Sewing Notion

For sometime now I have been searching for a Dritz Bound Buttonhole Maker. I can't remember the first time I read about this item. I then was reading Dawn's blog-The Secret Pocket. I read and saw photos of the bound buttonholes she made using this tool.

I have searched on Ebay and found one but auction was over! So I continued to search at least weekly.

This past Thursday, our ASG met and we had an Auction. We actually had a real auctioneer which actually made it more fun! One item that I bid on and won was a Hefty bag filled with several sewing notions-point turners-3; snippers-2; two rulers with marked 1/4, 3/8,1/2,5/8,7/8 and 1 inch slots for ease of marking; invisible zipper foot and a bound buttonhole maker. When they read off what was in the bag and I heard bound buttonhole maker my flash card with number was flashing away. I won the bid for $12! When I opened the bag and saw that it was the exact bound buttonhole maker I had been searching for I could have danced. That was the best $12 I spent. The two rulers are great and one has scallop markings with varying size of scallops.

Go here to see my new notion.

Sewing Furniture

I took the plunge and purchased a Horn of America Sewing table, Model 2136. I love it!

The only assembly required is inserting the casters on the bottom of the cabinet. I had to adjust the flat-bed level which required loosening a bolt and moving it down. Now all is level and the plastic insert which is made to fit your specific machine model fits like a charm.

It has been such a pleasure sewing with this today. All fabric lays flat and I think my machine sounds quieter now.

Go here to take a look.

Appezza Taupe2

Appezza Taupe2
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

Another view of the shoes. Again a lower heel.

Appezza Taupe

Appezza Taupe
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

This is the other pair I purchased, ON SALE! I love sales. These are a taupe suede with green, taupe and teal appliques. Love them but not sure what I have to go with them at this time. No fear, I will make something.

MeToo Gray2

MeToo Gray2
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

I forgot to post photos of the shoes I purchased during my vacation. I found a gray pair of shoes at a local store called the Cobbler's Wife. They carry a great range of styles, colors. Limited on the narrow sizes however. These are gray suede with dark gray patent leather trim. Heel about 21/2 inches. My comfort level.

Sewing machine furniture

I have been using my sewing table for 20 years, + or -. It was a very inexpensive (cheap) table that I purchased when I starting sewing again after a few years hiatus. I purchased it from a Singer dealer in early '80's and have used it ever since. I was living in Texas at the time of purchase. This table has moved to California, Florida, Pennsylvania and now Virgina.

I decided earlier this week when I purchased the Free Motion Fabric Mover that I really needed a larger table. I need more room to the left of the machine to keep fabric from falling off the edge when sewing and when I use the embroidery part of my machine. Thus after going to JoAnn's I went to a local Janome/Bernina dealer to get more information about a sewing machine table.

I have to say I was stunned by the price. The tables are nice and meet my need for my small sewing room. But gees, over $500. The up side of this is that you can add on to the table with various other modules. I could then add onto this furniture piece to accommodate my serger as well as having more drawer space. That is appealing in that I am sure I will move to one more house before I never ever move again.

I am continuing to investigate furniture options. If you are reading this and know of a good source for sewing furniture, please leave me a comment.

Saturday sewing

I went shopping this afternoon at JoAnn's. They were having a sale on Vogue and McCall's pattern. (Like I don't have a gazillion now) I purchased two Vogue patterns for $3.99. I really did not have any McCall's patterns that I just had to have. I do have a list of Simplicity patterns.

I also found BUTTONS! for my jacket. Actually I found two potential sets so purchased them both. One set was very much like the ones in my stash that I wanted to use but did not have enough of. The other was a very distinctive button with unusual center; this was a shank style button. After returning home, I laid the buttons on the jacket front and decided to go with the buttons like the one in my stash.

Tomorrow is DH's birthday so took him out to dinner this evening. After returning I started sewing up my dress. It is a sheath style dress so hopefully it will not take long to make it.

Still contemplating my next garment to make. I have a knit top cut out and ready to sew. I am trying to perfect the fit of the Pamela's Perfect T-Shirt pattern on me. This would be something quit to make.

I have several fabric pieces in my sewing room waiting for their destiny.

Sewing for today-Oct 4

I was able to get some personal sewing time in this AM. DH went out on the motorcycle for a couple of hours. I began the pin fitting process for the dress, making a few adjustments. Tomorrow we have plans to attend a motorcycle rally here in the "valley". May find a few moments tomorrow night to cut out the dress fabric and lining.

I got sidetracked this AM from working on the dress pattern as I wanted to play with a new sewing toy. I purchased the Free Motion Fabric Mover for my sewing machine. I spent some time learning how to move the fabric mover and control the free motion stitches. I will say that the fabric mover makes the free motion stitching a little less stressful. Still a learning curve to do this. I did not break any needles as I usually do with free motion stitching.

I am also trying to plan my next sewing projects that will follow my dress. I am thinking skirt, jacket and top or blouse. I still have another dress that I want to make with another cropped style jacket.

Our ASG will be having their annual Christmas party in December and been thinking about what to make for the fashion show. I have not participated before but that I might want to take the plunge. It has been a while since I have made something "artistic". Sew many ideas and sew little time.

Buttons, buttons, whose got the buttons?

The jacket is complete except for the buttons. I have a pair of buttons that would work but I need three of 7/8 or 1 inch buttons, not two. Plus I need 2 of 3/4 inch buttons for the back tab. Of course the only local stores with buttons are JoAnn's and Wal-Mart. I have not had a chance yet to check them out. I use to buy buttons at Hancock's and now they are no longer here. I have not always had great success with JoAnn's or Wal-Mart.

The thought of trying to match buttons online does not thrill me as I believe it will be difficult to match the fabric as usually colors look different on the monitor. Yet that may be the final step.

I wish when I visited Mary Jo's in Gastonia that I had a swatch of this fabric with me. I did purchase some buttons but none really work with the jacket. I know this sounds whiny! If all else fails, self covered buttons may be my only answer.

Dress is up next

I am going to make this dress to go with the jacket. I have to do the pin fitting and such to start on it. I am making the dress from the same fabric as the jacket. Yes, I know rather "matchy, matchy" but that was my intent.

Stay tuned.

Sewing progress-almost done!

First and foremost I am on vacation. My plans for sewing ALL DAY yesterday got some detours along the way. First, I bought a satellite radio on Saturday, had it installed on Sunday. Worked great on the way home and on side trips before getting home. Sunday evening kept trying to acquire a signal. First thing Monday AM went back to installer, learned the problem was radio. Went to Best Buy got them to exchange the radio, plugged it in and worked great. Hopefully today it will work.

Refrigerator was leaking, ice maker had froze up. Appliance repair person unfroze. Started leaking again, yesterday new valve installed. Solved that problem but think I have another one.

So in between this I worked diligently on my jacket. I am happy to report that it is almost done. What's left to do is finish the back hem facing; attach band and buttons; make button holes and attach buttons. The issue is buttons. I don't have enough of a certain button to use from my stash. The only place to buy buttons locally is JoAnn's. They never have what I need. The next local and best source is 45 minutes away, Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd. May be a trip later in the week will be necessary.

Here is the jacket on AlmaMarie. Here is a close up of the gathered sleeve cap.
There are other photos.