What I am up to

 After completing the shorts, I went through a pattern cleansing and posted more patterns for sale on eBay. The sewing room needs rearranging and some new furniture. In between that and having to take my DH to numerous doctor appointments, I have got a little sewing in.

I am currently working on the Melody Dolman top by Love Notions.  It really is an easy pattern to sew. I am always unsure of what size to select and decided to go with the full bust front pattern piece in size 14. I then thought I needed an additional bust adjustment, which in the end I did not really need.  I should have made some adjustments for the shoulder and will with my next version.

After attaching the collar, I basted the side seams and realize I needed to sew a 5/8 seam allowance from underarm to waist and then using a 3/8 seam allowance as the pattern calls for from waist to hip. This version will be wearable and the next version a better fit.

I am using this fabric from Cali Fabrics that has been in my stash since early 2018. It is a top-quality rayon challis. I also purchased some green fabric that matched perfectly and the attempted pant pattern just did not fit as I had hoped. The pants were made in 2018 or 2019; they went to Goodwill.

Hopefully, I can finish this top this week as I have a few other patterns in the line up to sew.

Shorts and what I learned.

I made an effort to get over my FOPS-Fear of Pant Sewing! For years I shied away from sewing pants and shorts. Mostly because when I sewed them, I had to make so many changes. For me making one change created two more changes needed. I made one short pattern that I wore to death in the '80s.  My first pair of pants, back in the '70s, I wore to work, and after I got home I saw that the length was off on one leg and the topstitched hem looked awful!  Because I was able to buy RTW that fit much better, I decided pants were not for me to sew.

I attempted a Jalie Eleanor about two years ago that turned out okay. I attempted another pattern about 18 months ago and lost count of the number of adjustments I had to make. They were okay but I put aside and never wore them again.

I have been sewing for many years-around 40. Skirts, dresses, and jackets were my go-to sewing for years. I then began sewing with knits and found I liked sewing knit tops. But in the back of my mind, I felt I should be able to sew pants/shorts since I have been sewing for a long time. Having watched numerous videos on sewing pants, I really thought I should get going.

Having found Sinclair patterns that are drafted for petite, regular, and tall sizes, I decided to test the Moon wide leg pant, culottes, and shorts pattern. I enjoyed the process and found the tweaks I need to make was mainly choosing a smaller size.  Below are photos I took using my iPad and in a rush to get out of the house to buy groceries.

Front view. Didn't realize one leg was not pulled down.

Back view

I was and am excited that the petite size has the perfect crotch length for me with this pattern. No adjustments needed.

I knew making these that they were wide legs and did sew a deeper side seam from below the hip/pocket to reduce the width. The legs as you can see are still rather wide.

My first thought was to make a smaller size but then went with the size 16. In taking a second look at the finished ease, I should have stayed with the 14 and maybe 12 for the hip to bottom. I am shaped more like a rectangle with not a lot of difference between waist and hip.  There is a lot of fullness in the back and should I attempt this pattern again I would take about an inch tuck in that area.

I do like the elastic back waistband with a flat front waistband. After wearing yesterday, I think I need to actually start at the side seam about an inch below the waist and take a deeper seam to match the deeper seam below the hip. 

The fabric used was a cotton woven fabric purchased at Walmart for the test garment.

The crotch length on this pattern will be my sloper so to speak when attempting to sew other pants that are not Sinclair petite patterns. I have a couple of pant patterns I am now ready to try.

Yesterday, I purchased the Jakarta shorts pattern from Sinclair as this is more of a style I would like.  The next project for me is the Love Notions Melody dolman sleeve shirt. Pattern printed, taped, and ready to trace.

More later!

My Moon-Quick update (Sinclair patterns)

 I have just completed a pair of shorts; the first pair since the '90s. I am pleasantly pleased with the outcome. There are future tweaks to make but what I wanted to accomplish is to sew a pair of shorts drafted for a petite person and have the crotch right without making several adjustments.  I made no adjustments; none needed!

Image from Clkr.com

Back elastic waistband

inseam pockets

Flat front waistband

New post soon with me wearing and more details about the shorts!

Shorts

I have been working, very slowly, on making a pair of shorts. I am using this pattern from Sinclair patterns because they are drafted for Petites. If you have been reading my blog for a while you know I shy away from sewing pants. I have only made one pair of shorts that fit, ages ago, that was a Sandra Betzina pattern. They were the only pair of shorts that fit perfectly. I wore them to death.

I have attempted to sew a couple of other pants/shorts patterns but the fit was not as good as RTW. I purchased them from Talbots in petite sizes and always a flattering fit.  Now that I am retired with a reduced monthly budget, I have not purchased much from them as their prices are rather high. Recently they have been running sales and I did purchase 3 pairs of shorts that will last me for a long time.

For me, there are just a lot of fitting adjustments I have to make, and frustration sets in because one change leads to 2 more changes or undoing a change I made previously.

So these shorts will be my test pattern and going with the size I printed out and see where this leads. I like the look of these shorts because the front waistband is flat with the elastic back waistband.

No pictures to show yet. More later.

BMV?????

I received an email yesterday regarding a name change for Butterick, McCall's, Vogue, and Kwik Sew. I know that change is the only constant in life. I remember when all 4 patterns became one company over time. Those were significant changes but when I bought patterns from them it did make it easier to search all four.

I did participate in Club BMV a lot. It appears that the club does not exist now and I think I paid for a whole year but don't think I received a rebate for the ending sometime this year. I am okay with that somewhat; I did benefit from greatly reduced prices.

It took me a moment to realize that Something Delightful is the new name for the company; plus they added C.R. Gibson. Never heard of this company. I have to say I am not sure how I feel about the new name. It just does not say sewing, patterns, etc.  It is not very defining who they are.  It somewhat sounds like a company for food, ice cream, or even some "adult-themed site". Maybe in my more mature stage in life, I am finding it hard to accept change. Or maybe because the world is turned upside down with COVID-19 and the current state of the USA that this is not registering well with me.

I am curious as to what your thoughts about the name change.

This and That Updates

I wanted to give an update on where I am with my hand healing and sewing. It's been a few days since I posted anything.

The stitches have been removed from my hand. I am now able to bend my fingers and when I reopen them my middle finger does not stick anymore. This hand is still very sensitive and slowly healing around the scar.

Fingers bend okay!

Fingers open without locking, a new scar

I am now able to do some sewing activities. I have to restrict the amount of time I'm working on a project to keep my hands from starting to hurt. Slow progress but it's good to be sewing some again.

I completed one project and here are a few shots of it hanging. The fabric is from my stash, both are textured fabrics. The pattern used is from Ellie and Mac and called the Discoverer T.

This is a cream color textured knit.

The yoke is a black and cream somewhat mesh-like knit.

I made this tee previously. I had planned to use this for the PR Tee Shirt Contest. But could not finish in time and had to delay completing after hand surgery. I will share an update with me wearing it in the future.

DH and I are getting ready to leave for dental appointments. More later.

Sinclair Cachet Two

I was able to take some photos of me wearing my second top. I posted a glimpse of it in a previous post.

Again my DH and I were going to a doctor's appointment and I ended up wearing the same outfit but this time the appointment was in the afternoon and only 20 minutes away.

This time I made a 14 for upper chest and shoulders, 16 for bust and hips.  I ended up taking an additional 3/8 inch in the bust area but going back to 16 at the hips.

I like the feel of this knit and purchased several years ago from JoAnn's so been in my stash for some time. Unfortunately, though the pictures show a vibrant blue and white stripe, after washing it the blue has faded terribly. It looks like something I wore a lot but this is my second time wearing.

Here are a few photos I took to give you a full view.

Back View

Front View

Front View 2ore

Side view

I will probably make more later but have several other patterns I am ready to try!

My hand is slowly mending, but I have a tendency to overdo using my right hand, being right-handed. Stitches I hope will come out on Monday of next week! More later!

This and That

The past two weeks have been busy with some sewing and doctor visits. I did wear my new Cachet top for a trip to Wilmington for my DH's doctor visit. I took a quick photo in the mirror before departing.

Not the best picture, soon I will get around to taking some appropriate photo shots. Being retired we go to bed later and get up later. Later for me is sleeping to 8:00 AM, compared to my 4:40 AM rise for work and 7:00 AM on weekends. To travel to Wilmington for noonish appointments requires an earlier wake-up to get ready. I was still sleepy when I took this photo!

I had plans to enter the tee-shirt contest on PR and was working on this project but did not complete it on time. Still not complete as of Wednesday I had trigger finger surgery and my hand is bandaged for now.

I can remove the bandages Sunday and use band-aids to cover the stitches. Yesterday was a rough day but today it is much better and able to do a little more without too much pain. Sewing is set aside for now.

I did print out a Sinclair pants/shorts pattern, traced the pattern for pin fitting. Hopefully, after seeing the doctor in two weeks I will be able to get back to my sewing projects.

Enjoy the 4th and stay safe.

Second Sinclair Finished

I just thought I would post a pic of my second Sinclair Cachet top. This was a challenge for me to complete and I posted information here about the neckline. I finished hemming everything and decided that I would take up the sides about 3/8 from 3" from underarm to 6 inches below, which was right above the start of the hip.

I also used a size 14 for the upper chest/shoulder for this one blending to size 16. Previous adjustments made to the traced pattern were included for this make also.

Adjusted neckline.  Still may need to trim to lay flat.

Front view

I will take more pics wearing in the near future.  Debating on the next project, fabrics pulled for shorts, tee-shirt, and blouse!  More later.

New Fabric and updates

Since retiring, I have not been buying lots of fabric. I am trying to sew more of my fabric stash. I have several knit fabrics to choose from. Some of the knits leave me wondering what the heck was I thinking when I purchased this.

I was sewing my second Sinclair Cachet tee. I am using fabric I purchased from JoAnn's a few years ago. I really like the fabric and it is easy to sew. I ran into an issue with the neckband on this one, had to remove stitching resulting in a tear in the neckband. I cut another one and had puckers that were too noticeable so I started to removed the second one and created a tear in this one. I decided to fold down the neckband and use it as a neck binding.  This worked after serging the piece to make it narrower.

I have hemmed the sleeves. And stopped there and sewjo has gone out the window.

I had cut a tee shirt pattern when I cut the Sinclair one and was able to use the same thread color for both fabrics. I was going to sew each pattern as batch sewing. However, the fabric for the McCall's tee was a horror to sew. I purchased it years ago from Fabric.com or Fabric Mart. It was a cotton knit, probably a blend. I have never had an issue with cotton knits but this one did not like any needle I used to sew it.  It was very frustrating and I quit trying to use it. So into the wadder bin.

I decided one fabric purchase would be therapeutic and ordered fabric from Sly Fox Fabrics.  I plan to use this for another Sinclair pattern I just purchased.  It is a ponte knit of good quality.  Here's a glimpse.

I love the aqua color and the combination of stripe and solid together.  

Now if I could only get my sewjo back. 😔

What Matters

I have been quiet about the current situation regarding George Floyd's death. I needed time to process and to think about the words I wanted to express.  I struggle to write what I feel.  I have never been as appalled as I was seeing how he died!  It was not the first time that this happened to a black male. It was definitely very visual to see the cop pressing on his neck and the look on the cop's face was pure hatred. He wanted him to die! I cry every time I see this clip.

 

I have been reading numerous posts on Instagram and a few blogs that have allowed me to learn more about the discrimination and pain that black people have endured. I have never felt I was a racist and the color of someone's skin has never been a thought when interacting with others.

However, I still have work to do as I have seen these acts of violence against black people and felt bad, but not bad enough! I realize that as a white person I have not had to feel or experience what others of color have felt. As horrible as Mr. Floyd's death was, it has been the catalyst for people and me to see what has been before my eyes but not registering deep enough to really understand and fight for change.

Before retiring I had a colleague in management make a comment about how my department was composed mostly of black people. I was stunned and surprised by this comment. The statement was true but the comment rankled me because I never thought about the color of the person's skin when hiring. I spoke with this person and expressed my concern over his comment. I wanted to understand why it bothered him; his response was he didn't really mean anything by it and I told him it obviously did or that comment would never have been made.

One thing that has stuck with me over the years and always believed was the song we sang in church as children.

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red or yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight" 

I have used this as a reminder and mantra all my life. By listening and reading I saw this sign and it truly hit home for me. "All Lives Can't Matter Until Black Lives Matter"

I have recently seen several organizations that want to help make a change and fight for an end to racism. I hope that supporting an organization for change is a start for me to continue to learn and do more to support change.   I am not sure what source is the most appropriate one to support. The one that spells out a plan is Solutions-Campain Zero. If you are reading this, I hope you will comment on a recommendation if there is one better.

And lastly, One other thing for change is to vote in the upcoming elections. It has been apparent since 2016 that our current president is not good for our nation. He did not get my vote before and will not this time either.