fabric Mart and Vogue.  What a good enabler he is!

I think my sewing mojo will be revving up again soon.

Sleeves and shoulder pads

I made some fitting adjustments to the shoulder and upper back areas to improve the fit of the jacket this afternoon. I then inserted sleeves and shoulder pads. The only thing left to do is hem the jacket.

I have two dress projects floating around in my head. One with an inserted waist band; I have several dress patterns that have this feature. I plan to use this fabric acquired from Textile Studios several years ago.

I also want to make this Vogue pattern. I have two fabrics I am thinking about using for this one; one was purchased from JoAnn's and the other acquired from Fabric.com.

More fabric, no sewing

Well this has been a busy, busy week at work. Two days in Richmond=extra hours the rest of the week to catch up. The only thing close to sewing is pinning in the area on the dress that needs to be hand stitched!

Hopefully this evening after grocery shopping I will spend some time in the sewing room completing the hand stitch work, sewing the lace to the edge of dress to hem and sewing the lining hem. Then done!

I think I have enough fabric left to make a short jacket to go with the dress. I also want to make a white jacket to go with this dress plus several other ones that I have in my closet already. You know I really don't like to sew on white fabric, I tend to always get something on it. I am taking the plunge though as I really need a white jacket!

Though not sewing I did order two knit fabrics from Lucy's Fabrics yesterday. I found a notice in my email this AM that they were shipped! Wow, quick service. Don't you love??

Later

As promised-photos of new fabric

Cotton sateen-blue with white dots.

Dupionette faux silk-aqua, brown with white flowers

Rayon blend double knit.

The beige with white stripe fabric is going back. The fabric smell is like a mold smell. Not pleasant at all.