Sewing Resolutions???

I am not good with resolutions so normally don't make any. There is a thread going on at Artisans Square about sewing resolutions. I posted some goals there. So thought I would post them here with some additions.

1. Make at least two items from BWOF patterns.
2. Update information regarding my patterns and fabrics in Stitch and Stash Program. Started it last year and then has been hit and miss.
3. Reacquaint myself with Pattern Master Boutique and buy the upgrade.
4. Sew up some of my fabric in my collection before buying more.
5. Refrain from buying so many patterns just because they are on sale for $.99 to $4.99; I am a patternaholic also. This one is going to be tough as I just saw two patterns posted on Flickr that I am already coveting.
6. Re-measure and record new measurements to help with selecting the right size pattern for sewing, particularly for skirts and pants.
7. Do something sewing related at least 3 days out of 7 each week.
8. Make a pair of pants with fly front zipper.
   

Happy New Year Ya'll

Sewing today

I went into work this AM as I agreed to change my schedule to attend a meeting. One of the meeting participants called in ill so I worked a half day and took the other half off as vacation.

DH and I went to eat a late lunch. When we returned I started working on my skirt. I attached the lining and attached the skirt facing. I just read an article in the December Sew News by Linda Lee on using facings and attaching them in a way that it looks like a bias binding at the waistline. I almost decided to do that with this skirt but decided to postpone that for another day and another version.

I attached the lining to the zipper by hand sewing. All that is left to do is hem the skirt and the lining and attach a hook and eye above the zipper. Yeah!!!!

Tomorrow will be another sewing day. I am already thinking about my next two or three projects. I want to make another jacket, different style that I will also wear with this skirt. I have several knit fabrics that will go with this skirt as well as some other skirts/pants in my wardrobe and want to work on cutting those out. Lot of sewing ideas going on!

Two new to me vintage patterns.

I have been working on cataloging patterns using Stitch and Stash software. This is an ongoing challenge. Thought I would show you a few photos of two Vintage patterns that I have not posted about here.

Vintage Vogue 6758
Vintage Vogue 6487

What size am I?

Now I remember why I purchased Pattern Master Boutique and why I might should reacquaint myself with it. I say this because Dang! if I know what skirt size pattern to use anymore. Skirts made earlier this year ranged in size from 14-18 depending on style.

Vogue patterns use to run small on me; so went with Size 16/18 for my current skirt project. I added to all pieces at the waist line due to finished pattern measurement and difference in mine. As I sewed each front and side front along with back and side back pieces, I sewed the same pieces for the lining fabric as well.

I then sewed the side seams of the lining to use it for any fitting adjustments. I thought when I looked at it that it looked a little large but I have surprised myself before and found the fit to be perfect or snug. Let me say this was huge! Thus I began the re-fitting process.

I took 3/4 inch side seams, this helped but still large. I then decided that the front pieces needed to be taken in as the back was looking okay. With a swayback and hip fluff below waist line in the back, my usual adjustments require me to add length at back hip to side seams and to reduce the center back by 1/2 inch. It looks odd but using FFRP techniques this is what I have been doing for years with great success. I thought if I took up the back seams I would have puckers. I ended up taking an extra 5/8" through the front/side front pieces. This did the trick.

I used flat pattern measuring for this skirt which is different for me, as I normally do pattern fitting per FFRP. Using the measuring method and relying on finished size printed on envelope, I added 1/4 inch to all seams at waist line, tapering to size 18 at hip. I also used the petite markings to reduce length from waist to hip. That worked well. I could have shortened the length more though; I will take an extra 1/2 inch at hem.

To conclude all that extra added at waist line proved to be unnecessary. I am glad that I erred on the side of having to take deeper seams, as I am most unhappy when things are too tight and don't have enough "wiggle" room to adjust seam allowances.

Let me add also that I have been going to CURVES rather faithfully for two years now. I have dropped a size in skirts and pants as a result. I really must incorporate this into my skirt sewing now. I have in the past made skirts that were just too ill fitting as they were too tight. I did not have this with PMB patterns as long as I kept the measurements current in that program.

I used an invisible zipper on this skirt. Of course, I sewed it incorrectly two times!!!! Third time was a charm. My hope that the skirt would be complete before returning to work tomorrow will not be. I needed to take a break from sewing as I needed to do some "work" at home before returning to work tomorrow for one day of work to be off again for one day. This will become my first completed project for 2008!

Sewing for Dec 28'07

Today was shopping day for household items as well as groceries. The only sewing done was late afternoon and I continued to work on my black skirt. I sewed the back and side back pieces this afternoon. I am making Vogue 7937, View B with the back slits and tabs on the front. I have to tell you I am really liking the fabric I am working with. It is a black wool gabardine I purchased from Fabric Mart about three years ago. It is such a pleasure to work with this fabric. It sews up well and though it ravels some, not excessively.

Shot of front piece with tabs attached.










The skirt does not have a lining. I cut one using the fabric pieces and reducing their length. This is a black lining I purchased earlier this year from Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd, VA. about 45 minute drive from my home. They have the best assortment of colors from which to choose.

Sewing this skirt has taken me away somewhat from completing the jacket, and I really needed a small break. I did purchase shoulder pads today for the jacket ,as well as black coat/jacket hook and eyes. I continued to work on weaving the trim to complete enough to sew around all the edges prior to shopping today.

Vogue7975 in progress

Vogue7975 in progress
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

Bowing here at the front. You can click on the title under the photo to be taken to flickr where you can read my additional comments.

Vogue7975sideview copy

Vogue7975sideview copy
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

Concerns about fit. Puckering here. Even when pulled together at front as if worn closed, I get some of this. Probably due to various reasons. Shoulder pads help pull this out so will be using them.

Trim on V7975

Trim on V7975
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

Another view of the yarn pinned to the front to see how this will look.

Trim at neck

Trim at neck
Originally uploaded by Danvillegirl

As promised, here is the trim pinned to the neckline. There is a glimmer of gold/copper in the trim as one of the yarns I am using has this color in it. I am using black and white eyelash yarn, a black/white/gray yarn, black and a white plain yarn. There are a total of seven yarns woven together using the Diva Cordmaker.

Vacation Sewing

I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Our day was very uneventful, as we planned. We visited family on Christmas Eve as DH had to work today so he wanted a restful Christmas day. I spent a little time sewing yesterday afternoon but mainly we "grazed" all day and had oyster stew for Christmas dinner.

Today I had a fantastic sewing day. I had the house to myself and I had no intentions to go anywhere but to feed the neighbor's cats and go to CURVES. I spent almost 2.5 hours sewing on my jacket with no real time consuming interuptions. It was bliss!!! Yesterday I quilted the sleeves of the jackets. Today I sewed them together, attached to the jacket and then stitched a bias strip around the armsyce to give a more polished looked to the sleeve seams.

I need to attach shoulder pads. I am comtemplating using removeable shoulder pads but this jacket really needs shoulder pads. The last thing needed to complete the jacket is the trim. I made the trim for this jacket and need a little more to be able to attach around all the edges of the jacket. I also need to attach the chain at the hemline. I want this jacket to be completed ASAP.

The other sewing I did was to start on the Vogue skirt. I am using a black wool gaberdine fabric that I purchased from Fabric Mart about three years ago. This is really good quality fabric. I interfaced the skirt facings and the tabs for view B. After interfacing the tabs, I stitched the two tab fabric pieces together. I then basted to the side front pieces and attached those to the center front. That is where I ended my sewing for today. I took some photos today of the two projects and will post my work in progress later.

I have a hair and manicure appointment late morning tomorrow so hope to sew some before going to these appointments.